PAST BROKEN MIRRORS

Mirror 3: Changes

"…but when you take another glance – you realize it's really not quite the same…"

---

"So you just switch this on and…"

Cyborg was showing Beast Boy how to work his latest installment in the newly advanced T-Car, but Beast Boy's thought were elsewhere as Cyborg's voice droned on.

"…isn't it cool?"

Realizing that there was no response whatsoever to his enthusiasm, Cyborg finally brought his focus on Beast Boy's faraway look.

"You haven't been listening to a word I've been saying, have you?"

"Huh?"

Folding his arms, Cyborg sighed,

"C'mon. What's up?"

Beast Boy shrugged as he randomly messed with the buttons and switches on the dashboard,

"I don't know…I guess it's because it's taking me time to get used to some things…"

"Hey, man. I hate to break it to you, but you didn't really expect things to remain the same forever, did you?"

"Of course not," Beast Boy laughed dryly. He got what Cyborg meant: things had happened to them even when he hadn't been around. It was just that though he had expected as much change to have taken place in his absence, he hadn't really counted on how he'd really feel about it once he was in it again.

Before he had met up with Cyborg that afternoon, he ran into Robin and Starfire who looked like they were having a private moment before he walked in on them: evidently being caught red-faced, the both of them. Though he had heard of the news that their relationship had taken on to a whole new level, and was happy for them – there was that awkward feeling hanging on as he apologized for apparently interrupting them though they assured him he hadn't.

But really, it was a small matter. Then the next matter was about Raven who too had seemed to have a lot of change in her.

"When you left, she decided to adopt a new open self, for the good of the team she said… she was determined to bring the team forward, just like the rest of us were with the consequences at hand…"

Eventually with the team's plan to expand, a positive Raven and Cyborg took to one team, while Starfire and Robin took to the other: they recruited newer members and became mentors for the younger ones.

"Well, at least you're still the same, right big man?" Beast Boy grinned at his friend.

After a brief thoughtful interlude, Cyborg smiled back at his green-faced companion,

"Right – half metal, half man but all big-heart, Cyborg."

The two of them burst out laughing.

"I was happy you'd found yourself on the right track too," Cyborg commented, referring to Beast Boy's little league.

"Yeah. They're a good bunch. Just like us," Beast Boy said brightly.

"How we used to be…" he finished quietly as Cyborg resumed his adjustments on the car.

---

"Ooh," Starfire cooed. "Isn't she adorable?"

She was doting over the little Aliya who had been practicing her morphs, as Raven stood by her to give her a hand in case she needed it. With them was Aliya's close companion, Energizer, who was noted to be constantly by her side at all possible times. Quietly, Raven was touched by the strong protective feelings she sensed from him about Aliya. He did keep mostly to himself, but she was sure he was more open to those he felt he could trust. In a way, he reminded him of herself. Aware that he had caught her silent stare, she smiled and his face turned pink as he hurriedly looked away. Raven continued smiling anyway.

"Mr. Beast Boy taught us a lot…" Aliya chirped happily.

Starfire and Raven exchanged 'raised eyebrows' look as they both echoed in unison:

"Mr. Beast Boy?"

"Uh-huh," the innocent girl said, blissfully unaware that they were trying to hold themselves from bursting laughter.

"He taught us that there's nothing wrong about being different…that it's special; that it's what makes us unique."

A moment's pause swept in as her words sank in. Starfire gave Aliya a big smile:

"Yes, that is true. You, me, all of us – we are special."

As the two younger ones left to join their other teammates, Raven and Starfire lingered awhile by the glass windows that overlooked the wide training course – watching what was going on below, noticing that the guys had gotten together for a practice session:

Beast Boy, Cyborg and Robin were hard at work, teaming up against the obstacles of the newly challenging course.

"He has…changed, don't you think?"

A smile formed on Starfire's face as she knew whom Raven was speaking of. Following her gaze, Starfire nodded.

"Yes. He is…shall we say, not a Beast 'Boy' but more of a Beast 'Man' now?"

Raven stifled a laugh, understanding well what Starfire meant.

All of them had taken time to do their own growing up, but having been apart, she noticed more of Beast Boy's change. She smiled as her gaze stayed focused on him: the seriousness etched in his expression; that determined spark in his eyes...

"You're right Star. He has grown up into a 'man' now."

---

"The sudden earthquakes…the strange symbols we've found…It's all leading up to something…"

Robin was saying as he dodged a flying disc.

"Even the bad guys we've been up against these past few months have been dropping 'hints'…"

"Like what?" asked Beast Boy, stopping to catch his breath as a boulder missed him.

"That it's the end of the line for us good guys," Cyborg replied, blasting a flying boulder to bits.

There was a passing flow of understanding that went through them as each had their own thoughts on the subject. There was that adrenaline rush in them as the familiarity of working together sank into them.

"At some point, you begin to wonder if this is all there is to life…" Robin began, breaching their most inner thoughts.

"Then something like this happens…" Cyborg continued, grinning as he got what Robin was getting to.

"And you realize just why you're doing this," Beast Boy finished as the three of them simultaneously brought down a giant mechanical droid, the sound of explosion following.

Having reached the end of the course, the three plopped down on the ground – exhausted, but nonetheless feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

Beast Boy looked at either side of his companions,

"Man, we're good."

They laughed as they agreed.

---

"Hey, Rae, you wanna go out this weekend to the new aquarium?"

After a refreshing shower, Beast Boy had been caught up by Aqualad who was on one of his regular visits to the main Titan Tower. The two were into their conversation when Raven passed by.

Hence,

Beast Boy couldn't believe what he was hearing or seeing for that matter. Aqualad was actually asking Raven out!

He struggled to put out that tiny flame of jealousy strangely beginning to spark, and was relieved when Raven responded with a smile as she declined politely,

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll be free this weekend."

Aqualad nodded, and gave a brief sideways glance in Beast Boy's direction as if to get what it was she meant, smiling back at her,

"That's alright."

Before he could say anything else, he was interrupted by other female members who had been eavesdropping on the conversation.

"I'm free this weekend, Aqualad!"

"Me too!"

Raven and Beast Boy exchanged looks, chuckling, as a flustered Aqualad was hauled away, waving apologetically to them.

Normally Beast Boy would have dished out a remark, but instead he asked Raven coolly,

"So what are you doing this weekend?"

"Oh," Raven shrugged, equally coolly, "I'll let you know once I've decided."

"I though you said you won't be free."

Raven chuckled,

"I said I don't 'think' I'll be free."

"Wanna go out with me then?"

"Huh?"

-----

DreamChild's Notes:

Ahahaha. Chappy ends here Sorry that it took me awhile to put this one up. The only time I can go to the Cybercafé (my internet line has been long dead at home TxT) is on my weekends, and I've been occupied these weekends (talk about free time, haha…) So please read & review ya it helps so I can write better chappys  Thanks Ja'