Between A Rock And A Hard Place

by The Dark Marvels

Disclaimer: We don't own Teen Titans, etc...

The Dark Zodiac's A/N: Hooray for those who've given us positive feedback about the story thus far! Reeny and I thank you, hardXcore. So this is the next chapter of our Beast Boy/Aqualad epic. They'd make the best couple out of all the Titans, in my opinion. Wheeeee! So I shall leave you with that! R&R please! Holler. Xoxo

Reeny's A/N: Wow, thanks again for all the wicked awesome reviews! Glad ur enjoying reading this fic as much as we enjoy writing it. R&R please, it makes our day oh so fine. much love---reeny

- Chapter II: Nobody Puts BB In The Corner -

Aqualad broke the gentle ripple of waves which rolled through the bay where Titans Tower was located. The sun was shining brightly above his head, indicating the hour was close to noon. He flew through the water like a bird through the sky and climbed onto the rocks surrounding Titans Tower a few moments later. Aqualad slipped the Titans communicator off his belt and pushed one of the buttons, causing the device to beep and light up.

"Hello?" came a voice from the small communicator.

"Robin?"

"Yeah. Who's this?"

"It's Aqualad."

"Hey Aqualad. I'll open the doors. Come on up to the top."

"See ya in a few."

The large metal doors of the tower slid open, revealing the foyer of the enormous Titans Tower. Aqualad walked through the room to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. A soft buzzing noise filled the elevator as he ascended to the top of Titans Tower. Beast Boy...there isn't even an emotion to describe how I'm feeling right now. Anxiety, fear, excitement... The elevator came to a stop and the metal doors slid open.

"Aqualad!" yelped Starfire as her bright green eyes lit up with surprise and excitement.

"Hey Starfire. How are you?"

"Excellent! How are you? How was your trip to the surface? Are you thirsty? May I get you a cold beverage?" she asked in rapid succession as grin on her face got bigger.

"Uh...I'm fine, really. Thanks. Could you tell me where Robin is?"

"Of course! I'll be back in a moment!"

Starfire left and Aqualad made his way over to the sofa, surveying the large room for the green teen who appeared to be absent. Thoughts of Beast Boy flooded his head while he waited for Robin.

"Booya! Aqualad's in the house!" came a voice from behind him. "What's shakin down in Atlantis?"

"Hey Cyborg," he said as the half man, half robot plopped himself down next to him with a bowl of food. "I came to talk to Robin about the earthquake this morning."

"Raven and Robin have been analyzing data all morning..."

"And we still don't have much," Robin said as he walked into the room which overlooked the bay. "We have some theories, but nothing concrete. We think Slade may be involved."

"We felt it down in Atlantis this morning."

"Raven's been going through geological data and so far she doesn't think this earthquake was natural. She thinks..." Robin trailed off as his gaze drifted out the window. "She thinks it might involve Terra somehow. We don't know how, but whatever you do, don't mention it to Beast Boy."

"Why? What happened?"

Cyborg and Robin sat on either side of Aqualad as they retold the rise and fall of Terra, the one who betrayed the Teen Titans. They told of her treachery and how she tried to save Beast Boy, but betrayed him in the end as well. Pools of tears formed in Aqualad's onyx eyes and he felt a sickness fill his stomach. How? How could she do that to him? How could she hurt him like that?

"Where...is Beast Boy?"

"He might be in his room or Terra's old room. He also spends a lot of time on top of the tower or on the rocks by the water. We've tried everything to try and cheer him up. Maybe you could do something."

"I will. Thanks everyone. I'll also try and find out if anyone knows anything about the earthquake. We'll be in touch."

"See ya, Aqualad."

He made his way back over to the elevator and pushed the button for the ground level. The soft buzzing filled the elevator and Aqualad found his head spinning, his mind still in a flurry from the story of Terra. He didn't know what to do or say when or even if he saw Beast Boy before diving towards Atlantis. Just because he was an all-around nice guy and super hero didn't mean consoling people was one of his strengths.

As he made his way down the rocks, Aqualad saw someone in a black and fusha spandex suit hunched over. Beast...Boy... Aqualad gingerly walked across the rocks to where Beast Boy was sitting and gently sat down next to the sulking green teen. They sat in silence. I have to say something to him. We can't just sit in silence like this.

"Beast Boy..." Aqualad saidly quietly, almost inaudibly.

The green teen turned to him and they found themselves locked in each other's gaze. Aqualad felt his heart fill with a feeling of sadness as he stared into the empty eyes of his green muse. The fiery passion which had once shown brightly as the sun through his eyes was now reduced to smoldering embers. He was a shell of his former self.

"Beast Boy, you need to snap out of this," Aqualad said, not breaking eye contact.

"Aqualad...I can't. I felt something for her and she betrayed me. She crushed me. Now she's gone."

"You can't let this ruin you, Beast Boy!" he exclaimed as tears began to pool in both their eyes. "What happened didn't just affect you, it affected the rest of the Titans. You need to be strong, Beast Boy, like the others. They need you to be strong."

"Maybe..I'm just not strong enough to be a Titan," he said emptily. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all."

"We all need you to be the old Beast Boy," Aqualad pleaded as he planted a hand on the green teen's shoulder. "I need you to be the old Beast Boy."

Streaming tears stained his green skin as lunged into Aqualad's chest and began sobbing. Aqualad slid his arms around the trembling Titan and ran his hand up and down his back. I wanted to get close to you, Beast Boy, but not like this. The last thing I wanted was to see you upset. Beast Boy clawed at Aqualad's back as his sobbing became full on weeping and he tightened his embrace on the green teen. Beast Boy's body quivered against Aqualad's as exhaustion set in and his crying began to cease. Soon the green teen was passed out in Aqualad's arms. He picked Beast Boy up like a child and made his way up the rocks, back to Titans Tower. Drool slowly slid down Beast Boy's chin and a small smile spread across Aqualad's face. Good old Beast Boy.

"Is something wrong?" Robin asked as Aqualad left the elevator carrying Beast Boy in his arms.

"He...had a little crying session and passed out. He just needs some rest."

"Starfire, can you show Aqualad where Beast Boy's room is?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed as she flew over to the Atlantian. "I shall take you to Beast Boy's domicile. Would you like a tour of Titans Tower as well?"

"Um...maybe later, Starfire. I just wanna get Beast Boy to bed right now."

"Alright," she said somewhat dejectedly. "Please follow me."

"Wow. Beast Boy really let this place go," Aqualad commented as the door slid open.

"Beast Boy's room has always been a pile of smelly junk, so says Raven."

"For some reason, that doesn't surprise me," Aqualad retorted. "I'm just gonna put him to bed. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Starfire floated back to the enormous room which overlooked the bay while Aqualad put Beast Boy to bed. He stared at the sleeping green teen as he sat down next to him on the bed. I hope at least sleep can give you some solace. Aqualad was about to stand up, but Beast Boy grabbed his hand.

"Aqualad," he moaned sleepily, "please don't leave."

Aqualad's heart skipped a beat as he went over what Beast Boy just asked of him.

"Huh?" he replied in disbelief.

"Please...don't leave."

"S-sure, Beast Boy. I'll just ask Robin for a sleeping bag or something.

"Please...just come in bed."

"Uh...are you sure?" he asked, excited and confused at the same time.

"Mmmmhmm."

Aqualad hesitantly slid into bed next to Beast Boy and faced the exhausted Titan. He wanted to wrap his arms around the changeling and tell him everything would be fine. He wanted to hug and kiss him and tell Beast Boy how much he loved him. He wanted to make sure Beast Boy would never feel pain again. He wanted to, but instead Aqualad rested his head on a pillow next to Beast Boy's. He felt stiff and felt himself break into a sweat. A tightening of his suit below the waist caused his face to turn a deep red. He closed his eyes, but he couldn't sleep. His head was like static: there were so many emotions and thoughts bouncing back and forth he couldn't relax. Suddenly, he felt Beast Boy shift next to him and felt the green teen press his back against Aqualad's chest. His heart skipped a beat as Beast Boy shifted again, this time pushing his face into Aqualad's chest.

"Beast Boy?" Aqualad whispered, but received no response.

Aqualad was in a very uncomfortable position and felt his arm going numb. If he rolled onto his back, Beast Boy would probably be on top of him when he shifted again. He began to lose feeling in his fingertips and slid his arms around Beast Boy. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want or like this. Beast Boy rubbed his face against Aqualad's chest and then began snoring. Aqualad smiled and slowly slid into slumber, Beast Boy wrapped safely in his arms.

- End Chapter II: Nobody Puts BB In The Corner -

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