Ch 3

It had taken all night after Raven got back from the mall to get her emotions under control. She had mediated throughout the night and into the morning. When her head had finally hit the pillow, she sighed as she closed her eyes. Before she could sink into sleep, a knock came to her door.

"What?" said an agitated Raven.

"Uh sorry Raven, I thought you'd be up by now. It's 9AM," said Robin.

"Well it was a late night and if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep. I'll tell you what happened when I've gotten some rest."

"Ok Raven," he said as her door shut right in his face.

Robin walked into the living room to see BB and Cyborg playing video games while Starfire was in the kitchen, cooking her latest Tamarian concoction. He decided to join his girlfriend in the kitchen. As she turned from the stove, she saw Robin and smiled. "Morning boyfriend Robin."

"Morning Star," smiled Robin.

"Have you talked to friend Raven yet?"

"She got back to the tower pretty late. She seemed agitated when I knocked on the door. I don't think she got any sleep, so she's sleeping now," he sighed, "it's just I didn't think it would take this long to find out where Beast boy went yesterday."

"Maybe something else happened."

"Well I can't ask her until she wakes up," said Robin as Cyborg came into the kitchen. "Hey Cyborg, you notice anything different about Beast boy this morning?"

"No, he's just the same old BB."

"So Raven came home late last night?" said Cyborg.

"Something happened, she seemed exhausted, like something took a lot out of her. Besides that Beast boy came home earlier than when Raven came in. Something is not adding up," said Robin.

"Perhaps she was attacked by a villain," said Starfire.

"I don't think so. I think she lost control of her emotions last night," said Robin.

"What would make you think that?" asked Cyborg.

"There were things in her room that exploded."

"Maybe it has something to do with friend Beast boy," said Starfire.

"That makes sense. We'll get answers from her soon but for now everything is normal until we find out what is going on with Beast boy," said Robin.

"All right," said Cyborg.

"Agreed," said Starfire.

It was noon when Raven made her appearance. She made some tea and waffles, enjoyed the silence while she could, and made her way to the couch, pulled out her book, and sighed in contentment, hoping to get yesterday's events out of her mind for now. Her reading was short lived and she sighed again but in annoyance.

"Robin."

"Hey Raven," he said as he sat next to her. Raven closed her book. "What happened yesterday and in the early morning?"

"You get straight to the point. Well I think we should all talk to Beast boy together," said Raven. "It's nothing that dangerous where I need to confide in you before we tell the others."

"All right," said Robin as he took out his communicator. "All Titans report to the living room immediately."

"What is it Robin?" asked BB as Starfire and Cyborg came in behind him.

"I think everyone should sit," said Robin. He looked to Beast boy. "Where did you disappear off to yesterday?"

"Dude, I was at the mall. Nothing serious, why?"

"What were you doing at the mall?" asked Robin.

"Are you interrogating me Robin?" asked BB.

"You got a call yesterday, you took it, and then left the tower in a hurry," said Robin. "We're just concerned. That's all."

"Nothing bad happened Robin. I just had to deal with some personal business. It's over and done with, so we can go on with our lives."

"If it's over and done with, why can't you tell us B?" asked Cyborg.

"You have a decision to make Beast boy. Either you tell us or Raven does?" said Robin.

"You were spying on me," said BB. "Raven, how could you?"

"I'm sorry Beast boy. I was concerned. We all were. We didn't know if you were in danger or-

"If I was in danger, I would have called. You guys got to trust me when I say it was no big deal," said BB.

"Then tell us friend Beast boy."

He sighed. "Fine, the Doom Patrol called me yesterday so I met them at the mall. A criminal we once faced is finally be tried in California. They thought I might want to be there to see him be sentenced to life in jail. I refused, and that's all," he said as he looked at Raven. "Happy?"

"Beast boy," said Raven.

"Please Raven don't!" said BB, his eyes dead serious.

Raven had never seen that look in his eyes before. He was scared. "That's everything," said Raven. "I think we should just let it go." She never thought those words would come out of her mouth, but they did. It physically hurt her but the look in his eyes had killed her. The warm feeling in her just intensified.

"Raven," said Robin.

"I need some air," said Raven as she made a portal and flew through the ceiling.

She ended up at her favorite bookstore where she picked a book and sat down in one of the chairs in the way back to read in peace. 'This will calm me down, I hope,' she thought. She was able to get lost in the story like she hoped, but her concentration was broken by two familiar voices.

"Wow, I can't believe it. The Doom Patrol is in my bookstore," said the excited owner. "Let me know if I can help you find anything."

"Thank you, that is very kind of you," said Rita.

"And here I thought people forgot about us," said Negative man.

"Oh come on Larry, it's great to be recognized sometimes. Remember in the beginning, no one would leave us alone," said Robot man.

"I don't miss those days Cliff. It's nice just to blend in," said Steve as he looked through the bookshelves.

"I know Garfield use to read a lot. I just don't know what he's reading now," said Rita as she looked through the shelves.

"That kid can really get through a novel. I don't know how gets through books like that in one day," said Cliff.

Raven was shocked to say the least. 'Beast boy reads other things besides comic books, who knew?'

"The boy is too stubborn for his own good," said Steve.

"I know you worry about him sometimes, but he seems happy with the Titans. They're nice kids," said Rita.

"I have to admit they are impressive," said Negative man. "I don't think we were that strong at their age."

"If only his friends could convince Beast boy that the right thing to do is testify," said Steve. "They seem pretty close,"

"Sounds like a good idea Mento," said Negative man.

"No," Raven walked up to them, "it doesn't."

"It's Raven, right?" asked Mento.

"Yes."

"Look Raven, I have known Beast boy a lot longer than you have. He won't be able to move on with his life if he doesn't face up to his demons like a man."

"I'm starting to see why Beast boy left," said Raven. "He'll be more traumatized if he has to bare his soul to a bunch of strangers. He can't just brush it off and move on. Something bad happened to him. He'll come to terms about it when he's ready."

"I don't think you understand Raven," said Rita. "It wasn't just one bad thing that happened to him. His whole life has been nothing but one big nightmare that he won't tell anyone about. If he doesn't tell someone, the burden will crush him."

"I don't think the best way is to confront his abuser. I heard what you were talking about with Beast boy and if he decides to do so, then it's on his terms, not yours," said Raven.

"I like her," said Robot man. "She's got guts standing up to you Steve."

"Just how close are you to Garfield?" asked Rita.

"He's my friend," said Raven.

"Well that's a relief," said Mento.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Raven.

"You don't know him. You can't begin to know Beast boy. He's always hiding. He's hid his real self from the Doom Patrol for years. None of us really know who he is only what he wants to show us," said Mento. "Lets face it he'll never let anyone too close or else they might find out what's beneath the facade isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Raven felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see Rita with a sad smile on her face. She could tell how much Beast boy meant to the woman. "You're wrong," Raven said to Mento, who seemed shocked by her response. "I see pieces of the real Beast boy when no one is looking. I know there's more to his jokester facade. I just can't begin to know what made him this way, but I-I want to know because he's done so much for me. He never gave up on me. I won't let him live this way any longer," said Raven as she walked out of the bookstore, disappearing from the Doom Patrol's sight.

Raven opened a portal to her room. Looking at her clock, it read 5PM. 'Good, I still have some time to get ready and eat something before I leave again.' As she took off her cape, boots, and began to unzip the back of her leotard, she heard a cat meow on her bed and looked to see a green cat lying on her bed. "What are you doing in my room?" she yelled.

Morphing back into his human form and looked up at Raven. "I just want to thank you for not telling the other Titans. I should be furious at you for spying on me."

"I've never seen you so desperate to keep a secret. Whatever happened to you by that man, I'm sorry. Are you sure there's enough on him to go away for a long time?"

"If they're trying him in the states, then yeah I'd say he'll never get out. So, where have you been?"

"Bookstore. The Doom Patrol were there."

"Really, what did they tell you?"

"You actually read real books. You're not who you appear to be to anyone around you."

"I don't only read real books as you put it, but I love to read. As for being something I'm not, it's true but I'm not giving up who I am now to be someone I use to be. It's too painful," he said as he got off her bed and headed towards the door. He turned to Raven first and smiled. "Oh and um you really have a nice back. See you later Rae!," he said as he ran out the door.

"What is he-?" She then remembered the zipper on her back was open, leaving her back exposed. She blushed, blowing up her lamp as she closed her door with her powers.

'He said our back was beautiful.'

'Shut up love,' said Raven.

After Raven showered and changed into a pair of dark blue jeans, a navy top, and a zipped up hoodie, she made her way to the kitchen to grab something to eat before she left the tower. She opened a portal, stepped into it and ended up at Jump City Hotel. Standing in front of the hotel, Raven began to feel nervous. She took a deep breath in, uttered her mantra, walked inside the lobby, entered the elevator.

Knocking on the door of the room, it opened to see a smiling Violet. She led her in, and her eyes immediately went to the older couple, especially the man who seemed to recognize her but he was also in shock.

"You're supposed to be dead," said the man.

Raven was thrown off by the comment. "Well I'm still here," said Raven.

"Your mother was supposed to get rid of you. Of course she didn't listen to me. How foolish? And now you exist."

"Why didn't you tell me and Craven that Arella was pregnant?" asked Violet.

"Why do you think?" said Haven. "Your sister got pregnant by that monster Trigon. I was not about to associate our family with Trigon. She told me she would get rid of it, but she would not return home. Obviously she didn't have the strength to follow through."

"Because she loved Raven dad!" said Violet. "Raven is still a part of my sister. I don't care if her father is Trigon. I love her."

"As do I," said Craven. "And you're disgusting for keeping it from us. Did Azar even know?"

"Yes, I did. We did what we thought was best at the time," said Azar.

Raven had been quite the whole time but heard everything. It was a lot to take in, and she was surprised she had such control over her emotions at the moment. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see her aunt smiling at her. "I'm sorry Raven, I can't imagine what you're feeling right now."

"We want you to know that we're not going anywhere," said Craven. "My wife and I would like to get to know you and be a part of your life if you will let us."

Usually she would close herself off but she looked into Violet and Craven's eyes and she saw compassion and love for her. They didn't even know her, but they knew they loved her. She was touched a smiled. "Thats sounds nice. I'll keep in touch," said Raven as she hugged her aunt and uncle and left the hotel.