AN: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews. I would have had this chapter up sooner, but I was visiting family. There are more notes at the end of this chapter.
The sun arose on a day that gleamed like a jewel as all remnants of the storm were washed away. The clouds that floated across the azure expanse of the sky were docile and white - nothing like their dark brothers which had brooded over the landscape for far too long. Birds sang cheerfully from the glistening trees as the flowers awoke to greet the coming day. To say that it was merely a beautiful day was a regrettable understatement.
Beast Boy lay on his bed, still staring up at his ceiling as he had done for much of the night. The storm was not over for him. His mind still churned with a vortex of questions. Since his encounter with Raven, he had repeated the scenario over and over within his memory - searching for some nuance he had possibly missed. Yet, no matter how he studied the matter, the answers still eluded him. He knew that Raven had appeared upset, and he had a suspicion that it was his fault - but he didn't know what he had done. Raven had made the first move...hadn't she?
Shaking his head, he got up and dressed. While he still didn't have the answers, brooding about it in bed wasn't going to solve anything. He was going to have to simply have to talk directly to Raven. Slowly, he made his way into Ops, but was immediately disappointed. Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg were there, but there was no sign of Raven. Perhaps, she was still in her room.
"It is such a lovely day," Starfire was commenting as he walked in, "It would be nice to go to the park and have one of those picnics."
"That's not a bad idea," agreed Robin, "It has been awhile since the weather's been this nice."
"And I have some ribs just perfect for grilling," Cyborg added.
"Where is Raven?" Starfire asked, "Should we not tell her of what we have planned?"
"I think she's meditating on the roof," Robin answered, "I'll go up and see if she wants to join us."
"I'll go," Beast Boy said, a shade too quickly, "I mean that I don't care to." He was briefly concerned that the others might have heard his eagerness and realized that something wasn't quite right, but they seemed too involved in their own plans to notice.
"Okay," Robin consented, "We'll be getting the rest of the stuff ready."
"But hurry back," Cyborg spoke up, "because I'm not carrying all of the picnic junk by myself like I did the last time."
Beast Boy laughed, but his heart really wasn't in it as he turned to hurry up onto the roof. Just as Robin had thought, Raven was indeed there and she was meditating, levitating as always just above the roof. Beast Boy stood there for a moment, regarding her cloaked back with confusion and dread. He knew he needed to talk to her, but he had no idea how he would even began to broach the subject. The only sounds that reached their perch was the distant noises of the city that moaned and hissed like ancient beasts.
"I know you're there," Raven finally said, breaking the silence.
"I didn't know if you did," Beast Boy responded, "and I didn't want to disturb you."
"That's okay," she said, "I was having trouble concentrating anyway." She turned so that she could look at him slightly. "Is there anything you want?"
He cleared his throat, his nervousness coiling in his stomach like an angry snake. "The rest of the guys are going on a picnic," he said, "Do you want to come?"
She seemingly considered the proposition for a moment before answering. "No. I'm not really a picnic type of person. I think I'll just stay here."
"Oh, well they wanted me to ask you. You sure you don't want to join us?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Thanks for asking though." She turned around to begin her mediation once more, but Beast Boy lingered.
"Look," he blurted out suddenly, "I'm not sure what's going on, but if I've done something to upset you, then I'm sorry."
"What?" she asked, turning completely around to face him, "What are you talking about?"
"Last night," he clarified, "I didn't mean to do anything. Honest. You know I hate for anyone to be mad at me - especially you." He could feel his cheeks burning and he knew that he was blushing slightly beneath his green cheeks.
Raven put her feet upon the ceiling and stood there looking at him in something akin to surprise. "You didn't do anything," she said, "And I'm not mad at you."
"Then what's going on?" he insisted.
"It's just..." her voice trailed off and she shook her head. Quickly, she started to walk past him and down the stairs, but he grabbed her left arm.
"What?" he asked.
"I can't tell you," she answered, looking down and away from his eyes.
"Is it a secret?"
"In a way."
"What? Is it the kind of secret you see people revealing on Jerry Springer?" he asked lightly.
She spun around to face him and he wished he could take back the words. It was a well-known fact that Raven hated the controversial show, so Beast Boy had said it purely to gain her attention. Yet, now he was afraid that he had only angered her and complicated the problem. To his surprise and relief, she actually smiled slightly.
"No," she said, "that would be if I was having an affair with Starfire behind Robin's back."
Beast Boy was so shocked, that he couldn't even respond at first as he stared at Raven, wide-eyed. Suddenly, he began laughing deeply and genuinely. She also began, and their laughter became a brief, beautiful duet. Her laughter was rare but melodious.
"Uh-oh," he said suddenly.
"What?" she asked, her laughter taping off.
He gave her his most mischievous grin. "Mental images," he said, simply.
"Don't you dare!" she exclaimed, hitting him in the upper bicep.
"Too late!" he yelled, as he grabbed her right arm as if in defense to her hitting him.
It was as it was the night before. He was holding her arms and they were standing dangerously close as their eyes locked. She was leaning forward again, but Beast Boy didn't move. As much as he wanted to, he didn't move.
Suddenly, her eyes grew wide as she jumped back, jerking her arms free. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't apologize," he said, "Just tell me what's wrong."
She looked at him pleadingly. "I'm not going to lie," she began, "and say there's nothing wrong. We both know that there is. But, I can't tell you what it is."
"Why not? Don't you think that I'll understand or something?"
"It's not that," she answered, "I just don't know how to tell you. I don't think there are even words to explain something like this."
"Raven," he said softly, reaching for her arms.
She pulled away gently. "Please," she cried, "I just can't trust myself to be around you right now." With those words, she turned and left the roof as she retreated inside.
Beast Boy stood there in the golden rays, feeling suddenly cold despite the sunshine. What could be going on? He only wished he knew. Yet, it was Raven's final words that haunted him the most...
Why couldn't she trust herself around him?
AN: I actually meant to go into what's happening with Raven in this section, but it ran a little long. The next chapter will definitely have Raven's point of view so that everyone will know her reason's for acting this way. Thanks again to all those who took the time to review. The next section should be up soon.
