Chapter 17. Bitter and sweet news.

Beast Boy landed on the shore, across the bay, at the edge of the park. Turned back to his human form and wiped away tears he had been shedding ever since he left the tower. Meliah was close behind him.

"Gar, I'm sorry…" She said quietly. He said nothing. She closed her eyes and turned away. The entire scene flashing before her eyes again. He had let go of Raven's hand and came closer and hugged her tight. Something inside her reacted to that and felt her legs wrapping around his torso. That lasted but a couple of seconds, once he realized what she was doing, he pushed away from her, turned the way Raven had been, closed his eyes and whispered her name "Raven".

When he opened them again, gave her a sad, yet angry look. Got up without a word towards the window, jumped and turned into an eagle in mid air. She quickly regain control of herself and followed him.

"Gar…I'm not going to pretend I didn't know what I was doing… I merely want to explain that sometimes, I cant control her impulses" She said softly.

"She's still part of who you are M, you cant let her control you like that" He said as he turned to look at her.

Meliah gasped in surprise "You know?… how?"

"I noticed it before, when Raven was around and then, a few moments ago"

The girl tilted her head in curiosity "You… don't seem surprised… why is that?"

He smiled to himself, images of his encounter with Rage still fresh from a few hours ago. "I've seen it before. Let me talk to her M"

"What?"

"Let me talk to her, find out what she wants"

"I know what she wants Gar, and you don't want to know"

"Then let her tell me, I can take it" Beast Boy said and placed a hand on her shoulder for reassurance.

Meliah took a deep breath and said "As you wish…" then to herself while she closed her eyes "You heard him" She stepped back and that's when he noticed her, for the first time, grow at least three inches, right in front of him. She opened her eyes, crystallized blue again and a smirk played on her face.

"I want you Garfield" That took him by surprise. Didn't expect such a bold declaration. "um.." was all he could say at the moment.

"Lost your courage handsome?… I thought you wanted me to tell you what I really want and I know we are not indifferent to you, so why play games?"

"Look, M… um… is that your name as well?" He said, a bit embarrassed.

"Of course silly, I am her after all" She said playfully, looking at him from head to toes just as she did the first time.

"Right. Um… look, I don't want to hurt your feelings, that is the last thing I want, but you have to understand I don't… like you that way…" He said cautiously not wanting to get into a fight again. However she said nothing, merely cross her arms across her chest and let him talk.

"You have no idea how happy I am that you're here, alive when I thought I lost you along with my parents and I love you the same I did before… as a sister… the one I never had… so please, don't misunderstand. I'm here for you and I'll be there with you. We'll find the bastards that hurt you and we'll take care of them the way they deserve. But … don't expect… anything more than that"

"Pity… so you prefer that witch instead of me?" she glared at him. He took a deep breath and said "Please don't call her that…"

"And what about her, does she feel the same way about you?" she said, taking a step towards the green teen "I don't know, all I know is that she didn't like what she saw and that's why she left.. And quite honestly, neither did I"

"Oh c'mon Garfield. You're relying on a crush. That'll take you nowhere"

"Perhaps, but for me is more than a crush M, I really l…"

"DON'T SAY IT!" she yelled and with a swift move kicked his legs, knocking him on the floor where he felt with a thud. Then just as fast, she was on top of him while he was still trying to recover from the fall. when he opened his eyes, she was mere inches away from him. She lower herself to his neck.

"Please M, try to understand" he whispered. Didn't want to hurt her anymore. She had barely run her lips on his cheek when suddenly she sat up, holding her head, eyes tightly closed as if in pain.

"MELIAH, WHAT"S GOING ON" Beast Boy yelled, worried now. Not knowing what else to do, he grabbed her shoulders. They were both

kneeling in front of each other now.

"He said, he's not interested… leave him ALONE" She said thru gritted teeth to herself while still holding her head with both hands. Another grunt of pain and then she opened her eyes. Blue again. She was panting, a bit disoriented until she focused on Garfield.

"Gar, I'm sorry… I shouldn't have let her out"

"M, what happened, is she gone?… are you ok?"

"I'm fine and no, she's not gone, but for now she's where she belongs, she wont bother you again"

"I'm just glad you're back" he said and gave her a hug and kissed her scars again.

" Gar, you might want to stop doing that" she said and got up.

"I didn't think it bother you. You know I wished I could make them disappear"

"I know, but they don't, and they get the wrong idea"

"They?" he asked confused.

"Yes…" she said with a smile then pointed at her temple "one right here… and another one that I'm sure is thinking on casting every spell she knows my way."

He gave her a toothy grin and hugged her again. "I'm really glad your back M, I really am…" he let go of her and started to run "Lets go" he said before turning once more into an eagle while she did the same.

..

..

Starfire returned to the holding cell room flying thru the doors. "Friends, something is wrong with Raven…" then she looked around and saw the thief outside of the cell. Her hands and eyes started to glow bright green in anticipation.

"Star, is ok, he has agreed to helps us" Said Raven, holding her hands up in defense.

"Friend Raven, are you the ok?… and are you sure is a good idea to let him out like that?" Said the alien, eyes and hands no longer glowing.

"I'm fine Star and don't worry, I'm sure he'll behave"

"I'm standing right here beautiful and…" Said Red X, crossing his arms over his chest again., but Raven interrupted.

"The name is Raven, and we're wasting time." she snapped. "Lets head to the common room and wait for Beast Boy and Meliah to come back."

"BooYah! Time to finish dinner" Said Cyborg rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Really Cyborg… is that all you can think of at a time like this?" Asked Robin with a frown.

"Hey, I haven't had any food all day thanks to Red boy over here. So yeah, that's all I have in mind at the moment" with that he turned and run to the elevator. A reluctant Red X started to walk next to Raven when Robin stopped her

"Raven may I have a word please"

"You'll tell her to give me the grand tour kid?"

"I'm sure you know your way well enough, otherwise you wouldn't have that suit" snapped Robin.

"C'mon kid, its been years, let it go already"

Robin closed his hands into fists but Raven stepped in between the two. "Enough!, this argument is pointless. X please go upstairs with Cyborg and Starfire."

"Only because you said please" The thief said and grabbed her chin softly.

"Don't push it" She warned while she moved her face away from his hand and placed a hand on Robin's chest to stop him from attacking the thief.

"Whatever you say beautiful" and walked away from them to the elevator where Cyborg and Starfire were waiting.

Once the others left, raven turned to Robin and said "Look, before you admonish me you have to know that whoever had Meliah before, is also after Beast Boy and Red X knows where to find them" She said while pointing at the closed elevator doors.

"What?… how?"

"I don't know and I don't care how he fond out, the point is Beast Boy is in danger while he's outside with her."

"I see, if we can find them before then we'll have the element of surprise on our side. I hope he doesn't change his mind" said robin nodding towards the elevator.

"He wont, he values his freedom way more than the Xenothium he steals." she said and turned ready to walk away when he stopped her again.

"Raven, about earlier…"

"I'll deal with that when the time comes" she simply said and walked away. Robin followed her to the elevator without another word.

Once in the common room, they found a surprising sight. Cyborg cooking as always but also Starfire, giggling while she was twirling around with Red X, holding her fast at her waist to some music of sorts that was softly playing in the background.

"He sure feels at home" Raven said emotionless but with an arched brow.

Robin, who had gasped sharply at the scene, quickly snapped out of it and with a swift move, run and jumped, landing in between the thief and the alien on time to catch her in a tight embrace.

"Is there anything you don't try to steal?" snapped Robin at the thief. Fist ready.

"I didn't know she belong to anybody" taunted the thief.

"Friend Robin, we were only partaking in the dancing, and I must say it is quite enjoyable. How come you have never taken me to dance like this?" was her innocent reply.

"She belongs with me" was Robin's reply to the thief in a whisper. "So stay away from her" then turn to the alien, grabbed her hands and led her to the couch.

"I promise I'll take you dancing as soon as this case is over but please, promise me you'll stay away from him" He pleaded, still holding her hands.

"But why Robin. He has done nothing wrong, merely showing me how to dance and…"

"And he's using you to get on my nerves Star, don't you see it?" he said desperate for an answer other than the one he wasn't ready to give.

"What I see is that you don't see me worthy of anyone's attention, not even yours so if you'll excuse me, I'll go back to my dancing lessons with friend Red X" she said snatching her hand from Robin and got up and headed to the kitchen where Cyborg, Raven and Red X were watching from.

The Boy Wonder just stared at her leave then turned to the window and slapped his hand on his forehead "Real smooth Robin" he whispered to himself.

Flapping of wings interrupted his self admonishment. Beast boy and Meliah landed softly on the carpet next to Robin.

"Dude, what's wrong?" asked Beast Boy, he had seen Robin's expression thru the window right before he entered.

"That happened!" said Robin pointing at the table where the girls were chatting with the thief while Cyborg cooked.

"Duuuude!, why is he here?" Beast Boy said getting everyone's attention.

"Raven has him captive here" answered Robin with a sour expression.

"What do you mean captive, you cant be serious" the green boy said while walking towards the thief. "Is there anything you don't try to steal?" Beast Boy said while stepping in between the girls and Red X.

"Why do you kids keep saying that?" he said while walking around him towards Raven. "And really he sad Captive, not captivated… she has my belt…"

And to prove a point the opened Raven's cloak to show it "See?…" suddenly her eyes glowed white and the thief was encased in her magic and with a quick move of her wrist was thrown across the room.

"Only as leverage" she said. The thief was released on time for him to bounce off the wall and fell gracefully back on the carpet.

"Red X! I'm glad you decided to come after all" Said Meliah across the room.

"Hello kitten. I have some good news and some bad news. More bad than good I'm afraid."

"What do you mean?"

"Good news is I found your mother and her arrangements are close to yours"

"My mother? …You must be mistaken,.. Batman said… the authorities found her body a week ago…. I'm going tomorrow to identify it"

"I saw your mother, difficult to mistake, she looks just like you. They know you're here and they also know Beast Boy is alive"

"There is only one way to find out" Meliah said, turning into a falcon and headed to the window, but was blocked by a black barrier. "Let me out!" she said to Raven once she turned back human.

"You'll be walking into a trap" Said Raven, lowering her hand no longer glowing dark.

"I don't care, I have to see who is in that morgue. Because if is not my mother then I have to get her out of there soon. She wont survive for long. I barely survived myself thanks to my powers, she wont…"

"M, we'll go together. Robin, any chance we can get there tonight instead of tomorrow. the sooner we know the better."

"We can. Here is the plan, Beast Boy, Meliah, Starfire and I will go to the morgue in Gotham. Cybor, Raven and Red X will go to their hiding place and rescue Melia's mother…"

"That's not all Robin, there are more prisoners in that place" Said Red X coming forward.

"What? How many?"

"At least ten girls. For what I understand, its human contraband. Sex slaves, all barely Melia's age."

"Meliah, is this true?" Asked Robin. Meliah's expression was of pain at the memories.

"I never knew how many, or if they were the same. But I always heard screams far away when I wasn't screaming myself" Beast Boy had his hand on her shoulder. Robin nodded once.

"Then Starfire, go with them as well. Regardless of what we find in that morgue, we cant let them suffer anymore. Cyborg, how soon can the T-Ship take off"

"In less than an hour" Said Cyborg heading to the doors.

"Good, I'll let Batman know we're on our way" and with that, all the Titans went their separate ways to get ready. Leaving Red X and Meliah in the common room. She turned to him and without a word hugged him tight.

"Thank you for coming"

"You're welcome" was all he said and hugged her back.