Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
Author's note: I have been asked to write a follow up to this story. This time it will be told from Raven's perspective.
Chapter 9 – Solitude
It was raining, a hard cold rain, the kind that was more common in Steele City than in balmy Jump City. The wind howled relentlessly as the temperature steadily dropped and it would soon be freezing cold. Such were winter storms in Steele City, but the elements didn't have any effect on the lone figure who stood on the dock that served as the main berth for sea going vessels stopping at Titans Tower East.
Raven hadn't arrived on any sort of boat, she had materialized in her usual manner. She looked different than on that fateful day when her ex-husband, Garfield Mark Logan, has handed her the divorce papers. She wore a white leotard and cape, as she had when Starfire has visited the future. It was now 15 years since the day she said good bye to the only love of her life. She was no longer a young woman and it was beginning to show on her face and body in general. She wasn't decrepit by any stretch of the imagination, but no one would have confused her for a teenager. She fortified her bird shaped shield which kept the elements off of her body. She clutched a small vial in her hands as she stared at the T shaped building that stood defiantly before her, almost mocking her as if it knew why she had arrived on this stormy evening.
The first year after Garfield had left had been the worst one for her, not that any of the following years could be considered good. Raven had long known that her lot in life was to be alone, but that first year without him was unbearable. Starfire did everything she could to console her dear friend, but it was pointless. Raven had been a virtual recluse that year and had shunned the companionship of her friends. They understood the pain she was going through but could not fathom why she did not accept their consolation. After a few months they gave up and let her be.
Raven had made a point of avoiding Garfield that first year and never asked anyone about him. Of course she had overheard the others gossiping over what was happening in Steele City. Terra of course had wasted no time in claiming her stake on the green changeling. Word was that he wanted to take things slowly with her but the reality was that the two were inseparable from the day they arrive at the eastern tower. After several months the word came that he had moved into her room and after a few more months they announced their engagement.
While Raven knew that this day would come, she was still emotionally unprepared for it. When Bumblebee announced that there would be a party to celebrate the engagement everyone expected that Raven would decline the invitation. To their surprise she did not.
Raven recalled that day as if it had occurred only yesterday.
The party had been in full swing for some time. Cyborg, Robin and Starfire had travelled to the party in the T-Ship along with their new team member Wonder Girl. Raven had declined to join them in the T-Ship and gave no reason. They suspected that she had changed her mind regarding attending the celebration, which they all later agreed was for the best as they flew over the country.
The party was a large affair. Every single Titan, including the honorary ones, was present. It was also a lively party. Mas y Menos, who were no longer youngsters, flirted pointlessly with Starfire and Wonder Girl. Speedy offered to be the DJ and was doing his best to keep everyone on the dance floor. Cyborg and Bumblebee did a great job of showing everyone how it was done, and soon almost everyone had joined them on the dance floor. The party continued this way for almost two hours and Speedy had decided it was time to switch to the slow dancing music.
Beast Boy and Terra led the way and were the first couple to walk back onto the dance floor. Beast Boy wrapped his arms around her waist while she wrapped hers around his neck and drew him into a deep kiss as the crowd ooh'd and ahh'd.
It was at that moment that the elevator doors in the common room opened, revealing Raven's figure.
She walked out of the elevator and headed straight for Beast Boy and Terra. Speedy killed the music while everyone just watched and stared, as if witnessing a train wreck in slow motion. As the sorceress approached the couple Beast Boy released Terra and turned to face his ex-wife. He walked in her direction, hoping to intercept her before she got too close to Terra.
"Raven, we weren't expecting you." He whispered to her once they were face to face. Terra was unable to conceal the glare that emanated from her face but she said nothing.
Raven did not reply and instead threw her arms around the changeling and buried her face in his chest. By this point Terra was as red as a tomato. Beast Boy wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her ear.
"I've missed you Rae, I've missed you a lot."
"So have I." She replied. "I suppose that congratulations are in order."
He continued holding her. "Thanks Rae. That means a lot to me."
"Do you love her?" She whispered to him.
"I do." He whispered back. "But she'll never take your place in my heart."
Raven stroked his back as she replied, still whispering.
"Thank you Gar, believe it or not, I came here to congratulate both of you."
He continued to hold her.
"Thanks Rae. I'm sorry that I never called or wrote to you."
"Don't apologize. We agreed on that. I know I shouldn't have come, but I needed to see you one last time before you got married. Please forgive me Gar; I'm afraid I've ruined your party." She released him from her embrace and turned to face Speedy, who was still seated at the DJ station.
"Is this a party or what?" She spoke up in her monotone. "Don't stop the music on my account."
Speedy grinned and switched to a catchy dance song from the 50's. The other's followed his cue and stepped onto the dance floor and the celebration was restarted. Terra's eyes were fixed on Raven like a laser and she tensed up as she saw Raven approach her.
"Congratulations Terra." She deadpanned.
"Thank you Raven." She replied icily. "We weren't expecting you, especially when the T-Ship arrived without you on board."
"I wanted to come, but it would have been … inappropriate … for me to linger here for very long. I just wanted to come and wish both of you the best."
Terra crossed her arms and frowned. "Do you always hug everyone that way to tell them 'congratulations' Raven?"
Raven stared impassively at the geomancer.
"You know I love him Terra, and I will always love him."
Terra began to reply with a snarl, which she suppressed as she didn't want to lose her cool in front of the crowd, which was doing its best while dancing to pretend they were ignoring the two females Titans and the fireworks that were threatening to erupt. She lowered her reply to where it could barely be heard above the music.
"Raven, I don't want you to hug him. I don't want you kissing him. I don't want you to touch him. He's mine now, understand? He's my fiancé and we're getting married in three months. End of story."
The demoness shook her head.
"He's only on loan to you Terra, never forget that. He's mine and he'll always be mine."
"We'll see about that Raven. He's my lover now. And just so you know, I've made love with him 10 times as many times as you ever did, if not more. You're nothing more than a fading memory to him."
Raven said nothing as she turned to the elevator to leave. She stopped and turned back to geomancer.
"Trust me Terra; he would trade every night he's shared with you for just one more night with me."
"Too bad you're a monster Raven." Terra hissed in reply. "He can't be with you and he never will be able to be with you. Only I can give him what he needs and deserves."
Raven turned around and resumed her retreat, but this time she changed her direction towards her ex-husband. She stopped in front of him and with no warning she gave him a passionate kiss. She then phased into the floor and disappeared. Terra was livid o say the least.
"She is so not invited to the wedding!" She snarled.
Beast Boy wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm surprised you didn't tell her." He remarked.
Terra grinned. "She'll know soon enough."
"You know I love you Terra, right?" He asked as he unconsciously caressed her stomach.
"I know BB, I'm just afraid of her. She keeps threatening to take you back."
"Don't worry Terra. Raven and I can't be together. It's true, I loved her and I still do, but only as a dear friend."
"Are you sure BB?" She asked in a worried tone.
Beast Boy pulled her into a deep hug.
"Terra, I'm 100% sure. Anyway, once the baby is born she'll learn to accept things the way they are. And that includes you being my wife and the mother of our child."
Terra squeezed her fiancé back.
"BB, thanks for giving me a second chance. I promise I'll be the best wife and mom in the whole world."
"I know you will Terra, I know."
OK, this story is back for an encore.
