Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing! Please know that while I may not remember to add the disclaimer into every one of my chapters, I still don't own anything - not even Starfire's mustard.

Anyways, enjoy! And please review!

Chapter Six -

Raven sagged slightly against the wall behind her. The humidity was starting to get to her. She couldn't breathe without feeling the effects of the hot steam. Slade's body still pressed against her own and she was hesitant to push him away. What did he mean her friends' lives depended on it? Though Slade regularly fought the teenagers, he'd never verbally threatened their lives. That was going a bit far, even for him.

"I see that got your attention." Slade felt her body leaning more against the wall behind her. Almost as if she were trying to just disappear within it.

Trapped, she was trapped. She mumbled some profane slur under her breath. It really was getting too hot in here. Her mind felt cloudy with the heat. She pushed an arm between them, feeling relieved with the idea of having more space separating both of them. "I don't understand why this conversation can't just wait. I am trying to take a shower here."

"As you wish," And he left her.

Raven froze suddenly. He'd gone – just like that. No witty argument, no further intimidation, just left. Warily, she poked her head out from her bathroom and looked into the depths of her room. There was no sign of him. Her bracelet lay on top of her chest of drawers, appearing undisturbed. It was almost as if he had never been there – almost…

Exhausted, Raven slumped to the ground beside her tub. She reached out to turn off the water and sat there until the steam cleared up. As the steam began to clear up, so did her mind. She got up and made her way into her room determinedly. She threw herself on the bed, not caring that her towel had unraveled from about her small form and was doing little to conceal her body. Angrily, she punched her fist into her pillow.

She really was stupid. What had she been thinking? She should've fought back, even without the use of her powers, she wasn't completely useless. She had been training with Robin recently and could have at least used some of what she had learned against Slade.

What if I told you that your friends' lives depend on it? His words ran through her mind and she fought to regain control. She rolled over onto her back and stared at her ceiling intently, eyebrows furrowing as she lost herself in her mind.

Raven drifted in and out of sleep that night. Her dreams turned into nightmares. Nightmares that starred a certain one-eyed villain…

She was dressed in a black jumpsuit, a silver, metal corset hugging her waist. Her boots went up to her knees and a black cloak, similar to her usual blue one, hid her from the prying eyes of her Master. Her hood was up and her head bent in a silent submission to him.

"Good, very good. I'm impressed. You've improved greatly." He paced around her as he spoke, leaning in from behind and whispering his praise.

"You've come so far." His words gentle, guiding. How could she have ever doubted him? He'd promised and he'd delivered. It definitely hadn't always been perfect. The abuse, both physical and mental, had been trying, the rigorous training sessions, her initial regret over losing her friends… But she had to admit, without Slade she wouldn't have ever grown this powerful.

Raven looked up from the cement ground she was kneeling on to face her Master. Still circling her like a predator would its prey, he nodded down at her to speak, "Thank you. I hope to-"

Raven felt herself cringe as she took in the outfit she was handed. Really? Could they have picked anything more cliché? She was pretty damn sure she'd get more fans dancing in her uniform. But she pulled it on, nonetheless. From within the dressing room, she could hear the loud, pulsing music emanating from the club.

Checking to make sure she wasn't being watched by the mass of changing girls, she pulled the picture from her discarded boots. He was a tall, older gentleman. He wore glasses and leant heavily on his cane. His face resembled a weathered map and his body seemed frail and weak. Surely this old man couldn't pose a threat to her? But upon further inspection, she saw his eyes - black, beady, and cruel. Those were the eyes of a killer.

"Going. Now." A girl pushed her towards the stage entrance, motioning for her to go, in case her broken English wasn't enough.

Raven hastily stashed away the photograph of her target and followed the girl's instruction. Before stepping on stage, she reminded herself of the additional photograph she had tucked away – Slade's. Her Master gave her courage even with the knowledge that he was oceans away. She would accomplish her mission tonight, no matter the cost. She would not let herself fail him…

"Damnit! Are you trying to kill me?" She groaned as she brought herself back up from the ground. That was three times he'd managed to easily send her flying across the room.

"It's not my fault that you can't fight, let alone defend yourself against some basic moves." He began to move towards her again.

The girl rolled her eyes at his remark and gritted her teeth to keep from retorting. She knew by now what came of snarky comments in the training room – Hell.

Slade came within a couple of yards of where she was standing. Raven tried to stop panting and prepare herself for his next move, but she could hardly breathe. She felt a sharp, piercing stab of pain whenever she inhaled. He didn't allow her any additional recovery time. He struck.

Slade's long legs followed through with a swift kick to her abdomen. Raven grunted as she made contact with the wall. She collapsed on the ground, legs tangled together. She was hunched over in the fetal position, cradling her stomach.

"You won. I'm done for today." She managed to croak.

He approached her and knelt down, assessing her injuries. She glared up at him when he made an attempt to further evaluate the damage.

"You'll live. I've survived much worse."

Slade couldn't help but wonder what his little bird was dreaming of that night. She was tossing and turning in her bed like usual, but her face seemed animated and if he listened hard enough, he could make out words.

"Thank you… Are you trying to kill me… You won…" Interesting. Perhaps his little bird's subconscious knew what was best for her. And with that, he turned off the video surveillance and proceeded to head in for the night.