Chapter Four: Proposition
That night, Robin insisted on having his window left open. He claimed he needed the fresh air. But that wasn't really the reason.
He sighed, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath of clean, fresh air from outside. He hadn't been outside for at least a week now. He couldn't wait until he got the wheelchair...
"Well?"He grinned to himself as he heard the very familiar voice of his old enemy.
"Hello, Red X,"he greeted, opening his eyes. Red X stood near the window, cautiously. He wasn't sure what Robin wanted, and even though Robin lay before him, obviously disabled, Red X still took every precaution necessary. That was a good sign.
"What did you want?"Red X demanded softly from the window. He stood, silhouetted against the light of the moon outside.
"I need your help,"Robin explained. He couldn't see Red X's face, but could imagine his expression.
"Help with what?"Red X asked. He was interested. This was also good.
"There's a new villain who calls himself Jericho. He's very dangerous, and he's on the loose, somewhere out there,"Robin began.
"He the one that messed you up like this?"Red X asked, finally seeming to acknowledge the fact that Robin was injured.
"Yeah. He's Slade's son, and he's here to avenge his father's death. He's insane, and he's violent,"Robin continued.
"What, you want me to fight the bad guys for you? Sorry kid, this is your problem, not mine,"Red X snapped. But he stayed. He was still interested.
"The Teen Titans can't go up against Jericho on their own, without me. They need a strong leader who can go with them, take my place, and take down Jericho,"Robin explained. Red X stood where he was, staring straight at Robin.
"Do the others know that we've been keeping in contact?"he asked suddenly. Robin stopped. He hadn't been expecting that one.
"...no. They don't know. They...still consider you an enemy,"he admitted.
"Oh, this just gets better and better..."Red X sighed, turning and walking to the other end of the room.
"Look, I'm asking you for a favor. I need your help, Red X. And this isn't something I say to you with ease. It's true, you are currently still considered an enemy to the other Titans, but I know that you can take my place. You're strong, smart, quick...you can help them,"Robin told him. Red X shook his head, still turned away from Robin. But he hadn't left yet. This was very good.
"Look kid, I'm real flattered, but there is no way you can actually expect me to do this. You trust me, but the others don't. And they won't. I can't be the leader of your team, find someone else."He started to move back towards the window...
"I created you, X. Red X came from my mind, and mine alone. You may be wearing the costume, but everything you are right now is what I made. And the others trust me."Red X stopped, turning back to Robin now. Robin took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was about to say. "I'm coming to you in a time where I'm left helpless. And this doesn't happen very often. The only other people I've ever asked for help from were Bruce Wayne and Batman. I've put more thought into this than anyone could imagine. You are the only one who can help us in this situation. Right now there is a dangerous, psychotic villain out there, and you are the only one who can help us stop him. I know you're not that selfish deep down. You're a thief...but you're not a criminal, Red X."There was a long pause as Red X stared at Robin intently.
"You seriously want me to do this, don't you?"he asked.
"No. I need you to do this,"Robin replied. Red X was taken aback by that. All of this was too unbelievable. He and Robin had been keeping in touch since their first encounter, apparently unknown to the other Titans. Robin trusted him, and he had asked him for small favors before, like helping him get codes and keys and specials passwords. Little chores. But this was big. Robin was actually asking Red X to fill his place. Take over. Become Robin. He didn't know if he could handle it...but then again, Robin had said it. He needed him. The least he could do was try to help, right? He sighed.
"All right. I'll try it. But if things don't work out, I'm bolting, got it?"Red X asked. Robin nodded in understanding. Red X headed for the window...
"Thank you."Red X turned back for a second, as if to say something...then he shrugged, and leapt from the window. Robin waited until he was gone, then grinned. This just might work after all...
I hope this cleared up a little bit on why Robin trusted Red X so much. Thanks for all of your reviews, they've helped a ton! I went back and pretty much changed this whole chapter after hearing some of your comments. Thanks again, I hope you continue reading! Oh, and I'll try to get a little Red X/Starfire in there...