As Jetstream stared through the one way window of the interrogation room, he couldn't help but fell a bit pity for the mouse faced man Robin was questioning. The boy wonder had the man, who was apparently known as Dr. Lee, handcuffed to the table as he interrogated him relentlessly. This had been going on for at least two hours now and Robin showed no signs of stopping. As Robin paced around the small room his mouth moved at a rapid pace. The words were lost to Jetstream through the soundproof glass and door, but he could tell Robin was rather unhappy. Jet turned as the door slid open behind him and Starfire floated into the room. The auburn haired girl settled next to Jet and placed a hand on the glass. She sighed solemnly as she saw that Robin was not making any progress.
"Has he even come out yet?" She asked Jetstream, not taking her eyes off of Robin. Jet crossed his arms and shook his head.
"Nu-uh." He replied. "Nobody has been in or out since we got back." He looked over at Starfire and felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He may be blind, but even he could see the pain that Starfire was feeling, watching Robin in such a distressed state. A twing of guilt ran through Jetsream as he looked back into the interrogation room. He was certain Robin would be able to squeeze the information he needed out of Dr. Lee. But it seemed the doctor had a far stronger will than he had thought. Jetstream did have one surefire way to get the guy to talk, but he really did not want to have to do it.
"Hey Starfire?" Said Jet.
"Hm?"
"How long do you think Robin will last, pursuing Slade the way he is?" Starfire sniffed and frowned.
"If it were any other person, I would say they wouldn't last more than a week." Replied Starfire, pausing for a moment.
"But?" Inquired Jetstream.
"But, I feel as though Robin could continue like this for the rest of his life. That is, until it drove him mad….or worse." Jetstream didn't think it was possible, but Starfire managed to look even more miserable than before. The guilt in his stomach began to sink like a lead balloon.
"If you knew where Slade was, do you think your team could catch him? Asked Jetstream. Starfire nodded her head slowly as she responded.
"Slade is a ruthless and cunning adversary, but Robin is a strong and courageous leader. I believe if we knew his true location, we could have him behind bars in a day."
"Alright." Sighed Jetstream, a look of resolution on his face. "If you can get Robin out of here for a few minutes, I can get you whatever information that guy has." Starfire's head popped up, a look of surprise on her face.
"Do you really think you can do it?" She asked, more than a little hopeful.
"Trust me." Said Jetstream, his face grim. "I can get him to talk." Starfire was about to ask what Jetstream meant, but as she looked at the dark haired boy's face, she decided just to trust him. A shiver went up her spine as she walked around him and opened the door to the interrogation room. As soon as she did, Robin's voice filled the entire waiting room as he shouted at the doctor. He was so focused on his rant that he didn't realize Starfire was in the room until she placed a hand on his shoulder. Robin jumped at the unexpected contact, but quickly regained himself and frowned a t Starfire.
"Star, what are you doing?" He asked in an irritated voice. "I said no one needs to come in here while I-." Starfire cut him off in a forceful voice.
"This has been going on for over two hours." She stated. "You have not eaten anything all day and it nearly past the three of the clock. You need to rest."
"I'm not going to leave him alone." Insisted Robin.
"I'll watch him." Offered Jetstream for the doorway. "You can trust me."
"But." Robin started.
"No. Rest. Now." Insisted Starfire as she pushed Robin out the door. The girl's super strength was no use fighting against, and Robin did feel extremely hungry, though he would never admit it.
"Fine then." He resigned as he walked out of the waiting room with Starfire close on his heels. "I'll be back in ten."
"Twenty!" Interrupted Starfire.
"Twenty minutes Jet." With that the two teens disappeared behind the sliding doors and into the hallway. Jetstream sighed as he was left alone with the doctor. He really hated what he was about to do. He watched the clock on the wall as it ticked away. When ten minutes had passed, Jet sat down across the table from Dr. Lee. But if it would help the people who had so willingly helped him, and maybe earn him a bit more trust, Jet would do it. Jetstream let out a long breath as he looked up at the doctor, who had a smug look on his face.
"So what are you?" Dr. Lee asked. "Round two or something. I already told your buddy that I'm not talking, and if you think that you can-."
"I'm really sorry about this." Said Jetstream, cutting him off.
"What?" Asked Dr. Lee, as Jet lifted a hand to his face.
The elevator ride up to the main room was a bit awkward at first. Starfire hadn't meant to be so blunt with Robin, but she felt it was the only way to get him out of that room. The two teens stood next to each other as the elevator toned with each floor they passed. At the second tone Robin broke the silence as he turned to Starfire.
"Listen, Starfire." He said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I know I've been acting pretty, short, with you and the rest of team, and I wanted to say I'm sorry."
"It is okay Robin." She replied as the elevator toned a third time. "We all know you have been under a lot of stress lately, but I-we are just worried about you." Said Starfire, blushing slightly. Robin smiled and nodded.
"I'll try to take it easier." He said as the elevator toned a fourth time and the doors slid open. The two teens walked into the main room as the doors closed behind them.
"Now how about some food?" Asked Starfire happily, floating over to the kitchen.
"Sounds great." Replied Robin. Beast Boy and Cyborg paused the video game they were playing and turned to Robin.
"Yo Robin, good to see ya out." Laughed Cyborg.
"Yeah man, we didn't think you'd ever leave that guy alone." Chimed Beast Boy.
"Ha, thanks guys." Said Robin as he sat down at the kitchen table. Starfire brought him a plate of lunch leftovers, then flew over to the couch and sat next to Raven. As Cyborg and Beast Boy turned back to their game, Raven lowered he book and looked at Starfire.
"So how's our little captive doing?" She mumbled. Starfire sighed.
"He has still not given up the information, despite Robin's best efforts." She replied.
"Don't worry." Said Raven as she returned to her book. "I'm sure Robin can get it out of him one way or another." Starfire didn't respond and absentmindedly fiddled with her hair. Her nervous silence made Raven a bit suspicious, but she decided to ignore it, the girl was just as strung out as Robin was lately. After a few minutes Robin joined the rest of the teens on the sofa and watched Beast Boy and Cyborg play their game. For a moment, Starfire thought that they were going to have a normal, relaxing afternoon. That was, until a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the calm atmosphere and made everyone's hairs stand on end. It was the most horrible noise any of them had ever heard. The scream was nothing but pure terror and panic, and it made you want to cover your ears and curl into a ball. Which is exactly what Beast Boy did…..in the form of an armadillo. After a moment, the scream faded away and Robin began to head for the elevator door, followed by the rest of the team.
"What was that?" Asked Cyborg, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"That was a scream that just filled the entire room from four floors below us." Answered Robin as they filed into the elevator.
"But whose was it?" Asked Raven.
"We're about to find out."
When the door to the interrogation room opened up, Jetstream was already standing right in front of the entrance, like he had been expecting them. His shoulders were slouched and his face was ragged. His skin looked unnaturally pale and he appeared to be exhausted, like he hadn't slept in a long time. Jetstream's usually slicked back hair now fell in strands over his face. Before Robin could get a question in, he pushed past the boy wonder and into the hallway.
"Ask him anything you want." Croaked Jet as he slid by. "I need to be alone for a moment." The rest of the teens moved out of the way as Jet stumbled down the hallway and into the elevator. Robin glanced back for a moment, then turned his attention back to the room. A quiet sobbing could be heard from the open door of the second half of the room. As Robin and the rest of the Titans quickly moved to check on Dr. Lee, a strange sight greeted their eyes. The strong willed doctor that Robin had spent the last two hours trying to break, was lying in the fetal position, crying. One of his arms was still handcuffed to the table, though there were red marks and scratches on his wrist from where he had fought against his restraints. The other arm was wrapped tightly around his chest, like a child trying to protect himself. The man's glasses were askew and his hair stood out in several places at odd angles. His eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying and darted around in panic as he quivered on the ground. He seemed to be mumbling something rapidly to himself, but Robin couldn't make out what he was saying. The doctor jumped as Robin knelt down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I-I'll t-tell you a-anything." Stuttered Dr. Lee, refusing to meet Robin's eyes. "Just d-don't make h-him do it a-again."
"What happened?" Asked Robin. Dr. Lee jerked his head from side to side and looked around like he didn't want something to hear him. He then shakily leaned in towards Robin and whispered.
"He t-took off h-his glasses."
