Raven was resting in her bed, staring out at the storm that plagued the city. It had become very hard for her to spend time inside the tower with all the other titans here. Their emotions and thoughts constantly filling her head making it difficult for her to think or feel anything herself. She liked them, or at least considered them friends, but with so many inside the tower it felt like a constant attack on her mind. The storm that raged outside calmed her emotions, but didn't stop the feelings of others entering her mind.

She was yanked from her thoughts as the alarm system sounded, flashing red through her room. She pulled herself from the bed, grabbing her cape that she wrapped around her shoulders and heading out into the towers main lobby. The emotions of others filled her mind as she walked towards the towers normal residence. Robin had already begun typing away on the keys furiously. He was always the first one out, always ready for a fight no matter the situation.

The Titans for Steel city where closer to the kitchen grabbing a snack and lounging around within the kitchen. The remaining Titians where either just entering the room or had already found and seated in locations around the room.

"Hey man, what's happened?" Cyborg asked, doing his best to speak over the noise that clashed within the room. Robin shook his head lightly and pinched his nose, a sign of irritation.

"The report stated that the villains who were frozen have all been released by someone called XL Terrestrial, a former member of Hive Academy with the ability to grow larger. He wasn't among the lists of villains who were frozen and based of the picture I have XL was posing as a hero during the end. He must have stayed at the base in pair to release all of the villains," Robin growled at the end and narrowed his eyes. Raven could see the annoyance and infuriation that burned behind his mask. All the frozen villains on the loose again, it wasn't a good thing.

"So, who tripped an alarm," Beast Boy asked, he dropped his body into a chair letting his limbs become loose, another sign of irritation and defeat.

"The report said that there were numerous numbers of robberies within both Jump City and Steel City I'm sending the other titans home today, their needed in their own city's and I've also split up the villains within our city for us to each take on," Robin walked past his friends to announce the new to the other Titans. There was a course of growls, groans and curses as they realised all the good led to nothing in the end. The villains were once again free and they were once again back to fighting crime daily.

While the Titans said goodbye, and headed to their preferred moods of transportation, Raven checked her communicator to see the locations and names of villains she'd be fighting. Easy for the most part, Plasmas and Overlord, both creatures she had no trouble taking down.

She shrouded herself in darkness, taking the form of a raven and passing through solid objects on her way to the scene of crime. The wind and rain tried hard to hit her raven form but passed through her body as if she didn't exist.

A chemical power building held both villains inside. One gulping down almost glowing green acids while the other drained the buildings power, ingestion it. Raven crossed her legs and remind above ground, hovering, her soul-self left her body and merged with Plasmas. In seconds this colossal creature was forced into a slumbering sleep which reverted its body to that of a man.

Raven's attention turned to the eclectic humanoid that was still draining the circuitry. She'd didn't bother making her presence none, instead she pulled the pipes from the ground and forced the water onto Overlord. He shrieked as his body drained and left him a chip lying on the ground.

It was never difficult for the titans to beat either of these villains. They were large on the outside but inside, they weren't driven to win and lacked any real intelligence. Granted it made fighting them a little too easy now. Raven allowed a brief second to regain herself before pulling her communicator out. She'd intended to call the others and see if any of them needed any assistance but it was smashed by a Red X that stuck into the screen.

"You're not calling the other titans, are you? We haven't even danced yet," Raven's teeth grinded at the voice that invaded her ears. Red X leapt down so he was a few inches in front of Raven. "Come on Sunshine, you can't leave now, not until I get a chance to play," she barely dodged the kick he towards her side, only stopping it in the last second. She wasn't fast enough to stop the next blow. He'd jumped up and span sending a powerful kick to her template, dazing her effectively.

Raven's head was spinning now and her vision was a little fuzzy which allowed Red X to knock her back, send her flying to the ground and grabbing tight hold of her wrists. She was making it so easy for him. She groaned as he placed his weigh over her and kept her hands above her head.

"Look at that, Sunshine's beat within a few seconds," Red X mocked.

"What do you want," She seethed through her clenching and grinding teeth.

"Only to see you," he purred. Raven opened her eyes and stared up at him. She knew he was messing with her like he did with every girl. He was a flirt and everyone was aware of that fact.

"You've seen, now get off," Raven tried to use her hips to knock him off but Red X chuckled and settled more of his weight on her. He leaned over her and placed his lips at her ear.

"Make me," he whispered. Raven knew her eyes had shown emotions in that one moment, his voice changer was off and she'd her him talk. His voice reminded her somehow of Malchior. It was sweet and alluring but Red X's voice held an edge to it at the same time.

There was a loud noise from somewhere else in the building and Red X jumped up. The other titans had come to bring her home, which she was thankful for. Red X was shifting his eyes from one direction to another, calculating an escape. Once he located the best way, he started to leave. Raven could tell that he didn't see her as a serious threat.

"Azarath… metrion… zinthos," Raven exclaimed, her black powers wrapping around his feet and yanking them from underneath him. She heard him growl as his body slammed against the concreate.

"Raven," Robin voice cried out from within the building, he was somewhere close by. Raven watched as Red X struggled to free his ankles.

"Come on Sunshine, catching me won't be as fun as you think it is," Red X chuckled again but Raven's powers only tightened. "And here I thought we were getting somewhere," He muttered. Raven tried her best to hide the small twitch in her lips that formed a slight smile. She didn't want him to see her smirking for such a childish reason.

"You're going to prison," Raven said, her face aligning back to normal.

"Maybe one-day sweet heart, but not tonight," She felt her power tug as Red X flip onto his back lighting something that sparked. Her concentration was gone and snap her magic. Raven bit her lips as she sent out a blast of black magic which Red X managed to manoeuvre past easily. He grabbed her wrist when he was close and twisted it behind her back before pulling it between her shoulder blades. Raven growled and tried to pull away but was unable to relieve the strain he had caused her arm.

"The Titans will be here any second," Raven growled. Even if she had magic with her emotions in so much pain and Red X confusing her so easily she was in no position to use them. Instead she opted for standing on her toes and trying to dull the pain that strained her arm.

"Come on little bird, cheer up, you almost had me," Red X still hadn't bothered to turn his voice changer on so instead of a synthesised voice she was hearing his smooth and alluring one that made her feel odd. It seemed liked he was trying to comfort her.

"Let, go," the vice grip on her hand loosened, it was a relief that didn't last long. Red X flipped her around to face him and moved his face closer to hers.

"Stay still little bird or I'll go back to holding you against me," Red X's hand moved up and his mask was lifted to above his lips. Raven yanked her hand back but was pushed into a wall instead and had the cocky thief's face shoved into hers. Red X didn't do anything though, he just stood there with his lips an inch away from hers and his hot breath trickling down her neck. Raven could here gasps and a few angry words being shouted from behind them. "Good bird," Red X whispered before his mask was pulled back down and she was released.

"Titans, such a shame to have you interrupted a good time… but I guess there's always the next day we meet, see ya," he teleported just as a birdarange flew from Robin's hand. Raven stopped it with her magic when it neared her but otherwise stayed completely still. Raven stares at the ground rather than the odd looks her friends had. Red X didn't want to kiss her, he just wanted to make her team think she'd allow a villain into her heart. This would be fine, she'd tell them what really happened and they'd all get over it. But since she had fallen for a villain once before it was more likely that she would be questioned over this for days.

Cyborg was the first person to come over to her, and like an overly protective brother would he merely grabbed her arm nicely and led her out. When Robin went to ask questions or Beast Boy asked to get in the car Cyborg waved his hand and gave a look that said, 'Back off'.

The drive was always long to Raven. She was used to using her powers to fly, phase or even teleport. So, when they were in a car she felt like time was moving so slowly. She didn't like how tension was filling the air. Cyborg wouldn't pry or try to force her to talk, he wouldn't get angry when she snapped or make her do things and he didn't need to. He could do something worse, he'd give this look one that showed disappointment and that was enough to make Raven talk. Right now, she could feel his disappointed which made her feel like a misbehaving child.

"We didn't kiss," Raven said turning her head to the ocean. The ocean copied her emotions, a constant turmoil of swirling and crashing dark waves.

"Okay," He didn't say anything else and his tone didn't give away his emotions. Raven forced herself to look at him hoping that maybe she'd be able to read his expression but his face was black.

"He pushed me into the wall and leaned in after lifting his mask but we didn't kiss. We both stood their awkwardly till us showed up. Nothing else happened," Raven huffed. This was infuriating to her, she'd done nothing wrong.

"I didn't say anything Rea, you said nothing happened and I believe you,"

"Good because nothing happened," She said, though she wasn't sure why she felt she needed to defend herself, she just wanted to.

For the rest of the slow drive home Cyborg said nothing and Raven kept herself busy by staring out at the sea. Watching the greenish blue waters crash against each other and the rocks. It was calming, seeing the outside world in just as much torment as herself. Not that she really knew why she felt such torment she just did.

Raven watched the other Titans appear just as the T-car pulled into the garage. She didn't even get a chance to open the door. Robin opened the door and told her to follow him before he turned and headed out. She took a breath and looked at her friends, their faces showed worry but nothing more.

Raven walked out of the garage and followed down the hallways of cold iron and through to Robin's crime investigation area, where the walls were covered in clippings and newspaper articles.

"I know what you're thinking Robin but I swear Red X and me where just standing there, there wasn't any kissing or even touching," Raven defended. Robin was in a small fit of laugher.

"Raven I wasn't by any means worried about that, the idea is funny enough, I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Robin chuckled. Raven stood there dumbfounded. What did he mean by that?

"What?"

"The idea of any guy kissing you, it's hilarious," he laughed a little harder but Raven didn't find it funny. She scoffed and turned to head back to her room.

How dare he laugh at her and say things like that. It wasn't so impossible, a guy liking her. It's not like she was completely unapproachable it's just she has different ways of doing things. But to still, have her leader laugh at the very idea was a blow she didn't think would hurt as much as it had.

Raven sighed as she fell into her cold and dark room, she grabbed a change of clothes and got ready for bed. Raven could have gone out and explained to both Beast Boy and Starfire what happened but after telling Cyborg and having Robin laugh at her she wasn't in the mood, she just wanted to lay down and forget about today.

She woke the next morning before her friends and headed into the kitchen. After yesterday she wasn't in the mood to deal with Robin. He'd laughed at her, he'd made it sound like the idea of kissing her was repulsive. Raven might not care about those types of things but she certainly cared when a person stood there laughing at the idea of her being kissed.

Her mood wasn't improving even as she made herself a steaming cup of tea. She'd had it, there was no reason for Robin to say those types of things other than him being a jerk. It's seemed that since Starfire and Robin had started dating he'd become looser but at the same time he showed off more even going so far to mock his friends and yesterday must have been her turn.

Her thoughts were drowned out as a swooshnoise invaded her ears, the sound of the common doors opening. Raven wanted it to be Cyborg, the only person who wouldn't talk to her about the other day but was greeted with the whites of a mask leaning over and looking at her. She turned her head up to glare at Robin however the red hair and size of the person put her off. Raven got off the stool, taking a step back to stare at the intruder. Strong shoulders, bare skin and muscular standing before her. She stared for a bit at his chest before placing together the face, Speedy.

"Do you always stare," he laughed, turning away and grabbing a cup from the cupboards. Ravens face was covered in a light pink tint partly from embarrassment but mostly because of emotions she was doing her best to suppress.

"I… I thought you'd left with the other Titans last night,"

"I was meant to but when the alarm went off I was in the city, didn't get back till an hour ago, I spoke to Robin he's going to take me back in a day or so," Speedy said. He placed his coffee down and leaned on the beach close to where Raven had been sitting. "So little bird, are you joining me or are you just going to stare at me. Either way I'm not brothered, at least standing there I have a better view of you," Raven huffed and sat back in front of him.

"And why where you in the city?"

"I was busy," he said like it meant something.

"With?" Raven pressed.

Speedy looked at Raven and scratched the back of his head "Would you like the details?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't,"

"Alright but I gave you a chance to back down, I was engaging in an activity that involved a woman, me and a really good bed. There were lots of tossing and a good deal of moaning, can you guess what we were doing?" Raven just stared for a moment, as if trying to piece together what he was saying. Once she realised her little pink blush turned scarlet red.

"Oh," she looked at her tea cup, refusing to look at him.

"So, not so interested in the details now then," he smirked, cockily.

"I just wasn't ready for the answer you gave," she replied.

"Ah, well now that you're prepared why don't I tell the more interesting details?"

"No, that's fine," she said, almost gaging on the sip she'd taken.

There was a silence that covered the room heavily, an overwhelming quiet. Raven tapped her nails against the counter keeping in sync with Speedy's fast tapping foot. After ten minutes of utter silence had passed the doors opened and the other masked teen entered the room, humming. He made his way over to the kitchen grabbing a cup for his morning coffee.

Robin turned to them and smiled, "Morning," was all he got out before Raven grabbed her drink and left, not even glancing at Robin.

She made it back to her room before encountering any other Titans. The last thing she wanted was to have them asking her about last night, especially after her brief encounter with Speedy, the womanizing sweetheart. She just didn't need it. Mediation would sooth this.

Raven lowered herself back to the ground after mediating for the pass hour. She was brought out of her mediation by a banging on her bedroom door. Raven walked over to the door, opening it and being greeted by the masked leader. A towel draped over his shoulder and his hair in a mess. He'd been working out… again.

"Can I help you," Raven asked leaning against her doorframe.

"I was wondering what was wrong, you didn't stay for breakfast and you've been in your room all day," his eyebrows furrowed, he was trying to force the bond between them, but she wouldn't allow it.

"You honestly don't know," Raven asked.

"No, tell me what's wrong," he tried to force the bond again but Raven only ignored it.

"You, what you said yesterday,"

"What? I was only saying the truth," She glared at him, if she'd had the chance she would have thrown him through the walls to the ocean below but the alarm rang out again causing herself and Robin to race for the main room. Robin hit the keys and on the screen, was a store marked with a Red X.

"Really, Red X again… At least we have Raven, she can always kiss him to death," Beast Boy said and was answered with a hard smack to the back of his head from Cyborg. Beast Boy rubbed his head and laughed nervously, "Sorry Rea,"

"Where's Speedy, I told him he was to remain inside the tower until I could drop him back home," Raven smirked as Robin clenched his fist, clearly not happy with Speedy's absent.

"There's a note Robin," Cyborg said picking up the note from on-top of the counter and beginning to read. "Needed a break from the tower headed into city, see ya tomorrow titans, PS same time in the morning Sunshine," Raven felt a tiny blush on her cheeks as she thought back to this morning. "No idea what the last parts about but he clearly went out,"

"Fine, Titan's go," Robin was still growling as they headed out. Cyborg took all but Robin in his car making traveling faster for them while also stopping everyone from wasting energy. The store they arrived at was small and classy, the outside had nice windows with intricate patterns carved into the glass and gold trims and the inside had expensive wall paper and gold trim glass casing with expensive looking jewels inside them. Red X appeared from behind the counter were a volt was with sparkling jewels in his hands. He stopped and stared at the Titans who were ready to attack.

"You're losing you're touch X, you tripped the alarm," Robin said almost mockingly.

"Nah, I pulled the entire alarm out," he dug into the heap in his overlapping arms and pulled out what remained of the security system. "Wanted to talk a bit more with Sunshine, I never did get a chance to speak with her." Raven glared at Red X, putting all her force behind it.

"Really? So, you really want to talk to her." Beast Boy was hit quickly by Cyborg but Raven hadn't missed the comment.

"I do, I can't understand why you wouldn't… oh, catch." he threw his hands up, the jewels banging on the ground and his arms stretching out. Raven didn't get time to warn Beast Boy to watch out for the shiny X that flew in his direction. Beast Boy was stuck against the wall before even getting a chance to shift. Red X was already in a heavily combat against Robin, throwing punches, kicks and dodging each other effectively.

Raven jumped out of the way as a crate was kicked. She followed the battle from inside of building to the outside of the building. The sign said, 'Jay's Jewels' something Raven would never bother to note but then again when pulling a sign from a wall to throw at a person you tend to read the words. She threw the sign at Red X who only just manage to dodge it. He sent Raven a look and then flung a gooey X towards her which she dodged. Raven turned around after a loud shirk, she found Starfire wrapped in the X and stuck to the ground. Red X didn't want to hit her, he was after Starfire. When Raven turned back Robin was on the ground knocked out and Red X was jumping back through the window to fight with Cyborg who was on the other side.

Raven followed, jumping through the window and using her black magic to encase the broken bits of glass. She threw them at Red X who was engaging Cyborg in hand to hand. Red X jumped back and Raven only just managed to stop the shreds in time. Cyborg smiled and turned, searching for the thief he was gone, out of sight.

Red X slammed an X on Cyborgs back and after a few sparks Cyborg hit the ground and groaned as his power shut off.

"Just me and you little Jewel," Red X said with a purr.

"Must you always call me names?"

"Yes," he said advancing towards her. Raven used her powers to pick up objects around the room to throw at him. He practically danced through the objects as he progressed on her. Like last time he grabbed her arm and pinned it behind her back, placing his hand over her lips. Raven growled at him but he refused to let go.

"You know, if we were in a bed this would be a real turn on, you, squirming against me," His hand released her so she could talk.

"That makes you sound like a rapist," Raven growled. Red X chuckled a little into her ear and Raven noticed for the second time that Red X had turned off the synthesiser and his smooth, sweet sounding voice.

"Don't worry birdy, I won't harm you," Red X let go and stepped away from her. Raven turned to glare but he was already gone, only an X on the ground with a piece of paper. She grabbed the note before teleporting her friend's home.

The titans headed to their bedrooms, they were tired and sore from the fight against him. Raven was in her room sitting on her purple silk sheets and holding the note Red X had left her. 'Pretty Birdy, we should do this more often, X' she wasn't even sure what to make of it or Red X. His sudden interest in her was unusual and peculiar. She'd never gotten any real attention from any of the guys on her team or that she'd battled and now suddenly, she was getting attention from Red X of all people. That cocky thief was the last person she wanted to be with.

There was a knock on her door and she knew who it was. Robin never got to finish his conversation and of course he figured now would be the best time to talk it through. She threw her blankets off and made her way to the door. Robin was there, leaning against the wall and waiting for her.

"Yes," Raven asked.

"We didn't finish our conversation; did I say something to upset you."

"What do you think boy blunder."

"Well I clearly did; can you tell me what I said."

"No, figure it out on your own." Raven went to shut the door but Robin caught it.

"If it's about yesterday, all I meant was that anyone who tried anything wouldn't get away with it, that you wouldn't let them. I meant nothing more than that," Robin had placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Its fine." Raven smiled and shooed his hand she moved back into her room, shutting the door behind her. Raven moved back to her bed, she was still angry with Robin but it would pass. Even though it sounded like he was saying no one would ever want to kiss her. She understood that in his mind it was more likely he meant what he said. She was good at holding her own against the villains and wasn't about to let one of them touch her.

Raven laid back down on her bed, closing her eyes and letting her body fall limp as she drifted into a deep sleep.

Outside a storm had started, making the morning dull. Waves crashing hard against the sandy shore and the blackened clouds pelted down hard drops of water. Raven had gotten up early and headed down to the kitchen, expecting to be the only one up but found Speedy in the kitchen cooking and serving her a cup of herbal tea. Raven sat down carefully, as if his act of kindness came at a price.

"Morning Jem." Speedy said, he was in a good mood and from the way he strained to keep focus he hadn't slept yet either.

"Morning," Raven replied as she reached for her tea. Speedy smiled and walked to a bag that was placed on the floor. Around it was a small puddle and the bag itself looked soaked through. He pulled out a black box and placed it down near Raven.

"I saw that on my way back to the tower and thought of you Sunshine." Raven looked at the box cautiously, it was a smile rectangle box with soft casing. Raven opened the box, on the inside of it was a silver necklace with a raven bird on the chain. Raven looked from him to the necklace a few times before placing it back in the box.

"I can't." she said pushing it back to him. Speedy chucked and walked around to her, pulling the necklace around her neck.

"I brought it for you to wear Little birdy, so you should wear it. Please." Raven felt her cheeks heat up from the embarrassment.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Raven watched as Speedy moved back around to his side of the bench.

"Why did you buy this?"

"Oh, I saw it and thought of you, do I honestly need more reason than that." he shrugged and leaned on his heels.

Raven played with the pendent for a moment "No, but it's still odd." Speedy sighed loudly.

"I was just being nice birdy."

"Must you call me names?"

"What, don't you like it sweetheart?"

"No, it's degrading."

"Well sugar, too bad." Speedy continued cooking, mildly amused at the sound of windows breaking. His cocky smirk infuriated Raven more, causing her kettle to burst.

Raven tried to settle herself by taking deep breaths. She closed her eyes and concentrated on keeping herself calm, tranquil. When her breathing managed to settle here she opened her eyes again. Speedy came off to everyone as the player type but that was only skin deep. On the inside he cared about people and what they thought of him. He was quite good at hiding his feelings though, masking all the hurt he felt and only showing his happy side.

The only reason Raven knew all of this was because of her powers which sought out emotions. She was lucky, if he had it his way nobody would know how he felt. Raven was pulled from her thoughts as Cyborg entered the room with his normal morning greeting.

"Hey, I'm the one that cooks." Cyborg said as he noticed Speedy in front of the stove, cooking an assortment of foods.

"Well today I'm the chief," Speedy said, flipping a pancake. Raven didn't intervene through their argument of who got to cook. Speedy ended up winning because he promised to never touch the kitchen again.

When he'd finished serving the other Titans had entered the room. Everyone placed themselves around the table and dug into their meals. Raven sat next to Speedy and had hidden the necklace and the box it came in. She knew they'd ask about it which would drive her crazy.

"I was thinking we could all use some more training, Speedy offered to stick around a few extra days to help with this. I'm going to help teach Star a few dodging moves seeing as how that's her weak spot, Cyborg and Beast Boy are going to try out new fighting styles to hopefully improve their usefulness in battle and Speedy would you teach Raven?" Robin was already briefing them without the full consumption of his meal.

"Sure, what doesn't little birdy need to know." the way Speedy spoke made Raven feel like a child and Beast Boy was already laughing at the name.

"Can I call you little birdy?"

"No, I don't even want him calling me it."

"Don't be like that little bird." Speedy covered the smirk that Raven knew was there "After breakfast I'll take you down to the training room and teach you a few moves." Speedy said. Raven picked up her plate and placed it on the sink before beginning to walk down stairs. She didn't bother to wait for Speedy or the others to finish, they were children and she didn't need that.

Speedy Join Raven down stairs after a few minutes, he was wearing only a thin white tank top and black sweats. Raven stared for a brief second before moving over to him. They started off just sparing against one another, Speedy tested what moves Raven could dodge with ease and what she had trouble with before settling in and showing her some moves. She honestly didn't think she needed it. She could fight well enough on her own and her fighting skills had never let her down.

Speedy kept her busy for most the morning, showing her moves that Robin hadn't taught her and giving her tips on ways to avoid certain moves. They were versing each other now in a one on one he dodges her punch by flipping back and grabbed her wrist with his ankles as he went, flipping her over while he straightened up. Raven jumped up quickly and sent an elbow back which caught his ribs, he groaned in pain. Raven turned around to send a kick towards him. Speedy caught her leg and used it to flip her and Raven managed to catch herself before her face hit the ground.

Raven got herself back up and whipped the sweat from her forehead. She was breathing heavily, chest heaving up and down and perspiration dripping her forehead. She could feel her body shaking and adrenalin pumping in her veins. Speedy on the other hand seemed almost completely unfazed. His breathing was ragged but nothing like Ravens, his toned muscles seemed at complete ease as if no stress or strain was used and he was barely sweating.

Raven moved first, trying to send a hit to his jaw however Speedy grabbed her wrist and yanked it behind her back, pulling her close against him. "Yield little birdy," Speedy said leaning against her. Ravens arm was in a lot of pain and she couldn't break his grip. Her arm still ached from Red X doing this same thing to her and even than she couldn't get him to let go.

"Okay, now let go," Ravens eyes had squeezed shut and her jaw clenched tightly.

"No," Speedy said putting her arm higher to hurt her more. "If this was a real attack what would you do to make me let go,"

"At this point I'd bite you," She growled back, feeling Speedy's body shake against her as he laughed at her comment.

"Well, do it Sunshine, I won't be mad," Raven tried to bite, scratch and hit him in anyway but failed. Her arm was aching at this point and felt stretched.

"I can't," she thought for a moment about calling her powers but being as they agreed not to, that would be cheating. Speedy turned Raven around while still holding her arm in place, when she went to head-butt him Speedy knocked her feet from underneath her causing them to tumble to the ground.

Ravens arm throbbed in pain and Speedy put pressure on her waist to stop her from getting free. He leaned his face close to hers and smiled. "That all you got doll-"he was cut off when Raven rammed her knee up in-between his legs.

Speedy Released Raven and fell back clutching himself. Raven couldn't help the small smile that came to her face. Her arm was stretched out in front of her, feeling better already while Speedy did his best not to show pain.

"You said I was too try," Raven said.

"Never… speak… of… this," Speedy was clutching his teeth tightly and looked about ready to scream. Speedy did tell her to try and that's what she did, she tried. She didn't mean to hurt him this much she'd only meant to free herself.

"I'm sorry,"

"Its fine, I did tell you to try, my mistake," Speedy managed to get up and headed back to his room, with Ravens help. She left him with an ice pack before going back to their training room to collect his things. She didn't mean to hurt him, she was just in pain and wanted it to stop. Raven didn't see herself using that move on any of her villains. It was certainly not something she liked doing but it was necessary in that instance.

It took Raven an hour to tidy up the training room and by that point all she wanted to do was go back to her room and read a good book. Speedy would problem not feel like getting up to get food for a bit so she added bringing him something to eat on to her list.

Just as Raven was leaving the training room Robin walked in to check up on her "I thought Speedy was teaching you, but he just left," Raven felt her brows furrow, she didn't think Speedy would be up for a night on the town, it seemed every day he was out.

"He was, I hurt him a bit so he was resting but he's clearly over it if he's left already,"

"Wanna try out the moves you have learned then?" Robin smiled and leaned on wall. Raven opened her mouth to reply but their usual disrupter went off, sounding loudly.

"Sure, who am I trying them on," Raven asked. Robin pulled his communicator up, she didn't even have to ask because the growling and frustrated look told Raven who they were fighting.

"Red X,"

His boots slammed against the tiled roof tops as lightening lit up six silhouettes against the grey-coloured walls. The person running at the lead leapt to the next ledge, running further along the outer skirts of the city. He pushed himself to move as fast as he could, sliding and ducking between thin gaps to elude his followers. One of the five members yelled out 'Stop' but the figure in black persisted onwards.

He leapt to the next building, touching his feet down on the railing just as a blue light slashed the air in front of him. His eyes widened and unconsciously he stepped back, falling from the building.

Red X found himself twisting in the air and latch onto whatever he could. He snagged a ladder at the last second and dropped himself to the ground. His fall was broken by garage bags that had yet to be collected.

"Ew," Red X sighed as he flicked food off his shoulders. Raven, the dark beauty lowered herself down to the ground while the other Titans moved on. "So, guessing they missed my skydiving performance?" he asked standing.

"Not exactly," Raven said, she moved to the side before Red X was knocked forward by a bright green light.

"Ah, behind me… Clever," he mocked before turning and shooting a shiny Red X. Raven smiled as it hit nothing but wall.

"You think we're always going to be so predictable," Robin yelled just before slamming boot into Red X's back, between the shoulder blades.

Before Red X could get up Beast Boy was ramming him while in the form of a goat followed quickly by Starfire and Cyborg. Red X didn't get up or even fight as Robin took the off stolen goods away from him.

"It's over Red X," Robin said. Raven had kept quite this entire time, she'd been in an odd place since earlier. During her training with Speedy she'd notice a few odd things. One being that Red X and Speedy acted alike, in the names they called her and moves they had used against her, even choice in jewellery store they went were same place. She didn't know if it meant something but what she did know was that if he was caught as Speedy, he would no longer be on their team.

Raven felt her lips tug down at the thought, she didn't want Speedy to be kicked off and at this point she believed him and Red X to be one in the same. Going against everything she stood for she used her powers to break something behind her team, a store window across the street.

Her distraction gave Red X time to move. He kicked Robin's legs out from underneath him, stick Starfire to the wall, glued Beast Boy down and hacked Cyborg's system within a few quick moves and then he was off running with Raven following as quickly as she could behind.

The city was always dead around this time of night so she could run freely through the streets without worry of others getting into her way. Red X took a sharp turn a head of her, into a pitch-black ally. She could blare see as she turned the corner, even with her good eye sight the world seemed black.

"Thanks Sunshine," Red X said, sending cool chills down her spine and his gloved hand rested on her shoulder causing her to tense.

"I don't know what you're talking about X," Raven said back. Raven felt him behind her, his arms encircled her waist and pulled her against him. Raven felt herself bush at the motion.

"Don't worry jewel, I won't tell," he said, purring against her. Raven's heart beat painfully against her chest, she wasn't meant to do things like this. Help the villain escape, allow him to hold her and act the way she did but she couldn't stop herself. He managed to get close to her without even trying which annoyed her to know end.

His body was warm and his hot breath against her neck sending small chills through her. It was involuntary, she could argue but nevertheless she pushed closer to him wanting to be near the source of warmness on this very cold night. But it was wrong and even if he was a hero during the day.

"Let go,"

"You say that quite a lot but it never really works, does it, sweetie," Raven could feel the smiled forming on his lips and she hated the fact that he was right.

"I know who you are," she felt Red X stiffen for a moment but he let go.

"Well in that case meet me tomorrow, you're usually tea place," he winked and vanished.

Raven took in a breath, acting as if the breath was all her frustration and letting it out. She clumped her way back to her friends, who had just gotten out of their traps and was heading out of the gap between buildings.

Raven explained that Red X managed to hit her as well and that she didn't get far. Robin seemed angry but managed to just nod and leave with the others finding their own way home as well.

Once Raven got back she went to her room. It was bad enough that Red X managed to continuously escape but now she was helping him. What on earth had she been thinking? Even if he was Speedy she couldn't let him keep escaping like this.

Before Raven went to bed she made up her mind. If Speedy was at the shop tomorrow she'd tell Robin about her theory and they'd see if they could link him to the other crimes Red X has committed.

Raven woke up early and headed out straight away, she didn't want to raise suspicion or get asked a dozen questions. She flew across the city to a small tea shop 'Jades' and went inside. It was around seven in the morning so besides Raven there was only two other people in the shop, the server who was behind the counter and a woman who worked weekends with red hair sitting at a corner table.

Raven took her usually spot after ordering, she stared out the window in hopes of something interesting but was left with nothing but shadows creating shapes on the ground. It was like night, no one out, no one walking around or going places. Just empty streets.

She heard someone walking back through from the bathroom areas. There was some talk and then she heard footsteps, one set seemed to be heading for the door and the other for her. Raven turned around. She shouldn't have been surprised to see him but she was.

"Speedy, what are you doing here?" Raven asked as the archer sat across from her.

"I was out late," he said, shrugging as if he had no care in the world.

"Doing what? If I might ask,"

"Stuff, girls mostly,"

"So why did you come here?"

"Is this an interrogation, should I get a list for you," Speedy said. His relaxed features had teased quite a bit and his face was showing rage.

"I was just wondering that's all," Raven said. The door to the café opened and a few people entered. Raven made a list in her mind, there was three girls and two different guys but none seemed interested in her. She wished that this was another coincidence, then she could still hang out with him but there was too much tying him to Red X.

"Why?"

"Can't I just be curious?"

"You can, but you've never been before birdy," Speedy said, leaning forward on the table with a still serious look on his face. Raven sighed, there was no handbook on asking a friend if they were secretly spending their nights as a wanted thief. She could just ask but most people would just say no and pretend nothing has changed.

"Sweetie, you're fazing in and out on me," Raven ignored Speedy completely. He wasn't being fair, he wasn't doing what he was meant to and the worst thing was she was just starting to like him.

"I thought you might be up to something, that's all."

"What would I be up to?"

"I don't know, drugs, theft or arson it could be anything."

"Really, anything but the three things you point out are all criminal activities."

"Just the first thing that came to mind."

"Okay, well you're clearly not going to tell me what's wrong, so I'm going to order, back shortly dear." Speedy said, before getting up and walking to the counter. Raven tapped her fingers on the table in frustration. He could be the most difficult person on this plant and the fact that he just wasn't giving her anything to work with was just plain rude. It's not like she expected him to be holding a bandanna over his head saying, 'I'm the criminal Red X' but she did hope he'd show a sign.

His bag was still sitting across the table, the zipper was down a bit and Raven could see just a bit of black fabric sticking out. She went to move but as she leaned Speedy sat back down, interrupting her. He couldn't even leave her long enough with his bag.

"So, what did you spend last night doing then?"

"The team was fighting a villain, Red X," she waited for a reaction but nothing showed in his face. "He left a clue behind on where he was located actually, traces of partials that are only found in Steel City but I doubt you're interested in that,"

"Nope, I find criminals boring, the only thing their good for is stress release,"

"Shame,"

"I actually found a great place last night though, thinking of going their next time to get you gifts, much nicer stuff,"

"Let me guess, it's called 'Goth Night' a magical store for darker people," Raven said with a straight face.

"Yes, how did you know?" Raven just stared down at the table. That was the store Red X robbed last night.

"Lucky guess. Why are you buying me things anyway? It's not like you've brought anyone else anything."

"I don't want to date anyone else though." to this Raven shot up and stared at him. He chuckled at her reaction for a bit before reaching over and holding her hands. "I was hoping to ask you out tomorrow but with me being on deadline I thought now was perfect."

"You want to date me, are you sure you haven't got a concussion."

"I'm being serious Raven." Speedy said. He'd used her name, not a degrading pet name but her actual name. That meant something, although she wasn't sure what. He also wanted to date her. If he was Red X and she said yes to date him and then told Robin she'd lose him and if she said no, told Robin and it not be true she'd lose him. Even not telling Robin had its issues because if he was the criminal thief and the team found out later and he felt like telling them that Raven knew she'd still be in trouble.

Speedy had just made an extremely difficult choice even harder. Every option she thought of quickly had a road block that would hurt either herself, her team or the person she was beginning to care for. What could she do?

"I need to leave." Raven said before getting up and walking out. On her list of things, she could have done running away wasn't one of them but she liked it. She didn't have to make a choice and the only person hurt she couldn't see now. Raven flew back to titan tower, ready to talk to Robin about everything. She needed to come clean about her thoughts before things became worst. Not just for her but for Speedy too. Hopeful he wouldn't over react.

The Tower was quite when Raven arrived back home. There was a note saying Beast Boy and Cyborg went out for breakfast which meant the only one's home was Starfire and Robin. Raven headed to the boy wonders room, there wasn't any noise coming from there and when she opened the door it was empty. The crime labs would be the next likely spot for Robin, followed by the training room.

Raven headed to the crime scene lab and other then a few new notes on Red X there was nothing new. She sighed before headed down to the gym. That was the last place she wanted to see him, he was easily agitated when working out.

Raven could feel it as she made her way down to the gym. His angry, determination and most importantly his compassion. Robin needed that compassion, it was the only thing that helped him to stop when fighting. Everyone needed that one piece in them that knew when to hold back or else the worst would happen. There was something different about the way he was acting though. He was acting as if hurt or rejected. She walked in the room and over to the distressed punching bags that he'd mutilated.

"Something the matter? Your emotions are all over the place," Raven asked.

"Not it the mood," Robin said as he continued to torture the punching bags.

"Okay, well maybe we could talk about-"

"Raven, I'm not in the mood!" Robin yelled, knocking the punching bag down in one shot. His shoulders shook as he breathed raggedly, tension growing around him darkly and sweat dripping down his face. She didn't know what to do in this moment. Raven took a step back out of fear. She'd never admit it but she was a little scared right now. Robin didn't usually act like this and it scared her. She could feel her magic pulsing through her veins, trying to come out.

"Robin, I'm sorry I'll come back later," Robin grabbed her wrist tightly to stop her from leaving. "Robin you're hurting me," Robin stood there for a moment staring at her before realising what he was doing. He let go and stepped away from her, shock in his masked eyes.

"I'm sorry Raven, I was," he trailed off but stared at her wrist for a bit. Raven could feel his emotions change from angry to sadness, his adrenalin gone and pain seeping in. She sat in front of him and grabbed his hand, nicely.

"What's wrong?"

"Starfire and I broke up, she doesn't understand what dating is and I don't always like having to teach her things," His voice was choked up and strained. Telling him that Speedy was likely Red X right now, Robin's best friend, would probably do more damage than good. So, she settled for just being nice to him hoping he'd feel better.

"I'm sorry Robin,"

"You know the stupid thing is, she broke it off because she thought I was in love with someone else, yet she's always flirting with Aqualad and Speedy and even Flash. What am I meant to think?"

"It's not your fault, and Starfire doesn't completely understand what humans are like yet. Maybe if you give her time,"

"No, I don't want to be with her, it's too hard right now to explain all our costumes," he stood and started pacing around the room. "She can do what she wants, I'm done,"

"Are you going to be alright?"

"Of course, I am, nothing can get to me. I'm sorry about your wrist though,"

"Its fine, I'll talk to you later okay,"

"Wait, you said you wanted something. You had to deal with my issues so it would be fair if I helped you,"

"It can wait, thank you Robin."

Raven headed out, not even leaving Robin a second to talk. This was the last thing he needed, more burdens. Raven made it back to her room and sat on her bed. The last few days had been rather confusing and all she wanted to do was meditate. She settled into her lotus position and floating into mediation. She was free of thoughts for now at least.

Robin sent a kick over Ravens head which she dodged while sending a jab to his ribs. He grabbed her wrist and flipped her over and sitting on her waist and pinning her hands above her head.

Speedy hadn't left yet, he asked to hang around for the next three months and Bee approve so now both him and Robin were trying to train Raven. She hadn't yet told Robin about Speedy being Red X but for the moment everything was going okay. Though Raven had made more connections to Speedy and Red X being the same person. In the past four days, Speedy hadn't spent any time out of the tower at all, and Red X hadn't been seen at all either.

As for Speedy's question, Raven was simple pretending she'd forgotten the question and no longer answered him or spoke to him alone which is why Robin was in with their training session.

"I'm heading out Robin, can you keep training her," Speedy said and as per usually he didn't wait for an answer he just walked away. Raven sighed and tried shifting but she found without her magic she couldn't free herself from this. She could usually just phase through the ground but that wasn't going to work now, she was stuck.

It was agreed that during her training she would work without her powers so that she wouldn't rely solely on them for dealing with any situation. But since she wasn't physical strong she couldn't stop Speedy and Robin and even Red X.

"Give in Rea, you know you can't beat me," Robin said teasingly. She hated to admit it but the likelihood of winning was stacked so high against her.

"Fine, I surrender," Robin leaned forward as he tsk at her.

"Wasn't the idea of this, pinning you down, to help you fight it when it did happen," He questioned. Raven knew that he was aware of Red X doing this exact thing to her, but he didn't say anything about it. He didn't want her to feel like she was being attacked. It was the whole reason he had offered to help everyone and not just her.

"Maybe but I thought that was going to be it, not have someone sit on me every time I enter a room. Now get off me,"

"Come on Raven, make me," Raven trashed around a bit, trying to free her hands through methods taught by Robin and Speedy but nothing worked.

"I can't," Raven said. Robin leaned back down, their lips were closer together then Raven would have liked. She lifted her hips, trying to push him away. Robin chuckled at her attempts, before letting her up.

"You need to be able to get out of those types of situations Raven." Robin said, he held out a hand to help her up.

"When am I going to need that." She asked, but she knew the answer and so did he.

"I don't know, let's say a building is falling down, your powers are blocked and a person has fallen on top of you and you're stuck, then it will be handy."

"That's a lot of if's thought."

"It's useful Raven." Robin said. He'd seemed a lot better since he started helping Raven train, his moods where better and he wasn't so upset about Starfire anymore either. Starfire was happy as well, she was starting to understand customs… Sort of.

"I should go." Raven said before heading out. Robin caught up to Raven and walked alongside her all the way back to the kitchen. Raven thought it was odd when Robin grabbed her hand to hold. She figured it was just his way of getting comfort.

They went it to the kitchen, Raven went and made herself cup of tea and Robin made a coffee. Raven sat and leaned against the bench, watching the passing storm outside the windows. "The weathers been like this for the last few weeks. What do you thinks going on?" She said. Jump City was in their coldest season, but Raven didn't believe that was all it was. There seemed to be something else going on.

"Not sure, it could just be bad weather." Robin said. He was looking deeply into his coffee and his forehead was creased. Raven knew there was something on his mind, but it was unlikely he would talk to her about it.

"It's making fighting hard."

"You really wanna talk about the weather Raven." Robin asked, leaning in front of her. His lips curled into a sly smile.

"No, but what else is there. I doubt you'd really want to talk about Red X and his recent escapes or anything that's going on here." She said in an almost definitive tone.

"No, we could talk about something else, I was think about… well…," the alarm shrilled loudly over Robin and Raven's conversation.

"I guess this can wait then." Raven said, making her way down to the screen. Robin stood there with a blank expression. "Red X, what a surprise," Raven thought aloud. It wasn't even odd, Speedy had left a bit ago which meant that Red X would show up.

Raven and Robin headed into the city, the rest of the team was already there so they didn't have to wait. They arrived at the museum and headed in the broken doors. The room was vacant and clear. Raven and Robin headed through to the next room, Robin checking his communicator to make sure the others were on the way.

"They'll be a little late." Robin whispered back as the made there way through. Raven and Robin entered a part of the museum that was preserved for jewels. The cat-burglars usually MO.

The lasers that would usually be in the room where gone and most the jewels had already been removed from their cases. Red X was off to the side looking at a purplish jewel.

"Leave it alone X." Robin yelled out. Red X turned slowly around.

"Titans- … Raven, well if it's just you here think we could talk instead of fight." Red X said advancing towards them. Robin clenched his fist, Red X was only mocking him but it still annoyed him.

"I don't know what your problem is with Raven lately but I won't let you hurt her, now put the jewels down." Robin moved forward, following Red X lead. Raven knew what he was doing. He was distracting Robin long enough to knock him out.

Raven used her magic to pull Robin back, she used her power to latch onto broken pieces of glass and swing them at Red X who was quite shocked by her actions. Red X teleported behind Raven and grabbed her arm to twist but Raven dodge back before he could reach it.

Robin managed to land a kick on Red X while he was distracted by Raven and Raven sent a claw of black magic at Red X.

"Well look at that, Birdy and Chuckles managing to work together to beat me." Red X laughed and jumped back kicking a glass case at Raven which shattered as it hit her black magic. Robin went to Red X and swapped fighting moves while Raven moved around the back of him looking for something she could use against him.

Robin knocked Red X back and Raven took her chance to send him flying back into the wall. Robin was at Red X and holding him still before Raven could call her magic.

"What are you after." Robin yelled in his face.

"Well, a little alone time with jewel here wouldn't hurt." Red X started to lose his voice as Robin held his throat tighter.

"Don't speak about her like that." Robin said, growling at him darkly. Red X kicked off the wall, knocking Robin back, a move Speedy had recently taught Raven.

"Why Robin, do you wanna be the only one to talk to Sunshine like that, didn't you already ruin a relationship with Starfire now you're thinking of ruin one with her too." Raven could hear the anger in Red X's voice even through the voice modulator. What she didn't get though was what he was saying and why he was saying it. All she could conclude was that Red X was trying to get a rise out of him.

"You really think you could win her, don't you." Robin said, and his voice was just as angry as Red X's had been.

"I stand a better chance than you do."

Raven couldn't even stop them. Robin and Red X slammed against each other with fury she hadn't seen before. They throw hard punches and kick against each other. Both used their weapons too without any worry about the things around them. All Raven could do was her best to minimise the damage. She didn't understand what they were going on about. She knew Red X or Speedy had some type of feelings for her but why was Robin answering as if he felt the same. She never thought he'd care for her.

Her thoughts were removed as Red X slammed into her, the two rolling back and landing on the ground. She saw Robin stuck to the wall and knocked out and Red X now sitting above her. Before she could move he grabbed her hands and pinned them down. His breathing was faster than normal. He had never had to fight this hard to beat Robin before.

"Sorry Sunshine, I didn't mean for him to get involved," Red X said, his voice changer turned off. She couldn't tell if he and Speedy had the same voice, there was something about the thief presence that always made him feel different. She assumed that maybe the fabric created the change in the voice and that's why she couldn't place it, or it could be possible that the adrenalin in his blood system caused his voice to deepen.

"Why are you stealing so many gems?" Raven asked.

"Because a man wants me to, he's using them to mess with the weather or something." Red X said. He clearly didn't care about the clients he worked for, or he wouldn't give that information up. though Raven felt like that did explain a lot about the weather lately.

"Why do you seem so interested in me?"

"Do you honestly need an answer sunshine? It's is clear." Red X asked leaning closer to her. Raven took in a breath and tried to lift her hips to knock him off. Red X quickly put pressure on her and leaned his body over her, his face against her neck and body crushing against her. Raven twisted her body, turning them at once and slamming a knee against his privet area.

Red X groaned in pain and pushed her off. He managed to get up and lean against something but didn't look like he was going anywhere anytime soon.

"What type of hero uses that type of move against a person," Red X said, his voice showing nothing but pain.

"The smart kind," Raven answered before slamming Red X against the wall and holding him there. "Now stay still," Raven moved over to Red X and looked for the seam in his mask. When she found it she started moving his mask up?

"I thought you knew who I was, why do you need to remove my mask sweetheart?" Red X said. Raven could practical hear him smirking.

"To make sure."

"Didn't you see me at the tea shop." Red X was trying to move away from her but he was still in too much pain to get away from her now.

"Yes, but I'd like to make sure."

This was one of the most intense moments for Raven. She was about to unmask Red X and hopeful prove Speedy's innocence. She got the mask over his chin and started to push it up over his lips. Based off the part she could see Red X could in fact be Speedy, along with every other white male on earth.

"I must protest sunshine, only I should be allowed to remove my mask." He said as his hands moved to hers, but didn't stop her.

"Too bad the choice isn't yours to make."

"I beg to differ," Raven looked at him, stopping for a moment where she was and just staring. She knew there was nothing he could do and she had already revelled his lips.

"There's nothing you can do,"

"Really," Red X leaned forward and kissed Raven's cheek, her concentration breaking long enough for him to press the teleportation button and leave.

"Damn," Raven turned around and headed to Robin. She released him and contacted the other titans. They had been on their way to her when Cinderblock attacked the middle of the city. Raven took Robin home and left him in the medical bay while she went Speedy's room. It was about time she spoke to him. She didn't knock on the door, she just entered and shut the door behind her. She barely noticed the fact that Speedy was only wearing black pants. On his upper body was a long gash that had a part recently opened. There wasn't a lot of blood, mostly it just looked sore.

"You two act alike, you get things from the same stores, you're wearing black so much and you were both at the tea shop, there's no way all of that is coincidently. You're him, just admit it," Raven looked to the ground, trying not to stare at Speedy.

"No idea what you're talking about little birdy, but I'm glad you're here," Speedy said smoothly as he walked over. She couldn't see him walking but she could hear him. "You never answered my question," Speedy grabbed her jaw and forced her to look up at him.

"Speedy, I know-"her eyes widened as Speedy leaned down and slowly pressed his lips to hers. She put her hands against his chest while Speedy pulled her against him. His lips refused to budge even though Raven did everything to push him back.

He finally let her lips go, placing his forehead on hers. "I still want to be with you," Raven knew what she wanted to say, she wanted to go back to asking if he and Red X was the same person but she knew he'd just change the subject back to the relationship he wanted. But she couldn't let it go.

"I need answers." Raven said, "Where do you go all the time." Speedy smiled, kissing her cheek lightly.

"In time." he answered kissing her lips. Raven growled as Speedy moved back to his bed and dropped down. "Wanna join me?" he winked. Raven blushed and turned around. Of course, he was making this difficult, he was Speedy, and nothing came easy.

Her mind was a mess, she wanted to know if Speedy was the same person but on the same hand she didn't want to know. If she knew he was Red X she could never be with him but if she didn't, if she could pretend there was nothing in-between them, then she could be happy with him.

She liked Speedy, she had since he started hanging around. It wasn't wrong to date him if she didn't know for sure who he was, she couldn't be put on the spot. She could still try and capture Red X and at the same time date Speedy without moral conflict. It would be fine. Or at least for now she was happy to pretend that everything would be fine.

"Okay." Raven answered, turning back to him. "I will date you." Speedy smiled and reached out to take her hand and pull her closer.

"I promise you won't regret this Raven." Speedy said, kissing her cheek once more before pulling her into a hug.

At the back of Raven's mind, she knew she would regret this choice but she also knew she wanted to be with him. She could deal if Red X was never caught.