Part 3 - Thank you

Melancholic music, a dark and dim lighted bar, people looking more dead then alive ... what a sight! Most of these things aren't usually 'healthy' for a normal person and by far they surely aren't the characteristic of a date. Even so, with all the dark and black themed surroundings, Beast Boy and Raven didn't even seem to be bothered by what was around them. They were getting to know each other better by the minute, and with every minute that passed the feeling that they were both experiencing was getting even more intense.

The feeling was so unknown and obscure but at the same time so pleasure full for Raven, and for Beast Boy it was something that he hadn't felt for a long time. They were so caught up in the moment that they didn't even notice that Rage had left for about fifteen minutes with someone.

All of the sudden, the music stopped and four officers of the Jump City P.D. entered the café. At first, Raven and BB thought that they came in to check on every ones I.D's to see if the bar personnel was selling alcohol to minors but when the officers went into the men's restroom they remembered that Rage was suppose to be there.

"Oh no, Rage!" said BB getting up from his seat worried that his friend might had done something wrong.

"I hope he didn't do anything stupid" replied Raven getting up as well.

The two walked towards the restroom to see what had happened and observed the police officers taking out four almost naked and badly beaten up men. They both knew Rage did it and wanted to go there to help him but before they could advance any further a voice called from behind.

"Raven, wait, I want to have a word with you!"

It was Morris, he seemed to be displeased by the fact that the police officers came in. Raven was sure that Rage got her into trouble.

"Morris, what's happening?"

"Look for yourself, these four guys tried to rape Jesse but fortunately they were stopped, good thing you're friend was here" he replied.

"You mean Rage? What did he do? I'm sorry for what happened, he's kind of unstable and ... "

"Slow down Raven" interrupted Morris rising his hands " ... nothing happened. Like I said, those guys tried to rape Jesse and your friend saw them and saved her. I have to thank him one day, tell him that he's always welcomed around here".

Beast Boy sighed and was relieved that nothing bad happened but still wanted to go and see where Rage was.

"By chance you wouldn't know where Rage is would you? Is he still in the restroom?" asked BB.

"Oh!" exclaimed Morris "I almost forgot, Rage was the one that told me to call the cops, and also told me to tell you that he was taking Jesse home and that you guys should continue having fun. He said he was going to take Jesse home and that he'll be okay".

Raven and Beast Boy left the "Soulless Destination" café. They didn't know it, but Rage also did another good thing besides saving Jesse, he also gave them the opportunity to be alone and get more intimate.

"So, where do you feel like going?" asked Raven who didn't feel like heading back home.

BB pondered for a second. "Hmmm, how about the park? We can walk around and talk some more. And besides, the view of the bay is really nice at night. What do you say?"

Raven accepted his proposal and they started to walk towards the park where they usually hang out in the week-end. She was getting a little giddy. She felt that BB wanted to tell her something, something important that would make the feeling she was experiencing total. She tried to get a grip on her self and control her emotions.

It was 9 o'clock and outside the sun just set, the moon was full and any once in a while it would be crossed by a silver line of clouds that looked like spirits of the night. The park was not as full as it was during the day, but from time to time you could hear the voices of young couples enjoying a romantic night out.

Beast Boy and Raven walked on the paved sidewalk that was radiating because of the heat during the day. As if it weren't enough, because of the emotions they were both getting hotter. Even so, the two only concentrated on talking being careful not to say anything stupid.

"So how did you like the place?" said Raven

"Well, it was actually interesting" replied Beast Boy who tried not to joke.

"Really? I didn't think you would like it, or are you just trying to be a gentlemen?" asked Raven suspiciously.

"No really, I think it's very interesting" replied BB "Until today I thought that life was all about fun and enjoying yourself but there was something in that café that made me remember that sadness and loneliness are also a normal part of life."

"Well that's how life works, sometimes it's great, other times it could be a real drag"

"If that's the case, how do you live your life Raven?"

"What do you mean?" asked Raven who stopped in her tracks. She didn't expect to be asked such a question, especially by Beast Boy of all people.

"From what I've noticed you're very lonely and usually like to isolate yourself in your room. I can't understand why you would do that. I mean, you're funny, you're special, you're a good friend and ... you're really beautiful. To be honest, I'm confused".

Raven realized that BB was trying to get closer and she actually liked the idea. She also noticed that he was trying to make her feel better about her self. She smiled and tried to reply but heard someone from behind yelling out her name.

"Raven? Is that you? We have to talk!"

She grabbed BB by the hand holding on to him tight and went off in a rush. BB didn't get it, it was the first time she took his hand in such a way.

"What's happening?"

"Nothing, just keep on walking, I'll tell you later" she said quickly, looking behind from time to time.

They walked this way for a good couple of yards, not saying a word, but heard someone running behind them calling for Raven. All of the sudden, the one that was chasing Raven appeared in front of them. He was tall, dark, with long blond hair and was well built.

"Hey Raven, what are you running away from? Didn't you hear me? ... Who's this?"

Beast Boy didn't like the guy one bit, but tried to introduce himself and talk like civilized people but Raven interrupted.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone Phill. We're done, I don't care about what you want to tell me anymore, so stop following me!" she replied bumping him out of the way and dragging BB after her.

"Just talk to me already, I'm really getting sick of chasing you and I had it up to here with your fits" said Phill grabbing Raven by the arm and pushing Beast Boy back.

"Let me go you creep!" said Raven as she tried to release herself from Phill's grasp.

Seeing this remembered BB about how Rage grabbed and shook her. Needles to say, he was extremely pissed off to see this happen and with no warning he punched Phill in the face making him go down like a rock. Raven went next to BB and held on to him whilst Phill got up trying to recover from Beast Boy's swift punch.

"So who are you suppose to be squirt?" Phill asked while he searched his back pocket "... her new boyfriend?"

"And what if I am? You don't act like that to Raven, okay?! When she says she doesn't wanna talk to you she means it" replied BB who was ready to jump at Phill's neck and brake it.

Raven never felt as protected as she did during this warning that BB gave. She sensed that the feeling she was experiencing was almost at it's peak. She felt stranger then ever but she liked it and didn't want to stop but unfortunately Phill's presence was ruining everything.

"Come on Gar ... let's just leave, please" sounded Raven with a peaceful voice. She knew that BB was over protective with the ones that he cared for and would have probably kicked Phill's ass badly if the other tried anything funny.

Beast Boy complied and tried to leave the scene but he knew that Phill had something up his sleeve and assumed he had something in his back pocket seeing how he was searching it.

"Yeah right!" said Phill from behind "... go and waste your time with that tramp, you moron."

Beast Boy's neurons snapped ... nothing Raven said could stop him now. He went straight for Phill's neck but just as he tried to grab a hold of him, his adversary waved a dagger and tried to hit him. The dagger had runal markings on the handle and was also covered in dry blood, a sign that it had been used before. Beast Boy took a few steps back trying to avoid the dagger blows but Phill continued his attack. When he got close, Phill tried to stab BB but he dodged his hit grabbing him by the hand and making him drop his weapon. He then tried to take him down but the fact was that Phill was taller and stronger than BB when he was in human shape, so realizing he can't do much in this conditions he morphed into a gorilla. When Phill saw Beast Boy change right in front of him he was shocked and almost 'went' in his pants, but even if he was scared he still tried to attack him. Unfortunately for him though his efforts were to no avail, he angered BB so much that he just wouldn't stop smashing him.

This went on for a good couple of minutes during which BB gave Phill a beating he would never forget for the rest of his life. He stopped punching and kicking only when Raven intervened.

"Beast Boy stop!" begged Raven who stood a few feet away"... please, just let him go, he had enough".

Beast Boy wanted to punish his adversary for what he said, but did as Raven asked him. He grabbed a hold of Phill and threw him in the bay and took his dagger for safe keeping.

"Let this be a warning, the next time I catch you acting like that with Raven I'm going to finish what I started" shouted BB as he morphed back into his human form addressing a surfacing Phill.

"Come on Rae, let's get out of here" said BB taking Raven by the arm gently.

Whilst walking away, Raven embraced BB's arm and kissed him on the cheek whispering into his ear a quiet but sweet "Thank you".