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Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or ANY DC character. (LOL sorry no witty or comical disclaimer for now. Maybe next time. ^_^)

Rated M: A few mature situations, language but mostly just to be safe.
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Chapter 9:  Aggressive Resolution

“So how is he?” asked a masked teen gazing at one of the medical beds within the sterile room.

“He’ll be fine. Thanks to Raven all his injuries have healed perfectly so he should be good to go.” replied a larger figure scanning a medical chart with his cybernetic eye. He remembered how she had healed the green teen the moment her strength was sufficient. She teleported them directly to the Tower’s Sick Bay the moment Dr. Rodriguez allowed it and after that she would rarely leave the changeling’s side.

“Then why has our friend not awakened? He has been like this for too many days.” asked another teen in a soft voice.

“Don’t worry Star. It’s natural. His Beast form takes a hell of a lot of energy out of the little grass stain. For all I know he was running on pure adrenaline by the time we found him. He should be waking up soon.” replied Cyborg in a comforting voice as he looked at the green teen sleeping peacefully in the room.

“Where’s Raven? She hasn’t left Beast Boy’s side since we brought him back to the tower.” asked Robin looking at the empty chair next to the Sick Bay bed.

Before Cyborg could answer the doors of the Sick Bay slid open causing all three teens to turn their attention towards the door. A cloaked figure stepped through the door holding a large, leather bound book in one hand and a steaming cup of tea in the other. Her gaze turned to her friends only to acknowledge their presence before she returned to her seat next to the sleeping teen. She carefully laid the book on a night stand next to the bed and glanced over her shoulder towards her friends.

“How is he?” she asked in her usual monotone voice.

“He’s fine Rae. Don’t worry. He just needs to get back the energy he used up. He should be waking up anytime now.” replied Cyborg with a small smile trying his best to better his friend’s mood.

“You said that two days ago.” she replied coldly before turning her attention back towards the bed. “What about the warehouse incident? Has it been forgotten?”

“Yes. J’onn brought the heavy hitters this time. There isn’t a trace of the incident left anywhere in the city.” replied Robin in a stern voice. “The amount of man power used to clear the memories of those involved plus repair the damages caused the league to question our team.” he added with a small hint of irritation in his voice. The truth was he got a long and rather irritating speech from his former mentor about team work and the responsibilities of a leader.

“I don’t care what they think of our team. It’s not their concern. They aren’t our parents and they sure as hell don’t know the things we go through.” added Raven with a slight degree of resentment in her voice. “Batman is the last person who should ever lecture anyone about team work.” she added glancing over at Robin who simply nodded. He wasn’t about to argue with her especially when she stated the exact thing he wanted to say.

“Friend Raven perhaps I should stay with friend Beast Boy today while you rest. You have not slept well since our return and I am worried.” worryingly added Starfire

“I’m fine Starfire. Don’t worry. I’ve gone through worse things.” replied Raven doing her best to sound convincing. Truth be told the past few days had taken their toll on her. Thankfully, though strangely, her emotions had been calm and cooperative. Even Rage seemed to have called a temporary truce while Beast Boy recovered. ‘I have to talk to them once this is all over and things get back to normal.’ she thought taking a sip from her cup of tea before turning her attention back to Beast Boy.

“Guys visiting hours are over. When Beast Boy wakes up Raven will let us know.” jokingly said Cyborg slowly shooing the other teens out of the room. The others were about to protest but a wink form Cyborg stopped their attempt as they slowly left the room. The metal man looked at his dark friend and smiled. “Rae the little grass stain is back in your care. Call us if anything changes.”

Raven gave her friend a small nod and turned her attention back to the changeling. He had been asleep for a week after the incident at the warehouse and truth be told she had begun to worry. She was about to pick up her book when a sudden shock climbed through her arm. Her gaze shifted towards her hand and she saw the source of the shock, Beast Boy’s gloved was resting on top of hers. She looked at his face and felt her heart soften as his trademark toothy grin formed on his face. His eyes opened slightly and quickly met hers.

“So I guess I caused one hell of a shit storm huh?” he chuckled softly shifting his body into a sitting position, his hand never releasing hers. She looked at him; her face was a mix of joy and confusion. “I’ve been awake for a while now. I wasn’t sure if I was in my bed, in the tower or in jail.” he jokingly added giving her hand another gently squeeze. His smile faded slightly as he saw tears running down the young empath’s face. Before he could speak she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She buried her face in his chest and let all the tears she had been holding back for days flow freely. She was expecting everything around them to crack and explode but no matter how hard she cried nothing happened. He gently wrapped his arms around her and softly rubbed her back. “I’m sorry.” was all he could whisper.

After a few minutes Raven’s sobbing had died down and her body had relaxed a bit more. Beast Boy gently kissed the top of her head before she started to back way. Her cheeks were still wet from the crying, her eyes were irritated as her gaze met his. “Why did you do all this Gar?” her voice was barely a whisper at that moment.

“Why? I thought it was obvious by now. I thought unleashing my primal side, going on a rampage, basically destroying whatever trust the others had for me  and causing the team all this shit just to defend your honor was enough to get through to you!” his voice was stern and cold. A hint of anger lingered in his eyes as the two stared at each other.

“What the hell is supposed to be so obvious Gar?!?” she screamed, feeling her emotions going into an uproar for the first time in days. They all screamed at her but she buried their voices as far back as she could.

“That I love you Raven! That I would do anything for you! ” Beast Boy screamed at the top of his lungs. All trace of anger left him as a blush crept over his green complexion. The room fell silent in an instant. Neither teen knowing what to do.

“You can’t love me Gar…and I can’t love you…you know my powers won’t allow it.” softly replied Raven ignoring the blush that had crept onto her cheeks the moment Beast Boy’s words sunk in. Beast Boy was about to speak when the door to the Sick Bay slid open and the rest of the Titans rushed in.

“Friends is everything ok? We heard screaming.” Starfire said rushing in first.

“Everything is fine Starfire. Beast Boy just woke up and was having problems hearing me.” replied Raven in her usual monotone voice casting a glare at Beast Boy. ‘Not a word of this to anyone. We will talk about this later.’ she spoke directly into Beast Boy’s mind, ignoring the fact that she was invading his thoughts. She had already put up her hood to hide her blush and any sign that she had been crying from the other Titans.

‘You can count on it. I’m not giving up on this…or on you.’ he replied inside his mind assuming Raven was still in contact with him telepathically. His face softened as he saw her glare subside. It was a sure bet she had heard his last comment. He flashed his trademark toothy grin at his friends. “Don’t worry guys. I can hear fine now.” he finally spoke in his usual cheery tone.

“Glorious!” joyfully screamed Starfire as she flew over to the changeling and caught him in one of her spine crushing embraces. “I shall make the Pudding of Happiness and the Pudding of Celebration.”

“Star I don’t think BB is ready for any…intense foods. For now he will have to settle for lighter foods.” interrupted Cyborg shuddering at the thought of not just one but two of Starfire’s horrible creations. He smiled briefly before walking over to his green friend. “You owe me for the claw marks you left in my chest plate you little grass stain. But since you did it for Rae I won’t get you back.” added Cyborg jokingly.

“I’m glad you are better Beast Boy. But you and I need to have a talk.” interrupted Robin in a stern voice.

“But Robin he is in no condition to be yelled at or get the talking to.” quickly blurted out Starfire growing concerned over the possibility of more turmoil between her friends.

“Yeah Leader. BB needs to get a clean bill of health from me before he goes anywhere.” added Cyborg knowing full well what the talk meant.

Robin’s expression turned grim as the speech his former mentor gave him ran through his mind. He couldn’t go easy on Beast Boy. Not after what the changeling had done. He looked at Starfire’s face; the worry and concern on her face was clear. He looked at Cyborg and found a stern look on his face, over the years they had always given each other advice when needed or when big decisions had to be made, but this was something only the leader of the team could do. Raven’s face was completely hidden within her hood. He could barely make out her eyes; they weren’t fixed on him but on Beast Boy.

“Don’t worry guys. I’m already expecting what’s coming.” interrupted Beast Boy looking at his friends. “But before we talk, you and I have to settle something.” he removed the sensors and monitors attached to him and flopped his legs over the side of the bed letting them hang there for a brief second before getting to his feet. His friends cast him a doubtful look and Raven was about to shove him back down before he walked over to Robin and smiled. “See you in the training room. Don’t be late Richard.” with that he casually walked out of Sick Bay and headed straight for his room. The rest of the team stood in the room dumbfounded by what had just occurred. Robin’s face had changed from stern to confuse.

“Did Beast Boy just call me out?” finally spoke Robin breaking the silence.

“I believe he did.” replied Starfire.

“Did he just call you Richard?” asked Cyborg with a worried look.

“Yes he did. And I believe he was as serious as he looked.” finally replied Raven as if coming out of a trance. ‘What the hell is he planning?’

‘Oh yeah! BB is gonna kick Bird Boy’s butt!’ shouted Brave pumping her fist in the air.

‘Ten bucks says Bird Boy cries like a little girl within the first 20 minutes.’ added Rude with a sinister smile.

‘Fight, fight, fight, fight.’ screamed Happy resembling a child about to see her first fight.

Raven’s other emotions had begun bickering amongst themselves before Raven could stop them. She looked at her friends who were trying to figure out the next course of action. Before anyone could speak the tower intercom system turned on.

“Robin are you coming up to the training room or what?” asked Beast Boy as if he was waiting for a ride to the movies or to the arcade. “Hurry up dude. The sooner we get this out of the way the better.”

“I guess I have no choice.” replied Robin with a tired tone. He looked over at the others briefly before heading out the door being followed closely by Starfire and Cyborg.

“This won’t end well.” added Raven before heading out through the Sick Bay doors following the others.

Titan’s Tower: Training Room

The doors to the Training room slid open as the four Titans entered the facility. It had been custom built for rainy days so the Titans could still practice or for recreational purposes. The room looked like a heavily equipped gym and in a sense it was. Treadmills that could go up to 90 miles an hour, weight sets designed to be handled by man, alien or machine, a door to the left led to an Olympic sized swimming pool which was heated so as to be used even in winter, a set of punching bags to the back and every other piece of equipment anyone could imagine. In the middle of the room was a full sized boxing ring used mainly for sparring and sitting on one of the turnbuckles was the green changeling smiling as he saw his opponent arrive.

“About time you got here.” he smiled as his friends made their way to the ring.

“What’s this about Beast Boy?” asked Robin glaring up at the green changeling.

“Well I have a little deal to make with you. I know how the whole team rules thing works. The talk will most likely end by you throwing me out of the tower for disobeying orders, etc.” Beast Boy’s voice was calm and calculating. Almost as if he was conducting a business deal. He looked over at Robin and saw that he had been successful in putting the Boy Wonder on the spot.

“What you did caused trouble not only for us but also for the League. In face of that I would have to remove you from our team to prevent any further incidents.” Robin’s response was equally calm. He was not in the mood to lie to his friends. He would have to inform them of his decision eventually. Before the others could voice their complaints or death threats in Raven’s case, Beast Boy continued.

“So here is the deal: A good old fashioned sparring match. If I make you give up or knock you out then you find another way to punish me. Chores, no tv, sleeping on the sofa, extra training, what ever you want. If I lose then I leave without so much as a complaint. So what will it be Robin? You can’t lose.” added Beast Boy with a small smile. The smile spread when Robin leapt onto the ring and over the ropes landing perfectly next to Beast Boy. They stared each other down for a bit before turning their attention to Cyborg.

“Cy you are the referee. No powers and no gadgets will be used. No hitting the groin area, the moment someone taps out, yells uncle or loses consciousness you stop the match.” Robin’s voice was calm but with a hint of anticipation as he handed his utility belt and attack staff to Cyborg.

“Um…sure man.” replied a stunned Cyborg as he took the gadgets and the weapons away from his leader’s hands and placed them on a bench next to the ring.

“Friends please do not fight. I am sure we can resolve this matter some other way.” pleaded Starfire floating up to the ring.

“Sorry Star. There isn’t any other way.” replied Beast Boy stretching and preparing himself for the match. “You can cheer for Robin if you want Star. I don’t mind. You guys are a couple after all.” added Beast Boy with a sincere smile as if to ease one of her worries. She smiled softly and nodded as she floated back down.

“I’m not going easy on you Beast Boy. You put this team through Hell.” smiled Robin assuming one of the many combat stances in his arsenal.

“Don’t worry dude. I will make sure not to harm anything too badly.” replied Beast Boy assuming a stance Robin had never seen him use.

“Alright guys enough talk. Fight!” screamed Cyborg ringing the bell hanging from the side of the ring.

The two teens stared each other down at first. Neither wanted to be the first to strike and reveal their tactics. After a few minutes of sizing each other up Beast Boy was the first to strike. He ran head on towards Robin and pulled back his fist in the charge. Robin smirked at the move and prepared to parry but was caught off guard as Beast Boy threw himself into a frontal roll and used the momentum to leap at Robin hitting him square in the chest with his right knee. Robin staggered back trying to catch his breath but received a hard left hook to the side of his face throwing him back into the ropes. Beast Boy prepared another strike as Robin bounced off the ropes but missed another left hook and was greeted with a fierce punch to the stomach and a follow up right hook to the face compliments of the Boy Wonder. Beast Boy was thrown back briefly but was never taken off his feet.  He smiled at the taste that filled his mouth: blood. His own blood. Robin had been successful in breaking the changeling’s lower lip with the last attack.

‘Good. He’s not holding back.’ thought Beast Boy as he changed stances once more and carefully planned his next attack.

‘He isn’t holding back anymore. I didn’t think he had this potential in him. In the past we would spar and he wouldn’t last five minutes.’ thought Robin as a feint smell caught his attention. A small stream of blood had begun to leak out of his right nostril. ‘I’ll be damned.’ he smiled as he wiped away the blood and readied himself for another attack.

“Oh my they are injured.” gasped Starfire as the red liquid appeared on each of her friends’ faces.

“Why are men so stubborn.” sternly added Raven. Her thoughts were cut short by the constant yelling coming from her emotions deep within her mind. They were all sitting around a huge plasma television watching the fight and screaming like fan girls.

‘Oh yeah! BB has some killer moves.’ screamed out Brave drooling at the action in the ring.

‘Cmon green boy! I got a lot of money riding on you!’ screamed out Rude.

‘He’s hurt…what if he loses?’ shyly added Timid peeking out from behind Knowledge.

‘Do not worry Timid. His fighting skills seem to be on par with those of his opponent.’ softly replied Knowledge patting Timid on the shoulder.

‘This is better than Pay-per-view.’ smiled Happy munching on a huge bowl of popcorn.

‘KILL HIM! BREAK HIS SPINE!’ screamed out Rage tugging at her chains.

‘It’s an even fight so far. But I’m confident in Beast Boy’s abilities.’ calmly added Wisdom taking a seat next to Knowledge.

‘After this we should cuddle Beast Boy for the rest of the night.’ softly suggested Love as a blush crept over her face. Affection merely smiled as she did not want to choose sides between her friends. Their banter was interrupted as Robin charged in for another attack and connected a blow to Beast Boy’s ribs. Another blow to the changeling’s chest sent him staggering backwards dropping his guard. That was chance Robin had hoped for as he unleashed a barrage of quick jabs and punches all throughout the changeling’s body. To finish off the attack the masked teen delivered a powerful round house kick, connecting with Beast Boy’s skull and sending him flying to one of the corners. All the emotions gasped as the changeling’s body lay limp on the floor of the ring.

‘BEAST BOY GET UP!’ they all screamed in unison.

“BEAST BOY GET UP!” Raven screamed at the top of her lungs as the changeling’s ears perked up. The rest of the group turned their attention to the empath surprised by her sudden scream of concern. A loud thud brought their attention back to the ring as Beast Boy connected a kick to Robin’s abdomen and followed by tackling the masked teen to the ground. In one quick motion he twisted the masked teen into a sleeper hold and shifted his weight backwards to add extra pressure to the move. Robin tried his best to free himself from the hold but the added pressure on his back made it impossible for him to twist himself into a more favorable position. The room started to fade as the Boy Wonder began to drift into unconsciousness, the last thing he heard before he blacked out was the sound of a bell ringing frantically.

End of Chapter 9.
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