So sorry for the wait, but this is all I've got!
Enjoy!
Beastboy murmured in his sleep, consciousness slowly returning to him as he felt the sun through the window touch his face. He smiled but kept his eyes closed, the final moments of a pleasant dream still floating in his mind.
'As long as you don't mind having a half-demon for a girlfriend'
It seemed so real, he could almost feel her lips brushing against his.
Slowly and lazily he opened his eyes, still a little dazed until the figure a few inches in front of his face came into focus.
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
Jumping back in alarm, Beastboy hit the back of his head on the wall and groaned.
"Bout time you woke up, B," Cyborg said, a grin on his face from having frightening his friend.
"Duuude, what's your deal?!" Beastboy whined while rubbing his soar head. "What are you doing in.."
He paused as he looked around; plain white painted walls, computer monitors, and a clean floor.
"..My...room?"
Cyborg caught the look on the changelings face and mimicked his confusion.
"Are you tellin' me you don't remember what happened?" He asked.
"Huh? What happened?" Beastboy eyes looked down at his torn out-fit. "What's with my clothes?"
"Date with Raven," Cyborg questioned with a raised eyebrow, "Ringing any bells?"
"Date with..." Beastboy's eyes widened, "Dude, are you telling me that really happened!?"
"Believe it or not, Yeah," Cyborg laughed, "Can't say that I know 'What' exactly happened, but I figured you could fill me in."
Beastboy looked up at his friend. .
'It wasn't a dream,' he thought, a grin spreading across his face as the memories of the night before came back to him.
"Dude, it was awesome," He exclaimed, "We went to this really cool place called 'The Spot' and Raven and I ordered from this waitress named Becky -who's totally cool, by the way- and me and Raven talked like the whole time- and did you know that she likes cake?- and Raven actually called me handsome- but that was way before we got there. Then control Freak showed up and I was like 'aw man' but Raven was like 'We gotta do something' but I didn't wear my uniform so-
"Whoa, B, Slow down," Cyborg said holding his hands up. "I can barely understand what you're say'n."
Beastboy took in a few calming breathes.
"Sorry," he replied, "I guess I'm going kinda fast, huh."
"Ya think?" Cyborg asked. "B'sides, Raven already told me what happened with control freak. Too bad about the outfit though."
Beastboy looked down at himself and grinned sheepishly.
"You think Robin will notice anything different?" he asked looking up at his friend. "I kinda borrowed it from him."
Cyborg shook his head
"The only thing on that boys mind right now is Starfire," he replied. "Looks like you and Raven won't be the only couple in the tower."
"Yeah I- hey, wait," Beastboy looked around. "Where is Raven?"
Cyborg sighed at his friends unawareness.
"Did I miss something," Beastboy looked up confused, "Last thing I remember, Raven was talking to me and...what happened?""I'll take 'Things Not To Do On A Date' for 300," Cyborg mocked.
"Uh..."
Cyborg sighed.
"You passed out, man"
"What?!...Aw man," Beastboy covered his face with the palms of his hands and threw himself back down onto the bed, hitting his head once again on the wall and wincing.
"Duude...could that be any lamer," he whined. "So much for the perfect date."
"I'd say that went down the toilet when Control Freak showed up," Cyborg replied, "But havin' Raven drag you in here was pretty pathetic."Beastboy groaned again but pulled himself up into a sitting position.
"Let me guess," He frowned. "Her powers were on the fritz?"
"Yep."
"I was drooling, wasn't I?"
"Pretty much."
"And she never wants to go out with me again, huh?"
"Well,...actually," Cyborg replied. "She seemed pretty protective over you."
"She..did?" He asked hopefully.
"Yep," Cyborg nodded. "She even let me call you her boyfriend."Beastboy blushed, but hoped for some reason Cyborg didn't notice.
Unfortunately though...
"Don't tell me that's what happened," Cyborg grinned, "You fainted because Raven agreed to be your girlfriend?"
"No, I mean yes, I mean," Beastboy groaned. "Aw man."
Cyborg laughed and then tossed Beastboy his uniform.
"Here man," he said. "We wouldn't want Ra-ven to walk in and see ya still haven't changed."
"Dude, you went in my room?" Beastboy asked, hopping off the bed to examine his uniform, ignoring his friends teasing words.
"Ugh, don't remind me," Cyborg shuddered, "It looked like your closet threw up."
Beastboy chuckled sheepishly. "heh, yeah...kinda had trouble with that."
Beastboy then looked up at his friend and lifted an eyebrow.
"Uh, dude, can't change while you're watch'n me," He said.
Cyborg rolled his human eye and turned around.
"Trust me, B, I don't wanna see anymore than I have to," he told him.
"Yeah, 'cause you'd be jealous," Beastboy boasted as he pulled off his ripped shirt and began to change.
Cyborg snorted in the back of his throat.
"Yeah, jealous, that's it," he said sarcastically.
Beastboy put on his uniform and zipped the front.
Cyborg turned back around and Beastboy struck a heroic pose.
"Not bad, huh?" Beastboy grinned.
"Save it for Raven, man."
"Fine with me," Beastboy grinned and shrugged. "So, did you bring me some spare gloves?"
"Didn't see any," Cyborg answered, "B'sides, I ain't your slave, you can get your own."
"Fine," Beastboy rolled his eyes and then looked down at his hands, having fought most of the time using his fists, his knuckles were sore and his gloves torn slightly.
"So, how ya feeling?"
"Huh?" Beastboy looked up, caught off guard by his friends question.
"Fine," He replied after a moment. "Why?"
"No reason," Cyborg shrugged and turned toward a tray placed on on the nearby stand.
"Thought you could use some fueling up though," he commented as he held the tray out for folded his arms.
"Dude, there is no way I'm eating whatever you slaughtered for breakfast."
"Not to worry, it's all veggie friendly," Cybrog replied, and Beastboy looked down at the tray with surprise.
"You actually made me a non-meat based breakfast?"
"Don't get use to it."
Beastboy went to reach for the food but stopped, pausing a second and looking up at Cyborg with a guarded expression, he pulled back.
"Okay, what's up?" he asked. "It's gotta be bad if ya fixed this tray up for me."
"What," Cyborg said, trying to sound defensive. "Can't a guy do something nice for his best bud without a reason?"
Beastboy gave him a blank expression.
"Uh..no."
Cyborg sighed and sat the tray back down, he stared at the ground for a while and Beastboy suddenly felt nervous.
"Listen, I don't want ya to take this the wrong way or nothing," Cyborg hesitated, "But I'm kinda...worried about ya."
"Worried, why?" Beastboy asked sitting on the side of the bed and starring up at his friend.
Cyborg looked over at him cautiously and Beastboy began to feel even more nervous.
"I ran a scan on ya last night," he replied, "Just check'n to make sure everything was fine."Beastboy felt his heart begin to sink down into his stomach, he felt his breath become short for a moment.
"A-and?" Beastboy asked, "Was it?"
"Listen, it's not like it's anything serious," Cyborg replied, "At least, I don't have any proof that it is, it's just..."
Cyborg looked down at his friend, a worried if not fearful expression on the changeling's usually happy face.
"Well…"
Cyborg paused thoughtfully, trying to think of how best to phrase his words.
"Dude, is there something wrong with me or not?" Beastboy asked, a little too anxious.
"I...can't say for sure," Cyborg answered at last. "The last scan was taken before we went after the brotherhood, so it's been awhile."
"So, what does it mean?" Beastboy asked, still very tense.
"According to the readings, you've gotten a lot...," Cyborg paused, searching for an appropriate word,"...Stronger."
Beastboy wondered if it was just the immense feeling of relief that caused his shoulders to ease, or if it was because he had unknowingly been holding his breath at the time.
"Dude, is that it?" Beastboy asked with a slight smile.
Cyborg turned toward his friend, rubbing the back of his neck with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Uh..well...,"
"Dude, that totally makes sense," Beastboy grinned. "I mean, we've only been kicking bad guy butt for almost a year since then.""Yeah but-""Not to mention how awesome I was against the brotherhood," Beastboy boasted, showing off the muscles in his arm, "And let's not forget how much taller I've gotten. I'm practically the definition of strength!"
He stood up to show off his full height and again flexed his arms.
"Listen, B," Cyborg said, his tone still laced with uncertainty and worry.
Beastboy stopped, lowering his arms to the side and giving his full attention back to Cyborg.
"I've thought about all that too," Cyborg said, in the same serious tone as before, "It just doesn't add up. The readings seem to suggest that these changes were more...recent. I'm not even sure how to explain it."
"So, I'm a late bloomer? So what." Beastboy answered with an indifferent shrug, turning his attention to the other side of the room.
Cyborg took a few intense moments to stare at the changeling, before frowning again.
"If the changes in your endurance levels are linked to the subtle changes in your DNA," Cyborg spoke more deliberately, "Then you would've experienced some kind of physical if not mental reaction to the changes in your system...maybe even strain."
It was more of a question than a statement, an opening for Beastboy to confide in him.
Beastboy felt himself frown, realizing that he had been trying for quite some time to deny that anything was wrong with him. 'It was nothing...' ...'Probably just my imagination...' ...'I just got carried away...no big deal'...'I'm fine...'
He didn't want to believe it, not now, not when everything seemed to be going good in his life, but there he was- standing in the middle of the infirmary, his best friend presenting the evidence right in front of him -and him being unable to give any reasonable explanation.
"Even if the indications are wrong, Beastboy,"
Cyborg paused and then glanced back at the monitors.
"The change does seem kind of drastic."
Those words seemed to be enough to shift Beastboy's thoughts, the recent and now familiar sensation returning in his belly.
"Oh, I see." He replied in a cold almost angry tone, his eyes focused steadily on the ground.
Cyborg turned to look at him, noting the sudden change in his voice and body language.
"So, I get a little stronger and suddenly something's wrong with me, huh?" Beastboy asked keeping his voice level despite the dark undertone.
"That's not what I'm sa-"
"Yes it is," Beastboy interrupted, more loudly. "Why is it so hard for you to admit that I've gotten stronger, that I may actually be something more than just the stupid little grass stain?"
"Hold it, man, I never said-"
"Yes you did," Beastboy clenched his hands, "You say it all the time. You're always making fun of me, always pushing me around."
That feeling was growing again, and the still rational side to Beastboy was praying to stay in control, his fists shaking.
"This isn't like you, B," Cyborg said cautiously, "If something's wrong you need to let me know."
Beastboy closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a silent breath and raising his head to meet Cyborgs gaze.
"Nothing's wrong," He said, his voice more calm than before.
'liar'
Beastboy nearly winced at the voice, it sounded more like himself than even he did at the moment.
"You sure about that," Cyborg asked more sternness in his voice.
Of all the titans, Raven included, Cyborg knew more about him than almost anyone. They had an unspoken connection, perhaps due to the fact that they would always be judged in someway by their appearance. It hadn't taken long for the two to become best friends, cracking jokes, arguing pettily over breakfast, and competing in video games. It had been on one particularly rainy night though, when the older teen had been reflecting on the life he had left behind, that Beastboy had confided in him about the death of his parents. He had tried his best to conceal the emotions running through him at the time of his confession, but more than a few tears had escaped him as he recalled the events that day. Cyborg had proven to be a much better friend than he could ever have hoped for that night, someone that he could trust, and after Cyborg confessed about the loss of his own mother, Beastboy knew that he trusted him as well.
For some reason though, Beastboy couldn't help but feel trapped, feel as if he was being prosecuted right there in his own home. So, with fierce determination he looked back up at his friend, and not managing to convince himself of his Cyborg's rightful intentions, he lied again.
"Positive, dude," Beastboy replied with the same serious expression, "I'm faster, stronger, and better than ever, and I just went out on a date with the prettiest and most amazing girl in the whole world."
Cyborg still held the intense gaze, not seeming to believe that his friend was really doing as great as he seemed to believe. Still, upon the mentioning of his date, Beastboy's voice and expression seemed to soften.
He felt drained again, just by the very thought of Raven. Beastboy wasn't sure how she could have so much power over him and not even be in the same room, but then again...Raven was one very special girl. With a weary glance toward the monitors, he wanted nothing more than to be able to have it all-no strings attached. He finally felt like he had achieved something only to find it being ripped away from him.
he sighed.
"I'm your best friend, Cy," Beastboy said, frowning slightly, "I thought you'd be happy for me."
Cyborg let his expression ease too.
"Trust me man, no one's as happy about you and Raven as I am," he said, "But this isn't about that, and it's not just about you getting stronger either."
Beastboy turned his head away and self-consciously rubbed his left arm.
"If I'm right about this," Cyborg said solemnly, "The effects could continue to increase, and with your genetic structure already being unstable,..."
There was an uneasy pause as Cyborg took a few steps forward and placed his hand on Beastboy's shoulder.
"I don't want anything to happen to you, B."
He closed his eyes and lowered his head, thinking about the occurrences when he felt that he had been...losing control. It wasn't normal...not the anxiety, not the anger, not the power,...no, none of it. He swallowed and remembered how close he had come to hurting Robin during their sparring match, how much he had wanted to hurt Control Freak when he had ruined his and Ravens date, and that constant voice in the back of his head pressing him to give into those urges.
What,..what if he couldn't stop himself next time? What if he hurt his friends? What if he hurt...Raven?
No…no..he wouldn't. He would never hurt her.
"Don't worry," Cyborg told him. "We'll figure it out."
Beastboy swallowed and shook his head, finally finding the strength to look back up at his friend.
"No, I can handle this on my own."
Cyborg blinked down at him and then frowned.
"You don't have to do this alone, B, I can-"
"What?" Beastboy challenged, "Run some tests? Give me some kind of shot and make it all better?"
Cyborg didn't flinch despite the bitterness in Beastboy's words.
"Or maybe you can just lock me up," Beastboy suggested.
This time Cyborg acknowledged Beastboy's words with an almost apologetic stare.
"Beastboy.."
"That's what you really wanna do, isn't it?!" Beastboy demanded, "It's what you would have done last time too."
'Last time'...Beastboy realized immediately the carelessness of what he had just confessed. He knew what this feeling was...the strength, the power, the anger.
"Last time was a mistake," Cyborg said, "Beastboy, you know we didn't..."
He paused as if expecting Beastboy to cut him off, but the changeling looked expectantly up at him.
"Didn't what?" he asked, a hurt expression overcoming his features, "Didn't mean to treat me like some common criminal."
"Last time was different," Cyborg countered, "We should've realized somethin' was wrong sooner."
Beastboy looked away.
"I should've stood up for you, man," Cyborg told him softly, "I was wrong to think that you'd ever..."
"It's not the same this time," Beastboy said, his head turned so that Cyborg couldn't see his face, and his voice no longer held in anger. "This is something I have to figure out on my own, and I need you to trust me, okay."
After a moments hesitation Cyborg sighed.
"Okay, B. I trust you." he replied. "Just promise you'll come to me if ya need any help."
Beastboy felt his lips turn up into a small appreciative smile.
"And don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you either." Cyborg warned.
Beastboy rolled his eyes.
"And at the first sign of trouble, you're right back here, got it?"
Beastboy let out an exasperated sigh, opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off.
"And if it turns into anything serious, we have to tell the others."
Beastboy frowned at the part, before letting out another exaggerated sigh.
"Fine, fine, okay." He relented. "Anything else, mother?"
Cyborg snorted slightly at this, but then smiled himself.
"Nah, that should about cover it."
Beastboy smiled back.
"Then it's a deal."
If I ever find the inspiration/motivation to write the next chapter....then it will focus more on Raven. Maybe some Raven and Starfire girl talk.
Anyway, I really appreciate your patience.....although I would not be surprised if everyone has given up on this story...since even I did.
Please review (no flames, please)