A/N: I'm hoping to bring Bat girl into this chapter but if I don't get to it expect her in the next one, but not for long… just long enough to completely annoy Robin. : )

Chapter 10

Removed

Robin sat at Batman's big screen computer and unlocked it with the special code. Typing something into the search bar he was greeted by over two hundred files on just about every single villain, thief, thug, criminal or psychopath that ever wandered in Gotham. If Slade's file was in here he would find it, and maybe he would get his answers.

He searched for over twenty minutes and found nothing, however, a special file down in the far corner caught his eye, and it read Justice League Villains. Could it be that simple? Would Batman really name it that? Why not, what else would he label it?

He double clicked it quick and files popped up with all kinds of names he had either never heard of before or names he was familiar with but had never fought. They were organized alphabetically. Robin clicked on the S and only three names came up. None of which were what he needed.

Robin slinked back in the chair and heaved a deep sigh.

"Try Deathstroke The Terminator." A low voice said from behind. Robin spun in shock and felt his jaw drop, "How did you get down here with out knowing the pass…"

"Twelve o'clock on the grandfather clock. Not that hard." Slade said emerging further from the shadows.

Robin stared a moment and then turned back to the computer and went to close out of it, "I said, try DeathStroke the Terminator." Slade said with a hint of annoyance.

Robin looked over his shoulder, "Why?"

"Oh, perhaps you weren't looking for me? Well, I suppose I do have a tendency to be a little egocentric. Perhaps I was wrong."

Robin grunted and though he felt like the man was tricking him somehow, he really couldn't figure out how so he typed in the name into the search bar and low and behold over thirty-six different files came up.

"Shit." Robin whispered.

"I know, sad isn't it… I've only fought Batman and the Justice League a few times, but he still managed to make me feel more important then I am."

The picture that popped up from the file was a very interesting one, it showed a man in blue chainmail that covered his body with orange boots, gloves belt and a two faced mask with one eye. He held a bloody samurai sword and was loaded with bullets and guns and knives.

"Blue and orange?" Robin asked.

"My original colors before I relocated to Jump, believe it or not Halloween is not my favorite holiday."

Robin smirked at that comment but said nothing, he looked at everything that was listed.

"It says here you have enhanced physical and mental attributes, regenerative capabilities,

that you're an expert in martial artist, which means your skilled in armed and unarmed combatant. You're a master tactician and strategist; you have access to hi-tech equipment

and you're a skillful at manipulation."

"I am surprised he managed to track me so closely, not many can. I can give your master a hand. He is very clever."

"He isn't my master." Robin said gritting his teeth.

"So you say." Slade said.

Robin didn't bother to reply, he looked at the picture and sighed, so much for seeing his face. Why did Robin honestly care? It wasn't that big of a deal… just…. He was so damn curious.

"If you were looking for a picture your out of luck, though I rarely wear this mask unless I am around you or your team."

Robin whipped around and stared, "What?"

"Honestly, I have nothing to lose if people know my identity… at least not anymore. Most of the time when I go on one of my missions I only wear the mask to meet the person who hired me. Once I am on the trail I usually take it off. Occasionally I wear it when I need to scare people into compliance. Honestly Robin… it isn't that important. I just love annoying you." He said.

Robin's eyes narrowed and he said, "Real mature."

"I suppose I could let you see my face." Slade mused leaning against one of the large boxes and folding his arms over his chest.

"Really?" Robin asked with serious doubt in his voice.

"Why not… it isn't like you won't see it eventually… you are so very persistent after all. However there would be a requirement."

"Of course there would." Robin said.

"You'd have to take off your make as well…" Slade said.

"I figured as much." Robin said turning back to the screen, "Oh… so you were in the army… hard to believe but at the same time… it explains a lot." Robin bit.

"I am sure." Slade said standing there, he wasn't getting the right responses… perhaps if he played a card that boy didn't expect.

"It isn't like it would chance anything Richard… I already know who you are."

Slade saw Robin visually freeze, honestly, Slade didn't know anything beside his name. He had had a camera in the tower when he had told Starfire, also known as Kori 'ander. Slade had researched as much as possible but with out a last name it just wasn't possible to find any answers. Slade was bluffing… he would just have to see how good he could bluff.

Slowly Robin's chair spun around and the young boy looked at him, "How did you find out?"

"I have my ways…. The point is… if you want to see my face I will gladly show you… as long as you are willing to do the same. It isn't like you have anything to lose and of course now you have nothing to protect because I know who you are."

Robin stood and slowly walked over to him, "What is it going to take to keep you quiet?"

Slade stared at him a moment, perhaps Robin thought Slade knew Batman's identity too… now that was well played. "I have no interest in revealing secret identities…. It does nothing but cause trouble and it's an annoyance all in its self. But if you need assurance I will say this, you show me your face and I show you mine and I won't tell a soul who you really are Richard."

Robin stared at him and gritted his teeth, he was very upset with Slade right now… and Slade couldn't be happier about it.

"Deal." Robin said sticking out his hand, Slade reached, took it and shaked slowly.

"Your first." The boy said with venom.

"Shy are we… very well." Slade reached up and Robin watched every second as if his life depended on it. He held his breath, would it be a skull again… or would there really be skin and hair to put with the voice. The haunting voice.

Slade unclipped his mask, he had wanted to show the boy for a long time… but it had never been the right time, in only a few hours they had grown closer, and Robin didn't even realize it. The boy was like putty in his hands.

He pulled the mask away and watched as Robin's eyes grew wide, the boy stared in awe at his face and Slade smirked, he felt like he was a God finally revealing himself to his followers. The look on Robin's face was perfect.

"Your…so… old." Robin said.

Slade's smirk turned into a frown, "Actually I am 37… at least I look 37… I am mentally a lot older then I look…. As you said… regenerative capabilities."

Robin stared at the white hair, the white goatee, and the eye patch… "And you're a pirate."

"Oh for God's sake Robin I hope you seeing my face has not caused you to lose your mind. Your acting ridiculous." Slade snapped staring at the boy with a very large frown.

Robin sat back down and just stared, Slade looked at him and narrowed his eye, "Are you satisfied?" Slade asked.

Robin finally closed his mouth and nodded staying silent. "It's your turn my little bird… a deal is a deal." Slade said feeling his own excitement grown. He had always wondered what Robin's eye color was, and exactly how old the boy was.

Robin looked down at his hands, he was conflicted, was he really going to willingly remove his mask before the man who had killed his friend, haunted his nightmares for years, almost taken over the world twice… was it really this simple? Just take off the mask and for a few brief moments he wouldn't have to be Robin around this man. He could just show him who he was? Well the mask was pretty pointless… after all… Slade knew whom he was… which meant he knew who Batman was. And if he refused the man this little slice of satisfaction he may reveal what he knew. Robin didn't really have a choice, it just seemed like he did.

Robin reached up and with shaking hands removed his mask; he kept his head staring at the floor for a long moment until he felt a finger on his chin. Slowly Slade tilted his head up and Robin blushed, he felt naked, exposed, and honestly he felt like he was being taken advantage off.

"Open your eyes Robin… you made a deal." Slade cooed softly. Robin refused to let his emotions rule him. He may have felt like he put himself out there… he may have felt like this was wrong but he was a man of his word. He slowly opened his eyes and saw on Slade's face what the man had probably seen on his only a few moments ago.

"There Blue." Robin said softly, looking into the man's lone gray eye with sadness. If some how, Slade had just tricked him, had some how magically guessed his name, then Robin had just betrayed himself, and Batman. He hoped to God what he had just done wouldn't come back to bight him.

"Beautiful." Slade whispered. "You look so… young…. You can't be more then 13."

Robin felt his face twist in anger, "I am not even close to that… I am like… way over fifteen." Robin said trying to replace his mask, but Slade caught his wrist.

"Leave it off." He ordered. Robin yanked his hand away but did not replace his mask,

"You see… nothing special about me either… just a guy in a mask." Robin barked.

"You look very different with out your mask little bird."

"Don't call me that! I am not your apprentice anymore and I won't put up with it!" His voice echoed in the cave and Robin shoved his mask back onto his face, he gave Slade a defiant stare, "I am not a stupid little kid… I have earned the right to wear this mask and I am damn proud of it and what ever I look like with out the mask is a LIE!" Robin said down in the chair and turned back to the computer. He typed something into the search engine and Slade stared at the back of his chair.

There was definitely much more to this boy then Slade ever had thought. And he had four marvelous months so figure it out.

A/n: Hope you enjoyed it!