Ch 9

Raven woke up the next morning and as she entered her bathroom, her appearance in the mirror startled her. Her insatiable boyfriend bruised her lips. Looking closely she could see a bite mark on her neck. She sighed, 'thank Azar my leotard covers this.'

Walking out of her bathroom, she couldn't help but think about how passionate Beast boy had been last night. She was even more surprised that she let him, but it felt good to be loved so passionately. She had felt it from him when he made the mark on her neck. What really scared her is how far she wanted it to go.

'Just admit you want him to—

'Shut up lust! I'm only 17 for crying out loud. This isn't right. It's too intense to be real.'

'Oh but it is, you can't deny how much you want him. I'm you, remember?' said Lust.

'It doesn't mean it's right. I'm too young to be having sex. Plus, my emotions—

"You do realize the whole time that while you and BB were making out, nothing exploded.'

'Oh.'

'That's right Raven, I'm good to g—

'No! You're not. I'll have sex when I'm ready, not when my hormones are ready.'

'You know you might not have a choice Raven. You're half-demon. You have needs.'

'I'm half human to now go away!'

'Fine, I'll see you around Rae.'

Raven got dressed and looked at her bruised lips in the mirror. As soon as she touched them, she healed them. It was as if Beast boy had never pressed his lips against hers and as she looked at the bite mark on her neck, she decided she wanted to keep it to remember the first time she was passionately loved.

"I need to mediate," she said as she phased onto the roof, looked at the beautiful sunrise, and uttered those three famous to keep emotions calm.

A few minutes into mediation, images from last night surfaced and she began to blush and breathe heavily. 'Lu—lust, I know this is your doing. Quit it, I'm trying to mediate.'

'I want to cuddle with BB and maybe more,' she smiled.

'What is it going to take to get you off my back without having sex with Garfield?'

'Lets make out with him again but lets grope him and mark him. He's not the only one with teeth you know?'

'Yes, I know that. How long?'

'Once a day, that will satisfy me for now.'

'For now,' Raven sighed, 'fine but nothing more is going to happen, understand?'

'Ok Rae, you win.'

Raven smirked. 'Now, if you don't mind.'

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos," said Raven as a smile came to her face until she realized something. 'Great, now I have to talk to Beast boy about this. As if I'm not embarrassed enough.'

Entering the living room, Raven saw Aqualad and Speedy playing video games as her aunt and uncle watched. 'Where is everyone?' she thought as she closed her eyes and sensed the rest of the Titans, and her grandparents, and the Doom Patrol in the gym. Walking into the gym, Raven was surprised to see Beast boy sparring with Robin while everyone else watched in amazement.

"Your boyfriend's quite the fighter," said Bumblebee to Raven.

"He moves like nothing I've ever seen," said Azar. "Such fluidity and grace. Where did he learn to fight like this?"

"I assume the Doom Patrol," said Raven.

"We taught him how to fight, but this is new to me," said Rita as she sighed. "Maybe there's still things he keeps to himself."

Raven didn't blame him. There were just things in life that were too painful to talk about even to the people who care about you. A part of her hoped she could be the person he talks to about things others will never know and she would keep his secrets and he would keep hers.

The fight ended with Robin, flat on his back, flustered, confused but impressed. Beast boy helped his leader up as Robin shook his hand. "I'm proud of you Beast boy but why keep this a secret from us?" he asked, knowing everyone else was thinking of asking the same question.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is kicking those bad guys butts."

"You know you could have used those moves against every villains we've fought. Why did you?"

"It was too fresh and painful at the time. Every time I would think of throwing a kick or a punch, the memory would come rushing back. All I wanted to do was stay away from my past."

"I understand Beast boy," he smiled. "Well, hit the showers. Your training is over for today."

"Sure thing leader," said BB as he saluted him and then turned away from his leader to see his girlfriend.

He smiled. "Hey Rae, uh how long were you watching?"

"Long enough to know you're a ninja," she smiled.

"Now that was funny," he said. "So, how was your mediation?"

"Um," she blushed as she blew up a mat.

"Maybe we should talk in private," said BB as he took her hand and led her out of the gym, into the hall, and then into his room.

Raven had a seat on his bed as BB pulled up a chair from his desk and set it in front of her. "So, it wasn't so good, huh?"

"One of my emotions has been pestering me and I had to compromise with her so she wouldn't bother me."

"Which emotion is she and what does she want you to do?"

"Lust," she said as she blushed, "but it's not what you think. I made a compromise so once a day, she wants me to grope and bite you when we make out. I'm hoping that will be ok for now."

"I have no problem doing that Raven, but we both know we're not ready for sex."

"That's really mature of you, especially since you're a hormonal 16 yr old boy."

"Yeah well I can control myself and I happen to be full of surprises."

Raven left Beast boy so he could shower, but she couldn't help but see a brief look of insecurity in the changeling's eyes before she left his room. She wondered what he could be so insecure about. 'It's probably best to just ask him about him later.'

She made her way to her room to see her grandfather waiting outside her door. "What do you want?" she asked.

"Can we talk in private?" he asked.

"Fine," she said as she let him in her room. "What is it?" she asked as she sat on her bed.

"After everything with Trigon, Slade, and Galtry is done, Azar and I are going back to New Azarath and we want you to come with us."

"What makes you think I'd leave my friends and boyfriend for New Azarath?"

"Raven, I don't think the changeling will live through this battle because of his condition. You'll need a place to recover and move on, and New Azarath is your—

"Earth is my home, I'm not leaving, and if you think Garfield won't survive, then that's your mistake but I believe in his strength. He's been through so much in his life, and I will make sure he has many years ahead of him to enjoy. Now get out of my room!"

"Raven I—

"GET OUT!" she yelled as he walked out the door.

As her mediation mantra passed though her lips, she walked out of her room and down to the research room. Sitting down at a computer, she began looking through anything and everything for a way to save her boyfriend.

"You can't keep doing this to yourself Raven."

"Cyborg?" she said as Robin and Starfire came in after him. "What's going on?"

"Friend Raven, we are worried about you. You are working yourself to death," said Starfire.

"Hey, she got the saying right," said Cyborg as Robin glared at him. "What, I'm just saying—

"Anyway, Raven I know a thing or two about being obsessed and it led me down a path that wasn't healthy. I don't want that to happen to you."

"This is different Robin. We aren't talking about Slade. This is Beast boy."

"We know Raven," said Cyborg. "He's my best friend, and it's killing me, but this isn't working Raven. You need to st—

"No! I won't stop Cyborg. How can you even say that to me?"

"Because don't you think in some way that he's accepted death? Think about it, he was supposed to die that day he was bitten by that monkey. He was supposed to die when the poachers attacked him. With all the transformations he's done over the years, his body's been through so much shape shifting," he sighed, "and I wish he hadn't suffered that way he has in his life and there's no reason you should suffer either."

"So, you're saying his death will be in some way a relief?" asked Raven.

"Right now we need to concentrate on bringing Trigon, Slade, and Galtry down," said Robin. "We need your head in the battle when it comes Raven. You need to take care of yourself. The world is depending on us."

Raven got up from her seat. "You're right Robin," she said in a cold voice as she walked right by her teammates and out of the room and passed a confused Beast boy as he looked to Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg.

"What did you say to her?" the Changeling asked.

"Is there anyway to wipe Raven's memories?" asked Robin to Mento in the living room.

"I can't even believe we're having this conversation," said BB, who was steamed at Robin and Cyborg for upsetting his girlfriend.

"BB, her head's not in defeating Trigon, Galtry, and Slade. Her priority is saving you, and it's becoming dangerous to her health," said Cyborg.

"I don't want her to suffer because of me," he said as he faced Robin, "just what are you suggesting?"

"You won't like it Beast boy," said Robin.

"Just tell me," said BB,

"We somehow erase her feelings for you," said Robin. "Her concentration will be on defeating these villains."

Robin's suggestion was like a knife to his heart, but he was used to pain in his life, he was use to having something great in his life taken away by unfortunate circumstances. He didn't want to lose Raven's love but at the same time the team needed her.

"Beast boy, if she continues the way she is, she's not going to be able to defeat these villains. She could very well die in battle. Is that what you want?" asked Robin.

"Of course not Robin, I love her!" he sighed as he looked to his former leader. "Is it possible? Can you really do what Robin is suggesting?"

"Yes Garfield, but once I do this, there is no going back. She'll never have romantic feelings for you. I just worry when the times comes, will—

"I'll be ready to fight Mento. You don't have to worry about me."

"But what of friend Raven? Should we not ask her if this is what she wants?" asked Starfire.

"If we tell her Star, she might not want to do this. She's putting herself at risk and as her friends and teammates, we need to step in and do what's best for her as well as the team," said Robin.

"But how do we do this without friend Raven knowing?" asked Starfire.

"Leave that to me Starfire," said Mento.

Beast boy snuck off from the living room and down the hall to his room but before he got there, he heard a crash come from Raven's room. He sped up and knocked frantically on her door. "Raven, Raven! Let me in," he urged as he heard rushed footsteps towards the door. When it opened, her eyes stared at his full of hurt and pain.

"I—I'm not letting you go. They can say whatever they want, but I have hope."

BB smiled. "You always did," he sighed, "but it's killing you Rae. You're suffering because of me, and it's not right. I love you too much to let you die for me!"

"Nothing's going to happen to me Beast boy. I got it under con—

"When's the last time you mediated? When's the last time you got a good night's sleep? When's the last time you trained? When's the last time you ate? Have you even taken a breath?"

"I can't just step aside and let you die Garfield. It's not in me to stop fighting for the ones I care about."

"What about Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Titans East, the Doom Patrol, your family, and all the people on earth counting on not just us but you? If you don't take care of yourself, there won't be a world left to save. I'll be dead anyway."

It seemed like forever as BB watched his girlfriend carefully consider what he had said not two hours ago. At first he just waited for her to say something and then he started looking around Raven's room, memorizing everything in it that made her who she is. He was nervous and needed to look in any direction she wasn't in.

He almost thought about curling up on her floor for a nap but was interrupted by a shift he sensed in her body, so he risked a glance at her to see her starring back at him. A question lingered in her eyes. "You've given up, haven't you Garfield?"

"I—He knew he couldn't lie to her. "I—I don't know Raven. I'm just concerned about your well being. You're not thinking things through. We have three super evil villains who want to take over the world and they're starting with earth, with us. That should be your focus. What happens after that—

"Is uncertain. We may not survive."

"But we have to fight Raven. The world is counting on us to bring these villains down. I believe we can win. We just have to be at our best and focus."

"You've been talking to Robin, haven't you?" she asked.

"You know he makes a lot of sense sometimes," BB smiled as he walked over to Raven. "Now," he took her hand in his, "it's time to take care of yourself Rae. Please, for me."

His eyes were the most serene she had ever seen him. Never had she seen such calm and comforting eyes in her life. She sighed as she looked away from his eyes. "Fine, I promise to take care of myself." When she felt his arms around her, she sensed relief and deep affection.

"That's all I want," he smiled. "I love you Rae," he said as he felt he grip tighten around his waist.

"I—I love you to. I—I just do want to lose you," she said as tears fell from her face and onto BB's back.

"You won't. We're going to make it through this battle Raven, and we'll figure things out from there. I promise."

"I'll hold you to it Gar," she smiled as BB smiled back at her.

As he lied down on her bed, holding the girl he loved most in the world in his arms, he couldn't help but think of the conversation he had with his teammates and Mento. 'Is this really the right thing? I mean she promised to be healthy.' He looked to her to see her sleeping with a peaceful smile on her face. 'Man she's beautiful,' he sighed, 'I'm really going to miss this,' he thought as he held her tighter.

"Garfield," she said softly as she opened her lovely eyes to him. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah Rae," he said as he kissed her forehead, her cheek, and down her neck.

Raven knew something wasn't right and wanted to talk about it, but his lips on her skin were making her forget as she gave into the feelings he was giving her. When their lips met, it was explosive. The heat and the passion between these two young teenagers were undeniable. In the end they needed to breathe and separated their lips but not their clothed bodies.

Raven's hands did move from around his waist to cupping his butt. She heard BB let out a surprise growl. "Um sorry, lust does have her requirements."

"I know. It's ok. I was just surprised is all," he said as he ran his hands down her thighs and then to her butt and squeezed it.

"Ga—Garfield!" she squealed as she looked up into his smile. She felt safe.

BB left Raven's room with a smile on his face until he remembered what he talked about with Robin, Starfire, and Mento. He didn't want this. He didn't want Raven to forget their feelings towards one another. 'She said she would concentrate on the battle. I should trust in that.'

"Beast boy."

"Ah!" Beast boy screamed in surprise. "Oh uh hi Craven, didn't see you there."

"I know what's going on changeling. I believe it is a wise decision. Raven's emotions will be her downfall."

"I don't know if it's such a good idea anymore Craven. She promised—

"I've never seen Raven so passionate about someone and now that's she's experiencing new things with you, she doesn't want them to go away. She's holding tightly to you Beast boy. I don't believe she can just let you go."

"How do you know? You've only known Raven for a short amount of time."

"Raven and I have a connection through her mother. I know my children, and I know my granddaughter."

"I'm not convinced. It feels wrong to do this without Raven's permission."

"It will be all right in the end changeling," said Azar, who came out of the darkness of the hallway.

"How can this be right? Dude, everything feels like it's spinning out of control like a nightmare I can't wake up from," he sighed, "I don't want to lose—

"You never will. She'll always be down the hall," said Azar.

"It won't be the same. Every time I look at her, she'll look back at me with those eyes that say why are you starring at me like that?" he said as he made his way to the living room couch and sat down. Before he could close his eye, an alert came from the screen in front of him.

Walking up to screen, BB accessed the message as everyone poured into the room. He had a good idea of who it was as he stared into the eyes of his past.

"Why hello Garfield," he smirked.

"No more games Galtry, where are you, Trigon, and Slade?" demanded Robin.

"What fun would it be if I just told you?" said Galtry.

"So much fun because we'd be kicking your butts by now," said Cyborg.

"Clever," he said as his eyes went to BB, "anyway, I'll give you a clue. A boy was born, died, and came back to life. Where are we Garfield?" he asked before the transmission ended.

"Africa," said BB.

"But where in Africa?" asked Raven.

"We're going to find out when we get there," said Robin. "We leave early tomorrow morning, so everyone prepare and get some rest," he said as he disappeared down the hall along with Starfire. Everyone went to pack their things for the trip accept for Beast boy and Raven.

"You ready?" asked BB as he faced from the screen to Raven.

"By tomorrow morning I will be. I just need to train and mediate. Are you ready?" she asked. "Things are uncertain."

"I know," he smiled at his girlfriend, "I intend to fight to win."

"We all do and we will," she said as BB took her in his arms and held her tight and he felt her do the same.