Chapter Five: Welcome to the Titans

One week after Red X's visit with Robin, the Titans also received a visitor.

It was about 11:00 at night on a Friday. Raven was reading, Starfire was babbling about a hundred miles an hour to no one in particular, and Cyborg and Beast Boy were playing video games. Little did they know that someone was outside their door, pacing around nervously.

"Hi, I'm Red X. You probably remember me from that battle we had a few months ago..."Red X shook his head, sighing. He took a deep breath. "Hey there, I'm Red X. I know you don't trust me at all, but Robin asked me to be your leader...no!"He sighed again in frustration. This was a lot harder than he had imagined. He finally took a deep breath, pounding on the door to Titans Tower. There were shouts, and then footsteps, and finally the door opened, slowly and carefully.

Red X gulped down all words when he saw Cyborg towering over him there in the doorway.

Cyborg looked down at him in silence, but he didn't have to say anything. His expression said enough. It one quick glance he let Red X know that he didn't trust, nor like him, and he had no interest in taking orders from him. And Red X wasn't too keen on trying to give Cyborg orders either...the only reason they were both standing there that night was because of Robin.

"Hey,"Red X finally managed to breath out weakly. Cyborg just nodded subtly, turned, and walked back into the tower. Red X wasn't sure if he was supposed to follow or not...but he knew he didn't want to stand outside in the cold, January air all night. So he entered. He could hear tense, hushed conversations from up the stairs. Great. He hadn't even been there five minutes and already they were talking behind his back. He sighed, trudging up the stairs as slowly as he could. Finally he reached the door to the living room, where all the Titans were. He braced himself, and pushed the door open...

There sat the four members of what was currently 'his' team. They were all turned to him, looking expectantly and hopefully. That is, all except Cyborg, who had his back turned, arms crossed.

"Greetings. I am Starfire."The tall, beautiful alien-girl Red X remembered from last time came striding over to him first, hand outstretch. Red X grinned a little. If this was his company, maybe he could get used to this job...

"Hey. I'm Red X...well, Robin for now, I guess,"I said. Starfire nodded, turning away a little. She was afraid to get too comfortable with him.

"I'm Beast Boy...I'm a shape shifter,"the small green-guy piped up, following Starfire's lead. He also seemed rather afraid to even step closer to Red X.

"Yeah, I remember you,"Red X said, nodding.

"I'm Raven,"the evil-looking, hooded girl concluded. Cyborg didn't even turn around. Raven seemed to notice the tension. And she didn't like it. She stood up, standing directly between Red X and Cyborg. "Look, I can tell you're not thrilled to be here, and you can tell we're not thrilled to have you. But there's a villain out there that we have to take down fast, and we were ordered by our leader to work with you. So we're going to make the best of this. Are we all clear?"Red X could tell this comment was directed more towards Cyborg than himself, but he nodded anyhow.

"I read ya loud and clear,"he assured her. Raven shot him a cautious look, then nodded herself.

"Good,"she said.

"So, I guess you guys'll be calling me Robin now, huh?"Red X asked, trying to strike up a conversation of some sort.

"Don't think that means you've become Robin,"Cyborg snapped threateningly. Red X backed off.

"Hey, I never said that,"he defended.

"Let's not act like children,"Raven growled.

"I'm going upstairs. We can start working tomorrow,"Cyborg muttered. And he was gone. Red X let out a deep breath.

"I get the impression he's not warming up to me any time soon,"he said.

"Cyborg did not wish for this to happen at all,"Starfire explained.

"He's just angry that Robin didn't choose him to lead the team,"Beast Boy said.

"He's angry because Robin chose Red X over him. No offense,"Raven said. Red X shrugged.

"I wasn't expecting a rowdy welcome-wagon,"he admitted. "But I do want you guys to know that I'm not here to take over. After we're through with this Jericho guy, I'm going right back to being Red X. I'm not trying to become Robin, or get rid of him."

"We know,"Raven assured him.

"Okay. Good,"Red X replied, nodding. There was a pause. "So...where am I gonna be rooming?" The others all exchanged glances.

"Oh, um...we did not expect that..."Starfire said.

"You didn't expect that I would be staying here?"Red X asked, confused.

"Honestly, no. We figured you'd want to get out of here as often as you could,"Raven explained.

"Man, you guys really didn't have high expectations for me, did you?"Red X said, a little offended.

"No, we didn't,"Raven replied bluntly. Well, at least she was honest.

"I guess you'll be in Robin's room,"Beast Boy finally answered.

"Okay then,"Red X said, nodding. There was another awkward pause. "Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow then."And he walked out of the room and down the hall to his new room.

"Friends...I fear this will not work,"Starfire admitted nervously. Beast Boy nodded silently, looking rahter nervous himself. Raven sighed.

"We'll just have to wait and find out,"she offered weakly.

"I miss Robin,"Starfire said softly.

"Don't we all..."