Disclaimer: I own nothing.

While this chapter focuses mostly on thoughts and feelings, I promise it picks up later. I'm working on editing chapter 4. Maybe it'll be up tomorrow. I had fun on my computer yesterday. ; )

Chapter 3

The two of them silently followed their captor, neither knowing what was coming next and each trying to think through what was going on carefully, wondering what in the world was going on that would cause Red X to kidnap them in the first place. Probably the most dominant of questions running through the two teen's minds was why the self-centered theif had only taken the two of them and nobody else. While these thoughts were swirling around in their already overwhelmed minds, they were also trying to figure out where they were, for goodness sakes! Everything was cement and there seemed to be no fresh air whatsoever. As unenjoyable as they suspected the mission would be anyways, this sure wasn't a good first impression.

They soon entered a room, though, that was the source of the cool air that they had felt earlier, and boy was it something! Both Titans' raised their eyebrows in surprise. For someone who professed to "only be looking out for number one" he sure was living pretty well, with televisions and computers everywhere. Doubtless he had lifted them from somwhere while they were busy with other, more "world-domination" type villains. Still, they weren't going to argue when their captor offered them use of her showers, for they were soaked in sweat and thus quite uncomfortable.

Raven made use of the facilities first, at the request of her teammate, of course, for his sense of chivalry would not allow a lady to be uncomfortable while he took advantage of such things. Besides, he wanted to talk to Red X alone, for he had a feeling that he would be able to get more information in such a way, anyway. Waiting until he could hear the water running in the other room, he confronted the person now wearing the very suit that he had created not too long ago. "What's going on that's so bad that you can't handle yourself?"

The theif turned too talk to the boy face-to-face, or in this case, mask-to-mask. Though no expressions of emotion escaped the mask, X's posture and body language told the Boy Wonder that this was no laughing matter. "Kid, you of all people know how dangerous xinothium is; do I really have to say more? As much as I hate to admit it, that doofus has potential to become a great enemy to you and your team, even if he doesn't yet have the smarts."

There was no point in arguing with that statement, for it was altogether too true. Truthfully, in one of their more recent encounters with the "doctor", he had felt the effects of that suit- the painful effects, that is. Were it not for one of their newer friends, Kole, he would likely not have made it. With xinothium powering a suit with that much power, it could prove to be an even bigger threat than, say, Brother Blood! (Not Slade, of course, that man was always going to be at the top of his list.) "I won't argue with you there, but why only the two of us?"

The annoyance was evident in Red X's voice as he answered. Doubtless he preferred not to talk, another similarity between the two of them, but Robin wanted answers and it was apparent that the boy would not stop until he got them. "Look, I wasn't planning on taking that chick over there. After you were out cold, I was about to get out of there, but she knocked on the door. Said something about that green kid playing with your toys again, don't quite recall. Anyway, I didn't need anyone else after me, and seeing as you weren't in any position to answer the door and keep her off my scent, I took her with me. Besides, there's no harm in a little extra help, is there?"

Robin nodded to acknowledge the question, though his own were still rampaging through his head, and he wanted to voice them before his colleage returned from the showers. "Makes sense. Why'd you kidnap us, though, I wonder? We would have helped you anyway." Well, maybe he wasn't being too truthful there, for they might not have been so willing to listen had they the choice not to.

"I think you probably know the answer to that. You and your code of honor about not dealing with criminals? I didn't expect you to listen of your own free will, do you think you would have?" he said, voicing Robin's very thoughts. Sometimes, he thought, this guy is too much like myself. It's almost surreal, almost like I'm talking to myself. Almost.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but he was distracted when Raven walked down the hallway, her leotard clean once more and her cloak draped over one arm and she squeezed water out of her dripping hair. "Your turn," she said, motioning him through the doorway. Reluctantly, he obliged, at least he would be clean now, though he wished he could have gotten more information.

Raven was no worse than Robin, pelting X with question as soon as Robin could no longer overhear anything. The first to roll off her tongue was one that, surprisingly, Robin had not asked, "What did Doctor Light do to you that made you so anxious for help?"

Nothing like the other one, is she? Right to the point, she is. Wonderful, I've got two of them on my hands, he thought to himself before he answered. "That's classified information, girly." Truthfully, he just didn't feel like talking to the girl right then.

"First of all, don't call me girly. Second of all, if I'm going to help you, you're going to share any information that you have. We'll need it," she answered, her eyes lighting up in black energy as she spoke, leaving him a bit unnerved for a moment, though you could never tell through that mask.

"Fine. Most of the time, he just stalked me, but then when he took my xinothium, he started regular attacks on my old place. Why do you think the entire outside is concrete of my newest home? I don't enjoy the heat, thanks, but it keeps my enemies out and my guests in. Let's just leave it at I had a few close scrapes and I'm lucky to still be here, alright?" he replied, his tone a bit edgey.

It's so hard to deal with this guy. He's too much like the old Red X, Robin. Neither likes to talk about any losses they've had. Maybe I'm imagining all these connections, but it's still getting hard to deal with. "Alright."

Robin emerged not too long after, his hair back up in those trademark spikes and his towel draped over his shoulder, its colors contrasting brightly against the black colouring of the cape. He cooly set it down and looked at the two of them. "Well, are we going to go after him or not?" Always business and never please, he was. Sometimes it bothered her, that side of him, but she had learned to live with him.

"Of course. Why don't you lead us out?" X replied, no doubt smirking behind the mask.

The two of them walked out first and into the bright sunlight. And there was Doctor Light, waiting in ambush for who had thought would have been Red X.