Disclaimer: I own no part of the Teen Titans or their associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): Sorry for the delay. This one wanted to be a bitch.

Chapter 2

The Far Side of Night

Sunlight cleared the Sierra Nevada's and bathed Jump City in warming illumination. The massive tower in the center of the bay glittered in the light. A cooling sea breeze crossed the bay and swept the night's sleepiness from the faces of the city's residents. All of them knew they were protected by the best guardians any town could ask for. The Teen Titans had protected the city form destruction, death and, even though no one knew it, Armageddon. A few people glanced at the giant footprint burned into the ground near the center of town. Apparently a robot of some such had gotten loose and left it before the Titan's captured it.

That explanation had been plausible enough considering all the weird stuff that happened around here. The masses went about their business; unaware of the things that had happened or the huge number of alternate courses their timeline could have taken. The theorized alternate dimensions where these realities played out were lost to the humble workers of Jump City. None of them knew just how close the end had been.

In the Tower though, they did. Each and every one of them knew what had almost happened and the prices that had been paid to avert that horrible reality. One of those people awoke slowly. Her eyes fluttered open of the course of several seconds. She instinctively brushed violet hair out her face as she lay on her side with the hand that wasn't pinned under the pillow.

As she did so, a number of realizations about her current state pulsed through her mind. First, that she was completely naked. She never slept like that; she was always at least partially dressed to be ready to go in the middle of the night. The second was the arm wrapped around her waist holding her to the warm body pressed against her back. A very mild panic slipped up through her sleep addled brain. Then the next, a masculine voice from behind her head, mumbling in sleep.

"Mmmm…Raven…yeah…right there…" That was…Beast Boy? In a flash he brain recovered and memories crashed down on her. As she sorted out what they were and recalled the last several weeks, and especially last night…and early this morning, her whole body relaxed and melted back into Garfield's body. A moment later his body tensed and she could feel him coming to against her back.

Removing the arm around her waist and propping himself up on his opposite elbow he rubbed his eyes and looked around.

"Morning Beautiful." Raven rolled onto her back and looked up into his eyes, shining in the small bit of late morning light that had managed to sneak past her heavy curtains and into her room. For a brief second all the illumination in the room seemed to gather itself to shine off them in a way that hypnotized her.

"Hey."

"How you feeling." Raven considered the question for a moment, still partially in the dreamy fugue of waking.

"Good. Really…really good."

"Glad to hear it."

"And you, Gar?"

"Incredible. Third best morning of my life."

"Third?" Raven stared at him. She was fairly certain she knew what one of them was.

"Uh-huh. I think you can guess the second. The first was that first day I met you. I knew right than and there that you were something incredibly special, and I was going to make you laugh, even if it killed me." Raven blushed slightly at the compliment and received him openly as he kissed her, lips full of love and edged with passion. Memories of the previous night coursed through her mind and she felt her emotions rising before she could control them. A loud crash somewhere in a nearby storage room broke them apart in an instant.

"Damn it."

"Guess that thing wore off, huh?"

"Unfortunately. But it was nice while it lasted."

"You can always use another one, right?"

"Yeah…but then I can't use my powers. What if we're attacked? I'd be helpless. I wouldn't be able to help you." Garfield's face fell a little as she spoke.

"Damn it. Why can't anything every be easy for us?"

"Because if it was easy, we wouldn't appreciate it."

"I suppose. Oh well, just means we have to take precautions."

"Speaking of precautions…"

"Huh?"

"I have no intention of getting pregnant right now. If we're going to keep doing this, you're going to suit up."

"Awww…okay…"

"Don't give me that. Keep it up and I'll cut you off completely." Garfield, cocked and eyebrow and leaned down to whisper heatedly in her ear.

"Like you could ever resist me." Another crash snapped him back from her.

"Better stop. People will become suspicious."

"If you insist." Pushing back he rose and stood to the side of the bed. Stumbling around the room he collected the discarded pieces of his uniform and carefully formed a pile out of hers. As he did so Raven pushed herself back to a sitting position against the headboard. Tucking the top sheet under her arms she watched his move about. A small smile formed on her lips and her head began bouncing very slightly to a tune only she could hear.

Garfield pulled on the various pieces of his uniform and tried to shake his head clear. Returning to the side of the bed he leaned close and kissed her once again. He pulled back and turned to the door, contemplating how best to dodge the others that might be about this morning. His question was answered as he began to sink through the floor. Turning his head he smiled at Raven as he began to disappear through the black portal in the floor.

"I love you Raven."

"I love you too Gar." Her smile was the last thing he saw before falling through emptiness for a second. Emerging in his own room he landed with a bounce on yet another pile of clothes.

After several minutes Raven rose form the bed and stretched. In the same motion she collected the bed coverings and her leotard and banished them to another dimension. Raking a hand through her hair she headed for the bathroom and the shower.

The steamy hot water flowed over her, cleaning her body and clearing her mind. While keeping a tight reign on her emotions she began reliving the previous night. Each memory she held, touched, felt to her very soul and then packed them carefully away in the deepest part of her mind. His love was her most treasured possession. It had carried her through dark times, it had brought her back and, in the end, it had saved the world.

After everything that had happened to her over the last years it was wonderful to finally have someone she could trust to always be there, and even to fight through hell itself to help her. Next to that, fighting her father had been simple. Garfield had given her the strength to banish him. The world owed him a debt it would never know about.

Beast Boy stepped from the shower and resisted the impulse to turn into a dog and shake himself dry. Instead he reached for a towel and went to work. Minutes later he emerged form the bathroom, towel around his waist, and stepped lightly through the room, trying to avoid tripping. Reaching the closet he dug out a fresh uniform and went about getting dressed. He unconsciously whistled some nondescript tune as he did so.

Stretching as he finished dressing he finally glanced at the clock. He started at seeing it was already 11 am. His stomach soon confirmed the hour by loudly protesting at how it had been ignored. Feeling the pangs of hunger he headed for the door. Slipping his belt on he stepped out and headed for the kitchen. Making his way through the tower he noted how empty it felt compared to recent days. With Terra and Cyborg gone it felt…just a little odd. They had had a guest for so long, it was weird to part with her.

Well, Terra should be fine in her new home. Bee would keep her on the straight and narrow and maybe in a few months, he would go out and visit. Reaching the common room he passed through the doors to find a completely normal scene…sort of. Robin was hunched over the computer searching for whatever it was he searched for while Starfire watched some bizarre cooking program, furiously taking notes.

"Morning!" Star turned from the couch for a moment.

"Good morning Friend Beast Boy!" She rapidly turned back and kept writing. After a moment Robin turned as well.

"Morning." He also turned back, not even sparing a glance for Star. Beast Boy headed for the stove and began assembling ingredients for breakfast. As an afterthought her set the filled teapot on the stove and turned on the flame to boil it. Frying up a tofu and orange juice plate he sat down to eat. Raven slid through the door a moment later in full uniform and exchanged a similar greeting with the other two.

Silently making her tea with the readied water she sat across from him and sipped as he ate.

"Thanks."

"No problem." They sat in silence, each consuming their morning meal. As Beast Boy neared the end Raven glanced at the other two and furrowed her brow. Speaking just loud enough for him to hear she asked.

"Have they said anything to each other?" He shook his head. "I wonder what's up?" Beast Boy considered the question as he finished the last couple bites. He too spoke low.

"Lover's spat? Maybe he's not everything she hoped he would be. Not really able to fill her desire." Raven nearly choked as she realized what he was implying. A fierce look from her cut off whatever he was going to add. Instead he rose and turned to the sink, rinsed his dishes and tossed them in the dishwasher. Sitting back down he glanced around trying to figure out what to do. Raven finished her tea and seemed to be in a similar dilemma. After several moments of staring at each other Beast Boy rose and turned toward the door.

"Well, I'm going to rent a movie. Who's with me?" He expected Robin and Star to jump to their feet and rush out the door. Instead, they all but ignored him, merely shaking their heads in response. After a moment of shock he was pulled along by Raven who had grasped his wrist. As the door skid shut at their departure she turned and spoke.

"Whatever's going on with those two, I don't want to get involved. The tension's so thick in there you could cut it with a knife. So, which place are we going to?" Beast Boy hurried along beside her as they headed for the roof.

"Steve's World." She furrowed her brow in thought trying to summon up an image of the place.

"Never heard of it."

"It's a little store out in burbs. Only locals know it, but they're dead loyal to it. Chain store tried to open up there a while back. They couldn't compete with the place. They have everything. Steve makes sure to get the off beat stuff chain stores don't because it won't rent. Reasonable prices, excellent selection, hard to beat." Moving ahead he opened the door to the roof and held it for her.

"So how did you find it?" Stepping out onto the roof she stretched and turned toward the city.

"I was looking for something specific, guy at MegaBlockBusters sent me there. Never go anywhere else now. Don't have to, he's always open."

"Always?"

"Noon to 10, 365 days a year."

"Wow."

"Yep. Now, come on." Reaching the edge he turned into a falcon and rose on the updraft coming off the side of the tower. Rising into the air, Raven followed him as he set out across the city. Passing over the docks and cruising through downtown she got a glimpse of the burned footprint that had been the center of so much speculation. Banking slightly south they reached the suburbs. Consisting almost exclusively of two story homes and the occasional school the reach a small main street type area consisting of several stores. Touching down Beast Boy resumed his normal form and led her to a door set in the side of a small alcove in the brick façade.

"This place is great." Holding the door he followed her in. Raven was surprised at how dim the place was. She was used to rental stores being bright and sunny. This place was far more subdued. It was long; forty feet to the glass case counter and another thirty to the back wall and thirty feet wide. Glass cases and wooden rack held a huge selection of merchandise. Just from where she stood Raven could make out a New, Current and general release section as well as large video game section and several cases full of collectibles including cards and models. Taking another step in she could see a large selection of CDs and soda coolers. She looked around in wonder at the temple to digital entertainment.

"Hey, Beast Boy!" She turned to see a thin man with shoulder length, nearly black, brown hair and thin rimmed glasses. His complexion was slightly pale; probably form the hours he worked. He wore a striped shirt, jeans and looked to be about thirty. Beast Boy smiled in response and strode toward the counter, Raven following out of curiosity.

"Hey Steve-o. How's it going?"

"Good. You?"

"Same as always."

"Glad you're here, the SD figures just came in."

"Really? Let's see 'em!" Steve reached behind the glass case counted, which Raven had discovered held several different card games and single cards for what she thought to be exorbitant prices, and came up with a cardboard box. Pulling the flaps open Beast Boy dove in. Confused, Raven asked the obvious question.

"SD?" Beast boy spoke, elbow deep in styrofoam peanuts.

"Super Deformed." After a moment he added, "Oh…sorry. Raven, this is Steve, owner. Steve, this is Raven, my girlfriend, tell anyone I'll kill you, though you probably recognize her."

"Indeed I do. It's an honor to meet you. You're one of our biggest sellers."

"I…am?"

"Yeah. Raven models, posters, everything. Just flies of the shelf. You have quite a fan base."

"I…do?"

"Yeah…sorry…you probably don't want to hear about that…"

"Got it!" Beast Boy rose form the box triumphantly with a small figure in his hand. Raven took a close look and found it to be a figure of Beast Boy…only…his body was tiny and his head was huge, even for Beast Boy.

"What the hell? It's deformed…even for you."

"No, it's Super Deformed."

"O…kay."

"SD models, everyone loves these things."

"You got me."

"Right…I'm gonna go look for a movie…" Turning, Raven made her way through the cases and began scouring the wooden racks of movies for something to watch. After a minute Beast Boy joined her and also began fingering through visible spines of the movies.

"Hey, how about this?" He held up a case for her to see.

"Not again, you've seen that three times."

"Hey, the gun katas are awesome, what can I say?"

"No."

"Fine." He went back to searching and worked his way around the shelf to see her pick up a copy of The Craft. Diving, he knocked it out of her hands. "No, none of that."

"Why?"

"Just…trust me."

"Fine." After another few minutes of searching he came up with a copy of Suspect 0.

"Hey Steve! This any good?"

"Did you like Seven?"

"Yeah."

"It's kind of like Seven…with remote viewing." Raven's head popped up.

"Really? We'll take it."

Several minutes later they were headed to the store. Raven paged through the DVD booklet as she walked.

"So what else do we need to pick up?"

"Well…popcorn, soda…nachos…we need nachos."

"Great…nachos."

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.