Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.

"I'm sure Robin will let you come to the Tower." Beast Boy reassured Terra. "You do want to come, don't you?"

The blond nodded while Raven began to inspect his arm.

"I can heal the stitches Gar; it'll give you a head start on your physical therapy."

"It's cut up really bad Rae; the doctor said there were hundreds of stitches."

"Maybe it'll take more than one pass, but we might as well get started now while we wait for Cyborg." She said as she began to remove the bandaging from his forearm, which looked like a lump of ground beef. She felt a lump form in her throat as she traced the countless stitches with her fingers. It was a miracle that the surgeons had been able to stitch his limb back together and she silently thanked Azar that the poacher had missed his bones. She knew that had the bullets hit an inch away from where they did she would now be staring at a stump. After collecting herself and refocusing she laid her hands on his forearm and the comforting blue glow appeared.

Terra approached him from the other side of his bed, took his good hand and squeezed it. He gazed at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. And in a way it was true, for he had never seen her like this before. She had grown and towered over Raven. Her stick figure days were also gone, as she now had a very shapely figure which was highlighted by the skin tight unitard she now wore. She was no longer the hardscrabble girl who slept in caves in the wilderness, she was now a woman and he felt his sudden desire for her course through his veins. He was having a very hard time keeping his lustful eyes off her now very feminine and even voluptuous figure.

Her touch was warm and even felt sensuous, much unlike Raven's touch which never felt that way to him. He felt his heartbeat quicken as her hand touched his and noticed that he was breathing faster. As he gazed into her eyes he could tell that she was having a similar experience.

He saw Raven out of the corner of his eye. She was focusing intently on the healing process. Good ole reliable Raven, he thought. His best friend Raven, who was in love with him and he had nothing to give her in return. His heart ached for her. He wished he could make her happy, if anyone deserved to happy it was her.

He turned his focus back to Terra. Their eyes met again and he remembered how much he had been in love with her, of how awkward and geeky he was back then and how grateful he had been for her attention. He would have run away with her that night at the amusement park had she not betrayed them to Slade. And now he felt even more awkward, as his crippled right hand reminded him incessantly. He once again felt unworthy of her, unworthy of her perfection.

Starfire had once said that "Raven is complicated" but Terra was even more complicated. The truth was that Terra unnerved him even more than Raven, for as dark as the sorceress was she wasn't unpredictable like the geomancer. And yet, even though she had broken his heart twice he was drawn to her the way a moth is attracted to a flame. She would probably burn him again, but at that moment he didn't care.

He also didn't care for his current predicament. He now had a handicap that might never go away and he didn't like being in that situation. The two girls who were fawning over him were more powerful than he was and he had always struggled with that, as it had always made him feel insecure around them, afraid that someone stronger and more dashing, someone like Aqualad, would displace him. But a permanent handicap, that was almost too much to bear. It made him feel defective, unworthy of their attention.

"BB, you OK? You look kind of spaced out." Terra asked him.

He smiled as he snapped out of his funk.

"It must be the pain killers." He joked.

Raven piped up. "You won't need them soon. The healing is progressing faster than I had hoped." She paused to take a breather. "How does it feel now?"

His arm already looked more like what arm should look like, at least what one of his green arms should look like and the pain had subsided substantially. He wiggled his fingers much more easily than before.

"Much better!" he replied with a grin.

As Raven leaned in towards his arm to continue the healing process he could see that she was sweating heavily and her face betrayed her exhaustion.

"Why don't you take a break Rae?" he asked her just as Cyborg came in through the door carrying a plastic bag with some fresh clothes for him to change into.

"Here ya go grass stain. We can't have you walking around in a hospital gown, even though I'm sure Terra and Raven wouldn't mind a peek at your butt!"

Terra giggled at Cyborg's wisecrack while Raven just rolled her eyes as Beast Boy slipped into the bathroom to change.

The ride back from the hospital was uneventful. Raven had given Beast Boy a second dose of her blue light before they left, and Dr. Miera, who swung by to have a final word with the changeling was very impressed with Raven's healing powers. Nevertheless, he instructed Beast Boy to keep his arm in a sling until his muscular wounds healed completely. He gave him a bottle of Vicoden to help dull the pain in his arm while his muscles healed and mended along with a prescription for some refills.

Cyborg and Terra sat in the front seat of the T-Car while Raven and Garfield sat in the back. She was seated to his left and had her arm wrapped around his while clutching his good hand. He had actually wanted to sit with Terra, but Raven had stuck to him like glue since as they left the hospital room and he knew better than to brush her off. His heart was heavy as he knew what was happening. She was claiming her stake on him, in a manner of speaking and he knew that he couldn't let her do that. He was going to have to let her down gently, but at the moment he had no idea of how he was going to do that.

While Raven sat next to him holding his hand, he was completely focused on Terra. He was mesmerized as he watched her and Cyborg share some small talk, drinking her in. Her blond hair shimmered in the sunlight and her smile was as captivating as ever. Her voice and her laugh were like music to his sensitive pointed ears. He had always been enthralled with her, even when she was a stick figured teenager. Now however she was a beauty, a true woman.

"Hey Gar, I'm over here." Raven whispered in his ear.

He looked at her and was easily able to see the jealousy and insecurity on her face. Her usual poker face was absent.

"I know." He replied gently. "And thanks for working so hard to heal me, I really appreciate it."

"We can start another session once we get home…"

"No Rae, you need to rest. And besides it'll give me some time to catch up with Terra."

He felt her stiffen up at the sound of the geomancer's name.

"Sure, you're probably right, I do need the rest." She replied as she let go of his arm. "I'll start looking for a spell than can mend your damaged nerves."

"Thanks Rae, you have no idea of how important that is to me. You'd think that this handicap would be no big deal, but I feel broken, so incomplete right now …"

"Well you're not broken or incomplete to me Gar." She whispered back to him as Cyborg pulled the T-Car into the Tower's garage.

Terra walked around her old room. She was amazed that nothing had changed since Beasty Boy had last brought her to the Tower, when she pretended to not be herself. Nothing had changed, it was the same as the day she had betrayed them. Amazingly the SladeBots had not trashed her room that day, it had been the only room in the Tower that was undamaged after the attackers were defeated. She had broken his heart that day, yet her room emerged unscathed.

"I can't believe you guys saved my room for me."

"Robin wanted to remodel it into a plain guest room, but I wouldn't let him." Beast Boy replied.

"You did that for me?" She said as she sat down on her bed.

"I never gave up hope that someday you'd come back Terra."

"I still can't believe you saved it for me."

He walked over to the bureau and opened the top drawer.

"I saved something else." He said as he sat down next to her. "I know it's kind of tacky, but it has sentimental value to me." He placed it in her hands.

Terra gasped. "The heart shaped jewel box you made for me? You actually saved it?"

"Raven said I should just throw it away after our talk at the school, but I never did."

"BB what's going on between you and Raven? She seems pretty possessive about you. I don't want to cause any trouble between you two."

Beast Boy moaned.

"There's nothing going on between us. We're just friends."

"Are you sure? What's with her then?"

"I don't know Terra. I've told her I'm not interested in a romantic relationship, but she doesn't seem to get the message."

"That is odd for her, to be so desperate. She would be extremely lucky to bag you though; she is a nasty witch after all."

Beast Boy growled back at her. "Watch it! She's still my friend, my best friend in fact."

Terra raised her hands apologetically. "Easy tiger. So tell me, why aren't you interested in her? She isn't ugly for a … what I mean is she's pretty."

Beast Boy rubbed his chin, ignoring her near faux pas.

"It's hard to say Terra. All I can tell you is that I've never felt for her the way I do for you."

Terra frowned before replying.

"I can't believe that you've forgiven me so easily BB. I just don't get it. And she adores you and you brush her off."

Garfield stood up and began to pace around. He stopped at the window and gazed at the city's skyline as the sun was setting. Without turning around he replied.

"I heard Raven told you about the Wild Man."

"She did, what about him?"

"He says I belong with you, not with Raven."

"Do you believe him?"

"I don't know Terra. I mean, I've missed you so much and when you sent me packing at the school I thought it was over between us."

Terra gave him a reluctant look. "I've been having similar dreams BB. But I'm afraid of jumping into this head first. Can't we just take our time?"

Terra's words hit Beast Boy in the gut and his face fell.

"Whoa BB! I didn't say I don't love you. You know I do."

"You mean like a friend?" He asked sorrowfully.

Terra ran up to him and grabbing his shoulder she turned him around. She then embraced him and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips. He felt a lightning bolt shoot down his spine.

"Much more than a friend." She replied. "But we need to think about if we really are meant to be lovers."

"OK." He replied breathlessly as he returned her kiss. They continued with their kissing and petting session for nearly an hour, until he heard a familiar voice in his head.

Gar, I'm ready to continue with the healing sessions.

Can we do it some other time Rae? I'm kinda busy right now.

Sorry.

Raven cut off the telepathic link abruptly.

Terra stopped kissing her boyfriend, sensing that something was amiss.

"You OK BB? You spaced out there for a moment."

Beast Boy paused before answering.

"It's nothing. I just remembered that Raven wanted to continue healing my arm this evening."

Terra released him from her embrace.

"I guess you'd better get going then."

Beast Boy pulled her back into a hug and resumed kissing her.

"It can wait." He said between snogs.

Raven was fuming in her room.

He's busy right now? Busy sucking Terra's face! Has he forgotten that I'm an empath? Raven thought bitterly as she paced around her room.

Don't act surprised Raven. You knew this was coming. You knew you didn't stand a chance. How could you? She's beautiful, you're ugly, she's human, you're a half demon, she's bubbly and fun, you're the ice queen, she's lovable, you're creepy, she's always affirmed him, you've always put him down.

It's hopeless and you know it.

Raven's self pity session was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in, the door's unlocked."

Her door slid open, revealing Beast Boy, with his arm still in a sling.

"I thought you were busy?"

"I decided it could wait."

"You mean Terra decided it could wait."

Beast Boy frowned. "You see Rae; this is why I don't want a romantic relationship with you. You used your empathic powers to spy on me. You don't trust me!"

Raven grimaced back at him. His accusation was on the mark and it hurt her.

"OK, so I did. Can you blame me? I know I don't stand a chance against her. And don't tell me that I do, because I know that I don't."

Beast Boy rubbed his forehead and groaned softly.

"If you want me to, I can leave."

Raven sighed.

"No, please don't. I'm sorry. Please let me work on your arm. It's the one thing I can do for you that she can't." She replied as she gently removed his arm from the sling.

"It's not a competition Rae. You're still my best friend, and Terra can't take your place. You know that."

Raven laid her hands on Garfield's arm and the healing blue light once again appeared.

"Sounds like a consolation prize to me. She wins the shiny new car while all I get is a vacuum cleaner."

"Is that all my friendship means to you?"

She turned away from him. She was clearly beginning to lose her composure.

"No, of course not. I'm sorry Gar; I know I'm not good enough for you …"

"Rae please, don't do this to yourself."

She paused while she pulled herself together, until she was able to reply in her signature monotone voice. "OK Gar, I'll drop it. But please promise me that your will always remember that I never have and never will betray you."

Beast Boy climbed into his upper bunk at the end of what had been a long and eventful day. Not much more than 12 hours earlier he was lying on the canyon floor bleeding to death. After the third healing session with Raven he was able to lose the arm sling. He was wearing only his boxers now as he sat on his bunk with his legs dangling over the edge, while inspecting his arm. The scar tissue had disappeared completely and he wiggled his fingers, pleased with their speed and flexibility. Seeing his desk he jumped down from the bunk and picked up a pencil, or at least he tried as he kept dropping it.

Damn! They're still useless. Well, at least I'll be ready to start my physical therapy tomorrow. As if that will do any good. Dr. Miera is right; my days as a hero are over, now what will I do …

His train of thought was interrupted by knock on his door, at 11:00 PM.

"Come in, it's open."

Terra walked in and gasped.

"What's the matter Terra?"

The blond blushed. "You're not dressed!"

"How's this any different than a pair of swimming trunks?"

The geomancer feasted her eyes on his well toned, mature and muscular figure before replying.

"I just came by to say good night." She stammered.

He walked up to her and gave her a hug.

"Good night Terra."

"If you think that parading around me half naked is gonna make me want to be your mate, well, it might just work." She said before she gave him a deep and long kiss while her hands explored his body without inhibitions. After several minutes they separated. She gazed deep into his eyes.

"BB, would you like to spend the night with me?"

"Sure Terra, I'd love to."

"No monkey business though, you understand, right?"

"Whatever you say."

Terra grinned and took his hand.

"Let's go!"

Beast Boy was sleeping peacefully until he was jolted awake by someone shaking his shoulder forcefully.

"Terra?" He mumbled, but the blond way still laying next to him sound asleep. She was topless and his left hand was resting on her chest. They had spent a good hour making out in her bed when she peeled her T-shirt off and welcomed him to explore freely with his hands. She didn't have to tell him twice.

He snuggled up with his beauty, ready to fall asleep again when he felt a presence in the room. He bolted out of the bed, still clad in his boxers. The night was moonless and the room was a mosaic of dark shadows preventing him from seeing anything, but he could sense they weren't alone. He reached for the lamp on his nightstand and turned it on.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

The Beast approached Garfield from the far corner of the room, staring at Terra's sleeping figure as if he wished to shred her to bits. He was huge as he had to duck to not bump his head on the ceiling.

"What are you doing in her bed?" The leviathan growled at his master.

Beast Boy relaxed, realizing it was only a dream.

"What's it to you? I'm in charge in case you've forgotten."

"You are sleeping with the traitor! Why aren't you with your mate? You should be making love with her!"

"Because I don't want to be with Raven! The Wild Man is right! Terra is meant to be my mate."

The Beast snarled at him. "How can you believe such a lie? She is wrong for you! Surely even you can see that!"

Beast Boy snarled back at him. "You're full of crap! Terra is perfect for me. I feel happy when I'm with her. I feel like a man when I'm with her."

"But what about your animal side? Does she satisfy your animal side?"

"Are you trying to say that Raven would? That's a joke if I ever heard one! She's uptight and repressed. There's no way she could satisfy me, neither as a man or as an animal! What's with you about Raven anyway? Why are you so obsessed with her?"

The beast roared so loudly that the windows shook in their frames.

"Garfield, you are a fool! There is much more to a mate than passionate sex! Your mate is someone who will stand at your side when you are overwhelmed by adversity, someone who will lift you when you are struck down, who will encourage you when you are weak, and someone who will never forsake you! And do you really believe that Raven will not satisfy you as your lover?"

Beast Boy looked confused.

"When has Raven ever been any of those things? Al she's ever done over the years is make fun of me, telling me that I'm stupid, that I don't have a brain."

"Are you blind Garfield? She was but a child then. She has changed, matured, she is a woman now. She loves and respects you. She is ready to give her entire self to you. And she is loyal and faithful, unlike that wretch you are sleeping with right now!"

"Terra is not a wretch! I love her and she loves me!"

"Mark my words Garfield; she will forsake you for another man!"

A powerful voice interrupted the exchange.

"Silence Beast! You only wish to bind Garfield to Raven because she is a monster just as you are!"

The Beast turned to face the owner of the voice who was now also in the room. While dwarfed by the Beast the Wild Man was still an imposing figure. Beast Boy had no doubt that he could hold his own against the frightening Beast.

"Do not deceive him Wild Man! It is you who is being underhanded about Terra, for she is treacherous, just like you! His mate must be loyal if she is to become one with him! Garfield! Trust your animal side. Humans are deceiving and underhanded. Do not listen to his lies."

The Wild Man ignored the Beast altogether and instead addressed Garfield.

"Garfield, in the end the choice is yours. Who do you choose?"

After a prolonged paused he answered.

"I choose Terra." He whispered.

"Then wake up and make her yours." The Wild Man shouted.

"You mean right now?"

"Yes Garfield, now! She wants you to claim her; she wants to receive your seed. It is what she most desires!"

"But she said …"

"You will find that she is now more than willing to accept."

Beast Boy turned to the Beast who growled at him.

"Garfield, I know this is what you desire, but it is a mistake. I will be here waiting for you after she forsakes you. I can only hope that Raven will wait for you as well."

Beast Boy woke up again, this time for real. Again he bolted out of his bed and searched the room. Neither the Wild Man nor the Beast were anywhere to be found. The only other motion in the room came from Terra, who had woken up as well and was sitting up in the bed.

"What's the matter?" She asked him in a sleepy voice.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't wake me, I had a dream." She said, now fully awake. "It was a new one. There was a woman, a stranger who looks like a savage in it."

Beast Boy's eyes widened. "What did she tell you?"

"She asked me why I was resisting you. She asked me if I want to be your mate."

Beast Boy waited for her to continue then showed her his partially disabled hand.

"And this doesn't matter to you?"

She shook her head. "Absolutely not. I want to be your mate; it doesn't matter to me if your superhero days are over or not."

Beast Boy eyes popped open wide. "Wait! Did I hear you right? You will be my mate Terra?"

The blond giggled. "Yes BB, I accept. But I want this to be legal!"

The changeling had an ear to ear grin. "I wouldn't have it any other way. We'll find a judge tomorrow if you want."

"It's OK; it doesn't have to be tomorrow. We can take our time to organize it. I know I'm not the typical girl, but I would like to wear a proper wedding dress that day."

Terra was now sitting on the edge of her bed and he pulled her to her feet and hugged her.

"Thanks Terra, I promise I'll be a good mate." He told her between kisses.

She took his hand a led him back to her bed, where in the silence of the early morning hours they consummated their union and were mated. Their intimate act went unnoticed by all the others except for a gray skinned empath, who was awoken by the powerful emotions that emanated from their room, and who wept bitterly in her disconsolation until the sun rose a few hours later.

Thanks to all who have been following and reviewing this story.

Here are a few replies to some anonymous reviewers who do not have accounts:

From "reader"

"not bad. though he is Beastboy he can change into any amimal. crabs starfish even some lizards can regorw limbs. people always forget that part. have him change into one of those and remove the crippled part and let him regorw it it will take awhile but it will come back to its normal state"

An interesting thought, but it would ruin the plot of the story.

From "DarkGrayWolf"

"i do have a question though, in this story does he have like... claws,"

I know there is some debate as to what lurks under those gloves. I'm not sure it matters in this story, but I always think of his hands as normal human hands.

And to close a big thank you to Novus Ordo Seclorum, author of 'Collateral Damage' for his many thoughtful reviews and messages. If you haven't been following 'Collateral Damage' you don't know what you've been missing! I wish my stories were half as good as his!