Robin's POV

Tim was silent on the other end, until... "Excuse me? Could you repeat that?"

"Are you Red X?" I was starting to dread the answer. Could he? Would he? I didn't know Tim that well, but from what I gathered, he seemed to be a pretty good kid. Smart kid too. Smart enough to steal the suit, smart enough to not get caught... My musings got cut off by howling laughter.

"ME? RED X? HA! And here I am listening to Bruce and Barb saying you're not funny! Heh, Red X..." When I didn't say anything, he sobered up. "Wait... are you serious? You are, aren't you."

"Well, kinda."

"What would even give you an idea like that? Isn't Red X one of the bad guys? Look, if I'm being accused just becuase my dad got mixed up with Twoface-"

"This doesn't have anything to do with your father, Tim," I quickly assured him, knowing nothing good could come from that conversation. "It's just... X came here. He called me his 'bro.'"

"So since Bruce is adopting me, you automatically assume me. Makes sense reason wise, but keep in mind you are in Caliornia. On the coast. Land of the surfers, bro. You know, man?" Tim's voice was even, but I could tell- he was really upset that I'd accuse him. He felt betrayed. And I felt bad about it, but I needed answers.

"I wasn't finished. X said that AFTER telling me that..." I sighed, and tried to keep my voice even. "That 'Zucco's out.'" The line went silent for a minute.

"Serious?"

"Yea."

"Did you check? Like, is he really-?" I nodded, though he couldn't see me, and told him what I'd found from a quick hack into Gotham Jail's computer.

"Yea. He's out. Bribed a cop that let him out. The officer got cought. He didn't."

"But why would Red X know about that? I mean, he could find out, but why tell you?"

"He knows. That's why I asked you if you were X. He knows who I am. And since he called me his 'bro'... I'm sorry I accused you. I was just trying to get answers. It's nothing against you-"

"Chillax, dude! It's okay. If I were you, I'd suspect me too. Just focus on finding out who Red X is. I'll handle Zucco."

"No. I vowed on my parents' graves that I'd avenge their death."

"And you did," he reminded me. "You put him in jail the first time."

"Yea, and you saw how much good that did. He's back. I'm going to catch him, and-"

"And what? Kill him? Honestly, answer this as Dick Grayson, not as Robin, the original wonder boy. Would you really be able to catch him without -at the very least- causing him at least some life crippling damage?" I stopped to think for a moment. Would I be able to control myself?

The first time I had come face to face with Zucco, I didn't know who he was. I didn't care. I just knew that he was threatening the circus, threatening my family. The next time I saw him was after my parents' death. I tried to kill that murderer, and the only thing that stopped me was Batman. Barely. But now? If Batman wasn't there... would I be able to stop myself? I was brought back to reality at the sound of Tim's voice.

"I'm going to take that as a 'maybe.' For now, focus on Red X and whatever other crazies you have running around the city. I'll let you know if I find out anything about Zucco, okay?" With a sigh, I agreed and hung up. I started thinking of the question that had plagued my mind since X's second apperance- Who is he?

Raven's POV

"Great. Just great." I muttered to myself, as I walked to my room, book in hand. Either Red X had really good taste in books, was stalking me... or somebody's got some 'splaining to do. "Who are you?" I asked myself.

Whoever Red X is... he knows more than he lets on. What he said to Robin earlier was proof of that. I don't know what set him off, but Robin practically ran to his room after that little conversation. And when X was still here... I'm surprised that Robin didn't bite his head off. Beastboy and I could barely hold him back. The book he handed me was "Nightlight". One I actually opened the book, I realized it was a parody of one of the stupidest books ever. And made fun of everything I couldn't stand in a novel. Strange. It was almost as if... no. That couldn't be. Nevermind.

Cyborg's POV

Man, now THAT was strange! All I try to do is walk into the room, and I get the boot! What's up with that? And I'm around plenty! Much more than Rob ever is, anyway. He's only here on the weekends. Sure it's 'cause he's going to some 'other school' or whatever, but that's only because he's too stuborn to tell us his secret I.D. And when he's home? He only hangs out with Raven and surprisingly, Beastboy.

Me and BB used to hang out all the time before this school thing! I thought, as I drove to the club I was meeting my friends at. Video games, tofu vs. meat wars... now the guy doesn't talk to me! But fine, I can live with that. He's probably just jealous that I made a bunch of friends, while he hasn't made one new friend. Well, that I know of. Star though, we've grown real close.

Star joined the cheerleading squad once we started up, and I joined the football team. So yea, we hang a lot. Hang with the same group. Some of the girls she hangs out with are kinda catty, but that's normal, right? Raven and her don't interact enough to fight like normal girls. Ah! Here! I pulled my car into the lot, and walked in, waving to the bouncer. It was pretty early, so there wasn't really a line up. Well, there was, but they didn't make me wait in line. I was a celebrity! And on the football team. That was just a bonus. I ignored the grumblling of the people in line, and was almost in when I heard a voice behind me call, "I'm with him," and walk in behind me.

This was normal too. I was just about to clear things up with the bouncer and tell him I didn't know this guy, when I got a good look at him. I couldn't shake the feeling... he looked so familiar. Sorta like... Robin? "It's cool, he's with me." I heard myself say. We both walked in, and I looked around. I was the first of my friends there. That guy that'd followed me in motioned me towards a table in the back corner.

"We need to talk." was all he said. Straight to the point.

"Well, then start talkin'."

"You're really hurting her." Now that was odd. What the heck was he talking about? As if he knew my question, he added, "Raven, I mean."

"Huh?" He took his dark glasses off, and glared at me with icy blue eyes.

"You know she thought of you as a brother? Thought of you. As in, past tense. She's pissed off at you. If she had problems, she went to you. Now though, she can barely stand living with you."

"How do you know all this anyway?" I asked, defensively. Who did this guy think he was anyway?

"She told me," he said, smirking.

"That's a bit vocal for Raven." I pointed out. I wasn't buying it.

"Sometimes," he said as he stood up, "These things don't have to be vocal. Just keep one thing in mind." I looked up at him curiously. "You hurt her, and I'll hurt you back."

As he walked away, I stood up to follow. "Hold up a sec- who are you anyway?"

"Vic!" I turned away, and saw that my friends Kara and Steven were here. I waved at them, then turned back to that mystery guy. He was gone.

**so, love? Hate? Want to ship away in a suitcase? Wish to cherish forever? Let me know!