Chapter 7

The First Night: Two-Face

Robin sat against the trunk of an old oak tree, he was in the woods behind Wayne Manor. Watching as the white clouds floated above, he was contemplating many different thoughts. The war that was waiting beyond the brilliant blues of the sky and how his team was doing, for after hours of waiting they still didn't have the COM system up. And of course how could Robin forget or ignore the impending nights ahead, four long months alone with Slade. Fighting crime with the man, as if they were once again reunited, but not as Slade probably would have thought. Not as Robin would have ever imagined. Tonight would be their first outing and it seemed to him that if Slade didn't stop trying to get under his skin and unnerve him then this wasn't going to work and their cover would be blow for sheer fact Robin would attack him and try to kill him of his own accord.

Last night, after Slade had pretty much called Robin no better than himself, Robin had fallen to his knees in bitter confusion. He hated Slade, that he knew for sure. The man was manipulative, cruel and sadistic. Robin knew to stay clear of him unless there was no other choice. Slade, thus far, was simple and easy to understand, don't get in his way unless there is no other choice, don't join em' even if you can't beat em' and never turn your back on him.

Batman was an entirely different beast to handle, because Batman was Bruce, and Robin loved Bruce. It was getting to Bruce that was the real problem. Robin had tried so hard, ever since he had come to Wayne manor, to get close to Bruce, to be a part of his life, to be comforted and held and loved by Bruce.

Dick Grayson loved Bruce, and he would do anything for Bruce. It was when you crossed the line from Bruce and Dick to Batman and Robin that things started to fall apart.

And maybe the problem was Batman and Robin were standard use now-a-days, the two names together were known world wide. They were respected and feared as the dynamic duo, the perfect pair of crime fighting partners. There was an image to maintain. Batman and his partner the boy wonder. In fact, Batman and Robin slid off the tongue a lot nicer then Bruce and Dick. Maybe it had been fate all along for them to be paired, but Robin sometimes wished he had resisted this whole thing. And yet, it had been Bruce who had refused the pairing at first. Now look at him, he had all but begged Bruce to let him help, and now he wished he never had.

But why did Batman try so desperately to cut Robin down at every corner. Surely if the civilians knew how awful things had started to get, then maybe they wouldn't have gotten mad when Robin had left. They had called him a deserter, but they just didn't know! They couldn't know how Batman could be. How cruel and awful Batman could and would be if Robin messed up.

Yes, it was true, Dick existed to love Bruce and he would always love Bruce, however, Robin was not a little boy seeking approval anymore, and he knew how cruel Batman could be and refused to get his hopes up anymore. When Batman returned Robin would leave with out a word and he wouldn't come back. He would cut all ties and never let Batman hurt him again. Because he loved Bruce, but Batman was just too much. Robin had spent years under the unstable wing of the dark knight. He wanted to be stable and he was stable with the Titans. From now on he would either fly with his team or fly solo. This Robin would no longer fly with creatures of the night.

Suddenly his communicator went off and he looked at it, "Come back to the cave Robin, I want to talk to you before I leave." Then it went dead.

"Great." Robin fumed. Struggling to his feet he started his long trudge back to the cave.

OOOOOOOOO

Robin had expected Superman and Slade to be in the cave with Batman, however, all was silent and empty, just another day in the dark.

He found Batman packing up some gear near the armory and Robin stopped when he realized Batman's cowl was off.

"So, you're ready to leave." Robin asked.

"Dick, come here please." Batman's voice had a hint of tenderness to it, and for a second Robin felt that spark of hope come back to him.

Robin walked over and looked down at his feet; unable to look at the face of the man he cared for. His father, his mentor and his friend, it was so much easier to be mad and hate him when he had that damn hood on.

"Dick, I know we have been having troubles lately, and there really is no excuse on my part as to why I have been so rough on you, aside from my desire to see you grow up and have a normal life. Though I don't say it, I AM proud of you, and I do care about you very much Dick. I need you to understand that there is no greater pain I think I could ever feel then to lose you."

Robin stared, his heart beating fast at this strange and seemingly random omission from his mentor. Before he could control his actions or mentally sort out what he was going to do in response, before his brain could repeat it's previous decision to stay mad at him forever, he lunged into the man's arms and hugged him fiercely.

"I care for you too Bruce." He whispered into the man's chest, he said it softly as this was the closest either of them ever came to saying 'I love you.'

Whether he would ever actually admit it or not Dick Grayson needed and wanted to be loved, but the only person he ever really wanted to be accepted by was this man.

"Now, we can talk some more if you want when I get back, but just try and hold on until I do. And remember don't let that man out of your sight." Bruce said. He released Dick and gave him a smile and the boy smiled and nodded back.

Then just as soon as Bruce had come he was gone and Batman was in his place. "I'm going now, expect Slade in two hours as he went to grab some equipment, no doubt from an illegal cache near by. Don't underestimate him." Robin nodded and watched Batman head towards the area the Justice League's Jet usually landed. This was it, four months alone with Slade on supposed amiable terms. Playing like the dynamic duo was back together. How long could Robin last? How long could Slade? Robin had a feeling the shit was about to his the fan, and he would be the one cleaning it up.

OOOOOOOO

Slade approached the cave on his motorcycle and hit the button that Batman had given him to reveal the entrance. He slid under the door and closed it behind him, knowing he should grudgingly admit the Bat had style. He followed the long road down towards a big opening that would be his home for the next four months. That's a long time to be with Robin, alone in the dark, working together. Slade smirked, realizing for the first time how much fun this would actually be.

OOOOOOOO

Robin heard the engine roaring down the tunnels leading to the cave and he waited in painful anxiety for his new partner to pull into the cave and get off his bike. When Slade pulled to a stop he looked over at Robin, it was odd to see Slade on a bike; in general, he just didn't seem like a biker. At least not with all that armor on and his mask, that evil awful mask-

Robin shivered on the inside.

"Evening, Robin."

The teen nodded and turned the big chair to look at the computer, "So, everything has been pretty quiet so far, I don't know if we both need to go out tonight. We should be able to split up and do a few quick runs instead of-" Robin started hoping the man would take the bait.

"Nonsense, I don't know Gotham as well as Batman claimed, I've only done minor business here so it would be in my best interest to have you along. At least until I get to know the city a little more."

"That's fair I suppose." Robin said scanning the city for anything that they could go after.

"So what do you usually do while you wait?" Slade asked casually walking over to stand next to Robin, the young boy feeling an awkward tension rising.

"Well, we don't normally just sit around in the Bat cave all day and wait for crime, at least I don't. Batman is usually a little more thorough and if the night is slow he will catch up on paperwork or scout. Sometimes I go out and get food or I would go up above and watch tv or-" Robin stopped thinking of all the stuff him and Bruce used to do when he had been younger, not many knew Batman was a fan of daytime tv.

"Well, what should we do since up above is off limits?" Slade asked.

"Well, we could either train, go scouting, put on civilian clothes and go see a movie or-" Robin stopped and gave a big sigh; this was so awkward talking to Slade like this, like he was a friend, or at least a casual acquaintance. Robin wanted to punch him but he couldn't, he wanted to insult him but he couldn't. Or at least she shouldn't.

"Hmm, dressing down wouldn't be very effective as I wouldn't be removing my mask, not yet anyway. So, how about we go scout, that way you can show me around the city. If anything happens we will already be out and about."

"Out and about?" Robin asked looking at Slade, that statement had sounded so wrong coming out of his mouth, like they were a honeymooning couple… 'Oh honey let's go out and about and see the city!' 'Sure dear, you betcha by golly…'

"Gee whiz…" Robin murmured.

"Pardon?" Slade asked looking up at him as he packed his belt.

Robin shook his head and scolded himself for thinking of such stupid things out loud, "Nothing, just got caught up in my-" his thoughts took him away again when he thought of how strange this all was.

"I will go put on my new suit and be back out shortly. Then we can decide what we want to do." Slade walked off and left Robin to his thoughts.

This was so wrong, so uncomfortable and so disturbing, so NOT how Robin wanted to spend four months. He actually wanted the real Batman, the mentor he knew so well. He was already home sick for the bitching and nagging and the fights. At least he knew deep down that Bruce loved him, even if Batman didn't. All to soon Slade came out wearing the suit, "You know, this suit is actually quiet comfortable, accept it really was unfortunate that I had to shave to wear this damn hood." Slade said looking at the cape hanging from his arms.

"You shave?" Robin asked spinning the chair to stare at him. Then he blushed, he meant to say you shaved, but he was so used to Slade not having a face, he was so used to believing Slade was not human. He saw the man's mouth then and felt his heart skip a beat. He was so close to seeing the whole face. He stood and looked Slade over, Batman was right, the height, weight, body, and even the chin was eerily similar.

Before Slade could respond a red light started to flash and the computer went off, saved by the bell Robin thought. He stood and ran towards the Bat mobile glancing at Slade's motorcycle and wishing he could take it for a spin. He jumped into the passenger seat out of habit and was soon joined by Slade. The man put the car into drive and took off down the tunnel.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Don't think about running ladies and gentleman, there is plenty of TNT to go around, if any of you decide to make a run for it, BAM!" The thug said with a laugh.

"Come now Thomas, no need to be such a party pooper. Leave the nice people alone and go watch the door for the Bat." Two-face said looking at the scared bank goers.

Two-face was annoyed, this was not HIS bank, this was Penguin's bank, the fat flapper. He hated being on this side of town, it was so sleazy. But he was only here to cause a distraction and draw out the bat. Rumor was, Robin was back in town. If Batman showed Robin would be right there with him. All Two-face had to do was take a beating, get out of jail and report back to his beneficiary and he would be heavily rewarded.

Suddenly from the glass ceiling a dark figure broke through followed by a bright blur. Before Two-face stood the duo that no one ever thought they would see together again.

Two-face smiled his creepy smile and said, "Well if it isn't Batman and Robin the boy wonder. Never thought I'd see you again kid. Thought this town was just to tough for you."

"Please Two-face, I was looking for bigger badder villains, you guys are just plain pathetic! What are you doing here? This isn't your territory, you never pass this way, what's your angle?"

"Pathetic huh… you're the one who came crawling back to US."

"Shut it Two-face and hand over the detonator, I really am not in the mood to beat the snot out of you tonight." Robin said.

"Don't flatter yourself, YOU couldn't beat me if you tried, at least not on your own. Been kind of silent Batman, something on your mind?" Robin glanced at Slade who had entered perfectly as the caped crusader. He stared at Two-face and then held out his hand. "Hand it over Two-face." Robin hid a shiver, he sounded just like Batman.

It made Robin sick.

"Hmm, I don't think I will, THOMAS! UNLOAD A FEW ROUNDS IN OUR FRIENDS!" The large man at the door let out a laugh and unloaded round after round of bullets upon Robin and Slade. They dodged and tried to avoid standing in front of the civilians. At least Robin did, he ended up rushing the gunman and managed to flip off a near by wall and smash the guy in the face. He grabbed the gun from the man and threw it to one of the security guards who were sitting with the civilians.

"Get them moving out the back!" Robin yelled.

"Hold on Robin, you can't forget who has the remote. You start moving anyone and I blow this whole place." Two-face said with a triumphant smile.

Suddenly there was a noise behind him and he turned, the smirk left his face as he saw his end flash before his eyes. Slade landed and punched him in the face rather hard. The man went flying back and released the remote. Slade grabbed it out of the air and turned it off.

"Okay everyone, outside now!" Robin said. The people started to go with the security guard bringing up the rear. When they were all out Robin pulled out handcuffs and cuffed the gunman and Two-face together.

"This is so odd." Robin murmured as he looked over the random thug that Two-face had toted with him.

"What?" Slade asked just as softly, trying to speak as little or low as possible.

"Well I mean look, Two-face and just ONE other guy? Normally he would have at least seven or eight other guys. I don't get why he would think he could take a bank with just him and a gunman." Robin said looking at them.

"Maybe he didn't think we would show." Slade said.

"No, he must have known, we always take on the bigger criminals first. We don't leave people like him to the cops, to crazy." Robin said.

Suddenly Two-face came around and moaned, "Oh Bats, you got my nose pretty good. Never punched me that hard before you kooky bastard." Slade let his foot fly right into the man's crouch. Two-face let out a yell and then fell over dragging the gunman with him. Robin stared at Slade for a moment with narrowed eyes, he tried really hard but he couldn't stop the smirk that crawled across his lips. He tried to hide it but he wasn't sure if he had. Thankfully Commissioner Gordon walked in,

"That's the commissioner, he will want to talk to you, never really talks to me, just answer his questions and keep it casual. I have to drag these guys to the armored car since you decided racking one of them was really necessary." Robin said trying to hid his smirk again. He grabbed Two-face by the collar and managed to drag the two to their feet and started to hall them out.

The Commissioner walked towards Slade and he kept his face straight and readied vocal cords with a slight stretch of his throat muscles.

"Well Batman, I know a new year usually means more criminals acting up, but this was just plan sloppy, not to mention stupid. Especially for Two-face, he is usually one of the brighter ones, he didn't even use his coin. Something is not right this year. Any clue what may be going on?"

Slade waited a second watching Robin pull the two thugs out the door, Commissioner Gordon followed his eyes and then he said, "Missed him huh? Never thought I would see the kid again. He's gotten so big since last time. I remember him not even being big enough to lift the bank deposit bags. How long he staying?"

"Four months." Slade said.

"Huh, for the New Year?"

"Just to make sure things don't get to out of hand." Slade said trying to see the boy throw the guys in the car.

"Well, it's good to see him around. Giving you a heads up though, since this year not much has happened yet, I am guessing there will be an eruption in the next week or so. Something is happening in the underground and I can't get my sources to go near the narrows, to much heat. The thugs are looking for cops, or leaks, something big is going to happen."

Slade though a moment and then said, "I have a friend, a man I know that may be willing to take a look into the Narrows. "

"Heroes aren't the best type to send down that way, they never found The Comet when he went down to question a few interesting and colorful characters."

"This guy isn't exactly a hero, more so a man for hire. If I pay enough, he will go where ever I ask and get what ever information I need."

"Sounds kind of shifty…" Gordon said giving Batman a curious eye.

"He is, that's why I don't call on him that often. However, under the circumstances, he may be our only option."

Gordon rubbed his hand through his hair and sighed, "What ever you think is best Batman."

"Hey Batman! Come on we got another one on the far end, looks like Cat woman." Robin yelled from the door.

"Keep you posted." Slade said walking away with out looking back at the Commissioner.

The Commissioner looked after him and raised an eyebrow, what a guy.

A/N: I hope you are enjoying this story! I will try to update soon.