Disclaimer- Do not own Teen Titans

A/N- I am quite proud of this chapter! It's got fluff some angst some humor and personally I think it rocks. But you'll just have to review and let me know what you think! I'll do the review responses next chapter promise! Now read and be happy my friends!

Chapter 4- Don't Forget Me

Dusk had settled over the big city now, and the sun's last rays were barely visible on the horizon. The city was bathed in hews of orange and pink as the sun gave its final farewell till the next morning. Raven flew above the city, barely a speck in the beautiful sky as she headed back to her home for the last time.

She landed in front of the tower by the water's edge and gazed up fondly at the alphabetically shaped building. It held so many memories for her, some of the best memories she had ever experienced. Biting her lip, Raven dropped her eyes and walked towards the entrance. She walked through the hall and then into the common room to find the place silent, dark, and empty. But Raven knew better. She considered yelling for everyone to come out, but decided it would ruin their fun so she waited patiently for the sudden assault.

A few moments passed and the room remained silent. Where was everybody? Shouldn't they have jumped out yet and yelled surprise? With her brow furrowed in confusion Raven walked around the room, searching behind the sofa and the kitchen counter, but she found nobody. Not a trace of balloons, streamers, or anything party related was present. Feeling slightly taken aback, Raven plopped down on the sofa and something fell from it and fluttered to the floor by her feet. It was a note from her team.

Raven,

Out getting pizza, be back around 8. We'll bring you a slice.

-TT

Raven frowned and read the note a few more times, making sure she didn't miss anything. 'They forgot you…' Timid whispered sadly. Raven was about to tell the emotion to shut up when she realized the overly sensitive girl was indeed correct. "They did forget." She whispered softly to the empty room. The note was reduced to shreds in her grasp, as a powerful wave of loneliness, and despair washed over her.

Feeling the need to meditate, Raven stood up and walked out of the room towards the roof. As she passed the closed doors of her teammate's rooms Raven became more and more disappointed. Sure, she didn't like parties that much but that didn't mean she wouldn't want one for her own birthday. Not to mention her 18th birthday. Raven floated up the stairs towards the door that led to the roof. 'They don't care about you.' She thought miserably. 'They couldn't care less if you left the Titans.' For the first time since she had signed the papers for her apartment she felt like she had done the right thing. 'In fact they would probably be happy to see me leave!' she thought feeling the anger rise in her.

By the time she had made it to the door, Raven had built up quite a lot of hatred towards her teammates. You can expect it scared thecrap out of her when she opened the door and was bombarded with shouts of "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAVEN!" and one "Happy Glorthog!" Raven screamed and fell over in shock, disappearing down the dark doorway she had just stepped out of a few minutes ago. The Titans smiling faces drooped and turned to looks of 'Well that wasn't suppose to happen.' Curiously they all crowded around the doorway where Raven had disappeared, peering down and looking for any sign of their recently departed friend.

"The element of surprise was a success yes?" Asked Starfire.

"I think it was a little too successful." Said Robin thoughtfully.

"Ya, we were suppose to give the girl a friendly jolt, not a full blown heart attack." Said Cyborg scratching his head.

"You thing she's okay?" Asked Beastboy.

"I'm fine but your future doesn't look too bright." Beastboy screamed and flipped around to see Raven glaring at him, a look of murderous intentions in her eyes. She raised her hand in his direction, a black fire growing from her palm, but before she could do anything drastic, Raven was tackled by unidentified flying object. Or in this case Starfire.

"Friend!" She cried out, "Many congratulations for the day of your birth! We have spent many hours preparing for your arrival since you departed this morning. There is the iced cream, cake, and a table of the junk food! I have also cooked a tamarian dish but it was suggested by dearest Robin that the food should be contained due to its aggressive behavior… However I am sure you will find the party most glorious! Friend Raven why do you not speak? Your face is looking quite blue. Perhaps you are cold?"

"Star let go of her!" Yelled Robin in alarm for Raven was indeed turning a lovely shade of blue underneath Starfire's deadly embrace. The Tamarian looked confused but did as she told and let Raven go. As soon as she did Raven gave a gasp and fell over. Beastboy kneeled down next to her and grasped her shoulders firmly.

"Speak to me Raven!" He cried shaking her.

"Beastboy…" She whispered "come closer…." He leaned in, tears forming at the corner of his eyes.

"Closer…" He came a little nearer.

"Closer…. SO I CAN STRANGLE YOU!" She snarled. Her hands lunged for his throat but before they could wrap around their target she was lifted bridal style from the ground.

"She lives!" Beastboy cried lifting Raven as if to offer her to the sky. A light shone from the heavens and a hallelujah chorus could be heard just beyond the clouds.

"The dark angel has not left us!"

"Beastboy you idiot! Put me down!" The music ceased as if a plug had been pulled and the light went out.

"Sorry…" His arms disappeared from beneath her and Raven fell to the ground for the second time that night. She sat up and rubbed her back, making sure to give all of the Titans a good glare before standing up. However the fact was Raven was far from mad. She was happy to be surrounded by her friends, but also felt a pang of guilt for what Beastboy had said about her leaving them. It was going to be harder than she thought to break the news to them and, especially to Beastboy.

"Well now that the birthday girl is here" said Cyborg giving Raven a wink, "Let's start the party!" Starfire clapped her hands in glee while Robin and Beastboy smiled and shared a slightly look that made Raven feel a little worried. Before she knew it, she had been dragged off towards the other end of the roof despite her protests and vivid death threats. They halted in front of the volleyball court which now had little lights weaved in and out of the net along with balloons tied at each end.

"Who's up for a special birthday game of volleyball!" Yelled Robin. Starfire floated over, a grin spread over her face like jam on toast (A/N- haha I crack myself up with those analogies…).

"Ok we need teams" Said Cyborg walking over.

"I call Starfire!"

"I call Raven!" Said Robin and Beastboy at the same time. Both boys reddened, realizing how eager they had sounded while Starfire giggled and Raven stood there looking plain miffed. She had never touched a sport related object in her life and here was Beastboy practically dying to have her on his team. A certain emotion flickered through her, but it was too undistinguishable amongst the other feelings of confusion and annoyance. Even so she scooted a little closer to Beastboy, showing that she had accepted to the join the game and that she was indeed on Beastboy's team.

"Well that didn't take too long," laughed Cyborg while the other male Titans glowered at him, "and seeing as we have an odd number, I'll referee and keep score while you four lovebirds play." He bounced his eyebrows at them and chuckled as he walked over to get the ball. Three pairs of angry eyes followed him all the way.

(A-L-L W-E N-E-E-D I-S S-O-M-E I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M A-N-D A H-U-G!)

The game was intense. Even without being able to use their powers the four Titans put up quite a brutal show on the court. Bonds were made, lessons were learned, and violent means were used as often as possible. It was sporting carnage at its worse. Raven discovered that she did have a talent for volleyball. A deadly one, and it was reflected on the bruises now forming on Robin's body.

They had made a pretty good team, Beastboy and Raven. He would set her up and she would spike the ball into their opponent's court (or more often into their heads), using her new found gift. Starfire however was not completely harmless herself. Although powers were forbidden she still possessed super strength, and Beastboy knew he would be feeling her shots for weeks afterwards.

The game was close, ending sooner than expected for Robin had been hit in the nose during one of Raven's attacks. He now sported a bloody and most likely broken nose, but didn't find much to complain about seeing as Starfire was paying more attention to him then ever. Meanwhile Beastboy and Raven were contently rejoicing over their default victory.

"Raven you were awesome!" Shouted Beastboy giving her the thumbs up. "You sure you've never played before?"

"Well let's just say I've had plenty of practice hurling things at you over the years." Replied Raven with a small smile. He grinned and slapped her on the back for a job well done, sending her tumbling forward. Standing up she gave him a playful shove in return and before they knew it they were pushing each other over and laughing hysterically while Robin glared at them from behind Starfire who was currently tending to his wounded nose and wounded pride. Suddenly Beastboy paused and looked at her incredulously.

"Are you laughing?" He asked with a worried expression. "Wow you must have gotten nailed on the head pretty hard from that one shot." His face softened again and he chuckled. Raven immediately put her mouth into a straight line and her cheeks gained a pinkish tinge to them.

"Well it's my birthday. Shouldn't I be able to have a little fun?" She said stepping forward and poking him in the chest with a serious look on her face. He shrugged and grinned at her again before taking her hand and leading her over to the table where the others had gathered. His touch sent a small shiver down her spine and as she walked along her mind began to spin and her emotions began to stir.

'He's holding your hand Raven!" Announce Happy excitedly.

'So?' Said Raven deadpanned.

'So you should be happy! I'm happy!'

'You're always happy. You were happy when Trigon almost wiped out the entire Earth.' Raven pointed out.

'But everybody else is happy too! Right knowledge?'

'That is indeed correct, with the exception of Rage of course.' Said Knowledge matter-of-factly. Raven fumed.

'Oh for Azar's sake! It's not like I have a crush on the guy!' There was no response from any of her emotions and the chirping of crickets could be heard echoing throughout her mind.

"Ugh! You are impossible!" Muttered Raven putting her unoccupied hand to her face. She often found it hard to believe that these so called emotions even belonged to her. They were more like nuisances sent to make her life miserably confusing. Why couldn't she just have the little shoulder angels like everyone else…(A/N- you know the little devil and angel guy that always pop up on your shoulders when you need to make a decision.) Instead she had a whole circus of the damn things wandering around her head.

"Why am I impossible?" Raven looked up to see Beastboy giving her a curious glance. 'Did I say that aloud?' She thought feeling alarmed.

'Affirmative.'

'Shut up Knowledge.'

"Uh because…I-I show a little bit of emotion and you go and take advantage of it!" She said pulling her hand from his grasp and trying to salvage the situation. He looked a little hurt and confused by her actions, but shrugged and went over to sit down next to Cyborg on an inflatable sofa they had brought out.

'Genius Raven.' She thought smacking herself mentally.

'Now he hates us…' whispered Timid.

'Oh don't you start too.' Snarled Raven. There was a whimper but the presence of the emotion faded. Feeling herself to be in control once again, Raven walked over to join the rest of the Titans.

(A-L-L W-E N-E-E-D I-S S-O-M-E I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M A-N-D A H-U-G!)

The rest of the evening passed smoothly. Pizza had been ordered and soon after its arrival had been devoured leaving a mound of empty boxes on the table. The night was pleasant, with only a small breeze blowing from the ocean and masking the usual smell of the big city right across from the Tower. Someone had brought out a boombox and music was playing softly in the background while the flames of the colorful paper lanterns danced with the wind.

As Raven leaned back in a lawn chair, nursing her full stomach, she didn't believe she had ever been this happy in her life and she didn't believe that she would ever be this happy again after tomorrow. Closing her eyes and savoring the moment, she wished that the night would never end. She had her friends, her home, and her sanity, which was more than she could ever ask for in one lifetime. Did she really want to throw this all away just to get a cheap thrill of living on her own? The night was too nice to allow her to entertain such thoughts for long. Before she knew it there was a small tapping on her shoulder. Raven's eyes fluttered open and she saw Beastboy there smiling down on her, his face positively glowing.

"Hey, there's cake and ice cream waiting, and we can't sing happy birthday without the birthday girl." He said offering Raven his gloved hand. She gave a small smile and accepted his offer, placing her own pale hand in his and standing up. They were facing each other now and Raven was suddenly conscious of how romantic the setting was. A feeling of anxiety gripped her making her heart beat faster and her face flush. Beastboy seemed to be in the same position for the smile faded and for once he looked apprehensive and unsure of himself. Raven looked down to avoid eye contact, and she slowly slipped her hand from his grasp.

"We should go over. The others are probably waiting." She said in her famous monotone. Beastboy nodded and paused for a moment before walking back towards the table which now held a giant cake covered in multi-coloured birthday candles. Raven let out her breath which she suddenly realized she had been holding and followed Beastboy over to the table. Although she had spoken in a level tone, her emotions were once again in chaos.

'Well if you were waiting for the perfect chance to kiss him that would have been it.' Said Knowledge.

'Oh give it a rest! I don't even like the guy!'

'Ha! Tell that to lust. She's been going nuts ever since you guys played volleyball together.'

'Well your sort of the big honcho emotion so go and shut her up!'

'Easier said than done…' muttered the emotion before storming off, a roll of duct tape in her hand and a tranquilizer in the other. Raven went over and sat down at the head of the table in front of the blinding cake while her friends huddled around her.

"Okay guys just like we practiced." Said Cyborg pulling out a harmonica and blowing a single note. All the Titans took a deep breath and then started to sing happy birthday. The song wasn't too bad Raven thought. Although Robin would have sounded a lot better without a broken nose for his 'happy birthday's came out more like 'appy burday's. Still the whole thing warmed Raven's heart. Beastboy of course added his own little touch to the song, putting a 'and many more!' on the end. Everyone applauded afterwards and Raven was prompted to blow out the candles.

"Make a wish!" Starfire reminded her. So Raven paused and thought deeply as the light from the candles flickered upon her face. 'I wish that from now on my life will only get better and that my friends will find happiness in their futures as well. Wait does that count as two wishes? Maybe I should…Oh what the hell, it's a birthday cake for Christ's sake.' And swiftly blew out the candles. More applause and cheers followed and Raven was handed a knife to cut the cake.

"So what did you wish for?" Asked Beastboy a glint of curiosity evident in eyes.

"That's for me to know and you to never find out." She said thrusting a piece of cake in his direction. He shrugged grabbed the cake and sat down next to her. Pretty soon everyone was busy shoveling cake into their mouths.

"So who made the cake?" Asked Raven trying to get the conversation going. Starfire raised her hand and waved gleefully at her from behind a mustache of frosting. Raven gulped and stared down at the cake a look of horror on her face.

"Don't worry. She did it from an Earth recipe and she was supervised." Said Beastboy noticing the tinge of green on Raven's skin.

"Strictly supervised," Said Cyborg crumbs spilling from his mouth, "No mustard was allowed anywhere near the proximity of the cake." Raven nodded feeling slightly better and looked over to Star who was currently squeezing the life out her second mustard container.

"Thanks Star."

"You are most welcome Raven. Although how you do not appreciate the flavor of mustard I will never know." She smiled and went back to eating the yellow blob that was her cake. Raven looked over to Robin to see him examining his hair in the reflection of a spoon.

"Those are gonna be some weird kids." Said Raven to Cyborg and Beastboy. They both chuckled and Beastboy turned to face Robin.

"So Robin my boy," He said pointing his fork at him, "When you're done looking at your perm why don't you tell us when you're going to pop the question." The spoon fell from his hand and Robin looked like he had been shot.

"Wellin case ou aven't notisst…" Said Robin looking petrified and nudging his head towards Star (A/N- His nose is broke remember?). Beastboy snorted.

"Star do you know what 'pop the question' means?" Starfire looked up and frowned.

"Does it involve perhaps a balloon and-"

"Ya that's it. See Robin you're safe." Said Beastboy grinning at the sweating boy wonder. Cyborg looked at him smugly.

"Soon, an tats all om sayin." He said glaring at the two boys.

"How about you Cyborg?" Said Beastboy rounding on the metal man now. He scratched his head and stared into space.

"Sometime this year probably, maybe on her birthday or a holiday or something. You have to have the mood right ya know." Said Cyborg thoughtfully. "And how about you Beastboy? Got any giiiirlfriends you'd like to share with us?" Raven visibly tensed as Beastboy began to gawk and stutter.

"Well um…I-I don't r-really have a girlfriend." He seemed to shrink further under the table as each word left his mouth.

"Tefine 'weally'." Said Robin raising an eyebrow. A small satisfied smirk was now pasted on his face, glad to see that Beastboy wasn't escaping this conversation completely unharmed.

"Um…well…there's sorta this g-girl…"

"Uh-huh now spit it out."

"And I sorta might have a little crush on her…" Raven swallowed her cake wrong as she heard these words and began to choke and cough, causing all heads to turn her way.

"Sorry, (cough cough hack weeze) took too big (cough) of a bite (hack cough)." Cyborg grinned at her and opened his mouth to say something but she sent him a glare strong enough to melt the remaining cake on his plate. After seeing his dessert turn to soup before his eyes, Cyborg shut his mouth and turned away from her like nothing was wrong.

"So Beastboy might this girl have a name?"

"Uh well I met her in the city…. Probably wouldn't know her." He said quickly.

"Wat's see like?" Asked Robin. A dazed look came over Beastboy's eyes much to Raven's annoyance as he began to describe the girl.

"First off she's gorgeous and drop dead hot, but she's a lot more than that too. She's really smart and has her own style and it's pretty cool. A lot of people don't seem to like her though," he said his face turning into a frown, "but it's just because they don't know her that well. She seems sorta mean at first and that's why, but she's got a good heart. She's a little shy too and doesn't like to talk much but when she says something it usual sounds really smart but she can be funny too." He finished with a smile plastered on his green face while Raven sat glowering beside him, unusually upset at the fact that Beastboy had indeed managed to find a girl.

"So are you guys dating?" Asked Cyborg nudging Beastboy with his elbow. "Oh and Raven you might want to stop stabbing your cake so hard, it's starting to dent the table."

Beastboy's ears drooped at Cyborg's question and he poked at his cake half heartedly.

"No…she doesn't know that I like her, and she doesn't like me anyway so I don't think it'll work out."

"Dude I can tell your head over heels for the girl you've gotta do something. Besides how do you know that she doesn't like you?"

"Maybe because she's told me thousands of times…" he sighed dejectedly. Suddenly Starfire jumped in.

"I am unsure what balloons has to do with the matter of Earthly love but I am sure friend Beastboy once you tell this girl how much you care she will return your affection." She said giving him an encouraging smile. "Robin and I were both afraid that the other would not feel the same until I gained enough courage to ask him of the matter, and here we are now, happily in love!" She leaned over and pecked Robin on the cheek who smiled and blushed. "While we are on the subject, perhaps Raven you would like to share your feelings towards anyone?" Raven scoffed to show she had as much interest in dating as Beastboy had in quantum mechanics.

"Oh come on Raven, there's gotta be someone out there that you like just a little bit." Said Beastboy poking her shoulder as if it would somehow move her to confess. Raven merely jammed her fork into the cake extra hard to get her point across. And Beastboy smiled nervously before dropping the subject. Raven glanced over to him briefly to see a saddened expression set on his face for a reason she couldn't quite place (A/N- More rhyming!).

Suddenly, as she sat there on the roof at the silent table poking her defiled cake, she felt a great urge to talk about what she had done. A part of her had somehow decided that this was the perfect time to break the news to her teammates, however unpleasant the results could be. Raven took a deep breath to steady herself, audible only to her ears, before standing up in one swift movement. All eyes immediately turned towards her, looking slightly alarmed at her actions.

"Actually I do have something to tell you all…" She started and her eyes met Beastboy's gaze. As soon as they made eye contact, he knew. And Raven saw that he knew and it tore at her heart more than ever.

"I bought a place downtown and I'm moving in tomorrow." She finished feeling strangely out of breath. Her gaze fell to the ground now, unable to meet their eyes and especially Beastboy's. There was the scraping of another chair and Raven glanced up to see she wasn't the only one standing anymore. It was Robin.

"Your quitting." He said plainly. Raven swallowed hard and looked down again.

"Retiring…" she corrected softly. There was a loud bang as Robin brought his fist down on the table. (A/N- Due to the seriousness of the upcoming scene Robin will now speak without his broken nose accent. Thank you for understanding.)

"Bullshit!" He shouted making everyone jump. "Raven your quitting the Titans. You're leaving us!" He was breathing hard now and Raven could hear Star give a small whimper in the background. It was Cyborg who spoke next however, asking the question that was running through everybody's mind, even Raven's.

"Why?" He asked softly. 'Why?' Thought Raven. 'Hell I don't even know why.'

"Because it's time." She said spitting out the first reason that came to her mind. "It's time we grew up. It's time we joined society. And it's time the Teen Titans became real people." Raven had found her footing. "We're more than just superheroes. Believe it or not there's more to us than just our powers and costumes. We're not kids anymore, we're adults and I don't want to go through my life known only as Raven one of the Titans just as much as Beastboy doesn't want to go through his life forever know as 'Beastboy.' Hell I don't even know his real name!" She shouted the last part as passion began to build in her blood. "Face it Robin one day you're going to marry Starfire and crime fighting won't be at the top of your list anymore."

"That doesn't give you any reason to leave." Said Robin. His face was now a beet red either from either anger or humiliation or most likely both.

"Well heads up boy wonder. I want a life too! And I am pretty damn sure its not going to come waltzing up to Titans tower, knock on the door and say 'Here I am Raven!'. No I have to go out there", she said pointing to the city, "and make my own dreams happen!" Raven paused here and calmed herself before continuing.

"The Teen Titans was formed to protect the city, but it was also formed for another reason. Before, every one of us was alone and every one of us had no place to go, no place to call home. When we formed the Teen Titans we weren't just making a crime fighting force, no we were giving ourselves a chance to live as a family. A chance to regain what we had lost or in my case never had. And just like a family, the kids grow up and move out to get their own lives and start their own families. And right now I'm ready to take that step." She finished her speech with a tone of finality showing everyone that nothing would change her mind. Looking at her teammates, Raven now saw that unlike before, none of her teammate would look her in the eye. She had hit home, and they knew she was right. Suddenly Beastboy stood up and met her gaze.

"And just like a member of any family, you will keep in touch." He said in a voice that sounded so unlike him, so demanding. Beastboy had never seriously demanded anything of Raven as long as she had known him. He would always back down the second she shot him a dirty look or muttered a half hearted death threat, but never before had he stared at her with such intensity as he did that night. Raven nodded to him.

"No matter where I go, my home and my heart will always be with all of you." She said slightly surprised by the mushiness in her message. Then without thinking she stepped forward and embraced Beastboy warmly, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in the crook of his neck. A moment later he responded and wrapped his own arms around her. They stood like that for a moment, oblivious to their other teammates.

"I hope your crush works out Beastboy." She whispered in his ear. "If she even knew half of what I know about you, she would fall head over heels." And swiftly Raven pecked him on the cheek before pulling away.

"Don't forget me." She said softly. As she left the roof Raven took one more good look at her teammates. Robin was staring down hard at his plate as if daring it to move. Starfire sat beside him, tears falling from her large green eyes and running down her cheeks. Cyborg was staring into space as if in shock and still absorbing what Raven had said. And Beastboy was standing there looking at her with eyes filled with sadness and longing. She sighed and bit her lip to take her mind off the pressure building behind her eyes then entered the tower, closing the door behind her and leaving the party, and her life as a Titan, behind.

THE CHAPTER ENDS HERE

A/N- REVIEW PLEASE! I had so much fun writing this chapter so let me know what you think. I'm too tired to type much of an authors note. So on a closing note: Review!