Chapter 5: Terra and Beast Boy

Terra wrapped her arms around the giant green eagle's neck as it soared effortlessly on the brisk ocean breezes. The last beams of the evening sun were quickly fading as the cool salty air blew through Terra's long blond hair whipping it in her eyes and tickling her nose and ears. The green eagle tilted the first few feathers of its wings causing both of them to alternately glide up and down on the stiff sea breeze.

Terra laughed hysterically as she drifted up and down on Beast Boy's back. Her stomach rolled as Beast Boy steepened his ascents and descents. "Take it easy Beast Boy," she gently pleaded.

A triumphant screech filled the air as the eagle pulled up and violently tilted to the side in a full barrel roll. Terra screeched in fear and surprise as she clung tightly to Beast Boy's neck. The eagle leveled off and began beating its wings furiously. Terra could hear the wind whistle to either side of her.

"Where are we going?" Terra questioned her partner. Beast Boy screeched again as Terra began laughing lightly as they sailed through the night sky. This was one of the side benefits of having a boyfriend who could literally fly. She surveyed the scene and slowly recognized the abandon park they had visited so long ago. Terra frowned for a moment thinking over the circumstances of that night; her betrayal and her final decent into Slade's clutches.

It was Beast Boy who believed in her and gave her strength in those dark moments. She would forever be in his debt. She had nearly killed him; now she was determined that no one would hurt him again. She closed her eyes and squeezed her arms tightly around Beast Boy's neck feeling the gentle sway as the pair made for the top cart of the park's Ferris wheel.

Beast Boy flapped his wings to steady himself over the chair. Terra slid off Beast Boy's back and onto the Ferris wheel chair. She grabbed the safety bar and slid into the seat. Beast Boy morphed back into his human form and landed heavily in the chair causing it to rock violently. Terra let out a small screech as the cart rocked back and forth.

"Easy Beast Boy," Terra gently prodded him, "who knows if this thing will fall apart."

"It's fine," Beast Boy reassured her. "I've been here lots of times while you were gone." Beast Boy stared uncomfortably into the star-filled sky. Terra's disappearance was generally not a topic either of them liked to discuss. Terra looked at her boyfriend contemplating her next words. His eyes glistened softly in the dim starlight. She waited until the carriage ceased moving then leaned over and gently wrapped her arms around his neck. A soft wind blew Terra's hair into Beast Boy's face tickling his nose.

Beast Boy closed his eyes and gently leaned his head against Terra's. The couple sat motionless listening to the din of crickets serenade them.

Terra gently pulled away from him then ran her hands across Beast Boy's chest and shoulders before coming to rest on his forearm. "Why here?" she quietly asked him.

Beast Boy turned to Terra and put his other hand on hers. He was momentarily lost in her soft glistening eyes. "This is just where I came when I needed to be close to you."

"But this is where I betrayed you," she pulled her arms away from him and rested her elbows on the safety bar.

"No," Beast Boy countered, "this is where you decided to fight. If we hadn't come to this place would you have fought back against Slade?"

Terra contemplated Beast Boy's statement. He made a good point. It was here she felt remorse and it was here where she would build on her fight for redemption. "But I caused so much pain," she continued. "Why didn't you just give up on me? I would have accepted that more easily than this." She looked down at her dangling feet.

Beast Boy drew in a deep breath and sighed. He looked up into the night sky trying to formulate a simple explanation for his complex feelings for her.

"I guess I always thought you belonged here, I mean with the Titans. I just wanted to help you fit in," he tried to explain. "It took me a long time to get along with everyone in this group. I always felt like the weakest link."

Terra looked over at her fumbling companion, "Beast Boy, you're much stronger than you give yourself credit for," she mildly corrected him. She placed her hand gently on his for reassurance. "You've always fought for what you know is right. You're like a bull in a china shop." She smiled at her companion as he turned towards her.

"Are you saying I'm bull headed?" Beast Boy tried his best to glare menacingly at her.

"Definitely," she laughed lightly.

Beast Boy broke into a broad smile; any girl who laughed at his jokes would always have his heart. Terra pulled him gently towards him planting a warm kiss on his smiling lips. Beast Boy closed his eyes and savored the moment.

Raven's eyes narrowed and her heart raced in anger as she watched Beast Boy and Terra's passionate embrace. Something deep inside her psyche snapped. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She shouldn't have followed them tonight.

Raven gathered herself then erupted into the air heading back towards the city. She was furious. There was only one solution to this problem.

Raven parted the doors of the smoke-filled bar room. Gregory sat slumped over on one of the stools. She strode quickly towards him peeling her shoes from the sticky bar floor as music blasted from the jukebox.

Gregory was half asleep gently struggling through another drunken fog. He slowly raised his cigarette to his lips. Some one grabbed it from his hand before he could take a drag. He tried to swivel around to his right to see who had taken it when he felt a cold hand pin down his left arm. This was followed by severe pain as that some one crushed his lit cigarette into his forearm.

"GOD DAMN IT!" he cried in pain as he pulled away from the bar overturning his stool. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" He stood up swaying slightly.

The offending figure leaned on the bar and looked at him in contempt; it was Raven. Her eyes were seething. She looked over to the bar and grabbed the drink Gregory had offered her the previous night. He had ordered it hours ago, not quite sure if she would show up tonight.

Raven lifted the glass to her mouth, closed her eyes and quickly swallowed the overly sweet burning concoction then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and slammed the empty glass on the bar. She opened her eyes and turned back to Gregory who was smiling.

"Do we still have a deal you little turd," she roughly questioned him.

"Oh yea," he replied.