Darkness.
At first, that's all there was. Darkness.
Then, there was a light. It grew brighter, and brighter, until…
Terra cried out as she burst free of the light, and realised that she was hovering in mid-air. But only for a second. Gravity kicked in and she fell to the floor, only a few feet below.
"Oomph!" She cried out, as she quickly staggered to her feet. "What--? Where--!" She looked about her. She was in some sort of ancient medieval room. Tapestries covered the walls, along with strange symbols she'd never seen before.
"Welcome," a strange voice called out to her.
"Who's there?" She shouted, spinning around, her fists glowing. She could make out a figure in the shadows, not far from her. "Show yourself!"
"As you wish," the figure replied as it stepped out into the light. He was wearing a suit of blue armour, with gold gloves, boots, cape, and helmet. His helmet had no mouthpiece, just two eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Terra demanded, pointing a glowing fist at him.
"Allow me to introduce myself," he said, bowing slightly. "My name is Kent Nelson, but everyone knows me simply as, Dr. Fate." Terra lowered his fists, but they did not stop glowing.
"Why have you brought me here?" She said.
"In order to help you, my dear," Dr. Fate replied. "You need help, other wise, you would've not fallen for Slade's influence."
"What do you know about me, you freak!" Terra shouted, "You have no idea what I've been through, and the reasons why I joined Slade are long and complicated!"
"I know, I know," Dr. Fate replied. "That's why you were brought here. I know that you are a good person, Terra, that's why I freed you from your prison; so that you could have a second chance at life."
Terra's fists stopped glowing, and she relaxed from her fighting pose. "Really?" She asked. "You're whiling to give me another chance, after everything I did?"
"Everyone deserves a second chance in life, Terra," Dr. Fate replied, walking up to her. "And so do you. It'll take some time before you'll be ready to return to the world you once knew, but after witnessing your brave and selfless sacrifice, I believe you can accomplish anything."
Terra looked Dr. Fate in the eyes. Then, he held out his hand to her. "You're serious?" She asked. "You're not going to use me, like Slade did?"
"Why would I want to use you?" Dr. Fate asked. "I'm simply asking you to let me help you. That is all. You don't have to accept, Terra. You can say no, and I can return you back to Earth, or you can say yes, and let me help you. The choice is all your's."
Terra looked at the outstretched hand. The words Beast Boy had spoken to her, during the battle with Slade, echoed inside her head. She had a choice. It was all her choice.
"I accept!" She said, reaching out and taking his hand.
"You have chosen wisely, Terra," Dr. Fate said. "Come, let us go someplace more pleasant. You have a long journey ahead of you."
"…And so, you've been training with Dr. Fate all these years?" Beast Boy asked, as Terra finished up her story.
"Not exactly," Terra said with a shrug. "For the past year, I've been all over the place, doing good deeds, stopping bad guys, the basic super-hero thing."
"But, why come back now?"
"I've been trying to build up the courage to see you again, BB," Terra said, reaching out and gripping his hand. "All that time, I was too timid to come back and see you. It's only now that I've finally got the confidence I need to come back and see you."
"But… Why couldn't you let me know that you were alive sooner?" Beast Boy asked. "All these years, I thought you were dead! Every Valentines day, I visited your grave and…"
"And brought me flowers, I know," Terra interrupted. Beast Boy's mouth hung open.
"You… knew…?" He gasped.
"I watched you," Terra said. "I was able to use some portal viewing thingy, that Dr. Fate had. I was able to watch you all the time." She lifted BB's hand up to her face. "That's why I came back, BB. I've always loved you. And I still do!"
Part of Beast Boy's mind was screaming at him to tell her about Raven. Tell her before it's too late, or something horrible happens. But he couldn't. Why? Was it because he still had feelings for her?
"Do you still love me, BB?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
Before Beast Boy could answer, he yawned, rather loudly too. "How about we go to sleep first, Terra," Beast Boy muttered, "I've had a big day, and right now, I'm shot." Deep down inside, his mind was singing hallelujah.
"That's fine," Terra replied, moving away from Beast Boy's face, "I could use a bit of a reset myself."
Beast Boy smiled, but suddenly froze as something he hadn't thought of flashed through his mind. WHERE WOULD TERRA SLEEP! He looked about the room in confusion.
"Looking for a place for me to sleep?" Terra asked, cocking her head to one side as leaned in closer to him. There was a mischievous smile on her face and a bizarre twinkle in her eye. "What's wrong with shearing the bed?"
Beast Boy gasped, and found he couldn't breath. "I… I… I…!"
"It's okay," she said, playfully punching his arm. "I was just joking, BB. I'll sleep on the floor."
"Wait, no," Beast Boy said, grabbing her arm. For a moment, nether said anything, before Beast Boy swallowed, and said, "You sleep in the bed, I'll sleep on the floor."
"Really?" Terra asked. Beast Boy nodded.
"Please," Beast Boy said, "It's the least I can do."
She then jumped into the air, before landing down on her back, spread out like a snow angle. "Thanks BB," she said, snuggling into the sheets. "It's been quite a while since I've had a proper place to sleep." She shot him a predatory grin. "Sure you won't reconsider shearing?"
"We've got other things to worry about, Terra," Beast Boy said nervously, changing the subject. "Like how are the others going to react to your return."
The smile from her face vanished. "Oh, yeah," she said softly. "I… I didn't think much about the others… just you."
"Don't worry Terra," Beast Boy said, sitting down on the bed with her, "I'll make sure they'll understand. I promise."
"Thanks BB!" Terra cried out, as she wrapped both her arms around him in a giant bear hug. "I always knew I could count on you." Had she been looking at Beast Boy's face, she would've seen the stunned expression on his face.
"Well, I'll see you in the morning, Terra," Beast Boy said, pulling away. "I'm sure everything will be better after a good nights sleep."
"Night, BB!" She said, wrapping herself up in the blankets, as Beast Boy turned off the lights.
"Shit," he hissed under his breath as he turned off the lights. "Christ on a cross, why the hell did I say THAT for?" He muttered, as he pulled open his cupboard door. Behind him, he could hear Terra humming her approval of the comfort of the bed. He told her that he'd make sure the others would accept her back into the fold. WHY! That would mean she'd be around 24/7. That would mean she'd be pressing her love on him.
But what about Raven? He was in love with HER now. Damn it, why the hell couldn't she have shown up at least a week earlier. Everything would be fine then. But now…
Using his animal shifting abilities, he morphed his eyes into cats eyes so he could see in the dark, as he rummaged through his cupboard, pulling out his old sleeping bag. He'd use this bag on numerous missions that required going to places far, far away.
He rolled it out on the floor, and snuggled inside, wrapping himself up in the warmth it provided. From the bed, he could hear Terra lightly breathing which meant she was fast asleep. A few minutes earlier he'd been ready to fall asleep, but now, he couldn't even close his eyes.
Damn it all to hell, what a mess he was in. Hopefully tomorrow would set things right. He had no idea what he was going to do, but he'd better think of something, or else things were going to get VERY messy around here.
Images of Terra and Raven floated around his head until eventually, his eyes closer, and he was lost in a dream of clouded thoughts.
The first sensation that came to Beast Boy, was the warmth of the sun as it shone through the window and bathed his face in it's bright, warm glow. He smiled, as he snuggled into the pillow, and rolled over.
His mind registered something blocking his movement, and his hand moved to investigate. Something soft and warm was there. He moaned softly, as his eyes opened up.
Yellow. That was the first sight that greeted him. He moaned softly in confusion, as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes, and opened them fully.
Terra. She was sleeping inside his sleeping bag with him. She was fully up against him now, with one arm around him. Beast Boy found he couldn't breath again, as his eyes travelled down her body, and discovered that his hand he'd used to explore now rested on her left breast.
Beast Boy sat up with a jerk, throwing off the cover of his sleeping bag, and felt his heart stick in his throat. Terra had taken off her clothes, and wore only her bra and panties, as she lay asleep beside Beast Boy.
He wanted to shout at her, to tell her to get out, but he had frozen to the spot. His right hand still on her breast, half laying down, half sitting up.
"Morning Beast Boy!" Beast Boy's head snapped around, just in time to see the door 'hush' open, and Raven entered. She carried a tray with two steaming hot cups on them. "After last night, I thought you could use some…" Her voice trailed off, as she saw Beast Boy laying on the ground, in only his boxers.
But what really made her freeze, was the other form laying next to him. The half naked form of Terra made her eyes widen to the point where Beast Boy thought they'd pop out from her head.
Beast Boy looked down at Terra and realised his hand was still on her breast, which he quickly removed. He turned back to Raven who dropped the tray, spilling the tea all over the floor.
"You…!" Was all she managed to say. Beast Boy's mouth flapped without any sound coming out. He wanted to scream at her, to tell her it wasn't what it looked like, that this was all a big miss-understanding, but he couldn't find his voice.
"Raven!" He managed to cry out. "Please! It's not…!"
Nightwing stoked a loving hand through Starfire's silky crimson hair, while the other, rested behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling. Starfire sighed happily, as she snaked an arm across Nightwings chest, to hug him closer to her.
"Do we really have to get moving?" Starfire asked as she snuggled in closer to Nightwing. "I am very comfortable in my current position."
"Unfortunately we have to," Nightwing said, as he stopped stroking her hair to let his hand rest behind her head. "But you don't have to look at it in a bad light. We've got patrol duty together in half an hour." He grunted as he kicked off the sheets. "We really ought'a get some breakfast ready."
Starfire hummed her approval as she watched Nightwing's rump move as he crossed the room to his underwear draw. "Have we not the whole afternoon to ourselves, Richard?" She asked.
"That we do, Star," Nightwing replied, pulling on a clean pair of boxers. "Although we do have a practice session at 4."
Starfire slid out from under the sheets, and strode across to Nightwing, who had just pulled on the bottom half of his costume. "Do you think, that just this once, we could give our training session a miss?" She placed her hands on both shoulders, and drew him closer to her. "Hmmm?"
Nightwing chuckled. "For you Star, I'd miss…"
BAA-WOOOOHHMM!
"What in the hell--?" Nightwing jerked his head up towards the door.
"Are we under attack!" Starfire cried out. Nightwing just narrowed his eyes.
"Hero time!" He muttered.
The two of them quickly dressed, and rushed out of their room. A thick black smoke filled the hallway as they opened the door, and Nightwing just barely managed to cover his face with a gasmask.
"Nightwing, Starfire, is that you?" He recognised Cyborg's voice.
"Yeah," Nightwing muttered, as he just barely made out his friends outline through the smoke. He then switched over to infer-red. "Any idea what's going on?"
"Could it be our good old enemy, the Hibve?" Starfire asked, her voice muffled through her gas mask.
"Impossible," Cyborg snapped. "We took them out years ago."
"Well, who ever is attacking us," Nightwing muttered, drawing his staff, "They're soon gonna wish they hadn't! Titans, GO!" They hurried down the hallway, until they reached Beast Boy's room.
"This is BB's room," Cyborg said. "But my sensors indicate this is were the explosion occurred!"
Starfire gasped. "Could he be…!"
"Let's no think about that, Star," Nightwing said, as he readied some explosive disks. "Let's just worry about whoever's attacking us. Beast Boy is more than capable of looking after himself." Cyborg transformed his right arm into his laser cannon, while Starfire clenched her glowing fists. Nightwing then nodded to the both of them, and together, they charged into Beast Boy's room.
"TITANS!" Nightwing shouted, "ATT…!" He dropped off in mid sentence as he entered the room.
Beast Boy's room had been totalled. Everything was destroyed, the doors all ripped of their hinges, the window had been blown out allowing the smoke to clear from the room. Just in front of Nightwing, stood Raven, a small area around the bottom of her feet, was untouched, along with s destroyed tea tray and two cups at her feet.
On the floor in front of them, lay Beast Boy, and a now awake, Terra. Both of them were coughing loudly, and covered in black soot.
"Damn it, Raven," Terra snarled. "What the hell was that for!"
"Terra?" Cyborg gasped, transforming his arm cannon back to normal.
"Friend Terra," Starfire cried out, as she flew over to her and gave her a big hug, "You have returned to us."
"Starfire," Terra gasped out. "Y-you're crushing me!"
"Apologise," Starfire said, as she let go. She then paused, as she realised exactly what it was that Terra was wearing, or rather, what she wasn't wearing. "Ummm, why are you naked, with Beast Boy?"
"That's what I would like to know," Raven muttered.
"I wasn't naked," Terra replied, covering herself up with the tattered remains of the sleeping bag. "I had underwear on, but Goth Girl blew it all up!"
"It was an accident," Beast Boy cried out. "I swear!"
"You just accidentally happened to be in a sleeping bag with a girl, in your underwear?" Raven asked.
Beast Boy trailed off as he realised just how lame that sounded. "Ummm, yeah," he muttered.
"Why should you care, Raven," Terra snapped, reaching over to protectively wrap her arms around Beast Boy.
"Terra," Nightwing said, "Beast Boy and Raven are together now," Terra gasped, as she let go of Beast Boy.
"What!" She turned to face Beast Boy. "Why the hell didn't you tell me about this last night?"
"Last night?" The other titans all echoed.
"You let her spend the night with you?" Raven narrowed her eyes as she spoke to Beast Boy.
All eyes turned on him, and for the first time in his life, Beast Boy actually yearned for the days when he'd been all alone. "It… it wasn't like that," Beast Boy stammered. "I offered her my bed, while I spent the night on the floor," he lowered his gaze to the floor, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. "When I woke up this morning, she was in my sleeping bag."
Cyborg lowered his left arm and nodded to the rest of the group. "I detect no irregularities in his pulse. He's telling the truth."
"Why didn't you tell me this before, BB?" Terra asked.
"Because I didn't want to upset you, that's why," Beast Boy replied. "I just couldn't find the right moment to tell you, because… because you came on to me so sudden!"
The look Terra gave him made him wish he could just burry his head in the sand. It was the same look she'd given him when Robin told her he knew she couldn't control her powers.
Terra sighed, as she lowered her gaze to the floor. "I understand," she muttered. She stood up, wrapping the remains of the sleeping bag around her, to hide her body form the guys. "I'll just go now."
"Looking like that!" Starfire shrieked. "I think not!" She grabbed her arms, and yanked her out of the room. "Come, you must have suitable clothing to wear, and we must improve your foul smelling scent."
And they were gone. Nightwing looked back at both Raven and Beast Boy. "Ummm, so… errr, what do you think Cyborg?"
"I think it's breakfast time," Cyborg hastily replied, leaving the room. Nightwing quickly followed, leaving only Beast Boy and Raven in the now destroyed room.
"Raven, please," Beast Boy cried out. "It was an accident, I never meant to cheat on you?"
"That's not what I'm upset about, Logan," Raven replied. "What I'm mad about is you never told her about us! Why?"
"She never gave me the chance," Beast Boy answered back. "She was all over me from the moment she popped up. I was too busy fighting off her advances as gently as I could, to tell her about us."
"Is that the reason?" Raven asked. "Or is the real reason, because you still have feelings for her? You didn't tell her about us because you didn't want to upset her!" Beast Boy gave a sharp intake of breath. Raven narrowed her eyes, as she saw this. She'd hit the nail dead on the head. "I knew it!" She snarled.
"Raven wait!" Beast Boy cried out, getting up. He rushed over and grabbed her arm, before she could leave. "Raven, just listen to me!" She had a nasty scowl on her face, but she made no movement. She was going to listen. "I love you now, not Terra. What ever feelings I have for her, are just as friends. Yes, you're right, I didn't want to upset her, but I love you now, okay! Just you!"
"Logan," Raven replied. "Having Terra around is only going to make things worse." She looked around what was left of Beast Boy's room. "Look around you. See what happens when I lose control of my emotions. Weather or not you don't love Terra, has nothing to do with it. I can't guarantee something like this won't happen again."
Beast Boy groaned. "Oh, for the love of…" He suddenly grabbed Raven and kissed her. Raven did not stop him as he kissed her forcefully.
BANG!
Beast Boy looked up, as the one remaining light bulb in his room exploded. "Well," Raven replied. "That's just about everything in your room destroyed. See you at breakfast." And she was gone.
Terra sat on the couch, as the others stood around her. "…And that's practically the whole story," Terra leaned back into the couch as she finished her story.
"So, you want to come back and join the Titans, again?" Nightwing asked. Terra nodded.
"Well, I am all for your membership renewal," Starfire said. "All in favour?"
"Actually, I think we should discus this in private." Raven said.
"Why?" Terra asked. "So that you don't have to tell me in person that you don't want me around?"
"I was just being courteous," Raven answered back, with narrowed eyes.
"Enough," Nightwing snapped. "But Raven's right, this should be discussed in private."
"Forget it then," Terra snarled, standing up. "You guy's will just vote me out!"
"That is not true, friend Terra," Starfire cried, rushing to her side. "Please, let us discus this! I'm sure you'll be voted back in!"
Terra looked around the room, looking from one titan to the next, finally settling on Beast Boy, who gave her a hopeful smile. Unknown to the both of them, Raven's left eye twitched a bit at this site.
"Fine," Terra said, sitting back down. "Just, don't take too long."
"We'll try to wrap this up ASAP," Nightwing replied, as they all filed out of the room. Terra watched them all leave, and got up, as the door hushed shut behind them.
She didn't have to wait long. She'd turned on the TV for only a few minutes, before the door hushed open, and they all came back in. Their faces were stern and emotionless. Even Beast Boy.
"Let me guess," Terra replied, "You want me to leave!"
"Actually," Nightwing replied with half a smile, "We all voted for you to stay!"
Terra's mouth fell open in shock. "Really?" She gasped. "All of you?" She looked over at Raven. Her face remained emotionless.
"Isn't that wonderful news?" Starfire cried out, as she flew over to Terra and gave her another big hug.
"M-my ribs!" Terra gasped out.
While she tried to pull away from Starfire, Beast Boy leaned over and whispered in Nightwings ear. "Dude, are you sure it's wise to tell her that? We didn't all vote for her to stay ya'know."
"But it was a majority vote that won, BB," Nightwing replied. "If she's going to be a part of the team she needs to think that we all trust her. Knowing that not everyone voted for her to stay will only make things difficult."
After finally prying Starfire from her, Terra looked around at the others. "So," she said, "When do we start? You know, the super-hero thing?"
"Well, we're going to have to re-write our schedule now that we have a new member to the group. We're going to have to divvy up patrol duties, guard duties, and training sessions."
"I think I'll have to supervise that," Raven added.
"What's the matter, Goth girl?" Terra asked with a sly smile. "Afraid of a little competition?"
"Girls, please!" Beast Boy suddenly cried out. "Let's not ruin this perfect reunion by fighting." He turned to Raven, "Please, Raven, don't forget, she was YOUR friend too!" Raven turned from Beast Boy back to Terra. She gave a slight nod. "Now, can we at least make up?"
Raven walked forward to Terra, and slowly extended her hand. Terra accepted it and they both shook once.
"Crises averted," Cyborg said with a grin.
Unknown to everybody, the two girls shot each other deadly looks, as their grips suddenly tightened.
Beast Boy stood in front of his door, just inside his room, as he surveyed what was left of his room. There wasn't much left he could salvage. His bed had been reduced to a slagged metal skeleton. The windows had all been blown out, the cupboard doors had been destroyed along with all his clothes inside.
He sighed loudly as he walked over to the remains of his bed, and tested the metal springs. It broke of in his hand. "Well," he muttered, tossing it out the window, "I've always wanted to redecorate." A section of the ceiling suddenly collapsed, exposing some damaged wires. "Now where do I sleep?"
"We're inside a 20 story tower shaped like a giant 'T'," Raven said from behind him, "I'm sure we can find someplace for you."
"Come back to admire your handiwork?" Beast Boy asked sarcastically.
"What's with the attitude?" Raven asked.
"What's with yours, more like it," Beast Boy snapped. "I thought I made it clear back in my room, that I want you, not Terra."
"So…?"
"So, why the hell did you have to act like that!" He cried. "It's almost as if you wanted to drive her away!"
"So," Raven asked, "What if I am?"
"Why?" Beast Boy asked. "What is the danger of her staying?"
"You say that you love me, and me only," Raven answered, "But there is still the chance that you will fall for her, all over again."
"Says only you, Raven," Beast Boy shot back. "I admit it was cute and funny when you told me that the reason you were hostile to Terra was because you didn't like her making the moves on me, but that was then. This is now!" He paused. "So stop it!"
"Why are you so angry at my attitude towards Terra?" Raven suddenly asked.
"Because after all she's been through, she needs… NO, she deserves a break! And treating her like that isn't the best why to help someone recovering from what she's been through!"
"Is that the reason?" Raven asked. "Is that the real reason?" Beast Boy opened his mouth to speak, but Raven quickly silenced him. "Logan," she said, "I want to know the truth. Look me in the eyes, look me square in the eyes, and tell me you no longer have any feelings for her." She paused. "Can you do that?"
Beast Boy grunted, as he leaned in close, way too close, and glared at her. "I don't love her," he snapped, and then, leant back, and pushed her aside, as he marched out of the room.
"You still love her, Logan," Raven replied, without turning around. "I saw the flicker in your pupils."
"So what if I do," Beast Boy snapped stopping, not bothering to turn around. "Is that what you want to here? There, I said it, happy?"
She turned around to face him. "I needed you to admit that, Logan," she replied. "If you are truly to forget your love for Terra, you must admit your true feelings."
"Why did I have to say that, Raven?" Beast Boy asked, turning around to face her. "Why did I have to relive those memories?"
"If you and I are to truly be together," Raven replied, stepping just in front of him, "We must admit our true feelings to each other. You are angry with me for treating Terra that way because you know, deep down inside, you still love her. That's the real reason you didn't tell her about us. You were afraid she'd leave you again!"
"Raven…" Beast Boy moved to leave.
"Don't," She gently placed her hand against the side of his face, to prevent him from leaving. "It's okay, Logan," she said. "I just needed you to admit that. Now…" she placed her free hand on the other side of his face, or rather, his temple. "…Just relax, and leave the rest up to me." She closed her eyes, and slowed her breathing down. "Close your eyes and concentrate, Logan. Concentrate."
Beast Boy sighed, but did as he was told. He listened to the sound of Raven's shallow breath, as it slowed down. Listening.
"Now open your eyes." Beast Boy did, and looked around. He was in what looked like a gigantic library. But he already knew where he truly was.
"Hmmm, the head again," Beast Boy muttered, placing his hands on his hips. "So, which personality do I face this…?" Raven stood behind him, wearing glasses.
"Wisdom," she replied. "With this personality, I can talk to you with emotion and not have to worry, about losing control of my powers."
"Talk? Talk about what?" Beast Boy asked. "Terra?"
"That's part of it," Raven replied. "But I also wanted to talk about us. You admitted that you still love Terra. There's nothing wrong with admitting that, but it will make things difficult."
"So," Beast Boy replied nervously, "What can I do about it?"
"You agreed to help me with my emotions, Logan," Raven replied, reaching out and taking his hand in hers. "All I'm asking is that you let me help you with yours!"
"How?" Beast Boy asked, looking down at her hand holding his.
"You have to let Terra know the truth, Logan," She replied. "You have to tell her who your heart belongs too, it's the only way this can work out between us. The only other option is to send her away."
Beast Boy sighed. "I'm… I'm afraid of what she'll say," Beast Boy replied. "That she'll be upset and run away again." He licked his dry lips as he crossed his legs and sat down, Raven followed suit. "I never told anyone this, Raven, but… But after I lost Terra, I was in a blue funk for a few days afterwards. I began thinking about all the events that led up to losing her." He sighed loudly again. "I began to blame myself for her loss. She trusted me with her secret, and when she thought I'd betrayed her trust, she left. After she was turned to stone, I felt that if I'd managed to handle the situation better, that… that somehow, somehow I could've saved her." He bit his lip as his eyes began to water. "I felt that it was all my fault. If only I'd managed to handle things better than I did, she'd still be here, that her death was all my doing!"
He suddenly burst into tears. "It's true! All of it, it's all true," he sobbed. "I… I do still love her! But I also love you! What the hell am I supposed to do? I don't want her to leave again, yet… I don't want to lose you!" Raven got up and placed a loving arm around his shoulder. "It's so not fair!"
"We all have to make difficult choices in life, Logan," Raven answered. "If life weren't so easy, there wouldn't be so many problems in the world. It depends on how we make our judgements, which sees the outcome turn good, or bad. Weather we use logic, or reason, or our own emotions."
"What should I do?" Beast Boy looked up at her with tears still in his eyes.
"Talk to Terra," Raven replied. "Let her know how you feel, and who you really want to be with. Remember, she came back to make amends, but that mean she's the only one who has too."
Beast Boy smiled at her and blinked the tears out of his eyes.
"You don't have to talk to her right away, Logan," Raven replied, kneeling down next to him. "Take some time to practice what you want to say. Then, when you feel ready, talk to her."
For a moment, the two of them were lost in each others eyes. Then, Raven reached up a hand and whipped some tears from his eyes. Beast Boy smiled at her, and then, she smiled at him.
Slowly, Beast Boy closed his eyes, and leant upward towards Raven, his lips pursing together. Her smiled melted away as she leaned down and met his lips. Together, the two of them sat there, kissing.
It lasted for a lot longer than Beast Boy expected.
Nightwing was sitting on the couch with his feet up on the coffee table, talking on the phone, when Beast Boy entered the room.
He opened his mouth to get Nightwing's attention, but he stopped. Nightwing hardly told anybody about his personal life. All the team knew was that his name was Dick Grayson, and that he used to work along the Batman. Instead, he just stood there, listening to Nightwing's conversation, hoping to find out a little more about Dick Grayson.
"That's really great to hear Tim," he said, "I think you're doing a bang up job fitting into the old costume." He paused, as he listened. "Uh-huh! No, you'll do fine, trust me." He paused again. He looked nervous about something, as he drummed his fingers against the couch. "Say Tim… How's Barb doing?" He paused as he listened to the reply. "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Really? Say, speaking of the old man, do you see much of him these days?" He paused again, listening to the response, before shaking his head. "No, I only talk to him over the phone when it comes to discussing the groups budget." He paused, as he listened. "What? Tim, I can't do that! You know we haven't exactly been close since…" Just then, Nightwing spotted Beast Boy out of the corner of his eye. "Gotta go, see ya!" He then pressed a button and the phone hung up. "Gar," he said with a slightly agitated tone, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't listen in on my personal calls."
"I'm sorry dude but," He scratched his head. "Dick, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure," Nightwing replied, patting the spot next to him on the couch.
Beast Boy hopped over to sit next to him. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, actually, it's advise," Beast Boy said. He paused, unsure about how to word this. "Hey, who's Barb?" He asked instead.
Beast Boy had seen many expressions from Nightwing over the years he'd known him. He'd thought he'd seen them all. That's why the scowl Nightwing gave him suddenly made him very uncomfortable. "Gar," he said, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but what happened in my life is none of your damn business!" He then made movements to get up.
"No, dude, listen," Beast Boy suddenly cried out, grabbing Nightwings arm before he could leave. "Please, let me finish what I have to say." Nightwing sat back down. "I know it was rude of me to pry into your personal life, but I need help!" He sighed. "The reason I asked about… Her, was because, well… I'm having problems with two…"
"You still feel something for Terra." It wasn't exactly a question.
"Yeah," Beast Boy replied, uncomfortable about talking about his love life. "And I was wondering…"
"How I dealt with the other girl in my life?" Nigthwing spoke without emotion, and for a split second, Beast Boy thought he'd get up and leave. "Garfield, first off, I don't love Barbara anymore, and second, I only asked how she was because even though she's my Ex, she is also still in the crime fighting business like I am."
"Maybe you're the wrong person to talk to this about," Beast Boy said, getting up to leave.
"Gar, wait!" Nightwing grabbed his arm. Beast Boy stopped and looked at him. "First off, tell me, who is it you really love?"
"I… I think it's Raven,"
"Think?"
"Yes," Beast Boy said suddenly, "Yes, yes it's defiantly her."
"And you want to let Terra down, gently?"
"That's pretty much it."
"Then just go and confront her, man," Nightiwng replied, placing both hands on his shoulders. "Let her know the truth. You loved her, but now, you're in love with Raven." He held up one finger. "Remember this Gar, the truth will always set you free. The longer you keep this bottled up, the worse the explosion when you finally let it out."
"Thanks man," Beast Boy replied. He smiled at Nightwing who smiled back, taking his other hand of his shoulder, he sat back down on the couch.
"So, I think you have some where to be, right now," Nightwing said. "Just tell her the truth."
Beast Boy nodded, and turned around and left through the other door. Nightwing smiled at the door his friend had just left through, and picking up the remote, turned the TV onto a Bruce Lee movie.
Unknown to both the boys, someone else had been in that room, listening to the whole conversation. They had come in to see what was on the tube, but had hidden when they had heard Beast Boy talking. They had stayed hidden, listening. Listening to everything that was said.
Every single word.
They had also heard the hesitation that Beast Boy had made when it came to confessing just WHO he loved. A hesitation. That meant he was still undecided.
Terra slowly emerged from behind the drawer that held the Titan's many DVD's, as she slowly crept away. She waited until some of the fight scenes in the movie grew really noisy, so she could open the door without him hearing, and left.
Beast Boy.
She sighed as she leant again the wall.
He still cared for her. He still loved her.
She smiled, as she placed her hands over her heart.
There was still hope.
"Terra?" Beast Boy said softly, as he knocked on the door that was her new room. "Are you in there?" There was no response. "Terra?" He called out a little louder this time. "Terra? It's Beast Boy!"
Still no response. He looked over at the button that would open Terra's door.
"Going uninvited into a girls room, could give a girl the wrong impression, Beast Boy." Beast Boy gasped in both surprise and fear, as Terra slipped her arms around his shoulders, and hugged him.
"I…!" Beast Boy stammered, but lost his words as she snuggled closer to him, rubbing her cheeks against the side of his neck.
"Yes?" She said with a sly smile.
"Terra…!" Was all he managed to say, with a squeak. She let go of him, and turned him around to face her.
"Is there something you wanted to tell me, BB?" She asked, chocking her head to one side. "Go ahead, I'm listening."
"Terra, there's something I have to tell you," Beast Boy said slowly. "Something you should know… About Raven and, myself."
"Beast Boy," Terra said, placing a single finger on his lips to silence him. "Before you continue, let me just say one thing." She withdrew her finger, and Beast Boy nodded slightly. "In the years since we last meet, I never forgot the time I spent with you, Beast Boy. You were the first person to show me what true friendship meant. Even after everything I ended up doing to both you and the other Titans, you still loved me, enough to try and save me before it was too late. In all the years I spent training with Dr. Fate, I never forgot that. So, I just want you to know, that whatever you decide to do, what ever decision you make, I'll always love you." She paused long enough to find his eyes. "No matter what."
Beast Boy now looked more flustered than ever. "Gee, Terra…" He muttered scratching behind his head and turning away from her. "You really haven't made any of this easier."
"I haven't made what any easier." Terra asked, turning his face back to hers.
"Well," Beast Boy began. "It's like this…!"
Just then, the halls turned bright red, as the general alarm went off.
"What the--?" Terra began.
"That means there's trouble," Beast Boy said, grabbing Terra's arm, and dragging her along, "The alarm means that everyone is needed." As they hurried along, Beast Boy gritted his teeth. Not telling Terra that he loved Raven was only going to cause trouble.
Well, Raven did tell him to take his time. He'd have to tell her when they got back from the mission.
Nightwing was the first in the briefing room when both Beast Boy and Terra arrived. He gave Beast Boy a quickly look, as he entered.
"What's up?" Beast Boy asked, coming to stop in front of the briefing table. Terra beside him looked around the room, obviously the Titans had done some redecorating and changes to their reutine since she'd last been here.
"Dr. Light's back," Nightwing replied. "He's taken over the east side Nuclear Power Plant, and he's taken hostages."
"Dr. Light again?" Cyborg groaned, as he entered the briefing room with Starfire. "Man, how many times do we have to kick that guys sorry butt, before he realises his carrier as a Super-Villain is as dead as Disco?"
"As long as he keeps putting people in danger, Cy," Nightwing replied. "Now, where is Raven? We need everyone here for the…!"
"I'm here!" Raven's voice echoed, as a round spot before the briefing table began to glow. Then, Raven rose from the black hole created on the floor. She floated out, and the hole vanished.
"Great," Nightwing said, looking around at everyone assembled. "Now listen up, here's the Four one, o…!" He paused very briefly, as he saw that Beast Boy and Terra were still holding hands. "One," Nightiwng continued.
Beast Boy looked down and realised he still hadn't let go of Terra's hand from when he'd dragged her along to the briefing room. As Nightwing began to explain the hostage situation in greater detail to the others, Beast Boy gently let go of Terra's hand. But Terra didn't let go of Beast Boy's.
"Terra," Beast Boy whispered as he pried her hand from his, "Now is not the time, we need to listen."
"Beast Boy?" Terra whispered back, "What's wrong?"
"We need to pay attention to the briefing, Terra," Beast Boy whispered, "We can discus this after we get back."
"What's wrong with now?"
"We have to pay attention!"
It was then, that he was aware of the silence. Looking up from Terra, he saw everyone was looking at the two of them, or rather, Beast Boy. "Is something wrong, Beast Boy?" Nightwing asked.
"Ahh… No," Beast Boy said, glancing nervously at Raven. "E-everything's just fine." Her face was emotionless.
"Really?" Nightwing placed one hand on his hip as he cocked his head to one side, "Then what did I just say?"
"Ummm… Stop Dr. Light?" His half-assed attempt to save himself failed miserably.
"Beast Boy, shut up and pay attention!" Nightwing snapped. Beast Boy nodded. Nightwing then turned around to the giant computer screen, as he activated it with the remote. "Now, listen up gang! It just so happens that I managed to 'discreetly' gain access to the plans of the Nuclear Plant!" He brought up a few blue prints of the plant, before turning back to the group. "Dr. Light has control of a nuclear reactor. No matter how campy the guy is, he's a danger to everyone in the city now, and it's up to us take him down!" He turned back to the computer screen, as he brought up the blue prints for the front area of the plant. "Now, this is how we're going to approach this…"
Beast Boy listened as Nightwing laid out the plan. Now that Terra was part of the team, Nightwing had worked out a three-pronged assault on the plant, from different directions. They would be divided into three teams. Team 'A' consisted of Cyborg and Beast Boy. Team 'B' would be made up of Raven and Terra. Team 'C' would be Nightwing and Starfire.
"Can't I be with Beast Boy?" Terra asked, drawing a suspicious star from Raven, who then turned that look on Beast Boy who only shrugged in response.
"Beast Boy?" Nightwing asked. "Didn't you get around to talking to her?"
"We…" Beast Boy shifted uncomfortably, "I was, but the alarm kinda went off, and we were here."
"Beast Boy?" Terra gave him her best 'what are you talking about' look, which made him even more nervous.
"He was supposed to tell you that he doesn't love you anymore," Raven answered for him.
"Says you, Dr. Spock," Terra shot back. "I'm surprised that anyone like you could love at all!"
"Girls!" Nightwing rised his voice ever so slightly. "What ever is going on between you and Beast Boy, it'll have to wait until AFTER the mission is over, got it?"
"Why am I partnered with her?" Raven asked.
"Because together, the two of you are quite a force," Nightwing answered. "I remember who well you two did when we stopped Slade from destroying the tower. Now with Dr. Light in control of a Nuclear plant, we're going to need that same force again!" He paused. "Plus you two need to work together in order to stop fighting!"
"Fine," Raven replied.
"Whatever," Terra rolled her eyes. Under her breath she added, "I'm beginning to doubt it really was everyone who voted me back in."
Nightwing eyed the two girls, before leaning over to Cyborg. "This crises has hardly been averted, Cy."
"I don't think it's wise putting the two of them together, man," Cyborg relied. "I know it worked for Beast Boy and Raven, but… Terra is not Beast Boy."
"We need them to work together, if Terra is to stay on the team," Nightwing responded. "I know it's dangerous, but it's the only way."
"I just hope it's not too dangerous to the point were you'll regret it." Cyborg said.
"An old friend once told me, If you don't go through life without making at least one mistake, you never learn anything." Nightwing responded. He then turned to the rest of the group. "So, are we all clear on the plan?" They all nodded. "Good, then let's move out!"
JUMP CITY NUCLEAR PLANT…
The scene at the Nuclear Plant was one to behold. Police cars littered the area, helicopters flew overhead, and spotlights flashed the area.
"Attention Dr. Light!" The Police Commissioner called out using his megaphone. "This is Commissioner Davidson. You've been smart so far; by letting all the employees go. Now come out with your hands up before someone gets hurt." Suddenly, a huge bolt of energy suddenly rocked the area, sweeping the encampment of parked police cars, police and bystanders were knocked of their feet, and electricity leapt across the whole area.
Dr. Light suddenly appeared on top of a low story building, laughing at them all.
"Hurt, Commissioner?" He called out. "Like who? You, that's who!" His arms swept the plant. "I've got this whole plant at my fingertips, buddy boy. I've got energy coming out of every strain of hair on my body. Enough to handle all your cops…" He suddenly turned to the left, and fired a blast of energy at a sniper hidden by a water tower. "…And all your pathetic sharpshooters." The poor man was fired instantly. Dr. Light then turned back to the Commissioner. "Get this Davidson. Electricity runs this city… and I run electricity. From this station, I've tapped into the whole system, commandeered every switching station, and believe me Commissioner; I can do a lot more than just turn things on and off! I can send power surgeries into homes, blow out TV sets. Every house in the whole city will be like a bomb, that'll send flying pieces of sharp glass into all occupants nearby." He then rubbed his chin. "Or maybe, I'll just start overriding emergency generators in hospitals! Kiss everybody on life-support good-bye." He then pointed down at Davidson. "So hear this! Fifty million bucks to release my chokehold on the city… Or, in an hour, people start dying! You tell the Mayor that. Dr. Light says ONE HOUR!" Then he disappeared back inside the building.
Davidson banged his fists on the bonnet of the car. "Damn." Was all he said.
From the tops of the trees, near the power plant, Nightwing watched the whole scene unfold with his binoculars. He lowered them from his eyes and activated his comm.
"This is Nightwing here," he said. "Titans, sound off."
"This is Cyborg," the voice said over the comm. "I'm in position with Beast Boy."
"Beast Boy here! I'm with Cy."
"Starfire here! I am too, in the position that is required in our plan, awaiting Nightwing."
"Raven here! Terra and I are in position."
"Terra here! What Raven said!"
"Excellent," Nightwing muttered with a smile. "Let's follow the plan, and meet up inside." He then squeezed the middle section of the small metal baton in his hands. The ends extended to form a long metal staff. "Titans, GO!"
TBC...
AN: Thanks to all who reviewd my story, your prises are welcome. By the way, Huupa, I don't mind you commenting on my wiritng, in fact, please do. It'll help me create a better story. Please remember everyone, if your not happy with this chapter, there's alot more to this storyyet to come, so try to stay with me, pleaseeeeee!