Our Time in Reverse- What It Takes –

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Chapter 11: Infected and Rejecting Your Every Praise

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Dick never slept in with Slade, so the faithful Renegade masquerading inside this tower as "Robin," had no choice but to ask himself; will waking up too soon make me look suspicious?

He decided, no.

In that few seconds head start, the boy's unit began to ring.

He was being called, so he took the chance to get to know his enemies that much more while brushing up in the bathroom. The comm unit and Slade's relaxed eye on him. Asking him questions, seeing if two days had led to even more small instances of seeing what he could. In that short a time, Slade had a memory like a steel trap. He would never let a thing pass, nor should his loyal apprentice as Robin was left outside of the room while they conversed in private.

Dick carried his items and went for the gym first. He could use some time to keep himself limber. Down in the basement he was not expecting to see Cy up with his barbells overhead. Dick went to go spot the teen. They both talked and he was asked how he slept. A funny question, yet Robin answered truthfully. "I'm used to camping." He told the tin man, with the honest gesture of handing Cy a towel and a cold, water bottle.

"You didn't get disturbed by any loud noises?"

"None." The younger teen grinned back. "Wanna spar with me? My old man taught me some moves you wish you'd ha –

He stopped, his brows furrowed in disappointment. Slade would lecture him soo much later on…

"I – I'm sorry. That wasn't right." He rubbed his arm apologetically.

"Was a bit too soon to be callin' me a robot. It's fine, but know I fight one on one all the time." Cy boasted and Robin, didn't know how to process that at first. "No metal armor slows this dude down. Now, how bout I school you on getting wise first thing in the morning?"

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They were too busy having a blast until eight. Dick walked after Cy as they went up to the main room that was adjoined to the Titans' kitchen. "Hey, any chance I can help make breakfast?" Dick knew he had to be hospitable, but even Raven's sense could pick up a lack of humility. Right?

"It's a bit tough to cook fir all of us. I eat a lot; my plate is never empty and I can burn off a bowl a' truck tires a la carte if you push me in the gym, after. Star has nine stomachs." Dick didn't try to throw a wise crack at….whatever image popped into their heads.

"Yeah. She never gains. Alien thing…and Raven is a pretty modest foodie. She drinks tea and eats by herself sometimes. She loves the waffles I make so she can eat meat. Not large helping though. Like your grandma. She's still having trouble adjusting. Bb is…. all vegetables, tofu." Cy rolled his eyes as Dick imagined the man animals Bb had changed into.

"It's nasty stuff. You'd be better growing those chicken bones with a ham!" Cy clapped Dick on the back jokingly as his entire body rattled. Robin shook the confusion off once he was sure Cy was done. "What are your favorite food options, lil man?"

Dick's mouth hung open at the images of Lecso and pierogis on their travels as….

What about Slade's cooking?? He blushed, realizing his emotions were showing too much. Renegade was waiting. Dick was packed away. Robin was working.

"Uh, usually I have to eat pretty lean. Not too much, but not a lot of sugar was allowed in the house." That part was true. Slade was a drill Sargent for both fitness and intellectual pursuits. Dick wasn't lying about that. "You missed out on the good stuff. Being an army brat –

"It wasn't-

"Cool it, sparky." Cy brought up a palm in good faith. "Just saying that you talk about the dude you grew up with so much that it's like you were a different person than what I see. You can pit that away a bit as a Titan."

"I can't. Not always…" Dick grumbled to himself. "I'll just eat something in my room…I'm sorry. Bit worn down…not your fault…. just…" Was he ok?

Dick felt a stick in his mouth as Cy read out a thermometer. He checked his arm and then crossed them. "Dude, you are burning up."

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"It's just a cold. I'm not gonna –

"You…I so hope you're not trying to get us all sent to bed. Cy! Did you even check em??" Bb was unhappily griping over Robin's coming to them with problems. Starfire was told to stay far away, yet she was too kind of her own good. Dick got butterflies every time she tried to get too close to his reddened face. "He is not an enemy, why will you not see that our new companion is suffering and he is as "the startled" as we are? How can you be so uncaring?"

"He came into the tower while he was on the run from his stepparent. For almost a month." Raven shifted over and handed Robin a cup of herbal tea. "You risked your health to be found, and here we are. We can help you. All of us. As long as you are not trying to leave without a fair sentence."

"I got a ring from the city." Cy brought to the other's attention. "I was gonna make breakfast to celebrate that they let you off the hook, but this happened. Sorry, man. Rest, I'll make some soup in the crock pot." Cy left to set up his setting in the kitchen while Raven tried her best to be there for the equally nervous runaway.

"Rae, Star. This is…" Bb's ears drooped. "Um….can, can I put on a movie….just cause I don't want him sneezing all over the tower."

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Dick slept for a good chunk of the afternoon. They got him a blanket and made sure he had the energy to lie down long enough to settle the coughing fits. Raven and they others soon left at the sound of the alarm; Dick huddling under the covers while Star handed him the comm unit from his room. She had even scolded him lightly like a mother to keep it with him always. Dick had apologized and after that, the call came through. "Sir….bad time. Under the weather." Dick rasped under the blankets with another cough as Slade's masked one eye seemed to smile back.

~ I know. I was the one who gave you the virus in the first place. I thought it high time you learn to work under that cover, just a few days. That way, you can gather more information for me.~

Dick couldn't say anything…Slade had….he wanted to ask in all holy shite – burger, HOW. Yet, his mouth only stayed button. With a nod he complied and bundled himself, remembering exactly how to disable a security camera like his master had taught him.

~ Good boy. We'll talk again later. Don't forget to keep your motives around the heroes, believable. I have every faith, my apprentice. ~

Dick smiled weakly as he went to follow his direction onward; the main computer. The data highway he'd need to finish hacking before Cy took him out. Even a sick kid in prison wasn't cute to look at, so he worked with a sweaty upper lip. He acted as if Slade did have his best moments. That he would be the man's only right hand and…father.

He could always have the heroes convert to the dark side to save themselves. They weren't bad, maybe if he had inhibitor collars for everyone.

Beast boy sure needed something.

One key left, and the screens all came up. He used the extra tech Slade had dropped off in his bag and made sure to download as much data as he could ship the masterminds way. It was a thrill…he held his skull and continued. Did he need to pee? Wait…

Dick shook his head. "Fourty percent. No….go faster!" He hissed at the flu like pressure on his skull. It was a test. A test he could not flunk. Dick gripped the dash and stood. That…

Fifty two.

Fifty seven…

Sixty….

He sighed and coughed. He had a virus. A regulated one. Like a damned infection with love from his master. Dick's mild delirium was expected.

Sixty four.

"Best in the world, tech… yeah?" Dick snorted and felt his body sway as he held it up. "Just, fuzzy…fine. I'm fine…" He told himself, the screen showing the Tita e on!" He growled at the load bar. " Fuck !"

He pounded a fist into the dash.

The Titans had defeated a crook and were now warming up the T – car.

Dick took in an inhale as the bar started to move a bit faster.

Seventy five …

Seventy nine.

Come on….

~ I do hope to tell our newest hero who is training to be an official Titan about our glorious victory against the Doctor Light. ~

Dick didn't pay mind. His head was throbbing.

Eighty six

Big jump. How was this

…

~ He's way too needy though. Are you sure he won't curl up and die on us in battle? Fighting in a gym is easy. He's not even gonna do the obstacle course until he gets over faking being sick! ~

~ The infection is real. Even so, we should make sure it's not going to linger. Mask up and have him in his room. Maybe assign each day a new person to help –

~ He's capable. Both of you. It's just a bug. We'll see what he is up for when it's time, but you got sick last month, B. It happens. He was practically homeless for a month. ~

"Stop e on…please –

Ninety

Ninety five

Ninety seven

…..

~ He needs a family right now. And it's protective custody if this guy who's after him can fight like a warrior. As far as I can tell, the guy could be ex – mercenary or something from those moves. ~

Dick's lips ran dry….he….

He put a hand to his face. He let them see right through him? Was that why his master was doing all of this? To have the heroes see Dick as less of a threat?

Ninety nine….

Dick took in a sharp intake of air as the numbers aligned. The filed folded to his will. He tugged out the drive and looked at it for a few seconds. His hands back to the keys, Dick erased his time in this room. It had never happened. With a scowl, he leaned towards the wall and beat it be now, returned to his room.

"I'm done." He hung his head, because failure was never an option.

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