According to the receptionist, the hospital had about an hour and a half left until visiting hours were finished for the day. The last few full rotations of the clock's little hand had been killer for the less patient heroes, specifically Beast Boy. He'd paced back and forth between Raven and Mento's room the entire wait, casting a glance up at the timepiece whenever he passed that particular wall.

Starfire left the waiting room after her friend had marched by so many times that she'd lost count. Beast Boy stopped when the gentle hand grasped his shoulder, and his green eyes met matching emerald. "You should rest, friend Beast Boy. You are going to 'wear the rut' in the floor."

"Sorry, but I just can't sit still, Star," Beast Boy insisted. He started walking again. "I just gotta do something. When d'you think Mento's gonna wake up?"

"I hope that it is soon. As you might say, 'any of the minutes now'." Starfire resisted checking the clock as she fell into step beside the shape-shifter.

"What about Raven?"

She lifted her shoulders, loosely clasping her fingers together. "You might know better than I. You have passed her room many times, have you not?" She sighed. "I merely hope she is sleeping again and resting as she needs."

"Yeah, me too." Beast Boy aimed a distracted kick at the ground as they reached Mento's door, and the duo looked up in surprise when it opened. Rita stood in the entryway, and, seeing Starfire and Beast Boy before her, smiled warmly before turning back to the man behind her.

Mento waited for his wife to leave first before exiting the room himself. His uniform was wrinkle-free, and the helmet on his head sat straight. The man observed the two teens with a cool expression for a moment, and then he, Rita, Beast Boy, and Starfire headed back to the waiting room where the other heroes -save for Raven- were seated. They rose when the four entered.

The Doom Patrol's leader looked around at the teenagers and adults before taking a breath. "Someone who looked like hospital staff told me to leave when I felt better. I didn't want to keep my team waiting." A big grin curved up Robotman's face, and Negative Man nodded to Mento while Rita squeezed her husband's shoulder. Even the Titans felt relief at his lack of anger and irrationality; now they had one less problem to deal with.

"Elasti-girl updated me on the situation." Facing Robotman, Mento inquired, "You fixed the issue with my helmet?"

"Well, uh, yeah! I mean, me and Cyborg." Robotman rubbed the back of his head.

"Thank you." He regarded Cyborg and then surprised everyone. "And thank you. I appreciate your help, Cyborg."

"Uh…" Cyborg shook away his disbelief, but he still couldn't prevent his astonishment from pitching his voice. "No problem, man!"

Rita leaned over to Beast Boy, whispering, "I gave the man a good talking to when he woke."

Beast Boy responded with a weak smile. A shadow fell over him and his mother, and they turned together to see Mento standing above them. "Beast Boy, your mother and I-. Would you object if your mother and I had a word with you?" Rita shot her husband a look, but Mento ignored it.

"Uh," Beast Boy hesitated, glancing at the other Titans. Cyborg was talking to Robotman under his breath.

"I'd be surprised if he didn't have a headache the size of the T-ship right now and just isn't showin' it. Make sure he takes somethin' for it later. And remember, no tough work." Robotman dipped his head to Cyborg. Focused on the two metal men, Beast Boy missed the reluctant nod Robin granted Elasti-girl.

The green teenager bit his lip briefly. "I guess it's okay."

Mento dipped his head to Robotman and Negative Man, and he walked a little ways off from the group with Beast Boy and Rita following. The leader faced his adopted son, arms folded. Beast Boy met his gaze unflinchingly, though his shoulders hunched up somewhat out of habit. Mento was still his superior, and, while that fact had not changed, both males sensed that something between them was now different.

Rita spoke first, her smile gentle. "So Garfield, how are you feeling?"

Beast Boy pressed his lips together nervously. "Fine, I guess… Kinda worried…"

"About Raven?" Rita guessed kindly. Beast Boy nodded, shifting his weight.

"That's not what this is about though," he predicted.

"No, it's not." Mento frowned, his voice deep and commanding. Beast Boy turned his attention back to the man as Mento unfolded his arms. "This is about what happened when you left our airship so suddenly." He inhaled, and Beast Boy braced himself for the harsh scolding sure to follow. His adoptive father clasped his hands behind his back, peering down at his son, and Beast Boy felt as small as a mouse beneath the scrutinizing glare. But there was no way he was about to take back what he'd said. The shape-shifter had meant every word of it, and if Mento didn't approve, then they wouldn't agree.

"First of all," Mento began, his words sharp, "you had no right to speak to me like that, especially not in the presence of your mother, Larry, and Cliff. You spoke out against us, me specifically, and not only that, but you also were way out of line. Secondly, I have never been more disappointed how you rejected what I had to say even before hearing me out."

Beast Boy bit his tongue, holding within all that he wanted to say. There were so many words cramming to find a way to his voice, but the teenager fought them all back; he would take what was coming to him, however unfair it felt. Mento continued, holding his head high as if only to squint down at Beast Boy. "Now, I understand how you were upset with what I said about the dark girl, and I'll admit that I stepped across a line there, but we both were angry and had high tempers. All of that was not helped by the error in my helmet." The older man stopped, exhaling a slightly reluctant sigh. "… I'm trying to apologize."

Beast Boy's head whipped up, incredulous. "Are you serious?"

Mento lifted an eyebrow, blue eyes cutting into Beast Boy's green. "Was I not clear?"

Touching Beast Boy's arm, Rita gave him an encouraging look. "Garfield, your father is trying as best he can."

Beast Boy grunted, muttering, "Well, maybe he should do a better job at it."

Mento huffed, obviously having heard, but Rita frowned at him. The man held his tongue for a moment and then went on. "Beast Boy, I hope that you will consider everything that's been said… as well as my words." Mento finally allowed his arms to relax at his sides."I only wish to keep the Doom Patrol family together, and you are a part of our family. You have… always been my son, even when I said things I didn't mean, and even when you left and joined the Titans. I am concerned that living with the Titans for so long might cause you to drift away from our family, and none of us wish for that to happen."

"I know, Mento," Beast Boy interrupted, shaking his head. Mento and Elasti-girl watched him, waiting. "I get it and it's okay. But the thing is… I'm going to end up leaving one of my families no matter what happens. I don't want to leave the Titans whereas I left the Doom Patrol a long time ago because I wanted to."

Rita knelt in from of the green boy, squeezing his shoulder. "Do you want to leave us again?" she asked quietly. Beast Boy swayed his head back and forth and stared at his feet, ears quivering. "You have time to think about it," his mother assured.

"Just be certain of the decision you make," Mento added, his expression a mixture of emotion that for the first time in a long while was not cold. Beast Boy lowered his head.

Raven faded in and out of consciousness, waking more and more rejuvenated each time. Her healing powers were doing wonders, and whatever medicine the doctors had given her no doubt helped. She'd just woken up from her most recent nap when the door to the room creaked, and Raven looked up in surprise to see Beast Boy slipping inside. It was unexpected to sense the wave of compassion entering with him, though she'd always known that whenever he felt, it was strongly. He noticed her watching him and colored a little. "Uh, hey. I guess you're awake."

Raven lifted an eyebrow, readjusting her hood around her neck so she'd feel more comfortable. It had moved while she slept. "What are you doing back?"

Beast Boy chuckled, walking over to her bed. "Well, Mento's awake, and you know how he has that 'look' he gets sometimes? The one that feels like he's judging you and reading into your very soul?" Raven fought a smirk and nodded. "Well, I kinda wanted to get away from Mento's 'judgmental eyes'," Beast Boy explained, making quotation marks with his fingers. "Rita just convinced him to help pay for the hospital bill and he's not too happy about it."

"Ah," Raven said, sitting a little further up in the bed. "And you assumed that you could hide in here."

"Wha-? I'm not hiding," Beast Boy denied, hooking his fingers on the side of his belt and wrinkling his nose at her. "I'm just… y'know, hanging out with you! Making sure you're comfortable and stuff." He kicked at the ground, shy emotions suddenly radiating from him. "You are good right? I mean, not feeling sick or anything?"

"I'm fine," Raven guaranteed.

Beast Boy nodded, glancing back and forth at her and the ground. "M'kay. 'Cause, you kinda really scared me. A-All of us! The whole team!" He scuffed his shoe on the floor, making a squeaking sound. "Uh, yeah. We, uh, I'm, uh, glad you're good."

Deciding to lower a ladder down the hole he was digging himself into, Raven waited a few more seconds to see if he planned on saying anything else and then changed the subject. "Won't the others need a translator if you're in here?"

Grateful for the different topic of conversation, Beast Boy answered eagerly. "Oh, naw, they finally found some receptionist who speaks both languages. I'm relieved of duty right now."

"Where did you learn to speak Swahili?"

Beast Boy smiled, his mouth lifting up one side of his face. "You know what it's called?"

"It might surprise you," Raven said sarcastically, "but I'm fairly educated. Reading does wonders for one's brain."

"Really? I never woulda guessed." Beast Boy grinned, earning an eye-roll from his friend. "But no," he continued, scratching an ear, "I learned it when I was little. I lived in Africa at one point before- before the Doom Patrol." The shape-shifter kept rubbing his ear and offered no further explanation, seemingly focused on a poster stuck to the wall.

"I'm glad you did," Raven said after a moment of silence, and Beast Boy rotated his eyes toward her. She met his sights, adding, "I would have been in trouble if you didn't know how to speak the language."

Beast Boy's hand shifted to his hair, running the green strands through his fingers. "Heh, yeah, you got a point." He smiled briefly, dropping his arm back to his side, and his mouth straightened. "So… Mento said you lied to him and the others to get into the ship?"

"Yes." Raven gripped the edge of her bed's sheet. For some reason, she felt guiltier when admitting it to Beast Boy, probably because it was his family, not hers, and she had lied to them.

She was surprised to see a small grin work its way onto his lips again. "That takes a lotta guts, Rae," he beamed. "I figured you woulda just come up with some genius plan instead."

"I was going to," Raven confirmed, lessening her hold on the light bed sheet. "However, time worked against me and I was forced to resort to other methods."

"Well, whatever, Rae," Beast Boy smiled yet again, his expression softening. "Thanks for healing my mom."

The relief that he wasn't upset with her actions expelled the nervous swarm of butterflies in her stomach. "I'm glad she's alright."

"Me too." Beast Boy hesitated, and then, biting the inside of his cheek, asked, "Why… did you heal Rita?"

Raven cleared her throat, stiffening her back and shifting the sheets on her bed once more. "There are… a few reasons."

"You wanna tell me some?"

Avoiding his questioning gaze, Raven leaned back to relax against the inclined slope of her cot and stared at the smooth white ceiling. "For Elasti-girl. For the team. For me. You."

The subtle pounding in his chest increased, and Beast Boy brushed his fingers over the side of Raven's bed. As he'd hoped, Raven glanced at him. "Because… you wanted me to stay with the Titans?" he guessed.

"Somewhat," Raven confessed, "but… mostly for you." She continued, eyelids half lowered and voice quiet. "You had sadness inside of you that would rip into any empath, let alone one who knows you on a personal level. That made it even more painful to know the reason why you were distraught, all the while having the knowledge that I could do something about that look I'd see on your face every day." Beast Boy blinked, and Raven gave the slightest of smirks. "No, not that one."

Beast Boy hummed, smiling and massaging his neck, and Raven continued.

"I couldn't bear to feel… and see you as sad as you were." She glanced at him and then dropped her deep indigo eyes to her lap. "You feel so strongly, and I knew you thought yourself powerless and helpless when it came to Rita. But I wasn't, because I could heal her." Beast Boy was a part of Raven's family, and though she'd probably never say it aloud, she loved him more than she would admit. She didn't regret healing Rita, and even if in the end Beast Boy decided that he would stay with the Doom Patrol, she felt glad he was back to his normal, joyful, and hyper self. "I wanted to see you happy. That's why I promised you I would heal Rita, and it's why I did."

Heat rose in her face, comprehending just how much she had said aloud to Beast Boy of all people. She was only figuring out some of these things as she spoke aloud. Raven liked to think things over more before revealing her thoughts to others. This was definitely a first for her.

She experienced another first a moment later when Beast Boy suddenly leaned down to her and kissed her on the cheek. Raven's heart doubled in rate –as was indicated by the heart monitor in the background- and Beast Boy moved away, face scarlet and eyes as wide as plates as he realized what he'd just done. The boy started stepping back, stammering incomprehensible words, but before anything he said could actually make sense, Raven's heart monitor exploded in a burst of black magic. Raven and Beast Boy stared at it and then glanced at each other, matching blushes gracing their cheeks when they met eyes.

"A-Ah, I-I'll go get someone to fix that," Beast Boy excused, already reaching blindly for the knob. Eventually he grasped the handle, and, after a fumble to open the door, he sprinted down the hallway. Raven watched him go, the burning on her cheeks fading. This time, her flushed appearance and the heat building inside of her wasn't an effect of the cholera.

While the doctors added the heart monitor onto the Titans' bill, Beast Boy paced the hallways for what felt like the millionth time that day, ignorant to the confused glances from his teammates. He swore his face was still burning. He'd kissed Raven! The first time he'd ever kissed a girl, albeit it was on the cheek. Beast Boy bit his lip. When she said everything about healing Rita and how she wanted him to be happy, emotion had exploded inside him, and he had so much to unexpectedly feel for her that he had to do something! And before he realized it, he had.

Beast Boy let out a long groan and walked over to a wall, pressing his head against it. A metal hand touched his shoulder, and the green boy rotated to see Cyborg's concerned expression. "Yo man, what gives? You've been pacing in circles for like five minutes straight now since gettin' back from talkin' with Raven. She okay? You okay?"

Beast Boy stood on his toes, peeking over Cyborg's shoulder at Robin, Starfire, and the Doom Patrol. They were either talking or dealing with the payment issue. Beast Boy dropped back onto the soles of his feet and started shifting his weight. "Uh, hey Cy, you know that old fairy tale, the Frog Prince?"

Confused by the swerve of topic, Cyborg scratched his head. "Which one?"

Beast Boy bit his lip. "The one where… this princess drops her golden ball into a well and a frog gets it for her, but only if she agrees to go back to the castle with him?"

"Uh, yeah?" Cyborg answered, still staring at his best friend uncertainly.

"And you remember the ending, dude?"

"Kinda." Cyborg gave a thoughtful hum. "Didn't she have to kiss the frog or somethin' to turn him into a prince?"

Beast Boy drew his shoulders in, nodding, and then quickly morphed into a small green frog. A few passing doctors gave him strange looks, but the Titan ignored them, transforming back into a human after a few seconds. "Um, well… Ribbit?"

Cyborg stopped, mouth dropping, and gawked at Beast Boy who had flushed bright red. "You did not!"

"Uh… Kinda," Beast Boy coughed. "I didn't really think about it."

Cyborg gaped at him. "But-but-man, what am I even supposed to say to that?! Raven?! You! You kis-!"

"Dude, shut up!" Beast Boy desperately waved his hands, whipping his head back and forth to watch for any eavesdroppers. "I don't want the whole world to know!"

Cyborg had to laugh at that one. "Man, it's not like these people can even understand what we're saying."

"But they can!" Beast Boy gestured frantically at the other heroes nearby, some casting curious glances in his direction. He grinned, waving at them nervously. Starfire, one of the interested watchers, returned a bright smile and waved back.

Clapping a hand on his shoulder, Cyborg pulled the shape-shifter to his attention. "BB, man, don't just leave me with the conversation like this! Do you like Raven or somethin'?" Again, Beast Boy changed colors, causing a smirk to form on Cyborg's face. "Come on, man, you gotta tell me what you were thinkin'!"

"Wha-uh-I- uh- I- w-wasn't?" Beast Boy stammered for a little before ultimately giving a sigh and running a hand down his face. "Okay, fine, dude; you'd better grab a plate and some pizza because this is gonna be cheesy." Cyborg nodded, pretending that Beast Boy had not just made him hungry by mentioning pizza. His little green friend exhaled again and leaned against the wall. "I asked why she'd healed Rita, and suddenly she started saying all this really nice stuff about me and how she wanted me to be happy-."

"Whoa," Cyborg interrupted, casting an eyebrow high above his eye. "Raven said that?!"

"Yeah dude," Beast Boy scratched the side of his face for a moment. "I was as surprised as you! And then I guess- I just ah, kissed her on the cheek. Then she blew up the heart monitor thingy."

"That's what happened to it." Cyborg's smirk was taking up a large margin of his face. "So you kissed her as a thank you?

Beast Boy turned his head back and forth quickly. "No! I-I mean… I dunno. Kinda? But it felt like there was more to it…"

"Then you like her?" Cyborg laughed at Beast Boy's scarlet expression. "Alright man, I'll lay off. But you know that if you need any help, I'll be there for ya. I might be behind a big glass shield if I have to be in the same room as Raven, but I'll be there." They exchanged a smirk, and Cyborg steered Beast Boy back to the group. Robin was talking, and he paused just as they arrived.

"Finished here?" he asked, and the two nodded. "Alright, we were told that Raven is going to have to stay overnight, and, considering it's already dark outside and visiting hours were done ten minutes ago, we should probably find a place to crash."

"Uh, what about Raven?" Beast Boy asked, pretending not to see the small smile on Cyborg's face.

Robin nodded. "I've made sure that she already knows. We, on the other hand, need to get ourselves a few beds."

Cyborg tapped a few buttons on his arm, pulling up a digital diagram of the city. A red dot bleeped. "There's an inn just a few steps away."

"Good." Robin dipped his head, and, in mutual agreement on their place of rest for the night, the Titans headed out of the hospital doors. The Doom Patrol, standing not too far away, exchanged glances and then focused their stares on Mento.

The man rumbled. "Let's find that hotel."

Much to Beast Boy's dismay, he and the Titans returned to the hospital very early the next morning before Raven even was up. She'd slept the night in the same hospital bed they'd left her in, and when the Titans peeked into her room, the empath was still resting with closed eyes. Deciding to wait for her to wake up before leaving for Jump City, the team sat around and tried to be patient. The four teenagers chatted randomly for about an hour, and then the Doom Patrol joined them.

Approaching with the rest of his team, Mento offered his morning greetings to the Titans. "And I thought teenagers slept half the day away."

Elasti-girl touched her husband's arm. "It would seem things are not always as they appear, Steve." Robin had to smirk at that, his mask wrinkling slightly as he smiled.

"So I see." Mento and Robin locked gazes before breaking eye contact in mutual understanding. The Doom Patrol leader cleared his throat unnecessarily; he already held everyone's attention. "We have an unfinished conversation that needs to be resolved. Beast Boy," he began, but the squeak of an opening door cut him off.

Floating up off the floor, Starfire glided over to the empath who slowly walked out of the hospital room. "Raven! You are up and doing the moving about!"

Raven didn't know why Starfire was stating the obvious; the dark girl had just woken up, and everyone who lived in their tower knew how much of a morning person she wasn't. The sun couldn't have risen more than an hour ago, but the swarm of emotions outside her room had woken her up. "I can walk; I'm not crippled, just sick, and barely at that." She stopped, one hand on the doorway, and covered a silent yawn. "And tired."

"Think you're up for a ride back home?" Robin inquired, stepping closer. "Or do you want to rest some more?"

"And pass up several free hours for a nap?" Raven retorted sarcastically. Smirking at her familiar attitude, Robin nodded and tossed the T-ship keys to Cyborg for when they would head to the vehicle.

Addressing his son once again, Mento lifted his voice. "Now as I was saying to Beast Boy," he persisted, and the teams faced him once more. Beast Boy looked up, meeting eyes with Mento and knowing exactly what the man wanted to talk about. Something compelled Mento to say it aloud anyway. "Beast Boy, are you going to stay with the Titans, or do you want to live with the Doom Patrol again?"

During the entirety of his night in the hotel, Beast Boy had spent each waking moment thinking over the subject. He felt like Robin in the evidence room, weighing the pros and cons and eliminating excuses that prevented a decision. He'd looked into every possibility, even ones where he chose to leave both teams. In the end, just before allowing sleep to overcome him, Beast Boy had come to a hesitant final choice.

The hallway had fallen silent, and Beast Boy could sense everyone's eyes pushing against him. "You sure you guys just don't wanna combine the teams?" he joked semi-hopefully.

"No," Robin and Mento answered in the same breath, and then exchanged glances. It seemed they'd found something to agree on for once.

Beast Boy offered a half-smile, pacing to a section of the corridor where all the heroes were able to see him. "Guys, this was really, really hard," he confessed, rolling the edge of his shoe along the ground. It squeaked obnoxiously so he stopped. He looked to the Doom Patrol. "I was needed with you guys a long time ago, and recently I was needed 'cause Elasti-girl was sick. Even now I'm needed to help the Doom Patrol because Mento's not supposed to work and stuff, and they could use an extra hand. I really appreciate it, being wanted. But," he swallowed, staring at the floor, "now I'm needed at the tower with my friends too. While Raven's recovering, the Titans will need me more than ever." Raven held her tongue. She wasn't about to contradict what he was saying, even if it meant admitting to her weakened state. Instead she fought the sick feeling of anticipation and waited for Beast Boy to speak; his head was bowed, chin just above his chest.

"The thing is, I know both the Titans and the Doom Patrol can handle themselves in a fight without me, even with Mento and Raven recovering. That's not going to make my decision, because if I let it, I would be choosing what to do because of a temporary problem." Beast Boy felt his throat tightening. He didn't expect it to be this hard to explain himself. "I guess, I mean, it comes down to who I need the most. And I think t-that they need me the same way I need them." The silence was torture, so he broke it.

"I'm going to stay with the Titans," he whispered hoarsely.

Several releases of air escaped multiple mouths, set free from those on both teams holding their breath without meaning to. Beast Boy dragged his head up to see the Doom Patrol's reaction. The firm line which was Mento's mouth had not moved. Astonishingly, Robotman wore a semi-smirk, whereas Negative Man –as always- hadn't changed expression. And Elasti-girl?

Rita broke apart from the group and knelt in front of him with her hands on his shoulders. Beast Boy met her eyes, unsure and terrified at the same, but Rita softly smiled at the boy and tilted her head. "I knew you would," she murmured. "We understand." She looked briefly at Mento. "Both of us. All of us."

Mento paced toward Beast Boy and came to a standstill, hands behind his back. He closed his eyes briefly. "I do understand. And… I am… sorry, Beast Boy. You've grown up a lot."

A grin broke out across Beast Boy's face. "See, that's how you apologize!"

Mento was unable to prevent an itsy, tiny smirk from inching up the side of his face as well. "I'll admit it's more difficult than it appears."

"It gets easier with practice," Beast Boy smiled, glancing at Raven. She lifted an eyebrow in response, bearing an unamused appearance though she was humored –and deeply relieved with his decision- all the same. The other Titans radiated emotions of gratitude and joy, and their expressions mirrored these feelings. From within, Raven shone brighter than the rest, but concerned that something would explode, she kept her emotions controlled. However, that couldn't stop a smile from playing on her lips.

Joining the three members in their circle, Robotman and Negative Man drew near as well. The Titans stayed respectively where they were, knowing the family needed their time to say goodbye.

Negative Man nodded to Beast Boy, touching his shoulder for a brief second. "Somehow I'm not surprised."

"Couldn't handle hangin' around us oldies anymore, eh kid?" Robotman chuckled, ruffling Beast Boy's hair and flattening it.

Beast Boy wrinkled his nose, fixing his hair. "I dunno about that, dude." Robotman dropped his hand, metal mouth curved up in a grin. "You're not that old."

"Are you certain this decision will be final?" Mento's voice reached Beast Boy's pointed ears, and the shape-shifter scratched the back of his neck, looking to his father.

"I don't really enjoy our arguments that much, Mento. I like ones about meat or tofu a lot more, even if someone won't admit I'm right," he shot over his shoulder. Cyborg grinned at Beast Boy's words, jumping up beside him to throw an arm over the younger boy's shoulder and rubbing the top of his head.

"Yo man, that is one argument that will never get old!"

"Maybe you haven't grown up as much as I thought," Mento commented, watching the two half-wrestle in the middle of the hallway. Raven followed the two best friends with her eyes, realizing how different the Doom Patrol's parting was compared to how the Titans would've been had Beast Boy chosen otherwise. No doubt the mood would've been a lot more sullen and heavy, their words quieter and less energetic, and no smiles present. From the look and sound of things, the Doom Patrol had been expecting Beast Boy to choose the Titans.

Beast Boy and Cyborg separated, the robotic teenager joining the Titans again, and Elasti-girl took his place by Beast Boy's side. Her son didn't object when Rita embraced him, and Beast Boy sighed as they drew apart. Setting his eyes on her, his liveliness dimmed. "You're really okay with it?"

Rita's warm smile filled him to the brim. "Garfield, I could never force you to decide otherwise. You've grown up and I love you all the more for having made a grown-up decision." She ran a hand through his hair, readjusting the green locks tangled from Robotman's ruffling and Cyborg's wrestling with it. "And besides," she lowered her voice so only Beast Boy heard what she said next, "I know that there are some things worth staying for." Glancing over her shoulder at the silent empath nearby and then back at Beast Boy, Elasti-girl hugged the boy one last time. "Alright my prince charming, good luck." She gave him a kiss on the head and then a small wink, triggering a blush of color to rise in Beast Boy's face.

Mento waited as Rita fell back to his side, and then the man nodded once to Beast Boy. "Until we meet again, Titans." With those final words, the Doom Patrol turned as one and exited the hospital together, leaving Beast Boy standing by himself in the middle of the hallway. The hospital doors closed shut with an inaudible click behind the Doom Patrol.

The green Titan had barely moved when Starfire tackled him in a flying hug. "Friend Beast Boy, I am so grateful of your decision to stay!" she cried fervently. The alien princess had been holding back while the Doom Patrol remained in the same building, but now that they were absent, she felt free to express her joy. Robin, even with Starfire hugging Beast Boy as tightly as she was, couldn't bring himself to mind; his team was complete and whole, no longer in danger of losing a member of their family.

"Me… too…," Beast Boy gasped, his face changing colors again, but now from lack of air. Starfire released him, looking at the others in excitement, and Beast Boy inhaled several times. Cyborg nudged the younger boy with his elbow and grinned.

"Man, just for stayin' a Titan, I'm gonna stop by the next tofu restaurant I see and pick you up a big bucketful," he announced.

Beast Boy quirked a green eyebrow. "Do you even know what a tofu restaurant looks like?"

"Nope!" Cyborg exclaimed cheerfully, causing his friend to stick his tongue at him.

Chuckling, Robin clapped his hand on Beast Boy's shoulder. "Thanks for staying a part of the team, Beast Boy. I'm not quite ready for this family to separate."

"Yeah," Beast Boy agreed. His eyes darted to where Raven stood silently, and both she and Cyborg caught the look.

Cyborg released a loud groan and stretched his arms out. "Alright ya'll, I'm gonna go head out to the T-ship. BB, you wanna help Rae get there? Not that she needs it," he added hurriedly when Raven shot her notorious glare at him. "Just as a… second hand, should she need one."

"I doubt that I'll need any help," Raven muttered, but much to her dismay, Robin liked Cyborg's idea as well.

The young leader nodded in approval. "He has a good point, Raven. You aren't at full strength yet, even with your healing powers hard at work." Robin looked to Starfire. "Star, let's go pick up breakfast while Cyborg gets the T-ship. I saw a small building about a block away, so it shouldn't take long. Beast Boy, give Raven a hand. We'll meet up in the T-ship." Seeing that everyone would comply with his orders –however reluctant some might be- Robin dipped his head and led Starfire outside with Cyborg on their heels, calling to the pair to make sure they grabbed donuts if there were any.

Suddenly alone with Raven, Beast Boy scratched his ear. "So, uh, ready to head to the T-ship?"

Raven, leaning some of her weight on the wall, folded her arms. "You have some explaining to do."

"What? What do you mean?" Beast Boy blinked at her, and, groaning in exasperation, Raven tapped her cheek. A secret flicker of amusement ran through her at the blush that rose in Beast Boy's face, even though behind her own hood a matching streak of scarlet appeared. "Oh," he squeaked pathetically, clearing his throat. Focusing on his gloves and starting to fiddle with them, Beast Boy mumbled, "S-sorry about that. I kinda wasn't, uh, really thinking-."

"When are you ever?" Raven interrupted, lifting an eyebrow and stepping over to him. Her legs protested under her weight, but she ignored the strain. Staring him down with the most irritated glare she could muster, Raven asked Beast Boy one question. "Why did you do it?"

Finding it extremely hard not to look into Raven's eyes with her as close as she was to him, Beast Boy's blush deepened. "W-well, uh, you had been saying really nice things to me," he stammered, discovering how difficult swallowing suddenly became. He wet his lips nervously. "And you'd done so much for us, and for me, and I guess that, since you were sitting there all pretty and stuff-." Beast Boy coughed; had he seriously just said that aloud? "That I-I-…"

Raven waited for him to finish his sentence, staring at him with deep indigo eyes and enjoying Beast Boy's uncomfortable silence. "That you?"

She was playing with him, and he knew it. Beast Boy cast her a pleading look. "Come on, Rae! Seriously?!"

If he could tease her with his emotions, she could do the same to him. Leaning over, Raven brushed her lips against his cheek, literally feeling the heat from his face increase upon contact. She stepped back, almost smiling. Once again, Raven gave thanks to the shadow her hood provided. "That you did that?"

Beast Boy's shocked expression nearly broke the barrier she kept her smile behind. The shape-shifter seemed to be at a loss for words. "W-w-what was that for?"

Raven pretended to think. "Well," she started, doing a bad imitation of his voice, "you had been saying really nice things to me, and you were just standing there all cute and stuff…" This time she really did smile, and through his scarlet flush, Beast Boy grinned too, scratching his nose.

"I guess I deserved that."

"Yes, you did." Raven let down her hood, her momentary smile there and then gone again in an instant. She lowered her voice, back to an impassive tone. "I'm glad we didn't lose you," she said, but there was warmth in her eyes.

Beast Boy smiled, the red finally fading from his face. "Same here," he replied.

Raven, sensing the moment was gone for now, sighed and held out an arm. "Now would you help me out to the T-ship? The others are going to wonder what's taking so long." Beast Boy grinned, taking her arm and placing it over his shoulders. After pause, he slipped his hand around her waist, and neither objected as Raven's fingers slipped into place between his. Glancing at Raven, Beast Boy realized his mom had been right; there were some things worth staying for.

As the two made their way through the doors to where Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg were sure to be waiting for them in the T-ship, Beast Boy exhaled softly. He was finally heading home.

The End

And it's over.

I would like to thank all those who stuck with me and this story until the very end, and everyone who read, favorited, followed, and reviewed. I appreciate every encouragement; it keeps me writing.

If you feel like reading more of my work, feel free to check out the stories my profile. Or if you enjoyed what you read here but want something shorter right now, I have started another Teen Titans fanfiction called Silence Speaks Louder Than Words. It will be more humorous than Heading Home, but not without plot or romance.

Thank you again, and please review!

CleoArrow