Whoa. I'm kinda in a "fan-geek" mood here, though for good reason: Thursday was the CSI finale. It was SO suspenseful, I was screaming at the TV as well as panicking. Great episode. Then, on Friday, my friend was having this sleepover/birthday party thing, and we went to go see Star Wars 3, Revenge of the Sith. I left the theater in this daze. It was an incredibly powerful movie, and, in my opinion, the best one of the newer trilogy. I was gnawing on my candy box even before the film started, I was spazzing so badly. I was glued to the screen for the entire movie…Uh…heh heh…I loved the movie so much that I saw it again on Sunday with my family. See? Told you I was a geek. Ah well, enough about me.

Anzu: Go shoot yourself, old "buddy."

Kazzy103: Very perceptive! That's exactly the point though-Slade is playing on Robin's duty and love for his friends in order to make him feel guilty and bring him down. And it'll get worse too… I'm so evil…

Insanity 101: (Wicked grin.) Yes. Make Robin suffer! I see your point though…I think so many people torture their characters because we're all morbid weirdoes that put them through a living hell because the producers can't go that extreme on the show. Ah, well.

Alexnandru: Another threat? Castrate? Oy. I feel bad for you, though. 'Course, there are a lot of climaxes in your stories…

Remix17: Chapter 8-Wow. Oh my gosh, thank you so much. That's probably the highest compliment I've gotten so far. Again, thank you. Chapter 9-Heh heh heh…Slade's such a fun part to write, no? Bad guys like him rock. As for Holocaust: definite problem for Slade, but I wouldn't be too sure…

Azarathangel: I thought you'd like that. Story about them is in the works at the moment…Gimme some time…

Jewel-Gurl73: LOL, no, this is definitely not one of the Titans' better days. (Smiles serenely.) Lucky me, I have the pleasure of putting them through all this angsty misery.

Pickles12: A lot of people are joining up with you, eh? Well then: Spider Monkey-No…Slade can't kill Robin…not yet anyway…BTW, that was my favorite line too. I've always wanted to have Robin to spit in Slade's face, or at least on his shoe. Hope you keep reading this story! Spud-Yo. I'm glad that you're still reading this. As for Cyborg…well, guess you're just going to have to find out! Pickles-Hope you like this next chapter! And, yes! You agree with me too!

Well…on with the show!

Chapter Ten: Partners

Raven-

"We can't stay here."

Raven raised her head from where it lay resting in her hands to stare blearily at Robin. He was standing at the end of Starfire's bed, the air of grim determination about him.

"What?"

"We can't stay in Jump anymore. We have to leave. Now."

"Why?"

"Because if we don't, that guy will just keep coming back until you're all dead. I can't let that happen."

Raven said nothing, making Robin sigh for what seemed like the thousandth time that day.

"Look, Rae; I know you're mad at me. But I need you to trust me when I say-"

"Trust?" Raven interrupted quietly. "Since when do you know anything about trust? Nothing like that exists within our team anymore!"

"I KNOW THAT!" Robin roared, his tone making her blink.

"I-I'm sorry, Rae…but I just know that this guy is working with Slade. I know I don't have any proof, but I've got this feeling in my gut…I hate running away in fear; it's a sign of fear and weakness, and if not for the situation at hand, I would be the first one to say no…but I don't know what's going to happen; two of our friends are already hurt. I'm not going to allow him the chance to do the same to you and Beast Boy."

"But-" Raven's voice faltered, though she forced herself to steady it. "-But…our home's here, our duty's here, our lives are here. Where are we going to go?"

"Gotham," was his immediate answer, which told her that he had been thinking about this for awhile now. "Batman's there. He can help us, I know he will."

"What about Beast Boy?" She asked, indicating her head towards the changeling's sleeping form.

"He'll just have to wake up."

"Starfire? Cyborg?--we haven't even seen him yet! We can't leave them behind. What if that guy comes back to finish his job?"

"We can move them to a hospital in Gotham. Batman's rich--he can arrange it."

"You sound so sure that he'll help…"

"He will. I'm the only one he's got, besides Alfred."

Raven struggled to find another argument. Though she could clearly see the logic behind his plan, she didn't want to leave Jump. Not just yet…

Unfortunately, her mind was so tired, it wasn't all that eager to comply. Finally:

"One thing."

"What?"

She attempted to grumble, while hiding the shaky smile threatening to cross her face.

"How are we going to get there?"

Robin grinned.

Slade-

"You're late."

Slade could feel the man's surprise as he froze in place behind him; he had been attempting to sneak in, but apparently nothing could get by Slade…which was true, actually. Slade's senses had been maximized to razor sharp, and even the slightest step echoed in his ears, as though it were thunder. Holocaust, though he was clever, hadn't been notified about this bit of information.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"You smell like alcohol and smoke from the fire."

Holocaust blinked with surprise, but didn't question Slade further, instead choosing strode forward to stand beside him.

Wise decision. Slade didn't allow people to question him. That was his job.

"So…Do we have a deal?" The other man asked, a little too eagerly.

Slade paused. Holocaust was much too confident for his taste; that could prove to be his downfall farther along the road…On the other hand, Slade was relying on Holocaust's arrogance and skills to put together his ultimate plan…

"We do indeed," Slade said. Holocaust's eyes glowed orange to show his approval, before he reached out a hand to shake. Slade gave a look that would make ordinary men shoot themselves in the head for even suggesting such a thing. As it was, Holocaust merely blinked, before turning back to the screen.

"What do we have here?"

Slade tried his hardest not to sneer at the word, "we." Though his mask concealed his face, he had a feeling that Holocaust was a bit more perceptive than others he had dealt with before.

"These are the outlines for my plans. I would take a good look if I were you; they'll be destroyed soon."

Holocaust leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

"What is that…?"

"The ideal weapon that I'm hoping to use on the miserable place."

"But that's a-"

"I know."

Slade's partner tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"You'd need a lot of power to fuel something like that…unless you only want to attack one section of the city…personally, I'd just use it to blow the entire city to kingdom come."

"That's where you come in; in order to unleash it's full potential, I'll…require a few things…"

Holocaust was quiet. He didn't like the thought of being Slade's little "servant,"… but Slade could see the blood-lust in the demonic glow of his eyes as he envisioned the masses of people, dead or barely alive, covering the streets.

"Just tell me what to do."

Batman-

"Sir?"

Bruce Wayne jerked out of the light slumber he had fallen into, lifting his head from his desk to see his butler, Alfred, waiting before him.

"Yes, Alfred? What is it?"

Interestingly enough, it seemed that Alfred's normally placid face appeared to be withholding a smile. Curious and slightly irritated, Bruce repeated with a slight edge:

"What is it?"

"Well, you see, sir, there is a small group of children in the front hall, asking to see you."

Bruce raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"They did not say, sir. They did, however, require to speak with you about something."

That was all Alfred would say, no matter how many questions Bruce asked him. All he knew was that there were a couple of teens asking to talk. Normally, Bruce wouldn't have even bothered telling them to go away himself. But from the way Alfred's eyes were crinkled in an invisible smile, Bruce couldn't resist the stab of temptation.

"Very well," He grumbled. "Take me to them-but if they're selling something, I'll-"

"Trust me, sir. They are not."

As Alfred led the way downstairs, Bruce massaged his temples, attempting to ease the headache that had slowly grown on him the entire day…it was probably from lack of sleep. He spent so much time chasing after psychos and criminals, that he barely had time to rest once in awhile…

The two of them halted at the top of the stairs, and Bruce nearly jumped with surprise. Three teens stood at the bottom, gazing up at him; two of them he recognized from the Teen Titans-the changeling kid, Beast Boy, and the Goth girl, whatsername? The third, though, he knew all too well.

Robin grinned nervously up at his father and mentor.

"Hi, Bruce: Long time no see, eh?"

To be Continued…

Sorry if it was short. It's more of a chapter that sets the stage for what comes next, you know what I mean? Uh, did I portray Batman right? When I have the time, I watch Justice League a lot, and, though he's a personal favorite, did I write him, err, right? Just want to know…Please review, and-Oh! Before I forget: Do any of you guys know some really good, scary movies? If you think of some, please write them in your review, or email me. Much appreciated.

Over and Out:

Rebel-Aquarius