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

Chapter 30: Do you?

By: Ansa

The wind died down, and it seemed that even the sea itself grew silent as the clock finally reached 2pm…this was it…the one moment in both of their lives that defined them, and everything that they had ever hoped to have. With a slight stutter Derek slowly dragged his pick across the guitar strings, quietly strumming the wedding march. The sound of the gentle notes sent chills down everyone's spine, such a simple song that was so recognizable, and so powerful that it could bring anyone to their knees in reverence.

Beast Boy took a deep breath, feeling his skin grow so cold he could barely stand still. The warm hand of his best man resting on his back for comfort, an early congratulations. Down at the end of the aisle the bridesmaids slowly made their way up to the alter, their steps moving with the strumming of the guitar. Starfire stood out naturally, even if she wasn't the Maid of honor, it would be assumed that her natural beauty would rival that of the rest of the bridesmaids. A gentle smile rested on her lips, those happy tears rolling down her cheeks and to the bottom of her chin.

Beast Boy couldn't help but smile, even if it was a front to keep from crying himself. As she stepped up to the alter she opened her eyes to smile at him, her slender finger moving up to brush away the tears of joy before wrapping her arms tightly around the small green man.

"I am so happy for you…"

"Thanks Star…"

Passing words, words that had to be spoken quickly so the aisle might clear itself in preparation for the bride herself. In that brief moment when the open space seemed to widen, Beast Boy flashed back on everything that had happened to them, both good and bad. Some of the bad…more treasured than the good. The day, when he considered himself a man, simple because she said he was, the day when the beast inside of him was unleashed. Such a terrible day for him, so wrenching, so full of pain and angst. How could anything make him feel so good after such a thing? Any day before that day, he would have said nothing, as would any one of us. But on that day, something did lift his spirits, something did make him feel like so much more than a vessel for some wretched beast…something made him feel like a man…a man, sitting alone by the setting sun, with a woman. Not just any woman, but the woman to have had so much an influence on his life, his actions, everything that he was.

Becoming a Teen Titan wasn't so terribly hard on him, considering his once induction into the Doom Patrol. The only real difficulty being the new friends he had to make. Cyborg and Starfire were easy enough to make friends with, and Robin, although at first seeming quite arrogant, grew on him slowly. That left Raven, the gloomy girl who always seemed to have her face buried in a book of some kind. He didn't think much of it when it took more than a few weeks to get in her good graces, even then, you wouldn't think it to see them together. Even Beast Boy had his doubts about their friendship, at times, even becoming a little more than afraid of her and finding that he would much rather let things be than try to strike a conversation with her. So when was it that he had started these feelings for her? When did he first know that he wanted to be something more than just friends with the girl in the blue hood?

He didn't have to think hard, ever since that night they had shared their first kiss, he treasured this particular memory among those before, and yet to come. It was still in his first year of joining the Titans, the last Thursday in November, Thanksgiving. The air had grown cold, and the Christmas specials and commercials on the television had already started much to his annoyance. Robin said he was going "home" for thanksgiving, wherever that was, with Starfire and Cyborg doing the same. It seemed that he and Raven were the only ones without a home to go to. He would have taken the offer extended to him by Cyborg to go home with him if only Thanksgiving were his kind of holiday. Besides the obvious fact of the holiday centering around feasting on meat, specifically Turkey, Thanksgiving for some reason was never his kind of a holiday, much like New Years. Much to their dismay and even guilt, the rest of the team left leaving Beast Boy and Raven alone in the tower for the holiday.

The tower was deathly quiet, and so empty that it almost felt like a mausoleum. Although, Raven's gloomy attitude didn't exactly too much to discourage that feeling either. Before long Beast Boy found himself slumped out on the couch, bored almost to tears, flipping through the channels on TV in hopes to find at least one station that wasn't playing an early Christmas special. The hours passed slowly with only the Three Stooges Marathon to keep him company, Raven coming out of her room only occasionally to go to the bathroom before returning.

Sometime around five o'clock he woke up with a trail of drool dried on the side of his mouth, the Stooges still running in full force on the television. To his surprise, when looking around he found Raven sitting quietly on the armchair to his left. What didn't surprise him was that her face was still focused intently on a musty old book she had brought out from her room. He immediately sat up, brushing the dried liquid from his face before bringing his attention back to the TV screen. At first, he felt completely content with just sitting there quietly without saying a word to her. At least that way he couldn't get her to hate him anymore than it seemed like she already did.

As the minutes passed however, the silence between them started to grow more and more uncomfortable. He became agitated, and tried talking, starting with the simple stuff like the weather and what she was reading. Her responses were less than encouraging, almost forced so that he might stop talking so she could get her reading done, although no matter how much she read, she never seemed to be finished with anything. He tried again, this time getting more personal, asking how she was doing and why she wasn't going home for Thanksgiving. Setting her book down it was clear she was more than slightly annoyed by this question, and refused to answer it instead mocking the absurdity of the Stooges' antics, demanding to know why he was watching such a thing.

Things weren't going so well, it didn't take a genius to figure that out, but he was determined to break her and somehow get something out of her. A smile would be asking a bit much, but if he could at least get her to stop being so gloomy even if for a few minutes he could go back to watching TV without feeling like he had to talk to her anymore for the rest of the night. He stood up, heading into the kitchen and opening the refrigerator door, peering inside with hopes to find something. When he asked her if she was hungry of course she said she wasn't, but her grumbling stomach soon changed her mind for her.

Forty-five minutes later found the two seated at the table in the kitchen, the sun already starting to fade, the television shut off so as to not annoy her while eating. They sat across from each other, quietly eating a quick dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, the only meal he knew how to prepare that didn't involve tofu but still had no meat in it whatsoever. There, in that moment, her dark presence started to fade. Although she said not a word, she was no longer so gloomy, no longer so overbearing and intimidating. And when she caught him smiling, quite pleased with himself, she didn't scowl, nor seem to aggravated at him when she asked why he was so happy. Right there, in that one night, his entire outlook on her changed and she no longer was the gloomy girl in the hood…she was Raven, his friend, and later…maybe something more. At the time it seemed so wild a notion that he allowed in his head, if he seriously though it would happen then perhaps he would have been more cautious of such thoughts.

Beast Boy smiled, the memory so fresh in his mind that he could taste the tomato soup upon his lips. Unfortunately he had no time to savor it, a bright gleam of white slowly creeping from around the tent set up at the end of the aisle. His heart beat wildly, almost making him jump forward in place, his eyes nearly bulging outside his head when the white tone came into full view…his blushing bride walking side by side, arm in arm with the one who was to give her away.

Dick wore a warm smile on his face, his arm linked gently with Raven's as they slowly made their stride towards the alter. Under the veil Raven's face flushed a bright red, her head tilted low, almost as if she was peering down at her feet, that is if her misty eyes weren't looking directly into her soon to be husbands. Beast Boy did his best to stop from tearing up himself, the vision of her in this moment being burnt into his memories for as long as he was able to remember. She was so beautiful, not even an angle could compare. With each step he could hear the whispers of awe rise from the guests, watching many of them lean over to each other to make various comments on her presence and grace…something he was sure none of them expected to see from her. At the end of their march, Dick turned and gave her a gentle hug, being careful so as to not wrinkle her dress, or crush the bouquet in her grasp, before letting her take her place by the grooms side. This was it…no more waiting…no more marching down the aisle…all there was now was a short exchange of vows, and those two little words.

"Dearly beloved, we gather here today to witness the joining between Soma Roth, and Garfield Logan in the bonds of wedded bliss." The justice of the peace wasted no time before starting the ceremony, yet he still managed not to rush things either. His voice was soft and gentle, filled with years of experience.

"I wish I had been so lucky as to know Soma and Garfield before today, because from what their friends say of them, they are truly wonderful people. However, I feel honored to be the one chosen to bring them together on this day."

The attendance immediately fell silent, listening intently to the words being spoken just under the flowered arch alter. Even the seas fell silent, almost bowing down to the majesty of the event taking place just above the rocks.

"Love is something rare in this world, despite what any book or Hollywood film would have you think. Very few find that one person that completes them on so many different levels, that one person they would gladly give their life for, that one person they would share so much with in their future together."

Beast Boy smiled, quite impressed on how well prepared the Justice was. His words didn't fumble, but flowed so smoothly and naturally it was as if he had known them all their lives.

"Everyone here I hope, will find their own love and experience what these two people are about to. I hope everyone, can experience the joy and love, that Soma and Garfield feel at this moment." The Justice paused, for dramatic effect no doubt, but also taking the time to smile at both the bride and groom. "I understand that the young couple have prepared their own vows."

Raven swallowed hard, her heart nearly jumping up to her throat. She knew sooner or later that she would have to do this, but it seemed like it had come up so quickly…too quickly. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the small slip of paper she managed to tuck inside the bouquet, having no other place to keep it. It was bad enough she had to say all this mushy stuff outloud, but in front of her friends and everybody? It was almost unbearable.

"We will start with the groom, Garfield?"

Thank god, this bought her some time to work up her courage. Although…now that she thought of it, after hearing what he has to say, chances are she will be even more emotional than if she had gone first. Nevertheless, she had to keep herself under control, the last thing she needed was to lose it and having her flowers or something else explode from her powers running amock. Next to her Beast Boy cleared his throat, having no paper to read off of. He didn't need to memorize it, nor write it down, everything he wanted to say to her would come naturally to him, he knew this, because that's just how much he loved her.

"Rav-…Soma…I can honestly say that I never expected to be standing here with you. I always thought that it was something too good to happen to me, but I kept hoping, but not for my own sake. I kept striving, I kept pushing to get you to smile, laugh, anything of the kind for one reason…that is the same reason I never gave up hoping to stand here with you. I've never wanted anything more, than to see you happy." He paused, but not for dramatic influence, but to move a hand up to wipe the corner of his eyes dry. Even though he knew he was with friends, and that on a day such as this guys were allowed to cry, he still felt self-conscious about it. "M-Most guys say that they've found the girl of their dreams when they're up here…but I can't…because never, in any of my happiest of dreams could I have ever thought of spending the rest of my life with you."

Raven bit her lip hard, the tears steaming down her face as all of her will power was being spent on stopping her from throwing herself into his arms. Never in her life had she heard anything so beautiful, and what made it so much more special, was that these words for her. Her and her alone. She could hear collective sniffles and joyful tears from their friends and loved ones behind them, so very moved.

Taking her last deep breath, Raven gently gripped the small sheet of paper, brushing away the tears after a small number fell from her cheek and soaked into the inked words. There was no way she could have possibly tell him just how much he had done for her, and how happy she was to be here with him, but she was going to damn well try.

"G-Garfield…since I was born, I was told that I was something that shouldn't have happened, and that no joy or love was to await me in my future. I was told, that I had no future, and no capability of such things that to try was an effort in futility. After a while, I was so foolish as to believe it, and I stopped searching for acceptance and friendship. B-But, I was fortunate enough to find you guys…and everything changed. For once, I felt like maybe I could have friends…even if I still had my doubts on love. Then…I met you. Things started off rough…and sometimes I wish they hadn't, but as time went on you became a friend, someone I could rely on." Raven blushed, pausing to look at the crowd, still not feeling too comfortable about reading the following passages.

"It was only a few years ago that I started feeling like, maybe there was something more to be had in my life. With the freedom from my 'fate' at last, I become more open to things, even my own emotions. We started spending more time together, and you taught me to laugh, and actually be happy with who I am. Before I knew it…I-I was shocked to find out that I had started to fall for you…"

Raven held on desperately to her emotions, so many tears wanting to push through it hurt. Within her words she found strength and confidence, strength he had given her…enough to let her look away from the sheet of paper, and into his eyes.

"I never thought anything like this was possible, that I could be so happy, or that anyone would ever love me. You have done so much to prove me wrong in that sense. Everything I am now, all the confidence I have in myself is from you…you give me so much, and take so little in return. You said that all you have ever wanted was for me to be happy…I am…so much so it hurts sometimes. I…I love you so much…"

They both smiled, tears rolling down both of their cheeks, their arms and lips aching to be with one another. At this very moment, they stand naked, their souls bare for all to see. Every word that has been said was made known for all to hear, and yet they felt like they were the only ones standing on the cliff…two kindred spirits ready to take flight into eternity. Before they knew it, the Justice had moved on, a warm smile on his face.

"The rings please."

Starfire and Cyborg stepped forward, each producing a simple gold wedding band for each of them to take. The cold metal rested in their palms as they took grip and sent a charge through their soul…these two rings would forever join them together…and yet they seemed so simple, so small for something of such importance. Again, the Justice started with Beast Boy, turning to face the groom as he held his brides hand gently, ring poised at the tip of her ring finger.

"Please repeat after me…With this ring…"

"W-with this ring…"

"I thee wed…"

"I thee wed…" Slowly and nervously, Beast Boy slide the ring on her slender finger, feeling it fit perfectly into place at the end, as if her finger was meant to wear it. He smiled into her eyes, feeling her free fingers brush up against his palm lovingly as just before he let her hand go so that she might have her turn. Raven thusly took his hand, her fingers holding the ring gently in place at the tip of his finger before repeating the Justice and sliding it into place.

"With this ring…I thee wed…"

"Is there anyone here that has reason why these two should not be married? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

A deafening silence fell over the crowd, somehow even those shedding tears managed to keep themselves in line so as not to be mistaken with coming forward. Not a single person amongst them could ever think of a reason why their two friends should not be together. In the past, they may have been seen as complete opposites of each other, and that the very thought of them getting together was ludicrous. As they sat here now, so much had changed, and no one could see them with anyone else but each other. The Justice lowered his head slightly, never in his years had he actually had someone abject to any union. After a few moments of silence he raised his head and turned to Beast Boy, ready to continue, and wrap things up.

"Garfield…do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and hold, the cherish and comfort, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"…" Beast Boy looked deeply into Raven's eyes and smiled, squeezing her hand in his gently as he spoke. This was it, those two little words that meant so much, so much more than the three that started it all. "I do…"

"Soma…do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to cherish and to comfort, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do…" Raven's voice trembled, the tears in her eyes blurring the vision so badly it was difficult to see much of anything. Still, she had his comfort; her hand tucked lovingly in his…her husband, her Beast Boy…from now, to eternity.

"Then by the power invested in my by the city of Gotham, I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife…you may kiss the bride."

Their lips that had hungered for each other for the entire ceremony were finally allowed to reunite, providing their friends, their teammates, and their loved ones with their very first kiss, truly together, their spirits now joined together as one. The small crowd was left speechless, almost making them forget to applaud quietly.

Next to the newly married couple upon the alter Starfire could no longer control herself, weeping sweet tears of joy as she threw herself towards them for a crushing embrace. Beast Boy and Raven smiled through their squirming to free themselves, they couldn't blame her. It was just as hard for them to keep from holding each other through the ceremony, so it must have been duly hard on those watching. While Beast Boy tried his best to calm his alien friend down, Raven for once enjoyed the embrace. For once in her life, she felt complete, she felt safe and dare she say…truly happy. Nothing else mattered now, finally, had everything she had always thought was unattainable…and in turn, proved everyone that had doubted her, including herself, wrong.

Well, there you have if folks! Whew, that was tiring, but it was worth it. This doesn't mean that Part II is over however, no no no, we still have the reception to go through. It shouldn't take up too many chapters, so I hope to finish part II by next year. BTW, I understand a lot of you are upset about TT getting cancelled, but please refrain from posting those spam messages in my review section. That is what message boards are for. Thanks. Later Days!

ANSA