-+-A Thousand Shades of Gray-+-
+The Shade of Discarded Opportunities+
"I am, what I am … you are … what you're not."
Shane (My brother)
Click!
Crrreeeeeeeeek …
"Ma-mas-master … Ro-Rob-Robin …?"
"…"
"Master …?"
"…"
The maid gulped and stepped into his dark, cold room … his curtains drawn to cover the sunlight, the maid shuttered in fear … she was new, recruited the same day as Camille was … and the stories she heard about the young master. About Robin were slightly disturbing … like … how he had a very mean temper when awoken from a deep slumber. Or about when she heard he held no shame when it came to "confronting" female servants/maids of the household. Notoriously charming and handsome, this maid feared that she wouldn't be able to resist his advances. However … it was still her job to take care of him … so as she called out to him again at the same time as she closed the door, she'd realize that it would become one of the most frightening events in her entire life as a maid working for the Xanders.
"Master … Robin … it's time to get up …"
Crrrrrreeeeek ….
Click!
SLING!
SLING!
SLING!
TH-TH-THUMP!
"AH!" the maid yelped when she felt the wind literally cut so close to her and the thumping noises she heard behind her … too afraid to open her eyes she shook in utter fear … never moving.
Even when she heard the young master's surprisingly menacing growl in the dark … she almost expected to see his eyes glow as she felt his intense gaze on her, "Let's make one thing clear. I fell asleep at 5 in the fucking morning … you're waking me up at 7 am … now unless you don't want to loose your job … leave …"
The maid screamed and faster than she could count to three she was out of there … she never even took notice of the three x blades embedded into the door as she slammed it shut and ran down the hall. Fearful for her life, she nearly ran into another body in the middle of the hall … that particular body being Raven. The Titan watched stoically as the maid rounded the corner and continued to run, with a raised brow, Raven glanced at the opposite direction where the maid came from and she frowned, X's room … she thought.
Walking over to it ever so slowly she reached the door and without shame or fear she turned the knob and entered the surprisingly dark dwelling. Closing the door behind her she used her power as a half-bred demon to scan the darkened room. She found X sitting at the edge of his bed hunched over with his elbows on his knees and his bed-hair dangling to cover his face. However … when he looked up at her … she was shocked to discover that he wore glasses! She could make out the outline of the lens, oval shaped, slender and sleek, sly and cunning with no frame at all around them. Thin enough to only go around his cat like eyes, he seemed to be scowling and Raven also discovered that the thief had a bad-temper when his sleep was disturbed.
Also … since it was dark, he obviously could not recognize the fact that she wasn't his maid anymore as he growled, "I told you to leave, I don't give a damn if it's your fucking job to take care of me, I don't need anyone's help! GO, DAMNIT!"
Raven tilted her head as he stood up … he wasn't wearing a shirt so he exposed his well toned body and a slight stumbled walk. He was obviously still in a daze as he marched up to her and he wasn't stopping, Raven leaned against the door and never flinched when he slammed a hand on said door. Making it quite obvious that he was in no playful mood as he leaned down to her level, the angle of the dimly lit room caught his glasses causing a glare just white enough to blind her from seeing his eyes.
A cruel sick twist of fate as he continued on his pissed off rant, "Are you hard of hearing or something? I said GET OUT!"
Raven decided to let herself be known to the tired thief as she reached out a hand to the near by light dimmer, pushing it up to the maximum level so they could reveal themselves under the florescent glow of artificial light, she sneered, "I may be hard of hearing … but at least I'm not blind … unlike some people …"
Realization sank into this onyx eyes as he stared at her wide-eyed and much to Raven's surprise … X looked way more intimidating with glasses than without. Because … with his glasses on, he seemed more refined, more together and organized, cunning and intelligent. Like a cat with a plan. Even with his shocked expression … he looked amazing. Pulling away from her, he straightened up and with a finger pushed up his glasses as if to ponder about the sudden string of events.
Still staring at her as if she was a dead relative risen from the grave, Raven noticed his face turning pink and before she could deduce if he was blushing or not he turned his back on her and scoffed, "Oh … great … just what a need, you knowing what I look like … this is just fuckin' spectacular!"
Raven crossed her arms over her chest and blinked, "Of all the secrets that I could ever find out … who would have ever thought the great Red X wears glasses … hah … how … interesting."
He looked over his shoulder his onyx eyes staring straight into her violet eyes through his glasses and he rolled his eyes, "Whatever … what do you want anyway? Can't you see I'm a bit busy?"
The Titan glanced at the door to notice the three X blades and shook her head, "I came here wondering about the maid that had run screaming away from this room … but now I can see why …"
"If she knows what's good for her she better find a safer job … serving the Xander's isn't exactly something to be proud of …" he sighed and Raven stayed in spot just watching him walk over to the door that was apparently to his closet where he'd pick out a plain black t-shirt and changed his black dress pants to regular dark blue jeans. Of course Raven didn't see, but when he stepped out … Raven was blown away by the incredibly intimidating aura he set off when wearing those glasses.
Why …
If she didn't know any better, Raven was pretty damn sure she'd have mistaken him to be someone else other than the cocky thief she knew and loathed.
Because … just now … he really did look like a son born into riches, rather than a ruffian who got his kicks off steal priceless artifacts.
Even the twin earrings on his left ear didn't hinder his refined posture.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged, as she blinked away from him saying, "So I guess that's why you harass the staff around here? To get them to leave? Not exactly a very trustworthy approach to saving someone's life … but then again … I have reached a realization that when it comes to saving lives … you really have no clue what to do."
"That's not exactly it …" he scoffed and walked up to her, smoothing back his dark hair having just the right amount fall over his glasses as he smirked … and again … Raven felt a pang of intimidation. There was something about his natural look that made everything he did multiplied 10 fold, "… I have a reputation to protect … I can't exactly go around defending people that bring no merit to me …"
No … merit … Raven bowed her head to stare at the ground for a moment, taking in that last comment of his, bringing a hand up to place it on her face feeling herself becoming more and more annoyed at the comment, … everything he does … is for his own gain … I know that well enough … so why does it sound so … fake …. She closed her eyes … and knew why.
It was because of the darkness he held that he didn't know she knew about.
That … turmoil within his heart …
Whatever it was about … she knew that was the real him.
So everything else he said … everything he did … suddenly dawned on her … it was all a lie.
She looked up at the thief who came closer to her and taking a deep breath she opened his door and stepped out, leaving him with one final thought, "If helping people bring you no merit … then what makes me so special … if you claim that you're doing this all out of the goodness of your heart?"
"… You're a possible ally that I was hoping I could have." he answered sincerely.
But it was a lie.
Raven frowned and closed his door behind her; Some things are better left unknown …
She took a step away from said door, but stopped when it opened and looked over her shoulder to see X coming out with a suggestion, "Let's go into the city."
Raven blinked, City?
((--Steel City--))
"Look, it's either that, or you shop with Lola for a dress," X scoffed and pushed his glasses further up his face, "and trust me … she's worse than Jamie."
Raven rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she walked side-by-side with him along the most expensive part of Steel City … where the designer wear was found, just right off the bay area too. It reminded her so much about Jump City … and as a matter of fact … she was pretty damn sure that Jump wasn't too far from where they were now. After all … it was a drive away. Plus … the Titans East were here! Raven sighed and ran her hands through her hair deciding it was best to just ignore that little fact and answered X, "Maybe so … but, I'm not a great big fan of large gatherings. I woke up this morning with every intention of telling your father that I wasn't going to go."
"Why not?" he asked genuinely glancing down at her from the corner of his eye, "It'll be fun to hear what the world has to say about your death … haven't you ever got a kick out of doing a little espionage?"
"This isn't espionage … it's a lie," Raven sneered, but then shrugged, "then again … with my condition I think it's better that no one knows who or where I am at the moment."
She froze when she felt his arm wrap around her shoulder to pull her close to him as he chuckled, "That's the spirit! What's so hard about seeing the good side of life … sure she can be a bitch, but what the hell, we live with it right?"
"Arm … off. Now." Raven growled and X immediately removed his arm and stuffed his hands within his pocket.
"Besides … Leon's overseas at Japan where he was invited to some kind of Charity Event."
"Charity?" Raven repeated only half interested as she scoffed, "Somehow I get the feeling it's more than that going on."
X smirked and nodded, "And you'd be right … this is the only time he'd be able to introduce an international business merger with the Ootori and Suou companies and snatch up a few shares before anyone else figures out that the economic value of exchange in culture is rather … promising."
Raven blinked and gave X a long hard look … because … for a split second there … he sounded like a real business inheritor.
It almost creped her out when he looked down at her and grinned his onyx eyes glimmering with so much … mischief, secret, and … power it nearly unnerved her. Sure she now understood that X came from a prestigious family, and she always knew that X was smart … but … she never took him to be so calculating. She sighed tiredly and turned away, thinking to herself sarcastically as she ran her fingers through her violet hair once more. Just now discovering that it was becoming a most unwanted habit where the thief was concerned, Frightening … truly frightening …
The Thief chuckled, knowing full well that he had totally caught the Titan off guard with his background, then shrugged and sighed, coolly suggesting, "Look, we didn't have breakfast, whaddya say we go grab something to eat?"
The Titan was lost in thought …
Raven looked off to the smooth, crystalline water knowing that somewhere beneath the cliff of the beach shore Titans East Tower was located. The blue and white structure … made more sense than yellow and black; she faintly had to wonder why Robin had to choose those off colors … right along with orange and black. Halloween colors and the colors of a bee that she thought belonged to Bumble Bee's signature.
Bumble Bee …
Speedy …
Aqualad …
And the Twins … Mas y Menos …
She wondered if Jinx joined their team, ever since she heard the story of Jinx being granted clemency because of Kid Flash fighting for her right as a hero to the modern world. Raven knew for a fact that Jinx wanted to follow along side Kid Flash and tour the world with him … how she knew? Jinx told her as she spent the one night over at Titan Tower. The pink sorceress had a sort of crush on the Kid Flash … but Raven knew it was a foolhardy relationship. Kid Flash hated commitment as much as he hated going at a snail's pace.
He was a flirt.
Jinx was just a girl he could have a little fun with for the moment then when he got bored he'd leave.
Although … Raven wasn't trying to peg him to be as much of a bastard as X beside her was, no, Kid Flash had … more … more … the violet sorceress smoothed back her hair (again) and sighed. She didn't know how to explain Kid Flash … but he was … "different" than X to say the least.
Why the hell was she even comparing a Titan to a Criminal anyway?
Of course her lot was far different than that of Red X, the thief had no class, no morals … but then again, Raven would be lying to herself if she tried to convince herself that X was all she had thought. Because, whether she liked to admit it or not, X wasn't all that … that bad of a guy, he was courteous when the time came to be, he had beliefs, morals, and … and he class. He was an heir to a business fortune! Of course he'd have class! Although, it still grated on her nerves to give him that credit, but Raven had tried not to make it a habit of lying to herself, especially where other people were concerned.
Speaking of other people …
"Hey, angel, I'm not talking to a wall."
Raven blinked and looked back up at the thief never noticing that he had asked a question, or even realizing that he had spoken to her at all! Being in Steel City … it just sent her into a daze … after all … for the past few days she hadn't seen her friends, so being so close to them now. It had a very strong affect on her, and obviously it was showing, she gulped and bit down on her lower lip, "Um … what did you say?"
He gave her a dry look, then rolled his eyes behind his glasses and took a hold of her hand in much the same manner as he did back at the Shopping Center. Gently, "Come on … we're going to get something to eat."
He pulled her after him she followed without much protest just staring at their linked hands …
The memory of when Robin had held her hand just before she went on to become her father's portal came back to her. That soft, caring, pleading smile of his begging her to believe him, to trust him … to do anything but leave his and the rest of their friends' sides. She closed her eyes then remembered just before the explosion in Slade's hideout, when she looked into his masked eyes and that pleading expression was there again. Only multiplied 10 fold, he reached out a hand to help her … but was swept away by Starfire before the fire reached him.
Raven sighed and reopened her eyes to find herself in a café with X leading her to a chair and she realized that this was a café where servers came to them. He sat across from her, but didn't stay long as he looked beyond her to the street and glared, "What the fu – oh hell no! That bastard owes me money! I'll be right back – hey! You! Get you ass over here!"
Raven watched as he stormed out of the café after the young man that went running down the street away from X. The sorceress was not at all affected by the sudden rude behavior of the thief, it was to be expected, so she sat at their table and waited till their server came up to her with a smile, "Hi, I'm Lisa and I'll be your server for the day … so … can I get you something to drink first?"
"Herbal Tea," Raven replied and the girl jotted it down on her notebook then nodded.
"Okay, I'll be right back then."
Leaving Raven to her lonesome …
Meanwhile …
Walking down the street, dressed in a dark blue t-shirt and a light blue outside unbuttoned collared shirt with khaki cargo pants, orange red hair and casual light blue eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, strolling the strip with his partner. The shoulder length pitch-black hair and dark shark black eyes both lean, fit, and hott as hell, the one with the black hair sighed, "Seriously Roy, what's the point in being a hero at all if all you're going to do is sneak away from your duty … you know Bee's doing to be pissed."
Roy Harper, AKA Speedy scoffed, "You know what, Garth, if you really didn't want to come, then you didn't have to."
Garth O'Riley, AKA Aqualad narrowed his gaze on the nonchalant Roy then growled, "You dragged me with you! How the hell can you just say that I didn't have to come! Besides, if I'm going to have to take any crap from Bee then you're going down with me!"
Roy dug his pinky into his ear, "Alright, alright, I heard you, now quit yelling in my ear ya spaz and let's get something to drink. Just listening to you drone makes me thirsty."
Garth grumbled under his breath about how unbelievably arrogant his teammate can be, however, with a defeated huff Garth followed the one-tracked mind Speedy into a café that was known for it's delicious substances. Walking right up to the counter to order up, they placed their orders and were told to wait a moment … and as they did wait, Roy's eyes wandered. Sighing in boredom as he looked over the small crowd of people taking it all in and just mildly enjoying his self-appointed day off, he blinked when his eyes caught the flicker of long violet hair.
He raised a brow as his sights were set on a young woman sitting by herself, drinking some kind of tea; leg's crossed seemingly comfortable within her own little world. Roy's brows came together as his eyes narrowed on the woman … she looked so … familiar. But … she couldn't be the person he was thinking about … that person died just a week or so a go. Although … this girl … the way she sat up regally, the way she moved commanded authority and that cold frosty look in her violet eyes demanded respect.
Now … Roy may have not known Raven all that much … but he knew about her well enough to understand that she was a serious chick. One not to be taken lightly despite her petit figure. Short she was, and silent, always wearing dark colors blending into the background and keeping out of sight most of the time. Only coming into the light to voice her opinion on certain matters … and sarcastically sadistic, Roy understood that Raven was no girl to mess with.
But just the same as Robin …
Roy had to admit …
He had doubts that such a powerful member of the Teen Titans could seriously be gone.
Roy nudged his partner's side to gain his attention, Garth shot him an annoyed look, "What?"
"Check her out," Roy nodded his head to the violet haired girl and Garth – for a split second – thought the same thing as his self-absorbed friend, "remind you of someone?"
Garth glanced down at Roy then scoffed, "Knock it off Roy, don't even joke like that. She could probably just be a big fan of the color violet or … something."
"Like hell, you were thinkin' it to," Roy snickered then dusted off his shoulders, "I'm gonna say hello, don't wait up."
"Wha – ! No! Roy! Wait! Damn it …" Garth cursed as he pulled himself back away from his friend who had already made a dash across the café to say hi to the girl with the violet hair who Garth couldn't lie. She looked so much like Raven the Sorceress.
Raven took another sip of her herbal tea, but nearly chocked when she felt an extremely familiar presences come rushing up to her. Looking up just as the boy had slowed down to a casual cool walk towards her, he pulled off his sunglasses and winked at her, "Hey, you seem lonely, mind if I join you?"
She gulped, Oh … my … god … Speedy … Raven blinked, despite her utterly shocked and butterfly filled gut, her face remained stoic as she smoothed back her violet hair and tilted her head, "I'm sorry, but a friend of mines will be back soon."
Roy shrugged and grabbed the seat across from her, "But he's not here now," without fear he sat and leaned on the table, "so … what's to worry about?"
"… How do you know my friend's a he?" Raven frowned not liking how arrogant Roy was … it reminded her too much of a certain someone who wasn't there at the moment.
He chuckled, "Because … as fine as you are I highly doubt you don't have a boyfriend yet."
"If that's so, then why take the chance of talking with me?" Raven raised a brow and Roy shrugged.
"You gave me the chance to sit, mind if I ask your name?"
"Not important, you'll have forgotten me before too long."
"Never took you for the hard-to-get type."
"You don't know me …"
Garth sipped his drink and frowned with a shake of his head, This is dumb! What the hell is Roy thinking anyway? Raven's dead, however unfortunately true that is … why can't he just let that go … why can't Robin let that go and return to his team? It was no secret that Robin had really – well – just vanished three days after Raven's death and never came back. Garth crossed his arms over his chest and sighed, Roy … you can really be annoying at times, the door into the shop opened and out of utter boredom and curiosity he looked and spotted a glasses wearing dude walk in.
Average in appearance … but with a striking aura that radiated power, he pushed up his glasses and stopped, staring at … Garth followed his line of sight and bit down on his lower lip, Crap … he's probably that girl's boyfriend.
Roy smirked and reached over the table to take a hold of Raven's hand, "Aw, come on, what's it gonna hurt? Just a little walk around the strip, I can show you around."
"…" Raven just stared at his hand, then pulled it away and stood up when she felt him approach, "I think it's time you leave."
She turned her back and marched up to X, sensing he wasn't going to stop, that he was going to confront Roy, she threw out her arm and wrapped it around his waist to stop him, to hold him back and push him back out to the exit. Unknowingly her efforts to keep any kind of conflict from happening pushed up her blouse to expose her lower back and Roy's eyes narrowed, while Raven whispered low enough for only X to hear, "Let's go … X …"
He muttered, "Who's your friend?"
Raven closed her eyes and pushed with much more effort, "… Nobody … now let's go …"
Behind the glare of his glasses, he stared at Roy who had propped his head in the palm of his hand and sighed as he watched the girl and her boyfriend walk out of the shop. He closed his eyes and Garth came his way, taking Raven's seat he glared at Roy, "You can be a real ass sometimes."
"Yeah … maybe …" Roy opened his eyes and looked at Garth with a serious face, "but it's her Garth … Raven … she's still alive …"
Garth blinked … then glanced over his shoulder just in time to catch a glimpse of the violet haired girl and her boyfriend vanish just out of his sight, then he returned his glare on Roy, "Before you go off making such assumptions mind sharing with me what your proof is to that bold claim?"
Roy smirked, "Her lower back … she had the same tattoo Raven has … and trust me … no one but the Titans know she has it so it's impossible for any 'fan girl' to copy her trademark."
"You idiot!" Garth shot up and attracted the attention of the rest of the shop, "If that was her then why did you just let her g – AH!"
Roy grabbed the collar of Garth's shirt and pulled him down to the table, "Shut-up you spaz! Or would you like to have the rest of the frickin' underground know what we know!"
Garth pushed him off and hissed, "But still! We have to follow her … whoever she's with … who the hell was she with anyway?"
It dawned on Garth on just why Roy had let her go.
They both didn't know who the glasses-guy was … therefore … it would have been foolish to go after him; it suddenly made a whole lot of sense to Garth. Why he felt his aura was so powerful … he wasn't just any guy. Calming down, he glanced back at Roy who had gotten to his feet and the two of them both headed out of the café, Roy stuffing his hands into his pocket, "She said she was here to cruise the city and check it out with her 'friend' but I bet she's going shopping."
Garth's expression turned deadpanned, "Eh … do I even want to know how you know that kind of thing? And this is still the same Raven we're talking about right? Isn't she … like … anti-shopping?"
"Yeah," Roy shrugged, "but she's out on the town with a guy … they're either on a date or looking for something. She's not a girl to cruise."
"Alright … so how do we find them?"
"They went that way right?"
"I guess …"
"So let's go that way then genius!"
Garth sighed exasperatedly, "Your navigational skills never seize to amaze me …"
((--))
Raven growled and moved away from the rack of clothing to glare at X who was waiting just next to the entrance of the store they had entered, arms crossed head bowed, eyes closed and waiting, Raven scowled. He looked more like he was sulking and she was going to find out why, marching up to him she snapped him out of his state, "Alright, what's going on? Why are you sulking?"
He snapped open his onyx eyes to glare at her as he growled, "I'm not sulking."
"Then why are you pouting? You haven't been acting obnoxious since we left the café …" Raven scoffed and put a fist on her hip, challenging his glare with her own she watched as he snorted, pushed off the wall and stretched as he changed the topic.
"You found a dress yet?"
Raven wasn't going to let him get off so easily … as a matter of fact … she was going to play him at his own game, "Are you jealous?"
He froze then shot her a bewildered look, which Raven just held a strong stoic expression and crossed her own arms over her chest, X scowled, "I don't get jealous."
"Figures," Raven rolled her eyes and turned away from him, but her eyes bugged out when he grabbed her wrist and yanked her back to him, causing her to stumble and fall into his arms.
She put her hands on his chest with the intention of pushing him away, but he held her close and with a dangerous look in his eyes he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "I get what I want."
His grip on her tightened momentarily before he completely let her go and pushed her back into the store, Raven nearly couldn't steady herself, still in shock from hearing such words come from his mouth. Sounding so threatening … and not even the funny-ha-ha-cocky-arrogant kind of threat, it was a promise that she feared, and it showed … it was written all over her face. Even though she held up a perfectly good mask of indifference and straightened herself up … it showed that she didn't like what she heard.
X smirked and tilted his head to the side then winked deviously.
Raven turned her back on him, feeling like a fool she ran out of the store, trying to hide the embarrassing blush that came on her face as she gritted her teeth and berated herself, I'm such an idiot! What the hell was I thinking going against him in that field? God Raven! Sometimes you can be such a … such a fool! Then … without observing and making herself feel like even more of an idiot she ran into a body, "Oh! Sorry …"
She immediately apologized and was about the walk around the tough built man, until he grabbed her arm and pulled her up to him, she winced at the strong grip, but glared heatedly at the bastard that dared to grab her. Only to hesitate for a split second when she recognized his cold blue eyes, spiky black hair, pale complexion and tribal tattoos all along his arms. Raven leaned away, Damn … Johnny Rancid! He scowled down at her, "Oh, you don't know the meaning of the word sorry yet bitch. Lucky me, you're a fine piece of ass."
Just across the street Garth and Roy tensed, since the water was on their side, it started to swirl by the call of Garth's power, but Roy held up a hand, "Hold it … here comes our guy."
X walked out of the store and spotted Raven with Johnny, without thinking he rushed the two, jumped up and over Raven and slammed a foot in Johnny's face with a strong drop kick. Garth calmed the waters and narrowed his eyes as X stood in between Raven and the now very pissed off Johnny, Raven backed up to give X room to move, Garth frowned, "Why doesn't she use her powers?"
"She can't …" Roy answered matter-of-factly with a disappointed yet confused frown of his own, "… it'll blow her cover."
Johnny wiped off the blood from getting a tooth knocked out then got to his feet, "Just who the hell do you think you are geek?"
X snorted, "I think I'm the one that's about to fuck up your sorry ass for touching what isn't yours."
"Is that a fact whimp?"
"No …" the angle of the sun hit X's glasses at just the right angle, covering the dangerous dagger stare within his eyes as the glass glared; however … despite his anger he managed to smirk, "… that's a promise."
The people all around them panicked and screamed as Johnny charged taking out a switch blade from his pocket he flipped it open and swiped at X at least three times and missed till X dropped down and kicked up to Johnny's chin. Sending him flying into the street where he rolled and groaned in pain, having lost his knife he got to his feet and glared at the agile thief who lifted up a hand and provoked him to attack.
Johnny, being predictable ran after X swung a punch, missed, swung another punch, missed and as he went in for another, X side stepped gracefully then smashed a fist in Johnny's face. Then another fist reached his rip-cage, and another kick hit the side of his head and just before he fell to the ground X spun around and with a kick strong enough to stop his heart slammed it into his chest.
Johnny flew back into the street … knocked out …
X snorted and dusted his hands off, "Not even worth my time."
Garth and Roy's mouths dropped as they thought the same thing, He wasn't even trying!
Garth shook his head and narrowed his eyes on the thief who had beckoned Raven to follow after him … she did … but only hesitantly so as she made one last glance at Johnny's seriously FUBARed body. He looked over at Roy who shook his head, "Well … obviously he's looking out for Rae …"
"Looking out?" Garth blinked and scoffed, "There's a little more than that going on! This is weird … why is Raven hiding out, who's she with … and … did she fake her own death?"
"Fake?" Roy shook his head, "Highly doubt it … but the dude she's with … he's got something to do with it … we'll follow them until they go back home and when that happens … we'll tell Robin."
"How can we tell Robin when we don't even know where he is?"
"We'll find him … let's go, before we lose'em."
Raven finally caught up to the briskly strolling thief, "Was that really necessary! You didn't have to make such a scene! Besides, I could have handled him! It's just Johnny for crying out loud."
"Well you didn't handle it fast enough," X scowled, gritting his teeth, Raven could feel his anger and his frustration rising, wondering slightly to herself if whether or not she should back off. Raven found out that it wouldn't matter because once they came up to a near by alleyway with a dumpster, she blinked and stayed a good distance away from him when he pounded the side of his fist into the dumpster. Hard enough to dent it, his breathing became labored and Raven stayed quiet. Never had she seen – even thought it possible – for X to have such a bad temper hours after he woke up, "fuck … nothings going right today … and to top it off … those bastards are following us."
Raven held her breath, How did he know … her violet eyes shimmered with suspicion and from the corner of his eye he glared at her, "Don't act like you didn't fucking know … who are they to you?"
"…" she gulped and became stoic once again, "I don't know what you're talking about."
He scowled and straightened up, "You're a terrible liar."
Now there's a switch.
Someone who could actually see through her mask …
And of all people it had to be Red X …
It was unnerving, and she defended her lie with another she hoped would convince him, "I thought … they could help me get back to my … friends …"
"Titans East," he sneered with a shake of his head as he stared at the ground his bangs covering over his onyx eyes as he sighed dejectedly, "… you still want to go back to your friends huh?"
She frowned, "Well I still don't see any reason to keep from them … with Slade involved I know that it's their business as good as ours."
He looked up at her … and the look he gave her … for the first time in the time that they've been together … would be the first he'll ever tell the truth … to ever match what his heart was feeling. Pain … emptiness … and very void, yet emotional expression. Filled with everything, but left so empty after he was drowned by the weight that slumped his shoulders. Then, the sun caught his lens again and his glasses glared, coving his eyes and breaking Raven's perception of his truth as he suddenly straightened and pushed his glasses high upon his face.
"Well then …" his voice … steady and it's usual nonchalant self … his usually fake self, "… no one's stopping you know … I bet you can phase into their living room, can't you? Just go …"
Was it that easy?
Was he seriously making it that easy on her?
No … he couldn't have.
Could he?
"…" Raven stayed put and didn't say anything for a long time before she sighed and he stuffed his hands in his pocket, walking around her to get back into the streets of Steel City to cruise the town. Raven gritted her teeth and wanted to punch the same dumpster X had just to release some pent up energy.
Why …
Why …
WHY was it suddenly so hard for her to leave when he obviously was giving her the chance?
Why was she second guessing his decision … why was she hesitant?
Because he's not telling the truth! It's a trick!
Then … she answered herself … her logical part of her brain answered herself, No … you're just making up excuses, you just don't want to go … because you're afraid what you're friends might say. You're afraid that they might take you as a liar and a traitor … just like Terra.
She screamed out loud, "No! That's not it at all!"
And it wasn't …
But it was part of it.
The problem was … she didn't know what the true reason was for her hesitation for returning back to her friends.
Another part of her brain answered the unanswerable question, You just don't want to leave his side … you're too curious about him … you want to know … what lies hidden … deep … deep down in that dark heart of his … you want to know what makes him tick …
Part of the reason …
But not all of it …
Why couldn't she put her finger on it!
Raven bit down on her lower lip … she knew perfectly well why … but she just didn't want to admit it.
She was afraid … she wouldn't like the answer.
So with a huff she turned around and out of the alleyway to catch up to the fleeting thief who had apparently not gone that far. Just far enough to reach another store, where he stopped … where she stopped … where they both just stopped for a moment and stood in silence. A wall shot up between them … they couldn't see each other even though they were staring violet and onyx straight in the face, they couldn't speak to each other … although they could fight and exchange witty banters.
And although the logical side of Raven was jumping for joy – because this meant that X couldn't make a pass at her even if he tried.
The wall between them only meant one thing that Raven feared the most.
Red X …
Wasn't just a criminal, or a color, or a letter anymore …
He was human.
He was touchable.
He had a name.
Robin Eli Xander.
((--))
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, simple as that.
A/N: Damn that was a long as chapter ... and ain't it so cute how little Xie got jealous? Awww ... maybe I should explore that side of him a little more ... but besidesd that anybody know who's Aqualad's real name? I think I got something close to it, but I get the strong feeling that that's not it. A little help … oh … and by the way thank you for all your reviews, you're all just too nice, luv ya! Just keep the reviews coming and I'll keep posting, so see ya guys in the next chapter and I'm pretty sure you know where that settings going to be.
Until next time;)
L8er daze!