The pair of caped crusaders dropped down from the skylight, landing stealthily on the carpeted floor in the room. YJ-Robin looked around at the elegant room, its walls were covered in fine wood paneling and there were several pieces of expensive artwork hanging from them, including a Picasso and an Andrew Wyeth. The two quickly ducked behind a pair of wingback chairs as the door opened, revealing a security guard with a flashlight, who frowned as he scanned the room with his electric torch. Still dissatisfied he flipped the lights on and scanned the whole room from the entrance. After lingering for a moment he shut off the lights, satisfied everything was in order, and left the room.

"Now do you see why it was important to close the skylight after we entered, even though we blocked the security system? Had the guard seen that it was open, we would have been caught." Batman lectured the boy wonder.

Robin nodded his acknowledgement. Batman continued.

"Rupert Thorn's mansion is the best guarded one in all of Gotham, so stay sharp. And remember, this is a reconnaissance mission, we don't want Thorn to know that we were ever here."

"You already said that … like 10 times." Robin whispered back.

"Because it's important. Now let's get to his office, without being seen or heard."

Robin switched on his holographic wrist computer, which displayed a 3D layout of the mansion. Batman reached over and switched it off.

"Without using that."

"Why?" Robin complained.

"Consider it part of your training. Tools, while useful, should never become a crutch."

Robin was facing away from the Dark Knight and he rolled his eyes.

"Whatever." Robin grumbled in reply.

The two silently ran to the door. Robin peered outside and quickly ducked back into the room, signaling to Batman that they should wait.

"You are different from him." Batman whispered.

"How so?"

"You have an attitude. My Robin was a lot more serious about his role as my sidekick than you are."

"So why did he leave?" YJ-Robin asked.

Batman paused before answering.

"Because he was impatient. He wanted his independence and I failed to notice. By the time he decided to leave it was too late to make amends."

"And now he runs the Teen Titans and has a smoking hot girlfriend … you must really hate that."

Batman glared at the young sidekick.

"Hate has nothing to do with it. The fact is that he is doing things wrong and is going to get burned."

The young boy returned the glare.

"How exactly is he going to get burned? He has an awesome team. They work together like the pieces in a watch. And they get along great. I wish I could say that about my team."

"I thought it was Kaldur'ahm's team." Batman corrected him. "What happened? Why aren't you the leader?"

Robin hesitated, weighing his response carefully.

"It seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

Batman nodded.

"Once your training is complete you will assume your role as your team's leader, and there will be no reason for you to envy the Titans."

Robin chuckled.

"You mean you're gonna get me a hot girlfriend?"

"You have a sense of humor, unlike …."

"Don't tell me … unlike your Robin."

YJ-Robin scanned the hallway and gave Batman the all clear sign. Without making a sound they proceeded to Rupert Thorn's office.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The electric kettle whistled that it was ready and Beast Boy poured its boiling hot contents into the brown teapot that was already populated with three bags of raspberry leaf tea. The steaming contents filled the teapot and began to brew the tea. After setting the timer he went to the cupboard and pulled out a bag of wasabi flavored tortilla chips and poured himself a tall glass of lemon-lime flavored soda pop. The timer rang and he removed the teabags from the teapot, which he then placed on a tray, along with a mug, a bowl of the spicy chips and his glass of pop. He then picked it up and walked over to the couch were Raven was sitting, reading a book.

Raven was still mildly miffed that she was not allowed to rejoin the team on missions, but she accepted that the cloud had a silver lining: they had the Tower to themselves.

She was also very impressed with her beau's sudden maturity. He had not only made her some tea without being asked, he even remembered that she drank raspberry leaf tea in the afternoons.

He placed the tray on the coffee table and filled her mug with the fresh brew. She smiled as she saw that he also remembered to bring some honey to sweeten her tea. After mixing in a tiny dollop of the sweetener she sipped a sample.

"It's perfect … thank you."

"You're welcome." He replied before shoveling a fistful of chips into his mouth and washing it down with a swig of his soda pop, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

Oh well, nothing is perfect. She reminded herself. But I have to give him credit; he's come a long way.

He reached to the TV remote control and turned on the giant set. Raven took the control from him and shut it back off.

"Rae, I'm gonna miss Clash of the Planets." He protested.

The gray sorceress stood up and with the grace worthy of a ballerina removed her cape as she spun around on the balls of her feet, deftly depositing it on the couch. In the same sweeping motion she then sat down on his lap, while a very subtle smile adorned her normally expressionless face. The changeling suddenly felt the hairs stand on the back of his neck.

Raven, being the superhero that she was, had a well toned and muscular physique, in part due to Robin's aggressive training drills and also because of her partially demonic physiology. Yet as she wrapped her arms around his neck she felt soft and sensuous. He gazed into her amethyst colored eyes and began to feel lost in them. Without even thinking about it he found his lips touching hers and he felts bolts of lightning shoot down his spine.

Time melted away and the two lovers lost track of time. Sweet nothings were exchanged and they continued with their snogfest. After several minutes of lip locking they took a break. It was then that he told that he loved her. She said nothing, but hugged him so tightly that she could have passed for Starfire. They resumed their petting session and time once again lost all meaning, until his sensitive ears twitched.

"I think they're back, Rae." He informed her between kisses.

Raven stopped kissing him, which didn't surprise him. He knew she was still very uncomfortable with public displays of affection, but in his opinion the private ones more than made up for the lack of public displays. Then, much to his surprise, Raven resumed kissing him.

"I don't care." She replied.

A few moments later the sliding doors swished open and the sound of footsteps could be heard entering the room. Beast Boy was clearly able to discern each one. Robin's metal tipped shoes had their own signature metallic ring; Cyborg's massive mechanical feet could wake the dead while Starfire's boots had alien soles that emitted a strange squishy sound.

The changeling, who still had his eyes closed as he smooched his gray sweetheart, heard a fourth pair of feet enter the room.

"I think we have company Rae, they brought someone home with them …"

Raven made a mental note to have them continue the make out session later in the privacy of her room, and released her green beau. She turned to see who the guest was.

And scowled at her nemesis.

"What is she doing here?" She snarled.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Aquaman and Kaldur slowly swam back to Atlantis after a grueling day of training. The young Atlantean's limbs were sore from the long and intense workout, which had mercifully come to an end for the day. Still, he kept his protests to himself and remained silent during the journey back to the palace. Aquaman glanced over his shoulder and smiled at his young protégé.

"Why don't you go ahead and take the evening off? You don't need to stay at the palace."

After a pregnant pause Kaldur replied.

"Batman said that we were not to do that."

"Is Batman the king of Atlantis?"

"No sir, he is not."

"Then go, you have earned it." Aquaman replied as he veered off, quickly disappearing into the murky depths.

Kaldur stopped swimming and hovered in place, vacillating on what to do next. So much had happened in the past few days and the prospect of being permanently trapped in this universe was becoming more real by the moment. It was a situation he didn't want to accept, and yet he felt overwhelmed by it. He resumed swimming, absentmindedly making his way into Atlantis. By now the citizens of the underwater realm were growing accustomed to seeing him again and they no longer stared and gawked at him. He hated to admit it, but he was beginning to feel at home.

"Kaldur?"

The sound of the familiar voice woke him up from his funk.

"Tula … forgive me … I did not see you."

"Are you OK? You looked spaced out."

He nodded.

"I have much on my mind … do you have some time to spare?"

She beamed as she replied.

"For you, always … why don't you come inside?"

It was only then that Kaldur realized that he was in front of the house where Tula lived with her parents. Her mother was inside, preparing the evening meal and brightened when he saw the dark Atlantean.

"Kaldur! It is so good to see you! Please tell me that you will be staying for dinner."

He bowed politely as he replied.

"I would be honored."

Tula's mother laughed in reply.

"Come now, there is no need to be so formal, my future son-in-law. Now why don't you and Tula wait in the living room while I finish with preparing dinner, and don't offer to help." She chuckled. "We both know you're a terrible cook."

A shiver went down Kaldur's spine. This woman, who was for all practical purposes a complete stranger, knew him as well as his own mother. Kaldur thought about his mother, how she was probably mourning his loss. He understood the principles of advanced physics and knew that the thought was incorrect, from his quantum perspective she didn't exist, at least not from any reference point in the current universe. Yet he remembered her, so as far as he was concerned that made her as real as anything around him.

"You know me too well." He replied politely as Tula led him to the living room. They both sat down together on the couch and she looked deep into his eyes, cupping his face with her palm.

She then leaned forward and kissed him. He did not resist and returned her affection; she then hopped onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, and the resumed kissing. He knew that it was the wrong thing to do, but he didn't care. She was his again, perhaps more than she ever was back at home. Nevertheless, he paused and pulled away from her.

"Tula, this … we should not be doing this."

"But Aquaman man said that there was virtually no chance of finding your home. Can't you see Kaldur, this is your new home … don't you want me, don't you love me?"

"More than you can imagine Tula. But think about it, what would happen to us if the way back to my universe is found? What would happen to you? You would lose me for a second time."

She shook her head.

"That won't happen."

"But what if it does?"

She paused before answering, which she did with steel clad determination.

"Then I will go back with you."

He stared at her, completely stunned.

"Tula, you cannot do that. What about your parents?"

She buried her face in his chest.

"It won't be easy, but if I must I will leave them behind. They will understand."

"No, I cannot do that to them."

The sound of a clearing throat was heard. They both turned and saw Tula's mother standing at the doorway.

"Do not worry Kaldur; Tula has my blessing to return with you if it becomes necessary."

Kaldur nodded and took Tula's hands into his own.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What is she doing here?" Raven snarled.

Robin crossed his arms as he locked eyes with his dark teammate.

"Terra showed up again when we engaged Red-X."

"So you invited her to dinner?" Raven shrieked.

Robin sighed. He knew that Raven didn't like Terra. Heck, he didn't care for the geomancer. She was a loose cannon, even when she wasn't being treacherous. He also knew that the blond had ulterior motives regarding Beast Boy. He sighed. Maybe Batman was right, romantic entanglements had no place on a team of superheroes.

"We need to discuss how we're going to cooperate with her in the future."

Raven scowled at her leader.

"Robin, have you lost your freaking mind? Terra isn't a Titan and she won't rejoin the team."

Terra sauntered over to Raven, smirking as she approached.

"Oh don't worry Rae; I don't want to join your little club."

"I know what you want Terra. And you can't have him."

Terra grinned.

"I thought we were going to discuss crime fighting."

Raven began to crackle with dark energy, her eyes glowing an ominous obsidian black. Terra responded in kind as her own eyes began to glow yellow. Beast Boy watched with trepidation, wondering why he attracted scary girls with terrifying powers.

"Both of you, give it a rest!" Robin howled. The two girls backed down.

"Sorry Robin." Terra apologized.

"I don't think this is going to work Terra." Robin commented. "How can we fight the bad guys if we're fighting each other?"

Terra shrunk back, looking contrite.

"I promise that I'll behave Robin, but you know I don't need your permission to fight criminals, I just thought it would work better if we cooperated.

"I don't trust her." Raven remarked dryly. "She's been nothing but bad news from the day we met her."

Terra knew it was time to make her move, to make Raven look bad while she made herself look good.

"Paranoia will destroy ya Raven, or have you forgotten who saved your sorry ass the other day? I could have let that Slade-bot carve you up like a Thanksgiving turkey and BB would be all mine now. But I didn't have to do that. I'll win him back the old fashioned way."

Raven snarled. The memory of that hated day still haunted her. For her there was nothing worse than owing the wretched blond her life. But to hear her promise to steal Gar from her in such a cocky, arrogant manner, it was more than she could take.

"You haven't changed, you're the same old self centered, double crossing bitch you've always been. You don't deserve our trust or friendship and you certainly don't deserve Beast Boy!"

Terra turned to the changeling and gave him a seductive smile.

"Do you really like her BB? I mean, just look at her, she's the real monster."

Terra's tactic once again backfired.

"In case you haven't noticed, I have a monster buried deep inside of me." He snarled at her. "Get it through your head Terra, there never was anything between us, you lied to me from the beginning and I'll never trust you with my heart again, never."

Terra looked stunned.

"You mean you're picking her over me?"

"Yeah, duh! "

The blond shook her head in disbelief.

"But why? Why her?"

Beast Boy sighed in exasperation.

"Because I love Raven."

"But you used to love me."

"I did, but now I know that I can't trust you."

"And you trust her?" Terra asked in disbelief.

"You bet, I trust Raven with my life and my heart."

"Then maybe you should marry her." Terra replied in a voice dripping with spite and contempt.

"That's a great idea Terra, I think I will!" He replied.

"You'll what?" Robin exclaimed.

Beast Boy began to fidget nervously with his fingers.

"Well … you know … when we're older … I mean … only if Raven wants to."

Robin decided to regain control of the melee that was forming around him.

"I don't know if this is going to work Terra. I just don't see how we can cooperate."

Terra's demeanor immediately changed.

"Whoa, let's not rush to conclusions Robin. Look, I'll behave myself, I promise. I won't even talk to Raven, except professionally."

Robin looked lost in thought.

"Ok, but only until Beast Boy recovers." He said as he handed Terra a communicator. "You won't have access to the Tower unless you're with another Titan. Understood?"

Terra nodded as she took the communicator from Robin.

"Thanks Robin, I guess it's time for me to leave."

"We'll be in touch Terra."

After Cyborg escorted Terra out of the Tower Raven spoke up.

"I still think we're making a mistake."

"I know, but right now we really need her help. As soon as Beast Boy's recovered we won't work with her anymore." Robin added. "It's been a long day, let's go out somewhere for dinner."

The team immediately agreed.

"Let's meet here in an hour. That should give everyone time to get ready."

The 5 Titans separated, heading off to their rooms, except for the Chromatically Challenged Couple™, who headed off to Beast Boy's room. Once they were in the privacy of his sanctum they both sat down on his lower bunk, which had been made.

"I see your room is still clean." She remarked.

He grinned nervously while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, you said wouldn't come in here if it was messy."

"Yes, I did." She paused. "Gar, did you really mean what you said? Or did you just say it to make Terra angry?"

"Uh yeah, I did kinda want to piss her off … but … I did mean it."

"So you proposed to me?"

He swallowed hard.

"I guess I did … I mean I know were still underage an all that … so … well … I mean I would like to … when we're older and stuff ... you know"

"Are you certain of this?" She asked in her monotone. "You know that I'm not like other girls. Terra is right … I am a monster."

"You're not a monster Raven."

She looked at him with a very soulful expression, one he hadn't seen for a long time, only once in fact, after her told her she wasn't alone.

"And you really do trust me with your heart? You aren't afraid that I'll hurt you?"

"Of course I trust you; I know you would never hurt me."

"I've been cruel to you in the past, or have you forgotten?"

"No, I remember, but I had it coming, I was a pest back then."

Raven chuckled softly.

"More like a pain in the neck sometimes."

She fell silent and looked lost in thought.

"We need to think about this Gar. Part of me wants to say yes. It is customary to marry at our age in Azarath, but that wouldn't work so well here on Earth. I also don't want to say yes and then wait for years until we get married."

"Hey don't sweat it, I mean it's not like I dropped down onto my knees and proposed."

"Actually, the way you did it actually means more to me than some staged ritual … you understand that I'm not saying no, right?"

He beamed at her.

"How about … we're pre-engaged?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Pre-engaged? What's that?"

"You know, the whole promise ring thing."

Raven nodded her understanding.

"If you give me a promise ring, I will accept and wear it."

The young couple exchanged a tender kiss before heading off to join their friends for dinner.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Looks like both teams have had an unexpected wrench thrown into the works. I still owe you a visit with YJ-Flash and the Flash.

And thanks for the reviews.