Thanks to all my fans:raises arms dramatically, hears nothing: Thanks ,a lot... Well, anyway for those of you waiting for the rae/rob, BE PATIENT! you'll see it start in the next chapter! Besides, right now this is mostly focusing on the friendship behind Terra and Rae, it'll get angstier later... I'm taking it slow... Enjoy! oh yeah, I LOVE reviews, especially with good suggestions in writing technique and/or story line. Thanks!

Third Chance

Ronnoco

Chapter V

Removing the Past

"You're kidding! I thought I killed him!"

"Erm, well, you did. Trigon brought him back to life, though, so he had a symbol too. Then Slade was made to stalk Rae, then she went on a killing spree, destroyed the world, and lastly, she fixed it."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, a lot has happened since you left... If you knew everyone's story, you wouldn't feel so bad about trying to kill us... I think that pretty much everyone's tried to kill another here..."

"So, Slade is gone now, right?"

"We think so, yeah..."

That's when there was a loud knock at the door. "Friend Terra! You have returned, is it true? Come out to be welcomed please! Starfire wishes to greet you! I-"

"Star, why don't you go get ready for the party, okay?" Robin quickly suggested, muffled from behind the door.

"But I only wish to..."

Terra opened the door. "Hey Star, Robin. Where's Cy?"

"He's at the video rental. Said that you had to catch up on the past year's best releases.." Raven answered, coming up the hall to where everyone was crowded. Starfire began hugging Terra tightly.

"Friend, it is so good to see you again! For your party of Welcoming, what do you wish for me to cook?"

"Hmm... How about that stuff that tastes like sushi and ice cream? That'd be great." Terra said, gasping for breath from the colossal hug.

"Yes! Glorp it is!" The overexcited alien announced, flying to the kitchen.

Robin shook Terra's hand, staring for a moment at her forehead, but not saying anything, haven guessed the reason behind it. "Glad to have you back. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, considering how stiff I was for the past while..."

"Well, why doesn't Rae help you detach all that uniform gear, and BB can help me clean up in the main room?" Robin suggested, looking rather annoyed at Beast Boy.

"Hey! It's not my fault I spilled all that leftover ham on the carpet! They were turning green, I thought they were veggies an-" Beast Boy retorted as they strode down the hall.

Terra giggled as she and Raven returned into the room. "He's so funny..."

"Yep, just as immature as ever... Can never get bored with him..." Raven added, shaking her head with a smirk.

Terra smiled. "Your so different Rae. What happened?"

"I don't have to deal with the same stuff as before, that's all." Answered Raven. Then, a little awkwardly, asked "Did you look in the mirror yet?"

"Yeah, Beast told me..."

"It was the only way, sorry..."

"It's... alright. I don't mind. Thanks."

Raven stared at Terra for a moment, apparently trying to figure something out. "Um, Terra, how exactly is that head gear thing attached to your head-?"

"Ahh..." Terra stuttered. She didn't want to admit to Raven her stupidity just then. Trusting Slade so undeniably, allowing him to put her under anesthesia to adhere the uniform into her own body. Into her flesh, into her mind.

"Terra, don't tell me you-..."

"Yeah, it's a, integrated with the nervous system, with his control. That's why I couldn't stop myself..."

"Jeez, I thought you were just being melodramatic... and stupid..."

"Thanks Rae, really means a lot..." said Terra sarcastically, frowning.

"Don't mention it," Raven replied plainly. "Hmm, so should I try ripping it all really fast, or twisting 'till it pops off...?"

"Very funny..."

For a brief moment, neither could do more then grin in the most sincerest way only a friend could. Then, straightening her face rather suddenly, Raven changed the tone: "Okay, tilt your head so I can have a decent look..."

She peered around the fastening, examining the functioning of the equipment, taking note to how it held. "Okay, it obviously isn't directly connected to your nerves, I think it transmitted data and information to your brain through electromagnetic waves, with these pulsars here..."Raven determined, poking at one spot, "Then it stays to your head with microscopic stitches, made of some sort of metal thread..." prying carefully at a seam, "...So I'll just use my powers to weave the threading out, and then I'll heal up the stitched area after... Sound good?"

"Uh, sure..." Terra replied, unsteadily.

"Do you have any idea what I just said?"

"Not really..."

"That's okay. I've just been listening to Cy's rambling too much lately, I barely know what I just said..." Raven shrugged. "Alright, hold still. This'll only hurt a bit..." Raven began, then, rethinking the situation, "...or a lot. I don't know, I won't feel it... maybe you'll want some painkillers?"

"Yeah, I think I'd like that... especially since I have such a headache already..."

"That's just blood rushing to your head," The half-demon answered simply, "you've been dead for a year or so; it should hurt."

"Ha. You're killing me. Really. So, where's the extra-strength ibuprofen? Or-"

"Never mind. I got a better idea." Raven interrupted. "I'll use one hand to remove the stitches and the other to heal continuously. Lie down."