EDITED 9 October 9, 2008: THANKS Virginia Riddle-Malfoy Who pointed out that I, suddenly, changed "Apollo" for "Adonis" in this story… felt so ashamed I had to do an edit… Thanks again!
A/N:
Hiiii! -Waves wildly- Today I celebrate that it was precisely one year ago, the 14:th of July, that I posted the first chapter of my first story, 'Touch', here on . So I thought that a story from the Term's universe might be a good way to celebrate, huh?
This takes place BEFORE the whole engagement-thingy, actually quite early in their relationship, so this is not the continuation I have promised… it will come, sooner or later, but not quite yet….
I started this long before "The Peace Contract" but I left it unfinished because that story took up all the time I had… so it has been laying around for a while… I hope you will like it… it's more adventure than slash, actually, but I hope I'm forgiven for that… ;o)
Oh, since this has been on hiatus for quite some time, there is a RISK that I have used scenes or ideas from this story in other drabbles already… I'm actually not sure! When a story is on hold I sometimes do that, and I can't remember… but there's no big bit's, if any…
When The Cat Is Away…
Robin couldn't believe his ears.
"You're leaving?"
"Only for a few days. A week at the most. Our client in Russia needs to see me in person, and I have a few things to take care of over there." Slade stood on the other side of a table, where a lot of paperwork was spread out, most of it seemingly in Russian.
"And why can't I just come along?" Robin wouldn't mind a trip outside the city. Sure, it was big, but visiting other countries was something he always enjoyed.
Slade sighed.
"Because you need to stay here and monitor the HADES-project."
Robin frowned at this and nodded.
"You're right."
"Oh?" Slade seemed surprised by Robin's conclusion.
"What? You thought that I would kick and scream, begging to come with you? What am I? Five? I know we are near a breaking point with the HADES-fund, we can't just walk away from it." Robin snorted.
"I'm glad you understand."
"Business before pleasure? Yeah, I grew up learning that." Robin's voice was just a little bitter.
The
boy walked around the table and looked up at Slade.
"Doesn't
mean I won't miss you, though." he smiled and, as he passed, he
hastily touched Slade's arm. It was just a feathery touch, he
wouldn't cling to the man, especially not after his little
'independence' speech, and he continued to a cabinet to get some
files of his own. He needed to revise Slade's part of the
HADES-project if he was to monitor it by himself. He found the files
and headed back, brushing past Slade yet again. The man gave him a
glance and Robin smiled sweetly back, confirming the man's
suspicions. They were playing a game now. It was the subtle game of
'who will cave first', and Robin was a very good player. They
lost about the equal amount of times, though, and Slade grinned as he
watched the boy's next move.
Robin, on his way to another table, slightly less crammed, accidentally dropped one of the folders. Naturally he had to bend down to get it… what else was he supposed to do? When he reached the table and put down the folders he, also by accident, knocked a pen off it. This pen rolled under the furniture so now the boy had to get down on his hands and knees… oh, the bother! Slade shook his head slightly and grinned, making his way over to play himself. As he came up to the boy on the floor, Robin muttered, "Found it!" and turned around on his knees to get up. Slade cursed silently as he realised that he had played into Robin's hands, as the boy, as if to help himself stand up again, put his hands up on Slade's thighs, sliding them up as he rose. He was very, very, close.
"So, when do you leave?" Robin wondered airily and turned around, pressing slightly back into the man as he reached for a folder on the table.
"Tonight. I think it's this one you need." Slade said, reaching over Robin, putting in some weight of his own, and by chance, ended up breathing on the boy's neck. As Slade got the folder, he pulled back, letting his arm stroke Robin's back.
"So soon?" Robin wondered, taking the folder from Slade's hands, caressing the man's fingers as he did so.
"Afraid so." Slade picked an invisible thread from the nape of Robin's neck, brushing a known sensitive spot.
"Doesn't give us much time…" Robin turned around in the narrow space between Slade and the table, so he faced the man. As Slade looked down he could see the boy looking back up, troubled, and chewing on his lower lip. He knew it was an act. It was Robin's 'puppy dog-look' and it was damned effective.
"No, we better start rehearsing right now." Slade concurred. "I want you to be ready." he had drawn himself up, with double effect. Robin loved it when the man towered above him and his chest now pressed the boy even further back.
Robin wouldn't surrender so easily though. He put his hands down on the table top and jumped up on it. He could only go back, as pressing forward would make the game obvious and meant he'd lost. Too late he realized that his knees had slightly parted and Slade seized the opportunity. He took one final step towards the table, putting a leg between Robin's thighs as he pretended to need a file behind the boy, making him nearly tip over. To save himself from falling, Robin clamped his knees shut, trapping Slade's leg between his thighs. He bit down on a gasp which almost escaped again a second later when Slade reached down and put his hand's on the inside of Robin's thighs.
"Sorry, I seem to be stuck." The man apologized as he pried Robin's legs apart. Perhaps slightly more then were needed.
Robin cracked.
"All right. You win."
"Win? Win what?" Slade asked innocently, but his hands hadn't left Robin's thighs, and were slowly creeping upwards.
"You know perfectly well what." Robin glared at him but there was laughter in his eyes.
"I haven't a clue."
"No? Then maybe you should remove your hands, mister…"
"I wouldn't want to disappoint you."
Robin gave a short laugh, and, before the man had time to react, the boy had made a backwards summersault over the tabletop and landed on the other side.
"There. That's better, isn't it?" Robin asked with a smirk. "More room. Now, the transactions-"
Slade seemed to explode from his former position and was now flying over the table, snatching Robin up as he went past. A few seconds later, the boy was thrown down onto the bed in their room.
"Hey! I thought we weren't playing?!" Robin protested.
"You lost." Slade growled.
"Can't loose if it wasn't a game." Robin used his most level-headed voice, all-be-it with some difficulty. "Now let's go back and start working." He tried to get up, but his hands was caught in Slade's own and pressed down into the mattress.
"Well, if you won't stay and play… I'll guess I have to make you…" Slade grinned wickedly and changed his grip so he now held both of Robin's wrists in one hand. He reached behind the headboard and Robin's eyes followed the movement, slightly confused. As Slade pulled something up Robin's eyes widened. It was a chain… with a padded cuff in the end of it. Slade quickly slipped it over Robin's right wrist and clicked it shut. Then he reached for the other side of the bed, soon finding a second chain. As it locked around the boy's other wrist their eyes met and Slade smiled at the boy's glazed expression.
Robin gasped at the sensation at being chained to the bed. Oh, he knew that it was wrong, something years of therapy wouldn't cure, not even if he had wanted to try, but he absolutely loved it. Slade's weight on him was suddenly lifted and Robin watched the man get up from the bed and slowly start to undress.
"When... when did you…?"
"The chains? Just a little surprise. Now stop talking."
"But I…"
"Do I need to get a gag?"
Robin shook his head. "No, I'll stop talking… can't promise I'll keep quiet, though" he said with a grin.
"When have I ever wanted you to keep that quiet?"
"Well, I'll remember last week, when..."
"That was on a stakeout… "
"Yeah? Is it my fault you decided not to be professional? You jumped me."
"And you almost gave us away."
"As I said. Not my fault! You could learn to keep your hands to yourself."
"Yes. And wouldn't you hate it if I did...?"
"Yeah."
"And didn't I tell you to stop talking?"
Robin's eyes glittered naughtily.
"Yes…so?"
"Bad boy." Slade attacked.
After Slade left that evening, Robin wandered around the apartment. He could go up a few floors perhaps, or down… there were always people around. Staff, like Sarah the housekeeper, or associates like Wintergreen. This was an eighty-storey top-of-the-art skyscraper after all, and it was the centre of operations in this city. Not all the floors were used. Some were "fake" floors, used for defenses to trap enemies. Some were for storage, some for offices and some for staff living quarters. This was Slade and Robin's private floor, though, and no one except Sarah had access. Even Sarah could only get in unannounced on designated times during the day. Robin wasn't feeling up for anything right now, however, and sat down in front of the computer, determined to get some work done.
The HADES project was a long-running one, and so far, not very exiting. A while back one of the hackers who monitored bank transactions had noticed a fund being created. It was only mentioned as "HADES" and though money was pouring into it, nobody was able to track the transactions. It seemed suspicious enough, so he and Slade had taken charge of the investigation; just to see were it was going. Robin also had a feeling that Slade rather preferred the resources to be his, and the boy agreed. Running a city was expensive, after all.
Since then they had tracked every bit of money coming in, without much luck. A few smaller transactions could be vaguely traced to a few mob-families and the names had made them increase their efforts. None of them was on the 'friendly'-list.
Robin sighed and leaned back in the chair. HADES… HADES… he knew that Hades was the realm of death, and also the god of that realm in Greek mythology… was there a clue there? He didn't know. Too tired to really do anything productive he went to bed. As usual he slept in the nude, even if Slade wasn't there. It had become a habit. First he reveled in having the big bed all to himself, but as he fell asleep he was curled up at his side of the bed, a hand reaching out towards the empty spot next to him.
He woke up feeling cold and lonely. Not that he wasn't used to waking up alone, Slade slept even less than he did and often rose early, but somehow knowing the man wasn't even in the city made it worse.
He showered and got dressed, making his way down to Sarah, hoping for some breakfast.
"You are looking grumpy this morning, young man." Sarah greeted him. The big woman always had a warm smile on her face and Robin, as usual, melted and smiled back.
"I guess I am." he nodded. "Any chance for something to eat?"
"Of course. Sit down and I'll get you a little something."
'A little something' from Sarah could feed a whole family for a week, but Robin dug in. The woman's cooking had brought forth an appetite in him he never had before, and it was probably because of her he had grown a bit and his muscles had started to fill out. Muscles needed energy to grow, after all.
As he finished the meal the communicator at his side beeped. First he jumped, thinking it was Slade, but then he recognized the ring signal as the one for calls from inside the building.
"Robin." he answered.
"Sir, this is Art. We have made a small breakthrough in the HADES-case."
"Thank you. I'll be down in a minute." Robin had winced at the "sir" in the beginning, but the employees only knew him as 'Robin' and that was too personal for many of them, so they felt more at ease with "sir".
As he stepped into the hackers offices five stories below, all heads turned towards him. Robin had learned to be the centre of attention and it didn't bother him much. Art, a blond, slightly twitchy man in his thirties, approached him.
"This way, sir, please."
As they passed the people, tapping away at keyboards, making notes or having discussions, eyes swiveled to follow him. A girl in her twenties winked at Robin as he passed and he flashed her a grin. The people weren't nervous around him. Slade made them nervous. Robin, on the other hand, managed to, unintentionally, charm the people around him and make them relax. Well. To an extent. They knew what he could do and how he dealt with traitors, many had seen it, as such punishments always were performed publicly inside the building. Not that there were many. One guy had tried to sell information to the Justice League, one had thought he was worth more than the generous salary he already had… nothing serious, and the men had not been from this department. The boy seemed to take some of the edge off Slade too. The man always seemed to be in control, but the senior associates swore that since Robin joined the picture there was a great difference. None of them were able to say what exactly the difference was, but to them, none the less, it was obvious.
Robin joined Art and his small team at a big screen in a separate office.
"Donna. Mike. Terry" he nodded at Art's little team. Robin tried to take the time to at least learn names and faces as Slade had taught him that it was much appreciated by employees in a larger cooperation. Choosing between that the company executive knew their name, or a small raise, many would go with the name. He was greeted back in a friendly manner. He and Slade had worked quite close to the team for some time now after all. Art was the hacker discovering the HADES-fund and, as a reward, he had been allowed to pick and lead his own team for this project. He might not be the most confident leader, but he had done a great job picking the team. These were people with both hacker and finance experiences and if anyone could solve this, they could.
"There has been a withdrawal." Art informed him. Robin perked up. Finally something was happening!
"How big? Could you track it?"
"Very small. Well… not in cash, perhaps, but we nearly missed it. They did it by skimming the return interest. Donna noticed it was a bit smaller than it should be. A few thousand dollars. And yes. We tracked it." he sounded very pleased with himself, but he had the right to be, Robin supposed.
"Good job, all of you. Where too?"
"To the Apollo tower."
"Figures. More Greek mythology." Robin growled. "Have you found anything else?" As the team shook their heads miserably, Robin smiled. "I didn't mean it to sound like that; you have done a fantastic job. I want you to keep an eye on the found and expand the research to include everything that goes on in the Apollo tower. You will have all the resources and personnel you acquire. While keeping in mind that this thing might be benign I want you to make it a priority. Either way we will have this cracked soon, right?"
"Absolutely, sir" the team smiled at their sixteen year old boss.
Apollo and Hades. Apollo, the god of the sun, light and truth… and Hades, the ruler of the death realm… what did these two have in common? Well, except being gods, and, as it was Greek mythology, probably related. Robin was sitting in their private library, brushing up on Greek myths. He really didn't think this had much to do with old gods, but he felt the terms must be connected somehow. A database search had come up nothing and an internet search came up with too much… well, not surprising, as Greek mythology was popular. Robin didn't feel that narrowing the search would lead him anywhere, but he kept on it none the less, putting in the hours. Doing the work.
As he went to bed that evening the only result for the day was a headache. As he had almost fallen asleep the communicator rang and he hurriedly reached for it. This time it was an incoming signal, and that would mean…
"Robin." he answered, wincing as he heard the eagerness in his voice.
"It's me. Everything under control?" Slade's voice sounded so near, making Robin's longing grow. He hated that this communicator didn't have a screen. It was just a simple thing, more like a cell phone but using a private, completely secure satellite network.
"Yes. News on the project, though…" Robin filled him in and there was some silence.
"I agree. There is something there… I just can't put my finger on it. Keep working on it and call me if something more comes up."
"I thought I should check the place out tomorrow. Tracking transactions only gets you so far…"
Slade hesitated.
"I would rather come with you, but as it is… Do a perimeter-check tomorrow, not too close."
"Again, Slade, I'm not five. You have sent me out on more dangerous missions before, what's the deal?"
"The deal, my boy, is that I'm on the other side of the globe, and I can't bail you out this time!"
Robin snorted.
"I am capable of doing a little spying by my own…"
"I know you are." Slade soothed him. "And when I'll come back, we'll take the building apart and see what we'll find."
"Sounds like a plan. So how are you doing?"
"Everything goes according to plan. I might be able to leave as soon as tomorrow morning."
"Great." Robin chuckled. "The bed feels quite cold without you."
"Really? What are you wearing?"
"You know perfectly well what I'm- Hey! What is this? I'm not having phone sex with you!"
"Well, that's something we never tried before..:" Slade laughed.
"We never needed to." Robin sulked, but there was amusement in his voice. "Besides, a girl from the hacker-department flirted with me today…"
"Who?" Slade's voice had suddenly lost every trace of laughter and sounded cold and hard.
"Wha… Slade? Come on! Like I would ever..:" Robin was thrown, as he had meant the comment as a joke.
"We'll discuss it when I come home." Slade voice was still pretty gruff.
"I… it was supposed to be a joke!"
"It wasn't funny."
"I'm sorry." Robin said meekly, hoping it would sooth his overly possessive partner. "I miss you."
"Could have fooled me."
Robin growled and decided to turn the tables on the man.
"Are you kidding me with this?! Can I help if someone flirts with me? Besides, you are, as you said, on the other side of the globe! Any pretty Russians I should know about?"
There was a small chuckle.
"Point taken. We will still have that discussion though. In depth."
"Yes, Master." Robin smiled.
"Go to sleep, little bird. I might not be there, but who knows? I might visit you in your dreams…"
"Hope not. I'll only ruin the sheets." Robin joked and hung up to the sound of Slade's chuckle.
Robin smiled as he buried himself beneath the covers again. He was rather looking forward to that talk. Slade could be very adamant when he wanted to explain something… in depth… and when the subject was that Robin belonged to him… well… that usually meant a hands-on experience in the form of a practical demonstration.
Robin spent the next morning with the hackers again.
"It's frustrating!" Art complained "It's like the building is dead. We can find bills for electricity, water, and for maintenance, but not a trace of what actually goes on in there!"
"Any blueprints?"
"Yes. But these are from the time of building; we have no way of knowing how accurate they are."
"It can be useful anyway, thank you." Robin said and took the printouts to study later. "I have to go to the tech-apartment to get some surveillance equipment. I guess you haven't been able to find any security to tap into?"
"No Sir. Not a trace. It must be there, though, so if you should happen to stumble over anything, please let us know."
"I will" Robin nodded.
Robin went down another floor and picked out some wireless cameras that would send them live images directly via satellite. The cameras were small, matchbox-sized, and needed to be positioned exactly, but it would be worth the trouble… if he could get near enough. Perimeter check… that just meant he couldn't go inside, right? He could still get close. All right, Slade had said 'not too close', but how close was too close? Besides, the man was in Russia, so screw him. Robin twitched at the thought… yes, I would very much like too…
He shook his head, trying to clear it. Sure, they hadn't been apart much… or at all, really, but damn, he wasn't a complete slave to his hormones anymore, right? Right? He sighed. He needed to get some control.
He spent the rest of the day studying the blueprints and some photos of the place and, as dusk settled over the immense city, he got ready to leave.
The building was impressive, Robin admitted. Not at all as big as his and Slade's, but it gleamed like it was carefully polished every day and seemed to be built entirely of black glass. Robin knew that from the inside you would have a spectacular view, but, unless you deactivated the special filter in the glass, you would not be able to see in. Robin was perched low on the roof of the closest building, trying to find any 'clear' windows. None. Damn. The hacker's view of the place seemed correct from here too… it looked dead. Or at least sleeping. Robin didn't like it at all.
He set up one of the cameras here and continued to the next roof. Soon he had all four sides of the building covered. Now he needed detailed shots. The entrance was easy enough to spot, but how to come close? Again Robin was thankful for his ordinary looking clothes as he slipped down the building he was on, down to the ground. How did he ever manage in brightly colored tights before? He closed his jacket, making sure his belt pockets weren't visible, and walked around the corner, trying to look inconspicuous. He walked with a slight limp, and cursed by the time he reached the spot on the exact opposite of the entrance to the Apollo building. He bent down and pulled his boot off, pretending to shake a pebble out of it. As he straightened he seemed to notice a poster on the wall. Instead of reading it he scanned the wall for possible hiding-places and he was lucky as a ledge ran around the building around his chest-height. Still pretending to read the poster that was stuck to the wall above the ledge, he quickly secured the camera and activated it. It was held in place with a strong enough glue to keep it in position, but it was easy enough to pull off in a hurry if necessary. He just hoped he had positioned it correctly. From the base they would now be able to see the entrance and zoom in somewhat, but no more than that. There. All done. He didn't expect the camera to go untouched forever, but he hoped it would be left alone for a few days at least. Continuing his walk he rounded the corner and then disappeared into an ally. What now? He had a few cameras left… he remembered the plans and smiled. According to these blueprints the Apollo shared a garage with two of its neighboring buildings. Robin bet there would be more action down there. And he was not breaking any rules! He was after all not entering the building, only a building.
He had two to choose from, and the choice was simple. A bank or a rather scruffy-looking office building. Robin naturally chose the latter. Not that he didn't like a challenge, but he wasn't a complete idiot. Most of the time.
He entered the building through the roof. It seemed to usually offer the least resistance and that was true this time too. Being on alert for motion detectors he made his way to the elevator and pushed the button. He was going to do this the easy way. As the elevator arrived he quickly noted the camera inside and covered the lens with a black sticker from his belt. He doubted the camera was actually hooked up to anything, and according to the state of this building, it surely didn't have any live feed. The tape would probably never get watched… with this kind of security they only went through the tape when something had happened… He muttered to himself at discovering that he would need a key to access the garage. Never mind. He had lock picks.
A few minutes later, the lock was rather trickier than Robin had expected, the elevator started moving. As the lights on the controls flicked on and off for every floor, Robin reached for the light source in the elevator, and twisted the florescent light a little to make it go out. He didn't want to break it and leave an obvious trail behind him. As the ride was about to be over, he removed the sticker that had covered the camera, leaving no clues. He moved to the side and drew his bo-staff, extending it slightly. He didn't know what to expect, but as the doors slid open only darkness met him. Good. He hoped.
He took a few steps out of the elevator and jumped as he heard something click. Then lights started flicking into life and he snorted silently, looking around swiftly. There was no one there. He relaxed. Of course the lights would come on automatically… they must be hooked up to motion detectors so visitors didn't have to fumble for a light switch. He wanted to laugh at himself. What the heck was he this jumpy for? What did he expect? The wrath of some ancient gods? He quickly got his bearings and slipped off in the direction of the target. The lights on this side was badly maintained, only every third or so worked, but that suited Robin perfectly. The darkness had always been a friend of his.
Edging ever closer he came upon the place where the elevator was supposed to be. 'Supposed' was the key word. There was only a wall. Robin cursed. Really, he needed to watch his language soon, or Alfred would have fits next time they met. He looked around but there wasn't even a stairwell that connected the garage with his target building. How did this work? Did the people who, presumably, worked inside all commute? That was inspiring, he supposed, but not very likely. He doubted the Apollo-people cared very much about the environment. Robin stood slumped against a pillar in the garage, chewing on his bottom lip and thinking. He hadn't planned to enter the building, but now, when it seemed impossible… he really, really wanted to.
He was about to use one of his favorite new little toys when there was a sudden hum from the wall, and Robin quickly melted back into the shadows. He watched as the wall parted and two men walked out. Robin studied them closely, but they were very nondescript. Dark hair, sunglasses, even though it was night, Robin noted, and what looked like identical suits. All-in-all they made up the perfect body-guard image. With only a nod, the men parted, went to separate cars, and drove away.
The elevator doors had closed quickly, but Robin decided to have a closer look. First he climbed a pillar and positioned one of his last cameras to point at the empty wall. He jumped down and stood in front of it, facing the camera, and made a movement with his arms, indicating a pair of elevator doors opening. He hoped his team back in HQ would understand and not think he had gone insane, filming an empty wall.
Knowing that the sound would alert him if the elevator was on the move again, Robin now carefully searched the wall, finally finding what was, probably, the summoning-button. He spent all of three seconds chewing on his bottom lip, trying to decide what to do, before he pressed it. Hey… it was a button… it needed to be pressed. As the elevator still was on this floor, the doors immediately slid apart, making Robin curse as he didn't have time to get out of the way. If there were cameras inside, they might have picked him up. Deciding that he had nothing to lose, he put his hand on the doors, making sure they wouldn't close, and fished out his toy. It was a frequency and electricity sensor, tuned to pick up security systems like cameras and alarms. It wasn't fool proof, naturally, but it was far better than anything on the official market. Activating the device Robin picked up his own camera, the electronics of the elevator and… nothing else. Robin frowned. Were they so sure about the hidden door that they didn't bother with security? It didn't add up with all the secrecy around the fund.
A screeching sound from tires made Robin look back over his shoulder. There was a car coming down the ramp at some speed. So far only the reflections of the headlights were visible, but those beams would catch him in the open within seconds. Making his decision, Robin stepped into the elevator and let the doors shut behind him.
Looking around there was really only one button to press, so Robin did that. He had a feeling that whoever was in that car was heading in his direction, and he didn't want to be caught in here. Improvising was something he did well, but he didn't think pretending to be a bell-boy would quite fly.
He looked for somewhere to secure his last camera, but the walls were much too bright and sleek. It would be discovered immediately. Instead he had an idea and activated the last camera he had, attaching it to his belt. It looked more inconspicuous there, blending in with his belt-pockets. He aimed it slightly upwards, as he figured that nothing the level of his waist would be interesting… well… not to the security-people back at headquarters anyway… Looking for an alternative way out, Robin found that there was no visible maintenance hatch on this ride, and he didn't have time to look for a hidden one, because at that moment the elevator stopped. There was the usual hesitant moment before the doors actually opened, and Robin pressed himself to the side of the cubicle, expecting some sort of trouble. The doors opened and… nothing happened. Robin slid out into a deserted foyer, standing completely still in the shadow of a large potted plant. It was a meager cover, but it was the only one he had for now. The elevator closed, it looked like a regular one from this end, and Robin heard it starting to descend. That meant someone had pressed the button down there. He needed to hide. Running blindly into the corridors, where he definitely had no cover, wasn't something he was keen on at the moment. Lord knew he was in enough trouble as it was. Well, not with these people… but Slade… Robin swallowed as he realized that the man might be back soon, if he wasn't already, and if he found out that Robin had gone against direct orders… well… that was an in-depth discussion he wasn't looking forward to. He quickly made it over to a reception desk and hid behind it. Feeling a bit more secure, he scanned the area and frowned. This was wired. It all looked like a regular office, with groups of couches, mirroring each other on either side of the front desk. The potted plants were arranged in groups as well. Corridors led off in both directions, and Robin could make out rows of doors to the left and what looked like an open office landscape to the right. It all looked so… normal…
Well, what did I expect? Gears and cogwheels? Robin snorted to himself. He really needed to talk to Slade about those, one day… but he admitted that he was a bit afraid to ask…
The sound of the elevator doors opening, brought him back to the present. A group of people stepped out, Robin couldn't see them from his position, but he heard shoes against the black tiled floor, and as the footsteps disappeared down the corridor to the left, he dared to take a peek. Four men in what looked like expensive suits, but as Robin only saw them from behind, he didn't recognize any of them.
Robin scanned the desk area, checking for anything that might tell him more about this place, but aside from empty notepads and office supplies, it was empty. Even the trashcan had been emptied, and Robin muttered to himself. Damn paranoid people! There was a computer, though, and where there was a computer… Robin checked the cables and grinned when he found the network one. Making sure he was out of sight under the desk, and trying to listen for any unwelcome sounds, he activated his communicator.
"Art, are you standing by?" He said in a low voice.
"Yes sir, I have been checking the cameras. Forgive me, but what the heck are you doing? You weren't supposed to enter the building, right?"
"Err… change of plans. Are Slade back yet?"
"No."
"Good. I mean… if he arrives before me, don't tell him anything."
"He called. He'll be landing in a little over an hour, and, with all respect, sir… it's my head…." Art told him dryly and Robin chuckled.
"Mine too, buddy… ok, just pretend you ate something bad and lock yourself in the bathroom or something…"
"Will do." Art promised with a short, slightly nervous, laugh.
"Good. But for now… I'm at a front desk computer… are you feeling curious?"
"Hook it up." There was eagerness in Art's voice now, and Robin heard him preparing his hacker team. There was nothing like access to a closed system to cheer those people up.
Robin took out something the size of a deck of cards from his belt and connected it to the computer. It immediately started sending data to the headquarters, and Robin could hear delighted noises from the communicator.
"So… does it work? Is this computer connected to the mainframe?" Robin asked, thinking it might only be hooked up to a smaller administrative network.
"Oh, yes… it looks like we can do just about anything…"
"Great…" Robin grinned. Now this is what I want you to do…"
A few minutes later, Robin got the feeling that it was time to get out of there. He had to leave his little gadget behind, but he had more. Taking one long look around, he walked softly over to the elevator and pushed the button again. The doors slid open and Robin went inside, drawing a deep sigh of relief as they shut. He would be out of here in a few moments, and, hopefully, make it back before Slade came home.
Something kept nagging him, though… something about the place. The perfection… the colors… well, black and white, really, and… Robin shook his head. He almost had it… it was so infuriating… HADES, Apollo… the Hades-fund… Apollo Tower… Apollo … someone… Robin blinked. Someone had been called Apollo. He had only heard it somewhere… or read it in a file… but where did HADES fit in? They were opposites, they… It came to Robin just before the elevator doors opened, and when he looked up, it was into the face of the man he just had realized was behind it all.
"Two-Face."
Robin was so stunned that he didn't see the bodyguard at the man's side move until a fist connected with his head and everything went black.
Robin was slowly coming around, and his head was already filled with angry thoughts. HADE'S! I should have known! HArvey DEnt! And he was called Apollo before the little… accident… The duality of the two as well, it fits him perfectly! If I had been in Gotham I would have figured it out at once! Stupid-stupid-stupid…
"Awake, Robin?"
Robin lifted his head slowly and managed a glare. He was sitting on a chair with his hands cuffed behind his back.
"Oh, yes, just give me a minute to get used to your employee's communications skills…" he growled.
"Do forgive them, my boy. We are very glad to have you here."
Robin glanced around the large, nearly empty, room. We? The two of them were alone, so… oh… right… crazy person. He had almost forgotten.
"So what brings you here? Vacation?" Robin straightened up and met the man's eyes levelly like they were having a chat about the weather.
"Business, I'm afraid… now tell me, Robin… why are you sneaking around in my building?"
"Just wanted to say welcome to the neighborhood…" Robin muttered, and the man … or men… in front of him cackled.
"You could have come to the front door, you know…" Harvey Dent suggested pleasantly.
"I did. Couldn't find the doorbell." Robin answered with a very straight face.
"And where is your… partner?" the man now asked, his tone slightly more sinister. Robin cursed inwardly. It was bad enough that Two-Face knew who he was… the man had clearly done his homework.
"On a business trip, actually… just like you… you might want to leave before he gets home…" Robin suggested, smirking.
"I…
don't think I will…" Two-Face shook his head. "Although, I'm
actually leaving tonight for a few days… but with you showing up, I
might not have to return… You see, I'm here because of you
two…"
"Oh?" Robin hadn't expected that.
"Yes.
My client's feel that the two of you are rather… greedy… they
think, perhaps, that since this is their
city, you should spend more time in the bedroom and less on the
street… if we understand each other?"
Robin grinned widely.
"Are you dabbling with the law again? I thought it just didn't agree with you? But I understand completely. And let me say, I concur… I think I could get Slade to agree as well, but… there is one little thing…"
"And that is?"
Robin leaped up, whipped out his boo-staff, and in an instant Two-Face was on the floor, groaning.
"It's our city…" Robin smirked.
He was disgusted with the security measures taken against him. They hadn't even removed his belt! Did Dent really think that he was the same kid he had been back in Gotham, needing to be saved by Batman? It had taken only a few seconds for him to take the lock-picks out of the cuff of his jacket, where a few, basic ones were hidden. They included a standard hand-cuff key, and it had matched.
Suddenly the doors were thrown open and they had company. The company had things that made clicking noises. Robin didn't like it. The safety being released on over a dozen guns was never a nice sound. Two-Face snickered and got to his feet.
"Meet my clients, Robin. Although I'm sure you know most of them already."
Robin looked around and nodded. There were representatives here from every one of the rival crime families. The once who were unhappy with the situation, and felt they deserved more than their fair share… well… 'fair' according to Slade and Robin, that is… But truthfully most of the crime lords were more than content with the arrangement… but there was just no pleasing some people. Around 15 leaders and their guards made an estimated total of about 30 to 40 people. A good number for a party, but bad for a fight. At least if you were the only one on your side. Oh, and if the others had guns. Robin's jacket might be bulletproof, but at this distance he wouldn't put much faith in it. So if you can't fight… talk.
"Nice to meet you again, gentlemen. How's business?" Not a good thing to say, according to the rumble that rose from the crowd.
"I understand my clients would like to discuss a few things with you…" Two-Face said, making a gesture as if to say that the floor was open.
One of the men, Robin recognized him as a member of the local Italian mafia, took a step forward.
"I say we send the kid back piece by piece until Slade agrees to leave."
"Come on, he'll just find someone else to fuck…" another man objected. "Just use the little boy-slut to lure him here and then we get rid of both of them."
"I say shoot him now." A third one offered.
"There's no need to be mean." Robin huffed. "We are all neighbors here, aren't we? I just think it's funny that you call someone from Gotham to rip you off."
"What are you talking about?" the first man snorted.
"Don't listen to him, just shoot him already…" Two-Face interrupted, and Robin looked taken aback.
"Oh, I wasn't supposed to tell them, was I?" he said ruefully. "Ops." he added, with a grin. Robin knew that the citizens definitely had trust-issues with outsiders, and they probably only hired Dent because he knew the enemy, in a way.
"I'm checking the account." one man said and flipped his cell-phone open. "The kid is probably full of shit, but hey… so is Dent."
"No, don't bother!" Robin said. "I'm sure Harv here only joked about leaving tonight…"
"You were leaving tonight!" someone exclaimed, and the room suddenly got a lot more hostile. Robin carefully shifted his stance, making sure Two-Face, more than him, was in the direct line of vision now.
"What the hell!? It's empty!" the man with the cell roared , and all hell broke lose. Thankfully Robin wasn't the main target, and there was no shooting, since the men seemed to want to ask Mr. Dent some questions. Two-Face own security guards broke into the room as well, making sure everything turned even more confused. Robin added a couple of smoke-pellets to the mix and, after leaving a few men in considerable pain, 'find someone else to fuck', huh? Robin thought to himself as he left that particular man groaning on the floor, he slipped out.
He didn't have time to wait around for the end anyway. Trouble might be waiting at home. Soon he was flying across the rooftops, wishing he had taken the bike instead. The side of his head hurt where he had been hit, and when he finally typed in the security code to enter the building he smiled. It was good to be home. If it would stay good, though, was another question. He took the elevator straight to the hacker's department, where everyone seemed to be in high spirits.
"Way to go." Robin grinned, and was congratulated in turn. When he seemed surprised, Art indicated the camera on his belt and Robin grinned. "So you had a good view, then?" he asked and took a mock bow. "I think I'll take this off now, or you might see more than you want… and speaking about that… Is Slade back?"
"He called a while ago, he's on his way."
"Good. Quickly then. How much?"
"982.000.000."
Robin whistled under his breath. That was almost worth having to look at Two-Face again.
"And that's not all." Art added. "We were able to access the investor's accounts as well. Would you like to make a withdrawal?"
Robin laughed. Emptying the personal accounts of everyone on the 'unfriendly' list was just too good to pass up… It wouldn't be good for the city, though, as the balance would be disturbed. A rather evil smirk appeared on Robin's face as he got an idea.
"Yes. Clean them all out… and, 24 hours from now, put it all back… with a little interest. Make sure the transaction is traceable, I want them to know who left them a present." Who knew, a day from now they might have gained some new friends?
Robin's communicator beeped then, letting him know that Slade had entered the building. He gulped. There was no way that he could keep this from Slade, and how to explain…? Robin suddenly had an idea for that too.
He hurried to the elevator and caught Slade just as he was about to step out.
"Hi… missed you…" Robin smiled and tilted his head back for a kiss.
Slade chuckled and gladly provided it, but then turned all business.
"When did you get back? What took you so long? I was sure you would be back by the time I called, but Art told me-"
"Yes, yes… I'll explain it all… in the bedroom…" Robin smirked and dragged the man back into the elevator.
Slade wasn't about to accept such a strange answer, but Robin refused to tell him anything else. As they entered the bedchamber Robin moved quickly, surprising Slade who didn't have time to react before he was pushed down on the bed. A moment later the man was wearing the cuffs, still attached to the bed, and he looked more than a little perplexed. Robin had trouble keeping from laughing, but he got serious again as he straddled the man.
"Well, there is something I have to tell you… and this was the safest way…" the boy grinned nervously.
"If this is about that girl…" Slade growled, and the chains suddenly didn't look that sturdy at all.
Robin swallowed.
"No, it's not. It's about the HADES-project… and… before I begin… remember this number: 982.000.000".
Robin started to explain, carefully watching Slade's face.
"You did what?" the man growled again.
"Yes, but-"
"I explicitly told you-"
"Yes, but-"
"And then-"
"982.000.000, Slade."
"Yes, but-"
"982.000.000."
"Yes, but…"
They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"You are brilliant, my little bird… you know that?" Slade grinned.
"Yes. I do." Robin grinned back.
"Okay. You told me. Let me up…" Slade purred.
"Nope." Robin shook his head, and slid down a bit, starting to unbutton Slade's trousers.
"No? What do you mean 'no'?" Slade asked, a hint of danger back in his voice.
"I'm not going to let you up until you are… more relaxed…" Robin grinned and lowered his lips to the man's groin.
"And why is that?" Slade asked curiously.
"Because…" Robin said between licks, "I can't take any 'in depth-conversations' tonight… I have a headache…" He shrugged out of his clothes as he pleasured his lover, and then moved upwards again. Positioning himself, he quickly impaled himself on Slade's saliva-slicked shaft, letting out a gasp to match the grunt coming from the man underneath him. He stilled loved the feeling of being stretched and filled like that.
"Tomorrow… I want you… to remember this… and 982.000.000…" Robin panted as he rode the man as fast as he could.
"Plan to release me as soon as tomorrow?" Slade asked, smirking.
Robin looked down, matching the smirk
"Good point."
"Well… in that case…" Slade twisted his wrists around quickly. Robin didn't see exactly what he did, but the result was that Slade's hands were suddenly on Robin's hips instead of safely chained to the headboard.
Robin gasped in surprise and froze in mid motion, eyes wide.
"What… how did you…?"
"The cuffs are merely sex-toys… they have a safety quick release…" Slade smirked. "Now, then… don't stop… I think you have to ride me quite long and hard to get me as exhausted as you need me to be… so…" Slade slapped Robin's behind smartly. "Get to it."
Robin immediately started moving again but pouted down at Slade, who folded his arms behind his head, looking up at his young lover with a very content smirk.
"I think you need to misbehave more often."
Robin chuckled.
"Well, if this is what it takes to be forgiven… I might just do that…"
The End
A/N: As my readers are all so clever -glares- I know some of you probably figured it out before Robin did... good for you... please dumb down a bit, kay? If I had read it, I would have NO clue... I didn't even know about the "Apollo"-part until I stumbled over it in Wikipedia...
I originally intended to have Slade swoop in and save the day… but then I decided to let Robin handle it on his own… he's no fair maiden that needs to be rescued… weeeeelll… not in THIS story… ;o) Hope you enjoyed it, and I promise to go 'lemonier' in the future… -grin-