Robin stumbled off to bed. It was 3:00 AM. They had partied late. He set his mask on his bedside table and drifted off to sleep. He dreamed of Starfire all night long. (Statistically, it was morning, but w/e) He awoke to Beast Boy thundering in. He glanced at the clock. 12:00 PM. Acceptable, thought Robin. Beast Boy leapt onto his bed in the form of a dog.

"Ahhh! Stop!" Beast Boy was trying to lick Robin's face. "Alright! I'm up!" He caught his reflection in the mirror. He had forgotten to put on his mask.

"Shoot!" He met Beast Boy's startled eyes in the mirror. "Don't tell a soul," Robin said in a tone so hostile it could've frozen the sun. His tone matched his penetrating stare. He slipped on his mask and ushered Beast Boy out the door.

"How could I have been so careless?" Robin said to himself. "I forgot to lock my door last night. It was late, and I forgot. Dang!"

Robin dressed and headed to the dining area. "What's for lunch?" he asked. "Hey, Rob!" Cyborg said. "Long time, no see!" "Very funny." "We are having pizza, friend Robin!" said Starfire cheerfully. "Works for me," said Robin.

They all sat down to eat. Beast Boy looked uneasy. "What's wrong, BB?" Cyborg asked. "Nothing," Beast Boy said hastily. He glanced at Robin for a split second. Raven looked back and forth at the two boys. "Do you two have something you need to work out?" she asked in her usual monotone. "It's been worked out," said Robin. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to." Robin excused himself and left the room. "I, uh, think I'll step outside and get some air," said Beast Boy. He hurried from the dining area.

Once outside, Beast Boy shuddered. Robin's eyes were disturbing. Something in those eyes scared him. He couldn't place it. "I guess that's why he hides them," he said to himself. "They creep people out."

Back in his room, Robin removed his mask and studied his reflection. He couldn't quite understand why people got scared of him when they saw his eyes. Maybe it was because he glared at anyone who saw his face.

That would do it, thought Robin. He studied himself intently. He had ebony hair, good muscles, and his eyes... well, his eyes weren't unnatural. OK, so maybe they did look a little creepy. A scar accented his stern silver eyes. If he glared enough, a sort of spark would appear in his them, penetrating to the very soul of the one whose eyes met his. He decided he should talk to Beast Boy. He's probably scared to death, the poor guy, thought Robin. He replaced his mask and left his room.

Beast Boy heard Robin coming long before he saw him. He tried to hide, but Robin called out to him. "Beast Boy, I just want to talk." Robin walked over to Beast Boy.

"Just what do you find scary about me?"

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. Why are you afraid of me?"

"Your eyes..."

"What about them?" Robin snapped. Beast Boy cringed. "I'm sorry," Robin's tone softened. "I'm not mad at you. I just want to know."

"They just creep me out. The way you stare at me... it scares me, Robin."

"I see. You don't think they're... unnatural... do you?"

"I dunno, Robin."

"I want an answer. Give me a straight yes or a straight no."

"First let's hear you promise you won't kill me."

"Beast Boy, I promise I won't kill you."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I've never seen eyes like yours before. Maybe if you wouldn't glare at people that way..."

"Does that make them unnatural?"

"Not unnatural, really. More like unique."

"Thanks, Beast Boy."

Robin left Beast Boy alone. There were some things he needed to think out.

Robin was back in his room, thinking and watching his eyes. There were things about hem he hadn't noticed before because of his mask. They changed color slightly, every now and then. They went from ice blue to cold silver and back again. He noticed they had been bluer lately. He was so intent on watching his reflection that he didn't hear the knock on his door. As it creaked open, he shut his eyes instinctively. He sensed someone's presence.

"Robin?"

"Yes, Starfire?"

"Why do you hide things from us?"

"It brings back too many memories I'd rather forget."

"Is that why you hide your eyes, Robin?"

"Yes, Starfire."

"Is that the only reason?"

"No. I hide my eyes so I can hide my feelings."

"Why do you wish to hide your feelings?"

"I'm afraid that if the others saw what I feel, they'd lose their respect for me."

"Oh."

"Is that... all you came for?" he asked hesitantly. Starfire, too, hesitated. "Yes," she said finally. "I will leave you now." She left the room, leaving Robin alone once again. He opened his eyes after she had gone. "One day," he said to himself. "One day I will show all of them."

A few weeks later, Robin had hatched a plan. (Ha ha, get it? A robin is a bird, so he hatched the plan. Aren't I just a riot?) A plan that no one but him (and Batman, of course) would know about. He smiled uneasily, for what he was about to do was not only dangerous, but it meant lying to his friends. He dreaded it, yet he looked forward to it. He had wanted to keep his secret forever, but he reminded himself that all good things must come to an end. "Four more weeks," he murmured. "Then I will show them the truth."

Those four weeks flew by. Robin went to bed early the night before and awoke just after midnight. He packed into a suitcase all of his belongings and dressed in his new outfit: black boots, pants, and shirt. He put a clip-on ring on his lip to make it look pierced, and gelled his hair in a Goth-like style. He put a silver chain around his neck and looked in the mirror.

He hardly recognized himself without his mask. He looked like a typical Goth kid. And now for the final touch, thought Robin. He slipped into a leather jacket. Perfect.

He took his belongings and left for the place he would be staying: Batman's place, of course. He had been planning for nearly a month, so Batman knew of his scheme. If the Titans looked for him there, Batman would send them in the right direction. Robin smiled as he slipped on a black helmet with a black visor. He hopped onto the R-cycle, which he had painted black for the occasion.

He silently left the tower and headed for his destination. I hope this is the right thing to do, thought Robin. He felt like the other Titans no longer accepted him. He wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was because he was so secretive with them. But that was about to change. By the end of the week, they would at least have a clue as to who he was. Robin smiled at the thought. He could finally open up to Starfire. He could tell the other Titans about his life, once he knew they really cared. If they come looking for me, then I'll know for sure, thought Robin. He continued his silent journey through the night.