Chapter Eight

Terra sat up in the bed, unsure what had awakened her. Outside the window, she saw a thunderstorm was tormenting Jump City. Rain and hail pounded against the tower, while nearly continuous flashes of lightning streaked the sky. Occasionally, thunder also added to the commotion.

Terra got out of the bed slowly so as not to awaken Beast Boy. She stood at the window, still naked, and stared at nature's spectacle. She sighed and hung her head, staring at her feet. 'I wonder if this is how Raven felt on her last night alive.' she thought.

It pained her to think that she was about to leave the Titans again; that they would loose another friend. And yet, things would be different; history itself would change, if she was successful. Raven would be alive, while Terra would still be a stone statue. For her, it was as if she was going off to kill herself. But then, was she really dead, or just in a state of limbo, like suspended animation? Whatever it was, she wasn't looking forward to being that way again.

She sighed again, considering her next move. She looked longingly at Beast Boy. She had made love to him not only to ease her pain, but also for the shear experience of it, something to remember him by when she left on her fateful mission. Her mind ached for future encounters with him, but she knew that wasn't possible now. Near tears, she gathered her clothes and left for her room.

She was about to open her door when Starfire flew by.

"Good evening, friend Terra." she said to her, startling her.

"Um, evening Star." she said nervously. She hadn't bothered getting dressed and tried to cover herself with the clothes she held in her hands.

Starfire was about to move on when she stared back at Terra.

"Terra, why are you not wearing your clothes?"

Her face burned with embarrassment. "Um, I'm not wearing them? Gee, that's so weird!"

Starfire glared at her. "Can I talk with you in your room?"

Terra sighed and nodded. The two girls went in, Starfire closing the door behind her. Terra turned on a lamp on a small dresser next to her bed. Uncaring, she tossed her clothes on the bed and sat down, staring at the floor.

Starfire looked at her in concern. "Um, Terra? I find it distracting to talk to you if you are not clothed." she said.

Terra glanced at her in confusion. "Why is that?"

"I do not feel it right for me to be clothed and you not clothed."

"Oh." She went to a hanger and put on her robe. "Better?" she asked.

"Very much so." the Tameranean replied. "Now, why were you naked in the first place?"

'Might as well tell her.' Terra thought. 'Got nothing to hide, now do I?'

She took a deep breath. "I had sex with Beast Boy earlier. I then got up not long ago and thought no one would be awake, and didn't bother getting dressed. Simple enough, huh?"

Starfire stared at her. "Oh. Well, if it is all the same, I had sex as well, only with Robin."

Terra glanced at her, smiling. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I am not surprised either that you experienced sex with Beast Boy."

"Really?"

"Yes. Although, you do seem rather young for a human female to experience that, yes?"

"Yeah, I know. I just...couldn't help it. I wanted it. Besides, I've heard of girls younger than me getting laid."

"What is 'getting laid?'"

"Slang for having sex."

"Oh. I shall have to educate myself on such terms."

"You do that." Terra sighed, wishing for Starfire to leave.

The alien girl sensed something about her. "Is there something bothering you, friend Terra?"

"No, not really."

"Is it about Raven?"

"Well...yes and no. I feel so guilty that I'm alive and she's not. It's like we can't exist in together, alive and as friends! I hate it. I wish she was here."

She started to cry. Starfire stood up and pulled Terra to her feet.

"No matter why your feelings are Terra, we are here for you."

With that, she hugged her. Terra returned the embrace, hugging Starfire with all her strength. She then turned her head and kissed her on the cheek.

Starfire blinked at that, and then returned her friend's kiss. A tear ran down her face and landed on Terra's hair.

"Goodnight, friend!" she said, emotionally.

"Goodnight, Star." Terra replied.

Starfire left the room, smiling back at Terra as she went. Terra sat on the bed again, sighing. She then reached for the lamp and turned it off, leaving the room in darkness, a darkness broken only by a flash of lightning.

She then discarded her robe and laid down on the bed, crying.