Short chapter for you guys...I have some words for you at the end, though. enjoy!

The vast expanse of blue ocean wasn't exactly welcoming to me. Yes, I was thrilled to be getting out of Jump, away from the Titans, and back to Slade, but it seemed almost bittersweet to me. I was happy to be back with Slade, but at what cost? Would he welcome me back, or would he turn his back on me for my stupid, amateur mistakes? Deep down, I knew he'd be pissed.

When I saw the island on the horizon, my heart dropped even lower than it had been the entire plane ride back. As usual, the island looked deserted from above. The vast haunt below hidden from any prying eyes. I landed the plane under the dense tree cover on the east side of the island and made my way to the old shack with the case of Xinothium held tightly to my chest. My ears popped on my decent below sea level, but I ignored it, focusing on what I would say to Slade when I saw him…I would have to be humble and brave. The elevator door opened to the great training room. I stepped out, allowing my eyes to adjust, before making my way to the back where I heard the sounds of metal on metal. A spar.

I waited in the shadows. Slade and Sarxane were in the ring. Sarxane had improved greatly in the month of my absence. He was quick on his feet, easily matching Slade's timing, blocking and striking at all the right times. Slade, of course was going easy on him, and for the most part, the spar was slow paced, but nonetheless, Sarxane was doing much better. I waited for a few minutes for the spar to end and the two to come down off the platform. My hands shook, I was so nervous. I placed the case on the ground to avoid dropping it, which turned out to be a mistake. Sarxane's ears perked up, his breathing stopped and his eyes staring into the shadows where I stood. I didn't move.

"Shh…" he said to the others, pointing silently to where I was at, "someone is here," he whispered quietly. Slade picked up a pistol from the bench next to him and aimed it in my direction. With my cover blown, all I had to do now was show myself. So, picking up the case, I started to move from my place.

"Don't shoot!" I called out to him. Slade immediately lowered his gun and placed it back on the bench. I could see his eye watering up through his mask. He knew my voice better than anything else. He knew me. I couldn't detect any anger there yet, but I knew he was happy to see me. I stepped into the light, shaking, and moved toward my Master. Slade took a few steps toward me, but stopped and waited on me, not wanting to seem too anxious or weak by rushing to me. So, I made the impossibly long walk alone, my ankle throbbing with my blood rushing at an unusual speed through my body. It seemed forever before I was in front of him. I dropped painfully to my knees on the hard concrete without a word and waited for something anything. But, nothing came. I pushed the Xinothium to his feet.

"I'm sorry, Master," I choked out. Slade picked up the case and examined the contents inside. Satisfied, he placed the case on the bench next to his gun and knelt down, pulling me up to stand in front of him.

He looked me in the eye, his view unobstructed by the mask I usually wore around the others.

"Excuse us," Slade directed to his partners. He gently pushed me toward the door and to our room. He locked the door behind us and removed the mask from his face to throw it on the bed.

"What happened to you?" he asked, concern lacing his steely voice.

I looked up at his voice, "I was arrested by the Titans and kept prisoner there," I began. I told him everything. Every last detail of my time with the Titans from the cuffs to my calling Robin master to my panic attack. Slade listened quietly, never interrupting me, his face never showing any signs of anger. When I was through with my story, I bowed my head and waited for the anger I felt sure would come.

Slade was quiet for a long time, but when he did speak, I wasn't expecting the question that came from his lips.

"How does your ankle feel now?"

"I—It's…It's fine I guess," I stuttered, turning my ankle this way and that to test it.

"Good, suit up," he ordered, picking his mask up off the bed. My mouth fell open. That's it? No long lecture? No punishment for my indiscretions? Slade waited patiently as I changed from the clothes given to me by the Titans into my usual black Kevlar and metal plating. I fastened my belt around my waist, buckled my boots, and pulled on my gloves. Slade looked me over. Stepping up to me, he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Welcome back, son," he said quietly. Shock hit me like a sack of bricks. Son? Since when had he ever called me that? He held eye contact for brief moment longer before placing his mask over his face. I did the same and together, we made our way back to the gym. Nyssa and Sarxane rushed up to me when I entered, and I was incased in a hug by the empath.

"Dude," Sarxane addressed me, "we didn't think we'd ever see you again!"

"I'm so glad you're back," Nyssa whispered in my ear. I gently pushed her off.

"We'll talk about it later, guys," I said and pushed my way through them to follow my Master. Slade pulled a bo staff from his belt and walked up the stairs to the ring. I met him there with a bo staff of my own and we squared off.

Without a word, we rushed at one another. It seemed like forever since I'd sparred with Slade, and though I did feel out of practice, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

We moved with speed and endurance, neither of us holding back, drawing blood with blow after blow, but never slowing down regardless. Everything fell away, my mind solely on Slade. The murmurs from the others became white noise, time no longer a factor. Slade pushed me and I pushed him right back. I tore his mask from his face, but the spar continued. He ripped armor from my body, tearing my Kevlar. Eventually, we were both unarmed, swinging fists at one another. Slade sent an uppercut to my jaw, knocking my vision out of whack for a moment. I put him in a choke hold, only for him to get out and force me on my stomach with my arm twisted up behind my back painfully. I kicked my way out of his hold, flipping to the bo staff I had torn from Slade's grip. Slade, still unarmed, never backed down and took every painful blow. Even in my pain induced state, I still knew this wasn't a punishment, but rather a Master training his Apprentice.

Finally, Slade fell back, giving the order for the spar to end. Only then did I realize how exhausted I truly was. Slade walked up to me, panting, with blood pouring from a gash on his cheek and eyebrow. His lip bled, and there were spots of blood staining his uniform. Even now, however, the were healing quickly. I collapsed on the bench, panting hard. Sarxane handed me a bottle of water, but I was too tired to drink it.

"My god, Deathstroke," Marxis said, eyeing my beaten body, "were you trying to kill the boy?"

Slade didn't respond, but instead began wiping blood from my face gently.

I looked at Marxis and laughed lightly, causing her concerned look to diminish. Slade chuckled as well, probably not realizing it. Then, we let loose, laughing uncontrollably at absolutely nothing. Relief flooded my body. Everything was ok. Slade wasn't mad at me. Laughter flooded the haunt, and it occurred to me: I hadn't laughed like this with Slade…ever. This was new to me. My relationship with him was changing drastically. First, he called me son, now this? My, how the tables turned…

Slade excused us, and we made our way back to our room. I removed the armor that hadn't been knocked off in the ring, took a quick shower, and collapsed into the bed wearing just my boxers. Bruises and cuts peppered my body, but I didn't really care. Slade's injuries had already healed like usual. Damn him and his enhanced healing factor…

"Dick, sit up. We need to talk," Slade said gently. I lifted myself off my bed and faced him.

"Ok," I said. So this was it, now I was going to get lectured.

"You've had minimal training in the area of enduring solitary confinement. I know it's not easy, but it's something you must learn to cope with," he said.

"Slade…no. Please…no," I began, "That's worse than any punishment you could possibly inflict. I-"

"Hush. It's not a punishment, Dick, it's training. I'm not going to put you through confinement anytime soon, but rest assured, you will have to face it sooner rather than later."

I shook my head, "Slade…"

"It's not open for discussion, Dick."

Reluctantly, I nodded.

"As far as everything else goes, I'm not angry with you. The Titans, when working together, are in fact a force to be reckoned with. You'll go through more extensive training for dealing with a group of enemies."

"I've already done that, Slade, I've beaten any amount of robots you've thrown at me!"

"Robots and people are two different beings entirely. Anyone can beat an army of robots, they don't think. They only do what they're programmed to do. People, on the other hand, can think for themselves. I'll worry about that aspect of your training when we return to Jump City."

I nodded. More training couldn't hurt.

"That's all. Go to sleep, Dick. You need it."

"Slade? What's the Xinothium for?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Dick. Marxis is the one who wanted it."

"What!? Then why was I sent to get it?"

"It was decided you go so that Sarxane could stay here with me and work on his training in hand to hand. Saran didn't want Nyssa, as inexperienced as she is to go and he wants to keep an eye on her. We decided you would go because you're quick, you know what you're doing, and we had assumed you'd return in two days, max."

"And when I didn't return?"

"I went looking for you. I looked for you, Dick, and I couldn't find you."

I winced. When Slade goes looking for something, he always finds it.

"I'm sorry, Slade. Really, I am…"

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Dick. I'm just…I'm glad you're ok."

I nodded and laid back down on the bed, turning my back to him. He stood up and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I heard the water running as he took a shower, and slowly fell asleep, exhausted

Ok, Either the next chapter, or the chapter after that is going to be somwhat nsfw...and there will be mentions of rape. So keep that in mind, I'll leave a warning at the top of whatever chapter that will be.

Also, follow me on tumblr at paisleyluv96 dot tumblr dot com

Have a great day, and y'all don't forget to smile at strangers!