Mike: Going to keep this one short, folks. I own nothing. Enjoy!
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As the T Car pulled up outside Insanity's temporary hideout, Robin let out a sigh. The driver side door opened, and Cyborg stepped out. His eye widened when he saw Starfire's battered body being cradled in Robin's arms.
"Is…she going to be ok, man?" Cyborg asked slowly, unable to tear his gaze away from her.
"She should be," Robin responded, "But we need to get her back to the Tower now." He motioned to Insanity. "Give me a hand with that, will you?"
Cyborg nodded, and slung the unconscious demon over his shoulder. "You sure did a number on him. But I can't say I blame you."
Robin nodded grimly, as they placed Starfire and Insanity in the back seat. They climbed into the front, and Cyborg started the engine.
(Alleyway)
Centara's open palm collided with Beast Boy's chest, knocking him into the wall with an explosion of flame. He scrambled to his feet, snarling, and launched a flurry of sloppy punches at Centara. She dodged each punch with little effort, and hit him in the jaw with a roundhouse kick, knocking him off balance. Before he could recover, she hit him in the side of the head with a right hook. He slid to the ground. Before he could stand up, fiery chains appeared, and bound him to the ground. He ball of fire began to form in Centara's palm. She looked away from Beast Boy, and whispered, "You'll be better soon."
Suddenly, Beast Boy's chains disappeared. Centara went limp, a look of shock on her face. Siren was standing behind her, and had sunk her fangs into Centara's neck. The fire demon collapsed, and Siren licked the blood off her lips. Beast Boy rose to his feet, and gazed at Centara.
Siren smiled at Beast Boy. "It's time, love. Finish her."
Beast Boy kneeled over Centara, and stared at her neck. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. He pressed his hand against forehead, and took a deep breath. He took a long, hard look at Centara's unconscious form. Blood was flowing from her neck, staining her hair red. He moved closer to Centara. Suddenly, he whirled around, and kicked Siren in the stomach. She let out a gasp, and blood escaped her mouth. She slid across the ground, and rose to her feet, shaking with anger.
"A very foolish choice, love." Siren spat, snarling.
Beast Boy shook his head. "Nope. That was the smartest thing I've done in a long time."
Siren scoffed, and jumped high into the air, disappearing into the night. Beast Boy considered going after her, but decided against it. He picked up Centara, and started off in the direction of the Tower.
(Titans Tower)
HeavenDemon was floating on his back, in the meeting room, when the door flew open, and Robin and Cyborg rushed inside. Cyborg was carrying both Starfire and Insanity, and took only a moment to nod to HeavenDemon before rushing them to the infirmary. Robin and HeavenDemon locked eyes, and there was an awkward silence. Finally, HeavenDemon spoke. "Robin…I'm so sorry."
Robin nodded, and merely said, "I know." He follow Cyborg into the infirmary, and HeavenDemon let out a deep sigh, deciding it would be best to stay out of the way. However, Raven stepped through the door moments later. She looked at HeavenDemon.
"Cyborg called me and said to come back to the Tower," she said slowly. "Did…something happen?"
HeavenDemon looked at the ground. "Insanity…got to Starfire. She's alive…but pretty messed up. Robin took Insanity down."
Raven lowered her hood. "How…how bad is it?" She said softly.
HeavenDemon's voice was just above a whisper. "It's bad. You should probably let the others know you're here."
Raven nodded, cast one last sympathetic look at HeavenDemon, then made her way to the infirmary. HeavenDemon closed his eyes for a moment. He took a deep breath, then opened them. The first thing he saw was Beast Boy holding Centara. "Whoa!"
Beast Boy shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm cool now. It's…a long story. Right now, I need to get Centara to the infirmary."
HeavenDemon examined Beast Boy, then nodded. "I better come with you. The others might not be convinced as easily."
Beast Boy nodded, and the two made there way down the hall. "So wait, is everyone in the infirmary?"
HeavenDemon nodded grimly. "Yeah. The team isn't exactly in the best shape right now. When you were gone, Insanity got loose in my body…and he got Starfire. She's in bad shape."
As Beast Boy and HeavenDemon enter the infirmary, there was another awkward silence. Robin looked at Beast Boy. "What's he doing here? And what happened to Centara?"
"Siren bit her." Beast Boy said, placing Centara on a bed, "And…"
"BB is better now," HeavenDemon interjected, not making eye contact with anyone. "I can't feel Siren's hold on him."
Robin took a step towards HeavenDemon. "Well excuse me if I want a little more proof then the word of a psychopath."
Cyborg stepped in front of Robin. "Come on, man. "It's been a rough day, don't make it rougher."
Raven nodded. "You know that's not fair, Robin. Keydin didn't have any control over what happened, and neither did Beast Boy."
Robin glared at HeavenDemon, then sharply turned away. "Raven, get him back in his body."
Raven held back an angry retort. "I'm working it." She mumbled. "Starfire is stabilized, but Centara needs some blood first."
"I'll give her some." Beast Boy said quickly.
Raven shook her head. "A kind offer, but not a good idea. I don't know what effect your animal DNA would have."
Beast Boy nodded, "Right, and then there's the whole vampire thing."
Everyone in the room looked at Beast Boy with shock. No one spoke. Beast Boy looked down. "I guess I forgot to mention that…"
"Great!" Robin shouted, "Now we have a vampire on the team!"
There was yet another awkward silence, when was eventually broken by Raven. "I need to work on this spell…why doesn't everybody else just relax for a bit?"
Without a word, all the conscious Titans, minus Raven, left the infirmary.
(Titans Tower roof)
HeavenDemon gazed onto Jump city, and let out a weary sigh. Beast Boy climbed through the trap door, and took a seat next to HeavenDemon, and sighed as well. For a while, neither of them said anything. Finally, the demon spoke.
"You know, if I have a solid body right now, I just might jump off this roof."
"I know the feeling," Beast Boy replied. "No offence…but you kind of have experience with guilt. How do you deal with it?"
"There is no real way to deal with," HeavenDemon answered, "But to rely on your friends. You need them more then you know. And they need you too. I know things are rough right now, and I won't mince words…Robin, in particular, is pissed of as hell. But this going to blow over, man. Nothing that happened was your fault."
Beast Boy looked at HeavenDemon with disbelief. "Dude…yeah it is. I let psycho vamp chick out. I went with her. I attacked Centara. All that…really sounds like my fault, you know?"
HeavenDemon stared at the sky. "That woman gets in your head, my friend. She attacks your insecurities, plays with your emotions…it's impressive that you were able to break away from her as fast as you did. Took me a hell of a lot longer."
Beast Boy looked surprised. "She…did that to you, too?"
HeavenDemon sighed. "Yeah. And she got a me lot worse. You actually resisted her quite well. The others will understand. Centara will wake up, Star well heal, I'll get back in my body, and we can finally get this all smoothed out."
"Yeah…" Beast Boy let his legs hang over the edge. "You're right, dude. I can't let this get me down. But you know…I'm a vampire now. I can't even go out in the sun. Do I have to drink blood? That's so gross…wait a minute…I don't think its gross! Why don't I think it's gross! I'm a vegetarian! I can't drink blood!"
HeavenDemon gave Beast Boy a sympathetic look. "Sorry man…but there's no way around it, unless you want to be a pile of dust. It doesn't have to be human, you know. We can hook you up with some pig's blood from a butcher. It will take some getting used to, though…"
Beast Boy laid back, and let out a deep breath. "You can say that again." He looked up at HeavenDemon. "Man…you've been real cool about this whole thing. I mean, it was your best friend I attacked…"
"Yeah…" HeavenDemon looked to the sky again. "But in the end, you turned on Siren. You saved her. I don't have a grudge you. Siren, on the other hand…let's just say I can't wait to have my body back."
"I want a piece of her too," Beast Boy said, closing his eyes. "She made me attack Centara…she's going to pay for that."
HeavenDemon turned towards Beast Boy. "We'll get her, man. So…what do you say? Friends? I mean like, without the awkward vibe hanging in the air whenever we talk?"
Beast Boy smiled. "Friends."
"Glad to see you two are all buddy-buddy now."
Beast Boy and HeavenDemon whirled around, to see a smiling Centara.
'You're awake!" HeavenDemon moved towards he slightly, then stop. He smiled weakly. "I'd hug you, but…you know. Spirit guide."
Centara chuckled slightly. "Don't worry, I'm feeling the love." She turned towards Beast Boy, who was looking at the ground.
"Um…I'm really sorry about, you know, this whole, um, thing, and uh…"
He was cut off as Centara moved forward, and hugged him. "You saved me. That's all that matters. I'm just glad you're back with us." She kissed him lightly on the lips, and he nearly fainted. She smiled, released Beast Boy, and took a few steps back. "The others filled me in. It looks like the worst is over. Speaking of which…" She smiled at HeavenDemon. "Why don't you go let Rae put you back in your body?"
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Mike: And there it is! Like? Not like? I wont know unless you review! Peace, my friends!