It Happens.

Expect the Unexpected

(Following Day at an Ice Cream Parlous at Noon in Mech City)

Robin took his ice cream from a mechanical waitress.

"Thanks," Robin said and the mechanical waitress smiled and wheeled itself away one the one wheel it had in place of feet.

Mech City was barely a little over a year old city. But it was a small City made up of fully mechanical workers and human owners. Even the street sweepers were mechanical. The city was mostly commercial and had a lot of businesses and only expensive apartments as personal homes. Most of the business owners resided either in next-door Steel City or far away. Few actually RESIDED in Mech City. Some business owners had resting quarters in the city so that they'd have somewhere to sleep if they had to stay overnight but that was only some. Mainly people of some form of celebrity status rented the apartments in Mech city. But people like Cyborg rented these apartments for life since he not only decided to reside for the rest of his life in (aside from visiting other places of course) Mech City but was the only partially mechanical employee there. He was a top engineer and actually was able to communicate with some of the robots in mechanical city. He was paid a lot of money but he got his apartment for a very low price as a result of his celebrity of being one of the best and youngest engineers in Mech City and in America if not in the world. Mech City would do anything to keep him there. Of course his celebrity of being a former Titan was widely known and often celebrated in Mech City but his celebrity for his engineering skills far surpassed his former Titan status in Mech City.

Robin sighed and ate his ice cream. He had planned to drop by Cyborg and see how his old friend was doing. He was still depressed about what Blackfire revealed to him last night, but he decided to get out of the mansion and get some fresh air. Mech City was the best place to do this since Cyborg had created special filters under the streets, which absorbed all the smoke and smog and made it into raw energy. This invention however was made exclusively for Mech City and Cyborg refused ALL offers to share the invention with anyone else.

The ironic thing about Mech City was where it was built. It was built in an abandoned area of Steel City where it had been declared that anything built there wouldn't stand a slight tremor (not even if it were a wooden shack). An earthquake years before had done a lot of damage and then the land was declared unsafe and another earthquake would level the place. So when it was initially announced that someone planned to build a mechanical city, which would involve a lot of heavy metals and so forth, it was immediately laughed off and scorned. But now laughers had to swallow and hope to get into Mech City. The city limited the amount of people who could enter daily once you were not renting an apartment, had a business, or had a special entry card. Robin was one of those with a special entry card. Cyborg had gotten him and Beast Boy one. Starfire had opted out because she had personally found a place mainly filled with mechanical workers kind of creepy.

"Congratulations Cyborg!" Robin suddenly heard someone cry from outside and he turned to see a large crowd outside.

Robin's curiosity got the better of him and he went outside to see what was going on. He saw the huge crowd and had to gently push through to get to the middle of it. In the middle he saw a blushing Cyborg and a nervous Starfire.

"Miss Starfire," a voice said loudly and Robin turned to see a male reporter with pen and pad rush up to Starfire who immediately took refuge behind Cyborg, "how does it feel to be Cyborg's girlfriend?" he asked excitedly.

Girlfriend? What is he talking about? (Robin's thoughts)

"Yow Sleeze," Cyborg said warningly, "don't you have something better to do than bother me and my friend here?" he demanded.

"Not really," the reporter admitted, "but call me by my first name, John," he said.

"Fine," Cyborg said and rolled his human eye skyward, "she's not my girlfriend, John."

"But my sources said you kissed her outside your apartment," John Sleeze insisted and only Robin looked surprised.

"Well your 'sources' obviously told everyone else," Cyborg almost shouted and gave the crowd a glare, "this is Starfire's first time in Mech City and you're making her nervous," he told them.

"But people saw you kiss her," members of the crowd insisted.

"And what if I did?" Cyborg asked a playful grin spreading across his face, "oww!" he cried when Starfire slapped him hard from the back of his head.

"Me kissing you is nobody's business!" Starfire exploded.

"Well," John said, "so the lady started to the kiss."

"Listen to me Mr. Sleeze, John, Joan or whatever you are," Starfire said firmly and she looked very annoyed, "me kissing Cyborg is not for the papers and I'm not even sure where we are relationship wise," she said angrily, "put that in your pipe and smoke it," she spat.

"OOOOOOh," a large majority of the crowd said as John's face began to get angrily.

"I'll do just that," John said through gritted teeth then he noticed Robin from the corner of his eye, "well look who's here," he said loudly, "Robin, the former leader of the Teen Titans!" he shouted and everyone took notice of the former boy wonder who now looked twice as surprised and was cornered.

Cyborg and Starfire looked horrified and then they turned their fearful eyes upon Robin.

But Robin was pre-occupied with the curious crowd. He had been dressed in a dark blue jog suit with a hoodie and white sneakers and sunglasses. Usually in this getup no one recognized him. But obsessed reporters like John Sleeze were a creepily rare exception.

"Hey Robin!" some said.

"Do you still like Starfire?" a few questioned.

"Welcome to Mech City," some older (over forty) ones declared.

"Did you come to see Cyborg?" more asked.

And so the questions streamed until Robin felt a hand grab him and pull him away from the crowd. Soon he was pulled into a business building and a door was locked.

Robin rubbed his aching wrist and looked almost solemnly at the person who dragged him off, Cyborg.

"Sorry Robin but sometimes that John Sleeze can…" Cyborg started to apologize.

"This is not about John Sleeze," Robin said frankly.

Cyborg saw the seriousness in Robin's face and looked away as he started to scratch his head.

"Um, it wasn't exactly planned Robin," Cyborg tried to explain, "it just happened and…"

"Congratulations," Robin said suddenly.

"What?" Cyborg asked in surprise.

"I said congratulations, Cyborg," Robin told him, "I wish you and Starfire all the best," he added.

"Come on Robin," Cyborg said, "I know this pains you," he pointed out.

"I've realized whether or not something pains me doesn't matter," Robin said softly, "it happens anyway," he added sadly and looked down.

"I'd never steal Starfire from you," Cyborg said and rested a hand on Robin's shoulder, "it wasn't my idea," he continued, "and it wasn't Starfire's," he made sure to say, "it just happened Robin."

"I know," Robin said with a nod, "you'd never purposely go after Starfire," he said, "even though I had rejected her and she was open game," he admitted solemnly.

"I'm sorry Robin," Cyborg said and squeezed Robin's shoulder comfortingly, "I thought that your 'solitary-like' life and that on and off thing with Beast Boy was kind of working out for you," he said honestly, "even if he's pushing heart break by hooking up with Blackfire," he said with great distaste, "it won't last," he declared.

"Yes it will," Robin countered, "Beast Boy had Blackfire come for his 'essential' stuff," he revealed to Cyborg, "he didn't even want much," he whispered, "he's not coming back."

"What?" Cyborg asked in confusion, "Beast Boy's gone?" he asked Robin.

"Yeah," Robin said, "he might even end up marrying to Blackfire and living on Tameran," he told Cyborg.

"Wow," Cyborg said after an almost five minute gap of silence, "Blackfire and Beast Boy," he said slowly, "man, who would've thought."

"Not me," Robin confessed, "where's Starfire?"

"Oh she flew off," Cyborg told Robin, "we're gonna meet up later," he added then immediately regretted it.

"It's okay Cyborg," Robin said, "I just came here to see how you were," he continued, "I'm glad to see that you're doing well."

"I know you're hurt Robin," Cyborg stated, "I can see it in your eyes."

"I think my eyes have seen too much," Robin said frankly (his sunglasses had fallen off when Cyborg dragged him off), "too much of the same thing," he added.

"Are you going to be okay?" Cyborg asked as he still worried about Robin.

"I'm always okay Cyborg," Robin declared, "always okay," he said softly and turned to leave.

"Don't do anything stupid Robin," Cyborg said.

"I don't want to Cyborg," Robin said honestly, "I just need to get out of here," he confessed and Cyborg opened the door, "Goodbye Cyborg," he said.

"Goodbye Robin," Cyborg said carefully, "take care of yourself," he added after Robin exited, "please take care of yourself Robin," he added under his breath and he looked very guilty and worried.

Why did he have to rediscover his love for her now? She had been waiting for him for years. Years! Now he's got feelings for her strong enough to hurt him like this? I'm sorry but that just doesn't fly right with me. I feel sorry for him. But I'm not leaving Starfire unless she wants me to. I'm not sure if we'll fall deeply in love. But romantic feelings are there and I have to be with her to see if they will grow. I'm going to invite her to live with me in Mech City tonight. I hope I'm not rushing things. I really care about her. I really do. (Cyborg's thoughts)

(Two Hours Later at 2pm at a Mansion deep within the corrupt area of Jump City)

Raven sat in her chair drinking herbal tea while Blackfire and Jinx chatted excitedly about make-up, fashion, and nightclubs. Raven remained silent for most of the hour that Blackfire arrived uninvited and took over the conversation that she (Raven) and Jinx were having before her arrival. But it was Blackfire's guest that was mainly making her keep her tongue and avoid conversation. That little guest was Beast Boy.

I can't believe that she brought him here! She KNOWS how I feel about him especially after he helped ensure Terra would jump to her death. I don't care what others say; it was his fault. He could've just said no. He didn't have to be so hurtful. Then he seals her fate by delaying me from going to check on her. I know that if I done it when I had planned that I would've saved her life. I know I sound petty, but I hate that he stole one of my few friends from me. And from the conversations floating around in here he might just steal another by marrying her and letting her take him off to Tameran, possibly forever. (Raven's thoughts)

"Um, Raven?" Beast Boy said nervously and Raven peeked at him from over her herbal tea, "can we talk?"

"Where?" Raven asked formally and Blackfire and Jinx looked at them in confusion.

"Somewhere private," Beast Boy whispered as if it would make a difference since they were all sitting together at one table.

"Fine," Raven said emotionlessly and used her powers to take him to her study on the fourth floor.

"Wow it's dark," Beast Boy declared.

Suddenly the room lit automatically and it was seen that lanterns lined the walls of a study built with grey bricks and had several tables and bookcases filled with books. Raven seemed fine, Beast Boy felt crept out.

"You wanted to speak to me," Raven spoke breaking the silence.

"Uh, yeah," Beast Boy said, "Um, I was hoping that you could forgive me for what happened to Terra," he revealed.

"No," Raven said simply but firmly.

"But it wasn't on purpose Raven," Beast Boy insisted, "Everybody knows that I'd never…"

"Everybody else knows NOTHING!" Raven raged, "you said words to hurt me and in the end they led to Terra's death!" she shouted.

"I never wanted Terra to die!" Beast Boy shouted, "you should've just left me alone so that I would never have spoken to you that night after you spied on Robin and I," he told her, "then Terra would've been alive."

"And if you and Robin weren't fucking each other then I would've had nothing to hear much less look at when it pertains to you two," Raven countered.

"You'll always have an excuse," Beast Boy said.

"I have facts," Raven stated, "you're the one full of bull shit and excuses," she told him.

"I never said BS," Beast Boy pointed out.

"But you speak it fluently," Raven responded.

"You won't admit that you had a potential hand in Terra's death will you?" Beast Boy asked Raven.

"I never said that," Raven said, "I'm just saying that in the end you killed her."

"What?" Beast Boy asked incredulously, "you admit that you MIGHT have had a hand in her death but I killed her?"

"Yes," Raven said frankly, "if I had punched you in the face and went after her instead of letting you hold me back I would've saved her," she said.

"Oh, so I kept you back," Beast Boy said, "is anything ever your fault?" he asked her.

"Me joining the Teen Titans was my fault," Raven said suddenly, "there's no one else to blame for that mistake," she added.

"Joining the Teen Titans was a mistake?" Beast Boy asked.

"Are you going to argue?" Raven asked him, "I thought you would agree with me," she said.

"But you said that joining the Teen Titans was a mistake," Beast Boy insisted, "I would understand if I or anybody else said it," he continue, "but you saying it…" he said but stopped, "it's just not right," he told her.

"Excuse me," Raven said, "it's okay for everyone else to say it but me?" she asked Beast Boy.

"Yeah," Beast Boy said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "you saying it makes it seem that the Titans was some evil omen that ruined your life."

"Well it didn't exactly make my life better in the end now did it?" Raven asked frankly.

"Hey!" Beast Boy cried in offence, "you ruined your own life," he told her, "the Titans saved you," he declared, "at least until you turned on us," he added angrily.

"Saved me!" Raven cried incredulously and rose angrily to her feet, "the Teen Titans saved me?" she asked Beast Boy, "then by God I must be grateful then!" she cried sarcastically, "because if I weren't saved then my life would be rather empty and awful right now!" she shouted, "oh wait," she said in false happiness, "it is," she added darkly and frankly.

"You'll always blame us for how your life turned out," Beast Boy said.

"Or maybe I should blame you," Raven declared suddenly and Beast Boy's eyes widened to the size of flying saucers, "you did reveal everything in Steel City, well your twisted version of course."

"No way!" Beast Boy cried angrily and jumped to his feet, "none of what happened is my fault!" he cried, "blame your sick Dad," he told her.

"My Dad wasn't sick or anything," Raven defended, "if Robin hadn't…" she started to say but stopped and turned away from Beast Boy.

"If Robin hadn't what?" Beast Boy asked with concern and stepped closer to her, "if Robin hadn't what!" he now demanded loudly.

"If he hadn't said something about me that pissed my father off!" Raven cried and Beast Boy realized that her voice was breaking, "Robin got raped because of me okay!" she shouted, "there I've admitted it," she declared, "you, Robin and the rest of the former Titan can go laugh and dance about it," she told him.

"How long have you known this?" Beast Boy asked seriously.

"All I'm saying is that I found out after the last time we met," Raven said in a cracked voice, "I wish I could tell Robin that I'm sorry," she added.

"But you still can," Beast Boy said happily, "maybe we can even be friends again."

At this Raven burst out laughing.

"Friends?" Raven asked him between laughter, "friends?" she repeated but in an incredulous tone, "we can NEVER be friends Beast Boy," she told him, "friendships are based on love, trust, forgiveness, and other things that have definitely been marred forever when it comes to us," she said, "maybe I can forgive you all someday," she admitted, "but we can never be friends again," she told him honestly, "our friendship is dead."

"It is only if you let it," Beast Boy said softly.

"Well I guess I let it then Beast Boy," Raven said loudly, "God, did you expect after everything that's happened that we'd all be the same people and more incredulously yet bosom buddies?" she asked him.

"No," Beast Boy admitted, "but back when I first found out I didn't care about that," he continued, "but now I do," he added.

"Well you've cared too late Beast Boy," Raven immediately told him, "it's too late," she added.

"Why can't we be friends?" Beast Boy asked, "if everyone apologized about what they did and wanted to mend things," he said, "why would friendship be impossible?" he asked her.

"I'm hated worldwide Beast Boy," Raven pointed out, "they're even foreign planets that I can't go to because I've been BANNED," she told him, "do you think a pile of apologies and a 'I'm sorry' hug from my former Titan team mates is going to change that?" she asked him, "say what you want but NONE of you guys can repair the damage that's been done to me," she declared, "just like my 'sorry' can't undo the damage done to Robin by my father," she added.

"So you wouldn't become friends with us again if we all were sorry?" Beast Boy asked Raven, "is that what you're telling me?"

"Why can't people feel bad about things they do before the big bomb explodes?" Raven countered, "too many people feel bad after they've utterly ruined people's lives," she said frankly, "why can't they feel bad when things start to go bad and not after it's all gone to hell?"

"I don't know," Beast Boy said frankly, "I didn't think that all of your life had gone to hell," he confessed.

"Well since I still have a few friends and acquaintances I guess it's not one-hundred percent gone to hell," Raven said, "but it's at least a good ninety percent," she added.

Oh great. Now I'm griping about my life to Beast Boy. I'm going to take my consideration to just pack up and leave this planet forever VERY seriously now. (Raven's thoughts)

"You know what," Raven said suddenly, "I think I'm going to take us back to Blackfire and Jinx," she told him.

"Huh? Why?" Beast Boy asked.

"I just want to be around my friends," Raven told him and moments later they were back in the same room with Blackfire and Jinx.

"You okay?" Jinx asked Raven and it was obvious that she wasn't comfortable about Raven being alone with Beast Boy.

"Yes," Raven said formally, "so Blackfire," she said, "how's everything?"

"What did you mean by if Raven's okay?" Beast Boy demanded angrily, "I wouldn't harm her!" he cried.

"History's proven different," Jinx snapped.

"Please Jinx," Blackfire begged; "I don't want us to fight," she pleaded.

"Then you shouldn't have brought him here!" Jinx exploded at Blackfire, "you know what he did to Raven!" she shouted, "if it weren't for him, maybe the entire universe wouldn't know about Raven being Slade's daughter and of course those twisted lies he added to boot!"

"I didn't lie!" Beast Boy retorted, "what I said that day was the truth!"

"The truth!" Jinx cried angrily, "you made Raven out to be a monster!" she shouted.

"She IS a monster!" Beast Boy cried then he stopped and looked like he said something he hadn't meant to say.

"So," Raven said emotionlessly, "everything you said to me earlier was a lie?" she asked, "everything about you wanting to be my friend again."

"He said what!" Jinx cried, "you KNOW that he's lying!" she persisted.

"I'm not lying!" Beast Boy insisted.

"But you just called her a monster!" Jinx pointed out, "who's friends with a monster?" he demanded.

"I didn't mean it," Beast Boy said, "not like that," he added.

"Then how did you mean it?" Raven asked, "me being a monster."

"I…." Beast Boy started but stopped, "I don't know," he said.

"That's just it Beast Boy," Raven responded, "you don't seem to know the consequences of your actions," she told him, "you don't know anything," she said frankly.

"I guess I don't," Beast Boy said honestly, "I do wish that we could be friends again," he added sadly.

"Well that wish won't be granted," Jinx said.

"Jinx," Raven said and Jinx became silent, "Beast Boy, I'm sorry but I just don't see that happening," she told him.

"Maybe Beast Boy and I should go," Blackfire spoke up.

"I'm not chasing you out Blackfire," Raven told her.

"Aren't you?" Blackfire countered.

"No," Raven said firmly.

"You can't expect me to come if Beast Boy's not allowed here," Blackfire told Raven.

"I'm not going to force you to come," Raven responded, "but I have an option of WHO can enter my own house."

"Let's go Beast Boy," Blackfire said, "it's obvious who's not welcomed here."

"Well this is just dandy," someone said suddenly and everyone else turned around to see Speedy, "don't ask, I have cash and ways," he said before anyone could ask how he got in, "and I can definitely say that you're NOT sorry Beast Boy," he said darkly and glared at the changeling.

"How can you say that!" Blackfire shouted, "and what the fuck are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Don't curse profanity at me," Speedy told her, "I'm here because I came to see Raven," he said, "and for the record no one forgives someone then in the same breath calls them a monster and also claim that the things they said weren't twisted or lies," he continued, "that's not a person who forgives, that's a person holding unto a grudge."

"Who are YOU to talk to me?" Beast Boy demanded angrily, "you said your share," he accused, "Raven will NEVER forgive you!" he declared.

"Say what you want," Speedy responded, "but I know Raven wants you to leave and your fiancé here wants to force her to have YOU return to her house."

"You have no place here," Jinx said coldly, "leave," she ordered.

"No Jinx," Raven told her, "he stays," she said, "I have to talk to him," she added.

"Thank you," Speedy said softly.

"Are you KIDDING ME!" Beast Boy shouted, "he STAYS!"

"This isn't fair Raven," Blackfire said immediately.

"What isn't fair is your hidden ultimatum," Raven told her, "you have no right to force me to allow Beast Boy here just so that you'll still come here to see me," she said sharply, "I never forced you to choose between Beast Boy and I," she pointed out, "I simply exerted my right of who comes to my house," she added.

"That's just such BULL Raven," Blackfire declared, "Speedy's here and he's just as guilty as Beast Boy," she added.

"No he's not!" Jinx cried, "that little green man is the reason why everyone knows who Raven's father is along with all that lying garbage he added," she reminded Blackfire, "I don't care what you say Blackfire," she said firmly, "Robin wouldn't have wanted everybody to know that Slade fucked out his ass!" she shouted.

"How would you know!" Blackfire fired back.

"Because Robin told me how upset he was," Beast Boy revealed softly, "he didn't want everyone knowing," he continued, "he was very angry," he added.

"That's a shocker," Jinx said sarcastically.

"Shut up Jinx!" Blackfire shouted.

"Don't tell me to shut up Tameran Bitch!" Jinx retorted angrily.

"Blackfire, Jinx, please," Raven said calmly.

"She started it!" Blackfire accused Jinx.

"You brought that green thrash here!" Jinx threw back.

"I'm not trash!" Beast Boy shouted.

"Shut Up!" Raven exploded and the room became silent, "now, I asked Beast Boy to leave," she said, "anyone who wants to leave with him, feel free," she continued, "and I don't want anymore shouting matches in my house," she added sharply.

"How come he gets to stay?" Beast Boy asked pointing at Speedy.

"Because I haven't asked him to leave," Raven told Beast Boy, "and he gave me a real apology," she said, "not some cheap excuses."

"I did apologize," Beast Boy said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, so you calling me a monster was an addition to your apology?" Raven asked him, "face it Beast Boy," she said, "you're only sorry about how badly things turned out, not about what you did," she told him.

"What if I am!" Beast Boy exploded, "you should be grateful that I'm even considering to give you an apology!" he shouted at Raven, "you don't deserve one and I didn't do anything wrong!"

"I think we should leave," Blackfire said suddenly, "bye Raven," she said softly, "come on Beast Boy."

"But….." Beast Boy started to protest.

"NOW!" Blackfire shouted and Beast Boy gave Raven a final hateful look then followed Blackfire out of the house.

"Good Riddance," Jinx muttered after they left, "what's the story with him?" she asked motioning her head towards Speedy.

"He's welcomed," Raven said simply, "how are you Speedy?" she asked him.

"Um, not so great," Speedy admitted, "it seems that I might not be able to keep my promise," he told her as he fidgeted.

Raven's face became grave.

"What have you done Speedy?" Raven asked seriously.

Speedy looked away. But Raven noticed that he kept rubbing his hands by his wrists.

"Speedy," Raven said seriously, "you didn't," she said, "take off your jacket," she ordered.

Speedy suddenly looked panicked and pulled the jacket's sleeves even further up to almost cover hands. He firmly shook his head.

"What's wrong?" Jinx asked starting to feel concerned.

"I'd like to know that too," a voice said and everyone turned to see Aqualad.

"Aqualad!" Speedy cried.

"I came because Raven called me because she had some concerns about you," Aqualad said coldly, "nothing more."

"You came about me?" Speedy asked happily.

"Yes," Aqualad said wryly, "and Raven," he said, "I got dropped of by someone who wants to talk to you," he told her, "forgive me but he insists upon it," he added.

"Who is it?" Raven asked seriously.

"Me," someone said and stepped into the room, "I think you need to hear me out Raven," he told her.

"Hear you out!" Raven cried in rage, "how do you enter my house!" she shouted.

"I really have to agree with her Robin," Jinx said frankly, "you're FAR from welcomed," she pointed out.

"I know that," Robin said, "but I need to speak to you Raven," he pressed, "and it's not a blame game, trust me."

"If you're here to hear me admit that my Dad raping you was my fault fine I admit it," Raven said suddenly and Jinx looked horrified, Speedy confused, Aqualad looked very annoyed and Robin was taken by surprise.

"W…W…Wh…What?" Robin stuttered.

"You heard me," Raven said loudly, "now go home," she told him.

"No," Robin refused.

"She told you it was her fault," Aqualad spoke up, "and while I totally disagree with that," he continued, "you should just take the apology and go home," he said.

"I'm not here to get an apology," Robin said firmly, "I'm here to give one," he revealed, "Raven, I've realized that what happened that night wasn't truly anyone's fault," he told her, "at least not fully," he continued, "things were done, things were said and then we wasted years playing the blame game and just letting rifts form between us," he said, "so I'm sorry Raven," he said to her, "I personally apologize about everything."

The room was in complete silence.

Raven just looked at Robin. Her face had no emotion, her eyes looked like she was still digesting what Robin had just said. Soon she straightened up and looked Robin straight in the eye. Then she said the words that best summed up her thoughts and current state of mind.

"Fuck You."

End Chapter 6

Reggae: Sorry for not updating for a while. But I've had writer's block and it seems that I'm FINALLY recovering. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Things are heating up, decisions have been made and the consequences are varied. Did anyone expect the whole Cyborg and Starfire thing? I guess someone might've suspected it but I doubt anyone expected Speedy, Robin and Aqualad to appear at Raven's house in this chapter. Well enough of my blabbing. Please review and I plan to finish this story by early October (before the twelfth). I think this story will be no more than ten chapters. It will definitely be shorter than 'Get Away' though. Thanks for reading!