Tet: Yeah, yeah, it's been sometime. I'm kind of going through some stuff…we'll just leave it at that.

Disclaimer: I really don't own this. :sigh:

Tet: The reviews…thanks. Now, Chapter what is it? Ten. Wow…Who would have thought that this thing would make ten chapters. I'm having second thoughts about the entire fic. I don't' know what it is, I feel so…ah and the "Tetra Psychology Session" ends here. Just read and review…

Chapter Ten: 'A Chapter of Monologues and Blackbirds'

December was whipping past us. Before I knew what was happening, it was the day before Christmas Eve and time was flying. It was ten o'clock at night before I realized that I actually had to BUY presents for people. Don't ask.

"You coming BB?"

It was Terra beckoning me upstairs. "Ah, actually no…I'm going go out…for a little while, I think."

"Sure whatever."

I walked to the door and grabbed my jacket and scarf. As I closed the door I had a brief glimpse of Terra flipping me off. I sighed and closed the door.

It was freezing out.

I shivered as I walked quickly to the T-Car. There had to be like, a K-Mart open tonight, right? I got in and drove around town. I finally spotted a Target and settled with that. Besides, how would they know how much their gifts cost? It's not like Robin is going to skip out on the yearly, "Batteries and Blank Tapes" tradition that he always gives us every year.

"Hmm…no, no, I doubt Starfire would have use for a fly swatter.", I thought aloud, waking up and down the aisles.

I suddenly noticed a black lacy bra. An image of Raven wearing it came to my mind. I wondered if she would wear it if I gave it to her. I picked it up and felt it, it was so soft, like Raven's skin.

Or so I imagined.

I looked at the price tag, $19.99. I checked my wallet, a twenty dollar bill, and assorted change. If I bought this, I would have no money for anyone else's gifts.

"Maybe I could just make everyone else cards…", I wondered aloud.

"Yes, because everyone loves a good handmade crap card."

I whipped my head around and saw Ariel standing behind me. I dropped the bra. (No pun intended)

We both watched it gracefully fall to the ground and stared at it for another minute. I was putting off looking up into the eyes of Ariel, which I knew now were boring into the top of my skull.

"Long time no see…how are you?"

I finally looked up at her.

"I'm good. You?"

"Pretty good. I mean, except for the fact that I went out with some loser, and on our first date, ran away from me. I went home and cried. I was so sad. Everyday I counted how long it had been since we saw each other. I waited by the phone. I ran to crime scenes looking for him there to save the day. I never saw him. I mean not for two weeks. I mean it isn't like I'm a stalker or anything, I hate stalkers. But maybe I am? I mean I just count every second until we see each other an-"

"Ariel!" I wanted the monologue to end.

I stared blankly at her and tried to think of something to say. It hadn't occurred to me that doing what I did, had probably hurt her.

"I…I'm sorry."

She stared at me for a minute. I kept looking down at the bra and up at her.

"It's okay." I didn't know what to say, I felt happy, yet not entirely relieved.

"A-Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It's fine really." She smiled at me. We stared at each other for a moment.

"So, can I help you shop for gifts? It looks like you need a little help.", she stared pointedly down at the bra.

"Yeah. Yeah, please.'

We walked around the store looking at different things, chasing old people, playing on the shopping carts, and naming the plants. I picked out a sunflower for Starfire, and hair gel for Robin, (to add to his collection of many assorted bottles and brands).

"So, what are you getting Cyborg?"

"I dunno. He's kind of high-tech."

"How about a tool?", a slight smile on her face. I stared at her in puzzlement.

"It was a joke. I know he's half metal, and I know he isn't…lacking, anything."

"Huh?"

"The National Enquirer."

"Oh…", I didn't laugh though.

We walked onward down the tool aisle, in an awkward silence.

"Here. 'The Maniac's Tool Kit.'"

"Oh, that's perfect.", I smiled at her. I suddenly realized she was moving closer to me.

I gulped. "Uhhh…"

Ariel was closing the space between us.

"W-What are you doing?", I asked, my voice sounding weak, and childish.

She moved, ever closer.

"You know that you want me Beast Boy…"

Ariel thrust her body forward in one movement, and I did the same, except away from her. She fell forward onto the floor, and I dropped the tool box in surprise. It shattered and made the loudest sound I think I have ever heard in my life. Suddenly people were everywhere, trying to figure out what had happened. Ariel was just lying on the ground, face down.

I couldn't think of what to do. I ran from the scene leaving the box in pieces; I wasn't paying for it! As I ran through the doors, I heard Ariel shrieking in the background.

I got into the T-Car and stepped down hard on the gas. Screw Ariel, and screw Christmas.

"And what have you been up to?", I heard a voice from the back seat.

I slammed down on the brakes in surprise and sent the unwanted passenger into the front seat through the air.

"TERRA?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come for a ride, and I wanted to help you with the shopping!", she smiled goofily.

"Well ,why didn't you come inside then? You missed a great show."

"Why? Well, it's kind of hard to when someone such as yourself drives. When you slammed on the brakes for the fifteenth time, I hit my head on the window and passed out. I just woke up."

"Oh. Uh, sorry about that."

"No worries. Now tell me about your shopping experience. Meet any cute girls?"

I debated whether telling her the truth. Does Ariel count as cute?

I decided against it.

"Um, not really no."

"Buy all the gifts you needed?"

"No.", that part was true.

"Not anything?"

"Nope."

"Not even a present for me?"

"No…"

"What are you getting me?"

"I don't know.", I said getting annoyed now.

"Well, Christmas is tomorrow."

"I know."

"So, then what are you getting me?"

"I don't know."

"You aren't getting me anything?"

"No, I am."

"What are you getting me?"

"I don't know."

"But you are getting me something right?"

"Yes."

"What do you think it will be?

"I don't know."

"But Christmas is tomorrow."

"I know."

"So when are you buying presents?"

"I don't know."

"But Christmas is tomorrow."

"I know."

"So if you're-"

"SHUTUP! I don't know when the hell I'm buying your gifts."

I regretted it the second it came out of my mouth. We sat in silence the whole way home, Terra sniffing dramatically every couple of minutes.

As she opened the door to leave I called her back.

"Terra! Wait.", I put my head through the opened door.

SLAM!

I saw stars in my eyes. Everything was going dark. What was going on?

"OMG, Beast Boy! Are you okay?"

"Whahapnd?"

"Well, you got hit by my door. Or maybe, the door hit you. Actually, your head hit the door. Or would it be that the door hit your head? Well I actually did it. I shut the door. More like slammed, actually. Your head was just there. So it was kind of my fault. But then why was your head there? It wouldn't have been hit if it wasn't there. Its not like I placed it there. But I did shu-"

"Terra! Hello? I'm hurt here! Stop it with the monologue and help me out."

She pulled me out and to my feet. I rubbed my head. It really did hurt.

"Here." She kissed my head.

I blushed.

"Uh, thanks…"

"I really am sorry."

"No, it's…it's fine."

"Good! Come on, let's go inside, I'm having a pickle craving."

I followed her inside, and found Raven sleeping on the couch by herself. She looked beautiful.

"YO! Wake up, blackbird!"

It was lucky Raven was too sleepy to realize what Terra had just said.

"Ugh….I fell asleep on the couch."

"Thank you Captain Obvious."

"Um, can I walk you to your room?"

"WHAT?", Terra yelled.

"Walk...walk me to my room?"

Now I felt weird. "Um, I mean, I have to ask you a question about Christmas."

"Oh…", except Terra said that, raven was still staring at me.

"Yeah, um, okay."

Raven walked through the door. I looked at Terra who still had her eyebrows raised. I looked away.

At first Raven and I walked in silence. Why did her room have to be so goddamn far?

"So, what did you want to ask me?"

I couldn't remember.

"I…I, what did I what?"

"Ask me. Why did you want to ask me?"

"Wh-What do you want for Christmas?"

"Oh, Beast Boy, the day before Christmas Eve, you think so far in advance.", the sarcasm always returns.

"Well? What do you want?"

There was a pause, and it seemed like she was fighting an internal battle; you could always tell when she was biting her lip, that she was debating something.

"Nothing that you would want to give me."

I stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I don't want anything."

"But I have to get you something. That's what Christmas is about."

"Getting presents?"

"Huh? No, giving them. Just tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you. I mean I never had a lot of money and all but I mean what do you want? I could try to get some money. The main account, I think somehow I could hack in and get money, even though it's not the first of the month. Maybe I could change the date. I know the password. At least I think I do. I think it's "Screw the Hive.", but maybe not. I don' t know , well it's worth a try right? How would they know? I could jus-"

"Beast Boy! Calm down."

What is this the chapter of monologues?

"I…I just want to get you something that you would like."

"You are sweet."

I smiled at her.

"Well, yes. I do taste good."

What the hell was I thinking when I made that joke? Add that to the checklist of things I shouldn't have said tonight.

"Um, I'm going to go to bed, now."

"I-I'm, yeah okay, goodnight."

"Night."

I watched her shut the door and at the last second I decided I had to say something.

"Raven, wa-"

SLAM!

My head hit the door for the second time tonight.

I cried out in pain and dropped to the floor, in an almost, fetal-like position.

"Is everything okay?"

It was Robin and Starfire, and they had clearly just burst out of the room on my right. I suddenly realized Robin was shirtless, and Starfire was wearing only a towel.

I looked away and got up and walked back to my room, quickly.

I hate the holidays.

Tet: So...there's Chapter ten. Review and I'll be motivated to write Chapter Eleven. See you next time!