A/N : Thank you for the positive feedback so far, guys! Here's the awaited third chapter. Hope you enjoy, please leave reviews! I enjoy all types of feedback.

Chapter 3: Double Trouble

Red X held onto Starfire's hand as he ran towards the city. Starfire hung loosely about as he weaved through alleyways, among the rooftops. She looked at the back of his head, the black mask clinging tightly around his neck. She began to wonder about the face behind the mask, who exactly was Red X and why did she feel so comfortable with him when she had no idea who he really was? Motion began to stop as Starfire found herself standing upon a high rooftop over looking the famous pizza spot.

She then noticed Jinx sitting at a table, looking at her phone in a daze. Tears seemed to be welling up in her eyes as she sat alone. Starfire wanted to fly down to her and comfort her. After all, Jinx was a good person now. No longer a villain they had to face anymore. When Starfire turned on her heel to head down to her, she was stopped.

"No, not now." Red X wagged a finger in her direction.

"But-" Starfire looked back over her shoulder as she cringed.

"No, right now it's about you. No one else. No problems, worry free! Got me?" He responded cooly as Starfire let out a small sigh.

"I suppose."

Red X kneeled down to the ground as he motioned for Starfire to climb onto his back.

"It'll be much easier to carry you this way, Red." Starfire's brow raised as she slowly walked towards him.

"I think you have done the forgetting of my name." She crossed her arms as she let out a huff. Red X slightly chuckled as he walked back towards her, scooping her up onto his back.

"Don't like my nickname for you?" He questioned as she threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh, you are giving me the nickname?" Starfire spoke, her eyes full of intrigue. "Please, why do you call me Red?"

"You have pretty stand out red locks." Red X commented as Starfire looked down at her traditional Tamaranian red hair.

"Is it weird?" She responded in a bit of a mutter.

"Nah, it's honestly really good lookin'." Red X responded as he jumped off the roof, making Starfire cling tightly to him. Starfire could feel a small blush phase across her cheeks. She shook her head trying to clear the flattering thoughts from her mind. This isn't about her, it's just about letting out a release before she faces her actual problems.

"So where are we heading?" Starfire questioned as her surroundings started to become more and more foreign to her. It was also getting dark.

"Ssh, just trust me okay?" Red X answered as Starfire nodded, clinging closer to see his slender but muscular body.

They entered an area full of warehouses, gray and cold, just like how Starfire felt at the moment. She began to feel even more depressed as she stared at their exteriors. As he continued to run forward, the cracked concrete began to turn into cold hard grass. As she scanned the darkness she noticed they were by the pier, but not the pier she was used to. Were they even in Jump anymore? Starfire could see a broken down park.

"What is a park doing in such a place?" Starfire pointed, looking at the lopsided merry-go-round. There were a pair of swings, one still intact while the other lie broken held up by one chain. There was a small teeter totter that seemed to be rusting over time, the only thing that stood proud and tall was a red slide.

"Didn't you ever hear, little charms are found in the most oddest of places?" Red X let her down as she stood beside him, rubbing her chin with her index finger.

"No I have not." She stated as she looked over her shoulder at X. He turned to her, holding her chin up with his thumb and index finger.

"Well, you are a pretty neat charm found in an odd place..." She could swear that he winked through the mask at her as he headed towards the playground, motioning her to follow suit. She could feel her face heat up, her heart beating fast. They were all alone and he was clearly flirting with her. She didn't want to think of such things. Just have fun, just have fun.

She shakily followed after him as he pointed at the lopsided merry-go-round.

"Hop on." He motioned as she stared at him questioningly.

"But it is the broken." She pointed out as he let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Stop looking at things so logically. You won't have fun that way, now hop on!" She let out a weak smile as she sat at the edge of the merry-go-round that extended up in the air. The metal piece went down a bit, making Starfire let out a small Eep! Red X laughed at this as he told her to hold on with one hand.

"Use the other, shoot a few of your green bolts at the metal handle on the other side!" He enthused as she aimed for the metal bar, letting out a barrage of starbolts. The merry-go-round began to spin around ecstatically. Red X hopped on, clinging to the metal bars as they spun together. He let out a playful laughter as they kept twirling as Starfire gritted her teeth, trying her best to stay on.

She looked over at Red X who seemed to be having the time of his life. He was so loose, had the best screw it attitude. A smile began to poke up at the sides of Starfire's lips. She closed her eyes, tried to be as loose as Red X and let out a fit of laughter too. Red X noticed this, glancing down at Starfire. She really was an attractive girl, eventhough she was an alien. The way her hair tangled in her face as they spun, the small little tear drops that peeked from her ducts from the somewhat cold air piercing through, and her giggle was soft... but a little sharp. Just exactly what was he doing here with her and why did he keep offering her help?

The merry-go-round began to come to a stop as Starfire hopped off it. Her eyes desperately tried to readjust as her surroundings wobbled. She saw Red X attempt to walk a straight line in front of her, tripping over his own feet he failed and landed face first into the grass. As the dizziness finally shook from Starfire's eyes she decided to be a bit playful. She began to run off towards the warehouse nearby which had a small door left open.

"Woah, wait!" Red X spoke, a bit dizzy as his eyesight went back to normal. "Where are you going?!"

"I believe the phrase is... come and get me!" Starfire sang as she ran through the small door as Red X scurried to his feet.

Inside the factory was a bunch of wooden boxes that littered the walls. There was also a whole bunch of box puffers laying all over the floor. Starfire could hear Red X's footsteps approaching. She quickly made her way over to a crane hook, she grabbed it, running as fast as she could to make the hook start swinging. She held onto it as she swung back and forth, laughing in the process. She never felt... so free.

As Red X entered the warehouse to find the swinging Starfire he couldn't help but watch the girl for a moment. Her smile seemed so carefree and this was the first time he ever saw her so comfortable. The next thing he knew, he saw Starfire be flung from off the hook, landing into a heap of boxes. He let out an exasperated sigh as she shook her head. She was older than him, but definitely much more like a child than he was. He ran over to the box heap to find that she was gone. He threw the boxes aside, a question mark appearing on his face.

"What the?" He breathed, spinning around to hear her light footsteps.

"Not over there!" She called out as she climbed her way up a tower of boxes. He ran to her, pulling out his grappling hook to connect to the top box. He launched his way up, passing her along the way. "That is so cheating!" She grunted letting go of the box and falling back to the ground perfectly on her feet.

To the far left of the warehouse was a pile of packing puffs for boxes, they were pink and yellow in color which reminded Starfire of cotton candy. The night that she learned about cotton candy on the ferris wheel with Robin played in her mind. She clenched her eyes tight, shaking the thought away. No, nothing was going to ruin her night. Not right now at least. She dived straight into the puffs, hiding amongst them as she awaited X to find her.

He jumped from the tower of boxes and ran in the direction Starfire scurried off to. All he saw was boxes, some springs and gears littering the ground, but thats when he saw a shift in the movement of the packing puffs in the corner of the room. He shook his head, rubbing at his forehead. Such a child she was! He rubbed his hands together, started his running stance, as he leaped into the puffs.

The air from his dramatic leap made some of the packing puffs spread about, being swept up in the wind he created. He found himself laying on top of Starfire, her green emeralds staring back into his. Packing puffs were rapped up in her ruby strands, she was littered in glorious yellow and pink colors bringing out her colors of her cheeks and slim figure. Her cheeks began to puff up as she eagerly tried to choke down her laughter. But there she went, cackling as he stared down at her.

A big bang came from the front doors of the warehouse as a bright light made its way through. Red X put an index finger up in a shushing motion to her as he rolled off of her. Grabbing her hand in his he yanked her to the side, behind a bunch of boxes.

"You are such trouble.." Red X panted, as he slid behind the boxes as Starfire covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

"Make that the double." She smiled, poking at what she presumed to be, his nose through his mask.

It was quiet, their eyes connected. Starfire could feel the atmosphere change as X leaned in towards her slightly. She felt the need to lean forward as well, they were getting so close she could feel his warm breath on her cheeks. Her eyes were calling out to him, begging him to kiss her... to do anything! His throat was dry, he began to gulp eagerly, tugging at the bottom of his mask with his fingers. As he was about to pick up his mask, just enough to have his lips shine through... a beam of a yellow flashlight illuminated on the steel wall beside them.

"Let's move!" He whispered at the half disappointed Starfire who nodded as they shimmied their way out of the small door they entered through.

Cyborg laid on his silver "bed" as Nightwing finished the rebooting systems on his hard drives. Raven sat cross-legged with her hand over Cyborg's head, trying to find the human side of him... to heal him and bring him back. Beastboy paced nervously in front of the duo, not daring to say a word as they worked. What was going on exactly? Why did Cyborg go to such drastic measures?

A burst of blue lit up the room making everyone stop in their tracks.

Rebooting system, please stand back.

The light that immersed from Cyborg was so bright, everyone had to shield their faces. A sickening, high-pitched squeal filled the room. Making everyone gasp in horror. Cyborg was back and he was screaming bloody murder.

"Cy!" Beastboy rejoiced, running over to the table that Cyborg laid on. Cyborg coughed and rubbed at the back of his head.

"Jenny?!" He shouted as they all looked at him in confusion.

"Cyborg? Do you remember us?" Nightwing questioned sternly as Cyborg traced over each one of their faces.

"Well, yeah... sorry I guess I was having a nightmare. No need to give me such disturbed faces!" Cyborg commented as Raven shook her head. She grabbed for the wires, holding them up to Cyborg for an explanation.

"So it wasn't a dream..." He spat, receiving a serious face from Nightwing.

"What were you trying to do?! Kill yourself?!" Nightwing punched the side of the bed, making Cyborg sit up in alarm.

"No... I was..." Cyborg shoved his face into his palm. "I was trying to give myself skin."

"Why, Cy?! You are fine just the way you are." Beastboy stated as Raven nodded in agreement. Cyborg let out a sigh.

"I guess I should tell you... I was dating someone online for six months... I found out she lives here in Jump and she wanted to meet. I don't want her to be scared by me." He admitted as Beastboy's mouth dropped open.

"You met a girl?! No wonder you been distant for months!" Beastboy waved his arms around as Cyborg wearily got off from his bed.

"I'm sorry guys, truly." He muttered looking up at their leader.

"Cyborg if a girl doesn't like you for what you truly are, it's not worth it." He placed a hand on Cyborgs shoulder as Cyborg slowly smiled back at him.

"I guess I should take your advice, I mean you are the one that been in a relationship for years. I want to follow what you and Star have." The whole room fell silent as Cyborg looked around his friends. "Where is the little lady anyway?"

No one spoke.

Just escaping the security guards at the warehouse, Starfire ran back to the spot Red X shown her. She sat down on the swing, holding onto the chains as she stared at the starry sky.

"Do you know how to swing?" Red X asked as she looked down at her knees in embarrassment.

"No, I have never swung before." Starfire replied as she felt his palms at her back. He began to push her, making the swing go back and forth. The crisp fresh air felt great, especially after all the running they just did. A flashback of his face so close to her made her cheeks flush again, warming her up all over again. She tried to ignore it, focusing on her first swing ride. She smiled in delight as she went back and forth. "This is rather joyous." She smiled as Red X continued to push her.

"Thank you for tonight, Red X." She spoke, trying to look over her shoulder and back at him.

"Don't sweat it." He responded as he continuously pushed her. She bit her lip, trying to think of something to talk about to fill the empty space between them when he suddenly talked. "You don't have to call me Red X."

"I do not know your name though." She spoke confused.

"Just make up one." He stammered, kicking some dirt beneath him.

"Oh! Like the nickname! Like you gave to me!" She pointed at him and back to herself. Her feet kicked up from the swing, looking like her foot was stepping on the moon from her angle.

"Go for it, Red." He snickered as she pondered.

"Um... Skulls?" She hesitated, trying to make the word roll off her tongue casually.

"Wha- why? Why skulls?" He asked flabbergasted as she chuckled a bit.

"Well your mask does have a skull on it." Starfire motioned to her face as Red X shook his head.

"It's not like I created this costume." He grunted, as Starfire kicked her feet about whenever he would push her upwards.

"Why did you steal the Red X costume anyways?" Starfire asked as she was returned with silence. The swing stopped as she was halted. Red X held the chains in his grasp, her head hit his chest as she looked up at him again. She felt her cheeks flush, boy was she tempted to just reach up at him. Were her feeling really true? Or was it a rebound because her heart was already collapsing? She didn't know and that's what kept her from doing what she really wanted to do. He rested his chin on the top of her head, humming a weird tune before he responded.

"A princess such as yourself should be at home in her bed, shouldn't she?" He scooped her up in his arms as he jumped off towards the Tower.

The whole ride there was a bit awkward, no matter what Starfire would ask he wouldn't respond to her. He just kept humming that same tune over and over again. Starfire was starting to feel the tune was familiar. When they finally reached the coast that faced the tower, he put her down.

"Taxi service ends here. Can you make it without drowning?"

"I believe so." Starfire smirked, but felt a heavy pit in the small of her stomach. She had to face everything now and she was definitely not looking forward to that.

"I think I can help you make sure." He blurted as she saw his fingers trace the bottom of his jaw. He peeled the mask away, exposing porcelain white skin. His mouth curved at the tips displaying a wicked and hungry smile. He grabbed her by the elbow, drawing her in close. She tripped onto his chest, she was inches from his lips. He took the back of her head and brought it to his face, their lips made contact. His lips were warm as they enveloped hers. She wanted to fight the urge to give in but she completely melted into his chest, viciously kissing him back. She played with his bottom lip, tracing it with her tongue as she bit it slightly.

He pushed her back, quickly covering his mouth with his mask as he took two steps back.

"Damn, Red. You really are the full package." He replied, a bit out of breath as he rubbed his lips through his mask. She turned a bright red, trying to conceal her embarrasment behind her long hair. That's when it occurred to her.

"Thanks, Slash!" She giggled.

"Slash? What?" He asked blankly. Starfire pointed at her lip as she smiled.

"I made a slash in your lip." She embarrassedly choked out.

"You- what!" As soon as she said it he felt a slight throb in his bottom lip. "Man, Red! Marking me already?" She laughed, floating off the ground as flew backwards towards the tower, keeping her eyes connected to his. He picked his hand up to his forehead, giving her a salute before disappearing out of sight.

"WHAT?!" Cyborg shouted as everyone updated him on the situation.

"Just because it didn't work out for us doesn't mean it won't for you Cyborg, but you have to put yourself out there first." Nightwing retorted as Cyborg rolled his eyes.

"No, I don't care about that man. I am going to take care of my problems, but I'm not pissed because of you guys splitting. I'm pissed cause you guys did it for the most stupid reasons!" Cyborg scoffed as Raven and Beastboy backed out to the side to stay out of the line of fire. They both still didn't tell anyone that they were romantically involved... at least to Beastboy's knowledge cause Raven spilled the beans to Starfire who swore she'd keep their secret.

"This team is first." Nightwing grunted, crossing his arms as the sheer stupidity of everyone lately.

"We are getting old man, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is thinking about taking the front seat for once on my life." He looked over at Raven and Beastboy who looked the opposite way, clearly trying to avoid confrontation.

"Doesn't anyone care about the safety of Jump City?!" Nightwing shouted out of frustration as he messaged his temples.

"Well, no shit. Obviously, otherwise we wouldn't have been doing this for years. But new heroes are coming out of the woodwork Nightwing, we can move on with our lives. We had our time, let's hand it to someone else." Cyborg yelled in response. "I love ya'll you are my family, always will be. I'm not talking about movin' out and all that. I just want a more normal life... maybe eventually a wife and some kids."

"Do you guys feel this way?" Nightwing pointed at Raven and Beastboy as they looked to the ground. Both of them silently nodded, not daring to look into the leaders eyes. Just when he was about to turn on his heels and head down the hallway in a huff, a red blur burst in past him.

"Friend, Cyborg!" Starfire shouted, looping her arms around his neck as tears dripped down her face. "You are alright!" He patted her on the small of her back.

"I'm just fine, it seems you are too." He smiled as Starfire had a glint in her eyes.

"I am the okay!" She spoke joyously purposely avoiding Nightwing's gaze. Nightwing shifted uncomfortably, why was Starfire so happy? Other than seeing Cyborg okay, there was something off about her. She was back to her happy self, not that Nightwing didn't want to see her happy, but they just broke up. Frustrated, he walked up to Starfire, grabbing her by the shoulder as he tugged her out into the main room. Starfire blew the bangs out of her face as she was dragged. Her eyes narrowed, she was sick of this cycle.

When they got into the main room he shoved her aside, glaring right into her eyes.

"Where the hell were you?" He asked, foot tapping against the floor abruptly.

"Why are you making such a big deal of this? It is not like you are my boyfriend." She spat, crossing her arms as she arched her back to him.

"I am your leader." He stabbed at her with his finger as he spun her around.

"How many times are we going to do this? You are going to bring me aside multiple times to just yell at me?" She huffed in a rage.

"We all thought Cyborg was dead, and you just ran off!" Nightwing punched his hand into his palm.

"What did you expect of me? I was already emotionally unstable and seeing Cyborg like that? I just couldn't bare the pain!" Starfire cried as Nightwing pinched the skin above his nose.

"Everyone seems to want to get into relationships and look for a normal life." Nightwing softly spoke as Starfire listened. "I don't want times to change. I don't want to lose the days in the tower." Starfire sighed at his words, taking a step towards him.

"Nightwing, you have already changed. You took a step forward and didn't even realize it." Starfire massaged the tops of his arms. "You are no longer Robin, you are no longer the little boy that got us all together in the first place. You have also grown old and made new decisions for the future."

"Star, I don't know what to do." He admitted, sitting down on the leather couch.

"Just because you take a step towards the future, doesn't mean that everything now falls apart." Starfire replied, sitting down next to him. He placed a hand to her thigh, massaging it with his thumb. She was half tempted to smack the hand away.

"I think I need to visit Gotham for a few days and clear my head. Talk to Bruce." Nightwing mustered up as he stood from the couch leaving Starfire to sink in to the couch cushion a bit. "Will you come with me, Starfire?" He asked, a bit hesitant. "You always ease my mind."

"If this was two days ago, Nightwing... I would of accepted. But right now, I need time away from you. You have hurt me badly, I cannot pretend that none of that ever happened. We are still the broken up and I need time for myself." She headed towards her room as well as did Nightwing. He smacked his forehead, how could he be so stupid? He keeps Starfire on a leash, he pulls her close then throws her away. Why? Why is he like that?

He reached into his pocket, shuffling for his cellphone. He scrolled down his contacts, searching for his fathers name.

"Hello, this is Bruce. Leave a message." The simple phone recording stated after a few rings.

"Bruce, this is Dick. I'll be coming in to town for a few days." He ended the call and shoved it back into his pockets.

Suddenly, there was an alert coming from the front door that Nightwing had to answer.

Starfire laid in her bed, holding her pink pillow with a stitched in hello kitty face close to her chest. She nuzzled her face into it, thinking about the events that happened that night. She traced her lips with her fingers, still feeling Red X's touch on her lips. She felt the sides of her mouth perk up but then Nightwing's face appeared across her mind. Her thigh tingled from where he touched, delicately rubbing his thumb across her skin.

She felt like she was on a tightrope balancing between two men, even though she was pretty sure it was a rebound with Red X. Maybe she was doing it out of spite? Maybe she wanted Richard to find out about it? Was that really the truth? Her and Richard been together for so long, she knew she loved him. She still did. They only broke up two days ago and some of that love did turn to hatred, but it wasn't enough. She was still weak in his presence. She was so proud that she was able to stand strong against him in the main room.

But she felt a new side of her had come alive with Red X, but she only really got to know him for two days. Not that she really knew him, she didn't know his identity or his true intentions towards her. Maybe she should just live in the moment? Theres no harm in that now is there?

What a horrible situation to be catapulted into.

Cyborg sat at the computer looking through his messages as Raven and Beastboy hunched over him. They were wondering what was so great about this chick that Cyborg would of second guessed himself, trying to give himself flesh.

Silent_CatWalk: I'm here :) Can't wait to see you!

Silent_CatWalk: It's been 15 minutes, are you coming or what?

Silent_CatWalk: Please don't tell me you're standing me up...

Silent_CatWalk: Is it because I said I love you?

Silent_CatWalk: You don't have to say it back, I wasn't expecting it, I swear.

Silent_CatWalk: Please, I don't not want to hear from you again.

Silent_CatWalk: If I took it too fast I'm sorry. I was just so excited to see you.

Silent_CatWalk: Let's just forget about it and talk like old times...

Silent_CatWalk: Please?

Silent_CatWalk: Please... don't do this.

Cyborg felt horrible, not only did he stand her up but made her feel alienated like he didn't want her. Which was so far from the point. He rubbed his forehead as Beastboy put a hand to his shoulder.

"Don't worry dude, she ain't over you. She obviously wants to stay in contact." He spoke, pointing at the messages as Cyborg slowly nodded his head. Beastboy went through all his old messages. "Steamy!" He spoke with dancing eyebrows as Raven smacked him across the head.

"Her name is Jenny, huh?" She said scratching at her head.

"Yeah." Cyborg responded as it then hit him.

"YOUR NAME IS VICTOR STONE?!" Beastboy shouted as Raven smiled.

"Victor, huh?" A smug smile on her face.

"Yes... I'm Victor." He sighed, clearly not being able to keep the secret anymore.

"Rachel Roth." Raven stated as Cyborg smiled.

"Garfield Logan." Beastboy held out his hand. "Nice to meet ya!" A sudden whirl wind passed by as they all turned behind them to find Kid Flash standing there. He was looking at the computer with a confused look.

"Why are you talking to Jinx?" He asked as everyones mouthes hung open, especially Cyborg.