Disclaimer: Well, I'm sitting here, twirling my red hair, just plain wishing that I owned Teen Titans, Deathstroke the Terminator, Nightwing, and Batman and quite honestly all of DC Comics, but you know what? Reality is that I don't. Oh, well. I guess I can always dream.

Author's Note: What is with me? This is the third chapter that I'm posting this week! I love weeks like this where I just have the time to write non-stop with very few interruptions. I think at this rate, I'll be able to get one more chapter out by Sunday. So, if you remember the last chapter, before Slade left he gave something to Wintergreen. Keep that in mind as you're reading this. By the way, I wanted to say thank you for all of you who have reviewed. You guys totally rock! Oh, and Superman Returns came out in theatres! Oh yeah! I'm seeing it this weekend! You got to love superhero movies. Well, anyway, onto Chapter Eleven!

What?

Chapter Eleven

I groaned.

My eyes opened no more than slits. My head hurt, both outside and inside. My stomach made me feel like I was going to throw up at the sight of food. My chest felt bruised up too. I was so tired. My limbs were sore. What time was it? I was facing the wall next to my bed. Oh man, I felt sick. The lights were off and I was very glad that it was so cold in the room for once. I was so hot. I felt like I had just stepped out of an oven or out of the sun's center. I was breathing through my mouth and my breath was strained. My throat felt swollen. My mouth was parched and dry.

My mind was dizzy and my vision was blurred. Finally, I was able to keep my vision from spinning. I could feel my shirt clinging to my chest and back with sweat. I was so sick. It felt like every form of the flu that one could get at once, not to mention fight wounds. I could see the blankets had moved to the edges of the bed and out of my way. I bit my lip.

I don't know how long I laid there, just staring at the wall trying to ignore the pain and nausea. The cool air vented in the room and the gentle hum of the AC alerted me to it. My shoulders were shaking, but I didn't care as I felt the cool breeze start to overcome the room. It cooled the sweat on my body for a few preciuos seconds. Then it died down and my sweat heated up again because of my body heat. I nuzzled my head into the pillow as though if I didn't see myself, I wouldn't feel my body and how much I hurt.

My limp hair plastered itself to my face and neck. I could barely move, but I managed to grab my stomach which felt like it was swimming around inside of me and disturbing the rest of my organs. I curled up slightly, but it bothered my stomach with every move I made.

My head wouldn't comply with thinking logically. I was worried that I'd have to fight again today. I'd be subjected to a beating worse then yesterday if that was the case. I hated the training sessions. Bruce never beat me. Bruce never made me do something if I wasn't understanding it. Why did Slade insist on making me do something if the end result was a bunch of bruises and only one skilled gained? Then I realized that I was comparing the two men. Of all things, Slade doesn't deserve the honor of being compared to Bruce. In fact, he doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Bruce! My headache over came me and I groaned.

I heard the door open. Must be Wintergreen coming to get me up. Please no. The Titans would force me to stay in bed if I got this sick. Frankly, I normally wouldn't argue if it was this bad. I would on other occasions, but not ones where I could barely move a muscle and felt like rejecting Cyborg's food (who is probably the best teenage cook in the world). Oh man, food, got to get my mind off of it. Got to get my mind off of...He lit the candle.

I felt a hand come to my forehead and pull back after a second, "Feeling under the weather, I see."

I moaned in response. I don't think my mouth would allow me to talk.

"Well, I'll get you some toast instead," Wintergreen told me.

I shook my head 'no' telling him I couldn't eat, but I don't think he was going to comply with that.

"I'll get Slade to check in on you, see what's wrong," he said casually.

He patted me on the back before he left, "Hang in there. We'll see what's wrong with you."

I was dizzy again and I couldn't pay much attention. I felt like I was on a ship that was rocking in the water. My brain didn't seem to understand gravity anymore because at one point, I felt like I was going to fall to the ceiling and off my bed. I was disoriented. For some reason, maybe it was my sore throat that seemed to be shriveled up or maybe it was because I was leaking sweat faster then a river flows, but my neck felt like it was fragile. Almost like a soft piece of clay that if it was pushed too hard, it would break. I heard the door open and Wintergreen place a tray on the bedside table. My stomach did a flip. Not food, please not food. It wasn't just Wintergreen though who was there.

"Told you he's not in good condition." Some of his words got slurred as they entered into my ear despite him whispering them.

Please I just want to rest, please...

"Not feeling too hot, Robin?" I heard Slade ask me.

I moaned softly. My ears were ringing. I didn't want him here. Not now. I felt like I should be in the hospital. He's just going to make it worse...

"Well, I can't really see what's wrong with you if you don't turn and face me," He said.

I bit my lip again and tried to push myself onto my back, but found myself too sore and weak. I ground my teeth in frustration, but stopped as it made my head ache worse. I was so tired. My eyes widened slightly as I felt two strong hands lift me, very carefully, barely off of the bed so that my head was still on the pillow. I waved my hand at Slade's hands to let go, but I couldn't even manage to push him away. He gently put me back down on the bed on my back.

I looked up at him wanting more than anything for him to leave. My vision started to give way and get dizzy. I felt his cool gloved hand press softly on my forehead. I tried to shake my head away, but found it made my head hurt. So I let him check my temperature.

"Well, Wintergreen was right. You do have a temperature," he sounded like he was still debating whether or not I was sick. I'm lying on my back with a wraspy breath and a temperature that felt like it was going to kill me and he's debating if I'm sick?

I heard Wintergreen rummaging around in a drawer for something, then walk over with it to Slade. I heard Slade open the thing; it sounded like a brief case so that's what I'm assuming it was. I felt Slade grasp my jaw and a thermomitor wiggled into its place under my tongue. The cold glass felt almost good in my dry mouth. Soon, I felt Slade pulling it out to read.

"One hundred and one. Not too good at all," 'how did I get that sick, that fast...?'

"In any case, despite good or bad symptoms, you're going to be bedridden for at least today," while he said just today, I felt like I would be staying in bed for the rest of the week, "So, what are some of your symptoms, Robin?"

I groaned and shook my head.

"I can't just guess, Robin. Do you want the medicine I give you to make things worse?" Slade inquired.

While I didn't think that it could be worse, I attempted to talk, "soorrr...tho...t..."

It was no use, my mouth was to parched and my sore throat just made it worse. Slade left my field of view and I closed my eyes. Maybe he got that. Who am I kidding? 'Sor tho t'; What is that? The bed dipped downward to the side as Slade took a seat and I suddenly felt myself being lifted up slightly into a sitting position. This hurt my stomach. I moaned, but stoppped as I felt the top of a bottle against my lips and the cool trickles of H2O run into my dry mouth. It tasted so good. I felt my tongue gaining it's ability to easily move again. My cheeks softened as the water liberated them of their cracks.

Now it came time to swallow. I didn't want to. I thought if my did, I'd either choke it up or later on throw it up. I felt the bottle leave my lips so I closed them. I felt him nudge my cheek slightly, encouraging me to swallow.

"Come on, Robin. I can't do that part for you," he said as he continued to tap my cheek.

Finally, I managed to get the water down. It helped loosen up my throat, but it didn't loosen up everything. Still, I felt like I might be able to talk a bit now. Slade put me back down on the bed. I just wanted to rest...sleep...

"Well, can you talk now?" He asked.

"Yeah..." I told him weakly.

"Then answer my question," He ordered.

"Sore throat... Headache... Stomach ache... Sore... Vision blurred... Bruises... Too... Hot..." I gave up on saying much else. "You do have a temperature," he sounded like he was still debating whether or not I was sick. I'm lying on my back with a wraspy breath and a temperature that felt like it was going to kill me and he's debating if I'm sick?

"Well, which do you want to relieve now?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"Head, throat, or stomach? Which do you want to dull now?" He clarified.

I thought and then answered, "Head."

I moved my head over to see the bedside table. Sure enough, there was a black briefcase on top of it where Slade seemed to be getting the medicine out of. He found a small bottle and opened it up, slowly shaking out two small pills. He grabbed the water and brought it over to the bed as well. Again, he brought me up so that I was sitting up slightly. More so, I was leaning into his arm for the support to sit up. I wanted to shake him off again, but before I could he grabbed my jaw to give me the pills. I pushed the pills to the back of my mouth and felt the rejuvenating water again.

I swallowed the pills, but gagged on the water and coughed, spurring out the undrunken water. Slade put me back down and I tried to dry my chin, but didn't do such a great job. Oh well, at least my chin wasn't drenched. I then felt sheets being lifted over me. I tried to squirm out, but (as anyone can see from the pattern) I really couldn't do anything. I didn't want the sheets now. It was too hot. I was too hot. When I felt the small conforter being drapted over me, I felt like I was being wrapped in tin foil and was to be thrown into a camp fire to cook. I shook my head 'no' to Slade. He always makes things worse then they already are.

"Sorry, Robin. You know why your body heats up, don't you?" Oh great. Now he brings up biology again, "Your body's just trying to kill germs. No reason not to help it out by keeping you warm and under the blankets, is there?"

"Too hot..." I said as I heard Wintergreen wringing out a wet cloth.

The next thing I knew was that I felt that cloth against my forehead. I gasped, then relaxed. It felt so good, so relieving. The excess water from the cloth formed tiny streams down my face and neck. Some of them ran into my hair and in between my eyes and nose. I savored every bit of that wet cloth. At least he's keeping part of me cool. I'd literally cook if he didn't. It felt like coming up for air from a pool of water or from the ocean water.

I lost myself to a memory.

I was at the beach area of the island where Titans Tower was located with the Titans. Raven was hidding under an unbrella. Beast Boy and Cyborg were running around, goofing off. I was coming in from a swim. Starfire was playing with the wet sand making stalagmite sand castles. She smiled at me as I came in.

I smiled back and ran past her to grab my sand board. I brought it back and with a yell, I threw out the board and landed on it. On the wet sand, I glided over it effortlessly. I looked over at the others, but failed to notice the rather larger wave coming my way. So I fell off my board when it hit me and landed face up on the sand. My board was a couple feet away. I sat up and saw Star running towards me concerned.

"Robin, are you hurt?" she asked.

"Nah, you want to try?" I gestured to the board. She looked hesitant at first. I grabbed her hand and ran to the board with her. Again I threw the board out in front of us, but not with as much force. I pulled her along as I started to run at it again.

"Jump!" I yelled. We did. Star in the front of the board and I in the back. Star wasn't used to balancing on these things, so I gently held her waist to keep her from falling off. She smiled back at me as her red locks of hair waved partially in my face. She had used coconut shampoo this morning. All too soon, the board came to a stop. Star turned around to face me.

"That was so much fun!" She yelled with glee, "Robin, may we do it again?"

"Sure," I said, hoping a blush wasn't finding it's way to my face. Oh well, hopefully she would take it as a sunburn. Sunburn...Suddenly, I felt hot, very hot.

My dreamy memory faded.

I groaned and opened my eyes. The cloth had been removed from my face to be resoaked. Couldn't they hurry up? Too hot, it was too hot. Then again, the icy rag was put back on my forehead. A brain freeze wouldn't come, but at least some refreshing water once again poured over my fire-hot body. I was surprised that there wasn't any steam coming off me. What on earth had made me this sick, this fast?

This time I kept my eyes open. Slade was still there, but Wintergreen had left the room. He was looking at a couple bottles of what I'm assuming were different pills. I suddenly realized that if I took too many pills or a wrong combination of pills, my sickness could get much worse. My body would be way too drugged up to the point where I'd feel nothing. I'd be numb and when feeling came rushing back, I'd be back in agony.

It wan't just the idea of returning agony that scared me. It was the idea of a wrong combination. I mean you hear about people killing themselves by overdosing on store bought drugs. Despite the fact that it's stupid to kill yourself (because you may leave your agony, but give it to others who mourn your loss), overdosing can seriously damage your body for a long while if you live through an overdose. I didn't want that. What if I became numb permanently or somehow got my brain damaged? While it may come in handy sometimes (to be numb from pain) when fighting, on some occasions you needed to feel pain to save yourself.

I wanted so much to go back to that dream. Back to Titans Tower. Back to being a leader. Back to being with my friends...This was torture. I wanted to go home! I wanted to be as far away from Slade as physically possible! I wanted him to burn by touching my overheated body. I was even longing for Wayne Manor and to see it's white marble interior and the many rooms that I'd never really go in because there hadn't seemed to be a point. They had just been there.

I wasn't longing for the cave or my work room, I was longing for the freedom that every teenager should have. I wanted to hang out and go to the Pizza place with the Titans. I was even longing to have Starfire ask me to taste her Tamaranien food (which we all know is not normally very edible to humans).

"Some food perhaps?" Slade asked.

"No," I croaked out.

"Do you want some more water, then?"

My headache was receding so I rolled to my side and took the water bottle. I drank what I could, then put the bottle back on the bedside table. It tasted so good...water. Slade was still looking at the bottles of pills which was making me nervous. He looked up at me and something in his eye changed. It was as though he was smiling at my gaze. I felt little, very small compared to him at that instant.

"Worried that I'll drug you up, apprentice? Make a mistake and poison you?" He inquired of me.

When I said nothing he continued, "That won't do me much good. Poisoning you wouldn't be amusing either."

I remained silent. As I'm sure anyone can understand, jokes about one's death are never very amusing to hear.

He continued, "So, did you wake up at all last night?"

"No."

"That's good. Well, since this little onset of illness has overcome you, you won't be doing combat training like yesterday for a while."

"Joy," I said in a monotone similar to Raven's.

"That doesn't mean you're off the hook from training, young man."

"What?" I whispered out as he finally pulled out the pills he wanted to give me.

"Lying in bed all day isn't productive at all, Robin, unless you're being taught something."

"Like how to not throw up my weak stomach?" I replied with sarcasm.

He grabbed my chin, "Use that tone with me, my apprentice, and you won't find yourself getting better anytime soon."

"How else should I talk to you. 'Cause its just about as much respect that you deserve out of me" I asked bitterly.

"Do you want a lesson in that, then?"

I knew he wouldn't drug me, so with nothing else to say, "To respect you? Fine."

"No, even though that is something you will learn eventually. I was talking about how you talk to other people in terms of doing business. Who knows? You might take something out of it?"

"Not likely," I spat out.

"Let's start in dealing with other...criminals, as you'd probably still call them. Understand this, Robin. Being my apprentice gives you lee-way, but not as much as you may like. It's important to understand who you are, what your status is and who the person you're dealing with is and what their status is. With petty criminals, by all means you out-rank them. They steal because they either can't afford to pay off debts or because they just want to be rebellious. If they get in the way, don't hesistate to remove them from your path."

I was taken back by that, did he just suggest (in an undertoned way) to kill them? No. I wasn't ever going to do that. I'd knock them out instead.

"When it comes to higher ranking criminals with modified weapons and resources, then you have to be aware of your surroundings. Become familiar with them. Let's start with a villian like Mumbo. Pathetic in my opinion. He makes for a good chance, I'll give him that, but he's no good in hand-to-hand combat. To deal with him, simply keep him from widening the distance between you and him. Intimidatation is all you need. And being my apprentice is indeed intimidating enough."

"So you scare other villians too?" I asked quizically.

"Comes with running the crime of this city, Robin. Another type of criminal is much like the one you created, Red X. Clever by the way, really," I put on a sour face, but that didn't stop him from talking, "In any case, Red X trying to get into my plans was...suspicious. To deal with them, all you need to do is tell them who's the boss. Some criminals work for hire in teams, like the HIVE. Incompetent morons, that's what they are on most occasions."

"You can say that again," I said without thinking.

He looked at me with something in his eye just screaming, 'you are perfect'. "Anyway, you deal with their contractors like you would a business man who holds all the cards, because you do or at least you hold most of them. Dealing with the HIVE themselves, well, let's just say Jinx is the only one who has any idea of how to talk to other people without insulting them.

"For you Robin, your status. You are the apprentice of the crime lord of Jump City, me. That gives you status above everyone, but you aren't to pronounce that yet. That just makes everyone you meet think of you as an arrogant twit. Criminals like Mumbo and Red X would be in your territory to be a little disrespectful, to have a little fun with. When dealing with the HIVE's contractors, you should keep yourself in the background until you become older and more experienced. With the HIVE agents themselves, I'll tell you now that they may hold a small grudge against you just because of your status. I wouldn't rub it in, but I would let them know discretely that you are superior to them," Oh, so now they hold more then one grudge against me. Great.

"The only one that out ranks you is me, apprentice."

"I out ranked you as a hero, and I still do," I said.

He gradually got closer as he spoke, "Robin...I know that right now, you aren't too thrilled about any of this. After yesterday, I don't expect you to know anything other than my training sessions are rough. But I know something else too, my apprentice."

He was at the edge of the bed now, "You were obsessed in trying to find me before you came into my apprenticeship, weren't you? Long hours spent locked up in your room just looking over evidence. That clever guise of Red X. Did you even notice the way you fought those Sladebots at Pier 41?"

He sat down on the edge of the bed, "You really could like this if you gave it the chance."

I felt his hand gently caress the side of my cheek and his thumb ran across where he had hit me yesterday. I winced. I don't think the bruise was visible, but it was still there all right. He didn't press as hard as he had when I winced, so now it was more like he was just brushing the spot.

"I'm... sorry I got you there yesterday," Did he just say...that he was sorry?

He brushed the bottom of my eye where my mask was. I winced again, "Do you want this mask of mine off, Robin? Do you want to see the face you've been trying to uncover?"

I was shocked at this. Was he...? No. Why would he? He couldn't be that trusting of me yet. It had only been three days and I had been out of it most of the time.

"Maybe when you start showing some real loyalty to me, Robin," he said and brought his hand away.

I noticed that he didn't say 'your master'. All he said was 'me'. He took the cloth off of my face and proceeded to soak it again. I felt the chilling cloth touch my face again. I let out a sigh. It really did feel good to have the cloth on me while I was sick. He pushed the tray closer to me.

"Eat when you can, and take the pills along with whatever you eat."

He turned to the door way and was about to walk out, when he turned back to face me. Just as I had been wanting in my mind earlier. It was then I noticed how helpless I was. I suddenly was wishing that I had some form of I guess protection. I closed my eyes briefly and just imagined feeling that long black cape of Bruce's shielding me making me calm and giving me a reassuring feeling that I was safe.

The moment left as I felt Slade softly ruffle my black hair briefly. I opened my eyes and gasped softly in surprise. Why was he...? My face must have shown confusion, but he didn't seem to take note of it. Maybe he did. His face was indiscernable as always because it was covered entirely by that mask. Despite the fact that I had already learned two days ago that sometimes one shouldn't want to really find out everything, I felt a sudden urge compelling me to ask him to take it off and let me see his face. I didn't and remained quiet. The moment passed and I was left to wonder why I had wanted that.

Maybe it was because I was so used to seeing what I wanted under a mask. Under the cowl of Batman, was Bruce who took me in when I needed someone most. Under my mask, normally I could relax as a teenager should. Whenever I wore my mask, unless I was hanging with the Titans, I was the detective that Batman had trained. Now I was wearing a mask that Slade gave me. Does that mean I can take it off just as easily and find the same person that I am without a mask?

"Take it easy, ok?" He headed for the door.

I realized that he was going to leave me alone now. Should I say anything? I bit my lip and curled up a little bit. Just as he was at the door way, me and my big mouth had to say something.

"Um, Slade," I called out softly.

"Yes, Robin?"

I paused, "Never ind, just..."

I bit my lip again. Come on. Just say it. Just say it. He said sorry. Can't you just let that one little word slip. Come on, Robin. Come on. Just say quick and get it over with.

"Thanks."

He seemed surprised by this. He looked at me for a moment then replied, "You're welcome. Just eat what you can, got it? You didn't have enough of your broth yesterday. Tommorow you'll be up and ready for a few lessons in robotics and security systems."

I almost lost my chance to say anything more to him as he began to shut the door, but a question occurred to me, "How do you know I'll be up tommorow?"

He stood there, not moving, just staring at me. Then it clicked, "You... you made me sick!"

"Robin, understand that..."

"You made me sick!" I screamed at him. Anger fueled me so that I tried to sit up on my own. I was almost up when Slade grabbed my wrists and forced me to lie back down.

"You made me sick!" I yelled again. With the slight amount of adrenaline that I had, I twisted my wrists in Slade's grasp, but he wouldn't let go of me.

"Shhhhh, Robin. Don't get so worked up about it," Slade cooed to me.

"Why shouldn't I? You made me sick! Do you have any idea...?" He cut me off.

"Yes, I know, I know. I measured out the dose of viruses, Robin. You'll be better tommorow, I promise. You disobeyed me yesterday, Robin. It's only a small punishment. Besides, I'm guessing you didn't want another combat session today." he assured.

"Small?" I croaked out.

"Come on, Robin. You'll be fine tommorow, a little weak, but just fine."

"You...you..." I began to choke and cough I was so angry...and upset. If I'm really his apprentice, then why would he make me sick? Why? I felt backstabbed, but why should I? He, he was still my enemy. He didn't owe me anything, did he? There's no reason that he couldn't do that to me. 'I hate him,' I reminded myself, 'I hate him...don't I?' I was so worked up I couldn't think straight. I couldn't get the feeling of betrayal out of my system.

After a while I calmed down and he let go of my wrists. I just lay there in front of him feeling like I was nothing at all. I was just a trade to him. I dared to look up at him. There was a pained look in his eye, maybe even regret. Why was that? Why couldn't he just stop confusing me? I was just wishing that he'd stop confusing me more then anything right then and there. If it hadn't been for the headache medicine, my brain probably would have been in fiery agony.

Slade placed the cloth back on my head (as it had fallen off as I had tried to get up) and brought the blankets back over me. He turned away and left the room, only stopping at the doorway to look back at me. I just tried to ignore him and then he left. The candle wick burned and seemingly danced as I watched it. I nibbled on the toast and tried to take what pills I could. The drugs in my body made me very tired and soon I was off again in another dream. I just kept wondering, 'What on earth have I gotten myself into with this apprenticeship?'

A/N: All right, so a twist in the ending of this chapter. So how was this chapter? R&R! Robin's having a rough time. Well, what can I say? He thinks he's in possibly the worst apprenticeship humanly possible. I'm starting Chapter Twelve now, so it should be out soon; promise. Hopefully this is making up for my long time with writer's block and uploading problems earlier, LOL. Later!

Rena