A/N: Well, I finally got a chance to write this. I'm sorry if there are some mistakes, but my dinner consisted mostly of Ritz crackers, so I'm not focusing too great. Aurora Maryte, thanks so much! You are officially my first reviewer, who gave me my first review :) yay!(confetti falls). Umm, anyway, on to chapter two!
Terra bent over double, breath coming in quick gasps. Her ragged uniform hung from her thin form; if possible, the former Titan looked skinnier than before.
Beast Boy finally snapped out of his trance, and rushed over to her. "Terra, Terra! You…you…".
The changeling hovered near her, too afraid to touch her, yet unable to stay away. The shock of what he was seeing made his fur stand on edge; his lips quivered, and he rubbed his eyes vigorously, praying that what he was seeing was no dream.
He finally managed to mutter something coherent. "No way…". He stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do.
Finally, Terra stood up straight. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Exhaustion emanated from her in waves; she swayed slightly, but kept her balance.
Finally, her sky-blue eyes opened, and looked into Beast Boy's own. She looked at him blankly for a few seconds, then seemed to catch herself.
"Hey, B.B.. Miss me?"
She attempted a smile, but failed. Her quintessential playful look was gone. Her eyes looked as empty as Beast Boy's heart had felt only a moment ago. She bit her lip. How would he react?
With a happy cry, Beast Boy wrapped his arms around the earth-shifter in an exuberant hug worthy of Starfire. Terra stood stiffly.
"I don't believe it! This is too awesome! I can't tell you how happy I am!" he exclaimed, holding her tight.
Slowly, Terra returned the hug. Unseen by Beast Boy, a tear silently slid down her cheek.
"Yeah" she said in a slow, low voice. "Same here".
"Hey, anybody seen B.B.?" asked Cyborg, looking around the main room for the changeling.
"I believe he left some time ago, to pay a visit to Terra" Starfire called from the kitchen.
"Whatcha making, Star?" asked Robin, walked through the doorway.
Starfire stirred the contents of a large bowl. "Pudding of Sadness" she stated calmly.
"Why?" asked Robin concerned, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Is something wrong?"
"It is not for myself, but for friend Raven, to ease her troubled mind" said Star.
Robin cringed remembering the last time Raven had been offered the pudding and told her mind was troubled. It took a week to replace those monitor screens. He opened his mouth to mention it, but Cyborg interrupted.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, entering the conversation as he leaned against the counter. "Troubled mind? What's up with Raven?"
Starfire hesitated. "It is…complicated. She has been acting strange all afternoon. She travels restlessly from room to room, hooded, as if waiting for something to happen. When I questioned her about it, she uttered something about 'Just a statue' and left the room."
Robin and Cyborg exchanged glances. Raven's behavior, consisting of constant meditation, stoic contemplation, and loads of time shut up in her room, could never exactly be described as "normal", but it definitely sounded like something was up.
Cyborg stood up. "Maybe I should go ask her about it, see if I can find out what's the deal. You guys stay here."
He left the main room, faintly hearing as he closed the door "But you did not try any last time, Robin. Just have a taste…"
Cyborg winced; he didn't know about the pudding's, erm, unique taste, but given his experience with Starfire's cooking, he could definitely imagine. He entered the elevator, and made his way toward the floor where the dark teen often secluded herself.
It wasn't working. Big surprise.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos. Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos."
It was no use; nothing could shake off the anxiety coursing through her.
Raven opened her eyes, and uncrossed her legs on the bed. Meditating hadn't helped. Things were looking serious.
You have to calm down, Raven. You're overreacting, she thought to herself, as she paced around her sanctuary.
Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door. By the banging, metallic sound, and the way her door quaked, she knew it was Cyborg on the other side.
"Raven? You in there? Hey Raaaven!" he called, still knocking.
Suddenly, the door came down. Cyborg sweat-dropped anime style.
"Aw man, not again! She's gonna kill me!" he muttered, looking around nervously, clamoring to pick up the door and wedge it back into it's former spot. He dusted his hands off, thinking, Maybe she's up on the roof.
He looked around again to make sure no on had seen him, and walked off, whistling innocently, headed for the roof.
Back in Raven's room, a dark shadow quickly materialized into a blue cloaked girl. She was so worried, she wasn't even angry about the door. She walked over to her dresser and observed her reflection in the mirror. A tense face, framed by pin-straight hair and marked by an intense, violet gaze, stared back.
She sighed. It couldn't be helped, she had seen what she had seen.
flash back
It took place early in the afternoon. B.B. was leaving to go visit Terra.
Passing Raven in the hall, the changeling foolishly brought up the subject of Terra's encasement in stone. He earnestly asked whether Raven had made any progress researching some magical method to bring her back.
Raven had tensed visibly. She had been avoiding the subject, and her first reaction was to mutter that there was nothing she could do for now.
"Oh c'mon Raven!" B.B. snapped angrily, losing his temper. "Sometimes I think you don't even try!" he exclaimed, grabbing her wrist.
The vision hit Raven like a ton of bricks:
A flash of yellow light;
Beast Boy hugging a live Terra;
Beast Boy throwing things in the main room;
Terra running...
It was over almost a soon as it started. Raven jerked out of his grasp. She blinked disconcertedly, trying to make sense of what she had seen.
Beast Boy looked at her oddly. "Uh, Raven? Is everything ok?"
Raven studied him a moment before scowling and saying "I have to go", and headed off to the roof. B.B. stayed glued on the spot for a few seconds before turning and continuing on his way to Terra's tomb.
end of flash back
Raven slammed her fist down on her dresser.
No! Terra couldn't be back!
Why not? Asked a sly voice in the back of her head. Would it matter to you if she was?
"Of course," growled Raven out loud to herself. "She's a dangerous criminal, a liar, and a spy. She tried to kill us without batting an eye."
But then she sacrificed her life to save the city and the Titans.
"It was probably only because Slade turned on her. If he hadn't, we might be dead now."
Is this really about the safety of team, or because of a certain green elf?
Raven shook her head violently, dispelling the thought the instant it entered her head. She clenched her fists.
This whole argument is pointless, she thought, ignoring the fact that she had actually had a conversation with herself. Because she's gone. Done for. Yesterday's sushi.
Raven shuddered at her own apparent coldness. She heaved another sigh, all malice gone. She stretched her arms, suddenly feeling very sore and tired. Terra really was gone, and was probably never coming back.
As if on cue, Raven's communicator beeped scandalously. Robin's voice was unmistakable.
"Titans! Emergency! Report to the main room immediately!"
