A/N: I'd like to thank all of you guys for your reviews so far. I'm giving free virtual hugs to each and every one of you:) I hope I won't disappoint you with this story. But please, read the note in the end of this chapter, before reviewing. You'll see why. :) You were warned!

Disclaimer: I own a guitar, a pick and an amp. Nothing more.Especially not the Teen Titans.

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"Well…Hunter…what makes you think we're on the same side?" the pale empath asked the young man.

"The Teen Titans are the ones protecting this city, right?" Hunter asked the obvious. Raven nodded silently in agreement, which brought a small smile on his face. "So, I think Slade taking over the city isn't what you guys want. And that's where I come into picture. I'm here to get rid of Slade and his forces!" Hunter proclaimed triumphantly. Raven however stood unimpressed and suspicious.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? Isn't it enough that we share a common enemy?"

"Sorry, but we're rather careful who to trust, after the recent events," Raven said with a bitter voice.

"So you don't trust me because of Terra?" The question almost stunned Raven. How could he possibly know about Terra? As if he'd heard her thoughts he continued. "Look, I'm not here to join your team. My only goal is to stop Slade and whoever is on his side. After that's done I'll be gone for good and you won't hear from me anymore,"

"You still haven't told me why should we trust you," Raven said, snapping out of her surprised state. Hunter shook his head, as if disappointed.

"Listen, I've already dispatched twenty robots, including those two outside the pizzeria. Besides, if I wanted to harm you I could've done so the moment you arrived."

"There are other, indirect ways to cause harm," Raven replied, still suspicious of the stranger's motives. The silver eyed man saw it was hopeless. The girl's careful approach was understandable, but it still hindered his plans.

"Alright, this conversation isn't going anywhere. Get back to the tower. By dusk I'll visit you guys and we can talk more. Perhaps then we can come up with some sort of alliance to get through this situation. And I assure you, I'll answer all your questions," with this said, Hunter turned around and put on his helmet. Raven stepped forward, reaching out with her hand, trying to stop him.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

The sharpshooter just turned his head a bit, not even looking at the cloaked girl.

"I'm going to look for a way to find Slade. Oh, and if I may advise you, leave quickly. Soon this place will be crawling with legions of robots. Just be sure to wait for me in the tower!" With this he ran down the hallway, away from the empath. He soon disappeared in the shadows, leaving Raven alone in the gloomy hotel.

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Robin winced as he felt the sharp stinging pain again and again. He felt dizzy, even though he was lying on a bed. The light above shone right in his eyes. The only thing that blocked the bright light once in a while was the figure of a girl in armour. She wiped the wound on his left shoulder and the boy clenched his teeth again.

"Easy! It's almost done," she whispered. And indeed, she stopped soon. The boy finally relaxed, although the pain was still throbbing in his shoulder. He turned his head and saw a small bottle with some strange liquid in it and a small bloody cotton ball next to it.

"What's that?" he asked weakly. The girl picked up the bottle and observed it for a second.

"I don't know. Slade gave it to me, said that this'll prevent infection and help you heal faster. It has an awful smell though," Terra said as she smelled whatever was inside it. She put the bottle aside and looked at her teammate. He lay there with the upper half of his uniform removed, wearing only pants, boots and his mask. Without realizing it the blonde girl's gaze wandered across the boy's naked chest. It was covered with a couple of bandages, and some bruises, but she could easily see how muscular he was. Not like Slade, who looked more like a mountain; Robin's muscles were finer, more athletic. Her gaze moved further up, up his smooth neck, his soft lips until she met his masked eyes. For a second she was lost in his stare.

"Terra…are you okay?" Robin suddenly asked. Terra's eyes widened as she realized who was she staring at so intently the last few moments and she immediately turned her head away, blushing.

"I'm sorry…I just…hope you get better soon,"

"Terra," Robin whispered and gently turned the girl's head to face him with his hand. His touch made Terra shiver, and she slightly closed her eyes as she felt the same feeling she'd felt with Beast Boy so long ago…that longing…the need to be close to someone…physically and emotionally. "Don't lie to me. I know you're hiding something from me. And I know it's bothering you," he continued with a concerned voice.

"I was…afraid that you died in the fight…I mean if you would die…I'd be all alone here," Terra said, avoiding Robin's eyes.

"There's Slade, you wouldn't be-"

"Please, you know what's he like! I'm pretty sure that once all of this…madness is over, I wouldn't want to spend my life only with him!" Terra explained, finally looking into the boy's masked eyes. She saw how serious he was, and strangely, she appreciated it. "Besides, he's too strict for my tastes anyway," the two of them chuckled at this remark, until Robin winced again, the pain getting stronger in his shoulder. Terra placed her hand on the bandage on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body.

"I guess I got lucky…the bullet didn't hit any of the main arteries and I had enough strength to get to the nearest patrol unit,"

"Yeah…you sure are something! No one else could've survived with their spiky butts intact, but you," Terra remarked with a sly look on her face. The teens laughed again, a bit more freely now. They smiled at each other, staring into each other's eyes.

"I'm glad you're here Terra," Robin said, grabbing Terra's hand.

"I'm glad to be here with you as well,"

They remained in that position for a while, Robin lying on his back and Terra sitting on the side of the bed.

"So…how did you meet Slade anyway?" Terra asked, pulling her hand away from his. Robin's expression changed to a serious one. She knew, that whatever was Robin going to tell her, most of it would be Slade's lies. Of course she couldn't tell the difference, because during her time with the Titans she hadn't really gotten to know them. She knew almost everything about them, except for their past. Beast Boy and Cyborg had been the only ones who actually revealed parts of their past to her. Starfire was eager to share her memories of Tamaran, but not much besides that. Raven had always avoided these kinds of conversations and Robin was just as mysterious. But now, Terra wanted to hear his…or Slade's version of his past.

"I don't remember exactly. It all happened such a long time ago. My parents were killed when I was still young. The memory is blurry, but I remember that we were mugged. Dad tried to save me and my mom, but they killed him…and then killed my mother," Robin was having problems speaking, as though the words were being forced out of his throat. "I tried to defend them…I tried to save them…but I failed…I was only a child, weak and small. I was no threat to them. So they beat me. I'm sure they would've killed me as well, if it hadn't been for Slade,"

"You mean…Slade saved you?"

"Yeah…he appeared out of nowhere and single-handedly defeated all of them. And killed them," Terra's jaw almost dropped at this point. Robin however didn't notice. "I watched as he punched them until they didn't move, his fists covered in their blood. And you know what? I was glad that he did it. They deserved it…every last one of those hits. If anything, they deserved to suffer even more!"

"And what happened after that?"

"Slade took me with him. He took care of me, healed me and let me go away. But I refused to go. I wanted to be like him. I wanted to be strong enough to defend myself and avenge the crimes committed on the innocents. So he trained me, taught me everything he knew. Then, two years ago, we split up. He said I was ready to take care of myself and he had other things to do. So I went to Gotham City, while he came here, to Jump City," Robin stopped and frowned, as if remembering something very unpleasant.

"What is it?" Terra asked.

"Nothing. It's just that…Gotham was the place where I truly learned what life was really about. I learned that people don't deserve to be defended! I did my best to fight crime and yet I was declared a villain myself, just because I didn't bother catching the criminals! I bet I'd prevented many deaths by killing those who might've murdered later! And what did I get in return? I was hunted like a common thief, despised by the very people I tried to protect!"

"I see," Terra said, absent-minded.

"So, I came here, looking for the only person I knew and trusted. Slade. And when he told me that he was going to get rid of this corrupt and sick society and bring order I was glad to help him," Robin said, his voice becoming somewhat warmer, happier again. "Of course I didn't expect him to find another apprentice in the meantime, but I must say, it's a lot better, having you with us. At least I have someone to talk to about these things," the boy finished. Terra just stared ahead blankly. "So, what's your story?" Robin asked after a while, snapping the blonde girl out of her trance.

"Excuse me?"

"How did you get here with Slade?"

"Oh…well…it's nothing fancy…and definitely not as dramatic as your story," she said sadly.

"I still want to hear it. Slade's always silent when it comes to these things," Robin encouraged her.

"Well, I'm not sure how I came to be in this place. I never really had a home before I came to Jump City. I did travel a lot around the world…you know, seeing places, getting to know new people…it was a pretty good way to live, free of everything. Too bad my powers had always forced me to leave the places and people I liked,"

"What do you mean?" the boy asked curiously.

"No one wants to be with someone who causes earthquakes, avalanches or mudslides whenever she loses control of her powers,"

Seeing how this saddened Terra, Robin gently started rubbing the girl's back. She closed her eyes and small tears appeared in their corners. She quickly wiped them with her hand and then continued speaking.

"Anyway, here, in Jump City I've met Slade. And he was the one who taught me control. He…helped me become normal…I think. And since I have nowhere else to go, I'll just have to stay here,"

"What about your parents?"

"They died when I was young," Terra replied, but finished the sentence in her mind. "Killed by one of my accidental outbursts of power,"

The two teens continued sitting in the room, the heavy silence disturbed only by the constant buzz of the light above them. Both of them wanted to tell the other one how they felt…they wanted to thank each other for listening, for simply being there. But at the same time, they knew they didn't have to say anything, as both of them felt the same way. It was a serene moment, and neither one wanted to ruin it.

And they didn't have to, as Slade's voice broke the silence, coming from Terra's communicator.

"Terra, come to the control room immediately!" he commanded and the silence returned into the room. Terra and Robin looked at each other once more, each giving a small smile to the other. Terra got off the bed.

"So, you're gonna check on the old geezer, huh?" Robin joked and Terra chuckled a bit.

"Yeah…you know, duty calls!" she replied and took one last look at the boy lying on the bed. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Of course! Don't worry about me," he replied and tried to sit up in his bed, but flinched as his shoulder hurt again, falling back into his lying position. "I'll just need to get some rest,"

Terra nodded and whispered a goodbye as she left the room. The door closed behind her and she began her journey towards Slade's control room. She didn't care however why did Slade want to see her. Her mind was still reliving the past hour. It all seemed so weird…after all, this was Robin…the same Robin she wanted to kill just a few days ago, fighting him near the chemical plant. And yet it was no longer the same Robin. She couldn't help, but wonder that perhaps…maybe with the Titans gone and Robin's new memories…there was a chance to finally find the peace she desired. He seemed to understand her and even…care for her. And she knew that she cared for him as well. She told the truth when she said, that without him she would be alone.

"Funny. If Slade hadn't made me spare his life, I'd be alone already. But now…I have him with me," she whispered to herself and she was getting closer to her master's chamber.

But in the back of her mind, there was still a voice, telling her, that she was wrong. That everything around here was wrong. What she was doing, what she hoped to be…it was wrong and that in the end all her dreams, all her hopes would turn to dust. With that thought she finally entered the control room and forced her mind to focus on the present. She saw Slade's tall figure standing in front of a wall covered with dozens of computer screens, each showing different parts of the conquered city. Slade just stood there, motionlessly observing the screens. Terra came closer, stopping a bit behind him.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, looking at the ground, as if ashamed, or afraid of the man in front of her.

"Terra…I think I don't need to remind you of how dangerous our current situation is? We're fighting on our own here, and we can not afford any distractions if we hope to win," Slade's cold voice echoed in the large room.

"But Slade, we've already won! The city is under your control and the army can deal with anyone who would try to interfere with-" Terra opposed, but stopped as Slade spun around and looked at her with frightening rage.

"Well then how is it possible, that a single assassin already took out more than fifty of our units and almost killed Robin?! Is that what you call being in control?!" he shouted at her and Terra instinctively backed away, almost cowering in front of him. But as quickly as he burst out, he calmed down again and turned towards the screens again. "I want you to go out there and eliminate him!" he ordered. Terra could only shake her head in disbelief.

"You mean I'm supposed to go and fight him alone?" she asked, unsure if she'd heard him right.

"Dear child, you're never alone. You'll be escorted by some of my best guard robots and I'll assist in the fight if necessary,"

"Yeah, but he almost killed Robin! I don't stand a chance against him!" Terra tried to protest, partially because she was afraid, and partially because she knew that this was the truth. Slade however turned around, slowly this time and walked over to her.

"Are you questioning a direct order?" he asked in a menacing tone, leaning close to the girl's face. He was disgusted to see her cowardly expression, and the feeling didn't change when she muttered a barely understandable "I'll do it!". Slade took a step back and wanted to turn back to the screens again, but Terra's weak voice stopped him.

"I think Robin…he might…" she mumbled the words. "I think you should give him a painkiller, or something," she was surprised at her own words, even if she really meant them.

"Why?" Slade's question shattered what little confidence she had. She almost regretted bringing this up, but she couldn't take those words back anymore.

"Well…you know how he got injured…I mean that bullet went right through his shoulder…it must hurt real bad," she tried convincing her master, but he just stood there in front of her firmly. This was one of the many situations when Terra secretly wished him to remove his mask, as it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, without seeing his face.

"He'll be fine,"

"But maybe just a little-"

"I said he'll be fine!" Slade's voice got more aggressive and forceful.

"Slade, he's in serious pain, I saw it! Why don't you give him some p-" Terra couldn't finish the sentence as Slade's fist punched right in the face. She fell on the ground and immediately felt blood flow from her nose. The world seemed to spin around her and for a moment she couldn't even understand what had happened. As she tried to stand up however, Slade kicked her in the stomach with all his might. This sent the blonde girl crashing into the wall several feet behind her. She looked up and saw Slade approaching. She raised her arm, intent to smash his head with an oversized boulder. But before she could focus her powers Slade grabbed her by her neck and pinned her against the wall, slowly suffocating her. She looked at him with frightened and confused look.

"You wanted to know why I allow him to feel pain. Well this is a lesson you never learned before!" and with that said he punched her in the chest, knocking the wind out of her. He let go of her, and Terra collapsed on the ground. He watched the blonde apprentice squirm in pain and knelt down to her. "I want him to know what pain's like. You see Terra, that's your greatest weakness. You can't stand pain. You have no idea what's true pain, suffering like. You live in your own little world, and have no idea what's going on around you. And every time something in that perfect little world of yours go wrong you come crying to the first person you think can fix it. But Robin…he knows better than that. Did he ask for a painkiller?"

Terra shook her head, still too weak and hurting too much to answer.

"And you know why he didn't ask for one? Because he is strong. He's hurt, he feels like his wound is going to tear him apart, but he fights it, he doesn't give up. And you? I barely touch you and you're pretending to be dying!"

Finishing the 'lesson' Slade stood up and walked to the door, leaving Terra lying on the floor, struggling to get up.

"Now go and clean yourself up! When you're ready come back here and the guards will escort you into the city. I'll give you further info about your target's whereabouts after you get there," he stated emotionlessly and walked out of the room. Terra just watched the door, tears running down her dirty face, mixing with the blood on her lips.

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A/N: OK, before you crucify me, let me just say, that this is my fave chapter so far! Not because it'd be brilliantly written, but because it's taking the story further down the road of my insane plot that's slowly starting to take shape. So, no worries friends, I still have many more crazy ideas ready for you. Just wait and see. (oh, I'm so eeeeevil!!!!) Now, reviews please. They make me happy…just like seeing an old woman fall down the stairs. Hehehe…….sorry.

-.-'