Two Halves

I don't own Teen Titans.

Chapter 7: Stay with me

Another sleepless night had come down on Beast Boy. As he sat at the edge of his bed like he had done for the past few nights, thoughts of Raven swarmed through his mind. After seeing the Raven with glasses and different colored attire on, the Raven had gone off to her room. She refused to speak to anyone about what had happened. Like always, the team respected her privacy. Beast Boy thought otherwise. He was worried about Raven. She shouldn't hid in her room from everyone. They were here for her.

(I am here for her,) BB thought.

What had happened prior to their date was unbelievable. The other members told Beast Boy how the other Ravens had come and interacted with them. Sure, they were suspicious, but they didn't say anything since they were either enjoying themselves or nearly getting killed. How clueless could they possibly be? If someone dresses or acts in a way that seems suspicious, one does everything to find out what was going on. Other then Robin, he was mad at the other team members. Starfire actually played dress-up with one of them and Cyborg was working on his care with another one of them.

Cyborg should of known what was going on. Had he forgotten the trip into Raven's head? Back before fighting Trigon, the two of them had stumbled into her mind via a mirror and encountered a few of her personalities, represented as different versions of Raven. It was later revealed that they were used to regulate her emotions as to not let her demon side get lose. But now that she was cleansed of her demonic evil, what of the other emotions? Why were they now human? Why had they come to the tower? Were they trying to taker Ravens place?

His fists clutched with rage as hate flooded his head. How could Cyborg forget their trip? And how could everyone else forget the purpose of those things? Had Raven known? The team should have been ready for this. What if the emotions tried to hurt Raven? But, if so, why didn't they attack her after she had become purified? Were they waiting for something? Even so, he wouldn't let anything hurt Raven.

(I have to go and talk to her," he thought as he stood up form his bed.

But as he stood in his room by his bed, he realized that doing so wasn't the best idea. For one thing, it was one o'clock in the morning. The other thing was why would Raven want to talk to him? Their date was pretty much a screw up. He never got to tell her his feelings for her. And to top that all off, she was probably just as confused as her. She had a right to stay in her room and not talk to him. With the problems between the two of them and Raven's new dilemma, why would she want to talk with him.

(Still, they shouldn't stop me from seeing if she's okay,) he thought.

Still in his shirt from the date, he went over to his dresser and got out a pair of sweatpants, which he put over his boxers.

(Can't be too careful,) he thought as he prepared to transform.

Just then, a voice in his head uttered some things into his head: If so, then why go on with it? Why have your friendship with her be destroyed completely? Don't you think she's okay? Not like she's prepared for this or anything. Still, doesn't this seem stupid to you?

Ignoring his common sense as he always did, he transformed into a fly and headed into the ventilator shaft.

"A desert?"

Raven's eyes scanned what was in front of her. A great dessert was laid out before her feet. A blazing sun in a cloudless sky bet down on her, yet the heat had no affect on her. She looked out over the horizon of any signs of other structures, but all she could see was just endless sand as far as the eye could see. She looked down at her body and saw she was still in her leotard, which she had changed into before going to bed, yet her cloak was now part of her attire.

"This is new," she said to herself.

"But it gets the point out," a voice from behind her said.

Raven turned around and came face to face with the voice's owner. He was just over six feet and wore a hooded cloak that draped over his entire body. The cloak, however, contained four sleeves, which housed four clawed arms that were a stone grey color. Looking into the hood, raven lay her eyes upon the face. It too sported the stone color as the arms. The mouth was frozen in a hideous grin and it had four eyes that were a fiery red.

"You," Raven said, shock on her voice. Not knowing what she was doing, she held up her hand and began to charge up energy into it. However, nothing came.

"Can't have nay of that, my dear. I always make sure that when I get a message out, it gets out. And what better way then a dream? Anyways, surprised to see me?" the creature asked.

"It's been a while."

"Well, that's what being cleansed of demonic evil does to one's self."

"I take it you are the cause of my 'interesting' dreamscape?" Raven asked.

"Correct. And do you know why I have gone and done such a lovely job here?" he asked.

"I give up. Why?"

The creature bent down and picked up a hand full of sand. It then said," Before you freed yourself of the evil, your mind was once vast and wide. A place where you're other emotions could go about their business."

"My emotions. That's right. What are they-?

"Let me finish. When you became pure, your mind could process its own feelings. That left you without need for the former personalities. And do you know what became of them?"

Raven shook her head.

"They were to become nothing. Just dust in the wind," the creature then dropped the sand and as if on cue, a gust of wind then blew the sand to his left. "Sad really. Luckily, I was on hand to save them. You know, being the Good Samaritan I am."

"Drop that act. What do you really want?"

"Pardon me."

"I know demons. They always have an alternate method as to their motives. My father used pawns to get his way and then did away with them like gum wrappers."

"A smart little girl you are. For being that, how would like to hear a story?"

Raven shot an angry glance at him and stated, "I'm not in the mood for stories."

"I can assure you, you are going to like this one. You see, my purpose in you head was quite simple: I was to make sure you didn't side track from your destiny and opened the gate for Trigon to emerge from. Then comes world domination. Yet you survived, became pure, and killed him. I guess Trigon didn't think that one through."

"My father was just that. Foolish and blind to the powers that he couldn't even fathom."

"Nicely put. I can see the father-daughter bonding there. Moving on, your emotions were doomed to die. Yet, I was on hand to save them. I brought them here and they are slowly adjusting to their new life. Good idea, wouldn't you say?"

"My friends could have been in danger."

"What danger? Your emotions weren't threatening their lives, just trying to fit in. In a way, they are just like you: Beings with problems that yearn to fit in. They were just like you sisters, as Timid but it. Why did you let them die?"

"I didn't know."

"That's not really an excuse. And you call yourself human? Even me, a demon bothered to save lives, yet you think of our race as heartless. Maybe you should consider becoming a pure breed. You all ready have some blood of Trigon left in you."

"Shut up! I would never commit an action such as that! Just tell me what you're planning!" Raven yelled, her teeth clenched and hands turned into fists.

The creature let out a sickening laugh and said," I struck a chord there. Okay. Off all your emotions, Rage is to be the most useful of them all. She is needed for my "other plans".

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say the others were put to good use. You know, Rage deserves to be more powerful."

"You feed them to her!" Raven cried out.

"A demon needs their fill. But there needed to be more. So, I turned the remaining emotions into living beings and turned them loose onto the streets in order for their power to build. And when the time comes…well…its going to be quite the buffet for our friend."

"You bastard! They're not sheep!" Raven yelled.

"You didn't seem to consider saving them a priority. You and me really aren't so different, despite the little species gap."

"I am nothing like you!" Raven yelled as she raised a fist and prepared to punch the demon. Using its upper left arm, the creature shot it forward and wrapped its fingers around Raven's throat. Raven was suddenly struggling for air, which scared her to no end. He then lifted her up to his height as her hands tried to rip his hand off of her windpipe.

"Surprised? Well, I have more power then even your father could dream of. But now, I have to finish this up. You see, I did not waste fifteen years of your life making sure you went about your destiny. I had other plans. Now that I'm free and have Rage on my side, I can accomplish them. And this dessert…not only is it about your feelings, but of my dream. Well, it will be more fire based the desert, but you can get a good idea.. You can try to fight me and warn your emotions, but I will triumph. I make Trigon look like a lower class demon. Now, to make this even more enjoyable, I am now going to see if your team members can hear your gasp for air as I try to make your head pop."

Beast Boy was just at the vent to Raven's room when he heard gasping noises emitting from the grating. Thinking the worst, he quickly buzzed through the grate and entered her room. Alarm swept through his mind as he looked down at her body. Her mouth was letting out breathless gasps; her hands were clawing at throat as thought imaginary hands were strangling her, and her eyes were opened, but...Beast Boy couldn't believe her eyes. What were once clear purple orbs were now starting to shrink inwards and being filled in with darkness, giving them a dead look.

Acting quickly, Beast Boy landed on the left side of her bed and transformed back into his human form. He then grabbed both of Raven's shoulders with his hands and shook her violently.

"Raven! Raven! Snap out of it!" he yelled.

Just then, Raven's eyes returned back to their original purple color and she suddenly sat up from her bed. She then began coughing violently as air rushed back into her lungs.

"Its okay. Its okay," BB said as he put his arm around her to comfort her.

Recovering from her attack, Raven looked up at him and asked, "Beast Boy? Why are you in my room?"

His face turning bright red, BB relinquished his arm from her shoulder and stuttered out," Well I…I was…going to…change the flat…on the T-car…when I heard you gasp for air."

"Change the flat? First off, not even Cyborg is that dedicated to his car. And second, you sleep through alarms," Raven stated.

"Well…I…-"

"Is there something wrong?"

Beast Boy then went over to the foot of her bed and sat down, his head bowed and his arms on his knees. Raven got out of her bed, walked over, and sat down next to him.

"Beast boy, I know you've been in my room."

He looked over at her and said," I wasn't looking at you while you were dressing or anything."

"I knew you were going to say that. I just want to know why you've been doing this."

"Its kind of stupid."

"Try me."

(Here we go BB. You're last moments on Earth.)

"Okay, here goes. I told you how I worry about you. I mean, ever since Trigon's coming. With my sleep being hindered, I coming into your room for a few nights and checking on you. I know I seem like a creep, but I'm not. I just worry, a lot. And now you know. That's it."

(My death now comes in 3…2…1…)

"There's more," Raven suddenly said.

Surprised, BB asked," That's it? You're not going to kill me?"

"For get it. I now you and you aren't a pervert. But, that whole 'I worry' about you thing is deeper. Please, tell me. Am I right?"

Beast Boy took a deep breath and replied," Yeah, there's more. But it's kind of personal."

"I wouldn't tell," she said.

"Fine. You see, over the course of my life, a lot of people I have cared about have died. Namely my mom, dad, and Terra have passed on. You know why? It was because I couldn't save them. And then you nearly died. I should have tried to go after you, but I something in my head stooped me. Ever since then, I felt like such an ass. I just can't bear to see someone I care about die because I thought of myself. I just check on you because I don't want to see you hurt again."

Raven nodded her head and said, "I see. You know, I feel the same way sometimes."

"Really?" BB asked.

"Yes. Ever since everyone found out about the Prophecy, I been thinking about my mother and Azerath being wiped out and I couldn't save them. As I saw it unfold, I didn't want everyone dying to protect me, as it seemed futile. But when I saw you fight Trigon, I believed there was still hope. It was excuse of all my friends I was able to defeat Trigon. The fact of the matter is that when you know people care about you, you become stronger. Knowing others will go to such lengths to show they care for you are inspiring. I normally would kill you BB for spying on me, but you did for a good cause at least. Just don't worry about me so much. Knowing you're here, I'm safe." She then finished off her speech with a small smile.

BB returned the smile and stated," Thanks, Raven." He then added, "By the way, when I cam into you're room, you were choking. It looked like you were in pain. What was going on?"

"Great. I knew you were going to ask that," Raven said.

"What was it?"

"It was nothing."

"You call nearly getting killed nothing? I have to know."

"Fine, but you must promise not to tell anyone."

Beast Boy nodded his head in agreement as Raven began her story. As he was told of the demon from Raven's mind, her emotions, and the dream being in the desert, worry and fear began to wrap around his soul. He didn't want to see Raven hurt. He wouldn't allow it.

"…And you must promise not to tell anyone." Raven finished.

"I can't."

"You have to!"

"Raven, if I don't, you could be putting yourself in danger."

"I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

"We did that against Trigon and won. What makes this-?"

It's different. I don't know much about the demon that was locked in my head other then he was suppose to make sure my Prophecy went as planned. If he can turn my original emotions into humans and try to kill me while I slept, then he must be deadly. He got of my head, so this is my problem. I also have to deal with Rage, who you encountered on the trip into my head. I may have told you how my emotions work before, but the game is different now."

"But I can help you fight."

"You can help by not telling anyone this. Please Beast Boy. Just do this for me."

Beast Boy looked at her, his gave once again becoming fixed on her eyes. Just looking at them made him realize the seriousness of the situation at hand. Raven wanted to handle this problem by herself. And after all they had been through? Hadn't she seen that her friends would stand by her no matter what? BB felt like yelling at her. He held himself back, of course. Raven would stand by her decisions no matter what. It was like she knew her friends would help here, but she still thought she had to go about her problems by herself.

And much to his dismay, he didn't try to talk her out of it. All he said was, "I understand." He then got from the foot of the bed and said, "I better go."

Right before he got to the door, Raven called out, "Wait."

Bb turned around and asked," Yeah?"

"Could you…for tonight…sleep with me?"

BB nearly fell over as he stammered out, "What!"

Raven blushed as she got the message and replied, "Not like that. I mean just sleep with me as in just lying with me in the bed and not doing anything intimate. My last dream may have been a message, but I would like someone by me in case it happens again."

"How come?"

"I just want someone to be near me in case something like my dream happened."

"But you said I'm a sound sleeper."

"If you feel me knocking against you-I mean…that's not-"

"I get it. Sure."

"Thanks, Beast Boy." Raven said as she slid up to the front of the b3d and slid into the covers, her head against the pillow.

(It's just being in the same bed. There is nothing going on that involves sex.) BB thought as he slid in next to her and got under the covers.

"Goodnight." Raven said as she closed her eyes.

"Goodnight," BB replied. Of course, he didn't fall to sleep that easily. For thirty minutes, he just looked up at the darkened ceiling, the silence only broken by Raven's small, rhythmic breathing.

(I know that she doesn't need my help,) BB thought,( but still, that's not an excuse. I have to protect her. Does she even know that I'm here for her?)

As if by answer, Raven then rolled in over in her sleep and her arms then moved over. Bb felt those slim arms of her wrap around his chest and pulled him closer to her. BB felt the warmth of her body against his. Thinking Raven was awake was doing this on her own account, BB turned over to ask her why. But her eyes were still closed as she stayed in that state of sleep.

(Did this mean anything?) BB asked himself. (Was she faking it?) BB wasn't complaining. He liked being this close to her. She was just so beautiful. One thing remained unchanged however.

Suddenly, BB leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Raven, I don't know fi you can hear this. I know you're decision remains unchanged. That still doesn't kill how much I want to help you. I care about you. I never want to see you get hurt or killed. I will make sure it never happens."

He then put a put a hand over her and placed it on the small of her back. He closed his eyes and, for the first time in a week of sleepless nights, he dozed of to dream land.

"How cute. Raven, it looks like you have a boyfriend. But why have him walk up to your dead body next to him. I will be an honorable being and fight you one on one. But business remains unfinished. Until that time, enjoy your paradise for now. I time, it will burn."

As BB and Raven rest in the safety of each other's arms, the demon is slowly formulating something dark. Will Raven accept help or not? Chapter 8 is coming soon.