Sorry guys, I've lost my touch. (And now you're thinking, 'what touch, your story sucks to begin with.') I tried to update, but...I just wanted the next chapter to be good. So, you have the honest truth, this probably sucks. But I hope that you'll review anyways! :D

Rhythmic. Lulling. Every time I tried to open my oh-so-heavy eyes that continuing rhythm pulled me back under sleep's wonderful embrace. I felt warm, comfortable, and safe, something I haven't felt for a long time, especially since my arrival on earth. And that's exactly why I froze. I was instantaneously conscious of the way I was moving up and down. Gradually my eyelids grew lighter, and what I saw and felt made me blush. I was lying haphazardly on top of...

Blinking, the events of the night before flooded back into the recess of my mind. Moving my head, I stared openly at Jason's face as he slept. As my eyes appraised his features, I couldn't help but blush. Up close, he was devilishly handsome, and I felt even more warmth flood my cheeks as I remembered where exactly I was.

Silently, I cursed. That was two people I owed, and I had no idea how I was going to pay them back. And the fact that the man I had been sleeping with had been only a gentleman to me was no help. Hell, I was Raven, the toughest of all of the titans, and I had probably looked like a weakling to him out there fighting against those damn Russians. Though, truthfully, it wasn't my fault, it was that stupid bracelet I was wearing's. I shifted a little, letting out a sigh, and realized that his arms were wrapped around me, and vice versa. If I had thought that my blush couldn't get any darker...

Embarrassed, I moved slightly, only to feel arms wrap tighter around me, the man somewhat beneath me stiffening. His eyes stayed closed, but I noticed a look of panic break through his normally calm and collected façade.

"Who are you?" My brow furrowed as he said this, wondering why on earth he didn't remember.

"It's me you idiot." His bottle green eyes flew open, boring into mine. Fear was embedded in them, dissipating only a split-second later, making me second guess whether or not I had seen it.

"Oh," He sounded relieved. Why had he been so frightened? Did he have something to hide? "Hey." Breathing in deeply, he unwound his arms from around me and carefully slid off of the small bed. I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

"What time is it?" I averted my eyes as he shamelessly stripped his white cotton shirt, digging around in his bag for a clean one. Not that I was looking long enough to find out just how 'defined' he was...or anything. Oh yes, the ugly puke green wall was just as exciting. Not that I thought that muscles were or anything. Yep. Muscles are so boring.

My mind wandered back over to thoughts of his skin. There had been a glimpse of something...More than one something, all over on his body. Now that I thought of it, there had been upraised marks on his body, not tattoos, but...Scars?

"Uhhhuhhhh." He shrugged.

Unable to help myself, I glanced behind me quickly, just in time to see him pulling his arms through his black short sleeved T shirt. The light filtering through the dingy window reflected off of something hanging around his neck, mesmerizing and taunting at the same time. From what I could see, there was a small silver chain circling his tan neck...

I blinked, eyes wandering up to his face. His black hair was disheveled, but in a way that it still made him look attractive. His emerald eyes connected with mine, and it was then that I realized his lips were moving.

"Raven." The sound of my name disturbed my reverie, and I tried my best to keep my face plain and devoid of emotion.

"What?" I asked, annoyed. He had that stupid smirk on his face again. Though, this time, there was a sort of crypticness to it, as if the smirk went deeper, like he knew something I didn't.

"Maybe you should...I don't know...Get ready or something." Inwardly, I rolled my eyes.

"I don't have any extra clothes dumbass."

"Hey, you be nice now. I saved your life." I rolled my eyes as he said this, but couldn't help but acknowledge that it was true.

"True. And I never did thank you. So...Thanks." Surpisingly, he chuckled and once again began to dig through one of his seemingly bottomless bags. Hesitantly, I stood, walking over to him and wondering what the heck he was doing. After a moment, I decided to voice my curiosity.

"What are you doing?" I reeled back as he suddenly stood up, shoving something long and grey into his pocket before I could see what it was. He swiveled, bending down and pointing a finger at me. His grin was wider than the Cheshire cat's.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Well, yes, actually, I would, seeing as I asked." He let out a short laugh before turning towards the door.

"Never mind that," Jason paused, his hand already wrapped around the golden doorknob. "Go take a shower."

"But I don't have any—" He swung the maple door open, half stepping into the hallway, and lifted a hand to cut me off.

"Don't worry about it; I'll take care of it." The door closed, and that was that. I marched over to the other door and yanked it open.

Shedding my clothes, I leaned over into the surprisingly clean white shower, turning the silver handle to hot while quickly checking once more to make sure that Jason was, in fact, gone. Making sure that the wooden door was securely in place, I stepped into the hot water's inviting grip, letting it roll down my back and get rid of my knots. He would have to be gone for awhile, right? I mean, it's not my fault I sing in the shower, it's just kind of...Relaxing. It just happens. I don't know, maybe it was the way I was always feeling...Or maybe the fact that the song just clicked into my brain, but the lyrics began to flow from my mouth like the stream of water that was running down my back. I couldn't help it. Music is bliss, and it's like I can escape from reality when I'm thinking or listening to it.

Suddenly, a loud banging noise in the other room startled me. I must have lost track of time. Quickly turning the crystal handle and throwing a towel on, I hopped out from behind the curtain, only to hear clapping coming from the other side of the room.

Cautiously...I opened the door a crack. My bags were sitting on the floor a few feet in front of the door. A sigh of relief exited my lungs as the old wood swung back on it's hinges, and frowned. Jason hadn't been gone long...

Someone cleared their throat, making me jump. Turning to my left, my heart leapt into my throat.

"Hey Angel. Nice, uh...Outfit." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What are you doing here?" That might've come out a little harsher than I wanted it to.

"Well, I heard a song on the radio and it reminded me of you." I rolled my eyes and pointed towards the door.

"Get out." Of course, he didn't hearken to my words.

"Don't you wanna know what song?" A look of complete and unadulterated horror crossed my face as, before I could respond, he began to sing:

"I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine..." Before he could get any farther into the first stanza, he broke into a round of laughter, and it didn't help every time that he looked up and saw my frozen expression. He might actually have sounded halfway decent if he hadn't had the voice distorter on. I put a hand to my face, hoping to rub my weariness away. This was a side of X that I hadn't seen before. It was different than his usual cocky routine.

"Now, what was that song that I heard you singing in there?" He cocked his head to the side. I blushed.

"None of your business. Now you can either tell me what you're doing here, or leave." Without having to see it, I knew that he was grinning.

"There's nothing wrong with singing in the shower. I do it all the time."

"I honestly don't care what you do in the shower, X. But I would very much appreciate it if you wouldn't stalk me."

"I bet you don't." I choked on the air that I had just sucked in, before reaching down and grabbing a pillow from the bed and chucking it at him. Of course, he caught it, taking a step towards me. "It's not stalking Angel, it's called returning lost articles." I squinted at him.

"You went through my stuff didn't you?" He snorted.

"You may think I'm low, but I'm not that low. Besides, I needed to confirm something." Slowly and deliberately, he strode towards me. I cautiously stepped backwards, matching every move of his, until I hit the doorframe and ran out of room. My eyes widened as he loomed in front of me. Slowly placing his hand on my arm.

"What?" My voice came out more breathy than strong. This wasn't going to be easy.

"You still owe me, right?" Eyes searching his mask, I tried to think of why this was so important at the moment.

"Yes..." I said vigilantly, waiting to see where exactly he was going with this. He bent down, his head next to my ear, while gripping my right hand in his.

"Good. Meet me at the Duplex Club and Café at ten." Taking a step back, he did a once over of me, causing me to shiver involuntarily. "And wear something nice."

And, just like that, he was gone. I stood, slightly transfixed for a moment, before tightening my fist. Something poked into my palm. Looking down, I smiled slightly at the beautiful black chain pooled in my hand, studded with deep colored rubies. Until I realized that he had probably stolen it. I scowled at the floor until I heard a slight creaking sound.

A quick glance at the door revealed a very pissed off Jason. He eyed the floor suspiciously.

"How'd those get here?" I bit my lip, wondering whether I should tell him about Red X or not. Or not would probably be my best bet.

"A friend of my found them and brought them here."

"Your friend is in Prague?" I cringed. I really do hate lying to people. I really do.

"It seems so," I answered before bending over and unzipping my bag. Tonight was going to be one hell of a long night.

Yes, yes. I told you. Entirely suckish, I know. Don't forget to review!

Love

-Knisley24