Okay so I'm back, I don't really know how long this story is going to end up but I suppose you can just keep telling me when you want to read more and I'll write more ;)

I couldn't help myself, I wrote this new chapter whilst it was still in my head and so I'm uploading it right now! I'll update as often as possible, but on weekdays I get insanely busy so you may have to wait until next weekend!

Special thanks to the Guest who gave me the tip to put Robin down as the main character on the drop-lists. I had totally forgotten to do that! So thanks :D

Also, Yuu101cutie said that Batman deserved a punch to the face (which I completely agree with!) so yeah, I'm totally going to write him getting punched in the face right about now :D

Anyway, onwards I guess! Enjoy :)

Varishi x

Despite Artemis' best efforts, Robin was stuck in his own mind. He couldn't hear anything that was going on around him, he felt intense panic and he was taking in air quickly and pushing it out even faster. All Robin was aware of was that he was without a family, and it was all his own fault. If Batman really cared about him, he wouldn't have left him alone with a bunch of people who didn't know his secret identity. Sure, Wally knew, but Wally couldn't look after him or even let him talk about it when the others were around. Simply put, Bruce had condemned Dick to a whole day of mental torture.

Whilst all of these fast and hurt thoughts were running through Robin's head, the rest of the Team had no idea how to stop Robin's hyperventilating. They had all gathered around so that they were closer but not crowding him, and they were all talking at the same time trying to help their youngest. If they waited too long then he would pass out from oxygen deprivation and would have one hell of a headache. M'Gann, who was still fully in tune with Robin's feelings, could feel what could only be described as hundreds of tsunamis crashing together within the young acrobat's mind – making the Martian feel sick. M'Gann thought to herself that is she was getting ill from only feeling a fraction of what Robin was then Robin must have really been in mental pain.

It wasn't only the mental pain though, Robin's chest was beginning to feel as though there was something else in his lungs trying to claw its way out. There was a sort of bruising sensation as his lungs continued to work hard to keep Robin breathing. The whole team were trying to get Robin's attention, trying to somehow help him, but none of them were getting through. That is, until Wally noticed the pained expression coming onto his best friend's face. The speedster decided that enough was enough and he needed to do something more.

"Robin, look at me!" Wally commanded in the loudest, most authoritative voice that the Team had ever heard him use. They watched in awe as he shook the boy and almost immediately managed to get Robin's eyes to meet his. But instead of breaking out into a triumphant smile, Wally stayed completely focused, "What happened was not your fault, you were eight years old. If Batman wants to run around playing crusader today, then who cares about him? You're not alone!"

At the mention of Batman's name, Robin's eyes had clouded over with tears. How could Bruce leave him on this day? Robin would never leave him on his day, so why had Bruce left him? He felt a sharp pain across his cheek, did KF just slap him? Robin's eyes refocused on Wally again, coming out of his dark thoughts once again and there the familiar face was. Wally, his best friend, was there looking at him slightly apologetically, begging him to do as Artemis was doing and slow his breathing down. Finally coming into a full focus, Robin suddenly became aware that if followed Artemis' example, then the pain in his chest would significantly lessen.

Artemis tried not to let the relief that she felt show too much on her face as she saw Robin's panicked eyes focus on her own. After a moment or two of hard concentration, Robin managed to draw a breath in through his nose, then another and another. After about a minute of effort, Robin's breathing finally slowed to a normal pace and he rubbed at his sore chest unhappily. Now that everyone knew about why today was so very hard on him, he saw no need to hide his emotions and stared directly at the floor with his shoulder slouched. He truly looked like a person who had simply given up, and that look was out of place on a thirteen year old.

Artemis, who was still knelt in front of Robin, found herself upset that she had never noticed before exactly how much Robin was hurting on the inside. She found her respect for Robin growing ten thousand times bigger than it had been previously. She now understood why Robin had been so off that morning, how could he have possibly been expected to keep it together? The archer looked up to see Robin looking straight back at her, breathing unevenly as he seemed to be trying to keep more tears in. A strange feeling came over Artemis as she suddenly got up and grabbed Robin into a tight hug. The little ninja tensed up in her hold and it took a while, but he did eventually relax, and Artemis felt her jacket getting damp as Robin hid his face into her clothes and cried.

The Team couldn't help but stare at Wally and Artemis. Wally, the speedster who seemed almost incapable of being serious hadn't hesitated to throw his inhibitions to the side and do whatever was necessary to help his friend. He had even slapped Robin to get him to focus, and that was something that no one else on the Team would have done. Then there was Artemis, just earlier she had been moaning about how rude Robin had been, but just then she had pushed those opinions away and they were forgotten as she had calmly helped him to recover and was now even hugging the kid. They were amazing; M'Gann may have been in touch with Robin's emotions: but she hadn't done anything to help him. Connor didn't even understand why Robin was acting so strangely – and Kaldur? Well, he was too busy wondering what exactly hyperventilation was to actually aid his friend.

"I'm so tired, and my head hurts." The small voice was so unfamiliar coming from Robin, but still the whole Team heard him and Artemis pulled him away so that she could look at his face. Once again, he was completely expressionless on the outside but nobody could know exactly what he was thinking on the inside. His shades even hid his puffy eyes, so there was quite literally no evidence that Robin had ever been in that state at all. He even made a special effort to sit up straight and strong.

In bewilderment, the Team watched as Robin got up and started to walk to his room. No one said anything, it was normal for him to be tired and it was normal for Robin to act as if everything was absolutely fine. They all knew that Robin was strong and that he hated to appear weak, so trying to act as if everything that had just happened hadn't happened, was just like him. But the last thing he needed right now was to be alone, and one person knew that no matter how hard he tried, Robin would never get any real rest in his room. So, reaching out with his super speed, Wally caught Robin's wrist causing the smaller boy to turn around in slight confusion.

"Come on man, both of us know that going away isn't going to help you right now." Wally said with the kind of logic that you just can't deny. Robin fought with himself for a while, trying to think of a good excuse to just get away from that room and away from those people. He didn't want to talk to them and he didn't want to bother them with his troubled thoughts. Unfortunately, Robin just couldn't think of a good argument to leave and ended up nodding his agreement with Wally and returning to his best friend's side.

Almost as soon as Robin sat down, M'Gann couldn't help but think that she wouldn't be able to handle sitting with him present the whole day if his feelings were just going to stay the same. She could hardly bare them then, so she imagined in a few hours she would be driven mad. She almost wondered how Robin wasn't insane already. So, instead of leaving her worries to her own mind, she thought of a way to change her circumstances, "Robin would you like to talk about it? I would like to help you stop feeling guilty."

Robin's eyes widened behind his shades, he knew that she could feel what he did, but she was just so open about it. Robin considered the thought for a moment before wondering to himself whether it would actually help to talk to someone other than Batman or Alfred. Before Robin could either agree or disagree with anything, Wally – who had gotten up to reach for the biscuit tin on the coffee table in front of him – tripped and fell onto the remote control for the TV that had been left on the floor carelessly. The TV buzzed into life and the face of a reporter was revealed.

"He has already killed three people, two men and a woman, and is currently believed to still be somewhere in the south of Gotham." The reporter said. Robin's eyes widened, was this Riddler? Batman had said the situation was under control, three known murders was not under control. Wally grabbed the remote whilst returning to the sofa and then sat down, turning the volume up on the TV in concern.

"Batman and the police are currently reprimanding Zucco and hopefully he will be imprisoned once more by the end of this evening. We have been told that we will be kept updated as to how Tony Zucco will answer for his actions as this story develops."

Had Robin just heard that name? That name that he had never wished to hear in this way ever again? Batman had lied about the Riddler; he was really out to get Tony Zucco. Had Batman deliberately kept him in the dark about this? Robin's hands clenched into fists and fresh anger filled him as he began to shake. Not only was Robin angry with Zucco for going out there and making families suffer for no reason again, but he was furious at Batman for keeping him in the dark. How dare he?

Wally quickly noticed the ninja's distress and turned the TV off, regretting his own clumsiness again. That was the Tony Zucco, the one who had orphaned Rob and left him to grow up in a household of strict rules and danger. Wally felt his own cheeks flush in anger, but once again, Robin had left that detail out when he had been telling his friends about his parents' murders – so none of the Young Justice team knew that Tony Zucco was responsible for the Graysons' deaths.

"It's him." Robin growled with such malice infused into his voice that M'Gann flinched at the sudden murderous intent Robin was feeling. Batman had caught him, so there was no need for Robin to go out there and stop Zucco – but he wished that he had been the one to catch him. When Zucco killed his parents, Robin had simply had him thrown in prison because in his opinion that was justice. That was revenge. But seeing that he had killed three more people after escaping from prison, Robin wanted nothing more than to make him suffer: to make Tony Zucco suffer the way that he had suffered all these years. But Batman had taken that chance away from him and Robin would never forgive him for keeping Zucco's escape a secret from him.

"It's okay, Batman's taken care of it. You don't need to worry, Rob." Wally insisted, feeling certain that he was saying the right thing. The speedster thought that Robin must have been scared because the man who murdered his parents in front of him had gotten out of prison and might look for him or something. But Wally was wrong. Robin wasn't scared, Robin didn't want to hide or worry. The young acrobat was angry. In a Gotham patrolled by Batman and his protégé, Robin couldn't believe the sheer nerve of Zucco. To get out of prison and actually murder three innocent people, and how could Batman not let Robin know that? Surely he knew that Robin might watch the news?

"It's not okay, KF!" Robin shouted, eyes flashing. Kaldur stared at Robin in shock as the youngest member of Young Justice got to his feet and started throwing his arms around whilst he ranted about this criminal: Tony Zucco, and Batman. Robin was torn between whether he should feel betrayed or not, he couldn't help but voice it, "If the man who killed my parents has escaped from prison, then I want to at the very least be told! What right does Batman have to keep that from me? On today of all days!"

"Tony Zucco killed your parents?" Kaldur asked in that same collected manner that made him leader. Robin nodded sharply at his leader and continued gritting his teeth in frustration as his thoughts stayed on Batman's deception. Kaldur understood why Robin was so upset with Batman now; it did seem unfair that such important and personal information should be withheld from the person whom Batman was supposed to trust the most.

"He was just trying to protect you, I think, Rob." Kid Flash reasoned. Robin turned on him and crossed him arms across his chest tightly. Wally took a step forward to try and comfort his friend, but Robin was far too wound up to need comforting, as Wally stepped forward he stepped back and shook his head quickly.

"No, I had a right to know and he broke my trust. He promised that he'd never do this to me. He lied to me." Robin countered. After admitting to himself that Batman had lied to him, Robin suddenly felt more hurt than before. Robin sat down on the sofa again and then looked around at his team, defeated. Bringing his knees up to his chin, Robin continued, "What should I do?"

For the umpteenth time that day, Robin had shocked them by being so out of character. He had asked someone else what to do rather than dealing with it himself, no matter how hard it may be. After looking at each other and thinking about the question, Artemis decided to answer first, "I really think that this is something you need to talk about with Batman."

"Agreed. I'll stay whelmed until he comes here in the morning I guess." Robin suggested and the others nodded eagerly. They all just wanted to calm down and have a little bit of time to process all of the new information that had been handed to them that day. They were all shaken by Robin's sad past and each of them was reacting in a different way. Not only that, but none of them knew quite what to make of Batman's deception of his protégé. Sure, Batman may have been trying to protect Robin, but just as the youngest member of the team had said, he still had the right to know. Especially if Tony Zucco had affected his life so heavily.

Just then, when everything had fallen silent again, the Cave announced the arrival of the dark knight himself. Batman strolled into the living room to see the whole team gathered on sofas, Robin and Wally sat very close together for comfort. Robin had felt his anger flare when Batman's name was announced and had turned around to glare at him harshly. Batman came to stand in front of his protégé, expecting Robin to stand up but surprised when he remained seated. On this day though, Batman didn't mind the lack of manners. Instead, he spoke, "Robin, I lied to you."

"I'm aware." Robin snapped back. Bruce had been expecting this, the possibility that Robin would find out before he told him. He had intended to explain everything when the two of them were safely back at Wayne Manor, but difficult circumstances had changed things. But before Batman could explain everything, Robin had already started, picking that moment to jump to his feet and point accusingly at Batman, "How could you? You promised!"

"Robin, please listen." Batman started, but he was cut off. Surprisingly he was not cut off by Robin, he was cut off by Artemis who told him to 'shut up and listen' to Robin. His ward seemed to almost manage a grateful smile in her direction before he faced Batman again and courageously argued with him. The Team seemed dumb-struck; no one dared to argue with Batman because he always carried an air of constant danger about him. But Robin had no trouble, he stepped up remembering how Batman had treated him with absolutely no sympathy and had acted as though he hadn't even cared. Then he'd betrayed him further and lied right to his face! Robin couldn't forgive him, and then, before he could stop himself he swung a strong fist around and hit his mentor square on the jaw. Bruce was sent reeling away from Robin, usually such a punch wouldn't have affected him nearly as much as that one had, but it was delivered by his own ward. Batman looked at Robin disbelievingly, as did the Young Justice team. No one had expected Robin to actually hit him, no one was aware of just how upset Robin was with his mentor. But Robin didn't stop there, he closed the distance between himself and Batman and shouted right into his face and despite himself, Batman let the shock and hurt show in his body language.

"I won't listen to you," Robin rejected, "No matter what you say to me you can never make this right. I'm your partner, your friend; you're supposed to trust in me! You know how important this day is to me and yet you left me behind like it was just another day. You didn't even tell me to 'feel better' or anything like that!" Robin continued his verbal rampage along these lines until the dark knight grabbed his shoulders and shook him roughly.

"Robin!" He shouted. Robin stopped talking abruptly and stared back at Batman with clear pain in his eyes, the boy thought about punching his mentor again but resisted when heard a certain kind of desperation in Bruce's voice. Not Batman's voice, Bruce's. Batman let go of his ward after glancing at the angry glares of the teenagers around him and dropped his hands to his sides, "We can argue later. Zucco escaped again and he's after you. We need to get you somewhere safe." He growled. He hadn't realised how much he had hurt Dick by leaving him with his friends today – he had felt guilty earlier. But he thought that Robin would be okay so long as he had someone with him who knew his past, like Wally. Yeah, Bruce wasn't stupid; he knew that Dick had told the speedster. But clumsy as the boy might be, he was loyal. So he had made an exception.

Of all of the things that Robin had expected Batman to say, that was definitely not one of them. Robin's breath caught in his throat in fear, he felt like he was the eight year old victim again.

There, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I thought that if this story is going to go on, there needed to be a bigger plot. So I threw in something more!

Please tell me what you thought and if you want suggest any ideas for future chapters!

By the way, if you see any errors in spelling or grammar, please let me know because no one checks my work other than me :)

Thanks, Varishi x