Chapter Nine: Discovery

Disclaimer 1: I do not own teen titans or the teen titan's characters – though I do wish I did.

Disclaimer 2: I do though own Max Steeler. She is a character of my original thought and design. Steal and die.

"I still can't believe she didn't know what a waffle was," Cyborg sighed dejectedly, resting his head in his hands.

"Or the sandwich of peanut butter and jellies," Starfire added gloomily. "How do you suppose she would feel about the drink of mustard?"

Everyone gave Starfire a strange look. Cyborg took the initiative, "Ummm…Star, I don't think that's such a good idea. Not everyone…" He searched for the words, "…appreciates mustard as much as you do."

"But we're not her to talk about mustard," Robin interrupted. "We're here to talk about the girl."

"I thought we were talking about the girl."

"You know what I mean," Robin stated and turned to Raven. "Have you made any progress Raven?"

"She's refused to tell me anything more," Raven replied bitterly.

"Star?"

"She has only commented on my kindness, not of her past."

"We need answers. If only we had…"

Before Robin could finish his thought Beastboy came running in.

"Dudes! Dudes! Dudes!" He exclaimed excitedly running into the kitchen. His lack of sock sent him flying across the tile floor and into the cabinets. He quickly pushed himself off the ground, continuing his fast paced chatter. The titans listened intently, but only managed to catch every couple words. "She…opening…beeping…noise…"

"Beastboy calm down."

"Yes please, we cannot understand you."

The changlin gave a frustrated sigh and started over.

"Terra. Her eyes opening! Machine, beeping noise. Hurry."

With that, Beastboy stated to run, motioning for them to follow.

"I guess we should follow him," Raven stated.

The others nodded, stood to their feet, and hurried after their friend. Raven wavered slightly at the realization of their destination. The recovery room. She hesitated before slipping into the room to join the others.

Beastboy was positioned beside Terra, and he grasped her hand fervently, as if saying their bond was unbreakable. That letting go would end the world.

"What's this all about Beastboy?"

"Shhhh!" Beastboy whispered harshly, his eyes fixated on the sleeping blonde.

A moan from the girl's lips brought them all to attention. Terra shifted slightly in her slumber, and her eyelids twitched. Beastboy squeezed tighter, hardly able to suppress his joy. Her eyes flickered open, tiny bulbs brought to life.

Her eyes drifted across the room unable to find familiarity. Blue met green. Catching one another's gaze time as it's known stopped. Dead. Everything that had lost meaning suddenly found some. Food had taste. Tofu had flavor! Life had meaning.

"Beastboy…" Terra whispered weakly as her eyes continued their journey. "I couldn't hear all of you. Every time you spoke to me, and I couldn't respond. Comfort your tears," She said toward Beastboy, "answer you questions," to Starfire, "beg for your forgiveness," she paused at Raven, allowing the words to settle.

Then it hit her, like some supernatural occurrence, it hit her. Her eyes widened with understanding. She looked to Beastboy.

"She was there wasn't she!"

Puzzlement masked his features. He looked to the others for help. Their nods confirmed what he already know. Affirmed his mission. His orders. Swallowing hard, he faced Terra. "Who was where?"

The question drained Terra of happiness, almost bringing her to tears. "Max," she stated stubbornly. "She saved me, didn't she! Where is she?"

"Terra…" Beastboy begged.

"She had to be!" Terra exclaimed hysterically, "She apologized. She actually apologized."

"Who's Max Terra. Who is she?" Beastboy persisted.

"My friend," Terra continued, though it no longer sounded like her. With numbed nerves she resumed talking. "My sister…she works for Slade you know. Has for six long years, but on day she'll escape…one day…"

"Escape from what, Terra?"

"From him…from Sla…"

Terra's eyes fell closed, and she settled into a deep slumber. Dead to the world. The titans exchanged glances and returned to the kitchen.

"It's like, she wasn't all there," Beastboy reflected.

"That's just a side effect, BB," Cyborg explained. "Cut the girl some slack, I mean she's been out of commission for quite a while."

"Meanwhile," Robin interrupted, "Raven needs to pay another visit to our friend Max."

"Six years," Cyborg turned to the others, "sounds like a nightmare."

"It does help us see from where she is coming, yes?"

"We know practically nothing about her."

"Raven's right Star. Why was she working for Slade to begin with? She knows more than we, maybe she even knows. And to find that out, we need her to tell us," Robin then turned to Raven. "Use Terra if you have to."

Raven nodded.

Each step toward the safe room brought with it such emotion that Raven could barely stand it. Her hand touched the wall for support as the other shielded her ear. I will not cry. I am not capable of crying, Raven mentally corrected herself. Releasing her crutch she trudged on.

"What's wrong with me?"

"You talk to yourself for one thing."

Raven turned and found herself staring into lazy green eyes. She disguised her surprise with fury, glancing at the changling. Beastboy scratched his head as sweat drops gathered.

"But aside from that," Beastboy grinned, "you're pretty much perfect."

Was she dreaming? Hallucinating?

Raven almost blushed at the remark - almost. The tender heat of embarrassment flared into the unquenchable flame of ire.

You feel the same way.

"You think I'm going to fall for that old routine? I don't need saving Beastboy!"

She turned and stormed off.

"Ah, come on Raven, I didn't meant anything by it. What wrong?"

"I know," Raven sighed. "I have to talk to her," she muttered without stopping.

He stood alone in the hall, for some time, as if in a trance. Void of thoughts and emotions he felt tranquil. She doesn't realize how lucky she is. Incapable of suffering the stress of emotions.

Raven reached the door in mere seconds, within the room in a few more. Max glanced up. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she shifted nervously beneath Raven's gaze. The silence loomed over them. Unbreakable. Unnerving.

Max sighed, "So what did I do today? Destroy the city? Conquer mankind?"

"Don't give me sarcasm," Raven snapped. "My motives for coming are quite the contrary. Terra awoke today."

At first, Max wasn't sure she heard right.

"Really?" She said astonished, "Well, can I see her?"

Raven shook her head. "How do you know Terra?"

"I thought I covered this already."

"You neglected to shed light on a few details."

"Such as?"

"Such as powers…blood relation," she emphasized the last word. Filled with terror, Max's eyes bulged with fear, meeting Raven's deep violet orbs.

The letter? That was impossible…

"We compared you tests," Raven offered.

"Oh," she whispered to herself. The anxiety dissipated from her furtive eyes. She glanced at the door. Closed.

"I thought I'd give you another chance, you know, before we find out everything from Terra."

"Even Terra doesn't know everything."

"But she'll know quite a bit. You know that don't you."

Max nodded.

"I didn't come here to play word games with you. Just tell us what we need to know, and we'll believe you," Raven burst.

Max mulled over the statement in her mind. "Perhaps," she replied, "but I have a proposition."

"You're hardly in a position to negotiate."

"Hear me out. I'll answer one question, any question, if I can just talk to Terra. Then, after I see her, I'll answer anything!"

"Any question?"

"Yes. Any question."

That's it for now. Don't you just love cliffhangers? Well, read and review as always (It encourages me to write more). I also decided that I'm going to make an alternate ending to this fic (you'll hear more about that later) to go along with the new episode Things Change. Cool, huh. Well, I thought so at least.