Chapter 11

Two hours later, most of the debris was off of the roadways, the undamaged property was back in its rightful place, and the citizens of Carlin were once again assured of their safety. Raven wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead as she moved the last street bench into place. She looked over to Beast Boy, who was still chatting with the two remaining police officers, though it didn't look like it was about business.

Raven squinted against the setting sun as she approached the laughing trio, addressing the officers.

"Do you know where the nearest hotel is?" She tried to be polite and approachable, but the two still gawked at her. Finally, one answered.

"Uh, yeah, I mean, yes. There's a motel that way, seven blocks from here," he said, pointing down the road.

"Thank you," she replied. She continued to stare at them until they got the message that it was time for them to go. They bid Beast Boy goodbye and got into their car. Raven glanced at Beast Boy out of the corner of her eye.

"What?" he asked.

"Thanks for all the help cleaning up, Beast Boy," she said sarcastically.

He shrugged. "So, what's the plan now?"

"We wait until Robin gets here. He'll be mad if we so much as sneeze without him. Let's get settled in and call Cyborg and Starfire."

"Sounds good to me." He turned and ambled in the direction of his ship. "I'll follow you," he called over his shoulder.

After what turned out to be a very short ride to the motel, Beast Boy and Raven were finally able to rest in their newly rented room. It was small and quaint, with western artwork on the walls, light wooden furniture, and colorful knitted blankets covering the two full-sized beds.

For the Titans, sharing rooms when they were on the go was common place. Sometimes they didn't even have the luxury of a roof over their heads, so they weren't shy with each other or greedy about having their own space.

Upon entering, Beast Boy immediately flopped across the width of one of the beds, legs dangling over the edge. As he dozed in and out of sleep, Raven settled into the lotus position over her bed for a quick meditation.

Though she meditated for longer than she had planned, when she opened her eyes a little while later, she found that Beast Boy was still asleep. It was dark outside, the only light in the room coming from the soft glow of the lamp between the two beds. Quietly, Raven stood an retrieved the backpack she had dumped by the door. Beast Boy's green duffle bag was beside it. She quickly located another leotard and her travel-sized cosmetics, slipping into the bathroom to shower.

Raven turned the water as hot as it would go, breathing in the steam and letting the warm water relax her muscles.

Alone in the porcelain bathroom, Raven began to sort through the emotions she had pushed aside earlier to do her job. She was frightened. There was no doubt about that. Slade was targeting her yet again, though this time she had no idea why. She thought of his earlier words. It looks like our reunion will have to wait. She shivered despite the hot water. Knowing Slade, that wasn't a threat; it was a promise.

Two explanations surfaced, but she shot both of them down. It was true that the Trigon ordeal hadn't gone particularly well for Slade, but it turned out okay. He got his life and his body back, which his disappearance suggested was enough for him. And why would he return now, if revenge was his purpose? she puzzled.

The idea that Slade was once again working for Trigon also floated through her mind. But why would Slade make another deal with Trigon? He wouldn't. And if he were working for my father, wouldn't he have the mark of Scath? He would.

Raven huffed and slumped against the cool tile wall. That left her with nothing. She had no explanation as to why this cold, cunning, manipulative man (who had made several previous attempts on her life) was after her now.

A sudden knock on the door made Raven jump.

"Uh, Raven?" Beast Boy's muffled voice came through the door. "You okay in there?" You've been in there for awhile."

"You're awake," she replied.

"Yeah, and I, uh, kinda gotta pee. So could you hurry?"

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from giggling. "I'll try," she called back wryly.

Though she certainly wouldn't admit it to him, it was a comfort to have him with her. Granted, they still fought frequently, but his behavior and comments that once irritated her now entertained her. Perhaps it was because she knew he had a serious side that could balance his lighthearted nature. Maybe it was because they hadn't spent as much time together, though they were clearly rectifying that situation. Whatever the reason, Beast Boy always had a witty remark to ease the tension or a joke to make a tough situation a little more bearable.

Her mind was not at ease and she had a feeling that things were about to get a lot worse, but facing it with friends, especially with a friend like Beast Boy, gave her courage. She shut the water off and dried herself with the hotel towel, leaving her hair damp so Beast Boy could get into the bathroom faster. She finally slipped into her undergarments and leotard, unlocking the door and stepping out.

"It's all yours." She smirked as she returned her stuff to her backpack.

Raven knew she couldn't sleep until Beast Boy was ready for bed, so she took the opportunity to call Starfire.

"Hello friend!" she answered in her chipper voice. "Robin has told us of your encounter with the villain Slade. I hope you are unharmed!"

"We're fine Starfire."

"Wonderful! We are traveling to your location now, and will be there within two hours! I look forward to the reunion of friends, even if it is to chase Robin's foe!"

The screen on Raven's communicator split, revealing a disgruntled looking Cyborg. "I wanna know why you guys get all the action. I was stuck in a T-ship for four hours learning about One Direction." He glanced to his right, presumably towards Starfire.

Raven smirked. "At least you didn't have to listen to them."

That opened the door to a five minute rant from Starfire about the glory that was One Direction. Raven and Cyborg tried to interrupt, but resorted to letting her monologue run its course.

"And that is why band member Harry is the most handsome!" she finally finished.

"I don't know about handsome, but he's a pretty cool guy," Beast Boy said from behind her, startling her. Maybe it was his animalistic nature, but he could move almost soundlessly. "We met at a magazine photo shoot once."

Raven turned to make a comment, but snapped her lips shut. He was standing there in just a pair of sweatpants, water dripping down his nicely muscled chest. Since when did those get there? Raven thought hazily.

She realized she was staring, then snapped her head back around to stare into the communicator instead. Without turning, she addressed him.

"I thought you were going to the bathroom. What happened, did you fall in?" She hoped that neither Beast Boy or the other two Titans noticed her blush.

"I peed and showered. But I didn't pee in the shower," he amended, catching her look.

"Come on man, TMI," Cyborg admonished.

"Do you know when Robin will arrive?" Raven asked, moving the conversation back to business.

"Maybe another two, three hours. We'll just grab another room when we get there and he can bunk with me," Cyborg answered. "You two should go to sleep though, you'll need it tomorrow."

Raven nodded. "Thanks. I guess we'll see you in the morning."

"Yes, we will see each other most soon! Goodbye friends!" Starfire waved.

Raven said a final goodbye and shut the communicator.

As Beast Boy walked over to his bed, Raven couldn't help but notice the slight limp in his step.

"Beast Boy." He turned to look at her. "You're limping."

He sighed, lifting his affected foot and hopping the few feet to his bed. "Yeah. I think I sprained my ankle fighting Slade." He grimaced as he brought it closer, fingers gently prodding the foot.

"And you didn't tell me because...?"

"You had enough to worry about." He gave a little gasp of pain as he found the affected area. "Yep, definitely a sprain."

"Beast Boy, I can heal you. It's not even that difficult," she said with irritation. "But you have to tell me about it for me to help." She sat down on the end of his bed, motioning for him to scoot up towards the pillows. She took his ankle in her hand and examined the injury.

He smiled at her. "Thanks Rae," he said softly. He watched her as her hands started to glow a crackly blue, healing energy coursing through them.

He let her work without interruption for a while, then said her name softly.

"What?" she asked as her hands traveled around his foot.

"What did Slade say to you?" At that she looked up, though her hands continued to glow.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, the formal answer is that as a teammate, I need to know so we can be prepared to face him again. Robin will ask you the same questions tomorrow." he paused. "But you looked awfully afraid. What did he want with you?"

She sighed, her voice betraying some of her apprehension. "Honestly, I don't know. He said we had 'business to discuss.' I don't have the slightest idea what he wants with me."

"So he came here for you."

She nodded. "He sent Plasmus to lure us out and separate us."

"That guy is a scum bag." He said it viciously, surprising Raven with his conviction. "I swear Raven, he won't get near you. We won't let him. I won't let him."

"Thanks," she said genuinely, offering him a small smile. "Though you forget I can hold my own," she added lightly.

He chuckled. "Oh, I know." He continued to watch her as she worked. "What's taking so long. You're usually done by now."

She gave him a look. "I'm usually reducing the severity of the injury. Right now I'm completely healing yours. It'll be good as new when I'm done."

"Oh, thanks. Won't that make you tired?"

"Yes, but considering that I'm about to go to sleep, it's worth it." She had healed the sprain and was focusing on restoring mobility to the ankle.

He moved his eyes away from her glowing hands and towards her face, studying her. She knew he thought she wasn't watching him, but she could see him in her peripheral vision.

"You know, we never finished our game."

Raven smirked. "Yes, and if I remember correctly, it was my turn."

"Then go ahead," he grinned back.

"Alright." she thought for a minute. "Well there's no doubt that we all hate Slade, but you seemed... particularly unhappy to see him today." She narrowed her eyes at him. "When did you get a personal vendetta against him?"

He shifted in the bed uncomfortably. "You remember that day that I thought I saw Terra?" Raven nodded. "Well, I told you later it was a mistake, but... I did see her, Raven."

She sucked in a breath. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. She just didn't remember who I was. Or at least she pretended not to." He hesitated for a moment. "Later, when I was trying to figure it out... I saw Slade. He told me that she didn't want to remember because she never wanted to be with me. It turned out it was just a Slade-bot, but the message was clearly from him." He paused again. "I don't know, it just really hurt to hear that. I can't stand him because of what he did to Terra."

She finished with his ankle, and turned her full attention to his face. There was such pain, such vulnerability in his eyes that it made her heart clench. "Beast Boy," she whispered, "I'm so sorry."

He gave her a soft, sad smile. "It's alright. That guy has screwed us all over." He shifted his feet over the bed, gingerly placing his newly-healed ankle on the ground. Discovering that it felt perfectly normal, he stood to his full height, bouncing slightly on the foot.

"Wow, good job! It feels even better than before I sprained it!" Raven smiled, pleased with her work. "So, my turn! How does this healing thing work? Can you, like, heal yourself from anything?"

"Of course not," she said with an eye roll, "but I can heal myself from a lot. Broken bones, lacerations, internal damage. I could survive even more, if not completely heal myself from it. Other people are more difficult. Their bodies are different from mine, so of course my powers aren't as effective. But I can reduce the severity of injuries and completely heal minor ones."

"Hmm, cool," Beast Boy said. "Wait a minute, where were you when I fell down the stairs at that nightclub? Or when Cyborg accidentally gave me a black eye playing stankball? Or when I developed carpal tunnel syndrome from playing video games for too long?"

Raven raised a brow. "I don't believe in using my powers to fix problems caused by your own stupidity," Raven scowled.

"Well thanks a lot for all the help," he said sarcastically, plopping back down on the bed. "Don't be calling me for any favors."

The corner of her lips turned up as she made her way back to her own bed. She was taken off guard when her feet stumbled and her legs gave out, sending her towards the floor. Before she hit it, strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her steady. "I think I'm ready for bed, Beast Boy. I'm exhausted."

"Yeah, I see that." He helped her to her bed. "Sorry—I know it was from healing me."

"It's okay, I just need sleep," Raven yawned. "So did Terra ever recognize you?"

"Nope, no more stories for you," he said, pulling the covers over her. Raven's eyelids felt extremely heavy and her mind moved slowly, but she wanted to know how it had ended.

"Thats a question, Mr. let's-play-a-game. Unless you want to pass..." she could tell her speech was slow and laced with sleepiness, but she didn't care.

He chuckled. "Fine. No, she never did, but eventually I just let it go. Let her go. Every once in a while, I'll check up on her. She's in college now. Getting pretty good grades too. Amazing what a superhero's computer will turn up." He smiled at her from his own bed, which he shimmied into.

"Hmmm, that sounds nice." She closed her eyes.

"What does?"

"Going to college. Living a normal life." She didn't know whether it was the exhaustion or her newfound confidence in Beast Boy, but she suddenly felt very candid.

"Do you want that someday?" he asked. He was sitting up again, staring at her.

"I guess." She sighed. "I like being a superhero, and I know I'll be one for a long time, but sometimes I think about going to school. Getting a job. Having a home. Maybe some pets."

"Some pets?" he asked teasingly. "You think you can keep some pets alive?" She gave him a watered down glare out of the corner of her eyes.

"Mind turning that light off?" she asked. It was screaming at her sleepy eyes.

"No problem," he replied. She heard two clicks as the room was submerged in sweet darkness. "You know," he whispered after a few seconds, "you still have one last question before the game is over."

She tried to count in her head, but the numbers got slippery and jumbled. She decided to just trust him.

"Yeah, okay. Uhh... how about you? What do you want to do with your life one day?"

For a minute, only silence came from his half of the cool, dark room. He spoke carefully. "I guess I'd like something like that. To be normal. I'd open a vegan restaurant in Jump City and it'd be the best in town." His voice took on a wistful quality. "And I'd like a family. If I met the right girl."

"At this rate, you've 'met' half the girls in Jump city," Raven said wryly. She couldn't help herself.

"Yeah, yeah, very funny. Seriously though, it's not like I've hooked up with many of them. I just like to flirt."

Raven regretted her comment. A conversation about Beast Boy's relationship history was not something she wanted to have. She didn't supply a response, eyes trained on the blinking light of the smoke detector. Another few minutes passed and she felt herself falling into sleep when she heard Beast Boy's whisper.

"Raven?"

"Yeah?" she whispered back.

"Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Beast Boy," she half-moaned back.

She closed her eyes again, this time effortlessly slipping into a peaceful sleep.