IMPORTANT A/N: I have recently recieved a review, warning me about bringing a criminal conflict into the Titans lives again. While I do agree, and while I have no intention of doing so, I do feel it is my obligation as the writer to inform you that you have the choice of what happens next. If you don't like the plot twist I am taking, then please tell me and I will change the chapter immediately. As well, there are "Go!" spoilers in this chapter, for anyone who has not seen this episode.

TT2

Early morning Monday September 7, 2019

Richard and Kori arrived home late that night, to find Galfore in the guest room, sleeping, back from his visit to Tamaran. He had gone for a few days, by request of one of the palace workers, to check up on things. He was the only real qualified ruler of Tamaran, besides Kori or, believe it or not, Kimi.

"Quiet," Kori whispered. "Galfore is a very light sleeper." It was true. The man, three-hundred pounds and eight feet tall, was a very delicate sleeper.

"I'll be quiet," Richard responded innocently. "Will you?" After this statement, he poked her in the ribs. She let out a gasp and her hands immediately flew to her side.

"You would not dare!" she breathed. He raised on sly eyebrow, and once they had entered the master bedroom Richard jumped forward and began tickling her mercilessly.

"You little-!" she began to say but they both fell on the bed and she squealed in surprise. "Oh no you do not!" She rolled him around and began tickling his ribs, occasionally poking his abdomen, which was a very sensitive spot to him.

"I'm not as ticklish as you!" Richard retorted.

"That is right…" she gasped when he rolled her around and began tickling her again. "…Dick!"

"What have I said about calling me Dick?" Richard asked, an eyebrow raised, as he ceased to tickle her.

"That it makes you feel like a wiener," she replied sweetly, reaching up to tug on his crisp white collar and pull him down. "But you are no wiener to me."

"Now that sounds like the Kori I know," he whispered, kissing her softly. He pulled away. "Mmm…" he trailed off, pulling away, his eyes closed.

"For your thoughts I would pay a penny," she told him, butt hen screwed up her face in thought. "Did I say it correctly?"

"Close enough," he chuckled. "I was just thinking…about the first time we kissed. You remember?"

"How could I forget?" she asked. "I am sorry I tried to kill you. Earth was strange to me. I thought you were trying to harm me like those awful Gordanians."

"I'd never hurt anyone as beautiful as you," he whispered, kissing her once more and rolling around so he was lying down and she was on top of him. "I still have trouble believing this beautiful alien I barely knew was making out with me in front of my future teammates. It was quite thrilling, but terrifying. I thought that was some sort of alien homicide ritual."

"Oh no. I was much exhilarated by your urge to help me. I felt I should return the favor. My people are not at all hesitant with their displays of affection," Kori replied, smiling. "Thank you, for helping me."

"You are most welcome," he whispered. "But Raven was the one who enlightened me that you might not be dangerous, just-well-dazed and confused."

"I was very angered at your urge to help me, at the time, you are aware," she told him. "But, now, I am glad you helped me. If you had not, I would have most likely spent my days in captivity, until they sold me as a bridal slave to one of their generals. I would not have been nearly as happy as I am now. I would have never believed I could ever be this happy."

"Well, I still can't believe I'll be able to do this-" he kissed her "-for the rest of my life."

"Neither can I. I will not be able to forget how horrible life without you was. Kimi was the only thing that kept me sane," she told him, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him close. "I love you."

"And I love you," he replied. "C'mon, let's get some sleep."

They both got into their pajamas and crawled into bed, falling asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

And, not too far away, a great plot was forming to break up this love, by Starfire's one and only sister.

TT2

It was, as well, late that night when Garfield and Raven arrived home. It had been a late night for the both of them, and they were ready to fall asleep in their warm, comfortable bed.

Garfield threw his coat across the back of the couch, promising Raven he would pick it up when he had more energy, and ambled towards the answering machine. They had gotten only three messages since being out.

Raven, instead of going to the bedroom to change into her pajamas, came towards Gar and wrapped her arms around his waist. Using the hand that was not occupied with fiddling with the answering machine, he pulled her closer.

It began to feed out the date and time of the first message, which ending up just being blank. He deleted it and moved onto the next one. It, again, fed out the date and time, and then revealed itself as a message from Gar's boss, changing his work time tomorrow.

"Ooh, good," Raven commented. "I get off work at seven, so maybe we can have a nice dinner together tomorrow."

"You can count on it," he replied, kissing her forehead, as the third message came. The same record producer that had talked to Gar about his music career had left the message. He had left a message saying he would like to arrange a meeting around noon tomorrow at an upscale café on the boardwalk.

"That's great," Raven whispered as they began walking towards the bedroom. "My little Beast Boy's gonna be a rock star." Garfield smirked and removed his ring, letting his skin turn green, his hairs darken until they were emerald, and the tips of his ears begin to mold into points.

"I know. I'll be able to give you the life you deserve," he murmured. "And we'll be able to have a wonderful wedding." He kissed her, as they continued to walk.

"I wouldn't care if our wedding was the worst wedding anyone's ever seen. At least I would know I am spending the rest of my life with you," she replied softly.

"Y'know, if I were fourteen and someone told me when I was 28 I would be planning on getting married to Raven Roth, I would have laughed in their face.," he whispered.

Garfield stopped at the foot of their bed, wrapping his arms tighter around her waist and kissing her soundly. "And I probably would've blasted them to an imaginary dimension," she purred. "But now I've realized that you are the most caring, compassionate, handsome, funny guy I have ever met. And I love you."

"I-" he was about to reply but was cut off by the shrill ring of the doorbell. He sighed. "All these interruptions!" He grabbed his holo-ring, just in case, and slipped it over his slender finger. His appearance immediately changed, and looked into the hallway mirror with a satisfied smile, before opening to door.

"Hello?" he asked, as he poked his head out a crack in the door. It was dark out, as it was a little past midnight, and Garfield fumbled to find the light switch to turn on the outside light.

"Garfield?" a feminine voice asked. "Garfield!"

"Rita, hold back," a masculine voice sounded.

Garfield found the switch and flipped on the light, though he could already see slight outlines. "Who-who's there?" he asked, already knowing the answer. No voice but Raven's could ever be so familiar.

"Beast Boy?" the enlightened face of Mento asked. "Beast Boy, it is us. The Doom Patrol."

"No," Gar breathed softly.

"Baby, who is it?" Raven asked from just behind him. He tore his face out from the crack in the door and looked at her. She stood there so innocently, looking like an angel in her pajamas(obviously just having changed), a worried countenance spread across her features.

"Rae, go to bed. I'll be there in a minute," he told her. She looked as if she was about to argue, but he cut her off. "I promise, I'll be right there."

She hesitantly began walking away, with one last glance back. Her mouth formed the words 'I love you', before she disappeared down the hallway.

"What do you want?" Gar asked gently, sticking his head back into the crack in the door. "Why are you all here?"

Mento had been keeping a tight grip on Elasti-girl's shoulder, but she broke it and let the door swing open so she could throw her arms around Gar's neck. "Oh Garfield, I'm so sorry."

"What? Rita, why are you sorry?" he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her. "What's wrong? What's happening?"

Elasti-girl pulled back and swiped at her eyes, though no tears had come to them. "Beast Boy, we need you. We need to reunite the team for one last mission," Mento started softly. He stepped aside to reveal Robotman and Negative Man. "The Brotherhood of Evil is working on conquering the world, once and for all. We need your help to be able to take them down."

"But, Steve," Gar started softly, rubbing his face, feeling a slight five-o-clock shadow forming. "I can't. I have to think about Raven, she-" he paused "-we're getting married. I can't leave her."

"You can, and you will," Mento demanded stolidly.

"Steve!"Elasti-girl gasped.

"What, Rita? Do you want me to lie to him and say we won't make him go? I don't care if you have a fiancée, the world needs your help!" Mento exclaimed softly, as not to alert her to their presence.

"But-"

"No buts, Beast Boy," he started softly. "The world needs you. We need you. And God knows how proud your fiancée will be when she sees you will be saving the world once more."

Garfield looked to the floor, before looking back up into his ex-leader's eyes. "When do you need me?" he asked.

"Within the week, we'll call upon you. Be ready," Mento advised him. "Oh, and Beast Boy?"

"Yea?" he asked, in a downcast tone.

"Don't tell anyone until the time comes. Not even Raven," Mento replied. "You're doing a good thing, son." Mento reached over and ruffled his blonde hair. "You're saving the world from a powerful enemy. If I were you, I'd be proud of myself."

How are you to be proud, when you know you won't come back alive?

"We'll be seeing you soon, Garfield," Elasti-girl whispered, coming forward to hug him again. "Take care."

"Take care, Rita," he whispered back, hugging her with all the force he possessed. He nodded in salutation to Mento, Robotman, and Negative Man. "I'll be seeing you all soon."

They left, without another word, leaving Garfield to shut the door softly and lean against it for support. He sighed softly, and began crying. What was he supposed to do? Die, just to keep the world safe?

But the world included Raven, and he knew he'd do anything to keep her safe; even if it meant risking his own life.

Gar sighed and wiped away his tears, before beginning towards the bedroom. Raven was perched quietly on the bed, her hands clasped in her lap, staring straight ahead. When Gar entered the bedroom, she stood and rushed to him.

"Rae," he breathed, taking her in his arms and hugging her tightly. "I love you so much, Raven. I'd do anything for you."

"Gar, what's this all about? Why are you-?" but he cut her off with a quiet and soothing "shh". He pulled away slightly and kissed her temple before hugging her tight once more.

"Don't talk. Just…" he trailed off with a sigh and began sniveling softly.

"Oh Gar," she breathed. He pulled back and cupped her face, looking into her beautiful amethyst eyes. They were filled with fear and worry, and her face was contorted into a mix of pain and anxiety. He swiftly pressed his lips to hers, kissing her softly, still cradling her face.

Raven pulled away and brought her hand up to brush away locks of blonde hair from his eyes, to reveal his glistening tears. He looked at her, his lips trembling. "I'll love you no matter what. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't," she replied softly, letting him kiss her forehead tenderly. "I won't ever forget that. I love you too."

It was a long while, as they embraced again, before either made a move. Gar realized that Raven had fallen asleep, her breathing deep and even, calmed by his steady rhythmic heartbeat. He took a deep breath before picking her up, cradling her like she was a child, and walking towards the bed. Setting her down with ease, he bent over and kissed her on the forehead.

"Gar," she breathed in her sleep as he slipped towards the bathroom to brush his teeth. He took one look back and saw her sleeping peacefully, bathed in moonlight from the window. He couldn't break her heart and go off to fight with the Doom Patrol.

He sighed and went to brush his teeth. Afterwards, he silently slipped off his clothes and slipped on a pair of sweatpants over his boxers, before removing his holo-ring and setting it on his bedside table.

"Rae?" he asked when she rolled over and curled into the sheets, but she hadn't woken up. He sighed, sliding into bed next to her. Gar turned off the bedside lamp and curled up next to Raven, his thoughts overwhelming him as he stroked her violent violet locks.

He couldn't believe the Doom Patrol had just popped up and expected him to take them up on this final mission. It was so hard, thinking about this. He wanted to keep the world safe, and he wanted Raven to be safe, but crime-fighting was in the past. He needed to stay with Raven. If he couldn't promise his safe return, he would kill her on the inside. He couldn't do that to her.

"Goodnight, Raven," he whispered softly, his hand dropping from where it was entangled in her hair to rest on his own waist. "I love you."

He was asleep within moments, and did not hear Raven whisper back, "I love you, too."

TT2