I'm so sorry for the lack of updates, guys. I live in an area in New York that was greatly impacted by Hurricane Sandy, and believe it or not, I still have no internet access where I live (I had to upload this from work). Couple that with a number of other issues to juggle and was the last thing on my mind these days. However, I've been inspired to get back to writing thanks in part to one of my favorite FF writers coming out of hiatus herself recently to post a story, so I hope you enjoy this. Lastly, I tidied up the first two chapters. Not much has changed but you can still go back to reintroduce yourself to the story plot again…

CHAPTER 3

The ride from the desert back into the heart of Jump City wasn't a lengthy drive thanks to the high technology that made up the T-Car and to Cyborg's lead foot which was constantly on the pedal, but to poor Raven, it seemed to her that she and the Titans couldn't get home fast enough. For one thing, ever since they had entered the car, Starfire and Beast Boy, the team's most talkative and hyperactive members had talked non-stop, throwing question after question and story after story at Terra, their soon-to-be houseguest. On top of all that, Raven was still rather irritable from being woken up so early in the morning, and she wanted to get back into her room for some well-needed R&R, or at least have a small mediation session…

"I think you'll really dig Jump City, Terra," said Beast Boy cheerfully. "This city's got everything a teen could ask for."

"I concur," replied Starfire. "There are numerous cafes and restaurants of the take out. There are also many cineplexes, arcades, parks, and my favorite: the mall of shopping!"

"Sounds great," smiled Terra as she glanced out of the window. "I've heard a lot of good things about Jump City. It should be interesting." Terra's eyes then widened as she caught sight of Titans Tower in the distance.

"I can't believe I'm going to spend the night at the Titans Tower itself!" she beamed. "This is all so surreal."

"Well believe it, little lady," laughed Cyborg. "He's right," replied Robin. "Very few have been to Titans' Tower, and even fewer have actually been invited by us ourselves. It's not just our headquarters, Terra, but our home as well."

Terra nodded, the excitement of everything happening had her experiencing almost a sugar high of sorts and she practically bounced up and down in her seat for the rest of the ride. When the T-Car reached the bay, Terra gasped in amazement as the vehicle showed its ability to adapt to any terrain and altered itself so that it hovered and glided across the water. Upon reaching Titans' Island, Cyborg flipped a switch on the T-Car's panel, causing a secret door hidden amongst the craggy rocks to open. The T-Car entered down a tunnel and into an airlock chamber, which once the water drained out, granted the team access into the basement level of the Tower. Everyone disembarked from the T-Car and then headed for the elevator, and Beast Boy eagerly pressed the button for the topmost floor.

"Tenth floor," he chimed when the elevator doors opened after a quick trip upstairs. "Common area, kitchen and party central!"

Raven rolled her eyes while Terra gasped and hurried out of the elevator to stare out of the common area's large panoramic windows.

"Whoa, nice digs, and check out the view!" She then plopped down onto the large sofa and kicked her feet up onto the coffee table, and Beast quickly took a seat beside her.

"I can't believe you guys actually live here!"

"Su casa es mi casa," said Beast Boy suavely. "So do you want the grand tour or…"

"Got any food?"

"Uh, sure," said Beast Boy, a little taken back by Terra's unexpected answer. "What are you hungry for?"

"God, I'll eat anything. Haven't had a good meal in a while you know?"

'Big surprise there,' thought Raven who studied Terra's skinny figure. Beast Boy and the others however simply nodded and headed into the kitchen area to prepare a meal for their guest. A short time later, the team had amassed enough food to feed the entire team two if not three times over. Scarily enough, Terra somehow found a way to pack it all away, and Raven along with Robin, Cyborg and Beast Boy watched in amazement...

"I'm starting to like this girl," laughed Sloth. Raven's intelligence however, who was clearly disgusted at the display of gluttony, turned up her nose.

"Somehow I thought you'd say that," she sighed. "Azar above is she going to be sick later…"

"You're telling me," retorted Raven's bravery. "This girl can't be human."

"Bravery, that's not a nice thing to say," chided Affection softly.

"What? You got a better explanation where this stick's putting all of this food?"

"But…"

Everyone stopped to look on as Starfire flew up to Terra (who was engulfing a plate of meatloaf) with one of her home world's strange concoctions. It was a green jello-like blob with strange looking pink bits floating around in it…

"Might you now wish to partake of my homemade glorg?"

"NOOO!" screamed the other Titans simultaneously, but Starfire paid them no heed. Neither did Terra for that matter, and she down the gelatinous monstrosity down in one gulp. After a few tense seconds, Terra smacked her lips together…

"Tastes like sushi mixed with ice cream." She then licked the plate and handed it back to Starfire. "Got any more?"

Everyone except Starfire stood with mouths agape, and the Tamaranean princess was all aglow. "I shall and cultivate the fungus," she exclaimed and flew off to prepare more "glorg" for her houseguest. "Oh my," said Affection, feeling a little queasy, while Sloth roared with laughter and Bravery, Intelligence and several other of Raven's emotions simply shook their heads.

"Yep, definitely not human…"

A few hours later, Terra was more settled in at the Tower. After gorging on both Earthly and Tamaranean dishes, she ended her day with a nice long hot bath, rinsed out her clothes and hung them up to air dry in the common area. She then stretched out on the couch to relax, her headphones blaring tunes from her favorite rock station. A short time later, Terra was drifting off to Slumberland...

"She needs more than a place to crash," said Robin as he and the other Titans sat in the dining area to observe Terra.

"She needs a home," replied Starfire with concern.

"Why not our home?" asked Beast Boy. "She could stay here with us."

"Yes!" agreed Starfire. "I don't know," said Raven hesitantly. Cyborg meanwhile threw in his two cents.

"She would make a good addition to the team."

"Maybe," said Robin with some uncertainty. "Let's ask her to train with us tomorrow. We need to see what she can do."

"Alright!" cheered Beast Boy while Starfire giggled and clapped and Cyborg nodded. Raven sighed and then nodded slightly.

"Alright…"

"Fine then," said Robin. "Tomorrow's training session starts at 0900 hours. See you in the AM, team…"