Beast Boy wasn't quite sure what he was expecting when he entered the cafe. When he walked in, the first thing he noticed was
the small, dimly lit stage, that had a single microphone, located in the back. In front of the stage was about a dozen small tables,
little lamps at each of them. There was also a corner in which the cafe had some bookcases and a couple couches and
armchairs to sit on. And in several of the seats, sat many people who were dressed in all black and wore shades over their eyes.
They were sipping out of mugs, and either reading to themselves or talking quietly amongst each other.
As Beast Boy sat himself at one of the tables, he couldn't help noticing the whole place had a dark and moody atmosphere to
it, a lot like......
"Raven," he said aloud to as he spotted her at a table by herself reading a book.
Beast Boy looked back at the stage and then back at Raven and grinned maliciously.
"Showtime," he whispered under his breath.
He quickly strutted over to the stage, a determined look on his face. Some of the cafe residents' heads raised curiously as he walked by.
Grinning broadly, Beast Boy jumped on stage and grabbed the mic. He then cleared his throat loudly to get everybody's attention.
Everyone looked up from their reading, including Raven.
"Oh, no...," she whispered, her jaw dropping.
"Okay dudes, you ready to hear some jokes?"
Raven groaned.
"Alright," Beast Boy started, "Here's a good one. What did the bird wear to the beach?"
There was an awkward silence in which most of the onlookers exchanged perplexed looks and raised eyebrows. Raven merely looked horrified.
"A BEAK-INI!" Beast Boy shouted across the room. No one laughed, that is, except Beast Boy, who was laughing stupidly at his own joke,
mainly for the fact that it had to be killing Raven.
"No? Well, how bout this one! What letters are missing from the alphabet?"
Beast Boy waited in complete silence for a few seconds, then shouted "The ones that come in the mail!"
He again laughed while no one else did. Raven, meanwhile, was desperately trying to focus on her book. But she could
feel her cheeks burning, and consequently, the words in her book melted right off the page.
"Okay, last one, I guarantee you'll laugh at this one! What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhinoceros?"
..............................................................
"Elephino!"
Again, every face in the room remained blank.
No one laughed, no one clapped, no one cracked a smile. No one did anything, except stare at him.
"Tough room," Beast Boy shrugged, and leapt off the stage. He quickly made his way over to Raven's table.
"Hey Raven," he said brightly, sitting down in the chair across from her.
Raven was trying her best to control her emotions.
"What are you doing here?" she said in a strangled voice.
Beast Boy leaned back in his chair.
"Why? Surprised to see me?" he said casually.
Raven's eyes flashed dangerously beneath her hood. "Did you follow me here?" she demanded angrily.
Now it was Beast Boy's turn to get angry.
"Hey, you're the one who just totally deserted me last night, and this morning! And besides, it's a free country, I can come here
if I want to."
Raven looked taken aback. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find any words.
"Yah, it's crazy, someone actually wants to spend time with you," said Beast Boy hysterically.
Raven shook her head at him. "It's not that simple. You don't understand--"
"I understand that you're trying to avoid me," Beast Boy cut in, "I just don't know why."
Raven put her forehead in her hands and sighed. "It's complicated..."
"What's so complicated about hanging out with me? I thought you liked me!" Beast Boy said loudly.
The lightbulb in the tiny lamp on their table suddenly popped and went out.
Raven stared at it for a second and then got up from her chair. "This is why I'm avoiding you," she said bluntly.
She then headed out the door of the cafe. Beast Boy scrambled out of his chair after her.
He charged out the door, expecting to have to chase after her, but instead she stood there waiting for him.
"What's going on?" Beast Boy asked anxiously, approaching her slowly.
Raven took a deep breath. "It's not that I don't want to hang out with you," she replied. "It's what happens when I do hang out
with you."
Beast Boy's face scrunched up in confusion.
Noticing this, Raven impatiently said,"Look, you know I can't fully control my powers. Especially when I have strong feelings
for something."
Raven then blushed realizing what she had said.
Beast Boy blushed too and a giant grin formed on his face. "You mean you have strong feelings...for me?"
Raven rolled her eyes and eyes and pretended to be annoyed but couldn't fight the smile that was forming on her lips.
"You're not going to make me say it again are you?" she asked with mock reluctance.
Beast Boy waved a hand aside. "Nah, we'll save that for another time," he said with a wink.
They stood there quietly, smiling at each other for a couple of seconds. Then Beast Boy broke the silence.
"So...you wanna go to the park or something?" he suggested.
"Ummm...," Raven replied uncertainly. She didn't know how to tell him no. She didn't want to hurt his feelings again. Not now when
he was so happy.
"Sure...," she answered.
"Awesome!" exclaimed Beast Boy cheerfully.
Even though Raven still wasn't sure about the park, she had to admit to herself, it felt good to please him.
Beast Boy and Raven started down the sidewalk together. As they walked, Raven could feel extrememly positive energy seeping off
of Beast Boy.
He's so happy about this, she thought sadly. If only he knew what's going to happen.......
Raven's eyes suddenly bugged out and the nearest traffic light blew up; Beast Boy had slipped his hand in hers.
They both turned and looked up at the broken traffic light; Raven took her hand away.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," she said quietly.
"Come on!" Beast Boy protested. "So you broke one little stoplight, big deal!"
Raven bit her lip anxiously. "Alright," she murmured. And they continued to the park.
**************************************
"Man, sure is quiet around here without BB crackin jokes and actin goofy," said Cyborg. He was sitting on the couch with his feet propped
up on the coffee table. "Wonder where he is," he thought aloud.
Cyborg looked around the room only to find he was the only one there.
"Wonder where everyone is," he muttered, and then turned on the tv.
**************************************
"This looks like a good spot," Beast Boy announced, sitting down in a particularly soft patch of grass.
"For what?" said Raven wryly, sitting down next to him.
Beast Boy scowled at her. "Come on, Raven. Why do you always have to have a reason for everything? Can't you just enjoy something
without wondering what's the meaning of it?"
Raven was a little puzzled by his words. She hadn't really thought of this before, or if she had, she hadn't taken it so seriously until now.
"Okay, okay," she said, and removed her hood.
Beast Boy's face softened and formed a large grin again. He leaned back into the grass with his hands behind his head.
"Whoa, that cloud looks just like Cyborg," he said, pointing up at the sky.
Raven looked up at the clouds.
"Haha, made you look!" said Beast Boy playfully.
Raven looked back down at him and smiled slightly, shaking her head. "Are you ever gonna stop that?" she asked.
Beast Boy thought for a moment. "Nah," he finally answered.
Raven sighed quietly and looked around. The park was so peaceful today. Warm with clear skies and a light breeze. And there were only a
few other people around other than the two of them. A couple older boys were tossing a frisbee to each other a good fifty feet away.
Raven was relieved to find that she wasn't feeling anxious at all, on the contrary she felt relaxed and for one of the few times in her life...happy.
"I'm glad I came," she said suddenly and somewhat shyly to Beast Boy. "This is...nice."
Beast Boy beamed at her. "Whad I tell ya? You stick with me, you'll never go wrong,"
Raven stared at him for a second, and then leaned back into the grass next to him. She closed her eyes and felt Beast Boy's hand next to hers.
So this is what it's like to be in love....she thought to herself.
"Huh?" she heard Beast Boy ask.
Raven's eyes snapped open. Her heart started beating fast. Her mind raced.
Please tell me I didn't say that outloud, please tell me I didn't!
Raven sat up, her throat tightening. But Beast Boy wasn't paying any attention. He was watching the two boys playing catch in front of them.
"Ah, cool, frisbee!" he said eagerly. Raven sighed with relief.
And perhaps it was because she did that, that the frisbee suddenly flew out of the boy's hand and over his friend's head.
"What kind of throw was that?" his friend shouted at him. The other boy, who was wearing sunglasses, just shrugged.
"Watch this!" said Beast Boy to Raven, transforming into a labrador retreiver and heading after the frisbee.
Raven watched as Beast Boy took a giant leap and caught the frisbee with his mouth in mid-air.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes, she knew he was trying to impress her.
Meanwhile, Beast Boy changed back to normal and walked over to the two boys.
"Here," he said, handing the frisbee over to them.
The guy with sunglasses grabbed it from him quickly.
"Who said you could touch my frisbee, freak?" he said nastily.
Beast Boy's brows arched in anger. "Say what?" he demanded. Raven had just walked over.
The guy with the sunglasses waved the frisbee in Beast Boy's face. "I said, don't touch my frisbee. I don't want your freak hands
on it."
Beast Boy's face reddened with rage. Raven was looking quite angry herself.
"Don't you have anything better to do than act like immature idiots?" she said coolly.
The other boy, who was wearing a sleeveless shirt, turned to Raven and looked her up and down.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping in a coffin right now, or have you just never heard of sunlight?" he asked with a disgusted look on his
face.
Beast Boy stepped up to the boy, clenching his fist. "What did you say to her?" he asked furiously.
The boy in the sleeveless shirt pushed him back. "Why? You gonna do something about it?"
Beast Boy gritted his teeth. "You bet I'm gonna do something about it," he replied bitterly and then transformed into a large, adult lion with
a full, dark green mane.
The two older boys watched in horror as Beast Boy let out a tremendous roar and lowered his head to gaze at them threateningly.
"Let's get out of here!" the guy with the sunglasses shouted and took off in the other direction, his friend following behind not too shortly.
Beast Boy let out another roar and then went chasing after them.
"Beast Boy!" Raven called after him. But he had already chased the boys deeper into the park. Raven hesitated for a moment, and then flew
after him.
Raven followed into an area with many trees. The two boys had mananged to crawl up into one of the trees. Beast Boy was trying to
claw at them from the trunk.
The guy with the sunglasses was looking down at him laughing.
"Ha ha. Can't get us now, can you?"
Beast Boy growled and then changed into a hawk. He flew up and landed on one of the branches and changed into a lion again.
"AAAHHHH!"
Both of the boys jumped out of the tree, Beast Boy leaped out after them. He then chased them past the trees into a large clearing
in the park.
"Beast Boy, stop!" Raven shouted.
***************************************
"Cyborg!" said Robin, suddenly bursting into the living room, Starfire at his side. "There's trouble at the park! Let's go!"
Cyborg jumped off the couch. "Where's Raven and BB?" he asked.
Robin looked at Starfire and then back at Cyborg.
"We're gonna have to handle this one without them."
***************************************
Raven watched as dozens of people scattered from their picnics, screaming, at the sight of Beast Boy.
"Beast Boy!" Raven repeated, desperately trying to get his attention.
But he wasn't paying attention. He was too busy chasing the two boys around in a circle.
Raven frowned, knewing what she had to do.
Closing her eyes, she muttered, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
Beast Boy's lion eyes grew wide as he was suddenly lifted into the air in a large, black bubble. He pounced and clawed inside it.
"Raven!" he shouted, changing back to normal and looking down at her from about twelve feet into the air. "What are you doing?"
As soon as he said it, Raven felt herself lose her concentration. Her eyes flew open and the bubble holding Beast Boy popped.
Beast Boy fell to the ground hard.
"Oww," he said and sat up. He was then pulled up by the collar of his uniform.
"Think you're pretty funny, don't you freak?" said the boy in the sleeveless shirt.
"Hehe...," said Beast Boy nervously, a sweat drop coming down his face.
"Let him go," Raven ordered gravely.
The boy holding Beast Boy by the shirt looked up at her. "And what are you gonna do if I don't?"
Raven's cape flew back and her eyes turned black. She raised a hand, which was glowing with dark energy, and hurled it at the
boy in the sunglasses. The ball of energy knocked him backwards a few feet and he landed on his back, looking dazed.
"Need I say it again?" Raven replied.
"RAVEN! BEAST BOY!"
Raven gasped and her eyes returned to normal. Her and Beast Boy turned around to see Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire standing there,
looks of confusion on their faces.
"Yo, what are ya'll doin?" asked Cyborg.
The older boy immediately let go of Beast Boy's shirt.
"What's going on here?" said Robin, his tone harsh.
The boy in the sleeveless shirt helped his friend up and then replied to Robin, "Ask them," he said, looking at Raven and Beast Boy, "they're
the ones that attacked us."
The two boys then took off, running as fast as they could.
Beast Boy watched them go. "That ought have teached them a lesson," he said smugly.
He then turned back to Robin, who was looking at him and Raven with an exasperated look on his face.
"Uhhh...you okay dude?" asked Beast Boy anxiously.
"You attacked them?" Robin demanded crossly.
Beast Boy fumed. "You should of heard what they said to---"
"That doesn't matter!" bellowed Robin. "You never attack an innocent citizen!"
"Innocent?" repeated Beast Boy, looking appalled.
"If they're not stealing or harming anyone, they're innocent," answered Robin.
Beast Boy crossed his arms. "I was just having a little fun," he retorted.
Robin's mouth twitched. "Your idea of fun might have just costed us our reputation."
Cyborg and Starfire exhanged nervous glances.
"Come on, Robin---"
"Our reputation is not costed---"
"If we're lucky it's not," he replied.
This was not looking good, and Raven couldn't stand watching Beast Boy take all the blame any longer.
"He wasn't the only one who attacked them. Look, Beast Boy was just---"
"I would expect something like this from Beast Boy, but not from you, Raven," Robin snapped.
Raven immediately shut her mouth.
"Hey," said Beast Boy angrily, "Don't get mad at her. She didn't do anything wrong."
Raven narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't stand up for me," she said through clenched teeth.
"It doesn't matter, you both messed up," Robin interrupted. "How are people spose to want us to help them if we attack them instead?"
Raven bowed her head. She knew Robin was right. How could she let her emotions get the best of her like that?
Beast Boy wasn't showing any signs of shame. On the contrary, he was looking at Robin as if he was about to hit him.
"Let's go," he said to Raven all of a sudden, "Let them cool off for a while."
Raven paused for a moment, and then followed after Beast Boy.
"They're going off together....again," said Starfire curiously, once they were out of earshot.
Cyborg scratched his head. "Maybe you were right about them, Star. What do you think Robin?"
"Robin?"
Robin wasn't listening however. He had his head bowed in guilt.
Maybe I was too hard on them, he thought shamefully.
***************************************
"I can't believe him!" Beast Boy whined as he and Raven took the elevator to the upstairs in Titans Tower.
"He acted like we really hurt them or something. And even if we had, they would of deserved it!"
Raven was watching Beast Boy out of the corner of her eye. "Robin's right," she said, frowning.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
Beast Boy watched Raven step out, looking baffled. "Huh?"
He followed her down the empty hall. "What do you mean he's right?"
"We shouldn't have let our emotions take control of us like that," Raven explained as they turned a corner. "We can't just attack
people because they make us angry. We can't just do anything we want to because we feel a certain way..." Raven trailed off.
She knew that last sentence was true....and she hated it.
"But you didn't even really do anything. You tried to stop me from really harming them. And then you only attacked them to help
me out. Thanks for that by the way..." Beast Boy froze. He was suddenly aware that he had followed Raven into her room. The door
slid shut behind him.
"Oops," he muttered sheepishly. He immediately turned around to leave.
"It's okay," Raven replied quietly, "You can stay."
Beast Boy turned back around, a large smile on his face.
Raven smiled back at him but then quickly looked away. Beast Boy noticed this.
"What's the matter, Raven? Can't you look at me?" he joked.
Raven returned her gaze to him. "Looking is not the problem," she said somberly.
Beast Boy suddenly became very serious. "Then what is?" he asked.
Raven stared at him. She knew this was the time to tell him, she had his full attention now and she also knew she couldn't hide it forever.
"Touching," she answered.
Beast Boy stood there looking bemused. "I don't get it," he replied.
Raven fidgeted a little with frustration. "I...I can't touch you."
Beast Boy continued to look puzzled. "Why not?"
"Because of my powers, I can't control them anymore. I'm feeling too much," Raven answered. She then gasped as Beast Boy
took a few steps toward her.
"Try me," he ordered.
"No!" Raven exclaimed, backing away from him.
"Just try me!" shouted Beast Boy, stepping towards her again.
"Get away!" she yelled.
"Come on," Beast Boy urged. "Just try."
Raven frowned at him. "I can't," she replied, shaking her head.
Beast Boy stared into her eyes; Raven shuddered slighty under his gaze.
"Just try," he whispered.
Raven stared back into his eyes before surrending. She then exhaled deeply and lifted her arms to his face.
Beast Boy watched as her hands reached out to touch him, a tiny grin formed across his lips.
Raven focused herself on his smile as her fingers stretched and found the soft, green skin.
But just as her fingertips grazed his cheeks, her palms filled with black, telekinetic energy.
Raven immediately withdrew her hands from Beast Boy's face.
"I can't," she said suddenly, looking down at the floor.
Beast Boy watched her for a minute, a desperate look on his face.
"Raven," he said softly.
She looked up at him hopelessly.
"It's no use," she muttered franticly, "I can't control it. It'll never----"
Raven's words were stifled however, as Beast Boy had thrown himself forward and locked lips with her. Raven felt as if shockwaves
were being sent throughout her body. She leaned into Beast Boy, returning the kiss, as the triangular-shaped bookcase in her room
went crashing to the floor and sent all the books flying around them.
Raven knew the bookcase had fallen, but she didn't care. Nor did she care as the lamp on her desk exploded into dozens of tiny pieces.
Everything she had been feeling for so long came pouring out as she continued to kiss Beast Boy, taking small breaths in between.
Beast Boy felt himself grinning as his lips covered Raven's, and he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Raven's eyes widened. The mirror on her dresser shattered. As much as she didn't want to, Raven forced herself to pull away.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. Her face was flushed and she was glowing with black energy.
So was Beast Boy.
"So...was that good for you?" he asked, smirking. Raven punched him in the shoulder making him let out a BAAHH sound.
"I was joking!" he said in defense. He grinned at Raven guiltily, but she was looking at the floor.
"You okay?" he asked, his expression changing from happy to concerned.
Raven turned her back on him and attempted to clean up the broken lamp mess with her powers. "I'm fine," she replied.
Her voice told otherwise, however.
"Raven...," Beast Boy said anxiously, reaching out to put his arms around her.
Raven saw him out of the corner of her eye. "Stop," she said, before he could touch her.
Beast Boy froze in his tracks.
"I want you out," Raven ordered, motioning toward the door.
Beast Boy's mouth dropped open. "What?" he said incredulously.
"Get out," replied Raven, her voice raising slightly.
"What for? What did I do?" asked a bewildered Beast Boy.
Raven turned around and glared at him. "I just want you to leave," she answered.
Beast Boy returned her glare. "What's wrong with you? First we kiss and now you're mad?"
Raven stared at him for a moment. Then she shook her head. "Please go," she said calmly.
Beast Boy had no choice. He frowned at Raven angrily and then headed over to the door.
He pushed the button and the door slid open. He turned back to Raven, who was watching him with a misty look in her eyes.
"Night," he said bitterly, and then walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Raven closed her eyes and tried to levitate the pile of broken lamp pieces. But it was no use, she just couldn't focus on anything
other than Beast Boy's furious face. The pieces of lamp fell back to the floor, and Raven's head fell in her hands as tears streamed
down her face.
********************************
(A/N: Yes, I am aware this chapter is a lot longer than the first, but I don't care. I'm too lazy to go back and try to divide them
equally. How'd you guys like this one? I realize Raven is really moody, but you gotta remember, she's feeling a lot of stuff right
now and isn't exactly sure how to deal with it. Kinda like PMSing...lol. At least her and BB got their first kiss together (^-^)! Oh,
and if you were wondering, the mirror that shattered was not her mind-mirror thing. It was just a regular mirror on her dresser.
Thanks for reading, now Review! And be on the lookout for Part Three!)
the small, dimly lit stage, that had a single microphone, located in the back. In front of the stage was about a dozen small tables,
little lamps at each of them. There was also a corner in which the cafe had some bookcases and a couple couches and
armchairs to sit on. And in several of the seats, sat many people who were dressed in all black and wore shades over their eyes.
They were sipping out of mugs, and either reading to themselves or talking quietly amongst each other.
As Beast Boy sat himself at one of the tables, he couldn't help noticing the whole place had a dark and moody atmosphere to
it, a lot like......
"Raven," he said aloud to as he spotted her at a table by herself reading a book.
Beast Boy looked back at the stage and then back at Raven and grinned maliciously.
"Showtime," he whispered under his breath.
He quickly strutted over to the stage, a determined look on his face. Some of the cafe residents' heads raised curiously as he walked by.
Grinning broadly, Beast Boy jumped on stage and grabbed the mic. He then cleared his throat loudly to get everybody's attention.
Everyone looked up from their reading, including Raven.
"Oh, no...," she whispered, her jaw dropping.
"Okay dudes, you ready to hear some jokes?"
Raven groaned.
"Alright," Beast Boy started, "Here's a good one. What did the bird wear to the beach?"
There was an awkward silence in which most of the onlookers exchanged perplexed looks and raised eyebrows. Raven merely looked horrified.
"A BEAK-INI!" Beast Boy shouted across the room. No one laughed, that is, except Beast Boy, who was laughing stupidly at his own joke,
mainly for the fact that it had to be killing Raven.
"No? Well, how bout this one! What letters are missing from the alphabet?"
Beast Boy waited in complete silence for a few seconds, then shouted "The ones that come in the mail!"
He again laughed while no one else did. Raven, meanwhile, was desperately trying to focus on her book. But she could
feel her cheeks burning, and consequently, the words in her book melted right off the page.
"Okay, last one, I guarantee you'll laugh at this one! What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhinoceros?"
..............................................................
"Elephino!"
Again, every face in the room remained blank.
No one laughed, no one clapped, no one cracked a smile. No one did anything, except stare at him.
"Tough room," Beast Boy shrugged, and leapt off the stage. He quickly made his way over to Raven's table.
"Hey Raven," he said brightly, sitting down in the chair across from her.
Raven was trying her best to control her emotions.
"What are you doing here?" she said in a strangled voice.
Beast Boy leaned back in his chair.
"Why? Surprised to see me?" he said casually.
Raven's eyes flashed dangerously beneath her hood. "Did you follow me here?" she demanded angrily.
Now it was Beast Boy's turn to get angry.
"Hey, you're the one who just totally deserted me last night, and this morning! And besides, it's a free country, I can come here
if I want to."
Raven looked taken aback. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find any words.
"Yah, it's crazy, someone actually wants to spend time with you," said Beast Boy hysterically.
Raven shook her head at him. "It's not that simple. You don't understand--"
"I understand that you're trying to avoid me," Beast Boy cut in, "I just don't know why."
Raven put her forehead in her hands and sighed. "It's complicated..."
"What's so complicated about hanging out with me? I thought you liked me!" Beast Boy said loudly.
The lightbulb in the tiny lamp on their table suddenly popped and went out.
Raven stared at it for a second and then got up from her chair. "This is why I'm avoiding you," she said bluntly.
She then headed out the door of the cafe. Beast Boy scrambled out of his chair after her.
He charged out the door, expecting to have to chase after her, but instead she stood there waiting for him.
"What's going on?" Beast Boy asked anxiously, approaching her slowly.
Raven took a deep breath. "It's not that I don't want to hang out with you," she replied. "It's what happens when I do hang out
with you."
Beast Boy's face scrunched up in confusion.
Noticing this, Raven impatiently said,"Look, you know I can't fully control my powers. Especially when I have strong feelings
for something."
Raven then blushed realizing what she had said.
Beast Boy blushed too and a giant grin formed on his face. "You mean you have strong feelings...for me?"
Raven rolled her eyes and eyes and pretended to be annoyed but couldn't fight the smile that was forming on her lips.
"You're not going to make me say it again are you?" she asked with mock reluctance.
Beast Boy waved a hand aside. "Nah, we'll save that for another time," he said with a wink.
They stood there quietly, smiling at each other for a couple of seconds. Then Beast Boy broke the silence.
"So...you wanna go to the park or something?" he suggested.
"Ummm...," Raven replied uncertainly. She didn't know how to tell him no. She didn't want to hurt his feelings again. Not now when
he was so happy.
"Sure...," she answered.
"Awesome!" exclaimed Beast Boy cheerfully.
Even though Raven still wasn't sure about the park, she had to admit to herself, it felt good to please him.
Beast Boy and Raven started down the sidewalk together. As they walked, Raven could feel extrememly positive energy seeping off
of Beast Boy.
He's so happy about this, she thought sadly. If only he knew what's going to happen.......
Raven's eyes suddenly bugged out and the nearest traffic light blew up; Beast Boy had slipped his hand in hers.
They both turned and looked up at the broken traffic light; Raven took her hand away.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," she said quietly.
"Come on!" Beast Boy protested. "So you broke one little stoplight, big deal!"
Raven bit her lip anxiously. "Alright," she murmured. And they continued to the park.
**************************************
"Man, sure is quiet around here without BB crackin jokes and actin goofy," said Cyborg. He was sitting on the couch with his feet propped
up on the coffee table. "Wonder where he is," he thought aloud.
Cyborg looked around the room only to find he was the only one there.
"Wonder where everyone is," he muttered, and then turned on the tv.
**************************************
"This looks like a good spot," Beast Boy announced, sitting down in a particularly soft patch of grass.
"For what?" said Raven wryly, sitting down next to him.
Beast Boy scowled at her. "Come on, Raven. Why do you always have to have a reason for everything? Can't you just enjoy something
without wondering what's the meaning of it?"
Raven was a little puzzled by his words. She hadn't really thought of this before, or if she had, she hadn't taken it so seriously until now.
"Okay, okay," she said, and removed her hood.
Beast Boy's face softened and formed a large grin again. He leaned back into the grass with his hands behind his head.
"Whoa, that cloud looks just like Cyborg," he said, pointing up at the sky.
Raven looked up at the clouds.
"Haha, made you look!" said Beast Boy playfully.
Raven looked back down at him and smiled slightly, shaking her head. "Are you ever gonna stop that?" she asked.
Beast Boy thought for a moment. "Nah," he finally answered.
Raven sighed quietly and looked around. The park was so peaceful today. Warm with clear skies and a light breeze. And there were only a
few other people around other than the two of them. A couple older boys were tossing a frisbee to each other a good fifty feet away.
Raven was relieved to find that she wasn't feeling anxious at all, on the contrary she felt relaxed and for one of the few times in her life...happy.
"I'm glad I came," she said suddenly and somewhat shyly to Beast Boy. "This is...nice."
Beast Boy beamed at her. "Whad I tell ya? You stick with me, you'll never go wrong,"
Raven stared at him for a second, and then leaned back into the grass next to him. She closed her eyes and felt Beast Boy's hand next to hers.
So this is what it's like to be in love....she thought to herself.
"Huh?" she heard Beast Boy ask.
Raven's eyes snapped open. Her heart started beating fast. Her mind raced.
Please tell me I didn't say that outloud, please tell me I didn't!
Raven sat up, her throat tightening. But Beast Boy wasn't paying any attention. He was watching the two boys playing catch in front of them.
"Ah, cool, frisbee!" he said eagerly. Raven sighed with relief.
And perhaps it was because she did that, that the frisbee suddenly flew out of the boy's hand and over his friend's head.
"What kind of throw was that?" his friend shouted at him. The other boy, who was wearing sunglasses, just shrugged.
"Watch this!" said Beast Boy to Raven, transforming into a labrador retreiver and heading after the frisbee.
Raven watched as Beast Boy took a giant leap and caught the frisbee with his mouth in mid-air.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes, she knew he was trying to impress her.
Meanwhile, Beast Boy changed back to normal and walked over to the two boys.
"Here," he said, handing the frisbee over to them.
The guy with sunglasses grabbed it from him quickly.
"Who said you could touch my frisbee, freak?" he said nastily.
Beast Boy's brows arched in anger. "Say what?" he demanded. Raven had just walked over.
The guy with the sunglasses waved the frisbee in Beast Boy's face. "I said, don't touch my frisbee. I don't want your freak hands
on it."
Beast Boy's face reddened with rage. Raven was looking quite angry herself.
"Don't you have anything better to do than act like immature idiots?" she said coolly.
The other boy, who was wearing a sleeveless shirt, turned to Raven and looked her up and down.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping in a coffin right now, or have you just never heard of sunlight?" he asked with a disgusted look on his
face.
Beast Boy stepped up to the boy, clenching his fist. "What did you say to her?" he asked furiously.
The boy in the sleeveless shirt pushed him back. "Why? You gonna do something about it?"
Beast Boy gritted his teeth. "You bet I'm gonna do something about it," he replied bitterly and then transformed into a large, adult lion with
a full, dark green mane.
The two older boys watched in horror as Beast Boy let out a tremendous roar and lowered his head to gaze at them threateningly.
"Let's get out of here!" the guy with the sunglasses shouted and took off in the other direction, his friend following behind not too shortly.
Beast Boy let out another roar and then went chasing after them.
"Beast Boy!" Raven called after him. But he had already chased the boys deeper into the park. Raven hesitated for a moment, and then flew
after him.
Raven followed into an area with many trees. The two boys had mananged to crawl up into one of the trees. Beast Boy was trying to
claw at them from the trunk.
The guy with the sunglasses was looking down at him laughing.
"Ha ha. Can't get us now, can you?"
Beast Boy growled and then changed into a hawk. He flew up and landed on one of the branches and changed into a lion again.
"AAAHHHH!"
Both of the boys jumped out of the tree, Beast Boy leaped out after them. He then chased them past the trees into a large clearing
in the park.
"Beast Boy, stop!" Raven shouted.
***************************************
"Cyborg!" said Robin, suddenly bursting into the living room, Starfire at his side. "There's trouble at the park! Let's go!"
Cyborg jumped off the couch. "Where's Raven and BB?" he asked.
Robin looked at Starfire and then back at Cyborg.
"We're gonna have to handle this one without them."
***************************************
Raven watched as dozens of people scattered from their picnics, screaming, at the sight of Beast Boy.
"Beast Boy!" Raven repeated, desperately trying to get his attention.
But he wasn't paying attention. He was too busy chasing the two boys around in a circle.
Raven frowned, knewing what she had to do.
Closing her eyes, she muttered, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
Beast Boy's lion eyes grew wide as he was suddenly lifted into the air in a large, black bubble. He pounced and clawed inside it.
"Raven!" he shouted, changing back to normal and looking down at her from about twelve feet into the air. "What are you doing?"
As soon as he said it, Raven felt herself lose her concentration. Her eyes flew open and the bubble holding Beast Boy popped.
Beast Boy fell to the ground hard.
"Oww," he said and sat up. He was then pulled up by the collar of his uniform.
"Think you're pretty funny, don't you freak?" said the boy in the sleeveless shirt.
"Hehe...," said Beast Boy nervously, a sweat drop coming down his face.
"Let him go," Raven ordered gravely.
The boy holding Beast Boy by the shirt looked up at her. "And what are you gonna do if I don't?"
Raven's cape flew back and her eyes turned black. She raised a hand, which was glowing with dark energy, and hurled it at the
boy in the sunglasses. The ball of energy knocked him backwards a few feet and he landed on his back, looking dazed.
"Need I say it again?" Raven replied.
"RAVEN! BEAST BOY!"
Raven gasped and her eyes returned to normal. Her and Beast Boy turned around to see Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire standing there,
looks of confusion on their faces.
"Yo, what are ya'll doin?" asked Cyborg.
The older boy immediately let go of Beast Boy's shirt.
"What's going on here?" said Robin, his tone harsh.
The boy in the sleeveless shirt helped his friend up and then replied to Robin, "Ask them," he said, looking at Raven and Beast Boy, "they're
the ones that attacked us."
The two boys then took off, running as fast as they could.
Beast Boy watched them go. "That ought have teached them a lesson," he said smugly.
He then turned back to Robin, who was looking at him and Raven with an exasperated look on his face.
"Uhhh...you okay dude?" asked Beast Boy anxiously.
"You attacked them?" Robin demanded crossly.
Beast Boy fumed. "You should of heard what they said to---"
"That doesn't matter!" bellowed Robin. "You never attack an innocent citizen!"
"Innocent?" repeated Beast Boy, looking appalled.
"If they're not stealing or harming anyone, they're innocent," answered Robin.
Beast Boy crossed his arms. "I was just having a little fun," he retorted.
Robin's mouth twitched. "Your idea of fun might have just costed us our reputation."
Cyborg and Starfire exhanged nervous glances.
"Come on, Robin---"
"Our reputation is not costed---"
"If we're lucky it's not," he replied.
This was not looking good, and Raven couldn't stand watching Beast Boy take all the blame any longer.
"He wasn't the only one who attacked them. Look, Beast Boy was just---"
"I would expect something like this from Beast Boy, but not from you, Raven," Robin snapped.
Raven immediately shut her mouth.
"Hey," said Beast Boy angrily, "Don't get mad at her. She didn't do anything wrong."
Raven narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't stand up for me," she said through clenched teeth.
"It doesn't matter, you both messed up," Robin interrupted. "How are people spose to want us to help them if we attack them instead?"
Raven bowed her head. She knew Robin was right. How could she let her emotions get the best of her like that?
Beast Boy wasn't showing any signs of shame. On the contrary, he was looking at Robin as if he was about to hit him.
"Let's go," he said to Raven all of a sudden, "Let them cool off for a while."
Raven paused for a moment, and then followed after Beast Boy.
"They're going off together....again," said Starfire curiously, once they were out of earshot.
Cyborg scratched his head. "Maybe you were right about them, Star. What do you think Robin?"
"Robin?"
Robin wasn't listening however. He had his head bowed in guilt.
Maybe I was too hard on them, he thought shamefully.
***************************************
"I can't believe him!" Beast Boy whined as he and Raven took the elevator to the upstairs in Titans Tower.
"He acted like we really hurt them or something. And even if we had, they would of deserved it!"
Raven was watching Beast Boy out of the corner of her eye. "Robin's right," she said, frowning.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
Beast Boy watched Raven step out, looking baffled. "Huh?"
He followed her down the empty hall. "What do you mean he's right?"
"We shouldn't have let our emotions take control of us like that," Raven explained as they turned a corner. "We can't just attack
people because they make us angry. We can't just do anything we want to because we feel a certain way..." Raven trailed off.
She knew that last sentence was true....and she hated it.
"But you didn't even really do anything. You tried to stop me from really harming them. And then you only attacked them to help
me out. Thanks for that by the way..." Beast Boy froze. He was suddenly aware that he had followed Raven into her room. The door
slid shut behind him.
"Oops," he muttered sheepishly. He immediately turned around to leave.
"It's okay," Raven replied quietly, "You can stay."
Beast Boy turned back around, a large smile on his face.
Raven smiled back at him but then quickly looked away. Beast Boy noticed this.
"What's the matter, Raven? Can't you look at me?" he joked.
Raven returned her gaze to him. "Looking is not the problem," she said somberly.
Beast Boy suddenly became very serious. "Then what is?" he asked.
Raven stared at him. She knew this was the time to tell him, she had his full attention now and she also knew she couldn't hide it forever.
"Touching," she answered.
Beast Boy stood there looking bemused. "I don't get it," he replied.
Raven fidgeted a little with frustration. "I...I can't touch you."
Beast Boy continued to look puzzled. "Why not?"
"Because of my powers, I can't control them anymore. I'm feeling too much," Raven answered. She then gasped as Beast Boy
took a few steps toward her.
"Try me," he ordered.
"No!" Raven exclaimed, backing away from him.
"Just try me!" shouted Beast Boy, stepping towards her again.
"Get away!" she yelled.
"Come on," Beast Boy urged. "Just try."
Raven frowned at him. "I can't," she replied, shaking her head.
Beast Boy stared into her eyes; Raven shuddered slighty under his gaze.
"Just try," he whispered.
Raven stared back into his eyes before surrending. She then exhaled deeply and lifted her arms to his face.
Beast Boy watched as her hands reached out to touch him, a tiny grin formed across his lips.
Raven focused herself on his smile as her fingers stretched and found the soft, green skin.
But just as her fingertips grazed his cheeks, her palms filled with black, telekinetic energy.
Raven immediately withdrew her hands from Beast Boy's face.
"I can't," she said suddenly, looking down at the floor.
Beast Boy watched her for a minute, a desperate look on his face.
"Raven," he said softly.
She looked up at him hopelessly.
"It's no use," she muttered franticly, "I can't control it. It'll never----"
Raven's words were stifled however, as Beast Boy had thrown himself forward and locked lips with her. Raven felt as if shockwaves
were being sent throughout her body. She leaned into Beast Boy, returning the kiss, as the triangular-shaped bookcase in her room
went crashing to the floor and sent all the books flying around them.
Raven knew the bookcase had fallen, but she didn't care. Nor did she care as the lamp on her desk exploded into dozens of tiny pieces.
Everything she had been feeling for so long came pouring out as she continued to kiss Beast Boy, taking small breaths in between.
Beast Boy felt himself grinning as his lips covered Raven's, and he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Raven's eyes widened. The mirror on her dresser shattered. As much as she didn't want to, Raven forced herself to pull away.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. Her face was flushed and she was glowing with black energy.
So was Beast Boy.
"So...was that good for you?" he asked, smirking. Raven punched him in the shoulder making him let out a BAAHH sound.
"I was joking!" he said in defense. He grinned at Raven guiltily, but she was looking at the floor.
"You okay?" he asked, his expression changing from happy to concerned.
Raven turned her back on him and attempted to clean up the broken lamp mess with her powers. "I'm fine," she replied.
Her voice told otherwise, however.
"Raven...," Beast Boy said anxiously, reaching out to put his arms around her.
Raven saw him out of the corner of her eye. "Stop," she said, before he could touch her.
Beast Boy froze in his tracks.
"I want you out," Raven ordered, motioning toward the door.
Beast Boy's mouth dropped open. "What?" he said incredulously.
"Get out," replied Raven, her voice raising slightly.
"What for? What did I do?" asked a bewildered Beast Boy.
Raven turned around and glared at him. "I just want you to leave," she answered.
Beast Boy returned her glare. "What's wrong with you? First we kiss and now you're mad?"
Raven stared at him for a moment. Then she shook her head. "Please go," she said calmly.
Beast Boy had no choice. He frowned at Raven angrily and then headed over to the door.
He pushed the button and the door slid open. He turned back to Raven, who was watching him with a misty look in her eyes.
"Night," he said bitterly, and then walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Raven closed her eyes and tried to levitate the pile of broken lamp pieces. But it was no use, she just couldn't focus on anything
other than Beast Boy's furious face. The pieces of lamp fell back to the floor, and Raven's head fell in her hands as tears streamed
down her face.
********************************
(A/N: Yes, I am aware this chapter is a lot longer than the first, but I don't care. I'm too lazy to go back and try to divide them
equally. How'd you guys like this one? I realize Raven is really moody, but you gotta remember, she's feeling a lot of stuff right
now and isn't exactly sure how to deal with it. Kinda like PMSing...lol. At least her and BB got their first kiss together (^-^)! Oh,
and if you were wondering, the mirror that shattered was not her mind-mirror thing. It was just a regular mirror on her dresser.
Thanks for reading, now Review! And be on the lookout for Part Three!)