Chapter 3 - Version 1

The first sensation she recognized was pain. Something hurt. As she came closer to consciousness, she realized it was her head. Just above her right temple. Most likely, that's what connected with the door frame when Slade slammed into her.

The second thing she realized was she was tied into a chair. Her hands were tied behind her. She could feel wire cutting into her wrists. It felt like rope was wrapped around her chest and legs. She opened her eyes and almost immediately closed them. As bad as her head hurt with her eyes closed, it was worse with her eyes open.

"I know you're awake."

The words were spoken calmly, so Rachel hoped that meant Slade was in the mood to talk. She opened her eyes, slowly this time, and allowed them to adjust to the light. She could see that it was still daylight outside. As her shoulders didn't ache from being restrained, she could only assume she had lost an hour or two at most.

"Why, Slade?" she asked. Her voice was calm.

"I could ask the same question," he replied. From the sound of his voice, he was standing behind her.

"That makes no sense," said Rachel. She attempted to shift in the chair and, when she couldn't, she looked down. Her initial guess was accurate. Ropes wrapped around her torso and legs.

She heard a buzzing sound. She looked at the coffee table and saw her cell phone light up. She wasn't at the correct angle to see who was calling though.

"We should have company soon," said Slade. The tone was almost casual.

He made no attempt to mask the sound of him moving, as he walked around her and stopped by her right side. She turned her head and looked at him. Except for not wearing the mask, Slade was dressed as Deathstroke. He seemed to be looking at the coffee table and phone. In his right hand was a small gun. It was mostly pointed down.

"Who's coming, Slade?" she asked.

"I called his cell phone from your phone," he replied. "He answered and I gave him 10 seconds of silence before hanging up. He called back. I answered and gave him another 10 seconds of silence. He's been calling every few minutes since then."

She took a guess on who Slade called. "Why did you call Bruce?"

"You were with him this morning," replied Slade. He looked down at her. She couldn't read his face. While his tone of voice sounded calm, there was something not quite calm in his eye. She just wasn't sure what the emotion was. "I figured he'd want to see the end."

She didn't like the sound of Slade's words. End? What end?

Before she could open her mouth to demand more information, the front door quietly opened. Slade shifted and pointed the gun into the open doorway.

"Step inside and close the door." Slade's words were crisp.

A moment later, Bruce Wayne stepped into the room and shut the door. He was dressed the same as this morning, though now he was wearing a long, black coat. His eyes were focused on Slade and the gun he held. The weapon shifted. Instead of pointing toward the doorway, it was now focused on Bruce.

"Slade," said Rachel. Her words were spoken softly. "Talk to me."

"I won't share you, Rachel," said Slade. He attention remained on Bruce.

"I don't understand," she replied.

Bruce opened his mouth to speak, but Rachel shook her head. She mouthed the words "Trust me" to Bruce. He closed his mouth.

"You were with him this morning," replied the older man.

"Yes, I went to see Bruce this morning," agreed Rachel. "But what does that have to do with sharing?"

"You were WITH HIM," said Slade. The calm from a moment earlier was gone. She could hear the anger in his voice. He shifted his attention and the gun swung around to point at Rachel's head.

"No, Slade," replied Rachel, shaking her head. She focused her attention on Slade's face. She could see emotions fly across the his face now. He made no attempt to hide what he was feeling. Anger. Jealousy. "Bruce raised me. I don't see him like that. Not now. Not ever."

"I saw him touch you," replied Slade. The gun shifted from Rachel and pointed back at Bruce.

"I was upset," she replied softly. "I...I went to him...for relationship advice."

"What relationship?" demanded Slade.

"Ours," she replied.

He seemed surprised. The gun dipped and his attention turned back to her.

"I won't give you up," said Slade. "I told you that."

"You also told me you would never force me," she replied quietly.

"I didn't..." said Slade, but he seemed to drift off mid-sentence. He seemed to forget Bruce was in the room as he focused his attention on Rachel.

"You came damn close last night," she replied. Her words were firm, but tone remained soft.

"You said yes," replied Slade.

"I said no first," she countered.

The hand holding the gun dropped to Slade's side and the gun pointed to the floor. Rachel quickly looked at Bruce and shook her head. She hoped he would understand to continue to say and do nothing. While the gun was pointed down, Slade still held it in his hand. Bruce didn't move, though his eyes stayed on Slade.

"Is the man who gave me that promise still here?" Rachel asked softly.

"It...I changed when he died," said Slade. The older man's eyes were looking down at the floor. Rachel didn't need the name to know who Slade was talking about. Joey. Everything changed when Joey died.

"It can't go on as it has been, Slade," said Rachel.

"I won't lose you." The words were growled and Slade raised his face and looked at her, though the gun stayed by his side.

"You gave me your word and you came damn close to breaking it last night," replied Rachel. The words were firm.

Slade nodded his head and holstered the gun. "My word is my bond."

"Then you need to change," replied Rachel. Her words were soft again. "I'm not saying it has to be like it was before, but it can't be like it was last night."

He stepped back from her and nodded his head at Bruce. The dark haired man stepped forward. His eyes were on Rachel, but at the last second, he turned and punched Slade in the jaw. The older man fell back.

"Bruce!" shouted Rachel, worried that all her work to calm down Slade was for nothing.

His fists remained clenched and at his side. Bruce watched as Slade straightened up. The white haired man rubbed at his jaw. His eye went from Bruce, before looking at Rachel.

"I deserved that," replied Slade.

"You hurt her again and I won't stop at one," growled Bruce.

Slade stepped away and went to the window. The fire escape was outside. He opened the window and looked back. Bruce was already working on the wires that held Rachel's hands. Slade didn't say anything. She didn't look at him, but seemed to quietly speak with Bruce. He waited another moment, just to see if she would look up, but she didn't.

He needed to reclaim the man he had been, before his youngest son died. He gave her his word that he would never force her. He needed to figure out a way to balance his need of her with his word. This wouldn't be the last time he saw her, but hopefully the darkness of their relationship would be over.

When Rachel looked up from speaking with Bruce, Slade was gone, but she knew he would be back, once he figured things out.

…..

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: My beta, M.A. wanted a different ending, so I will post a Version 2 for Chapter 3. Please let me know which version you prefer.