Some things you just see coming- I think everyone knows what has to happen. All sagas must come to an end, but a few incidences of time-lapse come in useful later.There's finally action, which I managed towork in- askdr.evil99, who hates writing fight scenes as much as I do- seriously, just give me dialogue any day of the week and twice on Thursdays. Read, review- you know the drill by now, and if you're not reviewing by now, I've just plain lost hope.

This chapter is dedicated to my grandmother, who lived from December 28th, 1922 to November 28th, 2005, who made me promise to never throw away what I wrote. (Published November 28th, 2005.)

Chapter Twenty-Five: Seeing Red
Richard knew it would happen. He had created a false detention for conveniently failing to finish his chemistry homework. The assignment was only half-done, but that teacher was content to hand out failing grades. He did indeed have a bad grade, but no additional penalty. The Titans didn't know that, and didn't check.

He had his Red X mask on. For the first time, it felt constricting. He couldn't get enough air- he was worrying too much. He had an easy job, in a distant corner of town. He knew Barbara would find out. Maybe he would be lucky, and she would only know after he was done.

He heard the slight purr of a motor as he was slipping through the door. The motor was noticeable only because he recognized the sound. They didn't make the mistakes he had half-expected, but knew that Barbara had sent them. No slamming doors, no whispering, no distractions. He didn't have to act too surprised when they started their attack. He hadn't known they could move that quietly. Red X's face was hidden, so spinning with a hand on his link to Slade was enough. There were no new messages. He already had his assignment. This was his task.

Red X was facing four very angry heroes. This was not a good situation. As said sometimes in one-way sports matches, the Titans just wanted it more. Raven and her scars, Beast Boy and some secret, Cyborg and his leg- Starfire and her big green eyes, telling him she believed he would never lie to her.

It was like the fight went out of him. The Titans were only more careful. He could be playing possum. He was clever, Slade's thief. Starfire landed a solid kick to the back of Red X's knee, and he half-toppled before recovering. Even with their anger, they fought only to incapacitate.

Red X attacked. He had yet to speak in the lazy drawl of a synthesized voice, but he couldn't lose. That would be the end of everything. Cyborg guarded a small vulnerability. Red X couldn't find a weakness, and he'd be nursing the bruise from Cyborg just above his knee for a week. Beast Boy was too fast to hit, and Raven too angry. Her hood was down, and he couldn't reconcile a furious Raven with the distant Rachel Roth.

Starfire was all fire and no gentleness, using strength that no human should have to bear. He knew that she hated it, from a few more quiet conversations. She would not use it against the typical villains. The strength was saved for the despicable criminals who deserved it. If he hadn't blocked one of her kicks, she could have shattered ribs. As it was, his wrist was numb from the shock.

He retreated farther into the ramshackle house he was robbing. It was the same place the HIVE had tried to break into, the charity rumored to have wealth inside the shabby bases. No one knew who ran the charity, and rumors about its purpose abounded.

He didn't make it to the basement door. Cyborg got behind him, a solid block. Beast Boy made sure he couldn't break left, and Raven covered his right. Starfire, regal and glaring and wild, was almost feral. If looks could kill, he'd be six feet under and pushing up dandelions- daisies were probably beyond him.

"Chief, we have one Red X." Cyborg knew that Barbara had given the address to the police. Starfire could take down the villain without any help, at this point. He had never seen her that angry, and wanted police cruisers ready before she did anything she might regret later.

"You failed." Slade's voice came from the communicator, but Raven still looked around uneasily. As Beast Boy and Cyborg were doing the same thing, the caution was not suspicious. "I thought you were a better fighter." The scream of sirens surrounded them. Officers were waiting at the door, as Slade could see through the communicator. He had one last remark. "Really, Robin, I thought you were better."

It was a trick. It had to be a trick. Red X shouldn't smash the communicator in shocked horror at the mention of their teammate. Robin- of course, Slade saw that a teammate was missing. Richard was serving a detention for not doing the chemistry homework he had asked Victor about last night. Robin wasn't fighting tonight.

"Your ploy will not succeed, Red X." Starfire's voice was a cold and livid hiss. "Robin is not here, and you are a thrice-cursed chlorrbag."

"It isn't a ploy, Kori." The synthesized voice was too much.

"No. This is a ruse. A trick. A falsehood." He- he had said her name. No one knew that. The Titans kept their identities a secret, and Kori Anders was a quiet and reserved example of modesty. She ripped the mask from his face, desperate to prove that the villain was part of an elaborate lie, and was met by a pair of familiar eyes. "Tell me this is not true. Tell me my eyes are lying."

"Kori-"

"Hapana!" she yelled, defiant. Swahili poured from her, and all he could recognize was 'no.' There may have been other languages woven through the narrative no one else could understand, but she wasn't paying attention. Her tirade wore down, and ended with a question. The last word was one he could recognize. "Tafadhali?" Please.

"I can't lie anymore, Kori. It was never supposed to go this far. I tried to find Loki." He knew that he was losing them. He didn't know he had lost them already.

"I found out that you are a hypocrite," Rachel said in a horribly even tone. She pulled her hood up, and there would be no appeal. Even outright rage would be better than her dull acceptance of the worst type of betrayal.

"I would have to agree." Beast Boy, impassive beneath his little-concealing mask, remembered Robin's snap judgment.

"There is no excuse, Richard." Cyborg stepped back. "You clear this mess up with the cops, because I'm leaving."

"I am most ready to go home," Kori said quietly. Anger felt better, but it couldn't last forever. Starfire could be angry again, but Kori needed time to figure out the mess. Four Titans left, and very quiet sobs stopped for at least a few moments when an arm cloaked in dark blue hesitantly wrapped around a friend. Rachel wasn't comfortable, but Kori regained the steely spine of Starfire for a few more minutes and passed the waiting police with the dignity of a princess. Only one Titan glanced back, but the car keys in his hand meant he couldn't pause to say something else.

"Kori-" There wasn't an answer. There was another question.

"Richard Grayson." Batman had followed the trail of police cars, in case Red X needed a little extra pursuing, and the police were wary about the criminal. The Titans had said he was under control, but they were rightfully wary. Batman agreed to go drag in the wayward thief. He didn't expect to see a de-masked thief, and couldn't reconcile his nephew's head on a criminal's shoulders. "Your father lives on."

"Don't talk about my father!"

"You're the one wearing Red X's costume, Richard. Your friends just left. You are completely to blame. You made a bad choice."

"I had to find Loki."

"Victor let everyone know beforehand. Slade knew, Richard. You played into his hand. Don't defend deceiving your friends."

"I-"

"Unless that is an apology, which I doubt, stop now. You hit their weakest spots. You took Victor out of commission, and messed up a few nerve connections. His prosthetic is sophisticated enough that he can wiggle the toes. Luckily, he could fix the mishaps.

"Gar hasn't given away exactly what's wrong, but use a little deduction. Whatever may be the exact cause, he had an IV line for a few hours. You get grouchy after one shot. You knew that he had the weak area.

"Rachel was attacked, Richard. You were quick to blame Gar. You hit her in the back, which never is honorable, and exploited all you knew about her from training. She was bleeding, after that, but helped Kori get Victor out of there. Barbara saw the popped seam, but there was nothing to do but put a bandage over it.

"I think you know what you did to Kori. She never skimps on emotions, and that takes bravery. Did she tell you what happened?" Batman asked. This wasn't Bruce; he was using the trademark growl that went with the mask.

"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Do you know why I'm in here talking to you? Your friends won't. You, Richard, are an idiot. If they forgive you for betraying them, you'll have to earn it. The thrice-damned press has been harassing the police. You're damned lucky that they're sending him away without information until the investigation is finished."

"Lucky?" Richard asked, unbelieving. How was he lucky.

"Do you want to go to jail? The cops are holding back, for now. Unless the team says otherwise, you're not leader."

"What?" There hadn't been an election, but he was a good field leader.

"Standard practice among any group, Richard. You screwed up, you face consequences. Maybe you haven't met consequences before."

"I needed to find out what Slade was planning."

"Did you?" Bruce knew the answer, but Richard had to say it.

". . . No."

"No results, and even if you had Loki's real name, address, and social security number, that would not be an excuse. There is no excuse." There was no arguing, and they both knew it. Bruce had never lied, except by omission, and was waiting for something. Until he had it, they would not be leaving the three-room house. Minutes passed, but Bruce remained firm. This was the first part of healing.

"I screwed up."

"Yes." Bruce waited to see if Richard would continue the statement.

"I misjudged the situation."

"Let's stick with 'screwed up,' however crude the wording. Your fault, no noble connotations, short, concise, and what you need to know. I'm no expert on these matters, but you need to apologize and realize that they may not accept your apology. They probably won't." Being blunt was the best option, Bruce guessed.

"She did tell me, Bruce," he said, as if recognizing it for himself. "All the important parts, why she's so strong- why one thing she won't stand is a liar."

"You figured out that point a little late."

"Yes."

"Can it be like it was?"

"No." Bruce let that syllable take effect. "It might be better. You won't take friendship, leadership, and your fly-by-night hobby for granted."

"But it'll get worse before it gets better."

"Everybody on that team likes Kori. You messed with her, and they're united in anger. It's going to be hell for you, until and unless they decide on forgiveness."

"Well, thanks for the sensitivity," Richard muttered.

"The most easy-going person on the team is currently furious. You're lucky that I'm the one giving this talk. Barbara and Selina had several explicit threats for Red X that didn't sound at all pleasant."

"Do I need to talk with the police?"

"Tonight or tomorrow, you will. I can try pulling favors, but there's no telling if you'll end up without being charged."

"I'll talk to them now."

"Might want to change first, Richard. The reporter's still in his home, and has a camera." Bruce pulled Richard's spare Robin outfit from behind his back. "There's one difference between what you did and what Victor did. Victor told everyone what he was doing. During a robbery he participated in, he left clues and made the acquisition obvious through a few clues to make sure everyone knew exactly what had been stolen."

Batman didn't carry around anything unnecessarily, and Richard had a new idea. "You knew."

"I guessed. You were gone on the right nights. No one else would have been lucky enough to find those weak spots. No one on the team thought of that. They trusted you. Suit up. Next time I have a suspicion, I'll call you on it. You can tell Eve and Barbara that you're grounded. For your sake, I'll tell Selina. She usually doesn't hurt the messenger."

"Grounded?" That had never happened before.

"Yes, grounded, as in I'm cutting down your time in the gym to ten minutes a day. You need to cool your heels, and the gym's the only place you spend time. If the Titans do allow you to patrol immediately, they'll continue their very nice system of co-leadership."

Richard had nothing to say. He found the small bathroom, changed automatically, and left through the front door. Eve and her current patrol partner, a heavyset man who moved much more nimbly than his bulk suggested, escorted him to a squad car. The chief herself had come for Red X. She hadn't come looking for Robin. Richard sat in the back of the police car, a Titan in trouble with the law.

Usually, he was received as a friend in the station. He knew which officers were getting married, having a kid, or going on vacation. He knew all officers, some better than others, and could point out who was employed by Trigon. On any other day, a few officers would come to give Robin their greetings and update him about a few criminals.

He ignored by most, but a few fixed him with a distrustful glare. Too many had seen Cyborg effectively crippled, for whatever a short time, and enough had seen Starfire walking regally with tears dripping from her eyes. They knew what Red X had done, and cops deserved to know who the culprit was.

The interview was in Eve's office. It was an interrogation in nature, but that required paperwork to be filed. Batman had vouched that Robin's guardian knew what had happened. Batman never had lied to police officers, some bit of odd chivalry Eve Phillips knew she could trust.

Barbara was there. She asked about Slade twice before burying herself in manipulating her computer. An hour into Eve's seemingly endless list of questions, Barbara curtly announced that Slade knew Robin had been Red X, but only had a fix on a dining establishment frequented by the Titans. A few snippets of information had untangled themselves, and she understood that the Titans weren't directly in danger.

Batman drove Richard home (no one but Batman rides in the Batmobile). There weren't any detours (the Batmobile is only used for patrol). Richard didn't even look at the array of buttons that were in the position for a passenger to press. That rule had no exceptions. Nobody messed with the buttons. The inexperienced could do anything from ejecting the driver to covering surroundings in orange paint.

Richard slipped into the house. Two uniforms were thrown onto the floor, pieces tangled in a hopeless mess. The gap in Robin's mask was caught in a voice changer specifically pilfered from Xynothium Technologies. The two costumes couldn't stay entwined in that mess.

Red X's mask was carefully unsnagged from a mask and sleeve. He took care to not unravel the cloth; the last thing he needed was to have to ask Selina for a repair job. The mask was jammed into a drawer with unnecessary force. He never wanted to see it again.

Robin's mask was easier to pry away, and was set on the bed. Red X's belt joined the mask in the drawer, followed by the rest of the outfit. Robin's mask was easier to pry away, and was set on the bed. The uniform that made him look the part of Robin was flimsy, lying across the bed.

The uniforms weren't so different. His eyes were hidden, as well as his identity, in either outfit, and neither was Richard Grayson. But-

Friends couldn't recognize Red X. Red X was just plain ruthlessness. He was done with deceit. Richard Grayson was going to learn this friendship business.

He might be able to explain himself to Victor. Rachel might forgive him, or she might not. Nothing he could say would persuade her. Maybe, if he could ask Gar, he would be forgiven on that front. But for Kori- he'd need something akin of a miracle. He'd yanked the rug out from under her. Once startled, twice shy- he remembered that about horses. They could be the kindest animal the circus had to offer, but a spooked horse will not allow the rider to draw close again for a time.

He left the Robin uniform out, a reminder. He needed it.

.Resuscitation.
Lunch wasworse thanit had ever been. Kori shoved cafeteria food around a styrofoam tray with a plastic spork, leaving artificially bright trails of mustard. Rachel glared at Richard whenever he glanced at Kori. Gar was oddly silent, and watched everyone else. Victor, seated between Kori and Richard, seemed much bigger than the disgraced Titan remembered.

Even a few new casual acquaintances in classes seemed wary of him. He was alone, like he had always tried to be, and hated it. Home was no relief. Bruce was fiendishly stubborn, and disappointed. Being a no-account delinquent who never lost a fight wasn't nearly as bad as letting down an uncle and a team. It never had been his team, no matter what he had assumed. He had been a part of the team, not above it. The Titans met to patrol at Victor's, he guessed, as the Titans drove by without having been in the basement. Starfire was laughing in the passenger seat, and that sound rang through his dreams.

Gar, of all people, was first to stop by, three days after Red X was de-masked. "Do you have any explanation for what happened?" he asked. Gar had a straight-forward plan, for the small confrontation. This was a one-question test, pass or fail. That would be up to Richard.

"Not really," Richard admitted. "It seemed like a good idea then, to tell the truth. I think I know better, now."

"You're pretty quick to judge and you're nasty as all get-out when you want to be." Gar didn't pad the truth. No one would benefit. "But, I do think you have figured out which way is up. All I really have to say is good luck with Kori."

"Thanks." Richard hadn't guessed his sometimes-green friend was mature enough to say anything like that. "I do want to get things back to how they were."

"It'll be better, now that you're over your ego trip." Gar grinned, not at all apologetically. "Well, it is true. The Titans are patrolling tonight, starting in half an hour. Want to come?" He didn't say that the Titans had agreed someone would eventually invite Richard, and didn't need to explain that the others hadn't approved yet.

Richard tagged along, feeling very much like a trainee. He couldn't understand their silent communication, and didn't know what was happening without barked orders. They didn't choose the same approach he might have, but a few ideas worked better than his. When they stopped for the night, he still was an outsider, but he was at least there.

Rachel was next. He caught her unspoken suggestion two nights later, dropping back to let her finish a target. She dryly informed him that he had been a jackass, as the proper explanation was at least an hour long and included many literary allusions she wouldn't expect anyone her age to catch. She extracted a solemn oath that he would never do such a thing again, and that he would trust the team. After that, she ignored him, just like old times.

Victor agreed that same night, after Richard held the door for a still mad Kori and didn't expect anything but a glare. Victor's speech was directly to form. "You messed up. That counts with a few other small mistakes. Clean slate approach, right? Don't do that again, and don't expect Kori to let go of a little righteous fury."

Richard knew. He also knew that October 30th was Devil's Night. Wednesdays weren't usually bad, but everyone from gang members to teenagers wanted to do something to mark the night, from toilet-papering trees to cellophane-wrapping cars. Batman agreed to patrol for the hoodlums. Pamela doubted anyone would dare come near her neighborhood after the last year, but would watch for people with short memories. No one asked the story behind that. Catwoman volunteered to help, and the Titans East were already prepared. The Titans agreed to split into two groups to cover more ground.

Rachel and Gar complemented each other's fighting, but Victor was needed for damage control between the two teammates. Gar set off Rachel's temper, and Victor needed to both stop Rachel from causing grievous bodily harm and make sure Gar didn't go too far.

That left Kori with Richard. Richard was a Titan, and had been restored by three of four teammates. He was a Titan in serious trouble. All he had was a motorcycle license, and Kori refused to get on the back of his cycle, certified or not. That meant that the two Titans not in Victor's car would be walking.

"Would it help that I'm sorry and wish I hadn't done any of it? The consensus is that I was a jackass, and I think that opinion's unanimous," he said after forty minutes of silence punctuated by escorting a few egg or toilet paper bearing classmates to their homes.

"Maybe."

"I've never had friends, like this. I'm used to doing my own thing, and being disliked by everyone. I just don't like that anymore. I think I know what friends are, now, or I at least have a better idea."

"I am mad with you." Kori had yet to give some definitive answer.

This wasn't the time to correct- maybe it was. "I know you're mad at me, probably fed up with me. I've given you every reason to be mad. I'm lucky you're talking to me now."

She didn't soften. "Yes, you are. You know I hate lies. True, we would have been mad to hear what you did. It was simply far worse to hear that from Slade."

"That was a mistake I won't make again. I have the bruises to prove it. If- if I hadn't used cheap tricks, I never would have beaten the Titans."

"Four fifths of the Titans, Robin."

He couldn't allow himself a smile yet. "Partially forgiven, then?"

"I hate holding grudges more than I hate you- well, that wasn't the case last week. It is today."

"You don't hate me any more?" It was a step in the right direction, and Richard felt like he just might manage the repercussions of everything. He could deal with Barbara and Selina, if Kori was on his side.

"No. I dislike you a great deal."

"That's better than I expected."

"What were you expecting?"

"I don't know. Something horrible, like you never talking to me again." That came out worse than expected, but he had said it.

"Really?" For the first time in over a week, she didn't glower at him.

Or not. He'd have to redefine what was bad to say. "Really. You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I'm still mad at you," she warned.

"I know. I'm still mad at me, too."

"Good." The conversation was almost back to normal. "Because you do not receive a second second chance, Richard." No one could hear them, so she used his real name.

"I won't need one, Kori."

"You better not, Robin, and I see two would-be arsonists over on Marsden."

"We're on them."

"I'll take the left- your approach is better, leading with your right kick." She found strengths, not weaknesses.

"I'm with you, Kori." And- he was.

.Trick or Treat.
There was a Halloween dance. No one had planned to go, but Kori wanted to. The Titans already had excellent costumes, and the admission fee was nominal. They went in character, slipping in amongst a few Cyborgs, many Robins, cheap imitations of Beast Boy that were the best money could buy, Ravens in solid black cloaks and heavy on the eyeliner the authentic version wouldn't touch, and very many Starfires.

The point of a Halloween dance was to dance, understandably. Bee, also in costume, met Victor at the door. "Cyborg," she said, in character. "Shall we dance for an hour or two?"

Victor was gone. Kori informed Richard that he still wasn't fully forgiven before bringing him out to the dance floor. He didn't fight at all, especially when the first notes of a slow song drifted through the air and he was able to teach her how to slow dance. Gar decided that he might as well try.

"Hey, Rachel, do you want to-"

"No."

"I didn't even ask yet," he said, falsely cross. He had known she would say that, but ideas from watching his other friends made him ask. "I could have been ready to suggest leaving."

"And go where?" she asked.

He had been kidding, but a school dance without someone to dance with would be boring. "For lack of a better place, my house. Shelia still wants to meet you, and she's been talking in medical-speak for weeks. She needs to talk to someone who gets it, just like Harry gets his mechanics'-talk out of his system."

The attraction of getting away from blaring music, many look-alikes, and the press of the crowd was greater than the instinctive aversion to agreeing to any of his suggestions. "Sure," she said nonchalantly. She didn't know who was more surprised.

"Shall we leave, then? It's Halloween, we're in uniform, and we can walk. On the way, anyone messing with little kids can have the two of us to deal with." He was careful to make sure Raven was also invited, and to give some other purpose behind the walk. When dealing with someone who can snap back, always leave a reason to say yes.

"Let's go."