Determined to stay ahead of the group, Raven took off and headed for the Ops room. She wasn't too far down the hall when she noticed that Bumblebee was quickly approaching from behind. Knowing inside that Bee officially knew about her more than anyone else, Raven slowed down enough for her to catch up. As they continued to walk in silence, Bee's throat cleared in a rather playful manner.
"Hmmm. . .Now that was interesting. . ." Already knowing what was coming, Raven sighed, looking up out corner of her eye.
"What was, Bee?"
"The way B. glomped you back there. . .and that kiss. . .Whooo-whoo. . ."
"Was spontaneous. . ." she deliberately stressed. "And nothing more."
"Oh, really? Then why didn't he do that to Terra, instead of you?"
"Because Terra didn't help build him a car. . .that's why." She sharply retorted. Knowing Raven had her over a barrel, Bee sighed and shook her head. "Girl. . .You are one hardheaded chick. . . You know that?"
Knowing that she meant that with affection, Raven smirked and said, "Maybe. But I have to be." Now she saw Terra and the rest of the group catching up to them, and immediately felt herself growing annoyed all over again.
"Besides. . .I saw what I saw. " Throwing the hood of her cloak over her head, she muttered, "And so did you. . ." With that Raven quickly disappeared just as Terra and the others caught up with them.
Just catching a glimpse of Raven's dark shadow going through the ceiling, Terra slowly shook her head and replied,
"Oh, boy. She's mad. . .Isn't she?" Feeling rather trapped, Bee shrugged and said,
"Um. . .I really wouldn't know. . ." Letting out a sarcastic scoff, Terra replied,
"Well, I do. I've been around the girl long enough to know her signals."
By then a very excited Beastboy quickly approached the two of them, literally bouncing and jumping around. Rather amused over his tickled state, Bumblebee chuckled and said, "My but we're a happy little thing, aren't we?" Laughing, at her he replied, "Well, yeah? Wouldn't you be?"
"Just a little. . ." she teased.
Now she watched as Beastboy looked from her to Terra and mocked, "And I suppose you had a part in this, too?" Giving him an artful grin, Terra nodded and said,
"Guilty. . .They needed a diversion, and I was nominated. But I didn't think I'd get drafted twice." To her surprise, Bumblebee watched as Terra dug into her pocket and pulled out the black box. "I believe this is yours."
"Oh, yeah. Thanks. . ." He sheepishly chuckled, taking it from her. "And I'm sorry you had to take the heat like that. You know. . .with Raven. . ."
Shaking her head, Terra shrugged and said, "Hey, it's not the first time. And from the looks of it, it won't be the last. " Picking up on the hurt in her voice, Beastboy gently draped an arm around her shoulders. "Hey. . .Come on, Terra. Right now, she doesn't know any better." He said as they continued to head toward the Ops room. Submersed in her own thoughts, Terra shook her head and replied, "It doesn't matter. . .The fact is that she doesn't like me, and never has. Not that I blame her. There's just too much damage."
Rather caught up in the moment, Bee asked with concern,
"Hey. . .aren't you being a little hard on yourself?" Her question had Terra looking up at her rather cynically. "No offense. . .but you don't know my track record."
"I know enough. . ." Bumblebee hinted, catching the surprised expression on Terra's face. This was followed by a look of humiliation. "Why does that not surprise me." she muttered, more herself than to Bee. Sighing with frustration Terra peevishly replied,
"Well. . .then you oughta know that all I ever do is stir up trouble, whether I want to or not. That's why I'm better off alone!"
Before she could say anything else, the Ops room doors slid open to a mass of fellow Titans, who all spontaneously yelled, "Surprise!" Once again causing Beastboy to jump, and scream like a girl. As they welcomed him in, Bumblebee looked down at a very troubled Terra and shook her head. "Hmph! Well. . .from the looks of it, it ain't gonna happen tonight." She said, as Terra sadly looked up at her. "So come on. . .You're with this rowdy group whether you like it or not!"
After about an hour of stuffing himself with cake and tofu ice cream, the real party commenced! Pumped with adrenaline and sugar, Beastboy watched as Speedy jumped up from the table and shouted, "Let's get this party started!"
From the back Cyborg flipped the main breaker, causing all the lights to simultaneously shut off. Through the hooting and hollering of the others, laser lights of all colors now flooded over the darkened area, giving the place an illuminating, club like effect. Slowly Cyborgs ever-popular glitter ball began to lower in the center of the room, causing bright sparkles to flood over everything. This was followed by the sounds of techno music that began to loudly pulsate throughout the entire place. Completely awestruck, Beastboy could only stare out in wonder.
"Sweet! It's like being in my own private club. . ."
Before he had a chance to say anything more, he felt himself being yanked on the arm by Bumblebee. "Come on, birthday boy! Let's rock this place!" She hollered, now beginning to bounce and sway to the rhythm of the music. Laughing at the way she playfully gyrated and shook, Beastboy joined in and continued to dance the night away and have a ball.
During his heightened excursion, he noticed how Raven stood in the background with Robin and Starfire, and silently watched. Although she was still cloaked, this didn't seem to bother him. He knew inside that big crowds weren't her thing, and she'd done this on many occasions. Still he wished that just this once, she would've joined in on the fun. Yet after all Raven had done for him, he just appreciated the fact that she was there at all!
His thoughts were soon distracted when Mas Y Menos leaped in the middle of the crowd. Jumping on each side of Beastboy began to bump each other to the rhythm of the music. Completely carried away by the hypnotic beats, Mas screamed out,
"Baje bebe'!" (Get down, baby!)
"Hhhheeee haaaaaah!" Menos shouted at the top of his lungs, causing everyone around them to burst out laughing. In the meantime Aqualad, amused by the whole sight, glanced down to notice the smirk on Ravens half concealed face,
"Man. . .They've lost their minds." he mocked, as they now grabbed Beastboy by each an arm and began to promenade in a circle, like they were square dancing!
Inwardly regaled by the whole scene, her head slowly began to shake.
"Yeah. Boys will be boys. . ."
"You're right. . .And I think I'll join them!" Now he too jumped in the middle of the hopping group, and began to dance along with them! Rolling her eyes, Raven was just about to turn away when she noticed that Terra was standing maybe ten feet away from her, sitting alone at the snack table. Although surprised that she didn't notice her sooner, Raven saw the dismal expression and knew that something was eating away at her. And apparently, she wasn't the only one who noticed. From the dance floor Beastboy saw the depressed look on Terra's face, and shook his head.
"Oh, no. This ain't gonna work!"
For a minute, Raven was rather taken back over the way he suddenly hopped off the floor and began heading in her direction. Strangely, she began to feel her stomach fluttering as he drew closer and closer to her. Could it be. . .that he was actually going to ask her to dance? He wouldn't dare! She thought as he smiled at her. Giving Raven a playful wink. He asked, "Having fun, I hope?" Fighting to keep a straight face, Raven sarcastically replied in a rather mocking tone, "Oh, yeah. A blast. . ."
"You better be. . ." he replied, giving her a playful wink. Now before Raven knew what was happening, he'd already passed her up, and gone straight to Terra.
"Uh. . .Excuse me, ma'am!" he playfully shouted, getting her attention. "But I know you're not sitting there by yourself! You better get down on this floor and dance with me!" Although surprised, Terra hesitated, then replied,
"Um. . .I'm really not up to it."
Already knowing why, Beastboy wasn't about to let it slide. "What do you mean, you're not up to it. Come on, girl. You know you want to shake it!" He playfully cooed, bumping his rump into hers. By then, there was no way Terra couldn't stay upset. Especially around him! Laughing out loud she replied, "You're crazy. You know that, right?"
"That's what you love about me. . ." he mocked, "Come on. . ."
Although she didn't want it to happen, Raven began to get that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Silently she watched as he grabbed Terra by the hand took her on the floor. In no time at all the two of them began to bump and grind the same way the boys had done. Only this time, she didn't find it so amusing!
Especially when the song came to an end the beat of the music changed, turning very soft and romantic. Now instead of letting Terra go, Beastboy continued to hold her as they began to slow dance together. If seeing that wasn't enough, Raven watched as a very nervous Robin looked toward Starfire, and began to fidget.
"Um. . .Star. . .You wanna dance?"
For a minute, Raven could actually see the deep love for him reflect off her pretty green eyes. "Oh, Robin. I'd love too. . ."
Loosening up, Robin smiled and gently took her by the hand. Together the two of them walked in the center of the crowd. Pulling her close to him, Robin timidly rested his head on her shoulder. The mere sight of this had Raven wanting to disappear. Even Starfire. . .who was an alien, had more place here, than she did! And it was plain pitiful! Never in her life did she feel more alone, then at this very minute.
At the same time, Beastboy who was completely oblivious to what was going on, was just starting to catch his breath. From the side of him, Cyborg and Bumblebee chuckled at his flustered state. "Having fun, are you?"
"Aww man, are you kidding? This is the happiest night of my life! I mean. . .It's all been like a dream. Especially with the car. . .I'm still trippin over the car!" He wheedled, as the others laughed at him. "And I still can't believe you and Raven done that for me." Rather proud, Cyborg nodded and replied,
"Yeah. . .at first I had to do a little arm twisting. But after awhile I finally talked her into helping me out."
Now at first, Beastboy couldn't figure out why everybody's eyes seemed to widen simultaneously. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that something Cyborg just said wasn't quite right. "Wait a minute, dude. I thought you said that's why Raven went out there." He asked, as his eyes widened with shock. "To help you build the car."
Suddenly trapped, Cyborg glanced toward Robin who groaned, then shook his head. The sight of this caused Beastboy to stop dancing with Terra altogether, now giving Cyborg a suspicious peer. "Or was it?" he asked, watching as his eyes rolled with aggravation. Letting Terra go, he stepped back and folded his arms. Giving Cyborg a hard look, he replied, "Dude. . .You're holding out on me. Why don't you tell me the truth, now."
"It is the truth. . ." Robin calmly intervened. Thinking about it, he shook his head and said, "Look. . .We didn't know what was wrong with her, alright? But you know Raven. . .She keeps everything to herself."
"Yeah, and she did help me out." Cyborg replied. "But I think it was to
get her mind off of whatever was that seemed to be bothering her."
Getting a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Beastboy looked at Terra, who now looked just as disturbed as he felt. At the same time, he also happened to notice that Raven was suddenly nowhere to be found! This caused his hand to reach up, until he'd pulled the birthday hat off his head. Flinging it to the side, he slowly shook his head and muttered, "Yeah. . .Me. . ."
As he began to walk away from the group, Cyborg felt completely miserable.
"Great. . ." he muttered under his breath. "Just great!"
Once Raven was away from the noisy crowd, she no longer felt the need to be concealed. Pulling the cloak off her head, she quickly began to head down the hallway. She hadn't gone far when a familiar voice called out. "Hey, Raven. . .Wait up."
Slowly stopping in her tracks, a frustrated sigh escaped her. Stiffening, she could feel Beastboy approaching from behind until he was standing in the front of her. Although it was dimly lit, she could still feel his curious gaze prying at her, making her very uncomfortable. "I was looking for you. Where are you going?"
"To my room. . ." She crossly muttered.
"But why? Just when things are really starting to jump?"
"Precisely. . ." she cut off. "They're jumping just a little too much for me." Catching on to the suggestive clip in her voice, Beastboy slowly folded his arms.
"You know. . .I would've asked you to dance with me." He hinted, as she peered at him out the corner of her eye. "But. . .you always said that these things were a waste of time. Remember?"
Knowing he was telling the truth, Raven could feel herself growing very annoyed. Inhaling deeply she calmly snapped, "They are. . ."
"But does that mean you have to leave?" he asked. Rolling her eyes, Raven irritably replied, "What difference does it make? It's not like you don't have plenty of company."
"But it isn't you, Raven. . .And it won't be the same if you go."
By then Raven was so mixed up inside, that she didn't know what to do. A part of her really did want to stay, but couldn't handle feeling so left out. Looking away from him, her head slowly began to shake. "Look. . .It's getting late, and I've had a long day. . .I'm tired, and I just want to go to bed. Ok?" Turning away from the hurt expression on his face, she whispered, "Goodnight. . ."
Just as she went to walk away, he called out, "Wait. . ."
Moaning with frustration, Raven watched as Beastboy now blocked her from going any further. "Don't you know when to quit?"
"No." he stubbornly persisted. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out a tiny black box. "Here. . .I wanted to give you this earlier. . .but I got little distracted." Recognizing it immediately, Raven gaped at him in confusion. "Wait a minute. . .I saw you give this to Terra." Beginning to loosen up a little, Beastboy chuckled,
"Well yeah, of course you did. I didn't want you to know this was yours! It would've ruined everything. Now will you open it, please?"
Shooting him a confused glance, Raven silently done as he ordered. As she flipped open the lid, her breath sharply caught to what awaited her on the inside.
There neatly tucked in the middle, was a shiny red gemstone about an inch in diameter. Almost resembling a. . .
"A chakra gem?" Raven breathlessly asked. Now she looked up to see the pleased smile on Beast Boy's face.
"Yeah. . .that's what it looks like." Mouth falling open, her head slowly shook. "I don't believe it." She whispered, carefully pulling it out the box. "Is this a garnet?"
"Yeah. . ." Beastboy replied, rather impressed. "Imported from India." He answered, watching as she looked at him with awe. "I know it's not from Azarath, but. . ."
"It's still beautiful. . ." she interrupted, shaking her head in a daze. "How did you know?"
"The morning I went and found you up on the rooftop, I saw it drop off your forehead. But I didn't say anything. After that, I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a spare, right?"
"Right. . .But that doesn't explain why you did this. " Giving her a shrug, he muttered,
"I don't know. . .I guess I was trying to make up for that stuffed chicken I won for you at the fun park, remember? I know how much you hated it. . ."
By the way her head slowly cocked, Beastboy could tell Raven in no mood for his kidding around. Especially now! This caused his smile to disappear. Knowing deep down he had to tell the truth, Beastboy found himself becoming very nervous.
"Ok. . .Getting serious, now." He whispered, blowing out a quick breath. "I did it cause. I know how much your meditation means to you. And. . .I know how much you mean to me." As her eyes slowly widened, Beastboy somehow found the nerve to spill out the rest of his heart. "Look, Raven. I know there's been a lot of times where we didn't get along. And I know I got on your nerves. . . But I never meant any harm. Especially on the day I was really unstable, and my mind was all over the place? I didn't mean to run you off." Hearing this caused her to look back up at him with surprise. "But. . .That isn't why-"
"Please. . ." he gently cut off. "I've got to say this." Putting her head down, she looked up at him out the corner of her eye, watching as he struggled to find the right words. "After you left, I thought about you constantly. I mean. . sure I missed you when we were apart on missions. But that was kids stuff compared to what I was starting to feel."
He whispered, watching as she continued to stare at him in a daze. "It even got to the point where I was dreaming about us being together on the sofa. And how good it felt holding you that one time." Beginning to break out into a nervous sweat, Beastboy found himself muttering, "And um. . .how much I wanted to kiss you." Now all at once Raven could feel the heat rushing to her face. Seeing her flustered reaction caused his head to slowly shake. Knowing he'd come this far, he might as well get it all out. "It made me realize something I've been knowing all along." Hesitating only for a moment, Beastboy gathered every ounce of nerve he had and replied, "That my feelings for you are deeper than friendship." He whispered, shakily reaching for her hand. "A lot deeper."
Revised
For a minute all Raven could do was marvel at Beastboy, completely swept away by his unexpected confession. Eventually coming to her senses, she timidly asked,
"If that's the way you really feel, then why didn't you ever tell me?" Letting out a small sigh, he replied,
"Because. . .I deep down I always felt like you thought I was an idiot, and would'nt have taken me seriously. . ."
For Raven this sad fact was indeed the final blow to all she'd kept hidden inside. With the truth being exposed, it felt as though the weeks of hidden pain and disappointment finally began to catch up to her, causing the tears to well up in her eyes. Slowly shaking her head she bitterly mimed,
"You're right. I probably wouldn't have. . ." Unable to bear it anymore, she quickly turned away from him and put her head down. Having finally lost the battle, Raven could feel her composer beginning falling apart, as the tears began to slide down her cheeks. Getting a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Beastboy quickly approached her from behind.
"Oh, man. . .I didn't mean anything. . .I was only. . ." He muttered, sighing heavily. "Oh, Raven. . .I'm sorry. . ."
Hearing him apologize had Raven's gaze tearfully shifting up to the ceiling with frustration. "For what?" she sniffled, glancing at him over her shoulders. "You're always apologizing to me. . .when it should be the other way around. . ."
"What are you talking about?"
"I. . .I never knew you had such a tragic past. How could I, when I was such a
jerk!"
For Beastboy, to have her even acknowledge something so personal about him was one thing. But her rare display of grief and remorse, was more than he could bear. He simply wasn't used to it! Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he whispered, "Raven. Please don't do this. . ."
"But. . .It's true." She weakly argued. "I've never taken you seriously, because I've been so selfish. And I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you that day. But when I saw you holding on to Terra. . .I thought it was too late." Sniffling, she roughly wiped her eyes and added, "That's why I left. . I thought maybe it was for the best. . ."
For a minute Beastboy was so stunned over what she said, that he could only stare at her back in silence. Before Raven knew what was happening, Raven felt herself being turned around, until she was facing the now very earnest expression on his face. Tenderly gripping her by the shoulders, he replied,
"Raven, listen to me. . .What you saw, wasn't what you think. Sure. . .I was holding onto her, but I wasn't myself." He said as she timidly looked at him out the corner of her eye. "And in case you forgot, Terra broke my heart and I've never been able to recover." Shaking his head, he shrugged and added, "The only reason she was with me today, was because she helped me pick out your present." Not sure she heard him correctly, Ravens eyes widened with surprise.
"What?" she choked out.
"It's true. . ." he said with a shrug. "I don't know anything about gemstones. . . and I needed a girls opinion. I wanted Star to help me. . .but, she's an alien, remember? But Terra. . .well, she's been around the world a lot more than we have. And when she found out what I was up to, she jumped at the idea." He whispered, as a touched expression crossed over her face. "Don't you see? Terra being around all the time. . .was nothing compared to you not being here at all. . .I don't love her, Raven. Not. . .like I love you."
For a minute, Raven was so swept away by his sweet, tender words, that she could only look away from him in a daze. This had Beastboy realizing what he'd just blurted out, causing the heat to rush to his face. Although very nervous, he knew it was too late to turn back now. "I only wish that you felt the same way about me." Knowing deep down the way she really felt, Raven could hide it no longer. Especially now. Gathering all the nerve she could muster, she timidly whispered,
"I do. . ."
Not sure of what he heard, his head slowly lifted, until he was gazing up at her with surprise. "What?" The uncertainty of his question only had Raven feeling more awkward. Inhaling a deep breath, she hopelessly gazed up at the ceiling and whispered,
"I said. . .I do love you. But. . .I've held back for so long, I don't know how to show it." Before Beastboy could reply, slow music softly began to echo from the Ops Room. This caused him to look back toward Raven with a lazy grin on his face.
"Well. . .you can start by dancing with me."
"What?" she asked, a little caught off guard.
"Yeah. . ." he whispered. "Right here in the hall." Now he watched as she timidly turned away from him, as though thinking about it. "Umm. . .I can't dance." she nervously whispered. Already knowing her true secret he chuckled, then replied,
"I know that. . ." Raising an eyebrow with playful suspicion, Raven asked, "So. . .what's the point?"
"You'll see. . ." he replied, taking her by the hand.
Now before Raven knew what was happening he'd pulled her against him, until he was holding her in his arms. Now little by little, they began to sway to the rhythm of the music. But that wasn't all that was happening. Gradually, Raven found herself beginning to edge a little closer, and a little closer. . .until she was resting her head on his shoulder. By then Beastboy found himself caught up with the sweet smell of her perfume. So much so that he pulled her even closer, and began to gently stroke the back of her hair. The softness of his touch caused Raven to deeply inhale, only to find herself snuggling up against him even more. As he continued to hold onto her, Raven began to realize what his true motives really were. There was definitely more to dancing than met the eye.
It was the closeness. . .the physical contact that she had been denying herself for so many years, because of her own fears. And now that it was actually happening to her, it slowly began to occur to Raven how much she really liked it! At the same time Beastboy looked down at her and whispered, "Now. . this isn't so pointless is it. "
Completely lost in his embrace, Raven softly replied. "No. . .Not when it's with you." Momentarily she could feel herself being pulled away, until she was staring into his tender gaze.
Knowing deep down what he wanted to do had her heart beginning to pound. Swallowing hard, she could feel him gently began to pull her forward. Through closed eyes Raven could his lips press against hers, kissing her light enough to send her into a dreamy state of mind. As she timidly responded back, Raven could hear Bumblebee's words of wisdom flowing through her head. (What's so wrong about caring for somebody. . .It may be powerful, but it's positive, remember? I really don't think it would hurt to let it go. . .let it go. . .)
It was as though the wall around her heart crumbled to the ground, and a flood of emotions was finally released, causing her to completely let go. Groaning in surrender, she slid her arms around his neck, hugging him so tightly that Beastboy let out a startled gasp! Gathering his wits about him, he then met Raven halfway, kissing her with the same deep passion and love that she was now expressing so openly. . .so willingly.
This continued to go on for a few timeless minutes. Until finally when they did break the kiss off, he was nearly breathless.
"Whoooohoo. . ." he cooed out. "If that was holding back. . .then I'd love to see you really let go. . ." Through half closed eyes, Raven found herself grinning at him.
"I wasn't. . .Not where you're concerned. . .Not anymore."
Now gradually her smile disappeared as she gazed into his eyes. "But, it is kind of sad though."
"What is?"
"Well, it's your birthday, and you're the one giving me a present." She whispered as he continued to hold her close. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything. . .you know. .personally." Gaping down at her, he chuckled then said,
"What are you, kidding? You gave me, you, Raven. Which is better than ten cars!"
Now she noticed that troubled expression cross over his face. "You won't take it back, will you?" Understanding his insecurity, Raven shook her head and replied,
"Beastboy, I just gave you my heart. . .and a part of my soul. Which is something I don't give up easily. You know that. . ."
"Maybe. .but promise me something, Ok?" he whispered, gently caressing the side of her face. "What?"
"That you don't ever leave me again."
Overwhelmed by all she was feeling, Raven sincerely felt herself whisper,
"Only if you promise not to let me go." Swept away by what she said, Beastboy chuckled, then pulled her close to him once again. "Oh, I promise. . .but you're gonna to be sorry you said that." Staring into his soft green eyes, her head slowly began to shake.
"No, I won't. . ." she replied, just seconds before he tenderly began to kiss her once again.
By this time, Cyborg couldn't stand it any longer. Feeling simply miserable, his intentions were to come check on his buddy to make sure he was alright. And he wasn't alone. Robin, who also felt responsible for ruining Beastboys party, had also come with him. . .wanting to make sure that he hadn't fallen into another depressed state. But what they were now witnessing in the front of the hallway, had them wondering if perhaps someone didn't spike the punch. . .and they were hallucinating!
As Robins mouth fell open, a grin slowly crossed over Cyborgs face. "Boo-yah." he whispered through his teeth. At the same time, Robin, who was still marveling at the two of them asked, "Um. . .are my eyes deceiving me? Or are we in the wrong hallway?" Chuckling under his breath, Cyborg muttered,
"Oh, we're in the right hall, alright. But are they the right people?"
By then the two had become so wrapped up with each other, that either of them noticed that they were being watched. That is, until a throat loudly cleared.
"Uhh-Hmmm!" Cyborg playfully mocked, causing them to spring apart.
Instantly Raven felt the blood rushing to her face. And she wasn't the only one, underneath Beastboy's green complexion, his cheeks had flushed a crimson red. Out the corner of his eye he watched as Raven spun away from them, facing the other direction.
At the same time, Robin and Cyborg walked up to them. Impish, and proud over their unexpected discovery. Grinning deviously, Cyborg cocked his head at the two of them and fiendishly mocked, "Well. . .We came to check and see if you were alright. But from the looks of it. . .you seem to be doing just fine!" Gaping toward the flustered expression on Raven's face, Beastboy let out a nervous chuckle.
"Uh yeah. . .We were uh. um, talking." His alibi caused Cyborgs eyes to deviously narrow.
"Really? With what? Your lips?" This bold question had Raven so embarrassed that all she wanted to do was disappear. By then Robin was also fighting not to laugh out loud. But no matter how much he tried, the smile still showed through. Still. . .he was faithful to intervene.
"Umm. Dude. . ." he chuckled. "You're guests are asking about you. Should I tell them you're busy?" That question had Beastboy realizing that through all the mayhem, there was still a party going on.
"Uh. . no. . .I'm coming." He timorously replied.
At the same time, his gaze found Raven's rather questioning. Already knowing what he was thinking, a tiny smile crossed over her lips.
"Go on. I'll meet you. I just have to pick this up, first." She said, lifting the gift for the other two to see.
This cause a proud smile to cross over Beastboys face. Reassured, he gave her a nod.
"Ok. . ." And together, he and Robin began heading back toward the crowded Ops room, leaving her and Cyborg alone.
Knowing deep down all Raven that had endured through over the past month. . . Cyborg suddenly understood why, and found himself very gratified for her sake. Giving her a tender smile, he looked down at her and replied, "I know I was only foolin before. . .But I am really happy for you. It's about time you worked things out." Very appreciative, Raven nodded and whispered, "I know. . ."
As she turned and began to head for her room, she heard Cyborg playfully mock. "And don't worry. You're secret is safe with me. . ."
This caused Raven to gradually stop until she was gazing at him over her shoulder. Eyes artfully narrowing, she asked, "Uh. . .Who said it was a secret?"
Surprised by her bold declaration, Cyborg couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. Giving her a proud nod, he replied,
"Well, you go, girl!"