Cross
by Amaratta

Disclaimers: I do not own Teen Titans or any characters that you readily recognized. The show belongs to DC Comics and Cartoon Network (I think.) 'nough said.
Notes: I'm not really sure about the title of this story, its rate or the pairing, so I'd like to note here that I'm open to all suggestions, as usual, and I hope you'll enjoy.

Chapter 1

Unknown Location

A skull-masked man was standing tall in a black suit, before him sat three men whose faces were hidden behind the shadow of the dimly lit room. He crossed his arms around his chest as he waited for one of the men to finally speak.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Red X," said the man in the middle. "I suppose you have acquired the merchandise."

"Well, there are two problems," the black-clad man replied.

"I thought you said there was nothing you wanted that you couldn't have."

"Yes," Red X replied cockily. "And I would have obtained it if the information you gave me had been accurate."

"What do you mean?" asked the man.

"It means the last two items you want were moved," said the skull-masked man. "Unless you can tell me where they were transferred to, I'll need more time."

"No, we had a deal," the man said in all finality. "You have exactly eighty-four days left to perform your task."

"The deal is you gave me all the places where your items are located and I deliver it to you."

"You're not in a place to negotiate now, are you, Mr. X?"

Calm down a little bit, Red X realized the man was right. He nodded solemnly before he remarked, "Then I want full payment on all items I've obtained."

"Those things have no value for us separately, so unless every item is delivered, there will be no payment. But just to show our good faith, we offer you ten more grand for the last two items, and the information that one of the items will be displayed in Jump City Museum for two weeks next month."

"Well, something is better than nothing," Red X commented. "Once again, nice doing business with you people. Ciao!"

With that, Red X used his teleporting device to flee from the darkened room.

Titans Tower, Jump City

Robin was standing in front of an oven, waiting patiently for his roasted ham to cook, when he sensed he was no longer alone in the room. Knowing that the only person who could manage to sneak around in the tower was the resident empath, he didn't bother to turn around.

"So you're back. Have you had lunch yet?" was what he said.

"Yes, thanks for asking," she replied. "Where's everyone else?"

As he saw his ham was done, the Boy Wonder opened the oven to take the ham out before he replied, "We ran out of mustard, so Starfire went out to buy some. Beast Boy and Cyborg volunteered to go with her so they could order themselves some pizzas. Why do you ask?"

Raven used her telekinesis power to move a plate from the cupboard and place it right in front of her friend.

"Thanks," Robin mumbled.

"You're welcome," she replied. "I got them some cheese danish, that's all."

For the first time since Raven entered the room, Robin turned around to look at her with an eyebrow raised.

"I've got you some latte too," she added.

With that, Raven levitated closer to Robin so she could hand him the cup of coffee in her hand. In response, Robin gave her a little frown and reached his hand out. However, instead of taking the coffee the sorceress had offered, he touched her forehead with the back of his hand.

Raven flinched and took a step away. "What the…?"

"You don't have a fever," he said, somewhat bemused.

"Of course not," Raven replied in annoyance. "What the heck is wrong with you?"

"Just wondering," Robin replied with a sheepish smile. He scratched the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "I mean…cheese danish? Latte? This isn't like you."

Glaring at the Boy Wonder, Raven countered, "I don't know being nice is a crime."

Knowing that she was more or less offended, Robin raised both of his hands up to show that he had surrendered.

"I'm sorry, Raven. It's just that the last time you were being this nice there was an apocalypse coming."

"That doesn't sound like an apology to me, Boy Blunder."

With yet another sheepish smile, Robin took a cautious step back.

"My bad," he stated. "I guess the right question should be where you disappeared to the whole morning and what put you in such a good mood."

A small smile appeared on Raven's normally expressionless face. Once again, she handed her leader a cup of coffee, but this time he knew better than not to take it.

"You know there was an ad about this new café downtown, Coffea Maison? I thought I'd just check it out to see if there were any good teas."

"And you were there all morning?"

Raven nodded. Although her face was back in its usual blank state, the light that flickered in her amethyst eyes indicated that she was somewhat happy, and somehow that caused Robin to worry.

"Well," she began. "Do you remember the guy I rescued last week?"

Robin took a while to think then he recalled the event when they were having yet another battle with Cinderblock and the villain threw a car at one bystander. If the car should hit that guy, he would no doubt be in oblivion, yet Raven managed to stop the car before it hit the man.

"Yes," he stated. "I remember. What's with him?"

After he asked, Robin sipped his coffee, and he had to admit it was one of the best latte he had ever tasted.

"His name is Nick Ambrose, and he owns the place," Raven pointed before she paused to see Robin's expression. "Anyway, we talked, but I don't think you're interested in what we're talking about. Before I left, he told me to bring something back for you guys."

Robin almost choked when Raven finished her line, yet he managed to swallow the drink down before he put the cup down on the dinning table.

"So you spent the whole morning with him?"

There was something in Robin's voice that Raven didn't like, so she narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. "He's fun to talk to. Is that a problem?"

"No," Robin said, shaking his head. "I'm glad you find a way to enjoy yourself, that's all."

The empath smiled before she stated, "I'd better go meditate. Bon appétit, Robin."

Robin watched as Raven made her way out of the common room and waited until she was gone before he turned his gaze back to the ham in the plate and the cup of half-drunk latte.

"Yeah, right… Bon appétit, Robin," he mocked then sighed before he put the ham into the fridge and ditched the coffee.