Fan Fiction ❯ Inside the Silence ❯ Tension in the Ranks ( Chapter 7 )

Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Teen Titans becausethingswould be damn different if I did. Anyway…this is for entertainment purposes only since I have no money to give any of you if you decide to sue me. I'm a struggling college student, for real. I might havesome spare pennies, but I sure as hell can't imagine why you'd want that though.

A/N: Okie…the pairings are now Terra/Beast Boy/Raven (don't worry…she'll be here for only a little bit as his potential lover or whatever, but I'm not going to bash her, all right? I like Terra for the most part—disregarding her in the actual comic books: didn't like her there), Robin/Starfire/Aqualad (well, if I DO end up having it…this might be in future chapters!) and Jinx/Cyborg/Bumblebee (because he needs loving too…and it works!). So, if you aren't open to those pairings, then I warn you all, Do NOT read this fic; I highly recommend that you don't if you hate those pairings! So…that's it for now, besides having a new enemy—which I still haven't quite decided—entering the picture, and Trigon! Whoa…I'm out for now. Enjoy the fanfic.

Word Coding is as follows:

`Thoughts'

“Speaking”

Everything else

Inside the Silence

Words could not describe the torrent of emotions that shot through his body; only rivaled by the thoughts circulating in his mind as he stared at the young woman before him. “What…how are you…wait a minute!”

She let out a light hearted chuckle. “I'll explain everything later. But first, we should get out of Jump City. It isn't safe here anymore.”

In most other cases he would have been more logical, thinking about safety and suspicion as primary rules of engagement. However, he was at a loss as he nodded his head in compliance, taking her outstretched hand without question. As they exited the pizzeria, she threw him a small smile. “It's good to see you again, Beast Boy.”

He shook his head agreement. “I've missed you too…Terra.”

~*~**~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Raven tensed as her tea cup fell to the ground, shattering into a million pieces at her feet. Her arms immediately circled herself as she fell to the floor, her body shivering. `No…it can't be...!' Arctic chills coursed up and down her spine as she continued to relive flashbacks she was only trying to forget for years before. Nevertheless, her mind swirled with recollections as she tried to move, only to collapse against the nearest cabinet. Her body quivered while she attempted to stand up; her legs gave way the moment she'd managed a weak stand even though her hands were supporting her from grabbing hold of the island ledge. Raven's mind screamed in anguish as each moment that passed signaled another way for pain to stab at her now fragile being. Physically she was hurting, her skin prickling in a protective response. But worried her most was the way her mind was going haywire, currents of emotions shooting through her. Things started to crackle, and once again she tried to regain control of her feelings. Her struggle continued to worsen as she saw Cyborg enter, walking casually from the direction of the garage. He spotted her moments later when she managed a weak cry of help. “Cy…”

“Raven!” He ran, scooping her up in his arms as her body continuously trembled. “Rae…what's the matter, girl?”

“Cyborg, she's alive; she's with Beast Boy right now!”

“Who's with Beast Boy? Who's she?”

“Terra, she's alive.”

~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~

It was a dark, dingy place that she'd picked out prior to her decision to talk to her former friend. She'd awakened to complete haziness, her mind barely registering anything the moment she'd broken free of the molten rock encasing her. She'd fallen on her knees, coughing and sputtering as she gasped for air, trying her best to breathe though she felt like her lungs had been crushed for ages. It was then that she caught a glimpse of silver, black and orange—a distinct and all too familiar combination of colors, in her eyes. Then and there she knew what had happened. `Slade never died,' she recalled as she dragged Beast boy with her. `Even though I've been trapped all these years…he's been free to roam as he wished to.' Part of her was angry that he had survived while she was meant to suffer; the other part of her enjoyed her suffering, felt as though she deserved it. `After all,' she thought, `I betrayed the only people I came to trust as my friends.' The initial guilt from all her wrong doing resurfaced as soon as she'd been resurrected; however, her longing for her friends replaced that soon enough—the shame too. She wasn't sure how she was going to face Beast boy after so many years but she figured that it was necessary since Slade had brought her back to life without an explanation to boot.

And how many years had it been, exactly? `He must have some alternative motives, I know it.' She'd sighed. `But whatever the case…I have to know how long it's been.' As his apprentice she knew Slade to be truthful, even if he was a villain. But for him to save her—if it could be called such—and not explain his actions, that was something that called for worry. She didn't see the logic in his actions, not one bit. `Still…something tells me…' She wasn't quite sure what to expect; but she knew she'd better make her choices carefully and wisely if she was to help her friend, and live to see the light of day for a little longer.

Beast Boy hadn't said anything as they'd walked—hand in hand—towards the rendezvous spot, not sure what it was that Terra had in mind. For him, the world was still turning in circles, too fast, that made his head spin. One moment he'd been about to eat his pizza, the next Terra was in front of him. `A real, living, breathing person…named TERRA!' He'd be a liar to say that her sudden appearance hadn't scared the living daylights out of him; but another part of him was reliving a hellish nightmare known as love. `Or is it? I don't know what to do anymore…and it's only been a few minutes!' His mind was going into overdrive, canceling out all options that seemed possible. He was in denial, and he didn't want to accept anything about the situation. The feel of Terra's hand in his was enough to drive him insane with want, with a need he'd never fulfilled because of her untimely “death.” He hung his head as they continued on, his thoughts making him dizzy as they wound through passage after passage. `Do I still…have that need? Even now that she's here…do I still want to have her?' He wasn't quite sure but he knew that within the hour he would find out something, whether it dealt with their relationship on a personal level, or not. `She has a reason for being here…and I am definitely going to find out what it is.'

 

Seconds after his thought, Terra came to a halt, causing him to bump into her as she stumbled forward. Regaining her balance enough to stand, she leaned against the nearest wall, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “Beast Boy…do you…forgive me?”

 

He nodded fervently. “Of course. What's in the past is in the past. I forgave you…a long time ago.”

 

“You say that with such truth…but after what I tell you…I don't know if you'll forgive me anymore,” Terra mused loudly as she gave him another of her weakest smiles. “Something just tells me that everything is wrong, no matter how it's happened.”

 

“What are you talking about?” Beast Boy's perplexed expression did little to ease the fire inside of Terra's stomach.

 

“I think it's time we talked about why I really brought you here,” Terra said with a loud sigh. Beast Boy was silent, She knew she had to tell the titans about Slade; she knew not how to explain it, however. `How am I going to explain all the strange happenings when I don't even know how they happened?' Her mind was in a complete boggle. “How do I begin?”

 

The shocked young man spoke softly. “First, tell me how you're alive…how you're conscious.”

 

His question wasn't unexpected, but she didn't have the answer for that—not yet. She released another sigh as she ran her hand along a crumbling wall ledge. “I can't give you that answer.” She heard him begin to protest but stopped him. “I don't even know that answer myself. Under normal circumstances I'd have that knowledge; I'm sorry, I'm clueless for now.” Her heart pounded mercilessly in her chest, hurting to some odd intense measure. Part of her still couldn't believe that she was alive; the other part was damning her back to her rock prison. `Serves me right though…' She cringed harshly when she felt Beast Boy's arms envelop her in a soothing hug. `How I've missed this, so much,' she thought with slight pleasure. `Who holds your heart now? It can't possibly be me…after all these years.''

 

“I'll accept that response Terra,” he replied in a whisper, pulling her closer. “I'm just glad you're alive…and safe.”

 

Tears burned at her eyelids. “Thank you, Beast boy.” Yet somewhere deep inside, her heart was beginning to break. `You don't belong to me anymore, do you?' She managed a small, contented smile as she sank deeper into his embrace, twisting her body so that her head was spooned against his chest. Mild surprise spread through her as she felt him tense, slightly, at her hands against the small of his back. `I can tell, by your simple reluctance…but you never did belong to me, did you?' She lifted her head to his eyes closed, a pained, confused expression on his face. Choosing to ignore it, she placed her head between the crook of his neck and shoulders, holding back her tears as she realized just how much things had changed during her slumber. `She's always had your heart, hasn't she?' As if reading her thoughts, she felt Beast Boy's jaw move, as though he was going to speak; she stopped him, abruptly. “You love her…don't you? You've always loved her…haven't you?” He said nothing. “You don't have to lie to me. I understand, really, I do.”

 

“I'm sorry Terra. I never meant to…I'm just so confused,” was his soft reply. He hugged her tighter. “Please…just explain why you're here, why you're alive again. That's what is most important.”

 

She nodded gently. “I will. You should call the Titans.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Raven was perched on the top of her stool, stirring her drink idly as though she was in some alternate universe. Cyborg sat across from her, sipping lightly from his cup of hot cocoa. Robin and Starfire sat next to each other, not sure what reason they had for congregating in the kitchen. Robin was staring off into space while Starfire twiddled her thumbs nervously. She ventured to speak but figured that it was not her place, as she had not asked everyone into the kitchen. The sudden clearing of Cyborg's throat made them jump as he gestured his cybernetic arm towards Raven's silent form. As if reading what he was going to ask her, she raised her head and gave them he trademark impassive look. “There is…something I need to tell you.” They nodded. “This might come as a big shock…especially to you, Robin…but she's back.”

 

“She? Who is this she that you speak of, Raven?” Starfire blinked in puzzlement.

 

“Terra…she's returned.”

 

A chair clattered in front of them, the sound reverberating around the entire kitchen as Starfire let out a squeal of surprise. Robin was glaring at Raven, his hands clenching the tabletop so hard that his rubber gloves began to crease from the sheer pressure. “What did you say?” Raven stayed silent. “I know what you said…but it can't…it can't be true.”

 

“But it is true,” Raven replied quietly.

 

Robin was about to retort back at her with a snippy comment when his communicator beeped. Throwing her an irritated glance, he flipped the gadget open. His eyes met the familiar sight of their fellow titan. “Beast Boy!”

 

“Hey Robin,” Beast Boy's reply came faintly through the device. “Is…everyone near you?”

 

“Yeah,” he answered, his eyebrow quirking. “Beast Boy…is there something you want to share with us?”

 

“Uh…um…” he hesitated. “I'm on my way back to the tower, right now.”

 

“Why?” Starfire had pushed Robin out of the way to see their friend. “You have only just left the tower for your “alone” time. Do you wish to return so soon?”

 

“It's kinda important that I get back Star…” he trailed off.

 

Behind the curious duo, Raven was sipping at her tea, allowing the liquid to burn her lips as she clenched her free fist. She knew why he was coming back—and she didn't like it. `Something is wrong here…why is Terra alive?' She didn't understand why Terra was resurrected so many years later. Next to her, Cyborg was patting her shoulder in remorse as he watched Starfire squeal in happiness for their friend's return. Robin, on the other hand, looked ready to beat someone's brains out. For his part, Cyborg was tense—he hadn't seen Terra since her untimely death. He felt Raven's shoulders twitch beneath his finger tips, and wondered if she was bothered, angry, or upset all in one. He took his chances of not asking, for her wrath was not something to invoke. Once she was done drinking her tea, she made to leave but halted when she heard Beast Boy's voice through the communicator.

 

“Hey Robin…is…is Rae there?” Robin looked to her and saw Raven's eyes harden. He shook his head. At this, Beast Boy sighed loudly. “Well…when you see her…just let her know I'm coming back. And that…I'm really sorry about our fight.” Raven blushed. “Oh yeah…and that I'd like to, you know…talk to her when I get back.”

 

“I'll let her know pal,” Cyborg replied for the Boy Wonder who appeared as though he might have a conniption at any second. “See ya.” With that said, Cyborg slammed the device shut as Robin fell back onto the nearest chair, Starfire hovering beside him. “Listen y'all, I think we all know who is comin back with BB, so we best prepare for it.” He gave Raven a pointed face as she nodded, exiting the kitchen to her room. Robin sighed again. “Rob, you just gotta let it go for now, man…see what's happenin when Terra gets here. Maybe she ain't all that bad anymore…”

 

“But I do not understand. How is it that Terra is awake? Was she not imprisoned in the lava?” Starfire's eyes were wide. “How can she have broken free?”

 

“No one knows that Star,” Robin said heatedly. “But if I know anyone who could do it, and would do it…then it's Slade, that creep.”

 

Starfire gasped. “But—”

 

Robin shook his head. “No Star…someone isn't messing around with us this time.”

 

Her head drooped. “I believe I shall go make myself some pudding.”

 

Both young men's faces screwed up as she proceeded towards the fridge, neither wanting to partake in whatever it was that she might concoct. Starfire was known for making such dishes that no one except Tamaranians would eat; all which no one on earth would decide to have. Robin let his head fall to the table as Cyborg made a mad dash for his room. Starfire wasn't usually his problem—everyone knew Robin was her caretaker. Cyborg himself didn't understand why they hadn't started dating, or going out, for that matter. They certainly acted like a couple for the most part. Now all he had to do was figure out what was going on with Raven and Beast Boy and their screwy relationship. As of the present he realized their relationship was on a rocky ledge, dangling from the cliff above dark depths of water that the maiden of water itself controlled. However, Cyborg was not entirely sure that at the rate they were going, well, they might as well stay celibate the rest of their lives. He had no knowledge of the kiss Beast Boy had given Raven, which caused the power outage and severe meltdown of furniture in Titan's Tower; nor did he know about their constant uneasiness around each other after every incident. But one thing he did know for sure—with Terra returning to the tower and the land of the living, things were definitely going to get tricky.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The journey back home passed in relative silence save for the wind whipping through Terra's golden blonde locks. Beast Boy stood sullenly next to her, eyes apprehensive and unsure. He still didn't understand all that had happened in the past week; it was a rather large blur. Beside him, terra was fiddling with her hands, cracking her knuckles sand running the worn exterior of her rubber gloves. Her anticipation of returning to Titan tower had escalated as of the past few minutes; the fact that Beast Boy was nervous as well did nothing to ease her uncertainty either. Her mind was in a swirling mass of fear. `I won't be welcomed back…but I know I have to do this!' She didn't want to admit that the thought of facing all the titans scared the living daylight out of her but she knew it was the whole truth to agree so. Nevertheless she continued to debate whether it was a choice to return, or whether it was her duty as a former titan to tell her former friends the troubles arising and the consequences they faced if Slade was left to his own vices. She was more than worried; she was flat out terrified and the thought of Slade being free shook her internally—her blood curdled at the thought alone. To her left Beast Boy was trying to readjust to the changes that were still taking place in his mind.

 

His thoughts of Raven were coming in even stronger waves than before, only worsened by the lingering feeling of Terra in his arms. It wasn't that Terra didn't feel right in his arms—though she did not—but more so the fact that he welcomed her into them with such ease that is irked him. `Am I really that lonely?' He shook his head, not wanting to accept what his body was demanding of him. His physical self wanted Terra with such urgency but his mind and heart did not relent. He would not allow himself to fall into a trap, and risk losing Raven forever. `Not that I have her now…' He vowed not to give up on her, no matter how hard she was hurting him at the moment. For now, he knew, there were more important things to discuss and deal with, and Slade was one of them. He released a sigh as he saw Titan Tower come into view, the brightly shining linoleum-like surface glinting in the rising sunlight. They'd been traveling from quite a far place, which Beast Boy knew was nothing new. Ever since he'd known Terra, even if it had been for a short while, he'd known she'd like secluded place far away from civilization. She was true to her loner status at times, and though his heart reached out to her, he knew she needed such alone times.

 

He felt Terra's hand on his arm, squeezing it sporadically in slight fright of what was to come. “Beast Boy…promise me something…will you?” He nodded, quickly. “Please don't let me do this alone. Please…just help me get through this.”

 

He complied as her rock-mode of transportation came to a stop at the Tower's entrance. As they stepped off, she slipped her hand into his, not sure whether he'd push her away or not. When he didn't, she felt warmth flood her body, comforting warmth that only Beast Boy's sweet, childish innocence could bring to someone. The Tower reigned ominously over them, and neither took a step forward. Both were uneasy with the silence that loomed around the Tower like a hazy gray fog, one that beckoned them with dangers they weren't sure they were ready to face. But the decision was not theirs as the doors sprang open to reveal three figures Beast Boy and Terra knew all too well. She winced and backed behind Beast Boy as she registered the metal of Cyborg's blue armor glowing in the darkness, and the deadly aura of Starfire's star bolts, which appeared ready to fire if necessary. However, she did not recognize the third figure of a young man standing next to Starfire. He looked familiar, at least his build did. But his costume was not something she remembered, nor was shoulder-length black hair adorning his head.

 

“Beast Boy,” she whispered, curiosity getting the best of her. “Who is that?”

 

“Huh?” He looked at who she was referring to. “Oh…that's Robin, but now his name is Nightwing. We still call him Robin though.” He released a slow breath as Terra inched back beside him so that she was fully facing the three titans. Before she could do anything else, Beast Boy had begun walking forward towards his friends, arms limp at his sides. “Hey guys…guess you don't need to know who she is. Anyways…Terra's got a lot to explain.” He took a quick look around. “Hey…where is Raven?”

 

“Meditating,” came Cyborg's fast reply. “We should…sit down for this.”

 

Everyone seemed to agree, and so proceeded to the living room for a long conversation. Tension was high, thick like a blanket—so thick it could be cut with the serrated edge of a knife. Starfire had reduced her starbolts to a faint glow; Cyborg had put away his sonic cannon. Robin was still on his guard, his eyes following Terra's every move the entire time. Only after they'd all been seated did Starfire notice that Beast Boy was missing. She blinked curiously. “Where is Beast Boy?”

 

“He went to where he is needed,” Terra said, impassively. “You should all take a seat again. This is going to take a long time.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos.”

 

Normally the simple chant led the tranquil part of Raven's mind to awaken, draping her with peace. But today it was not so. She gave a sigh of defeat as she fell back on her pillows, her jumbled emotions no closer to being sorted. As usual, her room was engulfed in pitch black, darkness, for she preferred it. Just as she'd fallen in love with the eerie silence that blanketed her room, which dominated her life. She'd never been one of many words but, sometimes, she liked to hear people—gathered they weren't annoying. `But I like to hear Beast Boy.' Her thoughts were cut short at the knock on her door; she hesitated, for a moment. `Speak of the devil,' she mused as she felt Beast Boy's aura penetrate her calm, collected one. Her stomach lurched as the door hissed open to reveal the object of her affections.

 

“Raven?” Her breath caught in her throat at the mention of her name from his lips. “Raven?”

 

“What?” Her response was soft and a little frightened, internally.

 

“Can we…would it be all right if we talked?”

 

She could make out his silhouette in the dim lighting flowing through the doorway. “About what?” She knew her reply was curt; she wasn't inclined to care too much at that precise time.

 

“Well, can I come in first?” His body was in the door before she had time to refuse his entry. The next thing she knew, he was on her bed, forcing her to the headboard. “We NEED to talk, Rae.”

 

“Listen, now isn't a good time,” she said, her cheeks aflame as his arms rose to trap her against the cool surface of her bed. “Seriously…” she trailed off as his eyes slid shut. “Beast Boy?”

 

“It's never a good time for you, is it?” He smiled, slightly. “Anyway…I just came to say that I'm sorry,” he breathed out.

 

“Is that all?” She wanted to smack herself the minute the words left her mouth.

 

Under most circumstances, including if she was acting normal, he would have gone away and left her to her lonesome. But something in the tone of her voice compelled him to stay put. Slowly, he raised a hand to her hood, gently sliding it down her head to reveal her blushing face. To say it surprised him would be an understatement, he knew. `Does she want something from me? Could she possibly…?' His thoughts were sliced off as he felt her shift beneath him, whether from discomfort or something else, he didn't care. His gaze tumbled back to her, his eyes meeting hers as he lowered his face to hers, inch by inch. When she made no move to push him away, he continued his descent until his lips were millimeters from hers, his breath mingling with her own. She heaved a large breath to steady herself as they continued to stare at each other. Seconds later his lips were on hers, her hands possessively on his back and his on either side of her shoulders, holding her in place. Though the sensations coursing throughout her system were not exactly new, Raven still felt an adrenaline rush as Beast Boy's fingers slid from the wall to cup her shoulder blades. She gasped at his touch, breaking their kiss as her head fell back, leaving the tender skin of her neck exposed. Beast Boy was about to exploit the opportunity when he remembered what had happened before. He paused for a mere second before throwing caution to the wind, his right hand twining in her hair while the other moved to cup her back for support pressing her skin closer to his eager lips.

 

Raven inhaled a large breath as Beast Boy's lips touched the base of her neck, creating a slow suction that left stars in her eyes. Against her own accord, she felt her legs slide apart, giving him a willing, open invitation. Whether he actually realized her acceptance or not was something neither cared about; he took it, scooting himself between her legs. Once he was comfortable, Raven's legs clamped around him, hooking around his waist as she pressed herself against him. The heat radiating from their bodies began to drive Beast Boy insane with desire, a need only Raven could fulfill, and he hissed as her pelvis crushed against his. The pent up frustration and want seized his veins, and all logical thought process—he pushed her down to the soft mattress, enjoying the moans emitting from her throat. Soft, low noises of pleasure escaped her parted lips the moment he removed his from hers; she whimpered. Both of them were panting, and they'd only kissed. Raven breathed in deeply, her chest heaving as she opened her dazed eyes to look into Beast Boy's. When she found him staring back at her, a faint pink blush spread over her face. A sheet of awkwardness settled over them when she noticed something peculiar. `Nothing…broke?' She glanced around, noticing that the few remaining objects in her room were still in one piece. Beast Boy appeared to noticed this as well.

 

“Rae…nothing…broke…”

 

“Yeah…” She replied, their sudden awkwardness forgotten. She was about to smile when her vanity mirror shattered to a million pieces. They both cringed. Immediately Raven extracted herself from Beast Boy, replacing her cloak and moving to a far corner. Beast Boy was left on the bed, still very much unrelieved and in more confusion than ever. Raven began picking up the pieces when she heard Beast Boy move from the bed, his footfalls coming towards her. “What?”

 

“What just happened,” he asked.

 

“I don't know,” she answered with sarcasm.

 

His eyes widened, amazed at her reaction. `How could she completely disregard everything that just happened?' He felt as though she'd wounded him again, only this time, she stuck a finger in his injury and pushed—she made it burn. He clenched his fists in anger, his body shaking slightly as she turned to face him. Her surprised look did nothing to faze him as he glared at her. “That's it.” She continued to stare. “We're through Raven. No more trying. I give up on you, once and for all. The fact that you acted like nothing happened just now, and like you don't have feelings for me is too much to handle.” She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off before she could utter even a sound. “Forget it…I'm not a toy you can play with when you feel like it. I'm not the temporary relief to your repressed sexual desires to do with as you please. I'm a person!”

 

She found her ability to speak again. “Beast Boy, I can't have a relationship with you, and you know it. Things happen when we interact…like that.”

 

“Nothing broke until you thought about it!” His accusation made him look away with slight guilt, but his anger bubbled over. He shook his head. “Just admit it…just admit that you don't have any feelings for me…that you can't stand me.”

 

“I didn't say that,” Raven retorted back. “We just…we can't. A relationship with you, and even feelings for you, would endanger the entire team. That's something I am not willing to let happen. I am not willing to take that chance, even on this.”

 

Her words stung his heart. `She won't even take a chance…even if she loves me? Even when I love her?' The fact that she so easily shot down his pleas made his eyes harden. He spoke before he really thought about what he was saying. “Then maybe I'll go to someone who can…and who is willing,” Beast Boy said, his voice low and upset.

 

Raven did a double take, as she immediately knew who he was talking about. “What did you say?”

 

“You heard me,” he whispered. “Now, if you'll excuse me…Terra needs me.”

 

With that said, Beast Boy exited her room. The familiar ache in her heart returned stronger than ever. Raven sighed, trying to be rational about the situation. `But maybe this is a time where being rational will only hurt you, don't you think?' She cursed Knowledge from within her mind, angry that she'd messed up yet another chance with Beast boy. `But he'll forgive me…won't he? After all, he always does…' Part of her assumed that he would but another part felt uneasy about such a thing happening, especially with Terra back. She wrung her hands as she began pacing back and forth, her uncertainty getting the best of her as she sent a glance to the open window. She could hear the voices drifting up through the thin floorboards into her room. `But now that Terra's back…do you really expect him to?' Guilt swelled up inside her, stabbing her mercilessly for hurting him again and again. `I have to stop doing this to him…but we can't be together…we just can't!' Her wayward thoughts stopped as she closed her bedroom door, not caring about what Terra had to explain to them. `I'll figure it out later…it's not like I don't know anyway.' Throwing one last furtive glance at her ethereal mirror, Raven settled back into her sheets, her mind trying to forget the tingling in her body that didn't want to leave.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“So, you gonna start explainin, or do we need to force it outta ya?”

 

Terra let out a long breath as she settled back into the nearest chair, her golden locks holding her tense facial expression. She opened her mouth to speak but paused when she heard the door to the living room slide open, releasing a puff of air as Beast Boy stepped through. They gave him an expectant look but he merely shook his head. Automatically everyone knew they shouldn't speak about whatever had transpired between the pair; everyone ignored it as he took a seat dangerously close to Terra. Starfire raised a brow as Robin tossed them an uneasy look. Cyborg sensed something was amiss but did not bother to push the issue as he gestured for Terra to begin again. She nodded in response as she slid back into the cushioned chair, trying to find a comfortable spot before resuming the dire task of explaining happenings that she didn't understand to the titans.

 

“I take it Beast Boy has already mentioned that Slade is alive?” Everyone nodded, but Robin tensed. She continued on. “I'm sorry about this Robin, but he fooled us all…even me. I know I was connected to him through our central nervous systems but because I was buried in the molten rock, it severed the nerve endings in my armor. I imagine that that is part of the reason that he did not get buried or destroyed when I was trapped underground. However,” she tensed, clenching her fist at the thought. “Something else must have happened for him to have been wandering around these past years. I don't understand why he would not have acted sooner, nor do I know why he bothered to reawaken me. I am no longer his apprentice, I can tell you that much. All I do know it that he must be looking for another one…or he has found one while I was sleeping.”

 

Robin looked angry. “Is that all you know?” She nodded, slowly. “Please, explain to me how that is going to help us?” His voice was murderously low as he began a steady pace, back and forth, in the living room. Starfire reached out to soothe him but he slapped her hand away as he faced Terra. “What you've told us doesn't help at all! You shouldn't even be here!”

 

At his outburst, Terra found some courage to stand up to the menacing Boy Wonder. “Listen, I've told you all that I know! I've been asleep for about four years! What more can I do for you? I'm sorry! I'm just really sorry!”

 

Beast Boy enveloped her in a warm hug as tears fell from her sky blue eyes. They'd rarely seen Terra cry, and now, with the tears flowing freely, Starfire felt her never ending compassion resurface. She, too, walked to the pair and embraced them as well. Then she turned to Robin, who was still pacing, not seeming to have noticed Terra's turmoil. “Robin, you have caused friend Terra much grief. Why have you done this if she has told you all that she can remember?” Robin glared at her, unintentionally. “I do not wish to speak to you until you have apologized to her. I shall take her to her place of dwelling,” she said to Beast Boy, who began letting go his charge. With that said, she took Terra's hand and led her out of the spacious, darkened living room.

 

Beast Boy exhaled a large breath as he plopped onto the nearest chair. Cyborg's arm beeped as it brought in the most recent status reports on the tower and all occupants of the tower. Robin was sulking between them, his arms crossed as he attempted to find a way to mend his tiff with their resident alien woman. An upset Star and Robin were not a combination any of the titans liked to deal with; of course, Raven was far worse. For some reason, no one bothered to call Raven back to the room for the conversation—but yet no one found this odd. Beast Boy didn't want to think about it, Robin was too busy trying to be a leader, and Cyborg figured it'd be better to tell her later, or that Raven already knew. Whatever the case, they all thought it was better that she wasn't there. `I'll fill her in when the time is right,' Cyborg decided. As he too took a seat next to the three disgruntled young men, he found himself releasing a small chuckle. They all glanced at each other; suddenly they all began chuckling for no apparent reason. It was going to be a long week in the tower—they all knew it.

TBC…

(Haha…Terra is so here! She's in to cause trouble, and in for trouble as well! Ooo…things are getting questionable! Slade is still in and out of the pictureand the tension is eventhicker now. Don't worry—there will be more emotional stuff in the next chapter, and less structural type stuff. This just had to be laid out. There will be more interactions and complications between people! EMOTIONS SHALL RISE! Anyway…Please R&R, flame if you want, since you will anyway. Constructive criticism is ALWAYS welcome. Thank you for reading, whether you left a review or not.)

Darkkairi1