Hello!

This story has been brewing in my head for awhile, so I decided to finally post it!

Enjoy!

Character Ages: BB: 19, Nightwing 21, Raven 21, Star: 22, Cyborg: 25

Chapter 1:

Titan Tower, 00:35

Nightwing diligently sat at the computer screen, multiple monitors switched to surveillance mode. Stubbornly, he was sitting in an uncomfortable position to keep himself awake. He ran a hand through his shaggy black hair, now shoulder length and no longer smothered in hair gel, letting out a sigh. Nightwing had grown a few inches from his Robin days, filling out his now all black Kevlar uniform with a blue bird in the center of it nicely. All the titans had grown, even Beast Boy, who now insisted he go by Changeling. They could barely call themselves "teen" anymore, with Changeling being the youngest at 19, and being 5' 11. Nightwing was holding his favorite mug (which happened to be a red 16 ounce with a yellow and black R logo in the center) Raven had gotten it for him forever ago, back when he was still Robin of course, as a Christmas gift stating that she made a big deal at the mall by complaining to anyone who would listen that there wasn't nearly as much Robin memorabilia being sold compared to the infamous Batman, and Robin lived in their own city. Thinking back to that morning and smiling, Nightwing took a sip of his 4th cup of coffee that evening, trying to fight the drowsy feeling washing over him. Red-X had been increasingly active, with 3 break-ins that month after years of silence from him. He was hoping to get ahead of him, but so far had had no luck.

Readjusting his position for the umpteenth time, he opened the filing cabinet, and grabbed the file they had made on Red-X, and leafed through until he found where his past heists were listed, and what was stolen. He began re-reading it, hoping to gain some insight, or discover some detail that he had previously missed to clue him into how they were related, and where he might strike next.

"Re-reading that isn't going to get you anywhere, and neither is staying up all night again, trying to see something that isn't there" said a quiet voice from the kitchen.

"Raven?" Nightwing had started slightly at her voice, not expecting anyone else to be up. He was also startled that she practically read his mind. "What are you still doing up?"

Raven had grown as well, although she was still the shortest member of the titans at 5'3. She had also changed her uniform, from a leotard to an all black Kevlar bodysuit, and mid-calf black combat boots. Her custom blue cloak remained, as well as her belt. Mid-length black hair, with a hint of violet framed her face and was currently pulled back into a French braid.

"Well your insomnia has seemingly chosen to also keep me up, so I'm making herbal tea. How about you pour that cup of liquid battery acid down the drain, and I make you a cup as well?"

Nightwing scoffed, looked back at the monitors, and then down to the cup of black coffee in his hand. Knowing there would be no arguing with her, and also too tired to engage in a battle of words with Raven at this hour, he got out of his chair, and made his way across the living room into the kitchen. He handed his mug to her and leaned heavily on the counter, his biceps and forearms taking his weight.

"Sorry Rae. I was just finishing up something and then heading to bed myself, no worries" He said, staring down at the edge of the white tiled counter he was leaning on, not looking at Raven directly. He took off his mask and set it on the counter, his striking ocean blue eyes narrowed.

Nightwing had insisted on doing things differently than his mentor had with his team. Being open and honest about who he was by sharing his identity and his past willingly with his teammates, as well as suggesting they so the same with each other. Most of the members on their team had little to no family left, the Titans were a family some of them had never known, or could have even dreamed of having. Everyone on the team had been willing share, even Raven, who had learned the hard way after the incident with her father, that keeping secrets about your past will eventually catch up to you.

"Red-X has been increasingly active, and getting bolder. I'm just trying to find a pattern in his break-ins" Nightwing continued "and get ahead of him so we can put a stop to him for good."

Raven took his mug, and inspected it "I think it might be time to update your mug" She said, seemingly ignoring his comment. "You haven't been Robin in years, there's been two of you since then" She brought it up to her nose and sniffed. "Ugh, How do you still have teeth drinking this stuff, Grayson?" Raven grimaced, pouring its contents down the drain. "Who taught you how to make coffee? You don't use the whole bag with each pot, you know."

Nightwing rolled his eyes, looking at her and snapping out of his unfocused gaze. "You don't even drink coffee, it's supposed to be strong, that's how it keeps you awake"

"Well, you're lucky to still have a stomach lining." She said flatly, as she rinsed out his mug and filled it with steaming hot water and sugar "Here, drink" she commanded, as she dropped a silky bag with tea leaves in it, placing it on the counter in front of him.

The aroma of lavender, mint and vanilla wafted up to him gently, he had to admit it smelled much better than his previous cup of "battery acid." He gingerly took a sip

"Holy shit, that is delicious."

Raven smirked "I mix it myself. I get the leaves from a tea shop downtown. Which I think might also be a possible front for illegal activity. Whatever they're doing, their tea makes up for it. It's the only thing that calms me and tastes decent. Especially when certain people insist on keeping me awake with their restless thoughts and overpowering emotions at this hour" She said monotonously, raising her own mug to her lips, with an added glare in his direction.

Nightwing sighed, walking over to the kitchen table and sitting with his back towards his unorganized mess of files and piles of paperwork. He looked down at the table "I gotta figure this out Rae, it's my fault he's even out there. It's like he's always one step ahead of me."

"Someone sounds like they're getting a bit obsessed" Raven eyed him cautiously, walking into the living room to rearrange the unorganized couch cushions, and to throw away the many food wrappers left on the coffee table. "This is starting to sound like Slade: The Sequel"

"I'm not going down that road again, I promise. I learned my lesson. Take breaks, meditate, I can't save the world. I do listen to you" He said, raising his mug above his head without turning around to look at her in a mock-toast

Raven rolled her eyes and walked back into the kitchen, grabbing her mug "Yet here I find you, in the middle of the night, obsessing. Go to sleep. Goodnight, boy wonder" Raven's cloak swished as she turned away from him and left the common room.

"Night, Rae" Still sitting at the table, he was finding it hard to keep his eyes open.

"Damn, this tea is good" Draining the cup, he deposited the empty mug in the sink, intent on going to his room and falling into bed. He turned back to the monitors and open files on his desk.

Well….maybe one more flip through X's file before he headed to his room.

Nightwing walked back over to the pile of files from open cases and criminals they were currently tracking. However, the one he was currently looking for seemed to be missing.

"Damnit Rae!" Nightwing rolled his eyes. Raven knew him too well. Turning back to the door, Nightwing ran his hand through his hair, sighed, and headed towards his room, where he ended up sleeping the most soundly he had in days.

Reaching her room, Raven set her mug down on her nightstand, pulling out the file on Red-X she had levitated under her cloak. She smirked. Nightwing was going to be pissed. She had watched him pour over the case file incessantly over the last week, barely sleeping or eating. She had felt Starfire's worry and Cyborg's concern radiating off of them in waves. Changling had been decidedly indifferent, although he would make comments such as "Here we go again" and "Nightwing's most wanted!" whenever the subject of Red-X was mentioned. Raven decided it was time for her to intervene.

Raven sat the case file on her bed, and walked over to her closet to change out of her uniform. I really need to let Starfire drag me to the mall one of these days Raven thought to herself as she looked into her bleak closet. Ten pairs of uniforms, including a winter ensemble, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 jackets, sweatpants, one dress, and a handful of t-shirts consisted of all the clothing she owned on this earthly plane. She quickly changed into a hoodie and sweat-pants, and threw her uniform in the laundry basket.

Sitting on her bed, she grabbed her laptop from the nightstand, and opened the case file on her bed. It was time to give Nightwing a break, and see what she could find on Red-X. Syncing her computer up to the monitors in the main-frame (she was the best with computers in the tower next to Nightwing and Cyborg) she started going over video footage of the attacks in slow motion, re-living the break-ins and heists over again. Stifling a yawn, Raven took a sip of her tea, and prepared to be in for a long night.

Hope You Enjoyed Chapter 1!

Let me know what you think by reviewing!

-Wings