Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans

It had been a month since The Brain had been defeated and the Titans had returned home. Robin and Starfire had settled back in nicely and Cyborg began spending more time walking around Jump City. It was a kind of game to him to see everything that had and had not changed. Raven, however, felt miserable. Something was eating away at her from the inside, clutching her heart in a vice grip: Beastboy.

Almost two years ago he lost her. Then she just suddenly turns up perfectly content in her everyday life, completely oblivious to everything she used to be and everyone who cared about her. Why did she get to be free? Why did she get to be happy? It wasn't fair!

Raven stood in front of Murakami High School and just watched as the girl who used to be Terra smiled and enjoyed eating lunch with her friends. Remembering Beastboy's face as he recounted meeting her made Raven feel ill. He was crushed. Utterly devastated. Of course he played it off now with jokes and fake smiles, but Raven knew better than that.

Why was she even here? What did she think would happen? She knew seeing Terra would just make her angry. She knew she couldn't bring his annoying smile back this way. She just missed it so much though.

"Hey!" someone shouted. "It's one of the Titans!"

The high schoolers rushed over to the fence to greet Raven. Many of the girls wanted to shake her hand while a lot of the boys just sort of stared at her. Raven looked through the crowd to find that Terra was walking through the school doors, looking back over her shoulder only for an instant.

"Coward," Raven mumbled under her breath.

- - - -

Beastboy was laying somewhat peacefully on his bed lost in thought. He'd been doing that a lot lately. Seeing Terra had really shaken him when he got home. Why had she forgotten? All he wanted was his friend back. Why did things have to change?

Rising from his no longer peaceful rest, he decided to check on everyone. He had really freaked them out when it started, so he did not want anyone to worry. Out in the common room Robin was watching television with Starfire.

"Is it not difficult to answer the questions while being shocked?" Starfire asked.

"That's kind of the point, Star. The show is called 'Distraction'."

"Humans are very odd," Starfire replied.

"Hey guys," Beastboy said. "They blowin' up the prizes yet?"

Starfire cocked her head to one side in confusion.

"Where's Cy?"

"Out joyriding," Robin answered.

"What about--"

Before her name escaped his lips, Raven entered the common room. She looks like she's gonna cry, Beastboy thought. Raven's eyes briefly met his before she turned away and walked towards the fridge. She did not want to see him right now. Not after having gone to see her.

"Hey, Rae," he said hopping over to her. "Whatcha doin'?"

Against her better judgement, she turned to face him. A big, toothy grin was plastered across his face as his eyebrows bounced up and down. Raven would have put up with this, but his eyes were empty. He was still faking.

"Leaving," she replied as she walked passed him for her room. He stared after her for a while and wondered what might have been bothering her.

"I didn't get to tell her my new joke," he said, deciding to go after her.

Raven entered the dark sanctuary that was her room and sat down on her bed. Thoughts jumbled in her mind with no organization. She knew that she should meditate, but could not bring herself to focus on it. She was upset with herself for what she had been thinking. She should tell him. To him it would be important. To him that coward was important. A knock resonated through her room.

"Raven?" Beastboy called. "Raven, are you okay?"

She opened the door and peaked out at him. His hand was on the back of his head. He always did that when he was nervous or worried.

"I'm fine," she answered in her monotone voice.

"C'mon, Rae, what's goin' on?"

"Raven," she corrected for the millionth time. What am I doing? I should be consoling him, not the other way around.

"Well, if you feel like talking, you know where to find me."

Why was he always worried about everyone else? About her? Especially when he was hurting so much? She opened her door the rest of the way and stared at him.

"Come in," she said.

It was more like an order than an invitation. Still, she was never inviting and her room was usually off limits. Beastboy eagerly complied.

"So," he said as he looked everything over. Creepy masks and statues, old dusty books, scary mirror he played with that one time. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Would you just stop?" she said. "I'm empathic, remember?" Of course he remembered. He had just been hoping that she hadn't.

"What're you talking about?" he stalled.

"You know what I'm talking about," she said.

Beastboy trudged over to her bed and sat down. She joined him as he sighed deeply.

"I just don't know how," he said "I'm trying, I really am. I just don't know how to move on." A sudden warmth on his hand captured his attention. Raven squeezed it gently.

"I have something to tell you, but I don't want to get your hopes up."

Beastboy looked up at her and gazed into her eyes. Raven still could not face him. She turned away as she squeezed his hand harder. As much as she hated the idea, Beastboy would be himself again if it worked.

"Raven, what is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Raven slowly spoke what had been on her mind all afternoon.

"I think . . . I think I can bring her back." Beastboy's hand gripped hers firmly at the news. "It's all still with her, locked away in her mind. With my powers, I think I can help her bring down the barriers and remember."

Beastboy sat in silent thought. Could it be true? Could he really have her back? His heart skipped a beat.

She chooses not to, Slade's voice echoed in his head.

Things change, Beastboy.

A tear rolled down his cheek. Terra had said it herself. She had no desire to be who she had been. No desire to be with him. Who was he to take away her new life? Who was he to force that burden back on her all over again?

"Thanks anyway, Raven," he said. She finally turned and looked him in the eye. There it was. It was not as bright as before, but that unique sparkle had rekindled. A comforting feeling washed over Raven.

"Why?" she found herself asking. What are you doing? He said no, so drop it!

"Because. I really am trying to move on. It hurts, but with friends like you I know I'll be okay."

He smiled as he rose to his feet. Pulling her up with him, he gently wrapped his arms around her. Raven felt the heat in her face as she began to blush. This was nothing like the clingy, annoying hugs that he usually gave her. This one was more. She felt more connected to him than ever before while he held her.

"What . . ?"

"Thanks, Rae," he said quietly before releasing her. "Thanks."

A/N: Kasamari has had this one down on paper forever and decided that he should share with his readers. Please give him some reviews, or Kasamari's muse will shrivel up and die.

Additional Disclaimer: I do not own Distracted either.