So I decided to add an alternate ending, that is about a year after the first one. This one is for anyone who wants a *somewhat* happy ending. I decided to go for the common trope of Red X is Jason, because it works pretty well. So enjoy!

I do not own Teen Titans or Batman. (Did I forget to say Batman last time? I don't know.)

Jason remembered dying- he remembered the feeling of his organs being ruptured by a rusty crowbar, that evil laugh, the acceptance in the last ten seconds of his life. The pain was sharp, intense, and made him want to keel over every time he thought of it.

But, somehow, the feeling of coming back to life was worse. It felt like every single cell on your body started exploding, like your heart was getting wrenched out of your chest, as if someone had stabbed their entire katana collection through his head. It hurt.

Jason attempted to forget that part of his life as much as possible. His death was a constant reminder of his purpose, but his reanimation was best left forgotten.

But if the Lazarus Pit taught him anything, if he had to remember one thing, Jason knew what it was. Screw being the hero.

One odd thing about dying- you never realized how much life would move on. A new Robin was in Gotham, the old Robin was in Jump City, and the Joker still terrorized the world. It was as if he had never existed.

Jason had never felt so lost when he realized he, in fact, didn't exist anymore. He was legally dead, and no one knew he was still alive. They had gotten over him- as much as they could when they never cared for him anyway. Bruce always wanted him to be the perfect son, to be the original. And the original hated his guts for various reasons Jason never fully thought about. So maybe they didn't move on- maybe life just continued for them.

This thought train was what drove Jason to do something reckless, and sneak into Titans Tower. Stupid Dick- their headquarters was out in the open like some freaking target. Jason had never seen it for himself until now, and he had to say, he was unimpressed. Sneaking in was a cinch. Stealing Dick's suit was easy. And getting out was a piece of cake.

"I thought you didn't like to play the hero."

"Doesn't mean I don't know how."

Dick could hear their past conversation replay in his head- over and over as if on loop- while he confronted Red X. The other Titans were behind him, ready for battle. It had been months since Red X had popped up, and while normally Dick was more than ready to stop the villain, this time he had a hostage.

A very, very, personal hostage. Tim struggled against Red X's hold, giving him a glare that made most villains cripple. Red X didn't notice, still holding a knife to Tim's throat.

"Let him go." Dick's mind scrambled for a reason- a reason that Red X chose Tim, in his civvies. No way this was a coincidence. Dick didn't believe in coincidences.

"Why should I? After all, he was a perfect replacement- wasn't he Goldie?" Red X growled, and Dick froze. The team exchanged looks, and Tim's eyes widened as he tried to talk through the gag. A thousand situations rushed through Dick's head, leaving him with only one solution. It couldn't be...

"What are you talking about?" Rachel asked, flying up higher. She could sense the distress coming off Dick- and maybe Red X too. Red X started to answer, only to be broken by Dick's half formed thoughts.

"Jason?" Dick's voice was pathetic and all so small, but when Jason flinched Dick knew he had guessed right, "Jason!"

"Shut up!" Jason shouted, "Don't call me that."

"Let him go, and we can talk." Dick dropped his bo staff- hoping his voice had some strength as his heart cried out for the boy that was dead, was supposed to be gone- and approached Jason- almost like he was approaching a wild wolf.

"What's to talk about- you hate me. I've always known that." Jason's expression hardened, "And you replaced me."

Dick raised his hands, flinching at Jason's words. People always said that in death, people would forgive you. That they wouldn't want you to do this, or that. But Dick knew better- Jason was sad, and angry and lost and somehow alive. He hadn't forgiven- Dick didn't deserve it yet. But he was determined to make Jason see how much people cared for him.

"I don't hate you." Dick said, moving in closer. He was about four feet away, moving at a snail's pace. The Titans seemed to be at a standstill, watching in silent confusion as Dick showed sympathy to one of their villains.

"Liar." Jason shifted, "Not denying that you replaced me? That you guys never cared about me? That I was just a cheap means to an end?"

"What happened to you?" Dick's voice was pained, and he stepped closer- only a few more feet to go, "We cared, Jason. We were torn apart, and we could barely get by. You meant something."

"I said don't call me that!" Jason clutched Tim tighter- ignoring the smaller boy's yelp of pain. All of his focus and attention was on Dick, who kept approaching. Steadily moving towards his brothers, hoping to save them both.

"Jason, I just want to help." Dick was so close. He reached a hand out to touch Jason's arm, hoping to carefully move his arms away. But Jason seemed to panic at the contact, jerking his arm away- and slitting Tim's throat.

Dick watched in slow motion, as Jason ran to the window- running from his problems, while Tim fell, the neck wound (shallower than initially anticipated- still dangerous, yet not fatal- at least not yet) sending a slow trickle of blood down his shirt. Dick's eyes widened, immediately rushing to Tim, gathering him into his arms and hoping to save him.

"Raven! Help!" Dick said between gritted teeth, and Rachel hurried over to help Tim. He then turned to the rest of the team, trying to ignore the anger and fear and disappointment come through, "Go after Red X. Capture him."

The rest of the night was a blur of emotions and colors, rushing Tim to the tower, the Titans coming back with no sign of Red X, and Dick ripping open every punching bag they owned. The Jason Dick had known was gone, Dick had to accept that. He had tried to kill Tim. Sure, it was partially accidental, but Tim's life hung in the balance because Dick tried to save someone that couldn't be saved.

Dick vowed that if he ever saw Jason again, he would not make the same mistake. He would make sure Jason went to jail, that he paid for what he did to Tim, to the Titans, to Dick.

Meanwhile, Jason held his head in his hands and sank into his bed. Misery took over, and he wished he had taken Dick's offer, his hand, and allowed himself to be saved. He got a second chance, and he blew it. And now he was never going to get that chance again.

Okay, this alternate ending isn't quite happy …. Oh well. I guess it's just a continuation, to show what happened next. Not sure if I'm okay with it, I think the first part was better. This part was kind of, eh.

I tried to go in character for Dick's reaction to Jason, which was actually pretty hard. But after Jason kind of almost killed Tim, I knew Dick wasn't going to forgive him. It would be too happy, but also too… illogical… for this version of Dick to just forgive and attempt to get to Jason again after that- especially when you add up all of the things Jason did to them as Red X before he kind of revealed himself. I like to think much later, Jason and Dick do make some sort of truce, and the beginnings of a happier relationship, and that Jason starts dating Roy and Kory. And obviously Kory has forgiven him at that point.

Final Note: I basically refer to the Titans with their real names, yet when they talk to each other they use their superhero names. I do this because I prefer using their real names, but in canon they say Beast Boy, instead of Garfield, and I wanted to stay true to that.