-Passing Judgment: Playing by the Rules-

-Happily Ever After-

"Cashes! After the girl!" Jylin shouted across the clearing to Cashes who barely dodged one of Malchior's advances. The dragon turned around to see if his master was alright, but when he took his eyes off Malchior, Malchior jumped from the ground spun around and with his whipped his tail to the side of Cashes head.

Cashes roared as he dropped and skidded into a tree, Malchior ran up to him, lifted him off the ground by the throat and pushed him against the tree, his crimson eyes starting to glow as he growled, "You're not going anywhere."

Cashes swiped his claws at Malchior's gut, forcing him to drop him and move back, but when he did Cashes immediately jumped into the tree and took off after Raven. Malchior snarled and went after him, leaving X alone to deal with Jylin. X checked his xinthonium meter and silently cursed when he found he only had enough for at least one more weapon. And the worse part was that Jylin knew with the grin on his face. Twirling his sword and moving in a circle, X moved with him in order to keep him in his range, Jylin chuckled, "You're not a hero, X, don't try … you won't win with a sword. It's not your style. You're attacks are all long range, fleeting, cowardice."

X snorted and moved the red x tapes from the palm of his hands to the back where he jerked his arms down and summoned the rotating x's, buzzing and blurring at the speed they were going. The thief knew they were really for a rushed break in, can slice through titanium and then-some. Holding them up, X sneered, while Jylin's grin turned into a scowl, "Sticks and stones … I'll make you pay for the shit you put Lance through, just like I did Jaeden."

Jylin scoffed, "My dear brother was never a true threat, the idiot never knew what hit him before I sent his head rolling across the wooden floor … I'm sure you would have enjoyed the sight. Did you know that he was never Lance's real father?"

"I don't think it matters now."

"… You're right …" Jylin smirked, "it doesn't."

Without much warning Jylin charged, but as X brought up his rotating blades to block the impact of the sword, Jylin ducked down and swept his sword across X's stomach. Thinking fast, X retracted his x's and flipped back, kicking the sword away from him, he landed in a crouch and summoned his blades again. Jylin snorted and went one the defensive as X jumped for Jylin and in a blur of movements attempted various moved to carve the golden eyed monster a new hole to breathe through.

As Jylin brought his sword down on X's head, X brought his blades up and blocked the move, but Jylin's sword also prevented the blades from rotating therefore it locked the both together. With Jylin pushing down to pierce X with his own blade, but X was strong enough to push against him. Finding this position no help at all, X kicked up and rolled back to slide his x blades away from Jylin's sword and to avoid being sliced himself.

He looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes when Jylin came after him. Sneering X dug his blade into the ground and with a jerk kicked up dirt and grass, flinging them back at Jylin. Jylin growled when some dirt flew in his face, but snapped to attention when X nearly came close to cleaving his head off when the rotating blades buzzed passed his head after he dodged to the side. Another closer buzz was lower and headed for his side, jumped back to gain to distance, Jylin prepared for X to be on him, swishing, clanging, and banging away. Both the combatants were never aware of the third party that would soon join them.

As Jylin knocked one of X's advances away he thrust his sword through the opening he saw and close to piercing X's chest. X moved to the side just barely, and winced when he felt the sword graze flesh going forward, but when Jylin pulled back X spun away as his side was split open. Quickly retracting his blades before he hit the ground, holding his side, X growled and looked back at the smug Jylin whose sword displayed his blood proudly. Jylin snickered, "You were always such a slip up."

He lifted the sword up to finish him, but at the corner of his eye he saw another flash of silver, another sword, this one also summoned by magic coming down on him. Jylin moved back and much to his shock his son, Zak, had come to X's rescue, X glared at him, especially when he saw that Zak was in no condition to fight, "Az – Zak, what the fuck man? You trying to kill yourself?"

Zak panted, sweating hard, eyes glazed over in numbness, one whole side of his shirt socked with blood, he looked at X and offered a tired smile, "I've been looking for a means to an end all my life … I was literally the walking dead … I just didn't know it yet."

Shit he's delusional! X cursed and gritted his teeth when his side throbbed, Fuck! This fucking hurts! Gulping, X carefully got to his feet and tried to talk Zak out of doing something stupid, but when he saw Jylin tense, it was too late. Faster than either of the two could move Jylin was on them, Zak saw it, and lifted his sword to block, then maneuvered flawlessly around his father. They spun away from one another, twirled their swords and in slow motion everything played out to a disbelieving X. Back to back, both father and son dug their swords into each other's back making sure to pierce where it mattered.

Both stood still in shock … at the same time pulling their swords out from one another's backs they turned to stare at one another, Kain in disbelief as he tasted the coppery texture of his warm blood coming up his mouth. Zak smirked weakly blood already trailing down the corner of his mouth he chuckled. His eyes becoming hazy as he coughed and nearly chocked on his own blood as he whispered curiously, speaking to his dead brother as he dropped his sword and reached out to nothing … yet everything, "So … you're not … mad …? … O … kay …"

Kain held a hand to his heart and dropped to his knees weakly as did his son, but Zak felt to his side and finally gave into the abyss, Kain defiantly refused to die, but it was inevitable. Darkness was consuming his vision as it faded in and out, the pain becoming unbearable, and before he knew it, it was all over. Leaving X to stand in the middle of the clearing shaking his head sadly, walking up to Zak he lifted up a blood hand to close his eyes and whispered remorsefully, "Rest in peace Zak …"

A roar split the night – correction – as X looked up he saw the sky was lighting up and Malchior and Cashes were nowhere in sight. He growled and again got to his feet, Lance …

--

Malchior smirked as Cashes dropped to the ground in a bloody heap, yanking his tail out from his chest he snorted, "Warrior Dragon my hid."

Malchior's smirk dropped as he sensed and heard something in the distant sky, looking up through the jungle's canopy, he glared when he saw an orange and black ship. A Titan pod holding more Titan, and by the looks of it he guessed it was the leader, and he was going to land near by. Again hearing another sound and smelling heavy blood – not Cashes or a trickle of his own – it was Trenton's, he was coming his way and he was hurt, bad. Through the bushes, Trenton did show up, but before he could go any further Malchior held up a bloody clawed hand to stop him, "Hold on, Robin's up ahead."

Trent sneered, "So, I need to make sure Lance is safe."

"Not likely," Malchior said nonchalantly, this caught Trent's full attention as he turned and glared a glare that demanded Malchior to tell him what he meant by that. The dragon shrugged, "This is the dawn of the third day … you know what that means."

"Fuck no!" Trent pushed on in the general direction he sent Raven off to, he had to be sure, had to make sure Lance was still alive.

--

What the – Robin! Raven gasped as he felt his ship land, without the rest of the Titans. Holding Lance close to her person, feeling him go completely limp in her arms, he had numerous times tried to keep him up, but he was non-responsive. However with her being an empath she felt his life-force was still there … only so dim it was dangerous. Thinking that maybe she should run and hide from her leader, she looked down at Lance and remembered what he had told her earlier, "Jump City … he called it the sacrificial portal … that's the gateway into Dragon Trove …" from then Raven had been trying to run as close to central America as she could so help her teleport there safely.

But with each passing minute it seemed impossible.

And now Robin was here … what was she to do as his pod opened and he jumped out calling her name in relief, shock, and everything else all rolled into one, "Raven!"

I have no choice! Raven thought exasperatedly, running towards Robin she quickly explained, "Robin, we have to go to Jump City, now! Lance is near dead and if we don't get him to the old Jump City Library he'll die."

What a way to say hi.

Robin blinked once, blinked twice, processing her words until they clicked and he nodded, "Alright, get in."

"Are you sure we can fit?"

"Positive, let's go."

Without further ado, Raven climbed aboard and squeezed behind Robin's, still holding Lance she watched the glass shield drop down and Robin start up the engines. Biting down on her lower lip she prayed to whatever God will listen that X and Malchior were alright … and prayed harder for X to understand as the pod lifted off the ground and at top speed Robin traveled back home. While in the process, X and Malchior had burst into the clearing too late, Raven and Lance were gone. X looked over pleadingly at Malchior, "If there was anything I'd ask of you it'll be to follow that ship."

Malchior nodded in understanding and quickly morphed, helping X onto his back Malchior reared back and launched into the sky. Flying as fast as he could to keep up with Robin's ship he frowned in confusion as he realized where they were headed, Central America? Is that where the gate is? What a nascence to end where it started … or ironic.

Within Robin's pod an awkward silence suddenly hung over the tight atmosphere like a dark cloud. Raven gulped and Robin sighed, "I'm sorry …"

Raven looked up to him in confusion, about to ask what he was so sorry for, she silenced herself when the memory of what he said at the manor came to her. Understanding, but not quite sure what to say about it, she held closer to Lance and shook her head, "What's done is done … leave it alone."

"… Right …" Robin nodded.

Awkward silence … Raven broke it this time, "How far are we?"

"Not far."

"Good … just keep us in the dark, once the sunlight touches the necklace, Lance is done for."

"Then I guess I better go faster."

"That would be nice."

There was a sudden jerk and the pod lurched forward, forcing Malchior to push himself to his limits.

Half-an-hour later, Jump City was within the horizon, but the sun was directly behind them and approaching fast. Raven frowned, and Robin glanced down at his radar, just now looking at it to notice he was being followed. Looking back at Robin, wanting to ask if she knew anything about it, he decided to keep quiet about it and made a straight line to the old Jump City Library. Hovering for a second, then landing, the moment he slid the shield off Raven jumped out and ran for the steps. Robin when after her, pulling out his communicator, he phoned in the rest of the Titans, "Titans! This is Robin, I found Raven, we're at the old Jump City Library."

Cyborg chimed in, "What the hell are you guys doing there?"

"There's a dire situation with Lance … and be on the look out, I think Trenton Bou might be somewhere near by use caution." Robin gritted his teeth and ran faster to keep up with Raven as she ran down the spiral staircase, wondering why she wasn't using her power to phase through to the bottom. He figured it was because she didn't want to risk her powers corrupting the child, but still, he had to wonder, since when had she been so fast!

"Robin, why must we caution ourselves with the Trenton Bou? Is he not a civilian?"

"Maybe, but I'm betting he's a little more than that, Robin out." putting his communicator away he caught finally caught up with Raven when she stopped at the split tunnels. As if trying to remember which way to go, Robin ran passed her and into the tunnel with her crest on it, Raven followed and soon enough found herself within her old stomping grounds. Or … her old past grounds, the glass dome on top showed the sunlight coming through and shining at the center of the chamber.

Panting she looked down at Lance and made her way towards the center, but was stopped when Robin grabbed her arm and looked down at her with uncertainty, "You sure about this? The last time this happened … I – we – nearly lost you … I don't want that to happen again."

Raven decided not to question the quick save when robin caught himself about to say something that'll suggest personal concern. She thought it was sweet of him to care so much and held out a hand to his cheek, cupping it she game him a reassuring look and said softly, "It's alright … you're not going to loose me any time soon, I'm doing this for Lance, he needs this."

Hot white melted into cold violet eyes that Robin found had somehow … changed in tone … they were still cold, hard, and piercing … but it was like it had soften. Not in a caring sort of way, but in a way that suggested she was more comfortable with life, her life. Confidant, and assertive … not usual words to associate with Raven, sure Robin knew she was confident in herself, but not this strongly. Raven … Robin knew back then would have been too insecure to reach out and actually touch him the way she did.

In fact, she didn't like touching anyone period!

She had changed …

For better …

Or for worse …

Robin didn't know … but he held a hand over hers and nodded slowly, whispering, three little words that assured her and himself that they were still partners, teammates and most importantly … friends, "I trust you."

And she answered with a cryptic, "I know."

As if she predicted he would say something like this, Robin let it go and let her go into the center of the chamber … into the sunlight, where Lance was suddenly pulled from her arms. Raven let him go and again sent another prayer hoping to any god that this'll work as Lance's childish body floated over her head, limp and exposing the necklace to the sunlight. Looking so serine and peaceful, his silver eyes suddenly snapped open as a breath of air rushed into his body and energy rushed through his tiny body.

Raven and Robin both braced when a shockwave of power shook the ancient structure. The circle below Raven suddenly glowed pure white, knowing this was the portal, Raven levitated to make sure she didn't fall through. A stab of panic went through Robin's body not wanting a repeat of the past, he held himself back forcefully wanting this whole magic thing to be over with. His prayer was answered with a quiet, click, as the ring snapped off and fell through the white portal. Lance fell with it, Raven caught him and both of them floated back to the ground as the portal closed shut.

Robin was about to rush up to make sure both of them were alright, but someone else beat him to it, "Lance!"

Trent ran up form behind Robin all the way to Raven and the knocked out Lance. Malchior leaned against the thrush hold and crossed his arms over his chest, taking a relieved breath he grumbled, "Humans … it's like taking care of hatchlings, they always need protection."

Robin raised a brow and looked back; narrowing his masked eyes in suspicion he frowned and pointed out observantly, "Malchior … right?"

Malchior nodded, "Excuse me if I don't bow before your grace, but I'm a bit worn out, so if you don't mind …"

The sarcasm was ignored, "Where's your master?"

"… Untimely death … not by my hands of course … it's complicated."

"You were helping Raven and Trenton?"

"More Raven than the other … she was so set on finding the child … I think she blames herself for the trouble."

"Why would you say that?"

"… This wouldn't have happened if she didn't decide to help Red X."

Robin's frown turned into a scowl, "What?"

Malchior smirked and nodded towards the scene with Raven kneeling next to Trenton, who held onto Lance as if his life would end if the child had died. It was then that Robin noticed behind Trenton's hands … the Red X tapes. Mouth falling open in disbelief, he shook his head and glared at the ground, wishing that he wasn't right most of the time, Why … why would she?

"I don't think she did it to spite you … or because the Red X swooned her to the other side. I think she did it … because of the one thing that always kills the cat … curiosity. I'm sure you've been bitten by the curios bug once before in your life time, however, I could be wrong … she could have done it because she knew who Red X really was. She just had to wait for the opportune moment to turn him over to you … all wrapped up in a little red bow as an early birthday present perhaps. Or maybe to say she was sorry for defying you and risking her life to bring down the most wanted thief in the world. Either way … there he is … in flesh and blood, too weak to fight, out of xinthonium, and too emotionally distraught to think straight … you can take him now … she made it easy for you … so easy."

"And you?" Robin gritted his teeth, trying to keep his head as all of Malchior's words rolled around his head, each one explanation making more so sense than the other either way he looked at it. Robin's infamous scowl surfaced, "Aren't you in on this whole mess?"

"I was stolen remember?" Malchior grinned devilishly, "For all you know I could have been spellbound."

"You used Raven for your own selfish needs, you helped the Brotherhood in their quest for world domination, and … I just plain don't like you," Robin growled, "I can put you away just as easily as Trenton over there … you flew nonstop from India to Panama, then flew again to keep up with me after a fight you had with another dragon. I'm pretty damn sure you're about as helpless as they come."

"You sure you want to test that theory?" Malchior's grin never diminished, only widened as Robin turned away from him to notice Raven had looked up to him with a distant expression, as if she was thinking of what to do. What to say … probably even wondering what it was he and Malchior were talking about. Robin didn't know why she was looking at him like that … and didn't really want to know; too caught up in the possibility that Raven was helping Red X.

Helping a criminal!

Sure he had gone over to the dark side, but this was Raven!

He actually expected better from her … she was – most of the time – the level headed logically one of the group when he was too emotionally wound up to think.

Why would she risk everything to capture this thief?

Then it hit him, something he had forgotten, The bond she shared with him … that could have something to do with it! Raven's not stupid enough to risk her life for him … unless she was influenced … the link they have could have been the one to distort her reasonable train of thought. Convinced it was because of the link Raven went against him, Robin was content to live with that thought as he watched Raven turn away from him and run her hand through Lance's hair.

Her violet eyes looked up into Trenton's silver orbs, and Trent frowned when he saw that storm brewing in her eyes. Discreetly he looked over at Robin and the smirking dragon, wondering what the lizard was so smug about, he looked back at Raven and shrugged, "So this is it huh … end of the line?"

Raven looked away, not able to find the strength to look him dead in the eye as she said quietly, "I'm sorry …"

"Don't worry about it … I understand … why would you chose me over your friends."

"It's not that at all …" Raven finally looked up at him and wish she hadn't for her reasonable train of thought flew out the window, and she began speaking from god-knows-where, "… X … you have to fight back … resist arrest and … and getaway before it's too late. You don't deserve it … Lance needs you … fight back … please …"

Then … he smiled that genuine, cute boyish smile that he had given her on the plane. The one smile that let her know that everything was okay, no matter how small it was, it was still there, and it was all for her … making her feel even more guilt as Robin slowly approached them, Trenton whispered, "I said don't worry about it, every Princess needs a happy ending …"

Robin was only a few steps away, and in a low enough voice, Raven chocked out so only Trent can hear and cause him to stare at her in a new light as her violet eyes glistened, "This isn't mines …"

"X?" Robin called, and it took a minute till Trenton turn to look up at Robin, still trying to process Raven's words, trying to be sure he heard right.

Trent put on a face and scoffed, "Hey kid … long time no see."

"…" Robin sighed and glanced at Raven who bowed her head and took Lance away from Trent, holding him and keep her eyes on the ground as Robin addressed Trent in a deadpanned tone, "Hands behind your head, you're under arrest for numerous counts of thief, resisting arrest, endangering civilians, and the list goes on. You have the right to remain silent, you –"

"I know my rights, kid, just get it over with." Trent interrupted, still looking at Raven as Robin went behind him and proceeded to cuff him … laser cuffs, Trent was a good escape artist, but laser cuffs were still new to him, "Hey … if it's not too much to ask … can we limit the press, I don't want my face splashed across the world you know, small request before my life ends."

Robin lifted him up carefully, noticing that he still had a rather interesting cut on his side that needed to be looked at. Masked eyes met silver for the first time as hero and villain, and Robin couldn't explain it … but he felt like he did owe him a little something. X was a bad-guy, yes, but he also helped save the world some of the time, could it hurt for small requests? No, it couldn't, Robin figured and nodded, "Sure …"

"Thanks …" Trent said quietly and followed as Robin lead him outside of the chamber, leaving Raven to carry Lance and follow quietly.

--

Later that day

Titan Tower

Raven's Room

Finally earning herself a nice cool shower after Lance had woken up, asked about his uncle (and much to Raven's surprise hadn't flipped about his arrest), and taken a bath himself. Raven rinsed off the grim of the jungles, and the dirt from everything else she had been in. She ducked her head under her heavy beating of the shower head and kept herself there for a moment, letting the water rush down her body allowing her to purify her while she summarized the events in the pass week.

All in a weeks time she had linked with a criminal, went behind her friends' backs, helped the same criminal, saved the world, traveled it, had an extraordinary adventure, turned in said criminal and fell in – Raven cut that thought off before she expanded on it. Turning off the water she reached for her towel and proceeded to probably dry and cloth herself before stepping into her room where Lance was sitting on her bed staring at the ground distantly.

Raven frowned, Uh-oh … delayed reaction, please don't be too hysterical … Raven pleaded as she threw her towel to a random chair and walked up to Lance, kneeling in front of him she asked softly, "You alright?"

Lance looked up at her with a sad gloom in his eyes, "Why did you let them take him away? I thought … I thought you liked my uncle?"

"I do …" that came out easier than she first thought for a lie … or was it a lie? Raven didn't have the time to think about it as she sighed and tried to keep Lance level headed, "He's just being a good influence for you … showing you that he's doing the right thing."

Lance glared at her, "Ever thought that doing the right thing isn't always doing the right thing?"

"Lance …" he jumped on the bed and turned away from her in a childish pout, Raven huffed and stood up. Shaking her head she gave up on him for the moment when her door was knocked upon, walking over to it, never caring that her hair was still a wet and tangled mess she opened it and was met with Malchior's crimson orbs, "Malchior …"

At the mention of the dragon's name, Lance looked over at the door and heard the dragon whisper, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

She replied, "Sure."

Raven opened the door for Malchior to come in, but the dragon declined and added quietly after seeing Lance on the bed, "Alone."

The sorceress was a bit hesitant, but she agreed and stepped outside, closing the door, Lance jumped to his feet and rushed to the door. Pressing his ear against the metal door he tried to hear what they were saying, but gave up … apparently they were smarter than him and one of them slipped up a sound barrier. Pouting Lance walked back to the bed, but stopped when he noticed on Raven's dresser was her new communicator after she had said she "lost" her other one.

An idea popped into his head and he picked it up, dialing in an old familiar number he said, "Hello? … This is Lance Santos, can I speak to Agent Francisco Bou? … Tell him it's about Agent Xander Santos, he's in trouble … okay …"

Lance waited and nervously glanced at the door, wondering what it as that Malchior and Raven were talking about, but hoping that they'd prolong it long enough so he can talking Francisco, if there was one thing he thanked Reign for was for having a connection with a CIA agent. It made it so easy for his uncle to cover his tracks since him and Francisco was close.

Someone picked up, "Lance? I can't know you right now, what the hell's wrong with X and why does my tracer say you're calling from a Titan communicator?"

"Well, that's part of the problem," Lance glanced at the door again, "I'm in Raven's room and Xander's been arrested for being found out that he's Red X."

"WHAT!"

"I know, he needs someone to bail him out."

"You know that's impossible if the press is all over him, the CIA can't be involved with a criminal remember?"

"Yeah, I know that too, but Xander was smart enough to request no press," Lance gulped when he heard a sound from outside, apparently Raven was done with Malchior was about to reenter her room, "look, Francisco, I got to go, Xander's at Jump City Police Department being interrogated … or in a holding cell, whichever comes first. Bail him out!"

"What about you?"

Lance panicked when he heard the doors code being punched in, "I can take care of myself. Help Xander!"

Click!

Lance slipped the communicator back on the dresser and proceeded to look around as if curious about Raven's room. When the door opened, he looked up and saw Raven coming in with a long face and Malchior staying outside, she turned around and cracked the door closed, shaking her head, Lance heard her whisper, "I'm sorry … I can't …"

"I know …" Malchior nodded and kissed her on her forehead, "but if you ever change your mind, you know where I'll be."

Raven nodded in response, "Yeah."

With that she slid the door shut and that was all Lance needed to see to understand what had happened. Apparently, not only was his uncle smitten with the sorceress, but the dragon was too … actually Lance always knew, but the problem was he wasn't quite sure if the dragon was serious. Now he knew … and Lance didn't know what to feel when Raven walked up to him and gently ran her fingers through his hair.

She sighed and said, "You know … if you want to stay here … I can have it all arranged."

Lance was grateful for the offer, but after he saw that little display of affection between her and the dragon he had to decline, "Nah … I'm sure Gregory won't mine caring for me. He's cool like that."

"I'm sure he is."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You already did."

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Go a head."

"…" Lance took a moment to compose himself, and blurted what he had been thinking ever since she told him of his uncle's fate after they saved him, "From the start … was this all a plot to capture my uncle? Were you … assigned by your higher-ups to catch him?"

Raven shook her head and sat on her bed after grabbing her brush and began to brush her wet tangled hair out. Telling Lance the truth because she figured since he was going to loose his only remaining family he had a right to know, "No … honestly, I … well … it's complicated, I had a fight with my leader and I guess working with your uncle made me feel like I was getting back at him for the mean things he said to me. But then … I thought it would be interesting to find out what it is that made X tick. That's all I wanted to know … but then guilt settled in and I figured it was my duty as a Titan to bring down the villain."

"But you still like him … don't you?"

"Of course," again Raven was fascinated at how fast she answered those types of questions, when before she'd have skirted it or shut herself from it, she looked up at Lance shrugged, "Your uncle's a good man … he really is … and don't ask me to explain why I'd allow a good man to be put in prison … maybe you're right, maybe doing the right thing isn't always doing the right thing …"

"I don't hold this against you if that's what you're thinking," Lance assured her with a shrug; "I just want to know your point of view."

Raven continued to brush her hair, as she complimented, "You're pretty bright for a 9 year old."

"I learn from the best." It took a moment, but Raven chuckled to herself while Lance smiled and sat next to her, lifting up her arm, Raven watched as he placed it around his shoulders and he leaned on her with a tired sigh. Closing his eyes he whispered, "You know … out of all the girls I've seen my uncle with … you're the only one I've seen him be his true self with. I mean real true self …"

He yawned and Raven let him lean against her.

--

Jump City Police Department

Two weeks later, late at night

Holding Cell

Sitting on the jail-cell bed, can against the wall, all bandaged and washed off with loose white button up shirt only a few of the buttons done while the remaining three were left open. His collar still sticking up and his black jeans all provided by a kind gentleman that thought he looked like he'd been through hell. Thank God for small miracles. C stared at the far gray wall on the other side of the jail bars. Wondering if he stared hard enough the world will go into reverse and he can redo all the stupid things he's done.

No luck … he was still sitting in the jail-cell.

Blinking a few times, he sighed and looked at the guard that sat at his desk and read a book … the first he's ever seen a guard read a book. All the other's he's seen read dirty magazines and the like … something knew he guessed. Not like it mattered, because in a matter of minutes he'll be transferred to Jump State Federal Penitentiary where he'll live out the rest of miserable life. Or … at least … that's what he thought when he heard the outside doors open and saw the watch guard get up from his chair to face another human being.

This one decked out in a suit and tie, looking all professional standing next to another guard that escorted him, the suit looked at X with deep brown eyes and X raised a shocked brow, "Francisco?"

Francisco nodded as the guard next to him motioned to the watch guard, "Open the cell, this prisoner is to be released."

The watch guard jerked his head back in shock, "Uh … sir … this is a code black criminal, highly dangerous and –"

"His bails been paid … open the cell."

"Uh …" the watch guard was still bewildered as he walked to his bars and unlocked them. X never bothered to get up from his seat as the door opened and he was released … staring and looking around expected someone Ashton to pop out of anywhere and shout out: "You've been punked!" anytime soon, X got to his feet and walked out. The guard closed the cell behind him and X was lead, along with Francisco – holding a briefcase in one hand – out to the outside world.

Standing a top the steps of the police department, outside in the world, away from the prison scene, Francisco handed him the briefcase and eyed him warningly as he gestured to the black limo that pulled up, "Don't get caught again Xander … it costs the agency money to keep you outside."

X grinned smugly, "Maybe, but I bet it'll cost even more for you to cover your ass if I was to spill everything I've ever done."

Francisco shook his head and opened the door for him, revealing and napping Lance on the leather seats; he frowned as X stepped into the limo and warned him one last time, "Just be a little more careful next time X … I can't always bust you out."

"You make it sound like I always get caught."

"Just take the money, and disappear, lay low for a while you know, rent out an island and have an early vacation. Hell, heir Tyra Banks as your yoga instructor I don't care, but I don't wanna hear you're in or anywhere near Jump City got it?"

"I get it," X smirked, "don't you trust me?"

Francisco snorted, "Not as far as I can throw you."

X laughed quietly to himself and shook his head as he closed the door and the limo drove away. His smile falling as a distant look settled on his face, he ordered the limo to head for Castillo Manor and the driver complied. Looking down at Lance, X was glad that he wasn't taken away from him. He spotted something odd in the kid's hands, a piece of paper … carefully sliding it from his grasp he opened it and read something that actually made him think.

It was only two words … written in Lance's hand writing.

The note read:

See Raven …

--

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

A/N: Well how you like dem apples? I'll be back with more …

L8r daez!