Author's Note

Hello wonderful readers! First off, I want to thank everyone who took the time to read this story, and I want to give double thanks to everyone who left me a review. Y'all are the best! Reviews really encourage me to keep on writing, because it lets me know you like the story and are waiting to hear more.

Also I didn't put this is in the first chapter because I'm not sure if it will be helpful to the story, but if any of you watched the show (which I'm guessing you have), this story takes place probably a little after The Beast Within.

So without further ado, on with the show!

Hope you enjoy,

Chaotic Coffee Bean

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I'm sure there is some sort of alternate universe where I own the Teen Titans...this is not one of them.

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Chapter 2

The storm did not let up that night. My brain was buzzing from everything that happened with Raven. As if the storm and my restless thoughts weren't enough to keep me awake, the air was still thick with her scent, and there was giant a wet spot on the sofa where she had been sitting. I spent the rest of the night laying down on the sofa of the ops room, staring at the ceiling, and wondering how in the hell I was going to find out what was wrong with Raven. I racked my brains searching for a way to approach her.

In many ways, Raven was like a wild animal: cautious, strong, territorial. Thankfully, I just so happen to be an expert in animals. So how do you get a wild animal to understand you mean no harm to them? You have to gain their trust, and that's where it gets tricky. Raven was weary of people and things she wasn't familiar with. She treaded life with caution and was slow to trust, and trust me, it takes forever to earn Raven's trust. Even after 2 years of knowing her, she was still secretive about her life and her past. One wrong move and the trust and friendship we've built could come crumbling down.

I couldn't confront her again, that wouldn't work. Prying would get me nowhere, I knew that from experience. I'd been prying her to open up for years and that hasn't gotten me anywhere. If I wanted her to open up to me I would have to earn it.

It felt like no time had passed, but soon sunlight started peaking in through the windows. Raven and Robin would be up soon; they were the early birds of the tower. (Pun most definitely intended)

Sure enough, just a few seconds later I heard the metal doors of the Ops room slide open, followed by light footsteps walking towards the kitchen.

I could recognize those footsteps from anywhere, especially after thinking about her all night. I felt a slight wave of panic course through me. I was definitely not ready to confront her again. What was I supposed to say to her after last night?

I quickly stood up off the sofa and joined her in the kitchen where she was busy making some coffee.

"You're up early," her voice was quiet, probably embarrassed about the night before.

"Yeah, I never got around to sleeping actually."

We stayed wrapped in a thick, awkward silence after that. I stared at the back of her cloak-covered head while I searched my brain for anything to say; I didn't want to make this even more awkward than it already was.

Giving up, I busied myself by making a bowl of cereal. Raven sat at the table with her coffee and I sat across from her, hoping she would just say something already. To no avail of course. She just sat there, coffee mug in hand, staring down at the dark steaming liquid.

Then it hit me.

"Hey Rae, don't you usually drink tea in the morning?"

She stiffened slightly at my question, but continued to stare at her coffee, avoiding my eyes.

"It's Raven. Not Rae."

"Fine, fine Raven. Did you run out of tea or something?"

Her reply came out almost as a whisper, "I always see Robin drinking it black. No sugar. I've always wanted to try it."

Maybe I should just get out there and say it? I had nothing better planned to say, and anything was better than sitting across from each other in suffocating, uncomfortable silence.

Well, here goes nothing.

"You've been trying out a lot of new things lately."

She slammed her mug down on the table angrily, splashing drops of hot coffee and stared me, eyes full of anger.

On second thought…uncomfortable silence was definitely better than an angry Raven. I could practically feel the heat of her anger burning my face, but it was too late to back out now. At least I got her to look me in the eye.

"Can you just drop it? It's not your job to help me, or fix me, or whatever the hell you're trying to do."

"You can't fix what isn't broken Raven. You're not broken."

"You can't know that. You barely even know me."

"Not for lack of trying! How long have the titans been together? Two years now?"

"What do you expect from me? Everyone has their secrets, even you."

She had a point there. Over the past few years that we've known each other we've all learned some things from our past, but even I hadn't told everyone many things about myself. Not even Cyborg, and he's my best friend.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

She gave me a bewildered look and raised an eyebrow, "I didn't expect you to drop that subject so easily. I thought you weren't mature enough for that."

"Gee thanks…I just want to show you that I'm serious about this Raven. Maybe you can't see it, maybe you don't feel the same, but you're my friend and I care about you. I know something is wrong."

She looked down at the table, her dark cloak covering her face, making it impossible for me to decipher what she was feeling or thinking, but I could see how hard she was gripping her coffee mug. Her knuckles were white from the effort, hands shaking ever so slightly.

"There are things from my past… things I can't tell anyone about. Can't you understand that?"

"Look Raven, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, but I don't want you to go through whatever this is alone. That's what friends are for, and I'm your friend, right?"

"I guess one could call us that."

"Aww come on Rae, don't be like that! Of course we're friends. I save your butt, you save mine. That's how this works."

"For the LAST time it's RAVEN, you imbecile."

I raised up my hands quickly in surrender. I was finally getting somewhere with this girl, and I was not about to mess this up for calling her the wrong name.

"Sorry! Sorry! So, what do you say? We in this together, or what?"

I wagged my eyebrows before turning into a cat and giving her the cutest face I could muster. No one could resist the face.

Raven rolled her eyes, annoyed, but I could tell that she was seriously thinking about my proposition. My heart pounded inside my chest hoping she would say yes. Finally, after what seemed like hours of her internal debate, she touched a hand to her forehead and sighed.

"Fine."

"YES," I yelled after transforming back into a human. If I hadn't been so sure of being maimed, I would have hugged her. I looked straight into her eyes, and gave her the most sincere smile I could possibly muster.

"I swear Raven, I won't let you down. Whatever you're going through, I'll be by your side. You're not alone."

A nice comfortable silence descended on us. I knew she wouldn't admit it, but I could tell she felt like a weight was removed from her shoulders. Whatever she was so afraid of, she had been holding it in, but those days were over. Now she had me on her side.

After a few moments, she eyed her coffee curiously, picked it up, and took a sip.

"So? What's the verdict? Is it any good?"

"Well…it's not my cup of tea."

I couldn't help but chuckle and give her a wide smile. "Did my ears deceive, me or did you just make a joke?"

"Despite what you may think of me Beast Boy, I can make jokes," she looked up at me, giving me her signature tiny almost-smile.

For the second time in, well, forever, she reached for my hand and frowned.

"Come to my room tonight. After the others are asleep. I'll tell you what I can."

And with that, she drank one last quick sip of coffee and teleported out of the room. It was time I found out the truth.

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A/N:

Will Beast boy find out what Raven is up to? Will Raven tell Beast Boy why she is so afraid? Oh the mystery...

This chapter kind of sets up the rest of the story. I hope you all enjoyed it!

If you love this, hate this, or have a comment please don't hesitate to leave me a review. Reviews are this story's life blood.

Until next time!

Chaotic Coffee Bean