Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans™, You've Got Mail (starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan), or any of their respective characters. I also do not own the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. However, I do own this story in its non-profit entirety. Similarities to other works are merely coincidental.

Author's Note: If you've ever been on AIM, you'll know that it's not always statement-answer-statement-answer, that sometimes someone will say something, send it, and then add something. That will happen in this chapter. Do you understand what I'm trying—rather poorly—to convey?

Response To Reviews:
Falling—Thanks! That's the first time anyone's ever told me that.

AnimeDutchess—Just wait for the ending, it'll come, and it'll be happy. Don't worry. I suppose I could hint that she'll have mixed reactions.

Moon-Princess-Meg—Yeah, 'L-O-V-E' is a great song, I adore it.

silverfingers—I'm very pleased that you read this in spite of the fact that you don't care for one or more of the pairings. Some people pass up excellent stories just because they don't support the pairing. I know I've done it before.

afterdark—Wow, thank you! When I first began this fanfic, I was unsure of how people would react. I never imagined I would receive such awesome reviews.

The Last & Soldier of Darkness—Eek! A typo! How did it slip through all the testing! (blushes) Thanks for pointing it out very politely, some people are such snobs when it comes to that sort of thing.

artemisgirl—I saw your remark about how I also like Artemis Fowl. Yes, I love it. I am currently planning a story about him, so keep an eye out!

dancingirl3—Thanks! I thought it would be nice to have some dancing in the plot that wasn't connected to some sort of reminiscent 'last dance' thing. And I would love all my reviewers to death if they came back to gush when I update again. I keep getting new ones and nearly start dancing with delight when I check the number of reviews.

iamhollywood—Thank you! I wondered what readers would think about the emails and whether they were too impersonal, too personal, too shallow, too…whatever. But it's nice to know you like them.

You've Got Mail!
Written By JMPchick

5. Counsel Of A Green Guy

"Oh, you and this council of the mouse. It is a waste of the time in my opinion."
Antoinette, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

In all her life, her short sixteen years, Raven couldn't remember such a glorious night. With flushed cheeks, she had shyly retired to her room, doing her best to ignore the smirking stares of the others. She had mixed emotions; no, that was wrong. Her Emotions were purposely being perplexing. Just an excuse to finally have that talk with them she'd been getting around to.

But, the music, the dancing! And Beast Boy, she added subconsciously. It had all been so wonderful, and she couldn't recall feeling so blissful without shattering something. He had been grinning that insane but heart-melting grin, with a few teeth curled above his lips. Soft, kissable lips. No! Not that, she thought hurriedly, sense returning to her. Continue in this manner, and you'll break every window in the Tower. Now that she was functioning more sensibly, she expected herself to feel better. But all she could feel was sorrow that she had banished her happy memories and that she was thinking clearly.

:TT:

Beast Boy executed a nutty jig around his room, hopping onto his bed as a kangaroo joey, leaping gracefully (if that was imaginable) as an ostrich, dancing stiffly but delightedly as a bear strangely—perhaps mockingly—similar to the tap-dancing Cyborg-in-a-tutu from Mumbo's hat.

"Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance!" he chanted, half-singing, as he waltzed around his bedroom. "I got her to slow-dance, I got her to smile, YES! Go, Beast Boy! Go, Beast Boy! It's your crowning glory! You accomplished your ultimate goal, you got old Emotionless to grin! Ha!"

His movements began to slow as he thought about the dance more. Raven had looked very pretty and very happy. Maybe even she needs to have fun once in a while.

Beast Boy hurried over to his computer and logged into AOL. For once, he didn't recline at ease in his leather swivel chair, but perched nervously on the edge. How would she react to his plea for forgiveness? Would she be angry, like she so often was? Would she feel guilty? Instead, Beast Boy found a letter with an unexpected query.

To: veggiezoo
From: whimsywings

Dear friend,
As I recall, in one of your previous letters you requested my advice, which I gave in spite of my reluctance. If you accepted it, rejected it, or even considered it at all, I suppose it's none of my business. Usually, I tell most people to get lost when it comes to my business. But you…I believe I trust you in a way I don't trust any other, not even the sole girl I deem my closest companion. I once trusted another, a lying fabricator, the same way I trust you, and he squandered what meant so much to me. He used me. I shall not go into detail, as I mentioned before, because it is a private matter. I hope you do not waste my trust the way he did, because more than you could ever know of lies in the balance. I am depending upon you for counsel.

I seldom ask for anything in my life, and when I do, it occurs very rarely and means that something is very wrong. I guess you could say the same for what is happening to me now: A conflict of emotions. And more troublesome than you can know. Do you remember that I told you about someone, a guy, who bugs the hell out of me? It's about him. I can't tell you about what it is, only know that I am experiencing a very confusing phase of life, centered around him. Please reply ASAP. I know the topic is very vague, but I don't know who to turn to, and would appreciate any advice you can give.

Beast Boy cocked an eyebrow and scratched his head. "What is so confusing about me?" he said aloud, in slight frustration. "I'm rather simple-minded, I'm Beast Boy, Goddammit! I have a brain, but I don't use it much! All I do is bug the bejesus out of her, like she said. So what is making her feel so lost?" He brought a fist crashing down on his desk and cursed vilely when pain set in.

:TT:

The next morning, after a fitful night of little sleep and much tossing and turning, Beast Boy began a futile attempt to formulate a reply. He had just begun to type, "I'm not sure if I can hel—" when a bleep! alerted him to his Buddy List. A while ago, without really thinking, he had placed 'whimsywings' on it, but he never expected to actually interact with her by way of Instant Messaging. A small window popped up, bearing the statement:

whimsywings: I had a premonition that you would be on now.

:TT:

On the other end of the conversation, Raven grinned and said, "Hi."

:TT:

Perhaps she really did have a bit of a prophecy, Beast Boy mused, entertained. He thought for a moment and then started to type.

veggiezoo: I received your email. The one about advice. I can give you advice. I'm usually pretty good at advice. I'd love to help.

:TT:

Raven lurched backwards into her fluffy lavender pillows, purple eyes staggered. She had been expecting an apology, about the situation being too odd or hazy to help, a general 'can't-help-you-too-confusing' kind of thing.

whimsywings: If only you could help.
veggiezoo: Well, why not?
veggiezoo: I know you're feeling lost and all that, but you asked me for help and now I'm offering it. What exactly is your dilemma?
whimsywings: I don't generally give out bios of my life to everybody who asks.
veggiezoo: You asked me for help, didn't you?

:TT:

Beast Boy hesitated over the keyboard, then tentatively added,

veggiezoo: Is it about love?

"Please say no," he muttered, hitting 'send'.

:TT:

Raven paused too, but not for long.

whimsywings: Unfortunately…yes.
veggiezoo: Oh sh!t. I suck at love life advice, but tell me anyway.
whimsywings: Fan of censored language, are we?

:TT:

"I am not!" Beast Boy exclaimed indignantly.

veggiezoo: You're just postponing the inevitable. Shoot.
whimsywings: Very well. You read the letter, then, about the guy who brings the worst out of me?
whimsywings: And the part about how I'm having mixed feelings?
veggiezoo: Yeah.
whimsywings: Well…would you call me crazy if I confessed that I think I'm falling in love with him?

:TT:

"AIEEEE!" Beast Boy gave a yelp. "She's friggin' falling in love with me!"

veggiezoo: Well, do you think he loves you?
whimsywings: It's remotely possible. He danced with me twice yesterday. He forced me once, and the other time I willingly did. He asked me that second time.

"Duh I love you," Beast Boy cried. "Is it not so obvious!"

veggiezoo: Well, if I were there with you, I would say he does. Who wouldn't love you? You're smart, funny, and beautiful in personality. Probably in appearance too. My advice to you might not count much, but I think you should up and tell him. It's best to be direct. I fell in love once before too, and it didn't end happily like I would have wished, but I told her and discovered she felt the same. Ask him out.
whimsywings: I've never asked anyone out before.
veggiezoo: Join the club. Neither had I before I asked her. I was a nervous wreck.
whimsywings: I have to go soon, but before I do, can I tell you one thing?
veggiezoo: Sure.
whimsywings: I forgive you for standing me up.


TWENTY-TWO reviews! (falls in dead faint of delight) Sorry if you think this chapter is short, but I had to have some online interaction and there wasn't much to go on at the end. COMING SOON: Raven and Beast Boy get closer—and not on the Internet, hint hint! Review, make me happy, and I'll write that chapter!

P.S.—For all my readers who have seen the movie, could you tell me if you think I borrowed too much from the AIM conversation between Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox?

JMPchick