Chapter 11: The good and the bad

When Beast boy stepped through the door into the hallway he couldn't help but lose himself in his thoughts. What his friends just told him completely blew his mind. They seemed to think there was something going on between him and Raven. 'There isn't anything going on between us. We're just friends.' Beast boy thought as he continued to walk down the hall. 'Then why does everyone else think we are something more? Why has Raven been acting extremely affectionate around me lately? Could they be right and know something I don't?' His mind countered. He stopped for a moment and grabbed his head as he let out a frustrated grunt. These thoughts were giving him a headache, he needed release and there was only one person who could help him calm his mind, Raven. So here he was walking to her door, going to ask her a question that could possibly tarnish their platonic friendship.

The closer he got to her door the more he felt his heart beat faster and his body shake nervously. Like before he didn't understand why he was feeling this way. These feelings always came up whenever he was near the empath, even before Terra. But as of lately they had become even more intense than before, like something had changed inside of him.

He stopped walking when he reached his destination. There it was the door with the name 'Raven' engraved into it. He stared at the door for several minutes without moving, his legs were frozen in place and he couldn't muster the courage to knock on her door. After taking a deep breath Beast boy lifted his fist up to her door and prepared himself to knock. Tapping the door twice Beast boy waited for the empath to respond.

"Who is it?" Beast boy heard from within her room. She sounded calm and relaxed. 'She must have just finished meditating.' Beast boy thought.

"It's Beast boy, can you open the door?" Beast boy said trying to sound as calm as he could. Within seconds the door was open revealing a hoodless Raven. Beast boy could have sworn he saw a small subtle smile on her lips.

"Hello Gar, did you want something?" Raven said calmly. For some reason he found her to be more beautiful than the last time he saw her; only a half hour ago. Just seeing her made his heart beat a little faster. 'What is happening to me?' Beast boy thought.

"Um yeah, Cyborg wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready." Beast boy said nervously. Raven watched him with amusement.

"Is that all you came here to say?" Raven deadpanned. Beast boy looked at her for a second before he started scratching the back of his neck.

"Uh, no… Raven can we talk?" Although it was a simple question he felt like he was going to pass out just by asking her.

"Alright Gar, we can talk. Why don't you come in? We can talk in there." Raven said softly, she could sense how nervous he was. 'Whatever he wants to talk about must be very important to him.' Raven thought to herself.

Walking back into the room, Raven waited for him to follow her into her dark sanctuary. She took a seat on her queen sized bed and watched him approach her. Raven could feel her cheeks warm up a bit when she saw him approach her. Something about them being alone in a dark room had ignited something inside her. She was sure it had something to do with one of her emotions. She quietly watched him inspect her room; he seemed to be trying to see if anything in the room had changed. The room hadn't changed much over the years, she still had her large bookcase filled to the brim with tomes and stories, her marble statues still watched her in the dark, her desk that held her enchanted mirror pressed against the wall, and the chest that kept her most dangerous and prized possessions still sat in the corner of the room.

Finally he sat down next to her leaving a large space in between them much to Raven's dislike. Slowly and quietly Raven moved closer. She smirked when she realized he didn't notice her advancements.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Raven asked trying to break the silence. Beast boy just gave her a look that told her that he was uncomfortable about something.

"I uh… I want to talk about our relationship." Beast boy stuttered.

Raven's eyes slightly grew wider and she could feel her chest begin to tighten with excitement as her heart began to pound against her chest. 'Is he saying what I think he's saying?' She thought.

"Wh…What do you mean, Gar?" Raven said nervously, hoping what he said meant what she thought it meant. Beast boy looked straight into her eyes and replied.

"Is there something going on between us? Other than us being friends?" He said quickly. Raven suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe. The only thing she could possibly do at the moment was to stare at the man she had loved for so long with wide eyes. His gaze never leaving her face.

"Raven, is there something going on between us that I should know about?" Beast boy asked her. Raven slowly opened her mouth but nothing came out. Beast boy wasn't sure what this meant.

Briefly looking away from the empath, Beast boy looked over at her desk. He could see several things lying on top of it. He could see that her mirror no longer sat on top of the desk but was hidden. 'Probably to prevent tourists from going on a crazy field trip.' He mentally laughed to himself as he remembered his trip with Cyborg into Raven's mind all those years ago. It was replaced by two framed photographs. In the darkness he could only make out the image of one of the photographs. It was a recent photograph of the team, his family. The other photo was too far away for him to clearly make out in the dark. There was only one person in the photograph but he couldn't see if the figure was male or female. 'Who is that?'

"Gar." Raven said from beside him bringing him out of his thoughts. As he was distracted, Raven was recollecting herself and emotionally preparing herself for what she was about to tell him.

He looked back toward the girl sitting beside him and he felt like something was different from just a couple seconds ago. 'Was she sitting this close to me a second ago?' He thought as he noticed that their faces were slightly closer than before.

"Gar." Raven repeated in a whisper as she slowly brought herself closer to him. "I think it's time I explain what's been going on." Beast boy nodded his head and waited for her to continue.

"You know you're my best friend right?" She asked. She figured this was the best place to start. Once again Beast boy nodded his head.

"Of course I do Raven. We've been through a lot together over the years and all of it has brought us closer together." He said as if he didn't doubt it for a second. "But what does this have to do with what I asked you?" He asked. Raven slowly brought herself closer to him once again making their bodies only inches away from each other. She was tempted to close that distance completely.

"It has everything to do with your question." She explained. Beast boy's expression quickly turned to confusion.

"Raven, I don't understand." He said. Suddenly he felt something brush up against his leg. Looking down he could see Raven's pale white leg pressed against his. Just by her touch his body instantly tensed up and his heart rate increased drastically which he thought wasn't even possible. He began to feel heat rise to his face and he quickly turned his head away from the empath to hide his blush. 'What the hell is happening? Why am I feeling this way?'

Raven allowed the small smile to return to her face as she watched his reaction. She could sense that he was incredibly nervous and confused. She brought her hand up to his chin and turned his head back toward hers. Within seconds she was captivated by his emerald gaze.

'This is it Raven. Now or never, we can do this.' Love whispered in Raven's head.

That was all the encouragement Raven needed. She began to bring her face closer to his at a slow pace, their faces only centimeters apart. Feeling his warm breath brush against her skin sent electricity down Raven's body. 'Oh Azar it's about to happen. It's really going to happen.' Raven thought happily before she closed her eyes completely, clearly preparing herself for what was to come.

To her surprise it never came. Opening her eyes she noticed that the changeling was no longer sitting by her side but was by her window staring at her with fear in his eyes.

"Gar, what are you doing over there?" Raven asked trying to hide her hurt and disappointment. Beast boy just kept on looking at her with his wide eyes. "Are you going to answer me?" Raven said in an almost desperate tone.

"Raven what? What were you trying to do?" He asked her hesitantly. Raven's face saddened and she turned away from him when she heard what he said. 'He doesn't feel the same way.'

"I'm sorry Gar. I shouldn't have tried to kiss you. I just got carried away." Raven said sounding defeated. Beast boy stood frozen in place and watched the empath sulk in his rejection. He slowly took a breath.

"I don't understand. Why did you try to kiss me?" Raven turned back towards the green changeling and gave him a sad smile.

"Are you really that oblivious?" She asked softly. Beast boy nodded his head at her question. Raven let out a sigh and stood up from her bed. She slowly walked up to the changeling.

"Everybody else can see it, why can't you?" Raven asked him as she stood in front of him.

"See what Raven? What does everyone see that I don't?" Raven placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.

"That I'm in love with you." She said in a near whisper. She held her breath as she waited for the inevitable rejection. Beast boy didn't say anything. Instead his body froze in place and his skin paled drastically as he stared at the woman standing in front of him. His brain was having trouble registering what he just heard. 'Did I hear that correctly? She said she's in love with me? No I must be hearing things. Yeah that's what happened.' He thought.

Having his color and motor skills come back Beast boy let out a nervous laugh and stepped away from the empath. Raven frowned and crossed her arms. 'Great he's laughing at me.'

"Ha, that's funny Raven. I thought I just heard you say that you love me." He said. Her face softened a little and she resumed her dejected demeanor.

"That's because I did. Gar I'm in love with you." She repeated as she stepped toward him once again. This time Beast boy's heart skipped a beat and he could feel his whole body tense up once more. His eyes grew wide and his mind went blank. It took him nearly a whole minute to realize he was capable of speech. He tried to think of something to say but he could only think of one question.

"You're in love with me?" He finally asked. His legs were beginning to shake. Raven nodded her head and gave him another sad smile.

"Yes Gar, I'm in love with you." Beast boy didn't know what to do at the moment. His mind quickly went into turmoil and his heart was beating at an incredibly fast rate. The only thing he could possibly think he could do at the moment was to take Raven's hand. Which he thought was crazy. He reached out to hers and she did not resist. Giving her hand a light squeeze he looked at her face and tried not to show how freak out he was.

"How long?" He asked. Raven gave him a questioning look. Seeing that she didn't understand his question he rephrased it. "How long have you been in love with me?" His voice trailed by the end of his question. Raven looked away.

"That isn't important. I love you and that's all that matters." She said quietly as she stared at the photograph Beast boy couldn't make out earlier.

"I want to know. How long Raven?" He asked in a soft voice, trying his hardest to stay calm and not start shouting. Raven turned her gaze back to his and sighed.

"Ever since the Malchior incident, when you came to my door to console me after that dragon broke my heart. You actually comforted me and made me feel like someone actually cared about me. After that I began to feel things. Things I thought I wouldn't ever feel, feelings for you. At first I dismissed them and figured they were nothing more than a small attraction to you. But after months of denial I came to realize that it was something more. I realized that I love you."

Beast boy looked at her in disbelief. "Raven that was nearly five years ago. Are you telling me that you have been in love with me for five whole years and you never said anything?" He nearly shouted. This information sent him over the edge. Raven didn't know what to say, so she just nodded her head. Beast boy let go of her hand and stepped away from her. He began to pace around the room.

"I can't believe this. Why didn't you ever tell me?" He yelled as he kept on pacing, no longer caring about having a leveled head. Raven quickly grew tired of his pacing and walked toward him. She grabbed his wrist in a firm grip and forced him to stop. He looked at her face and saw the pain of his rejection reflecting back at him like a mirror. He could see that she was trying to hold back tears. 'She never did like people seeing her cry.' He randomly thought.

"I tried telling you. Dozens of times in fact. I've been giving you hints for years now. Did you really think all the times I tried to get close to you and show you my affectionate side was because I wanted us to be just friends? Everyone else knew I had feelings for you. You were the only one that thought we were just friends." She said raising her voice slightly. Beast boy looked at her, his eyes were still wide and Raven could sense great amounts of confusion radiating off his body. He quickly looked away from her and stared at the bed. 'I need to think this through.' He thought.

Getting free from Raven's grip, he walked back toward the bed. Sitting down he put his head in his hands. His thoughts went back to his memories with the empath for the past five years. Looking back he saw all the private talks they had together on the roof, every time she watched over him during missions, and every time she tried to get closer to him when the team didn't have a villain to fight. He remembered how she would always sit next to him at the dinner table and when he was on the couch either playing videogames or watching a movie. She would always sit next to him quietly either reading a book or meditating. He also remembered on several occasions he would catch her stealing glances at him. Every moment, every memory he looked through gave him the same conclusion. Raven had been trying to get him to notice her in a more intimate way.

"How did I not see the signs?" Beast boy asked no one in particular, his voice cracking with confusion. Raven watched him from where she stood not knowing what she should do. Lifting his head from his hands he looked back at the empath and he seemed to be unsure about what he was about to say.

"If I had known about this sooner… I would have done something about it." He said. His voice saturated in confusion and regret.

Raven's heart jumped a little and her eyes grew slightly when she heard what he said. "What are you saying Gar?" A hint of hope could be seen in her eyes as she asked this. "Are you telling me that you have feelings for me?" Her body language had changed completely as she now had a sliver hope that their feelings were mutual. Beast boy looked away and grabbed his head again, his headache was coming back but it was now more intense.

"I don't know… Maybe." He let out a loud groan and shut his eyes tight. "I'm so confused. I don't know what I'm feeling and it's freaking me out. I've never felt this way before." Beast boy confessed. Raven sat next to him and placed an arm around his shoulder hoping to calm him down.

"Can you explain to me what you're feeling?" She asked. Her entire body was shaking with anticipation at this point. Beast boy lifted his head and emptied his lungs, he seemed to be shaking.

"I don't know how to explain it, Raven. I guess… I could say these feelings are the most powerful emotions I've ever felt. What I felt for Terra doesn't even compare to what I'm feeling right now. With her I felt happy and content. I could understand those feelings. But these feelings… they are so intense and it feels like they are consuming me. Just thinking about them makes my heart race. I don't understand what I'm feeling Rae. What am I feeling?" Beast boy pleaded. He was feeling so confused and he needed closure. Raven felt her heart jump in her chest. A small smile began to come across her lips. She placed her hands in her lap.

"I'm not the expert when it comes to these things, you know that Gar. Starfire is the expert in this area." Beast boy looked at her in defeat. Raven just kept on smiling as she continued. "But I don't need to be an expert to know what you're feeling Garfield." Beast boy's expression instantly changed.

"What is it Rae? Why am I having these feelings?" Beast boy asked her almost impatiently. Raven brought her hand and placed it over his heart. She could feel how fast his heart was beating at the moment. Feeling his heart beat sent shivers up and down Raven's body as she tried to memorize the feeling. Beast boy raised his hand and grabbed her wrist, not in a harsh way but in a gentle way. Raven looked up from her hand and saw that is face was now soft and was waiting for an answer from her. She took a deep breath.

"It's the same feelings I've had for five years." Raven said, her smile never leaving her face. His mouth fell open and he just stared out into space. He was suddenly at a loss for words. 'Is she saying I'm in love? WHAT?'

Finally finding his words he began to speak. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Mmhmm." Raven sounded as she nodded her head. Beast boy looked at her like she was crazy.

"You're saying I'm in love? No, that's crazy! I can't be in love. I just got out of a relationship two days ago. I can't already be having these types of feelings." He said in denial. He turned away from Raven and got up from the bed and approached her desk. "This isn't happening." He said to himself.

'I can't be in love with Raven. She is like a sister to me, right?' He thought to himself.

'I don't think so dude. You two have always been really close and you've had a crush on her since you met her. You're not going to deny that are you?' His conscience retorted.

'Shut up!' He yelled back. He quickly got out of his thoughts and faced the desk he was standing next to.

He looked down at the photograph he couldn't make out earlier and noticed that it was a photo of him standing proudly outside the comic building in Tokyo. He couldn't believe it; he thought he lost this photo years ago. 'Raven's had it this entire time. A tad creepy, but it's nice to know she has kept it and had it framed.' he thought. He could feel his chest swell up just at the thought of her. It was the best feeling he ever had. He nearly gasped when the realization hit. 'Maybe I do love her.'

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Slowly turning around he wasn't prepared for the two hands that were now pulling his head towards their owner. Before he could push away he felt something soft and warm force itself against his lips. His eyes widened when he realized what was happening. Raven had ambushed him into a kiss. She had her eyes closed and her arms were now wrapped around his neck. The feelings that washed over him were intense. He never felt so terrified and excited at the same time before. He never felt such passion. Before he could even think about reciprocating it ended.

He looked down at the woman who had just kissed him and felt his face heat up even more. Looking at her face he noticed that her face was completely red and she had the largest smile he ever saw on her face. She looked beautiful.

She was looking back at him and she nearly laughed. His face was completely flushed and his eyes just stared at her. Even though he didn't kiss her back, Raven felt electricity run down her body as their lips met. Her heart was still beating incredibly fast from the kiss even though it ended several seconds ago. She found that she wanted to kiss him again.

"How do you feel now?" Raven asked. Beast boy rubbed his hand against Raven's cheek, her head started lean into his hand. He tried to find the words to describe what he just experienced. He cleared his throat.

"Raven that was… that was incredible. The feelings that came after, they were the best feelings I've ever had. Raven, I think you might be right."

"Say it." Raven said, the smile never leaving her face.

Beast boy brought his hands down to Raven's waist and pulled her slightly closer. "Raven, I think I love you." He said, sounding completely astonished about this revelation. Raven's eyes began to tear up and she quickly pulled him into a tight hug. Beast boy let out a small laugh and hugged her back.

"You don't know how long I've waited for you to say that." Raven said as she squeezed him tighter, never wanting to let him go. 'Oh Azar, it's finally happened.' She thought happily.

Raven loosened her grip and looked up at the man that loved her. She noticed that he was already watching her with his emerald eyes. She was thoroughly pleased when she saw that his eyes once again shown innocence and peace.

"We should probably get going. Dinner is ready and everyone is probably waiting for us." Beast boy said breaking the comfortable silence. Raven nodded her head.

"You're right we should. But we're forgetting something." A hint of playfulness could be found in her voice. Beast boy gave her a confused look.

"What?" Raven smiled and brought her face closer to his.

"This." Raven whispered before she kissed him passionately on the lips, her arms wrapping around his neck the second time that day. Her heart burst with emotion when she felt him kiss her back with just as much passion. Her legs felt like jelly and she nearly fell to the ground if it wasn't for Beast boy holding her up by the waist. She broke the kiss and gave him the most caring smile she could muster.

"I love you Gar." Raven said softly.

"I love you too, Raven." He said with a toothy grin.

Getting out of his grasp Raven began to walk to the door. When the door slid open Raven turned back toward her love.

"Come on, Gar. The others must be getting hungry. We shouldn't keep them waiting." Her voice sounding almost giddy. She quickly vanished around the corner leaving Beast boy alone in her room just staring at the now closed door.

'Dude, I'm in love with Raven.' He thought before he looked around the room one last time. He smiled when he saw his framed photograph.

"Nothing wrong with that." He said to himself before he too exited the empath's room silently whistling to himself.

(In the common room.)

Cyborg, Robin and Starfire were all around the dinner table, silently watching the common room door. They had been doing staring at the door for nearly five minutes waiting for their other two companions to join them. All three of them hoped that when they did arrive they wouldn't be just friends but something more. Not being able to take the silence any longer Cyborg spoke up.

"BB's been gone a long time. Do you think Raven finally told him?" He asked no one in particular. Robin shook his head.

"I don't know Cy; if she did I hope Beast boy took it well." Robin said, his eyes never leaving the door.

"Oh friends, I can only hope that friend Beast boy shares the mutual affection with Raven. I fear that if she is rejected she will be heartbroken. I don't want to see my friend in pain." Starfire said her voice dripping with worry. The other two heroes nodded their heads taking their gazes off of the door. Just then the common room door slid open with a loud swishing noise. Within seconds all three sets of eyes were back on the door. They saw Raven walking toward them, alone.

All three heroes turned their gaze away from the empath and they felt their hearts grow heavy with grief. They didn't see that she was currently smiling. As Raven approached them she could feel sadness and disappointment radiating off of her three friends, her smile instantly disappearing.

"What's wrong?" Raven asked in her monotone. Starfire looked up from the table; she seemed to have tears in her eyes.

"I am sorry friend." Starfire said between sniffles. Raven arched an eyebrow. She was about to ask her what's going on when she heard the door to the common room slide open. Her smile returned and she looked toward the door. Her heart fluttered when she saw Beast boy walk up to the table with his large toothy grin planted on his face. Their eyes instantly met and they both slightly blushed. Turning his gaze towards the table he addressed the others.

"What's up dudes?" He said happily. He then noticed that everyone was now glaring at him except for Raven, who was now watching the other three. He walked up to his new girlfriend and whispered in her ear.

"What's up with them?" Raven turned her gaze back toward her boyfriend and replied.

"I can feel disappointment and anger coming off of them, but I don't know why." She whispered back before she quickly kissed him on the lips. Seeing this, the other's expressions quickly changed to shock and surprise. Beast boy quickly reciprocated and walked toward the kitchen leaving the others to stare at Raven. Noticing their staring Raven sat down and looked at the others. She quickly went back to her stoic composure

"What?" She asked. Even though she already knew what this was about. She noticed that Starfire was now gripping the table tightly and biting her lower lip in an attempt to contain her excitement. Her suspicions turned out to be accurate.

"You kissed the Grass Stain? Does this mean what I think this means?" Cyborg asked. Raven held her stoic composure as she filled an empty glass up with water and took a sip. Putting down the glass Raven turned to look at the others and smirked when she saw how they were all impatiently waiting for her to answer the question.

"Yes, it's exactly what you think it is." Raven said proudly while allowing her smile to return as she turned to look at the changeling who was at the moment making a salad, since all his tofu was ruined by freezer burn. Raven heard a chair hit the ground and a loud happy scream echoed through the room. Before she could protest, Raven was enveloped in a tight embrace from the local alien.

"Oh friend Raven, I am so happy for you. You have finally told friend Garfield about your feelings and he has accepted your proposal. You two will be happy forever and will have many small bumgorfs." Starfire said cheerfully has she squeezed her friend tighter.

"Thanks…Starfire…Can't…breathe." Starfire let go of her goth friend and looked at her apologetically.

"I am sorry my friend, I did not mean to hurt you. I am just so happy that you and friend Beast boy are now the couple." After catching her breath Raven looked up at her best friend and shook her head.

"It's alright Starfire; I should have expected that coming." Cyborg and Robin walked up to the empath and congratulated her.

"Way to go Raven. I knew you could do it." Cyborg praised, Robin just nodded his head and gave Raven a soft hug. Starfire insisted on reciting one of the Tameranian poems but the idea was quickly shut down.

Beast boy returned to the table and saw all the commotion, he made eye contact with Raven and she just smiled and shrugged. He was soon pulled into his own tight hug when Starfire saw him. For the next several minutes the team congratulated the new couple. Finally calming down the entire team sat down at the table.

"Let's eat." Cyborg announced before he dug into his own steak, the others quickly agreed and ate in almost complete silence. Every once in a while Raven would take small glances at the green changeling sitting next to her, she still couldn't believe that he was finally hers. She sighed happily as she took another bite of her well-cooked steak.

The rest of dinner was uneventful, mainly there was some small talk, a few jokes and every once in a while the others would tease the new couple. Raven would always roll her eyes and turn to look at her boyfriend who would always have some snide remark ready.

At the end of dinner Raven turned her body completely towards her boyfriend and tapped his shoulder. Beast boy turned to look at her to tell her he was listening.

"Gar, you told me you would tell them at dinner." She whispered. Beast boy's face instantly fell as he remembered what he promised Raven back in his room. He was not looking forward to this conversation. Clearing his throat he got the others attention.

"Um guys? There's something you all should know." Beast boy said in all seriousness. The room instantly went quiet. The once joyful atmosphere was replaced by a quiet stern fog. The other three heroes waited for him to continue. Beast boy gulped.

"You all already know that Galtry is from my past, right?" The others nodded their heads and kept listening. Raven watched the others, mentally preparing her for the upcoming outbursts from the other three heroes when they learn the truth. She knew she would have to calm them down.

"Well, you see. He isn't just some random villain I fought during the Doom Patrol. He was before my time as a hero. I know him because he's…my uncle." Beast boy closed his eyes and prepared himself for the worst. He heard a sharp gasp coming from Starfire and what sounded like Cyborg's fork hitting the floor. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the look of shock and disbelief in his friends faces. He wasn't expecting this type of reaction.

"You can't be serious?" Robin said in disbelief, Beast boy sighed and nodded his head.

"I'm very serious." Beast boy said as he looked at Robin directly. Robin frowned and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why didn't you ever tell us? We wouldn't be in this situation if we knew." Robin said. He was beginning to get frustrated.

"I felt that I didn't need to. I thought he was dead until two days ago, there wasn't a reason to tell you guys about it before." Beast boy explained.

"Then why didn't you tell us about him, when you found out he was alive? Why did wait this long to tell us?" His voice slightly getting louder, Beast boy scratched the back of his neck.

"Um, I actually wasn't ever going to tell you guys. If Raven hadn't found out about it, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Beast boy said truthfully. That did it.

"So if it wasn't for Raven we wouldn't even know who you are? Is that what you're telling me? Everything we know about your past is because she told us about it. If she wasn't on this team would you even try to tell us your past? Do you even trust us?" Robin nearly yelled.

Beast boy didn't want to answer that question. He did trust them, all of them. He would trust them with his life. But could he trust them with his past? He didn't think so. His past was too painful. Robin was right. If Raven wasn't on the team he wouldn't have told them anything. He looked right into Robin's eyes and answered.

"I do, but not with my past." Beast boy said dryly. Robin's eyes narrowed behind his mask.

"I should choke you right now." Robin threatened. He was going to say more but stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around to see who it was he found Cyborg standing next to him with a stern look on his face.

"Rob, what's done is done. There's no point in yelling anymore." Cyborg said as he lifted his hand from Robins shoulder.

"But Cy, aren't you at least a tab bit pissed off about this? You're best friend has been keeping his past hidden from all of us. You can't tell me you're not a little ticked off." Robin said trying to defend his actions. Cyborg shook his head.

"Oh believe me, I'm pissed. But yelling isn't going to help things. It would only make things worse." Cyborg explained. Robin understood what he was saying and he tried to calm himself down. He looked back toward the changeling.

"Look, I'm sorry Robin. I didn't mean to make you all feel betrayed." Beast boy's ears drooped down as he looked at the floor. Robin let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine apology accepted. But you're going to tell us everything about your past. No more secrets. Do you understand?" Robin said sharply. Beast boy nodded his head and looked at his leader.

"I understand, Robin. I'll tell you everything. But can it wait for another day?" Beast boy pleaded. The others reluctantly nodded their heads. "Thank you, I promise I will tell you guys everything soon." The others nodded their heads again and got up from the table without saying another word to him. The only one that stayed was Raven. Beast boy looked down at her and shrugged.

"That didn't go so well, did it?" Beast boy asked her. "They're mad at me." his ears began droop down again. Raven stood up and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry Gar, they're just angry and hurt. They will get over it soon. You'll see, by the end of the night, they will be back to normal." Raven assured. Beast boy looked at her like he doubted her.

"How do you know?" Beast boy asked her. Raven brought herself a little closer to him.

"Because that's how I felt when I found out. I was angry and hurt; I thought you didn't trust us. But I quickly got over it. They'll be no different. Trust me." Raven explained. Beast boy gave her a small smile.

"Thanks Raven, you always seem to know how to comfort me." He gave her a quick peck on the lips before he got out of her embrace. Raven gave him a small smile as she watched her love walk away to sit on the couch. Letting out a sigh of content Raven floated up into the air and adopted the lotus position, preparing to get some quick meditation in before they all retired for the night.

A couple hours had passed since dinner and now everyone was heading off toward their rooms. To Beast boy's surprise, Raven had been absolutely correct. The other three heroes couldn't stay mad at him and the tower quickly went back to its normal routines. The only difference now was that there was a new couple to tease in the tower.

Raven and Beast boy had been the last ones in the common room before they too decided that it was time for them to retire for the night as well. Beast boy followed Raven to her door and they both stood outside her room waiting for the other to say something.

"Well, goodnight Raven. I'll see you in morning." Beast boy said as he stepped toward her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. He was about to pull away when Raven pulled him closer to her lips and kissed him passionately. They broke the kiss and Raven hugged him one last time that night.

"Goodnight Gar. You don't know how happy you've made me." Raven said her voice sounding uncharacteristically happy. Beast boy smiled and broke away from the hug; he waved to her one last time before he disappeared behind the corner.

Now alone Raven walked into her room and closed the door. She quickly prepared for bed and slid under her covers. The memories of the last time she was in this room caused an involuntary smile to come to her lips. She contently closed her eyes and fell into a comfortable sleep, looking forward to what the next day had in store for her and Garfield.

(The next morning)

"Garfield, hurry up. You don't want to be late for school." A mother called out as she prepared her sons lunch and was packing it in a Teen Titans lunchbox. A few minutes later a small eight year old boy with dirty blonde hair came running into the kitchen. The mother looked up at her child and smiled, every day her son looked more like his father.

"Hi mommy, do you have work today at the hospital?" The child asked her. The mother nodded her head as she kept preparing her child's lunch.

"Yes Garfield. I have to be at work by eleven, so hurry up and eat your breakfast." The boy's mother said in a sweet voice. The child obliged and began to eat the breakfast his mother had already prepared for him.

"Mommy? Is daddy coming home today?" The child asked innocently. The mother looked up at her child and smiled again.

"Yes, he should be home very soon. He called five minutes ago and said he is on his way." Her husband had been working overtime for the past two nights, not coming home until late at night.

She frowned when she remembered why he was working so late. She remembered that night like it was yesterday. That day she saw the look of absolute guilt and sorrow. She remembered what her husband said to her that night. "Let's go home Mary. There's nothing here to find anymore." His words sent shivers down her spine. He sounded so hopeless and his eyes were filled with sorrow and guilt. She knew his guilt had never left him, even when the child turned out to be alive. His guilt still corrupted his very soul. She understood why her husband stayed up late looking for him. He was looking for absolution for himself and that green child he thought he had lost in the woods.

She was knocked out of her thoughts when there was a knock at the door. She quickly washed her hands and walked toward the door. When she opened the door she saw two men, one looking vaguely familiar and another that hid his face under a hood.

"Good morning ma'am. Is this the Hendrickson residence?" The man in front of her asked. His deep voice sent chills down her spine and she suddenly felt colder.

"Um, yes this is the Hendrickson residence. I'm Mary Hendrickson. What can I do for you?" The man in front of her smiled. She tried not to cringe at the sight of the smile; it looked more cynical than pleasant.

"Oh, good. Is there by any chance that your husband is home? We're old friends of his and we want to be… reacquainted with him." The man said. Mary had a feeling in the pit of her stomach telling her that something was wrong, but she ignored it.

"I'm sorry he isn't home at the moment. But he will be here in a few minutes. Do you mind waiting for him?" Mary said trying to be polite. The two men nodded their heads. "Do you want to come in and wait?" Again the men nodded.

"Thank you ma'am, you very kind." The man said, his smile growing even bigger. Mary brought her guests to the living room and had them sit down. She looked at the man that hasn't spoken this entire time and felt another chill go down her body. Ignoring it she turned back to the other man with black marred hair.

"I'm sorry; I never got your names." Mary said, feeling foolish that she didn't know these two men. The man without the hood smiled an evil smile and looked at his acquaintance.

"My name is Nicholas Galtry and we are dying to see your husband." The man said as he laughed.

Remembering the name, Mary's face turned to horror as she realized she just made a fatal mistake.

Pretty proud of this chapter. Not the longest chapter, but i think it will do. i apologize for taking so long to update but i have been busy. next update won't take too long. i hope you like it and please leave reviews.

-Greenhatred77