A/N sorry for the super long wait, but here it is. Chapter 2. I have the next chapter mostly done, along with the next chapter of what is the chances. Thanks for staying with me.

Dick Grayson - unknown- unknown

The first thing Dick became aware of was his head hurt-a lot. He lay still for a few minutes, his eyes tightly shut as he tried to fight back the wave of nausea that was threatening to overcome him.

His whole body hurt. It was as if he was being poked with white hot needles-the pain just wouldn't go away.

Think Grayson. Mind over matter. Ignore the pain and concentrate.

It was quiet. That in itself was a flashing warning sign. It was never quiet at the tower. That meant he was somewhere else.

But where?

He opened his heavy eyelids, becoming aware of something. The familiar weight of his domino mask was missing.

Not good.

He slowly tried to sit up, though the straps around his arms, chest and legs stopped him getting very far. How had he not noticed them before? He must be out of it. He could mentally hear Bruce lecturing him on his incompetence. That just made him angry. Bruce wasn't perfect afterall. He'd been in just as many situations as Dick had.

"Ah, Richard, I see you're awake."

Even in his delirious state, the boy recognised that voice. That voice that taunted him in his every waking hour. That voice that haunted him in his dreams. The man that, despite all of his efforts, Dick could not catch. He was an enigma.

Richard didn't reply as he watched the man walking over to him, out of the corner of his eye. The man's mere presence mad him want to curl up in a ball and vanish. Slade was the Pinnacle of power and dominance.

"Not talking?"

Dick just glared in response. Partially because he didn't want to satisfy the man with an answer, but also because he just didn't have the energy to argue with him at the moment.

The man simply brushed off the icy stare as if it was nothing.

"How are you feeling? You've been through quite the ordeal."

That got him angry. Slade had no right to ask him how he was. What did he mean by ordeal? What had Slade done to him?

"What the hell did you do to me, You psychopathic freak!?" The boy snarled as loudly as he could-though even he had to admit, it sounded pretty pathetic.

Slade seemingly didn't appreciate Dick's words, because he was beside him, faster than Dick's punding head allowed him to comprehend. The man lifted him up the the front of his shirt, as far as the restraints would allow.

"Care to try again, boy?" Slade narrowed his single eye.

His tone was quiet, but Deadly. He received the unspoken threat loud and clear and it took all of his self preservation to swallow back his pride and answer.

Pick your battles, Grayson.

"W-what happened? Why am I here?" He asked-trying to keep his tone even.

"Better."

Slade released him, causing Dick to fall back on the medical table with a grunt. By the time he had regained his bearings, Slade had pulled up a chair and was sat with his chest up against the back and his arms dangled loosely over the top.

" For a while now, Richard, I've been looking for an apprentice. The perfect child to teach. To follow in myy footsteps." The man said slowly, as if explaining to a small child.

"Richard, I've chosen you. Congratulations."

His silky tone suggested that Dick should be beaming with joy. It only Irked him.

"What? why me?" He asked quietly.

Slade gave a short chuckle, shaking his head. Dick was fuming. He didn't know what he had said that was so amusing. The man was patronising him.

"You sell youself short, boy. Why you, hmm?" He paused for a moment as if considering the question. "Well, you're extremely skilled-no doubt about that. You're strong. You're smart. You're everything I've been looking for."

The man finished, before leaning forward so that his chin rested on his hands. He studied Dick as if waiting for his reaction.

Dick was stunned to say the least. It had been a long time since someone had regarded him so highly-the fact that it was Slade, made it even more welcome. Sure he hated Slade, but the man was his rival. He was noticing his skill and praising him in a way that Bruce never had. It felt strange and Dick felt a tight sensation in his chest. It felt good, but he couldn't possibly accept the man's offer.

He was a criminal, and Dick was Robin-the boy wonder. He was a hero. He had a team to lead.

"Thanks for the offer, Slade, but no thanks."

The man sighed for a moment before standing up, a dark glint in his eye.

"You really think you have a choice, Richard?"

Dick's eyes widened in fear and he looked up at the man who was approaching him.

Slade decided to answer the boy's unspoken question.

"I made a few minor changes to you. I injected you with the serum that gave me my enhanced abilities."

Dick couldn't contain the snicker that escaped his lips. Slade narrowed his eye and pulled out a knife, causing Dick to visibly tense.

"I see you're in need of a demonstration." He said slowly as he took Dick's hand in his own and cut diagonally across his palm.

Dick hissed in pain and was about to start ranting when the man held up Dick's hand, showing him the cut was already healing.

He was mortified. That was impossible-or at least it should be. He was not a meta-human, yet here he had just experienced enhanced healing.

"I'll leave you to think on that. Try to get some rest. It will take a while for your body to adjust to the serum."

He ruffled the boy's damp hair before leaving the room.

He waited about half an hour until he was sure the man was gone before tugging on the restraints with all his strength. To his surprise-they broke.

Don't think about that now. Just go.

He did. He stealthily made his way out of the haunt, racing to the tower. It never even crossed his mind that it had been unbelievably easy to escape as he dashed out of the exit.

Slade- The Haunt- Jump city

Slade was standing in the main room, watching a computer moniter when Will walked in.

"The boy is gone, I assume you have plans to go after him." The man said with little interest.

"No. This is all according to plan, Will. He'll be back soon enough." Slade said with a small smirk as he shut down the computer monitor.

It was just a matter of time before the boy returned, a broken mess, all but begging for Slade's guidance.

A/N let me know what you think. Any Ideas, feel free to share.