-+-A Thousand Shades of Gray-+-

+The Shade of Faces+

"I'm

Fucked up

Insecure

Neurotic

and Emotional …

Just F.I.N.E. thanks.

How are you?"

"Alright … are we all ready?" Leon looked over his family and Raven to see them suitable and presentable, nodding with a satisfied smile he gestured for the servants to open the doors and they did with a bow to usher out there masters, "Good, let's get going then, we can't be late."

7:50 pm, the Masquerade was at 8:00, Raven had no idea what he was talking about, they were going to be late anyway! She knew the drive from Hawthorne to the Monica Hall had to be at least a 30 minute drive away, but who was she to judge rich people and their definition of being late. Ruffling her Victorian styled gown, a halter design with dangling black ribbons on her arms stopping just above her elbows, within the corset it was white, laced with black and white ribbons front and back. The gown itself had a ruffled train behind her with ribbons hanging all along the sides and various other intricate designs making her feel like a wedding cake … a very black wedding cake.

No jewelry.

Even if the lady of the house bought her some jewelry for this kind of occasion, Raven just wasn't a dazzling-ooo-look-at-me-I'm-dripping-in-diamonds kind of girl. So she left that kind of accessory well enough alone and went bare. However … as she followed after Lola, her wrist was caught and she was gently pulled back into the house. Raven turned and through her black cloth mask tied around her head she looked into Robin's white, musical note mask of festivities. Glancing back over her shoulder to Lola and Leon she frowned and said, "Shouldn't we hurry? They're going to be waiting."

"Don't worry about them, I got another ride." He scoffed and Raven looked up at him again wondering what he still wanted with her wrist and she soon found out when he pulled something shinny out of his pocket. It was a diamond cut, silver charm bracelet with a single beautiful deep dark blue heart shaped sapphire on it. He wrapped it around her wrist and clipped it in place, lifting up her wrist to show her his 'gift'.

Raven brought it closer to her face in order to examine it, it was real … a genuine sapphire, and in mid-condition, flawless … and the first thing that popped into her mind that made her feel kind of funny and … embarrassed enough to blush inwardly was: He's sorry … sapphires usually mean loyalty …. The sorceress, held her breath for a moment and kicked that thought out of her head, choosing not to linger on it as she sighed andasked quietly looking up at him, "What is this?"

Robin snickered and held out his arm for her to take, "I think it's a sapphire … and you're welcome …"

She took his arm, but only hesitantly so as she eyed him suspiciously, "It's not stolen is it?"

"Nah, I just spotted an old man walking across the street determined to give his granddaughter the gift for her 16th birthday; I beat him dead with his own cane and took the sapphire."

"Oh, well, then I can't except it."

Robin huffed and through gritted teeth said, "Just take the damn thing already and stop asking me irritating questions! I don't steal every goddamn thing in the world ya know."

Raven snorted as she slipped away from his arm and watched as the limo with Leon and Lola pulled out of the courtyard and another ride pulled up. A golden multicolored '02 Fairlady Z … a two person car, sporty, very much a Red X kind of ride, only she wasn't expecting the gold color. The vale stepped out and tossed Robin the keys, without looking he snatched it out of the air and took over the job that was supposed to be the vale's and opened Raven's door. Bowing and with a sweeping motion of his hand gestured for her to step in, Raven rolled her eyes, "Only a 'gentleman' of your caliber would cuss in a woman's presence and then play chivalry."

He sighed exasperatedly, but maintained a nonchalant composure, "Would you please enter the car milady, or we're going to be late to the ball."

Raven raised a brow and scoffed, "You would have done better with: 'Bitch, get in the car!'"

Robin blinked then shrugged, and leaned on the door of the car, "Bitch, get in the fuckin' car I ain't gonna tell ya again!"

The vale, the servants, and maids all around to hear the commotion stared at the two in uttered astonishment … never understanding how one could be so romantic to present such a lavish gift, then talk like they had gutter mouths. Raven on the other hand stared at him with a blank expression, walked up to the car and with a hand on Robin's face used her power to shove him to the ground and she entered the car herself.

With her leg still out and a hand on the door handle she glared at the thief who stood back up and glared at her, but, playfully. Raven, sneered, and mocked his status, "Never call me a 'female dog' again, sir. It's rude, crude, and utterly unnecessary. If you're the son of a family held in high esteem across the nation, I suggest you start behaving with the proper etiquettes of high society."

Then, she slammed the door.

Leaving Robin to enter his side and slam his own door as he jammed the key in the ignition, turned it, revved the engine and tore out of the courtyard. Burning rubber and leaving the entire shocked staff in the dust, gripping the wheel he glanced at Raven and shook his head, "You could have just given the damn thing back if you didn't want it. Not like it'll hurt my feelings."

Raven looked at the bracelet and 'hmmed', then turned her head up to look out the window, "I think I'll keep it for now, until I find a sink disposer and thus rightfully shred any evidence of your existence upon my person."

"Translation: 'Thanks! You didn't have to, but oh well.'."

"And you're lost in translation. We shouldn't be going there."

"Why?"

"Because it means I'm an acquaintance of yours and your family, when I'm not. I don't even want to have anything to do with you. The only reason I'm with you right now is to try and clean me of whatever is flowing in my veins and it doesn't help when we don't know when the next episode will be. I could break down at the party or something …" Raven sighed and leaned against he chair, listening to the roar of the engine, trying to drown out her chaotic thoughts as she glanced down at the bracelet he had given her again. It irritated her that she kept looking at it; it was just a stupid bracelet!

"You think too much."

"No!" Raven sat up and glared at the nonchalant thief, "The problem is, you're not taking this serious enough! I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but this isn't funny!"

Robin narrowed his eyes, "Whoever said this was a joke? What do you want me to do crack a damn whip on Jamie and Otto, they're doing everything they can to help you, you know."

"…" Raven scoffed and shook her head, choosing to stare out the window in order to distract herself with the passing scenery … but it wasn't working … she could see her reflection and stare into her own struggling violet eyes. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, trying to swallow down the burning urge to argue … she really didn't feel like getting into a confrontation with him. However it felt like she had no choice with the thick air around them.

Robin sighed, "Isn't the fact that I'm doing this because I feel obligated to, crossing your mind one way or the other?"

"No, because it doesn't make any sense," she snapped, "aren't you committing identity suicide despite your mask? I know what you really look like underneath it all."

And that comment meant more than just his appearance too.

Robin kept his eyes on the road, "To be perfectly honest … I don't care."

Raven blinked and glanced at him with narrowed eyes, "… Why?"

He smirked "Because it's more fun this way."

She 'tsk' and leaned back in her chair, "… Like you'd really give me a straight answer …"

"…"

"…"

Just like that, the rest of the driving was done in complete – awkward – silence.

Until they finally arrived at the ball, at Monica Hall, a grand hotel Raven was told where only the well dressed – high fashion freaks – were invited to the party. Raven wasn't at all surprised that Robin's family was invited. Speaking of Robin, he turned some heads as he pulled up around the angel water fountain, his car not only making noise, but glowing under the dim lighting. Raven suddenly understood why he choose this vehicle to make an entrance, on the side of the golden car reflected the lights and ade the ride glow. She moved to open her door, but the vale outside did it for her, and even escorted her to her feet.

She thanked him, and before she knew it someone had taken her arm and began to lead her up the stairs into Monica Hall. It was Robin, of course, but he seemed a little quiet … even his aura was quiet, dormant, thoughtful. Not qualities in him that Raven had ever felt … still yet, nothing Raven figured he even had! With his other hand he smoothed down his tux and as they reached the top of the stairs, he ensured their place with the party and they were allowed in.

The entrance was the lobby, carpeted with only the finest, creamy colored marbled walls, the classic chandelier, the works for a 5 stars-plus hotel. Directed towards the hall just off to the right of the main desk, the workers all smiling like they were paid for just standing there and Raven wouldn't be surprised. Through the hall, Raven expected to be lead into some stuffy Ballroom, but no, they were lead outside to the pool side!

Well … maybe not completely outside, because there was a sort of glass-ceiling over the pool and the same marbled pillars holding it up on all four corners. Vines here, vines there, and apparently they were perched on something because there was a guard-rail on the far side. However, that wasn't the highlight of the party, no; it was what was in the cages above the pool … white tigers pacing back and forth eyeing the crowd as if they were colorful pieces of food.

Raven huffed, "Well … I guess this explains why Camille had me wear a two piece bathing-suit under this gown." Robin glanced down at her curiously and Raven rolled her eyes when she felt his interest spike and mischief returning to his once quiet aura, "Not on your life."

"What," he said innocently, not like anything that'll come out of his mouth will be innocent, which made it sound so deceitfully inviting, "I didn't say anything."

"But you were thinking it."

"No fair, you read minds now, cheater." With their arms still linked he led her through the crowd of masks towards a round table that Lola was seated at, gently waving the fan in front of her. Her smile never deterred from the mask … in fact … it only enhanced her beauty as she laughed with the other group of women on the table. Raven was greatly reminded of a Victorian aristocrat perfect in every way, even her pure white heart. For some reason … Raven just couldn't sense secrets or sadness within her … only when Robin stood around her did she feel Lola give out an odd vibe of regret.

Regret of not being a better mother perhaps?

She wasn't quite sure and it wasn't her business, so Raven tried not to let the feelings get to her as Lola looked up and her smile grew even brighter, "Oh! Miss Rae, Robin, there you are, we were beginning to wonder where you've been."

"Robin?" a woman at the table, maybe about the same age as Robin himself perked up, her red face mask held on a stick was pulled away to reveal her light green eyes with hazel flecks here and there. Staring at Robin in surprise she stood up from her chair, her lovely gray evening gown accentuating her curves and showing off all the right parts of skin to tease, but not too much. Her voice was soft, like Camille's, yet full of bewilderment, "Is that really you?"

Almost immediately Robin dropped Raven's arm as he suddenly seemed nervous enough to rub the back of his neck, "Uh … sure I am, why wouldn't I be … uh … Marisa …"

Marisa let out a soft cry as she rounded the table and glomped Robin, hugging him tightly and not letting go until he returned the favor. So he returned it in full as she squealed, "Oh my god Rex, it's been soo long! Where've you been!"

Raven tilted her head, Rex …? Robin Eli Xander … the first lets of his full name … clever or coincidence?

The blonde haired hazel-green eyed girl let go and Robin shrugged and answered smoothly, "Around."

She nodded, then glanced at Raven, "Oh … well … that's good … um … who's your friend?"

Robin cleared his throat, and Raven stood straight holding out her hand to shake Marisa's as Robin introduced them, "Rae, Rae Roth, meet Marisa Van'Gareth, Marisa, Rae."

"Nice to meet you," Raven said politely with a slight incline of her head.

Marisa curtseyed, never grabbing Raven's hand to return the polite gesture, "Pleasures all mine! Any friend of Rex's is a friend of mine's, so how did you two meet?"

"…" Raven blinked, and pulled her hand back to her side, not exactly sure how to answer the question, so she cleared her throat, fiddled with her dress a bit till an answer came to her, "I know Robin through his travels."

"And what do you do?"

She was interrogating her, Raven sensed a bit of jealousy; maybe Marisa and Robin were together at one point in time. It could explain the reason why Robin suddenly seemed tense, which meant, the lying all rested on Raven. She sighed and quickly made up an occupation, "Self-employed investigator of undiscovered valuables around the world."

Marisa blinked once, her smile faltered for a moment as she thought about her answer then she tilted her head and asked suspiciously, "So … you're a … treasure hunter?"

Raven nodded, "Call it what you will, it's a living."

Lola paused in her fanning and the rest of he women in the table stared at Raven in wonder. Marisa nodded slowly as if processing the information and giggled as if something funny came to thought, "Well, I suppose, but I could never do such a thing, sometimes it's too little pay for too much work."

"Well that's you; I've come to find my job most rewarding."

"I see …"

"… If you'll excuse me …" Raven lost interest and looked off to the side, moving away from the group towards the guard-rail to get some air. The tense air of high-society was beginning to bore down on her and she was barely here for five minutes. Not bothering to return to the table when she happenstance a glance to see Robin being pulled aside on the dance floor – which Raven just noticed was on top of the pool, there was a glass cover. It didn't bother her … but it annoyed her to no end that she was invited to this party … it wasn't hers to celebrate … hell, she didn't even belong in this kind of society.

It wasn't her crowd … sure she can play their game, but it wasn't her cup of tea.

Looking out the guardrail, Raven sighed and stared at the moon … full … with a few clouds here and there to accompany the blue-black skies. Never morbid, just soothing for the soul, she chanted her mantra within in her head and drowned out the sounds of the party. Closing her eyes behind her black mask, Raven chanted herself near sleep if it wasn't for the hand on her shoulder.

It was Lola, her masquerade mask removed to speak to her face to face, it gave Raven the feeling that she should return the favor, but didn't, as Lola looked out to the moon herself and sighed wistfully, like a young woman in love. Raven couldn't help, but to shake her head in disbelief, If this is really X's mother … he must have some sort of genetic defect.

Lola chuckled softly, "I do apologize on behalf of both Robin and Marisa's sudden odd behavior. Marisa is usually a very easy to get a long with kind of girl … it's just … she and Robin, they go back a long ways. They really did grow up together, same school since elementary all the way to high school."

"I appreciate your concern for my feelings Mrs. Xander, but," Raven gave Lola a very serious look, her black mask only enhancing the expression, "it's not necessary, I could honestly careless."

"I'm sure that may be the case," Lola tilted her head and smiled secretively, "maybe it even explains the reason you're all the way over here, by your lonesome."

Raven scoffed and shook her head, "Mrs. Xander, please, don't get the wrong idea about me and I apologize if this offends you in anyway … but … I don't care about your son. I really don't, as a matter of fact I want nothing to do with him … it's just, under certain circumstances have forced me to be with him."

"I know."

Raven's eyes bugged out and she leaned away from Lola to stare at her in shock, "You … do?"

Lola nodded and smiled, "Of course, Leon told me all about your trouble with the Dago Family, and I assure you, nothing will happen to you as long as you stay close to us." She giggled sweetly and put a hand on Raven's shoulder, "Oh my, it's so like Robin to be such a hero … he'll never admit it, but he has a weakness for women in need of help."

Not the thief I know … probably a front for his family … Raven scoffed inwardly as she turned back to look out the guardrail, Problems with the Dago family? Yeah right. Raven felt Lola slide away from her, looking at her from the corner of her eye Lola held up a finger, "I'll be back."

Raven didn't care.

She was just glad to be alone once again … however, that wouldn't last long for on her other shoulder someone else approach her. It wasn't Robin, but he was male, feathery dirty blonde hair, wearing a pure white mask, the classic tux, and a gorgeous smile. Raven, held her breath and wished him to go away, "Hope I'm not bothering you."

Apparently, she just remembered that, that night wasn't her birthday.

"Yeah, you and the rest of the world," Raven sneered hoping against hope that she'll chase him away and he'll get the hint that she's not in the mood to socialize.

But to no avail … he was a hard headed one that had such a charming smile, "Tough night huh? You really look like you don't wanna be here."

Gods, when will someone invent an anti-people spray to get these guys to leave me alone? Raven sighed and tried not to make a scene as she pushed off the rail to stand and face the man properly, "Look, I'm sure you're just trying to be nice … or you have something else in mind, I don't care. Just please, take the hint and leave."

She picked up the front of her dress and marched across the pool towards the exit, the blond man tilted his head and smirked following after the sassy little sorceress. Raven felt him, and walked faster, praying to whatever god was out there that would listen to get him to go away! Cutting straight through the crowd, she unknowingly bumped into Robin who saw her leave. Pulling away from Marisa without a word he called out to Raven, "Angel!"

Raven didn't hear him, or listen for that matter and continued to storm out of the ballroom, glaring at the ground, This is completely idiotic! I'm not supposed to be here, I should be with my friends … instead I'm here … at some stupid ball with horrid people and Red X who everyone thinks is such a good guy! I'm in the frickin' twilight zone!

Robin jumped into the hall and slid to a stop when he spotted another man walking up from behind Raven, producing from his pocket a white cloth, Damn! Chris Dago, Robin glared and ran to stop him and his chloroform coated cloth, "RAE!"

Raven growled, stopped and spun around screaming in utter frustration, "WHAT –!"

The blond man she was talking to earlier ran up to her and slapped the cloth around her nose and mouth. She inhaled only slightly and knew what it was, but passed out within his arms, Chris grinned and pulled out a pistol from his vest pocket and pointed it at her head. Forcing Robin to stop for fear of her life, Chris chuckled, "Well, you didn't think daddy would pay up your debts and everything would be over, did you? You humiliated my father, Robin, and you know the code."

"Fuck your code, just let her go!" Robin shouted and took a step closer to Chris, but he grabbed Raven and dragged her further down the hall where four men came up behind him and helped pull the sorceress further away from Robin. With the gun now pointed at him, Robin growled, "Chris, I'm not in a joking mood right now, you hurt her someone's gonna pay …"

"I know …" Chris nodded, "but who will it be, will be left up to you to decided… if you care about this sweet young lady so much, then trading your life for hers shouldn't be a problem right?"

"…"

"Think about it, you have 5 hours to reply, you know where to go."

Pistol still pointed at him, Chris didn't put it down until he was a good distance down the hall to run. Leaving Robin to seethe, his mask narrowed, body ridged, looking ready to kill the first person that screwed with him, he heard someone walking towards him from the party and he looked over his shoulder to see it was Marisa. Her mouth agape, and her green eyes wide with worry, she rushed up to him and wrapped her arms around his arm, "Oh Robin, thank goodness you're alright."

Robin shook himself from her grip, "Go back into the party Marisa, don't concern yourself with me."

Marisa blinked and gave Robin a confused look, "Aren't you going to come with me?"

"No, I got something to take care of."

"NO –!" Marisa slapped a hand to her mouth, not believing how loud she had shouted, Robin gave her an odd look as she looked up at him and composed herself, "Robin … you're not seriously going to trade places with that girl are you? That's suicide!"

"What do you expect me to do, just leave her to her fate?"

"I want you to let the police handle it."

"The police can't do shit Marisa!"

"Well I'm not going to just stand here and watch you give yourself up for some … some … common girl you can find anywhere in streets!" Marisa gasped when she found herself at the receiving end of Robin's wrath … no, he didn't exactly hit her, but he took off his mask and pinned her with his onyx eyes and grabbed shoulders. Holding on to her so tight it hurt, "Ah … Robin … that hurts …"

"Good," he growled in her ear and she shrank away from him, but he held her still and shook her a bit, "now I have your attention. Rae, isn't just any common girl Marisa, you are. You're so fake, it makes me sick."

He let her go and marched away, Marisa held herself and winced in pain, getting the feeling it'll bruise in the morning, she gulped and stared after Robin in utter confusion. Never, in her life had she actually seen Robin willing to sacrifice himself for someone … not even for her, and she respected him for that reason. Only because she knows she'd do the same. Within the world they live in it's every man for themselves, but to see him so ready to save someone else – and not her – could hurt her more than any physical punishment Robin could have dealt her.

((--Unknown Location--))

Riding in a limo, Raven continued to fake unconsciousness as she listened into the bastard that dared to touch her conversation on the phone, "I have her; we're headed to the church right now."

Church? Great … she thought dryly and stifled a gasp when she felt someone kick her onto her stomach; her hands were pulled behind her back and tied tight with some plastic cuffs that nearly cut into her wrists with how tight it was put. Another male voice scoffed, "I don't get it, why cuff her when she's out cold."

"It's called being careful. I'm not going to take any chances with this one."

Then, the car stopped.

The door opened, and Raven gritted her teeth when one of the men … she was guessing the one that asked Chris the stupid question grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder. His shoulder digging into her gut, Raven bared with the pain and cautiously cracked open an eye to see where they where taking her and almost gasped when she saw they were in a graveyard! Crosses, angels, fog, the classic morbid feeling … then, Chris came into her line of sight as the man walked up a few steps into some elaborate mausoleum. She immediately closed her eyes and went limp, giving out a silent, yet startled grunt when she felt her body practically thrown on top of cement.

Raven guessed it was a cemented coffin.

"Do you think he'll come?"

"…"

"I don't think so, what's so special about the girl that'll get him to come anyway?"

Chris snorted, "He'll come, you see how pretty this girl is? He'll come."

"He can get prettier."

"Violet hair and eyes? How much of that do you see in life? She's exotic, he'll trade places, and we'll keep the girl and make her do a few rounds."

"Which block?"

"What block? She's going to be the family pet."

My ass, Raven scowled and snapped her eyes open, glowing pure white she ripped the plastic cuffs off and levitated in the air, "Don't think for a second you'll have me without a fight."

The two spun around and pulled out their guns to prepare for anything, but they hesitated when they saw her floating form, Chris's mouth fell open in shock, "What … the … what are you!"

"You're worse nightmare! Azarath! Metrion! ZINTHOUS!" in a burst of power she threw the men off the steps and out of the mausoleum, giving her room to fly out and float down on her feet. Holding out her hands to the struggling humans who tried to find their ground she threw their guns off to the side and brought the roots of the near by trees up to curl around the men. Tightening her grip she grinned and her pure white eyes flashed black and for a moment she felt lost, "Ah … wha …"

"AH!" the men screamed as the roots grew tighter, too tight, it was cutting into their skin and she could smell blood.

Smell …

Raven cut her powers off and stumbled back and fell on the steps, pure shock and fear rushed through her body. Releasing the men she gulped and looked down at her hands to see her nails growing … claws! "No …"

"Finish them!"

"NO! " Raven screamed and the entire graveyard shuttered under her uncontrolled power. Chris and his partner both looked at each other in uncertainty as they watched an invisible swirl of wind only kick up around the violet haired girl as she grabbed a hand full of her hair and scrunched into a ball, screaming, "NO!"

"Do not deny me; make them pay for even thinking of turning you into their pet! You are no bodies pet! Do you understand me? KILL THEM!"

"Never!" Raven screamed and the graveyard wasn't shaking anymore, the stones were imploding on themselves.

Robin who had made it saw the commotion and reached into his pocket for the hypodermic needle containing Otto's antidote he switched at the stables, "Shit!"

Chris's partner began to inch away from the girl before them, "Fuck man, she's a meta!"

"Freak or not, she's not doing anything," Chris rushed her to take her down.

Big mistake.

It sent a new shockwave of insecurity and fear coursing through her soul, "Please … no …" her hands raised to warn, not to defend herself, but to warn the human to stay back, "STOP!"

Too late …

The collar around her neck tightened, and she had no choice but to obey …

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her to her feet, but when he did her other clawed hand reacted on its on accord and stabbed right through his chest … straight to his back. His partner was so frightened by such a vicious sight that he couldn't hold himself up and fell back trying to run. Raven held still till she felt the life literally drain out of the human, opening her black eyes she was so close to him that she could taste the blood at the corner of his mouth. She stood on her tip toes and licked it right off his face she smirked and pushed him off her arm, letting his body fall in a bloody heap she whipped his blood off her arm with her powers and locked on the trembling man on the ground.

"Aww … did you fall? Allow me to help you up …" rising her hand the man felt himself lift up off the ground and high into the air, Raven snickered, "… whoops … to high."

In a cold sense of fun she slammed him into the ground and the impact alone killed him, but she lifted his limp body back up and threw it against an angelic statue holding a pointy object. He stuck – literally – and hung there with the pointy object jutting out of his chest, Raven pouted, "I don't like you … you're too easy to break."

"Raven!"

Hearing her name, Raven turned to find a panting X staring at her wide-eyed, or mask, Raven blinked … and for some odd reason or the other … hesitation gripped her heart as she squared off with him, "He tends to harm you, get rid of him …"

"…" Raven gulped and without warning she threw up her hand and the ground sprouted up to betray him, X nimbly dodged out of the way and hid behind a large cross as the ground he once stood on cracked open. Raven sneered, and said in a sing-song voice, "Jack be nimble … jack be quick … jack will regret ever crossing me …"

"Raven!" X screamed from his hiding place, "Get a hold of yourself! You just killed two human beings! A Teen Titan can't do that!"

She scowled, "I'm dead … remember?"

She lifted the cross he was leaning on and slammed it down on him, X once again moved out of the way, but this time he picked up a few rocks and threw it at the demonic sorceress. Raven saw it and stopped it with her power then threw it back at him, X maneuvered in the clear and charged her, the needle in hand, determine to get close enough to use it. He jumped and rolled when she flew back and sent black tentacles to keep him still. Backing off, X flipped and evaded being caught; frustrating Raven even more as he found another hiding place within the graveyard, but she managed to smirk.

Blood … she could smell his blood … she had injuried him.

If only slightly, on the side X winced and held the clean cut. It burned like hell; in fact, it felt like the tentacle that touched him was scorching hot! Hence the reason he could smell burnt clothing. Taking off the jacket and throwing it to the side, X tried to reason with her one more time, "Raven … this isn't you! You know it! It's the Elixir that's doing this to you; you keep this up who knows how many more will die."

"Don't listen to him! Humans die every day, you're just speeding up the process … say it!"

Raven gulped and bared her fangs, "Humans die every day, it's not like it'll be some Greek Tragedy if I get rid of a few couple hundred million."

X let her talk as he pulled out a retractable blow dart from his back pocket, having a feeling that he was going to have to use it for this kind of situation, he stuffed the needle inside and responded. Preparing for another shot, "Listen to yourself! Is that what a hero's supposed to say? You live to protect people; you're not a killer Raven!'

"…"

"Eliminate him!"

Raven winced when the collar tightened again, the black markings appearing more prominent upon her neck. Bringing a hand up to it she gritted her teeth and scoped out the thief, finding him behind an angelic statue she called upon all the shadows of the night and buried him in darkness, "DIE!"

"Not today Angel," he wasn't behind the statue! He was behind the tree beside her, how he got that close was beyond Raven, but before she knew it something pinched the side of her neck and as she reached up to remove it she stared at the empty needle in confusion. Feeling the world suddenly spinning out she stumbled back and on her side as X walked up to stand over her blurred out vision, and muffled hearing, but she still heard him curse, "Damn you, Slade…"

((--))

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

A/N: Wow … I wonder, I wonder, I wonder what will happen next … hmm … I love the quote up above, I don't know who it's from, but I still love it, because I bet that's what people really mean half the time they say they're 'fine', feh, yeah right.

I guess you'll just have to read about more of what happens next in the next chapter.

Love your reviews, you all know I'm a sucker for them so keep'em comin', you also know I'm good for it;)

L8er daez!