AN: I do not own Teen Titans. Please refrain from reviewing until the end of the story. Thank you.

Chapter 8

The next morning they took their time getting up and getting ready. Raven had a man at the information desk help her figure out the train schedule and once everything was sorted out they were on their way. The train station was very busy and she was in no mood to be polite. She made her way to the platform where their train would be arriving without a second thought for the people around her. This meant bumping into them, pushing them aside, stepping on their toes, and basically assaulting anything that got in her way. Beast Boy had the thought of telling her to relax but knew it would be detrimental to his health. So he kept quiet and followed after her.

When the train arrived they boarded and found a nice pair of seats with a table. They got comfortable and soon were back on their way to Civic City. This would be a seven hour ride and though it was going to be a very long time it was also going to cover a lot of ground. And once the scenery began to whizz by the empath finally let out a stiff breath and deflated into her seat.

"Please let today go better than yesterday," she said softly to herself like a prayer.

"Dude, I don't think it'd be possibly for things to go worse than they did yesterday," he chuckled.

"You say something like that again and you'll jinx us."

"So how come we didn't just take the train in the first place? I mean, we could've taken the train and still visited all those places you wanted to go to."

"I had a rather traumatic experience on a train not too long ago," she cringed.

"Really? When was that?" he asked curiously.

"When I was sent to babysit that kid trio during the Brotherhood of Evil mess."

"Ah, that's right. Yeah you don't really have good luck when it comes to traveling."

"No kidding." She opened her bag up and took two books out. She placed one in front of her and offered him the other. "Here."

He looked at it for a moment then unsurely took it from her. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Read it, obviously. I think you'll like it."

"What's it about?"

"You'll only find out once you start reading."

"Look, thanks, but I'm really not a big reader."

"You read the Ashen Splendor series. And if you're able to get through those books you must be a big reader deep down. So give it a try." She watched him look at the book as though she'd just assigned him a school project. "I wouldn't give it to you if I didn't think you'd enjoy it. Just trust me, okay?"

"Fine," he sighed, still feeling as though he was being forced into it. Which he was, though it was more his own fault than hers. If he hadn't lied about reading her book series in the first place she wouldn't be forcing more literature on him. He read the short synopsis inside and, with very strong reservations, opened up to the first chapter.

It wasn't horrible, not in the least. There were a few words that were a little over his head but he managed to figure them out in the context of the paragraphs. It was rather wordy and he found his attention wandering more than once. But he actually did find it entertaining, though he couldn't help thinking over and over that he would rather watch it on a screen rather than in his head.

He made it through the first chapter, which was a good twenty-three pages, then set it down. "Okay, I need a break."

"What do you think?" she asked, not looking up.

"Good," he said with a nod. "It's definitely a guy book. I'm surprised you like stuff like this."

"Do you even know what my taste in literature is?"

"Fantasy?"

"That's a genre. Do you know what sort of story I enjoy?"

"Well…I guess I don't. But, to be fair, you've never said what you like."

"That's because no one's ever asked."

A beat passed as he realized how very true that statement was. No one had ever asked her what she liked or disliked when it came to personal things. Everyone just let her be to do her own thing. If anyone were to query her tastes it'd probably be Starfire and that would be a very frustrating conversation to get through, what with all of the explanations that would be needed so that the alien understood. So, for the most part, they left her alone and didn't try to get to know her. Because she'd never given any indication that she wanted to be understood; just accepted.

"Well…I'm asking now," he said at last. "What kind of stories do you like?"

She unconsciously ran the brim of her tongue across the center of her bottom lip. She then sat up a bit and finally turned to him, taking her gaze off the book. "Mostly I enjoy stories where the characters go on a journey, whether emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, etcetera. So I can enjoy a tragedy just as much as a romance or a story targeted towards men."

"Huh," he breathed, taking this in. "So I guess that means you read all sorts of stories."

"To put it mildly."

He thought a bit more then said, "You know, if you're really into characters on journeys I know of a really good videogame you'd probably like."

Her eyes went flat. "I highly doubt that."

"Come on, hear me out," he pushed. "I know you probably think all video games are about racing or shooting stuff up but there are hundreds out there that are really character driven."

"How do you know a phrase like that?"

"Videogame reviews I've read. Anyway, instead of reading the story as a book you get to actually take part in it. There is reading involved, sometimes way more than I can stomach, but the big parts you get to experience firsthand. There are all sorts of twists and turns and you get to make decisions as the character and it shapes the way the story goes. And, dude, some of them are really complex. There's one in particular called Southwest Northwest that when it finished I was actually left in shock. I needed a couple days to come to terms with how the story ended. That's how crazy it was."

"But it's still a videogame and that means using those controllers and…knowing what you're doing."

He laughed. "You're not intimidated by the controllers, are you? They're not that hard to use. I'll teach you. In fact, we can play together."

She mulled this over for a moment but looked uncomfortable. She obviously didn't want to give it a go, not after she'd looked down on it for so long, but for some reason she couldn't flat out turn him down. He saw this and said, "Hey, if I can like books then you can like videogames, right?"

That seemed to do the trick and, after letting out an uncomfortable groan, she finally said, "Alright. When we get back I'll give this game of yours a go. But if I don't like it or if you make fun of me for my not knowing what I'm doing then I can quit."

"And you have to actually give it a try and not just think of some excuse to quit just cuz you're not perfect at it."

"I don't care about being perfect. I just don't like looking like a fool."

"I'm not gonna make you look like a fool, Pollywog."

Her lips went tight at the sound of her new nickname being said yet again. "How do you expect me to take you seriously when you can't even refrain from calling me that?"

"You just think it's ridiculous cuz you've never had a nickname before. It's a term of in-der-mint."

"I think you mean endearment. And I don't care if it is, just cut it out."

"So you're gonna give my videogame a go?"

"Yes, already. Just don't pick on me for it. I didn't tease you about reading so don't do it to me for trying out videogames.

"You got it," he smiled, a wide smile that displayed his fangs proudly. A smile he only used when he was very pleased.

The train moved along smoothly and swiftly. By hour four Raven was giving her eyes a rest and enjoying a cup of tea. She couldn't help but enjoy how much more civilized the train was compared to traveling by bus. Beast Boy managed to make it through the second chapter of the book Raven had lent him as well as half of the third. He was actually enjoying it, far more than he ever expected to like a book, and wondered if perhaps he'd been wrong all these years. Books weren't as terrible or boring as he'd always thought. They certainly weren't the same as watching a movie or playing a videogame, but he realized they weren't meant to be. Of course he'd never admit this to Raven. Not until she felt the same about videogames. He doubted that was going to happen so he'd take this new found admiration of literature to his grave.

When he felt his legs beginning to cramp he decided it was time to take a stretch and go for a walk. "Well," he said, standing up, "I'm gonna go take a look around. I'll be back."

"Don't get lost," she said, not turning her gaze from the large body of water they were passing by. It was as beautiful view.

"We're on a train! How could I get lost?"

"Don't get lost."

He rolled his eyes and headed off.

He made a stop at the dining cart and grabbed a muffin to snack on while he explored a bit. There were a few people, not too many though, mostly reading newspapers or on their laptops. The majority of them seemed to be of the business persuasion while the rest appeared to be traveling much like them. He knew he must've looked like a shady character, what with his mostly concealed appearance, so he did his best to seem cheerful and nonthreatening.

As he made his way from car to car he spotted a large map of the state. It showed various train routes and destinations with the route they were on highlighted. They were certainly going to cover a large chunk of land on this ride alone. And he noticed that right after the stop they were getting off at the route took a sharp turn and continued on…in the direction of Empire city.

He choked on his muffin as his brain twitched and came up with a very familiar plan. With some clever thinking he may be able to get them back on track towards his destination. But could he really do it again? If he were to manipulate their route she'd surely realize it was his doing this time. But…then again…he needed to get to Empire City. The days were running short and this was only the first step to winning the bet and keeping his spot on the team. Once he got to the city he had to somehow get into the concert, which meant sneaking in without the aid of his powers, and then getting on stage to sing with Fiona Star and not have security tackle him. He didn't even want to think about the humiliation he'd suffer if that were to happen; and on television nonetheless. So, in short, he needed to get to Empire City ASAP.

He found his way back to where Raven was and sat down across from her once again. She was looking through one of her novels that had already been written in. He found it hard to look at her, he hadn't even done anything yet and he already felt guilty, so he kept his eyes pointed out the window. He began to tap his finger on the table and shake his leg anxiously. Though her powers were subdued, Raven could see that something was bothering him.

"Are you alright?"

"W-What? Me? Oh yeah, sure, fine," he said with a squeak and cleared his throat. "Just, you know, tummy's not feeling very good."

"Carsickness?" she asked, grabbing her bag and opening it.

"I don't know, maybe," he said, wiping his sweating palms on his pants. "I think I'm a little homesick, too."

She pulled a small bottle out of her bag and poured out two pills. "Here, these should help."

"What are they?"

"They're for motion sickness. They should calm your uneasy stomach. I take them whenever we're on long trips."

"Why?"

"Because between long rides, new places, and all of the people surrounding me I often get too overwhelmed and become sick. My ability to block out emotions can only go so far. So take those and close your eyes for a bit." He nodded and took them, finishing off her tea for her. She wasn't pleased about that but he seemed so uncomfortable she decided to let it go. She was finished with it anyway.

The ride continued on and on. And the closer they came to their stop the sicker the changeling felt. How was he going to pull this off? The conductor always announced the stop as they approached it so she would know when it was time to go. He could excuse himself and try to figure out how to cause the speakers to malfunction, but he was sure they'd send someone around to announce the stops in person. He could try to distract her, get her talking about something she was passionate about, and hope she wouldn't notice them missing their stop.

But his prayers were answered six and a half hours into their seven hour ride. To his surprise, and relief, he watched her slowly but surely nod off in her seat. She'd fallen asleep! Now he just had to make sure she remained that way until they'd missed their stop. He worried that the overhead announcements might wake her up but when one was made and she didn't flinch he became a little more optimistic.

The last half hour was possibly the longest of Beast Boy's life. His heart was in his throat as the minutes slowly ticked by and their stop approached. And then it was announced. His eyes glued to his teammate's sleeping form as the train slowly came to a stop. A few people passed their table in order to exit but they did not move. He couldn't breathe. His tongue was dry and his fingers were dug into his thighs with fear and anticipation. And as he stared at her he wished repeatedly, "Please start moving. Please start moving."

And, with a slight jerk, the train pushed on forward.

Raven never stirred.