Disclaimer: I really need to come up with a creative way to say I don't own the Titans or anything from DC.

A/N: Howdy folks! Glad you all enjoyed the double posting of last week. I just can't believe I only got about 5 or 6 weeks left of school and then SUMMER BREAK!!!! Freedom! But anywho, hope this chapter makes sense. My overactive imagination is all of a sudden brewing this massive brainstorm for another Teen Titans fanfic. And as much I would love to start on that one, I'm like hold on and let me finish this one. So here I am, trying to stay focused on this story with another in the background calling my name softly.

Ch 23 Round one

Robin heard the small click and the release of cold metal around his wrists disappear. Stretching his arms, the younger man stared up at his mentor, "Since the Titans are gone now, I've been meaning to ask this for awhile…"

"Take your shirt off." Batman laid the clothes on the table and watched Robin peel off the tight black and orange top.

As he did such, Robin asked in a muffled voice, "How long did you guys look for me?"

"Don't use past tense. The Titans never stopped looking for you."

Robin broke free and tossed the wet material on the floor, "Never stopped? Then what took them so long? Took you so long?" Blue eyes narrowed flashed briefly with anger.

Batman smirked, "Finally, some reaction out of you."

A cold look fell on the pale oval face, "What?"

"You're been too calm this whole time. The old Robin I know would be brimming with some emotion with being out from under Deathstroke's influence. Why don't you let it all out, before you self-implode."

"So you want brimming huh?" A cross between a questioned and sad relief tugged at his young features. In a flash, Robin jumped onto his feet, jabbed a finger onto Batman's chest, eyes blazing in anger and hurt. "You want emotion. How about you telling me why it took you so long to find me? With all this technology, money, and connections throughout the entire planet you should have been able to find me! I mean it's not that hard to find a bloody civil war! Heck, Kole and Gnarkk, two Titans, were at a base. I saw them and tried to make contact, but all they did was just turn around and flee, 'promising' us that they would bring help. Well, help never came. Did you guys just turn a blind eye on all those cries for help?"

Batman knocked Robin's finger lightly away, "What are you talking about?"

"All those men, women and children…they sent letters to you Justice League members, but you guys did nothing, nothing while the League of Shadows sought to establish total control. Face it, you had all the tools, the right motives and the timing was perfect but you all did nothing."

Silence hung in the air. Batman soaked up Robin's accusations, realizing that a dam had just broken in the boy. Throughout his captivity, it seemed that Robin had kept his emotions under lock and key. And now that he was back amongst allies, the cracking dam bursted and all the suffering from Slade and clinging to the hope of rescue spilled into the room. Robin snorted slightly, fighting to regain control over his emotions and turned his body, reaching for a shirt. "If you all were deadest on finding me, on the basis that I thought I was a brother and son to this superhero family, then you guys did a lazy job. I've been gone for years and only now when I'm back in this city do I even get to break free. And not even by the Titans, by you of all people."

"Robin."

"Don't Batman. I understand, you guys might not have given up on me mentally…but actions speak louder than words." Robin smirked softly, his anger fading to a dull aching sadness, "I came to terms with it ages ago. I understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. I was just a sacrifice, something of not great importance, something that could be taken away or missing and that would just be fine until I was needed again."

Batman grabbed Robin's arm and yanked the boy towards him. Grabbing his chin, the Dark Knight forced Robin to stare up into his mask, "Don't ever question your worthiness again, do you understand? I don't know what mind games, Deathstroke did to you to think such thoughts, but you are not a sacrifice. Things were complicated while you were gone and hence why it took so long to find you."

The Dark Knight searched Robin's face for any spark that the boy had taken his words to heart. But all that Robin did was raise his arms and break Batman's hold on him.

"Complicated?" The single word came out a hiss and Batman felt the room begin to chill. "How hard is it track down Slade or the League of Shadows? You're the World's Greatest Detective! With the Titan's experiences and the involvement of the Justice League, it should have been a cake walk to narrow down my kidnapper and where I was being held."

Biting his lip, Robin turned once more and grabbed the top. Batman let his eyes start to fall back knowing it was time to change the topic. Guilt was threatening him. He had no sound answer, no just response to why it took him so long to find his ward. He should just tell him that the Titans had withold the truth and the impersonating robot, but now wasn't the right time. Robin was in emotional turmoil. It would be best to tell him when he was more calmer and adjusted back to living in Titans Tower. His eyes halted when they took in the black numbers of 1318666. "When did you get the tattoo?"

"It was mandatory in the war, dog tags weren't reliable anymore," mumbled Robin, no longer in the mood to talk.

Frowning, the Dark Knight's mind flashed to the journal. "You probably want that removed as soon as possible."

Robin tilted his head and gazed upon the numbers, "No rush."

Batman narrowed his eyes, "Are you positive? If I were you, I would want those reminders taken away as soon as possible?"

"Well you're not me," snapped Robin, turning his back to Batman to hide his distressed features. The man hadn't changed in the one bit. Robin knew that he was getting accused for something other than being under Slade's wing this whole time. Batman was trying to get him to reveal something while all the same; he was hiding something in return. Robin would have thought the man would yell at him, slap him for allowing such reminders of his captivity be set upon his skin. But Batman just asked calmly when he got them and if he wanted it to be removed. The man knew something, was hiding something but what it was, Robin didn't know…yet.

Weaving his arms into the gray shirt, Robin waited for Batman to remark on the scar on his back, a reminder that could not be removed through surgery. But all was quiet, which made Robin nervous. Behind him, Batman eyed the long, narrow cut that went from Robin's left shoulder to middle of his back above the hip. There was still a little tinge of pink near the center of the cut where the stitches would have been; otherwise the cut took on a more worn look. Robin must have received it in the early months of his captivity. He continued to eye the cut even as the cloth fell lightly over it and Robin quickly removed his boots and changed his pants. Turning again once more, the boy propped his foot on the chair and retied his boot.

"Ask your question."

Batman raised an eyebrow at Robin who switched feet. The boy had fell back into his emotionless facade that he held earlier. It seemed that the dam had rebuilt itself...too quickly for Batman's ease. He didn't care how well Robin learned to hide his emotions either in fear of Slade or because he was taught such skills, it was still not normal. Robin was hiding something and trying to work Batman and the others down a certain path. "If you have truly learned such skills, then Robin, you are more of a threat than I realized," whispered Batman's mind. Clearing his throat, Batman stated, "I would have asked when did Slade did such a injury to you. And you would have responded that it wasn't Slade's fault, but it was your own. Am I right?"

Robin grinned softly, "Yeah."

Batman growled, "I don't understand why you take all the blame away from him. He did cause you injury, through that cut on your back or in the burns on your eyes, even if it was indirectly. As a" he clenched his teeth before spitting out, "Master, he should have known that such a cut was dangerous considering it was near your spinal cord and could have damaged nerves."

Robin remained silent before facing Batman fully, a confidant look on his face. "Sure Slade might be involved indirectly, but that doesn't change the fact that I am still responsible."

"Oh?"

"If I learned anything during this whole ordeal, it is that I finally learned to take responsibility for my actions."

"And you didn't before?"

"Not as a superhero."

That evoked a small surprise on Batman's face and he heard through his earpiece Green Arrow whistling and Canary whispering, "whoa." Feeling that he made a small breakthrough, Batman stepped forward, "What do you mean, not as a superhero?"

Robin leaned onto the table and folded his arms, "Before Slade took me, I would do stupid things and get people hurt when the Titans and I would go galvanizing across Jump City trying to catch the latest criminal. But during the war and when I was under Slade, I couldn't be and wasn't a superhero. I was forced to be Richard Grayson, a mere 16 year old. I realized soon that my actions caused repercussions and that by blaming someone else, say like Slade, it didn't solve anything and just got more people hurt and killed." Narrowing his eyes, Robin lowered his voice, "I had to depend on myself to live through the horrors I went through and I found that blaming anyone else but myself was just a waste of energy."

Batman folded his own arms, the black cape falling and covering them up, "Continue, I'm intrigued on what truths you believe you have learned or what Slade has filled your head with."

Robin unfolded his arms and gripped the table, frowning, "What, you don't think I'm right? That I shouldn't take responsibility for my actions?"

"Yes."

A surprised laugh came out from Robin's mouth, "Let me guess this straight. According to your logic and I'm guessing pretty much the whole superhero community as well, that a person shouldn't take responsibility of their actions."

"Not all people, Robin."

"Oh, so just superheroes are exempt then? So villains and the average human get blamed for everything." Robin shook his head, as if trying to get his mind to accept the idea "For argument's sake, let's say Superman is chasing after a criminal. The criminal destroys maybe the bank only and causes a massive traffic accident. But, Superman comes in and tries to catch the criminal. He grabs street poles and hurls them at the man; he grabs him slamming him into buildings, and roads resulting in destroyed windows, roads and property before he finally catches the villain. Superman charges the villain with theft, traffic accident and a destroyed city block. I can understand the theft and accident violations charges. But Superman being the cause of a destroyed office, a crater in the middle of the road and someone's car on top of a another car, pinning the villain in a cage walks away clean, leaving the average human cop, firefighter left to clean up his mess, for the city to raise its taxes in order to fix the damage on the road and building?"

Green Arrow's voice boomed in the room, "That's enough Robin! Don't you dare accuse Superman of anything? Yes, I confess that in your logic that superheroes tend to shift the blame, but it is all for upholding justice?"

Robin scoffed, "Don't get me started on that."

Batman grabbed Robin's cuff and slammed him into the wall, "What the heck happened to you, Robin? This isn't like you and definitely not the boy whom the Titans greeted and questioned. If I had to guess, I'd say you're putting on an act."

Robin gritted his teeth and with a stern voice countered Batman, "You want to know another thing I learned while gone all these years…it's simple and will answer all your doubts. I became critical: critical of the superhero community, critical of the justice system, critical of life…critical of myself. I only acted different in front of the Titans because they're still children…"a sad look tugged Robin's eyes to gaze down at the ground, "and I don't want to break their hearts, not again."

Batman let Robin go and eyed the boy as he regained his footing. "What you have just said Robin will be viewed as a evidence towards the verdict that you are either under Slade's brainwashing or have sided with the criminal."

Straightening out his shirt, Robin sent a weak gaze up at Batman, "What, you don't think I'm right? You're the one who is always so wary of them."

Batman paused, his gut screaming that he was near to a trap, and picked his words carefully, "I'm not saying your wrong Robin, and the superhero community does have its flaws. It's just with your logic, everyone would be a criminal…and what would divide a hero from a villain for without a hero what use is it to hope in this bleak life." With that, Batman marched over to the door and palmed it open; "Arrow will escort you to a cell, until the next session begins."

"Ok." Robin spoke, as he watched as the black-clad figured glided into the dark hallway, cape a whisper of his presence. Taking a deep sigh, Robin stood by the wall, sorting through all that just happened. Green Arrow and Canary appeared in the doorway and Robin went up to them and followed the pair to his cell.

Stepping into the metal cage, he eyed the white sheet cot and small sink and toilet. No window. Just three cement walls and bars. Hearing the lock slide into place, he turned and took Arrow's criticizing gaze.

"You seem different than before," muttered Arrow.

Robin raised his eyebrow, "Oh?"

Canary placed her hands on her hips, a ticked attitude look on her features, "A little fight in the alleyway spark any memory."

"Oh…that," chuckled Robin.

Arrow snarled, "That's not funny, Robin. Compared to what I was sensing then and what I just witnessed in that room, I would…"

"Would what?"

Canary pointed a finger at him, "You've switched sides, Robin. There's no sound evidence except people's words and even the war crimes against you are under question, but there's just something-"

"Gut instinct," filled in Robin, causing Canary to growl softly in annoyance.

The blond hair man took off his cap and ran a hand through his hair, "Why did you fight us?"

"Because if I hadn't, the man Slade was working for would have blown up the square."

Shock erupted on both heroes' faces. Canary leaned forward, "Are you sure?"

Robin nodded, "Yes, it's a man I hate."

"The General…it's rumored that you two hate each other.

Robin nodded. Canary smacked Arrow on his shoulder, "Isn't that the one the Titans just arrested in Jump?"

Shock this time sprung on Robin's face, "They caught him?"

Canary nodded, "Yep."

Sliding his cap back on, Arrow narrowed his eyes and stroke his beard, "Now, Robin. Are you certain about this?"

Robin nodded. Arrow sighed, "Well this changes everything. I mean you had to partake in criminal activities and fight us to save innocent bystanders."

Canary looked down the hallway, "We should tell Batman."

Arrow nodded, "Hm. Alright, well stay comfy Robin and we'll send someone down to give you your dinner." With that the two blond heroes disappeared down the hallway.

Left alone now, Robin moved and yanked the shift off the cot, flopping down he turned his back to the bars and brought the sheet up his chin. Knowing the camera up in the right hand corner near the bars wouldn't be able to see his face, he allowed himself to smile at the wall. They had bought it, bought his little white lie. So what if he tweaked the man Slade was working for from Kumi's master to the General, all he said was that it was a man he hate and they made the connection themselves. Of course, there had been no bomb in the square but why not exaggerate a little and play upon the old fears that he had been blackmailed once more into crime. Wasn't like it was new with him.

And to hear his plan on framing the robot's death on the General was like sweet honey to his throat. Oh what he would give to have been there, to see the man's face light up in shock to see that his tip-off led to a dead robot and his interaction with an angry group of Titans. Shifting deeper into the sheet, he curled up into a ball and hugged himself into the corner, trying to get closer to the cold walls. He was slowing getting use to sleeping in a bed, but there were still things he missed like the reassuring coldness and the earthy smell of the walls.

The smile disappearing in the falling tide of his adrenaline burst, Robin closed his eyes. Arrow and Canary had had him but like a fish on a line, he had torn himself free and jumped back into the lake. His lie had worked but for how long? Batman was on him though, just like he was on Batman. Both suspected the other was hiding, acting, responding like the other knew he would. At least Robin did. But Batman, he wasn't playing along. Well next time neither would Robin. And no more outburst or huge explanations, nope he'll play it cool like he did with the Titans. His excuse would be that Batman just ticked him off, like usual. Feeling somewhat relieved, Robin let his mind drift, relaxing his body for a quick power nap. He would need all his energy for the next interrogation.

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Lex pushed himself out of his small sofa and stretched his back. The office had not changed except for the table holding a laptop and two stereos, nothing out of the ordinary except what was on the screen. The empty interrogation room was dark, yet the bug still recorded away. A small box was open down on the corner where the audio bug that was still planted on Robin was picking up the quiet sound of breathing, yet before had picked up Robin's little conversation with Green Arrow.

The business tycoon did not know all the information regarding the events that inspired Robin's conversion, but he could have cared less. Glancing down, he skimmed his notes a full-fledge smile darkening his features. In just one interrogation, he could already do so much. But no, he would wait for Deathstroke's apprentice to dig up a priceless jewel.

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Slade leaned back in the black chair, ignoring the small creak. The criminal closed his eye and reached for his mask. Two clicks and the mask came off, resting on the metal counsel. The bluish light that radiated off the video feed next to the black screen with audio lines spiking occasional accented his weary face. Throughout all disguises Slade wore before Robin, his apprentice had yet to see his real face. A black goatee that was beginning to be streaked with white accented the tanned face. Running a hand through his thick black hair that was highlighted with white at the edges, a gray stone eye greeted the metal mask.

Footsteps stopped next to him and Slade Wilson took a deep breath and tilted his head, watching Wintergreen set a tray on the counsel.

His old companion reached out and began pouring a cup of tea, "Any luck?"

"The boy survived his first interrogation, but something is not right," Closing his eye again, Slade rubbed his forehead, his palm brushing over the black path that covered his other eye. "He almost gave away too much. He's acting differently in front of others. He's not remaining calm. Batman already announced his suspicions. Sometimes, I wish I had killed the Bat when I had the chance."

Wintergreen nodded and couldn't help but smirk when he heard a groan from the other man, "Tired are we?"

The gray eye shot open and glared dangerously at him. "No."

"Please, you haven't had a day's rest, since we came back from Eastern Europe. Even when Seir left you in England, you worked day and night on those bugs."

"Wintergreen."

"Yes sir?"

"If you wish to keep your tongue, I suggest you shut up."

Wintergreen nodded, knowing full well that Slade was not joking, especially when he resulted to such blunt words. "Do not fret, Seir will work things out for the better." With that, the old man turned and disappeared into the hideout, leaving Slade to gaze once more up at audio screen where he heard Robin sleeping. Despite being proud through all the trials Robin underwent, Slade couldn't push away the nagging feeling that somehow he was going to end up losing this battle over Robin once again.

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A/N: Ok first off, I'm sorry to all y'all Superman fans. I don't want to offend anyone. All I wanted to do was provide an example, get the characters and ya thinking. It wasn't all for not, there is a reason behind the undertoned bashing of superheroes. But let me give ya a heads up and say it won't be the end. Until next week then, take care! And I've broke a 100 reviews. Thank you everyone for all the reviews!!!