The Universal Threat (second in Destiny series)

9) Tamaranean Titans

The Titans sat in the living room of the Tower. Having returned from the ruins of Azarath, they had remained silent. However, unanswered questions could be felt in the tension in the room. 

Beast Boy sat next to Raven, shifting his weight uncomfortably. He had some questions he wanted to ask her, but he didn't want to seem insensitive.

"So, uh, Raven," he finally broke the uncomfortable silence. She looked up at him. His heart caught in his throat, and he struggled to get his question out. "Was the reason she talked in the past-tense because..."

He didn't have the heart to finish the question. "Because she's dead," Raven replied dully. "Yes."

"Then how...?" Beast Boy shifted uncomfortably. He knew that he was hurting her with these questions, but they had to be asked."I don't know!" Raven's eyes flashed.

Instead of being frightened, Beast Boy scooted closer to her and slipped his arm around her shoulders and held her tightly.

He could see from her face the war of emotions trying to break through, and ever the fighter, Raven was trying everything she could not to show her inner turmoil.

"Just cry Raven," Beast Boy said softly. "You're not going to be judged here." Raven stubbornly shook her head.

"I am not going to cry," she replied bitterly. She closed her eyes, and furrowed her brows. Beast Boy wished that he could do something, anything to take her pain away.

He held her close, thinking about what Arella had said. He had to protect Raven. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about that fact.

"Before Trigon came to Earth." Raven spoke at length. "He destroyed Azarath. I went there for help. My mother told me there was nothing I could do to stop him. Then I saw that Trigon had destroyed Azarath, just as he would Earth. She was dead before I went to her for help."

Raven choked slightly, and Beast Boy squeezed her shoulder.

"I really don't know how she was there. I don't..." Her body started to shake. "I don't..." Beast Boy could feel his heart breaking with her pain.

The only thing he could think of doing, was to pull her into a hug.

"We have a bit of a problem," Robin spoke at length. "How are we going to get to Tamaran without being noticed?" Beast Boy glared at the Boy Wonder.

"I think we could all do with a good night's sleep before we tackle that question," Bumble Bee responded. Robin didn't like this, but he consented.

The Titans split, and went their separate ways to their rooms. Only Beast Boy and Raven were left in the living room.

"That dude's gotta learn about timing," Beast Boy muttered. Raven was silent. "He's so clueless sometimes. I mean really...how can someone so smart be so stupid? He doesn't even recognize the fact that Starfire's into him. He needs a serious wake up call. Or a smack. Maybe a smack would be better. It would certainly be more amusing."

He realized he was babbling, but he didn't know what else to do. "I would love to see the look on Richard's face if he was..."

"Shut up!" Raven bellowed, interrupting him. "Just shut up!" Beast Boy was stunned, but obeyed. He sat with her, not speaking. "Sorry Garfield." Raven shuddered at length. "I didn't mean to take this out on you."