Okay, finally … finally got a story that was on my mind and also requested by IAmTheBattleMaiden … thanks for giving me a push to do it!

Afterglow Bar

It was a snowy night in Jump City which meant that much of the hero/villain crowd would be at the Afterglow trying to warm up. Tonight, however, some of the villains noticed an odd ensemble of heroes sitting at a corner booth. Heroes that usually were never at the Afterglow.

A hulking metallic figure sat in the middle. On his right side sat a bandaged man, who stirred his drink with a straw, obviously a little irritated that he couldn't drink it. On the left side was a couple. The man had a weird helmet on while the woman obviously was attractive because of the stares some of the male patrons gave her. They were the Doom Patrol, Golden Age heroes of the world.

The bells atop the door rang as a familiar green Titan walked in. He shook the snow off of him before he walked over to the bar. He requested a hot chocolate from the bartender before turning to look around. Spying the four, Beast Boy headed in their direction. As he grabbed a chair, they all gave him a warm reception.

"Hey little guy, good ta see ya again." Robot Man said to Beast Boy as he messed up his hair.

Beast Boy smiled. It had been awhile since he had last seen his adopted family. They had been out battling villains around the planet and tracking leads on the Brotherhood of Evil. They had been in France tracking a lead, when news poured out that the Titans defeated the BoE. Beast Boy and the Doom Patrol met briefly in Paris before the Titans went back home; however, that was almost a year ago.

"So how are the Teen Titans?" Elasti-Girl asked.

"They're doing great. Robin and Starfire are together now … um, Cyborg's same old. Raven's cool now too."

"Sounds great kid." Negative Man cut in.

"Beast Boy …"

The green Titan turned toward his adopted father Mento.

"Let's cut to the chase … We didn't only come back to see you. Beast Boy, we want you back on the team."

Beast Boy was stunned at Mento's request. Mento sure knew how to break news in his harsh way, but the green Titan just stared down at the tabletop.

"You said it yourself. The Titans are doing great. You can do a lot more with us again Beast Bo … I mean Garfield."

Looking around at the others, Beast Boy noticed Robot Man and Elasti-Girl staring down at the table as well. Negative Man rubbed the back of his head and sighed.

"Is this what the team wants … or you, dad?"

Mento leaned back as the bartender placed a hot chocolate in front of Beast Boy. He stared at his adopted dad with his green eyes in cold anger, yet Mento took no notice. After the bartender left, Mento spoke up again.

"Gar, you can do a lot more for the Doom Patrol than for the Titans." He responded.

"I don't get you dad! Is it because you don't think a bunch of kids can do the job?"

"Garfield, please …"

"No mom, I'm tired that dad doesn't respect me or my friends …"

"C'mon Gar, Mento is just lookin' out for ya." Robot Man said, trying to calm down the green Titan.

Beast Boy just stared at Mento. He was always so hard headed, even without the helmet, but Mento never really got why he left the Doom Patrol. Even though Gar had explained it to him over and over, Mento just thought they were excuses.

"You have something you're not telling us Gar." Mento said towards Beast Boy, but also to his team.

Gar took a sip of his hot chocolate. Mento always knew when something was up, even without having to read his mind. Must be a father-thing …

"Yeah."

"What?"

Gar looked over his shoulder at the near empty bar. Only a couple of scattered heroes and villains sat at the tables. Wonder Girl sat at one table talking to Speedy and Kid Flash. At the bar sat Kyd Wykkyd and Angel. Lastly, in the opposite corner, was a tipsy Ding Dong Daddy. She wasn't there.

"I won't leave; even if you forced me …"

"Why?" Mento demanded.

"I'm with someone right now. I care about her and she does about me …"

Mento was about to speak when Elasti-Girl gave him a jab in the side. He looked over to her and her eyes told him to stay quiet.

"I'm sorry you all came over here for nothing … but that's how I feel."

"There will always be girls, Beast Boy, but this is something that I'm only going to ask you once …" Mento said, refusing to stay quiet.

"Come on Mento, give the kid a break." Robot Man said, cutting off Mento.

"Yeah, I mean you got lucky Rita was already with the team …" Negative Man sarcastically said.

Elasti-Girl nudged Mento a bit, trying to get him to his senses. He did, after all, joined the Doom Patrol because he was attracted to Rita. So, technically, he had no say in the affairs of another person's personal life. Mento sighed with loss.

"It's okay Gar, Steve and I understand." Elasti-Girl said to the green Titan.

With caution, Beast Boy looked over to Mento.

"Is it dad?" He asked.

"…"

"Dad …?"

Mento wouldn't speak. As the tension built up with the silence, Negative Man looked around with concern.

"So who's the lucky girl?" Negative Man quickly interrupted, trying to cut the tension.

Beast Boy peered over to the bandaged man while Mento shot his teammate an angry look. The green Titan leaned back and blushed in embarrassment.

"He-heh … well … it's … Raven …" Beast Boy replied in a hush tone.

Robot Man laughed at the green Titan while Negative Man uneasily laughed as well. They knew Beast Boy wasn't much about telling his love life, but it always got to them his reaction after they'd press him for info. Elasti-Girl gave another jab in Mento's side, which made him cough before composing himself.

Elasti-Girl was angry that Mento wasn't as supportive of Beast Boy as the others were. It was always his stubborn attitude that got in the way; it took them awhile for him to actually be less stubborn in their own marriage. She gave him a stern look and he sighed.

"So … uh Raven … that's good. She's the one with the … auburn hair?"

"No … she's the one that wears all blue …"

"I thought that was Cyborg."

"Cyborg doesn't wear clothes …"

"Oh … well … is she … nice?"

"Sometimes …"

"Well … Beast Bo I mean Garfield … are you happy … being with her and the Titans …?"

"Yeah dad … I am."

Robot Man and Negative Man silently watched while Elasti-Girl gave Mento a smile. It wasn't always that they'd see Mento play 'father-figure.' He wasn't the greatest at being a father, but Beast Boy didn't mind, he'd been away for awhile and Mento … his dad, always tried his best when talking about 'fatherly' things with his son.

Elasti-Girl gave Mento a kiss on his cheek for trying which made him blush. Robot Man and Negative Man laughed at their leader, who gave them an irritated look. Elasti-Girl turned back to her son.

"Remember Garfield, we will always love you and will always be there for you …" She said to him.

It was late. The Doom Patrol had things to do, as did Beast Boy. Getting out from the booth, Negative Man gave the green Titan a pat on the back while Robot Man messed up his hair again. Elasti-Girl wrapped her arms around her son and held onto him tightly for a few seconds. Letting him go, he saw she had a tear in her eye.

Lastly, Mento walked up to the green Titan. Beast Boy watched as Mento stretched out his hand to him. Disappointed, Beast Boy grasped his hand, yet Mento pulled him closer and hugged his son.

"I'm proud of you Garfield … never forget that …"

The Doom Patrol headed out the door and disappeared into the darkness. Walking out, as well, Beast Boy breathed in the cold night air. The white snow blanketed the ground, yet he felt a fine calm over the city. Jumping, Beast Boy felt something vibrate on his belt. Reaching down, he grabbed his communicator and flipped it open.

"Where are you?" The voice asked with concern.

"Don't worry Rae … I'm coming home …"

Ooo

Okay … hope you all liked it … I apologize it took awhile to write … been kinda busy of late … don't forget to review plz! And I'll try to put out the next story sooner!