It had been weeks since Bat-man had heard from Slade or Robin and he wondered about how both were doing, "Bat-girl, I want you to contact the local authorities in Jump City. No doubt they can tell me something about Robin's whereabouts." Bat-girl nodded and obediently began her new task.

"Master Bruce, there is a guest for you." Alfred informed over the intercom.

"Who is it?" Bat-man asked back.

"Richard Grayson." came the response.

Bat-man smiled and thought about the good times with the first Robin. Then he thought about Dick's job as a journalist. He could have some information on Tim, He thought. He quickly changed into Bruce Wayne and went up the 'Cave's stairs t talk to his old friend. "Dick, how's it going?" his gravelly Bat-man voice had disappeared and was replaced by a jovial baritone.

Richard smiled, "Not bad. Yourself?"

Bruce nodded and invited the boy to come in to lunch. "Where have you gone to?"

Richard put down his bags and answered, "Hong Kong, China, New York, Metropolis, Jump City, San Francisco…" His voice trailed off as he looked around the mansion. "I haven't been here in a long time, it sure has changed."

Just then Barbra Gordon walked around the corner. "Richard, This is-"

"Barbra Gordon, daughter of Commissioner James Gordon." She flashed Dick a flirty smile.

Cute, he thought. He turned to Bruce, "Is she in?"

Bruce nodded and told the former Robin about Barbra's help in capturing Two-Face. "Where's Tim?" Richard asked when Bruce finished. "Normally he is right here next to me."

Bruce cleared his throat, "Tim, ah, left. That is the reason I need you to tell me all about Jump City."

"He left?" Richard was incredulous. No Robin had ever left Bat-man's side willingly. Not even Jason Todd. "But, why?"

"He felt like he needed to go solo," Barbra answered. Richard caught a hint of anger and sadness.

"You sound disappointed." Richard commented.

She looked away, "Can I offer anyone in some lemonade?"

Bruce shook his head 'no,' but Richard agreed. As she left, he turned to Bruce, "Touchy subject, huh?"

Bruce nodded, "She and Tim had some kind of connection. Anyway, what's happened in Jump?"

Richard scratched his chin then answered, "I guess you didn't hear about it? A new group of heroes have surface; with Robin as the leader. They have busted a few crooks here and there, but I got the scoop on the main villain there."

Bruce looked from the window to his guest, "Really? Who?"

Richard took a sip of his lemonade, "Some weirdo named Slade. Have you heard of him?"

Bruce froze, dropping the glass Barbra gave him. "I need to contact Tim. He has no clue how dangerous Slade is-"

Richard cut him off, "Slade has already struck. I am surprised you haven't heard yet. Slade attacked the Wayne Institute of Neo-science. I was there."

"Alfred!" Bruce called, "Get me a phone, I need to make a call."

"Right away, sir." Alfred responded and came back several seconds later with a cordless phone.

"May I ask who you are calling, sir?"

"Tim. I have to get a hold of Tim."

Robin awoke. There was something ringing in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and looked at the caller I.D. "Bruce." He flipped the phone open. "Hello?"

"Tim, I'm glad I got a hold of you."

"That's a change."

"Cut the attitude, Tim. I think by now you've heard that Slade is in your town."

"Yeah, so?"

"He's a mad man, Tim. I am warning you about him."

"Look, I figured that out on my own. He his very interesting, though, and cunning."

"Exactly ,Tim. That's why you must return to Gotham. You can't defeat him without experience."

Tim was angry again and just wanted to hang up. "What's that, Star?" he said away from the phone pretending that he was being called. "I'll be right there." He turned back to the phone. "Look, Bat-man, I have to go. We'll probably talk later. Goodbye,"

"But Tim-"

There was a sharp click and the line died.

"How'd it go, Star?" Cyborg asked.

"He is fine. We talked a bit then he gave me an identity that is to be a secret." She smiled as she reached for the mustard.

Raven looked up from her book at the girl, "You mean a secret identity? And are you drinking the mustard?"

Starfire closed her drink then sighed. "Did you know he used to work for the Bat-man?"

The whole group nodded. "Yeah, they used to be tight. Bat-man and Robin. No matter how many times the villains tried to kill either one, the other always saved their skins."

There was a rapping at the door. "I'll get it," volunteered Raven. There was no one at the door, but there was a package. She picked t up and read the label, "To: Robin." She shrugged and went to his room. Still unsure of their friendship, she knocked then left it at the door.

Robin opened it to see the package on the ground. He brought it in and opened it. "To: Robin. From: Slade." Robin's breathing began to get heavier as he finished opening the package. Inside was a costume with a skull-like mask that had a red 'x' over one eye.