Chapter 2

The Secret Life of Richard Grayson

With no sigh of either Robin or the mysterious agents the Titans did their best to comb the city in search of their friend. It was a few days after Thanksgiving and it seemed that winter's snowfall had come early. Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast Boy had taken different parts of the city to search while Raven and Lee remained in the tower performing telepathic scans of the city. As Cyborg walked by the City Sundial he decided he should check in with the tower.

Back at the tower Raven levitated a few feet off the floor and Lee sat cross-legged on the couch with his eyes closed. He had gone over scan after scan with little to nothing. The large view screen flicked on and Cyborg's face appeared on the screen.

"Yo Lee, find anything?" Lee opened his eyes and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. At least not anywhere around here, my telepathy can only encompass the city. If you want a much larger scope you should wait for Raven-San to give her report".

"Gotcha, we'll check in again in fifteen minuets." Lee nodded and Cyborg's face was replaced by Starfire's.

"If you are not absorbed in anything at the moment, I had a favor to ask." Lee bowed his head. "I wondered if while I conducted my search if you could investigate Robin's room." Lee thought for a moment.

"I am not sure Robin-San would appreciate such an invasion." Starfire's face got closer to the screen.

"With all do respect, Robin is not here. I cannot rest until I know he is okay for what reason he has disappeared. Please Lee will do me this favor?" He slowly shook his head and then quickly nodded.

"Yes alright I will and I will inform you of anything of interest………and vigilant in your search; those men, whoever they are, may still be out there." Starfire nodded and the screen went blank. Lee checked on Raven and found she was still in her trance-like state, obviously still engrossed in her own search. Lee made his way down the hall and approached Robin's door. Expecting it to be locked tight he activated the emergency access pad off to the side. The pad flashed green even before he entered the code and the door slid open. Surprised by Robin's lack of usual security he entered the room. This was the first time since his joining the Titans that he had ever set foot into Robin's room; and it was exactly as he had pictured it. It was dark, messes of paper lay scattered here and there, and hundreds of Slade newspaper clippings hung on his wall.

He walked up to Robin's desk and noticed a brand new Dell notebook and scanner. He glanced under the table and picked up a solitary piece of paper. He picked it up and saw that it was the receipt for the notebook and scanner. The date on the receipt read November 24, 2004, he had only owned these things for three days. Robin hadn't told any of them that he had made such a purchase; then again Robin seemed to have been getting more and more reclusive in the past month. Getting the obvious idea the Robin had been hiding something from them, he turned to leave. It was then that he noticed a strange smoky scent. He followed it over to the metal trashcan and found a mound of burned paper. Frowning curiously down at the burnt remnants he picked up the trashcan and went back to the living room. When he returned Cyborg had already been talking to Raven.

"So did you get anything," asked Cyborg hopefully. Raven shook her head.

"You have to remember Robin's not just one of us he's……well……our leader. He knows everything there is to know about us. So there's a good chance he's found some way to shield himself from our telepathy." She gestured to the samurai and herself. Cyborg sighed and nodded in disappointment. Both Raven and Lee suddenly gasped out loud at the same time.

"WHAT? DID YOU FIND HIM?" Asked Cyborg. Raven closed her eyes to try and verify what they felt. Lee ran up to the screen and sent Cyborg some coordinates. After doing so he looked back up at Cyborg's face.

"Star-San is being shadowed".

CATHING UP WITH STARFIRE……………………

Starfire flew over the quiet city and looked down below like a hawk looking for its prey. If Robin was anywhere in the area then she was sure she was going to find him. Form below someone watched her fly by and swiftly followed. As she flew over head she kept wondering where Robin might have gone. She was having the most wonderful time with him at the park of amusement, why would he just abandon them with no explanation. It was then that a thought occurred to her; could it have been something she had said or done? She landed in the soft snow and thought out loud.

"I am sorry Robin. For whatever I have done." 'That's enough!" Her mind snapped back at her. 'What could you have possibly down that would provoke those strange men to pursue Robin like that? Once you find him Robin will tell you what is happening and everything will be back to normal.' She smiled and nodded to herself. Since she had been up and down her section five times already, she decided that she should go back to the tower. She turned to go but as she passed a narrow alley someone reached out and grabbed her. Taken utterly by surprise she was shoved against the brick wall while her attacker bared down on her.

"Alright where is it," he spat. It was dark so she could not see his face.

"Have what," she asked now struggling to get away. He pulled her forward then rammed her back against the wall. She gulped out a grunt of pain as he got so close she could see and feel his breath.

"Enough games I want it now!"

"I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT," she shrieked. He pulled out a short knife and held it to her throat. She froze as her eyes met the shining blade.

"One more time, and then I warn people not to eat the red snow". He waved the dagger before her face her eyes following the sharp point. He then pressed the blade against her skin just as he was suddenly pulled away from her. She then saw Beast Boy leap over Cyborg as a wolf and pounce on the man. Cyborg pulled her out of the alley.

"GET BACK TO THE TOWER NOW!" Starfire didn't need telling twice. With a bounding step she took flight and sped back to the tower. Once she had arrived Raven and Lee made sure she was calm and comfortable before they bombarded her with questions. Not long after her arrival Cyborg and Beast Boy showed up, neither had a scratch on them. Starfire sat on the couch holding a shaking a glass of hot chocolate. Cyborg walked over and sat down beside her.

"You okay Star?" She nodded her head quickly and sipped her drink. Of all the hot drinks she had sampled she like hot chocolate the most; tea was okay, and we're still working on coffee. Once Starfire had stopped shaking and everyone was sure she was calm they all gathered around.

"Now tell us what happened," said Lee softly. Starfire set down her empty mug and rubbed her arm.

"I was attacked; by whom I do not know, it was too dark. He, he said he wanted something. But whatever it was he was after I did not have it."

"He must have something to do with those freaky agent dudes that were chasing Robin," said Beast Boy. Raven took a seat next to Starfire and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Did Robin leave anything behind?" Starfire glanced up at her. "Well?" She nodded and brought out his communicator.

"He left this behind, just as he was engulfed by the train."

"I don't think Robin would have just dropped something like this," said Cyborg holding up the comm. device. "Raven and Lee can't seem to get a lock on him and since he left this behind that means we can't track him either."

"Which means he doesn't want to be found," added Raven. Starfire then remembered what she asked Lee.

"Lee did you find anything in Robin's room?" Not really sure what she was talking about, the other Titans turned to Lee.

"There were only two things which seemed out of the ordinary." He handed them the receipt and set the trashcan on the floor. "He purchased that notebook and scanner within the past few days and for some reason burned a piece of paper." Raven grabbed a pinch of the burnt leftovers and felt them between her fingers. She let them fall back into the trashcan and straightened up.

"It wasn't paper, it was parchment. Whatever it was he destroyed, it was something old."

"And that all we have so far?" Cyborg asked Raven. Starfire was about to mention Robin's letter when they heard a beeping from over at the screen. Beast Boy jumped over to the panel and displayed an outer view of the tower. Numerous men were approaching and some were already at the front door. The Titans gathered in front of the door that lead to the entrance hall and readied themselves. The slid open and a single man walked in. He wore a black trench coat and shinny black dress shoes. His hair was short with flecks of gray and his eyes were an icy blue. As he slowly walked forward a host of suited agents ran in and encircled the whole area. The Titans all looked around open mouthed as the coated man walked up to them.

"Evening, if this is a bad time then live with it cause' we have to talk." A younger man stepped up beside him.

"And you are," inquired Raven. The man brought out his ID.

"Roger Dalton CIA, this is my associate Steven Decker in charge of the special agent program," he gestured to the young man beside him who gave a nod to the Titans.

"So why's the CIA bust'n down our door?" Asked Cyborg. Dalton went over to the table and sat down.

"You better get yourselves something to drink, this may take awhile." He had his men secure the area and make sure no one cold leave or enter the tower. The Titans then sat down around the table and awaited Dalton's explanation.

"Now, I think it would help everyone if we just get down to business. We've all got the same guy on the mind." Starfire looked around at her friends and answered.

"Robin."

"Mr. Richard Grayson," corrected Dalton. They all gaped at him in surprise.

"How did you know that," asked Cyborg. Dalton smiled and brought out a small duffle bag.

"We're the CIA; we know your flavor of chewing gum. Not long after his time at the amusement park our agents caught up with him at the airport trying to sneak on a plane bound for Shanghai."

"What's Rob got to do with China," asked Beast Boy

"It is most likely a mistake, Robin would not keep a secret from us……….or from me." Dalton smiled and brought out a passport.

"Sure he would." He set the passport on the table and opened it to reveal a picture of Robin. "Do you know this guy?" They all crowded around the picture then sat back down.

"Yes that is Robin-San," said Lee.

"Great, now how about this man?" He held open another passport which also had Robin's picture, only the name read Andrew Held. They all gaped at the picture.

"I…uh, but but," sputtered Starfire. Dalton continued.

"Now this one." He produced another one which had the boy wonder's photo with the name Jason Lector. The Titans were absolutely dumbfounded. "Or how about this one." He showed the last one which was in Russian and had the name Danliov Khrushchev. "You have no idea who he is, do you?" He placed the last passport down with the rest of them.

"Whoa," said Beast Boy. "Who knew Robin had three identical brothers." Everyone gave him a funny look.

"Not quite," said Dalton. He reached into his coat and brought out a small disk. He stood up and gave it to Cyborg. "You don't believe me? Then go ahead and see for yourself." Cyborg took the disk and went over to the large screen. He uploaded it and a profile of Robin appeared. Next to his picture were all sorts of information about him. His height, hair color, eye color, date of birth, everything there was to know about him was on that screen. Dalton gestured for them all to face him and he read a printed out page.

"Grayson, Richard; age 17, CIA black ops agent." Starfire sat back down. "You're friend is a twenty million dollar secret weapon that has gone missing with something."

"And what would that be," asked Raven distantly.

"Sorry, but that information comes at a price." He opened the back and took out a piece of paper. "He's obviously the excessive compulsive type, cause' he made a list of the items that he intended to bring," so saying he unfolded the list and read aloud; One change of clothes, a pen, toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap, a mirror, five thousand dollars, and these passports," he said putting down the list. "There is another item on this list that is not among the others; an envelope." Starfire's eyes widened as she placed her hand over her pocket. "None of you would know anything about that would you?" They silently shook their heads.

"I am sorry but we do not," said Starfire avoiding his face. He walked up to her and lit a cigarette. He took in a few puffs and exhaled.

"That so?" She looked up at him and couldn't help but feel intimidated by those ice-cold blue eyes. He opened a silver tin to reveal his store of cigarettes. "Smoke?" She shook her head.

"No, I find the smell most revolting. Could you possibly step away from me please?" He eyed her for a moment then gathered the items and stuffed them back into the bag.

"If you do find anything, call me." He handed them a card and Cyborg took it. He gave his men the signal to head out and they did so in an orderly fashion. He headed out the door but turned back as he walked through. "Be warned, what Mr. Grayson is hiding is very important in more ways than one. There are many fundamentalist groups who would love to get a hold of what he has. I'll be seeing you soon, good night." With that he turned out the door and left. Starfire immediately flew up to the door and locked it. She then zipped over to the large window to see that they had boarded their ship and were heading back to the mainland. The rest of them noticed her anxiousness and got the idea she knew something. Starfire pressed her nose to glass until she was satisfied they were gone. She turned back around and was startled when she saw that Raven was right behind her.

"Alright Starfire, what are you hiding?" Starfire bit her lip as her friends each gave her an inquiring look. With a final sigh of dread she slowly produced the letter. They all gasped out loud and gathered around her. It was a plain envelope with no address or return address; it did however have two stamps in the upper right corner.

"Starfire! You've got the letter," exclaimed Cyborg. They each began to shoot question after question in her direction.

"Where'd you get it?!"

"What's it say?!"

"Why is it so important?!"

"What does Dalton want it for?!"

"I DO NOT KNOW!" Starfire boomed over her friends. They instantly silenced and Starfire cooled herself down. "While we were at the park of amusement, Robin attempted to secretly leave the letter in my possession."

"Why didn't he just ask you to hold on to it," asked Beast Boy.

"Did you try to open it when he slipped it to you," asked Raven Starfire nodded and Raven understood. "Robin was afraid of curiosity getting the better of you, so he tired to give it to you without you knowing about it."

"Well what's in it," asked Lee.

"Yeah can we please just see what it says already," whined Beast Boy. Not knowing what to expect Starfire took a deep breath and opened the envelope. Inside was a folded up piece of paper with writing on it. She unfolded it and she gazed at it in wonder. At the top of the letter was an illustration of an astrological sun and moon. She read the first sentence and breathed out a sigh of relief.

"What?! What's it say," asked Cyborg. Starfire nodded and read aloud;

Dear Starfire,

If you are reading this then you can calm down, I am alive and well. I'm sorry I can't tell you where I am right now, but I have faith in you and I'm sure we'll see each other soon. In the event that you are reading this then my enemies have moved in too soon beofre I could carry out my origianl plan. Whatever you do, don't trust anyone except Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, or Lee. Especially be wary of anyone from the CIA or anyone claiming to be my superior.

They all looked at each other and thought about their last visitor. Acknowledging the silence Starfire continued.

I hope to see all of you soon and in good health. Remember; DON"T TRUST ANYONE. Be very careful, I have a lot of enemies from this country and from others. One last thing;

"When it rains it pours in the citadel's center

The timely shadow is cast about for all to see

That we of 6ix may discover the elusive key"

Starfire put the letter down and looked backup at her friends in confusion. Cyborg shook his head and blinked several times. "OOOOkay, what was that last part again?" They all thought hard then Lee opened his mouth in comprehension.

"It's a riddle."

I have to admit I got excited when I wrote this chapter. How'd you like it? Next part is coming soon.