On the corner of a desolate looking street, the air was bitterly cold. The road glistened in small patches thickly coated with ice and the wind propelled flurries of snow. Of course, most people were at home, safe and snug beneath warm blankets and unconcerned with the weather.

However, Jinx was unlike most people.

She walked quickly down the street, her head tucked downward and her thin arms crossed tightly around her shivering figure in a futile attempt to stay warm. "Just my luck." She murmured under her breath with a mirthless laugh. Of course it had been pleasant and warm only a few days ago, then a sudden cold front had swept across Jump City. She quickly headed towards a deserted alleyway, sighing in momentary relief as she slumped against a thick wall that blocked most of the wind. Despite being cold and hungry, she was completely exhausted and soon drifted off to sleep…

At the same moment a boy quickly zipped by the outskirts of town. He hated the way the cold felt at first- it always caused his muscles to feel stiff and tense- but it was a welcome relief after he heated up naturally from running. In fact, sprinting through the silent streets, the cold air cooling his skin that would normally be slick with perspiration, he felt wonderful. He threw in a sudden burst of speed as he remembered that his shift was almost complete and he could soon return to his apartment.

The whole set up was temporary of course- just until the titans returned to Jump City- but in return for keeping an eye on things they had made some arrangements with a nearby housing complex.

It had been a slow night- car crash, a few robberies- but he still felt relief that he would soon be home, fast asleep in a comfortable bed. So what if the apartment was small and slightly cramped? It had everything he needed, a bedroom and bathroom, a small living room, and a kitchen. Best of all, it was his first time living alone- for all he cared living in a closet would be worth the wonderful feeling of freedom that he had been able to experience in Jump City.

As he mulled over these thoughts, he was distracted by something out of the ordinary- a shock of all too familiar bright pink hair.

His breath caught quickly in his throat as he took in the sight- small crystals of ice had frozen on her lashes and her thickly lidded eyes were shut tight. She was curled up against the brick wall, a faded pink backpack clutched tightly to her chest. Her grey skin was unusually pale and her cheeks flushed with two bright spots of pink. Scooping her up in one swift motion, careful not to wake the sleeping figure, he was soon gone in a blur of yellow and red.

Feeling the warm tingle of sunlight on her face, Jinx opened her eyes slowly and stretched her arms luxuriously over her head. She was so warm and comfortable, it was very tempting to roll over onto the soft pillow and just go back to sleep…

Then she remembered.

She hadn't brought a pillow, or sheets, much less an entire bed, and sunlight had no place in a dark alleyway. She sat up, her back stiff as a board, and gasped. The room was small, covered in a light tan and gold striped paper, while sunlight streamed into the room from a large window that opened to a balcony. The room was sparsely furnished- just a small desk with a flashing digital clock and a wicker chair that held her boots and backpack. The door was creaked open just slightly, and she could hear the soft crackle of a police radio.

What the hell…

She ripped back the covers and ventured boldly towards the door.

It's not like I can't take on whoever's out there.

Wincing as the door opened with a loud creak, she tiptoed down the open hallway. Nervously peering around the corner, she felt her fingers crackle with dark energy as she spotted a certain red and yellow spandex clad someone, who was turned around and pouring a steaming cup of coffee.

"You!" Jinx shrieked, stomping over to the boy and pointing a long finger accusingly into his chest. "You've got some explaining to do- like what the hell am I doing here? What are you doing here? What is this place an- WHY ARE YOU SMIRKING?!"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down first!" he said holding up his hands defensively.

clink

They both spun around at the noise, as two pop tarts came out of the toaster.

Jinx clutched her stomach as it grumbled loudly.

Kid Flash just smiled and laughed. "Maybe we can talk after you've had something to eat?"

Jinx blushed. "Fine." She snapped, grabbing one of the thickly frosted pastries from the toaster and quickly sitting down on the counter.

Taking a bite and letting the warm crumbly crust melt on her tongue, she attacked the rest of the pastry, remembering that she hadn't eaten in the last few days. Mmm…Brown sugar- definitely better than that damn strawberry flavor…

Noticing that Kid Flash was looking at her with slightly astonished wide blue eyes, she stopped to mumble "M-what?" through a mouthful of pastry. He just flashed another charming grin and laughed, grabbing the other pop tart and sitting down next to her, still laughing softly as he said, "Nothing, it's just…well...wow. I mean…and I thought that I ate fast!"

Jinx sent him one of her glares and punched him in the arm, smirking contentedly as he let out a loud "Ow!" and rubbed his shoulder.

Swinging her legs as they dangled off the edge of the countertop, Jinx took another bite, thoughtfully contemplating her situation.

"So…I guess this place is yours?" she questioned slowly, waiting for him to swallow before providing an answer.

"Yep!" he said cheerfully. "Well, it's not really mine, it's kinda on loan for as long as I stay in Jump City, but yeah, for now its home sweet home."

There was another pause before he softly asked, "I bet you're wondering what you're doing here…right?"

Jinx slowly nodded.

"Well," he continued, "I'm guessing that you've left the Hive Five?"

She gave another nod.

He smiled before speaking again, "I was almost done with my rounds when I found you half-frozen and sleeping in an alleyway, and…well-God! What were you thinking? You could've frozen to death! So I um…er...carried you back here so you could have a place to stay…" he blushed as he said the last part. Jinx narrowed her eyes, torn between hexing him and hugging him, finally settling instead on a simple "thanks."

He glanced up, obviously relieved at her reaction, and took a triumphant gulp of coffee.

Jinx shoved the last piece of the pop tart into her mouth, daintily licked her lips, and then gracefully leapt off of the countertop.

"So…" she drawled, "You wouldn't happen to have a shower we can share, right?"

Hearing Kid Flash splutter as he choked on a mouthful of coffee, Jinx laughed and walked down the hallway.

This,

She thought with an impish grin,

Is going to be fun.