Chapter 3. Let me get my disclaimer out of the way - I own nothing to do with DC or anything else I don't own.
OK...Here it is, Chapter 3. A few Warning's. This Chapter is sad and Dark. The language is more explicit and there is a limish/lemonish scene...So just a forwarning.
So far this has been my favortite chapter to write. For those of you who are reading this, I thank you. Again a special Thanks goes out to 'The Gnostic' I used a couple of his ideas in this chapter and also in last chapter. (by the way his Fan Fic on the TEEN TITANS is far superior to my own fic, so check his out http/ Ok so please read and enjoy.
Again Robin found himself atop the roof of Goth-Corp. The hour was fast approaching 4am. Catwoman was running late. " I knew I shouldn't have come here."
There was a slight rustle in the wind. Robin looked to his left...nothing. He snapped to the right...nothing. " All right Catwoman, come out. I know you're here."
A set of Black hands reached under Robins armpits and reached back to grab his shoulders. Catwoman slid one finger down his chest and to his side. She placed her cheek behind his ear. Robin didn't flinch. He just stood there waiting until she was done her fun.
"Loosen up a but...Christ even Batman enjoys my company from time to time. You would think you would to."
Robin turned to face her. "Yea, well I'm not Batman."
Her eyes traveled down to Robins waist area. "Well I can certainly see that."
"Enough, I told you no games. You said you know something. So I'm here, now tell me what you got or get the fuck out of here."
"Tisk tisk Robbie, that's no way to talk to a lady. Besides I do like a little foreplay first. We'll get there soon enough. Come on, we'll do role reversal, the birdy will chase the pussy...follow me."
Catwoman leaped off the building and onto the next. "Come on Robbie come get some pussy."
Robin stood there shaking his head in amazement. " How does Batman put up with this!"
x x x x
"The Theatre District? What are you going to take me to a show?"
Catwoman leaned on Robin's shoulder and looked up at him. "No, of course not. I thought you were the brains here. The Cabaret!"
"Uh, ok...A comedy Cabaret and a tech-corporation, yep...now I get it."
Catwoman definitely got the hint of sarcasm. "Smartass it's not the Cabaret but who's inside the Cabaret."
Robin looked at her. " Well Who's inside then?"
"Lets just say it's someone you'll be quiet interested in meeting..." She paused on purposed to make sure she caught the expression and added "again."
Robin was now more agitated by these games she played. "Again? What's that suppose to mean, who is this person?"
His question was left unanswered. Catwoman was all ready making her way off the roof top. She waved her hand goodbye as she leaped from the building. Robin decided she wasn't worth pursuing. He now had to investigate his new lead.
x x x x
The lights had long been shut off. The stale cigarette smell still carried in the air. The stage was empty, with the exception of a lone microphone stand. Many round tables sat in front of the stage covered with white and purple table cloths. Robin stood at the back of the cabaret, taking in his surroundings.
"This place looks empty. This is just a huge waste of time. I can't believe I'm trusting that crazy bitch."
Just as Robin finished that last sentence, two drunk voices were heard arguing behind the bar, that was to the far right of where Robin was standing.
"Come on, just grabba case, so we can get back down stairs" The first scruffy drunk voice slurred.
"Patience my drunk friend, I just can't decide on what crate to bring. Should we go with the imports?" A less slurred but still obviously drunk voice asked.
Robin immediately took this opportunity to further investigate. He waited for the drunks to take their alcohol back to where it was they were going. Thankfully it didn't take long , the two drunk finally decided on an alcohol and headed towards the back of the stage. Where they descended down a dark flight of stairs. Robin stood at the top of the stairs. He listened for any other voices. Everything seemed clear. He made his way down the stairs. It appeared to be a dark hallway at the bottom. Robin could not vaguely hear the drunk voices up ahead. He made his way to the voices. His trek lead him outside an open door. More than just the drunk voices were now talking. Robin put his back to the wall and turned towards the door to listen in.
"Ah, you two drunks have finally returned. Harley my dear, pour me a another glass."
"Right away Mr. J."
Robin slowly slid down the wall and dropped his head between his knees.
-It's him...Why now-
Robins struggle with his fear and self doubt was now raging in his mind.
-No...I am here now. This is where I should be...right? God why am I thinking this-
"So boss why are we celebrating again? I mean I seem to remember those two dweebs you hired failed." The scruffy drunk voice managed to ask before downing a the rest of his mug.
"Yes, but on the one hand their failure at least shows us that it works! We are celebrating because Plan A has now been implemented and is a success." Joker Stood up from his chair and raised his mug." And Plan B...Well its temporarily postponed. Drink up, we have a lot to do tomorrow." The Joker gulped down his drink and let out one of his famous laughs.
-I have to do to something. I can't sit here...can I? No...No...I can do this. I have to do this.-
Robin was back on his feet. He knew he had to make a move. He could stop the Joker now before any further harm was caused to anyone. Robin now heard footsteps coming to the door.
-This is it Robin, ready...ready...-
The door suddenly slammed shut. They weren't coming for Robin, they were locking up.
-Damnit! Why am I doing nothing...Why am I doing nothing? I can't do this...-
With his fear and self doubt now winning the battle, Robin resigned to walk out of the Cabaret.
x x x x
Alfred knocked even harder. "Master Dick, it's almost noon, you have been in there for almost two days. I beg you sir, please come down. I made lunch."
Many moments passed...
Dicks head slowly popped out of his half open door. "Right Al, be down in a few" It was apparent by the grogginess in his voice that those were his first words he spoke in a over a day and that he wasn't quite awake. Dick shut his door and made his way to his bathroom. In only his black boxer briefs he stood facing the mirror above the sink. Leaning on both hands, he stared into the mirror.
-Look at yourself Dick, you look like SHIT-
The scruffy look was definatly something Dick never sported before. He looked down at his razor...
-Err..FUCK shaving, don't feel like it-
Robin splashed some cold water on his face, too lazy to get a shower. He threw on a pair of cargo khaki's and a shirt. He made his way down the stairs and grabbed a piece toast left by Alfred on the kitchen table.
"Later Alfred" Dick Continued out the door.
"But Master Dick...I..." Alfred stood in the entrance of the kitchen. "I do hope you figure out what ever it that is eating away at you." That last part Alfred said more to himself.
x x x x
Barbara was late heading to class, she entered the school hall and made a b-line for her classroom. She would have been successful if it not for a pathetic soul she glimpsed out of the corner of her eye. It was him, she quickly realized. Well a scruffy, paler and more sickly version of him.
"Richard? Is that you? What...What's going on?" She ask that more of concern than just polite conversation.
Dick looked up, there she was. She was standing in front of him. Her bright green eyes staring down at him. How he wished things were different. His head now sunk back down.
"Richard, oh my God. What happened to you?" Barbara took a seat next to him and placed her arm around him and leaned in close. "Richard talk to me." Still a long silence encored. "You know I'm here for you."
Dick struggled to lift his eyes to meet hers. He knew the pain that swam in his eyes was clearly visible to her. "Babs..."
"Richard what...what is it?"
Still barely managing to keep his head up he managed to whisper out "I'm an ass"
She couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Knowing that's exactly what she thought of him recently. "I know that Richard"
His hand now slid onto her knee. "I can't do it anymore."
The expression on Barbara's face quickly changed to concern. "What are you saying...you can't do us anymore? Is that it?"
"No No...look can we just get out of here?"
The recent memories of rejection seemed to all fade away when she saw how desperately he needed her now. "Yea, of course, lets go to my place. Its quiet there, we can talk some more. Besides I haven't yet threw out any of your stuff. You can maybe shower and shave."
x x x x
Her dorm was like any other dorm. The bed sat in the middle of the room with a nightstand next to it. Many clothes lay scattered and thrown around. Her computer desk sat in the corner next to her T.V. stand and of course a tiny refrigerator sat on the other side of room full of select beverages. Infact the only you could say was special is the fact that she had a single room and did not have to share anything with a roommate.
Robin found himself now in front of Barbara's bathroom mirror wrapped in a towel he used to dry himself from his shower. He was just finished shaving the last bit of scruff on his neck.
Barbara stood in the doorway of the bathroom and she was staring her man up and down. As much as she hated what he did, she missed him. She felt safe with him here. She knew he had to be cheered up. "Hey Dick think fast!" Barbara quickly grabbed the towel that hung from his waist and emphasized the word DICK, giving it a double meaning.
"Hey that's not fair, how are ya going to leave me like this and you are still dressed?" Robin had managed to temporality forget his fears, his doubts.
"Well big boy why not do something about it then?" Barbara now stood by the side of bed, which was not far from the bathroom. Dick came running out and grabbed her sides and tossed her onto the bed.
"Oh you're in trouble now'" Dick now had her pinned down by sitting on top of her. He began to unbutton her blouse. He reached down to her neck and began gently laying kisses on her inner neck and made his way down to her chest. By this time he managed to get her blouse completely off. He now had the undaunting task of removing her red satin bra. He continued to run his tongue around the tops of her breasts and make his way from one side to the other. His hand reached behind her back and he managed to pull off the ultimate cool guy move, he undid her bra with one hand. He slowly pulled the strap's off from her shoulders, it was now completely removed. He moved his lips to her left breast, he slid his tongue in small circles around her very aroused nipple. While doing this he reached his hand down to unbutton her jeans. Barbara by this point could not stand the build up, she decided to help Dick with her jeans and they were soon off as well. The heavy make out session continued for many more minutes.
Barbara whispered into Dicks ear "Richard I want you so bad...hhmmm take me"
Dick didn't need to be told twice "Their still in your night stand right?"
"Of course, hurry up and get one.. I need you." She was now sprawled out entangled in her sheets.
Dick stretched across her and pull the draw out in the nightstand. He was about to grab a jimmy thing but something caught his eye. "Hey Babs, what's that?"
"What's what Richard?" She was still laying with her eyes closed squirming in the sheets waiting to be with the man she loved.
Dick got up from the bed and walked to the corner of the room. He picked up a Gotham University Letterman Jacket. "What's this?" He asked again as he threw it on her.
Barbara was startled, she opened her eyes and glanced at the jacket laying across her naked body. Her eyes started to water. She looked at Dick. She didn't know what to say.
"It has the number eight on it Babs, that's Cole Hammond's number. Why is his jacket in your dorm room?"
She was now sitting up, she tossed the jacket off the bed. "Look its not what you think."
"It's not...? So then why is Cole Hammonds Jacket in your dorm. He just decided to stop by and ask you to watch it for him?" Dick was now walking over to put his clothes back on.
"No, I mean it's not...It didn't mean anything. I was pissed off, I was lonely, I was hurt. You left me remember?" Barbara was trying to regain some composure and remind herself that she was the victim here.
"No Babs I didn't leave you, you gave me an ultimatum. I had to leave at that moment, but I had no intentions of finding the next girl I saw and fucking her."
"Well, I didn't just meet Cole..--"
"Oh fucking great, so how long have you and the quarterback been fucking? Was this happening while we were going out?" Dick was now fully clothed.
"No Richard, I told you its not like that. You know you haven't always been there for me..."
"Oh so blame this on me, that's right. Throw the blame on me. I made you fuck him. I put a fucking gun to your head and demanded you fuck him...Fuck!" Dick seemed more aggravated now then angry. "Well I'm outta here."
"Wait Richard...don't go. I'm sorry. He means nothing to me. It was a huge mistake. Something I regret...please let me make it up to you."
"Make it up to me by fucking me? No thanks I don't do sloppy seconds."
"Richard you know I would never mean to hurt you. I would never hurt you..."
"Yea that's right you won't, I'm outta of here. I'll leave you to fuck the rest of the football team." Dick stormed out of her dorm, slamming the door behind him.
x x x x
He looked around...from up here it all seemed so peaceful. The top of the Wayne Enterprises building was the only place Dick could think of to just get away from it all. Many Wayne employee's snickered and whispered as they watched the adopted son of their employer walk up the stairs to the top of the building.
He stood on the edge of the roof, his toes hanging slightly off the edge. He looked all around him. How it all seem so easy up here, so content. No worries about anything. The traffic below was barely seen.
-Where am I Bruce? I mean how did I get here? You chose me to succeed you one day. How am I to do that when I can't handle my own life right now. I need your confidence. I need your advise. I've gone and fucked everything up. I had a chance to get The Joker. To get him before he hatched one of his horrible evil schemes. I had a chance to stop evil and I did not. I froze. I walked away. I don't deserve to where that mask. Then there's Barbara, I love her so much. But she's gone and fucked Cole Hammonds. Not even broke up less than a week and she finds comfort in another man. I just wish I had an answer to any of this. I wish you were here.-
His eyes shut, his mind was blank. He took two side steps to the left, still standing on the edge of the roof top. He then took another two steps back to the right. His eyes opened. He took a look at his surroundings, how content he seemed. He took two steps backwards.