A/N: This time, I'd like to invite you to a party… ;o), and yes... I'm very happy with the title of this chapter...


Chapter twenty-six: Party Favors

Eyes staring accusingly, purple ones, blue ones, green ones, brown ones, black ones. Hands grabbing him, pale, green, metal, clawed, glowed, tearing at him, pulling him every which way. Voices lashing at him from every direction. Whispered accusations.

"Weak!"

"Idiot!"

"Traitor!"

"Slut!"

Robin tried to defend himself, first with words, then with his fists, but they kept coming closer, they kept staring.

"I'm doing all I can!" he shouted.

"Not enough!"

"Not fast enough!"

"Never good enough!"

"You should fight!"

"Where's the real you?"

"Fight!"

"HOW?" Robin wailed.

"Don't care!"

"Do it!"

"You don't want to, do you?"

"Useless!"

Robin felt like he was suffocating and huddled up tightly. He could still feel the stares.

"Stop… make them stop… make them go away!"

"I will"

A different voice. Dark. Deadly. Evil.

On my side…

The scene changed. Robin looked out over the main room, and it was filled with bodies, coming all the way up to the second step. Batman, Alfred, the Titans, including Beast Boy, but also Chang, Xia, Chian, Lex Luthor, the JL, all of them, Batgirl, the Joker, Mumbo, Catwoman, his parents, all the ones he remembered from Haley's Circus, tutors… Robin suddenly realized that everyone he had ever known more than fleetingly was here. Dead. A pair of arms closed around him, but Robin wasn't frightened.

"I killed them all." Slade whispered in his ear, and Robin smiled. He smiled because there was one thing that made this scene perfect. They all had their eyes closed.

Robin woke with a start. He was being held by Slade again. He woke up like this almost every morning, even though he tried to go to sleep as far away from the man as possible. He had tried to sleep elsewhere, even on the floor, but Slade would, naturally, have none of that. The first morning he had kicked and screamed and clawed, fighting to get out of that hold, but to no avail. It only made him look weak, and Robin refused to look weak in front of Slade anymore. He sighed and turned his head a little bit, meeting an amused gaze.

"Good morning, pet."

Robin swallowed the 'go to hell' that was his usual answer these days, and said a weak;

"Yeah." followed by another sigh.

"Unusually mellow this morning, aren't you? That's a nice change."

"I have just decided to choose my battles." Robin mumbled, not completely untruthfully, as he had realized that he had to get slightly more on Slade's good side again for the party tonight. "And this is one of them…" he added as he felt Slade's hand on his hip, and pried it off. "Tie me up or order me to, there is no other way in hell you will ever touch me again!"

Slade, thankfully in a good mood, only snorted in amusement.

"And here I thought your nightmares had helped you get back on the right path…"

"Take your path and shove it, Slade…" Robin snarled, and then actually heard what the man had said. "What nightmares?"

"Oh, talking now, are we?" Slade teased. "Very well. Every night since our little 'fall out' and before that too, on occasion, you have been making quite a scene in your sleep, even falling out off bed now and then. I can never get any peace and quiet unless I hold you…. that seems to make you calm down at once."

Robin stared blankly in front of him. This was why he woke up in Slade's arms so often? The man calmed him? No, he reconsidered; it was the body heat, the contact, which pulled him back from the nightmares, not Slade himself. Hell, Slade was the nightmare.

"I must have confused you with someone special…" Robin bit back, refusing to show how much this had rattled him.

Slade could be lying, don't forget that… Robin reminded himself. He was surprised that Slade wasn't groping him anymore, and as the seconds ticked by Robin got more and more tense. Usually Slade took him both in the mornings and the evenings, just to show him his place.

"Well, if you're not gonna fuck me, can I go have breakfast?" he ended up asking, not too fiercely. He didn't want to goad Slade into anything after all.

"What would you prefer?" The man purred, and again Robin had to exchange a 'what do you think?' with a quiet:

"Breakfast."

"Go then. And I'm only letting you do this for coming slightly to your senses. I will have my fun later." Slade promised.

Robin gave a short nod of understanding and disappeared into the bathroom before coming back, so Slade could put on his collar. That was another thing he usually didn't let the man do just like that, but this time he stood still with just a silent snarl on his face. Slade had spelled out SULKY on it, so Robin guessed he must be in a good mood. He hoped it would help him.

Heading to the main room and the kitchen, he heard Slade follow. As he entered the room he stopped dead, gasping. It was being completely altered! Slade-bots where everywhere, working at an amazing pace.

"What the…?" slipped from Robin's lips.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I am having a little party tonight… and I thought that a theme would be fun."

Robin had difficulty to believe that Slade could find anything, except torturing him, perhaps, fun. This, however, was neither the time nor the place to state that fact.

"What theme?"

"The Roman Empire of course… isn't that fitting?"

Then Robin realized what he was looking at. Pillars, mosaics, and, arranged around low tables were several low backless sofas, Robin thought they were called divans… or chaise longues… it didn't matter. There was even a water fountain, which Robin suspected would be working before the evening came.

"Wow." He didn't have to pretend that he was impressed, he truly was.

"Glad you like it." Slade chuckled, and walked by him, towards the kitchen.

Robin thought quickly. What measures could he take to make sure he would be here tonight? To assume he would, could be dangerous… he needed to confirm it. He didn't want Slade to pick up on the slightest hint of eagerness, though, that would make the man suspicious.

"Do I have to be there?" he asked carelessly, with his heart thumping in his chest. If Slade said no straight away, it was a lost cause and he would have to wait for the next opportunity… if that ever came…

"I don't know… are you going to behave?" Slade asked, tilting his head and seemed to evaluate him.

"Are you going to touch me?" Robin shot back.

"Perhaps…" the man growled. "But if you are going to scream and pout in front of my guests…"

"Never." Robin snarled quietly. "I will never let them see me suffer. I won't give them that pleasure." That was the truth, and his eyes locked with Slade's as he said it.

"Well, then… then that's settled…" the man purred. "And I have the cutest little outfit picked out for you…" he added with a short, deep laugh.

Robin cringed, wondering exactly how small this outfit was.

Very small, it turned out. It was a toga, of sorts, but Robin highly doubted that it was historically correct. The top part was fine, but the rest… it was just barely long enough to cover his behind. His naked behind, he should add, as Slade didn't allow him underwear.

"Stop tugging at it, it looks lovely." Slade snorted and Robin gave him a poisonous glare. Did the man wear a toga? Oh, no, Slade wore the uniform of a Roman Centurion. His mask was metal again, looking like an altered version of a roman helmet, with a faceguard that left his mouth free.

"Shut up, you're in a skirt too…" Robin hissed.

Slade chuckled and let his hand slide up the boy's ass. Robin wasn't completely wrong, but the greaves on his legs, combined with everything else, made him a great deal more clothed than Robin. The boy huffed and stepped out of reach, fiddling with his new collar for the evening. It was a set, really, consisting of thick gold wires, which coiled stiffly around the boy's slender neck in a very flattering pattern. Similar metal bands snaked their way around his Robin's arms and ankles.

Robin frowned. They were waiting to greet the first guests, and he had started to get nervous. It didn't help that Slade had made him intimately familiar with one of the low sofas earlier. Not that that was the first time during the day. Slade had really meant it when he had said that he would have his fun later, because it turned out that today was the day Raven needed the sperm samples… Slade had enjoyed collecting them from Robin. The boy's cheeks flushed at the thought. He hated that he couldn't control himself. Sure, Slade had had to work for it, he really had, but thinking about horrible things only lasted so long. The man had been determined to get as many samples as possible during the day, and now Robin was… well… spent.

Robin straightened a bit as the elevator doors opened and the first guest arrived. Servants, both males and females and all devoted to Slade, hurried to greet them. The guests, all dressed in different costumes from the period, tried not to gape at the surroundings, but it was clearly difficult. Robin couldn't blame them. The vast room had transformed into the interior of a luxurious Roman villa. Both the throne and the kitchen area were cleverly hidden, Wines, with real grapes, climbed the pillars, water splashed in the fountains, the light were set to imitate a Mediterranean evening sun, musicians were playing softly in the background… all in all it was like being transported half across the world and back in time at once. The floor was covered in an intricate and exquisite mosaic, which would have taken normal humans months to complete. Slade had hundreds of robots though, and they worked with the efficiency and speed of computers.

Slade had told him how each guest had received several different costumes that were especially made for them, to choose from, and Robin had snorted. So like Slade. Couldn't let this setting be ruined by someone showing up in a sheet, now, could he? Control freak. The other Titans were not invited, not even Chang. Possibly because they would ruin the illusion as well, but more likely they had missions of their own to attend to.

The guests didn't seem to mind the dress up, though, and soon the wine, fresh fruits and cheeses were flowing. Slade had made sure that the guests mingled. There were even persons at the party with the specific task of making introductions and starting discussions, making sure the topics was safe, naturally. Slade did marvelous at that himself, and Robin followed in his tracks, keeping quiet and reserved.

As the Triads arrived, the atmosphere in the room tensed for a few moments, but was soon back to normal. Robin was amazed that the group had agreed to the costumes as well. He had a feeling that it all was because Slade had encouraged them to bring their own favorite slaves, and, like Slade, they seemed to enjoy dressing their pets scantily. The slaves were mostly older teens or in their early twenties, and none as young as Robin. Mostly women, beautiful and graceful, but two or three gorgeous young men were among them as well. For an insane moment Robin felt like the ugly duckling.

They, or rather Slade, were currently talking to a group of what Robin assumed were high-ranking Triads. Their leader, because Kuai had, luckily for Slade, been chosen as expected, was to appear later with Lex Luthor. These men and women had been sent ahead, so their leader could arrive in an already inspected room. Robin had to admit to himself that Kuai had guts. All right, he was backed up by Luthor, but he was entering the stronghold of the man who killed his predecessor. As Robin understood, Slade had made it very clear to the Triads that Chian's death happened because of personal differences, though, and was not to be considered as an attack to the whole organization. Not that he thought for a moment that they would accept that fact. Robin let his eyes swipe over the group in front of him. They seemed to range from 'malicious' to 'deadly', but what did he expect…? Santa and his helpers? At that moment, voices hushed and heads turned. The guests of honor had arrived.

Lex Luthor made a toga look good. It was just such an obvious fact that even Robin had to admit it. If Rob had been present, the boy would have been busy trying to pry it off by now. It was purple; the color of the gods and Roman emperor, and Luthor looked very much the part. Beside him, in a similar creation, stood Kuai. The man was short, and rather stocky, although not exactly fat. He had Chian's eyes, but none of her beauty.

Nasty peace of work… Robin thought. The Triads chose well.

"Look Robin, our old friend… Why don't you go greet them and escort them here?" Slade suggested.

"Yes Master." Robin said dutifully in an emotionless tone. On the inside, he almost jumped with glee at this chance.

He made his way over to the pair and their respective bodyguards and dates. Both Lex and Kuai had lovely ladies on their arms, but Robin got the distinct feeling that they were no more than accessories.

Probably cheaper than their watches too… he added nastily to himself… although, to be fair, Luthor's watch could buy a small country.

"Master Slade asked me to escort you to him. Will you please follow me?" Robin asked, trying to sound acceptable humble. He heard a hiss before his head erupted in pain. A moment later he opened his eyes to find himself on his stomach, sprawled on the floor, the end of a thin walking stick pressing into his neck.

"How dare you speak in my presence without permission?" a heavily accented voice snarled above him.

"Now, now, my friend…" Lex sounded like he tried to calm the man. "I don't think-"

"Slade let a slave speak to me! A slave! I have never-!"

"Oh, he is Slade's personal catamite, and I assure you that his Master didn't mean any disrespect. Different customs, I'm sure…" Robin heard Lex reply.

"A slave!" Kuai huffed and strode away, leaving Robin to pick himself up.

Damn, evil psychotic, git of a…Robin thought to himself, and he realized that this had made him miss his chance. The side of his head throbbed, but at least it didn't bleed. Robin received several leers as he climbed to his feet and he blushed a bit as he became aware that his fall must have let the bystanders glimpse a bit more of him than he really wanted. He tugged at the short hem again and hurried over to his 'Master' and his company.

The men had left their respective dates at the refreshment table to be able to talk a bit more privately. He took his place silently just behind Slade, and kept his eyes on the floor. The man did not make any comments about Robin being beaten, and only apologized to Kuai for not being familiar with his customs.

I bet you WERE, you son of a bitch… Robin growled inwardly.

Robin had no way of catching Luthor's eye in this position and even if he did… what good would it do? He had originally planned to slip Lex a short note, but he had been unable to find anything to write with or on. He had almost screamed in frustration as he discovered that, thanks to the contract, he couldn't even prick his own finger and write in blood. This meant he had to do this the dangerous way. The message he wanted to get across to the man wasn't a really big deal in itself, and probably wouldn't take long. Glancing over at the 'hood ornaments' chatting by the large bowl of fruit, Robin got an idea.

He waited for a natural pause in the conversation, and then touched Slade's arm gently.

"Yes, boy?"

"May I bring you some refreshments, Master?"

Slade nodded. If he was surprised at Robin's offer, he didn't voice it, but the boy suspected that he would be asked questions later. Well, he could always claim that he was bored… or thirsty himself…

He made his way over to the women, grabbed a plate and started to arrange a selection of snacks on it. He asked the two if they were enjoying themselves and if he could bring them anything, before heading back to the group. If anyone had watched, they would have seen him talking to them, and so he had an excuse to do what he did next.

He silently offered the plate to Slade, who took it, and walked around to Lex, gaining his attention by touching his arm as well.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but your lady asked to have a word with you."

"Really?" Lex sounded a bit surprised, and there was a slight hint of irritation in his voice. Robin was afraid he would refuse.

"Yes. May I escort you to her? Please?" the last word was said in a low voice that only Lex could easily hear.

"Of course."

As they left the group behind, Robin glanced up at the man's face.

"I need to speak with you." he murmured. He was deadly afraid then. Afraid that Luthor's face would turn to a cold sneer. Maybe the man would even tell Slade?

"I figured." was all the reply he got, and Luthor's face remained impassive.

They reached the women, and as Luthor had figured out that it was all a rouse, he didn't ask his date what she had wanted, only making small talk, while preparing a small plate for himself.

"Fetch me a pitcher of water, boy." he said, and Robin started. What? Why did Lex suddenly order him ar- oh. Robin felt ashamed. The man was giving him a reason to stay. Robin had originally planned to try to talk to the man later in the evening, but he guessed now was as good a time as any. He quickly fetched a ceramic water jug and filled the man's glass.

"Wonderful party your Master has going here." Lex commented and looked around, and Robin took a quick glance as well. They weren't alone by the tables, but he hoped nobody would catch on.

"I'll be delighted to tell him." Robin answered, with no delight whatsoever in his voice.

"You seem a bit different since the last time I saw you." Luthor raised an eyebrow questionably.

"I'm sorry to say I was not myself at that time… I'm… better… now."

Their eyes met, and there was a quiet understanding between them, that everything said from now on would have a double meaning.

"I'm glad. I saw some old friends of yours the other day. They send their regards."

Robin dared a smile.

"So you still keep in contact?" he asked. "More water?" he added, and Lex held out his glass. Robin poured a bit of water in, not filling it up so he would have reason to do it again soon.

"Yes. But I prefer to keep to myself." the man said, making Robin understand that he was still mainly on his own side.

"So it's here you are hiding…" Slade's voice purred.

DAMN! Robin wanted to stamp his foot in frustration.

"And what are you occupying my pet with, Lex?" the man continued. He had all rights to be suspicious, after all.

Lex simply held out his glass and Robin filled it again.

"We were merely talking about the party and your fascination with history, Master." Robin answered calmly, hoping Lex would pick up the thread.

"Precisely. Are you interested in history as well, Robin?" The man asked, and the boy wanted to hug him then and there.

"Yes, I have always been fascinated with the origins of things… Although I feel I don't know nearly enough. But I guess not even Master Slade knows everything…"

"Well, you might be in the right place to learn more…" Lex tried and raised an eyebrow.

Robin shook his head with a small smile.

"That is not for me, I have other duties."

"So you do, boy, and even though I'm delighted that you are taking so good care of my guest, you know your place." Slade interrupted.

"Yes, Master, I'm sorry." Robin put down the jug and went to stand behind the man once more.

"As am I" Lex nodded. "History can be such an interesting subject, and in a surrounding like this… Well, who can blame us for getting lost in conversation?"

"Who indeed?" Slade agreed, slightly sarcastically.

"Well, history is the key to the future." Robin dared, just to make sure he got his point across.

"Maybe so." Lex nodded. "Well, I'm more interested in the present, right now… should we withdraw to a more private location?"

"Yes, that's why I came." Slade confirmed. "We will meet in the small conference room."

"Won't that ruin the illusion?" Lex smirked, and Slade chuckled.

"Hardly."

Slade was right. This room had also been redecorated and held several low sofas and chairs. The floor was littered with pillows as well, and as Slade took his place on one of the sofas, Robin sank down among them. Lex and Kuai had already taken the seats Slade offered them, and except for one bodyguard and one adviser each, the rest of the followers were dismissed. Slade kept, for balance sake, two of his generals in the room as well. Servants made sure that everyone had wine and everything else they could possibly want, before leaving the room.

"So you will let your slave stay?" Kuai snorted.

Wow, that man can hold a grudge… Good luck with him, Slade… Robin thought wryly.

"Yes. If it's not a bother." Slade said and stroked Robin's hair. "I thought he might offer you some pleasure while we discuss our plans?"

Robin tensed. Fuck that! He would never-!

"I prefer women." the man answered and Robin relaxed.

I hoped Slade knew that… please let him have known that…

"Then a massage, perhaps?" Slade offered. "He is nothing compared to your countries skilled masseuses, but he is quite capable. And as I understand it you have had a long flight?"

Kuai nodded curtly and Robin's heart sank.

"He will wash before touching me." the man then said, and Robin hid a growl.

I'm going to wash AFTERWARDS as well, be sure of that…

"Naturally" Slade said evenly, and gestured for Robin to do as he was told.

Kneading the sitting man's back and shoulders was bad enough, but Kuai had given his walking stick to a body guard, and every time Robin made a wrong move, by pressing too hard or too gently, Kuai grunted and Robin received a lash to his arms or back. While he worked, the discussion wavered back and forward. Slade didn't have an easy time, but was far from struggling; actually he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Robin seriously considered ripping the cane from his tormentor's hands and give them all a taste off it. After all, he had gotten what he wanted. On the other hand it would ruin any further hopes of meeting anyone outside the Tower, and he probably needed to. He ground his teeth in frustration.

"You have taken over much of the western world, and I agree that your terms should be beneficial for the Triads…" Kuai muttered at last with his heavy accent. "But I demand to know one thing… you rule the world, yet hide your face. Why?"

Robin glanced up at Slade over Kuai's shoulders.

"Ah, it's tradition. Since many years back, I have only let them I truly trust see my face. The men in my inner circle."

"Then I demand it."

"Does this mean that you are willing to sign the contract?"

Kuai glanced at Lex.

"Chian seemed to think this contract is cursed. Mr. Luthor tells me it is purely superstition."

"Well, Chian was a superstitious woman… but they usually are. She got quite upset over something as trivial as a ruined kimono… But then… maybe the position of ruler of the Triads was poorly suited for her… for anyone who has fear in their hearts…" Slade purred.

So if he refuses he is a frightened, superstitious woman, is that what you are saying? Robin couldn't help but smirk at the man.

"I am nothing like her… I will sign. If you'll show me your face. I will not make deals with masked men."

Robin tensed, earning him another strike to his back. Slade would never… would he?

"Of course. Are the massage finished, boy?" The man sounded completely unrattled, almost like he had expected it.

Robin nodded, before finding his own tongue.

"Yes Master."

"Then fetch the tray at the table over there."

Robin walked up to the table, wiping his hands on his outfit. The contract lay there, with a pen, ready to be signed. Robin already knew that he couldn't destroy it, he doubted that it would even burn, and he picked up the tray with a desolate sigh. It was clear that Slade only sent him to fetch the wretched thing because he knew that it would torment him, so straightening his back, Robin brought the tray back to the table and sat down, trying to not look tormented at all.

"There. Now for my part of the deal. My pet, of course, will close his eyes."

Robin's hands curled into fists of frustration, as his world became black. There was a rustle as Slade, apparently, removed the altered helmet.

"And why is that? Your slave has not seen your face before?" Kuai asked.

"No, why would he? He is my favorite, but still only a pet… and to let him see it now alongside you, would lessen the honor for you, wouldn't you say?" Slade chuckled slightly.

"Yes. You are correct. But you trust him to keep his eyes closed?" there was a hint of awe in the man's voice.

"Oh, he is very well trained. But not up to your standards, of course. Again, I apologize for that lack in him. It will be remedied."

"I will be happy to help with that." Kuai offered.

"How generous." Slade seemed to agree. Robin felt two fingers under his chin, tilting his head back. "You heard that, pet? There is still a lot of training to do."

Robin didn't have time to reply before Slade's lips met his. A moan of anger and disgust that could easily be interpreted as one of pleasure, escaped him, and Slade deepened the kiss to make sure there would be no more little 'mistakes'. As Slade let him go, Robin tried his best not to spit at him.

"Yes Master. Thank you Master." he said quietly, promising himself that Slade would pay for this… somehow…

"It surprises me that you show affection for your slave this openly." Kuai said dryly. "I find it makes them proud, and I feel that is the main fault with this one. He does not know his proper place."

"You might be right, my friend. Now… for the contract…"

"You are welcome to borrow one of mine, and you will see the difference." Kuai continued "I keep only girls, though, would you mind?"

"Not at all. Your generosity humbles me." Slade answered, and Robin held back a snort.

A hard kick in the groin wouldn't humble you… although it would be fun to try…

Robin could hear the rustling of paper. He hated not being able to see, but it was plain what was happening. Kuai was signing. As the man spoke again, his voice was decisively softer.

"It is I who am humbled. It will be a pleasure to work for you."

"I'm sure." Slade said sarcastically, not much of the geniality left in his voice now that the deal was sealed. "Please enjoy the party, the rest of us will join you in a moment."

"Yes. Thank you." Robin heard the sound of people leaving, and Lex excused his own guards as Slade sent his generals away.

"Are they gone?" Robin asked as everything became quiet.

"Just me and Lex left." Slade answered and Robin felt a hand return to his hair.

"Then can I open my eyes?"

"No."

Robin snorted and pulled away from the man.

"My-my, what happened to your meek little pet?" Lex chuckled.

"Nothing. Yet." Slade growled, and Robin was slammed back against the sofa painfully.

"What? It's only the traitor here! What does it matter?" Robin snarled, hoping Lex wouldn't take offence.

"Robin..."

Slade's purred out warning told the boy that he was in trouble. Robin let himself be dragged back and hung his head.

"Sorry." he said, not sounding it. "I'm just tired." he added, and this time, it was plainly the truth.

"That's no excuse, pet, but we'll talk about this later. Now, Lex… are you sure you don't want to sign as well?"

Robin's breath hitched. If Slade somehow had found a way to force Lex to sign….

"No, thank you." the man answered. "But I hope you appreciate me bringing Kuai here?"

"Yes, very much so. I might ask more favors of you in the future. Well, then, I will put this away…" Robin heard, and felt, Slade stand up and clearing the table. He had drawn his knees up to his chin and stared sullenly in Luthor's general direction.

"Please tell me he's at least ugly…" Robin muttered, and both Lex and Slade chuckled.

"Well, your Master might not be my type, but he's not bad." Lex laughed.

"What do you know, you're bald…" Robin muttered, in a foul mood.

Lex probably made a face, because Slade chuckled again.

"I'm flattered, Lex" the man said mockingly. "And I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I need to put the helmet back on and go play the host…" Robin heard a rustling and then "Open your eyes, Robin".

As Robin blinked in the unfamiliar light, Luthor whistled quietly between his teeth.

"That contract is truly amazing. Do you think you can find me one?" he asked Slade. Robin looked up to see if the man was joking, but the pale eyes were filled with too much greed for that.

"Sorry, my friend. It doesn't work on aliens." Slade grinned meaningfully.

Lex managed to look deadpanned.

"I have no idea what that was supposed to mean." he said.

"Of course not. Just a random fact." Slade chuckled. "Come, boy, let's be nice to our guests."

Robin shot Lex a glance on his way out, and the man looked back thoughtfully. Robin was quite sure that Lex had gotten the message, but he was far from sure that he would deliver it. He had hoped to be able to tell Luthor about the pregnancy as well, but had failed to come up with a way… he figured 'guess who will be an uncle?' wouldn't work… and 'does your company make maternity clothes..?' Well… No. Something like male pregnancy was so unbelievable, that Robin doubted that he would ever get Lex to understand without saying it straight out. Besides, it didn't much matter… He would make sure this was over before nine months was up.

He pondered the messaged he had gotten across. He believed that the JL already had looked into the origins of the contract, but he wanted to confirm it, wanted to know for himself if there were any chance of a solution there, before having to move on with the next plan.

Robin's jaw dropped as they entered the main room again. It was clear that the wine was flowing, and it seemed to have washed all sense of modesty away. The area with the sofas had turned into virtual snake pits, and there seemed to be quite a lot of experimenting going on. Slade looked pleased.

"I don't think the world has seen a real orgy for too long…" he purred.

"I thought orgies came from ancient Greece, not Rome…" Robin said coldly, trying not to look too closely at, well… anything. He felt Slade give him a look.

"You're a special boy, Robin… I believe that you, like most young people, used the dictionary to look up dirty words… and this you remember?" the man chuckled "Well, the Romans tended to borrow the best from the Greeks."

Robin didn't need orders to stay close to Slade as the evening passed. People didn't seem to notice who or what they groped, and liked to draw passersby's down in the tangle with them. Robin spotted Kuai's and Luthor's respective dates getting to know each other better.

"I know someone who would really enjoy this." Slade commented gleefully.

"I'm not letting him out…" Robin said between clenched teeth. In fact his alter ego had been trying to gain the upper hand for a while now. Robin shivered at the thought.

A man that Robin recognized as one of Luthor's crowd, a big looming type with the build of a bouncer, came up to them. He was a bit drunk, but could still form coherent sentences. Well. Sort of. He grabbed Robin's arm.

"Hey kid… can you take me somewhere private?"

Robin looked up at Slade. It sounded like the man needed to make a phone call.

"That's fine, Robin. Take him to the big conference room. I'm sure you remember it, don't you?" Robin blushed a bit angrily at this, but nodded. "Good. Stay with him." Slade told him. Clearly Slade didn't want people wandering around the tower. Not that Robin would stop him if the man tried. Slade had only informed him to stay with him, after all, not stop him.

"This way, Sir." Robin said and started navigating through the groups of people. As they entered the hallways, the sound of the party dimmed, and Robin sighed in relief.

"It's in here." he said, opening the door. This room had been left untouched, like the rest of the tower, and it looked just as Robin remembered it. The enormous table made him blush again.

"Wow… quite a place Slade got, right?" The man behind him said, taking in the giant screen and polished furniture. He went over to the high chair at the end of the table and inspected it curiously.

"Yes. Quite." Robin said tensely. It was HIS place, damn it!

"So, you're a whore?" the man asked out of the blue.

Robin startled. He couldn't let his act down in front of an unknown man, though.

"I'm Slade's pet." he said tersely.

"I'm just curious, you know…" the man made a vague gesture.

"I see." Robin's voice could have deep-frozen an elephant in seconds.

"My girl-friend's not into anal… stupid bitch…" the man muttered. "And I never done a guy before…" Suddenly the man was too close, trapping Robin against the table, and the boy had a dreadful feeling that there had been some kind of mistake.

"Move away. I'm only Slade's." he tried, and the man laughed.

"Yeah, right… like he would dress you like that in this kind of party and then send you off with me… I asked, you know! Don't be difficult with me now, I warn you… been looking at you all night…"

"I'm. Only. Slade's." Robin repeated calmly. He wasn't too worried. The man was big, but half drunk. He hadn't even grabbed him yet, only leaned over him with his arms on either side. This could be over in a kick. Literally.

"Naaah… you're a whore… Whores do it with everybody… that's like the defen… defef… like what they are. You sound like you think you are his wife or something…" the man leaned over him even more. Robin pushed him away calmly.

"As I said, it-"

The man changed in a flash. From rather harmless to a raging maniac in a blink of an eye. As his fist connected with Robin's face, a stray thought flew through the boy's mind. Steroids. The man was on steroids. And drunk. That meant lethal. The force of the blow sent Robin sprawling on top of the table, but he rolled with the punch and tried to draw his feet up for a kick. The man already got a good grip on Robin's toga, though, and lifted him up just to slam him back down on the table again with full force.

"I said don't be difficult, kid!" the man roared. "The fucking fancy bitches out there, playing hard to get…. no fucking whore's gonna turn me down!"

All the air had been pressed out of Robin's lungs and he gasped for air as the crazy man lifted him again. Once more he was slammed into the table, on his front this time, and the edge of the table hit him right in the stomach. The little air he had been able to catch was lost to him again. He felt his short toga being lifted and the man's body pressing against him roughly.

No-no-no-no-no-no!

Some time later Slade saw his young pet disappear into the corridor that led to the bedroom, and frowned. What did Robin think he was doing? Slade had had quiet enough insolence for tonight, and followed him.

Slade threw open the door with a bang, and Robin, who was on his way into the bathroom, spun around with a gasp at the sound.

"Sneaking away, again, Robin?" Slade's voice was a low, dangerous growl.

"N-no… I…"

"Enough. Bend over against the bed."

"No, Slade, please, let me-"

"Quiet." Slade smirked as he saw the boy's mouth move uselessly. He then reached under the bed and withdrew a long, thin bamboo stick, similar to Kuai's, but longer and much more flexible. Robin, who kept looking over his shoulder and shaking his head, paled.

"Chang advised me not to harm you, since Raven needs her powers now and does not need them drained to heal you… but this… will mostly just hurt…" with that he let the first strike hit, and saw Robin's body convulse. The order made the boy's screams silent, only hisses and gasps could be heard, but Slade enjoyed them anyway, as they were plain on his face.

"You have annoyed me enough these last days, and talking back with Lex in the room and then trying to sneak away from the party... I can't tolerate that, Robin. You. Really. Need. To. Learn. Your. Place!" Every word was accompanied by a strike. Robin was crying by now, and Slade was a bit surprised at how much emotion he could coax out of the stubborn boy.

It took 20 lashes for Slade to see the bruises. Fresh angry red marks that he was sure that he hadn't made. And the side of Robin's face was swollen as well. As he paused to inspect them, he noticed a small smudge of blood on the boy's leg.

"Tell me what happened. Now."

As Robin's vocal cords were released, only a low wail could be heard at first.

"Now, boy! Or you'll get another twenty!"

"H-he… just … he went mad… I…" Robin gasped for breath and let out a torrent of jumbled words. "He… said… I was a whore and he had never… a guy… and … he wanted… I told him no! I did! I said… I said I was yours, but he… he didn't' care… and… insane…and… he hit me… I … couldn't breathe and… and… just wanted to clean off..."

"Who was it? That man who asked for somewhere private?" Slade's voice was distant and cold.

"Y-yes… you… you said yes… he…"

"Not to that. He will be punished."

"No… no you can't…" Robin looked even more scared now.

"Don't be an idiot, I will kill him for this." Slade growled.

"I already did."

To be continued…

A/N: Heh… got you somewhat of a cliffie there… I love those… couldn't do them during trial-week, but now they are back! I'm well on the way on the next chapter… Just wanted to say that if anyone had a stroke… not that it was unexpected, huh? I TRIED, but you probably knew… sigh… I want dumber readers! –grin- No, I don't… really… just... sometimes...

Moving starts Friday! Hopefully I can post one more chapter before I move completely, at least I plan to… and THEN there might be a gap, depending on my internet-company… So, since I'll need the energy… please review? Or come by and help me carry the books. I won't pay for plane-tickets, but can offer you a mattress on the floor… ;o)