Chapter 15: Let Me be the Reason You Smile

Beast Boy and Raven opened their eyes and nearly the same time. The sounds and smells of breakfast filled their senses and made their stomachs growl with hunger. Beast Boy took a deep breath and tightened his grip around Raven as he smiled. Raven smiled back and gently slipped out of the bed.

"The others must have been here. I don't remember this blanket being there last night," Raven said, folding the blanket with her powers. Beast Boy sat up with a wince.

"Are you okay?" Raven asked.

"Just stiff. Help me up?" Beast Boy replied. She gladly obliged, gently aiding him to his feet. Finding his balance, Beast Boy slowly let go of Raven's hand. Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled and told Raven he would be up to the kitchen in a little while; he desperately needed a shower. Raven laughed softly and left for the kitchen. When she arrived, the scent of eggs, bacon, tofu eggs, orange juice and herbal tea filled her nostrils.

"Hi Raven...everything okay?" Robin asked, handing Torque her plate. Raven smiled softly as she told the team what had happened during the night.

"So, BB's gonna be okay?" Cyborg surmised. Raven nodded proudly.

"Mmm hmm," she replied.

"Yay!"

"Wahoo!"

"I can't believe it! You did it!"

"Glorious victory!" Starfire cried, throwing her arms around Raven.

"Easy, Star, I still have bruises from the last hug you gave me," Raven said good-naturedly. Minutes later, Beast Boy emerged into the kitchen, looking as though he felt much better. He was wearing a clean uniform and his emerald colored hair was still damp. He looked at his friends with wide, shining eyes and smiled. As if pulled by some inexorable pull of friendship, the rest of the team rushed to greet their recuperated friend.

"Easy, guys! My back is still a little sore!" Beast Boy laughed as they converged on him.

"We missed you, Beast Boy!"

"All right, BB!"

"Welcome back, little man!"

Beast Boy couldn't help a wide grin. It felt good to be loved. Once everyone had had a chance to hug him and pat him on the back, albeit gently, Beast Boy looked up over their shoulders to the only person who hadn't mobbed him when he entered: Raven—his Raven—graciously standing behind the others as they rejoiced over his return. Beast Boy slipped from the center of attention and went to her, pulled her into his arms and the two melted into a romantic kiss as they ignored the whoops, hoots and hollering of their teammates.

Months Later

When summer gave way to autumn, and the leaves rushed about on the wide steps of the church, two superheroes inside promised to love, honor, and cherish one another for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and for richer or poorer, as long as they both shall live. Their teammates stood by as they exchanged rings and finally kissed and then turned to face the congregation of their friends and families. Amid a roar of applause the two escaped into the open sunshine, laughing as their guests followed them out to the steps and threw birdseed as they ran for their car. Settling inside and waving like crazy, Raven and Beast Boy were off to enjoy their honeymoon—really—enjoy their honeymoon. For two weeks, the Tower was strangely quiet, that is, until Torque and Jinx went snooping into Raven's dresser drawers. Their covert mission was to discover if a specific item was missing. They weren't disappointed. In the first drawer they opened was a note penned in Raven's bold script:

"Yes. I took it. Thanks again, ladies."

Torque and Jinx had to sit down. They were laughing so hard tears streamed from their eyes.

Are you lost yet? If you haven't figured it out, go back to chapter 8 and re-read the part right after Robin and Star are on their way to Tamaran. Still don't get it? -Giggle- I'll tell you in the forward to the next story.