"Man, what a night," Beast Boy muttered as he trudged up the stairs.
"At least we got a list of everything they stole." Robin put in.
Cyborg grinned. "Yeah, and I'm gonna start analyzing those robots first thing in the morning."
"Cyborg's excited about his new toys," Robin joked.
As the three of them walked down the hall towards the living room, they heard a good deal of giggling and squeaking. Walking in to find the source of which was none other than the normally so reserved Raven, who was being mercilessly tickled by Jinx.
"I give up!..Heehee stoppit!"
"Say uncle!"
"Uncle uncle uncle!"
"Now say Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers!"
"Peter..p-pip..no fair!"
"Say it, or I'll tickle you to death!"
"Nonononononononono!"
Robin cleared his throat loudly. "Um, guys?"
Raven gasped and sat bolt upright, trying to fix her hair while turning bright red. Jinx peered at them over the back of the couch. "Hihi there! I was just havin' a little fun with Ravy here. She's sooooooooo ticklish."
Robin shook his head and tried to hide a smile. Ravy? "I take it you're spending the night here?"
Raven replied breathlessly. "Y-yeah, her clothes were soaked and it's really bad out, so I thought..." She trailed off embarassedly. Beast Boy growled and stomped to his room.
"That's fine," Robin said. "You're welcome to stay here, Jinx."
Cyborg turned to leave. "I'm gonna hit the hay, dude. Night everyone."
Robin stretched. "Yeah, I'm about ready for bed, too." He took a few steps toward the door.
"Robin, wait." Raven got up and rounded the couch, smooth serenity once more except for the slight flush in her cheeks. "I wanted...er, we wanted to ask you if Jinx could join the Teen Titans."
Jinx hopped over the couch, adding, "I'm tired of hiding all the time, and surviving from crime to crime and being poor and starving inbetween. I'm sick of getting tossed in jail." She ran her fingers through her messy hair. "I admire what you guys do, the way you look out for everyone and each other. I hate living by looking out for myself and taking advantage of people. Please, I really want to be a titan." Wow, did I just say all that? But it's all the truth, isn't it. Being a criminal sucks, and I do admire how they stick up for each other. I really do wanna change, especially for her.
Robin appeared a little surprised by this speech. "I can't make a decision right now without getting everyone's opinion. How about we bring it up tomorrow morning?"
Raven and Jinx agreed, and they all went to their respective bedrooms, Raven and Jinx both going into Raven's room.
---
Jinx turned in a slow circle, examining the room. "Ooh, the inner sanctum of the dreaded Raven, feared by criminals the world over. Who knows what dark secrets reside in its hidden recesses? Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Only the Shadow knows!"
"You don't have to keep proving your insanity, you know." Raven smirked. "I'm sure everyone that knows you is quite sure of it."
But Jinx had bounded into the closet and was now rooting through Raven's clothes. She emerged wearing one of Raven's cloaks with the hood up. "Look at me, I'm Raven! I'm scary and I like pie!" She started bouncing on the bed. "I can fly around and I say magicy words like bathroom mat meatball sub dingoes! I--oof!" Raven slammed her onto the bed, holding her fast with her powers, then climbed on top of her.
"You're asking for trouble." The effectiveness of the threat was dimmed due to the smile plastered on Raven's face.
Jinx looked at her slyly. "Whatcha gonna do, spank me?"
Raven sighed. "No, you'd like that too much." She sat up and released Jinx from her psychic hold. "Put it back, please."
The pink-haired girl tossed the cloak back into the closet and put her arms around Raven from behind. "Sorry if I'm being annoying. I'm still really wired."
"Don't apologize." Raven twisted to look at her. "I'm just worn out."
Jinx flopped backwards on the bed. "Then fallest ye into mine arms and let me ease thy sorrows, light of my heart," she declared in her courtly voice.
Raven lay down next to her. "You can be really sweet when you're crazy."
"That's me!" Jinx declared, flinging an arm on top of the psion. "A sweet and cuddly little toxic angel."
"Mmm, you're more of a sugar demon," Raven said as she pulled the blanket over them.
"I like that! Can that be my new nickname? I'll be the sugar demon and you can be my Ravy."
"Whatever you say, sugar demon..." Raven slid close, pressing her lips lightly against Jinx's. The kiss firmed up quickly, leading to more intense kisses. She tastes like sugary chocolate, Raven mused. Not surprising, but it suits her. Raven started kissing her way down Jinx's jaw to her neck. Jinx moaned softly as she started nibbling.
"Come on, bite harder," Jinx urged. "Leave a few teeth marks." Raven complied, sliding a hand up Jinx's chest to squeeze her breasts. Jinx gasped as pain blended sweetly with pleasure. She ran her fingers through her lover's hair, breathing hard. The purple-haired empath explored the contours of Jinx's chest, thumbing her nipples erect. Raven then reached her hand below Jinx's waistline, caressing the silky triangle. The sugar demon's hips started gyrating against the touch as Raven slid two fingers inside her. Her moans rose in intensity as pleasure spread through her body. Raven responded by rubbing herself against the other girl's leg, sending ripples of pleasure through her body.
Damn, this is so much better than I could have hoped for. She's fucking me! And it wasn't nearly this good when I pictured it earlier. Not even close. Jinx's thoughts cut off as she felt her climax approaching. She clutched Raven's back, arching off the bed and moaning. Her movements drove Raven's teeth further in, and Raven tasted salty, metallic blood before pulling away. She felt herself climax seconds after Jinx did. Jinx shuddered as the spasms subsided, and lowered herself back onto the bed, as Raven buried her head in Jinx's chest with a contented sigh.
"Did I bite too hard? I think I drew blood."
Jinx laughed. "Nah, a little bleeding's what separates good sex from great sex." Actually, I just made that up, but I loved that biting.
"So, does this make us...um...girlfriends?" Raven lifted her head to look at Jinx.
"We did just fuck like a couple of lesbian weasels, so if you wanna be..."
"I think I do."
Jinx pulled her up for another kiss. "Then it's official. We are a couple." Raven smiled and snuggled closer. "Ravy?"
"Yeah?"
"I--I love you."
"...I love you, too."
---
"Particle accelerator, gene sequencer, nanobot designs, and navigation software. What's the connection?" Robin paced back and forth, reading the list over and over again. He had read it so many times that morning he could nearly recite it from memory. Still, he kept reading it, trying to determine why the robots had taken the things they had. Starfire watched him pace, trying to figure out why it was central to thinking. Beast Boy sprawled on the couch with the latest issue of Game Informer, since Robin's pacing was blocking the TV.
At the same time, Cyborg was disassembling the robots, looking first for some kind of manufacturer's label on any of the parts. The robots were fairly advanced, but their most noteworthy feature was their armor. As the Titans had discovered last night, it was incredibly resistant to any sort of damage, yet it was light and somewhat flexible once removed. "Whoever built these guys sure knew what they were doing," Cyborg muttered to himself as he worked. "No identifying marks other than the crest on the front, generic components and construction...I don't know if I'll be able to trace their source from their design."
Upstairs, Raven came out of her room a bit later than usual. She had been so comfortable she overslept, and Jinx was still asleep. Raven slipped into the kitchen to make herself her morning tea. Noticing Robin poring over the list of stolen goods, she walked over to the couch to observe. "You're gonna wear a hole in the floor."
Robin looked up from his pacing. "I think there's a pattern in what those robots took from Wayne Industries, as if someone was going to use them all for one purpose." He handed the list to her. "What do you think?"
Perusing the list, Raven replied, "Well, they're all experimental technologies, and..." She pursed her lips. "...they'd all have applications in colonizing another planet."
"Really? How so?" Robin cocked his head to the side.
"Navigation software to find a suitable planet, gene sequencer to store genetic information about plants and animals, nanobots to build the colony, and the particle accelerator...could be a power source." Raven shrugged. "It's just a theory, though."
"It is a sound theory," Starfire chimed in, "as my people consider similar technologies necessary for building colonies."
"Who'd wanna colonize another planet?" Beast Boy wondered.
"The theory makes sense, but there might be other reasons, too. And we have no idea as to who or why." Robin said. "We need more information."
Cyborg entered the room. "You're not gonna get much out of those robots," he stated. "They're too generically built for me to figure out who built them. The only thing exceptional about them is that armor."
Robin shook his head in frustration. "I guess the only thing we can do is keep our eyes open for them."
Jinx stumbled into the room, still in pajamas and with her hair sticking out in numerous directions. "Hey guys, did I miss breakfast?" She started canvassing the kitchen for something to eat.
"Oh, yeah, that reminds me." Robin said. "There was something I needed to get everyone's opinion on, but since it's Raven's suggestion I'll let her explain."
Raven stood and faced her teammates. "You all know by know that Jinx and I are friends." Beast Boy snorted, provoking a glare. "She wants to turn over a new leaf and give up crime. I trust her, and I believe she deserves a chance. What I'm asking is for Jinx to join the Teen Titans."
Starfire clapped her hands together. "Yes, Jinx will be a worthy addition to our team."
Cyborg scratched his head. "She did help us fight those robots, and if she really wants to change, it's only fair of us to give her a shot."
Beast Boy remained silent. "Beast Boy, what's on your mind?" Robin asked.
Shooting a dark look in Jinx's direction, he replied, "I don't trust her. Nobody goes from bad to good just like that."
"Raven has placed her trust in Jinx." Starfire placed a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder. "If we are truly Raven's friends, we must have faith in her judgement."
"Remember what I said the other day?" Cyborg added. The green changeling nodded grudgingly. "It'll be fine, man."
"...Okay, Jinx can join."
"Then it's settled," Robin smiled as Jinx wandered into the room, munching from a box of cereal. "Jinx, welcome to the Teen Titans."
Jinx's jaw dropped just before Starfire swept her up in a bone-crushing hug. "It is so good to have you with us, new friend Jinx!" Jinx made feeble gasping noises as her face started turning blue. Starfire released her embarassedly. "Sorry, I forget my strength at times."
"That's okay," Jinx managed to croak.
Cyborg clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome to the team, bad luck charm." Jinx grinned at her old HIVE nickname.
Raven walked over to Beast Boy and tried to make eye contact. "I really appreciate you giving her a chance, Beast Boy." Giving him a brief hug, she added, "Thanks."
Beast Boy blushed at the attention, his anger fading. "Uhh, sure. No problem," he mumbled.
"So, Jinx. Do you want to live here at the tower, or do you have your own place?" Robin wondered.
"Well, I have an apartment, but I'm broke so I can't stay there." Jinx said sheepishly. "Do you guys even have spare rooms?"
"Plenty," Robin answered. "We can help you move in, too. Hang on a sec and I'll get you a communicator." He dashed off.
"We must have a celebration tonight in honor of our new friend!" Starfire declared, flying circles around the room. "A welcoming party!"
"A party doesn't sound so bad," Cyborg said. "We haven't trashed the place in a while. Kinda feels like we're overdue."
Robin returned as Cyborg was saying this. "Here you go," he said as he handed Jinx her communicator. She stared at it in awe. "Now, what about trashing the place?"
Starfire and Cyborg began bombarding Robin with party plans, and soon Beast Boy was caught up in the excitement. Jinx cradled the communicator in her hands. This is really cool, she thought. I'm official. I'm a Titan!
"It's not going to break from you holding it," Raven commented.
Jinx grinned. "I keep thinking this is all just a dream, and I'm going to wake up any minute."
"Trust me, it's real." Raven took Jinx in her arms. "As real as my feelings for you."
"Aww, Ravy, you're making me blush." They were suddenly aware of the silence in the room as everyone looked at them oddly. Raven turned red and dropped her hands.
Starfire floated over. "Raven, are you and Jinx, as they say on Earth, 'gay'?"
Raven's face made sunsets look dim, and Jinx felt color rising in her cheeks as well. Jinx took a deep breath before answering, "Yes, we are."
"And might I add that it's rude to ask someone that directly, Star." Raven said, trying to regain her composure.
Starfire looked abashed. "I apologize for my rudeness. But this is wonderful! Tonight I shall prepare a Gathnrap for you!"
"Which is...?" Raven arched an eyebrow.
"It is a traditional Tamaranean marriage feast!"
Jaws dropped around the room.
"M--MARRIAGE!" Raven and Jinx sputtered. Beast Boy and Cyborg erupted in laughter, and Robin tried valiantly to hold his back.
Starfire blinked repeatedly, trying to figure out what she had missed. "Have I misunderstood?"
Raven took a deep breath. "Well, kinda...let's just say that marriage is...not exactly involved here."
Jinx giggled. "Hey, I think it's not such a bad idea." She dropped to one knee in front of Raven. "Oh Raven, will you marry me?" She grabbed the box of cereal she had dropped. "I don't have a ring, so here's a Cheerio." Raven stared at her in a state of flustered shock. Beast Boy and Cyborg had just barely recovered when this happened, and seeing Jinx hand Raven a Cheerio drove them over the edge again. Robin failed to hold back his laughter this time and wound up rolling on the floor with the others. And Starfire just stood there, completely baffled.
---