Hello. Ah—yes, well…I honestly haven't got anything to say. So:

Azarathangel: 'Sup? BTW: Thanks—for the compliment, and the movie suggestions. (Sniff, sniff!) You were the only one who told me about good scary movies! Ah, well. Thanks again.

Kazzy103: Wow. Thanks so much! I'm really happy that you like this, and I'm thrilled that you've stuck with me and all my useless babbling for so long. Somebody give this girl an award! (Uh…or guy…heh, heh…) As for Slade's plan…(Rubs hands together evilly.) It is evil! I guarantee, it'll be a jaw-dropper…I hope.

Alexnandru: Well, I could have ended it worse. And if you think this is a bit of a cliffy, wait till you see what I have next! Ha! Well: I'm glad you like Hc. I enjoy villains like him, with an attitude, but pretty darn evil when they want to be. As for Slade, I couldn't help it. I wanted to add in some humor, so I wrote that whole section with their conversation just to see if anyone would like it…which apparently, you did. Hurrah! Now, as for Bruce and Robin? We-e-ell…just read and find out.

Asilla: …C4D, right? I was wondering where you went! I'm glad you're back, and I'm glad you're laughing…though I'm afraid my next few chapters shall most likely end your fits of giggling. Sorry. But who knows? Maybe when I'm done with this fic—or if I decide to take a break—I could write a humor story or two. I've always loved comedy.

Remix17: Thanks. Every time I write about Slade in this story, I'm always worried that I'm letting the readers down, with them having their expectations of Slade and all…he is the big, main bad guy though…hm. And yes—"whatsername." Ha, ha, ha.

Jewel-Gurl73: Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week…or all month…or all year, but I don't think it'll take me that long to finish this story up. Well: Slade's plan is almost ready, aside for a few little things he must do…and Batman? He…um…how do I put this? He will help, but…err…just read. Please. I don't know how to explain it without giving away a lot of stuff. Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter Eleven: Runaways

Robin-

Bruce looked shocked—that could be a warning sign. On the other hand, he didn't look angry. That was slightly better…maybe…you could never be too sure with the Dark Knight. He was too unpredictable.

"Ri-err-Robin? What are you doing here?"

To the side, he felt Raven and Beast Boy shoot him a curious look; they allowed him to continue though.

Robin cleared his throat and tried to speak, but suddenly found that his voice seemed to have glued itself to his windpipe.

"I—uh—"

Now that he had finally gotten here, the realization of what he had done hit him suddenly, like a lightening bolt from the heavens. What the heck had he been thinking? Was he insane? Probably.

He'd convinced his friends to come here all the way back in Jump; he'd even managed to talk himself into traveling to Gotham…mostly. There had always been a tiny seed of doubt implanted in his brain. And now he knew why: He hadn't seen Bruce in years, except over the occasional computer screen, and even then all their discussions had transformed into arguments.

Robin had always insisted that he could "take care of himself," and how, "Bruce didn't trust his capability as a leader." And now here he was, doing what he'd swore he'd never do when he first left this city. He felt like such an idiot…

"Well?"

Robin chewed his lower lip; the Bat saw it, having often taken the time to notice smaller details. Richard—or Robin as he preferred to be known now—was thinking hard about something. What? The kid never failed to drive him nuts in the past, and it was no different now. Why couldn't he just say what was on his mind?

Batman knew the answer though: Ever since his parents' deaths, Robin pretty much never opened up his emotions to anyone, preferring to brood about them by himself in the dark for hours at a time. Bruce knew the feeling, only too well.

"Can we talk?" His ward asked after several moments of silence, and Bruce couldn't fail to detect the hint of pleading in the boy's voice. He hadn't heard that tone since Richard was eight, and begging to stay up just an hour later than usual.

The man nodded and, turning to face his butler, said briskly:

"Alfred? Could you show these other two teenagers to a room; I'm sure they're very tired."

Beast Boy opened his mouth to whine, but Raven ground her heel into his toes, and he immediately closed it.

As his friends followed Alfred towards the eastern wing of the house, Robin shot Raven a quick, mental, "Thank you."

Whether she caught it or not, he wasn't sure.

Batman-

Bruce Wayne waited until the Goth girl in the blue cloak closed the door behind her, before he directed his stern gaze on the teenager that stood before him. Robin wouldn't meet his stare, continuing to examine the floor as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. The Bat wasn't so easily fooled, though—he noticed the slight, red glow about Robin's ears.

"This is a surprise," The Knight said, interrupting the long, awkward silence that had continually growing between the two of them. Robin gave him a brief glance and a feeble smile:

"Surprise; Right," He grumbled weakly. He switched his mask eyes back onto the marble floor. Bruce was not amused. This conversation was going nowhere, and from the way that his son was acting, he couldn't help but be worried.

"You want to tell me why you came? I know it wasn't just for a chat with dear old dad, right?"

Robin laughed, but it sounded forced. Bruce sighed and gently placed a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Hey…Look at me," he said, voice quiet with parental concern. Robin bit his lip again, and pulled away from his mentor's grip, quietly walking over to the smoothly polished banister that led up the stairs.

"I remember that one of my favorite things to do here was slide down this," He whispered, a sad expression replacing his normal, serious look. Bruce watched, keeping all questions and comments for later. Robin turned to face him, one hand still holding onto the railing, as though he might collapse if he let go.

"We don't talk a lot, do we?"

Batman, brilliant detective as he was, hadn't been able to figure it out. Until now: Robin was ashamed; despite his gruff comments and complaints about how he wasn't trusted enough, was admitting—though not verbally, he was too proud for that—that something had come up that he couldn't handle.

"Richard?"

Robin's lower lip was starting to bleed from him chewing on it so much.

"I-I-I feel so stupid," he murmured, turning his head away, even though Bruce could see the tears.

"I thought I could control it, but I was a bonehead…because of me, there are…all these problems back in Jump. I'm supposed to…protect the city, but I let them all down. I was…so selfish…"

He dragged a hand across his face, trying to wipe away the teardrops, snorting with disgust.

"I shouldn't be crying. I deserve this—but I'm not feeling sorry for myself!" He blurted quickly, as though he were afraid that Bruce doubted his honor. "I feel sorry for all those people who are hurt! And I couldn't save them, and I—"

Bruce crossed over to him, wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders.

"It's okay, Richard…it's okay…"

Beast Boy-

"I hope you are pleased with your accommodations?" The man called Alfred asked politely. Not that Beast Boy could answer as he stared with huge eyes at the room's interior. It was a wide, spacious room with a high ceiling and carefully hand-carved furniture placed about it neatly. A huge window with dark, swaying curtains, and those cool, tassel-thingys hanging off the end.

"Whoa! Dude, it's totally awesome! Thanks!"

Raven, who remained outside, hovering just behind Alfred's shoulder, rolled her eyes. The butler blinked in an unfazed way, before inclining his head in a subservient way and saying in his British voice:

"Very good, sir. If you will please excuse me, I shall now be showing the young lady to her quarters."

"Yeah-huh, sure—Does this place get cable?"

The door shut in his eager face. Not that it bothered him. Beast Boy shrugged and kicked off his shoes before he collapsed with over-exaggerated exhaustion on the bed. Silk sheets, and the mattress was nice and poofy.

"Ah!" He sighed and rested his head against one of the pillows. "Now this is the life!"

Raven-

The demoness peered inside her room, impressed, as she took in the Gothic style of the bed and windows. The walls were painted midnight blue, and a bookshelf stood in the corner, tightly crammed with heavy volumes.

"Does this suit you, madam?"

Raven nodded courteously at the elderly man, but he was already walking away, saying over his shoulder:

"Please, rest while you can. When you and the gentleman awaken, I am sure there is much that Master Bruce will want to converse, what with the sudden arrival of Master Dick."

"What? Who's Master D-"

He was gone.

Raven shook her head and shut the door, turning to survey her room once more. She couldn't help conceal a smirk, as she thought of Alfred's words. Beast Boy? Gentleman? Sure.

The girl drifted listlessly, pausing a few times to inspect the spidery writing on the bindings of some books.

The curtains had been pulled back, giving her a perfect view of the sunrise, as the familiar golden light stretched its thin fingers across the city. Raven frowned and stared through the panes of clear glass at the oncoming sky. She remembered reading about signs like this in a book a long time ago…

Red sun rises, crimson skies: Blood had been spilled that night.

To be Continued…

It's an interesting ending, no? But it's true; that's what some people believe. It's superstition, a bit, but Raven's character is all about the darkness, right?

I would like to make one thing clear:

The scene between Robin and Batman? Please don't flame me for being all "overly sappy." Trust me when I say this: It doesn't last. There's a perfectly good reason why this fic is under the category of Angst. The ending of the chapter's kind of ominous, though, right? Hahaha! Wait till you see what happens next chapter! Ha…you'll all kill me… At least it'll be long. That should please you…

Over and Out:

Rebel-Aquarius