AN: I am pleased to know that people are enjoying this story. I've decided to make this be a story that I finish. I can't guarantee tons of chapters, but I will most certainly do my best to keep this one rolling.
This chapter is more from Gar's point of view. I'll most likely be switching off each chapter and I want to kind of give each character – Victor, Dick, and Kori – their own parts. If you guys would also like that, let me know via PM or through a review.
Disclaimer:I do not own the Teen Titans, although IF I did the show would still be going. I only own the idea for this story. C'est la vie…
Chapter II: The Past in the Present
Gar couldn't believe it. He had heard the news float over his old Titan's communicator, first from Dick and Kori and then from Vic. Seem Dick had finally decided to man up and propose to Kori, who from the sounds of it, had all but yelled her answer to the question at the top of her lungs. The image of her response and Dick's happy albeit slightly embarrassed face made Gar chuckle heartily.
He had eagerly answered yes to being one of Dick's groomsmen and wasn't insulted at not being asked to be the Best Man. Besides, Victor was more reliable anyway and Dick would never forgive Gar if he became absentminded and misplaced the wedding ring.
However, after the cheerful communications had ended, reality began to set in. A wedding meant that he'd have to spend time with Raven. Ok, maybe not tons of time with her, but definitely around her. Sure, they were tolerant for the most part of one another, civil even, but sometimes Gar just couldn't help but put his foot in his mouth like old times and it'd become a blast from the past in no time from Raven.
He sat at his desk and sighed deeply. It seemed like everyone was with someone. Dick and Kori were going to get married. Victor and Susan had wed only the year before and were actually expecting their first child thanks to some super cool science stuff that Gar still couldn't quite grasp nor did he feel the need to because he was so stoked to be an Uncle.
But, where was his lover, his one and only? Gone. You lost her a long time ago, came the thought quicker than he could stop it and that familiar twinge of pain occurred in his chest. If anything, he was sure that Raven hated him more now than ever had before they had gotten together.
If only she had taken the time to listen to me, he thought as he had some many times over the past five years.
No one cared to wear the holographic rings around one another. They had all grown up together and accepted each other with their oddities. Besides, services like marriages and births were performed at one of the Tower's.
Everyone had returned to their old names – except Raven and Starfire. Raven was now referred to as Rachel Roth and Starfire had shortened Koriand'r to just Kori. Robin was back to Richard "Dick" Grayson. Cyborg was back to Victor Stone. And Beast Boy, well, he was back to Garfield Logan.
People at the zoo at which he worked knew him as the fun-loving and passionate zookeeper. He always wondered how they would feel about him if he were to show them that he could transform into every single animal that they had in the zoo, even the fake dinosaurs that were in the more kid friendly area. The only animals the Jump City Zoo didn't have on display was…the beast.
No, to his colleagues he was Gar, the goofy guy with a short haircut with frosty green tipped hair, an elaborate sense of humor, a nice easy going smile, and a likeable personality. He was normal in their eyes.
He was no more than scrawny string bean out of his friends. He'd shot up to being six feet five inches tall. He'd bulked up and was "buffed out", weighing in at a reasonable 175 pounds. Yes, gone was the lanky teenager who had been the shortest member of the group for as long as he could remember in his younger years. And his voice, once nasally and high-pitched, was now smooth as silk and had a gentle timbre to it.
With a sharp shake of his head, Gar made his decision. Vic couldn't go out to celebrate because he was helping look after his beloved Susan. Dick was planning a more romantic evening once Kori got back from telling Raven – he still had superior hearing and had picked up that useful piece of information over the coms.
So, no more moping! You're a good looking guy and you need to cut loose tonight! Go out and celebrate for your friends, he thought with a smile. Yes, it was definitely time to go to the club and look for a young lady to have a good time with.
Gar had cleaned up and after charming his way through the line, using his dashing smile to basically cut, he got inside and headed towards the bar. He only drank when celebrating and two of his closest friends getting hitched was definitely cause for a celebratory drink…or two. And once he'd gotten his drink and paid the bartender, his nearly phosphorescent blue eyes began searching the club and it wasn't long until he spotted a very attractive woman.
What first caught his eye were her lips – bee stung lips that formed a perfect cupid's bow. Eyes that were bright and when he made it a point to lock their gazes just for a split second, he guessed that she was high educated. Her body language indicated that this wasn't her natural habitat – Habitat? Man, I need to get out of the zoo more often – and that her friend, who he just got glimpses of since she never seemed to be off the dance floor, had probably been the one to drag her out.
Her hair was interesting under the lighting, a black-ish blue with a violet hue it seemed. She was dressed in hip hugging jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. Rather casual, but she definitely had the natural sex appeal to pull of such a laid back style. Gar was entranced by this stranger, this beauty, and he couldn't help but stare.
His hopes of meeting her leapt heavenward when he saw her being dragged to the dance floor by…Kori!? IF that's Kori then that means that woman is…
"Raven." He heart clenched when he spoke her name.
Oh yes, he was going to make his move now. The lighting on the dance floor was a mixture of black lights and flashing strobe lights that would probably cause someone in the club to have a seizure sooner or later. It would mean a good cover and he let the animal in him plan his route to and from Raven, or as his brain was currently thinking of her, his prey.
Gar made his way through the people and soon he was dancing up right behind Raven – or was it Rachel tonight? – and he boldly leaned down, making his lips level with her ear.
"I—"
"Do not talk," he heard Raven instruct and for a brief moment he thought that she had heard his thoughts and knew it was him. But he realized that she was relaxed enough to allow his strong hands to move down along her hips.
He smirked. "Then how does one become your friend?"
"Either make me laugh or make me orgasm," she shot back and his smirk turned into a grin. I wonder what one would have to do to become her best friend…
"What if I can do both?" he replied in a confident tone.
"Then you will become my very good friend," he heard her saw and caught the melodic little laugh that had escaped her beautiful lips.
"I've just made you laugh so I am half way there, aren't I?" Gar said boldly, his arms wrapping about her waist, pulling her closer as they began to gyrate to the music together.
She seemed to freeze but only for a moment before giving back in to the rhythm. "I suppose so."
"You know, some may call this fate…" Gar said, smiling.
"Oh?" She glanced over her shoulder, locking eyes with his own in curiosity it seemed. "Why's that?"
He opened his mouth to reply, but the lights returned to normal and he heard a woman gasp. He looked away from Raven only to see Kori standing not three feet from them, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
"Beast Boy!?" Kori said, shocked and then looked to Raven.
He felt himself being shoved off and he let his grasp around her loosen so she could turn around to look at him, both of them saying nothing, watching the other, waiting for a reaction.
"I don't call this fate," Raven said finally, her tone icy. "I call this bad timing."
AN: Yes, I know, a cliffy. Will Raven forgive Gar for his deception? How will the rest of this reunion play out? Stay tuned!
