Disclaimer TEEN TITANS and all other related characters and material are the property of DC comics and Cartoon Network, I claim no ownership.

Chapter 25: Love Forever, Love is Free

By: Ansa

Cyborg sat his things down in one corner of the room, not even bothering to open anything, the long drive exhausting him both physically and mentally. The soft mattress that gave beneath his weight felt good, as if it were the very same he slept in the weekend he came for the reunion. Of course it wasn't, but the mattress brand was the same, the hotel having a contract with the company and thus stocking every room with them. Staring up at the ceiling he couldn't see Jynx as she set her own things down and examined the room, but nevertheless, he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Jynx had expensive tastes, of any and every kind imaginable; her apartment building displayed that quite unflinchingly. The location alone being that reputable as being the rich part of town, only those who worked as partners in large companies and the like could afford to live there. The apartment itself was quite large, being the size of an average studio apartment with a set of spiral stairs that led to a small loft that she used as her bedroom. She had large bay windows that allowed a magnificent view of the city, just being inside the apartment made one feel quite insignificant. Such a drastic change in surroundings would obviously not be easy for her, and by default, himself either. Even with his eyes closed he could see the wrinkles in her forehead as she sort of frowned, looking all around their hotel room, which did not take too long at all considering its size.

"How long do we have to stay here?"

"Three or four days."

"Aww man." Jynx slumped down on the edge of the bed, turning her head back instantly to frown at the remainder of the bed, whose comfort obviously up to her standards.

"Well we have to get everything ready, set up the reception stuff and all that, not to mention the rehearsals." Cyborg peeked an eye open and smiled over at her, watching her fall back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "What's wrong? The room not to your liking?"

"Hmmm? No…it's fine." Jynx put on a fake smile, her eye twitching slightly as she spoke, an obvious tell that she was telling one whopper of a lie. This of course only made him laugh.

"Suuuuuuuuure."

"Ok, ok…it's a dump alright." Again, Cyborg couldn't help but laugh. Looking around the room again Jynx sat up slightly, as if something suddenly hit her. After a moment of silence the impish grin returned, her finger making swirls on the fabric of the bed cover. "There is something peculiar about this room…"

"Hmmm? What's that?" Cyborg held himself up by the elbows, just enough so that he might be able to examine the room for himself. Everything seemed quite primped and polished, all ready to receive new guests. The TV had the remote velcroed to the top of it, the dresser had a Bible sitting in the top drawer, where it would remain untouched as long as he was there, nothing seemed to be out of place at all.

Jynx could only smile impishly at him, slowly pulling herself up off the bed, her hand dragging down the bed cover as she made her way over to him, straddling over his lap. Her eyes peered deeply into his as she leaned in to press her tender lips against him, pouring in a wealth of passion, her hands perched at her sides, supporting her while she did so. Pulling back she smiled again, a slight rosy glow emanating from her cheeks.

"There seem to be…two beds."

"Wh-wha?" Cybrog slowly pulled himself back on the bed, his hands trembling as they movie to move him along the entire length of the bed until his head finally hit the headboard.

"How very gentlemanly of you." Jynx laughed, her merciless teasing never ceasing to amuse her. "Spending the night in the same room for the first time with your girlfriend, most guys would jump at this kind of an opportunity." Jynx smirked, making a rather cheesy pose one would expect to see in shampoo ads. "Especially with a girlfriend as sexy as myself."

Cyborg let out a nervous laugh, still quite set back from her comment. He would be lying to himself if he said that those kinds of thoughts didn't cross his mind, but of course, having thoughts and acting on them are two completely different things. Now that he actually thought of it, they had been together for quite some time now and they hadn't really ever gone past kissing. Why that was, he really didn't have an answer for. He had excuses, but none of them fit well enough to be valid. Even with the limited time they had together, they certainly have had the chance to do so…but haven't. It was then Jynx broke into his thought with something unexpected, even after her previous comment.

"I kinda wish you had…"

"Wha…what? You're still just teasing right?"

"Well…what if I'm not." Her look changed, no longer in that quirky "come-hither" look she had flashed him so many times before. Instead, her face glew a bright red, turned away from him while her right hand crept up to hold the upper part of her arm. She was not only dead serious, but was also quite nervous about being so.

"Whoa...oh man…this is heavy."

One thing that is never told about sex anywhere, not on TV, not in magazines, not even in those classes you're forced to take in middle school…is what happens after. After sex, everything changes, the relationship between the people involve suddenly goes through a drastic change. The two lives have now connected in a significant way, especially if it was a first time. From that point on, you have both lost, and gained something quite significant. Once this is realized, there comes the terrible silence, where words fail to come to you.

Cyborg sat in place, propped up against the headboard, staring straight forward, his mind consumed with the knowledge of just how much both their lives have just changed. He hadn't even told her what he desperately wanted…and already their relationship had become that much more serious. What was to happen when he finally told her, and could he tell her now, afterwards, and still sound sincere? He wasn't sure, that is what scared him the most. This one even had brought into question all feelings afterwards. Where they truly real, or were they merely the result of lust?

Jynx sat silent on the edge of the bed, her legs pulled up so she might rest her chin on her knees, she as well staring of into the void, her mind so utterly consumed. In a way, she felt complete, and yet somehow empty at the same time. To have finally shared that moment with him, that one moment where they were truly together, their spirits truly connected warmed her heart beyond words…but also, to have done so without hearing those three little words everyone on the planets wishes the hear…made her feel shallow, that the moment was nothing more than a meaningless, primal act of lust. No…she tried to shake the thought from her head, that couldn't have been it. There had to be more to it, there just had to. If there hadn't she wouldn't feel so happy, even in the awkwardness of the silence.

The silence would not be there if only she had enough bravery. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to do. She wanted to lay in his arms, she wanted so desperately to tell him she…She stopped in mid thought, even in her own mind she found it hard to admit. Had it really finally happened to her? Had she fallen so foolishly like she always said she wouldn't? Was she really…truly…in love? The word made her smile just then…a real smile, one that only ends with the lips, and begins with the soul. She knew, just with that smile, the truth…and at that moment, she had never been so happy.

Before she could turn and do all the things she wanted, tell him just how she felt, a sharp beep sounded from behind her. She cursed the noise, the shrill shriek being that from his wrist communicator, which she had rather hoped he had turned off. Of course, considering the circumstances, she couldn't blame him if he had forgotten to do so. Cyborg tossed her a silent look, no emotion giving away his thoughts as he reluctantly answered the call.

"Yeah…?"

"Dude, you in town yet?" No picture came across the screen; only the audio was present, which gave away the caller even before his voice came online. He was relieved it was only Beast Boy and not any of the other Titan's from East who would be making their way to Gotham only for the ceremony and thus would be leaving the tower (under tight security of course) a few days from now.

"Oh yeah, got here about an hour ago actually."

"Really? Why no call, I thought we were doing dinner tonight?"

"Uhhh…sorry man guess I forgot." Cyborg scratched the back of his head slightly, not feeling entirely comfortable talking with his friend at this time, even if he couldn't see anything. Down by his feet Jynx smiled, despite her disappointment of the interruption and stood to gather her clothes.

"Forgot? How could you forget?"

"I dunno…I just did I guess."

"O…k. Well, anyways, are you coming to dinner or what? Our reservations aren't going to hold much longer you know."

Cyborg checked the side of the screen and noted the time, it was getting quite late. He was just glad the issue wasn't being pressed. The last thing he needed right now was to try and lie about what drew his attention away.

"Don't worry we'll meet you there ok?"

" 'We'?" There was a slight pause of confusion on the other end of the comm link before Starfire's cheerful voice came through.

"Oh yes, Cyborg is bringing his special friend is he not?"

"Ohhhhhhh that's right, you brought your girlfriend for the wedding. Hehe, now I know what kept you…OW!" Even though he couldn't see it Cyborg was quite clear on what just happened and quietly thanked Raven for the sharp bop on Beast Boy's head.

"O-ok guys, we'll see you in a there." Quickly he tried to end the conversation there before Starfire's curiosity got the best of her, opening up the possibility of what had just happened coming out. Luckily, Raven didn't let that happen, saying her goodbye before quickly hanging up the phone. Whether she had recognized his signal or if she just wanted a few words with her fiancé he wasn't sure, but he really didn't care. The point was, he didn't have to worry about Star's curiosity anymore…then it hit him. The one thing he still did have to worry about. Not what he was doing with his girlfriend, but that they were about to meet her.

This scared him more than anything, but…he couldn't put it off any longer. He wanted them to meet her; he didn't want it to be a secret anymore. Their lives are tied now with an inexplicable bond, he owed her as much as to let her into his life further than she has ever been. Besides, he loved her. It couldn't all turn out bad, who knew exactly what would happen. He may be surprised; they might understand they were his friends after all. But still…there was the one thing that couldn't be ignored, a stain on their entire relationship, a stain on the bond they now shared. The fact that she was still nothing more than a common criminal, a thief, a former enemy of theirs at that…this was not to be taken lightly, and just how they would react to this, was unknown. Again, he could be surprised, they could understand, but it was doubtful.

"So where are we going to dinner, should I dress nice?" Looking up he could see her leaning against the wall, still smiling from the unimaginable bliss. He admired her for that, to seem so carefree and calm after such an event, and before another that had the distinct possibility of ripping them apart.

"Hmmm…oh, it's nowhere special; they really don't have much money." He half expected her to complain, her very fine taste being spoiled once again with a "common" meal…only she didn't. Instead, she just nodded to him, flashing him another quick smile, a rosy blush filling her cheeks before she slipped into the bathroom to change. That smile she gave him, he was unsure what it meant. The reasons behind it were a mystery, but what he did know, was that somehow she seemed so happy, almost as if he had already told her those words he so wanted to speak.

Cyborg pulled into the parking lot, circling around the various rows a couple of times before settling on a space. This if course had nothing to with lack of parking spots, on the contrary, if anything there was an abundance. He had a number of decent spaces to chose from, however the one he picked seemed to be the furthest from the door of the restaurant. This was all on purpose, as if it wasn't already evident to not only himself but the young woman sitting in the passenger seat who was about to be introduced as his girlfriend. Once the tires had stopped moving and the engine was off he sat there for a moment, a nervous look about him as he stared blankly at the front door which despite the distance seemed to be far too close for his liking.

"Hey…you ashamed of me or something?"

"W-what?" Cyborg shot his head towards her, terrified that she was serious but was quite relieved to see a playful smile on her face. It was strange to him, that smile it hadn't left since the hotel, as if she wasn't scared at all. Almost, as if there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Come on, why are you so damn nervous?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Oh please, worse case scenario they freak out and have me arrested and shut you out of their lives forever."

"Gee, that's comforting." Cyborg slunk back into his seat, leaning his head up against the rest and stared up at the roof. Even though he knew quite well she was kidding the comment didn't make him feel any better about this situation.

"You know I'm only joking around, now come on I'm hungry." Without even letting him say another word Jynx undid her seatbelt and stepped out of the car making her way down the parking lot without him. Cyborg quickly fumbled to get out and follow her, not wanting her to get there before he did. Considering things, it would be best if they saw him with her rather than she on her own. Halfway down the parking lot he caught up with her only because a particularly exquisite looking corvette caught her eye. Normally cars weren't her thing, but there were a few exceptions, particularly old Corvette Stingrays, either red or yellow in color.

"Don't even think about it."

"Hmmm, wha?" Even with her in fatuous trance broken her eyes found it hard to leave the curved beauty parked only a few feet from her. Her mind tried to focus, but the ease of hotwiring and screaming down the highway with this gem was too great to ignore.

"Come on, the last thing we need is you getting yourself in trouble and having to announce us that way."

"Awww please…I won't steal it I promise…just a little joyride around the block."

"I thought you were hungry."

"I am…" Her stomach gave a slight twitch and a waft of pasta-scented air filled her nostrils as the doors opened to a couple who had just finished their meal. Still, her eyes found their way back to the car. "But I can wait…"

"Alright, come on, let's get you inside."

"Awwwwwwwww."

The inside of the restaurant was packed, not surprisingly for a Thursday night. The theme seemed to be a general mix of European styles, not necessarily focusing on a single one. It wasn't a particularly fancy place, but then again, it wasn't completely formal. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in black dress shirts with matching Dickie pants, no tie was worn, nor suspenders of any kind. The only thing adorning the shirt was a small plastic nametag with the restaurant's logo in the top left corner just above their names.

Guided by the hostess, the two found their way being led to the quieter side of the restaurant, away from the bar area and the billows of second hand smoke coming from it. In a large booth, next to one of the large windows facing the street sat his friends, Beast Boy and Raven on one side, and Starfire on the other. Cyborg's heart started to race, feeling almost as if it was about to burst out of his chest. This was it, no turning back now. Taking a deep breath he thanked the hostess and stepped up to the booth, Jynx gently taking his hand for support.

They group had been watching for them for several minutes now, and had noticed the minute they walked through the door. Each one of them were trying their best to hold back their obvious looks of surprise, Raven doing a better job than the other two for obvious reasons. Beast Boy was the first to speak, even if it was a muffled stuttering as an attempted to regain composure.

"H-hey…Cyborg…"

"Uh guys…I'd like you to m-meet my girlfriend…Jynx."

Oh OH! EBIL CLIFFHANGER I know…sorry but hey, I gotta leave a chapter in style right? Hehe Hope you guys like this chapter, it was hard for me to write the last part of it for some reason. I dunno, I seem to write better at work I guess. Go figure. Anyways, I wanted you guys to know that now I have my very own webcomic that is online right now! It only has one up as of this moment, but it updates every Monday. Maybe if I get far enough ahead I'll switch it to Mondays and Fridays, who knows. But yeah, I'll be adding it in my profile as my website so feel free to visit it and enjoy Later Days!

ANSA