-+-A Thousand Shades of Gray-+-

+The Shade of X+

"Hate me today ...

Hate me tomorrow ...

Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you ...

Hate me so you can finally see

What's good for you ..."

- "Hate me"

- Blue October

SLAM!

Jamie jumped off the couch, Otto flinched at the echo within the house, and Milo looked up dryly at the thief who had finally come out of his room dressed for an outing a permanent scowl on his face. Fixing his collar, Jamie leapt over the couch and followed after X, "Rob – Trix! What's going on?"

"Life." Was his crude remark.

Jamie raised a brow, "Huh?"

X scoffed, "What? Did you think I'd give up my day job? I got a client that wants to discuss a few things with me."

"What!" Jamie reeled in disbelief, "Trix! You're under Slade's radar! You'll be committing suicide if you take this job!"

"So I'll be extra careful mother," X shrugged her off, "I still have to take it. If I don't, it'll prove to Slade that he has the power to control my life … I won't have it."

"Well that's just stupid," Milo snorted from across the room, leaning on the glass windows arms crossed he glared at the equally annoyed thief and sneered, "you never needed to prove anything before, why start now? Not only that, but if Slade knows your true name, what's to stop him from knowing everything else about you? This could be a trap."

X turned on his heel and continued on his way to the door, "Good, that way I can settle his obsession once and for all. He doesn't know who he's messing with."

Milo couldn't help to smirk deviously as his fangs poked out from his lips and his crimson eyes glowed in utter amusement, "And you don't know what you're getting yourself into, Trix … so … what kind of flowers you said you wanted on your casket again?"

"…" he opened the door.

Jamie put a hand on his shoulder, "Trix … don't do it …"

"…" he walked out, "Don't wait up."

"Trix!" he slammed the door on her and Jamie spun around to glare at the chuckling Milo, "He's going to get himself killed and all you're doing is standing there laughing!"

Milo shrugged, "You know for a valedictorian graduate, you're not very bright … ever thought that, that was the whole idea? He's still human, he still has a conscious, and he still has guilt … even social psychopaths have feelings."

Jamie crossed her arms over her chest and scowled, "What are you trying to say? That he feels guilty and he's going to kill himself over it?"

"No …" Otto sighed and smoothed his hair back glancing at his twin sister he huffed and turned his back on her to stare out the liquefied glass with the rain still pouring and pounding relentlessly through out the night. He frowned and saw Jamie come towards him through her glass reflection, Milo standing just a few feet off in the picture. Otto shrugged, "… he's just trying to make things right … but since he hardly knows what that is … he's going at it the only way he knows …"

"Which might be the wrong way," Milo grinned, then glanced down at the thoughtful Jamie, "don't seem so surprised … he's not like most other humans I know … he can take perfectly good care of himself … but besides all that … I'm going back to bed … good-night."

He left … and Jamie plopped down on the couch in defeat, Otto watched her for a moment, not understanding how she can stress over X so much. He understood, however, that when they started to work for X, the only reason Jamie and him ever agreed was because Jamie thought X was an excellent specimen to study. The mind of the subconscious, Jamie wanted to find out what went on in his head … and Otto wasn't going to lie, he was curious as well … the only thing is.

The longer they stayed with X the more the lines of business to friendship started to blur … they started to care about what happened to each other.

((--Titan Tower--))

((--Jump City--))

Ever since their arrival back in their home plate, neither Raven nor Robin caught a break from each other's hostile vibes … and the fact that the alarm went off didn't help much either. Sleep disturbed – and deprived – all Titans reported to the Ops Room trying oh-so hard not to fall flat on their faces from exhaustion, Beast Boy yawned as Robin jumped the couch and started to type furiously on the super-computer, "Dudes … what now!"

"Oh … dare I say it's most taxing the way rest evades our grasp," Starfire moaned, her hair a total wreck, Raven had to faintly wonder if the reason for Starfire's exhaustion was slightly caused by her disappearance. After all, never in her heroic career had Raven ever heard Starfair complain about going on a mission so late at night when the scent of a storm loomed in the heavens. With her hood up and her head down, eyes hidden in darkness she glanced discreetly at Robin and shuttered when she felt his harsh gaze land on her almost accusingly.

Raven narrowed her eyes on him and dared him to say anything that so much as hinted to her disloyalty. He turned away, pressed one key on the keyboard and everyone's mouths dropped open, even Raven who had to steady herself from swaying when she saw him on the screen. His skull-mask glaring menacingly at the screen, Red X, in full costume, Raven gulped and bowed her head. Starfire suddenly stood protectively behind her. Hands on her shoulders, Raven gritted her teeth and tried not to snap at the princess who glared at the screen. While Beast Boy growled, "What does this clown what now?"

"More xinthonium apparently," Robin scowled, his voice a deadly-calm while his mask an evil stare, "that's Logan Science Lab, holds a good amount of xinthonium …"

Cyborg frowned and looked over at Raven, "Rob … I have a bad feeling about this … we get Raven back and he shows up? Little more than coincidence."

Robin balled his hands into fists and began to grind his teeth as he hissed, "That's why he's not getting away this time."

"Don't be overzealous," Raven passively stated wishing she had just kept her mouth shut, but since it just came out she figured she might as well go all the way with being Jenny-Rain-Cloud and turned her back on her team to head for the exit, "X is … is … naturally selfish, he'll get what he wants at whatever the price. I'd exercise more caution than aggression."

Robin looked ready to protest and Raven expected it, but seeing as they were on a time clock where this thief was concerned he let it slide for now and lead the team onward to confront the villain who started the mess. It didn't take them long to get them to their destination, but since X had climbed a few more spots on Robin's shit-list the distance was killer. Patience, was not one of Robin's virtues, Slade would never let him live that fact down. So revving the throttle and screaming down the streets of Jump City, saying Robin was flying was an understatement.

Yet, all jokes aside Cyborg pulled a brake-drift and the T-Car came to a dramatic stop, Starfire floated out of the backseat with Raven levitating beside her, Beast Boy immediately morphed into a stealthy cheetah and Robin snapped out his bo-staff. The Titans were armed and ready to go, Cyborg blasted the door open and Raven gritted her teeth, So much for a stealthy entrance … she thought with a disappointed frown. Of course, how had she forgotten that, that was just the way how her team rolls?

Through the smoke and prepared for battle, Robin bravely jumped into the blinding smoke with the rest of his team in tow, Raven picking up the rear flack least the thief decided to pull a fast one. Having spent a few days with X gave her a little incite to how he worked … and she was pretty damn sure that if he had his head on right, he had high-tailed his ass out of the vicinity. Unless it was a silent alarm that he tripped … but even still, Raven couldn't believe what she was thinking … but …

She had doubts.

Doubts that X was stupid enough not to know that something didn't go well that night.

He wasn't stupid enough not to realize that he was probably walking into a trap.

And most of all:

She knew he damn sure wasn't deaf.

The explosion Cyborg made was loud enough to wake the ancient dead, surely he'd get the hint and run away … right?

Raven huffed, she prayed to God she was right … otherwise, if she was wrong … that meant one thing: X tripped the alarm on purpose … idiot. She left the thought at that, otherwise if she asked herself why he would do such a stupid thing than it would interfere with her job at capturing him. She had already given him a chance with Robin, allowed him to get away with a lie … she wasn't going to do it again and allow him to escape.

Before she knew it, her entire team had come into the center of the facility, a circular room with a glass dome roof and four different passageways – five if you included the tunnel that they came from. Which everyone knew X wasn't down that way … but Raven had her doubts, instinctively all the Titans slid up back-to-back in a circle. Robin at point, Robin frowned and hated to do it … but it was the fastest way to deal with the situation.

He glanced at Starfire and motioned her towards the far right pathway, Beast Boy was taking the far left, Cyborg took the center left and Robin took the last pathway. Leaving Raven to stand in the middle of the circular room to watch everyone's back … she frowned and controlled the urge to roll her eyes. Knowing exactly why Robin did this, she stood patiently suspicious with every shift in the air.

Silence …

Perfect silence …

Deafening … Raven gulped and furrowed her brows, Did he already leave?

She was about to be proven wrong.

"WHA – AAAAHHH!!!" Raven shuttered, Starfire … levitating she was about to shoot down the hallway to help her friend … but the hallway with Cyborg exploded!

KAAABOOOOMM!!

Cyborg … Raven redirected her flight, knowing Starfire could take care of herself for now, but stopped dead in her tracts when she caught a flash of green and Beast Boy was trying to race out of his hallway as a cheetah. He roared and jumped into the air to escape the red adhesive which snapped at his leg and yanked him back. He morphed back with the pure expression of fear, "Raven!"

"Beast Boy …" she dropped to the ground and ran for him, taking a hold of his wrist and pulling him back to her, the adhesive was stronger and her grip was still too loose. With another yank he was pulled away from her and into the shadows. Raven stumbled, but refused to lose, gritting her teeth she made a move to go after Beast Boy, but a fist clenched around her cape stopped her.

Just like Beast Boy she was pulled, but back into the circular room, thrown to the ground she bounced and her hood fell back. On the ground with an aching butt, she looked up and a scream was caught in her throat when Red X's skull mask loomed over her menacingly. She felt him smirk … recognized his aura … and held her breath, suddenly unsure of what to do … until he grabbed the front of her cloak and effortlessly pulled her to her feet and inches from his mask. Raven shuttered and couldn't help it … but his name slipped passed her lips sounding utterly confused, "Xander?"

He chuckled, "Did you really think I'd make it that easy for you? You got a lot to learn Angel." his distorter masked his real voice behind a mechanical hum, but his tone, his way with words … cold and ruthless … just like the thief he was, but Raven didn't understand it.

Why? Why was he doing this? And before she knew what she was asking, it slipped, "What are you doing?"

"Taking what's mine of course," he scoffed and reached a gloved hand up to run it through her violet hair. Involuntarily she flinched at his touch, the glove was smooth, but that wasn't what made her flinch … it was the iciness within his mocking gesture that made her shuttered. There was something very, very wrong here, "isn't that the way the story goes? The good guys always win …"

"No …" she whispered in disbelief …something was SO wrong with this picture, but she couldn't put her goddamned finger on it! Shaking loose from his grasp she levitated away from him and glared, "No! Azarath! Metrion! Zinthous!"

Weakly she felt her power grasp the pipes hidden in the walls, ripped them out and commanded the now snaky moving pipes after the thief who flipped away and vanished from sight. The teleportation, Raven prepared herself and spun around when she expected him to appear behind her … but she dreadfully misjudged. He reappeared in front of her … and since she spun around he was now behind her. Without hesitation he swiped her feet from under her and before she hit the ground he grabbed her throat and slammed her down and her head rang.

She felt his amusement and gritted her teeth still trying to prevent the world from spinning as he said mockingly, "What's the matter angel? Aren't you happy to see me? A moment ago you were all over me."

It hurt, not the physical pain, but what he was saying.

It hurt her head, he was confusing her.

Why was he doing this!

Again, the words slipped before she could fight the urge to say it … no not 'say', but scream it at the top of her lungs, "Why!"

"Raven!" Robin literally dropped in and slammed a steel-toed foot to the side of the thief's head, knocking him off Raven, Robin stood protectively between her and the thief. Raven scrambled to her feet and out of instinct alone backed off to give Robin room as she massaged the growing bump in the back of her head. Robin glanced concernedly at her, but never took his guard off of the thief who was struggling with the same problem Raven had not too long ago, trying to stop the world from spinning. Robin glared at X, while he asked, "You okay?"

Raven cleared her throat and tried her best not to look too confused or hurt for that matter as she muttered, "Yeah …"

Then … the thief said something peculiar, so low under his breath that Raven almost didn't catch it … but with her heightened sense she heard it, and her confusion only grew, "Ugh … where am I …"

And this may have just been her imagination … but he sounded – felt – different for a split second … but it was gone in a flash and he was on his feet sneering at Robin. Robin brandished his bo-staff warningly and if looks could kill X would be six-feet under about now, "I'm going to enjoy this."

X smoothly slid a hand behind his back, straightened up and with a twirl of his wrist bowed mockingly to provoke the already agitated Robin, "By all means …"

No pauses, just a flat out free-for-all.

Raven found herself having to jump back when a few of X's blades bounced off Robin's staff and nearly impaled her. Being very careful to steer clear, Raven had to admit for a couple of humans they moved with speeds and forces frighteningly similar to nighttime beasts. Robin rapidly spun his staff and faked the motion to slam the side of X's head, but ended up twirling around to swipe his feet from under him. X was expectantly one-step a head, flipping back to avoid tripping and gaining some distance.

The moment he crouched he threw more blades, but this time they wee explosives, Robin leapt away, but followed the thief's movements carefully and threw his own share of blades to halt him from running too far. X skidded to a stop before he was made into a human-pin cushion and seemed to scowl as Robin flashed out of the smoke and successfully landed a blow to the side of his masked head. X spun out and stopped to the ground; Robin had no mercy and kicked the thief to skid him a cross the room and bump into far wall.

Raven felt herself cringe, controlled the urge to stop the fight, constantly reminded herself just what side she was on.

X groaned … and if it wasn't for the mask she was pretty sure he'd have coughed out a lung out, Robin was ruthless when he wanted to be and the power behind every one of his movements were definite. Robin stood in triumph as he glared down at the thief … obviously winning wasn't enough at this point … he hated X just as much as he hated Slade. In fact … Raven felt that Robin hated anyone even associated with the mad-man.

The thief choked, "Ah … kudos kid … you've been training."

"Shut-up, you have the right to remain silent," Robin gritted his teeth and stalked towards the villain who was struggling to get to his feet … obviously he's taken too many whacks to the head to even try and move. More than likely, Raven was seriously contemplating if Robin hit him hard enough to give him a concussion.

"I also have a right to an attorney …" X chuckled hoarsely as he leaned on the wall for support, "… but let's face it … I'll never see my day in court … it's either do or die and to be honest kid, I'd rather die."

"Suit yourself."

Raven shuttered, That sounded colder than it was supposed to … was he serious? Raven prayed not, Robin didn't have it in him to kill a man … did he?

She knew X didn't … or did he?

The sorceress scowled inwardly, she was confusing herself!

Again the thief chuckled and Raven sensed he was about to do something stupid, she didn't need her powers to tell her that, it was just the way he sounded and the nature of the beast. Backed into the corner, weak, and at mercy … he was going to fight his way tooth and claw for freedom, it was evident in his earlier statement. He'd rather die than get sent to prison, "Don't think I'll make it easy."

Without warning he threw one blade, one blade that Robin easily dodged and as he rushed X, the grinning thief, Raven gasped at where the blade was headed, "Starfire! DOWN!"

Robin jerked to a stop, "Star …?"

X laughed defiantly, "See ya around kid …"

In a wink, he was gone, and in that same second Starfire looked up and barely leaned back to dodge the blade that sliced through the air and into the hallway she came out of. Gasping in shock, and slightly dazed and confused she glanced at Robin and Raven then frowned and blinked stupidly, "Wha … I am … undamaged …?"

Raven sighed in relief and remembered how to breath again, dropping to her knees in mental exhaustion. Robin cursed angrily at the realization that the thief had gotten away. Raven closed her eyes and held a hand to her heart … for now … she was just glad no one was hurt … X could come after her all he wanted. But when he goes after he friends … for some reason it made her dreadfully uneasy.

Especially after tonight …

There was something wrong with Red X tonight, and she was determined to find out what it was.

Even if it cost her, her friends' trust … she just had to know why he appeared so … different.

((--Next Afternoon--))

((--Trix Hill--))

Eating straight out of the Chinese Box and slurping up the noodles, Otto leaned back on the white leather couch, getting comfortable as he chewed his food and watched the news. Nothing special … some terrorist attack, health-tips, commentaries, news break on Red X's appearance, even more commentaries and – before he knew it he had ruined the white couch by spitting up his food in disbelief. Sitting up he grabbed the remote and turned up the volume till it was practically shouting at him. His brown eyes widened and his mouth dropped to the carpet floor, "Fuck … no …"

"… having broken into Logan Science Lab, apparently on the prowl for some more xinthonium, the notorious Red X was fortunately unsuccessful, but investigators have the sneaking suspicion that more than just chemicals are what this thief is after. Coincidently enough, only after the finding of local Jump City hero, Raven, did Red X reappear. We can only hope that this is just that, a mere coincidence."

"Fuck!" Otto jumped to his feet and threw his food down, shutting off the TV when the news switched to something else he took off into the hall where he knew Jamie was taking residence and banged on her door, "Jamie! Jamie! Open up!"

A few clicking, loud cursing, and the swinging of the door open, the tired blond glared at her twin brother, "What! In case you haven't notice I only got to sleep 20 minutes ago, this better be important!"

"It's X!" Otto announced, "The fuckin' retard is all over the fuckin' news! He was up against the Titans last night."

That shocked Jamie wide-awake, slamming the door shut and reemerging with a large t-shirt over her sport-bra she walked out of her room and both her and her brother headed back out into the den Otto came from. At just the right time, the same news sprung up and Jamie got an eye and an ear full of the footage that was captured on the fight between Robin and X … but Jamie was damn certain that more than that happened. The tape was being censored … what could the Titans be hiding that they didn't want on the news?

Was X really after Raven again?

Why?

Was that his assignment last night?

Had he gone to make amends with Slade?

Jamie prayed to God that wasn't the case.

Then … as if on cue, the entrance door was unlocked and the exhausted thief walked in, smoothing back his naturally messy tinted hair, his obsidian eyes empty and void of all emotions as he sighed tiredly and threw off his jacket. Tossing it on the coat hooks; he walked in on Jamie and Otto and frowned when he noticed the appearing stain of Chinese noodles on his white couch. He sneered, "Aw, come on … that thing cost more than a damn car and you had to go and ruin it … great … just what I need."

Jamie glared at him, "Oh, but it gets better … where the hell were you last night!"

Taken back by the sudden hostilities, he blinked and the tiredness in his tone took a bewildered turn. Raising a cautious brow as Otto turned off the TV, both twins stood mirrored with arms crossed over their chests just glaring at him accusingly. X furrowed is brows together and glanced from one twin to the other, "Alright … lets get to the point and fast because I'm in no mood, what the hells up?"

Otto sneered, "You tell us, you went out to replenish your suit last night?"

X blinked again and raised a confused brow, "Wha …?"

"Oh come off it X!" Jamie suddenly snapped, "Where the hell do you get off making a spectacle of yourself! Who's side are you on this time?"

"Mine," X growled and stepped up to the twins, as Jamie snorted.

"Yeah, that's convenient of you."

The thief was getting sick of running in circles, "What the fuck is going on?"

Otto sighed exasperatedly, "X, you were all over the news! They claim that you were targeting Raven … was that the job you took? Was that where you went?"

"…" He didn't answer right away; Jamie gulped down a sick twist in her stomach, was he really with Slade again? She bit down on her lower lip and shook her head, she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it was nearly impossible when he stood there and looked completely guilty. That is … until his dark jewel-like eyes hardened to stone as he glared at the duo pointing at each individually addressing them as he made his way to his quarters, "Fuck you. Fuck you. I was no where near Jump City, not that it's any of your business."

The twins followed after him determined to get the story straight, Jamie pressured him, "Than where were you?"

"George Black," he snorted, "but don't take my word for it, go call him yourself, he wanted me to get some important information from the CIA, the usual, the bastard still thinks they're after him."

He stopped at his door, but only to open it, Jamie stood close behind him and waited till he tuned around to fire another accusing question with a cold stare, "And that took you all night?"

X scowled, "Like I said, don't take my word for it, George can be reached at 1-800-KISS-MY-ASS."

SLAM!

Jamie bit down on her lower lip and glared at the ground, glancing up at her brother she asked in a whisper, making sure that X wouldn't be able to hear them from beyond the door, "You believe him?"

Otto shook his head with a tired shrug, "I don't know … it's kind of hard to imitate the Red X suit unless it's the real thing … or unless someone has the design on paper …"

"So you think someone's going around impersonating him?"

"Copy-cats are highly-unlikely, but not uncommon," Otto sighed, Jamie frowned and they both stood in silence for a moment, before the door across from X's opened and Milo stepped out. Leaning on the door frame he smirked mockingly at the duo who eyed him cautiously, obviously having forgotten that they were sharing living space with an inhuman monster.

His toothy grin sent shivers down Jamie's spine as his crimson eyes pierced through their souls Just as easily – if not more directly – as X's obsidian-orbs … it was disturbing. The way he can stare at them like they were food as he chuckled and closed his door, and walked down the hall, "You humans are so amusing … all this commotion for something as meaningless as being caught on film … but I'm quite sure I had commented my part in the discussion last night. Stupid."

Otto narrowed his eyes and was ready to protect his friend with a rebuttal, but X's door opened again and the twins made room for him to march down the hall. Milo paused and looked over his shoulder with a smug grin as the thief stormed passed him, ignoring his mocking comments, "A successful night might be saying much, hmm? I'm sure the Titans appreciated your visit … Raven didn't seem to mind."

Wrong button to press, Raven was still a touchy subject where X was concerned.

Without so much as a warning Milo found himself suddenly snarling defensively when X had him pinned against a wall, the side of his arm pressed against his neck. Milo was honestly shocked that the human could move this fast … in fact it startled him, there was no way it was possible! Controlling his use of claws when he sensed Jamie and Otto coming to pry the thief off of him, X seemed determined to see him dead … but his pressure was loosing it's threat and just as fast as he was on him he was gone. Pulling away from Jamie and Otto, the two stared after X in utter bewilderment; Jamie was the bravest to call out to him, "Where are you going?"

"The garage," he answered in a grumble, "my bike needs a tune up."

With that, he was gone, temper and all.

Milo, this time, was smart enough not to press buttons as he snorted and straightened himself out, muttering to himself, "Well … somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed … he's more sensitive than usual."

Jamie glared, "You asked for that one."

Milo pretended he never heard the human and made his way to the den, where he noticed the stain on the white leather and just as X before him had scowled and scoffed, "Great …"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Jamie, Otto, and Milo all turned to the entrance and stared at it for a moment with utter confusion. The twin gulped and asked in unison, "Are we expecting company?"

Milo bared his fangs, "Non that I know of … seems like Robin is far more popular than I first imagined …"

Bravely he walked towards the door and answered like he would any other time someone came knocking at his door. Opening it he peeked outside and gazed upon a stunning blond with equally stunning jade eyes with golden flakes. Dressed casually in a tight grayish turtleneck and dark blue jeans, obviously trying to deflect the constant rain she was trying to escape. She smiled sheepishly at Milo who just stared at her like she was some sort of fish out of water that could talk with a voice that was candy-coated sweetness, "Oh, hello … this is the Tanner Residence, correct?"

"…" it took a moment for it to register, but Milo caught on quick, "Yes, this is …"

"Well, then …" her jade eyes brightened and she snapped out a hand for him to shake, "… I'm Marisa Van'Gareth …"

Milo took her hand and as he shook it he pulled her inside to get out of the rain, "Milo … Milo Arch, I don't believe we've met."

Marisa giggled cutely, "Probably not … I'm more acquainted with the master of the house actually and I was wondering if he was here."

"Trix?" Milo asked.

"Yes," Marisa nodded; seeming nervous a she glanced around the spacious building, "wow … nice place."

"Trix always did have … exceptional tastes," as he said it, his eyes never left the beautiful bland, Marisa glanced back at him, Milo appeared completely casual and cleared his throat. Carefully placing hi hand lightly on the small of her back he directed her toward the garage, "Well, then, if you wish to see Trix Tanner, than it shall be my command."

Marisa giggled and blushed a bit at Milo's otherworldly charm.

Meanwhile, hidden within the shadows of the hallway, Jamie and Otto's mouths dropped, Jamie hanging on her brother asked in utter disbelief, "Marisa …? What is she – no – how did she find X!"

Otto slapped a hand over her mouth to shut her up, "Shh! I don't know … but damn, she even knows his current identity."

Jamie pulled Otto's hand from her mouth and hissed in annoyance, "Fuck, Rob wasn't lying when he said this little bitch was persistent … what do we do!"

"Nothing we can do … but watch it play out."

"Well I'm getting fuckin' sick of sitting and watching! I'm telling you, some weird shit I going on and I'll be damned if I don't find out what it is."

"What are you going to do?"

"That bitch has impeccable timing, I don't know Otto, but I feel it in my gut, she's got something to do with this."

"You're being ridiculous … for all you know she's probably as worried about X as we are."

"Like hell she is."

Otto sighed tiredly, "James, I know what you're thinking, but you got to be reasonable … now that we know Marisa's family comes from a long line of witches, she probably already knows who Robin really is! Hell! I'm willing to bet that she knew from the start. I say we just let her go."

Jamie glared at her brother, "Let her go? Let her go! Are you out of your goddamned mind! After what she did to Rob, you're just going to stand there and tell me to let her go! Hell no!"

"Jamie," Otto reached out and took hold of his sister's shoulders, forcing her to stand still, look him in the eye, and listen very carefully, "I'm not the psychiatrist here … but I get the feeling that Marisa's turned over a new leaf … I think … she might actually be really sorry for what she tried to do to Robin before. Besides, we both know – we both knew – Raven was a lost cause … it was just a heat of the moment thing. You know, one of those, 'I-want-what-I-can't-have' kind of moments. They'll both grow out of it, maybe Marisa's just a stepping stone for X … I could be wrong, but if X doesn't get his ass back into gear soon Slade's already won."

"But I don't like her!" Jamie whined sounding rather childish.

Otto patiently slipped away from his sister and said with a reluctant, but supportive smile, "I know … but that's not for you to judge."

((--))

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

A/N: … Is it just me … or does X have a personality disorder border lining social psychopath with slight amnesia? Who knows, I don't … O.o …:) okay, so maybe I do, but like I'm gonna tell you right off the bat ;), you all are smart individuals, I'm sure you'll get the picture. If you don't, oh well, more fun for me to torture you with a later update.

Luv yazs

l8er daez

p.s. sorry for the lack of grammar corrections and the like, I got lazy, very, VERY SORRY for that.

L8er daez