Disclaimer: Don't own Teen Titans, or anything else that needs a disclaimer.

CHAPTER 12

SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT

Beast Boy woke up with a misery hangover. Looking up at the clock on his communicator the time read: 3:30 pm.

He got up from the bottom bunk and looked at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes had bags under them and his mouth was super chap and dry. Wasn't it days like these he wished to the sky that he could be Rip Van Winkle so that when he woke up all his worries would have to be gone.

Opening a drawer from his dresser he took out a sack and opened it. There were approximately 200 dollars in it. How he earned it? Was from The Brother Hood of Evil battle, and that one time he worked at that false burger-meat restaurant which was only the 25%.

So, he figured she went to the book store that was on the third avenue a street away from the cafe she regularly went to, and three blocks away from the arcade he sometimes went to on Fridays.

He took fifty dollars from his savings, and then he put on the silver ring that made all his features look normal. After shrugging on a jacket, sliding on a pair of cargo pants, and slipping his feet into his regular velcro sneakers he walked outside his room.

Thank his lucky stars that no one was hanging in the hall he was only doing this because he felt bad, and this would be his way of apologising. Simple as that.

He walked quietly to the common room and found no one to be there, nor when he walked to the front door. They must've all been doing their own thing. Even Speedy and Mas y Menos were probably doing their own thing. Fine by him. He needed to get this one priority out of the way and continue on with life.

-/-/

Gone With the Wind was on sale but Raven had probably already read that. The Little Prince was on sale, and it was the limited edition. Still he didn't know what she would like. Books of poetry? Nah, too raw of a deal.

Walking around he did, and still it took forever and ever... Picked up a book that probably had something to do with Rye, boring. He didn't like rye bread, it tasted nasty. Picked up books that probably had something to do with outsiders, a type of flower called a wallflower, and then about a stupid fruit plant called huckleberry. Those three books were put back on the shelf. Why was it over in fiction?

Darn it all. He was out of options. Taking a look at his watch he saw that the time read five o'clock. Crud.

So the next book he picked up rather urgently and quickly had the word alchemist in the title, that seems cool. She did some things in alchemy, or whatever. So great pick. But then it had seemed like she wanted another book so, hmmm...

Ah, Jane Eyre!

Quickly, he grabbed the book and rushed to the long line of Nerds, Sardonics, Goths, Indies, and Weirdos.

"You're really cute," a girl said flirtatiously from behind him.

He didn't want to ignore her, but if she wasn't talking to him then no reason to look. "Your blond hair, blue eyes are really dreamy. Ya know I've been watchin' you."

He rolled his eyes and turned to look at her.

She kind of resembled Vivien Leigh, but she had on smokey eye shadow and her eyes were a tad bigger. She waved at him frantically and raised her eyebrow at him. "So, you come here often?" She asked.

He cocked his head and shrugged. "I'm usually over in the comic book area, so... Not really."

"Oh." Her eyes traveled to the books he held in his hand, and she gave him a look that said, "may I see them?"

He handed them to her and she looked at the titles. "Ah, coming-of-age, and Bildungsroman."

"They're for a friend," he said sheepishly, moving up in line. "I didn't know what to give her, so I did the best I could."

She smiled widely and patted him on the shoulder. "Well, you did a good job. I've read these books in my AP English class and they aren't bad reads. You're a really good boyfriend, whoever is your girlfriend, she's lucky. A boyfriend who has a good taste in books."

Gar feeling rather awkward blushed. "Uh, well, she isn't my girlfriend."

"Oh..." She was quiet for a second before speaking. "Well, do you like her?" She asked in a curious manner.

Gar didn't know what to answer. Caught off guard, he simply shrugged.

Moving up in line, there was two people in front of him now.

"Aw," she prompted sweetly, "you're in love. I can see it."

Before he could refuse such presumptions he realised his books were ready to be paid for, but the highschool girl shook her head at him, stepped in front of him, and she paid for his books instead. Along with her books.

She didn't say anything in the process. Just took out three twenty dollar bills as the clerk scanned the books.

"You don't have to buy–" He began objecting...

"But I want to."

And. All in all. He left the bookstore thinking, there really is good people in the world, after all.

-/-/-

Kole studied the picture. "Uh, wow that picture sure does explain a lot," she said to Jericho. "It's very intriguing."

What do you think it is saying?! He asked giddily, his eyes lightning. I mean, seriously. Be honest.

Kole feeling like she was being put under pressure closed her eyes, and opened them again. This time she thought to look at the picture differently.

"Okay... Well, I see a woman. She is staring at the boy who appears to be sliding down a rainbow from outside her window. The woman has tears in her eyes, her clothing is provocative, and she has a black eye. I'm assuming that that is a cigarette in her mouth... And she's taking a puff out of it. Yet, she's still staring at the little boy even though there is some kind of crazy party going on where she is,and there is smoke everywhere, but she doesn't see all of that. She's only focused on the little boy as she stares outside her window. He is sliding down a rainbow and there appears to be light from where he is, and he's happy and he seems to be laughing. And she looks at that boy, and she's crying because she knows he hasn't lost his innocence yet, because he still sees rainbows, that laughter she may hear from him is genuine, it is music to her ears."

You are obviously a dreamer.

She smiled at him and laughed. "Nah, it's me just bein' ditzy, is all."

He didn't know it, but it's like he was seeing Kole for the first time. I mean, did her eyes always sparkle like that?

"Jericho?"

Yes?

"Oh, you looked like you spaced out there for a second," she said with a smile. "Well, um it was nice coming to this art museum with you. But look at the time, Gnarrk will throw a conniption when he realizes I've been gone."

She was leaving now? Jericho was perplexed. But he didn't even get to ask her if he could take her out for lunch.

He nodded understandingly, and she walked away, but not without giving him a hug.

-/-/-

Beast Boy had hid the books in a bush by the tower, took off his holo ring (slipping that into his sleeve.), and took off his clothes (he put those in the bush as well.) After mustering up enough courage he walked inside the tower and well, he saw what he expected. His four teammates were looking at him curiously. They'd all been talking, but had stopped their convo when they saw him enter the room.

"Hi guys," he tried saying without sounding timid and scared. Even when he was sweating on the inside. Did this mean he could possibly be kicked off the team? I mean, he knows a very big secret about a Titan that he hasn't told the leader about(which he never will.) but seriously, did it mean that this was it for the green bean?

Robin was giving him a look that obviously meant business, Starfire was looking at him concernedly, Cyborg was eyeing him strangely or more-so suspiciously, and Raven. She was scowling at him. And to think he bought her books. No, that girl bought her books if you want to talk about technicalities and all...

"Beast Boy we agree as a team," said Robin in that leader-like way of his, "that you have been hiding something from us, that you have been acting funny, and that you have been disrespectful towards all of us. Is there something you'd like to tell us?"

His teammates gave him expectant looks. Sure, this moment he should've been thinking about a lie, but he wanted to get something off his chest before he forgot what it was.

"Where's Speedy and the twins?" He asked. "Are they up on the roof?"

Robin kept his hands by his sides and balled up his fist, yet managed a smile that would've made the Joker proud. "They are at the park, an old woman 's cat was stuck in a tall tree, and they are helping her get it out of the tree. But, like I asked Beast Boy, is there anything you'd like to tell us?"

It a hindering for Beast Boy he looked at Raven, and only Raven, and replied, "no, I don't have anything to tell you guys. I've only been hanging with Kole, no biggy." He said this nonchalantly like he was at a first grade spelling bee, and was asked to spell the words: cat, dog, fish, and run. Why get all worked up about nothing?

"Well, Beast Boy," said Cyborg, "I hope you don't mind that we locked your favourite video games away in the closet. It'll only be about a week. Then you'll get 'em back."

What?

Beast Boy had bought Raven's books on his own time, and he'd been about to pack up all his games and take them to Terra's old bedroom, yet he hadn't gotten to that yet because his teammates had been one step ahead of him.

"Yeah. Okay. Fine," he said irritatingly. "I'm jus' goin' to my bedroom, and taking a nap. Knock or yell if ya need me."

"But Beast Boy," said the Leader, "you've been AWOL for quite some time, and you're behind on your training."

"Okay then, when it's time for training, ya know where to find me." He hadn't taken about two steps when Robin said, "all of us are training, now."

So, in the next hour all the Titans were spending a great time in the training room.

-/-/-/

Wow, has it been a long time since we checked on Jinx and Kidflash? I wonder what they've managed to think up lately...

"So, I now know for sure that this device can get through to anyone," Jinx began explaining to the little speedster. "No one can be immune to this device, no one can trick the device, no one can use magical powers on the device, the wizards back at this coven of theirs told me so. Instead of it only revealing the truth, it also causes you to act out on inner feelings. Sort of like Cupid - once he shoots his arrow at someone."

Kid Flash laughed. "Okay, okay. How many times do I have to apologise? I'm sorry for messing up on Beast Boy." He stopped laughing and immediately snatched the device away from her. "Ya know, this looks like a VideoNow."

"It isn't a VideoNow," said Jinx impatiently as she snatched the device back from her boyfriend. "It is a Moodlet Charmer."

"A what?"

"Yeah, I obviously now have ta explain how it works, darn!" She straightened up her posture and held up the Moodlet Charmer as if she was advertising it. Her smile very peachy keen. "So, you see these two buttons on each side of the device. Yes? This is where you choose between either wanting them to act out on the truth, or just telling you the truth. Therefore, you press the button that says THESP if you want acting out on true feelings, and you press TELL if you want them to only tell you and state you the truth. Easy? 'Kay?"

"Can I try it out on you?"

"No, Wally. Instead, I'm going to try it out on you." Before he could object to such fancies, she held the device out to him and spoke: Could you see yourself after marrying me soon, divorcing me in ten years?

He answered, and while in the process of doing so he walked over to her and hugged her.

-/-/-/

Beast Boy did his normal exercises and kept his mind on what happened last night at that house. Why was a Slade henchman mask there? He knew the truth of course, because Kole helped him figure it out. But did she really have to go as far as to saying that Jericho was related to Slade; that that was whom bored him?

Sighing, he did one last pull up and jumped down onto the floor. Today he actually felt proud of himself, for he didn't feel so tired. He could perhaps go for a round on the obstacle course.

"Beast Boy it's your turn," He heard Robin say in his direction. His leader motioned towards the mat where Raven was.

Yeah, right. Robin very funny...

"What?" Beast Boy asked with oblivion. "Are we stretching or something?"

"No, this is part of the training hour. It's seems like you've forgotten."

Oh, yeah. He sure heck did. It seemed so sudden today that all of this was happening. All his teammates were treating him differently, he was still filled with spite towards Raven, and he having to fight her. He didn't want to do it, but I think he's acted different enough today.

"Uh, sorry," Beast Boy said blinking his eyes while walking towards the mat and shaking his head rapidly, "um, fighting. Right."

What happened, happened.

-/-

Kole walked outside of the museum and was surprised to see Jinx. "Oh, hi Jinx! This is a coincidence!" She walked towards her team member happily. "How have things been?"

The sorceress cocked her head to the side, her face in thought. "Oh, same. Kid Flash is still a speedster, and I'm still bad luck."

Kole shook her head. "You aren't bad luck Jinx, you're uniquely gifted of the power to generate hexes - right? Isn't that whatcha call them?"

"Yes," she nodded her head.

"you wanna go somewhere?" Jinx asked suddenly. "Like to a spa. I really do need to get a medi and a pedi. Watcha say? I'll pay."

Kole hesitantly accepted the offer.

What was KF and Jinx sticking their noses into?

-/-/-

A/N: I know things may seem rather hectic right now in the story, but I have two more chapters ready. I'll post one of 'em tonight, the other one tomorrow. Everything will come together. Thanks to whomever reviewed, and favorited. You guys are awesome sauces!

If you guys would care to check out A Thunder and Lightning AU Story by DG, please do. It's only centered on The Storm Bros. it is AU. And it's humorous, it's a buddy fic. So you can check that out. There are a lot of cameos. Besides, if you haven't noticed. Thunder and Lightning aren't featured in much AU.

Anyway. Replies:

Kaarlinaa: Thanks for the review! :) um, BB had acted rather mean... Hmm, yeah. Kole's mother isn't gonna play a big role in the story, but –I think– towards the end she will.

Raven kight: so, you really thought that his part was the most entertaining is that why you think I should've written of him more last chapter? Hmm, well this won't be the last time he has a meltdown, or breakdown. He still has conflicting emotions. Thanks for reviewing. :)

JasonVUK: Ha, Ha. He probably wanted to do a lot more things rather than talk a lot of crap, but eh. Anyway, thanks for reviewing. Much appreciated.

AStudyinEsmeWho: I hate love triangles. So I'm not trying to make this a love triangle. Bb and Kole should still like whom they liked from the beginning. Um, his teammates probably know what's up with his behavior... Anyway, you're a doll for reviewin'!

Slytherin- Hunter Of Artemis: there will be more plot twist. Um, Jericho and Kole spent some time together in this chapter. They might've -you'll find out next chapter. Even though BB admitted his feelings, does Raven know?

I3Books(guest): My apologies for skipping your review. I really am. But you are a doll for anticipating this story, anyway, thanks and hopefully you enjoyed this chapter. If ya didn't. More comes tonight.

dj25taz: Thanks for reviewing. Um, yeah well I updated. And hopefully, the other chapters I'll upload will be better. He tried to make it up to Raven this chapter.

Okay, well I really do appreciate that you guys did review. Even if I try writing for myself, the reviews are still appreciated. Reed, out.