Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Teen Titans so please do not sue me, as I have nothing to give you. I'm a struggling college student here. And I think you already know how I feel about the pairings.

{{A/N: Yay! Finally, chapter 4 is here! There are little quirks in here, it's a bit more racy in the sex department, but only a bit; not to mention that there are some plot twists and unexplained happenings right now. Those have to wait for the next chapter! It's going to be longer, which I said before. I think this is going to involve Terra, if even for a few moments throughout the story. For those of you who do not like Raven/Beast Boy or Robin/Starfire, I warn you…DO NOT READ THIS FIC! You will be disappointed unless you're open to those pairings, and will most likely want to flame me, which would be stupid because I warned you. If you want to flame me, I guess that's fine. You'll do it anyway, right? Constructive Criticism is welcome, as always. Enjoy.}

Word Coding:

'Thoughts'

"Speaking"

Everything Else

Inside the Silence

The usual deafening silence that encompassed Titan Tower was back in place when Raven roused up at 8:00 pm. Not a sound could be heard throughout the entire tower; Raven shuddered. 'Where is everyone?' She'd merely lifted her head an inch when someone pushed her down. "No Raven, you're still too fatigued to be going anywhere right now."

"Robin? Where is everyone?" Her indigo eyes swept her room.

The Boy Wonder, now quite a man, waved a hand at her. "Star is making more Sadness pudding down in the kitchen, Cy is in the garage, and Beast Boy is…believe it or not, sulking in the living room."

She felt a pang of guilt. "Oh…"

"He doesn't quite seem himself these days." Robin looked at her as though he expected her to say something, but when she said nothing, he spoke again. "Neither have you." She paled. "Care to share what's been going on? I know Beast Boy didn't tell me what happened here. Does it have anything to do with him and what happened last night?"

She released an annoyed sigh; Robin was persistent, just like a leader should be. Folding her hands in her lap, she spoke only one word. "Slade."

"What did you say?"

"I said Slade."

"But Slade is dead…" Robin's incredulous look could not be hidden behind his mask. "We killed him. We all saw it."

"Did we?" She asked. "Robin, we saw a mask, not Slade." He did a double take, glaring at something she couldn't see as he paced her room. She felt oblique somehow. Parts of her body didn't seem to be functioning correctly, or normally. Her legs and arms felt cramped all over, her neck sore and skin on fire for unknown reasons. Robin was still pacing menacingly around her pitch-black room, feet anything but quiet. "Being angry won't get you anywhere," Raven chided in irritation. "Stop pacing."

His constant pacing came to an abrupt halt before her bed frame. Raven glanced up at him. "Thanks Raven. Come down when you feel better?"

She nodded. "I will. Call Cy up for me?"

"Sure thing Raven," he replied, giving her a brief grin before making a hasty exit into the hall.

Moments later she clambered out of bed, wobbling her way towards her dresser where her mirror lie, covered beneath a soft, thin-layered, velvet clothe. She stared at it, numbly, as though she wasn't sure whether it was safe to enter it or not. 'Slade…I don't understand.' Part of her was baffled as to their sudden connection; she'd never had such a bond with Slade in previous battles or instances. She shivered at the information, her fingers twitching as the mirror shook within her hands. Quickly she placed it on the nightstand closest to the dresser, afraid she might drop it and shatter her very existence, not that at that particular moment she felt like living. Her mind hurt, in truth, and she progressed back to her bed in a slow fashion, as though she might fall over, never to return. Her heart beat wildly in her chest at the sudden footsteps outside her door; she frowned. Loud knocking at her door awakened her from her momentary panic. She glanced to the door, her previous paranoia ebbing away as she replaced her cloak upon her head as though to protect herself from anything that invade her room.

"Raven, it's me…you called. Girl?"

"Come in," she answered, response partially muffled because of the fact that her head was buried in her pillow.

Cyborg took one look at her and sighed, shaking his own head at her. "Rae, girl…you feelin aight? I'm worried bout you. This is hittin you harder than I thought."

"This is NOT about Beast Boy, Cy," she growled in response.

He immediately backed off, more than knowledgeable about Raven's fiery temper and the consequences if it was released. "Ok…so…what's it bout?"

Raven looked perturbed. "Slade…this is about Slade." Cyborg nodded. "From what you remember, he never had a purpose or reason for using me for anything, right?" He nodded, again. "That is what I don't understand. What connection do I have with Slade? He's always wanted Robin for things-never me. Besides…what could he possibly gain from me? I'm empathic and with him trying to control me, my emotions would run amuck and I might not stop them. He must know how dangerous I am to him, and to all humanity…" She trailed off mid-sentence, realizing full well what she had just said. "I am dangerous…I'm the perfect tool."

Her half-human friend stood up then, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That may be so Rae, but I think there's more to it than just this."

"What more could there be?" She curled into herself, arms hugging her knees in fright.

Cyborg sighed. "I get what your sayin, but I still have my own questions."

"Like what?"

"Like why he was resurrected after all these years? It's been four or five years now-it must be somethin else. I don't believe Slade would return without a purpose, and havin been connected to Terra, that would mean she's back too." He paused, inhaling a large breath. "Somethin tells me that there is something very wrong. If Terra's alive…and Slade's alive…"

"Then someone has been meddling in things that he or she shouldn't be meddling in!" Raven finished her sentence with a tone of anger and hatred that showed only when Dr. Light had been in her clutches. She pushed the feeling down immediately, smothering it, as it would awaken her father as it had last time. Carefully, she released her legs and stood up, beckoning for them to depart from her room. "Come on Cy. I think we need dinner."

"You look hungry all of a sudden," he joked back, slapping her back in a brotherly manner, causing her to fly forwards a little because of his strength. She growled again as they exited her darkened room, making slow descent of the staircase. "Sorry girl, guess I don't know my own strength."

"No, perhaps you don't," she replied lowly. "But I know mine."

"I think that was a threat," he joked.

"It was," she bit back.

He released another heartfelt chuckle as they made their way down the staircase that lead to the family type room. Upon entering Raven immediately spotted Beast Boy hanging over the side of the couch. The gamestation controller had slipped from his hands, his legs halfway on the couch while his head hung over the back of the ledge. His expression was disturbed, something Raven had only seen once before. On the TV screen, in large red letters, a sign that read 'Game Over, You Lose' blinked brightly, and both Titans could only assume that Beast Boy was not having a good day. To lose to the computerized console was bad, even for him. A small, sympathetic cord was struck within her, and she turned away to avoid the feelings that were threatening to resurface and create chaos in the tower.

Cyborg had already entered the kitchen, she noted, as she heard Starfire squeal in delight at some joke he cracked with Robin. She was almost to the kitchen when she heard a soft groan from behind her. She cautiously turned to see Beast Boy waking up, rubbing his eyes roughly with his gloved hands, as though his eyes would never open again. She paused, momentarily perplexed at how maliciously he was attacking his olive skin; but she quickly turned away when his glistening green orbs popped open. She made a hasty getaway to the kitchen, resuming her walk of determination, when Beast Boy called out to her. "Raven, is everything all right?"

She halted again, cursing herself as she nodded absently to him, not willing herself to face him. "Yes."

Her simple answer sounded as though it pleased him, for he walked past her into the lively area where their friends were laughing and joking about. He did not even glance at her. She felt her heart twist in annoyance and some form of pain from his lack of attention towards her. Shaking her head, Raven tried to rid herself of the constant jealous feelings that were aching to break free of her iron grip. She knew nothing could ever come of how she felt, knowing the only result would be disaster and danger for the whole group. 'Unless I was…cleansed, somehow, of my father's influence.' She shook her head. 'It could never happen…never.' Figuring that what she told herself was more than the truth, she, too, headed into the kitchen where Cyborg was cooking up dinner and the usual argument between the vegan and meat-eating friend was not taking place. Instead, Beast Boy sat on one of the many stools surrounding the buffet style counter, head resting against the cool surface as Cyborg rattled off his special menu to Starfire and Robin. She thought it odd that no one else questioned Beast Boy's abnormal state, finding that his motionless demeanor was driving her insane with worry that she could not possibly express.

Raven blew a stray strand of hair from her eyes, concealing her face, once again, underneath the mask of her cloak. No one seemed to question her either. After taking her seat, she waited calmly as Cyborg whipped up something that smelled delicious, especially to her grumbling stomach. Robin and Starfire were talking endlessly, as always, while Beast Boy continued to remain almost lifeless against the plywood surface of the counter, his forefinger the only thing moving on his entire body. He appeared to be fascinated by the small semi-circles his fingers were making on the glossy top. Just looking at him made her want to burst into explosive screams of frustration. She couldn't understand why he was not cheerful, aside from the obvious.

Nevertheless, it irked her so much that she pushed her chair back, turning away just as Cyborg placed her cup of herbal tea before her, a plate of food following shortly afterward. At first her impulse was to run away but she could feel their stares upon her back, burning through her façade, especially Beast Boy's. She was amazed that he had even taken time from his hypnotic activity to look at her. She cracked underneath the weight of their gazes, eventually turning around and sitting, faking that she had been adjusting her cloak clasp.

When everyone seemed to buy her excuse, including the reluctant green metamorphic, she settled into her chair. She threw the food a disgusted look as she sipped her tea, not the least bit interested in the delectable meal her friend had prepared for them. She quietly pushed the food towards Cyborg's side, which he wolfed down as though it had been his own plate, not once ever noticing that it was not his plate. She glanced to her left as Beast Boy poked at his tofu burger with blatant disinterest, his normally joyful wide eyes holding anything but their usual warmth. Her heart wrenched for a moment as she gazed at him, fingers curling around her teacup to control herself.

Her effort was short-lived as a random plate from the sink cracked and slammed against the wall across from them. Robin raised a brow as Starfire let out a strangled squeak while jumping behind their fearless leader. Cyborg paused mid spoon-in-mouth to see what the commotion was about. The only one who had not even bothered to pay attention was Beast Boy, who was still preoccupied with stirring his soymilk in the clear glass next to him. Not once did he ever lift his eyes to look at them. Raven felt her cheeks aflame beneath the protection of her hood, thankful that it provided such shadows over her burning face. All was silent until a quiet voice interjected, interrupting the atmosphere.

"Are you angry?"

Raven spun around to face the titan who sat still, not even glancing at her as he spoke. "What?"

"Something is bothering you," he replied, finally looking at her, their eyes meeting. "Or else that plate wouldn't have cracked."

"I'm not angry," she retorted with more force than intended. It was Beast Boy's turn to raise an eyebrow at her. She blanched for what felt like the hundredth time in one day as she nodded. "I'm just…I need to be alone."

Everyone looked as though they accepted this answer as she made her way to go. She was almost to the staircase, her body on the other side of the half-oval couch when she heard him speak again. "You always want to be alone. When are you going to stop using that excuse?" She felt her face aflame again, immediately scowling from inside her hood. "When are you going to tell us what's up with you? When are you going to start sharing with us…your teammates, your partners…your friends?"

She spun around, eyes ablaze as they had been the other night in the café. Her face only flamed more when she realized that Cyborg, Starfire and Robin had suddenly disappeared from the room. Just she and Beast Boy remained, facing each other. His arms hung limply at his sides, face solemn and lips in a small frown. She expected him to be upset with her, distraught that she had hurt him in such a way. But he surprised her again, as he had been doing for the past three or four years. He looked determined again, his eyes hiding nothing as he began to walk towards her again. Instinctively she took an awkward step back, practically tripping over her own two feet.

He did not back down, only inching closer until he had more or less backed her up into a wall. She was amazed at his bravery as her back hit the cold, patched wall behind her. She turned her head away as his arms came to rest upon either side of her face, hands planted firmly against the wall as he leaned in close, too close for her own standards. However, she found herself unable to push him away as they resumed their staring contest, indigo eyes blazing back at olive green. She felt as though they were battling as enemies did, but she knew Beast Boy better than that; he was trying to probe her mind through her eyes.

It was true that he had been in her mind and that should give him an idea; yet there were always so many more mysteries that could be found in her cyclone of a mind. She knew he would be the one to break them too. When he would achieve this, she did not know for sure. "I already told you," she whispered defiantly. "I cannot tell you."

He creased his brow as his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "Raven, tell me about…Slade."

She did a double take at his inquiry, her head falling back to the wall in slight disappointment. "Slade?" He nodded, allowing his arms to loosen from their cramped position on the sides of her face. However, he did not make a move to place them somewhere else. Raven inhaled deeply as she thought of what she had told Cyborg. "He…contacted me…I guess."

"Why?"

"He needs me Beast Boy…as a tool…as a weapon," she responded monotonously. "At least this is what Cy and I have speculated."

"But Slade is dead, isn't he?" Beast Boy's perplexed look was met with equal puzzlement.

"That is what we originally thought," Raven said with a mystic tone. "But I would disagree now, with what I have felt."

"But if Slade is alive…then…" Beast Boy's voice trailed off, but Raven could read his thoughts rather well at this point. She turned away, fighting the snarl that threatened to overtake her.

"Yes…it means that Terra is indeed alive."

The young shape shifter closed his eyes. "Praise…thank god…she's safe."

"Yes, indeed she is, it would seem." The bitterness slowly crept into her voice, alerting Beast Boy from his temporary thanks of the higher beings. "I have to go. If you don't mind, would you please move your hands so that I may leave?"

He wouldn't budge, and for some reason Raven found herself less than obliged to move him. "Does it bother you?"

"Does what bother me?"

"The possibility that Terra has returned…does it bother you?"

Raven laughed hollowly. "That would imply that I was jealous in some way while she was here." Beast Boy gave her an expectant look. Raven's eyes widened. "You're kidding me. I've never been so insulted."

"Is it that far fetched for me to think that Raven, really?" He persisted, grabbing her arm as she slid away from him. "Is it so bad for me to ask you such a question?"

"Yes, it is!" She snapped as she struggled to get away without using her powers on him. The truth of the matter was that she was indeed jealous and bothered by the fact that the earthmover may have returned. Her insides were quivering with anger, sadness, jealousy, and uncertainty as Beast Boy's grip on her arm held firm. She felt as though tears of anguish would burst form her eyes at any point, and she was not willing to show Beast Boy that side of her. She hated vulnerability. When he did not relent, Raven became slightly more panicked and hysterical, raising her hand with glowing black energy at her fellow teammate. "Let me go Beast Boy, I demand it." For a second she thought he would oblige her but when he still did not relent, she spun around to face him, her eyes glowing white-hot fury. "Let me go!"

The force of which he answered her with scared her into temporary submission. " No! I am not letting you go as though this is something you can run away from forever!" He pulled her close, crushing her to him, their lips inches apart. "Raven…I don't care…you need to know that. Whatever happened back then…I don't care."

Raven dared to speak, her voice shaky. "What are you talking about?"

"Terra, Raven. I don't care…she doesn't matter anymore. She never did," he said as his hands slid around her back.

Raven stood paralyzed as he hugged her. "But you were…Terra was your-

"No Raven…she never was." He looked into her eyes, seeing clearly that she was fighting hard about whether to believe him or not. "Raven, believe me…please. She was my friend."

"You can't Beast Boy, you can't-"

Her response fell upon deaf ears as he leaned forward; his lips met hers in a tentative kiss that made her feel weak. She tried desperately to break away, to stop the chaos that would ensue if she kept kissing him; but it was too late. She gave into him, sinking into his arms as her hands clutched the material on the front of his body suit, kissing back. Only seconds into the kiss did she hear cups shattering around them, and more of Starfire's distant petrified squeaks. She tried to pull away, tried to stop the disastrous consequences of their actions that were echoing around them but he would not allow her to. He pushed her back against the wall, crushing himself to her for closer contact if it was humanly possible at that point. He was intoxicating her, driving her beyond her reasonable senses.

Her emotions were itching to be released now; she could feel them bubbling at the surface of her control, slowly coming over the brim. She pushed at him, urging him to stop, which he did, but only his assault on her lips. The moment his lips left hers, they roamed over her neck, kissing a light trail. Breathlessly, Raven fought for control over her warring feelings as more objects were destroyed around them and chairs began melting along with various other objects. "Stop Beast Boy…" He didn't seem to hear her words, which were, by the seconds, becoming pleas more than actual statements. "Please…stop…Beast boy…" Once again he didn't appear to have heard as he continued to pillage her skin as though he was starving.

Raven gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. Her hazy vision suddenly snapped back to focus as she heard Cyborg shout and Starfire scream. Automatically she threw Beast Boy away from her, falling back to the wall, clutching her cloak as she tried to regain control of her emotions, all which had obviously broken free. Beast Boy looked ashamed as he backed away from the empathic as she struggled to become the dominant power. Her eyes glowed white for what seemed the third time in a ten-minute timeframe before she collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. Beast Boy ran to her, hoisting her into his arms as she continued heaving with labored breathing. Her eyes fluttered for a moment as if registering who was holding her before her world turned into an oblivion of black swirls. All fell into silence.

He felt guilt swell up inside him as she passed out in his arms from over exertion. He knew what he was getting into when he kissed her. He knew how her powers got out of hand when she was emotionally bothered in any way. The outcome had not been what he expected and he was somewhat melancholy from the occurrence that took place seconds before. He vaguely heard the footsteps of his fellow teammates enter the living room area as he picked the fallen Raven up in his arms, reliving the experience from earlier when he'd discovered her in her own room. Somehow everything felt like dejavu whenever it came to Raven and anything that involved her.

He couldn't help a small smile that formed on his lips, surprised that he was even able to be mildly coherent at the present time, what with Starfire's constant shrieks and Robin trying to calm everything down around them. The commotion was enough to drive any normal person insane, not that any of them were actually completely normal, he thought. Cyborg was checking the living room for anything that might be broken and need reordering as Raven's emotions tended to melt a lot of tables, shatter numerous lights and splinter plenty of chairs. At least recently that was the case.

But now, Beast Boy surmised, he knew the reason why she was slightly upset. The whole Slade ordeal was sitting heavily on her shoulders. Yet he hadn't realized just how much it was affecting her, emotionally as well as mentally, until she admitted what she told Cyborg to him when he'd cornered her seconds before. Even then she seemed hesitant to reveal anything to him, as though telling him might break some type of pact she had with their half-robot friend. And now, with what he had just done, he felt as though things were just going to get worse and tension would rise ten-fold in the Tower.

He chanced a glance behind him only for his eyes to meet those of his frustrated, uncertain leader. His own eyes widened, not ever really seeing Robin uncertain, as it was not a leader like quality, not to mention that he had rarely seen Robin in such a state. But after one look at the disarray within the congregating room, Beast Boy figured things were only starting to stack on Robin's shoulders as well. "Wow," he thought ironically, "None of us are ever going to be free from this terror known as stress." For the first time, in a long time, everyone, with the exception of the unconscious Raven, smiled at his half attempted joke.

As he made his way towards her room, Cyborg clapped him on the shoulder playfully, like they used to. "Good to have you back old friend."

"Yes, indeed it is." Starfire giggled. "Please keep joking as you have just done, friend Beats Boy. I have dearly missed your sense of humor, as you earthlings put it."

Robin shook his head good naturedly, a small smile on his face as well. "Good to have you back Beast Boy."

For his part, Beast Boy returned their smiles with one of his own, a true genuine one he hadn't used in years. "No problem." But upon entering Raven's room, his mind shifted elsewhere as he looked down at the sleeping young woman in his arms. His worry for her came speeding back as he gently laid her on her bed. 'Where do we go from here Raven? I don't think I can face you after what just happened…' She murmured something as though to respond, but whatever it was he did not hear it. Instead she rolled over, which caused her hood to fall back into place, shielding her from his view. Beast Boy let out a long sigh as he collapsed back into the chair that had conveniently been placed by her bedside for patrol. His tired eyes began to slide shut, and this time, he hoped he would dream of nothing for the sake of his sanity.

{{Scene Break}}

Robin slumped against the cool surface of the refrigerator as he rubbed his forehead, his head aching for relief. 'What just happened?' All he remembered was being in the kitchen with Cyborg and Starfire before beast Boy and Raven had joined them. Shortly afterwards Raven had her little outburst and Cyborg had suggested that the three of them depart to let their fellow teammates figure out whatever the problem was in privacy. What had happened after that was completely unexpected. Robin had only discovered that something was wrong when his cup of cocoa that he'd placed next to Starfire suddenly shattered, spraying her with the lukewarm liquid. She had not been burned, merely surprised and baffled as to why the cup broke so unexpectedly. It was then that Cyborg knew something was wrong, however, they did not make it in time to see what happened.

They reached the staircase just as the green changeling, who looked worried, was picking up Raven more than guilty of anything. However, Robin still felt slightly suspicious of what had been going on between Raven and Beast Boy for the past few days. He suspected that there was something deeper there. 'Maybe Beast Boy…and Raven…but it just seems so strange between those two.' He knew of the odd attraction between them early on, as well as having been informed by Cyborg who seemed to know everything. But he didn't think it would reach such heights. At this point it seemed like more than an insignificant little crush or a simple infatuation. The way they looked at each other when they thought others weren't looking was enough to prove that, he'd recently seen. His first thoughts were that they had done something more, perhaps even consummated their relationships in some other way.

But it seemed irrational and Raven was not irrational. Of course, then he had discovered what had been bothering her, and it was irritating the hell out of him. "Damn him…he should've died those years ago!" Before he knew what he was doing, Robin had slammed his fist into the refrigerator, creating an imprint in the aluminum surface.

At that moment Starfire chose to walk in, a cup of cocoa in her hand, which she promptly dropped at the noise. She was startled to see the dent that her leader had made in the refrigerator. Immediately she rushed to him, grabbed his hand and examined it for cuts, the cocoa forgotten. When she found none, she lifted her head to gaze into questioning, puzzled eyes. "Robin, you are…not hurt." He nodded. "Then…what everything is…all right?" He nodded slowly again. Starfire sensed that something was not okay but knew better than to press any issue with Robin. Like Raven, he was rather secretive at times, especially about his past. "If you need to talk Robin, I am here to listen, friend. On Tamaran, it was customary for me to listen to the problems of many people. I am an excellent listener. I am willing to listen to you Robin."

Robin couldn't help but smile at her show of kindness and compassion, especially when it was combined with her innocence. "I know Star. I'm all right. Thanks."

When he said nothing further, she assumed that he needed her for nothing else as well. She gave him an unsure look before she turned to leave the kitchen. "I hope everything is all right Robin." She was almost halfway out the door when he called out to her. "Yes?"

He paused, momentarily speechless as to why he called her back. When he remembered, he made his way towards her. "Starfire, we need to talk. Would you like to get some pizza?"

"Will it consist of my favorite toppings?"

His face scrunched up at its own accord as he replied. "Sure Star, whatever you want."

She giggled happily. "Thank you Robin!"

As they made to leave, Robin gave Cyborg the heads up to where they would be. He also asked the half-human to check on their other friends, noting that Beast Boy had still looked slightly ill and that Raven needed her stats checked. Downstairs in the garage, Cyborg wiped a smudge of his T-car, a half-hearted smile on his face. Deep down inside, he felt like something was not right, and they were not going to know when to expect whatever it was. As he began waxing his car for the second time that day, his mind began the boggle known as friendship.

^TBC…

{{WOOHOO! The fourth chapter! Okie, so now Slade and Terra are here for sure, and things will be getting tricky! This chapter was hella fun to write and think up as I was writing it; I had an awesome time with it! If ya did or didn't like it, well, you know the drill! Sorry it took so long…there's just been drama around the computer mess! Oh, and as a sidenote, Thoughts of Zephyr is on hold because of plot issues! Please R&R! Thank you. Bye all! All my reviewers rock!}}

+Darkkairi1+