Well, hello everyone. sorry for the delay. I ran into the most annoying of writer's block. Knowing beginning and end but idea how to connect the two. anyway, I finally found the connection and here it is. Thank you for the reviews and words of encouragement. Really help my inspiration.

By the way, if you haven't already read it, i wrote another one shot while i was coming out of my writer's block yesterday. Its called "What did you learn?" about Beast Boy saying the wrong thing and Raven teaching him a lesson. check it out, you might like it.

Anyway, enough rambling, here is chapter 34, enjoy.

Chapter 34. Acquaintances.

Breakfast was almost quiet as Cyborg watched amused at the looks Raven and Garfield exchanged. Although Raven was very discreet, Beast boy could not contain his excitement and smiled in his goofy way when he looked at Raven or whenever she spoke, which made her blush more than once but tried to hide it under her hood.

Meliah could not help but feel happy for her friend. He had a sparkle in his eyes she had never seen and wondered what could that feel like. True, she had finally had her first real kiss with a sweet guy, that unfortunately, only reminded her of Garfield . And sadly remembered what had happened as they walked along the shore. She could only think about how alike and how different were the two. At some point, her wild side decided to intervene and pointed out her own opinion.

Last night

"This scrawny, poor excuse of a … well, he's not even a man yet so I don't know what does he pretend to be …"

"Stop" Meliha whispered to herself.

"Stop what? Pointing out the truth? Do you think he would be capable of satisfying us?"

"You need to stop" Meliah said to herself again, growing more frustrated. Finally she had a chance to have someone special for herself, someone sweet and tender like Garfield. Then why her other side didn't see that.

"Because deep down you know I'm right and you'll forever live comparing him to Gar… do you really want to go on like that?"

"How can you be so sure?" Meliah mumbled to herself.

"Because deep down you'll find me and I am you and if I am thinking like this is because of you, so don't tell me I'm wrong. You can lie to others that I don't exist but you cannot deny and lie to yourself"

"ENOUGH!" Meliah said out loud and involuntarily let go of Wally's hand and covered her ears. He in the main time, had been talking to her all the while but fell silent after her outburst. "What's the matter?" he asked while trying to reach for her hand but she took a step back. She looked him in the eyes for a few seconds and realized how true her thoughts had been.

"I'm sorry Wally, but this is not going to work out"

"M, I know we just met but…"

"DON'T… call me that… " she said and her eyes crystallized suddenly and a dangerous air surrounded them. The last thing she had wanted was to confirm what her own mind was telling her, but there it was, this complete stranger calling her by the pet name Garfield had given her. "Told you so" the sensuous voice in her mind said.

Meliah closed her eyes and took a few deep, calming breaths before she dared to speak to him again "Wally, I'm really sorry, you're a wonderful guy but there are things I have to work on and right now I cannot afford a distraction like this"

"Meliah, if I said something I shouldn't have, I'm sor…"

"Don't be, just… please try to understand… I've gone thru too much to pretend I'm normal enough to start a relationship" the disappointment was obvious in his eyes. He tried to smile and pretend everything was fine but he just couldn't and it tore her inside. Sadly she realized that Garfield would have reacted the same way and so, she whispered "I'm sorry" then turned into a falcon and took off. However, midair she decided to turn but he was gone and what was left was a small trail of sand and dust settling back down after he had taken off at great speed.

Present

"M!…" called out Garfield but Meliah was so lost in thought that she didn't hear him at first until Raven stood next to her to get her attention causing Meliah's senses to react and as usual, her eyes crystallized at the close proximity of the empath. Raven on the other hand, had felt the wave of emotions. Sadness, rejection, fear and shame were some if not the only feelings overwhelming Meliah and this caused for Raven to raise an eyebrow but said nothing. Garfield watched them as they seem to have a staring contest for a moment but he noticed a certain sadness in Meliah's wild eyes.

"M, what's the matter?" he said as he leaned on the table to get a better look. Meliah averted her eyes and looked at him then back at Raven, then for a moment she closed her eyes and tried to compose herself by taking a deep breath, when she opened them again, she smiled a little and said "Nothing". Garfield didn't believe her and was about to ask her again when Cyborg called out to them.

"Ya'll better get ready, the video conference is about to start in two minutes" he said from the console of the computer in the common room.

As they settled in their sits around the console, Robin's face was shown on the screen. He noticed how close were Raven and Beast Boy sitting and tried to hide a smirk, then inquired about Raven's health to which thankfully he didn't know specific details about the solution and expressed his relief when Raven confirmed that she was back to top health again.

The main reason for the call however, was about Slade's condition. He had been treated by specialists to find out about his condition and found out that he was paralyzed. The doctors found a mixture of venoms and enzymes in his system that contributed to the damage of nerve and muscle function. There was silence for a moment and they couldn't help but turn to Meliah.

"I'm sorry, survival instincts. He stabbed me before I could get him to pass out. I think I crushed a rib or two but I cant remember anything after that" she said in a semi serious voice when she noticed their curious looks while her eyes were crystallized in shreds of blue.

"We are not accusing you Meliah, you did what you had to do. You don't need to be upset" Robin said who had also noticed her eyes change in the course of the conversation and was somehow concern about another outburst of her temper.

"But I am not upset" she said with a smile. "However, I still react to Raven's presence. Its hard not to… don't you think Garfield?" she said with a smirk and Garfield blushed and said "I know what you mean" he said while glancing at his new girlfriend who blushed even more before pulling the hood over her head.

"Besides… it will take me a while to get used to be around her and not react like this. Instincts are hard to control and my meds can only do so much"

"And I'm sure Beast boy can vouch for that as well" said Cyborg with a mischievous

Smile.

Robin cleared his throat to get the attention back to the matter at hand. "There is also something else about Slade. We received word this morning that he was somehow healing faster. The doctors had estimated an indefinite time for him to even be able to move a finger, but this morning they found him floating above the bed with traces of dark energy around him"

"WHAT?!" they all said.

"He's in a healing trance?" asked Cyborg in a desperate tone.

"Apparently so… Raven, any idea how can this be possible?" asked Robin.

"I… I don't know. He was under Trigon's influence for a while but who knows how long. Is possible that… he might have absorbed enough dark energy to have at least that."

"Do you think is possible for him to have those powers back even when Trigon is gone?"

"No. without his influence there is no way he would. But he must have fallen unconscious by the trauma and triggered the healing . It could be a one time deal."

"Who is this… Trigon?" asked Meliah truly curious but everyone fell silent and turned to Raven. They knew she despised the fact of who her father was and so, they let her give her own answer. Raven turned her head very slowly towards Meliah and said in a cold monotone "A real demon". Realization hit Meliah as a chill down her spine, deep into her bones ,One of the many tales Garfield had mentioned on their way to Africa. The one about Raven's father, but he had failed in mentioning a name

Garfield, who was sitting in between the two placed a hand on their shoulders to calm them down. "Its ok Rae, she didn't know" he whispered almost in her ear and she looked away. Then he turned to Meliah and said "M, we don't talk about… him. It upsets Raven"

"Very well Gar, whatever you say" she said after a moment. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes more until Cyborg spoke "Hey Rob, you seem really calm about Slade. What'd you do?"

Robin couldn't help but smirk "He's no longer in Gotham or Earth for that matter"

There was dead silence while they try to make sense of what they just heard. "Dude, I thought you said he was healing" said Garfield with some apprehension. When Robin saw their horror expressions he immediately corrected them "No, no, no Titans, is not what you think. No matter how much grief he has given us, I would never kill him…"

"So what, you had someone else do it?" accused Cyborg.

"What?.. No… it just.. Ugh…"

"Friends, you are misunderstanding .Slade is very much alive and healing. What Robin meant is that he no longer resides in this planet. The League of Justice agreed to incarcerate him in their quarters of heads just outside Earth." said Starfire coming to Robin's rescue.

An incredulous and confused Meliah could only ask "What?"

"The Justice League took Slade to the Watchtower in space" said Raven in her usual monotone. Robin couldn't help but sigh in relief that the two girls in his team understood each other enough to rescue him in moments like this.

"Oooohhhh" said Cyborg and Garfield once they understood what the alien had said.

"It will be next to impossible for Slade to even lift a finger out of place with all those superheroes around." said Raven to Robin who nodded in agreement and a satisfied smile.

"Friend Meliah? Where is Kid Flash?" Starfire asked with some concern. Cyborg, Beast Boy and Raven looked around involuntarily, finally realizing the speedster was no where to be found.

"He returned home last night" said Meliah quietly.

"But why? I thought you two were together now"

"I'm afraid we rushed into things and it wasn't going to work out."

"Oh" was all Starfire could say while she glanced to her left side with what seemed to be a smirk.

"Starfire? Where is Red X?" asked Raven..

"Hello beautiful" said a melodious voice " Did I hear you asking about me? Do I dare say that you miss me?" said the thief finally appearing in the screen.

"Hardly" answered Raven in her monotone.

"Or do you prefer to tell me when Beast Boy is not around?"

"Dude, I'm right here. Stop flirting with my… with Raven" Beast Boy blushed for a moment. Although Raven was now his girlfriend, he wasn't sure how she wanted to go public. If it was up to him, he would have yelled at the four winds the moment she said yes, but Raven was more reserved than that and she might have not be too happy with him, but she surprised him when she placed a hand on his knee for all to see.

The thief chuckled "So its true then?"

"Yes"

"I see…" he said and Meliah didn't miss the disappointment in his tone. How was this possible. Raven was hardly ever friendly. For what Gar had told her, she was a fierce fighter and her dark magic was a bone chilling matter, and yet, had Garfield wrapped around her finger and now it seems that Red X has a thing for her as well. But tried to dismiss the last. Was she really feeling jealous? Such an alien word for her. Only a few weeks ago she was fighting a mercenary and trying to escape the twisted plans her own father had for her but now?

"Hello kitten, long time no see" said Red X interrupting her reverie and smiled while she looked up at the screen. "Hello Red X…long time indeed". but at that moment, the alarms went off. Red and yellow lights illuminated the already lit common room. Cyborg run to the console and after stroking a few keys they got the location of the culprit.

"Anyone serious?" asked Robin once more in the screen.

"Nah, its just Control Freak downtown. We can handle him." said Cyborg.

"Alright Titans, we'll be back by tomorrow evening and take Meliah on this mission… Perhaps you might like to consider become one of us?" he asked Meliah who didn't know how to answer. She had never been in a team before, always been on her own.

"What do you say M?" asked Beast Boy with an expectant smile. She smiled back and agreed.

…

…

Two hours later, they came back to the tower. Control Freak, as always, was a villain of no consequence. The electronics store he had tried to take over had been in disarray when they left, with all his "minions" tossed and destroyed. But the villain had been captured rather fast this time. He had become very distracted at the new face in the team. At some point, Beast Boy had come next to the villain ready to apprehend him while Meliah turned into several animals across not too far away from them, trying to get rid off the possessed electronic devices.

When Beast Boy placed a hand on his shoulder, Control Freak didn't even flinch. He was even drooling with dreamy eyes at the strange girl. "Dude, what's your problem" asked Beast Boy following his gaze.

"Who is she?" the villain asked plainly staring at the girl.

"Dude, don't do that. It makes her uncomfortable" at that moment, Meliah kicked and destroyed the last of the electronic devices and came in front of the Control Freak.

"Ready to give yourself up or are going to have to make you?" she said staring down at the chubby guy who was fascinated with her eyes. Then in a sudden move, extended his arms and hanging his wrists in front of her and said "I'm all yours" and lowered his head in exaggerated defeat. A pair of handcuffs clicked into place but when the villain looked up, it was Cyborg who had put them on and was pulling him towards the police car already waiting.

"Wait, wait. I have something to say" he told Cyborg then turned to Meliah who was following them close behind.

"I always liked Beast Boy's powers, he makes them look cool but you, make them look sexy…"

"Are you seriously hitting on her man?" asked Cyborg but Control Freak ignored him.

" I have to know… what's your name"

"Meliah" she answered with a curious frown.

"Alright man, time to go" said Cyborg and pushed him once more towards the police car.

"Until next time my sexy, wild thing… I'll dream of you every night.." Meliah hissed in disgust and was ready to pounce at the foolish fat guy but the police car was finally gone.

All the way back, while waiting for their order of five pizzas to get ready, Garfield and Cyborg could not help but chuckle at the villain's outburst. Raven remained quiet all the while but quietly chuckled to herself.

Once at the Tower, Raven, beast Boy and Meliah headed to the common room. Raven prepared some tea while Beast Boy placed the boxes of pizza on the table and Cyborg arrived a few minutes later. After they ate, Cyborg returned to the garage, Beast Boy helped Raven with the dishes while Meliah headed towards the big window and stared, lost inn thought, to the city.

Beast Boy glanced at her for a moment then turned to Raven who was drying the last of the dishes. He came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while resting his chin on her shoulder. Such familiarity was strange for Raven but it also felt right. An involuntary sigh escaped her while she put her hands over his and leaned a little on his chest. He kissed her cheek and said softly in her ear "I'm glad Red X knows about us"

"Were you ever jealous of him?" she whispered. He tightened his hold a bit more and whispered back "You have no idea" he said. that made her grin in satisfaction but also caused a plate to explode on the table. Melah turned sharply at the noise but quickly turned right back when she saw them in such intimate embrace.

"I have to meditate" Raven said softly while turning to face him. "Would you like me to come with you?" he asked, still holding on to her waist while she placed her hands over his chest.

"As much as I'd like to, she might need you more right now" she said nodding towards Meliah on the window.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she might want to talk to someone about what happened last night with Kid Flash. She still doesn't trusts Cyborg or me just yet"

"I see" he said, his ears drooping a little but then she added. "I'll come find you when I'm done" he gave her his toothy smile and said "I'd like that" and shyly shared a tender kiss. Then she glided out of the common room and he headed towards the window.

" Hey M…Want to go down to the beach for a bit?" she nodded and he both got out thru the open window. They sat nearby his new favorite spot over by the rocks and chatted away. At some point the mentioned his rushed proposal.

"Did she say no?" she asked.

"Yes…no… well, more like a definite maybe, but she did say yes when I asked her to be my girlfriend." he answered proudly.

"I'm so happy for you Gar, I'm glad you're getting who you really want"

"M, what happened with Wally? I thought you liked him"

"It just wouldn't have work out. I have issues within myself to take care of, I cannot pretend I'm normal."

"But you are M" she sighed at his words.

"Well, I do like someone else, but unfortunately, he also likes Rav…" she stopped mid sentence and looked towards the Tower. Garfield noticed her eyes crystallized and turned towards the Tower. Everything was silent, still.

"M? what's going on" her answer was a hiss and said "He's here" thru gritted teeth and slowly, as if assessing a prey, got up on bent knees, trying to find her target.

"Who Meliah?… I see no one, how do you know someone else is here?" he said while mimicking her moves.

"Because he's trying to get in my head again" she said and in a split second, turned into a cheetah and ran towards the back of the Tower. Garfield still couldn't see anyone but did the same and caught up with her. She stopped a few feet away from the edge and from around the corner, a figure emerged, in a defensive pose.

"Mento" she growled, ready to attack.

"Phantom…I'll suggest you to step away from my son this instant"

"Make me" the moment she said this, Mento raised his hand to his helmet and Meliah turned into a bear and pounced at her offender.