Disclaimer: The Teen Titans and associated characters are the property of DC Comics and AOL Time Warner. This story is being written for entertainment purposes only. No profit is being sought and no Copyright infringement is intended.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Ok, first, I want to apologise for the lateness of this update. My comp has contracted a serious virus, and my net access has been severely limited. Also, since my e-mail access is limited, I was not able to respond to my reviewers, as I usually do. I'm very sorry. Let me take this chance to say that I was very gratified by the response to chapter 5. It recieved more feedback than any previous chapter, which made me very happy. Thank you all so VERY much!
Also, to answer a question someone posed, there was a reason the "other" name for Raven's mom was not mentioned in the previous chapter. To say any more might spoil. (good eye, Miah the Storm Wolf.)
Also, I should probably say that this story takes place between seasons 4 and 5. Just to clarify. (yeah, kinda late, I know.)
As always, Thanks to Vixx (although she wasn't able to beta, due to my comp problems. I still love ya, girl!) And special thanks to the incredible CalliopeMused, for being a light through the dark labyrinth of writers' block. And all of you reading this should go read her story "Dance of the Skeletons," like, immediately.
I'll wait.
CHAPTER 6: A GATHERING STORM
The door to the Titans' Tower living area hissed open, and a still rather groggy Starfire floated into the room, stifling a yawn. She looked about the kitchen area with eyes that were heavy with lingering sleep.
It would appear that I am the first to awaken, she thought to herself. It is somewhat disappointing that Robin is not here to join me. He is usually first awake, and I do enjoy it when he sits and talks to me.
The door opened again, and the Tamaranean princess was joined by Cyborg.
"Joyous morning, friend!" Starfire greeted her teammate.
"Eh, a little rainy for my tastes, but it'll do," he replied. "Any of the others out and about?"
Starfire shook her head. "I have not seen them. Robin is usually awake around this hour, but he has not appeared."
Cyborg grinned a little. "He was probably up extra late obsessing last night. You know how he gets."
"Truly."
As Cyborg walked over to the pantry to gather the necessary ingredients for breakfast, Starfire drifted over to the large window that dominated one wall of the living room.
"What will you be prepairing for break fast this morning?" she called to him as she looked out the window.
"That's 'breakfast,' Star," He corrected gently. "And I'm not sure yet. I was thinking of something vegetarian actually, for BB. Poor guy could probably use a pick-me-up, after all."
Starfire smiled as she looked out the window at the dawn. "Indeed, that would be most wonderful of you." Just then, something caught her eye, on the shore below the tower. As she looked down, she saw her fellow Titans Raven and Beastboy, holding each other close.
Glorious! My friends are opening their hearts to each other! I knew I had not misread their feelings!
Cyborg glanced over at Starfire, noting her staring out of the window, a large smile upon her face. "What 'cha lookin' at, Star?"
She looked back at him, still smiling brightly. "Oh, nothing. It is just a wonderful day, that is all."
Later that morning, after breakfast, Raven and Cyborg met in the medlab, to discuss Beastboys' condition.
"Mentally, he seems to be on the mend," the empath stated. "Beastboy has a lot of personal issues that he never shared with us before. But we really shouldn't be terribly surprised that he has a few, though. Normal people don't do what we do. "
"Huh, you know, I never would have suspected that," Cyborg noted. "BB always seemed so happy-go-lucky."
Raven nodded. "Yes, he's almost as good at hiding things as Robin, or even me, for that matter. I think that much of his humor was a defense, of sorts. He was trying to ignore the things that were hurting him. "
"Do you think his mental state might have something to do with him becoming the Beast?" Cyborg asked.
"It certainly seems possible. Stress does seem to be a common factor. The first time he changed, he had just had a tense confrontation with us. The second time, he was being interrogated by Robin."
"Not to mention that you had been injured." Cyborg noted. "Then he changed again to defend you from Slade and Trigon. And this last time, He'd thought you were injured, possibly even killed."
"The evidence certainty seems to be there." Raven thought for a moment. "Did the information in the journal help any?"
"Yes, there were a few things that I didn't notice in my previous exams. Real subtle stuff. There do seem to be a few similarities in some of the changes in neurological activity caused by the chemicals he was exposed to in the fight with Adonis, and the massive electrical shock he got from Gizmo."
"So, maybe the combination of a psychological stress, and certain physical ones can cause him to lose control, and change?"Raven conjectured.
Cyborg nodded. "We'll go with that as the most likely theory, for now."
A thought occurred to Raven. "What about the fight with Slade? I can't think of an abnormal physical stress then..."
"That might be an aberration, due to unusual circumstances," Cyborg conjectured. "After all, from what he said, he pretty much wanted to be the Beast, then."
"It's a possibility, I suppose," Raven conceded. "Anyway, it's about as good a theory as we can come up with, on short notice."
Cyborg scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Now we just have to figure out what to do about it. I can continue to work on the physiological angle. I've enteredthe data into the computer, and run a few scenarios, so we can be ready to help him better if this happens again. This'll certainly help a lot. Think you'll be able to tackle the mental part of things, Raven?"
"I think we might already have made some progress, in that regard. He seems to be willing to share things with me, now. I think talking his problems out might be good for him."
Cyborg smiled. "Never thought I'd ever hear you say something like that, Raven." The cybernetic teen then remembered what Starfire had said to he and Robin the previous day. "So, BB's been sharing things with you, eh? That's... interesting."
"And why do you say that, exactly?" Raven asked, with a hint of defensiveness in her voice.
"Oh, no reason, in particular," Cyborg quickly replied, deciding to keep certain speculations to his self, in the face of Raven's notorious temper.
Well, if Star's right about those two, Cyborg thought to himself, BB'll certainly have to stay on his toes, around her.
Robin had to admit, he was slightly nervous about what he was about to do. He prided himself on his leadership ability, but he was self aware and honest enough to know that sometimes personal interaction was an area that he was somewhat lacking in. That sort of thing was more Cyborg or Starfires' area. He tended to rub people the wrong way, sometimes, which is a trait that he felt that he might have picked up from his mentor. And in his quest to be a decisive, effective leader, he sometimes didn't have a chance to consider the feelings of his teammates, such as the first incident when Beastboy became the Beast, and Raven was injured. Robin was forced to make a quick decision, one that he came to regret later. He was determined not to repeat this mistake.
With this thought in mind, Robin entered the living room, to find Beastboy seated upon the couch, focused intently upon a video game. The Titans' leader politely waited for the green teenagers' turn to end before speaking to him.
"Hey, Beastboy. How are you doing?"
"Hi, Rob," Beastboy responded, "Anything I can do for you?"
"Not in particular... just wanted to see if you were feeling better."
"Actually, I am, a little." Beastboy smiled. "Raven's been a big help. You did the right thing, sending her to help me."
Robin returned his smile a little sheepishly. "Actually, I can't really take credit for that. It was Starfires' idea."
"In any case, she's been great. It felt good to talk to someone."
"Yeah, and I know how tough that is sometimes, and I just want you to know that we're all here for you, any time you need to say something," Robin said.
"Wow, look at Mr. Sensitivity over here," Beastboy joked, "You're not gonna tell me you love me, or anything, are ya? 'Cause Star seems like the jealous type..."
"Oh, knock it off!" Robin shook his head at his fellow Titans' irreverence. Evidently, he really was feeling better. "It's just that Raven mentioned something yesterday, when she was telling us about your past. She mentioned something about your parents."
"Oh," Beastboy remarked, his face slipping into an impassive mask. "What did she tell you?"
"Not too much, she did a good job of keeping the personal stuff to a minimum," Robin assured him. "She just said your parents were... gone."
Beastboy sat silently, his expression still unreadable.
Robin continued, despite his growing discomfort. "Listen, I, uhhh... I know what that's like, to lose your mom and dad. I've been there too, andI know how hard it is."
"Rob, are you sure you're feeling well?" Beastboy finally asked. "I have to say, this is a little unlike you."
"I know, I know! It's just that what you said yesterday, about what happened the first time you... changed, I realize I kinda mishandled that whole thing, and I don't want to do that again, so, I just hope there's no hard feelings between us."
Beastboys' smile returned. " S'alright, dude. I know why you did what ya did. You were worried that I'd hurt Raven. If I'd been in your shoes, I'd have probably done the same thing. While we're at it, sorry I got snappy with you yesterday."
"No need to apologize, it's understandable. I'm glad you're you're feeling better, too. Maybe later today, we'll all-"
Before Robin could finish, the Trouble Alert sounded, its sirens and red lights calling the Titans to attenion.
"Hey, sounds like they're playing our song." Beastboy quipped. "Let's see whats up."
Robin nodded, and as the two made they're way to the main computer terminal, they were joined by their fellow Titans, as they rushed into the room.
Robin read the report that came up on the computer screen. "Looks like someone's tripped the silent alarm at the S.T.A.R. Labs facility on the outskirts of the city."
Cyborg thought it over. "Could be Gizmo, y'know. He'd certainly love to get his hands on all the experimental tech they have there."
Robin nodded. "Possibly...no way to know until we get there." He turned to face Beastboy. "I want you to sit this one out, Beastboy. You're still not fully recovered yet, and I don't want to rush you back to action too soon."
Beastboy looked a little crestfallen, but didn't argue. "Alright. I'll man the fort."
"Thanks. Raven, how are you feeling?"
The empath raised her hood. "I'm ready to go. I recover quicker than a normal human."
"Ok Titans, Lets go." The four teenagers rushed of the room, leaving Beastboy behind.
"Oh well," he sighed. "Looks like I've got the day off." He made his way back to the couch, and restarted his video game, trying not to worry about his comrades.
As the T-car approached the squat, nondescript building that served as a front for the top secret R and D facility, the Titans were met by a man dressed in the gray uniform of a member of S.T.A.R. Labs security.
"Thank you for getting here so quickly," said the harried looking man.
"It's no problem, Leutenant," Robin replied, noting the rank insignia on his uniform. "Can you brief us on the Situation?"
"The alarm went off in Sub-Section 2. It's a storage area, where the scientists who work here keep some of the things they develop."
Cyborg joined them. "Any visual on the intruder?"
"Negative. There was no one working in that area at the time of the intrusion, and we lost the feeds from the security cameras soon after. Essentially, we're blind. My men evacuated all the scientists, and established a secure perimeter. We've been sweeping the area since, but have found nothing. And due to the sensitive nature of this facility, I made the decision not to alert the regular authorities."
"You made the right decision," Cyborg noted. "Anyone that can get inside the lab, and not trip an alarm until he's in, must be a pro."
The Leutenant nodded and turned to Robin. "My men are at your disposal... how should we proceed?"
Robin quickly formed a plan. "Maintain your perimeter. Starfire, Cyborg, and I will go in and track down the perp. Raven, you stay out here with the security team. That way, we can stay in touch with them through our Titans' communicators." What Robin didn't say was that he was deliberately giving her the less dangerous assignment. Half demon healing or no, she had been injured just the day before, after all.
"Alright. We'll be ready in case the criminal makes a run for it." Raven showed no sign of being offended by being given the lighter duty, but then, it wasn't always easy to tell what she was feeling.
"Right. Titans, lets go." Robin then turned and led Starfire and Cyborg into the Lab.
As they entered the lab, the Titans noted that the main lights were non-functional. The only illumination was provided by dim emergency lighting.
Cyborg looked about the area. "Seems the intruder cut the lights out, probably to give himself cover. Stay close to me, I might be able to pick up something in infra-red. " From the entrance, a long, bare hallway stretched, with doors on either side. "Sub-Section 2 should be over on the east side." he said as led them down the corridor.
"How do you know?" Robin asked curiously.
"My parents used to work for S.T.A.R. Labs," he replied. "I've been inside before, in some of their other labs, and all their branches are pretty much laid out the same."
About halfway down the hallway, Cyborg stopped at a large set of metal double doors. He peered at an electronic keypad by the door. The cybernetic teen lifted his arm and spoke into the communicator that was built into it. "Raven, ask the Lt. what the code is for the door to the Sub-Section."
"1256722," came the tinny reply through the small speaker.
"Thanks. I'll keep the channel open, so you can monitor the situation." Cyborg entered the code and led the Titans into the storage area.
The storage area was a large, warehouse-like space, with tall metal racks festooned with numerous esoteric looking electronic devices and instruments. In the dimly lit environment, there were any number of hiding places for their quarry.
Robin surveyed the area, and spoke. "Alright. Starfire, you stay at the door until you hear out of me or Cyborg, in case he tries to slip around us. Cyborg, we'll start on the north side, and work our way over."
Leaving star to guard the door, Cyborg and Robin began slowly making their way through the room slowly, meticulously checking between the storage shelves for signs of the intruder.
After a short period of time, Cyborg raised his hand, signally Robin to halt. He peered intently down between the tall shelves. I thought I saw something." he whispered.
The Boy Wonder peered at the area his partner was looking at. "I can't see anything."
"It was just a blip, in infra-red. hang on... I'm going to filter my scan."
Robin thought he heard a faint humming sound in the air, not unlike a camera flash charging up. "Do you hear that?"
Suddenly, he saw Cyborg human eye widen in alarm. "Get down!"
Robin didn't need to be told twice. He dropped to the ground, ducking behind some shelving, as a beam of intense red light passed through the air where his head had been moments before. The energy beam hit the wall behind them, leaving a large black scorch mark.
Robin looked over at Cyborg, who had taked cover behind and adjacent set of shelves. "Did you see who it is?" he asked, as another blast of energy ripped through the air between them.
"No! I just heard that hum, and recognised the sound of a particle beam laser being charged!"
Suddenly, the red laser blasts were answered by a barrage of green energy bolts from overhead.
"Friends, I am here!" Starfire called from her airborne position, as she continued, her attack.
Robin looked up to her. "Starfire, cover us!" He drew a pair of explosive stun discs from his utilitly belt, and poised himself. "Cyborg, we do this together, ready?"
Cyborg nodded, seeming to intuitively understand his leaders' tactic. "Ready!"
"Go!"
Robin dashed out in a low crouch, with Cyborg following behind, firing blasts at their opponents position with his sonic cannon. As they advanced, the Boy Wonder hurled his stun discs towards the approximate position of his unseen enemy, behind a stack of crates. A flash and a deafening blast followed the impact of the discs.
"AAAGH!"
A small form was tossed out into the open from behind the storage crates, landing awkwardly face down.
"Gizmo," Robin grated, as Starfire and Cyborg rushed to his side. "Should've known."
Groaning, the diminutive villain struggled to his hands and knees. "Owww...who were you expecting, cludgehead, Catwoman?"
Starfire approached the dazed Gizmo. "You must surrender to the authorities. You cannot continue the fight."
"Ugh, I guess you're right," he groaned with a hand pressed to his temple. "On the other hand..." with lightning quickness, he produced a small device from a pouch on his belt and pointed it at the Titans.
Robin's eyes widened. "Look out he's-" suddenly they were englufed by a blinding flash of light. The searing pain in his eyes made any further speech impossible, as he attempted to shield his burning eyes with one hand.
After a few moments, the white blur that obscured Robins' vision disipated, allowing him to look around. He saw his friends also struggling to recover their sight. "Everyone alright?"
Starfire was blinking rapidly. "My eyesight shall be fully returned shortly."
"Yeah," Cyborg replied. "My normal eye's getting better, but that little runts' toy fried my cybernetic one." He looked about the room. "Where is the little weasel, anyway?"
Robin looked around. There was no trace of Gizmo to be seen. "Everyone stay alert. Even though we can't see him, we know he's still here. No one heard the door operate, did they?"
"No."
"Nah."
Robin nodded. "Right. So, we'll make our way back to the door, and cut him off."
Cyborg smiled. "Little punks' gonna have to go through us to get out of here."
"OK!" Gizmos' voice cheerily rang out from behind them, followed by a blast from his particle beam laser that struck Cyborg in the upper chest. The mechanically enhanced teen fell to his knees with a cry of pain.
"Cyborg!" Robin rushed to the aid of his fallen comrade, noting the blackened metal on his torso with worry. "How bad is-"
"Nothing vital... just hurts like all get-out..." he replied through clenched teeth.
Starfire hovered protectively in front of the two boys, her lips drawn back in fury. "Show yourself, Gizmo! You will pay dearly for harming my friend!"
"Heh, y'know, you're not nearly as pretty when you're angry, girlie..." The tiny criminals' voice now came from their left flank. Star responed to the taunt with a cry of rage and a volley of green starbolts.
"Ha-ha! Too slow, copper top!" Gizmo's voice now came from behind them again. Before Starfire or Robin could wheel around to respond, another beam of red light shot out of the darkness, streaking towards the Tamaranean girl. With her superhuman reflexes, she managed to dodge the worst of the attack, but was still grazed on the arm, leaving a painful-looking burn. The injury brought the airborne alien to the ground, holding her injured arm.
"Starfire!" Robin cried out. He dashed to her side, with a birdarang poised for throwing in his hand.
"Can't fight what you can't see, pit-sniffer." The taunt came from directly in front of them now. Listening closely, Robin could hear the faint hum, signaling that Gizmos' weapon was charging. "Bye-bye, birdie!" The anticipated beam of red light came streaking out of the darkness. Robin could only brace himself for the impact...
...Which never came. Before the beam struck, a blue blur erupted from the floor in front of him.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" As the arcane words were spoken, the Titans were surronded by a bubble of mystical black energy. Gizmos' beam impacted harmlessly against the magical shield.
"Raven!" Starfire cried out.
"Thank me later, Starfire." Dark energy continuing to pour from her hands, as blasts of red light continued to batter ineffectively aginst her shield. She looked to the Titans' leader. "Robin, do you think you can hit one of the fire sprinklers on the ceiling with an explosive disc?"
Robin was confused, but nodded "Yeah..."
"On the count of three, I'll drop my shield, and you do it. Ready... one... two... three!" The blue cloaked girl dropped her hands and allowed her shield to dissipate. Robin immediately flung an explosive disc to one of the tiny sprinkler heads on the ceiling above their heads, triggering a deluge of water throughout the room.
"Waaagh!" Not far from where they stood, the Titans could see Gizmo's small form, clearly outlined in the droplets of falling water, looking about in confusion.
"Gotcha!" grated the still kneeling Cyborg leveling his sonic cannon at their adversary, and firing. The blast struck the ground at Gizmos' feet, hurling him back several yards away.
"Jeez, hard to hit anything with only one eye," Cyborg lamented.
"Dosen't matter, Cy. We have him now." Robin drew his staff and advanced towards Gizmo, who was struggling to his feet.
As Gizmo stood, a pair of metal wings extended from his backpack.
"Guess it's time for me to fly, Titans!" Gizmo said, as he drew a small black box from his belt. As he pressed a button on the device, a section of the ceiling overhead was blown out by an explosive detonation, revealing the gray skies over the building. "See ya!" A pair of small rocket engines mounted on his backpack ignited, and propelled him into the air, and through the breech in the roof.
"We must pursue!" Starfire cried.
"No, Starfire." Robin replied, "None of us are in any shape to chase him." He shook his head despondently. "He's got us, this time."
Raven walked over to the alien girl. "Here, let me see your arm." The empath held her hand over the burned area on Starfires' limb, touching it lightly with her fingertips. A white nimbus surrounded Ravens' hand, and when she withdrew, the burn was gone, not even leaving a scar.
"Thank you, friend!" Starfire said gratefully. Raven acknowleged her with a nod of her hooded head.
"Yeah, too bad you don't fix electronics, too," quipped Cyborg, looking at the blackened, melted metal on his torso. "By the way, you were obviously monitoring the fight, but how did you know about the water trick?"
"Actually, I wasn't the only one monitoring the fight. Beastboy called me and checked in a little bit ago. I mentioned that it seemed you were fighting Gizmo, and he reminded me about the cloaking device. The sprinklers were just a bit of improvisation. Best thing I could come up with on short notice."
"Well, it was great work." Cyborg looked to Robin. "What now?"
"I'm going to get with some of the lab personel and do a quick inventory. I want to know if anything's missing. Something important must be here, for him to break into a high-security installation like this. I don't think this was a random crime. You three should get back to the tower, and get patched up. I'll get security here to give me a ride back when I'm done."
"You sure you won't need a hand?" Raven asked.
"I'll be fine. Just boring detective stuff here. And you could definitely use a rest." Robin said, catching a note of tiredness in her voice. "I'll call Beastboy and let him know you're on the way back. It's a longway back to the Tower, and I don't want him to worry."
"Alright," Cyborg said. "You can ride with me, ladies." Cyborg led the two girls back out of the lab, as Robin started his investigation. The Titans had been beaten today, and he swore to himself that Gizmo wouldn't escape a third straight encounter.
The child was trying to quell the growing fear inside. After all, it was taught that one should not let ones emotions become too strong, lest reason be overwhelmed. But still it was hard not to be intimidated by the gazes of the three adults watching the child intently, as they waited in the small plain room. They didn't look angry, exactly. But there was no warmth or regard for the child in those hard eyes. They watched like hawks, as if waiting for some violent outburst from the youngster.
But, the child did its best to hold on to its composure, as they waited. At last, they were joined by an officious looking man.
"What precisely happened today?" he said in a icy voice.
"T-they were teasing me... making fun of my skin, and I..." speaking was becoming difficult, with the memories of the event threatening to intrude. "I never meant to hurt them, I swear!"
"It seems that all the other children will recover, as none of them were seriously injured. The property damage caused by this ... outburst was quite extensive, however."
"I know... I didn't mean for it to happen..."
"It will be attended to. For now, it has been decided that you shall be sent home to your guardian. She will decide how to deal with this situation."
"I understand." With those words, the child was led away, still being watched closely by the adults.
Beastboy rubbed his eyes, as he drifted back to wakefulness.
Man, what is with all the weird dreams lately? That one made almost no sense at all.
The green boy sat up on the couch, and yawned.
Must have drifted off after Rob called in. Looks like I was out for an hour or so. Cy and the girls should be coming in shortly.
Beastboys' thought proved precient, as the elevator door opened, and Cyborg entered followed by Starfire and a weary-looking Raven.
"Raven, are you alright?" He exclaimed, rushing to her side, concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine. Just a little wore out. Guess I'm still not quite in top form," she said, rubbing her temple with one hand. "I caught a nap on the way home, but I seem to have a bit of a headache."
"Hey why don't you go up to your room and lay down a while? I'll bring you up some tea, and you can relax."
"That's alright. I don't want to be a bother..."
"No bother at all!" Beastboy said brightly. "Now go on, and I'll have the tea ready in a bit."
"...Ok," Raven mumbled, and shuffled off to her room.
Cyborg was making his way to the exit as well. "I think I'll go try to patch myself up a bit. Give me a shout if Robin gets back before I'm done," he said.
"Gotcha, Cy. Call me if you need any help." Beastboy replied as he made his way to the kitchen, followed closely by Starfire.
"May I be of assistance in preparing the beverage for Raven?" she asked.
"Sure, uhhh... Could you grab the tea kettle out of the top cabinet? I'm kinda too short to reach it."
As Starfire retrieved the teapot, Beastboy reached into another cabinet, where the teacups were kept. As he set the cups on the countertop and began rummaging around in the pantry for Raven's tea, the Tamaranean girl spoke.
"I think that it is wonderful that you are so considerate of Raven."
He smiled. "Thanks. It's the least I can do for her." He set the the tea aside, and took the kettle from Starfire, and moved to the sink to fill it with water. "Oh, could you get the sugar, too? She likes a little bit in her tea," he said as he set the kettle on the hot stove.
"I see... and you? I notice that you have set two teacups out."
"Oh, uh, yeah... I thought I'd try some, too."
Starfire smiled brightly. "It is good that you are sharing things with each other, now."
Something in her tone caught his ear. "Hm?"
"Well it is obvious that you care for each other very much. Perhaps this is a good opportunity for you to become closer to her."
Beastboy suddenly felt slightly nervous about the direction this conversation was going in. "I'm... not sure what you mean, Star..."
"What? Do you not have feelings for each other?"
"Well, uh... umm..."
"I merely thought that it was obvious, after I saw you two on the shore this morning."
"Y-you saw that?"
"Yes. "
"I-I don't know what you think it was, Starfire, but it wasn't what it looked like."
"It looked like two people, sharing their hearts with each other. Am I mistaken?" she asked, knowing the answer already.
"It's... it's really complicated..." he replied, feeling the blood rush to his face in embarassment.
"No, I do not think it is. You earth people make things complicated, that do not need to be so. It is all very simple to me. You do care for her, correct?" she looked at him very directly, her green eyes intent.
Caught in that gaze, there was no way Beastboy could deny it. "...Yes," he said quietly. "But, what about her? I mean, there's no way she could care about me, right?" He laughed derisively. "I mean, c'mon... it's silly to think that she could... like me, isn't it?"
"There is nothing silly about it, Beastboy. It is obvious that to me that she has warm feelings in her heart for you."
"Warm feelings? Raven?"
"Of course! Consider this: would she have allowed you to touch her, to be so close to her, on the shore this morning, if she did not?"
"Well I suppose so..." he stammered out lamely.
"And she also spoke to you yesterday. And when you were struggling with your inner Beast before, she went to you then, did she not?"
"Uh, yeah... wait, you know about that?"
"Naturally. She told me of it. She is my best friend. It is only natural that we should share these things." Starfire seemed to lose herself in thought for a moment. "Truly, she does seem to speak of you quite a bit..." she noted.
"S-she talks about me?" Beasboy sqeaked out, scarcely able to speak.
"Indeed. You seem to be much on her mind."
"I didn't realize that..."
"We Tamaraneans see much that others do not. We are very in touch with our emotions. If you feel so strongly for Raven, you should tell her so. As I said, it is simple."
Beastboy sighed. "You make it sound easy."
She shook her head. "Simple and easy are not one and the same. The simple things are usually the most difficult." She smiled reassuringly at him. "Do not be afraid to tell her how you feel. You are most brave in battle; you can be brave in love as well."
Beastboy smiled. "Never had you pegged as a philosopher, Star."
She laughed. "Perhaps I have spent too much time with Raven." A whistle from the stove alterted them that the water had come to a boil.
"Guess that's my cue, " the changeling remarked as he retrieved the kettle, and set it on a tray with the other paraphenalia.
"Are you going to tell her, then?" Starfire asked.
"I... think so. eventually. I just want to take my time with this..."
"Do not take too long. " she said seriously. "Sometimes it is good to be bold."
"I'll keep that in mind." He picked up the tray and started over to the elevator. He paused. "Thanks Starfire."
"You are most welcome, friend!" she said, her smile larger than ever.
As Gizmo arrived back at the makeshift hideout he shared with Mammoth, he saw a flashing light on his computer terminal, indicating that someone was trying to contact him.
Gilgamesh, he thought to himself.No one else had the ability to contact him here, anyway. As he logged on, the first message popped up on the screen.
GILGAMESH: Has Mammoth returned from his task yet?
GIZMO: Doesn't look like it.
GILGAMESH: Did you retrieve the necessary items?
GIZMO: Yeah...not that I understand what you intend to do with them. Wasn't easy, though. The Titans showed up.
GILGAMESH: Understaniding is not required on your part. Only obediance. And you're not being paid for easy. If we are successful, the Titans will not prove to be an impediment much longer.
GIZMO: ...Whatever. What do you want me to do now?
GILGAMESH: I need you to hack into the Titans computer again. I need information.
GIZMO: Ok... what sort of information? I got you everything I could on Beastboy earlier.
GILGAMESH: I need the current data on the security measures at Titans' Tower.
GIZMO: Security at the Tower? You aren't seriously considering breaking into Tower, are you?
GILGAMESH: Quite so. The time has come to assault the Titans where they least expect it. On their home ground.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Authors' Notes:
This was quite far and away the hardest chapter to write yet. And all the other real-life adversity, (such as computer viruses,) sure didn't help much. And like I said, this wasn't Beta-ed, so I'll have to apologize for any grammatical errors. I miss my word processor...
Anyway, It's good to finally be back, and I'm sorryfor the somewhat "dry" nature of this chapter, but there were a few things that I absolutely had to set in motion.
Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chap, and I hope that you'll all be so kind as to leave a review this time 'round, as well. Every review you guys send helps me be that much better of a writer. Hope to see you again next chapter!
Regards,
The Doctor
20 November 2005