Troubled-ego: Okay back again for all of those who probably hate me now.

Giant Mob: We hate you troubled-ego! hold up chainsaws and pitch forks

Troubled-ego: gulp.

Slade (leader of angry mob and disclaimer): troubled-ego does not own any of us even though she'd like to. Now angry mob, ATTACK!

SUMMER WOES!

Chapter 6

"When time flows like summer heat"

Two weeks passed after the awful "end of the world" drama. In the meantime, Raven tried getting used to now being free to express herself through emotion. Yet, thought she now was free, she didn't really express herself much.

"Maybe you're broken." Beast boy examined her closely as he had her lay on the couch like she was visiting a psychiatrist.

"I don't think so." She sighed. "Do you mind?"

Beast boy backed away. He was obviously invading her space. "Sorry."

"Hmph." Raven sat up. She stared at the floor with an empty gaze. "Aren't I supposed to explode with emotion? How does Starfire manage it so easily?"

"Don't worry about it," Beast boy comforted. "It takes time. Your whole life, you were prohibited to release any emotion. So now you have to get used to being free."

Raven lifted her head and raised an eyebrow at him. "How do you know so much about this?"

"Well this may sound strange but you're kinda like a butterfly..." he smiled.

"...Huh?"

Beast boy laughed. "I'm sorry if you don't really get it. Um, just let me explain. A caterpillar first turns into a chrysalis, then into a butterfly. When the caterpillar is inside the chrysalis stage, its slowly developing into something beautiful and incomprehensible. But the development takes time. Even though it takes awhile for the transformation, it's worth it all in the end." He smiled once more and just stared to see Raven in amazement.

When she came to, she stated. "I guess you're not so dumb..."

Beast boy sulked. 'Not exactly the response I was hoping for.'

Suddenly then, Raven giggled. Beast boy was caught off guard. "Hey! You laughed!"

"Well, yeah. What else would you call it?" she rolled her eyes.

Just then, the dim lights in the room became extremely bright as the ever so cheery Tamaranian girl walked in. "Hello everyone! I have not seen you two in a zorflog!"

"Uh Star," Beast boy began. "You saw us like 10 minutes ago."

"Yes but it seemed like ages!" she gleamed. Her teeth seemed to have gotten shinier. Next she scampered over to catch both of them in a crushing bear hug! Raven ended up with her face buried on Beast Boy's neck. The changeling shivered as he felt her breath on him. Finally Starfire released them.

Out from the distance Robin yelled out. "Hey Star! Ready to go?"

Starfire spun around. "Yes!" she smiled.

"Where are you guys goin'?" Came a voice somewhere else far away. Cyborg showed himself. He had a wide smirk playing on his lips. "Awww, are you guys going on another date?"

Robin's eyebrows twitched as his face flushed red. "Um..."

The answer became obvious when Starfire danced around the living quarters and giggled.

"Well, have fun you two." Cyborg's voice cracked a bit as he tried to sound cheery. 'Man, I wish I had a videocam to spy on—hold up! I do have a video camera built into my finger!'

So after more teasing, Robin and Starfire headed out. Destination...the park!

After they left, Beast boy shifted in his seat on the couch. "Hey guys, I feel lonely."

Raven quivered and moved away a bit. As did Cyborg.

:Back to Robin and Starfire:

"So where are we going to this glorious night?" Starfire inquired, holding onto Robin's arm.

"I thought we'd take a nice quite walk in the park. Then we can do some other stuff later." He smiled.

Starfire's eyes roamed around to focus on all the scenery. "Hey you hungry?" Robin asked. There was a hot dog stand at a corner. Starfire could feel her stomach(s) rumble. "I would like a hot dog splattered with—"

"Mustard, right?" Robin laughed.

"Yes." She beamed.

So the couple walked to the hot dog stand. Robin got a hot dog with a bit of everything and Starfire had hers simple with globs of mustard. The smile on her face stretched to each side of her face, kinda making her grin the shape of a banana.

Robin's face shone brightly. "Well you look happy."

"Excuse me." Came a deep voice from behind. Robin and Starfire turned around to see who it was. "Hey, you're that Goth kid." Robin blinked.

"The name is Goth." He coughed.

Robin blinked again. "Oh."

Goth sighed. "I know, I know. You're probably wondering what I want right?" Robin and Starfire both nodded simultaneously. "I was on my way to band practice but since I saw you guys I really wanted to ask how Raven's doing."

The couple blinked at Goth, then looked at each other, then Goth again. "Um, she's at the tower if you want to visit."

Goth scratched the back of his head. "Um, thanks. I'll probably visit her after band practice. Oh and enjoy your date." He prepared himself to walk away but someone shouted, "HEY!"

The threesome glanced in the direction of the new voice. Every other sound was drowned out by the rumbling of a motorcycle. "Goth, what have I told you about hanging out with those punks?"

"Dude, I don't have to listen to everything you say. Just because you're the all-famous Johnny Rancid." he sighed once again. "I'll go meet you at the warehouse." Goth then picked up his drum set equipment. "I'll be ready to rock by the time you get there."

"Sure." Johnny said, clenching his fists.

"Oh and don't do anything stupid, man." Goth gave Rancid a deep look in the eyes before walking away.

Johnny Rancid laughed. "Don't worry Goth! I'm just gonna play a little before jammin' out!" Rancid's glare focused on the teenage couple.

Robin's face wrinkled. "Ready to get torn up Johnny?" Behind him Starfire's eyes glowed a deadly neon.

"Tear me up!" Johnny Rancid laughed again. "If you can catch me bird boy!" He revved up his cycle and rushed away, cackling.

Robin pulled out his bow staff, twirling it around. He grabbed Starfire's hand with a slight nudge. "You ready?" Starfire nodded and almost immediately, shot up to the sky. Together they gave chase. Down below, Rancid was causing all sorts of mayhem as usual. Robin knew it was all an act just to piss him off.

Well it was working.

"There!" Robin pointed with a free hand. Starfire sped off into the sunset sky. It seemed like Rancid was driving for the warehouse.

Johnny Rancid looked up and not seeing anything chasing after him in the sky, he thought he was safe. Unfortunately, Starfire and Robin hid on the roof of the band's jamming warehouse. Rancid crack up, "I knew they'd lose me! Pathetic baby hero wannabes."

Back on the roof, Robin gave a signal. Starfire made an opening in the roof of the old warehouse. Robin slid in and Starfire went after. Just as Johnny opened the door, the two Titans stood there waiting for him.

"Dude!" One of the band members shouted. "They like popped out of nowhere!"

Rancid had no time to react as Robin pulled him by the collar of his sleeveless muscle shirt and flipped him to the ground. The boy wonder held the tip of his staff up to Rancid's chin. "Don't play with us 'kids'. You might get hurt!"

Johnny grinned. "Okay, okay. You win this time bird boy! Now let me go. I don't wanna look bad in front of my band mates."

Robin grunted, retreating from the motorcyclist crook. "See you next time, Johnny. Be a good boy while we're gone." Robin nodded his head toward Starfire. She flew next to him and Robin threw a smoke bomb down. Once the smoke vanished, they disappeared.

Goth sighed. "Can we jam now?" He waited impatiently at his drum set. Johnny Rancid walked up to the microphone to get it positioned. "Yeah...The Hero Life Sucks take...1, 2, 3, 4!" Guitars strummed and drums beat. Then Johnny began screaming on the mike. Band was now in session.

Back to Robin and Starfire, who now walked in the park in the nighttime atmosphere. The held hands and talked. "So," Robin began. "If you don't mind me asking...back on Tamaran, what was your childhood like?"

"I hadn't gained too much attention from my parents. But my knorfka always took good care of me and my sister." Starfire explained. "My parents were always busy ruling over Tamaran. Still...I know they cared deeply for me and my sister. But when the planet was endangered. They had to give me to slavery."

Robin frowned. "You probably felt abandoned."

Starfire nodded. "I was very alone and confused. My parents had a hard time doing what they needed to do but it was either me or all of Tamaran."

"I guess I can understand how you feel a bit. When I was young, my parents and I worked at the circus."

"I remember the circus!" Starfire grinned. "It has the most amusing creatures."

"Yeah," Robin laughed. "Anyway, we were all acrobats. One day, while my parents were on the trapeze, someone sabotaged it and..." Robin's face saddened. Starfire looked on at his expression and felt a tugging feeling in her throat. Robin continued, "I watched them fall to their death. After that, I felt very alone."

Robin wasn't expecting it, but Starfire wrapped her arms around Robin. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I am sorry you had to go through that pain." Robin smiled and hugged her back. "Me too. But that's all in the past. We should appreciate the things we have now. I know my parents wouldn't want to see me so depressed."

"Neither do I." Starfire lifted her head to look at his masked covered eyes. " I like to see you happy, Robin. I feel very happy when I am around you because...well..." she blushed.

Robin blushed with her but still wondered what she had to say. "Go on."

"...I have you in my heart." She shyly smiled. Robin returned the genuine smile. "I like to be happy around you also." It didn't take long but it seemed like forever that they stared into each other's eyes.

"I remember when we first met." Starfire began. "I thought you were an enemy. How could I have thought that?"

Robin giggled. "You were my toughest opponent."

"I am definitely nice now, yes?"

Robin moved a stray hair away from Starfire's green orbs. "Very nice." Robin then cleared his throat.

"Yes Robin?"

"Um, well remember that time when you kissed me. Y'know to acquire the human language?" Robin could feel his knees knocking now.

Starfire still looked so calm. "Yes. That was not a bad thing, was it?"

Robin swallowed hard. "No but...uh...I was wondering if you could...d-do that...again..."

Starfire smiled blushing. She moved in closer to the masked boy. She moved so close that she could feel his breath on her. Even closer and their noses touched. Just a little bit further now and...

SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!

Suddenly, bright flashes interrupted the couple's moment (yesh I am evil). They stared at the distraction to realize it was nothing but PAPARAZZIS!

"Hey go into that pose again!" One of them shouted, clicking at his camera.

Robin and Starfire shielded their eyes. "RUN!" Robin screamed. He grabbed Star's hand and they both raced out of the evil paparazzis' view. Behind a bush, they both stayed as quiet as mice.

"Check over there!" One of them commanded. "This is front page material! We can't let them get away!" The two of them could hear the horde of paparazzis race this way and that. Once the coast was clear, robin pulled Starfire outta there and they bolted for safety. Unfortunately, the excited camera handlers gave chase.

"Why do these people hit us with the box of flashing lights that steal your soul?" Starfire asked as they ran down Jump City Street.

Robin peeked behind to see them still chasing. He growled then answered, "They are called paparazzi. They take pictures of famous people so they could get money by putting it on the newspaper and creating lies about each picture to make a story that the public would read."

"Oh! Like those magazines I love to purchase!"

"Yeah." Robin looked around until he found a dark alleyway (how original). They scampered in there.

"Don't let them get away!" The paparazzi army continued the chase. In the alley way there was a gate. The paparazzis cornered the couple. Of course Robin and Starfire just jumped the fence and got away. The paparazzis continued to follow.

Up in the sky you could hear the roll of thunder.

:Titans Tower:

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Hey green bean. Get the door." Cyborg yelled.

Beast boy paused him game, frowning. "Fine you lazy metal butt!" He jumped off the couch and scampered to the front door, opening it. "Yellow?"

In the doorway stood a shadowy figure. "Mind if I come in?" The figure took a step forward.

Beast boy hopped back. "Gasp! You're that...Goth kid." He frowned. It was obvious what or who he was here for.

Goth shook his head. "Dammit! For the last time, my name is Goth!"

"Yeah, yeah." Beast boy responded somewhat melancholy. "What do you want?" he asked, closing the door behind the visitor.

"Nothing much. I just wanna see Raven." He said simply.

Beast boy narrowed his eyes at him. "She's upstairs...in her room." He said dully.

Goth brushed past Beast boy. "Thanks." Just as Goth reached upstairs, Beast boy yelled. "She doesn't let anyone in her room!" Then he clenched his fists and moped on the couch.

Goth knocked on the girl's door. "Who is it? Is that you again Beast boy?" he heard her voice.

"No," Goth smiled. "It's me."

There was silence. Then the door flew open as Raven popped out grasping onto her doorpost. Goth was a bit surprised by the swift action. "Hey you seem a little different from the last time we met." He coughed.

Raven shyly smiled. "Yeah. I've been going through some changes. But they're all good changes."

"Heh," he smirked. "I like the sound of that."

Raven returned the smirk. "Would you...like to come in?" She gestured him to enter into her room.

Goth shrugged casually. "Sure." As soon as he entered, the door shut tight.

Beast boy peaked out from a corner. "What the hell!" He hopped up and down in anger. 'She just let him into her room just like that! No sarcastic comments either!' Beast boy's face fumed.

"What's got your tighty-whities tied in a bunch?" Cyborg popped up from behind.

"AHH!" Beast boy flew back. "Where'd you come from!" he blinked twice. "I do not wear tighty-whities!"

Cyborg crossed his arms. "Uh huh." He squat down to Beast boy's size. "But what's got you so angry, B? You're not jealous of that Goth kid are you?"

Beast Boy huffed. "Hmph, I would never be jealous of that punk rock pretty boy!"

"Hmm, you've got issues."

Beast Boy growled. "I do not! I may not be an extremely hot, drop dead gorgeous Goth boy who can kill a drum set and rock out to extremely depressing, gory music, but..."

Cyborg raised an eyebrow. "...but?"

"...but..." Beast boy continued, "but I...am a total loser that a girl like Raven will never like!" He plopped on the floor and stared at the rug. Cyborg pat his buddy on the back. It's okay, BB. Raven might not like you now. You never know." He sat down next to Beast boy. "Dude, listen. Raven's experimenting with her emotions right now. For the moment, she's attracted to this Goth kid. But don't forget, her emotions are still unstable. She's trying to figure out when the right times are for using her emotions."

Beast boy listened. "Yeah?"

Cyborg nodded. "She may like this guy right now, but what are the chances that it'll stay that way?"

"I dunno. Like much higher than a chance with me." Beast boy looked up at his metallic friend. "The truth is, I don't wanna see Raven get hurt again. Remember the time with Malchior? I know Raven."

"Do you?" Cyborg countered. "What makes you think after the whole Malchior ordeal that she'll just let this guy step on her too? Raven's a tough girl. She may be curious right now, but I know she'll be careful. Just give her a chance." Cyborg paused for a moment. "Anyway, I thought you loved Terra."

That word made Beast boy cringe. "...Terra..." his eyes saddened.

"Oops. Guess I shouldn't have mentioned that. Sorry."

Beast boy shook his head. "It's okay." He stood up and walked toward the weight room.

"Good idea, BB. Working out relieves you of stress. Who knows maybe Raven will like a guy with muscles." Cyborg smiled.

: Raven's Room:

"...and that's what I did today." Goth finished. He and Raven sat next to each other on the bed.

"Interesting," Raven began. "So Johnny Rancid...he's not as bad as he seems to be?"

"He just likes to start trouble. He likes to be noticed and even feared sometimes." He explained. "Have you ever listened to our band before?"

"No." Raven looked Goth straight in the eyes. "But I would like to." That response caused Goth to smile. "That settles it then."

Questions appeared in Raven's head. "Settles what?"

Goth stood up and looked back at Raven. "Tomorrow, would you like to go on a date with me?"

Raven blushed. "Well this is sudden."

"It's not like we haven't been on a date before (TTGO #4)." He scratched the back of his head.

Raven shrugged. "That's true. Well, alright. Tomorrow sounds fine. Hopefully there won't be any emergencies to take care of." Goth grabbed Raven hand, making Raven blush. "Tomorrow it is then. Meet me at the abandoned warehouse at 1:00. My band will play for you. I'll also make sure Johnny doesn't cause you trouble either."

Raven smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Goth smiled back. "See ya tomorrow."

Raven stood up and they both walked out of her room. Raven walked him downstairs (Cyborg is watching from the kitchen) and to the door. Just before Goth left, he gave Raven a hug goodnight. Then he took the boat off the island, rowing to the mainland. Raven stood at the doorway, blushing. Finally she closed the door once he was out of sight. She walked over and collapsed on the couch exhaling.

Cyborg walked over to her. "Wow. Raven in a happy mood is creepy."

Suddenly, Raven's moodiness kicked in. "Who asked you?"

Cyborg smirked. "Plans for tomorrow?"

Raven seemed to stare off into space. "I just have a date." Her smiled grew wide.

"...oh boy." Cyborg sweatdropped.

:Robin & Starfire:

The clouds rumbled with thunder and rain began to fall from the sky. With each running step, the rain pounded harder and fell faster. Robin and Starfire desperately ran in the rain to get away from the ever-so-persistant paparazzis. The sidewalks started getting slippery from the water. Some people, who were getting bumped into, flipped over on the sidewalk. "Across the street!" Robin yelled. He grasped onto the Tamaranian's hand ever so tightly.

"Hey fools!" the head paparazzi shouted. "You wanna get your cameras wet! Save it for another time. We already got enough pictures!"

So the army of paparazzis retreated at last, leaving a soaked Robin and Starfire standing and holding hands in the middle of Jump City street. "I think it's time to go home." Robin said dully. Starfire nodded tiredly.

So back again to the tower, Beast boy occupied himself in a workout. Lifting his body weight was really getting easier. In school he started pumping himself up but now he was really getting buff. He probably had the same build as Robin now. Now he continued counting as he pulled himself up on the bar.

"66...67...68...69...70...71...72...73...74...75...76...77...78...79...80...81..." He no longer had to change into animal forms to get to 100. That's how strong he was getting.

Just outside the weight room, Raven just approached and waited by the doorway. She found Beast boy trying hard to shape himself up. "...89...90...91...92..." he continued as she watched on.

"Wow." Raven breathed. She examined his green, sweaty body from a distance and became quite impressed. She especially liked the fact that he had his shirt off so she could see all his muscles bulging. It wasn't long until she realized that...she couldn't stop staring. Her eyes traced over every part of his body. Well, until he reached 100 and dropped from the high bar.

Beast boy saw something from the corner of his eye and turned his head to see Raven duck. "Hey there's no point in hiding." He said, catching his breath.

Raven peaked out once more and sighed in defeat.

"How long were you standing there?" he asked.

"Not long." Raven responded calmly. "Um, you're pretty tough looking."

Beast boy smirked. "Yeah I guess. But I'm just working out so I could get stronger. It's working well." Then he gave her a sly look. "In fact, you should work out a bit too. Didn't you say you wanted to?"

Raven blinked. "Um, well...I guess I did, huh?"

"Yeah."

Raven looked a little skeptical though. "But I really don't want huge muscles. I want to get physically stronger is all."

"Don't worry bout that." Beast boy laughed. "Girls' muscles don't grow much unless they take steroids. Girls have the hormone called 'estrogen'. Guys have the hormone called 'testosterone'. So guys get big muscles because of that hormone. But for you, don't worry about it. If you work out, I guarantee you'll look twice as better as you do now and you'll be a bit stronger too!"

Raven raised her eyebrow in amazement. Since when did Beast boy get brains? "Well, I'm...impressed." Beast boy smiled brightly at the comment. "Well, I'm gonna go to bed but I'll see if I can work out this week. Maybe you can give some pointers." Then she walked away to her room. Beast boy just sat there with a goofy smile on his face.

About this time, Robin and Starfire arrived home soaked.

"Ok," Cyborg began. "I don't even want to know what you guys did on your date!"

Robin frowned. "Don't worry about it. I'm gonna get washed up and hit the sack."

"Me as well." Starfire nodded.

Cyborg scratched the back of his head. "You guys must be tired!"

"We had a big day." Robin yawned.

"Okay...well goodnight!" Cyborg finished.

Everyone went to bed eventually. Now morning finally arrived. Cyborg fetched the newspaper and almost spit out his coffee as he saw the front page:

Boy Wonder and Alien Female Get It On At Jump City Park

There was a giant picture of Robin and Starfire about to kiss. Then on the other pages of the article showed different shots of them getting away.

Cyborg blinked. "Well then..."

XXXXX

Ahhhhh, finally finished with the new chapter. Hope you all enjoy it. Before I go I do have to say I have proof of BB and Rae! The link to the picture is at my profile. Just go to the bottom and click on the link. It's from the 30th issue of the Teen Titans comic. Ya, brand new. Also please go save Teen Titans season 6! This is REALLY important! Season 5 might be the last season of Teen Titans! Do you all really want that? If not, then go to that website and sign the petition or whatever...I dunno. The instructions are on that page. As Titan fans we must unite! I'll also have the link to that in my profile.