Disclaimer: i don't own teen titans

Author's Note: Yay! There's an internet hotspot up here! I can log on and give you a new chapter before it's due! Am I awesome or what? Just kidding. Seriously though, I get that you don't want to sit writing reviews all day, but even saying "That's good" or "I didn't like this" would help. Please review!

Okay, begging and pathetic episode over. Sorry if I come off a little overdramatic, that's just my annoying way of talking. Moving on now. Okay, here it comes, so kick back, relax, fasten your seatbelts, keep your arms and legs in the car at all times and enjoy Chapter 3: Smooth Move!

Chapter 3: Smooth Move

Sara

5:10 pm

Jump City, California

Titans Tower

Sara's discussion with Robin after their little showdown hadn't gone well. Robin still refused to let her leave without an escort. Is she five years old? The teen sighed. The Titans gave her a guest bedroom that they used after their final battle with the Brotherhood of Evil. It had red walls with yellow ceiling wallpaper, and red carpet much like the one in the common room. She set her suitcase down and began to unpack.

What's got Ro so stressed out? It wasn't the assassins, she knew that much. He'd been perfectly calm and his aura hadn't suggested that he was afraid…not until Oriole showed up at the fight with Slade. Was that it? That she'd disobeyed him, even though his thoughts admitted that he liked her idea? But wouldn't that cause him to be upset rather than scared? And she knew he was scared. There was no doubt in her mind that he was afraid of something. Was it Slade? Was Robin actually afraid of a bad guy? During the fight, (she'd watched before jumping in, see) Robin hadn't made any quips or jokes or anything. At first, she thought that this was result of the new Robin, but now...The alarm rang, and Robin's voice echoed in her room from the intercom.

"Titans, Slade is targeting Wayne Enterprises! Get there, now!"

Outside Sara's bedroom she heard Starfire and Beast Boy talking.

"Why's Robin using the intercom for that? We could've just looked at our communicators. And Robin's never used the intercom!"

The voices began to fade as the two Titans walked away. Well of course he's worried! She thought angrily. The man that owns that company practically raised him! What's going on? Why didn't they know that? Hadn't Robin taken off his mask for them? Her mind went back to her conversation with Starfire. "Are your eyes the same color as Robin's?" Wow. He really hasn't yet! Doesn't he trust them enough after, what, three years?

They were near Wayne Enterprises, on a rooftop of an apartment building. She'd cleverly snuck in the T-car through the trunk. Robin wasn't very happy about that. But, now he was stuck with her. He'd deal, Oriole decided. Cyborg and Beast Boy remained on ground level, in case Slade tried the doors. Raven and Starfire went inside to look for the criminal, but their main goal was to chase him onto the rooftop so that Robin and Oriole could catch him. Robin didn't really expect the girls to find Slade, nor for Slade to use the doors at ground level. That's why he was on the rooftops.

She knew that Robin had reluctantly allowed her to come with him. But she was along strictly for back-up; he'd made that perfectly clear. Oriole's being along wasn't the only thing that was worrying Robin. She couldn't understand it. Robin had never been so tense before a fight. The Robin she knew usually was cracking jokes and making muscles in mirrors or something just as childish. Where was that Robin now? Time to ask questions.

"Ro, why are you so worried? What's wrong? Why is Slade such a big deal?"

"Not now, Oriole." He didn't even bother to turn around.

"What do you mean 'not now'?" She snapped angrily. "Robin, this is obviously something important! I'll ask one of the others if I have to!"

He sighed and turned to his surrogate sister. "He was the first big crime lord. I got obsessed and worried and, admittedly, a lot like Bruce when he fights Joker. I went in too deep. Things got bad and now I'm the one that he's after!"

He turned back around and pinched the bridge of his nose, an obvious sign of stress.

She took a moment to process this, and a disturbing thought came to her mind. "Dick, if Slade's after you, do you think he would be trying to kill me to get to you?"

"Already considered that," He grunted, not turning to look at the younger.

"Do you think he'd do that?" Oriole asked, worried. There was more that he wasn't telling her, but she decided to let it slide for now.

"Wouldn't put it past him," Robin replied, now focusing back onto the rooftops.

"But do you think that's why he's after me?" She pressed.

"I don't know," he admitted. Now she was scared. Robin never admitted he was wrong or didn't know something…ever. He continued, "But then again, there are a lot of things about that monster I don't understand. He doesn't just kill for money like other assassins…well not most of the time. He's different."

If Robin didn't have his mask on right now, she would have seen a fury and determination in his eyes that she'd never seen before.

"Ro, is that why you've been so upset? Because you don't understand Slade?"

"Drop it, Sara," He growled over his shoulder. Now, if Oriole didn't have some insight into Robin's mind, she would've thought that she was right. But she heard an unfamiliar fear and loathing in his voice, betraying his true thoughts. There was more, and from what Oriole could tell, lots more!

She decided to drop it for now, and changed tactics. "So what's the plan?"

"When he comes onto the roof we'll jump him."

"And then what?"

"We fight."

"That's really complicated," she remarked sarcastically.

"Got any better ideas?" The old Robin would've at least smiled at that, but this new Robin was a complete mystery her, and it messed with everything she knew about him. Next thing she knew, Oriole would find out that Robin had worked for Slade or something just as bad. She shook her head. No, Robin would never do something like that.

"Here he comes, get ready." Robin crouched down lower so Slade couldn't see him, Oriole followed suit.

"Now!" He whispered. They sprung up and out towards Wayne Enterprises, and landed perfectly on the rooftop, getting into a fighting stance, almost mirroring each other.

"I suppose Robin taught you everything you know, Oriole? I couldn't help but notice that you two have the same style. Or perhaps Batman has the same style as well?" Oh how Oriole hated Slade's silky voice. It made him sound so innocent yet dangerous at the same time.

"Quit stalling, Slade!" Robin snarled.

Why was he already so angry? Was that hate written on his face? What was going on?

Slade laughed cruelly. "Smart boy," He applauded, but that only made Robin angrier. "There are other ways to 'stall' as you put it."

Not a nanosecond had passed before Slade launched himself into Robin, and Oriole was still standing there, trying to figure out what to do. Feeling stupid, she leapt into the action. By the time she'd sprung and was in the air, Slade was crushing Robin under his boot, and Slade had just enough time to swipe an uppercut at her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Oriole sunk to the ground, gasping for air.

"Oriole, go get the others!" Robin called out weakly as Slade's boot sunk lower and lower into his chest.

"Get away from him!" Oriole screeched as she jumped at Slade's throat. Robin could call for back-up after he was free. Half-way between morphing into a tigress, Slade caught her arms in his fists and squeezed them tightly. She cried out in pain and kicked wildly, aiming for the place that guys don't like to be kicked. But he dodged it with ease, and Oriole ended up kicking Robin in the side. He grunted.

"Ouch."

"Sorry," she apologized and kept squirming to free herself from Slade's iron grip.

"Forget this!" she shouted, and snapped her fingers. Just like that, fire pushed Slade away and freed her from his hands. The flames just barely burned through Slade's black suit, which Oriole had done on purpose. The goal was to capture, not burn to a crisp.

Ro escaped, grabbed his communicator and shouted into the speaker. "Titans, Slade's on the roof! Get here now!"

Sweat beaded his forehead, and muddled emotions waved off of him. Oriole wanted desperately to know what was going on, but right now they had a criminal that needed chasing. Not a moment after she thought this did Slade ran off and sprung onto the rooftop on which the Gothamites had been waiting scarcely ten minutes ago. She turned back to Robin to find that he was about a half-second behind Slade, racing to catch up. She sighed and ran after them.

Robin

5:18 pm

Jump City, California

Near Wayne Enterprises

His side protested against running, since it was still hurting from Oriole's kick. Despite being new to the team, Sara was still a force to be reckoned with. He made a mental note to keep her from going into his mind and accessing his memories about Slade. He hated how she could hack into his mind like it was just a computer, punch in a few key codes and you're in! He pushed the thought aside as Robin chased Slade over the rooftops. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the other Titans just behind him. Terror shot through him when he couldn't see Oriole. For a heartbeat, he almost wanted to stop and look for her. Robin shook his head. Sara can take care of herself. She'll be fine.

Slade leapt over to a building. Normally this wasn't anything new. He could do lots of things that Robin could. What was amazing was the fact that Robin couldn't jump that. Heck, no one could jump that! It was just too far! But he still made it. There was a howl, and Sara, in her wolf form, jumped down on top of Slade. For a few seconds, he thought that she would actually take Slade down, but he rolled out of the way. Oriole's long dagger-like teeth glistened in the moonlight. Her eyes blazed with malice and adrenaline. He'd never seen Sara so serious when she was fighting criminals. Then again, Slade wasn't just a criminal.

Starfire picked Robin up while Sara and Slade kept fighting. The other Titans were right behind them. The wolf grabbed Slade by the torso and dragged him off and out of sight. There was a battle cry from Slade. Then, fear enveloped him as he heard a high-pitched yelp, and Slade began running away again.

"Oriole!" he called out, and strained his ears for any sign that Sara was at least conscious.

Another whimper sounded off, and was cut off abruptly as a gunshot rang out. "Oriole!" Starfire called, concern coloring her voice, and flew faster.

The Boy Wonder began shouting out orders. "Cy, BB, go after Slade! Starfire, go look for that sniper! Raven, you and I are gonna go check on Oriole!"

Robin knew that the Titans would really be worried now. If he was actually worrying about someone other than Slade during a chase, something had to be wrong! Reluctantly, it seemed, the Titans did what they were told.

Raven

5:23 pm Jump City, California

Near Wayne Enterprises

She knew something like this would happen! Raven widened the disk she was using to fly on so that Robin could land on it. Just before they landed on the roof, Robin leapt off and ran to Oriole's side…her bloodied side, Raven corrected herself. Blood was already sinking into Robin tights and steel-toed shoes, but he didn't seem to care. Raven was amazed at how level headed Robin was. Already he was using his cape as a blanket for her. Her shivers lessened, but the blood didn't stop.

"Oriole, wake up," he said in a soft voice, which was distorted by fear. The fear of losing someone close warped Robin's memories of what to do. "Raven, get over here!" He barked. She knew his anger was only from worry, and said nothing as she rushed to his side.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Azarath Metrion Zinthos," she chanted as her hands glowed with a white aura. The power coursed through her, and for a second, Raven could see Oriole's memories.

Oriole was dancing with a younger Robin to the song "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. A war raged inside of Oriole. "I don't deserve this! I'm not the girl he thinks I am!" Then the words began to penetrate her battle. "Through the winning, losing and trying, we'll be together." Suddenly, all doubt was gone. She actually meant the returned smile she gave him. And he seemed to respond to it. Raven shook her head free of Oriole's subconscious, and kept working. Those weren't her thoughts. She shouldn't have seen that. Oh well, there wasn't anything Raven could do about it now.

Slowly, the blood lessened and Oriole's breathing became smoother and came more easily. When Raven was done, Robin scooped the wounded Oriole up into his arms.

"Could you get us home, Raven?" His voice was soft. He was exhausted from stress. The Titan nodded and teleported them to the hospital wing of Titans Tower. Robin didn't even shiver. Almost as soon as they landed on the tile floor, he laid Oriole onto a bed. Her eyes twitched as she became conscious. Groaning, she tried to sit up, then winced and clutched her side. Raven saw the bullet hole just below her lung. Whatever sniper had hit her wasn't very well trained, evidence of that was the fact that she had been such an easy target at the time. Her eyes flashed a bright green and the wound closed slowly. "You alright, Sair?" Robin asked. Did Robin just reveal Oriole's real name?

She nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Good. Raven, how about we go check on the others? Get some sleep, Oriole" He really just didn't want to see Oriole like this. They were just about to head for the common room when both their communicators rang. Robin opened his and Raven looked over his shoulder.

Cyborg appeared on the screen. "Star found the sniper, but we lost Slade. Sorry, man... How's Oriole holding up?"

"We'll worry about Slade later. Oriole's fine. She'll be alright." He repeated it as if trying to convince himself. "Do you guys know who the sniper is yet?"

Cyborg shook his head. "I'll explain when we get back to the Tower. See you there." The screen went black.

The room was silent for a moment. Raven blinked as images from Robin's past began flashing through her mind. She felt his concern begin to escalate as he went over possible criminals from Gotham that would want Oriole dead. The answer was thousands, maybe millions of criminals. From behind them, Oriole tried to soothe Robin, "Ro, it doesn't matter. I'm alright. It's gonna take a lot more than a gun to get rid of me."

Robin pinched in between his eyes. "That's not true. You're not immortal."

"Ro, I don't even think Slade wants to kill me! If he did, would he really hire a terrible sniper who doesn't know how to aim and got caught so easily?"

He ignored her, sat down on a chair and flipped on the TV.

"This was the scene earlier tonight. As the criminal named Slade attempted robbery from Wayne Enterprises."

Robin swore under his breath.

"In related news, the Teen Titans have added a new team member. The Oriole was seen earlier flying over rooftops in hot pursuit of Slade. Both Robin and Oriole were trained by the Batman in Gotham, New York. According to Teen Titan Beast Boy, Oriole is just here for a visit and should be back in Gotham in about a week at the very least. But according to passerby's, Oriole was shot by a sniper while she was chasing the criminal Slade."

"Shit," Robin swore audibly. He turned the TV off and hurled the remote at the far wall.

"You don't know that," Oriole responded to something Robin had thought.

"Batman will be watching for us on the news, Oriole! You know that! God damn it!" He stormed off for the door. Both girls followed.

"Ro, he won't blame you for what happened."

"Bullshit," he snarled.

"Just blame me, it is my fault anyway."

"I should've made you stay home."

She scoffed. "Like I would've listened."

"This isn't a joke, Sara!" He roared, spinning around and glaring Oriole right in the face. "You could've been killed!"

"No I wouldn't! Get it through your head! He wasn't trying to kill me." Robin didn't reply as he flicked on the computer in the common room. Oriole sighed. "What are you looking for?"

"Nothing," he replied, "just waiting for the others to get here." As he spoke the door opened, and the other three Titans walked in. Oriole began giving them signals to get out. Cyborg saw them and began ushering the others away. "Where's the sniper?" Robin asked in a tight voice without turning around.

"We attempted to convince the men of the police to allow us to take custody of the criminal, but they did not comply. I am sorry, Robin."

Robin's head sunk a little lower as Raven felt a wave of anger sweep through him. The only other emotion that Raven could sense was worry. Beast Boy spoke next. "And, uh, dude, there's something else you should know." When Robin said nothing, Beast Boy continued uncomfortably, "The sniper was, uh, we think he's from Gotham."

"Why? Did he say that?" Oriole asked. Robin remained silent.

Cyborg spoke this time. "No, but he had on a black ops mask. It was kinda like the ones that Black Masks' goons wear."

Oriole sighed with relief. "See, Ro, I told you it was nothing to worry about." Robin still didn't speak, still didn't move. "Ro?"

Just then, a communicator rang. Raven reached for her inside pocket, but Robin stopped her. "It's mine." Robin pulled out a black communicator that looked like a regular cell phone. Oriole groaned. Beast Boy squeaked excitedly. Robin started for the side door, Oriole on his heels. Just before they left, she murmured, "Excuse us. This is kinda private." They left.

Confused, Beast Boy asked, "What was that all about?"

Beast Boy

6:12 pm

Jump City

Titans Tower

What was going on with Robin? Seriously, he was being a little overly dramatic over the whole situation.

Cyborg replied angrily, "Seriously, man? That was his communicator from Batman! He's probably getting yelled at because Oriole got shot!"

"I knew that. But Oriole's okay. Why would get yelled at for something that didn't even seem to affect her?"

"Because it almost killed her. If we hadn't gotten to her in time, she might've died." The empath explained.

"Dude," Beast Boy said in awe. "Geez, Oriole was lucky that Robin didn't kill her after that!"

Starfire was shocked. "How could you believe that? He would never do such a horrible thing to a fellow Titan!"

"Cool it, Star! It's just a joke!"

"You should not joke about these events! That is most disrespectful!"

"Jeez Star, be a drama queen why don't you?"

Robin and Oriole came back in. Robin looked even angrier, Oriole was down-hearted. The room was silent until Beast Boy couldn't contain his excitement any more. "What did Batman say? Does he like us?"

Angrily, Robin snapped, "How do you think it went? He doesn't give a damn about us Beast Boy. The only reason he called is because of her." He jerked a thumb towards Oriole.

Jeez. Overreaction much? Beast Boy did understand what it was like to have a disapproving mentor, but Batman couldn't have said anything to get Robin this mad, could he?

"He didn't mean what he said. B's just worried." Oriole defended in a quiet voice

"Don't make excuses for him! Batman always says what he means!"

"Ro, he's not perfect," She replied in a small voice.

"You're damned right, he's not!" Robin snarled, and Oriole flinched at his angry tone..

"Robin, it is not Oriole's fault that Batman said whatever he did." Raven nodded in agreement.

"Actually, Star, it kind of is…" Oriole trailed off as she cast a fearful look at Robin. Raven felt a wave of mixed emotions come off of Robin, and their connection only made it have an even stronger effect on her. He felt angry, confused, hurt and upset. But the worst emotion, and the strongest, was shame. Shame for allowing Oriole to be nearly killed on his watch, shame for seeming so emotionally weak in front of his team, and shame that the Titans weren't all that they could be (or at least in his mind). The strongest shame was that he let Batman down.

From Oriole, Raven felt a whole new bunch of emotions. Among them, the strongest one was sorrow. She felt sad because Robin and Batman were fighting so much. She also felt responsible for their most recent argument. Raven began to feel bad for Oriole, and then remembered her visions of Oriole and pushed her pity aside.

Oriole stood above Robin, a pistol in her trembling hands. Robin stared back at her. He was calm, and kept muttering to her that it was going to be okay, that she wouldn't hurt him, that he'd figure out a way to help her. But Slade moved out from the shadows. Robin glared at him with all the hate he could muster.

"Slade, please. Don't-" An invisible force clamped her mouth shut and her voice cut off.

"Robin, I'm giving you one last chance."

"Not in a million years." He snarled.

Slade's eye narrowed. The gun Oriole aimed at Robin fired and Slade said, with just...disappointment in his voice, "What a waste."

Beast Boy alerted Raven to the present. He looked uncomfortable and said with a yawn, "Well, it's been a long day, I'm gonna hit the sack. Night!"

Hurriedly, Beast Boy left, Cyborg following a little slower. "Raven, could you leave me and Robin alone for a second please?" Oriole was just thinking this, not accessing Raven's mind, which Raven felt was a very polite thing for her to do.

But still she hesitated before reaching out for Oriole's conscious and replied, "If you think you can help Robin with whatever Batman said, but I don't know if you'll convince Starfire so easily."

"Good point. You've lived with her; do you have any suggestions?"

She considered this for a moment. "If you convince her that whatever you're going to say is private, she'll respect that."

"Okay, thanks Raven."

"Can I ask what Batman said?"

Oriole was silent for a minute. "If Robin doesn't want you to know, that's his right. He didn't say much to me. Other than "Are you alright?" but that was pretty much it."

"Do I even want to know what he said to Robin?"

A moment's silence, then she replied. "No, probably not."

Coming from Oriole, Raven felt a rush of sadness in Batman for saying something so cruel to Robin. She decided to help."Hey Starfire, maybe I could figure out who the sniper is if you described him to me. Let's go in your room."

"I must stay here," Starfire replied stubbornly.

Then, she whispered, "Look, Oriole wants to tell Robin something private, so let's give them some space."

Starfire's eyes softened slightly. "Very well," she whispered back. Then she called to the two Gothamites, "Goodnight, friends."

Robin didn't even acknowledge her. "Goodnight, Starfire, night Raven." "Thank you." She added in thought.

"If you help Robin, you're helping me too. That's the way I see it."

She smiled at Raven as Starfire began to leave. I suppose so, you having empathy and all.

Good night, Oriole. Good luck.

Thank you, Raven. Sweet dreams. Raven left and hurried after Starfire.

Author's Note: Things are getting heated! Slade has revealed that he may not want to kill Sara. But then what is his plan? Tune in next week and please review! Have fun with your summer todos!