Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
"Well, that's the Mississippi river down there; we should be there in another hour."
The dark haired young man sat up out of his slouch, waking from a light nap.
"What?"
"We'll be in Aspen in another hour Garth." She said crossly. "How can you sleep so much? Every time the team goes to Colorado you sleep the whole way."
Aqualad rubbed his eyes as the bright sunlight shone through the T-Ship East canopy.
"That's because there's nothing to see until we get there. Unless you consider endless land with no ocean in sight something worth looking at."
Terra shook her head. She and Garth were sharing the rearmost compartment in the T-Ship, just as they had every time during the past 4 months since they moved from dating to being an "exclusive" couple.
They had been attracted to each other since Terra was released from Arkham almost a whole year ago. They had started dating sporadically two months after that, but it hadn't been anything serious as Terra couldn't stop thinking about Beast Boy at the time. She knew that he could never be hers but that didn't mean that she would stop thinking about him. It wasn't that she didn't like Aqualad; even she admitted to herself that he was more handsome than Beast Boy. Maybe it was because Garfield was a forbidden fruit, the one that had been her first love.
While Terra had always been on her best behavior every time the Titans met in the Logans' Aspen home the truth was that the first few trips had been pure agony, seeing her beloved married to Raven. And to add insult to injury she couldn't even console herself by calling Raven a witch behind her back anymore.
Terra had noticed early on that Garth was also uncomfortable at the Aspen retreats, even though in his case it was due to the being 1000 miles from the Pacific Ocean. He would hang around the large pool while on break from the meetings, often jumping in for a swim. The team meetings lasted at least two days and it was evident upon their conclusion that he was eager to get home.
At first they hung out together by the pool during breaks, making small talk until Nightwing would send Starfire to summon them back to the meeting. During the second monthly meeting Garth surprised Terra by asking her out to dinner in Aspen. Their informal dates continued off and on after they returned to Steele City.
The real turning point for them was when the two teams spent a whole week in Aspen between Christmas and New Years. That was when Starfire had caught them making out in the exercise room. While Starfire was overjoyed that her friends were in the early stages of a romance the couple was mortified and begged Starfire to not tell anyone. Not that there was any hope of that happening. Two months later, after enduring endless ribbing from both teams Terra and Garth had no choice but to announce that they were a couple, dating each other exclusively.
Terra sighed as she heard Garth begin to snore again. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat.
Only one more hour to go.
The two T Ships arrived at the same time hovering over the mountain resort mansion before beginning their landing sequences.
Nightwing was flying the T-Ship west and as he looked down he could see the caterers already setting up next to the pool.
"I wonder what's for dinner." Cyborg said, unable to conceal the greed in his hungry voice. As Nightwing brought the T-Ship down to the landing pad the tin man got a better look at the large van they were unloading. "I think I see ribs, and coleslaw too!" He said excitedly.
"Raven told me that there would be several types of barbeque tonight." Starfire informed him as she cradled Mary I her arms. "She said there would be chicken, pork, beef brisket, 4 different kinds of ribs, sausage, salmon and tofu."
"Sounds like a feast." Nightwing replied.
The Logans greeted the arriving Titans in the mansion's living room, where they held an impromptu meeting while the caterers set up. It would be at least three more hours until dinner was served. Their team mates took turns congratulating them on their first wedding anniversary. Once that was taken care of Nightwing took charge and started the meeting.
"OK team, we all know what the agenda is: Titans South. Funding was approved and we can now begin to select a host city for the new team. Any suggestions?"
"What is the geographic area we're talking about?" Bumblebee asked.
"Good question." Nightwing replied. "Per the funding requirements it can be any of the gulf coast states as well as northwestern Mexico."
"¿México? ¿Y por qué no Guatemala?" Mas asked.
Starfire replied. "We did invite the government of Guatemala to apply to host the Titans, but they declined." Menos crossed his arms and frowned.
"And the mayors of Mexico City and Guadalajara also declined, but the mayor of Monterrey expressed interest." Nightwing added. "So, what are your thoughts?"
"We have wanted to open a branch outside the US for some time." Speedy added.
"And Monterrey isn't far from the US border, so they could also cover Texas." Cyborg added.
"But Miami has its appeal." Aqualad chimed in. "It will make it a lot easier to attract recruits than if we set up shop in Monterrey."
"What's wrong with Monterrey?" Beast Boy asked.
"Have you ever been there man?" Cyborg asked. "It's an industrial town! And it's far from the coast."
"¡Es muy feo!" Mas y Menos said in chorus. "Nadie quiere vivir ahí."
"What other choices are there?" Beast Boy replied.
"Well, if we stick to larger cities on or near the coast there's Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa and Orlando." Bumblebee informed them.
"So do we have any nominations?" Nightwing asked the group.
"Miami" Terra chirped.
"Any others?"
"New Orleans." Cyborg offered. Everyone stared at him.
"Hey! They won the Superbowl."
Nightwing shook his head. "Any other nominations?"
The room was silent.
"Who votes for Miami?"
All hands except Cyborg's and Beast Boy's were raised.
"OK, Miami it is. I'll send out the press release tomorrow. Now do we have any candidates we wish to recruit before we open tryouts …"
After deliberating for almost two more hours the short list of candidates was reduced to 10 and the caterers announced that dinner was served. The Titans walked out to the pool area and took their places at the nicely set table, with Raven and Beast Boy at the place of honor. As Starfire had informed the others the meal was the ultimate barbecue sampler and the caterers watched in astonishment as the young superheroes devoured the spread that was set before them. After a mere 30 minutes the meat was gone , all 25 pounds of it, as were the barbequed beans, corn on the cob, the three varieties of potato salad. All that was left was some coleslaw. The head caterer whispered to her assistant.
"I've never seen girls eat so much in my life, especially the blond one. How do they stay so slender?"
"I've heard that the Tamaranian has more than one stomach." Her assistant replied.
After clearing the dishes from the table the caterers began to serve dessert. They had originally thought that they had more than enough dessert to serve, and after seeing the earlier performance with main course they began to worry, but the Titans reduced their pace over dessert. It seemed that a few of them had something on their mind, at least that's what the servers seemed to notice.
As they consumed their cheesecake, ice cream, mousse, cake and sorbet Garfield tapped on a glass.
"Friends, fellow Titans, Raven and I have something to share with you."
Starfire grinned from ear to ear.
"So do we friends, so do we!" She announced with glee.
"Huh?" Beast Boy said somewhat perplexed. "You do?"
Raven sensed something else and turned towards Terra and Garth.
"Something tells me that you two also have an announcement." She told the couple.
Terra nodded, a slight blush running over her face.
"Well, so who gets to go first?" Cyborg asked, clearly curious at what everyone had to share.
Raven turned to Terra and Aqualad. "Why don't you go first?"
Aqualad nodded nervously.
"OK." He said as he took Terra's hand and squeezed it. "We're getting married."
"You're kidding!" Bumblebee turned to them in shock. "It's only been 4 months, are you guys sure you're ready?"
Terra smiled as she nodded.
"Yes, and there's something more. We might as well tell you cuz you're gonna find out eventually. We're pregnant."
"Dude!"
"No way man!"
"WHAT!?" Bumblebee shouted. "When did this happen?"
"About a month ago, when Garth took me to Atlantis to meet Aquaman."
The table was silent as they all absorbed the news.
"Congratulations." Raven broke the silence in her old school deadpan. Beast Boy jumped to his feet and ran to the couple.
"Way to go fish stick!" He congratulated Garth with a handshake. He then turned to Terra who rose from her seat and hugged him as they exchanged pecks on the cheek.
"You'll be a great mom Terra, I know it."
"So when's the wedding?" Speedy asked, still clearly in shock.
"It's in two weeks, in Atlantis. You're all invited of course. And don't worry about transportation; we'll take care of it."
Starfire turned to Richard. "This is glorious! Now we must share our news!"
Cyborg dropped his fork.
"You guys have got to be kidding! Again?"
"No we're not." Nightwing replied with a grin. "We're also expecting. Again."
"Man! That's a lot of babies." Cyborg replied as he turned to Raven.
"Oh no, don't tell me …"
Raven and Gar shook their heads.
"We were going to tell you that we are planning on having a baby sometime within the next year, but given the news we might have to rethink that." Raven replied. "We can't have too many Titans on maternal leave at the same time."
"Oh Raven, I am so sorry!" Starfire whimpered. "We did not mean to steal your thunder."
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Beast Boy replied. "Raven and I will just have to decide if we're gonna wait a little longer or not. It's no biggie."
"Beast Boy's right!" Nightwing rejoined. "Besides, this would be a great opportunity to bring in some of the candidates for Titans South to backfill for the ladies."
Bumblebee nodded. "Good idea Nightwing. Anyway it looks like we're gonna have two new members join our team in 8 more months."
Starfire interrupted. "In my case it will be 10 more months. Tamaranian pregnancies last 11 months."
Raven stood up and smiled.
"Why don't we go inside while the caterers clean up? Bruce left us several magnums of Champagne, both regular and non alcoholic. I think some toasts are in order …"
The celebrations had lasted well past midnight and the heroes slowly drifted off to their bedrooms after saying their good nights. Mas y Menos retired first, followed by Speedy, Bumblebee and eventually Cyborg. The Graysons retired next. Terra helped Raven collect the champagne flutes and dried them as Raven hand washed the delicate crystal ware. Beast Boy joined Aqualad for a swim in the pool.
Aqualad floated face up, starring at the starry night while Beast Boy did a couple of slow laps in the pool.
"So what do you think Beast Boy? Do you think we're jumping the gun?"
"Do you love her?" Was his only reply.
"Well of course I do. It's just a really big step, you know?"
Beast Boy switched to a lazy backstroke while they continued talking.
"I know. When Raven and I got married I was nervous too."
"So am I doing the right thing?"
"Only you can answer that dude. Look, Terra's a great girl. Sure, she's had some issues in the past, but she's put that behind her."
Aqualad stood in the water.
"I'm going to level with you Beast Boy. It does bother me knowing that you two were lovers once."
Beast Boy stopped swimming as well.
"If there was any way I could undo that, I would. Rae's never said anything, but I know it bothers her too."
Beast Boy paused before continuing.
"She's yours Garth; she's carrying your baby. That's more than she ever did for me or for anyone else. I know you're worried that she still loves me. Look, we're always going to care for each other, Raven knows that and she's come to terms with it. But Terra's gonna to be your wife now. And she needs to know that you trust her. Know what I mean?"
Aqualad nodded. "I wish I had waited Beast Boy. I let my hormones get carried away. She's so beautiful …"
The green man nodded. "Tell me about it. So, what did you see in her, I mean besides her stunning good looks? And don't ever tell Raven I said that."
Garth chuckled. "I think we were both lonely and just started to hang around with each other. Then we just grew on each other over time."
Beast Boy smiled. "Sounds like me and Raven."
Aqualad sighed. "Except that no one ever doubted that you two were in love. Not even when Raven was a half demon."
"Garth, no one doubts you guys. I know you'll be happy together. I understand that Terra has a "reputation" within the team but I know her, and I know she's a good woman. She's been through a lot of rough patches and made a few mistakes but deep inside she's always been good. This past year proves it."
Raven and Terra walked up to the pool together.
"We're ready to shut down" Raven told them. "Are you tadpoles ready to go to bed?"
Beast Boy grinned as he climbed out of the pool, followed by Garth. He quickly dried himself off with a towel and took Raven's hand. They quietly walked back into the house, followed by Garth and Terra, after which they exchanged good nights.
Terra snuggled up next to Garth as she tried to doze off to sleep. The Atlantean had been asleep for half an hour already but the geomancer couldn't settle down. She had always hated coming to meetings in Raven's and Beast Boy's house. It wasn't that she harbored any ill will towards Raven. How could she? While Raven hadn't changed all that much she had always been kind to her since her transformation and to everyone else for that matter, and not in a saccharine or syrupy kind of way like Starfire (ugh! What did Richard see in her?). In fact the only person she ever seemed to get cross with was Beast Boy, and even that was nothing to the way she used to treat him.
So why do I miss the old violet haired, gray skinned, foul tempered Raven?
Terra looked the alarm clock and saw that it was already 2 AM. Nightwing, the anal retentive jerk that he was (and what the devil did Starfire see in him?) had summoned them to a 6 AM breakfast meeting. Terra got up went to the bathroom, where she pulled her prescription bottle of valium out of her bag and popped two pills, quickly washing them down with a glass of water. She was almost out of valium and she knew that the doctor wouldn't refill her prescription now that she was pregnant. She sighed as she tossed the bottle back into the bag and headed back to the bed. The tranquilizing pills did their trick and soon she was asleep.
Terra suddenly found herself in the canyon lands. She recognized the location, it wasn't far from the entrance and she quickly made her way to it. After walking for about 10 minutes she was there. The giant scorpion, freshly killed, was still there. She searched the canyon walls and mesas and soon found what she was looking for. She saw them up on the unstable ledge, right where they should be. The Titans were meeting her younger self for the first time.
She hopped on a rock and flew up to the group. She knew this was merely a dream, but nonetheless she wanted a closer look. As she approached it was apparent they could not see her. She gasped as she saw how young they all looked. Except for Cyborg they really were just a bunch of kids. The Teen Titans.
Was Starfire really that tall back then? She wondered as she saw the teen girl give her younger doppelganger a bone crushing hug.
And look at Robin! What a shrimp he was back then! She giggled.
She hovered closer and hopped off onto the ledge. She laughed louder as she saw Beast Boy and his scrawny boyish figure. The boyish figure she had fallen in love with. She resisted the urge to hug him and instead turned away as a tear slid down her cheek.
How could you have left him for Slade? Terra, you're an idiot!
The Geomancer then heard her younger self's voice speak. To her surprise it was addressed to her. She spun around back to the group of teens. The Titans had vanished and only her younger self remained. She stood in a defiant posture with her hands on her waist.
"You're right Terra; you were an idiot for betraying him."
Terra stared in shock.
"W-who are you?" She stammered.
With no warning the Wild Man appeared next to the younger version of Terra.
"Why she's you Terra. Isn't it obvious?" He replied in Beast Boy's adult voice.
Terra shook her head.
"This makes no sense." She turned to the now grinning teen. "What do you want?"
"What do I want? Duh! I'm here to fix our mistake once and for all."
Terra jolted awake, panting and sweating. She sat up, breathing heavily. Garth woke up as well.
"Terra, are you OK?" Ha asked as he wrapped his arms around her.
Terra managed to get her breathing under control.
"Just a nightmare." She said between breaths. She saw that it was already 5:30 AM.
"I'm gonna shower now."
"You do that; I'll take a dip in the pool before the meeting."
Terra would usually rib him for not bathing. Atlanteans didn't have or use soap, and she often teased him about smelling like a mackerel, even though he never had a body aroma at all. This time instead she merely nodded and without another word she bolted for the shower.
So we're finally picking up some speed here. And the Wild Man is back! And he brought a friend too!
We're also approaching the 20,000 hit mark! Thanks to all for reading, and a super big thank you to my regular reviewers.
And, as promised, mail bag time:
lpwriter4life – "One question about Raven's appearance: Is her hair longer?"
From chapter 28: "She still wore her hair in her signature A-line haircut"
So no, or at least not yet.
DarkRapture – "She's pregnant"
BeastBoyfangirl – "I think I may know what it is."
Constant-Rae-Of Sunshine – "Doesn't take a genius to figure out what that means!"
Demonking101 – "I think I know what it is"
Novus Ordo Seclorum – "I can only assume that the announcement to be made after dinner is that Raven is expecting!"
Alexpv22 – "I can't wait to hear what Raven's news is."
The Mighty One – "I think there may be a third member to Beast Boy and Raven now. A new child perhaps?"
I was really tempted to have Raven join the preggers club, but at the last moment I decided to leave her out.
Titanfan45 – "Beast Boy's reaction to the current state of Nevermore was hilarious."
BeastBoyfangirl – "I loved Beastboy's reaction to all of Raven emotions."
Novus Ordo Seclorum – "The funniest part, no doubt, was their excursion to Nevermore. How exactly would Beast Boy be able to resist forty copies of his wife practically begging for him to make a move? His reactions though were priceless, and no doubt in character"
Demonking101 – "I do not know about BB but I would be really happy with 15 ravens all wanting me lol."
This part of the chapter was definitely my favorite. It must say something about me.
Jose Ramiro Acosta Perez – "Nice description of the scenes."
Thanks!
Bk00 – "If terra's still kicking, pair her up with Aqualad for the love of MUDKIPS!"
Ha! You read my mind! But trouble lurks already!