Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, nor do I own any associated intellectual property.
Review Responses:
Ravenn03: An odd typo to have, transposing 't' and 's' in 'this'. Anyway, glad you liked the chapter. Hope you enjoy this one as well.
John Steppenwolf: Yes, Raven's anger was at both Terra and Beastboy, though Terra didn't truly deserve it. Anger is annoying like that. She didn't injure Beastboy because she loved him, and she hadn't lost control yet. Robin has no intention of going for Raven in this fic, he's just being a very supportive friend. Glad you like the story.
Snowy: Healing takes a long time, especially when it comes to emotional healing. Raven has a while yet to go.
Jakked-Up: Yep, got this chapter out as the second today! It's nice to have the story you are reading continue, so I try to keep mine moving fast.
A/N: Thats' all the reviews I have so far, so on to the story.
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A Woman Scorned
......................................................................
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." - The Mourning Bride, William Congreve.
......................................................................
Breakfast the next day was nearly jovial. Ham, eggs, bacon, sausage, Cyborg was on a rampage. Beastboy fried some tofu blocks for himself and Terra. Terra, as appreciative as she was for the tofu, ate her share of the rest of the food as well. Starfire and Robin gladly ate all the foods prepared, and everyone laughed and talked over the meal.
"So Robin, what's the team training going to be today?" Beastboy talked through a mouthful of tofu.
Robin pointed his fork towards his cast. "Not much in the way of team training, we deserve a day of rest. However, I've noticed that you're getting a little soft, you might need some weight training with Cyborg."
"Oh yeah, I've got just the thing to get you back to shape, BB. Just got them in yesterday. Animal training collars, weighing from 10 to 200 pounds, good to keep your animal's back strong, no matter what animal it is." Cyborg grinned, picturing Beastboy carrying around a heavy training collar.
"Hey! I'm not getting soft! I can lift anything Robin can!"
Terra poked Beastboy's stomach. "Soft. You need to lose some weight!"
Beastboy pouted as everyone laughed.
Robin grinned. "So what is everyone else planning today?"
Starfire smiled wide. "I have no plans for today. Perhaps I can help someone else?"
Cyborg grinned. "Nah, I've still got some repairs to do, and it's really a one-man job."
Beastboy flexed his arms, his slight musculature moving under his costume. "I've got to work out, I guess. Terra, you want to help?"
Terra laughed. "Yep, Someone needs to whip you into shape!"
Everyone joined Terra's laughter. The worries of yesterday had faded with the sunlight, and today was a new day.
"Well, I don't really plan to do much. I'll probably just watch TV and heal, maybe check in on-"
"Rae! You're up! Feelin' better?" Cyborg waved to the empath, who had just entered the room, walking slowly towards the kitchen. She looked at him through the darkness cast by her hood, her face emotionless.
"Yes, I am much better. Breakfast smells nice. Is anything left?" Her voice was cold and even, but everyone was just happy to hear her speak at all.
"There's still some tofu! C'mon, no one else is eating any!" Beastboy grinned, running over to the fraying pan, a few still warm cubes ready for eating.
Raven stood at the counter, looking at the food. "I'll take some, Beastboy. Cyborg, I'll take some real eggs and sausage as well."
The smiling teenagers quickly filled a plate with food, handing it to her. Starfire floated over to the open seat at the table, placing a newly made cup of tea, that she had prepared in case Raven was to show. Everyone smiled at the cloaked maiden as she walked towards her seat.
She paused for a moment. "You are all staring."
Robin nodded. "We're all just glad to see you up and about. You're feeling better since yesterday?"
Raven nodded, but stayed silent as she began eating her food. It was more food than anyone could remember seeing the girl eat in one sitting before. Terra smiled.
"It's good that you're hungry. It means you're going to be fine, right?"
"It would seem so. I wasn't injured badly. Emotions simply tire me." Raven's voice remained deadpan.
"Speaking of emotions, your green one attacked me yesterday. Made me spar with her before she'd show me the way to where you were." Robin grinned.
Raven looked over at him. "She would do that. Why do you mention it?"
"Well, if she's your fighting ability personified, we need to work on your martial arts ability. She was far to easy to defeat."
Raven's voice didn't change. "It couldn't hurt to train a little more. I'll do so when your arm heals."
Robin nodded, obviously pleased by the acceptance of his advice. Raven stood, having finished her meal. Terra took her plate to the sink, trying her best to be helpful. Raven walked silently towards the door. She stopped a moment, as if deciding whether or not to say something.
"Beastboy, Terra, if you don't have anything else planned... I think I'm strong enough now to talk about it. Come to my room when you have time."
She was out the door, into the hallway, before anyone could respond.
......................................................................
Beastboy held Terra's hand as they walked down the hallway towards Raven's room. They were nervous, not because of Raven's powers or her anger, but simply because this would be a turning point in their relationship. Terra was still unsure how much she trusted Beastboy, and Beastboy was still unsure what he wanted from his relationships with the girls.
The stopped in front of her door, and looked into eachother's eyes. Terra's voice was low and small, her eyes moist.
"Beastboy, I'm scared. I don't know what is going to happen, and... I don't want to lose you."
Beastboy nodded, he was nervous as well. "Terra, It'll be fine. No matter what happens, it'll work out fine in the end."
Terra smiled at him, then leaned him kissing him gently.
They both jumped as the door hissed open, revealing an expressionless Raven. A few awkward seconds passed before anyone said anything.
"Well, I see you are here. Come in." Raven turned, walking into her room, and letting the couple follow. Beastboy pressed the switch to close the door as he entered. The room looked the same as always, the one constant in recent days.
Raven sat, lotus position, on her bed. Terra shuddered involuntarily. The scene brought back fearful memories. Raven's expression softened momentarily, seeing the girl shake, but then resumed it's normal mundanity.
"Beastboy, I think you should start by telling us why you did it." Raven's voice was unemotional, but not cold. Beastboy could detect no malice whatsoever.
Beastboy thought for a second, gathering what he wanted to say. "Raven, you know that I loved you. I might still love you." Beastboy tried to ignore Terra's hurt expression. "But I also love Terra. It's only been a few days, but I really do love her. The reason that I dated her in the first place was both because I liked her, and because I needed to know what it was like to be with a girl who was free to show her feelings."
Beastboy took a deep breath, as the two girls digested the information. Raven already knew his reason, but he hoped that reiterating it might help her understand. Terra's face still wore a hurt expression. When she spoke, she sounded sad and lonely.
"I was just... you just wanted to know what that was like?"
Raven stared coldly at Beastboy, as he looked at the blonde girl. Terra seemed to be near tears.
"Hey... c'mon... it's not like that. I just said that I loved you, I'm not dating you just for that."
Terra looked down at the floor. "You cheated on Raven, because she couldn't show emotion?"
Beastboy nodded. The word 'cheated' hurt him, even though it was true.
The blonde girl shook her head slowly. "Beastboy, it's not her fault. You can't do that to someone, especially if they can't help it."
The green changeling just sighed. "I know what I did was bad, Terra. I'm just being honest and telling you both how it happened."
Terra looked at Beastboy, tears in her eyes. "I need to do practice yoga, focus myself, and do a few other things every day to control my powers too, Beastboy. If a girl comes by that doesn't... will you leave me too?"
Beastboy waved his hands frantically, trying to dismiss the idea. "No way, it's not like that. With you, I'm so happy. We can kiss whenever we want, you smile and laugh at my jokes, you hug me all the time, and..."
Terra looked down. "What if it wasn't like that? What if one day I need to start meditating like Raven? With powers like mine, I can't afford to lose control. If I have to supress my emotions, will you still love me?"
Beastboy hung his head. He was getting frustrated. He understood where she was coming from, but it wasn't that simple. He just didn't know what to say to make her beleive him.
"It's not like that... It's just not like that."
The three teenagers sat in silence, no one really knowing what to say. Beastboy tried desperately to think of a way to convince Terra that he wasn't going to leave her if circumstances were the same, but couldn't find any words. Terra was just thinking about how Raven must feel, having lost a boyfriend because of something out of her control. Raven just sat with her eyes closed, repeating a mantra quietly as the seconds ticked by.
Finally, Raven spoke. "Beastboy, I can sense your frustration. The issue here is trust. You've destroyed mine, and lost Terra's. It will take time to build. Trust isn't given, it's earned."
Terra winced at the familiar words, but knew that Raven was correct. Beastboy looked at Raven, his lips moving slightly, as if he was about to say something, but couldn't phrase it right. Finally, a thin, hurt voice slipped out.
"Destroyed? Raven, c'mon. There are other people to trust, besides me. What about Robin? You've been talking..."
Raven cut him off. "I've been speaking to Robin only because I had no one else to turn to. He is an honest person, but there's a voice in my mind that won't let me trust him. Something telling me that no one can ever be trusted. A voice I haven't heard since... since before our first kiss."
Beastboy's face fell. He hadn't realized how much he'd hurt her. "Raven, you can't be serious. You can't go through life a lone wolf like that."
Terra was surprised that Beastboy hadn't changed into a wolf to punctuate his expression. He really was serious. Terra spoke up, despite her reservations.
"Beastboy is right. You need to be able to confide in someone. You can't let one bad person ruin your life." Terra winced as she realized that she'd just called Beastboy a bad person. He didn't deserve that.
Raven sat silent for a moment. "I am never alone, Terra. I have the Titans behind me. Don't worry, I will be fine."
Raven turned to Beastboy. "The question is... will YOU be alone?"
Beastboy looked up at Raven, her cold eyes giving him no reassurance. He turned to Terra, and her downcast, moistened eyes making him worry as well. All the thoughts he had been thinking since the date, trying to decide between Terra and Raven... it wasn't his choice. Raven was lost, and Terra... Terra may be lost as well. The silence in the room settled, no one knowing what Terra would say, not even Terra herself.
Finally, after an eternity of silence, Terra raised her head, looking at Beastboy. "No... I still trust you, Beastboy. At least, I'm willing to give you another chance." Terra smiled weakly.
Beastboy nodded, taking Terra's hand in his. He leaned towards her, giving her a small, simple kiss. She smiled at him, happy that she could still date Beastboy, despite the taint she now knew he had.
Raven watched them with cold, dead eyes. There was no hint of her feelings in the matter. The couple turned, looking at her. Terra spoke.
"Is... is that ok?"
Raven closed her eyes for a moment, her lips moving once again. She opened them. "It's fine. Beastboy, be happy, and take care of her. Terra, take care of him as well."
Terra and Beastboy smiled, grateful for her approval, as strange as it was to ask for. Raven's voice was slightly sad as she spoke again.
"At the moment, however, I need to meditate. I will see you both at dinner. Goodbye."
The two teens stood and walked out, throwing a concerned glance at the levitating empath. She was staring out of her window, at the sun rising over the bay. The door hissed shut, leaving Raven alone.
Alone again.
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A/N: Poor girl. This is the end of the story proper, the next chapter will be an epilogue, set some number of years in the future. I know that this story is good, but all good things must come to an end, and this seems a good place. I know that many of you wanted this to end as BB/Raven, but I don't think she can trust him again, after having lost the only person that she'd ever fully trusted. It's a sad ending, but there was no happy ending to be had. Hopefully I can get the epilogue written and out before the servers for FFN shut down. Anyway, please review, and I'll see you again in a future fic.
Review Responses:
Ravenn03: An odd typo to have, transposing 't' and 's' in 'this'. Anyway, glad you liked the chapter. Hope you enjoy this one as well.
John Steppenwolf: Yes, Raven's anger was at both Terra and Beastboy, though Terra didn't truly deserve it. Anger is annoying like that. She didn't injure Beastboy because she loved him, and she hadn't lost control yet. Robin has no intention of going for Raven in this fic, he's just being a very supportive friend. Glad you like the story.
Snowy: Healing takes a long time, especially when it comes to emotional healing. Raven has a while yet to go.
Jakked-Up: Yep, got this chapter out as the second today! It's nice to have the story you are reading continue, so I try to keep mine moving fast.
A/N: Thats' all the reviews I have so far, so on to the story.
......................................................................
A Woman Scorned
......................................................................
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." - The Mourning Bride, William Congreve.
......................................................................
Breakfast the next day was nearly jovial. Ham, eggs, bacon, sausage, Cyborg was on a rampage. Beastboy fried some tofu blocks for himself and Terra. Terra, as appreciative as she was for the tofu, ate her share of the rest of the food as well. Starfire and Robin gladly ate all the foods prepared, and everyone laughed and talked over the meal.
"So Robin, what's the team training going to be today?" Beastboy talked through a mouthful of tofu.
Robin pointed his fork towards his cast. "Not much in the way of team training, we deserve a day of rest. However, I've noticed that you're getting a little soft, you might need some weight training with Cyborg."
"Oh yeah, I've got just the thing to get you back to shape, BB. Just got them in yesterday. Animal training collars, weighing from 10 to 200 pounds, good to keep your animal's back strong, no matter what animal it is." Cyborg grinned, picturing Beastboy carrying around a heavy training collar.
"Hey! I'm not getting soft! I can lift anything Robin can!"
Terra poked Beastboy's stomach. "Soft. You need to lose some weight!"
Beastboy pouted as everyone laughed.
Robin grinned. "So what is everyone else planning today?"
Starfire smiled wide. "I have no plans for today. Perhaps I can help someone else?"
Cyborg grinned. "Nah, I've still got some repairs to do, and it's really a one-man job."
Beastboy flexed his arms, his slight musculature moving under his costume. "I've got to work out, I guess. Terra, you want to help?"
Terra laughed. "Yep, Someone needs to whip you into shape!"
Everyone joined Terra's laughter. The worries of yesterday had faded with the sunlight, and today was a new day.
"Well, I don't really plan to do much. I'll probably just watch TV and heal, maybe check in on-"
"Rae! You're up! Feelin' better?" Cyborg waved to the empath, who had just entered the room, walking slowly towards the kitchen. She looked at him through the darkness cast by her hood, her face emotionless.
"Yes, I am much better. Breakfast smells nice. Is anything left?" Her voice was cold and even, but everyone was just happy to hear her speak at all.
"There's still some tofu! C'mon, no one else is eating any!" Beastboy grinned, running over to the fraying pan, a few still warm cubes ready for eating.
Raven stood at the counter, looking at the food. "I'll take some, Beastboy. Cyborg, I'll take some real eggs and sausage as well."
The smiling teenagers quickly filled a plate with food, handing it to her. Starfire floated over to the open seat at the table, placing a newly made cup of tea, that she had prepared in case Raven was to show. Everyone smiled at the cloaked maiden as she walked towards her seat.
She paused for a moment. "You are all staring."
Robin nodded. "We're all just glad to see you up and about. You're feeling better since yesterday?"
Raven nodded, but stayed silent as she began eating her food. It was more food than anyone could remember seeing the girl eat in one sitting before. Terra smiled.
"It's good that you're hungry. It means you're going to be fine, right?"
"It would seem so. I wasn't injured badly. Emotions simply tire me." Raven's voice remained deadpan.
"Speaking of emotions, your green one attacked me yesterday. Made me spar with her before she'd show me the way to where you were." Robin grinned.
Raven looked over at him. "She would do that. Why do you mention it?"
"Well, if she's your fighting ability personified, we need to work on your martial arts ability. She was far to easy to defeat."
Raven's voice didn't change. "It couldn't hurt to train a little more. I'll do so when your arm heals."
Robin nodded, obviously pleased by the acceptance of his advice. Raven stood, having finished her meal. Terra took her plate to the sink, trying her best to be helpful. Raven walked silently towards the door. She stopped a moment, as if deciding whether or not to say something.
"Beastboy, Terra, if you don't have anything else planned... I think I'm strong enough now to talk about it. Come to my room when you have time."
She was out the door, into the hallway, before anyone could respond.
......................................................................
Beastboy held Terra's hand as they walked down the hallway towards Raven's room. They were nervous, not because of Raven's powers or her anger, but simply because this would be a turning point in their relationship. Terra was still unsure how much she trusted Beastboy, and Beastboy was still unsure what he wanted from his relationships with the girls.
The stopped in front of her door, and looked into eachother's eyes. Terra's voice was low and small, her eyes moist.
"Beastboy, I'm scared. I don't know what is going to happen, and... I don't want to lose you."
Beastboy nodded, he was nervous as well. "Terra, It'll be fine. No matter what happens, it'll work out fine in the end."
Terra smiled at him, then leaned him kissing him gently.
They both jumped as the door hissed open, revealing an expressionless Raven. A few awkward seconds passed before anyone said anything.
"Well, I see you are here. Come in." Raven turned, walking into her room, and letting the couple follow. Beastboy pressed the switch to close the door as he entered. The room looked the same as always, the one constant in recent days.
Raven sat, lotus position, on her bed. Terra shuddered involuntarily. The scene brought back fearful memories. Raven's expression softened momentarily, seeing the girl shake, but then resumed it's normal mundanity.
"Beastboy, I think you should start by telling us why you did it." Raven's voice was unemotional, but not cold. Beastboy could detect no malice whatsoever.
Beastboy thought for a second, gathering what he wanted to say. "Raven, you know that I loved you. I might still love you." Beastboy tried to ignore Terra's hurt expression. "But I also love Terra. It's only been a few days, but I really do love her. The reason that I dated her in the first place was both because I liked her, and because I needed to know what it was like to be with a girl who was free to show her feelings."
Beastboy took a deep breath, as the two girls digested the information. Raven already knew his reason, but he hoped that reiterating it might help her understand. Terra's face still wore a hurt expression. When she spoke, she sounded sad and lonely.
"I was just... you just wanted to know what that was like?"
Raven stared coldly at Beastboy, as he looked at the blonde girl. Terra seemed to be near tears.
"Hey... c'mon... it's not like that. I just said that I loved you, I'm not dating you just for that."
Terra looked down at the floor. "You cheated on Raven, because she couldn't show emotion?"
Beastboy nodded. The word 'cheated' hurt him, even though it was true.
The blonde girl shook her head slowly. "Beastboy, it's not her fault. You can't do that to someone, especially if they can't help it."
The green changeling just sighed. "I know what I did was bad, Terra. I'm just being honest and telling you both how it happened."
Terra looked at Beastboy, tears in her eyes. "I need to do practice yoga, focus myself, and do a few other things every day to control my powers too, Beastboy. If a girl comes by that doesn't... will you leave me too?"
Beastboy waved his hands frantically, trying to dismiss the idea. "No way, it's not like that. With you, I'm so happy. We can kiss whenever we want, you smile and laugh at my jokes, you hug me all the time, and..."
Terra looked down. "What if it wasn't like that? What if one day I need to start meditating like Raven? With powers like mine, I can't afford to lose control. If I have to supress my emotions, will you still love me?"
Beastboy hung his head. He was getting frustrated. He understood where she was coming from, but it wasn't that simple. He just didn't know what to say to make her beleive him.
"It's not like that... It's just not like that."
The three teenagers sat in silence, no one really knowing what to say. Beastboy tried desperately to think of a way to convince Terra that he wasn't going to leave her if circumstances were the same, but couldn't find any words. Terra was just thinking about how Raven must feel, having lost a boyfriend because of something out of her control. Raven just sat with her eyes closed, repeating a mantra quietly as the seconds ticked by.
Finally, Raven spoke. "Beastboy, I can sense your frustration. The issue here is trust. You've destroyed mine, and lost Terra's. It will take time to build. Trust isn't given, it's earned."
Terra winced at the familiar words, but knew that Raven was correct. Beastboy looked at Raven, his lips moving slightly, as if he was about to say something, but couldn't phrase it right. Finally, a thin, hurt voice slipped out.
"Destroyed? Raven, c'mon. There are other people to trust, besides me. What about Robin? You've been talking..."
Raven cut him off. "I've been speaking to Robin only because I had no one else to turn to. He is an honest person, but there's a voice in my mind that won't let me trust him. Something telling me that no one can ever be trusted. A voice I haven't heard since... since before our first kiss."
Beastboy's face fell. He hadn't realized how much he'd hurt her. "Raven, you can't be serious. You can't go through life a lone wolf like that."
Terra was surprised that Beastboy hadn't changed into a wolf to punctuate his expression. He really was serious. Terra spoke up, despite her reservations.
"Beastboy is right. You need to be able to confide in someone. You can't let one bad person ruin your life." Terra winced as she realized that she'd just called Beastboy a bad person. He didn't deserve that.
Raven sat silent for a moment. "I am never alone, Terra. I have the Titans behind me. Don't worry, I will be fine."
Raven turned to Beastboy. "The question is... will YOU be alone?"
Beastboy looked up at Raven, her cold eyes giving him no reassurance. He turned to Terra, and her downcast, moistened eyes making him worry as well. All the thoughts he had been thinking since the date, trying to decide between Terra and Raven... it wasn't his choice. Raven was lost, and Terra... Terra may be lost as well. The silence in the room settled, no one knowing what Terra would say, not even Terra herself.
Finally, after an eternity of silence, Terra raised her head, looking at Beastboy. "No... I still trust you, Beastboy. At least, I'm willing to give you another chance." Terra smiled weakly.
Beastboy nodded, taking Terra's hand in his. He leaned towards her, giving her a small, simple kiss. She smiled at him, happy that she could still date Beastboy, despite the taint she now knew he had.
Raven watched them with cold, dead eyes. There was no hint of her feelings in the matter. The couple turned, looking at her. Terra spoke.
"Is... is that ok?"
Raven closed her eyes for a moment, her lips moving once again. She opened them. "It's fine. Beastboy, be happy, and take care of her. Terra, take care of him as well."
Terra and Beastboy smiled, grateful for her approval, as strange as it was to ask for. Raven's voice was slightly sad as she spoke again.
"At the moment, however, I need to meditate. I will see you both at dinner. Goodbye."
The two teens stood and walked out, throwing a concerned glance at the levitating empath. She was staring out of her window, at the sun rising over the bay. The door hissed shut, leaving Raven alone.
Alone again.
......................................................................
A/N: Poor girl. This is the end of the story proper, the next chapter will be an epilogue, set some number of years in the future. I know that this story is good, but all good things must come to an end, and this seems a good place. I know that many of you wanted this to end as BB/Raven, but I don't think she can trust him again, after having lost the only person that she'd ever fully trusted. It's a sad ending, but there was no happy ending to be had. Hopefully I can get the epilogue written and out before the servers for FFN shut down. Anyway, please review, and I'll see you again in a future fic.