Now late in the evening, Beast Boy was still quite sore, so he took some aspirin out of the cabinet in the bathroom. After taking the aspirin he walked into the common room. He saw Cyborg sitting on the couch playing Gamestation, while both Starfire and Robin sat at the table. Beast Boy noticed Raven wasn't here with the rest of the team, but he know she was just off doing her own thing, 'What ever that is,' he mused. He didn't even get two steps into the room before he was greeted with a bone crunching hug from Starfire.
"Oh friend Beast Boy, you are awake!" The poor changeling couldn't even talk his lungs were to constricted. Robin shouted her name reminding her that she was causing further harm to Beast Boy. Setting him back down on his feet, Starfire began to grow upset, "I am sorry for causing you further harm friend Beast Boy, please forgive me."
Taking in a couple of deep breaths the changeling just looked to her and smiled. "Don't worry Star, I am all right."
"Oh wonderful! To help with your recovery, I shall make the Tamaranean pudding of strength!"
Beast Boy's eyes went wide just long enough for the hamster in his brain to get back on its turning wheel, "Thanks Star I really do appreciate it, but the truth is I'm not hungry."
"Perhaps tomorrow then?" she said with a hopeful look in her eyes.
Beast Boy nodded, "Sure Star, tomorrow sounds great for pudding," he hoped she would forget by tomorrow but this was Starfire after all.
Robin then got out of his seat, "Beast Boy," as he walked up to the changeling, "we have combat training tomorrow at eight in the morning. Now if you don't feel one hundred percent, you don't have to be there."
"Well I still feel sore right now, but I'm pretty sure after a good sleep I will be up for it."
The boy wonder gave him a smile, "Well lets hope you do feel better in the morning and good night to you." Robin slipped his hand into Starfire's, "Well time to get some sleep, big day tomorrow." The two left the room still hand in hand.
Beast Boy shuddered a bit watching them leave together. It wasn't that he did not like having the two of them together finally, in fact he was thrilled. However he was still getting use to them showing their affection right out in the open. As the changeling looked toward the couch, with Cyborg sitting comfortably playing Gamestation in it, he decided to play some games to hopefully take his mind off his still sore body.
"Hey Cy, mind if I join you?"
Cyborg looked up to his friend, "Not at all BB sit your butt right down, but don't think I will go easy on yeah!"
Beast Boy shook his head, Cyborg always seemed to know what exactly to say to cheer him up, "I wouldn't have it any other way tin can!" And thus the battles waged on in the virtual world.
Meanwhile Raven was meditating in her bedroom, floating just above her bed. Raven did not say her mantra aloud, instead she was saying it in her mind focusing on her center. Once her mind was centered she began to go ever the event from earlier today. Playing it back in her mind she tried to sort through every image she could recall. That is until Rage spoke up.
'What a selfless thing to do, he could have killed himself,' Rage spoke. Raven shut her eyes just a little tighter at what the emotion was saying. Rage continued to rant, 'That idiot didn't have to shove us out of the way, he could have rammed into Overload saving us, and him, a lot of trouble afterward.'
'Oh but BB is alive so it doesn't matter what happened!' shouted Happy. Always the optimistic one, that emotion was.
'But...we almost...lost...him,' Raven shut her eyes even tighter when Timid spoke. That has always been one of Ravens fears, losing one of her friends. Yes, she admitted to herself, Beast Boy did technically die, however Cybrog brought him back
'Especially him wouldn't you say Rae,' Affection giggled out. Raven nearly brought herself out of meditation from hearing that emotion. No she couldn't have those feelings to the changeling, he was a friend no more.
'Affection is right Raven,' Knowledge was backing up Affection! 'Beast Boy has been the one person in our life to spend so much time with us.' Raven thought back to all those times. Times when Beast Boy would try to get her to laugh by telling lame jokes. Trying to get her involved in activities with the team, outside of just battling villains. Always annoying her by interrupting her meditation, and last but not least his endless quest to get her to smile.
Raven brought herself out of meditation so suddenly she fell backwards on her bed. As she lie their for a few moments she continued to reflect back on all the times Beast Boy had gone out of his way for her. Granted most, if not all, of the times he just annoyed the heck out of her but at least he never gave up. Unlike the other Titans who respected her privacy. Looking to the ceiling for just a split second, Raven went to her dresser and picked up her meditation mirror.
Gazing into it she called to Knowledge. When the said emotion appeared in the mirror Raven didn't even have a chance to ask her question, for Knowledge beat her to it.
"You are wondering why I agree with Affection?" Knowledge said to her from the mirror.
"No I was wondering why Affection would agree with you," she said sarcastically.
Knowledge shook her head, "It is pointless to insult ones self, people would question your sanity." If Raven wasn't angry before she was now, since when did Knowledge give her a lecture! Normally it would come from Wisdom, not her best friend Knowledge. "It is only logical," as the emotion continued, "that you would have feelings for Beast Boy. He is the only one who tries to keep you involved in everything that happens outside of hero work."
"How can I not care for him, he's my friend, I care for him just as much as the others. It still doesn't answer why I'm so worked up over this." Raven said, lowering her head a bit.
Knowledge slowly began to fade away from the mirror, "All we can do is help to guide you, walking the path is entirely up to you Raven," and with that she vanished from the mirror completely.
Raven sat the mirror back on her dresser, pondering what her emotions just told her. Feelings for Beast Boy, the same person who annoyed her to no end? No it just wasn't possible for her to have those feelings for him, or anyone for that matter. If she showed those kind of feelings to another, her powers would destroy something if not someone.
Looking to the clock Raven could see it was almost midnight, "I better try to get some sleep. I still don't know why I'm so worked up over this, but it's apparent I won't be getting any answers tonight." She didn't know why but speaking her mind made her feel better somehow. Lying down into her bed, Raven remembered the team had training to do in the morning. Beast Boy would be late but he would be there at least. She decided to keep a close eye on him, maybe she could see for herself what her emotions were trying to tell her.
It was now after midnight, and with Beast Boy losing to Cyborg for the fifth time in a row, the two friends decided to call it a night. As Beast Boy walked down the hall to his room he stopped in front of Ravens door, 'Time to wish the love of my life good night!' He reached up with his hand about to knock on her door, when he remembered just how worried she was about him today with dieing and all. Lowering his hand he decided it was best not to disturb Raven anymore today then he already had. Continuing down to his room Beast Boy jumped to his top bunk and drifted off to sleep.
The nearby alarm clock was beeping quite loudly. It was silenced by a gloved hand smashing into it. The owner of the hand just rolled back over into bed preparing for more sleep. Memories of the previous night came back to Beast Boy, so he rolled over once again to see the time.
"Seven! Man it's to early!" he shouted. Swinging his legs out the changeling slid off the top bunk, but upon his feet impacting with the floor his legs doubled over in pain. Picking himself up off the floor, Beast Boy found that he could still stand he would just have to be careful about how high he jumped. Still in his uniform from the previous day he began to do his morning stretches. However when he stretched his right arm a severe pain shoot through it.
Clutching his arm while the pain died down Beast Boy began to think about skipping the combat training all together today. No he couldn't do that, because if he did then the others would know that he was still in pain from yesterday. And then Robin wouldn't let him go out on any missions until he was completely over it. Yes he had to attend this morning just to put everyone else at ease, and to show them he was all right.
Eight arrived and all the Titans, save one, was in the training room. Robin, Starfire, and Raven were all going through there stretches, getting ready. While Cyborg prepped his weights. The doors opened up reveling the fifth Titan. Beast Boy was already walking toward the treadmill when he noticed the looks he was receiving. Both Robin and Cyborg had very surprised looks on their faces. The two of them were both wondering why Beast Boy would be here since he had a free pass not to attend. Starfire was happy to see him here, since Beast Boy did say he wanted her pudding today. Raven on the other hand just had her normal neutral face once again. True she was surprised to see him, but only because he was on time for once.
Looking to Robin and Cyborg's faces the changeling broke the silence, "What?"
This snapped them both out of their state of confusion. Robin walked up to the changeling, "Beast Boy are you sure you're ok with training this morning? If you don't feel up to it, you can sit today out."
Raven, still looking towards Beast Boy, now understood why the two boys were surprised earlier. 'Maybe he is feeling a lot better this morning,' she mused.
Beast Boy again thought about not attending but still decided against it any ways. "Yeah Robin I'm sure, don't worry about me I feel great!" he shouted throwing his left arm into the air.
Robin just cocked an eyebrow, "All right then Beast Boy, you were going to hit the treadmill first right?"
"What better way to get the blood pumping then a good run," the changeling said as he got on the device. Robin just nodded and went over to practice on the full size punching bag hanging in the corner of the room. Cyborg went to his weights, while the girls, literally, hit the small obstacle course.
After an hour of exercising Robin approached Beast Boy, who was now on one of the bench presses, "Hey Beast Boy, care for a little sparing match?"
Reaching for all he was worth with the bar Beast Boy hollered, "Spot!" After Robin reached down to help Beast Boy, the changeling swung his legs to the side. Looking up to Robin with a small grin in his face, "Sure thing, just go easy on me, since you know I wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"Maybe not now Beast Boy," Robin said trying to reassure him, "but if you train just a little harder, I just may not stand a chance against you."
Now on the treadmill Raven watched as the two stepped into the ring. So far she had been keeping a watch on the changeling, she even caught him in a few stares now and then. Each time she did catch him she would get a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Raven just brushed it off as not having any breakfast yet. Still it was strange she would only get this feeling when she caught him staring, causing him to turn away suddenly. However for the last hour she was no closer to an answer then she was last night.
Since Raven was already facing the ring she continued on the treadmill. However both Starfire and Cyborg had to stop what they were doing just to see how Beast Boy would fair against Robin. For a short time the match was just Beast Boy giving some weak punches to Robin's midsection and head. Robin easily avoided the strikes, following up with some punches of his own aimed at Beast Boy's head that he to dodged. After a few minutes of this, Robin decided to throw something different at Beast Boy.
Beast Boy kept up with Robin the best he could, his right arm was really beginning to cause some pain. He just hoped his opponent would get him with a quick strike so it could end already. The changeling got his wish too when Robin brought his leg in a roundhouse kick to the right of Beast Boy's head. Instead of just letting Robin connect with the blow, Beast Boy instinctively blocked with his right arm. Beast Boy's arm flared up in pain when Robin's foot connected. The pain was so bad that his arm went limp upon impact causing it to smack into his head from the kick. The changeling doubled over from the pain, it felt like his arm was on fire.
All four of the Titans were instantly at Beast Boy's side hoping he wasn't hurt to badly. Robin kneeled down next to him, "Beast Boy are you ok?"
With the pain still not subsiding Beast Boy knew he had no choice, "No, my arm...it hurts pretty bad..."
Cyborg waisted no time getting his green friend up on his feet, "All right then, lets get you to the med bay and have a look at that arm." Beast Boy just nodded following Cyborg out of the gym, with Starfire in tow worried about her friend.
The whole time Raven never once let her sight leave Beast Boy. As he was lead out by Cyborg she began to follow them as well until Robin stopped her.
"Raven is everything ok?" he asked resting his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
"I'm fine Robin," she said still looking to the door.
"I am not so sure Raven. Ever since last night you haven't really been you're self."
"I can assure, I am all right now if you will excuse me," she began to walk to the door once again.
"It's about Beast Boy isn't?"
Raven stopped dead in her tracks, "What?" she asked turning to face Robin. He didn't repeat his question, since he knew she heard him. Instead he just stood their with his arms crossed over his chest. Raven calmed herself before answering him, "I'm just concerned for him that's all."
Robin shook his head, "I'm not so sure Raven, this is more then just genuine concern for a friend."
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? Well since you seem to know a lot about interpreting peoples emotions then please do tell."
"Could it be that maybe you care for him Raven?"
Her expression didn't change, "Robin you of all people know I can not feel any emotion, due to my powers."
"That is not all true Raven. Their was one instance when you did show genuine feelings for another without your powers interfering."
"Please name the one time I have shown that kind of emotion," she said in a matter of fact manner not believing him.
"Malchior."
Instantly Raven could feel her anger beginning to boil at just the mentioning of his name, "Never say that name again." With that she left Robin in the gym and made her way to the medical bay.
In the medical bay Beast Boy sat on one of the beds holding his now painless arm, do to the pain medication Cyborg gave him. The changeling couldn't almost contain his laughter at the site before him. Cyborg was trying to read one of the monitors, but was having a difficult time doing it with Starfire next to him.
"Is friend Beast Boy all right Cyborg?" she asked floating over Cyborg's left shoulder.
Cyborg never took his eyes off the monitor, "Star I'm still-"
"Does he require more medicine?"
"He just got some for-"
"Or perhaps a fluffy pillow?"
"Star he isn't lying-"
"Or maybe he just needs-"
"Starfire!" Cyborg shouted.
Starfire paused for a little bit before she realized what Cyborg was implying, "Maybe I should go see to friend Robin," she replied nervously. Starfire maybe naive but she knew when she was trying to be too helpful.
Once she left the medical bay, Cyborg could finally get to checking over what his scanners had found. He had just found what he was looking for, when he heard Ravens voice.
"Is it anything serious?"
Cyborg turned from the scanners and stood next to Beast Boy letting them both hear the results, "No nothing too bad, just a fracture." He looked right to the green Titan, "But you're lucky it didn't break from Robin's kick BB."
Beast Boy looked to the floor, "Hey I said I was feeling fine earlier and I was."
"I'm surprised to see your brain was even functioning that early," Raven said to the changeling walking up to him.
Beast Boy knew he had been caught. There was no point to keeping up with his lie, "All right so my arm did hurt a little bit when I got up, but I didn't think nothing of it."
"Apparently not," Raven added, "look where you are now." Beast boy just gave a defeated sigh.
"Don't worry BB," Cyborg reassured him, "we will put a cast on your arm and in a few weeks it will be just like new."
"Or I could just heal him now."
Cyborg knew Raven's healing powers took a lot out of her so he didn't even suggest having her heal the changeling. Beast Boy, on the other hand, just stared into her eyes not believing his ears.
"Really Rae, you would do that for me?"
"It's Raven," she corrected, "and yes I will. That's what friends do Beast Boy, they help each other."
After she healed Beast Boy's arm, Cyborb was running another scan on Beast Boy's arm when Robin walked in. Both she and Robin exchanged looks. Robin looked down to the tile floor, almost immediately, hoping Raven would understand. She could tell he was sorry, but she was still angry at him over what he said in the gym, "I have to go meditate now." Then she phased into the ceiling.
Beast Boy saw her leave but didn't think it was because of Robin. So he just sat on the bed waiting for Cyborg to give him the all clear or not.
With a smile on his face Cyborg turned to the two Titans, "Well BB thanks to Ravens help, you're all fixed up." Beast Boy was jumping for joy at the news. Robin turned to Cyborg with a questionable look in his eye. Cyborg slapped a hand to his face, "Oh that's right you weren't here. The little grass stain here just had a fracture nothing to major. Raven was able to heal it completely though."
"Well healed or not, Beast Boy I am suspending you from duty for the next couple of days."
Beast Boy stopped his little victory dance, "Dude why, you heard Cy I'm all better now."
Robin stood strong, "And I would like to keep it that way too. It's only for a couple of days Beast Boy, but I still want you to show up for the training exercises."
The green Titan just gave another defeated sigh, "No problem Robin, I will be there."
"Glad to hear it, just one question, where did you get that fracture?"
Cyborg went back to his results from the first scan , "According to the first scan I did, that fracture had been their for a full twenty-four hours. It must have happened when we were battling Overload."
"Well," said Beast Boy with a finger to his chin, "he did throw me pretty hard into that wall before I...," He stopped abruptly not wanting to recall what happened
"Before the incident," Robin said for him knowing that the changeling didn't want to talk about it.
"Yeah before that, thanks Robin."
"No problem Beast Boy, now if anyone needs me I will be upstairs getting breakfast ready it is my turn after all." Robin turned and left leaving the two Titans alone in the medical bay.
Beast Boy stared out a nearby window, "Hey Cy I am going to head outside for awhile. Just be sure to have everyone wait up for me before we all have lunch."
"You ain't coming to breakfast?"
"Nah, I'm just not hungry."
Cyborg thought it strange for Beast Boy to miss breakfast, but he didn't press the issue. "All right then BB, I will let everyone know." Beast Boy thanked Cyborg and headed out the door.
Raven was on the roof attempting to meditate, but having no such luck. Looking out to the bay, her mind kept drifting back to the look Beast Boy had given her just before she healed his arm.
'Really Rae, you would do that for me...'
'That's what friends do Beast Boy, they help each other...'
She was brought out of her recollection when she heard a familiar voice.
"I just wanted you to know breakfast will be ready in a few," Cyborg said to her standing just a few feet behind.
She replied not turning her gaze, "Thanks Cyborg, but I don't think I will be attending."
"Well that is up to you, and I'm sure Robin won't mind if you miss the breakfast he is making."
"Robin? I thought it was Beast Boy's turn today?"
Cyborg just gave a small chuckle, "Nope no tofu eggs today, just good old fashioned meat." He was about to leave when a thought occurred to him, "You know Rae, you did seem a little different to him down in the med bay earlier."
Raven just gave a small sigh at the use of her nickname, "Different, how?"
Cyborg began counting off on his hand, "Well you didn't give BB a lecture about covering up the fact he was in pain. And you offered right up front to heal his arm. And I know it takes a lot out of you when you use your healing powers."
"I was just concerned for his wellbeing that's all."
"This is still about what he did yesterday isn't it?"
Raven finally turned to face Cyborg, "And what would yesterday have to do with it?"
Cyborg began scratching his head, "Oh I don't probably due to the fact he almost died." He could just barely see Raven's reaction. Her face was still neutral, but her eyes showed her sadness. "Have you talked to him about it?"
Raven just looked down to her feet, "I have tried once, but I could tell he didn't want to talk about it. At least not at that moment." Cyborg didn't interrupt her, he knew she needed to say this. "I did let him know that if he did feel like talking about it, he could come to me."
Cyborg smiled, "Well when he is ready he will for sure talk to you about it."
"It doesn't matter who he talks to just as long as he does talk to someone," she could almost feel tears in her eyes. "I would be the last person he would talk to about his problem any ways."
"Well," Cyborg started.
Raven looked up to him raising an eyebrow, "So you do know something I don't, care to enlighten me?"
He just cornered himself now and he knew it. He couldn't break his promise to Beast Boy, but how could he give an answer to Raven that would seem somewhat believable?
"Well?" Raven said while tapping of her foot.
"Look Raven about what he did yesterday, he was just worried about you." He walked up next to her, "You know how BB is, he acts before thinking things through."
"He said the exact same thing to me yesterday," Raven looked out to the bay again. "But their is something else that is troubling him, and I have a funny feeling somehow it involves me."
For once in a long time Cyborg was actually happy to have the alarm sound. With their conversation cut short, the two Titans made their way to the common room. Once they arrived Robin was already turned away from the computer ready to address the team.
Looking around the room Raven noticed that Beast Boy wasn't with them, "Where is Beast Boy?"
"After this morning, I put him off duty for a few days," Robin told the her.
Raven knew why he did it. If he was injured again in battle, it would cause a serious problem for the team, "So what's the trouble this time?"
Robin began walking to the door, "It's Dr. Light, he is trying to steal from one of the bank trucks again on main street."
Cyborg groaned, "Doesn't that guy ever learn to-"
Robin cut him off, "It doesn't matter, what matters is bringing him to justice. Cyborg and I will use the T-car. Starfire and Raven take to the skies."
The four of them ran out the room with their leader shouting out the battle cry, "Titans, go!"