AN: Hey everybody! Here it is: Chapter 5. I've got nothing else to say really. Read. Review. Enjoy!


When Hardison pulled up to the back of the bar in Lucille, Nate wasn't sure what to expect. He had heard his team's conversation and knew that apparently some "kid" had saved Parker when the job had gone south, but Nate knew that Eliot sometimes viewed Hardison as a "kid." Therefore, with all the different scenarios Nate had played out in his mind, he never expected for a young boy, no older that 13, to barrel out of the van, begin to stretch over dramatically and scream to the sky, "Fresh Air at last!"

The boy began to fall backwards as if flopping down on a bed or couch. Nate instinctively rushed out to catch the kid before he hurt himself, knowing he wouldn't get there in time. Luckily, Eliot caught him before the boy had tilted half-way over.

"I wouldn't have fallen." The boy protested as Eliot pulled him back upright.

"When you said you were bringing home a kid," Sophie stated disbelievingly, "I didn't think he'd actually be..."

"A kid?" The boy finished for her appearing suddenly at their side. Nate nearly jumped, he hadn't seen the boy come up to them. "Don't worry," The boy smiled. "I get that a lot."

"How old are you anyway?" Eliot asked as he joined the group along with Parker and Hardison. Nate knew the harshness in his voice was only to mask the worry he had for the kid. "You can't be older than 12."

"I'm 13, thank you very much." The kid replied with a friendly amount of sass, which caused Sophie to giggle. The kid was about to say something else, when his stomach let out a very audible growl. He smiled sheepishly while placing his hand on his stomach clearly embarrassed.

"Wow when's the last time you've eaten." Parker asked jokingly.

"A couple days, I don't know. That Brandwein guy wasn't to keen to feed me back there." The kid replied.

Brandwein? What could this kid possibly have to do with Brandwein? Had the kid been kidnapped? Nate watched as his team's faces morphed into various degrees of anger and horror. Both Sophie and Eliot seemed ready to Jump back in the van and head off to kill Future Industries CEO; and though he would have happily joined them, Nate knew he needed to diffuse the situation before anyone made a rash decision.

"Why don't we take this inside and get you something to eat." Nate suggested. "And then you can tell us all about what happened at Future Industries." Nate for one was very interested in how this kid got mixed up with a guy like Brandwein.


The more Eliot watched the kid perched on top of the bar, the more confused he became. The kid was dressed like any normal teenager, with his dark jeans, green t-shirt and black jacket; but he was also sporting Kevlar gloves- which Eliot was sure were meant for combat- and an odd yellow utility belt draped across his shoulder. The kid hadn't even attempted to take any of these things off. Nor had he complained about the many cuts, bruises, and burns decorating his body. Instead he'd only politely remarked. "I'd ask for a change of clothes but I doubt any of you have something that would fit."

Also, even though the kid's eyes (or eyebrows really: his eyes were hidden behind a pair of tinted shades) lit up like it was Christmas when Eliot set the large plate of food in front of him, the kid carefully watched the amount of food he was eating. This worried Eliot, because no matter how childish and normal this kid acted, every small detail screamed to Eliot that this kid was trained, and that he'd been in these situations before.

After the kid had finished eating- making the excuse that he must not have been as hungry as he'd thought to explain the extra food on his plate- Nate had predictably asked for the kid's name.

"Robin." Was the kid's simple response.

Nate had then taken the liberty of introducing the team to Robin before prying into his presence at the Future Industries warehouse. Robin had taken a deep breath before explaining his story, cautiously revealing his belief that he was stranded in another dimension, a topic Eliot still wasn't sure he believed. Elliot was also angry over the fact that Brandwein had apparently kidnapped Robin to steal his more advanced technology, other-dimensional or not. If there was one thing Eliot hated more than anything else, it was Adults taking advantage of, and abusing kids.

"...and then I ran into Miss Parker, and voilĂ , here we are." Robin finished his story with a wide dramatic sweep of his hands. Elliot was slightly impressed at how the kid had managed to escape himself.

"That's quite an impressive story." Nate remarked.

"He didn't tell it right." Parker complained completely oblivious to the poisonous looks Robin was shooting her. "He saved me from falling through the ceiling, and he helped me attach that box-thingy to the server, and then he took out this one guard with a twirly-flippy-kick-thingy." Parker became more and more animated with every word. "You didn't tell it right. He didn't tell it right."

The group turned to once again face the scrawny teen, who squirmed a bit under their gazes. Eliot had a hard time imagining this little kid taking out full grown men with one kick, but he had never known Parker to lie.

"So in your own world, you live in America?" Sophie inquired with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"Yep, I live in Gotham with my guardian."

"So you are American?" Sophie continued.

"Romani." Eliot interjected, watching the kid's expression to confirm his guess. "He may have gained an American accent, but you can still hear the Romani accent underneath it. Especially with the way he pronounces his..."Eliot trailed off under the team's blank stares. "It's a very distinctive accent!" He snapped.

"I didn't know it was that distinctive." The kid laughed. Robin then let out a large yawn. "Man, I'm pooped. Didn't know being out cold for a few days could make you so sleepy. Is there anywhere I can rest?"

"We have a spare bed upstairs." Sophie immediately jumped up to show him the way. Robin quickly fell into step behind her.

"G'night" the kid playfully called over his shoulder. Despite Robin's cheery attitude, Eliot could see the tenseness in his shoulders, how his hands always remained close to his belt, and how despite his alleged tiredness, the boy was very awake and very aware of everything around him. Eliot didn't know what would make a young boy act like a trained hitter, but when he found out, whoever was responsible would be very sorry.