Chapter 2
Kid Flash smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I would."
"But, I don't want you to quit. You're my favorite hero. I like knowing that you're on the job."
Kid Flash looked at Jinx and grinned. "Does that mean you want an autograph?"
"You're so obnoxious. Besides, how would I live down getting your autograph, if the guys
ever found out? It'd be really embarrassing."
"You still haven't told me what you want to do." He looked at her.
Jinx bit her lip and looked at her feet. "I don't know what to do. Can I have some time
to think it over."
"Yeah. Take all the time you need. But, be careful. If your friends see us together, they'll
jump to conclusions. I don't want you hurt on my account."
As the ride ended, jinx spoke. "I think I should head home now. I have a lot to think about."
"All right. I'll see you later, Jinx."
Kid Flash returned to Titan's Tower and found Raven awaiting him. "What happened?"
"She said she needs time to think."
"I see. It is a difficult decision to make."
"Yeah. I can tell that her team is part of why she's hesitating. Still, I can't tell if her loyalty
makes me happy or not."
Jinx carefully crawled in through her window. She looked around and sighed in relief, then
she drew a bath. She soaked and sighed, 'there is so much to think about. How could he just
spring all this on me? What am I going to do?'
Jinx changed into her pajamas and returned to her room. She hesitated when she saw See-
More and Kyd Wykydd awaiting her.
"What are you two doing in my room?"
"We followed you tonight." See-More replied simply.
"You did? So I guess you saw me and … ..."
"Kid Flash, yeah. What are you thinking? He's a hero, you know."
"I know, I know all that. And I know it's crazy, but I still … … really like him. He's
fun to be around."
See-More watched her and frowned. "So, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. He wants me to leave with him."
"If you want to leave, do it now. We won't stop you, but after that, I can't
promise anything. I'm really going to miss you."
At that moment Billy Numerous burst in. "Hey, Madame Rouge just came in. Eh, what are
ya'll doing in here?"
"We were about to play cards." See- More replied quickly.
"What's happening? Madame Rouge being here is a bit odd. Did she say why she
came?" Jinx asked once she could speak.
"Right. As if I'm really going to ask her. She is way too scary."
Jinx sighed and walked out. Madame Rouge stood in front of the computer
with an impatient expression plastered on her face. "You took your time."
"We don't usually get visitors this late. What do you want?" Jinx responded.
"I am here to see what has become of your shameful base." She glanced around.
"Well, it looks a little better."
Jinx bit back the remark she nearly made. "Is that it? You could have just called or
something and saved yourself the trip."
The old Jinx would've been thrilled to have Madame Rouge here, but now Jinx found
herself wishing the woman would just leave. She thought about what had happened last time
she was in town and clenched her fists. 'I should warn him.'
"I'll sleep here and leave in a few days. Unless any of you children have something to say."
Madame Rouge announced in a haughty manner.
Late the next morning, Kid Flash woke to Beast Boy pounding on his door. "What is it?"
He yawned as he opened the door.
"Come play a game with us. We need you to make it even."
"Sure. What's the game?" He grinned.
"Stink Ball. Raven's going to be the ref. It's me and you against Robin and Cyborg."
"Okay. Let's go."
As they played Kid Flash found his mind wandering. 'I wonder if she ever just has
fun like this. She always seems so tense and agitated.'
He was only vaguely aware of the ball hurtling towards his head when Beast Boy
called out. "Dude, watch out!"
Looking up, Kid Flash managed to dodge just in time. Then, he saw who had been standing
behind him. He ran and caught the ball just before it hit her.
"Jinx, what are you doing here?" He stared at her.
"I came to warn you. Um, could you get them to not attack me?" She paused as she noted
that the titans were gathering around, ready to fight.
"Well, this wasn't exactly how I'd planned to tell you guys, but here it is, I am kind of with Jinx.
So can you all please here what she has to say?"
The astonished titans stood down as she spoke. "Madame Rouge arrived in town last night
after our, uhm, date. I'm not sure what she's planning yet, I'll let you know when I find out.
In the meantime, be careful."
As she turned to leave, Kid Flash caught her wrist. "You can't seriously be thinking of going
back there. What if someone found out what you just did? It's way too dangerous."
"Let me go, Flash. I've all ready decided to do this." She replied without looking at him.
"And I'm asking you not to. Do you think your team would help you if she tried to hurt you?
Of course not. As long as she told them about this, you'd just be a traitor. You can't go back
there now. Stay here with us."
"If you don't let me go now, I'll have to make you let go." She said as she tried to break his grip.
"Jinx, don't do this. You've helped us enough." He pleaded and tightened his grip on her arm.
Her eyes glowed briefly and Kid Flash went flying into the water. "Tell him I', sorry that I
had to do that. I'll be careful so don't let him follow me."
When Jinx returned the lair was empty, except for See-More. "You went out kind of early
today. What were you doing?"
"I … … I went to warn Kid Flash about Madame Rouge being here. Where are the others,
anyway? And where is Madame Rouge?"
At that, See-More was replaced by Madame Rouge. "Right here." She struck Jinx hard
enough to knock the girl out. "Be grateful that there's still a use for you."
Robin paced nervously. "What are you thinking? You can't seriously believe that she's good."
Kid Flash sighed and grinned. "I trust her. There's something about her that's just different from
other villains. I think she was telling the truth."
"Give me one good reason to trust anything she said."
"She took an enormous risk coming here to warn us. If Madame Rouge is here and finds out
Jinx would be in real trouble."
"... … Fine. I'll trust her."
Raven watched them talk and waited for Robin to leave. "So what do you think we should do?
We can't just sit and wait."
"Yeah. I really am not a fan of her power. I can't believe I let her go back to the Hive Five. She
needs to leave before anyone catches on."
"Someone all ready has." Red X stood in a corner, watching them.
Raven smiled at him and inquired. "What do you mean?"
"Madame Rouge found out that she warned you. Jinx has been captured. She's not in the Hive
Five's lair anymore. Madame Rouge said you'd figure it out."
Kid Flash clenched his fists. "I think I know where to go. I'll see you guys around."
"What are you saying? We're going with you." Raven informed him simply.
"No. I've caused you enough trouble. Besides, I'm sure Red has other things to do."
"Can you really defeat her on your own." Red X requested.
"I don't know. The last time we fought she got the upper hand. But, I've got to try.
Jinx is important to me, I can't abandon her."
"Then, let us help you. We're your friends." Raven smiled.
Kid Flash stared at them. "If you do this, everyone will know you're not dead,
Red X. You know that, right?"
"I know. But, does it really matter? Raven asked me to help you, so I will. You
should understand the concept of anything for the one you love."
Kid Flash grinned and nodded. "How could I possibly argue with that? Okay,
let's get going."
"Going where? Madame Rouge didn't exactly draw us a map."
"The warehouses where Jinx chose to help me. That has to be where they are."
Kid Flash led them to the place in silence. 'I never saw this one coming. I guess
it's a good thing, though. ' He stared at his two companions with an amused grin.
"So what's the plan?" Raven whispered once they'd arrived.
Kid Flash thought for a moment. "I'll lure Madame Rouge away and Red X
can help me ambush her. Then you can get Jinx out of there. Does that sound okay?"
"Actually, for a spur of the moment idea, it isn't bad. Let's just hope it works."
Madame Rouge smirked when Kid Flash entered. "I knew you'd show up. Which
of those children told you?"
"Does it matter? I'm here now. Where's Jinx?"
"You won't get close to her, so why should I tell you?" Madame Rouge grinned
at him and prepared to fight.
Kid Flash frowned. "In that case, I'm not going to fight you in here. I don't want
her getting hurt."
Madame Rouge laughed and followed him outside. Raven appeared once it was clear.
She glanced around, trying to spot Jinx. She found her bound in the back of the building.
"Jinx, wake up. Are you okay?"
"Raven? What are you doing here?Get away, it's a trap."
"We know. Kid Flash lured Madame Rouge away. Let's get out of here."
Jinx paled. "He's fighting her? No, he can't. She's too strong for him."
"Don't worry. Red X is helping him. We're going to go, too. It'll be okay."
Jinx got to her feet and followed Raven out of the warehouse. 'Hang on. We're coming.'
Jinx prayed nervously as they ran.
What will happen to Kid Flash and Jinx? Will Jinx stay with the Hive Five?
Find out in Chapter 3.