Chapter Two
"Calm down, Raven. Azarath Metrion Zinthos." BOOM!
Raven winced as yet another artifact exploded.
"Enough is enough!" she decided. Going over to her dresser she picked up her meditation mirror and was sucked in.
Landing on her butt Raven entered Nevermore. Standing up and dusting herself off she made a mental note to work on her entrances next time.
"Hiya Rae!" a voice exclaimed. A pink version of Raven ran into view. Happy, Raven thought grimly.
"Why did you make BB so sad? That wasn't very nice." the emotion said dejectedly, her normally happy mood deflated for a fleeting moment
"It was either that or… never mind. Where's Wisdom?"
Happy shrugged "I dunno." with that she ran away laughing and giggling like a two year old.
Raven shook her head "I will never know how such an neurotic emotion got into my head." she muttered.
"Believe it or not if you could express emotion you might act a little like her." a voice behind her said.
Turning Raven found another copy of herself, this one in a rich chocolate brown cloak "Of course I believe if you could express emotion you would not be seeking my help."
"I just want to know how to stop feeling these things. It's dangerous for me and the others." Raven retorted.
Wisdom sighed "You can not stop feeling. It is both physically and mentally impossible. As for the emotion you are feeling, you would be better off talking to her than anyone else."
Raven sighed "I was afraid you were going to say that." she grumbled rubbing the bridge of her nose in thought.
When she looked up Wisdom had vanished and she was standing in a different area of her mind. This one was considerably light compared to the rest of her psyche 'Okay Raven. No big deal, just don't let her mix your words around and confuse you like last time.' Gritting her teeth Raven approached the silver shrouded figure.
"Hello Raven," came a strangely weak and sad voice "I suppose you are here to tell me to stop thinking about… Garfield."
"…Yes I am." frowning the half demon moved around so she could see the emotion's face. "What is the matter with you?"
"Nothing, nothing is wrong at all."
"You're lying."
"I am not."
"Tell me."
"No, I wish to be left alone."
"I will not be ordered around by my own feelings." Raven growled angrily. 'I've got to get out more. Arguing with yourself can't be healthy for you.'
"It isn't so stop." the emotion said.
Raven cursed. Here in Nevermore all her thoughts were audible. "Will you just tell me what is wrong so I can get on with my life?"
Love turned and faced the girl angrily "Garfield offered you what you asked for and you pushed him aside! He was willing to take the risk of being hurt to be with you!"
"I don't want him to get hurt!" Raven yelled back "You saw what my powers were doing! I could've killed him."
"But you didn't." Love argued "You are a coward Raven. Too afraid to see the answer staring you right in the face!"
Behind Raven a portal appeared to the real world. Love shoved Raven through it yelling "Leave! And do not return until you've come to your senses!"
Beast Boy sat on the roof dejectedly. Part of him knew Raven was only trying to make sure he was safe but it still hurt to have her shove him away. All he wanted was for her to be happy. Why couldn't she see that?
"You okay BB?"
Beast Boy turned at the sound of the familiar monotone. Raven stood in the doorway "I'm fine Raven. You can go on with your life now."
"No, we need to talk." the Goth sat down next to him lowering her hood "I really do care about you Beast Boy. That's why I have to stay away from you."
"No you don't! Come on Rae, the whole time nothing happened to me. You're not going to hurt me."
"You don't know that and I won't risk your safety for something that makes me… feel good."
"Raven I don't care. I want you to feel good. I want you to be happy."
"I… Beast Boy…" Raven licked her lips trying to find the right words "I can't." she said finally
"You can't be happy? That's a lie Raven." Beast Boy said standing up.
"It's the truth Beast Boy. Don't you get it? The more I feel the more energy I create. And sooner or later that all has to come out and when it does I can't control it." Raven retorted standing too.
"Raven I've seen you happy hundreds of times and nothing happened! You were laughing with Malchior and nothing blew up! Why can't you trust me?"
Raven was taken back. Her mouth tried to form words but her brain was in neutral. It wouldn't allow her to talk 'Was this what Love wanted me to see?'
Before her was a desperate young man. Abilities and abnormalities aside, he was just a sixteen year old boy who wanted her to trust him. He just wanted her.
"Beast Boy…" her mouth kept moving but she couldn't speak. Tears were starting to block her vision and the infamous black power was starting to wind around her.
The changeling pulled her into a tight hug. Raven tensed then her dam broke. Tears pored down her face and she clutched at the front of Beast Boy's uniform.
"I do trust you Beast Boy." she sobbed "I just don't trust myself." at her confession the black power exploded in the air creating the illusion of fireworks.
Beast Boy held her tightly as if he was afraid she'd banish if he let go. Raven clung to him though. All of the sudden he was a stronghold she could run to.
"Raven," the boy murmured "Raven, I want you to look around."
The crying girl obeyed.
Her powers raced through the air popping and snapping like firecrackers. But… nothing was exploding; nothing was melting into a mere puddle.
Raven turned and looked up at Beast Boy who was stroking her hair lovingly "See? You always had control Rae."
Raven shook her head and leaned against him sadly "No… I didn't. I never will."
As she spoke there was a muffled explosion and a handrail came flying past them. Beast Boy pulled Raven away from him so he could look at her "Raven you can control your powers. But whenever you doubt it they use it as a way to get out." he took her chin and pulled her around so she was looking at him "Just let go Rae."
Raven's tear filled eyes held his then closed as she let out a deep breath. Her powers started popping and snapping again but the explosions stopped
"See?" he whispered holding the girl close to him again. Her sent filled his mind and before he realized it he was purring. Like some tomcat, who'd found his… mate.
In his hold Raven giggled lightly "Would you like a saucer of milk?" she teased looking up at the shape-shifter.
"Hey, I'll purr all I want. It just so happens boy cats purr just like girls do!" he retorted indignantly.
Raven smiled "I was just teasing. I…" she paused then looked up at him "I think it's cute."
Beast Boy's mouth dropped. There were four words he thought he'd never hear Raven say.
"Come on." the girl said pulling on his hand "I have someone I want you to meet."
(Okay I lied. This will have three parts not just two. And yes I went a little crazy with the italics,
Anyway I was sitting here writing this watching infomercials! The horror! LOL)
