Human Behavior

I warn you...you'll love and hate me by the end of this chapter.

Chapter six: Enjoy

They say there's no such place as paradise. Even if you search to the ends of the earth, there's nothing there. No matter how far you walk, it's always the same road; it just goes on and on. But in spite of it all, why am I so driven to find it?

--Wolf's Rain--

A crimson sunrise painted across the horizon. Jinx stared solemnly out the window, her tired eyes squinting against the morning light. No rest came when she lay down earlier; only dread. The last few hours were spent agonizing over what had happened, wishing it would all disappear. How stupid she though, to throw such a precious thing away.

And Selinda…that, that fucking traitor. The feline wrapped her arms around herself uncomfortably, the memory of the girls cold, lifeless flesh touching her made Jinx' skin tingle in a disgusting way. She felt dirty, tainted, and empty. She was slipping; slowly falling down a path she swore would never appear. Given something so precious as another's heart to hold in her own shaky hands seemed to be a tab too much for the thief to handle.

With a sigh, she headed to take a shower, dragging her feet across the hardwood floor. Thoughts drifted to Raven. Would she loose the girl's trust over this? Of course, she snorted bitterly. Raven doesn't give many chances. I'm such an idiot.

While the water warmed, she glowered at herself in the mirror as she peeled off her clothing. Pink eyes strayed to a large scar marking her pale skin. She ran her fingertips up her side, tracing the dime-sized scar; she turned slightly, bringing the larger, more alarming exit wound into view. The day Raven saved her life for the second time. She certainly deserves better thanks that this.

She let the scalding water drench her in a feeble attempt to wash it all away.

"Friend Raven?"

The empath blinked, bringing the tall orange alien into clear focus. She inclined her chin slightly, acknowledging the girl's call.

Starfire settled beside Raven at her favorite spot atop the tower. "Is everything alright between you and Jinx?"

Raven looked away.

The Tamaranian frowned. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"Not really," Raven finally spoke quietly, not looking.

"I think it would help."

The empath turned to Starfire's pleading eyes with a sad smile. "You think?"

"I know it will. Come, you can tell me anything," she placed her hand on Raven's shoulder. "Did you get into a fight?"

"No, no fight."

"What then?"

Raven sighed uncomfortably, running her hand through her hair. After another encouraging stare from Starfire, she cleared her throat.

"Last night we were supposed to meet and watch the meteor shower together. She never showed up, and wasn't answering her phone. I thought that maybe something had happened, so I went to her apartment to check."

Starfire nodded slightly, gesturing to continue despite the girl's furrowed brow.

"When I was walking up the stairs, I head Jinx talking, and…some other woman. They were arguing over something, then Jinx went inside while the other just walked away whistling. I went inside and Jinx broke down and told me that she had met up with this old friend, they went out, got drunk, and the girl made some advances. They made out in some alley…you understand the expression?"

"Yes, I do," Star smiled a bit before returning to her listening frown.

"I suppose they were going back to Jinx' to finish what they started, but Jinx freaked or realized she was acting foolish and told the girl off. She thinks the girl drugged her, but I don't know. I just told her I needed some time and left."

Starfire looked out across the bay for a long while, thinking to herself. When she finally spoke, her voice was light and honest. "I think you both did the right thing."

Raven sent her a confused look.

"Jinx did the right thing by telling you the truth right then and there. She could have lied, made some excuse…but she didn't. It's obvious she loves you; she knew she made a big mistake. We both know your little thief is far from perfect," Starfire smiled and Raven nodded.

"And you did the right thing by listening and not yelling, screaming, making matters worse. Give her some time; give her some space to think things over while you do the same. If you feel you can't forgive her, then tell her. Otherwise, go make up."

Raven smiled. For someone that alien to this world, she certainly knew a good deal about human behavior. "Thanks for listening, Star, you're a good friend."

"You are most welcome, Raven," she pulled the smaller girl into a tight embrace. "Just promise me you won't kill her."

"I would never get that angry with Jinx."

"That's not who I meant."

"Ah…" Raven frowned again, looking at her feet. "Alright, I promise."

"Good. Now you should go get some sleep, I heard you were up all night in the computer lab…"

"Yeah, I probably should," Raven stood, cringing silently as blood rushed back to her legs.

"You want another?"

Another? Jinx looked up, meeting gaze with the tattooed girl behind the bar. An empty glass rested before her with a few melting cubes of ice left in the bottom. She nodded silently and the girl turned to make her another drink.

Pink eyes drifted to the window, staring out into the night. Three days had dragged on painfully slow, neither dulled nor sped up by the dread and alcohol. She focused on her reflection, groaning at her disheveled hair and the bags beneath her eyes. Fantastic…

"Didn't this get you in trouble the other night?" A familiar male voice called from behind. Jinx sighed as Wick settled beside her, rocking back and forth on the rickety stool.

"You could say that."

"Thanks for getting me home safe, I was trashed," he nudged her with his shoulder.

"Yeah you were…if I wasn't in such a foul mood I would tell you some of the crazy things you were blabbering on and on about."

He scratched his head, then ran his fingers through his spiky green hair. "Are you alright?" When she didn't answer or even look at him, he grew concerned. "Did that chick do something?"

Jinx thanked the bartender and took a drink from her new glass. "Yes, but it's still my fault."

"I dunno, she was all over you. Unless I imagined that girl-girl flirting, I was a little drunk"

"It doesn't matter," Jinx muttered, resting her head on the bar. "I fucked up big time with Raven."

"Wait, wait, you slept with Selinda?" Wick raised a worried and equally interested brow.

"No. We kissed and fooled around while walking home. It got a little…heated. At that moment, yes, I wanted to. And that only makes me feel more like shit," she took another drink, cringing at the vodka burning the back of her throat.

Wick frowned, pulling the glass away from her. "This isn't helping anything."

Jinx didn't really care.

"Now, I take it you told Raven."

"I did."

"And?"

"She was disappointed and hurt. Told me she needed some time and left," Jinx frowned deeply, tracing unknown things on the table top.

"Well that's a great sign. She didn't yell or tell you to fuck off and die. Yeah, she's going to be upset, but come on. You were honest with her—that has to count for something."

"I hope so," she groaned, resting her head in her hands.

Wick smiled quietly. "You really love her, don't you?"

The feline nodded, brushing her pink hair back as she sat up. "Yes."

"Give her some time, she'll come around. You're a cool girl, far from perfect, but cool. She obvious loves you too or this wouldn't have bothered her at all," Wick patted her softly on the back.

Selinda took a long drag off her cigarette, exhaling slowly before flicking it off the roof and watching it tumble down to the streets until the little glowing ember was smothered by the darkness. She turned with a grin to three men clad in black ski masks.

"Let's do this."

With a snicker, they headed to the center of the roof, pulling out crow bars and picks while Selinda inspected her nails.

"While I'm young…" she snapped impatiently. In a few seconds the roof hatch was removed and the three infiltrated the building with silent precision. Selinda paused before the entry, looking over her shoulder. Her gut instincts were sending up red flags in all directions. She shouldn't be there; it's a bad night, bad call. But doubt didn't pay the bills or sate her ferocious appetite for all things pleasurable. Icy blues searched the surrounding stillness. She frowned, running a hand through wild red hair before slipping inside.

Violet eyes narrowed on the figure entering the jewelry store before shifting away in a blink.

"Jackpot!" one of the men called out triumphantly. He reached into a metal box, pulling out scores of rough cut diamonds, letting the jewels tumble between his fingers back into the pile.

The second man skipped over, almost giggling in greed. Selinda eyed the jewels briefly before growling.

"Stop screwing around. Bag 'em and move it. There are more rooms to cover." She folded her arms, prowling the perimeter of the room with a scowl set deep in her features.

They stared at her for a moment, muttering amongst themselves before shoving handfuls into black nylon bags. The goth slowly crept down the hallway of the storage area, peering into every dark corner for that feeling that stopped her earlier.

She felt a presence behind her, and snapped around, prepared to strike. Another man from the crew stood before her, brow raised.

"…All rooms have been cleared on this floor. Moving to the bottom floor on your call," the leader of the men droned out in a gravely voice, hoisting a large duffle bag filled with jewelry over his shoulder.

"Excellent. Fetch your boys and move…but be on your toes. I feel we're not alone," she peered down a dark passageway.

He leaned, looking down the hallway as well. When he saw nothing, he shook his head to himself. She was being unusually paranoid tonight. "Roger that," he nodded hesitantly, about faced and took off.

After the sound of the trio's footsteps faded away to silence, she turned her attention back to the hallway. Something was lurking, watching, haunting her; it made her skin crawl. Such a feat was hard to accomplish, and this sent a little worry coursing through her veins. After a few silent moments staring into darkness, she moved down to the next corridor, peering inside one of the cleared rooms.

Open cabinets, over-turned boxes; papers and broken glass scattered across the floor. A little light poured in through the windows, casting shadows across the room. A chair could be an armed assailant ducked down in the gloom; an innocent coat rack, the boogie monster leering at her lanky frame. Every now and then a creaking of old floor tiles beneath her feet groaned under her weight, putting her on edge, and she jerked her head around to check behind her.

Nothing was there.

But she didn't feel very alone.

"Border, come in," she whispered quietly into her two-way.

Only the eerie sound of static answered.

She tried again, this time a little more urgent. "Border, do you copy? Come in, Border."

Still nothing.

"Stop fucking around, this isn't funny," she growled. Shit. Reluctantly she shoved the device into her pocket and looked back around the room.

Where are you… She narrowed her eyes, crouching low, backing herself against the wall to hide in the dark.

A sudden laughter echoed inside her head; darkly female, dripping with distain. She froze, confused and panic-stricken, eyes darting across the room, searching for the source of the sound.

"Where are you?" she asked again, aloud, voice faltering in her fear.

'Closer than you'll ever know'