AN: Sorry for the long wait guys. My main laptop has gone bust and I thought I'd lost my most recent chapter then as I sat down to write it, I found TWO chapters already complete and hand written. This is just a little filler but needed to progress, unfortunately. Thanks to everyone who dropped a review as usual :)

Anxiety had coiled itself like a spring inside Raven's stomach as Jinx dragged her into the Tap n' Tumbler. Her presence didn't even cause half the stir it had the first time the thief had introduced her to the establishment and apart from a quick glance the odd couple were ignored.

"Told you they'd get used to it," Jinx grinned as she grabbed hold of her girlfriend's hand.

"I'm not sure that's the right word," Raven muttered.

Jinx just shook her head as she guided them to the bar. "Same as last time? Or do you fancy being adventurous?"

"I think I'll have the same, thanks."

The woman behind the bar was the same who'd been there the first night, her rockabilly hair the same scarlet and make-up just as lavish. The look she gave Raven, however, was much friendlier. "What can I get you girls?"

"One gin and tonic and a cranberry and vodka, thanks."

Barbara nodded before telling Raven, "Your drink's on the house. You did a service to everyone in this city and risked your life to do it."

Raven was taken back and she stared at the woman a moment before muttering, "Umm… Thanks."

"'Tis the least we could do."

"What about me?" Jinx whined. "I was a hostage!"

"Aint no prize for being a hostage," the bar hostess told her.

"Come on Barbara – for your favourite customer?"

The heavily tattooed lady ignored the hex caster while she made their drinks, putting them on the bar before motioning at Jinx. "Cough up."

The thief scowled but passed over the money. "Such injustice, giving a Titan a free drink but not one of your own."

"You can have a free drink when you earnt it. Now clear off, before I charge you double."

Jinx grinned and grabbed her drink off the bar. Raven followed her as she led them to the same booth as the last time. "Barbara's never given me a free drink before. You're already more popular than I am," Jinx told her.

"I don't know what to think. I'm shocked."

"The Shadow was bad for business. That, and I'm pretty sure she's got a daughter."

"Still. It' more… sincere than anything else I've gotten."

"Nuh uh. What about the card from your kids?"

"They're not my kids," Raven scowled.

"Not getting broody are you Rae? I'm not exactly 'equipped' to deal with that."

"You are this close-" Raven raised her hand, holding her thumb and forefinger only a centimetre apart, "to getting smacked."

Jinx leaned in as close as she replied, "I love it when you talk dirty."

The empath was smiling when she lightly batted Jinx around the back of her head. "Idiot."

"Trying to be degrading too? Let me give you a hint, the combination of name calling slut with choking works much better."

Raven couldn't keep the shock of her face. "You can't actually enjoy that."

"It depends on who it is, but I'm a connoisseur of many things." Jinx grinned suggestively, "You're only just scratching the surface."

"I'm still getting used to the surface," the empath muttered.

"Stay tonight and I can help with that."

The girls were inches apart and Raven wanted nothing else but to feel Jinx's lips against her own. She'd started to close that gap when they were interrupted.

"Where's my invite?"

Raven jumped back as though she'd received an electric shock as a familiar face slid into the seat on the opposite side of the booth.

"For fuck sake, don't you have anywhere else to be?" Jinx angrily asked Jason.

"Anywhere else doesn't contain my two favourite ladies. Good to see you, sunshine. Not that Adonis would agree."

Raven scowled at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"The word is he's ranting and raving when he's awake and screaming himself awake when he's asleep." The man otherwise known as Red X smiled apologetically. "Sorry, word travels fast."

Raven studied him for any sign of a lie, her stomach sinking.

"Then best move along buddy or you'll be next," Jinx threatened.

"Rae don't scare me. I mean look at her record. Dr Light and Adonis? They were already the laughing stock of criminals before Raven got her hands on them."

"And the shadow?" Jinx challenged.

"Yeah well that were the building, weren't it? His own fault for being too stupid to get out." Looking at Raven he continued, "Not that I'm downplaying what you did, sunshine. Congrats and all that."

Raven was relieved not all her secrets were out of the bag. Adonis concerned her though. "Should have ripped his tongue out while I was at it."

"Everyone has to find something to take their anger out on every now and then," Jason smiled. "No one's judging."

"You might not be."

"Ah, the famous bird blunder." From his smirk, Raven got a feeling he was laughing at a private joke but before she could ask, he turned to Jinx. "Anyways, when did you become an art critic Jinx? That so called paining was a piece of shit."

"Didn't steal it for me, stole it for someone with more money than sense," Jinx replied however her voice was distant, something else having caught her attention. "Be right back – I need to speak to Dave."

Raven didn't even get a chance to protest and was left looking awkwardly at the villain across from her.

"I escaped your friends three times while you were out for the count. Three times in one month! Bet bird brain's tearing his hair out," Jason grinned.

"You talk about him like you know him."

"He's a pretty predictable guy," Jason shrugged. "After all, he was raised by Batman, and oh boy is that stiff predictable."

"Again, sounds like you know him." Raven studied him suspiciously.

The young man was all smiles however didn't say anything, deciding to let the empath stew for a bit. Raven glanced away at look at Jinx, the hex caster in conversation with a man she assumed was Dave, an older man with white wisps for hair and a well-developed bald patch. Realising she could be stuck on her own with the thief for some time she decided to ask him, "How did you even know Robin had the xenothium suit."

The young man did his best to look oblivious. "Don't know what you're talking about."

"Someone broke into Titans Tower and took nothing but the suit, without leaving a trace. It wasn't a chance find."

"Maybe your leader isn't the only detective. I was good anyway, Robin just gave me the means to be even better."

"Alright then. If you don't know Robin, why help him that time Ding Dong Daddy stole his briefcase?"

"Because of my kind and caring personality?" He offered.

"Try again."

"'Cause I figured if he wants it that bad it's gotta be pretty personal. It's not like anyone knew the code and he was still shitting bricks. I'm not a bad guy, just looking out for number one and having some fun along the way."

Raven scowled at him, thoroughly confused about Red X. She could say that the H.I.V.E Five overall weren't bad people, having gotten to know them, however that didn't mean they'd ever go out of their way to help the Titans.

"What's with the interrogation anyway?"

Raven sipped at her drink before answering with a shrug, "You confuse me, is all."

"Used to everything being black and white, sunshine?"

"Far from it. Yes, the briefcase was locked and your reasoning of it being of sentimental value is sound however something as personal as that could have revealed Robin's identity. That's information you could have sold for a hefty price, especially as it would probably also reveal Batman's identity. I can think of four people right now who would probably do anything to get that information."

"If by anything you mean capture and torture it out of me, you're right. Besides, what would I do for fun if Bird Boy was out of the game?" Jason asked with a wink. "Now, your turn. Why are you – the goodie two shoes titan, ignoring a few blips in your record, dating Jinx? I mean you don't converse with the bad guys, don't give them a chance or show an ounce of understanding during fights… you keep to yourself. What the hell happened?"

Raven raised her brow. "I enjoy her company. What more of a reason do I need?"

"Out of all the Titans, the only thing that would have shocked me more would be if Robin was dating a bad guy."

"Good. If strangers knew me that well, there would be a definite problem with how I'm presenting myself to the public."

"So you like being seen as a loner?" Jason frowned.

"I like my life to be private. I don't fight crime for the attention."

"So why do you fight crime? Don't tell me it's because you're a bleeding heart?"

"Definitely not. I do it for me. Because I need something to fill my days with and because I need all the positive karma I can get. At least, that was why to begin with."

"And now?"

Raven shrugged. "Habit, I suppose. And you can never have too much good karma."

"Wow. Aren't you the perfect hero's poster girl?" Jason grinned.

"Well there's not much else to do. I'd never last in a mundane job. My customer service skills leave a lot to be desired."

"Join us guys. Your abilities – you'd be untouchable."

Raven frowned at him. "I don't think so. I may not be the best hero, but I'm not going to stoop that low."

"Ouch. Way to hurt a guy."

Raven watched Jinx walk back to the table over the man's shoulder. As she neared the hex caster asked, "You still here?"

"Of course – didn't want to miss anything."

"You aint gonna miss anything, don't worry," Jinx replied as she took her seat.

"So, how's Dave doing?"

Jinx shrugged. "Alright, I guess."

"So I take it that wasn't a social call. What were you after? A vehicle or goonies?"

"I don't talk work around my girlfriend," Jinx replied with a sideways glace at Raven.

"I'd say a vehicle, unless you're trying to pull off your biggest heist yet."

Jinx smiled coyly. "Guess you'll never know."

"Oh I'm sure I'll hear about it later. So what had you two lovely ladies got planned for the night?"

"Something that doesn't involve you."

"It's a good thing plans can change then, isn't it?" Jason grinned. "I fancy going on a pub crawl."

Raven studied him sceptically. "Even if we did want to spend time with you – which we don't – I never would have taken you for being that dumb."

"I'm insulted!" The man dramatically put a hand to his chest.

The titan rolled her eyes before telling Jinx, "I'm starting to see what you meant when you said you two are the same."

"The same? Jinx isn't half as cool as I am," Jason argued before asking, "Are we going drinking or not?"

"Me an' Rae couldn't step foot anywhere in Jump without being recognised."

"The two of you have been dating for months – what you been doing? Hiding under the rocks?"

"Choosing our destinations carefully." Jinx scowled.

Giving up on the hex caster, Jason tried Raven. "Come on Sunshine, a bit of risk – a bit of adventure – who can say no to that?"

"Me, and quite happily."

He quickly finished his drink and stood. "Fine. I'll go find someone else to have fun with."

The two women watch him leave, Jinx muttering, "Thank fuck for that."

"Agreed. He singled me out in combat the last time. Robin wouldn't drop it- I don't need him being any friendlier."

"Why, what did he do?"

"Saved my ass," Raven muttered unhappily. "Something Star Labs was building didn't agree with me. It only affected me. Since he'd already tied my team mates up, or stuck them to the floor, he tried to move me away from whatever it was. I didn't let him so he freed Starfire and told her to help me." She shook her head. "I was actually going to look into what it was Star Labs had built, but you got kidnapped."

"Saving your ass was hardly being nice. I mean Jason is a prick, but he's not out to help people."

"Tell Robin that."

"I've got enough problems without adding your leader to them," Jinx replied.

Raven frowned, "You, problems?"

"It's nothing, hopefully." She smiled weakly. "I'll let you know if I need my knight in shining armour though."

"Well, that's not reassuring."

"I know you don't like to get involved in the villain stuff, so I'm not involving you. Now I didn't invite you out to talk about work. Since we've lost our uninvited third wheel shall we head back to my place? What I had planned isn't suitable for an audience."

Robin had started to doze off on the oversized sofa, a newspaper on his lap, when the console bleeped at him with an incoming call. He jerked awake and rushed to answer it, only to find his mentor.

"Batman?"

"You look tired." The hero noted and Robin was sure he could hear a hint of disapproval in the man's voice.

"It's late. Is there a problem?"

"Are your teammates here?"

"All of them but Raven. She's… out. I can call them-"

"No. I'd rather this stay with us. Zatanna is concerned, as is the host of Dr Fate. There have been higher readings of chaos energy around Gotham. While it's not something I understand, Zatanna thinks it is demonic."

"You'd probably be better talking to Raven about this."

Batman shook his head. "I don't want her to know, just in case. I want you to get to Gotham as soon as you can. Thanks to the nature of your teammate I expect you will be equipped to be able to help."

Robin didn't want to admit that the team had always relied on Raven to do all the work as soon as anything magical was involved and nodded. "Okay."

"Tell your team whatever cover story you want. Let me know when you're on your way." The dark knight hung up on his and Robin was left staring sourly at the screen.

He already figured he had enough problems in Jump City without adding Gotham to the list. He heard the doors slide open behind him and turned to see Cyborg walk into the room, the robotic titan flashing him a smile.

"Still up?"

"For a lot longer than I was planning. Where's Raven? I haven't seen her all day."

"According to Beast Boy, she'd gone to find somewhere quiet meditate. That was at lunchtime. She aint come back yet."

The boy wonder nodded. "Good. Batman called. He needs my help in Gotham and I'll be heading out as soon as I'm ready. In the mean time I need you to keep an eye on Raven."

"Me?" Cyborg asked, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire between his two teammates. "Why me?"

"Because someone needs to. She's changed over the past few months and I don't think it's just because of Jinx."

"People change as they get older. She's coming out of her shell more. That's a good thing."

"And her attack on Adonis?"

Cyborg shrugged. "An accident. You saw how it shook her up."

"An accident that we don't want to happen again. Report back to me if anything happens and don't let her take the offensive in fights. I'll try and check in at least once a day. I'm going to find Star before I leave, but if you could inform the other?"

"Sure thing. Let us know if you need help. I take it it's about the Arkham jail break?"

Robin quickly nodded. "Yeah. It should only take me a couple of days. I'm sure you can run things until then."

The leader of the titans – following in his mentor's footsteps – left without giving Cyborg much time to respond, the Titan scowling at Robin's back as it disappeared from site. He shook his head and stared at the view of the city from the windows, having forgotten what he'd originally gone there for. It didn't sit well with him, their leader leaving without informing the entire team and he didn't really know what he was supposed to say to them.

Beast Boy saved him half the trouble as he strolled into the common room barefoot and dressed in pyjamas. "What's up with Robin? Don't think I've ever seen him move so quick."

"He's going to Gotham."

"What? Why?"

"Batman asked him to. He's telling Star. Did Rae say when she'd be back?"

"Dude, she's gone to meet Jinx. Doubt it'll be any time tonight," the changeling shrugged and moved towards the kitchen. "You didn't tell Robin, did you?"

"No. Said she'd gone to find somewhere quiet, according to you."

"Sure, drop me in it."

Cyborg grinned at the back of Beast Boy's head before becoming sombre. "Those two are gonna have a huge fall out any time soon."

"So, she stands up to him. Good. Wish I had the guts to sometimes." He popped back out of the fridge with an armful of sandwich making materials. "Quorn baguette?"

"How about, no."

Beast Boy managed an awkward shrug before dumping his goods down on the counter.

"I can see where he's coming from though," Cyborg continued. "I mean, Jinx aint exactly the most ideal of choices and this whole blood lust thing…"

"Poor timing – if it had happened like, a year apart or something it'd be a walk in the park. Aint the first time Rae's struggled with her control and each time we dealt with it."

Beast Boy's reply surprised Cyborg and he considered it a moment before asking, "Don't it scare you though?"

"Raven's scared me since the day we first met. She wouldn't be Raven if she didn't scare me."

"Alright, good point. Not like you to be so rational about something though."

"You're forgetting I was in the same boat a few years ago. Minus the girlfriend. The sudden rage, lashing out, attacking Raven…"

"You didn't attack Raven – you saved her from Adonis. And we found out what caused it."

"You did. But remember, that entire time you treated me like the criminal?" Beast Boy had finished his baguette and took a bite before telling his friend, "Same situation, different team member. I can see what everyone's doing and unlike you guys, I'm gonna keep supporting her because that's what she needs. No alienating her. If she wants to see her girlfriend in the meantime, why not? She seems to be more understanding than some of us are being."

"That's kind of harsh," Cyborg frowned. "We've been trying to support her."

"Robin hasn't, and there used to be a time when he was the only one who understood her."

AN: As I said. Short, not that exiting, but moves us along. Drop a review, if you're signed in I will reply. Thanks for reading :)