Bargains and Balance

Chapter I

I don't own Teen Titans.

" - that's when she said she had a test next class and left. I just can't believe it."

The Titans watched as Beast Boy plopped down onto the curved couch, and let himself slide down so that only his head was propped up back of the couch.

"You have considered the possibility that the person you saw wasn't Terra, right?" the Boy Wonder asked his green friend.

Beast Boy slowly blinked. "I wish it wasn't her. But I'm telling you guys, I have a feeling it's her. But at the same time it's not."

"Look B, all that matters is that you still have friends. And your friends here, I'm sure, are proud of you for letting her go," Cyborg put a hand on his friend's shoulder as he sat down next to him.

"Thanks, Cy."

Starfire, being the person she was, wasn't happy at all to see her friend so upset. "To cheer you up, friend Beast Boy, I shall give you the Tamaranian song of what you call 'friends of the best'."

Before their overly compassionate friend had opened her mouth, Raven hastily jumped in and said, "Okay, I know we can't help you in every way, but to get your mind off of it all, why don't you just try to get some sleep. That guy hit us pretty hard before we got him under control."

The changeling looked at them all with gratitude. "Thanks, guys. But all I need now is time to think."

And with that he went out of the common room. The doors slid shut and the remaining Titans stared at the door for a second before Cyborg put a palm to his face.

"Sorry guys, but I gotta run. My baby needs a good fixing up after that dude scratched it so much. Afterwards, I think I'll head to bed," Cyborg said as he, too, exited the room.

Raven looked at the door expressionlessly and said in her signature monotone, "Sweet dreams," before she left the room as well.

Starfire looked at Robin in genuine confusion. "Will friend Beast Boy be willing to hear the Tamaranian song of friendship tomorrow?"

The Boy Wonder suppressed a sigh. "If his ears let him, he will."

Starfire didn't understand, but she said nothing else.

"That won't help. I should know."

Beast Boy, who had been trying to hit the birds on the shore from the tower's roof with loose rocks by his feet, whirled around and when he saw who it was, sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Heh heh, never . . . thought you to be a person who hurts animals," he said awkwardly.

She only raised an eyebrow as he gave up and sat on the edge of the tower with his legs hanging off the roof. "I was making sure you were okay."

Beast Boy looked at the empath in only mild surprise. "Considering you gave me a pretty good talk after the last personal problem, I'll let you find out for yourself."

Raven sat down next to him and they both looked at the not-so-distant Jump City across the water.

"Remember what I said after you became that Beast inside you?" Raven began without looking at him. "I meant what I said. Self-control is part of growing up, and it's harder for some people than others. Letting Terra, or whoever you saw, go was another step up for you. You may not know this, but Cyborg was right when he said we were proud of you. We're your friends; your family."

Beast Boy gave a small smile. "Never would've thought you were one for personal pep-talks, Rae."

Raven glanced at him before looking at the water again. "What do you mean?"

"After Cyborg lost his first T-Car, when I became the Beast; you just . . . come through when you're needed. It's . . . nice."

He looked at her with a grin that showed his one fang. "You totally know how to make someone feel better. Now, I wanna hear about the birds you've smacked with your anger episodes from this roof."

Raven only looked at him. "I'm being nice to you already. Don't push it."

Beast Boy's grin grew wider. "C'mon, Rae! I'll bet you knocked all of them off in one go."

"Like I said before, we're having a moment here, don't mess it up." But nevertheless, Raven gave a small smile.

He shrugged. "So, now that you're being nice to me, would you be willing to, I don't know, teleport me to my room or something so I don't have to walk so far?"

Raven stared into his pleading green eyes for so long that he turned into a small puppy and gave her "the face."

She sighed in defeat. "Fine."

Beast Boy gave a fist pump and they phased into the floor and right outside Beast Boy's room. Beast Boy and Raven stood there before he gave her a small hug. Raven tensed but didn't push him off and when he stepped back, he did his signature grin.

"You know, I'm glad you guys are here. Thanks, Raven. You're a great friend and hero." He paused before he completely entered his room and faced her as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "You should smile more. It's . . . nice." Then he was gone from her view.

Raven gave another small smile. "I'm glad you appreciate it." Raven felt content as she entered her room and prepared for bed. Beast Boy didn't know it, but that small comment had made her more relaxed than she's ever been for as long as she could remember.

What are friends for? she thought.

"We have initiated Code 699."

A tall, dark man hidden by shadows addressed the small man. "Very good. With all that has been going on, I had almost forgotten you were of use. The delays have been many, but it is no matter. I shall get what I want."

"Of course, sir. Anything else?"

"Yes. But there is always something else, doesn't it seem so? Make sure Code 669 doesn't fail. I'd hate to have made a deal I could not have kept."

"Yes, sir."

The man in shadows stepped a little closer to the smaller man. "He will not be able to refuse my offer. What I offer him is valuable beyond words."

The man gave a small, shaky bow. "Of course, sir."

Before he could run out, the man in shadows stepped into the light revealing a man in black and dark orange armor. "I prefer to be called Slade. After all it is my name. Make sure the gem stays safe."

Reviews are more than welcome. Please let me know what you think. I'll continue it based on reviews. I'll try to update every weekend. Thanks!

-Belgaria