OOC: Haha, I do believe most of you shall like this chapter.

"Where's Raven?"

"Still in her room."

"It's been all day."

"I do hope our friend is okay..."

"I'm sure she is Star, probably still sulking."

"Beast Boy, can't you turn into a fly and go in?"

"I tried. She sealed the door with some spell or something. I can't get into her room at all. It's like she's keeping us out on purpose."

"She hasn't come out for anything not even to eat or to take a-"

"We get it, Cyborg."

"Well, what are we going to do?"

"Give her until tomorrow morning. If we can't get in, then we'll try something else."

"What if something has happened to her? I cannot forget Malchior..."

"I know, Star, I know."

"But Robin, what if-"

"We'll get in her room tomorrow. But tonight I want to let her relax. She'll come out. She always has before, hasn't she?"

"Yes, but-"

"Raven has a temper, we all know that. And we all forget it sometimes. We forget that she's easy to upset."

"Dude, what are we supposed to do? Treat her like glass?"

"Yeah. Its like we can't do certain things around her, like she'll explode."

"I'm not saying we're wrong. I'm not saying she is either. You guys have to admit, she's different. And it seems like we're not used to her yet, even if she was one of the first here."

"How are we supposed to become used to her?"

"Yeah. When we try to get to know her, we nearly kill ourselves."

"But you still succeeded, did you not?"

"Robin, its easier for you because she's been in your mind and all. You know her better than us. She actually likes you."

"I understand her."

"No one can understand her."

"I believe I am feeling the bad for talking of Raven so behind her back. She is indeed our friend."

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"We wait?"

"We wait."

"Til tomorrow?"

"Til tomorrow."

"Til tomorrow."

"Well, I guess the proper thing is to say goodnight."

"Whoever said you were proper?"

Raven looked at him carefully. The apartment had a back room which he had kindly offered to her. In a quick decision, she figured sleeping in the front room would be best, she could slip away if need be without awakening him. A thin blanket and a shabby pillow rested on the couch, waiting to be used for whatever warmth and comfort it could provide. Raven had eaten only a little, finding that to be substantial. Her nerves were racked, her stomach didn't seem to be doing too well as she still recovered from the rape attempt.

"Good point."

"Thank you."

That's how they always seemed to talk, politely, calmly. In the past three hours as it darkened they spoke very little. Raven had found a place to meditate in while Red X worked on one of his gadgets at a table. Silence didn't seem to occupy the room, as the whirs and cracks of the tools on the hardware and Raven's chanting were more than enough noise. And though it was not silent, Raven didn't mind for once.

Raven's eyes went to the clock. Nine thirty eight. Hardly bed time, especially for someone who had a four hour long nap.

"Is it just me or are you not tired?"

Raven glanced back at Red X and shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"Well if you're not tired what's the use of going to sleep?"

"I've meditated enough, especially with being in that trance."

"Maybe we could just...talk..."

The words shook through Raven suddenly as she recognized the meaning. Not only that, but had those words not been spoken to her before by a beast called Malchior?

"About what?"

"I don't know... life in general I guess."

Raven could have laughed, a slight chuckle escaping her. She sat cross-legged on the couch as Red X took the chair across from her.

"You know, the voice-changer gets annoying."

"I know."

"Why not turn it off?"

"Its habit. I still don't want to show my face, not even to you.. its my 'secret identity.'"

Raven shook her head in mild exasperation. "Well, what shall we talk about?"

"Why are you a Titan?"

"Because I'm not a Villain."

"That doesn't really make sense."

"I want to do good things, so I'm a Titan. Why are you a villain?"

"I'm not. I'm a thief. I don't kill, I don't torture. I steal what I need and that's it. Nothing more, nothing less."

"A priceless jewel is something you need?"

"Mother's Day gift."

"How thoughtful."

"I know."

Raven bit back another laugh. Red X was amusing to talk to, much more amusing than a Titan. "Next question?"

"Umm... how about this. What's the most embarrassing thing you ever did?"

"Isn't that supposed to be a secret?"

"Well..yeah.."

"Well then why tell you?"

"Good point."

"Thank you again."

"You're welcome."

Red X laughed. "What an interesting conversation this is. I have no idea what to talk about."

"Neither do I."

Raven laughed slightly, unsure of what she was doing. But simply looking at Red X's mask made her chuckle.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, but there are times when that mask just looks so funny."

"I'm sure... Maybe if you're nice eventually I'll take it off."

"Maybe? Maybe if you do I'll have my eyes burnt out of their sockets."

"Maybe you'd be surprised."

"Try me."

Just as she had thought, Red X slid his hand at the neck and slipped off the mask, shaking his head to ruffle his hair and looking at Raven. "Well?"

Raven's jaw nearly hit the floor but was quickly pulled up to her chin as she stared at him. Shaggy brown hair rippled to below his ears, falling in a tussled manner giving an impish appearance, matched with tanned skin from days spent outside. Large blue eyes watched for her reaction, his lips pulled into a soft smile, not quite a smirk but close to it. In other words, he was gorgeous. Starfire's eyes would be popping from her head right now. Aqualad was nothing compared to this guy.

"Have your eyes burned yet?" His voice was beautiful, deep and smooth like silk, rich and full of life. She wondered what he would sound like laughing.

"...no..."

"Hmm?"

Raven glared at him, turning her head away for a moment before turning to look at him. "You're okay, I guess." She wouldn't give him the satisfaction os her saying yes. No way.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"If you want to."

Red X smiled and placed his mask on the ground before reaching out to Raven. "For a formal meeting? Call me Red."

"Raven."

"Nice to meet you, Raven."

"Same to you." Raven reached out and took his hand in a firm handshake, smiling softly. It had been a long time since she had smiled, since she had showed a form of affection such as hand shake. Her hand quivered slightly at the touch.

"What shall we do now that we are introduced?"

Something gleamed red in Raven's eyes for a moment as reality struck. That moment of compassion felt like a smack in the face- she was sitting here with a thief, a person the Titans would do anything to destroy. She had left the Titans. A daring feeling overtook her. Suddenly she felt restless- wanting to get up and move, do something.

"What's wrong?"

"Why don't we go out and do something."

"Like what?"

"I don't know... What do you do for entertainment?"

"Umm..steal things. Or else normal everyday things."

The red flashed again. An image appeared in her mind, a smiling red-claoked girl, four red eyes gleaming. A wave of hatred suddenly overtook her, hatred towards the Titans in a furious wave making her long for spite and revenge.

"Well then, Red,lets go out and cause some excitement."

Red grinned. "Dressed like that? I don't think so."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "What is wrong with the way I dress?"

"Nothing. But a T-shirt doesn't raise much fear."

"Fine. Then, lets go get the.. What do you call it, the 'Five Finger Discount?'"

He laughed. It was so melodious, spine-tingleing with grace and poise yet somehow it was difficult for Raven not to smile at the sound of his laugh. "Now you're learning."

"I'm a quick learner."

"Good."

The best way to get back at the Titans, to prove how much they needed her, was to be that which they hated, a Villain.