Jericho opened his eyes and looked around him. Remembering what had just happened, he felt tears filling his eyes. Slade, he had tried to hurt him! Why would Slade try to hurt him?

"Hey! Guys! He's awake!"

Jericho jumped at the sudden sound, but winched as pain exploded in his chest and shoulder.

Robin looked at him. "No, Jericho! Just try not to move, alright."

Jericho stared at him.

The Boy Wonder sighed. "Your left shoulder blade cracked, and you have about three broken ribs. I've called all Titans into an emergency meeting, because I think Slade has gone after all of my friends. I don't know why he decided to begin with you, but I'm going to find out."

Jericho closed his eyes. Robin still didn't know. That was good. He would freak if he found out.

Cyborg patted him on the back, but stopped when Jericho's eyes filled with tears again. "Awe, man! I'm sorry. Hurts, right?"

Eyes shut tightly, Jericho nodded.

Raven sighed. "We should let him rest, guys. Stop harassing him."

Beast Boy was indignant. "Harassing? Who's harassing him? We're just being the good friends we are! Right Cyborg?" The half-robot teen nodded.

Raven looked like she had steam coming from her ears. "Let me re-phrase that: Get. Out. ...Now."

Beast boy lifted his chin. "Fine. We'll go. But you have to come with us, or it's no deal."

They continued like that for a while. As they discussed their issues, Jericho leaned his head back into his pillow. He closed his eyes, then opened them and watched the three teens shout at each other, eyes going from one to the other, like watching a tennis match.

Then he felt tired. It hit him like a truck, and he settled back into the blankets, staring at the arguing teens. If they found out the truth, would they still be his friends?

XXX

Robin looked out over the large group of super powered teens and young adults in the Titan's living room. He had called everyone who had a communicator.

Kid Flash grinned, flexing his muscles for the enjoyment of his girlfriend, Jinx. "So, Robin, what is up? Did the Brain get un-frozen, or something? Are we gonna go kick some butt, or what?"

Robin shook his head. They all looked at him. Panther was shocked. "You mean all you wanted to do was talk?" She stood. "Never mind. I have better things to do." The other Titans Together nodded, and started to get up. Suddenly, before Robin could shout for them to stop, the Herald blew his horn, loud. No space rips opened, so everyone turned to see why. Herald was angry. He jumped up and grabbed the front of Robin shirt, pulling him of his feet. "Where is he? What happened?"

Robin put his hands up defensively. "I don't know what your talking about!"

Herald released him before the others could pull them apart. "I want to know what happened to Jericho!"

Robin froze. "How did you..."

"I went to get him when you called for the Titans to meet. But he wasn't in Tibet, so I figured he found another way here. When I got here, though, I couldn't see him anywhere." Herald glared at them. "Where. Is. Jericho."

Robin sighed in defeat. "thats what I called you all here. Something... happened. And because of this incident, I think we are all in danger."

Beast Boy nodded. "Yeah, and we don't think we should split up."

Herald growled. "That doesn't answer my question! Where's Jericho?"

All the Titans looked at robin. He nodded. "Follow me."

XXX

When they arrived at the medical bay, Herald didn't even wait for authorization. He pushed the doors open, and gasped, running to the side of Jericho's bed. He was pale, and the others wondered why. That was before they saw Jericho. Panther's eyes widened behind her mask. She turned to Robin. What is this? Why are we here? I want to know what the danger is, now!"

Jericho was in stable, yet terrible condition. His left shoulder was bandaged tightly, and more gauze wrapped itself around his torso. His eyes were closed, indication that he was sleeping. But they could tell breathing was painful, because he was gasping.

Herald was trembling. "Wh.. What happened? Tell me, now!" He glared at Robin.

The Boy Wonder sighed. He sat down. He told them about the distress signal they had received from Jericho, and about how, when they arrived in Tibet, Slade was trying to kidnap him. He told them about the battle, and what he had figured out. He told them that if Slade had been after Jericho, he might be after the rest of them as well. He reported Jericho's medical sheet, and how long it would take him to heal, and when he would wake up. Herald would have killed him if he hadn't.

Herald was a mess. He refused to leave Jericho's side, even when Robin assigned the all the Honorary Titans resting quarters. He wanted to be there when Jericho woke up.

XXX

Jericho opened his eyes to see a familiar figure hovering over him. He tried to reach out to him, but his arms felt like lead.

"Hey there, Jer! How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Sorry. Standard question." The Herald added, seeing the look the blond boy gave him. "Gods, it's so good to see you awake! You've been asleep for sixteen hours!"

Jericho almost jumped. It had been that long? He winced as the pain seeped into his chest. Tears sparked at the edge of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He felt so weak and defenseless, crying every time he hurt. But he couldn't stop them.

The Herald hugged him gently, so he wouldn't accidentally bump into Jericho's injured ribs, and shoulder. "Awe, man, Jericho. I'm sorry. Don't you worry. I'll get that bastard, even if it's the last thing I do!"

Jericho's eyes widened. He had a feeling Herald was talking about Slade. He brought his hands up, quickly, ignoring the pain it caused him, and signed to him.

No! Don't go after him! He... I... don't...

Herald frowned. "What is it, Jericho? Whats wrong?"

Jericho didn't answer him. He let his hands drop, and stared at nothing. He couldn't let them hurt Slade. He just couldn't. No matter how much Slade continued to hurt him, he...

He just wouldn't let them hurt him.

XXX

Herald didn't understand it. Why would Jericho not want them to go after Slade?

The other honorary Titans were in the living room, discussing the recent events with each other.

Herald sighed, slumping down onto the sofa next to Bumblebee. She was talking really fast with Kole, and giggling whenever G'narff Tried to eat the petals off the flowers on the coffee table. Kid Flash was trying, without success, to amuse Jinx by going to France to get her some crepes.

Why would Jericho say that...?

"Hey! Herald! Welcome to the land of the living? How Jericho?"

Herald sighed. "Well... he was awake, the last time I saw him."

Robin stared at him. "What?"

Herald shook his head. "I just don't get it! Why wouldn't he want me to go after Slade? The evil dude almost killed him! Then he just tells me to not hurt him? What is up with Jericho!" He turned to look at Robin. "I...I'm just going to go to bed now. Jericho's awake, if any of you want to see him." He stood, and glared at the rest of them. The room was suddenly silent. "Not that any of you care, of course. To you guys, I bet he's just another, useless little kid that has no one to turn to, isn't that right? I'm sure all of you think his powers aren't as awesome as yours, so he's just another little pawn in your game of chess with Slade, and the Brain, and all the other villains he helped you put behind bars! "

Before any of them could answer, he ran out of the room, to the guest room Robin had let him have.

Robin stared after him, much like the rest of them were doing. His shoulders fell. "Guys... I think he's right. We've been treating Jericho... like he's below us, or something. That's not how hero's are suppose to act..."

Panther sighed. "Yeah. The little guy probably has a lot on his shoulders, right now. And all we've done to help him is push him away. That is not right. We should have offered him some... I don't know, help. Or... something."

Kid Flash hugged Jinx. She laid her head on his shoulder. "I feel lower than dirt, right now."

KF nodded, and sighed. "Yeah, same here."

XXX

Slade grinned. All the Titans turned up. Great. Now all he had to do was get Joey alone, which wouldn't be hard.

He just wanted Joey back. He didn't care about the Titans, as of now. They were just a little... bonus.

He sighed. "My life is... really screwed up."

he turned, disappearing into the shadows.