Chapter Eighteen
The Titans rested in the lounge of Titans Tower. They had all just come in from the sick bay, were Raven used her powers to mend the Titan's wounds. Although serious damage to them was healed, they would still feel sore for the next few days, if not for a week!
"Damn, I'm really out of it!" Cyborg exclaimed. "I'm too exhausted to even play the Gamestation!"
"Me too!" Beast Boy said. "I say we take tomorrow off, huh Robin?"
"Well, unless something happens, I agree."
"What about me?" asked Terra. "I need a home. Can't stay in the one I'm in now, since Slade might have booby-trapped it."
"I think she can stay another night or two in the Tower." said Raven.
"You do not wish to continue being a Teen Titan?" Starfire asked.
"This was just a temp job, Star." Terra explained. "After this, it's back to the normal world for me."
"But you are such a good friend!"
"I have my reasons."
With that, Terra left for her room. The other Titans were silent for a moment.
"I'm not surprised by this." Beast Boy finally said. "She wanted to put this life behind her. She was forced to live it again, against her will. Now, she just wants piece."
"Beast Boy!" Raven said. "That was a very touching and insightful thing you said! I'm proud of you!"
"Thanks!" he replied.
"You know, Beast Boy," said Robin. "I hope this new behavior of yours is what's in store for the future, rather than the anti-social stuff you pulled."
"Don't worry Robin; you're looking at an improved Beast Boy here!" He smiled. "But that doesn't mean I won't stop with the jokes!"
"Oh, joy!" Raven deadpanned. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a private conversation with Terra."
"Sure, go ahead." Robin told her. "Just be sensitive to her needs."
"I will." she replied.
"In the meantime," Beast Boy said. "I'm gonna whip up a victory dinner for us! Tofu burgers!"
"Oh no, you're not!" Cyborg said, rushing for the kitchen. "You're not gonna feed us that crap!"
Robin and Starfire laughed.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same!" Robin remarked.
In the hallway, Raven arrived at Terra's room. She gingerly knocked on her door. It opened slightly.
"What?" asked Terra.
"May I come in?" Raven replied.
Sighing, she stood aside and opened the door fully. Raven entered the room and sat on the bed, considering her words. Terra shut the door.
"Any wisdom from other classic novels you want to tell me?" Terra asked.
"Not this time." she answered. "I just want to know if you really think you can go back to your normal life after this. One as a school girl again?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Are you sure?"
Do you remember everything I did before I was turned to stone? Look how I turned out after that! A normal school girl with normal friends."
"Yeah, real good example. Living with suppressed memories like that is not exactly normal, you know."
"Well, what can I do!" she yelled. "You and Beast Boy hate me, and the rest couldn't care less about me!"
"We all care about you, Terra, including myself!"
"Then why did you take Beast Boy from me?"
Raven was stunned. "What are you talking about?"
"I know you and Beast Boy are in a relationship, Raven. He told me so. Is it true?"
Raven bit her lip, restraining her annoyance at the changeling's talkative nature.
"Yes, it's true. But I didn't take him away. He came to me, convinced you were out of his life. And I accepted."
Terra nodded, and then plopped on the bed next to Raven.
"Damn it all!" she said, sobbing. "I only wanted to be happy! I thought he might help! But instead, I screwed it all up!"
Raven patted her shoulder. "You'll find happiness somehow." she said. "It's only a matter of time."
Terra wiped her face. "You know, when I was fighting with you guys, I really did feel content. I did feel like I was a Titan again."
"So why not continue that feeling?"
"Because as long as I'm with you and Beast Boy, I'll feel pain! Longing! You know how it is, I bet."
Raven nodded. It would be torture for Terra to see her and Beast Boy together. Then, she had an inspiration!
"What if you could be a Titan, but not with living us?"
"If you mean like an honorary Titan, forget it. I'd still need a place of my own."
"It's not what I had in mind. Have you ever heard of Titans East?"
"The group that filled in for you guys for a while? Yeah, what about them?"
"Why not join them?"
Terra was speechless. "A new team altogether? Do they know about me?"
"Only what Beast Boy left in our notes for them. And since it was before our return, I'm sure it's only good stuff that they know about you."
Terra pondered Raven's offer. "Well, it is far from this place. And Slade might not think to find me there if he gets out. Plus, they would need another member, seeing how Mas and Menos work as one when they fight." She then grinned.
"And the best part of the deal is that hottie, Aqualad!"
Raven smiled. "Yeah, he has that effect on girls. So, what do you say?"
Terra glared at her. "Sure, why not? What the hell do I have to loose, anyway?"
The two girls left for the lounge. There, they found Cyborg and Beast Boy fussing over making dinner, while Robin and Starfire were engaged in a conversation. The commotion stopped when they stood in the foyer leading to the lounge area.
"So, what's the story?" Robin asked.
Terra heaved a sigh. "Well, I made a decision. I'm going to remain a Titan..."
"That is wonderful!" Starfire exclaimed. The other Titans also congratulated her.
"But as a member of Titans East."
There was silence again. Then, Cyborg spoke.
"You wanna be part of Titans East?"
"That's right." the geomancer replied.
"Well, you go girl! I helped make that team myself, and I can tell you, you're in for a real treat with them!"
"I don't doubt it! How good they are, I mean. I saw them on the news when they were here. I think it'd be good for me to be with a new team and all."
Beast Boy approached her and extended a hand. "Glad to see you've decided to listen to your heart." he said.
Terra smiled at him. "Yeah, well, seeing how messed up my head is, I figured it was the better choice!" Beast Boy, Terra and Raven laughed at that.
Cyborg walked to the main computer. "I better let Bumblebee know about this. I hope she has an opening!"
He brought up the Titans communication network, which was improved and made secure so as to prevent anyone from hacking into it just as The Brain had done.
While Cyborg was working, Starfire made walked next to Terra.
"I shall miss you, friend! It was nice to have you around us for the kicking of the butt one last time!" She hugged her in her trademark fashion. Terra winced in pain at the Tamaranean's strength!
"Thank you, Star!" she gasped. "Now I would like to have my rib cage remain intact, if it's not too much trouble!"
Starfire let her go, giving a beaming smile. Raven also had a broad grin on her face. For such an intense adventure, she found herself in high spirits. She hoped nothing else would ruin the mood.
"You know," the geomancer began. "If Titans East does accept me, then that means I'll have some things to take care of tomorrow."
"Like what?" Raven asked.
"Aside from cleaning out my old place, I'll have to say goodbye to some friends."
The mystic nodded. "You're getting too much practice at that, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. I'll never get used to it."
"That's good to know. A sign of good mental health."
Terra nodded. "Speaking of health, when are we going to eat?"
Beast Boy sprung into action! "Never fear! The master cook of tofu is here!"
Terra laughed at him. It was going to be a memorable, yet wonderful night.