Hi, I'm back. I'm sorry for being away for so long. This year has been very hard. Last summer, my mother was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). In March of 2011 she passed away. It's been a very difficult year, full of sadness. I didn't feel as if I could do much of anything, let alone write this fic. It was hard to get back into this but I'm happy that I did. I didn't want to abandon it; I didn't want to let you down. All of you have been amazing, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Every time I saw a new review pop up after all these months I was astounded and touched that people were still reading my story. I really appreciate it. I'm sure many didn't think I'd finish, at times I didn't think I would either, but I guess it's better late than never, right? There will be one more chapter after this. Possibly two, but probably one. Anyway, here it is.

XOXO,
Meg

Chapter 17: Changes

Hey, I got plenty of time. Hey, you got light in your eyes. And you're standing here beside me. Out of the passing of time. Never for money, always for love. Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight
-"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" -The Talking Heads

The twist tie sat snug against the wedding band Madame LaVeau had given Raven long ago. Its delicate ends looped together to hug her pale finger; so simple compared to the sapphire clad silver band, yet more genuine. Unable to form words, Raven slowly nodded.

"Does that mean yes?" He asked his voice thick with anxiety. "I really want it to be a yes. But no pressure, I mean you can totally do what you want." He looked down at the tiled kitchen floor. "But I hope its yes," he whispered.

Silence hung over the kitchen like a thick fog. Raven sat with her hands folded on top of the kitchen table and looked at Beast Boy, her eyes half hidden behind her hair. She liked how prickly his cheek felt against hers when he hadn't shaved in a couple days, she liked how there was always just a hint of mischief in his eyes. Before this, she never really thought of qualities she found appealing in a person, she only knew about the traits that frustrated her. It was much easier to find faults than to admit to finding others likeable or attractive, easier to dismiss people rather than give them a chance. She never realized how much she liked Beast Boy until they ended up in this situation; how much she may have always liked him but was too keen on ignoring him when got too close.

"I wouldn't want a big wedding," Raven began quietly, a small blush creeping up her neck, "And I'd like to wait a while if we go back to our old lives. We would be too young. And we'd need to make everything work. With my powers, that is." She looked up from the red band on her left ring finger.

"Anything you want, I just want to be with you." A grin spread across Beast Boy's lips. He got up from his knee and gently placed his hands on Raven's arms. As he stared into her eyes and Raven felt a surge of emotion begin to crawl up her stomach and into her chest, her heart beat with a certain purpose. She wanted to live by side; she wanted to feel happiness. No matter where they ended up, Raven knew she would be with Beast Boy. She smiled; the blush that started out on her neck spread across the rest of her face. Raven looked at him, too scared to blink—fearing that if she blinked he would disappear.

"We'll stick together."

Beast Boy helped Raven to her feet so she was standing in the middle of the kitchen with him and brought her close to his body. "I love you, Raven."

"Well, that's very good to hear because I love you, too." She put her ear to his chest, the fast drumming of his heartbeat calming and melodic. It was comforting to feel his heart race just as quick as hers was. He was warm, his embrace soft. Raven allowed herself the chance to close her eyes, his warm arms wrapped around her proof enough that he wouldn't vanish.

It had been a long day; Raven still felt the doubt about whether they should stay in this world or return home rolling around in her head. The lists they worked on had not resolved much for her; it was the look in Beast Boy's eyes when he spoke about his powers that made her realize what decision had to be made. But even though she had told Beast Boy they should return home, part of her wanted to stay put. She liked how ordinary life was; how much easier everything could be. It was a comfort knowing she wouldn't destroy something every time she became upset. However, she knew going home was what she and Beast Boy would be doing, what they needed. Raven knew how important it would be to learn how to control her powers and remain strong without compromising her emotions.

She shook her head. Now was not the time to think about that; she was happy in the moment. The future could wait. Slowly, she shifted in his embrace so that she could see his face and was no longer pressed against him. She looked into his eyes; their color reminded her of grass after a long rainstorm, bright and vibrant. The glint of mischief she loved so much flashed behind the surface. Beast Boy moved his hands to her waist, his fingers gently gliding over the fabric of her shirt, a tickling sensation that made her shudder.

"That tickles." She said in an even voice, fighting the urge to laugh.

"I know. That's why I'm doing it." He continued to run his fingers over her sides. Raven narrowed her eyes but could not stop the smile from forming, she started to laugh.

"It's not funny. Really, not." She said as she tried to get away. Beast Boy held onto her, inching her backward until she was pressed against the wall.

"It isn't? Because you keep laughing and that makes it seem like you think it's funny." Beast Boy stared at her with a serious expression as he proceeded to tickle her. His hands slowly moved up her torso, his fingers surreptitiously brushing against her chest.

"Oh, so that's what this is about? You want to practice some more?" She gasped as his fingers roamed over her. Desire washed over Raven. Her heart was racing, but this time it wasn't from nerves.

"Maybe," He said impishly. "But I also like hearing you laugh."

Raven suppressed her laughter long enough to place her hands on Beast Boy's face. "Why is it that when you start tickling me it evolves into sex?" Before he could respond, she pressed her lips hard against his, pushing all her needs onto him. Beast Boy stopped tickling her; his fingers now too busy finding their way underneath her shirt. There was an ease in movement—little anxiety; much different than the first time they had sex. It felt even more effortless than the second time.

"Third time's the charm, right?" Beast Boy said between kisses. Every touch, every gasp felt understood. Beast Boy moved his hands from Raven's stomach to her thighs and lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around him, her hands still on his face; she nibbled at his lower lip, eliciting a moan.

"Let's go to the bedroom." Raven whispered hoarsely.

"Are you sure?" Beast Boy asked. Raven's nod was all Beast Boy needed. Carefully, he carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. He got on the bed and, leaning over her, pressed his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes. "Please be with me."

"Always," Raven whispered. Beast Boy placed kisses on her jaw as he continued to move his lips down to her collarbone. Biting her lower lip, Raven gently pushed him away and rolled Beast Boy onto his back so that he was lying down. She sat on the bed beside him and slowly slid her shirt over her head and wiggled out of her jeans, letting them fall to the floor. "I think in order for us to do this you need to be undressed, too," Raven said as she began toying with the edge of Beast Boy's shirt. "This needs to come off."

"I think you're flirting with me." He laughed, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it across the room with gusto. Raven shook her head, laughing, as she ran her hands down Beast Boy's stomach toward his pants, she watched as he closed his eyes. His eyelashes were long. Raven reached out and ran her thumb along them, admiring how dark they were and how they curled so softly. Holding her breath, she undressed him.

"Don't open your eyes."

"But yours are open." He said with a slight whine. "I want to see you, too."

"I know you do. Be patient." Raven crawled on top of him. Beast Boy wrapped his arms around her and traced her shoulder blades with his fingers. She kissed the side of his neck and nibbled at his ear with her teeth. In the stillness of the room, their breathing was the only sound. Raven was happy; she never thought being so near someone was possible. With the future so uncertain, Raven was determined to enjoy this moment. She was in love and, for once, was able to live to the fullest extent.

Raven ran her fingers across Beast Boy's left temple. "You can open your eyes."

"I like looking at you." He smiled, before guiding her lips to his. She felt the yearning in her grow and gave herself over to the moment. She did not feel vulnerable in his embrace; Raven felt stronger with Beast Boy. Never before had she allowed someone to see her, all of her. There was no room for fear with their bodies pressed against one another, hearts racing side-by-side, whispers of pleasure only they could hear.

Beast Boy woke up to the sound of pigeons cooing outside. Rolling over to peer out the window, he saw three pigeons perched on the windowsill staring into the bedroom. "Perverts," he whispered as he sat up, still tired from last night.

He grinned as he peered over his shoulder. Raven was still asleep, snoring lightly and wrapped in a mess of blankets. She was lovely, even with her dark hair a tangled mess. Beast Boy had always found Raven to be beautiful. Even before this, when they argued, he found himself drawn to her. He didn't know how to handle his feelings for Raven before this happened. He realized now that he provoked Raven because it was another way of getting closer to her. Gently, Beast Boy pushed a piece of hair off her face and kissed her on the cheek before getting out of bed.

"I'll let you sleep, Rae." He put on pajama bottoms and set out for the kitchen. Dishes with half-eaten dinner sat on the kitchen table. Everything stopped last night after he had proposed to her. Things changed from that point on. No longer was their marriage a nightmare they were thrown into with no choice. Now it was something Beast Boy wanted, something he knew Raven wanted as well.

"I'm engaged. To Raven." He laughed as he picked up the dirty dishes and put them in the sink. "I wonder what Cyborg will think." Picturing the shocked look on his friend's face made him laugh even harder. He missed his friends and would be happy to see them again, happy to get back to his old life. But things would never be the same, he knew that. He felt so much older now, so much more aware of how his actions affected others. It would be a relief to get back to the life he had left but doubt tugged at his heart. Would he want to give this up? The freedom he had here, the quiet life?

Things would certainly change in more ways than one. Beast Boy scrubbed the dishes absentmindedly; his mind lost to hypothetical situations where enemies discovered his intimate relationship with Raven and used it to their advantage. What would they do to her? The dish fell from Beast Boy's hand and landed on the floor with a clean crack down the center.

"Dammit." He shook his head and picked up the two pieces. Beast Boy knew she could take care of herself, in some ways she was much more powerful than he. But the thought still lingered.

"Garfield?" Raven's sleepy voice echoed from the bedroom.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you up."

"I heard something break." Beast Boy turned to see Raven standing by the kitchen table, startled, he jumped.

"Are you a ghost? How'd you just appear like that?" He asked, clutching his heart. Noticing that Raven was wearing clothes, he sighed. "And you know you didn't have to get all dressed up just to impress me. I'm totally fine with you walking around naked."

Raven rolled her eyes, a smirk on her lips. She walked up to Beast Boy and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I'm sure you are fine with that. And no, I'm not a ghost—I think you should know that by now. Next time I enter a room I'll stomp my feet to give you fair warning."

"Thank you." He wrapped his arms around Raven's waist. "I was going to surprise you with pancakes."

"I'll try to be more aware of your surprises in the future," She teased.

"That's all I ask." Beast Boy said. There was a long silence, Beast Boy's thoughts drifted back to scenarios where Raven would be kidnapped because of him. He had never felt this kind of fear before. Usually he threw himself into action without taking the time to think about the consequences. Now he was not so sure. The idea of someone hurting Raven made him livid. He felt his face growing red, his pulse racing.

"What's wrong?" Raven took a step back, her eyes boring into his.

"I'm scared. I want to go back but what if Slade or someone finds out about us being together. Don't you think that's dangerous?"

Raven's brow furrowed. He watched as she thought over the question carefully before answering. "Well, everything we do is dangerous; we're a team of superheroes. It's not as if we haven't been in a fatal situation before."

"But it's different now. I don't want you to be in danger."

"I don't want you in danger, either. But if we go back, we'll be superheroes again." Raven nuzzled her head into Beast Boy's chest, he held onto her tighter, enjoying feeling her so near. "Even if we don't go back, this world poses dangers as well. Life is always going to be difficult. No matter where we end up, we'll be together and knowing that will make living a little bit easier." Beast Boy rested his chin on Raven's head, he knew she was right. There would always be danger no matter where they lived; at least in the other world they would be equipped to dealing with it. "Let's go home, Garfield. We'll find our niche and make it work. We'll protect others and each other." She said softly as if knowing what he was thinking.

"What about you, though? Your powers?"

"Who knows," she began with a shaky laugh, "maybe there's something I haven't looked into yet. We'll work on that, I'm still only a teenager, after all. There's still time to figure it out."

"We will, Rae." He whispered. They were going home. Rather than thinking only about himself, he now had Raven to consider. She was now a part of his future. He smiled, happy to know that she would be beside him.

The day carried on quickly. They spent the day in their apartment, quietly going through the motions. Beast Boy made them breakfast, Raven took a shower. Now that they had their decision, Beast Boy felt as if this world was slipping through his fingers. It felt different, as if they were no longer a part of it, as if the world was getting ready for them to depart. They sat on the couch, Beast Boy staring at the blank television screen, Raven reading a book. It was quiet, the afternoon still and calm as sunlight pooled on the floor near the windows. Beast Boy felt the tranquility trying it's best to envelop him, but his body was just not taking it. He was tense, anxious about their choice, but he was ready, ready to go back.

The buzzer rang breaking up the silence of their day.

This was it, he looked at Raven. She was gazing at the door, the book still open on her lap. She appeared just as nervous as he felt.

"Do you think it's her?" Beast Boy asked.

"Yes."

"It's too soon. Do you think it's too soon? Maybe if we don't answer she'll go away." Beast Boy ran a shaky hand through his hair. He was scared to make this decision, there were so many possibilities.

"You know she won't. Soon came a bit sooner than expected, though." Raven grabbed his hand and led him to the front door. Her hand was just as clammy as his. "We'll be together no matter what," Raven whispered. She unlocked the door and opened it to reveal Mia Laveau standing on the other side. Beast Boy was surprised at how plainly dressed the woman was. Her hair in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a button down flannel shirt—somehow, it was comforting.

"Bonjour," she said in her thick accent, smiling sweetly. Without a word, Raven nodded for Mia to come inside and closed the door behind her. "Have you come to your decision?"

Beast Boy looked at Raven, at the determination etched on her face. She was ready to give up so much for him.

"I think so," Raven said.

"Wait! No." He looked at Mia and then at Raven. "Maybe she could help. It's worth a shot."

"Help with what?" Mia asked; her voice soft.

"With Raven's powers, it's hard for her to express emotions." He said. Mia folded her hands under her chin and stared at him for a long time before speaking.

"I think there may be something I can do. You are quite strong Raven, capable of things you may not even realize. You are willing to sacrifice your happiness for Garfield's; you are a brave young woman. You don't need my help, you just need a way. I can give you the tools you need to help yourself. Go back to the carnival when you return home. Go back to my mother, she will be there waiting for you."

Raven looked up at Mia and nodded. Another run in with Madame Laveau sounded like a risk but it was one she was willing to take. If Madame Laveau could help her, it would be well worth it. She looked at Beast Boy.

"We are going home, Mia." Raven said firmly.

"Very good." Mia clapped her hands together in excitement. "I will miss you both very much, but I'm sure I'll see you again."

"Don't you live here, though?" Beast Boy asked.

"I live many places." She said enigmatically, a grin on her lips. "Enough about me." She pulled a tiny glass vial out of her pocket. The liquid swirled and moved as if it were alive, it was cloudy, a soft silver. "This is what you need to get back."

"That's it?" Raven said with a skeptical tone. Mia uncorked the vial and approached the pair.

"Oh, it's very powerful. Now, I want you both to give me your left hands. Actually, it might be a good idea if you sit down for this."

Raven and Beast Boy sat down on the couch, Mia standing before them. Raven placed her right hand in Beast Boy's, he gripped it tightly. "Are you ready?" She asked. Beast Boy nodded.

They lifted their left hands toward Mia, the silver rings on their fingers glimmering in the waning daylight. Carefully, Mia poured the liquid over their fingers. It was cold and felt like oil, dripping from their fingers onto the floor. Raven watched as the ring glowed and expanded until it hung loose around her finger.

Suddenly, she began to feel tired, her eyelids growing heavy. Her body felt limp and sluggish. It took all her strength to remain sitting up. She looked at Beast Boy and saw his eyes were shut; his head swaying back and forth. Everything felt so far away, so blurry. She tried gripping Beast Boy's hand tighter but she did not have the strength. The rings fell from their fingers and to the ground. Raven fought to keep her eyes open and looked down at her finger, the red twist tie was still there. She smiled, letting the desire to sleep take over.

Like I said, I'm sorry for my absence. It's been a very tough year for me but I thank you all if you are still reading and enjoying this. I hope this chapter was all right, I really do. If anyone is wondering, I was looking over older chapters and I didn't like how I was writing out Mia's accent, that's why it's not written out here.

You guys are so wonderful; I'm not going to let this fic go without an ending. I think the next chapter will be its last. Part of me wants to write a sequel, I want to see what happens once they return. I didn't know if they were going to return or not until I wrote this chapter. I think it's good that they did, though. I really enjoyed writing this fic and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please review. I love all of you.

Also, I have a blog now and I plan on posting a lot of writing up on it. If you like my writing, I would be completely over the moon if you checked out my blog. Also, it's an easier way to get ahold of me (I check it often). It's on my profile but I'll put it here, too. It's inkstainedoctopus(dot)blogspot(dot)com –Just replace the (dot) with an actual period (obviously).

XOXO,

Meg