A/N: I do not own Teen Titans, Poison Ivy, or Harley Quinn. They belong to DC comics and Warner Bros. Thank yous are at the bottom.
Chapter Five: Waiting for the other shoe to drop
Raven was mad. No, she was not allowed to be mad because being mad was an unnecessary emotion that leads to things being blown up. She was fine, she was fine, she was fine, she was fine, she was pissed off. How dare this treacherous girl come back to the tower as if everything was alright, as if she was always going to be welcomed after all she had done? Not only that but she had torched the very close moment she was about to share with Beastboy and that in itself was enough to cause the empath to want and send the other teen girl to another dimension.
Slowly the green teen glanced back between Raven and Terra uncertain what to do. It was obvious to everyone in the room that Raven was not happy to see Terra and that Terra wanted to only talk to Beastboy. The fact her blue eyes had been on him since he walked into the room had proven that.
"Umm… what's up, Terra?" He said nervously as the blonde only seemed to shift uncomfortably from the looks she was being given. Most seemed confused and uncertain. They all held a hint of apprehension and sorrow at losing a once close friend, all except for two. One blonde girl she did not know and the empath who was glaring daggers of ice at her.
"I remember everything… I guess I should start with… I'm sorry."
"Sorry?!" It took Beastboy all of three seconds to rest a hand on the fuming empath's shoulder. The violet haired girl whirled her head around to meet with pleading emerald eyes. He had to be kidding. The small frown that crossed his lips showed that he was indeed not. She growled for a moment and slowly shut her mouth, violet-eyes turning back to the blonde as she glared all she wished to say instead.
"Terra that happened a long time ago. We all forgave you, there's no reason for you to apologize." Raven snorted and Beastboy ignored it, going on. "Slade used you and manipulated your mind. It was not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about." The blonde seemed uncertain and slowly glanced around the room at the other Titans. Seeing her look at them with hurt in her eyes the others nodded their agreements and she felt herself calm a bit.
"O-Okay… well that wasn't all… I kind of... I mean, could we talk…" Beastboy nodded and started for the couch until the girl shook her head. "N-No… alone." His eyes widen a bit and he felt his cheeks start to flush. The violet haired teen on the other hand was clenching her fist and reminding herself that she was not mad. That Anger's voice was louder than the other voices simply because it had always been louder. She was not mad, she was calm, anger was pointless and Gar would handle the situation. She had to trust him to handle his own affairs.
"I er… I mean its kind of late and I just… I um…"
"Please BB… I need to talk with you really badly…" Emerald eyes slowly glanced from the deep blue to the raging empath behind him. Hearing her call him by his nickname had indeed caused his heart to reopen old wounds, but he wasn't ready to venture down a path he had tried so hard to leave. The look on Raven's face made it clear she was not going to wait around and if he did not handle this she would. The green teen turned his eyes back to the blue ones he had gazed into years before and the old wounds started to throb.
"I…" She could him faltering and she would not allow it.
"Why? Why do you want to talk to him again? Are you trying to rip his heart out a third time?" The young blonde flinched and tried her best to straighten up for the assault that was awaiting her. "Do you get some kind of sick perverse pleasure in just walking in and out of his life?"
"I'm not here to talk with you. I'm here to talk to BB."
"I don't care! He's my teammate and I will not let you-"
"Rae… it's alright." The room fell silent and hurt flashed in the empath's eyes and he regretted saying anything. The air seemed to thicken around them all as the empath just stared at the green teen and he stared back. Finally emerald eyes looked away and he watched the ground for a second, feeling slightly ashamed. Yet, she didn't trust him to handle this and it hurt. She hadn't even given him a chance to say no, to prove himself.
Emerald eyes gradually glanced at the violet haired beauty from the corner of his eyes and could still see the hurt in them. Slowly she recollected herself and he could see the way her eyes shut him out, the low hiss of a response coming from her lips.
"Fine. Do what you wish."
"Friend Raven…" Starfire started to raise her hand to offer comfort but the short violet haired girl was already making her way from the room.
"I'm tired, Goodnight Starfire, everyone else."
"Rae." The green teen started but she glared daggers over her shoulder at him and he fell silent. If he wanted to be alone with his ex, that was fine by her.
"I said goodnight!" With that she walked from the room and left five teens looking worried, the outsider looking slightly baffled at what had just happened.
Beastboy stood there for a moment, watching the door that his date for the day had just walked through and felt a ton of guilt pour onto him. Should he go after her? Try to explain why he said what he said? Not that he had said more than two words, but the empath's mind worked in weird ways. Would it even make things better? How do you explain to a girl you've liked for years that the reason you told her to stop talking was because you were defending a girl you had once loved? Either way he sliced it it was best not to talk to her right now.
"BB…" The nickname caused him to slowly turn his eyes to the awaiting girl by the door, blue eyes seeming to plead for him to follow. Slowly he nodded his head and rubbed the back of his neck to sluggishly make his way over to her and out the door.
Starfire watched in a mixture of anger and confusion. Why had the green teen not gone after her friend? Was he confused to his feelings for her? Or maybe he had suffered some type of brain deficiency of the earthly kind. Could he not see how upset friend Raven was? The feeling of a hand rested on her shoulder and she turned to meet eyes hidden behind a dark mask.
"He is not… going to make the apologies?"
"It's not our place to say Star…"
"But I do not understand. He has hurt friend Raven… he should apologize with the earthly sweets and the giving of dead plants! They can not drift apart before they have ever drifted together!" Robin flinched as the anger seemed to pour out of her, the warrior princess's voice on the verge of yelling and he could not think of a response to help calm her. Sarah chose that moment to break in.
"I think I should get going… it seems like a talk will happen when a certain green guy gets back and I don't wish to intrude." Cyborg nodded an agreement and got his car keys, ushering his girlfriend out of the door.
"Come on, let's get going." The couple made their quiet exit and left the two heroes alone in the room. Starfire and Robin stood in silence, her eyes seeming to plead for him to explain what had just occurred. Robin said nothing and watched the floor to avoid her eyes. However that was all he needed to say as the alien princess frowned and moved away from him.
"I see… so friend Beastboy chose…"
"We don't know that Star… he might just-" The alien princess shook her head and brought her hands to her chest.
"Varblark boyfriend Robin! You and I both know that friend Beastboy has always had the feelings of affection for friend Terra. That he would follow her into the battle against X'Hal herself!" He went to say something, anything that would get the hurt from her eyes. However no words came and he found he could only run a hand through his dark hair.
"It's his choice, Star…"
Her bright eyes wavered with tears for a second before they were replaced with shock. She had to go check on friend Raven. She should not be alone in her distress. Before Robin could stop her the redheaded girl was floating out the door and down the hallway to the empath's room. The boy wonder only sighed and watched the door, knowing that this was not going to end well. He needed to mend this quickly and make Beastboy answer and apologize for this.
Beastboy stood next to the first love of his life in silence, the only sound among them was the wind that gently blew between them. He shouldn't be here, he should be upstairs making up with the girl he had spent the whole day with. He knew it, she knew it, and everyone inside of the tower knew it. So why was he standing beside her and why was his heart racing so fast with memories he had thought he buried a long time ago.
"BB?" He jumped a bit and let emerald eyes meet her blue.
"Huh?" She seemed to smile at the old confusion he always seemed to wear back then.
"I said I missed you…" He felt his cheeks flush and rubbed the back of his head, speaking before he thought.
"Well I missed you too Terra, you weren't just my girlfriend… you were my best friend." Her eyes sparkled and he felt an old feeling flutter through his chest that he knew should not have been there.
"So… you've thought about me?" He eyed her carefully and slowly nodded his head before glancing back out at the sea.
"Of course Terra… I'll probably always think about you. You are after all my first love…" Her hopes lifted up and she could feel her heart jumping around. She still had a chance. He still thought of her, missed her, and when she had asked him to come outside with her, he had. All the signs were pointing to yes.
"I've missed you too Beastboy… you meant a lot to me, you know?" He nodded his head slightly and felt his cheeks flush.
"You meant a lot to me as well…" Once more silence fell between them and he started to fidget from one foot to another. She watched him from the rock she sat upon and smiled to herself.
"Beastboy… do you… do you still feel alone?" He felt his heart drop slightly and let emerald eyes move to the blue ones.
"Well yeah… sometimes… but I doubt that's what you wanted to talk about." She smiled a bit and played with the tips of her hair, watching the ground.
"I wanted to talk about us, BB… about… what could be." Emerald eyes widen a bit as a thousand thoughts ran through his mind, his heart racing. When her blue eyes looked up with a sad and hopeful look in them he could feel his heartbeat inside of his ears. So he looked away and cleared his throat, thinking what to say next. However, when he went to speak familiar arms had wrapped around his neck and he was tugged down so his ear was to her lips.
"I promise I'll win you back BB… don't worry you aren't alone anymore." Slowly her words sunk in and he immediately withdrew from her hug, waving his hands in front of him.
"Whoa woah woah! I missed you but I'm not going to go back with you… I- I kind of have a new love interest Terra…" Her eyes seemed to shimmer with tears for a bit as she tried to grasp onto any hope that drifted through her mind. Maybe the girl wasn't right for him; maybe she was not as good to him as she had once been. Maybe there was still hope, if she could just find out who she was up against.
"… Who?" He went to tell her a lie, to tell her it was none of her concern and that she had made her choice not once but twice. However, watching the tears shimmer in her blue eyes he could only tell her the truth.
"Raven… she and I have-" She laughed and he blinked. He felt his stomach get butterflies and fingers curl into fist at the same time. He had missed her but who was she to laugh at what he felt for someone.
"I'm sorry BB… it's just, she's not little miss touchy feely. She's closed off and hates everyone."
"That isn't true…"
"I may not have been around lately… but I remember how closed off she was. Besides she's not even allowed to feel anything, you'll try and get close and she'll just hurt you again."
"That's not true…she's different yeah but… I mean we just…it's not true…"
She still had a chance. She knew it now; she could hear the doubt deep in his voice. As long as she was always around him, the empath would become jealous and withdrawn. It was almost too easy. She moved closer to him and watched his facial expressions very closely.
"Oh BB… don't worry. I understand I messed up and you're lonely… but it'll be okay, I will make up what I've done… and we can be together again." He was both angry and confused and wanted to yell but couldn't find his voice. Talk about conceited and out of line. If it wasn't for the way her eyes sparkled and she smiled he would of told her what he was thinking, whatever that might be. But the memories were there, they were always there in the back of his mind. Their first kiss, their first date, the first time they had met. The way she had felt in his arms, the smell of her hair. So many good times that mixed and mingled with the bad ones. Yet in the end, it had been a good memory she chose to leave with him.
She moved closer and took his hands into her own. When she leaned in he couldn't move, old memories and feelings keeping him petrified.
"I love you Beastboy… and I'm not letting you go again. If that means I have to fight with Raven to do so… so be it." She gently stroked his cheek and let her blue eyes stay locked on his own. "I'm not that same confused and shy girl I once was…" Her arms started to circle around his neck and guided him downwards, her head tilting ever so slightly to the left.
"Don't worry BB. I'll make this work." Her lips found his and his brain stopped as the world seemed to give out from underneath him. He knew this was bad but memories told him it was right. The familiarity of her touches and her kisses, telling him it was okay.
Moments ticked by and though he stood there from shock she could tell thousands of questions and doubts ran through his mind. That was good enough for now, she could work with doubts. Though she knew this might be the only kiss she had to stay strong, even if it was one-sided. Because as soon as they broke apart his brain would start working again and he would realize what had just happen and be more on his guard. She would always be the second choice but that did not mean she had to give up. No. It just meant she would have to work very hard to out maneuver the empath.
Finally his body seemed to kick back as he placed his hands on her shoulders and gently guided her back and away from him. Emerald eyes watched the blonde in front of him with both wounded eyes from old memories and surprise from what just happened. She forced herself to smile and tucked a strand of yellow hair behind her ear.
"Don't worry about the Titans thing… I'm not coming back. It was never in me to be a hero. But I will be here as often as I can, since its summer there's not much to worry about there. Go get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." He couldn't talk and stood there dumbfounded as the blonde teen made her way away from him. "I'll win you back BB! Just watch!"
He stood there minutes after she had left, the night air circling around him. The wind seemed to tease and taunt him, telling him it knew what he had done. That he had just made the biggest mistake in his teen life and he was going to pay for it. He could feel the guilt weighing down on him and the need to run. To escape from what waited for him in the tower and what the future held. As the events that had just happened sunk into his mind all he could do was bury his face into his hands.
"… Dude… I am so dead."
Raven sat on her bed, fuming and trying her hardest not to explode everything in a ten foot radius to smithereens. He was dead, he was so dead. How could he have picked her and in front of everyone. Did they not share a perfect day together? Well near perfect, all except for the ending. Would he leave her just as she was finally giving him a chance? Though questions run rampant in her mind there was one thing that was certain. Someone out there hated her and if she ever met them in the next life they were in for a major punch to the face.
Sighing she fell down backwards onto her bed and closed her eyes. She felt tired and her eyes felt weak and slightly moist. She had to force herself to remember who she was and that crying over a boy was not now or ever would be her style. There was a soft knock at her door and then a familiar voice soon sounded from the other side. She slowly sat up on her elbows and glanced toward the metal door that seemed so far away.
"Friend Raven… it is I… I wish to do of the talking with you." She forced herself to stop wallowing in her own sorrow and moved to the door, letting it slide open.
"I am fine, Starfire. Thank you for worrying but please return to your evening." The alien princess only shifted uncomfortably in the hallway. There was something off about the redhead in front of her.
"I… I can not. It has dispersed after… after…" There was silence for a moment and the young empath watched as the alien princess seemed both ashamed and sad at the same moment. That's when it hit her, the alien princess wasn't happy. In fact from the looks of things she was down right angry and upset. She couldn't stop herself from letting out a sigh and stepped aside to allow the taller girl into the room.
She retook the spot on her bed and Starfire sat beside her, watching with those bright green eyes filled with sorrow and sympathy.
"Friend Beastboy is certainly acting like a Gremplork." The empath could only sigh and place an arm across her still burning eyes.
"I suppose he is."
"He should not have unobserved your cry of distress."
"No. I suppose he should not have." There was silence for a moment and slowly the empath removed her arm from her eyes. Her eyes drifted over to the taller girl who seemed to be weighing her words with difficulty.
"I do so hope he makes the right conclusion friend Raven… I… I do believe you two could be happy like Robin and I with the early dating." Raven smiled a bit and sat up on her elbows.
"I hope so as well, Star… if you don't mind though, I would like to be alone now." Hesitantly the older girl nodded and slowly made her way from the room. Raven watched her go and sighed to herself when the door slide back shut, sinking down into the depths of her bed. She was not looking forward to the following day.
Robin was sitting on the couch when Beastboy walked back into the tower looking confused, annoyed, and a bit flushed. The boy wonder arched an eyebrow and caused the green teen to stop walking in his tracks. His instincts were telling him that he should have left the way he came in but his mind knew that this was going to be unavoidable. So he stood there like a deer caught in headlights and braced himself. Things were about to escalate.
"So… Terra's back."
"Yeah… Terra's back…"
"I see." Beastboy flinched at the chose of words that said so little yet so very much and he started to shift uncomfortably on the spot. "So… you and Raven."
"Dude I'm going to fix that right now." Before the green teen could walk any further the door hissed open and the warrior princess was zooming straight to the green changeling with fire in her eyes.
"You! You you you you CHLORBAG VARNERNELK!" The last words rung throughout the room and the green teen could feel his ears twitching at the volume, eyes seeming to spin in circles in his head. Rubbing at his ears he blinked and could only watch the alien princess with a look of shock and confusion on his face. She was mad and she was apparently mad at him which was never a good thing.
"Er… What?"
"You heard the lady." Emerald eyes turned to the half robotic teen standing in the doorway looking just as mad as the fuming redheaded princess. He should have slept outside.
"I… but… I mean… what did I do?" Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. Once more the alien princess was closing the distance between them, flailing her arms about in anger as she hovered over the cowering changeling.
"You have been a Gremplork! You have hurt friend Raven and caused her most sorrow! You have not put forth the thought of concern for her emotional well being and have done the humiliating of her!" She leaned back and started to huff for air as the green teen had changed into a cowering mouse some time ago. Poofing back to his elfin form he held up a finger as he tried to think of what to say and said the smartest thing that came to mind.
"…What?" Lime green eyes narrowed and the green teen inched away from what he was sure was going to be the death of him only to hit against the metallic teen. Slowly emerald eyes looked up, not that he had far to go seeing how he was only a head shorter than the half robotic teen.
"Dude, you messed up." Finally his brain kicked back in and he waved his arms about in front of his chest.
"Whoa now wait just one minute! Terra wanted to talk and who was I to tell her no? I mean come on! We all forgave her! You can't tell me that I'm not allowed to talk to someone we all forgave!"
"It's not that Beastboy! We like Terra! We all do! It's the fact you hurt Raven!" The green teen winced as the boy wonder yelled from his spot in front of the couch.
"Dude I did not…"
"Look, you will apologize and make amends for both our friend's sake and for this teams. We can not have two of our members mad at each other during battle."
Emerald eyes glanced around at his teammates as they stood there, watching him with a look of annoyance or anger on their faces. Normally he would crumble, normally he would be ashamed of himself and nod and do what needed to be done. He didn't. It wasn't fair, he hadn't planned on Terra showing up, and he hadn't done anything wrong.
"I didn't do anything, she overreacted and when she's ready to apologize I'll be here to forgive her." Robin's eyes narrowed at the display of disrespect and he made his way closer to the defiant changeling.
"You will apologize Beastboy, end of story."
"No… it's not. First of all it's my choice who I wish to be with, Secondly Raven did not need to attack Terra like that, I had the situation under control and she should have trusted me! Third of all, we forgave her and you all should have been a bit more understanding and lastly… well I don't have a fourth but know if I did it would be a good one!" The boy wonder only stared eye to eye with the green teen and neither looked like they were about to back down.
"You will apologize or you will face the consequences and trust me they will not be pretty. I will not have a member of this team jeopardizing the lives of his teammates over some silly little high school crush." The words were spoken through clenched teeth and the green teen could feel his bravery quickly fleeting from him. Minutes ticked by and they glared at each other, the oldest teen now looking a bit worried as the alien princess frowned and regretted saying anything. She did not like it when friends fought. Finally the green changeling gave in and ran a hand through his forest green hair, emerald eyes looking downward.
"Fine… I'll apologize, but I'm not the one who was wrong here." The boy wonder seemed to accept this answer and nodded his head, making his way from the room.
"Good. We'll talk to Terra about rejoining the Titans in the morning."
"We won't have to, she doesn't want to come back… she only came to talk to me…" The room fell silent and all eyes landed once more on the green teen and he wondered how many more times he would be the center of unwanted attention.
"Beastboy…" The changeling waved his hands in front of him, cutting off any questions from his best male friend.
"I know I know! I'll handle it. It's fine, just drop it!"
"You're right. You will handle it and you will fix it. I will not allow your personal life to interfere with this team. If it does I will put an end to it myself." He glared at the boy wonder but nodded all the same, just to end this long discussion. Robin made his way from the room and slowly the rest of the team did as well. Starfire sending him a look of apology that he only smiled at and shrugged, after all everyone loses their cool once in awhile. She seemed to smile sadly at this and nodded her head as she walked from the room. Cyborg rested a hand on his shoulder and the green teen met his eyes, forcing a small smile.
"So… I guess that's why they call him dick." The half robotic teen couldn't help but laugh and shake his head as he made his way from the room.
Finally alone the changeling let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair once more before burying his face into his hands. It had all started out as such a nice day. Leave it up to the universe to make things take a turn for the worse.
Beastboy sauntered into the common room sometime around midday after finally talking Steve into just giving him a list of exercises he could do at home. The foster father had to call Robin and tell him to check over the list and make sure that his adoptive son was doing them before he finally agreed he could do them at the tower. Talk about no trust. Not that the boy wonder didn't seem ecstatic to have a chance to put the green teen to work after the display he had done the night before. Needless to say he was exhausted and in a pretty foul mood all morning.
Emerald eyes caught the sight of a young empath sitting alone on the couch reading a book and the thought of running crossed his mind but he found himself walking over to her instead. For a moment or two he stood there waiting for her to acknowledge his presence and after he realized it was not going to happen, he spoke.
"Hey…"
"Hello…" She didn't look up and he felt the room's temperature drop by at least fifteen degrees. So he cleared his throat and moved to sit down beside her. She tensed up a bit and he braced himself to be thrown across the room. Seeing how she hadn't done it yet he felt his courage returning and focused, he would not be deterred.
"I wanted to talk to you… about last night." Once more there was silence and he was wondering if she had heard him.
"What about it?"
"I ummm… I wanted to explain." She arched an eyebrow and glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"Explain what?"
"What had happened of course!" He was already starting to get annoyed at her icy manner and Terra's words from the night before started to resurface. He forced them away with a bulldozer. "Terra just wanted to talk"
"About?"
"Us." She tilted her head a bit.
"Us… who?" Beastboy frowned a bit and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at the floor at the huge mistake in choice of words.
"… Her and I." Silence. Slowly he turned to meet her eyes and could see that her practiced stoic face was plastered on.
"I see." His heart sunk and he felt like someone had stabbed him through with a sword.
"It's not what you think!"
"So what is it?" Her calm demeanor was enough to cause his fury to rise again.
"She just… she wanted… I mean…" He wanted to yank his hair out at the indifference in her eyes and yet the hurt still glazed underneath.
"It's not that hard of a question, what did she want?" He sighed defeated.
"… She wants me back…" He saw her tense and her hands tighten a bit on the book. All signs pointed to the fact she was trying not to kill him or explode something near by.
"And you said…?"
"Nothing…" He winced when her eyebrow lifted ever so slightly.
"I see… so you stood there and said and did nothing?" He frowned and glanced down at the ground. It was hard not to turn into a rat and scamper away.
"…She…er… kind of kissed…me." There was a sizzling and cracking sound as the system in the background exploded. He couldn't bring his eyes to meet her, couldn't make himself see how badly he had hurt her or how badly she wanted to hurt him. So when she got up and started to walk away he was startled back into consciousness. "Rae I can explain!"
"I don't need you to say a word… you're a grown man and capable of deciding what you want. So this conversation is over. I will see you later, Beastboy." His heart shattered and the violet-haired beauty left the room.
"… Rae." Was the only sound that left his lips and he stood in silence not sure how long the minutes ticked by. However when the alarm set off in the tower he was jolted to life and forced himself back together the best he could. He would find a way to mend this… he just wasn't sure how.
The lady of the vines sat bored out of her mind as the blue man searched book after book after book for what they needed. He hadn't been too inclined to help but a quick kiss had settled that and now they sat in the backroom of the run down performance center, waiting.
"This is ridiculous…"
"Hey Red-"
"Not now Harl! I really can't take another Batman knock knock joke." The redheaded woman ran a hand through her hair and stood up from where she was seated. Maybe she could go get some work done; it wasn't like her associate couldn't kiss a man. Heck she had proven that more times than the redhead wanted to admit. "I think I'm just going to get back to the shop and send the little darlings very thoughtful gifts out." She thought it over and a slow smirk spread across her red lips. "Maybe even give them a... recess workout."
The jester pouted and the redhead sent her a look of death that went right over her head. Sighing she gave in and pinched the brim of her nose knowing she was just going to regret this as she waved for her friend to go ahead.
"Okay knock knock!"
"No one's home." She smirked as the jester glared and the redhead could only chuckle. "Alright alright, who's there?"
"Batty!"
"Batty who…"
"Batty never gonna see us coming!" She fell into a fit of laughter, the blue man joining in from his spot behind the book. It was enough to cause anyone to go insane and by the looks of it two out of the three already had. She resisted the urge to send a foot crashing down on her friend's head and instead just handed over a case of crimson lipstick.
"That was bad, as always. Here. You know what to do when the stuff starts wearing off."
"Yeah yeah, pucker up and kiss em. I know, Red." The redhead sent her a look but said nothing. She walked over to her coat as hips swayed and her hands plucked the large green coat from the hook, tugging it onto her person before she left the building.
The sun seemed to shine up in the sky and she smiled to let her eyes close for a second. The rays washed over her and she could feel her insides seeming to strengthen and feed off of them. Finally she let out a small purr and grabbed the sunglasses from her coat pocket, slipping them on. It was about time to observe just exactly what she was up against.
Billy was happy to be back at what he did best, stealing. It had been too long and he was glad that they had finally managed to get out of that annoying block of ice. He felt rusty and knew this heist was the best thing to get him back into his old Numerous self.
He hummed a little tune to himself as the green bills flew from the ATM machine and one of his doppelgangers caught it into a sack. Somewhere not to far from him Gizmo sauntered through a giant hole in a window. The steel mechanic spider legs stretching out one at a time as he exited the building, laughing like a maniac.
"What do you think?" Billy glanced up to see the short kid in the middle of his spider suit. The child turned the joysticks on his controller and the metal spider turned and stuck out legs to reveal sparkling jewels amongst the steel. Once more the child turned back and sent the teen dressed in red a giant smile, showing off the diamond necklaces and golden crown on his person. Billy only smiled a wide toothy smile and gave a thumb up.
"I don't think it goes with your eyes but I'm sure you would look better in stripes." The two villains glanced up to see an all too familiar sight standing in front of them, striking the same poses as always.
"Oh look it's the butt sniffers!"
"Billy thinks they might be looking for a fight, what do you think Billy?"
"Well I reckon you're right Billy!" The Titans rolled their eyes as Billy started to literally talk to himself.
"Well then I guess it's time for us to get going, Billy! Lets go!"
Billy Numerous didn't even blink as he started to run down the street, his copies following with the sack of money.
"Raven, Beastboy, and Starfire! Go get Billy! Cyborg you're with me! Titans! Go!" Raven stepped back as her black aura flared to life, consuming her and leaving nothing behind but a chill. Starfire leap from the building and into the air, taking off the way the multiple Billy's had gone. Beastboy jumped into the air, shifting into a bird to guide himself down onto the street and the moment he was close enough he transformed into a cheetah and was off. That left two titans behind to take down the annoying child with a villain complex.
Robin and Cyborg wasted no time and launched at Gizmo, the child sending one of his metal spider legs to thrash out at the two teens. The half robotic teen caught the leg as the boy wonder somersaulted over another as it tried to pierce through him. He landed behind Gizmo and sent a kick his way but the small boy ducked and sent Cyborg who was still holding the leg right at the boy wonder. He didn't have a chance to move as the taller teen collided with the teen in Christmas colors.
"Hahaha you can never stop me you pit sniffers!"
Billy Numerous was running down the street as fast as he could with the sack full of money in his arms. The teen villain stopped in his tracks as a black portal appeared in front of him and the empath floated through with white eyes. He started to jump to the side only to have the alien princess land in front of him, a green changeling coming up behind.
"Billy knows you want Billy but don't worry! There's enough Billy to go around!" The teen in red started to split apart and run in all directions, causing the three Titans to leap into action.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos" The command fell from her lips and energy of black pooled around the retreating forms, capturing them together. However it was not enough and the boy clad in red started to multiple faster than she could contain them. With a burst of black energy Billy landed and recollected some of him selves before taking off but not before leaving a few behind. Two of the doppelgangers zoomed over and landed a punch to the young empath, sending her flying backwards into awaiting arms.
"Raven!" She growled and quickly moved out of the comfort of the green teen's arms and sent him a glare.
"I'm fine! You're letting him get away!"
"I was just worried about you!" He shouted back as she glared daggers at him, pulling her hood back up.
"Well that's a first!"
"That isn't true!"
"Could have fooled me!"
"Friend's Please! He is getting away!" Raven growled and let her dark eyes burn into the green teen that stood there glaring back. Finally she opened a portal and went through leaving the other titans alone. Starfire only sighed and took to the sky, Beastboy turning into a cheetah and taking off on land.
Somewhere else not far away, Cyborg was hurling the boy wonder into the air at the retreating villain. He landed perfectly on top of Gizmo and the short boy started to thrash about. Cyborg took the moment of distraction and grabbed all the legs of the mechanic spider and waited till the boy wonder had jumped off before swinging the large machine into a near by wall. Gizmo screamed and tried to get his long legs to work, failing his arms about. Robin walked over to the thrashing child and removed his pack, smirking down at him.
"Guess we broke your toy." The boy wonder smirked and the half robotic teen laughed.
"BOOYAH!" The two Teen Titans slapped hands together in a high-five.
Beastboy raced down the street and found Billy already in battle with both Starfire and Raven.
"Billy thinks you girls are lovely but Billy really doesn't wish to share his money."
"Billy thinks you don't have a chance against Billy."
"Hey Billy, what did one titan say to another titan, Billy."
"Iunno Billy, what did one titan say to another titan, Billy?"
"Catch!" The twelve Billy's all laughed as two sent Starfire crashing into an annoyed Raven.
"Alright Billy! That's enough! You're number is up!" The Billy's arched an eyebrow at the green teen and smiled slightly.
"Oh no, you see, Billy's number ain't never up! Get him Billy!" The Billy's launched forward but Beastboy was ready. Quickly he became an eagle and took to the sky as the Billy's fell upon each other. As he reached the highest he could, his form shifted into an elephant and he landed with a loud 'thud' on top of the still dizzy Billy's.
Jumping back to his normal self he beamed ear to ear and gave the two Titan girls a thumbs up. Starfire clapped happily and Raven rolled her eyes, blowing a strand of violet from her hair. That's when something caught her eye. She went to yell but found her voice was not her own.
"Beastboy behind you!" The green teen turned just in time to see the original Billy leaping forward at him with a large stick. Where he got it from was not important, what was important was that he was about to crack it over the changeling's head. Beastboy waited for the hit to connect, closing his eyes to brace himself. However it never came. Cracking an eye open he found the reason why. Billy was twitching underneath a large mass of rock and the culprit to this was running over to him, blonde hair flowing behind her.
Slowly Beastboy got down from the mountain of entangled Billy's and felt his cheeks redden as Terra flung her arms around his neck.
"Are you okay? I saw the fuss and came to check on you."
"I'm…er… I'm fine." He could feel eyes burning into his back and let emerald eyes move to land on the very annoyed looking empath.
"Civilians should not be interfering. Might I suggest returning to wherever you came from?" Like the rock that you crawled out of, she thought but didn't say.
"I was checking on BB!" Which I wouldn't have to do if you were doing your job correctly, she thought and knew the look she was giving Raven was enough to say it. Raven growled and lowered her hood to stomp over to the two, the green teen making sure to show the empath that his hands were up and not anywhere on the other girl's body.
"BB as you so called him was just fine! We had everything under control!" Cause at least we can control something, unlike you. Terra narrowed her eyes and let her arms drop away from the green teen, placing her hands on her hips.
"From where I was looking it didn't seem so." Like you could ever control anything at least I saved the whole city. It was at this moment that Starfire had caught on to what was taking place between the words that were being exchanged and waved her hands back in forth in between the two girls.
"Friends Please! All that matters is that friend Beastboy is safe."
"No thanks to her!" Terra pointed at Raven and Raven narrowed her eyes, a streetlamp combusting in the background.
"EXCUSE ME!?" Beastboy tried his hand this time and rubbed the back of his head, hiding behind Starfire as he spoke. Just because he had to separate them didn't mean he had to lay his life on the line.
"Yeah really, I'm fine. Could we maybe just collect Billy and get on with it?"
"Fine! But only because you asked, BB." Raven rolled her eyes and felt her stomach about to throw up her breakfast. However she would not seem to be the child in this fight.
"Fine." Picking her T-communicator she walked a little ways away, sending a black energy to cover the still forms of Billy Numerous. "Robin, we're all done here. Send the police to pick up the mess."
"Alright Raven. Good job, over and out." Was the response that came from the other side of the communicator. Starfire hovered close to Raven and the young empath was glancing over at the green teen that seemed to be in conversation with the blonde. She growled and quickly turned away from the nauseating scene.
"So you're all done, right?"
"Er… I guess so. "
"Great! That means we can do something together!"
"Iunno… I should really wait for the cops and the okay from Robin…" Emerald eyes watched as Raven turned her back on him, frowning a bit at the sting that hit his heart. If she noticed, Terra didn't say anything but she did take his hand into her own.
"That's fine! I'll wait with you."
"Terra…"
"So what should we do today?" Beastboy met her blue eyes and saw the happiness that sparkled in them. He found himself smiling ever so slightly and shrugged. If Raven didn't want to spend time with him, so be it. Why waste the day wallowing when someone seemed so eager to do something fun with him. Still.
"Just one second." Before she could say anything the green teen was moving over to the two Titan girls, forcing a smile. "Hey Rae, Terra and I are going to go out. You want to come along? You can come too, Star." The alien princess's eyes lit up and she went to respond but Raven cut in.
"I have things to do. I have not done my mediation today."
"Oh… well maybe you can just-"
"I already answered." Emerald eyes watched as the violet haired girl made her way over to the still dazed Billy's. Frowning slightly he turned to the alien princess who smiled a sad smile.
"If you want to still come, Star… you can." The redhead nodded her head slightly, knowing that she had to go simply to make sure that friend Terra did not step out of line.
"It would be most joyous to accompany you, friend Beastboy." He smiled slightly and both set of green eyes moved to the earth mover who had joined them after the empath had left.
"So, looks like you're deciding where we're going." The blonde's eyes widen with surprise and love as she nodded her head quickly. Still, Beastboy could not let his eyes stop wandering back to the empath not too far away.
She laughed, she couldn't help herself. This was what he had such a problem with? These kids were the ones he had paid her to defeat? She didn't even need to lift a finger; they were already starting to fight amongst themselves. Still, she had put time into this and she was going to enjoy it as much as she could.
Snickering she left the seat of the flower and gently walked along the stones, heading into the front of the flower shop. Oh this was too easy, she almost felt bad. Shaking her head she tried to stop chuckling and opened the small red address book. Things were going to get fun and she had a front row seat to the whole thing.
The doorbell rung and five pair of eyes glanced at it as if it were thousands of miles away. One of the masked heroes just sent the girl with puffed up pigtails a charming look and she sent one back of 'not going to happen.' It was the taller leaner titan that grumbled and got up, crossing the room to get the door.
"So lazy."
"Yeah yeah." Speedy went back to examining himself in the mirror and flashed an award winning smile to the reflection. Bumblebee was not impressed and the rolling of her eyes proved it. How conceited could one person be. The twins were at the lunch table, munching on tacos and watching the door with some curiosity.
Soon Aqualad was walking back in, blushing and rubbing his arm slightly.
"Umm… seems we got flowers." To this everyone perked up and the short twins were the first to stand beside the water lad, tilting their head to watch. The large bulky men seemed to move at a weird angle but they only passed it off at having to lift so many flowers.
"Where do you want them?" The redhead laughed and ran a hand through his well shaven head, sending the mirror a quick wink.
"In my room. Seeing how they belong to me." Bumblebee rolled her eyes and slapped the conceited teen over the head.
"Don't be so full of yourself. They're obviously for me."
"And who would send a bossy girl like you, flowers!" The only girl of the team pushed a finger into the taller teen's chest and started to yell.
"I'm only bossy cause' you make me bossy! I have you know that men fall down in front of me just to be close!"
"They not falling princess! They're cowering!" And off the two went as Aqualad only sighed and signed for the flowers. Picking up the card he couldn't help but smile and walked over to the two feuding team members.
"Guys look! It's from Titans West! They sent everyone flowers for doing a job well done. Now settle down. There are enough flowers for everyone to put in their room."
"¿Hasta conseguimos unos?" The teen dressed in blue smiled and nodded his head. The two twins started to shout and jump up and down for joy as the other two team members 'hmphed' and looked in the opposite direction. The black haired boy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Sometimes he felt like the only adult.
Slade pressed a button on his control panel and lifted an eyebrow at what he saw. The titans had seemed to be yelling amongst themselves and Terra had made a reappearance. That meant one thing. He had no idea what the flower lady was up to. This meant that he would have to be more careful. Still as long as he held what she wanted in a safe place and stayed away from those appealing yet deadly lips, he should be fine. He had already removed all flowers, plants, and anything nature like from his premises and had told Wintergreen not to accept any flowers or strangers he was not expecting to the mansion.
Still it was not a bad idea to check upon what he had invested into. It had been days and no one had seemed to make a move. No one had come down with a rash; there was no outbreak of spores or poison laced in the water. No one had said anything about green men running around and stealing and destroying things, no green little child sneaking in to leave flowers about. So what was she planning? It wasn't like her not to use plants, even if he did say poisoning was out, he hadn't expected her to listen. He knew she would go along with it but he was certain that she was just buying her time. Right?
His eyebrows lowered in thought as his finger tapped away at the button, switching scenes from street to street, searching for anything. Hopefully he had not lost his touch and she was simply going about a different route than normal. Knowing her she was probably going to try and show him up and teach him a lesson at the same time. Still. His mouth thinned out into a small line as he came to one conclusion. He was going to have to wait and see.
A/N: This chapter took forever! I don't know why each chapter just keeps getting longer and longer but they do. I hope it didn't seem to drag on though and that the fight scene was enjoyable. The scene with Terra, not so much. I am not a fan of Terra and that was very hard for me to do which is probably why it took so long to write. Also I don't speak Spanish so I used a translator I found online. Read and Review and let me know what you think. If you hated it, if it made you mad, just any thoughts or opinions. Now on to the thank yous!
HeroineOfTime4242: I am glad you like the story! Thank you for taking the time to review and hopefully Terra won't cause too much trouble, but I can't promise anything.
sumbunnyluvsu77: Cookie! *Munches* Thank you! And yes you've told me a few times and each time it still makes me happy! I'm not much a fan of Terra either but she does add to the plot. Thank you so much for being a faithful reader!
Candycane418: I'm sorry, she adds to a good plot in the story! Sorry!
YoungTitan213: I know! I always thought Slade looked really awesome in the comics. I hope you like the rest of the story as much as the prologue.
BeastBoyfangirl: Yay you're back! Things might get a bit bumpy but I'm sure our favorite couple will come out on top. Hopefully.
Wolvmbm: Thank you and welcome back! I put a lot of effort into that dating scene and I am really glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully the appearance of Terra won't scare you away. I really enjoy your reviews!