Hey. Reviews slowing down. Of course I did update late last night. Thanks for any reviews at all, to everyone. This chapter skips ahead a couple of weeks, to a point where everyone had gotten closer to Taen and each other. To warn you ahead of time, this is the last PG-13 chapter. When I update it next it's going to be rated R. Sorry to anyone who wanted Taen evil. My story goes into three parts. and that's about it. First- Suspense/Build-up : Second- Relationships/Sex : Third- Action/Fighting : So Enjoy!

I do not own Teen Titans.

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Chapter 8: Getting Close

Cyborg's View

Looking back over the past two weeks, Cyborg would have to say he was having some of the most fun in his life. The training was hard, extremely hard. 'That's just the way I like it' Cyborg thought and laughed. They all took turns trying to hit Taen and then dodging his own attacks. Then he split everyone up, and everyone sparred. Taen himself fought Robin, who actually managed to land a good hit. He had never done so much weight lifting in his life, and he never would have been able to do this before, when he had his limit. 'Thank you Atlas' He thought.

"Pass me that wrench man," Cyborg said to Taen, who was helping him make the new T-car. "Here ya go," Taen said as he tossed the wrench over to Cyborg. He caught it and tightened something in the T-car. The two went into silence for a moment until Taen decided to speak up. "I think in another couple of weeks we should be ready". 'So soon' His mind said. "Hell man. No offense on your judgment, but you said that you trained for months and couldn't take him." Cyborg said. "None taken. Just to tell you, you guys probably won't be doing most of the fighting. Sinister is probably going to go for me the most," Taen told him. "If you think we aren't going to help you as much as we want, you're crazy. I owe you one for helping me with this car. She's my baby," Cyborg said and patted the car lightly.

Taen gave him a blank look for a moment before bursting out laughing. "You really need to get a girl or something," He said as he calmed down. 'Yeah...' Cyborg thought. "I don't see you with one neither, or is that my imagination?" He shot back. Taen did not laugh, but seemed to grow sad. "He killed the only girl I cared about," Taen said as he sat down in a metal chair slowly. 'Stupid! You should've known that!' Cyborg scolded himself. "It's not your fault, I haven't even mentioned her," Taen said. "Go ahead," Cyborg said and sat back. "Nah. Let's just put on the finishing touches, shall we?" Taen said and smiled. Looked forced but Cyborg kept on working, feeling a little glum.

Taen had become one of the nicest people that he knew. Cyborg wished to keep him nice. After working on the car a little longer, the two of them moved into the living room. "Yo Robin! BB! You up for some SSBM?" Cyborg yelled out. "Sure," Were the casual responses. Cyborg sat down in between Beast Boy and Robin quickly. Taen sat next to Beast Boy on the edge. 'Taen is so dead this time' Cyborg thought as the match was starting.

Beast Boy's View

As it seemed to be with everyone else, Beast Boy thought the past couple weeks had been a blast. Even though Taen kept saying, "this is a battle we may not all come back from", no one let that get them down. For once in his life, Beast Boy managed to not crack a joke at everything that happened. He fought seriously, like he really meant it. The knowledge that Slade, the man who took Terra from him, was alive, was driving Beast Boy into an anger frenzy. He vowed to be ready for Slade's return.

He had his fun times too. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Even Raven tended to be smiling once in a while, and her sarcasm had dropped a lot. Unless it was towards Beast Boy himself of course. Apart from being a great fighter, it was found that Taen was superb at playing video games. his forte happened to be "Super Smash Brothers Melee" or "SSBM". Even though Beast Boy hated losing, it was always great to see Cyborg and Robin go down with him.

"Go for Cyborg," A voice to his left whispered. Taen was whispering the plan. Beast Boy glanced down the couch, where Robin sat on the far right. Raven and Starfire were on the very end, talking and glancing down at them. Raven's sudden change of attitude was odd but Beast Boy had a feeling that a certain something had done it... or someone. He grinned a little bit. "Everyone ready?" He asked. Everyone nodded and Beast Boy hit start. Taen was Samus, Robin was Fox, Cyborg was Captain Falcon, and Beast Boy was well... Donkey Kong. As Beast Boy hit the a button on "Hyrule", Cyborg gave him a wink. The back stab was on.

The battle had begun. No one really losing more than another in this one life battle to the death. After taking a hard hit from Cyborg, Beast Boy managed to see a bored looking Raven and an extremely happy Starfire watching the match. "Go Robin!" She yelled. Beast Boy ignored the lack of yells for him and went back to the battle. It was starting to come down to it. Cyborg gave him the nod as Taen jumped into the air. Beast Boy jumped up for the back stab. "Nice try," Taen said to Beast Boy. "Huh?" He said blankly. Instead of attacking Cyborg, Taen shot out Samus's leg back wards, nailing Donkey Kong in the face and sending him high into the air and into the back round. "NO!" Beast Boy yelled. "Player one eliminated," The voice said.

After a moment of shock, Beast Boy grinned. "How'd you know?" He asked. "I have exceptionally good hearing," Taen said and winked. The battle continued, Beast Boy cheering on a now winning Robin. The three living enemies met in the middle of the level, with Taen stuck in between the other two. "Now Cyborg!" Robin yelled. Cyborg did a falcon kick just as Robin did a roundhouse. Taen dodged downward, causing the other two warriors to collide. The Boy Wonder's kick was stronger, and as a result, Cyborg flew off the edge and exploded. "Player three eliminated," The voice spoke up again. "ROBIN!" An angry Cyborg yelled. "Sorry," Robin mumbled apologetically.

In video games, Robin and Taen's battle was amazing. The two seemed to go hit for hit, dodge for dodge. Taen managed to get off a large punch, causing Robin to go flying across the level, fox landing near the edge. He got up quickly and charged at Taen's character. Samus took off as well, the two heading towards the middle of the level. Just as they reached it, Robin and Taen made their fighters jump into the air, both delivering their most powerful kicks to each other at the same time. The two flew towards the edge and... BOOM! "Player 4 eliminated!" The voice said for the last time. "Oh c'mon!" Robin yelled in shock. Taen jumped up. "Good match," He said as he shook Robin's hand. Beast Boy laughed along with Cyborg for no apparent reason. His anger at Slade forgotten for the moment.

Starfire's View

Starfire clapped as Taen celebrated his victory. "Glorious! What a terrific battle!" She yelled out. "Uh... yay?" Raven said. Taen high fived a waiting Beast. "Even though you betrayed me..." He said. 'He has not looked this happy since his arrival' Starfire thought. "Wondrous job Taen!" She exclaimed and gave him a hug, careful not to touch his skin. He returned it gladly. Starfire looked over and saw robin watching her. What was that look on his face? Jealousy? She shook off the thought.

As Taen released her, he moved down the line and gave Raven a hug. Starfire expected an outburst but was rather shocked. Even under her hood, Starfire could see a light blush. "Thanks... I guess," Raven muttered and walked off. 'Maybe that's who...' Starfire trailed off in her thoughts. Oddly enough, Raven and her had been talking about boys, or she had been. Raven mostly listened. She knew all too well that Starfire had a thing for Robin, but refused to say anything about a guy that she liked. "If me and Robin get together maybe you and Beast Boy-" "Too immature," Raven cut her off. "Then Cyborg?" She had suggested. "Not my type," Raven said. "What about Taen?" Starfire asked. Raven had choked on her tea. "I barely even know him!" Raven had yelled, though her eyes seemed to brighten at the idea.

'Hehehe' Starfire chuckled inside her own head and sat down next to Raven at the table. "How are you Raven?" She asked her. "I'm fine," Raven answered simply and put her hood up. Starfire quickly pulled it back down. "Now, now! Don't you want Taen to see your pretty face?" She said. Starfire watched as Raven blushed again. "I told you that I don't like him!" Raven said angrily. "Just a thought my dear friend," Starfire said politely.

"I'm going to train for a bit," Robin was announcing behind her. "I gave you tonight off to have fun you know!" Taen yelled as Robin left the room. Starfire stared at Robin in a longing way and decided to follow him. She paused outside the gym door, the shadow of Robin hitting the punching bag being the only sight to see. 'Should I tell him?' She asked herself. Starfire entered the room and closed the door quietly, not wanting to disturb him. "Oh hey Star, need something?" Robin's question startled her, and she jumped. "I was just hoping that you and I may hang out, is that alright?" She asked. "That'd be great," He answered. 'I hope he means that' Starfire thought.

She moved over to the bench and sat down. Robin continued to hit the punching bag loudly as Starfire watched him. After a few silent moments, Robin wiped himself off and sat down next to her. "Something you wanted to talk about?" He asked as he sat down next to Starfire. 'I love that voice...' She thought dreamily. "I am worried," She said. "About what we're going to do?" Robin took a guess. She nodded. "What if we do not make it? I do not think I could be without a member of our team," Starfire said sadly. She felt a tea drop down. Robin put an arm around her and pulled her closer. She leaned onto his shoulder and cried silently. "We're all going to make it Star, I'll make sure of it," Robin said reassuringly. She looked up at him, her emerald green eyes shining. "I do not want to lose you... the most," Starfire said slowly.

Robin's View

His mind was going insane. 'Did I hear her right?' Robin thought while resisting the urge to clean out his ears. His heart had sped up as he heard her last statement. Robin looked down into her beautiful eyes. Starfire was close, dangerously close. He could see every tear clinging to her long eyelashes. He leaned forward slightly. Starfire's eyes seemed to widen but she moved closer as well.

"Robin..." She said quietly. "Starfire..." He said her name and moved in. Robin watched Starfire's eyes close just before his own. He felt her lips meets his a moment later. They were warm and smooth. He moved his arms around her and felt her hands caress his face. Robin broke the kiss for a second, but moved back in quickly to kiss her again. He was surprised to find her tongue move into his mouth. Robin returned the gesture. The two seemed to kiss for what seemed like forever. Finally they broke apart. "I love you, Robin," Starfire said and hugged Robin. He held her tightly. "I love you too, Starfire," He said in a voice that told he had been holding that in for far too long. 'I finally have Starfire' Robin thought happily. He didn't know it but Starfire was thinking, just as joyously, 'I finally have Robin'.

Raven's View

Raven sat at the table, watching Cyborg and Beast Boy train in Super Smash Brothers Melee. "Next time you do the back stab!" Beast Boy yelled. "You're the one who blew it, not me!" Cyborg shot back. 'So easily amused' Raven thought and turned her attention to Taen, who was leaning back on his chair and smiling widely. "Why are you so happy? Glad to have won?" She asked him. "Nope," He answered. She was growing agitated. "Then why are you smiling like you just got some botox?" She asked, the anger not hidden to well.

He settled his chair back down to the ground. "They've found each other," Taen said in a happy tone. 'Huh?' she said. "You mean... Robin? And Starfire?" Raven asked though she was positive that he meant them. Taen nodded. Raven searched for their energies, and quickly found them. The two both had thoughts racing around. She caught the words "love" and "hugs".

Raven feigned a cringe and mentally made sure her mind was blocked. She was secretly jealous that the two had found love and happiness together. 'Not that I'm unhappy' Raven reminded herself. Truth was, she was just like any other girl. Looking to be happy with someone, she just didn't let anyone in her pants that easy. A guy had to earn her respect, that's why she was always so cold to people.

"Why do you act like you don't care?" Taen's voice broke through her thoughts. "Because If I do I'll only end up getting hurt," Raven answered angrily and stood up. She started to walked past Taen when his hand shot out and grabbed her arm. She felt the warm smooth leather against her skin. "I want to show you something," Taen said. "I already know anything you can show me," Raven said. She didn't understand why she liked Taen, she had never actually liked a guy before. Robin was good looking, and had a similar personality. But he was far Starfire now. Beast Boy was... cute... 'I said cute?'... but he was too immature. Cyborg didn't look bad either but he was half machine.

'Taen doesn't even have the tough side of Cyborg... Or that rare sensitive side of Beast Boy... Or even Robin's serious side' She thought, still trying to figure out why she liked a guy she barely even knew. "I hid something from you, it isn't a side I let people know," He said to her slowly. He looked uneasy. Raven faked a sigh and let him lead her to his room. Taen closed the sword and put his bag onto the bed. The sword, leather pouch, belt, and bandanna were all carefully laid onto the floor.

"What are all those about anyways?" Raven asked carefully, not wanting to offend him. "An item from each of my teammates. Snake's bandanna. Infernus's belt. Phantom's pouch, filled with his shiruken's. Abrasion's sword. It's a tribute to their memories," He said with great difficulty. Raven watched Taen sit down on the bed. She followed and sat next to him, a foot away.

"I'm sure you're wondering what's in here," Taen said and motioned towards the bag. Raven looked at it and realized she didn't have a clue. "I do now," She said. Taen grinned half heartedly. He took out three things slowly. An envelope, a notebook, and a small black box. "The box contains the items that my old girlfriend Jamie gave to me. The notebook is a journal I have kept since I joined the Supergroup. The envelope is the hard part for me," Taen told her. "Why?" Raven asked, interested. Taen pulled out what looked to be dozens of pictures, with small bits of writing on the back.

'This must be-' "People that I knew whom Sinister killed," Taen finished her thought. Raven felt another emotion she rarely felt. Sadness... Sympathy... Her emotions were piling up and she was surprised she hadn't blown up the tower yet. "I'm sorry," She said sincerely. She quickly flipped through the pictures. His mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, even enemies. Everyone was there, something written for each person. Sinister had killed them all. Raven looked over at Taen, who looked extremely sad.

She sat there and looked down instead, and spotted Taen's hand on the bed next to her. Raven knew what she wanted... but could she have it? Cautiously, she slowly moved her hand towards Taen's and finally grabbed it. He looked up at her, shocked. Raven moved towards him but Taen put his gloved hand on her shoulder to hold her back. "I don't want to hurt you Raven," He said quietly, the sound of regret and determination in his voice. "I'll be fine... with you," She spoke softly. He looked at her for a moment before lowering his arms and putting it around her waist. She slowly moved forward, staring at his bright blue eyes as they closed. She put her hands lightly around him and kissed him deeply. Raven pulled back after a moment to give another quick kiss. Then she felt his grip tighten as their bodies pressed against one another, both of them enjoying the moment. They broke apart and stared into each other's eyes. "That was... great," She said and smiled. "Yeah, it as," Taen said. Raven hugged him tightly, finally feeling true happiness once again. They laid down in each other's arms and, despite that both were infected, their thoughts were filled with nothing but each other.

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There we go. Sorry about the SSBM part, had to make them have some fun. That was actually a reenactment of a battle that I've had before. So Starfire and Robin finally, Raven and Taen, hope you liked it. Next chapter people, it's gonna be rated R so don't forget to search for my story on different settings. RR plizease.

Next Chapter: Robin and Starfire go out on a date. The two are becoming closer than ever before. How soon will they take it to the next step?

Enjoy.

-SinFire