Emma: So, I was going to give Liv next chapter, but I had this already half typed and went ahead and finished. Liv can have the next chapter, since I decided to re-write chapters three-five. I hope everyone enjoyed the first intro to AJ- first known as Argyle -and I want to explain why she ditched Aaron. She knows she's tangled up in some stuff- things that later tie into a plot arch with her and Joy -and that she doesn't want Aaron in that. No worries though, he's persistent and gets the girl in the end ^^ so, I don't own Teen Titans- if you haven't realized by now -I hope you enjoy!

Odd Beginnings

Chapter Two: Shit Happens

Argyle was getting tired of waking up in weird places. She silently chided herself for pushing through the storm, but she had wanted to beat Aaron to the Titans East, and hopefully make him forget her. Argyle covered her eyes with her arm- blocking out the room with red walls and black trimmings -trying not to think about him for now. How his smile and laugh had made her heart leap, or how when he called her a pixie, she found it so endearing, and how he helped her say his name right was cute.

"Damn you cruel fate," Argyle said in her British lilt. She started to sit up, but stopped when the door opened. A girl with two buns and a gold and black outfit stepped inside the room. She was laughing, and Argyle caught some of her thoughts, realizing this must be Karin, or Bumble Bee. The wings on her back suggested Argyle had been right about her assumption. She looked sort or like Aaron, same mocha skin and wide set eyes; but hers were a golden brown, not the enchanting forest-emerald mix that Aaron's were. Argyle sighed at this thought." Um hi? I'm-"

"Argyle."

The voice who said this wasn't that of a female. It was deep bass and made the girl's heart melt. No, she didn't want to hear that voice; Argyle's burgundy eyes went wide and she jumped up, reaching for her bag and for her gloves to grab more manna. She wouldn't let him do this; she wouldn't let him throw his life into turmoil because he had silly feelings for the girl who was bad luck. A hand caught hers before she could grab her black leather gloves used for her powers; the hand was that lovely mocha color and much larger then her own child-like one. Argyle gasped as the his rough calluses brushed against her dark and smooth skin.

"Why did you-"

"You ran." He said cutting her off. It wasn't a question, only a statement about what she did. It wasn't even an accusation, there was no blame in his voice. Argyle turned her face up until her burgundy eyes met that enchanting green color." You ran away… It was to save me though, wasn't it? "

"How did you-"

"I have powers too, silly… I can read your mind just as well as you can read mine." Aaron said softly. Argyle turned her eyes from his and blushed; she would have to keep her thoughts in check around him." Please don't… I love your erratic and random thought process… It's so refreshing compared to the regular cookie-cutter thought processes."

Argyle ignored the flip her stomach did when he said this; she could not however, ignore the flush that came when his hand traveled to her wrist and traced an absent circle there. She felt her dark skin flush red at his touch and she yanked her hand back; in her world, there was no room for romance. At an inch for love and caring to bloom, because she would only bring them hurt.

Her twin sister and her were a rare pair. Joy was a Good Luck Aura Mage; whatever she did worked out, she was all good luck and all good things. Even if her attitude and demeanor was anything but charming. She liked to stay reclusive, mysterious even. Argyle was a Bad Luck Mage the total opposite of Joy; whatever she did would work, but cause bad luck for those around her. She would only cause harm and dismay to those she loved. Normally Argyle could control the majority of her bad luck power; she could cut off her bad luck aura and hone it only when needed. However, when she held a large amount of emotion for someone, the bad luck would leak out and manifest around that person.

"Leave me alone," Argyle said with a firm voice and narrowed eyes, letting the man know she meant business. Aaron backed up, his eyes still studying her, and allowed his cousin to step forward and look at her.

"Impossible." he suddenly smirked. "You should know that whenever two souls meet, something is born of it. Whether it be good, bad, or anything in between. And you, my dear, have been plaguing my thoughts ever since we met."

Argyle shook her head, refusing to give in to this man who clearly had no idea what he was dealing with. She refused to let him see her blush, see her embarrassment to his touch and his compliment. She refused to give him hope that she had no right to give.

"Even so, I can't risk you getting involved," Argyle said softly." These guys after me and the gem are far worse than you can imagine. It would be in your best interest that you let me leave."

"Then call me a fool, because you're not going anywhere." his voice was once again, serious and determined. The red eyed girl sighed in defeat, falling back down on the sofa she'd been laying on. Aaron made his way to the couch to sit on its arm and stare down at Argyle.

"At least not without an explanation." Bumble Bee intervened. She knew her cousin was stubborn about things, and this was obviously something he wanted a lot; which meant he wouldn't give up for a good while, if ever." Who's after you and what do they want?"

"Bandits," Came Argyle's reply. She lay back on the couch, arm over her eyes and body language full of defeat." They've been following me and my sister for years. They killed our family and now they're after a rare artifact called the Jungle Gem. If they find it, it would be the end of the world as we know it."

"Any idea where the gem could be?"

"My guess would be somewhere in Africa, but I don't know specifics." Argyle gave a sigh as Aaron touched her hand gently, in comfort. She was done fighting for now.

"I might know someone who might." Bee winked and approached the large computer stationed in front of the bay windows. Nimble hands typed away at the keyboard for a few seconds before the screen above her lit up with the silhouette of a teenage boy. Black spikey locks, ivory skin and a black and white mask over his eyes.

"What's the problem, Bumble Bee?" he asked.

"Could I talk with Beast Boy, Robin?"

"Uh, sure. What for?"

"I'll explain in a sec." Robin nodded and a split second later, another boy colored green in every way with pointed ears and fangs appeared on screen. "Gar, do you know of something called a Jungle Gem?"

"Yea, it's a rare jewel sacred to Africa. It's said to have special powers, but no one's seen it in hundreds of years."

"This girl here, says some bandits are after it. Would you know where to find it?"

"Not really." he replied, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Steve and Rita used to tell me stories about it when I was younger. All they said was that if it were to fall into evil hands, the world as we know it would ease to exist."

Argyle stood and motioned for Bumble Bee to move. The heroine did as she was told and Argyle sat before the screen smiling at the green boy.

"Hi, Beast Boy was it?" Argyle smiled." I'm Argyle Jaisons, it's nice to meet you."

"Argyle? Wow that's a mouthful!"

"I've been told before."

"Mind if I call you AJ instead?"

"I don't really mind, it's kind of cute," AJ giggled. Aaron moved to her side and gave Beast Boy a meaningful look. The green boy put his hands up in surrender.

"Hey I got my eyes on a purple girl and its not Nessa," Beast Boy smiled," The tiny British Pixie is all yours."

"I'm all no ones thank you very much," AJ said indignantly." You said your friends Steve and Rita told you about the Gem? Well, my twin sister and I have information that it is in the Sahara somewhere. A secret ruin that is near the center of the worst dessert ever. There are coordinates Joy and I found while in France, they may help. But I would be very grateful if you gave me any and all information you had… Legend or otherwise."

"Well all I know is that Rita had a song she learned in a village near the Sahara," Beast Boy remembered." One of the lyrics was 'Hidden in my sand filled arms/ Hides the worlds strongest Charm.' Then further down the song, it says 'Find me sleeping here in ice/ The secret song to pay my price.' but I never understood what it meant."

AJ had been staring at the boy until he started talking about the song. She stood after he finished, and her face was shadowed by her bangs.

"Thank you Beast Boy," AJ said offering a brittle smile," That helps a lot." She stood to leave as Bumble Bee said goodbye and turned the screen off. AJ moved towards the door and she was stopped by the yellow-clad teen." Karin, I promise I just need some air. Send Aaron with me if you have to…"

"Good idea," Bumble Bee said," Aaron, from this moment on, you are her guard. You are to keep her safe, stay with her, and watch over her."

"I was planning on that anyway, Cousin."

"Well I figured that much."

"Cuando el corazón se encuentra un corazón que maches, no dejar ir. Se aferra hasta que el corazón que ama. Estoy apegado a esta chica, y yo estaré hasta que mi corazón detiene. Usted tiene mi palabra. [1]" Aaron said softly. AJ heard him but didn't have time to translate in her mind. Bumble Bee smiled and let AJ pass with Aaron at her heels." You're not just getting air…"

"What was your first tip off?" AJ asked as they came out onto the roof. She pulled her bag- which she had been hiding behind her back -and yanked out a black rain slicker.

"Besides the bag?" Aaron asked. AJ's lips quirked into a smile as he pulled a bag out from the rafters in the stairwell." Well you were thinking pretty loudly, so that was my second tip off. Bee was so busy listening, she didn't notice I phased into my room, up here, and then back down. Just in time to hear you giggle at Gar of course."

"I did not giggle," AJ said in a disgruntled tone. Aaron gave her a level look and she huffed angrily." Even if I did, you don't own me. I am not yours to control."

"No I cannot control you," Aaron said. AJ was taken by surprise as she was pinned against the wall. Rain drizzled around them, soaking both to the bone; but AJ's mind was on the unnamable green in Aaron's eyes." But I intend to show you that you and I are meant to belong to one another."

AJ's thoughts were muddled by his warm breath against her lips and his free hand tracing the curve of her jaw. He brushed his lips over her nose, her forehead, and then her chin. AJ's breath caught in a gasp with each soft brush of the lips.

"L-let me g-g-go," AJ tried to say shakily. She wouldn't let him see how much his touch made her shiver in delight; how his kisses made her legs go wobbly but he caught her waist before she could fall." I- I- Aaron…"

"Argyle." Aaron said back. Argyle shivered again and tried to pull away." Not yet, I have one last thing I'm going to prove to you."

He kissed her lips this time, softly, and swiftly. AJ felt her heart leap at this touch, and she automatically fell into the kiss. As if she had been waiting her entire life for this touch and his kiss. She threw her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. She didn't care that this was wrong, and she would regret it later. She didn't care, at that moment, nothing mattered at all except his kiss, his touch, his scent, and his taste.

"I shouldn't have done that," Aaron said. AJ smiled and nodded." I won't take it back though, and I intend to d it again… Why are you so scared?"

AJ explained her Mage powers, and Aaron started laughing. AJ was confused until he yanked her up into a kiss again.

"I'm an Aura Elementalist Argyle," Aaron said," And a Negate Mage; my power is to control aura and negate others powers! Your powers can't hurt me because I negate them when we're together!"

Emma: Sorry another cliff hanger, kind of, but I don't want to make this too long ^^ R&R kids! And love Liv for editing and helping me!

Spanish Translation:

[1] When the heart finds a heart that maches it, it does not let go. It holds on until that heart loves it back. I am attached to this girl, and I will be until my heart stops. You have my word on that.