Disclamer: I should probably put this up here. I wouldn't want to get in trouble now. I do not own the Teen Titans. I did ask about it, but I was turned down due to lack of funds.
Dr. Light proved to be no problem. As soon as Raven made her presence known, Dr. Light begged for mercy. She stood in front of the open rear doors of the police van as Dr. Light was loaded in. Cyborg was already making his way to the T-car, while Robin was next to one of the policemen going over, once again, measures to keep the troublesome villain locked up. Starfire was never more then three feet from Robin's side, however one look over to Raven and she knew something was troubling her. Raven's mind began to wonder back to her and Cyborg's conversation from earlier.
'Have you talked to him about it...'
Her gaze turned to look down the street.
'I would be the last person he would talk to...'
She looked up to the few clouds in the sky.
'He was just worried about you...'
Reaching behind her neck, she put the hood of her cloak up.
'I have a funny feeling somehow it involves me...'
"Friend Raven, are you all right?" Starfire asked, slowly walking up to the dark Titan.
Raven turned to look over her left shoulder, "I'm fine Starfire, why do you ask?"
"You have the look of troubles."
Raven turned to face Starfire, trying to keep her face neutral. Looking into the Tamaranean's eyes, Raven could see she was worried for her. Whenever a member of the team was down Starfire always did her best to cheer them up, 'Much like Beast Boy. Wait, where did that come from,' Raven mused.
"Raven?"
Starfire's voice got Raven's attention once again. She began to walk closer to Raven, but as she took her first step Raven turned around. "Please, Raven may I help in the sorting out of your troubles?"
"Starfire I appreciate your offer to help, but this is something I need to figure out myself."
Stopping just behind Raven, Starfire lowered her head. "Raven," she said cupping her hands together, "I only wish to-"
"Tell the others I will be back later. If they need me, I will have my communicator with me." With that Raven flew off into the city.
From the T-car Cyborg saw the whole exchange between the two girls. He may not have heard what was said, but judging from Raven's sudden departure, and the sad look on Starfire's face. It couldn't have been good anything good. Robin had finally finished talking with the policeman. When he looked up to check on Starfire, he just caught Raven flying away from her. Walking up to her, Robin knew something was wrong.
"Are you all right Star?"
Turning to look at him, Robin could see the sad look on her face, "I am as good as I can be Robin."
He took one of her hands, "It's ok Starfire. Now what's the matter?"
"Friend Raven has left to deal with the troubles." He looked down to both of their hands, having a good guess as to why Starfire was upset.
"I'm sure Raven will be fine Star, now lets head back to the tower." he said looking back into her green eyes.
She looked into his masked eyes knowing he was right. Smiling she said, "That is a good idea Robin."
As the two walked back to the T-car, Cyborg was already waiting for them in the drivers seat. After they were all inside, Cyborg started up the car and headed back for the tower.
After Beast Boy left the tower he decided a good swim was in order. Diving into the water he changed into a dolphin and swam as fast as he could. Jumping out and back into the water along the way to the docks across the bay. It didn't take long for Beast Boy to swim across the bay, nevertheless his short swim brought new energy to his body. Leaping out of the water, Beast Boy changed once again into a dog landing on the dock. After giving himself a good shake to dry off, he morphed back into his human form and began walking toward one of the nearby streets.
Raven was flying high above the city, not knowing where she was going. All she knew was that she had to go somewhere. Looking down Raven could see the cafe she would stop at occasionally for a semi quite place to read and drink her tea. Setting down in front of the entrance she looked up to the sign, "Leafy Drinks."
Walking through the door, Raven could see the store clerk kneeling behind the counter looking for something. "Good morning."
"Good morning," the clerk said peering over the counter, "what can I get yo-" the clerk stopped now knowing who just walked into the store. The clerk stood up suddenly, "Welcome to the Leafy Drinks cafe. I must say I never thought a Titan would stop in here."
"I come here from time to time," she said looking to the now standing man behind the counter.
"Well my name is Bill, glad to meet you Raven," he extended his hand.
Raven didn't shake his hand. Instead she just looked to his outstretched hand, then back up to his face, "Nice to meet you to Bill."
Taking the hint Bill brought his hand back behind the counter, "So what will it be?"
"A small herbal tea please."
Bill nodded to the Titan, "Coming right up," he said turning around to prepare the tea. Raven walked away from the counter to the tables off to her left. Finding the one table in the back corner she sat down waiting patiently for her tea.
Beast Boy continued on his walk even though he was feeling down about being off duty, 'Robin has good reason to pull me off, or else he wouldn't have otherwise' he mused. Rounding the block he noticed that he came to a street filled with many small cafes. Although he wasn't hungry, Beast Boy did see one cafe that stood out from the rest. This one in particular, with the sign above the door that read, "Leafy Drinks." Stopping in front of the glass window he looked up to the sign, "I wonder if Raven ever stops here?"
Still sitting in the chair, Raven was glancing at one of the books the cafe had on a nearby shelf. Pausing briefly from her reading she saw someone outside the window that looked strangely familiar to her. When suddenly Bill stepped into her line of sight.
"Here you are miss Raven, I hope you enjoy it. Is their anything else I can get you?" Bill asked politely.
"No thank, just my tea please." Bill nodded and walked back to the counter. Once Bill left her view of the window Raven could see that the person just standing a moment ago, was no longer there. "That couldn't have been him. Why would he stop at a place like this?" she asked herself quietly.
Once again walking down the street the changeling couldn't help but wonder if he should ask Raven to that cafe sometime. He lowered his head a bit knowing that Raven would never agree to go anywhere with him. 'No this is not the time to be having negative thoughts! I love her that's for sure, so why all this negative talk!' he said to himself, 'I just need to be patient, and maybe just maybe I can work up the courage to tell her how I truly feel!' Even with his own little pep talk Beast Boy wasn't sure if he would ever get that far. He had the perfect chance yesterday, but he just couldn't do it. Why he just wasn't sure, all he knew was that he couldn't do it. So when should he do it, more importantly how could he do it? What would it take for him to finally tell Raven his true feelings? He never thought of an answer to that, for the changeling walked right into the steel fence that surrounded the city's park.
Putting a hand to his head, Beast Boy stumbled back a few steps, "Ow man that hurt." He looked past the fence and into the parks green grass, "You know a walk in the park is a pretty good idea!" By the time he finished his walk, he would probably head back and let the others know he was all right.
Raven had finished her tea, thanked Bill for his hospitality, paid for the tea, and left the cafe. Once outside she flew just above the low lying buildings. Raven could see the park just ahead of her, but thought nothing of it as she flew across. Her mind kept going back through the days events. Had she really been that different with Beast Boy? Raven didn't think so, however both Robin and Cyborg thought differently, even Starfire could tell she was troubled. But why was she troubled? What happened recently to cause this?
'Oh I don't know probably due to the fact he almost died...' Cyborg's words rang though her head like a wreaking ball.
Beginning to have trouble concentrating on flying. Raven touched down next to the fountain, that was located in the very center of the park. She walked up next to the fountain peering into the water. As Raven looked into her reflection, her mind picked up where it had left off. Yes she almost lost one of her friends forever, that had always been one of her greatest fears. Logically it made sense, almost losing a friend could have ones mind deeply troubled. But their just had to be something more then that, for it didn't explain why she felt a need to heal Beast Boy this morning. Yes it would have been a burden to the team if he had to be in that cast. However burdens, such as injuries, were nothing new to the team. The team had dealt with burdens many times with no trouble before. So why was this morning any different? She was concerned for him of course. Although why should she be concerend for him, this was Beast Boy after all, the one person who annoyed her to no end. Their just had to be another reason why she is so worked up over this, but what she just didn't know yet.
"Raven?"
Raven was so startled, that upon turning around to face the person who spoke to her, her powers caused some of the water in the fountain fly up and land on the persons head. Looking to the figure, she could easily make out the purple and black jump suit, however his eyes were covered by his now wet and matted hair.
Taking his right hand, Beast Boy lifted his wet hair out of his face to look on at Raven. "I'm sorry Raven I didn't mean to startle you!" He held both of his hands up to his face, waiting for the inevitable outburst he was about to receive.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have let your sudden appearance startle me like that," she said to the changeling.
Bringing his hands down Beast Boy was a little surprised at Raven not tossing him into the water, or worse the street with oncoming traffic. Instead she just stood there in front of him with her neutral face.
"If you're just going to stand their and stare at me all day, then I shall leave," Raven began to turn around and leave when Beast Boy stopped her.
"I'm sorry, again, it's just that I didn't expect to find you here."
"And just where did you expect to find me?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
Beast Boy, nervously, scratched the back of his neck, "Well to be honest I thought you were still back at the tower with the others."
She turned from Beast Boy and made her way to one of the nearby benches, "We had a little trouble with Dr. Light, but he was taken care of." As she finished Raven sat down to the far right of the bench looking right at Beast Boy.
"Dude their was a mission, and no one thought to call me," Beast Boy shouted throwing his hands into the hair.
"You are off duty remember," her gaze turned back to the fountain, "And besides, do you even have your communicator Beast Boy?"
He reached into his pocket, "Of course I..." Still fiddling with one pocket, he reached into his other one coming up empty, "...don't?" The changeling made is way to the bench as well now, looking down to his feet.
She turned to face Beast Boy as he walked over, "Did you even remember to grab it this morning when you first woke up?"
He sat down to the far left of the bench with a sigh. Trying to retrace his steps, he did have it with him when he first woke up in the medical bay yesterday. But after he got back to the common room he sat it down on one of the counters. The counter of course, the one place he hadn't been to yet today, it must still be there. "No I didn't even think to look for it, but I'm pretty sure its in the common room."
Raven looked to him curiously, "If you know where it is, why did you think-"
"That I had it on me?" Raven nodded. "Because I just figured out where I last saw it," he chuckled a bit, "I guess I should use this more often huh Rae," he asked her, tapping his forehead.
She sighed and rolled her eyes, "It's Raven," she corrected again, "and yes you should Beast Boy."
The two sat quietly for a few moments just staring at the fountain. Beast Boy was content as he always was when Raven decided to spend anytime with him. However once again he was starting to get the urge to tell her. The butterfly feelings in his stomach were beginning to flutter up in his throat. If he told her, what would she say? Would she be happy, or angry, or sad? Wait sad, why would knowing someone loved you make you sad. And then it dawned on him, if Raven truly couldn't show emotions, then she would be sad. Not being able to express love to another would make anyone sad.
"Beast Boy is everything all right?"
A bit startled the changeling tried to keep his voice calm, "Yeah everything is fine, why do you ask?" He turned to face Raven, who was already looking right at him.
"Last night when we talked," she watched his movements carefully, "you seemed troubled with something."
Beast Boy looked down to his hands, that were resting in his lap, "Yeah, look Raven about yesterday..."
He couldn't do it, he wasn't ready. And she knew it, "Beast Boy it's ok, if your not ready to talk about it that's fine." She got up from the bench turning her back to the changeling.
He stood up suddenly looking right to the back of her head, "No it's ok, I have to say this."
She stopped, "All right," she turned around to face him. A small breeze past the two of them causing Beast Boy's hair to ruffle, and Raven's cloak to billow off to her right side.
He looked right into her eyes, finding the courage to say what he had been longing to say. "What I did yesterday, I did it because I had to keep you safe."
"I understand Beast Boy."
"You do?"
Raven nodded to him, "Of course, you saw a fellow teammate and friend in trouble. So you did what you could to help them."
Beast Boy couldn't believe it, she thought he did it because they are teammates? No she was more then that to him, and he had to let her know that. Still looking into her eyes, he found that courage again, "Raven that's not why I did it."
She lowered her head a little bit, "Then you truly did just act without thinking." Raven looked off to the fountain once again feeling slightly hurt, but she didn't know why.
Beast Boy was once again scratching the back of his head. "Well actually that isn't entirely true Raven," he told her squinting his eyes shut.
Raven turned to look at the changeling again with a pleading look in her eyes, "Then why did you do it?"
Beast Boy dropped his nervous expression and looked right into her eyes. Determined to say what needed to be said. "Raven if anything happened to you I don't know what I would do. I couldn't bear to lose you because I-"
Suddenly Raven's communicator went off. Forcefully she reached for it, "What?"
Robin was on the other end, "Raven their is a jewelry robbery downtown we need you there."
"I'm on my way," she closed her communicator. Looking back to Beast Boy she could see the disappointing look on his face. What he didn't know was that she was just as disappointed as him.
Beast Boy never took his gaze off her eyes, "You better get going, I will see all of you back at the tower."
Before she could say anything, Beast Boy morphed into a bird and flew off towards the tower.
Raven stared off in the direction the changeling went. His last words to her still rang through her mind, 'I couldn't bear to lose you...' Shaking her head, Raven flew off to where the other Titans where heading to once again stop crime.
As Beast Boy flew back to the tower he kept kicking himself for not telling her. He should have told her, he had to tell her. He didn't have the courage last night. But looking into her eyes today he could find strength within them. He touched down on the towers roof, changing back to his human form, and made his way to the common room. Once inside he looked around for his communicator, finding it almost instantly next to the fridge.
"I knew it was here," he chuckled to himself, "Raven is right, I should use my head more often." But as his mind drifted back to the park, Beast Boy was once again angry with himself. He was about ready to throw his communicator across the room, when he saw the Gamestation. The changeling looked at it for just a moment until a thought occurred to him, 'Why don't I take my anger out on some mutant monkeys!' Beast Boy leaped over the sofa, grabbed a controller, and became lost in the video game world.
Having taking care of a jewelry heist, that turned into a chase through downtown, the other Titans were glad to be home once again.
"Well Titans," said Robin, "I will be in the gym for a quick workout." He left the group and headed down the all.
Cyborg put a hand to his growling stomach, "I'll be in the kitchen making me a snack." He practically ran to the common room, almost stepping on the two Titan girls.
Before Starfire could do or say anything Raven stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, "Starfire, I really could use your help right now."
Starfire just beamed at her friend, "Oh friend Raven I will be happy to help you!"
Raven gave her a small smile, "Thank you Starfire. We can talk in my room." Raven made her way down the hall with Starfire in tow, smiling the biggest smile on earth.
Cyborg stepped through the door just as a horde of mutant monkeys came to their end from a grenade. After the carnage settled down from the screen, Cyborg peered over the couch to see Beast Boy.
"Yo BB, glad to see your back," that was when he noticed the changelings score. "And did you just beat my score?"
Finally looking to see his score, Beast Boy was a little surprised, "Yeah I guess I did, sorry about that Cy," he said turning around to see Cyborg standing just behind the sofa.
"Sorry, are you nuts! Now I know what you can do! Finally a worthy opponent!" Cyborg shouted. "Time for a versus match B," just then his stomach growled reminding him why he was here in the first place. "Right after I get some food in my system." Cyborg walked to the fridge and prepared his snack.
"Sure thing Cy." Beast Boy reached down and turned off the Gamestation. He was no longer angry, but he had to talk to someone. "I ran into Raven today."
Cyborg stopped making his sandwich, "You did? Where?"
"In the park. After this morning I needed some fresh air, so I went for a walk."
"It had to have been after she took care of Dr. Light. We tried to reach but you didn't answer your communicator." Cyborg went back to prepping his sandwich.
Beast Boy stood up and walked to the counter next to Cyborg. "I left it in the tower," he leaned both hands on the counter, "you said Raven took care of Dr. Light?"
"Yeah it was pretty funny. Once she showed up, he just turned into the biggest cowered. He practically begged to be arrested."
Beast Boy was laughing on the inside, but he just couldn't show it on the outside. "That's pretty funny Cy, but I just don't feel like laughing right now."
Cyborg gave his friend a surprised look, "You don't feel like laughing? Man, what happened to cause this?" It was a stupid question to ask, since he had a pretty good guess.
Beast Boy held a hand with two of his fingers about an inch apart, "I was this close Cy, this close!" He turned around and made his way back to the sofa, "I was about ready to tell her everything until, Robin called about that heist. After that I just couldn't bring myself to say it." He once again sat down on the sofa, resting his head in his hands, "I'm such a coward."
Cyborg abandoned his food to sit next to his friend, "You're not a coward BB."
"But I didn't tell her," Beast Boy said into his hands. "I didn't tell her that I love her. I was two words away from it," he brought his face out of his hands. "But then Robin just had to call," he said in a slightly angry tone staring out the window.
Cyborg read his tone, "Hey it's not Robin's fault man, he didn't know what was going on."
Beast Boy sighed melting his anger, "Yeah I know, but it was just perfect timing. You know just like in the movies, that Starfire has us all watch once and awhile."
Cyborg gave him a slap on the shoulder, "Don't worry B, if you could almost say it today. Then I'm sure you won't have any trouble telling her later."
"I just hope your right Cy, thanks," Beast Boy stood up, walking toward the door.
Cyborg nodded to the changeling, "Anytime B, where are you off to?"
Beast Boy turned around, "After today, I think I'm just going to head to my room and go to bed."
"Bed? But it's not even five yet?"
"I know, but I feel pretty wiped. I will see yeah in the morning." Cyborg wished him goodnight, as Beast Boy walked out the door.
While Beast Boy had his talk with Cyborg. Starfire and Raven were having a talk of their own, in Raven's room.
"Friend Raven, you are troubled by friend Beast Boy saving you yesterday?" she asked sitting at the foot of Raven's bed. Raven nodded, sitting at the head of her bed. "But Raven, is it not a good thing that Beast Boy did the saving of you?"
"Yes it's a good thing he saved me Starfire, but he didn't have to almost get himself killed to do it," Raven said looking down to the floor.
Noticing the look on Raven's face, Starfire had a pretty good guess why Raven was troubled. "Maybe losing friend Beast Boy is something you do not wish to experience?"
"Starfire, I wouldn't want to experience that with any of you," Raven looked up from the floor to Starfire. "I don't want to lose my only friends."
Starfire shook her head, "Raven, do you not remember what you did last night when friend Beast Boy was hit by Overload?"
Raven focused on the floor once again, "Of course I remember, I got him out of the transformer with my-"
"You screamed friend Beast Boy's name."
Raven looked right to Starfire, "I did?"
"Yes," Starfire answered.
Raven stood up and began to pace around her room, "I must have just been trying to warn him."
"You did not say his name until he was in danger Raven."
She stopped pacing, standing with her back to Starfire, "Then I must have just said it, out of reaction. Wouldn't you do the same thing if it was Robin?"
Starfire stood up, "I would, but that is because I care deeply for friend Robin."
She turned around facing Starfire, "Starfire you make it sound like I'm in love with-" suddenly one of her statues flew across the room and shattered against the opposite wall. Raven just stood in front of Starfire with a shocked look on her face. It was like a light turned on in her mind.
Starfire gasped when the statue broke, "Raven?"
Starfire's voice brought her back, "I...I have to meditate, thanks for your help Starfire."
She smiled and clapped her hands together, "I am most happy to be of any help friend Raven. I shall leave you to your meditation now."
Beast Boy was just coming up to Raven's room when he spotted Starfire walking out of her door. Curiosity got the best of him, "Hey Star, is everything all right?"
Starfire closed Raven's door, "Oh everything is glorious friend Beast Boy!"
"Great, hey is Raven in her room?"
"She is, but she is doing the meditation right now."
Beast Boy nodded, "Ok thanks Star, I guess I will have to talk to her later."
She nodded to the changeling, "Yes, that would be a wise decision."
"Hey Star, have you seen Robin?" Beast Boy didn't think it was possible, but Starfire's smile grew even larger.
"Oh friend Robin is in the gym," she clapped her hand together once again. "I must go see him, for I have much to talk to him about." Beast Boy said his goodbye to her, while she floated down the hall.
Now standing in front of Raven's door, Beast Boy thought about knocking on her door. 'I just have to tell her how I feel about her, but Star did say she was meditating,' he mused. Beast Boy decided it would be in his best interests not to disturb her. Once he was in his room, he crawled up on his top bunk, and driffted off to sleep.
AN: Sorry for the late update, no excuse for it. But here is chapter three! I really thought about having Raven and Beast Boy get everything out in the open this chapter. But as I wrote it, I just knew Raven wasn't ready yet. So sorry for the added drama. I hope the few readers, that have left reviews, and anyone else who has read my story enjoy this chapter!