Disclaimer: By this means, I rightfully claim ownership to this FanFiction story and my original character within it, by my trademark signature T.M.O at the conclusion of every update. Any other characters that may appear in this work and are new, these are the rightful properties by their creators as well and cannot be reproduced, or duplicated without their individual consent. I do not own anything within the DC Universe, from Warner Brothers, or on Cartoon Network. The only original character and the name that I created for him; that I accept half ownership on is Falcon from this telling. Scififanfreak222 owns the second half of him as well, for drawing him upon a collaboration of various new designs and sketches within the year of 2010; and cannot be knowingly placed into another literary document, writing community, comic book series, and or televised broadcast without either of our written or verbal consent in front of legal consultants. TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne, Scififanfreak222, xSaffire55x, Novus Ordo Seclorum, and RavenxIsxAxBlackxRose; each of these fellow writers have helped me to press onwards with this story, every-time I have come across writers block. Without their outstanding guidance, the updates would have taken me even longer to complete.
Chapter 36 is at last uploaded! Tragedy has struck causing a bitter rift to deepen. Two of The Titans depart to aid their fellow heroes, Raven confronts the truth within herself to Beast Boy, as an aspiring young medical prospect meets with a familiar face. "Presumption first blinds a man, then sets him a running." -Ben Franklin- (1706-1790)
Chapter 36 - Masquerade
"This is all so wrong!" Cyborg shouted vehemently, as he looked to the center console in the T-Car, while the footage from the media was revealing the exact same crumbling rubble, that his allies were watching back at Titans Tower. "How did this happen?!"
*Cyborg . . . we need you to return home. ASAP!* Robin ordered while he interlocked his arms over his chest.
The computer expert shook his bald head from side to side, he was overly disgusted with so much, and everything had fallen apart. There was no respite or breathing room since Slade had reemerged. It was one continuous bad omen after another.
Now their allies from the far away city were in some unfortunate peril, and nobody had any clue as to their well being or whereabouts. The blood in Cyborg's veins began to boil, and his heart-rate was increasing very rapidly.
Cyborg was exerting everything he had along with his teammates in this tireless pursuit, and still more challenges would mount. Taking things day-by-day was becoming unbearable, where the quickening of events transpired from hour to hour, and minute to minute.
To have received no messages, no call asking for aid, and only finding out that evil had struck their sister-team in Steel City, along with the rest of the nation only forced his mind to race with countless theories and questions.
"They should have called us! Why the heck didn't they? I mean, perhaps they were caught flat-footed . . . but there is no way that anybody could have gotten through their defenses so fast. Not after I INSTALLED THEM! I just don't understand it!"
*Cyborg, calm down. You are no good to anybody out there by yourself.* The Titans Captain spoke up, as his stern appearance and the domino mask did not give any sign that he was at all fatigued. *We need to regroup. This is not the time to go off half-cocked, and with only assumptions.*
"What was that?"
*Please friend. Return back so that we can discuss a plan of the action.* Starfire pleaded with her hands clasped together. *There is nothing that can be gained, if we continue on our own.*
"They need help! Did they leave any message with you guys, or try to reach us through the secured line if their communicators were compromised?"
Raven shook her head in a dejected state, and Cyborg looked to the screen to see his allies all gathered behind Robin. A part of him was pleased to see his friends together, but this was short-lived as the tragedy was absorbed.
*There was no message. No call. Not a word.* Raven deadpanned. *It was almost as if they were deliberately attacked, by a well armed and fully prepared force of some kind.*
Cyborg slammed his fist into the steering wheel. "DAMMIT!"
*Dude . . . I know it sucks. Come on back and we can go over this like Robin said.* Beast Boy spoke next in line.
Lifting his head, the Co-Captain inhaled deeply before saying, "I can't. Not after all this."
*I am ordering you to return to The Tower!* Robin barked.
"To hell with this, And YOUR DAMNED ORDERS!"
There was a solid gasp of shock, as countless faces from the Titans and Squadron members gave similar looks of pain and sorrow. Tempers were running extremely high, and any uplifting spirit had become squashed.
*Be careful with your next choice of words.* Robin spoke without raising his voice, and his demeanor had not shifted in the slightest.
"You heard me. Screw-it! It's Bumblebee and Speedy, Aqualad, Mas Y Menos, and Kid Flash. I won't leave them to this! They . . . they are our friends Robin. We can't just leave this as it is! I am going after them!"
*You saw for yourself, their Tower is a pile of ruins. There was no mentioning of survivors, they were attacked last night and while I sympathize entirely, but we need to be patient. We have to come up with some sort of plan, instead of just rushing off, and doing whatever the heck we feel like!*
There was a dramatic silence that lingered on both ends, and despite the various arguments, the gear-head was even more determined to go to their aid. He wanted to drive across the country, and see what was taking place.
No sooner that he noticed the news coverage, where he had to find out what had transpired. This caused him to hurry to his vehicle and he was parked on a side of the highway. Titans Tower was in the middle of the water out on its island, while the road ahead of him stretched towards The East Coast.
The destruction of The Train Station came to his mind next, and the smiling face from the crimson cloaked drifter who had perished because of his unwillingness to act, this caused Cyborg's blood-pressure to increase even more.
"Robin, They are our friends. What do you think they would do, if they were in our shoes?"
*I'm not arguing with you. We aren't going to just leave them.* Robin commented, then he slowly looked up from the floor. *But be patient. Remember what happened at the Gold Depository?*
Cyborg sighed. "I haven't forgotten, and while you may remind me of my mistakes, need I remind you in front of everybody about your folly, when it came to our most recent addition to the team?"
The Titan Leader's face furrowed, as he gradually leaned back from the main console in The Common Room. This was a direct insult regarding Falcon, and the unfortunate loss made his mood feel at its lowest.
Everybody else was standing directly behind The Boy Wonder, and they watched in absolute silence. Their glances were looking back and forth, while these two commanders bitterly detested against how the other's plans were being strained passed the breaking point.
*I don't think you're going to convince him to come back here.* came the rasping voice from Raven once more, as she interlocked her arms.
*What would you propose then?* Robin questioned while briefly turning to overlook his shoulder. *We need to be here. All of us, where we can go over things.*
Starfire stepped forwards. *Robin is correct friend Cyborg. What cannot be acquired with you being back home with us?*
"Because we are running out of time!"
There was another long silence, and Cyborg scowled before speaking again. "We need them, now more than ever and they are . . . well I don't know but I am going to find out. I don't want to let this just run its course, and neither would they if it were us."
*If he is so determined to go, perhaps one of us can meet him. To uncover what happened? So as to not leave this important assignment to just one person.* Delphi replied behind the gathered heroes.
Robin still said nothing.
*Sure.* Avatar piped up. *I mean, we have some numbers to spare, compared to just you guys dealing with this by yourselves, remember?*
Cyborg's stubborn nature was as unmoving as Robin's could be, neither young man wanted to give an inch of ground as they always tried to dominate the other in command and leadership.
In recent years it was tested to a point, yet it was increasingly taxing the more that they were confronted with this recurring obstacle. All of this worsened after what had happened to Falcon, where things gradually became a lot more complicated.
*Cyborg.* Robin's voice caused the Team Technician to focus on him again. *Find out what you can, see what you can learn and contact us as soon as you get there. One of us will meet you.*
The team's Second-In-Command nodded in respect, and without uttering a single word, he turned his device off.
(~)
"Well now, I guess that settles that matter." Press stroked his chin.
The heroes gradually parted from the iconic sofa area, and everybody quietly kept to themselves with what they thought of the recent news, and what was going to take place next.
"Almost." Avatar replied. We still have to send one of our own to meet him."
"The arrogance really blinds him. The fool." Robin shut off the computer, as he shook his head in obvious frustration.
"So much for our grand strategy, of combining all forces for whatever Slade has in mind here. Eh Robin?" Avatar placed her right hand onto his shoulder.
The Boy Wonder kept his back to her. He was hunched over the computer console, and he was hoping beyond anything that there was a more uplifting element he could say, something to spurn a bold tone but he only drew a blank.
"I have to go over everything that has happened, complete the reports for the Jump City Police, and look through every bit of data we have on this most recent . . . incident." The Titans Captain sighed before walking towards the exit.
"Robin, wait!" Starfire called to him, she was struggling with so much sadness. "You must eat. Surely this ordeal has caused the appetite for all to seek out replenishment. While friend Delphi has gone out of her way, to procure our morning meal."
He stopped, while he observed The Tamaranean holding a bagel for him on a plate in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other.
"I'm not hungry."
"But Robin-"
It was of no use. He was fuming internally with how despite the rash action of his second-in-command, Cyborg had caused Raven and himself plenty of problems, that again he was hell-bent on doing things his way.
Will he ever learn?
The spiky haired leader squeezed his green gloved fists, as any thoughts for food had been overtaken by the desire to get the next mountain of paperwork, and assignments sorted before the mid-day arrived.
Surely she must know how I feel about this. But I . . . I am just too exhausted from even trying to say anything.
"Forgive me." Robin finally spoke up. "I need to get things organized. We need to be ready."
"We need to do something, and I don't want to just stand around here." Press spoke up. "We don't have any idea what is truly going on, but Robin, whatever you need, I can help."
Beast Boy reached over and tugged at the Squadron member's sleeve, to gain his attention.
The Boy Wonder smirked. "You are doing more than you know, simply by being here and helping out as you have. And I thank you."
"Well Robin?" Avatar raised her head. "What are we going to do while you go off and do . . . whatever it is that you need to? We need to decide who to send to Cyborg, don't we?"
The Boy Wonder glanced over his shoulder, to his old Gotham Crime-Fighting comrade. "I'll leave that, to whoever you want to send from your team. There are more pressing matters that I have to deal with."
After inhaling a deep breath to cool himself down, he started on his determined mission to get his assignments completed.
"Robin-" Starfire called but he did not stop, where he was out of the room, and off to his quarters.
A new and serious pause held over for everybody, as the doors slid shut. The Titans Captain had a valid point, where the rash of criminal activities carried out by the infamous sladebots, had both teams racing to find answers.
"Robin." Starfire whispered in a melancholy pitch.
Avatar stepped towards her, and she placed a hand onto the Tamaranean girl's left shoulder, to offer her comfort.
"Well guys this is a tough spot indeed, and more of us are going to be splitting up but don't worry, we will make it through this."
"That is some high praise, judging by what has been going on since before you got here . . . I would say that it is almost a miracle that we haven't splintered apart sooner." Raven scoffed with contempt.
Avatar moved her hands to her hips. "What is with you guys? We just had a major battle with those goons, and we won. Sure, things are hard, but when has that stopped any of us from getting the job done before?"
"That is just it though." Raven jumped back in. "This foul work may have been carried out on the far side of the country, and we were all so focused on what was going on before us . . . but this only adds into more of what I feared from so long ago."
"What is it?"
"War."
There was a very lengthy hush that carried over for all of the teenagers, and this single word had so much weight and a terrible effect was scorched into their minds.
Avatar interlocked her arms over her chest, and she frowned before speaking again. "There is more to this strategy than what any of us realize. Robin and Cyborg aren't the only capable leaders to put the pieces together."
"I do not understand." Starfire shook her head in bewilderment. "What has this attack on The Titans East, and our thwarting of the battles here in Jump City, have to do with each-other?"
Avatar tilted her head. "It has to deal with Slade."
"All of it." Raven swiftly cut-in. "This entire business, where our focus being glued to Jump City, Slade went out and attacked us where we were not looking."
"Or so it would seem." Beast Boy remarked as he tapped his chin. "We still don't have all the facts."
"Think about it. He deduced our forces have been joined, and he never before met our team." Kimiko stepped forwards, and all eyes were steadily locked onto her. "So to take out other potential groups, while we were distracted, it only played into his hands."
"That clever schemer." Avatar punched her left fist into her right palm.
"This is Slade after all." Raven rasped. "So naturally, he will push us to a breaking-point."
"The thing is . . . I don't remember him going all out like this before." Beast Boy sheepishly rasped.
"Tactics change, and once again we are feeling pressure to sort through another mess, as Azar only knows what he has cooking now."
Delphi glanced around the room, to observe the melancholy mood that everybody was in. She was accustomed to the feeling of great angst, as her teacher had taught her, to not let it blind oneself from getting the job done.
Now, there was a task that had to be carried out, and her thinking on the subject was that out of everybody who could make the journey, she was the most suited for the mission.
The white robed silver haired teenager took a deep inhaling breath, before speaking over the silence.
"I volunteer, to offer support and aid for Cyborg in this."
"What?" Press was startled, and he immediately walked over to confront her.
"That's pretty bold." Avatar rasped. "A little fast don't you think?"
Delphi shook her head from side to side. "You have to stay here and rest, to watch over these guys and to recover. You only just came back after being out all night. Me, I was here this whole time and I feel this is the best way to contribute."
"So what? What does that have to do with anything?"
Delphi looked at the black inkblots that shifted across his faceless white mask, and she interlocked her arms prior to answering. "Cyborg can manage fine because he is half machine, literally . . . but you and everybody else have not been able to recover. You need your sleep."
"She's right." Kimiko said next. "We need to be prepared for what is to come."
Delphi found herself at the center of attention, and she felt immediately uncomfortable. "I was here all night and not out battling Slade's army, unlike the rest of you."
The Titans Squadron had found themselves in a strange position. They were hoping to put things to a vote between them; Avatar was even considering going herself but, the instant the Rune Knight offered to go, it only made more sense.
"Del, lets at least talk about this." Press pleaded again, he was trying to hold back his own discomfort about them splitting up, and right along with a looming fear of another fight that was going to take place.
They all knew it was going to happen, that another attack was imminent but they did not know when, where, or what the crisis was going to be.
"There is nothing more to go over, and Cyborg needs backup. Slade is up to something, where there is more that I can do in this investigation, than you guys ever could."
"Let's at least draw straws for it . . . that way it will be-" Press started speaking again, only to fall silent the moment her blue eyes were locked onto him.
Kimiko elbowed the one guy on their team in his shoulder, causing him to slightly flinch.
"Come-on." The scarf-faced shinobi commented. "Your sword-play is getting sloppy. We need to work on it."
Press turned. "I thought I held my own pretty good."
"You need to sharpen your techniques, you are truly naive if you think that the coming fight, is going to be just a simple sparring bout. Plus, having a roughing-up within the sewer against that shapeshifting creature you were telling us all about . . . we need this."
"It's settled then." Avatar commented. "Press and Kimiko will get some sparring practice in to hone their skills. Delphi will take the M.D.A.R.V. to meet up with Cyborg in Steel City."
"And what will you do?" Press asked.
"Me? Why, I didn't come all this way to not help. I'm going to go and talk with Robin. Get into that thick skull of his, and with any luck, perhaps we can start to piece together wherever it is that Slade is hiding . . . so we can try and nab him before he carries out his next scheme."
"You might have better luck by retracing the events in the evidence room." Raven remarked as she overheard their conversation. "He isn't going to budge in letting you go to him, but you can still do some digging. From all of our encounters, to Slade's tactics, and even the remains of previous troubles . . . everything we have is in that room."
"What is with you Titans, always trying to do everything by yourselves?" Press brought up.
"There is nothing to prove." Raven remarked as she raised a hand, and she looked to the Squadron Captain. "But you haven't spoken with Robin in how long exactly?"
"It's been a few years." Avatar answered with her shoulders slumped.
"A lot has changed from when you guys did work together back in Gotham."
"I'll say."
Starfire was still looking at the doors, and her head was bowed in shame.
"He is your leader, I get it." Avatar had a glint of light reflect off from her domino mask. "But Robin and me go way back. There are some ways I have of getting him to come out of that shell of his."
"If Robin is not willing to listen . . . " Starfire spoke up as she gradually turned to face the other group. "Then perhaps . . . I will go with you. Together, we can work on this."
"Good call." Avatar looked back and forth from the two female Titans, to capture The Grey Empath shrug her shoulders in a nonchalant manner. "Let's go then."
The Common Room gradually started to become empty of teenagers, and all this time Terra was sitting in the wheelchair, being a silent observer.
Kimiko grabbed Press by his collar, and she tugged him along like a mother pulling a frustrated child away from a store window, to gather some equipment they had brought.
They were quickly followed by Avatar that was behind Starfire's lead, while these two young ladies chatted about their upbringings, and the doors closed behind these four as their voices eventually trailed off.
The sunlight continued to grow brighter, where once again, the ex-Titan had no place to go, or any task to accomplish. The breakfast the superheroes were eating had been interrupted, and only Beast Boy, Raven, and Delphi were in the large room with her.
"Terra." Beast Boy said as he wheeled himself next to her.
"Yes?"
He looked to the floor for a moment, and the unfortunate news coverage had spoiled even his appetite.
"Everybody is so focused on things, and I don't want you to feel like-"
"It's okay." Terra revealed a tiny smirk. "I'm fine."
"Talk about a rough morning." he sighed while leaning back in the wheelchair. "The Titans East is in trouble, our team here in our rough shape that it is, and now The Squadron members going off on their own . . . but it isn't all bad."
The shadow of the blue cloaked Empath approached from the kitchen, while Delphi turned and the door 'hissed' behind her. Now, Terra felt the cold stare of the sorceress's eyes upon her, like knives were cutting into her flesh.
Terra leaned closer to Beast Boy and she said, "It looks like you're wanted elsewhere too."
"Oh." The green changeling nodded. "Um, Raven said something about . . . well I won't be gone long."
The blonde smirked.
Beast Boy leaned forwards and he placed his left hand onto her shoulder. "When I get back, we can pick up where we left off, with that letter from your brother." He tapped her wrist while pulling away, and he smiled. "Okay Raven . . . where to?"
Terra watched as he wheeled himself towards his teammate, and with a glance of a harsh 'do not even think about following us' sort of expression on The Empath's face; it only caused the blonde to recoil, and to shrink back in her seat.
Sibs, the large German Shepherd trotted over to the only person left in the room, with his paws making their distinctive sound over the tiled floor.
"You again?" Terra whispered as she leaned forwards and began to pet the dog's head. "I don't know what you see in me, when even the others all still feel so tense and . . . no, it doesn't matter."
The friendly canine wagged his tail, and he turned before hurrying over to the windows to sit by the glass.
The ex-Titan slowly observed him, and her eyes were focused upon the majestic view of Jump City. She took a few deep breaths, as a feeling of dread began to worm its way through her belly.
She was going to try something she never once considered, where the idea of a meditation session felt strangely appealing.
(~)
Raven had stopped in her tracks, and she crossed her arms while the door 'hissed' closed, and Beast Boy was the last to leave. She turned and glanced down at him, unsure of what to make of his continued efforts in trying to bridge any connection with the girl in the other room.
"That was a whole lot to take in, for a start to the new day. I do hope that The Titans East are okay."
"Me too."
He briefly turned to glance behind him, then he looked up. "What is it?"
She sighed. "You know we have been . . . well, I . . ." she looked around to notice that it was only the two of them. "Let's keep walking."
"Okay. Where to?"
"Just, come on."
The pair of teammates were side by side, their shadows were mirroring along the corridor as they continued on. For some strange reason, Raven felt a second wind in her sails, like she had gained a burst of energy the moment it was just her and Beast Boy.
She did not say anything for a long time, and the recently turned sixteen-year-old cleared his throat before speaking.
"You guys had some rough stuff to deal with out there, and it only continues to get more intense." he commented while adjusting his right arm still in the bulky cast. "I wish I could be out there with you and-"
"There is so much that is unraveling and developing that . . ." the words were caught up in her throat, and she shook her head after interrupting him. "This is important."
He reached over and caused her to stop. "Raven. Please, just tell me what is going on."
"Not here, lets keep moving. We're almost there."
"Sure thing."
One by one, the privet rooms of their teammates were passed, and the two came to stop outside of hers.
"Raven-"
"It's okay. This is the only place that makes sense to me right now, and I . . . I want you to come in."
Beast Boy was stunned. The two had shared a kiss, a very passionate and romantic moment on the rooftop last night, where now they were alone once more. He felt his heartbeat quicken as they were in the hall.
Starfire and Avatar were nowhere in sight, while Press, Kimiko, and Delphi had also gone off on their own respective missions. It was just these two, waiting outside of her door.
"We could go somewhere else if-" he paused as he looked up.
With a smile, she brushed a strand of hair away from her left eye. She then replied, "Come."
Once the pair had entered her sanctum, the scent of this room was unmistakable. It was a lavender aroma mixed with a few other delicate fragrances, that made her bedchambers enticing and mysterious.
A wave of relief washed over her, and her cloak became folded over the front portion of her body, concealing her legs. She immediately felt less tense, while the frustration and anger, the hostilities from being in the Common Room with Terra had suddenly lifted.
Internally, it felt like the sun had finally broken through the thick cloud coverings from a storm. The warmth and comfort, the safety of where she was expanded her confidence as they would not be spied upon.
She was exactly where she wanted to be, with who she needed to talk with.
Beast Boy looked around, he was afraid to touch absolutely anything as countless times she told not only him, but every one of their teammates and guests to keep out. That under no circumstances would they be admitted in, without her permission.
Yet here he was, and the bond between Raven and himself had become strengthened a great deal.
Beast Boy had learned the hard way with Cyborg, that sneaking into Raven's room, it was not something to just walk into by accident. The eerie mirror was resting upon her dresser, and he immediately sat upright in the wheelchair as he spotted this object.
The memory of the horrific claw reaching out from the frame, and pulling the two inside of the glass, where they were transported into Raven's mind brought him a sudden chill. It was a very delicate heirloom from Azarath, one to help her focus during intense meditation sessions.
Once the door slid closed, Raven turned to study him. The shadows and the fragments of sunlight breaking through the curtains along the window, this made her Grey appearance and the A-Line hairstyle very alluring.
"Beast Boy, I want you to relax, to feel at ease. Please . . . don't feel threatened by being in here. In fact, this is the only place I feel that I can truly open up. I am glad that you are with me."
He gulped while the shadows and the objects all caught his attention. There were so many items and books upon the shelving about her room, the decorum appeared like the sanctum of a person deep in practice with the occult, of the dark arts. Or as he joked about it before, like a Halloween decorative store.
He was trying to find something to focus on, and his teammate in the center of the room brought a comforting reassurance, that he was indeed a welcomed guest.
"I don't want to break anything or what I mean is, some of this stuff is pretty delicate so . . . I . . . I just didn't want to-"
She smiled and this caused him to stop.
"Have a repeat incident like the last time? When Cyborg and you came in here?"
"Well, pretty much. Yeah." he rubbed the back of his neck.
The Empath walked over, and she placed her hand onto the back of his neck. "That was a long time ago, where if it wasn't for you being who you are, along with Cyborg . . . I don't like to think about what could have happened."
"Jeez" He lightly chuckled. "That was like years ago. Wasn't it?"
She walked towards the dresser and she picked up the mirror, where a new emotion gradually came forwards. After briefly looking at her reflection and spotting him appearing crestfallen in the glass, she put the item back down and exhaled.
"Raven . . . what is it?"
"I have a lot on my mind, and there was a lot that took place in the course of last night."
"Last night?"
His eyes became wide as the moment of him pressing her against himself, of their lips connecting, and the overflowing plethora of so much only compelled him to act. While he was unsure of what would happen, he had taken the plunge and these two were embarking upon something entirely new.
"Oh. That." Beast Boy smiled his famous grin, the fang jutting upwards from his lower jaw, and he rubbed the back of his head. "I . . . I'm um, I'm sorry if I crossed a line with you."
After placing down a picture of their family onto its respective place, Raven went towards her bed and she sat down. He wheeled himself closer, until he was directly in front of her.
"It was . . . well it happened." He placed his left hand onto hers, and she squeezed his fingers.
"Beast Boy . . . what happened last night was-"
"Incredible, amazing, inspiring?"
The Empath's frown became more distraught, as she raised her bowed head, and the fractured lighting within the room cascaded across half of her profile. It was difficult to read what she was thinking, and he was listening to her very closely.
"Don't get me wrong. It was . . . nice. I just wasn't expecting it to happen so fast. It . . . it caught me off-guard."
The two felt a soothing element becoming more casual, compared to the constant tension or the conflicts within themselves to navigate around. The two sat in silence, and Beast Boy stroked the side of her cheek.
Raven held his hand that brushed her face, and she looked to his green eyes. "Ever since that day on the rooftop dealing with Mumbo. The day we met Falcon. After so much time and all of the contemplation, the unknowing and confused occurrences that would constantly pull us apart, I think I began to see . . . I began to accept something between us."
"I felt it too."
"It is still there, I feel like it has always been."
The two looked away, and both of them blushed.
Raven was the first to resume her focus onto the pair of masks in the corner, before continuing the conversation. "It wasn't just a fluke, or a spur of the moment type of deal. Right?"
"No, I mean, perhaps at first but I didn't really know what I could have said, that would have summed it up any more than by . . . well, you know."
He shrugged his shoulders and she felt admiration for his bravery in coming forwards to her, about his feelings. She out of all of them struggled deeply with expressing any sort of sentiment other than a cold monotone, and with every inch he took to get closer, it only made her feel appreciated and accepted by him.
"Beast Boy-"
"I don't like how everything that could have been simpler was complicated, and the mess of stuff only pushed so many obstacles in the way." The changeling repositioned himself into a more upright posture, as he quickly cut-in. "When I look at you, even now . . . I am . . . I am stunned with how truly beautiful you are."
"Beautiful?"
He blushed while looking at the floor. "Raven, you have so much that you offer, and I . . . well, I'm not one for words in this."
"Please, go on. It's okay."
He gulped before saying, "You really have changed, I mean so much continues to but . . . there is something about you that has also stayed constant after all these years."
"What do you mean?"
"This is new ground for us, and I don't think either one of us was really sure of where it could go, but . . . but still we are willing to take that leap."
"Of course."
He leaned in. The two were preparing for something, and it was during this blissful and much anticipated return to building onto that incident from last night, that a wave of terrible guilt began to ripple within his subconscious.
The kiss that Terra and he had shared, it was before he kissed Raven. The Empath did not know about this, and the way forwards would not be an easy path to overcome.
Beast Boy wanted desperately to go back in time, to try and tell himself from even going to the room that Terra was in, where now a new dilemma was reaching a critical point. He pulled away from her, and he swallowed a bit of saliva.
Raven reached out and she turned his chin, to cause him to look at her. "For what it was worth, and for what can come, I do not want to break the news to the others. Not yet."
"Raven . . . what are you saying?"
She was plotting where things could go, and the two looked at each other in silence once again.
The moral compass The changeling held so closely, it was screaming at him to tell her the truth of what had happened that day she, Cyborg, and Robin, had all raced out to confront Slade at The Gold Depository. There was another part however, whispering to keep it a secret. That it had not meant anything, and that he was in the perfect spot to not ruin this moment.
"Beast Boy." Raven's gravelly pitch caused him to focus on her. "I love you."
His heart began to beat faster, and a deep guilt began to steadily rise within him.
"Raven . . . I . . ."
She placed both of her hands onto his good arm, and she brought his hand over her heart.
"Won't you say something?"
He stammered, but stopped short.
"I love you Beast Boy. There, I said it. I'm tired of fighting this and I am not afraid of taking a step towards this direction . . . with you."
Beast Boy felt his heart thumping rapidly within his chest. He was completely spellbound by these words he had so longed to hear, and now that she finally said this, he felt compelled to bridge the connection.
"Raven . . . I . . . wait you love me?"
"I don't see the point in running away from this, and there were so many times that things could only go so far, but it doesn't matter." She looked to the floor, and a smile of such affection and compassion that he had never before seen was revealed. "Everything that has transpired has led to this moment, and I don't want to deny my true feelings."
He gulped, and her fingers toyed with his on the bed. The two glanced to their hands, and then their gazes met once more. Now there was a more affirmative and confident look on both parties faces.
As they leaned in closer and closer, the passionate fireworks in their minds of the kiss they had shared began to wrap about their emotions. It brought warmth, and a captivating glow of strength they had barely touched upon.
"Raven. I love you too."
The inches that separated them vanished. Nothing else mattered and the only thing these two focused on, was their bodies drawing nearer. They closed their eyes, and their lips connected.
(~)
Elizabeth was sitting in a conference room, as Mark was busy talking to a few of the doctors and medical staff just outside. They had arrived at Saint Mary's Hospital, in Los Angeles.
Her backpack was laying upon the table, and unlike most teenagers that would be engrossed in a cellphone, this fourteen-year-old was quietly observing her surroundings. Her legs were propped up and she felt totally at ease.
The long mahogany table was very intricate, where on each side there were many chairs, as she was at a far end. It was a place that her father would normally sit, and the bland room was a quiet spot detached from the normal racing around, within the massive facility.
Patients and many visitors were coming and going about the hallways and elevators, nurses and some of the custodian staff were making their rounds about the rooms.
A few sirens wailed outside, while a number of ambulances were heading out with the E.M.T's, to their respective calls across the enormous city. The blinds along the window were cracked open, revealing the skyscrapers and landscape.
While she spun in the chair, the looming shadow of Mark gradually neared. She found her focus locked upon him once again, her head was arched all the way back. Everything appeared upside-down.
"You have school work to get done." His voice was stern and in command, as he reached out to stop her from spinning in the seat.
She groaned. "Sure. But I have the whole weekend to go through things. It's not like I can't just do it later. Besides, what's the point of me being here, if I won't learn anything?"
The forty-year-old adjusted his glasses, as the medical staff patiently waited along the doorway. He was not in the mood for a debate, and the ever increasing demands from the hospital, were causing him to look into more people to hire.
"While I have allowed you to accompany me, I shouldn't have to remind you of my important work that needs to be done. And you have school assignments that should be completed as well."
She folded her arms over her chest, and she revealed a scowl.
*Doctor Mark Jackson Spears . . . you are wanted in room 12 G; Doctor Mark Jackson Spears to room 12 G.*
As the woman's voice over the intercom cut-in, the middle aged man frowned.
"I get it." Elizabeth waved a hand as he looked back. "Just go."
He placed his right hand onto her shoulder, and he kneeled down to be eye-level with her before speaking.
"I have to leave now. I trust that you will make yourself comfortable here."
She unzipped her bag, and she put her binders and papers out in front. There were assignments that had to be completed by Monday, and following the fights that broke out, she was suspended from today through the weekend.
"I'll be fine. It's better that I am here anyway, and far away from that gladiator arena."
Mark chuckled. "That's my girl."
She gradually looked up and she rolled her blue eyes, as he ruffled with her hair. It was a routine that this pair played off from one another, whenever they had the chance, and it brought them both to reflect and smile.
"Hmmm." Mark commented. "When you are done here, I'll have one of the staff come up and go through some things with you."
"In the hospital? You mean it?"
"It's not wise to be wandering around this place alone." He paused while looking around the room, and he sighed. "There are more than enough liabilities running amuck in todays medical field, what with all these lawsuits and legal battles. Anyway, I'll send someone to keep you company, to check on you."
"I don't need a sitter." Elizabeth put a pencil down forcefully. "I've been fine on my own for a long time, in case you haven't noticed."
He reached out to hug her, where she pulled away. It was obvious that she was upset with how things were going, and being here at a place she hoped to one day work at, yet being unable to investigate and explore on her own was degrading to the young girl.
"Dr. Spears." A gentle woman's voice came from the door.
He turned, and after a brief look back at his daughter, he adjusted his glasses before answering. "I'm coming."
Elizabeth pouted her lips, as she felt like she was being led from one place to another, and nobody wanted to hear her. The middle-aged man took long elegant strides as he parted from the room, and she positioned her right fist below her chin as she watched him leave.
After the door closed, the fourteen-year-old opened her English binder and the book for this class, and she turned to the page that the yellow sticky note was in, where she started to jot down critical things for the review.
"It never changes, but what did I expect by coming here?" Elizabeth sighed.
She was alone, and she put her earbuds in, to listen to some pop music and hit songs, to silence anything that could become distracting. She was determined to get her tasks completed, and the sooner this was behind her, the more free-time to explore the hospital would be gained.
The minutes transitioned into a couple of hours, and by now Elizabeth had finished most of her assignments. A stack of pages from her math formulas were being flipped through, where the notes and equations were all in their respective places.
Things were messy, and whenever she did focus upon just one task, nothing else mattered as she would become consumed into tunnel vision. As she leaned back to stretch her arms behind her head, she pulled the headset off and she rubbed her eyes.
The blue eyed teenager checked her phone to see if she had any messages, but there was nothing. She exhaled a long and deep breath, after turning it off and putting it away.
"Jeez, how long was I going through all this? I could use a break." The teenager shrugged her shoulders as she yawned. "He said he was going to send somebody up here. Hmph, so much for that."
She thought about texting him, to contact him and ask for permission before just leaving, but she stopped herself as she held the phone.
"I'm tired of this. I'm sure it will be fine. Besides, I don't see the harm in just going off for a little excursion by myself anyway. And Gretchen is somewhere around here too."
Elizabeth studied the mess of papers and binders stacked in a mound. She grabbed her hoodie, and she frowned while looking to the rest of her belongings.
"If somebody were to come in here and see this, well, they might think I'm just in the bathroom and they won't think twice." she smirked. "Alright, enough waiting around, time to stretch my legs."
Elizabeth pulled the hood over her face, and she gradually opened the door to peek out. Surprisingly, the hallway was clear of people.
The stiffness in her neck had been lifted, and she glanced from room to room, taking observations of the few patients and staff on this floor, where as she neared a corner, people began to congregate in a larger sum.
Everybody was so engrossed with their own things, that the teenager appeared almost invisible. It was like she was just any other visitor passing through.
Where to go? Hmmm, I suppose I can go to check out the rehabilitation ward, there are always a few friendly faces in there that don't mind a little conversation.
She pressed the button for the fourth floor, remembering the last time before going to the cafeteria, to grab some breakfast.
As the lift 'dinged' and the elevator reached its destination, she got out as a few patients and staff made their way in. An elderly man in his eighties with balding grey hair had crutches, as another patient was holding a pole that had morphine in a plastic bag, pumping into his wrist.
Elizabeth brushed her way past all, occasionally saying, "Pardon me, excuse me." and "coming through."
A variety of characters were pouring into the halls, and chatting back and forth. There was a lot of foot traffic, and the countless disturbances helped her to slip through undetected.
As she walked down the white enameled floors, she spotted a vending machine and her stomach lightly grumbled.
"Great. I didn't bring any food with me. So, I guess this will hold me over till at least lunch."
After putting in a dollar and grabbing a small package that dropped into the metal box at the base, she turned and looked up to notice two men leaving another elevator at the end of the hall, from the place that she had just arrived from.
Her blue eyes gradually became wide as saucers, as she remembered who they were.
Oh no. If they see me out here, they might spill it to Mark. This is not good.
Panic quickly forced the teenager to pull her hood over her face even more, to conceal herself. She did not want another lecture from her father, and these two gentlemen could spoil her adventuring a bit earlier than she had hoped.
The man on the right was the forty-three year old male nurse, Christopher Malvern. He was only partially interested in having any conversation, with his young co-worker that followed him around like a stray pup. His blondish grey hair and blue eyes was what jogged her memory.
"I'm sorry." Jefferson spoke up, he was twenty-six-years-old with hazel brown eyes and his very talkative nature was clearly a trademark of him. "Why didn't she say anything though?"
Elizabeth stepped to the side, and she stealthily listened to their conversation.
"The hell if I know." Chris answered, and he put a dollar into the machine. "Its a cycle of things, it just . . . er, you're young. You need to go through some battles first kid."
"Kid! Come on Chris, don't play that card with me. I thought we were over that nickname."
The older man released a sigh. "Alice is going to be pushing for things one way or another."
"How do you know?"
Christopher tilted his head. "It's going to happen. At this point, heck, it doesn't even bother me anymore."
Jefferson put a hand to his coworker's shoulder, and he tried to cheer him up. "It's not certain, the only thing I can tell you is-"
"Don't bother with that. You know, you talk too much where even strangers just passing by, have a pretty decent idea on who you are."
"What? Come on, am I that predictable?"
"Loud is more the correct term." Elizabeth chimed in as she revealed herself.
"Ha! Good one." Chris remarked.
"Oh, hi there." Jefferson spoke in his soothing voice. "You have some sharp wit, I'll give you credit for that. What is it that you got there?"
"It's M&M's." Elizabeth rasped, she was partially thirsty. She came down here wanting to explore, but the conversation with these guys was causing her to become tense.
The teen had to get past them, as they were blocking the way to her destination.
Jefferson put a dollar into the machine himself, and he grabbed a package. "Ah, good choice. I myself always fancied more of the Reese's Pieces."
"Hmmm."
He opened the bag, tearing into the rapper with his teeth. He spit the material into a nearby garbage bin, and he poured himself a handful of the yellow and orange candy, where he shoveled them into his mouth in one sudden motion.
Looking down at her chocolate snack, she lightly ripped open the top and she had a few herself. As the three stood in the hall, the teenager felt suddenly uncomfortable where even the hood could only hide so much.
It had to be them. What are the odds? Elizabeth thought, and she gradually backed away while reminiscing their meeting on the roof, the night she came here with that broken and bloodied teenager.
She still had no idea who he was.
"Well, they have this little tab on the side to open the packages, but I've always done it this way." Jefferson commented with a grin.
"You are quite the character." she rasped, hoping to be done without further delay. "I'm sure you have a lot to look into. Well, anyway, I best be off."
As she departed from them, Christopher tilted his head as he thought something about her was unusual. "Say, you look kind of young and it's Thursday . . . shouldn't you be in school?"
Elizabeth stopped dead in her tracks, and she thought, Damn, he's good.
"I'm uh, just visiting someone." she managed to blurt out. "I'm taking some time off, and its practically the weekend."
"Oh. The long weekend, I got ya." The older man shrugged his shoulders after responding.
Jefferson raised his right hand. "Hey . . . you seem familiar. Have we met before?"
Why do I suddenly have this urge to lie to them? Its not like either of these guys know me. But still, I don't think it would be wise to go into too many details about things.
"I get that a lot actually, by people that think they know me, on many occasions." Elizabeth remarked with a smile. "If you will excuse me."
"Oh. Okay." Jefferson waved to her, "Well, have a nice day."
Elizabeth waved the back of her hand, and she continued to increase the distance.
Damn. That was close. I have to be more careful.
While she turned around the corner, the last glimpse she had was that Jefferson was still staring at her as though he remembered her, but he could not fully recollect the incident. It was many days ago, and there were countless people that he had mingled with since then.
Names and places can become blurred over time, but some faces no matter how inconspicuous that someone like Elizabeth tried to hide herself, her small stature, the grey skin, dark blue hair and quick wit were indeed memorable.
She felt partially guilty about not revealing herself to either of the two medical workers, but she had nothing to worry about. If she were to meet Gretchen, surely the aid that was with this six year old would inform her father.
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." Elizabeth quietly remarked. "Now then, she is still going through treatment, but she tends to explore things like me."
The teenager smiled as she focused on the moment the little girl met her, and how much of a connection had only blossomed. From the earliest days of her diagnosis by her father, to the various stages of battling Leukemia, Elizabeth was feeling an overwhelming level of compassion rising within her, to be with her young friend.
"I've come all this way, and I know she is still making those paper cranes, to keep her mind off of the pain that she is in." she slowed her pace considerably, as she neared a long window, and she eventually leaned against the railing. "Perhaps she is in one of the game rooms for patients, trying to see who would help her."
As the teenager glanced up to the long glass window, she observed a lot of people inside working with physical therapists. Some were veterans from overseas tours with missing limbs, and they were going through the painstaking process, of learning how to perform everyday tasks countless people could take for granted, with their new prosthetic arms and legs.
There were also a few bald headed children performing their own exercise regiments, and some elderly folks, all were training their bodies to regain some independence. It was the baby steps to start getting reacclimated, after any surgery or major procedure.
While Elizabeth was silently observing the great care and gentle side, to many of the medical staff with their patients, this brought her to smile. She reflected the honor and humbling respect a person received, but never boasted in helping another human being. It was her dream to one day work in the medical field, and her venturing down here only strengthened that belief.
After looking at the many different people and preparing to leave, her blue eyes eventually fell upon the back corner of the room, and her expression suddenly transformed from one of happiness, into great concern.
She spotted another teenager that had a black eye-patch over his right eye, and spikey brown hair. He was currently hobbling along what appeared to be parallel bars, one foot in front of the other while he was tightly clutching the railings with both hands.
He stumbled, his entire body was shaking and the memory of racing into the train station, to rescue the trapped person, she eventually found him. She saved the young man's life, and as he struggled and fought to rise a new feeling washed over her.
His right leg from his lower ankle to his knee was wrapped in white bandages, while his upper left chest was covered in padding, and it could be seen through his hospital clothes, as Elizabeth kept her focus locked onto him.
A great look of fatigue and anger were noticeable upon his wrinkled brow, as he reached the end of his path, while a rotund African American nurse was standing alongside him the whole time. He pushed her away as he supported himself.
She was talking to him and then she smiled, but Elizabeth could not hear what was being spoken. Without realizing it or understanding what she could say, for some reason her legs were carrying her towards the door to the Physical Therapy Room.
As she entered, a few patients along with some nurses turned and looked at who had arrived, then they went back to their exercises with their personal helpers.
"Dare ya go. See, ya are almost dare. One foot in front of da other." The Jamaican nurse spoke while holding a hand behind him, ready to catch him if needed. Her accent was very thick.
"It's not as easy as it looks." The seventeen-year-old rasped with a grunt. "After all, it's only my first day."
"Ya are do-in good. Mighty fine work child. Dat tis it."
He slipped a little, and after catching his balance a second time, she leaped over where he waved her off.
"I'm fine!" He barked, and his voice gradually eased. "My apologies Susan. I . . . I can do this. Thanks."
She smiled while shaking her head. "Tis alright, just do tings like we talked about. Ya are pushing ya-self too hard Alex."
"So when will the marathon be happening?"
Susan laughed, "Tis dat ya sense of humor ya be going on about, little bird? Dat is da spirit!"
Falcon chuckled along with her. "Well, they say laughter is the best medicine."
He grimaced while gritting his teeth, as a nerve in his side became enflamed. The pain clearly intensified along his batter hip, and his whole body felt like it was on fire. "I just . . . I need a moment."
Elizabeth took one step in front of the other, as the eye-patch wearing teen took a deep breath. Then he started limping again, where it was not long before her shadow overlapped his on the floor, and he came to a stop. The medical assistant leaned back, and she was curious with who this cloaked girl was.
He eventually stood upright as best he could, while all his weight was on his left leg, and their eyes met.
{{End Of Scene}}
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~~T.M.O~~