Ahh, I was glad for the reviews everyone! But I noticed a lot of people are shocked about Ryan being 11.

Let me say this outright since some obviously don't believe me in the story. :) Ryan is 11 years old. For REAL. I'm not kidding.

LoL, there were a lot of other questions and I believe almost everyone is curious why Ryan is…well, like he is. :) All will be explained this chapter actually. So I hope I'm able to clear some things up. :D

Also, I forgot to say this earlier, but many asked how Ryan is Red X. This takes place before the whole Red X thing so he's not Red X…yet. :D

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I need to say it again? (looks at the police ready with guns behind her) I guess I do. Well, I don't own TT. (turns to police) So go away!!

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Chapter 3- Disappear from Sight

Xander Mansion

For those who usually don't read my note in the beginning, this is only here to tell you that this takes place before the 'Red X' incident where the Titans encounter him after Robin stopped being X again. That is why Ryan has not shown up as Red X yet. But don't worry, Red X will appear.

Now we can start…

The Night of Day 1

Raven sighed, glad that the day was finally over. After the incident with Ryan chasing after her and all that stuff getting out of the way, Ryan had taken her to the mall. Of course, Raven wasn't really a shopping person, but decided to buy gifts for everyone. Kind of like souvenirs, she had been thinking at the time.

Raven had also purchased a book, The Host (btw, awesome book!), while there. She had been hoping to read it tonight. Just as she was about to make a grab for the shopping bag, the door creaked open. Raven turned and almost laughed when she saw Ryan standing there.

He looked silly clutching a pillow and a teddy bear all dressed up in cute, blue PJs that had clouds on them. He reminded her of an oversized, anorexic teddy bear (don't ask). His face was red as he nervously clutched his nighttime articles, "Don't laugh."

"I'm not," Raven said, biting her lip. "But you look ridiculous!"

Ryan rolled his eyes but smiled. "I know, I know. But hey, I'm eleven. I can be ridiculous sometimes."

"Not with being that tall," Raven teased. "You just look like an adult trying to be a kid."

"But I am a kid!"

Raven shook her head, chuckling, "Anyway, so why are you here?"

"Actually," Ryan became red again and suddenly found his feet interesting. "C-can I…can I sleep here tonight?"

His request shocked Raven. For a moment, her mouth started to form the word 'No' but when she saw the pleading look in his eyes, she gave in. "Fine."

"Yeah!" He cheered, jumping onto the king-sized bed.

He really is a kid, Raven thought as she watched him snuggle underneath the comforter. Although he can be…well, different at times. He's a kid at heart.

"Hey," Raven called his attention. "Why do you act like that?"

"Like what?" Ryan asked, hiding half of his face in the fur of his teddy bear.

"Well, like…" Raven trailed off, blushing as his acts of this morning and yesterday afternoon came to mind. "Well…like with the ice cream, and the time when we first met. Why do you act like you're romantically interested in me?"

"Who says I'm not?" Ryan answered quickly, pulling his teddy bear away to show her his serious eyes.

Raven was once again taken aback. "We're five years apart."

"So?"

"I'm older than you, and a titan to boot."

"Well, I'm taller and richer." Ryan countered, sticking out his tongue teasingly.

Raven scowled, "Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Stop acting like that!" Raven sat up, glaring at Ryan. "Stop acting like it's casual! It's not! You're eleven years old for Azar's sake! Nobody is going to accept it if there's anything romantic between us two at all!"

Raven stopped as she realized at what she said. Was she really implying that she might like him that way too? Raven looked down at Ryan who had become silent, fiddling with the ribbon on his teddy bear. "Dear Azar, you confuse me." Raven sighed, putting her hand to her forehead, wondering if she had a fever. "I mean, one moment you're flirting with me and the next you're a little kid! Who are you really?"

Ryan stopped playing the ribbon and put the teddy bear aside, sitting up Indian-style. "Raven, what do you think of me?"

"See! That's exactly what I mean!" Raven pointed. "Like right now you're all mature and adult-like when just a couple of minutes ago you were clutching a teddy bear and asking me if you could sleep here like you had a nightmare or something."

"Raven," Raven stopped talking as she looked at Ryan, who was facing her as serious as ever. "What do you think of me?"

Raven looked down at her clenched hands, wondering why she felt so insecure in herself all of a sudden. "I-I…I don't really know what I think of you, whether it be romantic or just sisterly." Raven sighed, massaging her temples as if that would get rid of the problem. "To tell you truth, since ever I met you, you made my emotions go crazy. With whatever you did to me they went insane, but I thought you were only joking around with me." Raven clenched her fists tighter.

She couldn't stop her mouth, it just went on, "Like I said earlier today, I want you to think of me like a big sister, and I want to treat you like a little brother. But there are times…" Raven trailed off. "I don't know, it's like some of my emotions think of you a different way. They're all conflicting. It's like I'm torn into two different people. One's a sister, one's a lover."

There was a silence between the two, and Raven suddenly felt embarrassed for saying all of that. It wasn't like her, not at all. In fact, it was the total opposite of her, but it was all true. That's how she felt.

"Well," Ryan said, breaking the silence. Raven looked up as he crossed his arms, that serious look in his eyes again. "I know you might be confused right now. But Raven, I will tell you the truth. I have never, and will never, see you as a big sister."

Raven wanted to scream, 'That just makes me more confused!!', but she didn't as she continued to listen to him, "I'm only eleven so it's natural for me to act like a kid once in a while. I am one after all. But I don't want you to see me as a boy. I want you to see me as a man."

Ryan sighed, "And if that means that I have to grow up a little more then I will! Just…" Ryan blushed and muttered softly, "Wait for me please…"

Raven's cheeks heated up again, and her heart was torn in two. One that wanted to love the kid in Ryan, and one that wanted to love the man. She was becoming so confused!! Which one did she really love?

"Look, if you don't want me here tonight, then I'll just—" Ryan had started to get up to leave but was stopped. He looked down at Raven who clutched his arm.

"Please," she whispered. "Just stay here tonight…with me."

Ryan smirked, "Who's asking? The sister or the lover?"

"Ryan!"

"Alright! Alright! Don't throw your pillow at me! You know, you're a kid sometimes too!" Ryan smiled as Raven chuckled. His eyes softened as he watched her the whole night. He watched her until she went asleep, murmuring something about silly eleven-year-olds.

Raven, he thought. I hope you figure out things soon. But…Ryan turned and looked at Raven's peaceful face. He smiled, Even if it takes a while, I'll always wait for you.

(So some things were cliché and cheesy, so sue me, I'm a romantic sap. ;p)

Day 2

I can't believe I said those things! Raven thought as she furiously scrubbed herself. Raven now sat in a bathtub that sat in the bathroom provided by the Xanders. She submerged herself beneath the bubbles as her face heated up. She blamed it on the hot water.

"It's not me," she muttered to herself. "Definitely not."

Raven sighed and leaned back, staring into the roof of the bathroom. Darn Ryan. Making me so confused…

"Raven!" Ryan called out as the door burst open. Raven, on a reflex, shrieked and hid beneath the bubbles.

"W-What the hell are you thinking?! Get out!!" Raven screamed, trying to hide herself as best she could.

"Eh?" Ryan arched his eyebrow, smirking. "Oh-ho, so you decided that fast? I'm shocked, Raven. You shouldn't seduce an eleven-year-old so."

"S-seduce?!" Raven screamed, incredulous. "You're the one that walked in!!"

"Hmm, but you're the one dripping wet and covered by nothing but bubbles," Ryan answered, that smirk still in place.

"GET OUT!!"

"Alright! Alright, I just have one thing to say before I leave." Raven simmered as she looked at Ryan dramatically clear his throat. He smiled wide and pulled out a digital camera, "May I take a picture as a souvenir?"

"RYAN XANDER!!"

(Ivy, you're probably cracking up right now because I know how much you love bathroom scenes. :D)

"Uh…" Rona and Vincent looked at the two who had just entered the dining room. Raven, who looked mad and refused to look at Ryan, and Ryan, whose cheek was redder than usual.

"So…" Rona started, looking at the two. "What do you two plan to do today?"

"Well!" Ryan started, brightening immediately. "First, we're going to go check out the bea—" Ryan stopped as he turned to Raven who was glaring at him. Hmm, get to see Raven in a bikini and die…or do something else and not die? Hmm…tough decision.

"You're going to…?" Rona prompted, wondering why her stepson stopped.

"Uh…check out the…" Ryan trailed off, wondering. Well, I have to get back into Raven's good graces. What's something she likes to do?

If it was possible, a light bulb would have appeared lit up above Ryan's head. "We're going to go check out the new Poem Café that opened last weekend. I'm sure Raven would like that."

From the corner of his eyes, Ryan saw Raven turn abruptly to him, surprise written all over her face. He smiled knowing he had made a good choice. "What do you think Raven? You up for it?"

Raven looked at Ryan, unsure of how to feel about this. He was using the time she was supposed to do whatever he wanted to do to do something she wanted. And she had been thinking about visiting that place, but she never had the time. It was like he had just known she was thinking about it. Like he could read her.

Sometimes, Raven thought as she nodded. I wish you weren't eleven. That way…

Raven looked as Ryan talked with his parents. She watched him smile and laugh, and she liked what she was seeing, It wouldn't be this hard to know that I can't like you that way.

"Is that him?" Alex Weston looked at the photograph then back at the boy that was walking down the street with a girl in hand. He smirked, inhaling his cigarette deeply.

"Yeah, that's him." He told his companion, a large, burly man. Alex Weston took out his cigarette and let out a long wisp of smoke. He then dropped the butt and stepped on it, putting it out. "I don't know who the girl is, but we just want the boy, alright?"

"'Kay boss. Just the boy," the man repeated.

Alex smirked, pulling out a new cigarette and lighting it as he watched the two enter some kind of café. I don't know who you are boy, but you must have done something bad to piss off our Lady.

Alex looked back down at the photo. In it was a boy with messy black hair and baby blue eyes. He looked young, but had a kind of spark in his eyes telling people he was more than his looks let on. Alex snorted, pulling out his cigarette from his mouth and pressing it against the face of the photo, burning it slightly, I almost feel sorry for you.

Alex smirked however as he fixed the gun at his waist. Almost.

The Poem Café that Ryan had taken Raven to sat on a quiet corner of an intersection. It's name was, well, The Poem Café. Straightforward, no?

However, despite the quiet place it was in, it was always packed. Various types of people came and relaxed there. With the dim lights, comfy chairs, couches, and homey appearance to the entire place, it made it the ideal place to relax and chat with friends.

Raven looked around the place eagerly, enjoying the familiar scenery. "Let's sit there," Raven told Ryan, pointing to a comfy red loveseat. They made their way through the crowding bodies and plopped onto the loveseat with sighs. With how crowded the place was it was almost like a dance club, only more mellow.

"Ah," Raven sighed with contentment as she leaned back on the couch. "It feels good to be here."

Ryan looked at Raven, smiling to see that she was enjoying herself. He wished she would smile again, then he would definitely know this was a better choice than the beach. "Would you two like anything to drink or eat?" a girl asked as she walked up to the two, a notepad in hand.

Smiling, the girl offered, "We have a couple's special order."

Raven looked up at the waitress, surprised, "What? Oh no! You got it all wrong! You see, he's younger than me."

"Oh!" The girl gasped. She then smiled, "How cute! You're in love even though he's younger? How romantic!"

"No! That's not what I—"

"Don't worry, you two can have some cappuccinos. It's on the house today," the girl winked at Raven and walked off before Raven could explain.

"Great," Raven muttered. "Now she thinks we're a scandalous couple."

"Hey, it got us free drinks, didn't it?" Ryan teased, putting his arm on the back of the couch around Raven protectively.

Raven narrowed her eyes at his arm then looked at him, "Don't be getting any ideas, Ryan. You promised remember?"

"What? I never promised anything." Ryan said, looking indifferent. He smirked, "Remember? I only said 'Maybe'."

Raven's eyes widened as she realized that's how it was, "Why you little—"

"Two cappuccinos!" the waitress returned, putting it on the table in front of them. "Enjoy!"

She walked away as Raven fumed while Ryan took the cappuccino, tasting it. "Hm, not bad."

"Coffee stunts growth, you know." Raven warned him, picking up her own.

"Shouldn't I say that to you?" Ryan teased as he ruffled her hair, pointing out that she was shorter than him by two inches.

"Hmm," Raven fumed as she was beat again by him. Raven looked at Ryan from the corner of her eyes. "Hey Ryan," Raven started, putting down her cup as someone played some soft piano music in the background with the chatter of others surrounding it.

"Yeah?" Ryan wiped off the mustache the whip cream had made and looked at Raven.

"How come you're so mature? I mean, I expected some eleven-year-old spoiled brat, but you're nothing like that. Why not?"

Ryan looked at Raven, surprised, but sat back with a sigh. "I knew you'd be asking that." Sighing again, he started to explain, "Well, at first I was like you said. A spoiled brat. After all, I got anything I wanted whenever I wanted. If I wanted a toy or something my parents would buy it for me. If I didn't want to eat something the cook would make me something else."

Ryan laughed, "I was the worst spoiled brat ever. You probably would've hated me if I stayed like that. But then…" Ryan trailed off, his eyes becoming sad.

"Then?" Raven prompted, wondering what it was.

Ryan smiled weakly at Raven, "My parents divorced."

Oh…Raven thought, suddenly wishing she hadn't asked and feeling sorry for Ryan.

"It's alright, I don't want you to feel sorry for me." Ryan told her, reading that look on her face. "After all, I learned a lot from their divorce. At the time, I wanted them to stay together. I wanted it more than anything in the world. But…that was the one thing I never got. I guess it was then I learned that I can't have everything."

Ryan chuckled as he went on, "And then my father met Rona. God, how much I hated her when I first met her. And I especially hated how she always tried to act like she was my mother, like she was trying to replace her. She tried to do everything for me like I was little, defenseless kid. I guess that's when I started doing things for myself. I figured if I grew up faster, then Rona wouldn't treat me like a kid and I wouldn't have to put up with her. I used to think once I was old enough I'd take my inheritance from my father and build up my own company separate from them."

Ryan smiled at Raven as he said, "I was just in a hurry to grow up."

Raven looked at Ryan as he clenched his fists, trying to smile. Comfortingly, she placed her hand on his, "Hey, it's okay to cry if you want to."

Ryan looked up at Raven, his eyes surprised and tearing up a little. But he smiled and wiped them away quickly, "I thought I was supposed to be the man of this relationship."

"Hey, men cry." Raven scolded. "Don't think you'd look weak if you cry. Sometimes it's good to cry instead of letting all those emotions build up inside you. Trust me, I know so."

"Hmm, you would." Ryan teased, smiling now and over his sadness.

"But," Raven started slowly, shyly looking at her feet. "If you need to cry…" Raven tried to keep her impassive face on as she muttered, "You can cry on my shoulder."

Ryan looked at Raven and laughed inwardly as he saw her try not to look embarrassed. He chuckled and leaned against her shoulder, surprising her. "Thanks Rae."

He lowered his face so he wouldn't show his tears of happiness to her as he whispered, "Thanks a lot, Rae."

Ryan and Raven both clapped as the poet bowed and walked off the stage. The announcer came on, introducing the next poet, "Next up we have a Hayne Wryer with her Poem 'Then Again' (A/N: She's just a character I made. She's no one famous. The poem I wrote.)."

"I'm going to go get us some refills," Ryan told Raven as he grabbed the cups. Raven nodded and turned back to the girl on the stage as he walked away.

The girl fixed the microphone then took in a deep breath, staring at the crowd. She then let it out slowly and started to recite:

"People tell me 'No'

People tell me 'It's not right'

Then again, when did I care?

Even if the girl had only said three lines, Raven was already captivated by her poem. Her voice dictated her poem's emotions clearly. It was stubborn, defying everyone.

People tell me I shouldn't be with you

People tell me you're no good

Then again, without you how would I fare?

Raven became more absorbed in the words of the poem. It reminded her of how things would be if she did have a romantic relationship with Ryan. No one would definitely accept that. But she had become used to him. He had become something she couldn't imagine life without now. Now that she really thought about, what would she do when their days together ended?

Would she just go back to being Raven, the Titan? Would that normal girl she had started to become disappear forever? She didn't know.

I just want you to hold me

No one else's arms

Then again, would you even allow that?

Raven chuckled thinking, Ryan definitely would not allow that.

I love you

You love me

Then again, I already knew those facts

Faintly, Raven heard the bell attached to the door ring. At the time she didn't bother to think about it, but she had a bad feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. She looked around, wondering what was taking Ryan so long.

But this fear of being rejected

This fear of being isolated

Or this fear of you being selected

To be taken from me

Suddenly the words of the poem became Raven's real fear. She started to panic when she couldn't see Ryan through the throng of people who were listening intently to the poet onstage. The bad feeling that had chilled Raven before was now becoming worse.

Then again…

Maybe…

It just wasn't meant to be"

BANG! Raven immediately became alert when she heard the shot of a gun. Going into Titan mode, she got up to her feet but was overwhelmed with the screaming people who all tried to get out of the café at once.

"Ryan!!" Raven screamed over the noise. "Ryan! Where are you?!"

There was a crash and the sound of glass breaking. Soon a flame burst out from a part of the café, quickly growing and eating the café up as the alarm sounded. Raven looked around, not caring that the place was burning and the emergency water system that was installed in the roof wasn't working like it should.

"Ryan!!" Raven screamed, wishing that Robin had not put that power inhibitor on her now. The place was almost empty since almost everyone had ran out. However, Ryan was no where in sight. "Ryan, where are you?!"

Tears were coming to her eyes, both from the smoke and the painful aching in her heart. She couldn't find him! He was gone! What had happened?! "Ryan!" She ran through the building, as if he was hiding and waiting for her to find him.

"Miss! Can you hear me?" Raven turned towards the doorway where a firefighter was walking towards her. "It's alright miss, help's here."

"No!" Raven screamed. "I can't go yet! He's gone! I can't find him!"

"Miss! This building will fall on top of you! You have to get out!" the firefighter shouted, making a move closer to her.

"No! Not without Ryan!" Raven yelled, trying to escape from the fireman's grip as he wrapped his arms around her. But she had lost all her strength. She couldn't protect Ryan, she couldn't find him. Was she really that worthless without her powers?

Raven tried to hold it in, but she couldn't. She cried out, sobbing and calling out his name. She cried when the firefighter finally let her go outside the café, wrapping her up in a blanket.

"Miss, please," the firefighter begged, sad to see a girl crying. "Stop crying."

"I couldn't protect him!" Raven wailed, not caring that she was crying in front of a complete stranger. She needed to let out all those emotions. "He just disappeared! Right in front of my eyes!"

"Miss," the fireman sighed. "Whoa!" He was surprised when suddenly Raven grabbed him, wrapping her arms around him as she cried on his shoulder. Not knowing what else to do, the fireman hugged her back.

I just let him disappear…Raven thought. Oh Azar, what am I going to do?

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I almost cried when I wrote this. :( Ryan's disappeared!! T.T No!! Poor Raven, she's crying…sorry if she seemed a little OOC in this chapter. But I hope I was able to answer your questions! Next chapter is next Saturday!! And because I'm in a good mood, I feel like spoiling you guys! I'm gonna put in a sneak peek!

Sneak Peak:

The policeman turned to Raven, his eyes widening, "Raven! Of the Titans?"

"You said Ryan has been kidnapped before, is that true?" Raven repeated.

The policeman scratched his head, wondering what a Titan was doing here. He shrugged however and said, "Uh, well yeah. I think when he was nine-years-old his mother held him hostage and whined about not returning him unless her husband paid her 10 grand."

--

Beast Boy whistled happily as he lugged the big carton of popcorn towards Bob. "Movie time, movie time, movie time!" he sang.

However, the screen buzzed then showed Raven's face. "Beast Boy?"

"Raven! Hey! You're on Bob!" Beast Boy cried out, waving. "Oh yeah! Good news! Robin made a deal with Batman! Our bills will be paid! You can stop doing that birthday present job!"

--

"Shut up!" Alex growled as he stuck the blade in Ryan's face. "Or else I'll slit your throat!"

"Try," Ryan challenged, his eyes narrowing. "Whoever hired you will certainly kill you if you harm me. After all, I'm their money ticket."

Alex laughed, pulling the knife away. "Kid, you don't know anything, huh? Turns out our Lady is actually your mother. Your own mother ordered you to be ransomed. Now isn't that sad?" Alex watched with pleasure as Ryan's face distorted to one of shock and anger. "You see, you're nothing but something to use and throw away."

End of Sneak Peek

Hoped you guys enjoyed it! :D

Ciao,

Xaleria