He's back! I'm talking about that loveable little daredevil of a mystery cat...the fictional version of him anyway. Once this story is done it will probably be my last writing venture. At least as far as the Teen Titans are concerned. I would like to try venturing into some other series if I ever have the time. I usually don't have time to write because of work these days.

***11***

He is shaking by the time that he reaches his lover's room. He can't get rid of a Wayne Tech branch president-especially not one that is connected to Rachel Roth.

"There you are I was beginning to worry. Are you okay?"

"Fine...just a little winded I decided to take the stairs."

"The doctor after you to adopt healthier habits again?"

"Something like that."

He hands a package to the big man. "This was waiting on the bed when I came in. Its addressed to you."

"Who would possibly leave something for me here?" He opens the package to find pictures from their dinner earlier-private dinner ones where he got a little fresh with his lover boy after several drinks. He shakes the package but there are no negatives. "I have to go."

"Is something wrong."

"There is a problem at the office. We'll have to postpone the fun until some other night. I'll take you to that fancy french place you like next time to make it up to you." He embraces his lover before he quickly rushes out the door-unaware that they are being photographed outside the window. Who he wonders besides the bothersome Nightingale could know about him. Could it possibly be the P. I. that Grayson mentioned?

Now fully dressed as Nightwing again he sits on the bed contemplating all he learned about Deathstroke and Nightingale working to together...and lovers to boot. The latter is a little more than his brain can comprehend at the moment. He looks up as Deathstroke comes in from the balcony with Nitro.

"Red X knows where Raven is. Its just a matter of making him talk."

"Red X?"

"He is up to something and we may have to get a little rough to get it out of him before he finishes whatever game it is he is playing.

"I met the Peter Cox of Cox and Young Architecture in the elevator coming up here. I mentioned I was an old friend of Rachel's just to see how he would react."

"And?"

"He's involved in her disappearance somehow."

"We need to find Raven soon. I felt her somehow. She's weak and growing weaker. I'm afraid she may not be able to last much longer."

"What do you think our next move should be?"

"I've arranged to meet with Red X. He will be expecting us shortly."

Down at the docks Red X turns from the misty ocean to face Deathstroke. "I see you brought company. Looks like bird boy grew up. I approve of the new look." He looks down at the cat. "Never pegged either of you as cat guys though."

Nightwing looks over at Deathstroke before speaking. "We know that Cox and Young are behind Raven's disappearance."

So Nightingale let her information slip in case something happened to her. I'm liking her more and more all the time."

Its all Deathstroke can do to restrain himself at that comment.

"Tell us where they're holding her and maybe I'll let you go free the thieve another day. If not then I won't stand in Deathstroke's way if he decides to terminate you. Hell I might even hire him for the job."

"Darker personality to fit the darker look. I like that." He looks down as he gets a call on his cell phone. "You two might want to wait here while I take this." He walks down the dock a little ways to answer it. "What's on your mind at this time of night boss?"

"A private detective is looking into the disappearance of Rachel Roth at the direction of a Wayne Tech bigwig that knew her. I want you to get rid of her now before it gets linked to me."

"The doc won't be happy about that."

"To hell with what the doc wants. We will all be ruined if anyone finds out we are the ones behind this. I don't care how you do it just get rid of her tonight."

Red X grins as he puts up his cellphone and walks back to the others. "It would seem its your lucky night. Cox is spooked by some P. I. and wants me to get rid of Raven for him. It's going to be a mess when all is said and done-one that even Red X can't get out of. You want Raven-I know where she is."

Deathstroke speaks up. "What's your price?"

"My alter ego as head of Cox and Young's security force and as such is the informant for this mystery P. I. who I would wager is none other than the former Robin on top of my regular fees of course."

Deathstroke tosses him a satchel of money.

"I'll take her straight to a hospital and tell the cops all about the boss as long as this P. I. shows up to back me up." He hands over the negatives and undeveloped film. "These might come in handy in getting Cox to come clean. If you know where to find that dirt that Nightingale had on the company that would help to. It will take me a few hours to get in and out with Raven. That should give you enough time to get things ready."

Nitro mews loudly.

Deathstroke looks down at the cat and back up to Red X. "I believe that means he's going with you."