Teen Titans: A Hero's Rebirth

Chapter 10: Old Aquaintance

Disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever owned Teen Titans.

Old Acquaintance

The next morning, Raven awoke with Roy's arm around her. They had a pleasant evening and fell asleep early after an exhausting day. Raven was happy their comradery was back as she valued his companionship and would feel a deep sense of loss if they were no longer friends.

She quickly showered and changed before contacting Nightwing.

"Good morning," answered Nightwing. "I see you are still an early riser despite the time difference."

"Good morning to you too," replied Raven. "Anything new with the list we sent yesterday?" inquired Raven.

"Cyborg managed to discover most of the identities of the individuals and/or the corporations whose account were used to send the inquiries. They all seem legitimate at this point but we will send you the file so you can screen the names and make some inquires on you own while you're at the conference," responded Nightwing.

"So, how are you and Roy working out?" asked Nightwing.

"Fine," replied Raven, not wanting to elaborate any further.

"Any issues with the undercover work?" inquired Nightwing.

"No," replied Raven.

Nightwing looked at Raven but decided not to comment further. "Fine, if there is anything else, let me know. Nightwing out."

Raven closed her communicator and turned to see Roy already showered and dressed.

"Good morning," he said with a large grin.

"Good morning. I don't remember you being so cheery in the mornings," responded Raven.

"Falling asleep with you in my arms and waking up seeing you, has converted me to become a morning person," responded Roy, as he bent down to lightly kiss Raven's cheek.

Raven rolled her eyes and said, "I need tea before I can take any more of your flattery."

They ordered breakfast to be brought to their suite so they could work through the list of names while they ate.

Later that morning at the conference center, they decided to split up the names to make casual inquires and then meet up in the foyer for a quick lunch.

Raven was exhausted from all the polite inquiries/conversions she had conducted that morning. Fortunately there were only two remaining companies that she had to investigate so she took a break to drink water. She was looking at a display case when she heard, "Hello Rachel, or should I say Raven."

Raven flinched and turned around. "Jason, what are you doing here?" hissed Raven.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" responded Jason, emphasizing the last word.

"You are no friend," stressed Raven.

"Ahh, but we were so much more weren't we, sweetie?" replied Jason with a smirk.

Raven glared at him and turned around, preparing to walk away. Jason grabbed her arm, stopping her. He whispered in her ear, "I can help you. I have information about the missing diamonds. Meet me at the restaurant on Rheingasse Street, near the Mittlere Bridge at 7 pm. Alone." He let go of her arm and disappeared into the crowd.

Raven took a deep breath and repeated her mantra silently in her head to steady herself. After a couple of minutes she recovered and quickly visited the exhibition stalls of the two remaining companies on her list before heading for the foyer to meet Roy.

Roy was already there when she arrived. He immediately noticed there was something amiss with Raven. "What's wrong?" he asked with concern written on his features.

"We need to talk. Let's go back to the hotel," suggested Raven.

Roy nodded and they returned to their hotel.

Once in their suite, Raven relaxed a bit and sat on the couch. Roy leaned against a dresser and waited patiently for her to start talking.

Raven took a deep breath and started, "I ran into Jason, or Red X as you probably know." Raven paused and saw Roy nodding his head. She continued, "He said he had information about the missing diamonds and to meet him at a restaurant at 7 pm tonight – alone."

"How did he know who you were? You don't look like Raven without your uniform and the gem on your forehead," inquired Roy.

"Because, he also knows me as Rachel Roth. He and I...dated...,"replied Raven, her eyes lowered.

Roy's eyes lit up. "What? You dated Red X?" asked Roy incredulous.

"I didn't know he was Red X when were first dated. He was a college student I met at a bookstore. We didn't find out about each other's secret identities until later. I ended it right after," replied Raven as she messaged her temple.

"And now?" asked Roy, his face grim.

"I go meet him at the restaurant and find out what he knows. That's it," replied Raven.

"You are not going to meet him," said Roy steadily.

"Yes, I am. This is my job and he has information," said Raven with equal determination.

"Fine, then I am going with you," replied Roy.

"He said alone," reminded Raven.

"I won't be at the table but I will be around outside, either walking along the river or in a neighboring restaurant or shop and I want you to wear that electronic ear piece so I can hear you if you need help. There is no way I am letting you meet him without backup," responded Roy.

"Fine. But stay out of sight," conceded Raven.

The next couple of hours were spent reviewing their findings from the list of names and grabbing a quick lunch downstairs before Raven prepared for her meeting with Jason.

Roy was in a tense mood the whole time. He paced around the room, agitated and worried. And yes jealous. The thought of Raven meeting an ex-boyfriend, even it was solely for business purposes was unsettling. Raven immerged from the bathroom wearing a simple black sequined dress. She looked great. But then again, she could wear a doggie bag and look great.

Roy signed, "Any chance I can convince you to wear a nun's habit for this dinner?"

"Yeah, as if that isn't going to be conspicuous," replied Raven with a slight smile as she placed the miniature ear piece into her ear.

Roy did the same and put his ear piece on. They tested them out and both worked properly.

"Please be careful," whispered Roy into her ear as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her head.

"I will," replied Raven.

"And if he tries anything, don't be surprised if you find him floating face down in the river," said Roy, half serious.