Disclaimer: don't own anything Teen Titan related, however I do own the name Rorex, the characters Francesca, Malthenor, Sirus

A/N: Alright peeps, here's the next chapter, and don't worry I'm not going to discontinue anything, I don't like doing that, it'll be like erasing a whole report for something important or something like that. Now about Raven's potion problem, don't worry it's getting there.

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Chapter 12: Contemplation of the Triple R's

"Please tell me that did not just happen," Rorex gazed on down the hall in shock, confusion and disbelief. Raven stood up with the cloak in her hands the faint smell of the angel's "pure" scent wafting in her nose. Robin stood just a few ways behind Rorex to the side still stunned from the earlier revelation. He watched as Raven turned to them, but looked directly to Rorex.

"Rorex, you have to tell us where we can find Sirus or Malthenor, you just have to know." She was almost pleading – key wording being almost. All he could do was shrug.

"I don't, remember I don't exactly get along with them."

"Then do you at least have a clue!" she glared and shouted in frustration, "Whoever that was just made off with the book and I don't think he just took it to borrow it for a day!"

"Well then what the hell you looking at me for then? Where the Malcoraz family lives is not really my top priority of things to know." He shot back defensively Raven rolled her eyes.

"I don't believe this! I don't believe you!"

"What's not to believe?" Rorex growled not liking the way she was taking everything out on him, sure he fucked up royally a few times, but that did mean she had the right to shout at him, "It's not my fault the jackass got away."

Raven gave a look of insult and disbelief, shaking her head and holding up a finger to him she glared, "Are you implicating that the reason the book was taken was because of me? Get the facts straight X I'm not the one who's job it is to guard the goddamn thing."

"I'm not saying it's because of you! I just – you know what fuck it," Rorex shook his head and looked away, his gold eyes shining with much pent up stress and frustration, "the damn things gone, okay we can deal with that –"

Raven growled, "We can not deal with that X! You already told us the damage it could do –"

"And," Rorex interrupted, "it cannot be carried out unless the caster is fully healed and strong enough to handle the powerful spell. If I'm mistaken chuckles over here must have literally ripped Malthenor a new one for the amount of blood I'm picking up from him. Ain't that right? Bro?"

"Just stop it X," Raven holding up her hands to emphasize her point, gave him a stern look, "shut-up altogether will you please. I have enough of a headache as it is."

"Well excuse me for living."

The two stopped their exchange of words and stood to just glare at one another heatedly. Neither noticing Robin just walking back into the infirmary to lie down on one of the beds the information from earlier still is sinking in, unbelievable. He was related to Red X, master thief, criminal, and most wanted around the country. He was related to Malthenor, psychotic whack-o out for his head just because he was some kind of abomination. Damn, Thanksgiving was going to be awkward if they all lived to see that particular holiday.

Robin closed his eyes and tuned out Raven and Rorex's arguing, still completely and utterly baffled by this new turn of events. Honestly, he couldn't lie to himself, he never saw it coming … all this time, he was a tie to two feuding families and he never even felt anything as close to an angel as his mother supposedly was. Either his father – which would be Francesca's and Rorex's father as well – was strong enough to even conceal his angelic blood, or it wasn't his time to let that side of him free yet.

He brought a clawed hand to his face and stared at the destructive tools that not only aimed to kill once, but twice and both were of his blood relatives. Man, was that fucked up or what? No one, not even Raven he thought would have ever anticipated he'd be something of that great importance. After all, he was the key element in this grand scheme of sorts. Without him there would be no taking over the three worlds.

Which had him wonder as he brought the hand back to his side to stare up at the ceiling. If man is in between the lines of good and evil, able to chose whether to take the path of righteousness and have great rewards, or the path of evil and chaos and have eternal damnation. Why is it that he was a devil, supposed evil and hellish manipulator of man able to cross over and be an angel? Yet being an angel he was able to again cross over and become the most deadly creature in all the worlds.

Where did he stand on the fine line of good and evil?

Was there even a line any more?

Pure was impure, good becomes evil, saints become sinners and angels became demons.

Impure was pure, evil becomes good, sinners become saints and demons became angels.

A never-ending cycle proving to the close minded that there was no fine line to cross. In fact … there just wasn't a line at all! How come there be a line if a devil could love, care, protect, and nurture their families and loved ones. Or if an angel could have no remorse, no guilt, no feeling at all with murder, blood and pain. The truth of the matter was, when they say good is good and evil is evil that is what the close minded think.

Good can be evil, it's just the way you look at things.

Evil can be good, it's all in what others think.

No one person had the same thought and value on what good and evil really were. It was all in the mind, just like everything else was. The way you see life is the way you see your morals and values, ethics if you will. Right now, Robin was having a hard time thinking straight for he was once again lost in himself and so emotionally and mentally stressed that behind the mask his eyes closed and he felt himself drifting to sleep. Silently without a word he let the darkness consume him and he was out like a light.

Raven burst into the infirmary ignoring Rorex as she looked to the bed with Robin on it and stopped short her anger and frustration dieing to calm and patients when she felt he was asleep. Rorex came up behind her and about ready to give her another verbal beating when he to looked to see Robin catching some much needed Zs. Closing his mouth he huffed and whispered, "This isn't over."

She shot him a glare and he did the same, but she back handed him weakly on the chest before just pushing him to the side also in a low voice hissed, "Like I'd let you off the hook that easily. We still have to find where that low-life went. Thief, hey X you're like him, where do you think he'd be hiding?" dripping heavily with sarcasm, she gave him a smug look as she walked to the side of Robin and checked his temperature to see if he was still well.

Normal, if not a tad bit too hot for humans, it was natural for devils or angels to have high temperature readings, and it means they're healthy. Smoothing way his ebony spike hair Rorex scoffed at her caress and walked out the door. Never admitting that he was envious of Robin for having her trust … however with everything that's been happening he'd be surprised if Robin even trust her anymore. If not, how did Raven feel about that?

Rorex didn't even have to think or ponder about that thought. It was so obvious that she was blaming herself for everything that's been going on and though he wanted to tell her it wasn't ever fault … some how … it just didn't seem like words would do it. Talk is cheap, that's all there is to it. Words were just words, but actions spoke volumes. He had learned from his mother the secret to reading into body language and picking up clues to whatever a person was feeling.

It wasn't hard, and though Raven may pride herself in hiding her emotions, Rorex read her like a book through her body. She wore them out on her sleeves with the way she moved and acted, it was her way of showing her emotions without actually showing them.

So what he picked up out of habit by reading her movements, he knew she was shameful and desperately sorry for betraying her leader … her friend … his half-brother … Robin. Boy did fate have a cruel sense of humor. Pulling out the crimson vile and tilting it back and forth as he watched the liquid slush laughingly at him. He could hear the gods up above laughing at him and his predicament.

He cared for Raven, which he was so suddenly sure of, but not quite so sure on where the feeling came from. All he knew was that he cared for her, deeply, but he wasn't going to think any deeper than that, too afraid to touch on the subject it was leading to. It was scary territory and he wasn't about to exploit it out, it was just too delicate and doubtful place to linger. Nope, he already made one mistake, and that was getting too close. No need to dig an even bigger ditch then there was already.

However with what Raven had commented earlier, about the "low-life" and thievery Rorex had an idea where the book might be … but the only problem was that the place was in angelic territory, the north side of Jump. If the book was there for safe keeping until Malthenor healed then it might have been in the heart of the north. Stuffing the vile back into place in his pocket he growled low and headed up the main room. North Jump, heart of Angel Territory … it might not be there … too conspicuous, then again it was also the safest now that it's not in the tower any more. Glancing at his watch he saw that it was already 3:04 in the morning, Francesca and mostly everyone in the tower was asleep.

Raven was with Robin – he scoffed at that thought – and he was all by himself in the main room in Titan Tower with the Silver Raven keys right in his pocket. His claws tapped thoughtfully on this thigh as he stood and stared out the window to the city. Tempting was the idea … duty was the motive … and knowing he'd be taking Raven's car was the fun of it. Granted she'd kill him if he came back unscathed, but at least he'd have the book in his hands and his brother's – he cringed at that thought – life still intact.

He could do it.

He knew he could without a hitch.

He'd been sneaking in and out of the North Side for spying info for the Underworld, it was a snap so what made snatching a book sketchy? It was because of the fear for Raven actually falling asleep. He could have been gone and she'd just sleep her life – literally – away. Rorex knew he couldn't let that happen, but the book was his heritage, his right and job to protect.

Then came the question: what was more important, the merging of three worlds and Robin's control, or saving a single – no Raven's life.

Rorex growled and clawed the counter now that he was sitting on the stool to think. Now this is exactly the reason why being a hero just irritates the hell out of me, too many damn problems and not enough roads to take … what the fuck do I do now?

"I do hope you're thinking of a way to return the Nol Verses," looking up to see Raven coming from the hall where he had came from, or where the infirmary was. With a straight face and graceful moves even in a pair of dark blue jeans and a black tight shirt and wicked looking heels that looked like the toes had steel in them. Rorex took the time to observe her movements as she sauntered over to him with her expressionless face.

She was just like back at the mall, when she showed her confident, cold, and untouchable self. Her steps never faulted, her eyes never flickered when she looked at him this time, she kept it locked and even as she took a seat next to him she seemed to be challenging him. He broke their look and looked across to the wall, "Thought you were tending to blunder boy's needs."

"I let him sleep," Raven shrugged and followed his gaze to trace the patterns on the wall, "he needs it more than you …"

X sighed and ran a clawed hand through his hair feeling the tangles from neglecting it for a long time. Not much for style – okay maybe now and then, Rorex just didn't feel the need to care. Closing his eyes tightly then opening them up widely he blinked and few times to wake him self up. He may have been a devil, but that didn't mean he needed rest ever now and again.

Raven yawned and though he may have been fascinated with her lack of concealment showing off some pretty impressive fangs. He tried to suppress the thought out of his head that the lengths of a female's fangs were usually the key point to look for when finding a "satisfying" mate. But hey, he was still part of the male species, nothing and no one was ever perfect. After wards when she closed her mouth and shook her head trying to wake up the same as he.

That was when he frowned slightly, wake up … that's right, she still had that little poison running in her body. How was he going to give it? Maybe through Robin – he stopped that thought the moment this one came into play: giving him the potion to give to Raven would mean having to tell him that she was hurt then he'd have to suffer death from a raging half-brother. Nope, the odds weren't in his favor this time … when were they ever?

"Do you believe me?"

Rorex raised a brow, snapping out of his distant thoughts; he turned to an equally distant Raven who had laid her head tiredly on the counter using her arms as pillows. She stared straight a head and all Rorex could respond to that was, "About what?"

She sighed and closed her eyes, for a moment Rorex held his breath praying that she wasn't going to fall asleep, not yet. Turning her head so the side was resting on her arms she got herself a bit more comfortable. Relaxing her shoulders she opened her eyes and with her round violet orbs stared up at his golden amber coins. She had a tired yet, extremely curious look as she gulped and looked away to the table, "Do you believe what I said? About Robin being your brother?"

Oh, that … Rorex shrugged and leaned an elbow on the counter resting the side of his face on the palm he looked down at her and tried not to reach out and remove a strand of her violet locks when they fell around her face. The strong urge to just stare at her forever and never look away washed over him. She just seemed so … fragile, yet so … so … so Raven. There wasn't any other way to describe her, she was simple, yet so complex, beautiful yet dangerous. Like the perfect, priceless prize all thieves strive to steal however could never quite get to.

Her heart had the perfect security system that he even couldn't quite get around without setting an alarm and getting hurled back out to start all over again. Granted she was already hot and he couldn't keep trying to snatch the same thing or risk getting caught, first rule of thievery. Once hot, lay low and stay low for a very long time until the whole thing blows over … but he was Red X, he didn't exactly play by the rules.

They were more of a guideline for him any way.

How could you call yourself a thief if you tipped toed about and played it safe?

At least that was what X thought … whatever anyone else said were all their, own words. It didn't matter to him, so in that one thought he reached out and with barely any contact at all moved the offending tendril and watched as she sat up and giving him a look. Great, more questions I can't answer, come on lord give me a damn break all I want to do is help, I'm not a freakin' hero, but at least I'm trying. Not for anyone else, but just for my sister … and possibly Raven … but that's a totally different story … Robin got dibs on her long ago, she's so obvious with it.

Looking away sheepishly Rorex sighed, "Sorry … and yes I do believe you … not that I like it, but it's all right there in my face."

"Is it that hard to accept?" leaning against the counter she looked him over and studied his expression, troubled, frustrated, and sad all rolled into one. Geez, now she understood the reality of all the people that wear masks, it was hard for them to keep a stoic expression like her. It was the eyes; it was always the eyes that gave people away to her. That was why she sometimes got so frustrated with Robin, because every time she wanted to know the matter she couldn't read his eyes for they were always covered. Then when she'd try to read his mind and aura he'd suppress them and block her out completely.

It was like he was scared to let her in, but whenever it came to Stafire, now that was an interesting tale. He'd completely open up, drop almost all his barriers to her and be kind, sweet, gentle, and patient. At first Raven thought it was because Starfire was naïve and needed guidance, but Raven knew better, hell Starfire knew more better then she let on. The alien girl was just too innocent for this world, just too trusting and caring that it even scared Raven to let her go on her own.

However, the point was that Robin – even if he could confide more to Raven then even Starfire, Starfire was the one that he really let himself loose with. Now to Raven, she wasn't going to deny or lie to herself about his ways with the girl, but she just couldn't help to feel sort of like she had to compete with the alien. Here she was dark, gloomy, always in the shadows, push-me-the-wrong-way-and-I'll-blow-your-brains-out kind of girl, then there was Starfire.

Bright, fun, carefree, sweet, innocent, and drop dead gorgeous! Now how the hell was Raven gonna' compete with that? Every time she thought of it she always shook it away as trivial emotions and meditate. It was useless to compete over one's heart, if it wasn't meant to be then so be it. Let it go and when it comes back then keep it. That was her motto of thinking … but with the term "it" that "it" was always suggestive, but she'd always push it back to think of "it" as something other then what it was suggesting.

Confusing, no?

Not to her, she understood it and that was one of the more reasons she kept telling herself it was Stafire that Robin should be with. What could she possibly have to offer? She wasn't a model, Cover Girl material; she wasn't the all around good girl that everyone could look up to. Starfire was everything she was not, how could anyone see her as a partner? Okay, really not helping with the self-esteem here Raven, stop thinking about useless things and stay on track, you have to fix what you've caused before anyone else gets hurt.

"Look, if it's any meaning to you … none of this is your fault, never was, never will be, and I guess I'm still kind of trippin' over the fact I'm related to chuckles, heh." Rorex chuckled and Raven ignored the last part, glaring as she replayed what he said in her head.

"What do mean?" she shook her head, "this isn't my fault? X, If I hadn't have lied, if I hadn't have let you into my room that night, sheltered you, and –"

Suddenly shutting her mouth when he pressed a finger to her lips giving her a firm scolding look he pulled it away once he was sure she wouldn't start again as he spoke. Calmly, softly and with great patients, raven had to wonder if it was all his years with Francesca that shaped him into who he was now, "No one's to blame … and besides, what's done is done, there's nothing we can do to change the past. If there was, lord knows I would have gone back and slapped myself in the face for not figuring it all out earlier, and stopped you from … from, getting hurt the way you did."

He seemed genuinely sorry, really for real sorry, and Raven furrowed her brows in disbelief. This couldn't be Red X, and she was right, for the first time she was actually seeing all of the supposed ruthless thief. "Well then," she paused for a moment to gather up her thoughts, "If that's all you can say it's not working for me. Sorry X, but I don't do pep talks."

Damn this girl, she so fucking difficult! Rorex swore under his breath as he growled and jumped off the stool, "It's not a pep talk, it's the truth – and don't roll your eyes at me, everything I'm saying now is all true."

"Now there's something new," Raven snorted and stood up along side him following as he made a straight bee line for the exit, "Where do you think you're going?"

Looking over his shoulder her replied, "I'm going to track down the angel that took my book. You can come or you can stay, though I'd greatly prefer the later."

"You know where it is?"

"Not exactly, I just know where we can start looking."

"Okay, well, just wait one moment I have to leave a note for Robin."

At the mention of his half-brother's – he cringed – name he stopped and turned to glare at Raven wonder why she was suddenly so determined to let the kid in on everything. She kept him hidden from the cross breed, why was she suddenly so up on now letting him know everything that was happening. It just irritated him and wondered how an independent like Raven can just rely and answer up to another. Really, Raven will never seize to amaze him as she flew through out the main room hunting for a pen and a piece of paper.

She found them and began to scribble down a note, "Where are we going?"

Crossing his arms in front of his chest in a minor pout he shrugged, "North Side, why are you even going to bother with a note? He's dead to the world."

Clicking the pen she put it away and glared at him as she folded the paper, "Because it's not only for him, but for the others, like it or not I'm still a Titan and Cyborg never Okayed my leave of the infirmary. So there."

"Whatever, just hurried it up I don't have all –" stopping in mid-sentence when she walked right passed him to the exit he turned and followed, "I thought you were going to give him the note?"

"I did, what?" she gave a smug look, "Forget that I had powers already?"

"Seeing you sleeping for three days straight does things to people," Rorex shrugged and they headed to the garage towards Raven's Mclaren. Taking the keys out of his pocket and unlocking the doors with the remote. It gave off a few beeps signaling the right to enter, he headed to the drivers side. He was almost there when Raven suddenly materialized through the ground in between the car and him with a stern look and her hand stretched out for the keys. Getting the message instantly he shook his head, "Nah-uh babe, I got a billion reasons for you not to be driving this car and your current state is one of them."

Raven glared, "Current state? What the hell are you talking about? I'm fine."

Rorex gave a dry look, "You call getting stabbed in the gut then laying in bed for three days fine? Geez, I hate to know what your definition of perfect is."

"Don't give me that, and give me my keys I got one reason for you not to be driving and it's way more serious then me." Raven snapped, Rorex raised a brow.

"Name one," he challenged, and Raven held theior gaze as he hand shot out and grabbed the wrist Robn have slashed. He yelped in pain and shock then jumped away to land a top of the T-Car far from her, clutching his wrist in pain the keys he had dropped where now on the floor and in Raven's hands. Growling and glaring he bared his fangs at her, "You play real dirty you know that."

"You done acting like a frightened kitten? Get in." yanking her car door open and getting in she left the door open as she put the key into the ignition and started it up. Revving the engine a bit, Rorex jumped down and strolled stiffly to the passenger side with a pout he shut the door and shot a side glare to the smug looking Raven.

"You know you really should let me drive," Rorex scowled as Raven closed her door and gave him a quizzative look.

"Why? So you can joy ride and poke holes in my car? I don't think so."

Turning forward she waited for the garage door to open, Rorex dreaded it as he tried to once again to reason with her while she turned the wheel to straighten out the tires, "North Side is angel territory, your reckless driving will not only get us in big, but will alert everyone to know just who we are. You're gonna' get us killed."

Like before, when she had driven them to the mall her attitude towards things changed, she was more reckless, but in a very scary calculating way. You could just tell she knew what she was doing, yet hated it as well as find it impressive. Side glancing him she smirked and gripped the wheel acting like an anticipating racer waiting for the green light Raven sighed, "Don't worry, unlike you I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Just don't do anything stupid," Rorex muttered, then gulped and was jerked back when Raven pressed the gas and the wheel burned rubber as she took off like nothing. The screeching and screaming tires were the only last sound that was made before all fell quite again in Titan Tower.

However that didn't mean the noise didn't wake anybody up. Robin, in the infirmary who had just dozed off, shot up from the loud sound and pounding of his head. With a growl he looked around for the person that dared to wake him up only to fine that across from him on the door was taped a message. This better be good, he snorted and jumped off the bed heading for the note he ripped if off the wall and read it once.

Pausing in mid-write up he re-read from the top to make sure he wasn't going crazy:

Robin,

Please understand that X is our last hope for saving thousands of innocent lives and sparing yours. If you're reading this then that means I have gone with him to the North Side of Jump for answers, I would very much like it if you would stay at the Tower and rest … you need it. I'm sorry for all the grief I've caused you, but I promise you I'll make it right, all I'm asking of you for now is to stay, you've been through enough because of me …

Raven

P.S. Robin, I'm begging you not to follow us, if you do then you might get caught and increase the chances of Malthenor gaining control over you. So please, just trust me this once and stay.

He read it, and blinked bringing the paper down to his side, he let her last words replay in his thoughts, So Please, just trust me this once … Robin could vividly imaging her saying those words to his face with her pleading violet eyes. Sure she didn't show her emotions, but that didn't mean he couldn't read her. She was so easy, and this note showed him she really was concern for his safety and she made an excellent point.

Though, he dropped the note and headed out the infirmary, jogging down the hall to his room with a determined look on his face he grabbed an extra utility belt and communicator, then headed to the garage. Grabbing his helmet and yankit it on, he hopped on his cycle getting ready to leave, I promised to always protect you Raven, though I know this goes against everything I believe in, because of what you've done. I'm not going to hold back promises … I never have, and you are especially no different. Without any delays he tore out of the tower heading to North Side Jump, not sure how he'll find her, he just knew he had to be there, a strong sense of dread chilled up his spine.

Raven grimaced when she felt a sudden sharp pain in her head. Shaking it and concentrating on the road, she gulped when she saw her vision getting fuzzy then returning to normal. The pain in her head was sharp, like something had literally stabbed a knife into the back of it, or grabbed a blunt object and ruthlessly treated her head like a solid baseball intent on making a homerun with it. Then before she knew it, it all went away. Huffing she blinked and her vision stayed the same, Weird … was her own thoughts, but shook it off and continued to steer.

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Alright, moving along, just do what you people do best and review, if not than at least you read it right?

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