Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.

Raven sat alone at the kitchen table, staring at the sunrise through the common room windows. Robin had once told her that he loved sunrises since every new day was full of promise.

Robin's full of crap.

Raven sighed as she felt the void inside consuming her, growing and leaving her hollow inside. This was far worse than when Malchior broke her heart. At least she now knew that he had never been sincere and had never loved her. But this was different. It was worse, far worse. Beast Boy had loved her and she had scared him off with her cruelty.

She had been jolted awake from her slumber. The rogue emotions were powerful and had awakened her. She was familiar with them, having felt them on countless occasions while flying over the city at night during her patrols. If there was one thing she had learned was that not all lovers were equal. Many, if not most, were selfish and she could tell from their emotions that they were only in it for the physical pleasure. One of the benefits of living in the Tower on the island was the distance it provided from such distractions. Emotions didn't travel far and she was never disturbed by them when she slept.

Every once in a while, during her night patrols, she encountered a true pair of soul mates. When she did their emotions overwhelmed her as they would be so intense that she couldn't possibly block them out. Eventually she gave up trying to shield herself and instead chose to experience them. She knew beauty when she felt it, and when a couple became as one she couldn't help but feel their passion. The oneness they experienced would captivate her, as she couldn't fathom how a man and a woman could experience such intimacy.

She had often felt like a voyeur intruding into their privacy, but she couldn't help herself. For one thing it was so beautiful and the lovers were always anonymous to her. She didn't believe that she would ever experience that kind of oneness with a lover. She didn't even believe that she would ever have a lover. That is until she and Garfield matured and they became close friends. Then, for the first time in her life she had hope. Hope in that she wasn't a monster; hope that a man would love her for whom she was, someone she could share her whole self with, someone she could become one with.

She knew who it was that she sensed during the wee hours of the morning. She felt a dagger thrust into her heart as she experienced the intense passion flood her senses. And she was familiar enough with each of them to be able to distinguish who each set of emotions came from and that was when she learned the truth.

Terra did not love him.

She was selfish in her lovemaking, unlike Garfield who offered every fiber in his body and soul to the unworthy blond. As soon as Raven learned this she began to weep. She had lost her beloved to a woman that didn't truly love him.

Raven had been contemplating this unpleasant truth for hours now, as the ice cold mug of tea before her would bear witness to. She agonized over what she should do. She knew that Garfield and Terra were doomed as a couple. All she had to do was to wait for Terra to break his heart and he would be hers. But he would suffer, especially if Terra left him for another man. And Raven was certain that would eventually happen.

Her other option would be to interfere with their relationship and sabotage it. He would hate her for it but wouldn't have to suffer the eventual heartache that Terra would eventually dump on him. But that was far too risky, as she could end up hurting him as well.

She had no other options. She needed a miracle.

She also needed to talk to someone. She quietly stood up and walked out of the common room.

Beast Boy woke up and stretched lazily in Terra's bed. He hadn't slept so soundly in months, if not years. His new mate was curled up next to him, her arms still wrapped around his well toned torso. He caressed her face with his disabled hand and sighed when felt the never ending numbness that was now the norm for his right hand. He ran his other hand down her shapely figure, delicately tracing her curves with his hand. She moaned softly but did not wake up.

Beast Boy's bliss was shattered by the thought of Raven. He was going to have to tell her the news and was dreading it. He knew that he and Terra would be announcing their new relationship to the team later that day, but he owed it to Raven to tell her first. He knew she would be hurt and he knew that he would have to console her, somehow.

It was a drizzly evening as a dark portal opened in the shady alley. A hooded and caped figure emerged from the black disk and surveyed her surroundings before proceeding to the street. She was alone as the cold rain intensified and she raised a bird shaped shield to protect herself from the elements.

This was already her tenth stop on a whirlwind European tour, if it could be called that. She had already made stops in Dublin, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Lyons, Antwerp, Bratislava, Warsaw, Sofia and Milan. Her last hope was down the cobblestone street she was now walking along. This was Budapest and as she rounded the corner she saw that it was still there, the tobacconist's shop. She gently opened the door, which rang a quaint sounding bell and walked in, overwhelmed by the aroma of tobacco. She approached the counter to wait for the proprietor to emerge, which he did promptly. He was a short, bald elderly man who wore a pince-nez. His name was Arpad Fekete.

"Good Evening Miss Raven." He greeted her in Hungarian. "It has been so long. How can I help you?"

"Hello Mr. Fekete, I'm looking for a rare scroll."

"Maybe I can help you my dear. Which scroll are you looking for?"

Raven had learned the name of the scroll for the first time earlier that day. After leaving her cold tea in the common room she had returned to her bedroom, where she opened one of her chests, a magical chest that was sealed with a spell. Inside that chest she kept an unusual relic, the book of Rorek and Malchior. She removed the book from its sarcophagus and placed on her desk, opening it to the torn page that had once shown Rorek's face and now showed the dragon's head instead.

"Hello Raven, to what do I owe the honor of your visit, fair maiden?"

"Let's dispense with the pleasantries Malchior, you know what I seek."

"Indeed I do Raven, and I'm afraid that I know of no such spell."

"You're lying." She accused him in her monotone.

"I assure you that I am doing no such thing. If such a spell existed it would used widely and be commonplace. Believe me Raven, if I knew of such a spell I would be bargaining with you for it as we speak."

"You can forget it Malchior, I'm not letting you out of the book."

"Then I suppose you might as well put me back into the chest."

Raven's eyes split into 2 red demonic pairs.

"If you do not help me I will destroy the book and you along with it. You must know of a spell that can help me."

"You drive a hard bargain, daughter of Trigon. What if it's black magic? Would you still be interested?"

Raven paused while she pondered his offer.

"That would be acceptable."

"And what would my payment be for assisting you?"

"You get to live to see another day."

Malchior chuckled before replying.

"I think you are bluffing, fair maiden. But as a token of my goodwill I will tell where to find a spell that will help you. It can only be found in a rare scroll …"

"I'm looking for the sixth scroll of Algeron the Lesser." Raven told Fekete.

"That is indeed a rare scroll Miss Raven and a very dark one too."

"Yes, I know Mr. Fekete." She replied in perfect Hungarian. "Do you have it?"

"Yes I do. It was entrusted to my great grandfather, who was told to guard it until someone worthy asked for it. Please wait here Miss Raven; I will bring it to you."

Fekete disappeared into the rear of the store and Raven heard him trudging down a rickety flight of stairs into a cellar, where he remained for nearly 10 minutes, after which he emerged with a small dusty wooden box.

"Here it is Miss Raven." He said as he handed it to her.

Raven produced a coin purse from her belt.

"How much do I owe you, Mr. Fekete?"

"There is no charge, for no one can claim to own this scroll."

Raven picked up the box, opened it and examined its contents before closing it again.

"Thank you Mr. Fekete." She bid him farewell as a black portal opened behind her.

"Use it wisely." He called out to her as she stepped into the portal.

It was midday in Jump City and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The boardwalk was teeming with people. Couples strolling hand in hand, skateboarders weaving between pedestrians, peddlers hawking trinkets, children shouting, it seemed the whole city was out enjoying the sun while Terra and Beast Boy were finishing their lunch at the sidewalk café. The changeling was still forsaking his old vegetarian ways as he polished off a half pound, double decked cheeseburger, while Terra had limited herself to a chef's salad. Beast Boy stared into the bay while he horked down his last morsel, oblivious to all that was happening around him. Terra noticed his distraction.

"Hey lover! You OK?" She teased him lightheartedly.

"Sorry, I'm just worried about Raven, no one's seen her all day and she didn't say where she was going."

"Raven's a big girl and she can take care of herself." Terra retorted.

"I know, but she hasn't answered all day, I'm getting worried."

"Answered? You haven't pulled your communicator out all day. What are you talking about?"

Beast Boy sighed, bracing himself. He had never told Terra about their link.

"Remember how Raven and Starfire came so quickly when I was shot?"

"Now that you mention it they did arrive quickly. How did they know you were shot? You didn't have a communicator on you when I found you."

"Well, you see, Raven and I share a telepathic link."

Terra looked at her mate in shock.

"How long has this been?"

"It's been a few weeks now. We had a mission in the local power plant and Raven set up a telepathic link between us so we could communicate without speaking."

"And she never removed it?"

"Not yet."

Terra looked disturbed as she continued.

"BB, the next time you see her I want that link cut off."

"Huh, why?"

Terra's expression switched to indignant.

"I'm your mate BB, and I'll soon be your wife. I don't want another woman prancing around inside your head."

"Raven's our friend Terra; she isn't quote 'another woman'."

"You mean she's your friend BB. If you think I'm gonna let you have a second girlfriend, you're nuts."

"She's not my girlfriend Terra! What's with you today?"

"You seem awfully fond of her."

"Of course I am, after you she's my closest friend, and right now I'm really worried about her."

Terra harrumphed in reply.

"What's there to be worried about?"

"Don't be like that Terra. She's in a bad place right now, she needs some support."

"More like she needs you."

Beast Boy frowned at his mate.

"Are you saying you don't trust me Terra?"

"Should I?"

Beast Boy became indignant.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Have I ever betrayed you Terra?"

She stood up and snarled. "I knew you would bring that up and throw it in my face!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I knew you hadn't forgiven me!"

"Terra! Listen! Just stop and think for a moment! If I hadn't forgiven you and if I didn't trust you do you think I would have asked you to be my mate? Do you think I would marry you?"

Terra shrunk back in contrition.

"Sorry. I don't know what got into me."

"You know what Terra? I think you haven't forgiven yourself for what happened. You have to let it go Terra, cuz if you don't we won't last as a couple."

The geomancer looked at her mate with alarm.

"I don't want to lose you BB!"

"And I don't want to lose you either. So just relax and trust me, OK?"

Terra lowered her head.

"I'm sorry BB." She whispered.

"Don't worry about it." He said as his face suddenly brightened.

Gar, where are you?

Raven? I'm having lunch on the boardwalk with Terra. Where have you been?

I've been out running some errands. Can you come back to the Tower now?

Sure, we're already done eating. What's up?

I'll show you when you get back. Meet me in my room.

Can Terra come? We have some news to share with you.

Sure, bring her along.

-----------------

Terra walked apprehensively down the long hallway until they stopped in front of the door that was labeled "Raven". Terra gulped not knowing what to expect behind the door. She had never been in Raven's room.

"What's it like in there BB? Is it like a crypt?"

He chuckled. "It's kind of creepy in there, but not as much as it used to be."

"So you've been in there lately? I thought Raven didn't let anyone come into her room?"

"I've been in there a lot lately."

"I bet you couldn't wait to get out."

"It's not that bad. I even spent the night in there." He said, realizing too late that he had made a mistake in sharing that with her.

"You've slept with Raven? I thought you said there was nothing going on between you and her."

"It's not what you think Terra. She was feeling kind of blue and she asked me to stay with her. Nothing happened, and even if something had happened that was before I went to find you."

Terra frowned at her mate.

"So tell me again why we're here?"

"I already told you, I don't know. Raven asked us to come. Anyway I think this is a good time to tell her about us." He said as he knocked on the door.

"It's unlocked, come in." Raven's monotone was heard behind the door, which slid open.

Terra followed Beast Boy wide eyed into Raven's lair. She thought her mate was wrong; Raven's room was over the top spooky. How could he have fallen asleep in that room? She'd seen haunted houses in movies that looked more inviting than the sorceress's room.

Raven was sitting on the floor facing them, inside a circle formed with some strange, oily, pungent smelling liquid. She had a scroll unfurled in front of her lying in the floor.

"Hello Garfield, I have some good news for you, and for you too Terra." She droned.

"We also have some news to share Raven." Beast Boy said with a hint of unease.

"I already know." Raven replied. "Terra has officially become your mate. Congratulations."

"You already know?" Terra asked astonished.

"I'm sorry." Raven replied. "I didn't mean to intrude on your privacy, but the two of you woke me last night with your emotions. They were quite powerful and overwhelming."

"I'm sorry Rae." Beast Boy lamented.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Now it's my turn to share my news with you."

You're leaving. Terra thought maliciously to herself.

"I've found a way to heal your arm Gar."

"You're joking!" Beast Boy gasped.

"You know me Gar, I don't make jokes. Go ahead and sit down inside the circle right in front of me."

Beast Boy did as Raven instructed and sat down in a lotus position, mirroring Raven. Their knees were almost touching. Terra watched with a jaundiced eye. Raven reached out with her left hand.

"Give me your right hand."

Beast Boy obeyed and offered his crippled hand to Raven. She then produced a small knife with strange carvings on its wooden handle. She made a small cut on Beast Boy's palm and it began to bleed. She then switched the knife to her left hand and made a similar cut on her own palm.

"What are you doing Raven?" Terra shrieked.

"I'm doing magic Terra, I'm a witch, remember?"

Beast Boy raised his left hand in a calming gesture to his mate.

"It's OK Terra, just sit down and relax."

Raven then took Garfield's hand with hers, as if they were shaking hands. Then with her left she picked up a bottle and poured its blue contents over their joined hands. Beast Boy watchrd her, captivated and wide eyed. After she put the bottle back down she read from the scroll:

"Capio vestri vulnus ut meus own ut vos may haud diutius sino. Permissum is fio per vox of meus diligo."*

As soon as she was done reading a bright blue flame appeared on their joined hands.

"BB! You'll burn!" Terra cried.

"It's Ok Terra, it doesn't burn. It actually feels cold."

Raven gripped his hand firmly. "Don't let go until I tell you." She warned him. He nodded in reply. After about a minute the flame subsided and soon after that it disappeared altogether.

"It is done." Raven announced in her monotone as she released his hand.

Beast Boy wiggled his fingers and grinned. The numbness was gone. He leaped to his feet while he felt his right hand with his left.

"Rae! It worked! It worked! My hand's OK now!"

Terra ran up to him and inspected his hand. She pulled a pencil out of her pocket.

"Here! Hold this!" She commanded her mate.

Beast Boy deftly snatched the pencil from her hand and twirled it with his fingers. Terra threw her arms around him and kissed him. After she released him he turned to Raven who had already stood up.

"Oh Rae! How can I ever thank you!" He shouted as he reached for and held her hands.

And then his expression turned to shock. He dropped her left hand and focused on her right hand.

"Rae!" he cried out in anguish. "What wrong with your hand?"

And then it hit him. Her hand felt the way his did when it was crippled.

"Raven." He said in a hush. "You took my wound from me and made it yours."

The empath nodded silently before replying.

"It was the only way Garfield. Don't worry about me; it won't interfere with my powers."

Beast Boy was beginning to bawl.

"No Raven! I can't let you do this! Switch it back!"

"The spell is irreversible. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Beast Boy fell to his knees sobbing.

Terra approached Raven.

"Why did you do this Raven?" She asked breathlessly.

Raven stared deep into Terra's eyes.

"Because I love him."