A/N: I want you to note that the Red X-threesome in the drabble "Surprise!" never happened this universe… it was an alternative universe-thing… get your heads around THAT one… *grin* Now enjoy these 40-something pages!

Oh, want a Christmas gift? Then read the last A/N carefully!


Back Where I Belong PART 3

A few days ago…

If Robin really had left him, Slade figured, there were only two places he could go. In reality there were, naturally, an endless amount of places where he could hide, but only two stood out; Jump City and Wayne Manor. The first, Slade thought, was unlikely. Even if the sappy Titans would be willing to take him back, Robin would not be eager to return. He didn't dislike his old friends, but he had… out grown them. They had very little in common nowadays. Wayne Manor, on the other hand, was a very likely place indeed. Hesitating only for a moment, Slade swallowed as much pride as he could, and called the place up. He silently thanked his lucky star when Alfred showed up on the screen.

As soon as the old man saw who it was, he paled slightly.

"Is Master Richard alright?" he asked before Slade had the opportunity to ask a similar question himself.

"He is not with you?"

The men stared at each other for a moment.

"He disappeared a few days ago." Slade then reluctantly admitted. "There has been no trace since. Looks like he left on his own but… something is not right. And his tracker doesn't work."

At the last statement Alfred twitched just a little. Slade saw it, though.

"He is not at the Manor, but I am sure that he is perfectly fine." the old man said, not quite meeting Slade's stare.

Slade narrowed his eye and crossed his arms.

"I quite like you, old man… please don't do anything to change that. Tell me what you know."

"I… don't know where he is, but… I do apologize, but Master Bruce found the extra tracker I had placed in his uniform. I never thought- well, he figured out about that being my mystery Christmas present, and I think he realized that Robin probably had one as well…"

"And? What are you saying?" Slade growled impatiently.

"Master Bruce has been… busy. Absent. Frequently." Alfred looked rather upset by this and Slade drew his own conclusions.

"And he hasn't told you about what he is doing? I see…"

"… also… as he got home the other night he seemed… happy…"

"Well, we can't have that." Slade said dryly.

"He whistled." the butler let him know, making a face that clearly stated that such behavior were simply unthinkable, especially indoors.

"I see." Slade didn't, really. He couldn't for the life of him connect the dots, but there was no question about it; the dots where there.

"Let me know immediately if you should hear from Robin… or find out what the bat has been up to."

"I will not." Alfred's eyes were suddenly hard as steel. "I will not spy on Master Bruce for you. I will naturally let you know if I hear anything regarding Master Dick, though, that is, it the young man wishes me to."

Slade smirked. He really liked the old man. He had balls.

"Very well. And Alfred? Thank you."

"You are welcome." the man gave a curt nod, but his eyes where softer.

After ending the call Slade leaned back in his chair and sighed, frowning. The city itself was already too large to search thoroughly, and now he had more targets; Jump and Gotham. If Batman were involved, Slade figured, so were probably the Titans, but to what extent? He wished he hadn't withdrawn all the surveillance from Jump, but not even his resources were endless, and with Robin at his side, Jump had nothing more to offer. He could dispatch people to the city, naturally, but the only ones who knew that Robin had left, were Wintergreen and Sarah, and Slade intended to keep it that way. His staff could do something for him, though… Slade reached for the phone and ordered a screening room set up, with forty separate screens, taking in the news from all three cities, as well as hacking into the major permanent surveillance systems. An hour later Slade placed himself in a chair facing those screens and settled down. All he could do now, was watch.

Present time

The first mission the now complete team faced was relatively easy; Overload was on the rampage again. Robin smirked as the energy monster actually seemed surprised to see him. The smirk vanished completely over the next day, though, as word spread that he was back. It seemed every criminal in Jump had missed him intensely and now did whatever they could to draw the Titan's attention. Of course they were merely curious, but the work was taxing and he also started to hear whispers of those rumors Raven had warned him about. Except for Red X, who did not whisper in the least.

"Tired of fucking the old guy, or what? Did he have a heart attach?" the masked villain gleefully asked.

"What the hell are you talking about, X?" Robin growled, ducking an X-shaped shuriken and attacking.

"C'mon, it's not like you can deny it… and how many people have you killed by now?"

The thief's words were more effective than his blocking technique and made Robin freeze long enough for Red X to actually get a good kick in, sweeping Robin's legs out from under him.

"You are all crazy." Robin spat as he rolled away from the projectiles that were now flying towards him. A sticky X caught part of his arm and suddenly the thief was above him, gingerly poking his chest with a slender finger.

"Hello? It's really you in there, huh? Are you a replacement or something? A robo-"

A bright light hit Red X in the side, followed by a green starbolt, and Robin could feel the punch of the energy arrow himself.

"Damn, here comes my two favorite red-heads…" the thief sighed. "Later, kid." Red X had clearly had enough, and teleported away.

"Hey, you ok?" Speedy wanted to know, offering Robin a hand.

"Yeah…" Robin took it and was helped to his feet. "But tell me… when did this place turn into a mental institution?"

"Just don't listen to them…" the other advised, looking at a spot somewhere over Robin's left shoulder.

Robin frowned. If several people told you 'not to listen', there usually was a very good reason to do just that… But it wasn't like he could just go and have a heart-to-heart with Mad Mod… and to take a criminal's words over his friend's? Unthinkable!

Slade sat up straight, all tense. He had seen something! There it was again! A few key strokes later and all the screens showed only Jump City content. A smiling local news reporter happily announced that after a long absence, Robin was finally back with the Titan's once more. She tried hard to get an interview, but the other team members cut her off and seemed to almost snatch their leader away. Instead the station showed clips from different fights from around the city from that same day, all focusing on a brightly clad teenager.

Slade sat silently for a moment, before returning to their apartment. Opening a built in wardrobe he studied its contents. Reaching out, his hand grabbed a cold metal item. He stared into its two-toned surface. He slipped it on. He hadn't planned on donning his mask again, but Robin had. And now he was going to find out why.

About to sit down in the couch to enjoy a movie and some left-over pizza, Robin scratched the fresh scar behind his ear. He just couldn't help it. It itched.

"How did I get this, anyway?" he asked.

"Well…" Raven started, and Robin caught the quick guilty looks between his teammates. "At the explosion there were a lot of shrapnel flying around… we were all pretty cut up, but most of it were small scratches. You were hurt too, and we thought we got everything… then we discovered a little piece behind your ear only last week… it was a small sliver of wood, and the scanners had missed it."

"Oh." That made sense, he guessed… he was lucky the darn thing hadn't given him a serious infection, but then, he supposed, they would have found it sooner.

An hour later, Robin had a problem he never would have expected to get, and he had no idea what to do about it. The movie night had begun innocently enough. Someone had made a large bowl of popcorn, and, since Robin happened to sit in the middle, he found himself with the bowl in his lap most of the time. By now most of the popcorn was gone, and everyone seemed to have had their fill. Everyone, that is, except Speedy. But the archer wasn't exactly eating

. He had his hand in the bowl, though. His fingers circled the bottom as if trying to find some popped ones amongst the shells and the un-popped. His eyes, Robin noticed as he glanced that way, were steadily glued to the screen and he didn't seem all too aware of what he was doing. Robin was, though. The thin plastic of the bowl let him feel the movements of Speedy's fingers in a really, really bad place. Or good. No. Definitely bad…

At least right now… Robin decided.

Robin endured the torture for a few more minutes until he cracked.

"You want some?" he hissed, angling the bowl towards Speedy.

"Oh, yes. Very much…" Speedy whispered back, grinning.

It was a good thing it was almost pitch black in the room, or Robin's face would have turned the Tower into a beacon.

"…you… you…" Robin stuttered and as he heard a snicker from the red clad hero, he forcibly shoved the bowl into the teen's lap. "There! All yours."

"Glad to hear it…." the boy to his left purred.

Robin snorted, afraid to say anything else that Speedy could twist around.

Blessed silenced failed to fall, because only a few seconds later Speedy leaned towards him.

"How ´bout you? You want some?"

Robin was pacing in his room. He had fled from the couch the moment the credits had started, claiming he was tired, which was far from the truth. The fact was that he was… Robin halted. What was this feeling? Was he angry? Upset? Irritated? Well… yes. But it was only small parts of the whole complex sea of emotions that suddenly had washed over him. He needed to talk to someone. Not Raven, and certainly not Bruce… god no… Alfred! Alfred was the answer! Robin quickly turned to his computer.

The man appearing on the screen wasn't Alfred, though, it was Bruce. This was strange, because he had activated the butler's private connection.

"Err… Hi Bruce… Is Alfred around?"

"Robin? Why are you calling so late?"

Robin frowned. Answering a question with a question was something Bruce did very well, when he wanted to avoid something.

"I wanted to talk to Al… isn't he home?" Robin tried again.

"Robin… he…"

Robin suddenly turned white.

"Please tell me he's okay?! He's not… you would have told me if he…?"

"He's fine, Robin, don't worry… he's old, though, and he needs his sleep, so I hooked his line up to mine."

"Oh… but he's okay?"

"Absolutely."

"'Kay… I'll call him tomorrow, then." Robin decided.

"Yes… oh… actually you can't. He's going on vacation in the morning… a few weeks in England."

"Oh, yeah…. his early visit… I forgot he usually goes after New Years…" Robin pouted a little; he had been longing to see his old friend.

After ending the call Robin threw himself on his bed in frustration. He had no idea how to tackle a flirtatious team-mate, especially not when he was that persistent, and it didn't help that Starfire, who had been sitting on Robin's other side, had tried to hold his hand during most of the movie as well.

Midnight had long passed when Robin finally managed to fall asleep. He dreamed about the white-haired man again. Occasionally it was Speedy's face he saw.

Slade frowned under his mask. Not only had all his surveillance in the Tower been disabled long ago, it seemed the tin-can had learned for once, and without more resources he had no way to access Robin digitally without directly calling the Tower, and he usually liked to be sneakier than that… Well, there was not much to do about it. He would have to take a classic route: threaten the city. The trouble was, Slade really didn't want to piss Robin off anymore than he already was… at least not until he had an idea about what was going on. A quick search through the local newspaper gave him an idea.

Robin awoke with a start at dawn and made his way to the roof. Looking out over the city he found it strangely small.

"Hi Rob! Up early?"

Robin spun around, startled.

"Speedy? What are you doing here?"

"Practicing… ain't exactly got an indoor weapon… need some room."

"Yeah… but this early?"

"I like to get some hours in. Besides, try practicing with the other guys hanging around… I almost killed Beast Boy… several times, actually… He just got a knack for getting in the way, but at this hour? All clear…"

Robin smiled a little and turned back to the view.

"Go on… I won't get in the way, I promise."

Soon Robin heard the thunk of arrows hitting the target. Speedy, it seemed, used regular arrows for target practice, which, Robin supposed, were better than the exploding or burning ones. At least it saved on targets.

After a while the sounds stopped, and Robin felt Speedy's presence next to him. They stood in silence for a while. Robin's eyes clouded over slightly as he thought about his dreams.

"Is it possible to miss someone you never met?" he asked quietly. He heard Speedy's intake of breath, sounding like a surprised gasp.

"I… don't know… why?"

Robin shrugged.

"Nothing. Just some dreams." Robin took a deep breath and plunged into a conversation he really didn't want to have. "Hey, Speedy… I would like to ask you something… I think you might be able to help me, 'cause you are… you know…"

"Intelligent?" Speedy offered.

"No..."

"Empathic? A good listener?"

Robin shook his head at both.

"No... ´cause you are… you know… gay."

"Oh. I prefer 'not choosy', but whatever."

"Don't limit yourself, eh…?" Robin grinned and then another chill of recognition went down his spine. He knew those words…. Slade again?

Speedy grinned as well and came a bit closer.

"So… what did you want to ask?"

"Is… is it possible to… to turn gay? I mean… maybe my head injury…?"

The other teen looked blank.

"Did you just call gay people brain damaged?" he asked very calmly.

Robin gaped.

"No! No of course not! I- It's just that…" he spluttered.

"You needed something to blame?" the archer crossed his arms and, as he still stood very close, he managed to tower over Robin with a deep frown. Robin had to remind himself that they were nearly of the same height and that Speedy only seemed impossibly tall at the moment.

"What? No, I just though… in my case…"

"Tell me, fearless leader… How many times have you sneaked into Starfire's room at night for some serious groping?"

"Wh- Never! What the hell are you-?" Robin really had trouble finding his dropped jaw, giving his teammate time to get another punch in.

"And, with you two being an unofficial item and teenagers and living together, you didn't find that strange?"

"No! I mean... Beast Boy likes Raven, and-"

"And trust me, they would be at it 24/7 if she didn't keep her panties in the freezer… and the only thing that keeps that kid from her door is the spoken threat of having his balls nailed to the wall if he didn't. Believe me. I heard it." Speedy took some time to enjoy Robin's paling face before continuing. "You, on the other hand, yeah you like Star… she's hot and all that… you probably even thought about her while 'taking care of business', but what turns you on more? Doing it with her…" Speedy closed the last gap between them, "…or with me?"

Robin's heart beat a mile a minute.

"I… no, I don't know…" he almost whispered, looking pleadingly into the other masked face.

"… only one way to find out…" Speedy whispered back and suddenly their lips met. The archer's boldness took Robin by surprise, and soon the kiss was anything but an 'innocent' experiment.

Suddenly Robin backed away with a gasp.

"No! No, it's wrong! I can't!" the usually so brave hero turned to flee, but his shoulder was caught in a firm grip.

"Don't run." an arm wound around his waist holding him firmly from behind. Robin was close to hyperventilating.

"I… I'm sorry." he gasped. "It's not you… It's…"

"You wanted to…. I felt it…" the urgent voice whispered in his ear.

"Yes… yes but... It's wrong…"

"Why?" a hint of frustration entered Speedy's voice now. Robin answered with the same coin.

"How should I know?! I'm the one who can't remember! It's just wrong! I'm betraying him…" Robin's voice faltered and he became quiet for a moment. "Him? Him WHO? WHAT AREN'T YOU TELLING ME?!" Robin wrenched Speedy's arm away and spun around. Backing away a few steps to put some much needed distance between them, relaxed him somewhat.

"Hey, don't blame me! That mush-for-brains is all yours…" Speedy muttered, but there was no real passion in his voice.

"I didn't dream this! I didn't dream him!" Robin hissed.

"Well, okay, say it's not a dream… who says the Titans know about this guy, huh?" Speedy tried.

Robin hesitated.

"Maybe… maybe I never told them…" suddenly his stance shifted to a much more optimistic one. "Do you think… do you think he's still out there? Waiting for me?"

"Been two years… according to the official story, you just left everything behind… what do you think…?" Speedy was frowning, but seeing Robin's shoulders slump, his heart broke a little. Robin had really loved Slade! His feelings had been strong enough to, at a basic level, survive Raven's mind-wipe… could fake feelings really do that? Was it possible that Robin hadn't been manipulated? Speedy shook his head. Raven would have seen that, right? And she wouldn't have done anything if Robin really wanted to be with the man… would she…? Speedy swore quietly. And Batman? He was supposed to be Robin's guardian. He had met Robin and Slade several times… he hadn't mentioned anything about any abuse or control, but Speedy had just assumed there had been signs… why else would…? He shook his head again. Slade had raped Robin. You do not fall in love with your rapist. It doesn't happen. Who had called it rape, though? Raven had… maybe, just maybe, it hadn't been… or maybe Robin didn't view it that way… Speedy seriously doubted you could be 'kinda-sorta' raped by a man like Slade, though… like, you were bound to notice…

Robin had been staring morosely out over the city while Speedy was thinking, but both of them snapped out of their ponderings when the alarm went off.

Running into the sitting room, Robin and Speedy found that, except for Cyborg, they were first on the scene. The others joined them within a minute, Beast Boy being the last one as usual. Starfire plastered herself to Robin's side, but at least, Robin figured, it kept the other redhead away…

"It's gonna be a bumpy ride, guys…" Cyborg announced gravely. "It's Slade." He activated the screen and the well-known masked face suddenly filled it.

Robin rolled his eyes under his mask as he heard his team gasp.

Really! Get a grip…

"What do you want, Slade?" Robin growled.

The villain's eye narrowed at Starfire before focusing on Robin again.

"I want to talk to you."

"Then talk." Robin snorted.

"In private?"

"Yeah, right… like that will ever happen." Robin laughed dryly. "Listen, Slade, give it up. Leave me and the other Titan's alone and just go back where you came from… face it, it's over."

Slade looked rather stunned, even with his mask, and it was such a weird look for him that Robin had to stifle a real laugh.

"I'll see you soon." the man said coldly and then the screen went black.

After just a few seconds another alarm started, and Cyborg checked his wrist-computer, frowning.

"Seems he meant it… we better go…"

Robin noticed the other's tensing, but he shrugged. Just another mission, just another villain… what was there to get that worried about?

"Maybe you should stay here, Robin?" Cyborg said. "To… to supervise things?"

"What?" Robin laughed out. "It's only Slade. Come on!" he urged his team on and ran to the elevator.

Cyborg gave Raven a sour look.

"I think you did the 'won't-care-about-Slade'part a little too well…"

Starfire took to the air while the rest of them crammed into the T-car. The alien was the only one of them who could fly more or less effortlessly, and they all needed their energy this time.

"Remember Robin, don't-"

"Don't let him lure me away from you, keep my distance and so on and so on… I know!" Robin sighed. "What's he up to anyway? What did he threaten to do?"

"Blow up a warehouse on the east side of the harbor." Cyborg answered.

"The east side… those that are going to be demolished tomorrow?" Robin asked, looking puzzled.

"Yeah."

"But… but we were asked to guard the place tonight so no one entered after they placed the explosives…?"

"Yep."

"So… he's just going to blow up the place early?"

"Seems so."

"Isn't that…lame?"

"Yeah, dude…" Beast Boy cut in. "I kinda hope he does it, though… I hate guard duty! And really, nights are for sleeping, right?"

Robin threw his hands out, accidentally hitting both the changeling and Speedy, who sat on either side of him. Raven always managed to call shotgun for some reason.

"That's nuts! Ops… sorry… There just has to be more too it… look out for hostages or a lot of explosives, 'kay?"

The team nodded, more tense when ever.

"What's up with you guys?" Robin asked, irritated beyond belief. "You are all acting like we are facing death for god's sake!"

"Errr… dude… it's like… after you were hurt, Slade just turned really, really nasty… he went completely bonkers…" Beast Boy started, and Raven nodded.

"Yes, he isn't quite the way you probably remember him… just… be careful."

Robin almost snarled. He was sick and tired of being reminded to keep safe… what did they think he was? Suicidal?

Slade stood in the dark, waiting patiently. He knew the Titans were coming, but he wasn't sure what to expect. What Robin had said was clear enough, but Robin would never end their relationship like that… would he? Sure, he was young, but not immature. Something was wrong, and the only way to find out what, was to meet him face-to-face.

"Titan's GO!"

Robin's familiar battle-cry suddenly cut through the air, making Slade's lips tighten. Did the boy do that just to piss him off? Slade had long since made it clear to Robin that telling your enemy that you were going to attack was a very, very bad move. And now? Had he suddenly forgotten? Not very likely…

Robin's eyes narrowed, taking in the darkened opening of the building. Slade was in there. It couldn't be any more obvious if there had been a neon sign outside, stating it.

"Titan's GO!" Robin winced internally. It sounded so wrong and… childish? But it was expected of him, so he did it…

They all entered from different sides, to quickly locate the villain, but they didn't have to bother. The building was completely empty, gutted, and Slade stood, calmly waiting, in the middle of the floor.

"6.4 minutes. What took you so long?" the man said dryly.

"We had someone important to deal with first…" Robin shot back, smirking.

"Is that so? Well, if your friends have other things to do, maybe they should run along." Slade suggested.

"The only one who will be doing any running, is you, Slade." Robin stated calmly. He wasn't calm though. Slade wasn't acting like the typical villain. He didn't seem at all fazed at being out in the open, alone, and surrounded by opponents. Warning bells were going off like crazy in Robin's head. "Why did you come back?" he added.

Slade tilted his head to the side and a hot flash of recognition shot through Robin's stomach. That was stupid. He had seen the man do that many times, but this feeling… it was like he… liked the sight… He managed to shake the feeling off as Slade simply answered.

"Because you did."

"That's no reason! Why don't you get that I want nothing to do with you?" Robin growled, frustrated at the strange feelings as well as the calmness of the man.

"I want to talk to you in private." Slade just said in a flat voice. "We will do it now… or we'll fight about it first. What will it be?"

Robin smirked.

"Take a guess." He drew his staff and extended it.

Suddenly several small explosions were heard, and a thick smoke filled the large space. Robin hadn't even seen Slade move, so maybe it was done by remote control, he figured. It didn't help with the fact that he no longer could see Slade, though. Not that that little detail would stop him. Robin knew where the man had been a second ago, and charged. No Slade. He heard a yelp to his left and spun around. A few steps in that direction and he saw the crumpled form of Beast Boy on the floor.

"Slade, you bastard!" Robin growled, the expression feeling very familiar. Well. It suited him. "Titan's! To me!" There were sounds all around, and some flashes of green and blue light through the smoke, but no Titan's showed up. Robin muttered under his breath. They had practiced in conditions like this! Why did they suddenly lose their heads?

So unprofessional…

And speaking of unprofessional, Slade had managed to sneak up behind him, because suddenly a voice whispered in his ear.

"Sorry about the green one… he actually ran flat into my elbow… can you believe it?" Slade chuckled like they were sharing a joke. Robin's own elbow shot backwards and embedded itself in Slade's abdomen. Or it was supposed to… it more like bounced off… well, he had gotten a punch in, and that felt good.

"Robin, no one can see us now, what the hell is going on?" Slade kept his voice low.

"Going on? Good guys fighting bad guy… do you really need to be talked through something like that?" Robin quipped and threw another punch. Slade blocked it, but continued talking.

"Just explain why you came back?"

Robin blinked behind his mask. According to BB, Slade had known that he was in a coma, something they had been unable to keep from him due to his taps on the Tower, presumingly. So what was this 'coming back'-thing? Then he remembered. Slade was nuts. Well, he would play along, then.

"I belong here, this is who I am. Of course I came back!" he snorted, trying a combination of kicks. Slade had to work a bit to block them, and Robin felt a strange sense of pride.

"Oh? I was under the illusion you belonged with me." the man said, still in a calm, quiet voice.

"Illusion being the key word, Slade." Robin smirked.

"I love you."

Robin stopped dead. Slade might just as well have said 'I am a fluffy light-blue bunny who likes chamomile tea.' for all the sense it made. Robin, though, was not the only one who had frozen. The smoke had cleared somewhat now, and,. behind Slade, Robin could just about spot Speedy, arrow nocked and ready, but bow lowered. His mouth was hanging slightly open.

Robin couldn't find the words at the moment. Slade just looked at him and Robin slowly just shook his head in denial. The gesture made the man straighten up.

"I'll leave then." he said.

"Yes! Go away with you! He does not wish for you to be here!" Starfire had finally found them, and the others were closing in as well. Robin heard a low growl coming from Slade that, somehow, made his spine tingle pleasantly. A few more explosions were heard and the smoke thickened again. Even attacking immediately with full force was useless. Slade was gone.

The team left, feeling somewhat victorious, but someone lagged behind. Speedy found himself looking back into the thinning smoke, frowning… wondering…

Another pair of curious eyes was watching the scene, and having the advantage of a high position outside the building, he saw Slade coming out from a hatch in the roof. He landed on silent feet behind the man, but not silent enough. Red X almost got his head kicked off.

"Hey! Wooo! Take it easy, there Slade, I'm on your team!" the thief gasped and then added. "Well, not team, exactly, but at least in the same general area-"

"What do you want?" Slade clipped him off.

"To talk about strange birds…" Red X said, and then, as a thank you for suggesting such a pleasant topic, got slammed into a wall.

"What do you know?"

"Damn, I'm glad you don't want to know my phone number…" the thief groaned. "He really got your knickers in a twist, huh?"

"Talk!" Slade was not in the mood to joke around. He was, however, in the perfect mood to kill someone.

"Okay-okay! I fought him the other day, and something is definitely wrong… not that we got a chance to really chat, ya know, but…"

"So you don't know anything, do you?" Slade hissed, and his grip on the teen tightened. The theif suddenly realized that knowing nothing would be bad… the thing was, he didn't know anything, so he tried another approach. He babbled.

"Well, he was like brainwashed, right? And life was rather sweet when he was with you, ya know? He can be a real hard-ass, but I guess you know all about … I–DID-NOT-JUST-SAY-THAT! And I actually like the kid-" Red X caught the renewed dangerous gleam in Slade's eye and corrected himself "NO! No- not like like, like… I like the red-heads, really… more my cup of tea… I mean Starfire is so cute with those big green eyes and Speedy… wow… wouldn't mind a roll in the hay with him, let me tell you, and-"

"Enough."

"'Kay." Red X breathed in.

To Red X's immense relief Slade loosened his grip and let him go.

"I know something is wrong." Slade muttered.

"Hey, I'll… I'll help you do some snooping?" Red X said, the suggestion actually coming out as a question because he surprised himself so. He wasn't usually the type to offer to do others a favor, and certainly not for free. Slade seemed to catch on to his confusion.

"I'll make it worth your while." the man said flatly.

Red X sighed with relief. Now everything was back to normal. Felt good.

"You better." he added, for effect. "Meet you back here tomorrow night?"

Slade gave a curt nod and seemed to melt into some shadows Red X hadn't really known was there… it was like the man brought them with him, somehow. The thief shuddered and then set off. He had some snooping to do.

Back at the Tower the Titan's celebrated their partial victory, hoping Slade really had left for good. It seemed that only Speedy noticed that Robin was a bit pale and his smile a bit forced. Speedy himself was not in a party mood, exactly, and kept glancing at Raven and the others out of the corner of his eye. Were they really capable of doing what he suspected? Didn't they understand the cruelty of it? Sure, he didn't want Robin to be a bad guy either, Speedy thought that part was a tragedy in itself, but if they really loved each other? And even if you ignored that, no one should be forced to be something they weren't… Speedy felt very strongly about THAT issue. More than enough people had tried to mould him over the years. But what should he do? Betray the Titan's or let Robin, unconsciously, suffer? How do you tell a guy about something like this, anyway? It wasn't until rather late in the evening when Speedy gathered some courage, as he got Robin alone for a moment.

"Errr… Rob?"

"Yeah?"

"I…. I… the thing Slade said…"

Robin turned rather white.

"You heard? The others too?"

"Yes... I mean no... not the others… damn, BB and Cy would have teased you about it, wouldn't they?" Speedy managed a small smirk.

"Like you are?" Robin muttered.

"What? No, I… just wanted to ask… you know… how you feel about it…?"

Robin stared at his teammate with a raised eyebrow.

"The great archer wants to talk feelings? What's up?"

"C'mon… pretty strange, huh?" Speedy tried desperately.

"Yeah… a psycho saying psycho things… really strange…" Robin mumbled dryly and looked rather uncomfortable.

"So… you don't feel like… that… back…?" Speedy trailed off.

"Are you insane?!" Robin spluttered. "Why would I..? How…? I mean, I… he… NO!" Robin's eyes were haunted with confusion, however, and he grabbed his head. "Now I have a headache too! I'm going to bed."

"Umm… sorry… I'll… I'll head out for a bit..." Speedy said quietly to the air in general.

Running over the rooftops in the night, Speedy tried to piece everything together. This was really Robin's preferred way to clear his head, but Speedy had taken to it as well, even though he liked the daytime better. As an archer, it helped when you could see your targets.

Eventually he stopped to catch his breath, his arms resting on the almost chest-high wall that surrounded the roof he was currently on. Speedy let his head rest on his arms as well, and sighed deeply. It was decision time. Who said Robin couldn't be happy with the Titan's? He had been, hadn't he? And why not happy with Speedy himself? Ah, well, or Starfire then… but preferably Speedy. Deep inside, though, he knew that Robin hadn't been happy before… not completely, anyway. And did he, Speedy, really want to be with, no, fall in love with, someone who were in love with someone else? Even if Robin didn't know it, there would be something missing… someone missing… forever!

"Damnit, I can't do that to him!" Speedy almost shouted.

"Good. Then don't." The voice behind him made the archer gasp in a very undignified way as he spun around.

"You?"

"The one and only…"
"Well, Robin might have something to say about that…" Speedy smirked.

Red X shrugged his shoulders. "I'm never gonna hear the last of that, am I?"

"Nope." Speedy said, before crossing his arms. "Now, sod off. I don't have time for you. Go steal something."

"What, no strings?"
"Well, I guess it would weigh on your conscious…" Speedy sneered.

"No strings, then…" the thief snickered. "So, gorgeous, come here often?"

"I thought I told you to piss off?" Speedy turned his back to the thief and leaned on the wall again. He knew X wouldn't attack him… Oh, the thief was a skilled fighter when he had to, but at long as Speedy didn't try to grab his loot, there would be no trouble… only the trouble of getting rid of him, it seemed.

Red X himself was on top of the world. He had spent the whole day, both in costume and as a civilian, trying to find any information about Robin from any source he could think off. Criminals, reporters, pizza-guys, no one had really known anything, although some thought the kid was acting a bit weird… Those who knew about Robin's involvement with Slade were surprisingly few, their city was on the other side of the continent after all, and most of them now believed it was simply a rumor. Red X had shook his head at their stupidity… so all it took was to switch sides, disappear for a almost a year and then reappear in another city, mask-less, and no one recognized you? Well, no one seemed to know about that Clark Kent-guy either… People were just blind. Well, all that digging had gotten him nowhere, and then he stumbled over the best, and the hottest, source of all. And right on his own doorstep… sorta speak. Lucky him. He sauntered up the hero, leaning against the wall himself, so close he was practically leaning over Speedy. No matter. 'S all good…

"Really, thief, beat it. I need to think." Speedy growled, but didn't move. The one who was supposed to move was Red X, damnit… Speedy had been there first.

"Oh, but it's simply no fun unless you chase me…" Red X complained.

"Stop pouting." Speedy snorted.

"Am NOT!" Red X said indignantly, before adding. "Besides, I have a mask, so you can't tell."

"I can hear it." Speedy replied, then sighed. "Look… really… I need to be alone, 'kay?"
"Thinking about Robin? Feeling guilty?" Red X asked directly.

Speedy spun around again, his eyes very wide behind his mask.

"Wh-what… what do you know?"

"Why does people keep asking me that?!" Red X complained. "Well, at least you didn't slam me into a wall…" he added. "What I know? Right, I know there is one extremely dangerous and heartbroken killer on the lose, and one beyond mental little ex-hero bird-boy suddenly showing up again and acting like Slade never fucked him silly… and, really, they belong together, creating havoc far, far away from here… and that's not just my opinion, is it?"

"I…" Speedy's confidence was draining out of him in buckets. "I said I need to think!" Speedy brought his hands up and pushed the thief away. Red X had gotten way too close for comfort, and with the low wall behind him, Speedy didn't even have room to draw his bow if needed.

The thief didn't let himself be pushed around this time, though. Not by a hero. He pushed back.
"No deal, babe. Something is going on, and you are gonna tell me about it." sensing that those were fighting words, Red X changed into a much smoother tone of voice. "Just do… We'll figure something out, kay?"

Something inside Speedy ignored that the offer came from an enemy… fuck, he had lots of friends which he couldn't talk to about this… and he needed to, so badly. He closed his eyes, leaned his head back against the top of the wall and took a deep breath. Then he began to tell the story.

As he finished there was a long silence, and after a while he had to open his eyes to confirm that X was still there… not that he didn't feel his body flush against his own, but the guy normally talked, so…

"That crazy bitch." the thief finally hissed.

"Hey! I… yeah… a bit… but…" Speedy quieted down. Hearing himself tell the story made it hard to defend the other's actions.

"Do... do they all know about their true feelings?" Red X asked, "And I'm using 'feelings' really lightly here, 'cause Slade in love? That I'll believe when I see it… but he obviously cares for the kid … somehow…" the thief managed to look uncomfortable, mask and all.

"I… don't know… I think Raven does… and Star… But I don't think any of them wants to believe it, you know? They just want everything back to normal…"

"Well, so do I… with Robin not here." Red X clarified, chuckling slightly.

"Maybe I could talk o Rae…" Speedy started, but the other cut him off.

"Read my lips; C-R-A-Z-Y B-I-T-C-H."

"Said the raving kleptomaniac." Speedy smirked. "Besides, you're masked, so lip-reading is rather difficult."

To the hero's astonishment, the thief removed the hard skull-part of his mask and pulled up the cloth underneath half way.

"Easier now?" Red X smirked, quickly leaning forward to capture the red-head's lips with his own. He had in fact been staring at them the whole time, frantically trying to pay attention to the story, but how much patience was a young man supposed to have, really? He had run out of his.

Speedy was simply stunned for a few seconds, and when he came to his senses again, those senses told him everything were just fiiiine… he felt a hand on his hip, also just fine, and then another one at the back of his neck. His own hands were suddenly in similar positions. The thief had a somewhat slimmer build than him, but was just a hairsbreadth taller, something he really took advantage of, as they kissed. Something in Speedy reminded him that he usually was the aggressor, however, and, thanks to his strong arms, he managed to flip them around. Speedy took over for a few minutes, but then X, the sneaky bastard, somehow had him pressed up against the low wall again. How the thief had managed that without teleporting, Speedy didn't know. A few turns later, however, the wall disappeared. They both nearly fell to their deaths before they managed to catch their balance.

"Come." Red X panted and grabbed Speedy's wrist, pulling him towards the middle of the roof.

"Where?" Speedy gasped, just as breathless.

"Safety first…" the thief grinned, and opened a covered up sky light. "Don't wanna take a nasty fall if I fuck you through the wall."

Speedy snorted "If anyone will be fucked through a wall it'll be you…"

"Let's discuss it inside…" Red X grinned again and Speedy couldn't help but sigh at the sight. Such a dazzling, stunning, absolutely naughty smile… it made his knees weak… not that it meant he would let the thief top, though… he had nothing against bottoming, but with someone he would have to try to bring to justice next time X couldn't keep his hands to himself? No, that would seriously mess with his mind… Robin really didn't have a chance in hell, did he?

The thief jumped down into the opening, landing gracefully on the floor below. Speedy, barely thinking, followed. Before he had time to look around he was yanked through a door and pushed onto a thick mattress on the floor. Red X was on top of him instantly, nimble fingers trying to figure out the fastenings to his costume. Speedy managed to get the guy's tattered cape off, he didn't want to get stuck in that thing, but the belt was another matter.

"Yeah, I know… Robin designed it like a fucking chastity belt… I'll help…" the thief chuckled. Speedy joined him, delighted when the belt finally clicked open. He had to help X as well, as his own outfit wasn't exactly the tear-away kind. The clothes swiftly gathered on the floor, unwanted and unneeded. With a silent agreement they let each other's masks be, Red X's only being pulled up to his nose. None of them had a bashful bone in their body or had heard of second thoughts for that matter. The only thing that mattered at the moment was the way their bodies felt, both their own and the other's.

Speedy noticed that Red X still was on top of him, having most of the control. He was about to change that when the guys' lips moved from his lips to his throat, nipping and licking. It felt heavenly, but-

"Cut it out or I'm gonna have to wear a turtle-neck like Robin…" Speedy gasped.

The thief snickered.

"Is that your subtle way to tell me to go lower?"

Speedy snorted and pulled his temporary partner towards his lips again, sitting up slightly so the thief ended up sitting more or les on Speedy's lap. He felt X's erection press up against his own, and then the thief's long, slim fingers wrapped around them both, making Speedy groan into his mouth. His cock was already weeping, but more slickness was added from somewhere.

Wouldn't surprise me if he had the lube in his belt pockets… Speedy thought wryly. The oil-like substance felt fantastic, though, so who was he to complain? A sudden push on his chest made him lose his balance and fall back again. Speedy had been close to coming already, and was actually thankful for the diversion. It would have been slightly embarrassing to come from a simple hand-job, but what could he say? Being a member of a team really limited his cruising time, and it had been months since he had gotten any… not that he wasn't hit on constantly, but he wasn't a complete whore. He let out a 'only-partial-whorey' moan as the thief scooted down and sucked in the tip of Speedy's member, flicking his tongue over the slit. Slicked, skilled fingers massaged his balls and pushed at his entrance. Speedy made something between a sigh and a moan, drawing his knees up. Okay, then, he would let the delinquent top… for now… but he already planned to retaliate. Red X picked up on the signs and didn't lose any time preparing the hero. Speedy was impatient, however. He didn't need that much preparation. He liked it when it hurt just a bit. Speedy hooked his legs around the other's waist and pulled him closer, just to, at the last minute flip on his side, making the thief yelp as he was suddenly underneath. The archer had no intention of topping now that he had started looking forward to being filled, however, and used the new position to quickly sink down to the root of the other's member, making Red X arch and buck his hips. Speedy loved the control of riding when he bottomed and he loved watching the face of his lover as he did it, although in this case, it was partially hidden. He rode hard, avoiding to touch himself and batting Red X's hands away when he tried to stroke him as well. He was just too close, and the thrusts against his prostate were enough. This position was devilishly hard on the thighs, though, and as his muscles started to burn and almost cramp, Speedy leaned forward.

"Your turn to do the work…" he breathed in X's ear.

"Be glad to…" the other growled playfully and suddenly Speedy was on his back again, his legs over his partner's shoulders. The thief's thrusts were fast and shallow, striking the right spot every time, leading to some rather undignified sounds on the archer's part. Speedy bit his lip to try to hold the sounds in as well as his release.

"Oh, god you're tight… feels so… good…" he heard X groan, which didn't help at all. Way too soon, according to himself, he reached the point of no return, but, thankfully, the thief came with him.

Maybe it's been a while for him too…?

Red X had collapsed more or less on top of him, and as the other teen's cock slide out of him Speedy felt a tingle that told him that his body was already recuperating. He smirked. Payback-time! First it was 'gasp-like-fish-out-of-water'-time, however, so he did.

Red X was watching the other's face when Speedy realized that they hadn't used protection.

"Don't worry, I took care of it…" he chuckled as he rolled of the hero to find a more comfortable position.

"You a mind reader?" Speedy asked, watching the thief disposing of the used condom.

"Nah, I just recognized the 'oh-shit'- expression… think I worn it a few times too… I'm clean though!" he hastily added, making sure the hero didn't get the wrong idea.

"Yeah, me too, but you know… never too careful…"

"Mhmmm…"

Surprised by the unusually non-verbal reply, Speedy looked over towards his recent lover and smiled. The thief's head were resting on his arm and, even with the mask, he looked half asleep.

I'll let him rest… Speedy thought. He'll need it.

He couldn't keep his hands away for long though, and soon started to explore the other's body. There had been very little time before, after all. Speedy found that he liked what he saw. Red X was definitely toned. He let his hands run over the other's chest, gently teasing the dark nipples until they were rock hard. Red X groaned a bit at the attention but otherwise he was all but knocked out. Speedy grinned. Wasn't a thief supposed to be alert at all times? Especially with his present company. Well, it wasn't like he was gonna haul his ass to jail… at least not without having fun with it first… His hands wandered lower, over a waist that seemed to never end and had the greatest set of abs he had ever seen on such a lithe body. Speedy let his fingers draw patterns around the small innie bellybutton, which he found strangely cute, by the way. His fingers continued their adventure, and, reaching their goal, they wrapped around Red X half erect shaft. Speedy himself was fully erect already and he carefully slid his arm out from under the other's head, stealthily getting himself in a better position. He found the condoms and the lube at the foot of the bed and smiled somewhat evilly. He prepared himself first and then quickly moved between Red X' legs, spreading them wide. This made his partner come back to the land of the living again.

"Hey, hero-boy, what do you think you are- aahhhh…"

"Just making the score even, right?" Speedy grinned and continued to stroke the other teen while slipping a finger inside him. He carefully started to stretch the tenses muscle, adding another finger, but Red X seemed as impatient as him, so soon he replaced them for the real thing. The thief bucked and tensed, making really lovely noises that mimicked the ones that Speedy had made, even though the archer would never admit it. The thief was tight and even the hard globes of his ass seemed to squeeze him, but the lube did its job and soon Speedy could start to move in earnest. Which he did. He held the thief's legs apart in the crooks of his arms, making sure he could get in as deep as possible and he fucked X the way he liked to be fucked himself; hard and fast. The body beneath him bucked and moaned, and as Speedy let go of X's legs to changed his position slightly, they wrapped around his hips instead, pulling him in even closer. Speedy was riding the high waves towards completion, but he was determined to make the thief come first this time. He grabbed the other's cock roughly and started pumping again, in sync with his thrusts. He was soon rewarded with an incredible feeling as his own member were gripped even tighter inside the other, being squeezed in spasms that didn't end even after Red X had finished streaking his whole chest and lower belly with splatters of white cum. Speedy stayed almost completely still, letting those sensations bring him over the top, before he collapsed in pretty much the same manner Red X had done before.

After taking a few deep breaths, he rolled off and continued his hunt for oxygen on his back next to his likewise struggling companion.

"That was… kinda… wow…" Speedy panted after a while.

"Yeah… wow…" Red X agreed, and they both chuckled.

"You were so tight it was like…" Speedy started, but couldn't find the right words and just made a vague hand gesture that Red X couldn't see anyway.

"Duh…" the thief replied under his breath, but Speedy heard him and somehow managed to put two and two together.

"You're not serious?" he exclaimed, hoisting himself up on an elbow to be able to look over at the other teen.

"What?" Red X said, trying to sound innocent. Not an easy task for the guy.

"You never bottomed before?"

"So? Not like I was a virgin! I'm just a top!" The thief sounded rather defensive.

"But you were… you were a virg- oh, damn, did I hurt you? You should have said something!"

"You try to explain something when you are having the greatest fuck of your life…" Red X pouted, but grinned as he saw a wide grin appear on Speedy's face. "So what if I'm gonna be so sore tomorrow? I'll take the day off…"

"Sounds like it would be a good idea to fuck you every day… to keep you on the straight and narrow…"

"Yeah, you might wanna rephrase that…" Red X laughed.

"Well, I would let you do me, ya know? Let me just say that you have other talents than stealing…"

"Why thank you, kind sir…" Red X chuckled.

They stayed quiet for a while. None of them had any regrets. They had had sex. They had enjoyed it. End of story.

"You and I are pretty alike, aren't we?" Red X yawned, startling as Speedy burst out laughing.

"Man, if you only knew how pissed Robin used to be when Slade said the same thing to him!" The lust-filled fog suddenly cleared, and Speedy sat straight up in bed. "Robin! Damn, I forgot!"

"Nah, you took a break… that's allowed…" Red X smirked.

Speedy, however, slumped back onto the mattress and rolled onto his stomach, burying his head in a pillow. "What am I gonna do?" came a muffled wailing.

"Hey, don't worry…" Red X said and patted the archer's naked butt affectionately. "You know the right thing to do, don't you? Even I do, and that's saying a lot…"

Speedy mumbled something incoherent into the pillow, and Red X sighed.

"Listen… I know exactly what to do."

"What?" came from the pillow.

"I'll tell you… but there's something I got to do first…" X said thoughtfully.

"What?" Speedy muttered again.

"Fuck you doggie-style."

Robin woke up in a terrible mood. He had tossed and turned most of the night, and when it was time for his shift on the guard duty, Raven had just sent him off to bed again.

After reluctantly sleeping for a few more hours, he had finally decided to confront Speedy about the obscene thing he had said, but archer was nowhere to be found. Still "out". Robin had found Raven, but after a few tentative words felt too uncomfortable to really talk to her.

Uncomfortable? Try SCARED. Something is really WRONG here!

He was standing at the kitchen counter with the others for an early breakfast when Speedy finally slunk in, looking a bit guilty.

Robin crossed his arms.

"Where have you been?"

"Out." Speedy shrugged, not quite meeting his stare.

"What where you doing? You missed your shift!" Robin's voice was ice cold now.

"Getting laid. Really recommend it." Speedy said, smirking as a choking sound told him that Beast Boy had some trouble with his porridge.

"We need to talk." Robin's face had taken on a slightly red shade, but if it was from embarrassment or anger, Speedy didn't know.

"Nope, I need to crash… hot sex all night, ya know… wears a fellow out… be glad to demonstrate…"

"Speedy!"

Starfire and Robin shouted his name at the same time, and the archer bit his tongue. He hadn't meant to be quite that blunt. He guessed Red X was a bad influence. Not really surprising, that.

"Well, SO-RRY! I'll see you in a few hours, Rob… 'kay?"

"Fine." Robin muttered in a tone that clearly told everyone that it was not, and that some poor appliance in the gym would feel his anger soon enough.

Two hours or so before, Speedy had woken up in Red X's small apartment feeling very, very satisfied. Last night, among other things, they had come up with a plan. Of sorts. He wasn't that big in the plan-department and Red X even less so, but it was adequate. Especially since it depended on Slade doing most of the work. He looked around, noticing that the bedroom was on the small side, almost completely taken over by the large bed… because it was a proper bed, he had realized, even though it didn't have a frame and was placed directly on the floor… comfy as hell, too.

"Good morning, hero." a newly-woken muffled voice said to his left.

"Morning, thief." Speedy chuckled, hearing X chuckling back.

"Great night, eh?" X rolled over on his side and grinned.

"Fan-fucking-tastic." Speedy agreed, solemnly. "Can't happen again, though."

"Awww… why?" asked the other teen and his fingers started playing over the Titan's chest.

"Well, if you got you act together…?" Speedy said, half heartedly, but got a snort in response. "Well, then." he continued. "Sorry… I can't date a criminal… my life is enough messed up as it is…"

"Yeah, I know…" X sighed a bit. "Hey, just promise you won't tell Raven, or she'll fry your mind too… and I kinda want you to remember…" the last was said with a grin, but there was a very potent seriousness behind it.

They looked at each other for a second before their eyes widened, as it finally sunk in what Red X had suggested.

"She wouldn't, would she?"

"Maybe not… she doesn't care as much for you as for Robin, I bet… you would be off the team, though…" a mischievous smirk appeared on Red X's lips. "Hey, I bet Robin and Slade would let us come back with them!"

"No."

"No eloping?"

"No eloping."

"Worth a try."

"Always."

They chuckled again.

"Well… maybe I'll move there…" Red X said after a while.

"What? Leave Jump?" Speedy didn't like that idea. Not one bit.

"Yeah, well... I gotta move now, anyway, since you know where I live-"

"No, you don't ha-"

"Are you saying that next time something's pretty goes missing, you won't come here to look for it?" Red X said sarcastically. "I mean, I WOULD be innocent, naturally, but I would be completely unprepared for the visit and be all out of coffee, and that would be so embarrassing…"

"Oh, yes, terrible." Speedy muttered.

"Besides, it would be kinda awkward, running in to you all the time… seeing how much you want me, and such…"

"Pffft…" Speedy snorted.

"… and then there's my other favorite red-head… finding out that she is just a bit too psychotic for my taste was a bummer."

"What is it with you and red-heads?!" Speedy exclaimed, very curious.

"… got my reasons.." Red X smirked.

"So if I dyed my hair, you wouldn't find me attractive?" Speedy asked, raising himself up to be able to look down on the other teen.

"Oh, I'd still do you… but my heart wouldn't be in it…" X smirked.

"You're nuts…" Speedy snorted, and flopped down on the bed again.

"Fancy a quickie?"

"Fancy a broken nose? I'm beat!" Speedy groaned.

"Poor baby… I'll ride you!" a sympathetic Red X declared, grinning hungrily.

"If you can get it hard it's all yours." Speedy smirked and tucked his arms behind his head. "Good luck…"

Red X didn't need luck, though, he only needed talent, and that he had a lot of.

Twenty minutes later they both had collapsed again in a sweaty pile of satisfied flesh.

"Can't believe you did that." Speedy gasped.

"Told you I could." Red X gasped back.

After regaining his breath Speedy discovered what time it was.

"I better go before Robin has an aneurysm." he groaned, pulling his pants back on.

"Pfft… either way, my problem's solved." Red X smirked, still sprawled out on top of the bed, looking good enough to… no. Speedy stopped himself in time.

"Think Slade would agree?" Speedy said meaningfully.

"Oh, yeah, Slade… forgot about him…" X confessed.

"Guess I should be flattered that I made you forget an assassinating giant…" Speedy chuckled, as he finished dressing. "I'll see you tonight. Make sure you keep your end of the bargain."

"Or what?" X grinned mischievously and rolled over on his stomach, wriggling his ass. "You'll have to punish me?"

Speedy pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I hate you so much right now."

"Keep that thought… maybe we'll go rougher tonight?" X suggested hopefully.

Speedy fled, having a feeling he wouldn't be able to get out of the apartment at all if he didn't.

Robin's mood didn't improve during the day. Time after time he tried to confront Speedy, only to be cut off with the now hated 'later'. As he had caught the archer coming out of the gym he had followed him all the way to his room. Speedy had, grinning, invited Robin to take a shower with him and only then had the Titan's leader, blushing, given up and gone off to sulk on the roof.

One after the other the Titans came to try to talk to him, but he ignored them all, even pushing Starfire away when she wouldn't take the hint. He tried to feel bad about it, but couldn't find the energy. That's the place and mood Speedy found him in. The archer sighed. He had pissed his leader off intentionally, to get him worked up enough not to think too clearly, but that also meant he had a hornets nest to deal with.

"Greetings, fearless leader." he started, grinning a little.

"Piss off." his fearless leader snarled.

Wow… déjà vu… Speedy's grin widened somewhat. He doubted he and Robin would end up like he and Red X, though…

"Come on… we're going out."

"What are you talking about?" Robin snarled and kicked the ledge he was sitting on. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Do you have your grapple-hook with you?" Speedy asked.

"Yeah, why-"

"That's all I needed to know." Speedy said and flung himself at Robin, knocking them both off the roof.

As they fell, Robin showed why he was the boy wonder, whipping out his grapple-hook and shot it up at the ledge they had just left. Speedy grabbed onto his leader, grinning widely.

A few seconds later they landed safely on the ground. Robin whipped around, about to give Speedy the scolding of his life. The archer quickly slapped his hand over his leader's mouth.

"Listen… you know something is up, right? Wanna know what? Then just come with me, okay? Trust me!" he hurriedly said. He didn't remove his hand until Robin nodded and then didn't give the shorter teen much time to ask any questions as he quickly pulled him towards the underground garage.

"So tell me already!" Robin demanded. They were on a rooftop, close to the now demolished buildings. Robin winced when he saw them, remembering how he had been sent off to bed like some toddler instead of doing his part of the job.

"Ummm…" Speedy was looking around a bit uncertainly. "I think… I don't think this is the right time-"
"Wrong. It's the perfect time." a dark voice behind them said.

Speedy and Robin spun around and Robin drew his bo-staff. Speedy, however, didn't reach for his bow.

"Weren't you supposed to leave, Slade?" Robin growled.

"There is something we both need to hear first. I'm not here to fight you, Robin. Put your weapon away."

"This has nothing to do with you." Robin objected. "If you won't leave on your own, I'll make you." he was about to attack when something hit the back of his head and the world went dark.

"How dare you?" Slade snarled, about to tear Speedy to shreds. A black blur landed between them.

"Hey, stop!" Red X said. "No nasty stuff, kay?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just that he won't listen if he's gonna fight you." Speedy tried to explain hurriedly. "We need to get someplace calmer, and not quite this public."

Red X's shoulders slumped.

"Okay, let's go to my place… as a Titan already knows where it is, I guess it wouldn't matter if a mercenary did too… damn, I really have to find another apartment…"

Robin groaned as he woke up. He had had way too many headaches lately; he really was starting to get worried. He sat up gingerly without opening his eyes. He could tell it was light through his eyelids, and brightness didn't go well with this kind of pain. As he tried to bring his hand up to touch the back of his head, he heard the jingle of metal and something cold tightened around his wrist, stopping his hand from reaching its target. His eyes snapped open then, and he tried to ignore the stab of pain that brought.

"What the-" He was on a bed, and one of his wrists were chained to a heating pipe, by a series of linked handcuffs. His hand automatically went to his belt, even though he already was pretty sure it wasn't there. He was right. He spotted it across the room, neatly folded on a chair, and very much out of his reach.

The door to his right opened and Robin's head snapped that way.

"Sla-Speedy?"

"Yeah… sorry 'about your head… brought you an aspirin…" the archer said, looking worried.

"What… why…I… RED X?!" The Titan stared open mouthed at the figure behind his team mate.

"Morning, kid! Well, you only been out for an hour, but, you know…"

The thief had part of his mask pulled up and for the first time Robin could see that damn grin he had only suspected before.

"Speedy?!" Robin looked pleadingly at the archer, really needing some sort of explanation soon.

"Don't panic, Rob…It's just that… this will be a bit overwhelming, kay? Here. Take the aspirin. You'll need it."

Robin did, but not before checking that the pills really were painkillers. He then folded his arms and leaned back against the wall.

"All right Speedy. I'll give you five minutes to explain, and if I don't believe you, consider yourself a traitor."

The hurt look on the archers face didn't go unnoticed, but Robin was angry enough to ignore it.

"Aw, kid, don't be such a bitch!" Red X chuckled. "Hell, the last Titan I had in my bed was a lot more fun"

Speedy punched the thief in the arm, but X wasn't discouraged. He simply strolled into the room and plopped down on the foot of the bed, grinning at both Titan's teasingly.

"Hey, Speedy, why didn't you pull out the cuffs last night? Holding out on me?" X asked, pouting a little by the end. Robin glanced at the cuffs and then recognized them as the type the Titans where licensed to use. Four pairs. That meant they had used his too. Then Red X's insinuations hit him and his eyes snapped back to Speedy.

"You and Red X?"

"It just happened, and it has nothing to do with this…" Speedy looked appropriately embarrassed. "Look, Robin… the thing is…"

"I think I should be present for this." Slade said, suddenly appearing in the doorway.

Robin's heart started beating hard. Why had Speedy arranged for this? What where they planning?

"Aw, look, baby, he looks scared." Red X smirked, and Robin quickly tried to school his features into a scowl.

"Don't worry, please!" Speedy now started to sound desperate. "I promise you, you are in no danger, trust me!"

"Look where trusting you got me!" Robin snorted. "Well, traitor, got anything to say for yourself?"

"I'm not a …" Speedy took a long deep breath. "You were never in a coma!"

"Excuse me?"

"You have been away from Jump for the last two years… the rumors you might have heard were true, you were with Slade… by your own free will, at least I think so." Speedy's eyes darted towards the masked man, who had crossed his arms very much like Robin, and stood leaning against the back wall.

"Crazy-" Robin started but got cut off.

"It get's crazier, so shut up a moment!" Speedy interrupted frantically. "So we wanted you back, kay? We were convinced you were being more or less held hostage… duped into thinking you wanted to be with the bast- Slade. At least I thought so… so Raven came up with a plan. She took you from yours and Slade's bedroom and she… she… she brainwashed you, okay? She messed up your memories, and when you woke up you could barely remember anything about you and Slade, but… you did anyway, and… and… that made me think that maybe…" Speedy hesitated and then turned his head to glare in the man's direction. "This would be a very good time to remove that damn mask, Slade!"

Amazingly the man nodded and there was a soft click, followed by a gasp from Robin.

"You! It's… it's…" Robin's eyes darted from one person to the other and then froze on Speedy's fac. "What do you mean 'mine and Slade's bedroom'?"

"Well… you… were like… an item…" Speedy started.

"Fucking like bunnies. Or so I've heard." Red X clarified. "Lucky bastard…" he muttered, but it was unclear which of the males he considered lucky.

Slade had taken a few steps closer and sank down on the edge of the bed.

"You remember?" he asked quietly.

Robin stared up at the man, eyes wide behind his mask. He shook his head.

"No… I… I had these dreams… I… I recognize you, I… but I would never-! I… Get away from me!" he yelled as Slade moved closer.

Red X felt Speedy tremble beside him, and quickly rose to put his arms around the archer's waist.

"I… I thought he would remember… I thought I just had to tell him, and then him seeing Slade's face… I… I thought…"

"Shhh… let's leave them alone for a bit, huh? It's late, we are all tired and hungry. Let's get some food."

"I don't want to leave him with-"

"Slade won't hurt him, you know that. If anyone can bring those memories back, Slade can."

"But-"

"Come." Red X dragged the reluctant hero out the door and slammed it shut.

"What if he never rem-" Speedy started again, voice quivering.

Red X's lips efficiently silenced him.

In the bedroom things were, in Robin's opinion, getting exceedingly worse. Slade had stopped him from drawing back, and kicking and slugging the man had little or no effect.

"Stop struggling, I won't hurt you." Slade said in a deep soothing voice that stroked against Robin's spine, making it tingle and arch of its own accord.

"Then get off me!" Robin snarled, trying to fight the pleasurable feeling by struggling harder. The man was more or less on top of him, and even though they were fully clothed, it made Robin's mind do some nasty associating.

"No. I'll keep you down until you calm down. Tell me… do you believe what Speedy told you?"

Robin hesitated.

"I… don't know."

"But something has been feeling wrong, hasn't it?" the man pushed.

"Yes, but… I won't believe… I can't! Red X… Red X said I… I killed…"

"You have killed, Robin. And stolen. But you saved many people for every death… and none of the victims where exactly innocent…"

"That doesn't matter! They were people! I'm not a killer!" Robin screamed, trying desperately to push the man off himself again. Deep down, very, very deep down something told him that Slade was telling the truth, but he refused to listen. He was a hero, not a murderer!

"Hush… as you wish. Forget about that part… let it go…" Slade's voice was almost hypnotic, and Robin found himself listening against his will. "You remember my face… what else? What were the dreams about?" Slade asked, getting his answer immediately as Robin blushed. "That good, eh? Noting else? Remember our home? Wintergreen? Sarah?"

Robin frowned slightly at the last name. There was something…. actually, there was a lot, just under the surface, but he just couldn't reach it. He sighed and shook his head. Slade scowled and for a moment Robin thought he was angry, until he recognized the man's deep worry.

Wait… how did I know that?

"Robin, I don't know what else to do, to make you remember… I…." Slade cut himself of. "I'm going to kiss you."

"Wh-what?" Robin gasped.

"I'm not going to if you won't let me, but maybe physical contact will make you remember… would it be worth it?" Slade asked, carefully studying his partners face.

After a long silence there was a very quiet "…okay…" from the teen, followed by another deep blush. Slade couldn't help but smile. He had missed those deep blushes. Not that he couldn't make his lover blush even now, of course… Oh yes, he still had the gift, but this was a virginal blush, and Slade had to use every ounce of restraint to not just pounce on the boy.

Slade let the boy's arms go, and Robin stayed still. The man got even closer and then tilted Robin's chin up with his finger, just enough to meet his slightly parted lips. He knew that Robin had his eyes closed, even with the mask on. He could picture those long, dark lashes fluttering as he brushed the soft lips with his own. His hand were at the side of Robin's neck, and his fingertips felt the teens pulse quicken as he deepened the kiss, letting his tongue lick at the lips below until they parted even more in a small moan. He started exploring his lover's mouth like it was their first kiss, letting the intensity slowly grow until, miraculously, Robin started kissing back. Slade felt the boy's body move up against him, meeting his own, grinding against it. Then hands came up, wrapping themselves around his neck, fisting in his hair, pulling him down. They kissed until both of them needed a moment to breathe, and Slade looked down on Robin, smiling.

"So you remember now?"

Slade startled as tears appeared from under the mask.

"No… no I don't… I… I thought I… it felt so… but I don't! What if I never do? Where will I go? I can't go back to the Titan's! I can't even go back to Br- Batman! Not if what Speedy said is true… I…"

"You'll come back with me… In time, you'll remember." Slade said, trying to comfort the now sobbing teen, but Robin shook his head again.

"I can't! I can't go with you… I don't know you! I don't remember what kind of man you are… you… you made me a murderer!"

Slade sighed and backed off, letting Robin go completely. He disagreed with his little bird. He had made him better, made sure he overcame his limits. Yes, he had made sure Robin could kill, but he hadn't forced him. Robin had killed, though, and he had done it as an assassin as well as in self defense. It had never been easy on him, and he had never enjoyed it, but neither did Slade. It was just a job, and not one that occurred frequently. With Robin by his side, Slade had withdrawn more and more from the mercenary and assassin-business, but death was always lurking around the corner.

"I will never let you go." Slade said quietly, seeing Robin tense somewhat and shudder. "I promised you that many times, and I will keep that promise." Slade looked away, unable to look into that damn mask any longer. "But I will give you space. You have your own funds, I will make them available to you… if you should remember one day… you… you are welcome home." Slade took a deep breath. He dug into one of his belt pockets, quickly finding what he was looking for. "I would want you to keep this, however. You left it behind."

Something small flew towards Robin, and with his lightening fast reflexes, he grabbed it out of the air. He opened his hand and gasped. A gold ring. He turned it over so he could see the flattened top, already knowing there would me an 'S' and an 'R' engraved there.

"Satio ac Regnum" he whispered, making Slade gasp this time. "To… to satisfy and rule… I… I remember! I…" Robin let out a high keening wail and curled up on the bed, sobbing so hard he could barely breathe. He didn't even notice when the door slammed open and Speedy's, close to hysterical, voice wanted to know what the hell was going on. He remembered. Everything. He had come out of the shower, been knocked out somehow and then woken up at the Tower. His former friends had betrayed him… but he had betrayed them as well. The two realities, the two points of views, battled each other for a moment before settling on somewhat of a middle ground. He felt the cuff around his wrist being unlocked, arms hugged him and he heard Speedy whisper in his ear.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… I didn't understand, I'm sorry, Robin… I… please forgive me… I'm sorry."

Even stronger arms wound around him from the front, and another voice joined Speedy's.

"Everything will be all right, Robin. I'm here. I'll never let you go, remember?"

Slade. His lover. His love. Who made him a killer. No, Robin remembered now. Remembered the reasons, what it had felt like, what he had done to try to pay for those crimes… the balance, however rocky, was still there.

Robin hugged Slade back fiercely, while clinging to Speedy's arms at the same time. Slowly the sobbing died out and he started relaxing. As he heard a chuckle from the door he wearily turned his head. Red X stood there, leaning against the doorframe with a huge grin on his face.

"Well, that looks cozy! Up for a foursome?"

Robin started laughing, more from exhaustion than anything else, and wiped his eyes. Or tried to. He frowned when he felt the mask and ripped it off, throwing it across the room like it was the most disgusting thing he had ever touched.

"Oh, wow." Red X said, gripping the doorframe. Slade and Speedy simply leered at him, as they were rather used to seeing those very blue eyes. Slade still thought they were the most beautiful thing in the world, though.

"I would appreciate if you would stop ogling my fiancé." Slade said coldly, but with a hint of a smile still on his lips.

Robin opened his hand again, looking at the ring in his palm. Slade took it and held it up.

"Allow me?"

Robin nodded eagerly and held out his hand. The feeling of the ring sliding onto his finger was even greater than the first time it had happened. Slade leaned over him and kissed him on the lips, and Robin couldn't help but blush again.

"Aaawwww… that's so cute I wanna puke…" Red X sighed. "Come on, Speedy, aren't you getting any romantic feelings we could explore in the kitchen?"

Robin suddenly remembered the archer and turned around, spooning with Slade as he did so.

"Speedy…"

"I'm sorry…"

The archer's cheeks were wet with tears, and Robin reached out, wiping them away.

"It's okay… you said you didn't know, and I believe that… Raven did, though, I know that. And Starfire. Probably the others too. I can't believe they… but you helped me, you did the right thing. I owe you."

"We owe you." Slade argued. "Anything you want. Just name it. You know where to find us."

"That's… that's okay… You don't owe me anything." Speedy said, shaking his head a bit.

"What?! Sorry, baby but you're just too stupid right now. I helped too, remember? So what do I get?" Red X wanted to know.

"A 'get out of jail free'-card?" Robin suggested with a smirk. "Or a sense of originality so you don't have to steal others identities?"

Red X looked like he was about to cry.

"How about a new apartment, fully paid including rent, power and water, anywhere in the world, for life?" Slade chuckled.

"A… penthouse?" X asked carefully.

"Anything you want." Slade said, but was nudged in the ribs by Robin. "Except for in our building, naturally" he added quickly.

"Furnished?" X added.

Slade nodded, and X shifted his gaze to Robin who nodded as well. Now the thief looked decisively happier.

"It's a deal. I'll let you know where."

Slade nodded absentmindedly and turned towards Robin again.

"What now?"

Robin closed his eyes and turned around, snuggling closer to the man for a moment. This was nice. Being a leader meant never being allowed to be weak, and with Slade he could… well… not all the time, naturally, but sometimes… like now… He took a deep breath, breathing in the man's scent. God, he had missed him… despite not remembering him, he had missed him…

Slade must be some kind of drug…

Certain parts had missed him more than others though, and they started to get somewhat interested. Robin bit the inside of his cheek and tried to focus. He slowly opened his eyes, reluctantly let go of Slade and sat up.

"Sorry about that…" he muttered, a bit embarrassed at the flood of emotions that washed over him. He desperately hoped that Red X wouldn't want to settle in their city, because crying like a baby in front of the thief? That was a life-time support of ammo for X's sharp tongue.

Speedy sat up as well, and X pulled him to his feet.

"Enough moping, time for some butt-kicking, right?" he said hopefully and looked over at Robin.

"We could just go home." Slade offered. He had been boiling on the inside with rage since he heard Speedy's story, but, for Robin's sake, it might be best to just let go this time… he had to admit, though, wringing that witches' neck was a killing he would enjoy.

Robin stood up and started pacing the room. He had his thinking-face on, and the other's just watched him.

"No. We do not just go home." he said after a while. He glanced over at Slade, noting how the man's hair was all tousled and his eye burnt with barely restrained power. "We do not kill, though. I will not kill again. Ever. Clear?"

Slade just nodded once, that was a discussion for another day, perhaps.

Robin studied the man, hoping he would not be in too much trouble, but it didn't look that way. After the nod, Slade merely stretched, folding his arms behind his head and leaned back, waiting to hear what Robin had planned.

"They are going to feel it, though." Robin said, his eyes now running over Slade's uniform. He had kinda missed it. It was… he shook his head. "Especially Raven. I think I know what to do…" His eyes stared thoughtfully into the air, at a point that just happened to be located somewhere below Slade's waist.

"Great, let's go!" Red X said, enthusiastically.

"You wanna come?" Speedy asked, surprised.

"Yeah, well… I see it as one last chance to get lucky with you..." the thief grinned. "You know… victory sex?"

"Speedy, you don't have to do this either." Robin insisted. "If you do, you will probably not be a Titan anymore… I don't think they'll forgive you… maybe you can rejoin Titans East?"

"No on both." Speedy said. "So, I'll be alone again. Been there, done that… I'll manage. I can't stay with them, after what they did!"

Robin nodded absentmindedly, eyes still a bit distant.

"And Steel City is cold… I'm not moving there!" Red X said and folded his arms.

"What do you mea-" Speedy started, looking flustered.

"tsk-tsk-tsk… think of moving sex! And 'why-did-you-follow-me-here'-sex, and 'because-just-shut-up'-sex…" Red X snickered, and Speedy just shook his head in an 'I give up' fashion.

"So… ready to go, then?" Speedy asked and started to head out the door, with Red X in front of him. Slade rose and picked up Robin's belt from the chair, handing it to him.

"You're really ready for this"? Slade murmured.

Robin looked up at him, chewing on his lower lip in thought.

"No. Not quite."

"Well, are you coming?" Red X wanted to know, tapping his foot impatiently. "I don't know about you, but I can't wait to visit the Tower… again…"

Robin came to the door.

"Err… I have something to discuss with Slade… be ready to leave in half an hour." he said, slamming the door in the thief's face.

Slade idly wondered what it was the boy wanted to discuss, until he was pulled down on top of him.

"I like your choice of subject." he grinned. "But here? Now?"

"Performance anxiety?" Robin smirked. "You?"

"Hardly." Slade chuckled and started to prove it.

Speedy blinked and stared at the door.

"What did they need to talk about?" he said, more or less to himself.

Red X snorted.

"Poor naïve hero. That's a combo of make-up-sex and I-missed-you-sex. They'll be out in ten minutes."

"But Robin said thirty?"

"Yeah, but with that combination? Won't take that long." Rex X grinned. He thought for a moment and then shouted towards the door.

"You better not ruin my sheets!"

"We're buying you a whole new bed!" the muffled, indignant voice of Robin shouted back.

"Well I happen to like those sheets…" Red X muttered to himself. "Real linen! And they are even monogrammed… not my initials, though, since I stole them, but anyway!"

Speedy snickered and then suddenly stopped, paling.

"They are going to have sex?"

"Try and stop them. Come on. I dare you." X snickered in return.

"But… but… We are right here! What if we hear them?"

"Probably will. Wall's not too thick. If you're worried, go into the kitchen." Red X shrugged.

Speedy relaxed and looked for the door, finding the truth harsh.

"We are practically standing in the kitchen!" he hissed. It was true, though, since the room was a combined kitchen and living room. "There are no other rooms?"

"There's a closet." Red X suggested. "Don't think any of us wanna go in there, though… No fun."

In the meanwhile Robin and Slade had managed to get each other naked, even with some trouble.
"Now I remember why we replaced our outfits…" Robin muttered. "Damn impractical in an emergency."

"Depends on the emergency." Slade shrugged before capturing Robin's lips. He wasn't really that interested in talking right now. Suddenly he felt Robin stiffen, and not in the expected way.

"What's wrong?" he asked, ending the kiss.

"I… I just remembered… me and Speedy… we kissed…"

Speedy was as good as dead at that moment, but Robin quickly wound his naked legs around Slade's hips, temporarily stopping him from the kill.

"It was before he was sure… it was… I guess it was a test… it meant nothing, I just had to tell you."
"He should have known that you are mine…" the man growled, and Robin leered.

"I'm yours, huh? Care to prove it?"

"There's lube in the top drawer!" Red X yelled through the door.

"Thanks!" Robin yelled back, laughing. There were sounds of some scuffling, cursing and someone being dragged away, coming from the other side. Speedy had made sure they got at least a bit of privacy. Well… Robin didn't care. He would do Slade in the middle of a crowded square right now, he just needed him that much.

"Show me… he whispered in the man's ear as Slade nibbled on his neck. "Show me that I belong to you… only you… only yours…"

"Boy, Robin is really vocal, isn't he?" Red X said after a while, sounding quite impressed.

"Shut-up-shut-up-shut-up!" Speedy groaned, leaning over the kitchen counter with his hands over his ears.

"Awww…. but if this is that terrible…" X started and snuck his hands across the hero's front. "…how come you're so hard?"

Speedy gasped at the touch and somehow didn't notice when both of their belts clattered to the floor.

About fifteen minutes later, X had been almost right, the bedroom door opened and Robin showed up, fastening his belt.

"All right, so-" he looked up and stopped, discovering a really messy kitchen. The counters, for some unimaginably reason, seemed to have been swept clear of clutter. Speedy and Red X tried to put on innocent looks, but were rather flushed. Robin smirked before he was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled back into the bedroom. Slade then poked his head out.

"We'll be a bit longer. We… need to go over a few more details." his eye scanned the room, immediately picking up on the situation. "Enjoy yourselves."

The door slammed shut once more.

An hour later Robin and Speedy walked into the Tower.

"Where have you been?" was the first thing they heard, the windows shivering with repressed magic. Yup. Raven was pissed.

"Met Slade." Robin said, wiping his hands on his sleeves, leaving dark smudges. His gloves were covered in the sticky stuff.

Beast Boy had rushed forward, relived that his friends were back safely, but he now backed away with a horrified expression on his face.

"You… you stink of Slade! That... that is blood.. Slade's blood!"

"Yeah, told you we met him…" Robin said, eyeing the stains with a bored expression.

"Man, what happened? Are you hurt? Speedy?" Cyborg asked, the hysteria in his voice just barely contained.

"Hey, don't worry… Speedy and I have solved a couple of problems, that's all." Robin snorted and pulled off his gloves.

"Please…? What did happen?" Starfire asked, for once keeping her distance from Robin.

Their leader looked up at them, smirked and then went over to the kitchen counter, leaning back against it.

"Well, we met Slade. He was all crazy and wouldn't leave me alone, so I killed him."

"What?" the cry was almost unanimous, only Speedy had stayed quiet. The archer smiled softly and went to stand next to Robin. The others gathered in front of them, horror written on their faces.

"Oh, it was easy. He didn't expect it. Went on and on about how much he loved me, can you believe that? He even had some story made up about us living together for the last couple of years… crazy… had to be put down… Then Speedy noticed Rex X on the roof across from us, and it was a rather easy shot, wasn't it Speedy?"

"Yup, no biggie… Right through the heart… we checked." Speedy said, chuckling, and high-fived Robin, letting the others see that his hands were also stained with blood.

"But… we… what…?" Raven stammered, joined by the others.

"Come on, don't be like that!" Robin scowled. "I have been thinking… most criminals are just insane… why not get rid of them for good? That would help the city more, wouldn't it?" He studied the others closely. He could see the flashes of recognition in their eyes. He had said something similar to them during their last weeks together before he left with Slade. Slade had been the one introducing the thought, and, in some cases, Robin agreed with it. He narrowed his eyes and smirked slightly. "From now on… the Titans kills."

Speedy enjoyed the show. It was cruel, sure, but Robin really had wanted to play with his former friends… and… well… it WAS a diversion. The Titans all had their eyes on Robin and the kitchen, and therefore hadn't seen the two shadows that had slipped by. Even the low buzzing of an internal alarm went completely unnoticed.

"Sooo…. what do you think?" Robin said after a few moments of silence.

"It's… it's insane!" Raven, usually as calm as death, now almost screeched. "We help people, Robin, we save them!"

"Oh." Robin looked stunned" Oh, I see… yes. Naturally… we help them… and if we need to wipe a mind or two, that doesn't matter much, does it?"

"No, no, no, Robin…" Speedy tutted and shook his head. "We don't wipe people's minds… that's insane. Well, unless we don't agree with what that person thinks, naturally…"

"You… you found out?" Raven whispered, paler than usual.

"He did."

The team spun around, facing Slade and Red X.

"You… you are not deceased." Starfire stuttered, sounding just a bit disappointed, Robin noted.

"He's not, are you, honey?" Robin grinned.

"Not a scratch, precious." Slade grinned behind his mask, giving Robin back for the 'honey'-comment with interest. He had already healed from the shallow scratch after X snickered, but so did Robin. He'll get his revenge later.

"Sorry about the show, guys, had to make sure that our boys had time to do their thing…" Robin smirked.

"What… thing?" Cyborg asked, just as a number of alarms went off.

The Titan's were about to run for them, when Robin's voice turned ice cold.

"Don't you dare move."

They all froze automatically at their leaders command, but then Beast Boy sniffed the air.

"Robin, I smell smoke! Something's burning!"

"Oh, that's just a few books…" Robin shrugged.

"Wh-what books?" Raven stuttered.

"Yours."

"No!" Raven turned to head for her room when something cold pressed against her temple.

"I've always been curious… what moves faster? Magic or bullets?" Slade asked, taking the safety off the gun with a click.

"Move, Raven…" Robin teased. "Let's find out…"

Raven didn't though, she barely blinked.

"Well, then, as you are making up your mind, let me tell you all what is happening at this moment… well… first let me tell you why it is happening, in case some of you aren't clear on it." Robin collected his thoughts for a second. "Becoming Slade's student changed me, yes, but not in the way you think… The me today was always there… Slade just set that Robin free… he showed me that I didn't need to fear my limits, but fight against them, to get passed them. He never forced me to feel or think anything. It was overwhelming at times, and I was confused, but everything cleared eventually… and then, slowly, I fell in love with him. I was free and happy, truly happy, for the first time since I was a boy… and then you came and ripped me away… and not only that… you stole my memories of that time, my love… just because it didn't suit you… well… I'm taking it back, and I'm taking everything of myself with me this time. As we speak all the files that I have built up over the years are being destroyed. The case-files, the encryption software, the research, the tracking devices, all gone. The same with the data back in the Batcave, a Trojan horse is accessing it very efficiently. As for you, Raven, over time I have found that most of your power comes from your books and magical object. They needed to be destroyed. Feel lucky. Slade wanted to kill you all… and I'm not quite sure yet if I won't just let him. Hell, I might even help." Robin quieted, taking a deep breath.

"Except for Raven's things, only what I have provided has been destroyed. You can still fight crime, and you can still rebuild all the systems. All it takes is dedication and hard work, putting in the same long hours I did. The same with Batman's files… his own are undamaged, I won't risk the lives of innocent people in Gotham for petty revenge… but he'll be doing his own damn research and cross-referencing from now on…" Robin sounded just a bit smug at the last words. "And now we are leaving, don't try to stop us."

Robin's sharp eyes noticed how Beast Boy's nostrils suddenly flared, and how he seemed to straighten a little. The changeling had smelled something… or… someone?

"Drop the gun, Slade."

The voice made several in the crowd gasp and it gave Raven the split second she needed to release her magic. It was unfocused, though, which meant that everything from the kitchen counter suddenly came flying at the group as a whole. Robin was hit violently in the back by the toaster and found himself on the floor. Raven was so fortunate that Slade was hit by one of the knives, which had pierced his arm between his armor plates. Robin threw himself at the magic wielder before she could cause any more damage, which probably saved her life, as Slade had been quite prepared to shoot her. Now, with Robin on top of her, however, that wasn't an option. Slade growled and put the gun away. The room was already turning into a wild battlefield and the risk of hurting anyone that was actually on his team, was too great. Besides, he had larger bats to fry. Before Slade had the opportunity to face the Bat, however, an enormous starbolt hit him, making him crash into the kitchen counter and end up next to Robin.

"Nice friends you got." Slade muttered.

"Play nice with my girlfriend." Robin chuckled. "Let me deal with daddy."

Robin drew his bo-staff and was off before Slade could disagree, and soon the man had two flying opponents to deal with. Raven seemed to have trouble focusing her energy, but Starfire gave everything she had. They were both hovering just under the high ceiling, but Slade smirked behind his mask. They made a common mistake amongst flying meta-humans: they thought they were out of reach. The man crouched slightly, and then, from a standstill, jumped straight up, drawing his own bo-staff in the process. He was glad he had kept it. All his other weapons tended to be lethal nowadays, and, despite Robin's claim, Slade knew that teen hadn't really meant it; Robin wanted his former team alive… if it could be helped… Didn't mean he couldn't leave a few bruises, though… Taken by surprise the alien and the empath were rather easy targets. Slade's staff slammed into Starfire's stomach with enough force to actually make the tough alien winded, and then it spun, making contact with Raven's nose. The horrible crack told him that it was thoroughly broken. Good. Slade had aimed for it, knowing how immensely a hit on the nose hurt. Sure enough, Raven dropped to the floor like a stone, unable to hold on to any magic for the moment. Starfire, though, was far from down. Yet.

Speedy and Red X had taken on Cyborg and BeastBoy, although Speedy tried to actually talk to the pair first. The changeling wouldn't listen, however.

"You reek of him! You're just like Robin! Traitor!"

"Hey guys? Terra? Jinx? Ring a bell?" Speedy growled. "You can't always decide who you like!"

"Oh, you like me? That's so sweet!" Red X chirped.

"Yeah, well, stuff it…" Speedy muttered, looking embarrassed.

"Didn't we just-" X started

"Shut up!" Speedy cut him off, definitely redder in the face by now, and turned back to the Titan's. "You are the traitors! You kidnapped and brainwashed Robin! How could you?"

"How can you defend a murderer?" Cyborg hissed, making Speedy pause.

"If that's all you see… if that's all you think he is… why did you want him back?" he asked quietly.

"Because the bad guys can never win!" Beast Boy exclaimed, striking a rather nerdy hero-pose.

"We can't?" Red X exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised. "Well. Damn… I still wanna try, though… Care to prove your theory?" He rather regretted his words when the green teen suddenly turned into something furry with a lot of teeth. X raised his arm in defense and… felt a small nip? He looked up, not really wanting to admit that he had closed his eyes, and hanging from his arm was a green Yorkshire Terrier. The thief snorted. "Guess it's true what they say about dumb animals…"

"What's that?" Speedy couldn't help but ask.

"Err… that they're dumb?"

"Thought that saying meant they couldn't talk…?" Speedy muttered, while Red X tried to shake the annoying mutt off.

"Ewwww! I hate dog drool! You heard Robin, we are just gonna leave now, okay? No need to get nast-" Red X was then hit by a sonic blast, courtesy of Cyborg, which, in Speedy's opinion, meant the actual need to get nasty quite increased. They faced the Titan's with sticky projectiles and electronic arrowheads, instinctively trying to stay away from the area now occupied by a bat and a bird.

Robin faced his former mentor, both being very still.

"Why?" Robin eventually asked.

"I raised you for something better than this." The bat growled darkly, and Robin tensed even more.

"What about my happiness?"

Batman snorted. "Being happy is overrated."

"No!" Robin objected, for the first time raising his voice, if only slightly. "No, that what you believe. You never even dared to love anybody, and for what? Fear! You are so afraid of losing a potential loved one that you never even consider…" Robin's voice trailed off, as he was trying to collect his thoughts. "Me and Slade… we could die any day, hell, maybe even today… is that really a reason to stay away from each other and be miserable? We're going to enjoy the time we have… but you are too afraid to do that…Thanks to that, I grew up believing that a hero had to be tough, grim and alone… but it's not true!"

"You'll understand… when you're older." The man said with a flat voice. Before Robin had time to object, Batman continued. "It ends here, Robin. Slade will be out of your life permanently from this day on, and if letting Raven redo her work is what it takes, then so be it… maybe being with the Titan's is bad enough. I might as well take you home. Keep an eye on you."

Robin gaped. He had thought he could talk some sense into his mentor, even hoped that it was all a misunderstanding and Bruce really didn't know what had happened… but now it was clear that it wasn't… Bruce had spent time with them both over Christmas, and even if Robin got a nagging bad feeling after the visit, it had mainly went well… he had really thought that his mentor had accepted his choice… But no… and now there was only one way out…

"Let's make a deal…" Robin said coldly. "We fight. One on one. If I win, Slade and I will leave, and if I lose… I'll go with you."

"Robin, no!"

Robin turned his head, realizing that the rest of the fighting has stopped and the whole group was staring at him. Speedy had been the one protesting, and Red X joined him.

"Don't be an idiot, kid, just get out of here! That's Batman." The thief kindly informed him.

Robin looked over at Slade. The man had folded his hands behind his back, seemingly measuring him up. Then he nodded.

"You are an excellent fighter, Robin. You can do this."

Beaming, Robin removed his mask, gloves and cape. He was more used to fighting without them, and it felt better this way. He looked up at Batman.

"Deal?"

The Bat's lips had frozen in a thin line.

"Deal."

Robin warily studied his opponent. They had sparred countless times of course, and Robin remembered studying Bruce and Slade as they fought in the Batcave at Christmas. He knew the man. Still, even though Robin had gained a bit of height over the last couple of years, Batman was at least twice his mass, and had held his own against Slade…

"Weapons?" Robin asked.

"If you wish." Batman said.

Robin immediately interpreted this as 'if you need it' and threw his bo-staff to the side. The weapon would have gained him some leverage, increasing his reach, but his pride wouldn't let him use it.

"Let's begin." Robin growled.

Batman nodded shortly.

They clashed.

It wasn't a fight with banter and wits. They both fought quietly, intensely, both having too much to lose. After feeling each other out for a few minutes the fight hardened and Robin almost smirked when he noted something he had never realized before: Bruce had never held back with him as much as Slade had. Even in the beginning, Slade had let him go with a few deep bruises and shallow cuts, Bruce had always been tougher. He would have to remember to tease Slade about that later.

Losing his focus, thinking about Slade, proved disastrous as Batman suddenly swiped one of Robin's feet out from under him, making him fall hard. Robin pushed away from the floor quickly though, and using all of his agility, just narrowly escaped the fist that followed.

He's trying to knock me out. Robin realized. He also could tell that the bat wouldn't hesitate to break a few bones. Those would heal… probably with him locked up at the mansion. Robin hadn't been quite that tough. He didn't want to leave Gotham unprotected, but having to choose between Gotham being vulnerable for a few weeks and never seeing Slade again… … well… the choice was simple.

Robin kicked off the floor and went in for a high kick. He could see Bruce preparing to block in and grab his foot, so he twisted in the air, bringing his heel down like an axe, hitting his opponent in the side. Robin could hear ribs crack, but Batman didn't as much as flinch, flowing into another position. It was a defensive one, Robin noted with glee. Seemed the man wasn't quite so confident anymore. He shouldn't be. Robin knew Batman's fighting style intimately, but even though he had been Robin's original mentor, Robin had something he lacked: hundreds of hours of training with Slade. This had given the teen a unique mixed fighting style that depended heavily on his agility and stamina. Batman was strong and fast, though, and seemed unstoppable as he charged yet again. Robin couldn't avoid a punch to his stomach, and a fist, almost too quick to see, split his lip the moment after. Robin flipped out of reach, daring a glance at Slade. The man felt it and nodded again, still proclaiming his faith in his partner. Robin took a deep breath. That's what he would lose if he allowed Bruce to hit him again. It wouldn't do. He would rather die. He would rather kill. Gathering up all his strength, all his resolve, Robin charged Batman who was closing in for, what he thought, was the final punch. He couldn't have been more wrong.

Robin's body became a lethal bringer of pain. He used fists elbows, feet, knees, fingers, all to make the man's muscles seize up in agony. It worked. Bruce suddenly moved slower, and as he was about to block a kick from Robin, the boy just spun around, having feinted the move, and then an ungloved fist crashed into the side of the dark knights head. It was enough to make the man stumble and Robin, never hesitating, followed up with a few quick kicks, until the man fell backwards. Robin jumped into the air, aiming for the man's exposed neck.

"Stop!"

Robin, barely, managed to soften the lethal kick, and as it hit its target it was hardly more than a prod. A promise of what could have been. He turned his head, facing the one who had called out.

"Slade? Why?"

"Because you would never have forgiven yourself."

Robin turned his eyes towards his fallen mentor, who was just stiffly getting up, and nodded.

"I win. We leave."

"Dick…"

"Don't 'Dick' me! You had your bloody chance to be in my life or at least take a stand, all of you, but you blew it."

"He's right." Slade growled. "If you ever get near him again, I won't hold back. Any of us."

"You think you scare me? This isn't over," Batman snarled.

Slade chuckled.

"Not scared, huh…? Well… oh, I know this is childish of me, but I can't resist… I just have to find out what Alfred thinks of all this."

Robin snickered as he saw Bruce's face turn ghostly white under his cowl.

"I wander what he will think as well…" Robin smirked, and then his eyes turned cold. "Maybe he'll decide to come to us. Then you will be truly alone. Great, huh? You will have no one to lose. No need to be afraid anymore."

Suddenly it started raining, which was a bit surprising since they were indoors.

"Ah, right, I forgot to tell you…" Red X said. "We delayed the sprinkler system when we arranged the fire in Raven's room. Didn't want the whole place to burn and, besides, what the fire didn't ruin, the water sure will…"

Raven gave a strangled cry as she hobbled towards her room. The other Titan's also seemed too rattled to even think about stopping the four leaving.

"So, baby, where next?" Red X asked, slapping the archer on the ass.

"I'm not your baby, get your hands off me!" Speedy snapped.

"Oh, I got such an annoying boyfriend, don't I?" X whined to Robin, who grinned.

"I'm not your boyfriend!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

Robin shook his head and laughed, brushing up against Slade as they left the Tower. He didn't even look back once. He knew where he belonged.

Epilogue

The jet had barely reached cruising speed when suspicious thumps and grunts could be heard behind a partition curtain.

Robin, straddling Slade's knees, groaned.

"I can't believe you offered them a ride…"

"They needed to leave Jump and we owe them…" Slade said, deftly opening the buttons on Robin's new shirt. The Robin uniform had been thrown in a dumpster back in Jump, along with Speedy's. Red X had kept his, but as soon as they were alone both he and Speedy had gotten rid of the masks, which, presumingly, had led to the noises coming from the back. Turned out Red X was a red-head as well. Go figure.

"Damn narcissistic thief…" Robin muttered to no one in particular. "They couldn't at least keep it down a bit?" he said a bit louder, hoping to get his point across.

"Hey, kid… my walls weren't exactly thick." Red X replied with a gasp from behind the curtain.

"Well, we never made that much noise…" Robin muttered, catching a very amused glance from Slade. "We didn't! Shut up!" he objected and blushed profoundly.

"Let's see about that, hmmm?" Slade purred and reached over to flick his tongue over an exposed nipple. Only now did Robin discover what the man had been up to.

"Hey!" he leaned away a bit, drawing the shirt closed. "None of that until we get home. We're not animals."

"Well, I would say you owe me after leaving me like that…" Slade playfully growled and grabbed Robin's hips, pushing their groins together. "I want you…"

"I can feel that…." Robin grinned and then sighed. "Okay, how' bout a nice hand job? Will that get you through?"

"I would prefer that hot mouth of yours…" Slade suggested, arching a brow.

"What? With a split lip? It will take at least a week to heal." Robin smirked, wincing slightly from the movement.

Slade muttered a curse and let his head fall back against the chairs cushion.

"I really hate that man."

The End…

A/N:

Oh, I know this wasn't my best story ever… Hmmm… I wonder what is…? Hopefully it hasn't been written yet… I still would be happy if you reviewed, though! Anyway, it was fun to write and it was even more fun to have Speedy and Red X as a couple! It wasn't actually planned, I had only some one-sided flirting in mind, but I think somehow both of them figured out that they weren't getting any in this story and they just wouldn't stand for it… The topping-issue was a problem with this couple, and after letting them battle it out I just decided that switching would work best for them… would be interesting to hear what you would have done with this couple!

And now: something completely different… Christmas presents! I'm planning to write some X-mas-drabbles again this year… around 5-10 I think, depending on length…

Want one? Well, read the guidelines below then!

You don't have to be a long-time reader or a friend to wish for one, but you DO have to be logged in and do the wishing in a review! If you want to expand your wish, feel free to PM me… Those of you that has my E-mail address can mail me as well, naturally…

1. You have to give me something to work with, so you DO have to wish for a paring. It MUST be Teen Titans, and Slash, and yes, it also has to be any combination of Robin/Slade/Red X/Speedy… I'm not suddenly gonna write BB/Cy… sorry…?

2. You can wish for a drabble based on any of my stories or even pics on DA or a completely stand-alone piece.

3. It would be nice to have a preferred category, OR let me know if there is something you DON'T want (like "I like hurt/comfort but not Non-con" or "I want dark not crackish" or whatever).

4. IMORTANT: you must give me one (or more) of the following to work with: a title, a suggestion for a plot, a scene, a beginning, an ending, or even a single WORD you want me to base the drabble on… Oh, no song-fics, although songs can definitely be an inspiration!

There! The reason for the guidelines is that… well, I need to come up with a lot of stories in a rather short time, so I needed your help, kay? Consider that your gift to ME, because I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it would be great fun to do… ;o)

I reserve the rights to combine suggestions if I get similar ones… I don't think that many are going to wish for a drabble, so I hope to do them all, but if I can't, I just can't… please forgive me in advance… Last year I posted them all on December 24'th s that is the day we get our presents in Sweden… I might do it differently this year and start posting a week or two before X-mas, we'll see…

That's it from me… Now I have the week off from work, so I hope to get some writing and drawing done! On Friday (the 7:th) it's my BIRTHDAY! Hurray! So I'm gonna prepare for the party (generally means cleaning…). You might hear from me on DA in the meanwhile…

All the best!
/Wynja