I am so, so sorry for not updating this. There's really no excuse, although my internet being on the fritz and not letting me log into this site is sort of okay, right?

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Teen Titans or the DC Universe.

Epilogue

What a beauty.

He stood on the loading platform, drinking in the grandeur of a brand-new, Class E ship. The new flagship, to be precise. And it was all his.

Well, okay, technically it was the captain's. But as chief engineer, he claimed all bragging rights when she did something amazing. Which she definitely would. She was Class E!

High Command had offered him a promotion to captain, but he assured them that he was fine in engineering. (Or at least, that was his cover story. Really, he just couldn't pass up the chance to play with a Class E engine. Had they seen the thrusters on this baby? They were crazy!)

"Try not to drool on my new paint job," chuckled a familiar voice behind him.

He snapped to attention, but he couldn't quite wipe the grin off his face. "Hey, Raven."

She smiled, her hands absently playing with the rank insignie on her neck. She was still getting used to the idea of "Captain Raven", he could tell. When she saw his eyes on her hands, though, she cleared her throat and put her hands back down at her side. "She's all ours, Cyborg," Raven said, her eyes glued to the beautiful ship.

"Yeah. The new flagship. Can you believe it?"

"No, I can't." She fell silent, watching as more and more officers loaded onto the ship. He could just see the wheels in her head turning; she was now responsible for hundreds of lives, and she could only hope that she lived up to expectations. Suddenly, she tilted her head ot the side, studying him silently. "So, you know I haven't picked a first officer yet, right?"

"Sorry. You couldn't pull me away from that engine if you tried."

"Not for anything?"

He grinned, "I'll always be available to give advice."

"Yeah. Not so helpful."

He shrugged, "What can I say? Class E engine was calling my name!"

"Yeah," she sighed, still staring straight ahead. "My first choice turned me down, too."

"Robin?"

"Can't pull him out of security."

"I'll talk to him."

"And what are you going to say to him that I couldn't say myself?"

"I'm going to say you were considering Roy Harper since he turned you down."

"The security officer I want to be security chief if Richard accepts?"

"The very same."

"He wouldn't believe it. He knows I hate security officers."

"Doesn't matter. He's a hypercompetitive little dipstick where Roy is concerned."

"Hypercompetitive little dipstick?"

"Don't knock my insults!"

She chuckled, "If you get Richard Grayson to reconsider my officer, I'll stop making fun of your euphemisms."

"Deal."

TTTTT

Ten Forward was absolutely packed as everyone arrived, meeting and mingling and making new friends. Richard smiled softly, sipping from his glass and watching it all unfold. It was one of the advantages of growing up on the flagship; he already knew everyone who was worth knowing.

"Enjoying the party? Is it really more fun to watch than to join everyone else?"

"Hey, Wally."

The redheaded security officer grinned and plopped down next to him. "Betcha didn't expect to see me here, huh?"

"I read the roster, Wally."

"Stick in the mud," Wally said, sticking his tongue out.

He shrugged, "Nothing wrong with being honest."

"Yeah, yeah. Hey, did you see the head surgeon? His name's, like, Joey or something and he talks even less than you do! You'd get along great; why don't you go make nice?"

"I pass."

"Whatever. But anyway, the head nurse is hot; have you seen her? Her name's Jinx - you know, like bad luck for anyone that tries to mess with her, I guess? Not that I'm not going to try - and would you believe her hair is pink? I know, crazy, right?" Wally chuckled. his eyes scanned the crowd, finding a certain green ensign and his blonde friend. "Hey, who're the newbies? We've got a couple on our hands already!"

"That would be Ensign Logan," he smiled, "and I'm guessing her name is Terra. He said she was graduating the Academy this year."

"And her first assignment is with her boyfriend? Nice." Wally grinned in the couple's general direction, leaning casually against the counter. Suddenly, he sat up straighter, "Oh! Hey!"

"Hello to you, too."

"Har har. No, I mean, hey - I just remembered something."

"You could have just said that."

"This is why I'm friends with you. You need help holding normal conversations," Wally laughed. "But yeah, Cyborg told me the captain's thinking about making Roy Harper the first officer, since you and he turned her down and everything."

"Roy?"

Wally grinned after him as he ran out the door.

TTTTTTT

Captain Raven stepped onto the bridge, and she had to remind herself not to jump when everyone snapped to attention. They were saluting her, after all. She nodded at Lieutenant Harper standing behind the tactical controls. Ensign Logan couldn't stop beaming as he stood at the helm. And Koriand'r - Starfire - stood behind the weapons controls.

Just a few months ago, after the disastrous encounter with Slade and Blackfire, Starfire decided to explore the idea of allying her planet with the Federation. To help her with that decision, she thought that the best way to learn about the cultures she would be joining herself to was to serve with them. She took some basic training and, after gaining the honorary rank of lieutenant, asked to be transferred to the Titan. Meanwhile, Tamaran was under the temporary rule of one Galfore.

Raven knew how diplomatically important Starfire's presense was, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Just so long as the princess spent more time working and less time flirting with Richard Grayson . . . .

Speak of the devil . . . .

The door opened to the bridge, and Richard Grayson stolled in, his signature, self-assured smile stretching up to his eyes. "I heard you're looking for a first officer."

Cyborg, you're a genius. "Yes I am."

"You mind if I submit my own name?"

She stuck her hand out to shake his, "Look here, Commander Grayson. The job's yours if you want it."

He gave her hand a quick squeeze in a semblance of a shake, then sat down in the first officer's chair pointedly. "Awaiting your orders, Captain."