AN: A bit of an 'angsty' chapter ahead. Was kind of hard to write and I really hope I was able to convey Robins feelings… -takes a deep breath- Here goes then!
Disclaimer: the usual. But I am really starting to get angry about it now.
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Chapter four: Treacherous Thoughts
The leader of the Teen Titans left for his private quarters to call Batman while Cy worked on Slade's link. Robin had several screens and monitors in his room, and they were all connected to both the phone, TV- and internet network, giving him a way to access them all at the same time if he wanted. Recently he had set up one screen across from his bed, so he could check the news last thing before falling asleep and first thing in the morning, without actually having to get up. Sure, it was lazy, but he thought he deserved that little luxury. Besides, the news wasn't on the top of his fellow teem mates favv-lists to watch. Robin sat down on his bed, his back against the headboard, waiting for Batman to answer. It didn't take long.
The boy kept his report short and to the point, only concealing those things that he was bound to by the contract, as well as his own, strange, feelings towards Slade. For a moment he wondered if he could keep the contract itself a secret, but no… It would be evident sooner or later. Batman's face was grim and pale as he listened to Robin's story. As the boy told him about the deal he made, the dark knights lips thinned to a mere line. Robin explained the benefits and dangers, as he saw them, and for a while the man said noting.
Robin, looking up at the screen, suddenly felt a surge of hope for escaping the whole arrangement.
He will bring me back to Gotham. Hide me in the Batcave where Slade will never find me! He will say that I don't have to fight anymore. He will protect my friends, he will-
"This deal. I know we haven't had time to go through all the details, but… it doesn't involve intercourse, does it?"
Huh? Robin was amazed that his friends hadn't asked him that question. Maybe they were too embarrassed or frightened. Maybe they thought that as he was, to their knowledge, honest about what had happened to him, he would have told them if that was the case. The truth was: he didn't know… But, no, he didn't think Slade would actually do something… against his will. That didn't make me feel any better…That goodbye-kiss, though…
Robin finally shook his head no.
Batman seemed to relax, just a little bit.
"Then just be careful, Robin."
What?!
Batman continued, unaware of Robin's silent cry. "As you said, this is an opportunity to finally put Slade away for good. It's a dangerous game, but maybe the whole world will benefit from it."
You aren't supposed to care about the fucking WORLD, you are supposed to care about ME!
Robin did not let his emotions show on his face. He just nodded, but inside he was pure turmoil.
Aren't you going to try to keep me safe? Aren't you going to protect me? Are you just going to hand me over to that man, not even offer to HELP?
"You are very brave, Robin. I'm proud of you."
But… I'm just a KID…
Fighting to control his features, Robin remembered that he had a favor to ask. He really didn't want to do it now, but… "Could you check the poison again… running more tests?"
"Why? What's wrong?" Batman suddenly leaned forward.
"Nothing solid… but could you check for bi-effects or permanent damages that might occur?"
"What are your symptoms?"
"As I said: nothing special… I'm unusually tired, that's all."
Bruce nodded, asking a couple of more questions and making a few notes. After some are-you-sure-you-are-ok-phrases his mentor finally ended their talk with the words:
"Just tell me if there's anything more you need, Robin."
A father would be nice…
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At the Batcave a pale Alfred appeared at Bruce's shoulder.
"Robin is strong, sir, he will pull through this."
Batman nodded severely.
"I just wish there was something more I could do."
"With all respect, sir, if Robin knows where the man is hiding, why not call the Justice League? Attack?"
"I would. I really would, but this is Deathstroke we are talking about. He always has a way out, and if he gets to Robin… one way or another we will never see him again. The man has hideouts all over the world. He could take Robin anywhere, even if he did let him live."
"You think there is a risk that he will kill him? If so, you must stop this immediately, sir!" the old man sounded as close to shouting as he ever had.
"Deathstroke wants what he wants, when he wants it. And if he can't have it..? I don't know… But I honestly believe that Robin is safe right now, as long as he sticks to the rules. If I was to interfere on the other hand…"
"You will do nothing?"
"Only research. Cautiously. And I will talk to Robin and his team again, but for now… we all need time to think this through. With Slade you can never be too careful."
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Robin stayed on his bed, sitting, much like he had done in Raven's room, with his knees pulled up to his chin. The betrayal he felt was ripping his heart to shreds. He knew that if Batman had indeed offered to hide him away, he would have turned the man down. He also knew that Batman, offering him help, would probably put him in more danger. He knew that, but that did nothing for the pain.
This is all his fault… the feelings for Slade… that's were they originate… You always tried to get Bruce's attention, to make him prove he really cared. Then he shut you out. And now he has abandoned you.
He was not fair to Batman thinking that, but it's not easy to be fair when you are fifteen and wallowing in self pity.
Slade sees you. He cares. He will never let you go.
Somehow that last thought didn't sound so bad anymore.
There was a knock, the door opened and Cyborg leaned into the room.
"All ready, man. You are aware that with this thing installed, Slade can just look in whenever he wants?"
Robin hadn't been aware of that.
"Without us knowing?"
"Pretty much. He will show up on screen of course, but there will be no call signal."
"And the other way around?"
"What do you think? No way would he allow us to peak over his shoulder. The signal is locked to this room and the living-room, though… I guess we will have to adjust."
"I guess." he sighed. "How do I activate it?"
"Blue button, red button, set the frequency to 42, press the blue button again and wait." grinned Cyborg, who had been screamed at by Beast Boy on several occasions when he got to technical.
Robin waited until his friend left and activated the link. A few seconds later Slade's masked face showed up on the screen.
"Good evening, Robin. Miss me?"
"Oh, hell yes, like a bleeding ulcer."
Slade shook his head.
"Don't be cute, Robin"
"I can't help it, I'm simply adorable…"
This coaxed a small chuckle from the man.
"Yes you are…"
That, in turn, made Robin uncomfortable, so he opted to change the subject.
"So, what did you want? It's late."
"Impatient to get started? Good. We will have a sparring lesson here at the base tomorrow at 10 am. Don't be late."
Robin swallowed. He hadn't expected the lessons to start quite so soon.
"I won't" he confirmed and the man broke the contact.
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Slade leaned back in his chair. He didn't enjoy leaving Robin with the Titans, but he had studied the boy closely enough to see that this might actually be the only way he could succeed. The doubts he was planting in the boy's mind would most likely grow as he had to deal with his friend's and mentor's questions and concerns. He was sure of it, but pulling strings in a humans mind was never easy, or without risk. He wanted Robin moderately happy with the situation after all, as that would make him more open to Slade's lessons. The other important aspect to consider was the boy's libido. He had to tread very carefully there indeed. This plan of his had been prepared for a long time, but it had not involved that plant. That was a pure coincidence, but it had been a temptation he couldn't resist. He wasn't sure if it would hinder or gain him in his endeavor, it was an unknown factor in the equation, and Slade did not like those. He continued working for another hour, setting up a spy ware checking the Titans internet use. Maybe all he would find was if the kids did any naughty surfing online, but it was worth being careful. He was fully aware that he was indeed very vulnerable at the moment, as Robin now knew both his face and the location of this base, but keeping secrets would never build trust. Besides, he had designed this base for this single purpose.
Deciding to check in on his protégé before calling it a night, he opened the line and saw Robin sleeping in his bed. Something caught Slade's eye and he smiled. The boy hadn't taken of the T-shirt.
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After Slade had ended the call Robin stayed on the bed for a while. He was dead tired, even after sleeping so much. He finally heaved himself of the bed, got rid of Slade's pants and boxers, donning a pair of pajama pants instead. Not quite sure why, he left the shirt on… It was warm after all… Practically falling onto the bed he was asleep almost instantly.
Robin woke early the next morning, oddly enough feeling absolutely fine. He took a quick shower and got dressed in his usual uniform. Hesitating he put his mask in a pocket, recalling that he wasn't allowed to wear one in the tower and knowing Slade could call at any time. He had bundles of energy and was on his way to the gym when he remembered about his session with Slade. He had a feeling he would need all the energy he could muster then, so he headed to the kitchen instead. Much to his surprise all his friends were already up, even Best Boy, though he was snoring in his plate at the moment. As he entered the room everyone turned to him, wishing him a good morning and again telling him how glad they were that he was back. The mood dampened a bit, though, when Robin informed them of the appointment. He suddenly realized that this contract did not only affect him, it also had a huge impact on his friend's lives. They were, in a way, Slade's prisoners too. This made Robin extremely angry at himself, allowing his friends to be dragged into his personal battle. Maybe I shouldn't come back after the session… he mused. But watching his friends around him he knew that that would hurt them even more. How will I ever get out of this!?
The time flew quickly and around 9 AM the alarm went of. Robbery in progress. The team turned to Robin but he shook his head.
"You go. I can't risk missing the lesson."
"How will you get there?"
Robin hadn't considered that… Or rather, he had thought he could just take his bike, but now he realized that for him to be seen with Slade was a bad idea. It would compromise the Titans standing in the community and create mistrust. Damn, now I have all the eyes of the city to worry about too…He could walk, but that would also alert his team to the fact that Slade was close by.
"Could I borrow your bike?" He asked Cyborg. Cy had just 'rescued' a old motorcycle from a junkyard a few weeks back and the team was beginning to think that he was trying to make his car jealous, judging by the amount of time he spent on the heap of metal.
"Yeah, sure…" the young man looked a bit nervous. "Be careful, though, she has a bit of a temperament." Grinning, promising to treat Cy's new girl right, Robin sent his team out into the city. Without him.
To be continued…
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A/N: So. To you who managed to get through this chapter I just wanted to tell you that if you miss the slashy-stuff you are in for a treat soon. Not so much in the next chapter (but that one is sooooo embarrassing to poor Robin, I almost couldn't put that scene in… but I think it's a laugh at the same time so…) The chapter after that, number six, though… just finished writing it, and it's slash all right. I just hope it's good slash, but you just have to tell me then.
