Chapter Eleven

One last Chance

Cyborg smiled down at her. She let a shudder and nodded. "Bring her." Robin and Starfire wheeled Terra's bed beside Saria's while Raven kept a close check over her vitals. She took her cold hand and took a deep breath. "Forgive me." A gold lining then enveloped both her and Terra making them both arch their backs. The grey tint in Saria's hair darkened while the warm color returned to Terra's face. Lilia then gave out her last breath and lay motionless. Raven brought up Terra's life signs and saw they were returning to normal.

"Looks like Terra's going to be fine," she said writing notes down on a clipboard.

"And Lilia," asked Starfire. Raven put a stethoscope to her chest, then removed it with a sigh. Robin helped Cyborg cover her head with a sheet. Raven bit her lip.

"She's gone." Starfire gazed down at her remorsefully.

"It is sad she discovered the error of her ways so belatedly. Perhaps she has found some sort of peace."

"We can only hope," said Robin.

"So Terra is going to be okay," asked Cyborg. Raven made one more double check on Terra's life signs and nodded.

"Yes, she'll be very tired for the next couple of days. But she should be back on her feet in no time."

"What about Beast Boy," inquired Starfire. "He seemed, most distraught."

"I'll take of him," said Raven. "Now I know it may not be the most pleasant task but it would be a big help if you could look after Lilia."

"No prob," assured Cyborg. Raven sent him a nod of thanks and left sickbay in a fast walk. She moved along the hall towards Beast Boy's room, where else besides in front of the TV was Beast Boy likely to be. On her way she began to ponder just what she was going to say to him; it wasn't often Raven had to do the whole uplifting and inspiring speech thing. She reached his room and gave it a few good knocks. No answer.

"Beast Boy, are you in there?" When she heard only the quiet reply of nothing she nearly hit herself. 'Of course, what was I thinking?' Raven then did an about-face and headed for Terra's room. She finally reached her door and this time sensed his presence within. Her empathic abilities then began to detect a mixture of feelings that if coming from Raven would ensue chaos of massive proportions. She knocked lightly on the door and waited.

"Who is it," came Beast Boy's down voice.

"It's me."

"Who's me?" Raven rolled her eyes.

"Raven, it's me Raven."

"Come in." Raven entered and saw Beast Boy sitting in a chair beside Terra's bed. He looked up at her and sent her a smile. "Sorry I didn't recognize you at first, I'm kinda off right now..you know." She walked in further and the door slid to a close behind her. She sat down on the bed beside him and looked at him considerately.

"Are you okay?" He glanced up at the ceiling and shook his head.

"No, no Raven I'm really not okay at the moment. I'm kinda in between terrible and depressed." Raven lowered her gaze then began to rise.

"I'm sorry; do you want me to leave?" He smiled once again.

"No. Actually I'd like it a lot if you stayed." She nodded and sat back down beside him. "I just can't get the vision out of my head, her kneeling there while Saria is just sapping her life away. And Terra had no idea what else was waiting for her, she had no idea she would end up in hell."

"In case you beating yourself up none of that was your fault," said Raven.

"Oh I know that, Saria's the one to blame; now Terra's in there and I'm in here. I guess I'm just pondering more than I am self-berating."

"Pondering what?" He gathered up his thoughts and looked straight ahead.

"She asked me a question not long before we discovered Saria decided to pay us another visit. She asked me if I were forced to choose between her…and you, who would I choose." Raven's mouth parted slightly and she felt her cheeks warm up. "Its sort of a stranded on a desert island question I guess. I suppose the thing I'm worried about is what am I supposed to tell her?" Raven folded her hands together.

"Tell her the truth. Tell her what you're really feeling, whatever that may be."

"But that's just it, I don't know how to tell her. I'm afraid she might not like what she's hears."

"Beast Boy its hard not to see that she really looks up to you, admires you in many ways. I'm sure whatever it is you tell her she'll be more then happy." Beast Boy nodded a little but looked only slightly convinced. Raven then bit her lip, her curiosity mounting. "Just hypothetically, which one of us would you choose?" Beast Boy lay his head back while letting out a long sigh.

"Now you see, this is exactly how I felt before when she asked me. But this is where I really need your help. I don't know how to tell her that I have always cared about you very much-" He then stopped in mid-speech realizing what he had just said. He stared at her vacantly. "Oh boy." He shifted his eyes around trying not to see a freaked out Raven but instead found the complete opposite. In his frantic search for a change of subject he only just now noticed Raven taking hold of his hand. He looked up at a smile he knew to be reserved only for him. "But Raven, what about your powers?" She let out a staggered sigh.

"It's taking a lot to keep them in check but I'll manage."

"Then you're not totally freaked out by this?" She shook her head.

"I have a confession of my own actually." He braced himself. "On a frequent occasion whenever Terra was around, I would often feel a perceptible amount of…jealousy." He smiled and lightly chuckled.

"Well I'm awfully glad that all works out, but there's still the matter of getting the message to Terra. I mean you know me; at this sort of thing I'm about as good as a monkey trying to build a house out of Lincoln Logs." Raven giggled and Beast Boy's chair fell backwards.

"Oh Sorry Beast Boy!" She helped him up and he rubbed his head.

"S'okay, you've given me worse." They both laughed out loud and Raven straightened up the chair. In a momentary neglect of judgment or pride Raven then reached up and pecked him on the cheek. He stood stiff as a board, then reached up to where she had touched him. His hand then moved to the back of her head and he brought her forward to meet his lips. The moment lasted only mere seconds though to someone in their position is seemed to last forever. She eased away and smiled warmly.

"I wouldn't worry about Terra. In fact give me a day or two at the DA's office and I'll have something that may help you out a little." She started to walk away.

"What?" She stopped at the opened door and put up her hood.

"A surprise."

A FEW DAYS LATER…………………

Within a couple of days the entire city had returned to normal and fortunately not one of Saria's victims seemed to recall the ordeal so the past events went fairly unnoticed, by all the males that is. Cyborg walked into the common room and heaved a long and moose-like yawn to the new day. The half machine teen aimlessly walked behind the counter and upon opening the cupboard brightened up his features instantly. He pulled out a cereal box and held it up.
"SWEET! My Count Chocula!" He began pouring himself a bowl just as Beast Boy entered the room.

"Morning Cy."

"Oh, morning BB," replied Cyborg through a mouthful of cereal. Beast Boy took a look around noticed two absent Titans.

"Where's Robin and Star?'

"Well Rob was feeling a little bad about having missed their lunch date awhile back, because of the whole Saria making him all loopy and everything. Anyway he asked her to dinner around eight yesterday and it looks like they've pulled an all-nighter." Beast Boy nodded with raised eyebrows.

"Cool." The changeling then set about making his tofu eggs and pouring some soy milk. The next one to grace them with their presence was Terra.

"Morning guys!"

"Morning Terra," said Beast Boy she hugged him and knuckled Cyborg.

"Morning dawg."

"I tell you what it is good to finally get out sickbay," she said applying jelly to a piece of toast.

"Tell me about it, that place gets old realllly quickly." She took a bite and eyed the large room.

"I haven't seen much of Raven lately."

"Well she's been kinda busy," answered Beast Boy.

"With what?" He shrugged.

"Who knows, she wouldn't even tell me."

"Then it must be important," said Cyborg now whipping up some eggs and bacon. Robin and Starfire suddenly entered, Robin held her bay her waist while she supported herself on his arm. The both of them were laughing as they went. "Well look who it is, its Robin Hood and Maid Marion." Starfire cast a confused look toward Robin.

"I'll tell you later," he said with a grin. They sat themselves down at the bar and each received a plate of eggs and bacon.

"Terra it is wonderful to see you on the mend," exclaimed Starfire. Terra smiled back at her.

"Thanks Star, though I really am surprised to be…well for lack of a better phrase, so welcomed." She looked up at Cyborg as he handed her a full plate.

"You earned it." he sat down and gestured to Robin and Starfire. "So, how was your date?" Normally Robin would have protested that it was just an innocent 'outing' shared by really really good friends, but he had long given that up. Starfire however beat him to it.

"Oh it was wonderful! First Robin treated me to dinner, and then we ventured to the movies and viewed 'The skeleton key'." Though she watched more of Robin's shoulder than the actual movie. Starfire then adopted a dreamy look of utter content. "Then we enjoyed a magnificent view as we walked along-"

"Okayyyy I think that's all Cyborg needs to hear," said Robin putting away his half eaten dish. "Uhh Star maybe you should get some rest."

"I am quite fatigued," she agreed. "But! I will manage," she blighting up. Starfire's cheery disposition making Terra chuckle, just as she remembered her. It was then that the final Titan appeared through the door holding a folder under her arm.

"Hey Raven. Where have you been," asked Robin. She silently walked up to Beast Boy and handed him the folder.

"Doing things, if you need me I'll be in my room." With that she promptly took her leave. They all turned their heads curiously to Beast Boy who sat just as perplexed as them. He opened it and after reading a page or two got up and headed for the door.

"Listen guys I'll…I'll see you later." And for the second time in that moment the Titans were left extremely confused.

BEAST BOY'S ROOM………..

He didn't know why but his legs had carried him straight to his room and he began tidying up all over the place. 'This is too weird, this is so not me. I like that dirty shirt just where it was lying.' His thoughts raced around his head as he went. 'Must be Raven, she's starting to rub off on me.' Beast Boy made himself laugh as he continued to clean his room. He heard a series of knocks at his door and he looked over his shoulder momentarily.

"Come in," he called. Terra entered and cast a baffled gawk around his dwelling.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm cleaning my room, weird huh?" She nodded open mouthed.

"Very much, and a little frightening."

"Believe me I wish I knew just why I was doing this but its starting to drive me nuts-" She stopped him and took the laundry basket he was carrying. Without a second thought she turned it over and dumped all the dirty clothes on the floor. He stood there for a moment then let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, I needed that." She set the basket aside and walked over to his bed.

"Do you mind if I sit down?"

"Naa go ahead," he said sitting next to her. A very awkward silence passed between them. During which time Beast Boy noticed the grain in his wood bunk bed and Terra piddled with her hands.

"I feel I owe you an apology," she finally said. He looked over at her.

"What?"

"When I asked you about me and Raven. It was not my place to put you in the spotlight like that. I'm sorry, I'm just happy we're friends again." He smiled and nudged her shoulder.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." She eyed him knowingly.

"But you do love her though." Beast Boy opened his mouth to answer but fell short. "Don't you?" He returned her gaze and nodded.

"Yes I do." After a small moment she nodded with a smile.

"Good, I could always tell she liked you."

"What are you talking about," he asked through a laugh.

"Hey she aint the only one who can pick up on people's emotions. I guess that's how I was able to ignore my own for so long. You be sure and write me about you two every now and then."

"What are you leaving so soon?" She shifted her eyes about.

"Well, yes. I mean I was given a few extra days to get well again but now I have to go back to Arkham; my two days are up," she added with a slightly downtrodden face. Beast Boy nodded and reached for the folder given to him earlier.

"Uh huh, well I seemed to hear that a certain Titan just came back from the DA's office bearing gifts." Terra leaned closer, excitement taking over. "Apparently she demanded that due to recent acts of assistance in freeing the entire city you should be given a full pardon and to be reinstated into the Teen Titans…effective immediately." Terra sat with her mouth wide open, words failing her in many ways. "Unless you still want to leave." She snatched the folder away from him.

"The only place I'm going is the training court." Beast Boy gave definitive nod. "I can't believe Raven would do all that for me."

"I told you she liked you," said Beast Boy smugly. "Oh by the way, I think you'll be wanting this." He produced a Titans comm. link and she eyed it curiously.

"But I already have one."

"Well no not like this, the one you have is just a walkie talkie. This baby is the genuine article. In fact it's the one Robin gave you many moons ago."

"Wow, no kidding." She reached for it but Beast Boy pulled it away.

"But I'm not just going to give it to you like that; first you have to do something." Terra put her hands at her hips.

"Oh yeah, what?"

"If you can repeat three words I'll let you have it." Terra arched a brow.

"Three words?"

"Three simple words." She gave it some thought trying to find some kid of hidden joke or meaning but just nodded.

"Alright, let's have em'." He nodded with a smile

"Okay…Elephant." She paused trying to notice the bizarre aura of the situation.

"Elephant…"

"Rhinoceros," he said.

"Rhinoceros…"

"What."

"Rhinoceros," she repeated.

"No not rhinoceros, 'what'; what is the third word you loose." He burst out laughing and she in turn gave him a few punches off the shoulder and he held up his hand in surrender. "Ahh here, I didn't think you'd be sore loser." He handed it to her and she gave him a crushing hug. A loud and resounding alarm sprang them apart and Beast Boy dashed over to his wall comm. "What's up?"

"Warp's up, way up. The Jump City clock tower," reported Robin. "TITANS GO!" Beast Boy and Terra ran out of his room and sped down the hall. As they went Terra met Raven and the two paused for a moment.

"Raven…"

"Later, right now we have work to do." She glided ahead and turned back with a small smile. "Welcome back." Terra's own grin grew wide and she followed Raven outside. She then joined Raven, Beast Boy, and Starfire in the air as they made their way to the clock tower. Finally Terra was given one last chance to make things right, and there was no way she was going to let it go to waste this time. Finally she was back where she belonged.

THE END

And thats the end. Hope you all enjoyed it and i hope you can catch my other stories, maybe. Laters!