Disclaimer: Well, if I owned Teen Titans, then I would possibly also own my dream house and the Batcave. I think that says it all because I own nothing along those lines. No dream house or Batcave anywhere nearby. So I don't own Teen Titans either. Oh, well... Also I don't own the quote at the end.

Author's Note: Oh, man, finally. FINALLY! My computer has been bugging me to death lately! Sorry for not posting in a while. Blame my computer! This chapter is a little shorter then the last chapter, but I think that I got everything I needed to say in this chapter out. I hope you enjoy it. Also, whoever is reading this and has not seen Superman Returns yet, has to go as soon as possible! Oh Man! It's an excellent movie! Brandon Routh did an amazing job playing the man of steel, especially considering that he had Christopher Reeve to try to measure up to. (Christopher Reeve is one of my favorite actors and one of the most inspirational people that I've ever had the pleasure to read about and watch. He really was an outstanding person and so was his wife.). Anyway, great movie! Awesome special effects too. Go see it even if you already have! I'm pre-ordering it as soon as possible. Now I just have to go see Pirates...

What?

Chapter Twelve

The razor buzzed as I shaved. It was still steamy in the room, but unlike the steam from the gears in the main room, this steam held a rejuvenating feel to it. My hair was starting to dry, but the ends were still dripping wet. Once I finished getting rid of stray hairs, I put down the electric razor for a regular one.

Last night had been long. After returning from the restaurant, I was greeted by Wintergreen who had told me that Robin was in his room sound asleep. He had been quick to note that Robin had fallen asleep at a very fast rate as well. I picked up my mask from the side of the door and walked down the corridor with Wintergreen behind me.

I went back to the main room and locked all of the doors and windows again. Those few options that I may give are short lived. Then I returned to my room, leaving Wintergreen to do as he pleased. The girl's advice echoed in my head. Like I would ever be able to make my Haunt exactly soothing, but being casual... maybe. Not holding a grudge; well I didn't exactly have one anyway.

'Knock, knock.'

"Yes?" I asked in an irritated tone (not that I was, but shaving a goatee with one eye can be extremely difficult especially when you want it to take on a certain shape that is congruent on both sides).

"I believe your apprentice is not feeling well," Wintergreen's voice came.

At that moment, I really wanted to hit myself or do something to myself. I think ahead all of the time when it comes to heists and plots, but when it comes to 'punishments' what do I do? I give them and then forget to think about what might end up happening later. Of course I knew that Robin would be sick. He slept soundly all of last night and all of yesterday afternoon. That would be a tip off to anyone that something was wrong...And of course there was the fact that I had given him the viruses out of punishment. 'Again, great idea, Slade, honestly. Couldn't be better,' I sarcastically scolded myself.

"Be out in a minute," I called out.

Sure enough, I finished shaving and came out in a minute, dressed in my uniform and my mask securely in place. Wintergreen was waiting patiently outside with a tray of toast in his hands that I'm assuming was for Robin. I got from his gaze that he knew that I had caused Robin's illness. It was obvious because he gave me a stare meant to make me feel guilty. Wintergreen was never very fond of germ warfare and I knew that.

"He's got a temperature and was only speaking in groans and moans."

"Thank you, Wintergreen," We started walking down the corridors to Robin's room, when I just got a little too annoyed at Wintergreen's stare, "Will, it's not like I'm using that gas they used in World War II."

"That's true, but still..." Wintergreen paused, "He's just a teenager, Slade. And at least that gas could be quick if you got enough of a dose. You're just making him suffer."

"Wintergreen, I didn't...want for him to get sick. Or rather, it was too late to change what had happened when I changed my mind," I told him.

"If you really didn't want him to get sick, you wouldn't have given me that bottle, Slade," Wintergreen stated coldly.

I was having a hard enough time trying to figure out why I had actually given the bottle of viruses to Wintergreen in the first place without Wintergreen breathing down my neck for doing it, "Will, I going to say this once and only once. Why I gave you the viruses was just to punish him. Looking back now, it wasn't the smartest move on my part. That being said, we are NOT going to tell Robin about that little fact. Understand?"

Wintergreen stared at me coldly, but nodded. We started walking again and soon reached Robin's room. I opened the door slowly. The candle was going and I could see Robin curled up in his bed. I could see him shaking and his brow was sweaty.

"Told you he's not in good condition," Wintergreen whispered after putting the tray of toast on Robin's bedside table.

Robin's eyes were barely open and he kept blinking as though he were dizzy, "Not feeling too hot, Robin?"

I heard a faint moan, but he didn't move, "Well, I can't really see what's wrong with you if you don't turn and face me."

I saw Robin slowly move his hand to try to comply, but his hand slipped and he went back on his side. I saw a crease form on his forehead as though he were frustrated. I sighed and gently lifted him up just a little bit so that his head never left his pillow. His eyes got wide for a second, but closed probably as a wave of dizziness overcame him. I pressed my gloved hand to his forehead, knowing that if he had a temperature, then I could feel it through the leather.

"Well, Wintergreen was right. You do have a temperature," Like I didn't already know he would, but the act is on...

Wintergreen brought over a black suitcase that had been in one of Robin's lower drawers. Inside were bottles of medicine, bandages, and basically everything needed to take care of injuries until the right treatment can be...obtained. My knowledge did extend into the medical field and that came in very handy now and then. But even the most experienced doctor can't treat everything. I opened up the suitcase and took out a small thermometer. An act is an act and every act needs props... I stuck the little thing under Robin's tongue and waited. Watching him, he looked so helpless. This high-quality fighter looking like this was almost pathetic, but at the same time angering.

"One hundred and one. Not too good at all," I told him after I pulled it out. I turned away, telling myself it was only a punishment. Make it... interesting... if you can.

""In any case, despite good or bad symptoms, you're going to be bedridden for at least today. So, what are some of your symptoms, Robin?" I resisted the urge to roll my eye. I already knew all of the symptoms.

He groaned and I had to respond, "I can't just guess, Robin. Do you want the medicine I give you to make things worse?"

He attempted again, "soorrr...tho...t..."

Dry throats and mouths will do that to you. I went over to the briefcase and took out the bottled water. Going over to the bed, I knew there was no way of Robin sitting up on his own to drink it. So gently, I sat down and brought him up. At the taste of water, Robin started to longingly take in the fluid. Seeing him in this state seemed to be a reminder. He is human. He isn't even an adult. He's just pushing through, trying to get past a trial... He'll pass with flying colors. Robin will come out as a strong and capable apprentice.

He had to swallow, but wouldn't comply. I brought the water away and lightly tapped his cheek, "Come on, Robin. I can't do that part for you."

He did and I set him back down on his pillow. He looked like he wanted to sleep, but that wasn't an option at the moment, "Well, can you talk now?"

"Yeah..." barely above a whisper...

"Then answer my question."

"Sore throat... Headache... Stomach ache... Sore... Vision blurred... Bruises... Too... Hot..."

"You do have a temperature," I went back over to the briefcase, "Well, which do you want to relieve now?"

"Huh?"

"Head, throat, or stomach? Which do you want to dull now?" I repeated.

"Head," 'Wise choice apprentice.'

I found the medicine easily and started to read over the ingredients, dosage and so forth. Not many realize that the best thing to do in uncertain situations is to get one's head thinking straight. If you can run away, but not know where you are going, then you might as well be running into your captor's hands. Wise choice indeed.

I gave him the pills and set him back down. Both times he had tried to push me away. I didn't expect much more. The kid probably isn't very thrilled with seeing me...especially after yesterday. I pulled the covers over him. He had to be better by tomorrow and this would help, if only a little. He struggled a bit.

"Sorry, Robin. You know why your body heats up, don't you? 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?" I told him.

"Too hot..." He mumbled.

I was handed a wet rag by Wintergreen which I placed on Robin's head. It was the only thing still visible from out of the sheets. Robin drifted off. His eyes shut and his mind left his bedridden body. I could tell that he wasn't dreaming or asleep. He was still breathing at a rate that would indicate that he was awake. One thing many people do when they are sick is drift in and out of their mind into a memory or into some bizarre made up daydream.

"I'll be in the kitchen," Wintergreen said and left.

I was basically alone now. I glanced back at the labels, but never reading them. Or at least, I wasn't reading them at the level of scrutiny that I should have been. I at least read over the dosage amounts. I already knew that I wouldn't poison him with the store-bought drugs or rather stolen drugs.

It amazed me at the fighter he was; against both skilled enemies and sickness. There are some people out there that just fight to live everyday. Robin isn't going to die from this little punishment, but he is fighting to get well. That's something. A trip to a hospital is normally to say hello to those healing. No one will ever heal unless they will themselves to. The immune system needs to know that's it's will to work is going to good use.

I hadn't been to a hospital in a long time. The last time was when I had gone to see if Joseph...would be alright. It was a stupid mistake. A foolish misjudgment on my part. Now we are distant. I haven't heard from him in at least a year and he never stops by Jump City anymore. I regret that fault in my past... and I always will.

I took the cloth off of Robin's head. Perhaps it was the receding numbness, but he seemed to come back. I found myself wondering what he might have been dreaming. He groaned. I put the cloth back on his head. From the corner of my eye, I could tell that he was watching me as I continued to try to focus on the bottles. He then shifted his gaze back to the ceiling.

"Some food perhaps?" I asked, trying to get him to be more productive.

"No," It sounded almost like his voice cracked.

"Do you want some more water, then?"

Robin grabbed the bottle from the bed side table where I had left it. He seemed determined to do what he could on his own. As he drank and later put the bottle back down, I could once again see his masked eyes on me almost apprehensive. I couldn't help but smirk a little bit.

"Worried that I'll drug you up, apprentice? Make a mistake and poison you?" I said smiling at the inside joke. Then, the smile receded back to where it had come from. His gaze showed no sign of amusement anyway.

"That won't do me much good. Poisoning you wouldn't be amusing either," It was true. This was just a punishment. Just a punishment. Now was when I really questioned it. I had said I didn't know why I had chosen this punishment, why I called it a punishment, or why I given him it as a punishment.

I have given him the punishment because I don't back down.

"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," I said, knowing that perhaps a verbal lesson was in store.

"Joy," He sounded like Wintergreen now, sour about germ warfare.

"That doesn't mean you're off the hook from training, young man," He had to learn something today.

"What?" He questioned.

"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?" He spat out.

'You don't talk to me like that Robin.' I grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at me, "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," Robin said, his face scrunching up in bitterness.

I call it a punishment because he suffered a little as well as gained gratitude for what he takes for granted.

An idea dawned on me, "Do you want a lesson in that, then?"

"To respect you? Fine," My apprentice seemed to think that if he heard it enough, he could eventually let that lesson pass over him like air. Personally, I think he would be able to recite it word for word if he paid attention. In fact, Robin may very well be able to add to it if he tried.

"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."

"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 hesitate to remove them from your path."

Being a crime lord's apprentice would be enough normally. As a crime lord though, you notice that not everyone is very willing to follow you. My apprentice would help...convince people to follow me eventually.

"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 villain 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. Intimidation is all you need. And being my apprentice is indeed intimidating enough."

"So you scare other villains too?" Robin's tone resembled that of a student.

"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 could see him becoming irritated at the mentioning of that incident, "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," he said. I looked at him. I didn't expect him to listen that well. It was just like a reassurance. There might be bumps along the way, but Robin was bound to run into trouble here and there. He'd learn and end up successful.

I continued, "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 announce that yet. That just makes everyone you meet think of you as an arrogant twit. Criminals like Mumbo and Red X in your territory are expected 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.

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

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

"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," I started as I slowly walked back over to him.

"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?" Robin may be sick, but he has to know who is in charge.

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

Gently, I held his cheek and let my finger glide across under his eye. His eye winced. His right eye winced. I pressed a little lighter. At least he'd never have to experience losing one of those organs. I remembered at that moment when I had seen Joseph on that hospital bed. He had fallen asleep before I had left the room, but I remember the hurt and betrayed look on his face. Even worse was the silence that echoed after my apologies to him. He could never answer back to me forgiveness or that I had caused him never ending pain even though I already knew it.

Addie took Grant and Joseph away from me. She took our sons away so that they wouldn't be hurt again. She never forgave me for risking Joseph's life like that and she never gave me a second chance at being the father that I technically was and am to them. Robin just looked up at me confused at why I was holding his cheek.

"I'm... sorry I got you there yesterday," This time it was surprise that appeared.

I had chosen this as a punishment to do it discreetly.

I wonder if I could ever trust Robin as I had my family, or rather former family, "Do you want this mask of mine off, Robin? Do you want to see the face you've been trying to uncover?"

On Robin's face was the look of a third grader taking an algebra test. He didn't seem to know what he wanted and he also thought that I was just joking or something. I couldn't trust him to that extent... yet.

And I knew it.

"Maybe when you start showing some real loyalty to me, Robin,"

I didn't want to aggravate him, so I didn't call myself by anything special. I got up to head for the door.

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

Just as I was about to leave, I turned back to look at him. His eyes were closed. Robin seemed to know that I was about to leave and so he was going into a state of relaxation. I ruffled his hair softly. At this, he opened his eyes and looked up at me, very confused. I heard a soft gasp escape from him. 'Is it that shocking, Robin?'

"Take it easy, ok?" With that I stopped and headed for the door.

I heard him call out, "Um, Slade."

I turned back to him a little surprised, "Yes, Robin?"

There was a pause, "Never mind, just..."

Again he paused, but I could tell he had something to say, "Thanks."

It was my turn to be a little stunned. This kid in front of actually showed some gratification? Maybe he is learning.

"You're welcome. Just eat what you can, got it? You didn't have enough of your broth yesterday. Tomorrow you'll be up and ready for a few lessons in robotics and security systems." I started to leave again. After I said that, I realized that there was the smallest possibility that he could figure out that...

"How do you know I'll be up tomorrow?" I turned back. Still sick and he was... oh no. This isn't going to be fun. I just stood there unsure of how to handle this.

"You... you made me sick!" He accused...correctly.

"Robin, understand that..." I started as I walked over to him.

"You made me sick!" He yelled as he attempted to sit up. The wet cloth had fallen off of his face. I grabbed his wrists and forced him to lie down. Robin had to stay calm. This wasn't helping at all. Anger allowed him to twist around in my grasp.

"You made me sick!"

"Shhhhh, Robin. Don't get so worked up about it," I said to him. He had to calm down.

"Why shouldn't I? You made me sick! Do you have any idea...?" He began, but I stopped him.

"Yes, I know, I know. I measured out the dose of viruses, Robin. You'll be better tomorrow, 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."

"Small?" His voice cracked again.

"Come on, Robin. You'll be fine tomorrow, a little weak, but just fine," I told him.

"You...you..." He started to choke and cough. This wasn't helping him...or me. Again I saw betrayal on another young person's face. A hurt on one so much like myself again. Once he calmed down I released his wrists. I put the cloth back on his forehead and then left. Me being there was not going to help right now. When I shut the door, I saw Wintergreen standing by the side of the wall.

Before he could even speak, "Not a word," I hissed at him.

I went back to my own room, frustrated with myself. It was uncalled for. The punishment wasn't necessary. I fell on my bed, wondering why lady luck continues to play with me. Either way, Robin would be well tomorrow, and it wasn't like I'd be training him in a way that would particularly irritate him.

Tomorrow would hopefully be better.

"Sometimes I remember
The darkness of my past
Bringing back these memories
I wish I didn't have

Sometimes I think of letting go
And never looking back…

It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone"

-Easier To Run, Linkin Park

A/N: Okay, how many of you expected something like that? R&R! Short, but I really think that it got all of what I wanted out. And yeah the quote is from Linkin Park. I like a fair few of their songs and those lines just seemed to fit the chapter. So yeah, what do I have planned for coming chapters? A question you all have to ask and wonder, that is until I post them ;-) . Thanks to all of my reviewers by the way. Later!

Rena

Added Note To Andre' Betita: Thanks for the reference in your story, 'The Slade Revelation', to mine! It put a smile on my face to see that.