Disclaimer: Great, another disclaimer. Do you know how sad it makes me when I have to write these up because I'm forced to say I don't own Teen Titans or anything DC Comic related since that is the fact? No, you don't! (Unless you write Fan Fiction too, of course.) Well, I don't own them, so there! Happy now? Good.

Author's Note: Okay, another chapter here. I'm going to beg you here and at the end of this chapter to remember this chapter, or more so, Robin's POV when you read Slade's in the next. Okay? Please? Pretty please with a double chocolate scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry on top? If you do, thank you. Also, I want to say thanks to all of my reviewers. Reading your reviews always makes me smile. So what's this nice little chapter about? Well, why don't I stop talking and let you find out? Yeah that works. May I present, What? Chapter Nineteen!

-T-

What?

Chapter Nineteen

I rolled around in bed. Finally, I couldn't force myself to keep my eyes shut a moment longer. I had been awake for a while, but no, I didn't want to get out of bed. I stared up at the ceiling and I swore that if I had heat vision, I would have melted a hole through the wall.

Everything that happened yesterday was still fresh in my mind. Waking up, the Tightrope, and getting the beating of a lifetime. I knew that I had been unruly with Slade. I can see why he commenced in fighting with me. What I couldn't excuse was the fact that he had no sympathy. I had just stopped crying, I mean, who doesn't notice when someone looks like they've just been crying? 'Apparently Slade,' I thought sarcastically in my head.

In the back of my mind, I hadn't exactly thought out what I'd do the next time I'd see him. So I guess all I could do was let events unfold and let my instincts and judgment carry my actions. The silent treatment probably wouldn't last long.

My mind started to argue with me. 'He didn't make you have a mental breakdown yesterday, you know.'

'He might as well have!'

'How?'

'He made me walk it!'

'Is it his fault that he doesn't know why you didn't want to?'

'No, but if I'm his apprentice, he should trust me a little.'

'Ha! That's a laugh.'

'No it's not! ... Fine, but he should have trusted me on something like that, at least.'

'You know how stubborn you are?'

'Oh I'm sorry, I'm acting like Slade again, aren't I?'

'I'm not having this conversation.'

''Who said I wanted it? You're the one who started it!'

'Robin's inner anger is currently unavailable right now. To leave a message press...'

'Fine, don't help me.'

So I couldn't argue. Looking at things logically was the next best thing. I guess what really was bothering me was how unpredictable Slade was and that he wouldn't listen to me. Why would he? He didn't care. All he wanted me to do was be his apprentice.

Minutes passed. I wondered why Wintergreen hadn't come in and brought in my breakfast. Maybe Slade was still mad at my behavior yesterday and was going to let me starve today. My stomach growled. I held it and sat up. 'No dinner yesterday,' I reminded myself. My stomach growled again. I got up and started to search the drawers for anything. Even water. I didn't find a single half empty bottle of water. Nothing. I bit my lip as I heard my stomach call out for food again. This time it was accompanied by a rumble that was caused by my stomach doing a flip.

I laid back down on my bed and pulled the covers back over me. Just as I did, Wintergreen briskly walked into the room. He set down the tray as always and lifted the cover. I didn't even bother realizing what the food was or wait to smell the food. I threw the covers off of me and jumped up to eat the food.

"Someone's a little hungry," He said gently.

"Someone didn't have dinner yesterday," I replied curtly.

"Things didn't go well, I understand?" He continued, quietly.

I looked up at him from the bowl of cold cereal I was currently shoveling into my mouth. Sarcastically I commented, "No, it was a wonderful day."

I went back to eating. For the first time, I was really glad that Slade had Wintergreen give me this much food. It always seemed like the equivalent of two meals. Normally, I never finished, but today I would. Wintergreen took something out of his pocket. It was the cube from the other day. He placed it on the desk.

I tried to ignore him, but no, my temper got the best of me, "Is there any reason why you're just waiting for me to finish my breakfast?"

"Well, one, that's more like brunch. It's eleven thirty. Two," He paused and I could tell that something was on his mind, "Never mind."

"Why is it eleven thirty?" I asked.

"Because the world revolves on an axis, Robin," he said, when I frowned, he continued with a small light-hearted smile, "Slade wanted you to sleep in today."

"Why?"

"That is none of my business. And you shouldn't question his motives unless he gives you reason to," He replied.

That was one thing about Wintergreen. No matter how nice he was to me, he'd never waver from Slade's side. It was annoying in a sense, but at the same time, I didn't mind. I understood. It was the same way Alfred was to Bruce. (As one can probably guess, I started to mentally hit myself for the comparison).

"I'll question his motives all I want," I snapped back.

Wintergreen sighed, "You don't have any training today. I'll come back around noon."

With that, he left. I didn't blame him. I guess he didn't deserve to get snapped at. I was halfway done, but shoved my food away. I didn't want it anymore. I laid back down on the bed, just waiting. I watched the candle's flame dance on the wick. For a while, I just aimlessly stared at it. No point to doing so whatsoever.

I broke my gaze and sat up. The AC turned on and I grabbed the bed sheets. I hated how cold Slade would make it in here. I just hated it. Sighing, I grabbed the little cube again. The first path I mastered in a couple tries and the second one as well. But for some reason, I found that the third path never came and that it went right back to the first. After I completed that one again, the second path reappeared. It did this over and over again. I played at it until I memorized both paths. They were set perfectly in my mind. Then I got bored and fed up with the thing.

Throwing it to the side, I leaned against the wall. I loathed being confined in this place. There was nothing for me to do. Finally, Wintergreen came in. He motioned for me to come, so I did. 'Joy, the bathroom,' I thought as he opened the door.

"Shower, you didn't yesterday," he said quietly.

I sighed. I turned on the water and let the water become warm and hot. Steam began to drift into the rest of the room. Stepping in, I washed as I was supposed to. As I scrubbed, I noticed how few bruises I had. The first week of training left me looking like a grape, I had so many. The one's I did have now were in areas that wouldn't affect me while I fought. They only hurt when I pressed on them. It was strange how Slade could hurt me so bad while fighting, but barely leave a mark.

I got out and wrapped a towel around my waist. I shook my head, getting some of the water out of my thick hair. Wintergreen came back in and led me to my room again. Since I wasn't expected to do anything today, I grabbed a pair of shorts and a shirt from the dresser drawers and put them on. Shaking the towel on my head, I heard the door open. Slade stood in the doorway. I looked back towards the dresser. I didn't want him here.

"Afternoon," he said casually.

I was quiet.

"I see you've eaten. That's good," He filled into the pause.

"So I'm assuming that you got a good night's rest?" Slade said taking a small step towards me.

"What's it to you?" I asked.

Slade replied, "I just wanted you to have a good night's rest is all. That a crime?"

I wanted so badly to say yes, but, "No."

"I guess we can agree on some level then."

"Some level," I responded.

I really didn't want him to talk to me. I just wanted to be anywhere but here. Anywhere but in the same room as him. But no. It's never what I want with him, is it?

"Robin, yesterday," He paused and walked over behind me, "Something happened, didn't it?"

I got angry. He continued, "Mind telling me about it?"

I spun around and finally acknowledged him. Surely I answered, "Yeah, I do actually. Is that so hard to believe?"

I turned back around. I did mind. It was my personal life. What made him think he could probe me for answers like that? His apprentice was Robin right now. I wouldn't let him have Richard too. And the nerve he had to even ask. If he really cared about what happened yesterday, he wouldn't have beaten me. He would have asked me what was wrong, not throw me into a wall.

"I don't think you need to be angry at me, Robin," 'And why not?' "I'm just trying to understand what happened."

Slade placed his hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged him off as I turned to face him, "Maybe I don't want you to know. Maybe I want you out of my life."

"Robin, calm down. I'm not trying to intrude," He replied, "All I'm asking is for you to tell me enough so I know why you went off like that."

"No! I won't!" I yelled at him, throwing my arm to the side to emphasize my answer.

He grabbed my arm and tugged at me, "I hoped you'd be in a better mood if you got enough sleep today, Robin."

"It wasn't a matter of sleep, Slade," I told him. I eyed his hand on my wrist, "Let go, Slade."

"I don't think so, Robin," Just as he said he didn't let go.

I tugged at his grasp. I tried to pull out, squirm out, but he kept his grip firm. He didn't want me leaving. But I wanted to leave. Bad.

"Why don't you just tell me what bothered you yesterday?"

"Slade, please let go," I replied, still tugging.

"Not until you answer my question, Robin," He told me.

My anger got the best of me, "You want to know what was bothering me yesterday? It was the fact that I have to be reduced to your lowly, disgusting apprentice! You know why it's lowly and disgusting? Because that's exactly what you are, Slade! That's exactly what you are!"

He let go of my wrist. I didn't know exactly why he let go. It was technically a lie and he probably knew that it was out of anger now that I had answered. I had expected to be...

SMACK!

I stumbled to the ground. My jaw was stinging. I fought back the tears that came from it, it hurt that bad. Luckily none of my teeth seemed loose. I looked back up at Slade. There was a danger in his eye.

"I came in here to see if I could figure out what was bothering you yesterday Robin. I guess you just wanted to get that off your chest instead, didn't you?"

I could only stare at him, then I felt a boot collide with my rib cage. I was sent sprawling across the floor. This wasn't a fair fight. I had nothing but shorts and a T-shirt on. I had no armor, not even a martial arts uniform. I wasn't going to win this one. No matter what I did. I knew that. And I knew that he knew that too.

"And now that you have, you have to accept the consequences; the punishment, that will follow," He said as he walked over to me.

I felt my hair being pulled up swiftly. I attempted to kick him as he did this, but it did no good because of his armor. It only hurt me. Then as I was still being pulled up, I felt my back collide with an elbow traveling down. I screamed. Slade's boot connected with the side of my chest. I bit my lip. Then, suddenly, I felt my head hit the floor after a swift kick to the face. I blinked and coughed. My ear hurt a lot and so did my face. I brought my hand to my mouth, afraid that I was coughing out blood. But the blood came from a cut on inside of my mouth instead.

I felt Slade grab me by my shoulder. I was on my knees. I squirmed, but he grabbed my other shoulder. At that moment, I found myself staring straight into his one eye. My mouth must have dropped. I found myself unable to move. Realizations once again hit me.

No matter what I did, Slade would always control me to some extent. He was a threat to my friends. He could hurt them. The reason I had originally worked to find him was because I was afraid of the havoc he could wreak and also that he could potentially destroy the Teen Titans. I had been afraid of him. I was now. He scared me. He always compared me to him. I didn't want to be like him. I didn't want to be a threat to anyone, but those who broke the law. I knew some qualities I couldn't deny, but... I knew from experience that what I felt then, was fear; fear of Slade.

Slade was cruel. No matter how much he could be casual, nothing he ever did could make up for what he did to me or anyone else. He was a villain. He was a threat. He was a danger. He had to be stopped. Right then, I couldn't stop him.

"I hope that was enough to remind you of your place," He whispered to me.

Slade dropped me to the ground. I didn't know what to do. There wasn't anywhere to run to. There wasn't anything I could really do to defend myself. I think at that point my mind was lost to a fear of him building up inside of me actually. In my mind, I thought that he was going to punch me again. But he didn't. I heard him turn away from me.

"You ready to talk a bit?" He asked.

I thought my answer would make him angry again, "No."

I breathed heavily. I closed my mouth and let the iron taste fill my mouth. I closed my eyes as I swallowed and it sent a sickening shiver down my spine. I hated the taste of blood, even if it was my own. He must have knelt down on a knee or something, because he raised my chin up so that I'd see him. Opening my eyes, I met the eye of my captor.

Slade shook his head as though my answer was a disappointment, but he'd get over it, "I like that spark about you, Robin. It's hard to beat an enemy with that spark in him."

He chuckled, "The Titans will be in for quite a surprise won't they?"

I would have asked him what he meant by that, but found myself tongue-tied.

"Quite impressive, the performance you've been giving me lately, Robin. Except for that slight outburst, you haven't said a word against me," Slade said. I felt that stab my gut.

I wanted to insult him in English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and German along with whatever other languages I knew even vaguely. I wanted him to feel how much pain he was causing me. I wanted him to know how much I hated him.

But I restrained myself

I kept thinking that by doing that, I'd be just like him. I knew that my parents would expect more from me then that. I kept repeating in my mind the charges that I could file against him in court: abduction, physical child abuse, threatening to kill, theft, destruction to private property, etc. I think I only did that to keep myself quiet. It was weird, but Batman told me never to let anything become too personal. This already was. Nonetheless, letting him get the best of me wasn't going to help. I knew I couldn't hold back everything, but right now wasn't the time to let my anger off its leash.

He leaned in and as he talked, I could feel his breath, "Apprentice, I am very pleased."

I closed my eyes. Slade let me go and got up. I laid on the floor. I wouldn't move. It felt like forever and only a moment. Soon I heard the Slade's steps. I got up and turned around. I don't know how he does it, but he was still standing right over me. I thought he had gone, but know he didn't.

"You know what, Robin? With every moment that passes, I find more qualities that we have in common," He whispered into my ear, "You realize that, don't you?"

I was speechless.

I watched Slade turn around and left the room. The door closed and was locked. I shivered. I hated being here. I hated being his apprentice. I hated being turned into my best friends' enemy. I hated the training. I hated the feeling of being controlled. I hated everything about this place. But of all the things...

I hated Slade the most.

I looked at the cube. For some reason, I grabbed it and threw it against the wall. It didn't break. I picked it up again. I held it and punched it against the wall. Again and again and again. Soon, the pieces were falling off the little cube. I grabbed the towel and ripped them up. I picked at the threads that made up the insignias until they were in a pile on the floor. I looked at the pillow case. I tore it off the pillow, shred it up with my hands, and threw it into the pile of what had once been towels and a cube.

I lied on the bed. I grabbed the sheets and covered myself with them. I kept thinking, 'Whatever happens, whatever happens, just remember it's for the Titans. Don't let Bruce's training be thrown away. Mom and Dad... it's because they taught me to love.' So many say that all love is good for is getting hurt. Sometimes, I think that too. But...I know it's worth every bit of it.

Soon, I felt a prickle in my jaw. I moaned. It hurt a lot. I heard Wintergreen enter. I guess time just passed me by because he was bringing in my dinner. I sat up, but he didn't lift the tray. I was about to myself, when he gently slapped my hand.

"What did I do now?" I asked. I just wanted to eat and go to bed.

"Your jaw hurts?" He answered.

"How did you know..."

"Can I see it?"

This was annoying. I just wanted to eat. Not have my jaw examined. It did hurt, but I didn't exactly care. And I didn't want any form of help from Slade right now, even Wintergreen.

"No. If Slade wanted my jaw to be alright he wouldn't have kicked me," I said.

Just as I turned back to the food, Wintergreen put his hand on my shoulder and I looked back at him, "Slade only asked that I bring in your food to you. He did not ask for me to check your jaw or grab 'pain killers' for your mouth that Slade has normally in the medical room under lock and key."

I stared at him. I didn't know that. For some reason, as much as my instincts told me to not do it, I nodded at him. The thing about Wintergreen is that however loyal he is to Slade, I can tell that he disagrees with him here and there. And when he does, I've rarely see him say anything. Rather, he does something quietly instead. So I trusted him on this.

He handed me mouthwash and a cup. I understood. I gurgled and spit. Then I opened my jaw, where he shined a small flashlight inside. He looked around for a bit and then sighed. Sighing was never a good sign from him.

"What?"

"In your lower back jaw to your right, one of your teeth is a little loose," He told me.

I closed my eyes. Great. I already have all my adult teeth. I couldn't morph like Beast Boy into a shark when I was about to lose a tooth. I heard Wintergreen working with the needle.

"What are you going to do?"

"Try to push it back."

I stared at him wide eyed, "You're not a dentist, you're not doing anything to my teeth!"

"Would you rather starve from lack of food? And with tomorrow coming..." He stopped, "Well, it's your choice."

"Wait, what do you mean 'And with tomorrow coming...'" I asked him.

"Never mind, just what do you want?" He didn't want to talk about it, so I respected that even though something in me was still as curious as ever about it.

"Fine," I said, "But can I ask how you're going to accomplish that?"

"I'm going to numb that area of your mouth. Then I'll push on the tooth. After, I'm going to place a clear brace on it. It's like a cover," Wintergreen explained.

I nodded. Wintergreen filled the needle with the small little tube of liquid. I winced. I hated needles. I think everyone does to some extent. We all get that fear of them from going to the doctor when we're younger. And while I always go to Leslie Tompkins, a good friend of Alfred's, to the doctor now, I still hate it when she pulls out the needles for shots.

I opened my jaw and Wintergreen swabbed the back of my mouth. I think that the slower doctors get you ready, the more apprehensive you get. The fact that Wintergreen wasn't a doctor and only a highly educated man didn't help in the slightest. Soon, I saw him pick up the needle. Opening my mouth, I shut my eyes tight and grabbed the sheets on the bed I was sitting on as I felt the needle.

It pierced and I don't think it was in the exact right place. I yelped, but kept my mouth open in the same position, afraid that if I moved, I'd mess it up and the 'pain killer' would go to my brain or something. Wintergreen pushed the end and I felt the prickling sensation cover the back bottom of my mouth. Then he pulled it out and the pinching feeling ceased. I was relieved.

"I do have to tell you that we have to do this fast, that painkiller isn't nearly enough to last five minutes," He told me.

"What?" I yelled. At least I could still talk.

"You wouldn't have let me do that if I told you, now would you?"

I was silent and reopened my mouth for him. It still hurt when he started, so he did it very slowly. Then as soon as I couldn't feel half of my tongue, he pushed harder. I shut my eyes telling myself that he could do it in time. Then he didn't apply pressure, but held it in place. Grabbing the brace off of the table, he took it and began to put it on my teeth. The pain started to come back. The minutes were up. I began to whimper. It hurt. After about a minute of this, he finally got it on in the right place.

"There," He said, "Just eat with the other side of your mouth today. By tomorrow, it should be back in place."

I nodded, not wanting to respond, in fear that if my jaw moved anymore then need be, I'd scream or something. It hurt so bad. I wasn't angry at Wintergreen. He was only trying to make the situation better. I was angry at Slade. That he had kicked me. That he had beat me. That nothing was fair. Life's not fair, I know, but in truth, people can at least give you a fair chance. He didn't do that and it had scared me.

I felt Wintergreen put his hand on my shoulder, "I left the drawer unlocked. Inside is some first aid if you wish to use it."

I nodded once again and he left. The door locked. I was alone. I didn't think I could eat just yet, so I went to the cabinet and grabbed what I thought would help. Inside, I was surprised to find a small icebox with several bags of ice. I snatched them up and placed them on my bruises and sore spots, holding them in place with gauze. After, I decided I could eat. But barely... and I barely did.

I went back to bed and didn't bother to take off the ice. It felt good and if my bed became soaked by the leaks, well all the better. Then I wouldn't feel the pain in my body too. I'd be too busy shivering. I thought about everything. I thought about the Titans and how much I missed them. I thought about my future. I wondered what would happen to me. I thought about Wayne Manor and the Batcave underneath. I thought about Gotham and Jump. I thought about Haly's Circus and my parents.

But the one thing that kept coming into my thoughts was Slade. There was an anger, a hate, that was eating at me inside. His presence just ruined things. With him, the colorful world I was in turned gray, like a black and white film. I hated it. I hated not knowing who to turn to or who I could trust. I didn't think I could fully trust Slade even as his apprentice. Sometimes I could and at other times I couldn't. There was no consistency. The only thing that was consistent was that Slade was controlling. He wanted me under watch at all times. He wanted me to do this or that. It was like being kept on a tight leash. And the worst was that to some degree I was afraid of him.

Soon, my eyes began to drift down. By now, the sheets were cold and wet from the melting ice, but I didn't seem to notice. It was like going into a daze. I just sort of found myself dreaming. Although I never knew exactly when I feel asleep. This dream, one of the few happy ones I ever had here.

Just sitting, talking, and eating pizza with the Titans. Beast Boy and Cyborg arguing over the toppings. Raven just wanting to get something so we could go home. Starfire throwing out weird topping combinations. I just smiled. It was them. It was my friends. I decided to ignore the fact that when I woke up, I'd be back in my room that was more like my cell. I'd enjoy what my mind gave me.

Guess that's why they call them dreams.

-T-

A/N: Okay, so I know what you're all thinking. It's either "Oh, poor Robin." or "Slade, you idiot!" or "Slade what on earth are thinking?" Right? Am I right? So the melody you are all so used to is changing a bit. Huh? Don't worry, I think you'll all find this story's ending very satisfying, when it comes of course. The next chapter isn't the end of the story though. I couldn't do that to you guys. (Or myself because my conscious would bother me forever about it.) Also, I'm working on my One-Shots as well. If you like this story, you'll probably like the One-Shots that I'm working on too. But those won't be out for a while. Thanks again to all of my reviewers! And once again, don't forget this chapter when you read Slade's POV in the next chapter, okay? Later!

Rena