Delightful Drabbles

by Wynja

SladeRobin drabblecollection, and some Red X now! Both slash and nonslash stories will be listed... mostly slash, though... severe fluffwarnings might be issued.

7. Getaway

THIS is it. The long one. 40 pages in my word processor. Might want to print it. Or get a soft pillow to sit on…I told you it would come. Have I ever lied to you? Thank you for all your support, by the way! That is what gets me through the editing-process… And an extra thank you to Alonein-Darkness7 who helped me find a word I was searching for… thanks to you I can publish this today! Hurrah! I will also add a short drabble after this. A SHORT one.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
Pairing: Slade/Robin
Warning: a LOT of fluff (as fluffy as Slade gets and more) and some slash…oh, and character death (of sorts)… This started out as a fun, fluffy, almost parody-thing, but unexpectedly turned another way… If you like it fluffy you should stop reading when things start to go wrong… It gets a bit dark after that… and then super-fluffy… and then pitch black… cause I can't, apparently, make up my mind… ;o)
Background: this is a "What if" or "Spin off" from my stories "Touch" and "Terms of Endearment". In "Terms" Slade mentions that Robin is sensitive to the cold and jokes that he should live on a tropical island. Robin replies with "That would be nice" and Slade answers "I'll take you some time..:" Well. What if? You could place the beginning of this more or less anywhere towards the middle/end in "Terms…" but if these events actually took place the rest of the story would be completely different, so… just a "what if?"…

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Summary… sort of…
Since I feel pretty bad about you having to read the whole of "Touch" and "Terms of Endearment" because this is part of that, I got Beast Boy to tell you the short version. Take it away, BB!

"'Kay! Well, Robin was stung by this weird sex-plant, right, and he just "Ouch!" and the Bat went "Oh-oh" and Poison Ivy just laughed and then the Bat called and like "don't touch anyone" and Slade heard and went –drooooool- and Robin went "eeep!" but couldn't get away and then… like stuff happened… you don't wanna know… and then Slade said like "I gotta deal for you." and Robin: "What?!" and Slade went "I'll teach you stuff but you still get to be a Titan", right, and Robin just like "ooooo-kay…?" cause it was really weird. And then like Slade just let him go! That was so cool, but Robin like has to train with the dude n' stuff, and Cy had to install this stupid link so Slade can just show up on our screen , like any time, and this one time he totally wrecked my game and I was so kicking Cy's butt! And, like, that's it! Got it?"

Ohhh… yeah… well…thanks… You MIGHT want to read the stories anyway… Though BB's version was correct, in a sense, it might not give the whole picture…

On to the story…

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Getaway

The Titans were relaxing in their main room, having one of these rare, quiet evenings.

They had all managed to agree on a film to watch, Forrest Gump, though Cy and BB complained a bit about the lack of ninjas. And monkeys. Everything is better with monkeys. Halfway through the movie it was interrupted as Slade's face appeared on the screen.

"Dude! He's messing with our movie-night now!?" Beast Boy complained.

"Would you rather I'd messed with you?" a slightly annoyed Slade asked. He got a small "Meep!" as a reply and the green kid tried to hide behind a pillow.

"I presume you wanted to speak to me and not intimidate my team mate?" Robin asked, trying to hold back a grin.

"Yes. Be outside the tower in one hour. We are leaving."

Robin paled.

"What!? Why? We haven't broken the contract, it must be a mistake!" He looked at his team, silently wondering if they hade done something stupid, like followed him or tried to track him.

They all looked just as shocked, though, staring at the screen.

"Relax, Robin" Slade purred. "We are leaving, but only for a few days… consider it a long weekend."

"Where?" Robin demanded to know. Slade tilted his head slightly.

"It's a surprise…" Robin could almost see the grin behind the mask. He stared silently up at Slade's face for few seconds, before giving in. Like he had a choice.

"All right. What should I bring?"

"Nothing. I have everything you need." The transmission ended.

"This is most likely a trap, Robin!" Starfire cautioned.

"Yes, don't go, man!"

"Run, Robin, run!" BB grinned, quoting the movie.

"If he doesn't leave in one hour, Slade will take him away for good in about one hour and five minutes." Raven sighed matter-of-factly.

Robin himself had slumped back into the couch, frowning. The damn man had some kind of sixth sense, just knowing when he had a good time with his friends. He groaned and got up on his feet.

"You guys finish watching the movie… I'll just go change and join you by the end, ok?"

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He took a quick shower and changed into a pair of blue jeans and a white, short-sleeved cotton shirt. Pocketing his two communicators he looked around the room. Well, Slade had told him that he had everything he needed and, knowing Slade, he would probably be pissed if he even packed an extra pair of socks. He left his room and went back to watch the movie, checking his watch. Half an hour left. They all let themselves be gripped by the story again, forgetting all about the time, until the screen suddenly flicked again.

"You are late…" Slade's cold voice growled.

Robin jumped up, swearing. Checking, he saw that it was one minute past the set time.

"I'll be right down!" He promised and ran for the elevator. He punched in the special code that made the thing drop really fast, and so ran out the door about 15 seconds after Slade's call. Outside a car was parked, and Robin threw open a door and got into the back seat. That, at least, turned out to be the right thing to do, as Slade already sat there, reading a newspaper. His mask was placed on the seat beside him. It was a roomy vehicle and Robin saw a slade-bot at the wheel. I didn't know they could drive… must be a special one… he mused.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, we were watching this movie and…" feeling Slade wouldn't accept any excuses anyway, he just finished with "well, sorry…"

"You are not usually late, so I will accept you apology. Just don't let it become a habit."

"I won't, thanks." Robin relaxed slightly. "Sooo… where are we going?"

"We are leaving the country."

"What? But I don't even have my passport, and-"

"I said I had everything you would need, didn't I?"

"Yes."

"Well then."

"But whe-"

"It is still a surprise."

Robin sat back, feeling uneasy. He did not like leaving Jump. Sure, he hadn't been much help to the city for a while, but at least he had been there. And last time I left ended up quite badly, didn't it?, he mused, absentmindedly rubbing his arm where the barb from the plant had stung him.

Did it? the little wicked voice in his head wondered.

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They were heading for the airport, and as they arrived, their car was escorted right out on the landing strip. It pulled up to a sleek private jet, and, after Slade put his mask back on, the pair of them got out.

As they were about to climb up the stairs of the airplane, Robin hesitated. He was still apprehensive, even a little scared, to let Slade take him away like this. What if Slade had lied? What if they were never meant to return?

"Go on, Robin." A firm hand on his back urged him onwards. He looked back towards Jump City one last time before following orders.

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Robin whistled slightly under his breath as they entered the cabin. Instead of the rows of cramped airline seats there were only six, but these were spacious upholstered armchairs which seemed to be able to turn in any direction. Between them there were mahogany tables and what Robin though might be a refrigerator and a mini-bar. Slade gestured to a seat and Robin took it. Slade himself sat down on the opposite side.

"How did you manage to steal this?" Robin asked.

"I didn't." Slade sounded annoyed. "It's mine."

"The robot isn't going to fly us, is he?" Robin asked nervously.

"No" Slade laughed "From now on there will be strictly humans involved." As to confirm his words the intercom crackled into life.

"Welcome onboard, Sir, It's a pleasure to fly you again. We have been cleared for takeoff and will be ready shortly. Don't hesitate to call if there is anything you need."

Slade touched a button on the wall.

"Thank you Captain Taylor, I'm sure me and my guest will be comfortable."

"Very good, sir." the reply came back.

Slade stood up, removed his mask and headed towards the back of the plane. There was a partition seemingly splitting the plane into two areas, and he disappeared behind the curtains. He returned a bit later, dressed in dark pants and shirt, the mask and uniform presumably packed away. As the plane started rolling out on the runway, Slade sat down.

"Fasten your seatbelt, Robin, we are about to take off."

Robin looked around the sides of the chair but couldn't see any belt. Slade kneeled in front of him, pulling the divided belt out from hidden compartments in the chair's arms and clicking them shut. He let his hands rest on Robin's thighs for a moment, looking up at him with a glint in his eye.

I know that look… Robin thought and felt a pleasant tingle in his stomach… well… a bit lower, to be honest…

"Tell me, Robin. Do you know what the 'mile high club' is?"

Robin thought he had heard the term somewhere, but couldn't place it, so he shook his head.

"No?" Slade sounded amused. "Well. You will. And you will soon be a member, too."

Robin arched a questioning eyebrow, but didn't have time to ask Slade what he meant before the sound of the engines started to get louder as they warmed up before take off. Slade returned to his chair, buckling himself in and turned to the set of buttons beside him. Pressing one, a small computer screen rose from the tabletop beside the chair.

Robin examined the set of buttons by his own chair but decided against pressing any… which was quite a feat since he was curios as hell…but considering his situation he would probably make the wings of the plane fall off or something. As the plane started rolling faster and faster he peered out of the window instead. It was dark outside, though, so he could only see the lights from the airport swish by. The plane left the ground and then steeply climbed into the air, making Robin's ears pop. After a few minutes the radio rustled into life again.

"This is Captain Taylor. We have reached our cruising altitude and co-pilot Ali wishes to inform you that the weather conditions are optimal. This should be a smooth ride. We expect to land at our first destination in two hours." there was a click and the intercom fell silent.

"First destination?" Robin asked.

"Yes. Can't land with a jet where we are going."

"And it's still a surprise, I suppose?"

"Correct."

Slade grinned in amusement as Robin's sulked for a moment. The boy then unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched.

"Can I look around?"

"Make yourself at home." Slade gestured along the plane's slim interior. He turned back to the screen, tapping at it regularly, which told Robin it was a touch-screen of some sort. Either that or it made Slade annoyed. The boy grinned at the thought and went off to investigate.

The plane was much bigger than he had thought. There was a small bathroom with a separate shower, a kitchenette and, at the very end, a separate bedroom, with a real bed! It looked very comfortable, but as the plane ride would only last two hours he doubted that he would find out if it was… then again… that look in Slade's eye might mean he would. Robin smiled a bit to himself… hey; it's been almost two days, after all! Since one of the wardrobe doors were slightly ajar he could see that it was filled with clothes. He didn't dare to snoop around too much, though, with Slade so close.

Feeling like he had explored everything, he returned to the front of the plane and sat down. He took the chair next to Slade this time, and leaned over to look at the screen.

"Curious?" Slade mumbled.

"Yup." Robin blatantly admitted and made Slade grin.

"You don't have a respectful bone in your body, do you?"

"Might be your fault since you have practically broken every one of them." Robin retorted sarcastically, but sat back. Slade had his limits, and trying his patience ten thousand meters up in the air… This Robin didn't have wings…

He turned to the mini-bar and refrigerator instead, examining its contents.

"May I have a soda?"

Slade nodded.

Remembering some ounce of manners, Robin added.

"Err… do you want anything?"

Slade looked up from the screen and smiled at him.

"No thank you, Robin. I will have what I want in a little while."

Robin's eyes widened a bit at this and he quickly sat down again, curling up in his seat, nursing his drink.

At last Slade turned off the screen and made it disappear into the tabletop again. Robin had lost himself in the view outside the window as they now passed a huge city, filling the darkness below with glittering lights. Robin almost jumped as Slade leaned down over him, looking out of the same window.

"Enjoying the view?

"Yeah… which city is that?"

"Heh. Trying to figure out were we are going, are you?

"What?" Robin asked distractedly still looking out the window. "Oh, no… I just…"

Slade purred in his ear, making the boy's breath catch in his throat.

"That's all right, Robin… I like you to be inquisitive… now… would you like to find out what the 'mile high club' is?"

Robin barely had room to turn in his chair as Slade pressed him into it. He now had a pretty good idea what this 'club' was, but he decided to play innocent just a little bit longer…

"Sooo… what is it?" he smiled and arched an eyebrow.

"I believe your clever little mind have figured that out by now…" Slade grinned down at him and tilted his head back. As their lips met Robin felt the familiar surge of pleasure mixed with just a hint of fear. He never could tell what to expect from Slade in these situations. It could me slow and sweet, but often it was hot and urgent. It could also be aggressive and slightly painful. Robin never knew what he was going to get. He just knew that he had to take it. Some small part of him resented that, but a much bigger part was already, figuratively, ripping his clothes off.

Slade reached down on either side of Robin and lifted him up. The man took a few steps back, sat in his chair and placed the boy down, straddling his knees. The chair was deep and wide enough so there was plenty of room. Their lips didn't part until Slade started to unbutton Robin's shirt. The boy softly broke the kiss and glanced nervously towards the front of the plane.

"What if someone comes in?"

Slade decided to agitate the boy a little. He enjoyed it so, after all.

"So? You are not ashamed are you? Because if you are, you will have a hell of a time blushing in the next couple of days."

The boy's face turned profoundly red at this.

"What is that supposed to m-"

Slade cut him off with another kiss, tugging the now open shirt down Robin's shoulders and letting it fall to the ground. He had already discovered that the boy had very sensitive nipples, and as his fingers started to play with them the boy gasped and started to kiss him even more eagerly, showing him his appreciation.

Robin could feel Slade beginning to get hard and he ground himself over the bulge making his own pleasure rise as well. He fumbled with Slade's shirt, trying to get to the chest he had found that he adored so much. As he got the shirt open Slade shrugged it off by leaning forward, but that meant that Robin, who wasn't prepared for the movement, almost slipped down from his lap. Slade caught the boy around his waist and stood him up. His lips were now at the same height as Robin's nipples and he took advantage of that. Robin's head tilted back at the sensation and he moaned out loud, not caring anymore if anybody would hear or see. Slade's nimble fingers were busy unzipping the boy's pants and as soon as they fell to the floor the underwear followed. Robin didn't even seem to notice this as Slade's lips and teeth still made him groan in pleasure. Slade took the opportunity to unzip himself. He hurriedly applied some lubricant that he had had ready in his pocket and then lifted the boy onto his lap again. Robin whined slightly in disappointment as Slade's lips left his chest, but they soon found his mouth again and when their bodies met Robin's eyes flew open. When had he lost his pants? He really needed to learn how to focus… Strong hands lifted him, positioning him, and Robin drew a sharp breath as he felt a slick hardness between his legs. Slade had done something like this before and that had not been so pleasurable at the beginning. This time was different, though. Slade didn't slam him down on his shaft but let him sink down slowly. It still filled him up, however, and he gasped and groaned with the sensation, moaning Slade's name. As he hit bottom his head rested against Slade's shoulder for a while and as the man moved beneath him Robin bit into his skin, warning him to be still. Normally Slade would not accept such a treatment, but he decided to be lenient this time, curious to find out what his young lover's aroused mind would come up with. He could always get back at him later. Robin ground himself harder against the man, and continued to nibble at the man's shoulder. His hands found nipples and he let his nails scratch the sensitive areas. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that he would pay for this, but a wild part of him wanted to come out and play. Claim. Take. He growled as he started to raise himself, reaching throat and neck now, leaving teeth marks along the way. He rode the man faster and faster reaching up to pull his head in for an almost feral kiss. Slade answered back and his hands groped Robin's ass, urging him on.

Robin leaned forward, biting on Slade's earlobe now. His arms and hands were locked around Slade's neck, one hand buried in his hair. His crotch grinded against Slade's stomach and Robin felt himself drawing nearer to the peak.

"I might be yours, Master, but you know what?" he panted.

"What?" Slade's voice was uneven as well, something that filled the boy with a wild joy.

"You… are … mine… too!"

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As Robin woke up some time later he found himself still cuddled up in Slade's lap. Though no details came back at him at the moment, it had been amazing… he had fallen asleep soon afterwards, but hey! That was typical male behaviour, right? He smiled and stretched lightly, then startled as the intercom burst into life. Damn thing almost scared him to death.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir" a slightly amused voice Robin recognized as the Captains said. "But we will start approaching the airport in about thirty minutes."

Robin felt Slade shift as he reached for the intercom button.

"Thank you Captain, we will be ready."

"Yes sir" the answer came, followed, as Robin thought, by a barely suppressed laugh.

"You… you think they heard?" He nervously asked Slade.

"Normally, no, but I think you had your hand on the intercom-button at some point" Slade chuckled.

"No?! No way?!" Robin looked up at the man in shock.

Slade just laughed harder, pushing the boy to his feet.

"Don't worry about it. Head for the shower, I'll be there in a minute."

Robin did as he was told, wondering how it would feel to shower on a plane. To his dismay Slade only kept that 'all-in-one' shampoo-thing here as well. As he knew the water supply must be limited, he just took a short shower and was wrapping a towel around himself when Slade stepped in.

"I hoped I saved you some water" Robin started and looked up at the man "I wasn't sure how mu-" Robin stared. Slade was still bare-chested and all over his torso, especially the right side, up his neck, there were multiple angry red marks. From teeth? And those scratches? Robin just gaped, suddenly vaguely remembering how they had gotten there… he had… Robin's eyes flew to Slade's face.

"Oh-oh..." he managed, not really aware that he had said it out loud.

"Starting to come back to you, does it?" Slade's voice had a hint of amusement, but also a hint of something else in it and that, whatever it was, made Robin's heart pound harder. Slade closed in; a firm hand grabbed Robin by the hair on the back of his head, tilting it back a little. "I didn't know you could be such an animal, little bird, but be a bit careful when you play in the future, hmm? Now, go dress, there's fresh clothes for you on the bed."

As he released him Robin gulped slightly and nodded, dashing away towards the bedroom in a blur. Slade laughed quietly and shook his head before stepping into the shower. His little bird really was exceptional… he almost felt sorry for the world for what he would unleash upon it.

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Robin dressed quickly in the thin pair of khaki-pants and a white t-shirt that had been set out for him, I guess we are not going to the artic, then, he decided. With Slade, though, you never could be sure.

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Robin had resumed his seat when Slade appeared. His shirt was still unbuttoned and when Robin dared to glance at him he saw that the marks and even the scratches had almost disappeared completely. Slade noticed his glance and smirked a bit. Robin bit his bottom lip and finally dared to speak.

"Well, at least you heal quickly…"

Slade sat down in the seat next to Robin and twisted the boy's chair around to face him.

"Yes I do, but remember, my dear boy, that you don't." he bent forward and forcefully caught Robin's lips with his, asserting his dominance once more. Robin was glad to let him, sinking back against the chair, gently wrapping his arms around Slade's broad back. He still didn't think he was out of the woods, though, so he better be on his best behaviour for a while…
Yeah, wonder how long that will last…?

The damn intercom once again clicked and the captain's voice informed them that they were about to start their decent. The pair broke apart and once again fastened their seatbelts.

"Guess I finally will find out were we are?" Robin grinned.

Slade just laughed and shook his head.

"I have started to realise that I have gone about this all wrong. All I would need for you to be my apprentice is a wrapped up box. You would do anything I asked just to find out what was inside, wouldn't you?"

Robin snorted in contempt and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I would not!" Then he added with a smirk "Sooo… what would be inside?"

Slade didn't stop chuckling until the plane's wheels hit the tarmac.

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As the plane stopped Robin got up, but Slade's hand pushed him back down.

"Stay. We are to wait onboard for the customs official."

"But I told you I don't have my passport…?"

"And what did I answer?"

"…that you had everything I would need…" Robin mumbled.

"And I do."

Suddenly the door of the cockpit opened and two men in their thirties stepped out.

"Good evening, sir, I hope the trip was… pleasurable…?" One of them, Robin recognised the voice as the captains, said. He shot Robin a glance and actually winked. The boy felt like sinking through the floor, but Slade only smiled back.

"Quite."

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The other man, the co-pilot, was busy opening the door and Robin could just make out a flight of stairs on wheels coming towards them over the landing strip, followed by two jeeps.

Slade stood up and opened an overhead compartment, bringing out an attaché case. Then there were voices from people coming up the stairs and a small, tanned man stepped into the plane followed by two men that looked like airport guards.

"Sir! Such a pleasure to welcome you to the country again. Are you staying for long, this time?"

"No, Mr. Patino, we are just here on a short vacation, I'm afraid."

Why does everyone seem so happy to meet Slade? Robin wondered, while smirking sarcastically at the word 'vacation'… he doubted that very much…

"Oh, I see you have a guest, welcome my boy; I hope you will enjoy your stay."

"I'm sure I will…" Robin muttered, but nodded amiably.

"Down to business, then. Your passports, please."

Slade handed him two small black books and there was some stamping and writing and trading of papers. As they seemed to be finished Robin stood up stretching.

"And here is your passport back, young man." the customs officer said, handing him the book.

Robin didn't expect that, and neither did Slade. Robin was quicker this time, though, and snapped the thing out of Mr Patino's hand. Slade couldn't very well snatch the thing back and Robin opened it up to examine the contents. It was a perfect forgery. He had no idea where Slade had got the photo, perhaps it was digitally altered 'cause he surely didn't recognize it. He glanced at the name. 'Robin Wilson'… he frowned a bit. 'Wilson' was such a boring name, couldn't he had been given something a bit more exciting? Well then… He heard Slade clearing his throat and looked up to see that the man had his hand stretched out waiting for Robin to give the passport back. He did. There… that "best behaviour'-plan lasted for… what…? Fifteen minutes?

"So, anything to declare, Mr. Wilson?" Mr Patino then said, and Robin looked up, thinking he was talking to him.

"No, nothing as usual" Slade answered, "I was going to ask you if your children enjoyed their birthday presents this year, though?"

"Oh, yes, sir, very much so! They wrote a thank-you letter, but I guess that waits for you at the house. Well, our business here is finished; I do hope you decide to come for a longer stay soon." The man suddenly seemed a bit hurried.

"We might." Slade said, glancing at Robin. Robin himself hadn't gotten over the fact that Slade had given him his own last name, yet. He knew the reason for this probably was as simple as it was to raise less questions if Slade was to travel with a boy who appeared to be a relative, perhaps even a son, but Robin had a feeling it was more than that… maybe it is just a way for him to tell me that I'm his… he frowned. He now suspected that he was meant to see the passport.

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As they left the plane Robin felt it was like walking into a wall of tropical heat. As they made their way down the stairs an older man approached them.

"Will! So good to see you, old friend." Slade said and shook the man's hand.

"Good to see you too, Slade." the man answered, smiling. "I'm sorry to inform you, but there has been a situation in the Middle East that needs your attention."

"When isn't there a situation in the Middle East?" Slade grinned. "All right, do you have a meeting scheduled?"

"Yes. Later tonight."

"That will be fine."

Robin suddenly felt very much left out. It was strange, seeing Slade interact with all these new people. He was used to get all of Slade's attention for himself… something in that thought made Robin cringe inwardly.

Then there was an arm around his shoulders.

"And this is Robin. Robin, this is an old army-buddy of mine, Will Wintergreen."

"Nice to finally meet you, Robin. I have heard quite a lot about you." The man held out his hand and Robin shook it, more or less automatically.

"The helicopter is waiting, are you ready?"

Slade nodded and steered Robin towards one of the jeeps. They all got in and Wintergreen drove them to a helipad where a small passenger helicopter was waiting for them, rotor blades already spinning.

"Yours too?" Robin wanted to know as they strapped themselves in, Robin next to Slade and Wintergreen on the seat opposite.

"Yes." Slade turned to his companion "Robin is having trouble believing that I actually buy things, not just steal them."

"Oh, Robin, Slade even pays taxes." The older man grinned.

"Well, even I don't dare to mess with the IRS" Slade said, shuddering, and Robin gave a short laugh.

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The helicopter took them over water, but it was hard for Robin to make out anything in the darkness. It was now around one in the morning and Robin could feel his eyes getting heavy and soon his head rested against Slade's arm. He didn't get many minutes of sleep, though, because soon the helicopter descended and Slade woke him in time for the landing.

"It's a pity that it's dark, but you will get a chance to explore the grounds tomorrow morning." Slade told him.

The landing site was on a rooftop of a large house. Robin couldn't make out any details, but as they walked inside he couldn't help but to be a little impressed. It reminded him of Wayne manor, though the colour scheme was warmer, lighter, as to go with the climate. They took the elevator down to the ground floor and as they stepped out, Robin's eyes grew quite wide. There was a group of people waiting for them.

Slade again placed his arm around Robin's shoulder and brought him forward.

"Robin, this is the house staff. You will meet them all properly tomorrow, but this is Mrs. Nicholls, she is the cook and head housekeeper." a plump but friendly looking woman smiled and nodded at him, and Robin couldn't help but to smile back. "I will let her show you to our bedroom later" Slade continued and Robin tried hard not to blush. Slade certainly wouldn't try to hide anything…"This is Jack, head of security" a military-looking man in his early forties gave Robin a curt nod. Slade continued to introduce the staff and Robin tried to remember names and occupations as best he could. In the end there were only two left. It was two young men in their twenties. One was African American, with long, plaited hair and warm, smiling eyes. Robin instantly liked him. "This is Thomas, he and Derrick here manages more or less anything that has to do with the grounds, the vehicles and deliveries to the compound. If I'm stuck in a meeting and you are feeling bored, just look them up."

"Sure!" Thomas said. "Do you like fishing? Or we could go scuba-diving, climbing, take the water scooters out for a spin, perhaps. There's lot's to do so just come by anytime!" Robin smiled back.

"Sounds great." His eyes turned to the other young man. Quite a difference. Robin frowned slightly as he met the man's glare. It was positively poisonous. This man was tan, but had blonde, sun kissed hair which Robin could swear was highlighted. He was wearing a pair of tight jeans shorts that started rather low on his hips, and his chest was bare as he just wore a towel over his shoulders. As the man transferred his gaze to Slade it completely changed and Robin almost smirked. Aha… it was clear to him that this young man didn't want any competition. I sure hope I don't get that look on MY face…

"Of course we'll take the boy off your hands, sir." the man practically simpered. "Maybe Thomas can take him snorkelling, so can I prepare the boat for some shark-fishing, I know you enjoy that."

Robin wasn't going to let this continue. Who did the idiot think he was? He moved softly, taking a stance between Slade and this 'Derrick'.

"I believe Slade has more important things to do, then to waste time with you." he said in a dangerously even voice. He suddenly felt the whole staff take a breath, almost edging away from them, perhaps they were afraid of Slade's reaction. Derrick met his eyes and there was hatred there.

"Really?" he sneered, but was cut off by Slade himself.

"Robin is right; I am here primarily to spend time with him. I expect you all to treat him like you do me. And Derrick? I know we turned up very late, but I expect my staff to be properly dressed when I arrive. Understood?"

The man's cheeks were flushed and the look he gave Robin chilled the boy more than any air-condition could do. I have really made an enemy here…

"Yes, sir. Sorry sir." Derrick said, lowering his head.

"Well, then. Robin, I think I'll show you to our bedroom myself. Wintergreen, when is the meeting?"

"In about twenty minutes. The communications are set up in the small conference room."

"Excellent, I'll be there. Thank you for greeting us everybody. I know it's late so you are dismissed. I want status reports from you in the morning. Only the main points. Wintergreen can deal with the details, since we are on vacation. Goodnight."
There were murmurs of 'goodnights' and Robin caught Thomas gaze. The man gestured towards Derrick, smiled and rolled his eyes, letting Robin know he thought his colleague was a bit of a moron too. Robin smiled back at him, feeling slightly better.

A hand on his back steered him down a corridor. They entered a room that was more like a suit. Spacious and richly but tastefully decorated in terracotta and saffron… like blood and gold… Robin thought, suddenly remembering what the man this bedroom belonged to did for a living.

He had another thing on his mind now, though, as he turned to Slade.

"You and Derrick, are you…?"

"He wishes…" Slade smirked. "I didn't know you would get jealous."

"I'm not! It's just that…. he's a prat…" Robin finished lamely and tried to ignore Slade's chuckle.

"Go to bed, you must be tired. I'll be back in an hour or so."

"I don't even have any pyjamas…" Robin argued.

"You'll sleep naked. You can't tell me it's not warm enough here?" Slade raised an eyebrow. Robin blushed a bit but shook his head.

"Guess I have myself to blame…" he muttered.

"There's a bathroom through there and a dressing room to the right. All the clothes and things you need are there. Well… Except pyjamas…" Slade grinned and left the room.

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As Slade entered the conference-room Wintergreen was waiting for him.

"Congratulations." the older man said, arching an eyebrow. "He seems to be a very fine young man."

"He is."

"Tame?"

Slade smirked.

"Oh, no… but we have… an understanding…"

Wintergreen laughed.

"Poor kid. A deal with the devil? I always said you would make a fine lawyer…"

"Will!" Slade looked quite shocked. "A lawyer? I'm not that evil!"

The men smiled at each other and then, as it was time for the meeting to start, several screens came to life before them, showing the faces of different people spread out all over the world.

As these men and women were all part of the inner circle there was no need for the mask. Most of them Slade had known before he had donned it, anyway.

"Are we ready to begin? I urge you all to keep your statements short and to the point. I have other things that need my attention." Slade said and ignored the low chuckle from Will.

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Robin was really tired, so after a visit to the bathroom, where he found a shelf with his name on it, containing a toothbrush and a hairbrush, among other things, he stripped and got into bed. It was perfect. Not too firm and not too soft. The room was a pleasant temperature, thanks to a silent central air-condition, and so there wasn't any comforter, only sheets. As Robin got under those he could feel his whole body relax, but his mind, on the other hand, shifted into a higher gear.

He was having trouble with all this. Slade with other people, acting human for god's sake! He was beginning to see other sides of the man, and not liking it… because… because… he found himself liking them? Aaaargh! This was getting too weird! He needed time alone to try and think about this rationally, he just couldn't do it in Slade's bed! He sighed and buried his head in a pillow, trying to block everything out. Slowly he could feel himself falling asleep.

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He woke briefly when Slade came to bed, but was asleep again before the man even got under the covers.

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Slade got a rude awakening in the middle of the night, when a knee hit his hip forcefully. He cursed, silently thanking his lucky stars he wasn't sleeping on his side and was turned the wrong way at the moment… that would have been considerably more painful. As he sat up he could see that Robin was sleeping, dreaming what looked to be a very violent dream.

"No… stop!" The boy murmured in his sleep. Slade decided to listen. This could be a nice opportunity to look into Robin's subconscious and see what still needed to be done.

"You can't… I won't let you… I won't change!"

Maybe he should wake the boy, Slade decided. If he remembered this dream when he woke up, the negative feelings might destroy what the man had planned for this little trip…

Slade shook him gently by the shoulder. Robin's eyes snapped open.

"Can't forget who you are! Can't let myself forget..." his eyes closed again and Slade realized that he had never really woken up. He decided to try a new technique. Sometimes you could have quite interesting conversations with people who talked in their sleep, since your words can make their way into the sleeping person's sub-consciousness, mixing with their dream.

"Who am I, Robin?" Slade asked softly.

Robin mumbled something and Slade was at first disappointed, but then the boy continued.

"… killer…"

"So?"

"Can never love me…. I can never love… Won't!" Robin's arm struck out as if to shield himself, and Slade grunted as he was hit across the face. The boy was lucky that he was asleep.

"Can't stay! Must… must get away… no good…" Robin continued. Slade thought for a moment.If he should try...? The boy was asleep, though… he would never find out. He leaned forward to whisper in the boy's ear.

"I do love you."

This got quite a violent reaction as Robin seemed to fight it.

"No! Can't…. can't say that! ...lies… don't lie to me…"

"It's the truth."

"I don't…! Can't…! Won't let me…"

"Who won't let you?"

"… them…"

Slade startled at the sight of a tear rolling down the boy's cheek and decided that it was enough. Not caring if it would wake the boy, he pulled him into his arms. Robin stirred a bit but settled down almost immediately.

"Mine?" Robin unexpectedly whispered and Slade smiled a bit.

"Yes."

"Mine." the boy established, sounding contented. His arms wrapped themselves around the man, drawing himself even closer, already in a deep peaceful sleep.

Slade almost pitied the boy. All those conflicting emotions must tear him apart. The man couldn't afford to feel any remorse, though. If his plan worked, Robin would eventually be at peace. At his side. Like this. Like it should be.

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Robin woke the next morning by a knock on the door and Slade's voice telling the person outside to enter. He was too drowsy to have time to untangle himself from Slade; he merely lifted his head from the man's shoulder to see who it was.

Wintergreen walked in followed by Mrs. Nicholls.

"I have the reports for you. If you want I can handle the follow-up meeting this morning." Wintergreen said.

"Yes, that will be fine. Call me if there are any situations that I am needed for, though."

Robin had now had time to awaken further and his nostrils flared when a most mouth-watering smell reached him. He turned his eyes to Mrs. Nicholls and the woman smiled warmly at him.

"I brought you some breakfast. I know it's not the usual procedure to eat breakfast in bed, sir, but I thought as you and your guest arrived so late last night…"

Robin laughed, trying to disguise it as a cough. Breakfast in bed with Slade had started to become routine.

"That is fine, Sarah, I'm sure we both will appreciate it." Slade smiled.

As the woman busied herself with her tray and its many ingredients, Wintergreen went through the report with Slade and the woman started talking to Robin.

"I noticed yesterday that you really need some meat on your bones, young man… I made you some oatmeal - don't make that face! - it's a special recipe with honey and bananas. There is ham and eggs too and freshly squeezed orange juice. You come visit me in the kitchen later and tell me your likes and dislikes. You are not allergic to anything? No? Good."

Her talking just made Robin smile and nod or shake his head at appropriate intervals. He had managed to disentangle himself from Slade, silently wondering how they had ended up so ensnared. He tried to shake it off as he surely couldn't blame himself for what he did in his sleep, right?

As the woman and Wintergreen left, there were two trays on legs set out on the bed. Robin found that he was really hungry, but poked suspiciously at the oatmeal.

"You better try it. I wouldn't go up against Sarah if I were you." Slade smirked.

"Yeah, she looks like she could take me…" Robin snorted but put a spoon of the stuff in his mouth… it was really good!

"She might be able to. She is a retired assassin." Slade informed him. Robin almost choked.

"What?"

"Surprised? You think I would find my staff by just advertising in the newspaper? 'Housekeeper wanted by assassin. Must have own bloodstain remover'…"

Robin laughed.

"Yeah, well, something like that…" They ate quietly for a while.

"Sooo…" Robin broke the silence "Does that mean that they all know who you are? What you are?"

"Yes, they do. They work here of their own free will, though."

"I thought it was odd…"

"What?"

Robin squirmed a bit, but a look from Slade made him continue.

"That they didn't… react…more"

"About?"

"You bringing me here and… well… openly admit we sleep together… I mean, most people would call the police!"

"I'm sure they aren't all happy-"

"Derrick sure wasn't." Robin cut in, and Slade thought he saw a small cruel smile pass the boy's lips.

"No he wasn't." the man grinned "Jack, my security-chief, didn't like it either, but he is a bit of a homophobic, as are some of his team. Good team though, otherwise. Maybe some are worried about your age, though. Does it bother you that we sleep together?"

Robin stared down at his breakfast, discovering that he had eaten almost all of the oatmeal.

"I… I don't know…. I don't know how I feel about any of this, but I do know that it was my choice." He lifted his eyes to Slade's. "I mean, after the plant's toxins wore off, it was. You gave me an option."

Slade decided that it was time to get serious. After last nights insight into Robin's dreams he dared to push him a little further.

"But by then I had already raped you. You begged me not to touch you, but I did, knowing what those toxins would do to you."

Robin's eyes grew big. He couldn't believe that Slade would ever mention that first night. He was hazy about the details, but he remembered their fight on the roof clearly.

"I was so scared…" he admitted, tears burning behind his eyelids. "And so angry! I never thought you would… you would do something like that… Kill me, yes. That I could have accepted, but…"

"I won't say I'm sorry, Robin."

"You won't?"

"No. Because I'm not. It was a spur of the moment, it wasn't planned and I did let myself fall for the temptation, but how can I regret something that lead to you waking up in my arms?"

Robin looked up at him, speechless.

"But… I didn't want you to…"

"I take what I want, Robin. I am teaching you to do the same, now. And you are learning so very well."

Robin bit his lip.

"I just want to know one thing…"

"Ask."

"You have to tell me the truth!"

"I will if I can."

Robin nodded.

"If I had never come to you that night… would you have kept your promise and not touched me again?"

Slade leaned over.

"I would. It would have been hard, no pun intended, but I would not have endangered your training by forcing you to sleep with me."

Robin looked him deep in his eye, trying to se any hint of deceit. He didn't.

"All right. I believe you."

"Do you want to make that choice again?"

"Wh- What?" Robin looked almost afraid.

Slade sat up straighter, putting both their trays aside.

"I won't allow you to see yourself as a victim in this anymore. You were at the beginning, but then you had an option. Maybe you feel like you were so confused at the time that you made the wrong choice? So I ask you to make that decision again. Do you want me to be no more than your teacher?"

Robin stared at the man, wild eyed. Why did he have to ask him this?

"What if I said I did only want you as that?"

"You would be 'safe' from me, Robin. There are other rooms here; you would have your own bedroom for the reminder of our stay. Maybe we would even return home immediately."

Robin looked down.

"Well?" Slade urged him.

"I'm thinking!"

Slade laughed.

"That was harsh, Robin, you can be so cruel sometimes that I fear I have nothing more to teach you…"

"What do you mean?" the boy looked bewildered.

"I thought you at least found our meetings moderately pleasurable, but you seem to have to try hard to even remember them…"

"Oh, I remember…" Robin muttered. He then sighed, and looked up at Slade again. "I still want it. I still want you. Happy?"

"Very." Slade smiled. "I want you to relax on this trip, Robin. They know your name, but no one here knows who you are or about our deal, no one except Will Wintergreen. The others only knows that you are my student and lover, so that is the only thing you have to be here, if you want. Does that sound good?"

Robin nodded slightly.

"But don't think I have forgotten who you are, Slade!" he warned the man. "I will not let my friends down. You should give up that side of the bargain."

"No, little bird… but for the rest of this trip… I will. Deal?"

"Deal." Robin smiled a bit; maybe he would be able to convince Slade to drop the whole agreement?

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After getting dressed in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt Robin went to the panorama window to take a look at this place in sunlight. He was stunned. A photographer for a travel magazine would faint of happiness at the tropical garden and the long, curving white beach beyond it.

"Do you want to take a look at the island from the air?" Slade asked him.

"It's an island? How big?"

"Big enough for me..:"

Robin couldn't help to be slightly amazed.

"It's a private island?"

"Yes. It was a gift from this lands government… a little thank you for a favour…"

"I guess they couldn't name a street after you…"

"A street? I deserve at least a main square…"

Robin grinned and shook his head at the man.

"Why don't you go down to Sarah in the kitchen like she wanted, and I will prepare the helicopter. Have you ever flown one?"

"You mean like steered? No, not a chopper, only the Titan's aircraft."

"Well there's a first time for everything. Meet me on the roof when you are done."

Robin nodded and went out the door. A few seconds later he opened it again.

"Errr… where is the kitchen, exactly?"

"Bottom floor to the right of the stairs… you'll find it."

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He did. Eventually. The house was enormous.

"Oh hello, Robin! Finally up, are you?" the woman greeted him. The kitchen's size matched the house and everything gleamed.

"Yes Mrs. Nicholls, you wanted me to come down?"

"Oh, call me Sarah!" the woman asked and then started to ask him questions about his favourite foods. Robin liked almost everything, which seemed to make Mrs. Nicholls happy.

"I thought I would have to spend the weekend making pizza and hamburgers" she grinned.

"No, Mrs… Sarah, and no trouble because of me, ok?" Robin smiled. "Besides, you were right about the oatmeal, it was delicious!"

"You are such a sweet boy! I must say that I think you are a bit too young, though, how old are you really?"

Robin frowned a bit. "I'm fifteen, and don't worry about me, I know what I'm doing…"

Mrs. Nicholls didn't look like she believed him, though. She sighed a bit and ruffled his hair. "Well, I guess age doesn't matter as much to Slade as to us mere mortals, and at fifteen you might be old enough… anyhow, what are you going to be up to today?"

"We're taking the helicopter out for a ride. After that, I don't know…" Robin said.

"Let me pack you something to drink and a light snack to take with you" the woman offered and started to make preparations before Robin had a chance to answer.

The boy watched her silently for a while. It was something he wanted to ask, but he didn't really know how…. at the end he just gathered up his courage and dived in.

"Does he… Does Slade bring people here a lot?"

"You mean besides business partners? I have been working for him for about ten years and in that time… two times I think…. his wife and then a Asian woman a few years back."

"He's married?"

"He was. She is dead now. You don't know him very well, do you?"

Robin frowned, not wanting to admit it… when he found out something he didn't know about the man it felt like a personal failure to him, for not being able to find out before.

"He doesn't speak a lot about his past…" Robin answered.

"I guess not. Here, its ready." she gave him the small cooler she packed the food in and hurried him out of the kitchen.

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Fifteen minutes later they were hovering over the house, taking off on a tour of the island. It was a beautiful sight! The turquoise water, slowly growing darker around the island as the depths increased, the brilliant white beaches, the dense rainforest and the wild rugged mountainsides, a leftover from the islands birth as a volcano. It wasn't a huge island but it made the house and the grounds look tiny. There were other buildings strewn across it. Slade pointed out the guard's headquarters, training facilities, storehouses and garages. There weren't any walls or barbed wires or anything else Robin could see to keep visitors out, but Slade explained that they had a very sophisticated network of security, picking out anything bigger than a cat that was either warm, moving or emitting electrical impulses. Robin didn't doubt it for one second.

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"Isn't it a waste of resources?" he asked.

"How do you mean?" Slade wanted to know.

"All this staff and you don't even visit here that much, do you?"

"Ahhh… no, there is always a core-staff here of course, but most of them, like Sarah and Will move between the bases to the one I visit at the moment."

"But you have stayed in Jump for a while now, haven't you?"

Slade gave him an amused glance.

"Yes"

"Well… have they been on vacation or something?"

"No."

Robin glared at him.

"So it's a secret?"

"Yes."

Robin muttered something darkly under his breath.

"Come now." Slade grinned "I must be allowed some secrets, surely?"

Robin shrugged.

"I guess"

"So… want to try to take over the controls?"

As Slade guided him through the basics of flying a helicopter, Robin found himself thinking that steering a plane was nothing compared to this. The controls were so sensitive and it handled very differently. On the other hand you could move in so many different ways with a chopper. He really enjoyed himself, but as the fuel started to run low Slade guided them back to the house.

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As they landed Robin spotted the cooler.

"I forgot, Sarah packed us some snacks…"

"So it's Sarah already? She must really like you…" Slade grinned. "Well, I wouldn't want to get on her bad side, so let's find somewhere to eat."

They left the house behind and walked through the garden until they came out on the beach. Robin sat down in the shadow of a few trees and leaned back against one of the trunks. He opened the bag and started to go through its contents. There was juice, kept ice cold, and slices of melon, papaya and mango, the only thing Beast Boy would turn down was two pita-breads filled with cold slices of chicken and vegetables. This wasn't a snack; it was more like an early lunch…

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"She must really like you…" Slade commented as they started to eat.

Robin just grinned. He glanced at Slade while eating. It was very weird seeing the man in shorts… All right, he had seen him in a lot less, but this look was such a relaxed one, it didn't seem quite like him. The only thing missing…

"You should wear a Hawaii shirt" Robin suggested.

"I believe I would rather chop off my own hand, thank you very much."

Robin laughed aloud; the image of Slade in a really garish shirt, looking miserable, cracked him up.

Slade just raised an eyebrow.

"What would you like to do now?" he asked as Robin tried to stifle his laugh.

"I- I don't know." The boy answered, not succeeding all too well.

"How about some exercise. How does sparring sound?"

"I thought this was supposed to be a vacation." Robin grinned. "But all right, I can do with some action. Do you want to do any special discipline?"

Slade looked rather smug.

"What about multiple opponents?"

"You have robots here?"

"No. I have something better. Bored guards." Slade grinned.

Robin looked hesitant.

"Real people?"

"You fight me all the time."

"Yeah, but…" Robin gave Slade a quick malicious grin "I don't have to pity you."

Slade laughed.

"I'm sure my guards can give you a challenge. Let's go."

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The guards training ground lay about a kilometre from the house and they started walking to it by following the beach. They had packed away the leftovers but left the bag behind. Robin assumed someone would pick it up later, something that made him feel a little guilty…

As they walked along the waterline Robin took off his shoes and revelled in the feeling of hot sand and water between his toes.

The water was pleasantly warm and Robin wondered if he dared to ask Slade if he could go for a swim later… then again, the man might not have packed him any swimwear. Skinny-dipping wasn't on Robin's 'want-to-do'-list at the moment. Suddenly something rather amusing struck him.

"Are you aware of what we are doing?"

Slade looked confused for once.

"No?"

"We are taking a long walk on the beach."

The confusion didn't leave Slade's face.

"So?"

"That is such a cliché! You know… personal ads? 'I like long walks on the beach?'"

Slade chuckled. "You have quite a romantic mind, Robin."

"What?! No! I just thought it was… funny…" The boy grumbled.

They had almost reached their destination and Robin could see a group of guards standing to attention on a field above the beach. In front of them he thought he could make out their chief, giving commands.

"Well, if it is a funny cliché you want, how about this?" Slade asked and kissed the boy.

Robin's eyes darted towards the soldiers, but as the kiss intensified the surroundings seems to fade away. He dropped the shoes he had been carrying and wrapped his arms around the man, practically standing on tiptoe to reach.

As the kiss ended Robin was out of breath. Slade just smiled down on him.

"Everyone deserves at least one good kiss on a beach, don't you agree?"

"Well, it was cliché all right…" Robin grinned. "Good cliché, though..:" he reluctantly admitted and grinned a bit wider.

As they turned towards the field Robin was a bit rattled at discovering that the guards were now watching the beach intently. They were too far away for Robin to see any expressions, but judging by what Slade had told him about their leader he had an idea about what they were. As they walked up towards the group Slade called out.

"Jack! A word please."

The head of security joined them immediately and Robin studied his face. If he felt any unease about Slade's and Robin's relationship he was very good at hiding it. Again, with cold, military manners, hiding feelings weren't that difficult.

"I'm sure that you are aware that Robin here is in training, and we have been focusing on hand-to-hand combat for a while now, the basic martial arts, you know the drill. I want to see how far he has progressed and need you to pick out a few men for a sparring session."

"With all due respect, sir, my men will be wary about hurting someone so… close… to you. I doubt that any would dare to step up."

"Tell them that as long as there is no permanent damage I expect them to do their best. And as a prize… let's say two weeks paid leave for the first one to pin the boy down… how does that sound?"

Jack grinned broadly, glancing at Robin.

"How many did you say you would need?"

Slade grinned right back, but for completely different reasons.

"Around ten should suffice."

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As Jack left to inform the group, Robin could see the message was greeted with delight. The looks and sneers told him that all the guards saw was a small, skinny kid that would be their easy ticket to a little leisure time at some nearby port.

"Ten?" he asked Slade.

"I have every confidence in you."

"Oh, I'm so happy to hear that." Robin sneered slightly.

"Don't hurt them too much."

Robin chuckled at this. He felt strangely proud that Slade believed in him enough to propose this challenge, but there were going to be ten of them, after all…

As the guards walked up to them, Slade spoke softly to Robin.

"Slouch. Let's give them a real surprise, hmm?"

Robin understood immediately. If he carried himself like he was confident, some of the men might have second thoughts… It might have been a slightly mean thing to do, but Robin immediately shrunk back a little, slumped his shoulders, and even, for overkill, grabbed Slade lightly by the arm as if searching for protection. He could hear Slade laugh quietly before the men came into earshot.

Robin did his best to look apprehensive as Slade repeated the rules. The men were not to cause any permanent damage to the boy. The guards might not notice that the boy wasn't given the same order, but Robin sure did. Not that he planned to hurt anyone. Badly.

The guards were ordered to form a circle.

"Go on, boy. Show me what you have learned." Slade urged him and ushered Robin into its middle.

"Yes, Master." Robin replied meekly, playing the role to the fullest.

There were quiet snorts of laughter and disgust around him and as Robin met the men's eyes he inwardly smiled. The charade might have been cruel, but these men, Robin felt, deserved it.

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Jack stood back with his boss, oozing confidence. This was going to be entertaining.

"Begin."
The second Slade's order was heard, the boy in the circle changed. He suddenly seemed straighter, more powerful, his eyes gleamed and a small smile played on his lips. Those of the guards meeting those stunningly blue eyes found themselves feeling slightly uneasy and hesitated. That meant the ones at Robin's back reached him first.

The wide smile on Jacks' face died away within seconds after the fight started. He glared at Slade who stood watching, hands on his back, like this was nothing new for him. It probably wasn't, Jack figured.

The boy was an acrobat. His speed and agility easily outmatched any of his men, but he was also ruthless, exposing and taking advantage of any weak spots, administrating powerful kicks and strikes that sent his men flying or crumpling to the ground. Jack started seething with anger, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. When only three of his men remained standing, Slade shot him an amused glance.

"Would you like to help your men out?"

He immediately took this as permission to attack, and as the boy's back was turned at the moment…

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Robin felt, more than heard, the attack coming and whipped around. This man was more dangerous, but now the boy had three men at his back as well. These men were too tired to even consider fighting fair and were all eager for the offered prize. They attacked. The fight was intense and as Robin didn't manage to avoid a kick in the back he thought he might loose. He fell to the ground, but rolled and jumped back up kicking one of the unlucky men hard in the gut. The guard coughed and slipped to the ground. Robin unceremoniously used him as a steppingstone to jump up between the two guards that were left. He kicked out with both his feet at the same time and the man to either side of him fell, clutching their heads. He then turned to their chief. Jack barely had time to see the blurry movement that was the boy, before he found himself on the ground with Robin's heel on his neck.

"Excellent Robin." Slade complemented him.

"Thank you, Master" the boy said before being able to stop himself.

As he stepped away from the men on the ground, joining Slade's side again, Robin shot the man a glance telling him that the slip of his tongue had been just that. Slade didn't seem to have taken notice. He had, though, and smiled to himself. But rubbing this in would make the boy watch his tongue even more carefully in the future, and he wanted the title to come naturally. Preferably.

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Jack picked himself up and shouted a few orders to his men to do the same.

He then made his way over to his boss and his brat, forcing a smile on his face.

"Indeed, excellent. Congratulations young man, you are quite a fighter."

He reached out his hand and Robin shook it, smiling faintly as if Jack's praise didn't mean anything to him.

"It was quite a workout." the boy stated, in spite of that it was obvious that he barely was out of breath.

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As Jack nodded and turned away, surprisingly some of the men Robin had fought and some who had watched, came up to him, slapped his back and told him how impressed they were. Some offered to spar with him again if he had some time off. Robin didn't know if they were trying to suck up to Slade, but he got the impression that there was something else behind it as well. His suspicions were confirmed as one of the guards bent down to his ear and hastily whispered with a grin.

"You should have put a little more weight on that heel, kid."

Robin grinned back.

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The men dragged themselves, or in some cases were hauled, away, leaving Robin and Slade alone.

Robin, not quite forgetting his blunder with the 'Master'-remark, had a hard time relaxing.

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" he hissed at Slade.

"Yes. I always enjoy watching you…" Slade nodded.

"That wasn't what…" Robin's voice trailed off. Was it possible Slade hadn't noticed? Maybe not even heard? For a fraction of a second he even wondered if he really had said it out loud…

"What, then?" Slade inquired, face blank. A little too blank. Oh, he had heard all right… but since the man didn't mentioned it Robin calmed down.

"Oh, nothing… forget it." he shrugged.

Slade, for once, let the subject drop.

The man checked his watch.

"It's almost time for lunch, we better get back to the house."

"You are really afraid of Sarah, aren't you?" Robin grinned. Slade got back at him by ruffling his hair and then leaving his hand on his shoulder as they started the walk back. Robin didn't mind the weight of Slade's hand terribly, especially not when the man's thumb rubbed up and down the side of his neck under his ear. It made him shiver nicely in the heat. They took the dirt road through the guard's compound to get back to the house and came up behind it. There Robin spotted Thomas and Derrick unloading a truck. The friendly young man looked over at them, smiled and waved. Robin waved back. Derrick on the other hand, pretended to be too occupied with work to notice them. He still hade those ridiculous tight shorts on and Robin made a disgusted noise as the young man bent down, at his waist for goodness sake, obviously hoping that Slade would get a good look at his behind.

"I'm never that obvious, right?" Robin asked with laughter in his voice.

"I rather wish you were sometimes..." Slade purred into his ear.

"Really?" Robin's eyes glittered, and as they turned away from the two men to enter the house, Robin shot a glance back at the truck. As he hoped Derrick had straightened up and was looking back at them. So just to piss the young man off, Robin's hand found its way to Slade's ass.

Slade glanced behind him as well, grinning.

"Be careful there, Robin… Poor Derrick will have a fit."

Robin just smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Well, you asked for it…" he whispered.

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Robin rather liked taking the initiative, though he seldom dared. It made him feel more dominant, but when the balance of power shifted, even slightly; it also made Slade a bit more unpredictable. There was always a fine line, one he had obviously tripped over rather badly on the plane, but Robin enjoyed it… testing the limits…

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"Ah, Mr Wilson, I was wondering when you would be coming back. Had a nice morning?"

Sarah had appeared in front of them as if by magic. Robin left his hand were it was, just out of mischief.

"We had quite a day so far, Sarah. " Slade answered.

"Yeah. Thank you so much for the picnic!" Robin cut in, making the woman beam at him.

"You found yourself quite the little charmer, there, Sir." she grinned at Slade.

"Don't I know it." the man answered, almost affectionately, and smiled down at the boy who blushed a bit.

"I can have lunch ready in half an hour if you are hungry."

"Make it an hour, we need to shower and change, and besides, after that breakfast and snack you made us, I doubt either of us are hungry just yet."

Sarah nodded and smiled, hurrying off heading for the kitchen.

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As they walked down the corridor Robin spotted something and stopped, hand slipping off Slade's behind. Robin took a step closer to a painting he had seen on the wall and studied it closely.

"This… I recognise this!" he said watching the scene depicting a woman with a child in her lap "This is a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci! It's called "Madonna with… the yarn winder" or something."

"Very good Robin, I didn't know you recognised the old masters."

"Well, Batman told me a few things about art, but the reason I recognise this is that it was stolen! In Scotland in 2003. It's worth £40,000,000! That's like, what? $80,000,000!?

"You do your homework…"

"It was on a most-wanted-list a few years back. You bought it?"

"No. Stole it myself. I always wanted a Da Vinci, and, as you know, I take what I want… besides, its former owner, the Duke of Buccleuch, didn't appreciate it enough."

"If you wanted a da Vici, why not the 'Mona-Lisa'? I mean, to start the collection?" Robin wondered sarcastically as they left the painting and entered their room.

"I thought you didn't like clichés? Besides, the painting at the Louvre is a fake, and I have no idea were the original is."

Robin just shook his head. Well, there was nothing much he could do about this at the moment.

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Robin was ordered to shower first and did so gratefully. When the water hit him, though, he hissed in unexpected pain. Where the sun hade reached him his skin it was quite red. Sunburn. He had totally forgotten to use any sun block, and as he was quite fair-skinned, the tropical weather had made quite an impact.

The door to the large bathroom opened, and Slade came in, wearing only his underwear and carrying his old clothes. He put them in a hamper and fetched the ones Robin had taken off and hung on hook. He threw these in the hamper too and was about to leave the room when he spotted the boy's predicament. Robin was a bit beyond embarrassment at the moment and gingerly touched his arms.

"You look quite colourful." Slade grinned at him.

Robin hissed as his skin stung "You don't happen to have any of that military-ointment with you?" he asked hopefully.

"As a matter of fact, I have a small stock of it here. I'll send for some. Can't have you sore, now, can I?" Slade left the room and came back a short while later with a new jar of the fast-acting healing balm.

"Want help?" he asked, grinning slightly.

"Do you want to be late for lunch?" Robin grinned back, reminding Slade that he still had to shower and change. Slade shrugged and as Robin left the bathroom the shower turned on. The boy suspected that if the burns had been in any more interesting places than lower arms and legs, he would have gotten that help whether he wanted it or not. He carefully put the ointment on, finding it helped a bit within minutes. Then he looked through the closets in the dressing room to find something to wear. He wondered if he was supposed to dress up for lunch or if casual was fine… He opted for a pair of dark blue jeans shorts and a white short-sleeved thin shirt. He guessed he just had to change if Slade told him so.

As Slade emerged he also dressed casual, though, and Robin felt relived. The thought of long pants over his still tender lower legs made him wince.

"Did the ointment work?" Slade asked, eying him.

Robin nodded. "It's working…"

"We better get some sun tan lotion for you for this afternoon." Slade decided and lead the way out of the room.

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They had lunch on the veranda facing the ocean and as they finished Robin's skin didn't show any signs of sunburn anymore.

They both leaned back in their chairs, enjoying the view and the memory of the splendid lunch, pasta with a shellfish sauce.

"You don't think I can convince Sarah to become a Titan, do you?" Robin joked. "I could get used to eating like this."

Slade smiled at him lazily, arching an eyebrow.

"Glad to hear I have something you want…"

Robin grinned, but didn't fall for the trap. Instead he yawned, suddenly dead tired. Not surprising since he spent most of the night on a plane… He let his head rest on the high back of the chair and closed his eyes.

"Sorry, Robin, no sleeping at the table."

Robin groaned but opened his eyes again.

"Come on… ten minutes?"

Slade grinned at him.

"I thought you were too old for naps, anyway." he teased. "All right, go upstairs and rest for a moment while I check in with Will."

Robin dragged himself to his feet and sleepily found his way back to the bedroom. He collapsed on the bed and was out like a light within seconds. A full stomach will do that to you.

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"Robin, time to wake up."

"Noooo….. ten more?"

"You have had thirty. Get up."

Robin cracked an eye open, intending to glare at Slade, but as he found the man standing over him wearing only a pair of black swimming trunks, of the shorts-variety, the glare somehow didn't happen.

"We are going snorkelling." Slade explained, throwing a pair of trunks Robin's size on the bed next to him. "Come on, sleepyhead."

Robin stretched and yawned, thinking for a moment that maybe he could convince Slade to join him on the bed instead, but since he had wanted to go swimming since this morning he eventually got to his feet.
Robin's trunks were also black, but he noted a little yellow logo on the side of the leg. Looking closer he discovered the image of a rubber duck and shivered. Slade couldn't possible know, could he? Naaahhh… a duck on a pair of swimming trunks wasn't that far fetched after all. He got changed and they both grabbed a towel each as they went out into the garden.

Thomas was there, friendly as usual .Robin started to hope he would be able to spend some time with him before this trip was over.

"All the equipment is down by the point." Thomas informed them. "Mrs Nicholls packed something for you to drink if you got thirsty too."

"Thank you, Thomas" Slade said amiably. "Come along, Robin; let's take a look at the reef."

Robin padded barefooted in Slade's wake, still a bit sleepy. He was curious about diving, though, even if they were just going to go snorkelling. He always envied Aqualad his abilities, and thought that nothing could compare to the strangely but beautiful alien world of a tropical reef.

The sand was hot, but as his feet sank down into it, it immediately got tolerable. 'The Point" turned out to be a thin strip of beach jutting out into the ocean. At the end there were several large rocks that would provide some shade and shelter from the wind. It was a bit of a walk to the boulders and, looking back, Robin couldn't see the house anymore as it was hidden among the trees.

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They put their towels down the sand in the shade of one of the boulders and there was also bag of snorkelling gear and a cooler Robin thought must contain the drinks. Realizing they might have forgotten something Robin went through the bag, happy to find what he had been looking for. Sun block. It was a brand that stayed on in the water, which was a really good thing. Robin started to apply it but the bottle was soon snatched away from him by Slade. Naturally. He was standing up, but almost fell as Slade massaged the lotion into his back. Robin closed his eyes and couldn't help to smile as Slade's hands worked their magic on his body again. The last time his skin had been badly bruised, though, and it had kind of hurt then Slade had used the healing-balm on him. This time it was pure pleasure, but Robin, thankfully, could stop himself from being aroused and simply enjoying the touch like a good massage. That got a bit more difficult as Slade's hand slipped under his waistband and stroked his behind.

"Mmh… I doubt I will need sun block there…" Robin felt he had to protest just a bit…

"What if I decided that you shouldn't have any tanning lines?" Slade teased him, but moved to Robin's chest instead. The boy gasped and leaned back against the man as he continued rubbing at his upper body, arms and then legs. A sharp click brought Robin back to the world. Slade had closed the cap on the bottle.

"All done" the smugness in Slade's voice was so evident Robin wanted to bite him. Again. He did his best to act relaxed, though, as they tried on different scuba masks, flippers and snorkels, choosing the best ones.

As this tongue of land jutted out into the water, it was a really good spot to start from if you wanted to swim out to the reef that surrounded the island.

As they started to wade, the water it was first almost uncomfortable warm, but got cooler the deeper out they came.

"We do get the normal amounts of sharks out here. They aren't usually a problem, but keep an eye out." Slade instructed. The man had strapped a knife to his ankle before entering the water, and Robin now started to wonder if there was any real reason to worry. "There is dolphins too, on the outside of the reef, so don't panic just because you see something big and grey."
Robin snorted at this; he could spot the difference, after all…

They put on their flippers, donned the masks and started to swim out towards the reef. Robin noticed that Slade hadn't bothered with a snorkel, and it soon became evident why… the man could hold his breath for ages.
Not surprising that I always get so out of breath when we kiss…

Yes, like THAT'S the reason.

Closing in on the reef Robin forgot all else. It was an untouched piece of extraterrestrial heaven. Beyond it laid the darkness of the cold vast depths but here it was warm, colourful and beautiful. Robin hated it every time he had to come up for breath, but just laying at the surface, snorkelling, wasn't enough. There were always things that invited to a closer look. Not touch though. The reef itself was sharp and many things on it were poisonous. Slade swam quickly with powerful strokes with his flippers, pointing things out. After a while, getting tired, Robin just latched on to his shoulder, letting the man tug him along. Not having to swim also saved air, and Robin was able to stay down longer.

Slade suddenly gave a signal and pointed. Shark. It was a small reef shark and Robin wasn't worried. Even large sharks weren't usually especially dangerous if you knew how to act around them. The shark flipped his tail and vanished in a flash, not wanting to have anything to do with the two bigger animals that turned up in his habitat. Seeing the shark was thrilling, but Robin soon saw something he would never forget. Wild dolphins. It seemed to be a small family group hunting for something in the sand on the outside of the reef. Robin surfaced to get some air and then dived again. He was soon spotted and several of the mammals edged curiously closer. One was especially brave and Robin couldn't help himself as he reached out and stroked the side of the animal as it swam by. As he returned to the surface the group joined him and as he dived again they followed, intent on checking this strange new creature out. Robin was careful not to be too forward, dolphins could be quite dangerous and could even kill larger sharks by ramming into them, nose first. They seemed to be making friends with him, though, and Robin knew he would never forget this moment for as long as he lived.

He noticed that the animals seemed to avoid Slade, however. Finally! Beings with some sense! Maybe it was because of his size, but more likely it was the way he moved. The man oozed 'predator' in a way that would make a Great White look like a puppy.

As the dolphins took off, obviously stating that they had more important things to do then to play with a human all day, Robin surfaced again.

Slade came up right beside him and took his mask off.

"Ready to swim back?"

Robin took his mask off too, turning to the man with a huge smile on his face.

"That… that was…" Robin was lost for words and just shook his head, smiling.

Slade smiled back.

"I thought you would enjo-"
He was interrupted as the boys lips suddenly was pressed against his.

The almost magical meeting with the magnificent animals had left Robin with a feeling of pure joy that just had to be expressed somehow. The boy had no idea how they got to the beach. He didn't even realize that they were close until Slade lifted him up and carried him to their towels. The kissing hadn't ended yet, except to catch small gulps of air on Robin's part.

As Slade's body covered his. Robin moaned as the man's kisses started to get more demanding and he embraced the wet body on top of him, pulling himself closer. Slade's lips trailed down his neck, nibbling, and Robin got a chance to breathe. The rush of oxygen to his brain helped clear his thoughts for a moment, too. He squeezed the man's shoulders, gently pushing him away for a little bit.

"Slade…? Slade?" it wasn't easy to get the man's attention but he finally lifted his head, a little hint of warning in his eyes.

"I'm not complaining." Robin smiled reassuringly, "but… a favour?"

"What?" the man asked gruffly, working his way up to Robin's mouth again.

"Not… here? The sand… salt water..?"

Slade looked up at him and grinned.

"All right. I know a place…"

"Is it close?" Robin wanted to know and this got a chuckle from Slade.

"Fairly. Come." Slade grabbed their towels and bags in one hand and Robin's arm in the other, practically dragging him towards the island.

"Hey, I'm coming! You don't have to- ouff!"

Slade, unusually impatient, had lifted the boy up and slung him over his shoulder like he was some pathetic heroine being captured in an old movie.

"Yes, this is dignified." Robin muttered.

"It's faster." Slade grinned back at him striding across the sand and into the jungle-like forest.

"So I can make you run for m- ouch!"

Slade had slapped his ass. Robin sighed and resigned to his fate. He noticed that they followed a narrow path. The path was the only thing he noticed, however, due to his position. He couldn't very well look any other way than down.

At last Slade stopped and he was put down, rather dizzy at this point. As he looked around he saw that they had come to a clearing with a clear stream running trough it. They followed the stream for a short while, coming up to a rock face which the stream flowed over in a small waterfall, creating a pool of crystal water beneath it. The water was rather cold, Robin discovered as he was pulled under the fall alongside Slade. They stood just above the pond on some smooth rocks. It was nice to get rid of the salt and sand, though, and he ran his hands through his hair when Slade pulled Robin's swimming trunks down. The boy returned the favour, trailing his lips down the man's stomach tasting his skin in the process. The salty taste still lingered, making Robin start to understand why certain couples seemed to like to coat each other in different eatable substances and licking it off… He doubted there was any whipped cream or chocolate sauce in his future, though… other than as regular dessert. As he started to get up, he suddenly slipped, and, dragging Slade with him, they fell into the pond.

Robin surfaced yelping.

"Damn, it's cold!"

"Then let's get warm…" Slade rose from the water and helped Robin up.

They stretched out on one of the towels, Slade massaging Robin with the other. The air was warm, and the sparse beams of sunlight that made it trough the canopy felt like hot kisses on the boy's naked body, making him heat up again quickly. Under the towel was thick grass, almost as soft as mattress, and Robin almost purred with the sensation of pleasure. His fingers toyed lazily with Slade's hair and he sighed blissfully. A click and something cold on his chest told Robin that Slade was applying a fresh coat of sun block to his skin, probably much needed by now. He closed his eyes, revelling in the sensation, happy just to receive for now. This time Slade didn't miss a spot on his front and Robin couldn't hold back his arousal as he started to breathe deeply and wriggle under the man.

"Turn over."

The command was followed immediately and Slade started on his back. Robin lifted himself up, wanting the man lower, but was pushed down and pinned gently to the ground. Slade apparently wanted to be slow. Robin, who subconsciously had wanted this all day, didn't like it slow for once.

"Fuck me…" he whispered.

"I only have sun crème as lube…"

"Don't care… just… god, I need you!" The boy begged, raising his ass in the air.

Slade's hand slipped down to it and a crème coated finger started playing at Robin's entrance. The boy gasped and pushed himself back.

"More..."

"My, my... aren't we demanding today…" Slade smirked.

"I'm… I'm sorry, Master I just … want you so bad… please?" Robin's voice was submissive, and as he turned his head Slade could see the pleading in his eyes. Slade got on his knees behind the boy who lifted himself up, offering himself to his master while continuing to softly beg. Slade hadn't seen him quite this hot since their first night together, and he enjoyed it immensely. As he pushed himself in, the boy cried in passion and started thrusting back immediately. Slade gripped the boy's hips and buried himself deep in the hot, tight space. Teasing the boy he pulled out, using small thrusts that just let the tip of his cock in and out of him. Robin whimpered, fighting to push back, but as he was held firmly in place he submitted after a while, staying still and lowering his head. This earned him the reward of being ploughed into forcefully yet again, making him scream.

"Oh, god… yes… I…. oh- harder! Master…" the boy urged him on. Slade wondered if Robin was aware of that they were out in the open and could, in theory, be discovered at any minute. Probably not. Slade wasn't worried himself; he didn't care if he fucked the boy in front of a bloody audience, just as long as he fucked him.

Robin was so turned on that he came from the feeling of Slade inside him alone. He collapsed forward, letting Slade hold him up as the man continued to thrust into him until he also came a bit later. Slade let go of the boy's hips and lay down almost on top of the boy. The sound of their heavy breathing mixed together was the only thing that could be heard for quite some time. Then Robin somehow managed to turn around under Slade and his half closed eyes looked up at him. The boy's hands started stroking the man's sides and back, as far down as he could reach, and a naughty little smile were playing on his lips. He wound his legs around the man.

"More?" Robin half begged, half demanded.

Slade smirked. Oh, yes, he could give him more.

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It was late afternoon when Robin rolled away from the man, finally having had enough. Or as much as he could take, anyway.

"I suspected you were wrong" Robin panted, glancing teasingly at Slade.

"Wrong about what, exactly?" the man wanted to know.

"Cold showers just aren't any good, are they?"

Slade chuckled, remembering the advice he had told Robin regarding how to control his libido if he didn't want to be touched by Slade. In short it involved cold showers, seducing Starfire, masturbate or get a whore. Robin had instead opted for Slade. The man was quite content with that. So, it seemed, was the boy.

Robin gazed up into the luscious green canopy. This was a beautiful place, he was almost overly satisfied and the whole world seemed just perfect. He reached out and found Slade's hand, but as he gently grasped it he man pulled it away. Robin turned his head, slightly puzzled, and his stomach turned to ice as he saw the look in the man's eye.

"I'm you Master, Robin, not your boyfriend."

Robin's mouth fell open, but he couldn't find anything to say. Suddenly the clearing had become very cold, and he quickly turned his eyes away.

"I'm sorry, Master." he managed, then stood up and went over to the waterfall to make it look like he was just going to clean up. The water cascading over him was good. It hid the tears.

How could he have been so stupid? He had managed to forget not only who Slade really was and what he wanted, but who Robin himself was. He wasn't betraying his friends, he was betraying himself. And still… everything in him wanted to be more to the man, to matter. Not as an apprentice, not even just as a lover. Robin wanted more than that now. And Slade had just ripped any hope of that to shreds, along with his heart.

"Water still cold?" Slade voice came from behind him.

"Yes."

As the man got closer, Robin turned and dived into the pool, the freezing water somehow numbing not only his body, but his feelings as well.

He climbed unto the grassy bank, found his still damp swimming trunks and pulled them on. When Slade returned Robin had folded up the towels and put them on the bag, ready to go. He pretended to be very interested in some flowers by his feet as the man came up to him and picked up the bag.

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Slade cursed himself intently under his breath. He was such an idiot sometimes. The boy had to know his place, but this was not the way. At least Robin wasn't acting out or being disrespectful. Slade would hate it if he had to punish him on top of this. The warmth that had been growing between them was gone, though. The boy followed him silently, avoiding looking at him and, when made to answer, stuck to 'yes' or 'no'. Slade wondered if he should try to repair the rift but that, he suspected, would have to mean an apology and if he thought logically about it, he might regret the way but not the meaning. He had no desire to hold the boy's hand and cuddle with him in a romantic la-la-land. He wanted to turn him into a cold-blooded killer, he wanted to educate him, make him strong and perfect. Slade sighed and somewhere, deep down, he thought he would miss the look in Robin's eyes and that wide, contagious smile. Was that really all he wanted? Was he kidding himself here?

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Dinner was eaten in silence. It seemed the staff had picked up on that something was wrong, because they kept virtually invisible. Even Sarah only served the food quietly.

Robin, trying to avoid Slade without being obvious, offered to help her clear the table, and as they were finished, he seemed to linger in the kitchen, looking for something else to do.

"What is wrong?" she finally asked him.

The boy refused to look at her.

"I… I have just been… stupid… I forgot…"

Sarah put down the pot she was washing and walked up to Robin, putting her arms around him. He stood stiffly for a few seconds and then grabbed on to her as he started sobbing.

"There, there…. I told you that you were too young… Slade is a difficult man… what did he do?"

"It's… it's not him… It's me… I… I'm supposed to fight him… he's the enemy… I…I'm Robin of the Teen Titans…" he whispered. Sarah drew a breath, but Robin didn't notice. The boy is a hero? How did Slade ever manage to…? She wasn't sure she wanted to know. The boy hade just given her his identity, though… he was so young, so trusting. There was surely a prize on his head and if she had been someone else… She hugged him closer, and Robin continued, very quietly now.

"Everything was so… perfect… and I… I thought that maybe he cared… I … I was wrong. I'm nothing to him… nothing…"

She held him until he had calmed down. He dried his tears, looking rather embarrassed, and she smiled encouragingly at him.

"Everything will work out, my boy. Slade will come around; he is just stubborn as hell, that man."

Robin tried to smirk, but something inside him felt broken.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I…"

"Not at all. Come back anytime if you need to talk, do you hear me?"

The boy nodded and, this time, the smile seemed a tad warmer.

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As Robin climbed the stairs to the bedroom he fervently hoped that Slade wouldn't be there. He wasn't that lucky. Slade sat by a desk, working through some files. Robin looked around, wishing he could take a shower just to be out of the room, but he had showered before dinner so that would be rather obvious.

"Do you want anything, Robin?" Slade asked suddenly. The simple question let loose a rage inside the boy that he had to fight with everything he got to suppress.

"Can we go home?" he asked between clenched teeth. "I miss my family and friends."

"We are staying until the day after tomorrow; I have some business to attend to."

"Can I have my own room?"

Robin flinched slightly as Slade got up and walked towards him. He took half a step back, but didn't look up on him.

"No, Robin. You made your choice. You are not allowed to go back on it just because you are angry at me."

Robin could have flown at Slade's throat at that instant, but with amazing self control he just gave a curt nod.

"I understand."

"You can go to bed." Slade dismissed him.

Sending me to bed early? Well, I guess there are worse punishments… Robin thought and then shivered. He knew there were worse punishments.

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He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and get ready for bed. He really wished he had the guts to keep his boxers on, but that would surely lead to some sort of retribution. He crawled under the covers, turned away from Slade's side of the bed, and closed his eyes. He tried very hard to fall asleep, but with Slade in the room, sleep wouldn't come.

An hour later Slade went to bed himself, and Robin jerked as he felt the man's hand's on him.

"Not asleep yet? Good…" Slade purred, and started to caress his body. Robin swallowed and closed his eyes. As Slade's lips met his he obediently opened his mouth. The man broke the kiss after just a moment.

"You are not making an effort, Robin."

"I'm sorry I'm not being a very good whore to you." the reply came stiffly.

The opened hand blow snapped Robin's head to the side and he gasped with the pain. He was forced to finally look up at Slade, whingeing when he saw the raw anger on the man's face.

"Then be better!" Slade snarled and pushed the boy's legs apart.

"No!" Robin's scream was followed by a short struggle which Slade easily won, as he already was on top of the boy. As Slade looked down triumphantly on the boy's face, Robin broke down and started crying.

"Just… just do it, then!" he cried "Just rape me! I can't stop you! And as I don't mean anything to you anyway, why should you care!?" He took a few gulps of air and then continued in a more collected manner. "But just so you know, you will have to rape me every time from now on." Robin didn't struggle anymore; he just laid there, tears running down his face. The look he was giving Slade was full of pain. It was too much. Slade abruptly got off him, dressed hastily and left the room. Robin was left on the bed, sobbing softly. After a while, the sobs died down and the boy fell asleep.

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Slade stormed down the staircase. He hadn't been this angry in years. He knew that if he hit the boy now, the hit would be too hard. He had to leave. Strangely he wasn't as angry with Robin as he was with… himself? He almost collided with the broad form of Sarah and as she didn't get out of his way he had to stop and look at her.

"I don't know what you did to that boy this afternoon, and I sure as hell don't want to know what that scream just now was about, but you, Slade, are an idiot." she told him calmly.

He wanted to strike her down. She would be dead before hitting the floor. Instead he just stared at her.

"I know." he muttered and turned around. He left the house behind and started to walk blindly into the dark. He needed to think. His thinking first only lead to a few broken palm trees, but hopefully it would yield more results as he calmed down.

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As Robin woke the next morning he was still alone in the room. He got dressed and walked down to meet a very nurturing Sarah who provided a huge breakfast he only nibbled on. As the door opened he startled and was half way out of the chair until he realised that it was only Wintergreen.

"Slade wants to let you know that you can spend the day with Thomas if you wish. He will be busy until this afternoon."

Robin nodded, relived beyond imagination. He immediately went to find the man who was glad to get a break from work. Thomas could tell that something had happened, but as the boy tried to act carefree Thomas humoured him. After a while he managed to coax some real laughs and smiles from the boy. As Robin seemed to relax more the farther from the house they went, Thomas suggested that they should take the water scooters out for a ride. The scooters were usually used by the guards for patrol but borrowing them for a few hours were no problem. They actually went all around the island on them, landing at the point by the boulders. They flopped down on their towels in the sand, exhausted from the excursion, and started talking about everything and nothing. Robin talked a bit about his friends, carefully avoiding mentioning them being superheroes… or aliens…. or shape shifters, half demons and half robots. He talked about Bruce, again not mentioning anything about the bat-part. Telling Thomas this seemed to help him rebuild the image of himself, like telling himself a story and starting believing in it. Thomas talked about his own family and friends. He also spoke about his girlfriend who apparently lived on the mainland.

"So here you are!" Robin jumped badly again, but it was only Derrick, carrying a bag.

"Oh, hi Derrick. Was it something you wanted?" Thomas didn't sound too happy to see his colleague. Derrick didn't seem to notice, actually sounding more up beat than Robin ever heard before.

"Yeah, well I was sent to find you by Sarah, she wanted to bring you a snack and something to drink."

"Great! Just what I needed!" Thomas lit up.

"Err… sorry, but as I left there was a call, the new engine parts you were waiting for are coming in to the dock in, well… ten minutes or so… you were to pick them up."

"Damn! I thought they wouldn't be here until tomorrow! And the fucking truck is broken too…"

"There is one by the docks, though; you don't have to carry the stuff back."

"Yeah, right, thanks…" the man mumbled.

"Why don't you take the scooter to the docks?" Robin suggested. They had passed the place over an hour ago and it was located on the opposite side of the island.

"Too little fuel left. Well, I better leg it! Sorry, kid, another day, eh?"

"Sure…" Robin smiled up at him.

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Robin expected Derrick to leave with Thomas, but the man didn't. Instead he put the bag on the ground by Robin and opened it up.

"This is the thing," he said, glancing at the boy and giving a small sheepish grin. "I promised Sarah I would make sure you had a snack, so I better do that, right?"

Robin just grinned a bit back. Derrick handed him a glass with a lid on it. It was filled with ice-cold juice. Robin popped the lid off.

"I heard what you did to the guards and Jack yesterday…" the blond said, sounding a little unsure. "Just wanted to say, like… good job…?" This time Robin' grin was genuine. Maybe Derrick wasn't as bad after all.

"Anytime." he chuckled and raised the glass.

"Do you… do you mind if I join you?"

"Be my guest." Robin said and took a sip of the heavenly liquid.

They sat in silence for a while, eating roast beef sandwiches and enjoying the juice.

Derrick kept glancing at Robin, which made the boy a bit uncomfortable. When he finally spoke, Robin was surprised as the snide-ness in his voice was back.

"So how much are you getting?"

"For what?" Robin asked, looking puzzled.

"Well, you must be a prostitute, right? How much is he paying you to play house with him for the weekend?"

"What the hell? I'm not-" Robin made a move to get up, but found himself back on the towel again, dizzy.

"Not feeling well?"

"Must… must have been out in the sun too much…"

"Yes." Derrick admitted. "It might be that, or it might be the rohypnol."

"The what..?" Robin's head spun even worse and his heart started to beat wildly in fear. Rohypnol. One of the most common date-rape drugs. He had to get out of here! He tried to bolt, but even Derrick's slight frame was able to hold him down now. Robin stared up on the older boy.

"Why are you…?"

"Well, I thought that if Slade preferred a little boy-slut, why not enjoy him too?" Derrick grinned down on him.

"I'm not! Slade will…"

"Will never know… after all, it's so easy for a lonely child to get in trouble… like swimming by himself… that's dangerous… might drown..:"

"You will never…!"

"Don't bother. As soon as I'm finished with you, all I have to do is drag you out into the water and hold you down. Then I just make it look like you took the scooter out again and let the tide carry you away. I will join the search-party, though… maybe I get a chance to comfort Slade…"

"He… doesn't… care…"

"Of course, not. Why would he?" Derrick's voice was very cold now, and he moved down the boy's side, reaching for his pants.

"Nooo…" Robin punched upward, aiming for a nerve centre on the side of Derrick's neck. He hit the spot, but the punch was too weak. Instead of rendering the man unconscious it only hurt him slightly.

"How dare you!?" Robin saw the fist coming but could only turn his head before it collided with his cheek. Robin almost blacked out, something he would have welcomed right now, but he was brought back to the present by a voice.

"What is going on here!?"

It wasn't the voice Robin instinctively wanted to hear, but any voice was good enough now.

"Help…" Robin slurred. "Help me… please… drugged me…"

The man towering over them crouched down beside him, and Robin could barely make out the face of the security chief. The boy reached out, but his hand was slapped away.

"Help you? After what you did? Humiliating me in front of my team?" Jack's stare was colder that Slade's ever been. He turned his eyes to Derrick and smirked. "Enjoy." Then he stood up and walked away.

"See, kid? No one cares…" Derrick whispered and continued unbuckling the boy's pants.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Robin tried to protest, but his mind was poisoned by the drug, he was unable to move and could barely think. He felt his pants and boxers being pulled down and his legs were lifted up and bent towards his chest, almost crushing him. Robin's fingers dug into the sand as he tried to scream for help, but only feeble noises came out. Then there was pain. Robin managed to scream now, but a hand was swiftly put over his mouth.

"Shut the fuck up you little shit! I'm glad I didn't waste any lube on you! Prancing around like you owned the place! Like you owned him! How does it feel to find out what you really are?"
Robin sobbed, tears wetting his face. Derrick's hand disappeared, but Robin couldn't make himself scream again. He just wanted it to be over. He could feel himself bleeding, but at least the blood seemed to act as a very poor lubricant, making Derrick's thrusts a little bit easier to bear.

"Slade…" Robin didn't know why he whispered the man's name, but he received a backhanded blow for it, reminding him so very painfully of last night.

"Don't you dare say his name, filth!" Derrick hissed. Robin felt himself slipping away into darkness.

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He came to only minutes later when he felt someone pulling his ankle violently, dragging him across the sand. First he didn't understand what was happening, but then there was water all around him. He thrashed around but the only result was a mouthful of saltwater. Derrick continued to drag him further out, which was rather easy now as Robin floated on his back. As they got to a point where the water almost reached the man's crotch he turned around, looking down at the boy.

"This is it, whore… hope you have someone waiting for you."

"N-"

Derrick pushed on Robin's chest, slowly shoving him below the surface.

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Robin stared up trough the water into the distorted face of the rapist. He tried to hold on to him, pull himself up, but it was just no use. His brain told him to fight, so he tried; only using up more of the air in his lungs. Lungs that already burned. Bubbles escaped from his lips and he watched them with a desperate longing. He was starting to calm down. Couldn't fight. His struggles diminished as the last of his air escaped. His vision started to fade. He needed air so bad. At last, convinced there must be air around him, he took a deep breath. As the water poured into his throat and lungs he tried to scream. The pain was indescribable, like he inhaled acid instead of seawater. There were no thoughts left, nothing to hold him down. Death finally took the pain away.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Derrick smiled as the boy's struggles seized. He held on a moment longer and let the body go, watching it floating just below the surface. Then something grabbed his shoulder, yanking him forcefully aside and lifting the dead boy up. Derrick looked around, confused. He had been so focussed on the boy that he hadn't noticed people running towards him. There were guards moving in on him and the figure that was now quickly carrying the damn slut to the shore… Slade… No! Slade shouldn't care about that freak! Well… he was dead. Good enough. The mercenary shouted something to the guards and they suddenly attacked Derrick, dragging him to the shore. His feet were kicked out from under him and he was forced down on the sand, firmly held in place. Well, what did he care? Slade would soon turn to him. He had earned the attention.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

As Slade first saw Robin's body under the water he got cold. He merely pushed the man responsible away, not wanting to waste any time on him. There would be time later. Lots and lots of time. He brought the boy to the shore, put him down and quickly looked for any signs of life. He was not breathing. There was no pulse. Cursing, Slade tilted Robin's head to the side, watching as some water drained out of his nose and mouth, then he lifted it back, pinched the boy's nose shut and breathed into his mouth. Water and vomit came up, but at least the chest heaved slightly so there was nothing obstructing the airways. Slade continued giving the boy mouth-to-mouth for a few more breaths and then started chest compressions. Alternating between these, barking commands to his men in between it seemed like forever until the boy finally turned his head slightly and spewed up more water, coughing faintly. Slade turned him over on his side in the recovering position, monitoring his pulse and breathing closely.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Robin saw sand. Dry sand. That was funny. The afterlife had a beach? Sweet. Then again, the afterlife hurt. Not sweet. It wasn't supposed too, was it? Not that he was religious, preferring science to faith… uh-oh… the sand was kind of hot… before being able to continue the trail of thought he drifted off again.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

The next time he woke up everything around him was white. Better? He didn't know. A lot still hurt, though… his breathing felt like he was trying to breathe through a straw in an almost empty soda can.

Something came into his vision, disturbing the whiteness.

"Robin?"

Slade. So this was definitely not heaven then. And since Slade was supposed to be alive, maybe he was too?

"Yes…" he could barely whisper, but hearing himself speak further convinced him that he was, indeed, still in this world.

He raised his hand, reaching for Slade, but halfway he stopped, quickly snatching his hand away. He had reached for him before. Slade didn't want that.

"…I'm…sorry…" he turned his head away. "…forgot..."

"No, Robin." Slade's hand was suddenly on his cheek, stroking it gently. "Don't be. I was wrong."

Robin looked up at him, too tired to form the question. Everything swam in front of his eyes and he slowly closed them again. Just as he did, he thought he heard Slade's voice again.

"I love you"

He must have heard wrong.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

People were trying to speak with him, and Robin frowned irritably.

"He should have been more alert by now, I suspect some for of brain damage from lack of oxygen."

"Has a full physical been done? Any blood work? Maybe he was intoxicated?"

"You only arrived here a few minutes ago, Dr Adams, until now we have concentrated on keeping him alive." Slade's voice answered dryly.

"Robin? Robin, can you hear me?" someone shouted in his ear. Robin wanted to be left alone, but these people just couldn't take a hint. He glared up at them, or tried too. There were two men in white coats. He didn't recognise them. Then there was Slade.

"Robin." Slade took over now, pushing the others to the side. "Robin, listen to me." Slade's tone bore into the boy's mind, making it try to pay attention.

"Mh?"

"What happen? At the beach? Were you hit? How come Derrick managed to drag you into the water?"

"Rohypnol." Robin answered.

He heard Slade hiss.

"Raped me."

Something hit the wall. Somehow Robin got the feeling the wall lost.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Slade had to fight hard to control the rage inside him. He thought he did a pretty good job until he saw the looks on the physician's faces and discovered the fist-sized hole in the wall. Well. He hadn't put a hole through something alive at least. He would, though. Soon. The boy had drifted back to sleep, and he would let him.

He picked up a communicator.

"Wintergreen. Bring the anti-drug kit. Whatever we have that can help clear Rohypnol. Bring the healing-balm too and anything else we have that might help. Now." As he flicked the communicator shut the braver of the two doctors interrupted him.

"What is this "anti-drug-thing" you are talking about? We can't let you-" suddenly his feet wasn't touching the ground anymore.

"You will monitor his lungs and heart. I want no fluids building up, no pneumonia. We will see to anything else. Any questions?"

The doctor, having been lifted straight up and pressed to the wall looked down on Slade, shaking his head vigorously.

"Good."

Slade left the room

"Where is Jack? Why hasn't he reported in yet?" He asked a young guard, who looked like he really wanted to be somewhere else right now.

"I- I'm sorry, Sir, we can't find him…"

"Then. Look. Harder."

"Y-yes Sir!" The guard scampered off, thinking to himself that he would look very hard indeed. Preferably on the other side of the island. On his way out the guard met Wintergreen. Even he looked nervous. This was serious.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

"Will! Got what we need?"

"Yes, Slade, this should clear the drug out of his system in minutes."

"Good. We have another problem first, though, and I would rather he still be asleep for that." Wintergreen looked at him questionably, and since the corridor was deserted Slade continued. "Derrick raped him."

"I'll kill him." Will's voice was cold as ice.

"No. That's my job… where are they holding him?"

"In the guard's arrest. He won't escape."

"He better not."

The two men entered Robin's room again.

"Status?"

"Stabile. He must be monitored for at least 48 hours to be sure, but so far, no complications."

"Good. Leave the room."

"What!? We-"

A look from Slade was enough this time. Still, they were a little bit on the slow side those two. Slade had recruited them from a private clinic on the mainland and flown them to the island, all in under an hour.

As the men left the room, Wintergreen helped Slade to assess the boy's wounds. There had been bleeding, but there was only a small, superficial tear. The ointment should take care of that in an hour or two. Relived that the damage wasn't greater, Slade measured up the anti-drug remedy in a syringe and pushed the needle into Robin's arm.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

He was waking up again. Damn. Sleeping was great… he didn't have to think, didn't have to remember…

As his eyes opened, Slade was the first person he saw. Did he ever leave?

"How are you feeling now?" the man asked.

Robin hesitated for a moment.

"Better. Not so woozy."

"Good. You have been given an antidote to the Rohypnol. Can you tell us what happened?"

As Robin was about to start the door flew open without even a knock. Thomas rushed into the room and up to Robin's bed.

"Robin! Are you all right!? God, they told me you drowned… that he… he…"

"Thomas. What are you doing here?" Slade didn't sound happy with the intrusion.

"It's… it's my fault!" Thomas confessed, and, without really realizing it, put himself as close to death as he had ever been.

"What do you mean?"

"I- I left him alone with…"

Robin raised a hand that Thomas immediately grabbed.

"It's not your fault. You couldn't know!"

Thomas told Slade and Wintergreen what had happened at the beach.

"I couldn't catch a ride so I took a bike… as I had gone a kilometre or so, I was lucky enough to meet a jeep with a few guards. I asked if the ship had started unloading yet and they told me the only ship docked was the grocery-delivery… I suspected something was wrong and hitched a ride with them back. They radioed ahead and sounded the alarm." His eyes turned to Robin. "I should never have left. Derrick is a bastard, I knew he is! I just never thought he would… he would try to kill you!"

"He raped me." Robin repeated in a hollow voice, making Thomas gasp. "But you saved my life! If you hadn't figured out something was wrong..."

"I'll… I'll kill him!" Thomas shouted, standing up and releasing Robin's hand.

"Join the line." Wintergreen smirked. "I think Slade has first go."

"No." Robin's voice cut through the room with surprising sharpness. The three men looked at him. "No." he repeated. "I want to see him first."

Slade hesitated.

"All right. We'll keep him alive until you are better."

"Thank you."

Robin was quiet for a while.

"Jack…" he said, not quite remembering why that name popped up.

"What about Jack?" Slade wanted to know. "He is missing. Has something happened to him?"

"I saw him before." Thomas told them. "We met him on the road from the docks. He was driving a guard jeep. Seemed to be in a hurry."

Robin frowned. He recalled something, but the drug made his memory blurry.

"He… he was there!" he suddenly realized. "I… told him I'd been drugged and he…. he said something…he said I had embarrassed him. He told Derrick to… to enjoy…"

The wall gained another hole.

"Find. Him." Slade demanded, making the other two men flee from the room.

Robin saw Slade sit down heavily on a chair next to the bed. He watched him silently, not quite knowing what to say.

"Can I go home now?" he whispered after a while.

"You are here for observation for at least two days. Drowning isn't something you just shake off and walk away from."

"You promised."

"You want to go home that bad?"

Robin just looked at him for a while.

"I want to be with… with people who care…"

Slade leaned closer too him.

"I guess you don't remember our talk earlier, Robin, but I care…"

"No you don't! You showed me what I am to you! He said so too!" Robin shouted and ending up coughing painfully.

Slade but his had on Robins arm, trying to calm him down. The boy made an effort to shake him off, but couldn't.

"Do you believe Derrick, after what he did to you?"

"He only finished what you started, Slade!"

The man's face turned white.

"I wouldn't gone through with it, Robin. I was only…"

"Showing me my place, right? Cause I could never be anything more to you than a servant... a subordinate, a slave! Just as long as I'm willing to do your bidding, everything is fine, as long as I don't dare compare myself to you! I should never think that I am someone, I-" again violent coughs interrupted him.

"Do you know what an apprentice is?" Slade asked, calmly.

"To you? I told you… a servant!"

"No. I never wanted a servant. I have enough of those. I never even wanted a student. I wanted an apprentice, but only for one reason. An apprentice eventually will become a master himself. Robin… I wanted you as an equal… but now… now I want you for something more. I love you."

Robin stared up at him… he… he loves me? The walls he built around him didn't fall, though.

"Yeah? And what makes you think I care?!"

The man left the room immediately and as he did, Robin almost cried out after him. Almost. He turned on his side and started to sob.

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The doctors returned after a while. They listened so hard to his chest Robin suspected that he had inhaled an MP3-player. They also gave him a lot of injections. They told him it was antibiotics but that didn't make the boy feel any less as a pin-cushion. Thomas returned briefly. Wintergreen checked in. Slade didn't. Then Sarah came by. Robin had almost fallen asleep again when she suddenly stood above him, looking at him with a strange expression on her face.

"You are both idiots." she said and turned to leave the room.

"Wait!" Robin called for her, and she returned to his side.

"Can't you… can't you tell him that I'm… I'm sorry…?"

"Tell him yourself."

"He… he won't come back…"

"Would you?"

Robin didn't know what to answer. His mouth opened and closed a few times but with no result. The woman just shook her head sadly and left the room.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

As the night came there was still no Slade. Robin lay with his eyes closed; tired from all the prodding and stinging the doctors had done to him all day. They seemed terrified to leave his side for more than a few minutes.

The monitors by his bed hummed and the screens glowed eerily. At least they didn't beep any more. The doctors had turned off the sound, knowing it might be stressful for the patient. Robin sat up in bed painfully. They had let him wear a t-shirt and a pair of boxers, which was better than a hospital gown, but maybe not the attire he liked to stroll around in. He had no choice, though. He had to find Slade. The infirmary was located in a barrack, closer to the guard's quarters than the main building. He remembered this from his first tour with Slade in the helicopter. He got to his feet but was held back by the IV-drip in his arm and the things that hooked him up to the monitors. He suspected an alarm would sound if he unhooked himself from those, so he started with the drip, peeling off the band-aid and pulled the needle out. Then he got ready to get rid of the wires. He took a few deep breaths, not because it would hurt as the suction cup-like things only was held in place with a little tape, but because he had to get ready to run. After a final breath he yanked the wires off and bolted for the window. The alarms were terrible! The window was, thankfully, unlocked though. He was out of it and had closed it behind him in seconds, running as fast as he could for the house. The noise died down as the window was shut and that was a good thing. He didn't want to draw attention to himself more than he had to.

He reached the porch door first and it was open too… guess they don't have to worry much about burglars here, anyway. He found the stairs, ran up them, stumbling and panting heavily now. He threw the door to the bedroom open. Somehow he instinctively felt that Slade would be there. He was. He was sitting by the desk again. Robin almost fell to his knees from exhaustion. Slade stood up, but before he could say anything Robin caught a bit of breath.

"I… love you… too…" The boy panted, knowing it was the truth. No point in denying it any longer.

"And why should I care?" there was no emotion in the voice and Robin tried to straighten up, leaning on the wall for support.

"I deserved that."

"Perhaps."

Robin looked up at him.

"Do you… do you mean it?"

The man stayed quiet.

"Ok…" Robin bowed his head… "I'll... I'll go…"

He turned towards the door, but it wouldn't open. Slade's hand held it shut. There was really nothing more to be said. Robin couldn't anyway, with Slade's lips pressed against his. The man scooped him up, but instead of heading towards the bed, as Robin expected, he opened the door and carried him downstairs.

"Where…?" Robin managed to ask between kisses.

"Back to the infirmary. You should not have be running around in your condition."

"But you didn't come!"

He was only answered by another kiss, but that was quite all right by him for the moment.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

As Slade opened the door to the barrack they were met by total chaos. A lot of people were running around in the corridors, in and out of rooms, shouting Robin's name and random instructions to each other.

Suddenly they all seemed to become aware of Slade and the boy in his arms.

"Looking for me?" Robin grinned slightly.

One of the doctors actually fainted.

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Robin was put back in bed, hooked up to everything and prodded even harder. As both doctors were listening to his heart and lungs at the same time, the boy looked up at Slade and rolled his eyes. The man gave him a look that told him that he better just endure it, so he did. As the doctors concluded that he would probably live, they were dismissed.

Slade sat on Robin's bedside, smiling down on him. The look in his eyes almost scared the boy. It was beyond possessive, beyond affection or attraction. It resonated through Robin's body, making sure every cell in it knew that he belonged to Slade now, through and through. But the boy only smiled, mirroring the look. Slade was his too. Only his. He reached up and dragged the man's head towards him, claiming a kiss. As that ended, Slade gently stroked his hair, getting ready to leave to let the boy sleep.

He felt he owed the boy some sort of explanation, though.

"I am, apparently, an idiot." he grinned, making it sound like an apology.

Robin knew that would be the closest thing to regret he would hear Slade utter, but he accepted it and grinned back.

"So am I, I have been told."

"Sarah?"

"Yup."

"I think she deserves a raise."

Robin laughed. He felt himself relax and half closed his eyes.

"'m tired" he muttered.

"Then sleep."

"'y'll stay?"

"If you want to."

"-es…"

"You are always interesting to talk to when you are tired."

"Mmm.."

The man kissed him one last time on the lips and then settled down in the chair, waiting. As the monitors clearly showed that the boy was asleep, he quietly left the room.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Wintergreen was waiting for him outside, a small smile on his face. Slade gave him a warning look, but the smile got wider. The man sighed, he would hear about this for years, just as well he got used to it. But there was something more important he wanted to deal with now.

"Have they brought Jack in yet?"

"Yes."

The captain of the guards had tried to slip away on the delivery ship, knowing very well that if Derrick was caught he would rat him out. Slade had called the ship's captain up and ordered him to detain the man. A helicopter had gone to pick him up as the vessel reached the port and now he was back on the island.

"He is held in a cell, under watch. He has tried to hang himself so we had to strap him down."

"Good. What about Derrick?"

"He's still in the arrest too… he has turned quite insane, though, demanding to see you, claiming that you love only him now."

"He doesn't know that Robin is alive?"

"Don't know if anyone told him… it might not have registered, though… as I said, he's lost it."

"Keep them from finding out if you can. They are to be held until Robin wants to see them."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

Slade grinned widely.

"I think it's an excellent idea."

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Two days later the doctors declared that Robin was out of the woods. Slade gave them a quite generous endorsement for their trouble and sent them back home, which also was a quite generous gesture. Not everyone got to leave the island alive.

As the doctors left, a procession of almost everyone on the island walked towards the guards jail, Slade and Robin leading the way.

"Bring out the prisoners." Slade ordered.

As the men were brought out, unshackled but held firmly by several guards, Robin studied them closely. It didn't look like they had been very good taken care off, these last few days. Well. He didn't particularly care. As Derrick caught sight of Robin he started to wail.

"No! No! You should be dead! I killed you!" the crazed man screamed, staring at him with wild eyes.

Robin took a step forward, looking up at him.

"What is he still doing on his feet?" Robin calmly asked the guards holding on to the man. They immediately understood and swept the prisoners feet away, making him fall to his knees and holding him there.

"Better." Robin smiled, looking down on Derrick's face now.

"I killed you!" The man screamed again, spit flying out of his mouth.

"That you did." Robin concurred. "I am too important to stay dead, though." some of the men around him chuckled amiably at this. "You drowned me. It wasn't very nice. Tell me, Derrick, how would you like to die?"

"You can't kill me! Slade loves me!" Derrick wailed.

"Oh? He does? I would never want to make the mistake of killing someone Slade loves. That would be just awful." Robin said in a sarcastically worried tone. "Let's just ask him, shall we?"

The boy took a step to the side, so Slade stood in front of Derrick instead.

"Would you mind terribly if I killed him?" Robin asked the man, who smirked.

"No, my dear boy. I actually don't think I would mind at all."

"Thank you" Robin said, mockingly. He looked at the men around him and walked up to one clad in working clothes.

"What's your name?"

"Andrews, Sir. I'm the gardener."

"Excellent, Andrews. Tell me, may I borrow your knife?"

"Yes, of course, Sir!" The man quickly unbuckled a rough looking tool he used daily on the grounds. As he handed the knife to the boy, who nodded happily, the gardener looked around him with some pride in his eyes, making sure that everyone saw that the boy had chosen to ask him for a weapon.

Robin returned to the kneeling man.

"You drowned me in water. I could return the favour, but it's such a long walk to the beach." He glanced at the glittering ocean, visible between the trees. "I think I'll drown you in your own blood, instead."

Derrick started babbling, thrashing around and cursing.

"Hold back his head, please."
Three or four hands immediately grabbed the captive by his hair and yanked his head back.

"I always believed in justice." Robin told the young man. "In government justice, even. I still do, to a degree…. I just don't think that anything the state could come up with will be bad enough for you." Derrick glared back. There wasn't any fear in his eyes; he was just a tad too crazy to be really afraid. There was a lot of hatred, though.

Robin took another step forward. He was on some sort of high… he hated this despicable excuse for a human and he wanted him to pay for what he had done. He knew that Slade and almost anyone else on the island would be more than glad to do this, but Robin felt he owed himself. He knew what he felt, and he wouldn't back away from it.

Robin let the tip of the knife bury itself in the man's windpipe, pressing down through the cartilage protecting the trachea. The man had gone into shock by now, his body racked by seizures. Guttural wheezing noises told Robin that the blood started filling up his lungs as Robin made the cut deeper and longer. He then stood back and watched. It took almost ten minutes for Derrick to die. Robin got a bit bored.

As there was no life left in the body, Robin cleaned off the knife on Derrick's clothes and handed it back.

"Thank you, Andrews."

The gardener actually beamed.

"My pleasure, Sir."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Now. For Jack. Robin turned to the previous head of the guards, now held firmly in place by some of his former men. The boy suspected it was some of the ones who didn't like the man very much. Actually he recognized the man who had whispered in his ear after the fight. He smiled and nodded at him, and the man smiled back.

"So, Jack…" Robin started. He then noticed the red welt around the man's throat. "Oh, you tried to kill yourself? That wasn't very considerate of you, was it?"

The man just stared back at him, with cold eyes and a sneer on his face. He was on his knees too, but he wasn't even close to broken. Robin shrugged. He didn't need to break him. He just needed him to die. The betrayal, turning away from someone in desperate need for help, knowing very well what would happen… that action raked the part of Robin's soul who still lived by the values of a hero.

"How would you like to die?" Robin asked, genuinely interested.

The man actually managed to draw himself up, despite of his position.

"I want to die like any true soldier would."

Robin arched a brow at him.

"In battle?" The boy chuckled as the man gave a curt nod. "Seriously, you expect me to fight you? I already did, you might remember. I barely broke a sweat. No. You are too insignificant to fight."

Robin reached out his hand. "I would like a gun, please. Loaded and safety off" There was a rush among the men and Robin had no idea who managed to put a weapon in his hand first. He only nodded appreciatively and studied the firearm briefly. He aimed the weapon at the man.

"Would you care to explain yourself?" Robin asked. Perhaps the man had a good answer. If he did, maybe he didn't have to die.

"Who do you think you are?" the man spoke low, spitting the words out. "You come here and embarrass me in front of my men…"

"Huh". Robin interrupted. "I didn't really think you could actually die from embarrassment." He pulled the trigger. "Guess I was wrong."

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Robin looked down at the body at his feet. Wow. He had never realized that a bullet could have such an -heh!- impact.

He returned the gun, thanking the man as he found out who he was, and turned to Slade.

"Sorry it took a while."

Slade just grinned at him.

"Practise makes perfect…"

Robin came closer, reaching out for him, still a bit hesitantly. He was terrible afraid of being rejected again. He wasn't. Quite the opposite. The man gave him a deep kiss. First everyone around them were silent but then a very brave man, possible Thomas, Robin thought, gave a whistle and the group erupted in whistles, howls and laughter that made Robin grin around Slade's lips.

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Later that night Robin laid half on top of Slade, breathing heavily. Slade's touch, the feeling of Slade inside him, seemed to wash away the lingering whispers of Derrick, and Robin couldn't get enough.

Slade stroked the boy's hair, wondering if he dared ask a question. Being Slade, he of course did.

"Do you want to talk about what happened today?"

The boy lifted his head, and his eyes turned serious.

"I… I never thought…"

"I know. You never thought you would kill someone..." Slade said, preparing to sooth the boy.

"No…" Robin put a finger to his lips and smiled. "Let me finish. I never thought it would be so easy."

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A/N: You managed to stick with it to the end? I'm impressed! Yeah, I know I might have gone a bit far with this… I expect to be bashed for both the "I love you" and the execution… but, hey! It's a drabble… I can do this, right? On the other hand, if you liked it… if you liked it you are probably my soul-mate or something… poor you! There might be a support-group you can join… This was supposed to be around four to eight pages long. Couldn't stop writing. Scary. Actually it's not a drabble, since they are supposed to be short (100 words I read somewhere.) Well… then I haven't written many drabbles… If you feel very angry about me calling this collection drabbles anyway, just… just keep it to yourself. You have bigger problems when the people who might be joining the support-group… -grins-

Right now I'm working on a robin/red X that might be a "real" multiple chapter's story. I thought I would try to write something longer with Red, encouraged by the fact that you who reviewed "the darkness below" seemed to like it… …Slade is a main character in it too, by the way!