AN: SECOND CHAPTER HERE. I REALISED THAT TO OWN THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY I WOULD HAVE TO OWN MARVEL AND DC, THEREFORE, I DON'T. NOTE TO SELF: MUST STOP SPENDING ALL MY MONEY ON DC COMICS AND APPLY MYSELF TO SAVING UP FOR A BETTER COMPUTER, ONE THAT DOESN'T RUN ON WINDOWS 95.

Chapter two- of explanations and unfortunate decisions.

Silence fell on the Professors study as he said the name of their former friend, ally and teammate. Although they had had to accept Rogue's betrayal, it was still difficult for them to hear or even think about their loss. It was always hard to lose a friend, but when that friend has saved your life and your sanity on several occasions, sometimes at the risk of her own life and sanity, it becomes next to impossible. After a time, Batman broke the silence,

"Tell me more about this Rogue."

It was an order and not a question, but some of the younger members of the team gave the protector of Gotham dark and resentful looks anyway, they didn't understand how he could be so purposefully blind to their torment. Batman's stare was implacable and they soon looked away. No amount of righteous indignation could protect a person from the Bat glare. The professor sensed Batman's impatience and said,

"Rogue was an X-man with amazing power and potential. She was actually a member of the Brotherhood when her powers first developed but joined us shortly after. Her powers are deadly. Any moment of skin to skin contact with her then she absorbs your life force, your memories and your skills. Until recently, Rogue had no control over her powers and could only avoid human contact completely. She recently gained control over her powers without any explanation. She can now touch people without automatically absorbing them and can manifest powers that she has previously absorbed. After she gained control, Rogue returned to the Brotherhood. This leaves us with a dilemma, as the number of people she has absorbed and their powers and knowledge makes Rogue very near to an immortal."

The seven visitors digested this information and, after a while, Nightwing spoke.

"Have the Brotherhood taken any action yet against you?"

The professor shook his head,

"No, they haven't made any moves yet. However, I get the impression that they are planning something big"

This time it was Robin who asked the question,

"Would there be any way for someone to get into contact with Rogue without being immediately connected to this institute?"

The professor considered this for a moment before he answered,

"The Brotherhood are still attending school so you could contact them there. However, with Rogue's absorbed telepathy, it would be very difficult to convince her you were not in contact with us."

Robin spoke up then,

"I know how to create mental shields, and I am working on utilising my powers on a smaller scale to give me other people's powers whilst keeping my body. Also, Raven could come with me and make sure that nothing strange seems to appear in my mind."

Batman considered this,

"That seems like a good idea, two new students, say, siblings, would be less suspicious than two new students who weren't connected to each other would. You have proven yourself able to work in a group situation without endangering your aims."

Robin seemed pleased with this comment, if the fact that his face relaxed enough to prove that it actually was made of flesh and blood, and not stone was a sign of pleasure for him. He ignored the others and went deep into thought for a moment, before speaking again,

"It definitely could work, one of us would have to be older as two of us in the came year would cause questions. If we were to say that we were coming to visit our older cousin whilst our parents were on a world cruise and had to keep up with our studies, that could alleviate any questions about why we were starting late."

Then Jean decided to make a comment,

"You won't need to think that far ahead, if we get a new recruit here then they start when they arrive, nobody really asks."

Robin nodded,

"That's a good point, but Rogue might make the connection between our arrival and the institute. It won't help her trust us if she thinks we're spying for you. It is also crucial that we fit as much as possible into our personae, for example we would have to set up Nightwing with a house and history for us to use. It is also essential that you don't recognise us at school. There is to be no connection between us. As far as I am concerned, I am not doing this for you, I am doing it as a favour for my cousin and because I am interested in what Rogue's motives were, I find her an intriguing character."

Nightwing rose from his chair and said in a professional tone,

"I'll get into contact with Oracle and see what she can set us up with."

The older vigilante slipped smoothly from the room, moving gracefully as he always did. The door shut almost silently behind him. Jean stared at the six remaining in the room, it was hard to believe that they were in fact in a room with The Batman. Even in Bayville they had heard of Batman and his proteges. Despite all the things they had seen, the idea of Batman was still of legendary proportions. The efficiency with which he and his team worked was amazing. They were so competent and seemed to consider all possible consequences of their actions.

In the back of her awareness, she could hear the professor and Batman discussing the details of what was to happen. It was only when she looked up to see the masked countenance of Robin that she realised that the meeting had ended. She coloured and rose from her chair. Robin held out his hand and she took it, still blushing slightly. The young vigilante bowed slightly and escorted her to the door, she couldn't help it, and she laughed slightly. She stopped quickly, fearing she might have insulted him. She looked up, to see him smiling slightly. That was enough to set her off, she laughed and laughed, soon the young shapeshifter chuckled slightly, which seemed to be quite an excess of emotion for him. When she calmed down he said,

"I was told that the Titans and I were to meet in the rec. room to talk, I was wondering if you could show us where to go."

Jean nodded,

"Oh, sure, do you mind if we join you?"

Robin agreed,

"Sure, it would probably be better if the two teams got to know each other."

Jean smiled slightly; finding she was blushing again, this young man had her off her balance like nothing else ever had. It wasn't that she found herself attracted to Robin, it was just that she had never met anyone as intense and driven as the young superhero. She doubted that it would ever be anything more than a slight attraction, but there was something so magnetic about the young man that she didn't doubt most of Bayville would fall for him. She gestured for the young members of the x-men to follow her as Robin peremptorily gestured over his shoulder for the Teen Titans to follow him. The four followed him out of unquestioning obedience and the young mutants shrugged and rose to follow after them.

Jean felt slightly self-conscious as she led the others to the rec. room. She was constantly aware of Robin's presence by her side. She knew that Robin was establishing her as his equal in the eyes of the Titans. She was honoured that Robin saw her as the leader of the x-men, but she was nervous that she would fail to live up to his confidence and that the Titans would not respect her. Also she was nervous that Scott might be upset that Robin did not see him as the leader of the x-men. It wasn't that she was worried that Scott might be upset, it was just that the friction would disrupt their work and she wouldn't put money on Scott in a fight between him and Robin. (AN: you can just feel the denial). No matter how interesting watching the two fight would be, the two teams couldn't use the conflict between. Therefore, the telepath was very glad when she reached the rec. room and held the door open for the two teams.

The hooded girl, who Jean assumed was the mysterious Raven, was the last one to enter. Jean followed in behind her, shutting the door with her telekinesis as she went. She sank onto the sofa next to Scott and looked around the room. Evan was leaning against a counter, drinking milk from the carton. Kurt was hanging upside down from the chandelier, eating popcorn. Kitty was lying on her front on the floor, on the sofa next to her, the strange girl with red hair and orange skin was resting in a similar position. The green one was slouched in a chair, seeming to be plotting a prank of some kind. Raven had retreated to a chair in the corner and was sending death glares at anyone who approached. Cyborg seemed to be examining the large TV in the corner. Bobby was sending hopeful glances at Robin every so often.

The young leader of the Titans and partner of Batman stood with his back to them, looking out of the window. After some time, he turned back to face them. He then stood and looked at each of the x-men for a long time. Evan grew uncomfortable and began to shift from foot to foot. Jean attempted to scan his brain to find out what he was planning, but his mental shields were as impenetrable as ever. Scot periodically lifted his hands to touch his glasses whilst Bobby unconsciously began forming shards of ice in his hands. Kurt actually stopped eating popcorn. Only Kitty seemed unfazed by his scrutiny, either that or she was oblivious of it.

Robin stalked over to the counter where Evan stood and lifted a large chocolate cookie out of a jar by the milk-dependant mutant's elbow. He took the cookie and lounged in one of the large armchairs in the corner. He ate the biscuit quickly and tidily, making sure not to drop a crumb on either his uniform or the furniture. When he had finished the biscuit he finally turned his attention back to them. After some time of his staring at each of them, he finally spoke,

"I suppose it would be best if we started with more personal introductions."

The way he said it, it sounded less like a suggestion and more like an order. The x-men exchanged glances; they had already introduced themselves in the professor's office and didn't know what else he would want to know. They were not quite sure how to act around this boy who couldn't be older than them and was younger than some of them. But, despite his relative youth, he carried himself with an air of authority that was impossible to miss. He saw their confusion and continued,

"We know each others powers but we know nothing else. It would be much better for teamwork if we knew more than that about each other. For example, if we were to know our pertinent backgrounds then we will work better together. If one of you would care to begin the introductions."

Again, the way he worded it made it a command and not a request. After an unspoken consensus all the x-men turned to Scott and Jean to begin the introductions. Scott turned to Jean, shrugged and began the introductions.

"My name is Scott Summers, I'm a senior at Bayville High. Um… I like Oasis and R.E.M. and that kind of thing. I'm going out with Taryn Fujioka. I… er… was quite close to Rogue when she was here. My parents died in an aeroplane accident when I was younger and I grew up in foster homes. My brother is called Alex Masters and he lives in Miami with foster parents. That's about it."

Scott started his introduction off fine, but when it came to talking about his parents he became increasingly uncomfortable. Jean sensed this and quickly began talking after him,

"My name's Jean Grey. I'm also a senior at Bayville. I like most music. My boyfriend's Duncan Matthews, he's captain of the football team. I'm captain of the girls' soccer team. Rogue and I weren't particularly close, but she saved my life once when she was first with the brotherhood and then again when my powers went crazy. Scott's boyfriend is my best friend at school. My parents and sister live in Manhattan. Rogue and I were in the Bayville Sirens together and we got quite close then."

When Jean had finished, she gestured for one of the younger x-men to introduce themselves. As Kurt, Evan, Kitty and Bobby introduced themselves, the telepath returned to her study of the strangers. It was then that she realised why Robin had made them wait so long before beginning the introductions. He had been unsettling them, so that he had the advantage of their distraction. He was very cunning and obviously didn't have any qualms with manipulating people for his own advantage.

When Bobby had introduced himself, she turned her attention back to the conversation, interested in the history of their guests. The green changeling was the first to introduce himself and Jean quickly tuned him out as she got his measure. It wasn't really him, the Cyborg or the naïve alien girl she was really interested in. It was Robin and the dark one called Raven. There was something about these two that reminded her a lot of Rogue and she wanted to find out what it was. She didn't really have to listen to the other three as she could always find out what she needed to know from other sources.

When the first three had introduced themselves, the entire room turned as one to the final two. It appeared not even the Titans knew much about these two mysterious team-mates of theirs. Robin and Raven exchanged glances, as neither seemed to want to share their history. Finally, Robin spoke,

"Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to share my history as I am not only hiding my own secrets. And, Raven's history is exactly that, Raven's. If she wishes to tell you about it she will do so when she wants to and not before. If we are finished here, Raven and I have to go shopping for school clothes. It is essential that you do not recognise us when we are at school so we will not look anything like this when we arrive on Monday."

Raven shot Robin a grateful glance, as her history, particularly that concerning her father, the demon Trigon, was not one that she wanted to share with people she hardly knew. At that exact moment, the door swung open and Nightwing stepped inside. He smirked at the others and turned to Raven and Robin,

"Oy… Boy Wonder, Raven. We have to go shopping and I have to tell the two of you all about your new identities and your much-loved cousin, Shane."

Robin couldn't help it, he laughed,

"Shane… Sh.Shane? That's classic. I never really saw you as a Shane, Nightwing."

Nightwing flinched slightly,

"Hey… It's the best that Oracle could do on such short notice. Anyway, you're not one to talk, Drew."

Raven shuddered slightly,

"If you tell me that I'm supposed to be masquerading as a Kylie then I will have no compunctions about ripping both your arms off and shoving them up your ass."

Nightwing shuddered,

"I wouldn't doubt that you would do that. But you don't have to worry, fortunately Drew and Shane are the only ones with the terrible names, Jaina."

Raven sighed with relief and then turned quickly back to Nightwing.

"Hang on, I have to go to school?"

Nightwing snorted,

"Yep, both of you are off to Bayville High, Oracle's already had you registered. You'll be in classes on Monday."

Raven stared at him,

"I have never been to school in my life. I don't intend to change that fact now."

Nightwing smirked,

"Sorry, Raven, you'll just have to start now."

Raven fumed and Nightwing continued,

"You two also have to come shopping with me now, to make sure you have the right things for your persona."

Now Robin stared at Nightwing as well,

"You mean, that not only I have to go to school, but I have to go shopping, with you?"

Nightwing smirked,

"Yep, now we have to be off to the mall. Oh, and Batman's orders, no backing out."

Robin paled even more,

"Batman says I have to do this,"

Nightwing nodded, Robin was out of the chair within three seconds. Raven arched an eyebrow and went to join the other two. The three then left the room, leaving a group of very confused mutants and some equally confused vigilantes. After some time, Kurt turned to Kitty and said,

"Vell, that vas interesting,"

Kitty nodded slightly.

***********************************************************************

When the three exited the rec. room, Nightwing gestured for the other two to follow him out. When they had left the mansion, they saw a black convertible sitting comfortably in the driveway. Robin practically drooled; he turned to Nightwing and asked,

"Where on earth did you get this?"

Nightwing preened himself for a moment before he answered,

"This one isn't mine, this is yours. That one is mine."

The other two turned as one as they saw the silver Ferrari that sat patiently behind the convertible that Robin had identified as a Lotus Elise. Robin turned back to his older brother as he asked,


"Let me guess, Bruce is funding us on this one?"

Nightwing nodded,

"Yes, we have full access the Wayne fortune."

Robin could only stare. After a time, Nightwing grew bored and hit him on the back of the head. When Robin had stopped rubbing his head and turned to face Nightwing, Dick tossed him a set of keys and opened the door of his Ferrari. Robin morphed back into an outfit of black cargo pants, a black cashmere polo neck jumper, black Doc Martin's and a black trench coat, topped off with his piercings and tattoos from earlier. He turned to Raven and she followed him into the car.

When Nightwing had roared out of the drive, Robin turned back to Raven and said,

"So, what do you want to listen to?"

Raven gaped at him for a moment and then saw that he was gesturing towards an array of Cds in front of her. After some consideration, she pulled out Marilyn Manson's 'Holywood' album. She passed it to Robin who shoved it into the Cd player and then slammed on the ignition. As the opening chords of 'GodEatGod' thrummed from the stereo, Raven decided that perhaps school wouldn't be too bad.

********************************************************************

When the Lotus and the Ferrari pulled up outside of the Bayville Mall, Raven had grabbed hold of part of the car and was refusing to let go. Robin jumped out of his side and dashed round the car to grab hold of Raven's leg and start pulling. Raven held on stolidly, saying in a deadly voice,

"I will go to school, but I am not going shopping. That is final."

Tim smirked slightly and tugged hard on Raven's leg. Raven found her fingers slipping from the hold they had been in, she started sliding from the car. After a few seconds, Raven sat in a heap on the ground of the parking lot.

She rose gracefully to her feet, dusted herself off and straightened her hood. She then turned on her heel and stalked into the mall. Dick and Tim raised their eyebrows at each other and followed her in.

Tim noticed that Dick had found some time to change, for Nightwing now was out of his uniform and was wearing dark jeans and a green cashmere jumper. Tim raised his eyebrow at his predecessors amazing ability to get changed in seemingly impossible lengths of time. He eyed his own clothes and contemplated Raven's hood, yeah, they really looked like a family. Sighing, he entered hell, otherwise known as the Bayville mall on a Saturday afternoon.

Raven stopped stock still in the entrance of the mall, coming to a halt so abruptly that Dick almost walked into her. Tim managed to halt before he walked into Dick and they stopped to look at Raven, trying to work out what had upset her so much. Raven raised an arm and the other two looked in the direction she was pointing, she just managed to croak out,

"What… is… that… thing?"

Dick cracked up laughing when he saw where Raven was pointing, so it was left to Tim to explain the joys of Victoria's Secret to Raven. Apparently they didn't have bras or thongs on Azerath. He took a deep breath, he had faced psychos, monsters, the Joker and the worst Gotham had to offer, he could tell his friend what a bra was used for.

"Jaina, they are bras, it's a form of undergarment that women wear here."

Raven stared,

"Why would anyone wear that?"

Tim almost choked,

"I'm not exactly sure, they just wear them. It's fashion."

Dick was now having trouble breathing for his laughter. Tim hit him over the head. After Dick had composed himself slightly, the three set off into the jungle, I mean, the mall.

Tbc.

AN: SLIGHTLY SHORTER CHAPTER THIS TIME. HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE UP ABOUT THE SAME TIME NEXT WEEK. THE NUMBER OF REVIEWS IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE LENGTH OF UPDATES, THEREFORE, IF I GET MORE REVIEWS, YOU GET MORE STORY.