Chapter Three: Retaliation

The couple Nagira found the next afternoon was a far cry from the one he had seen the day before. He stood in the lobby, gaze drifting between Amon and Robin as he watched the two barely acknowledge the other's presence. Something had obviously transpired since he had last seen them, but for the life of him, Nagira couldn't figure out what it could possibly have been to provoke such icy behaviour. It must have been quite serious, judging by the pained expressions both wore.

For God's sake, they refused to even look at each other.

It had to be Amon's fault, whatever this little thing that was going on between them. It just had to be his fault. Robin hadn't even bothered to ask Nagira about the microfiche, having been so preoccupied with avoiding her guardian this lovely morning.

"So," Nagira began amicably, deftly hiding his bewilderment. "Wanna grab something to eat at this fine establishment?" He gestured to the hotel restaurant behind him.

Robin shot a sideways glance at Amon, before quickly dropping her head again. "Sure," she replied, uncomfortably shifting her weight between her two feet.

Amon merely nodded disinterestedly, staring blankly out one of the lobby windows. Nagira struggled to remain neutral, pushing back the urge to punch his kid brother in the face. Yes, this situation was definitely Amon's doing. Deciding it would be better to confront Amon later - and in private - Nagira rolled his eyes and turned on his heel, leading the way to the restaurant.

"Nice," he whistled as he looked around after they had been seated. "Very swanky."

"Yes," Robin agreed, venturing a bland smile. "So, why are you come to see us today?" she asked as an afterthought, a weak attempt at polite conversation.

Nagira's face sobered and let his menu slip from his fingers. It fell forgotten to the table with a soft plop. "Yeah," he said slowly. He cleared his throat and tried again. "There was something I wanted to tell you. It's kind of like a surprise." His stomach lurched from unease as Amon's head snapped up, eyes narrowing.

"What sort of surprise?" he asked tersely. Robin eyes flicked nervously to Amon before glancing back to her menu.

Clearing his throat again, Nagira fingered the edge of the menu. "Well, I don't think you're going to like it, Amon, but…" he trailed off, trying to think of a way to tell his news without upsetting his brother too terribly much.

"Does it have to do with Robin?" Amon asked pointedly, leaning forward in his seat. Only Robin's green eyes were visible over the top of the menu at this point, studying the two men closely.

"No, it's nothing serious," Nagira protested with a weak laugh. "And this bit of news isn't about Robin either."

Amon relaxed and returned to his menu, seeming to have lost interest in the news. Nagira leaned forward eagerly. "I've found someone."

"What?" Amon asked distractedly.

A wistful expression came over Robin's face as she gazed at Nagira. He could have sworn that Amon looked regretful as the younger brother shot a sideways glance to her

Nagira continued. "Yes. I began going out with her about a year ago." He paused. "I think she might be 'the One'."

"Congratulations," Amon said flatly. "I'm not sure why exactly you would think such news would upset me."

Nagira lifted one arm from the table to run a hand through his hair. "Yeah…" he said slowly. "That's just it. She happens to be someone you know."

"Someone I know?" Amon repeated blankly. At his side, Robin squirmed uncomfortably in the restaurant chair.

Opening his mouth to respond, he was instead cut off by a familiar blonde haired female bounding up to their table. Nagira stood up with a grin, slipping his arm around the woman's waist. Nearly taking a step back in surprise at Amon's furious face, Nagira turned instead to busy himself with seating his woman.

"Amon, Robin," he began with a flourish after he had sat down again, "let me introduce my girlfriend, Yurika."

Amon didn't reply at first, merely shifting his gaze between the two.

"Doujima?" he said at last, his voice deadly calm. Robin winced slightly and slunk down further into her seat. "You're involved with Doujima?" Amon snapped at last, leaning forward, the anger blatantly obvious in his eyes. "I can't believe this - Robin?" His attention turned swiftly to his ward who could no longer contain her guilt. Amon stared at her as Robin buried her face in the menu. "You knew," he whispered. Robin refused to look up as she cringed at his voice.

"That's impossible," Nagira cut in with a wave of the hand. "Don't put this on her. I never told her about Doujima." He rolled his eyes at Amon's dubious expression and raised his hand. "Scout's honour."

Amon turned back to Robin. "Then why…"

She finally looked up a bit, not fully raising her eyes. "I suspected. Nothing more."

Somewhat satisfied that his young charge hadn't intentionally kept something else from him, Amon turned back to Nagira. "Are you insane?" he seethed, still managing to keep his volume just above a whisper. "You're involved with a member of Solomon. What made you think that was a good idea to take such a risk?"

Nagira bristled at his Amon's tone. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was someone telling him what to do. Especially if that someone was his kid brother. "I'm sorry if you don't like it, but this is our decision to stay together. We've assessed the risks of our relationship -"

"You have got to be joking," Amon interrupted. "You assessed the risks? I don't think you fully understand the potential risks to both myself and Robin by continuing this relationship."

"I can't believe you," Nagira replied, staring at Amon. "We did take into account the dangers of our relationship. What could happen if we stayed together. I would never put Robin in danger." He paused. "Not even you," Nagira added with a jab of his forefinger at Amon.

"She's a known Solomon spy," Amon hissed.

"So is Robin," Nagira shot back.

A waiter drew near, hesitating as he caught sight of the irate expressions on the men's faces before quickly scurrying away. Defiantly, Nagira placed his hand over Doujima's, giving it a light and reassuring squeeze. Amon rested a hand against his chin as he stewed in his anger. He turned his head back to Nagira, still pointedly ignoring Doujima.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Honestly?" Amon quirked an eyebrow. "Because I knew you would react like this."

Bewildered, Nagira and Doujima exchanged glances as they watched Robin look uncomfortably to the side and Amon shoot another apologetic glance her way. Whatever Nagira had said apparently stole some of the thunder form his brother's anger.

Amon frowned and looked at the table. "We should order our food now," he said suddenly, signalling the waiter. He looked to Doujima. "How was your trip here?" Amon inquired grudgingly.

She smiled warmly. "It was good," she responded enthusiastically. "I haven't been out to these parts in some time."

The waiter came around again and this time they ordered. Amon surprisingly managed to remain mostly civil throughout the meal, much to Nagira's puzzlement and relief.

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After the meal, Doujima took Robin by the hand.

"It's been so long since I've seen you, Robin," she gushed. "We should go out and catch up - maybe do a little shopping," Doujima added. She paused to look over Robin. "You look fabulous by the way." Robin blushed slightly as Doujima continued. "Of course, anything was better than that drab Puritanical dress thing you used to wear as a Hunter." Doujima's eyes widened and a dainty hand came up to cover her mouth as she hurried to fix her blunder. "I'm so sorry Robin! I didn't mean to be rude."

"No, it's alright, Doujima," Robin replied politely. "Going out sounds like a nice idea," she agreed with a smile.

"Good," Doujima said, smiling brightly and giving the young girl a wink. "Grab your purse and let's leave these two behind."

Fifteen minutes later found the two young women strolling through the streets of the town. They peered into various shop windows as they walked, commenting occasionally when one spotted something interesting. Arriving at a large, upscale boutique, Doujima stopped a moment before yanking Robin through the doors. The younger woman walked aimlessly through the store, vacantly looking over the merchandise.

"What do you think of this shirt, Robin?" Doujima asked, holding up a wine colored strappy number.

Robin stared at it a moment, before extending her hand to look it over. "I like it," she said slowly.

Doujima smiled triumphantly and turned to find a complimentary skirt. She just might be able to get Robin into something a little more appropriate for someone her age. Doujima had no idea why exactly the girl still insisted on wearing such restrictive clothing. Sure, Robin was raised in a convent, but those days had long passed. Maybe all she needed was a reassuring, (moderately) older female hand to steer her in the right fashion direction.

Pausing, Doujima yanked out a coordinating skirt, smiling to herself before turning and beckoning to Robin. Obediently, she walked over, stopping short as her eyes landed on the item in Doujima's hand. Immediately, Robin's nose wrinkled in response and she looked dubiously back to Doujima.

"It seems a little shorter than what I feel comfortable wearing."

"Don't be silly," Doujima replied as a retort. "The skirt should hit slightly above your knee."

"Mm, I'm not sure," Robin said hesitantly.

"Just try it on," Doujima said encouragingly, sensing both the hesitation and unspoken desire within Robin. "I promise it will look fine."

By this point, a young sales associate had wandered over to assist the two. Doujima and the associate spent the next hour selecting various outfits for Robin while she merely complied in her typical bewildered way. In and out of the dressing room Robin went, trying on outfit after outfit. Almost everything the girl tried on fit wonderfully, Doujima couldn't help but notice enviously. While Robin had been on the run with Amon, she had filled out quite nicely and while she didn't appear to do anything exciting with her hair, she looked so much better all around. Doujima and the associate grinned as Robin emerged from the dressing room in the last outfit.

"You look wonderful, Robin," Doujima enthused.

Once again, Robin looked to Doujima with a frown, obviously dubious. "I'm not sure. Is it okay for me to wear something so…revealing?" She whispered the last word, looking furtively around as she rubbed her bare arm self-consciously.

Doujima rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly." She came behind Robin and placed her arm around the girl's shoulder.

"It's not too much?"

"No, of course not." She glanced away. "Besides, I wouldn't dare put you in anything that would give Amon a heart attack."

An odd expression crossed Robin's face, but before Doujima could puzzle the meaning behind the look, Robin turned away and approached the three-way mirror to study her reflection. Doujima had succeeded in placing Robin in shorter and shorter skirts until they had arrived at this item that fell (shockingly) mid-thigh. Robin gave a little spin as she examined herself.

"I think I like it," she announced with a faint smile.

An idea dawned in Doujima's head. "Is there a boy?" she asked with a knowing grin.

Robin blushed and averted her eyes. "Well…there is this boy at the hotel we're staying at. How did you know?"

"It's always a boy," Doujima giggled. "Does Amon know?"

"What?" she asked, wide eyes darting to Doujima in the mirror as she started at the name of her guardian. "Um, I think he might."

"You know what we should do now?" Doujima asked.

"Get some coffee?" Robin suggested hopefully.

Doujima sighed.

"Not exactly what I had in mind, though I admit it's not a bad idea." She beamed at Robin in the mirror. "We need shoes."

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"So, what's up?" Nagira asked pointedly. He had tried to get his brother to go out somewhere - anywhere - with him, but Amon had flatly refused. Whether this was due to his brother's usual paranoia or his usual anti-social behaviour, Nagira couldn't deduce. After an offer to a strip club was met with an angry glare, Nagira had given up in defeat and the two had returned to Amon's hotel room.

"With what?" Amon replied huffily.

"Until this point, I've done well keeping my hands to myself, but if you decide to keep up this charade, I guarantee you that my fist will end up in your face." Nagira's expression had turned deadly serious. "And we wouldn't want that to happen to your pretty face, now would we? So, tell me what's going on between you and your little Lolita. When I left yesterday, you two seemed fine."

"There's nothing to tell."

"Now, why don't I believe that for a second?"

"I don't know. I'm not the one who has been keeping secrets." At this, Amon pointedly looked to Nagira.

"I'm not going to apologize for not telling you about Yurika," he responded with narrowed eyes. "Who I sleep with is my business."

Amon turned away. "And the little errand Robin had you on?"

Nagira stared at the side of Amon's face a moment, his expression guilty. "Shit, she didn't tell you."

Amon shook his head. "I found your note. She said she was going to tell me over dinner, but…" he trailed off, his hand clenched at his side. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to be the snitch. Besides," he said, waving his hand, "I thought it was better if you heard it from her directly." Nagira extracted a cigarette. "Robin assured me she would tell you and I trusted her to do so. You should have more faith in her." Squinting at his brother, Nagira studied him a moment through a cloud of smoke. "Is that why there's this rift between you two?" Amon opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Nagira's anger dissolved into worry as Amon began to pale suddenly. "Amon?"

With a thud, Amon sat down hard on his bed, resting his head on his hands. "Fuck!"

"Amon?" Nagira repeated. "What's the matter?"

Head still in his hands, Amon shook his head slowly. "I did something very wrong last night."

Nagira nearly exploded from the anticipation. "Just tell me what happened."

Amon raised his head and looked directly into Nagira's eyes. "I kissed Robin."

A moment passed as Nagira stared at his little brother before his face broke out into a smile. "Ha ha, nice try. I'm not going to fall for that one. Better luck next time."

"I'm serious."

Nagira's laughter died away, the surprise obvious on his face. "Shit." Amon dropped his head again. "B-but how? It was really last night?"

"Yes," Amon nodded. "Last night."

"Why? How?"

Making a frustrated sound, Amon stood up and headed towards the window. "I was angry after I found out about the microfiche. I confronted Robin and she was very upset. I tried to make it up to her and…shit."

Nagira gingerly approached the window. "And?"

"And nothing. I told her there couldn't be anything between us."

"No wonder she's pissed," Nagira said with a sigh. "Why exactly was this a bad thing?" he ventured.

Amon shot him a glare as if his older brother was a moron. "She's too young."

"Is that it?" Nagira asked carefully. "Just her age?"

"Isn't that enough?" Amon replied softly .

"Well, no, not really." Amon turned partially at this, a confused look on his face. "She's not that fifteen year old girl anymore, Amon," Nagira pointed out gently. "Robin has grown up a lot these past two years - and she's not the only one who has changed. As a lawyer, let me also point out that there wouldn't be any legal risk to having a relationship with her." He took a drag of his cigarette. "That is, as long as you stay in the right countries."

"I can't stop thinking about her." Nagira hazarded a glance at Amon, finding his expression pained. It was a grim satisfaction for Nagira that Amon at least was just as upset by the situation as Robin undoubtedly was. "I think about her when I wake up and when I fall asleep. I think about her every day I'm with her. I fantasize about her naked." He ran a hand over his face. "This is bad. I can't take it anymore. I feel like I will betray my duties to Robin if I give in to myself."

"Have you ever considered that maybe Robin has needs as well that aren't being met?" It was a simple question, but apparently not one that Amon had considered too often judging by the surprised look on his face. "As I said, she isn't that fifteen year old girl anymore."

"Do you think she's sexually ready by now?"

"I don't know for sure, but most likely, yes. Girls develop emotionally and physically faster than males. Robin was probably ready when she first met you."

Amon considered this a moment. "And you don't have a problem with me sleeping with her?"

"Well, it's not something I can decide for you," Nagira began, stamping out his cigarette in a cup. "However, I can safely say that, no, I don't have a problem with it." He strayed over to Amon's bed. "You must get lonely at night."

"What?" Amon asked distractedly.

Nagira wandered back to Amon's side, taking a cursory glance out the window. "You should try talking to her again," he suggested, clapping Amon on the arm. An unusual expression crossed Amon's face as he winced from Nagira's hand. "What's wrong."

Amon brushed off Nagira's hand. "Nothing," he insisted uncomfortably, "you hit the tattoo."

"The tattoo?" Nagira lifted an eyebrow. His interest increased when Amon looked away guiltily. "You going to show me or am I going to have to strip you myself?" For a moment, Nagira thought that he would have to make good on his threat, but Amon relented. "A bird," he said suspiciously. Amon refused to look him in the eye.

"It's a phoenix. Robin picked it out."

"Did she. How original," he commented drolly. Nagira straightened. "You didn't happen to get Robin a matching tattoo as well?"

Amon yanked his shirt back on and swiveled away abruptly. "No."

Nagira looked decidedly unconvinced. "Really."

"It's an oroborus and it's on her shoulder blade," Amon conceded irritably.

"Jesus Christ, Amon, what happened after I left yesterday?"

"She wanted one."

"And you just gave Robin a tattoo because she wanted one?" Nagira asked incredulously. "That's not like you."

"Fine. I'll tell you what happened," Amon snapped angrily, giving up. "It was that goddamn woman I saw yesterday in the grocery store. Robin and I went out for coffee after you left and we decided to go back to the hotel for dinner. Robin went upstairs to change while I headed to the bar and found that woman there. At some point, Robin came downstairs, saw us together and took it the wrong way. She was upset and we went back upstairs to eat dinner here. It was then that I found the note." Amon dropped his head. "Robin took what I said about my duties the wrong way and thought that I only stayed with her to protect others from her. I thought I was going to kiss her at one point and offered her a tattoo before I did anything rash." Running a hand through his hair, Amon paused. "I learned…some things about her past while we were being tattooed. About her first love and that she'd been kissed before. We returned to the hotel and we were just relaxed. The moment was…perfect. Before I'd realized what had happened, I was already kissing her."

Nagira nodded his head, absorbing what Amon had said. "I see," he said at last, still amazed. "Did you leave afterwards?" he asked after another moment.

"I intended to, but Robin didn't want me to go." He frowned and looked down. "Afterwards, we went to our beds for the night. It's been bad since then."

"Amon," Nagira said slowly, rolling his cigarette between his thumb and forefingers. "You're not leaving something out…are you?"

"Like what?" Amon replied stiffly.

"Something doesn't add up." He shook his head. "I'm not sure what it is," he attempted to look Amon directly in the eye, but his brother quickly averted his gaze. "Hmm," Nagira continued, thinking aloud, "you said that after you kissed her, you both went to your beds. Why would you say it like that? It's not as though you don't always sleep in separate beds."

"You're grasping at straws. There weren't any implications in what I said."

"I think you're lying to me again." Nagira glanced about the room, taking a few steps away from the window before turning back to Amon. "Where were you exactly when you kissed Robin?" Silence. "Amon?" he asked pointedly.

Amon cleared his throat. "In my bed," he admitted.

Nagira studied Amon's back a moment. "And why were you both in your bed?"

"We were going to sleep."

"You were going to let her sleep with you?"

There was a brief pause. "Yes."

"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but do you let her sleep with you often?" Amon stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched.

"What the fuck are you thinking," Nagira whispered. "You bastard. I don't blame Robin for being angry and confused." Amon opened his mouth to speak, but Nagira cut him off. "Don't you dare try to defend yourself. You talk of yearning and wanting Robin, but of not being able to have her when you're really just leading her to the gate and abandoning her at the last minute. You act as though you're not a culpable party in this situation when in fact you're the one making the mess. I can't believe you. You let her stay in your bed, then don't even admit you have feelings for her. You are so selfish! You can't have your cake and eat it too." He stomped around the room. "You can't treat women this way and I especially won't let you do it to Robin either." Nagira shook his head. "I known you've done similar things in the past, with that woman - Robin's roommate in Tokyo - but I never could have believed you would ever treat Robin so cruelly."

"She would always ask," Amon said lowly. "She would ask so politely and, God help me, I could never refuse her. It was that expression on her face. I liked it when she came to me."

Nagira ran a hand through his hair. "Did you sleep as two people in one bed or was it closer." He glanced Amon's way when he didn't answer, noting the look of regret he found on Amon's face. "Did it ever once occur to you that this might not be the best - forget it, I'm not going to continue." Nagira growled in frustration. "How long has this been going on?"

"Since just after the Factory collapse. At the beginning I think she was frightened, but she I suppose she grew accustomed to being with me at night."

"Goddamn it, Amon."

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Amon said quietly, and Nagira yet again fought down the urge to punch him. At the very least his brother appeared genuinely remorseful. "She was so soft and warm…her body was comforting against mine."

"And the fact that she's in love with you didn't hurt either," Nagira commented dryly. He took out another cigarette and lit up. "Since we're being honest here and considering what you've just told me, can you at least admit that you love Robin? Just to me?"

Amon cast Nagira a sideways glance. "I think it's past love by this point. More like lust."

"You got that right," Nagira muttered around his cigarette. "So, what are you going to do?" Before Amon could reply, Nagira's mobile phone rang. He answered it, spoke briefly to the person on the other end, then hung up. "Hold the thought. That was Yurika. The girls are downstairs waiting for us in the lobby."

As they entered the elevator, Nagira shot a look to Amon, but he didn't reciprocate. With a sigh, Nagira leaned against the rear wall of the elevator. Amon remained standing in the middle, staring passively at the doors. The two nearly stopped short as the elevator opened and they found the two females waiting for them, shopping bags in hand. Nagira shot a nervous glance to Amon after catching a glimpse of the outfit Robin wore, but his brother managed to look only mildly surprised.

"Now, that's a declaration of war, if I've ever seen one," he leaned in, whispering to Amon, before moving forward to greet Doujima and Robin with a smile. "You look…different, Robin," Nagira ventured, reaching out to take her bags. At Robin's disappointed face and Doujima's glare, he tried again. "What I meant is that you look nice." Nagira cast another glance sideways, but Amon remained silent. He noted that Robin didn't seem particularly surprised by his reaction.

"So, how was did your day out go?" Nagira asked, feigning interest in shopping.

----------

As Doujima began to enthusiastically relate the events of their afternoon out, Robin slowly meandered away. She moved aimlessly, eventually gravitating towards the lobby windows. Holding out her hand, Robin let her fingers run over the windowsills as she walked. Even as she moved farther away from the group, Robin could feel the heavy weight of Amon's gaze upon her back. After a bit, she found herself in one of the alcoves of the lobby. Passing over the plush chairs, Robin approached a large bay window, staring vacantly at the overlooking grounds.

"Afternoon," the voice spoke amiably, startling Robin by its closeness.

Spinning around quickly, Robin found herself looking up into the face of the boy she had seen the day before. "Um, afternoon," she returned weakly, butterflies rising within her stomach.

"You look nice," the boy commented, causing Robin to flush. Amon rarely said anything about her looks and she had rarely heard such things at her time in the convent, which had led Robin to become uncomfortable with this sort of admiration in general.

"Th-thanks," Robin managed to stammer, self-consciously looking down at herself. The truth was that she was still quite uncomfortable with her attire, feeling as though she had committed some grave sin by wearing a sleeveless top and short skirt in public - though Doujima had spent much time telling her the contrary. The outfit exposed too much skin for Robin's liking and she was most uncomfortable with the admiring stares of onlookers.

"Are you staying in this hotel for awhile?" the boy ventured.

"Um, I'm not sure. Probably a few more days."

"You don't know?" he asked, eyes crinkling in amusement. "Pardon me, I'm being rude. My name is Klaus and I'm visiting here from Germany." He stuck out his hand and Robin gingerly accepted.

"I'm Robin," she returned with a blush. "Is your family in Japan on business?" Robin asked politely.

"Yes," he answered, laughing. "Seems like everyone in this hotel is a foreigner on a business trip. Robin is a beautiful name," he added, inducing her to blush to increase. "I hope you don't think I'm being forward, but would you like to have dinner with me this evening?" Klaus asked, his eyes growing serious.

Robin's heart thumped as he waited for a reply. "Yes," she answered at last, her voice quivering a bit.

Klaus nodded approvingly. "I'll come by your room around seven then," he said, glancing at his watch.

"Alright," she replied meekly. "I'm in room 537."

"Great," he said with a broad smile. Robin felt like melting just by looking at it. Amon never smiled at her like that. "I can't wait. I need to get going now, though," he finished apologetically.

With a wave of his hand, the boy who had introduced himself as Klaus was gone. Robin blankly watched him go, shocked at the unexpected turn of events. Preoccupied with her spinning thoughts, she glided back to where the others stood, still listening to Doujima ramble on about their busy afternoon of shopping. Amon's eyes had followed Klaus as he had strolled across the lobby, then turned their intense gaze on her as she approached, but he said nothing. Robin decided to ignore Amon and instead look interested in the ongoing conversation.

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Chapter Four: Defiance stemming from heartache...Robin's actions will set off a chain of events that will forever alter the relationship between herself and Amon.

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Author's Notes:

Nothing really to comment on this time. This was a short chapter, but the next one should be longer. I think the next one will actually be the last chapter with an additional little epilogue tacked on. I had a very difficult time with this chapter. I could not get it to the place I wanted. I've been working on this short chapter for a couple of weeks now, nitpicking everything and yet still quite unhappy with the end result.

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I decided shortly after I posted the last chapter, that I wanted to add WHR screenshots to my website. Just a few. At that point with my current host it wasn't feasible, so I had to track down a suitable new home for the site. I then decided I needed to completely update/recode my website and add another page or five. The whole thing took a couple of weeks and you should definitely take the time to check it out. Details about the site are in my profile.

However, it didn't stop there. I had to create another Apophysis tutorial for the Julian technique, which only took a few days, fortunately. If you want to see the crap I really like writing, then you can look at my Apophysis tutorials on deviantART. They're just a tad different from the writing I post here. Afterwards, I also had to figure out how to change my deviantART skin, apply GTK + themes to GIMP, mess around with PHP and figure out why the visual styles weren't being applied to XP (somewhere along the way, I hadn't correctly replaced the uxtheme.dll, but it's fixed now and looking pretty).

It was after busying myself with all of the things listed above, that I came to the conclusion that I had avoided finishing this piece. I'm not sure why exactly. I mean, I wrote ¾ of it in one day and most of my time is spent putting on the finishing touches. I suppose I was also concerned about this chapter and how readers would respond. I'm sure there are many that will think Robin is completely out of character or will dislike one thing or the other. If there's one thing I've learned from my other story, Fallen, it's that I can't foresee how fans will react to my perception of the characters in WHR. I'm now kind of questioning what I was thinking when I started the piece.