Lost Memories

"I've got a lock." Robin glanced up from his communicator. "Apparently Terra had her communicator on her when she got kidnapped."

The other titans looked to their leader with apprehension. Finally, Robin spoke, "She's in the same cave where her statue stood."

He let the words sink in, unable to predict how it would affect his teammates, if at all. Beast Boy wavered, unsure of how to feel. So many emotions were rushing through him, trying to scramble up his throat. "What are we waiting for?" He managed to crack out. "Let's go."

Slade stepped on rock after rock, unconvinced of where he was going. Was he still underground? In the same place? Yes, he had to be. He recognized these surroundings.

Terra stirred, as if from a plentiful sleep. Her voice cracked when she spoke. "Where… Who… What's going on?"

"Nothing," he said simply, staring at the teen in his arms. "We're taking a little trip, is all."

"Oh."

Slade hadn't expected such an agreeable answer – more of a fight, perhaps. But he could live with her permissiveness; maybe use it to his advantage.

"Do you remember who I am?" He asked cautiously, placing her down on the ground.

She nodded. "Slade. My friend, right?"

She's confused. Slade grinned. She must have myself and the titans switched in her mind.

"Exactly. Do you remember who the Teen Titans are?"

Terra hesitated, but then narrowed her eyes. "They tried to stop us, didn't they? They're bad people."

Slade felt so jovial he wanted to dance.

"But… wait… that doesn't sound right…"

Damn. I guess I expected it to come to me too easily.

"The titans are my friends… Good people… Took me in, gave me a home…"

Slade spoke, "Then who am I?"

Terra paused, caught in her own mind trap. "…My friend? But how can that be?" She pressed her hand on her forehead. "Ugh, I'm so confused. My brain hurts."

"Then don't think, child. I'll do your thinking for you."

"Um, thanks, I guess."

He decided to take advantage of her state. "So, you're my friend, right?"

Terra nodded. "Yes, I think so."

"Will you fight by my side?"

She shrugged. "I guess so. I did before, I mean." She scrunched up her face. "You are good, right?"

"It depends on your perception of good."

Terra stood up, taking Slade's hand in hers. "So if you're my friend, do you think you can tell me where I am?"

Slade tightened the grip on her hand and grinned evilly. "Like I said before child, it does not matter. We are taking a trip. Now come with me… our home is calling."

"I can't find her anywhere!" Cyborg said in a frustrated manner. "I've been around this cave three times. There's no one here!"

Beast Boy clenched his fists. "Then why the hell did she appear on your communicator, Robin!"

Robin flipped it open, then shut again. "She should be here. Maybe she's hiding."

"I think I found her." Raven appeared, a communicator in her hands. "Or rather, what she left behind."

The titans looked to Beast Boy, who looked as if he was going to explode. "DAMMIT! Where is she!"

"Beast Boy, take a deep breath. Everything is going to be o-"

"Don't tell me everything's going to be okay!" He snapped at Robin. "Because obviously it's not! Terra's gone! With Slade! Who knows what he's been telling her! Who knows if she's evil again!" He collapsed on the ground, sobbing into his hands. "Why is it whenever we become close, she leaves me? Does this always happen when you're… you're in love?"

Robin and Starfire caught each other's glance, but then looked away. Cyborg cleared his throat, flustered before even speaking. Raven looked toward the ground.

"B… we've all been jilted in some way." Cyborg spoke softly. "It's hard for me and Bumblebee. She lives on the other side on the country. Who knows what she's doing out there."

"With Malchior… He was evil. He never wanted me. He played with my heart and then left," Raven used the same time, feeling tears begin to well in her eyes.

"And when my sister tried to betroth me… but I didn't because I knew there was someone else for me." Starfire caught Robin's eye.

"You see… it's all about trust. Terra knows that you care for her, so maybe Slade is just running with her. Maybe she's trying to escape and come back to you," Robin explained. "Love hurts, Beast Boy. Don't lose hope, because when you do, she will as well."

Beast Boy remained, staring at the ground that almost held his fate. And at one point, held her fate as well. He thought back to the house of mirrors, when Terra first revealed herself as a spy for Slade. He had been crushed. She was evil, yet she loved him. Or did she? And did she really kill his friends?

No, she didn't. And maybe she was truly sorry. But he didn't give her a chance… He lost hope… So she did too, and continued to fight for Slade.

"It's all my fault," he finally spoke, standing up. "This entire mess is my fault! If I hadn't have been so stubborn that one night than she would have never stayed with Slade! But no!" He slapped his head.

"Beast Boy, this isn't your fault." Cyborg grabbed the green changeling's hands. "So many other things provoked this. If you keep looking back, you can blame this on almost anyone. One little mistake in the past can affect your whole future."

"But she doesn't have her past straightened out," Beast Boy whispered, "She doesn't fully remember everything. She doesn't remember us or Slade or… me."

"Which is why we have to find them and break Slade's grip on her, if he has any at all," Robin added quickly. "Team, split up and search the town. She's got to be around here somewhere."

When the others had left the cave, Beast Boy continued to stand in his spot, feeling just as idle as that time, now five months ago, he last saw Terra standing in stone.

One little mistake in the past can affect your whole future…

Terra was so vulnerable. She's only been out of her stone prison for five months, not even half a year. Slade could have every advantage of taking her back.

Beast Boy bit his finger, restraining himself from crying again. He started for the exit, feeling as if he had lost all weight in his body. But that wouldn't stop him from looking. No, he couldn't make that same mistake again. He couldn't…

He didn't want the past to become her future yet again.