Hey y'all! I came back!

Thanks for being patient, and I swear I won't keep you up here for long.

I've been super busy with school and stuff, and I wasn't sure what to do with this chapter, so it was kinda thrown together over the course of a few months. This is my second most followed story, and I'm really sorry for writer's block destroying my creativity.

Guest reviewer Maria: I'M SORRY, HERE IS THE UPDATE! I HOPE YOU DIDN'T GET TOO TIRED OF WAITING, AND I SERIOUSLY HOPE THIS MEETS YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND I HOPE I DON'T FAIL YOU AGAIN! *hugs* seriously, girl. Thanks for your pushy reviews. Going through them and seeing those is what got me off my butt and writing this again.

Other reveiwers: Don't stop. I need the reviews for motivation, Ideas, and comments.

I will say, there may be missing spaces in this. Not sure why, but I noticed a few whilst scrolling all the way up here to add this AN.

Please enjoy the chapter.

The door to my room squeaked as someone pushed it open and entered. I didn't open my eyes to find out who it was. The way I figured, it would either be the irritating old man or Slade, neither of which I wanted to deal with at the moment. I kept my breathing steady and listened intently.

I heard the heavy footsteps that rapidly walked up to me.

"Dick," the tone was sharp, but less threatening that I had thought it would be. "Get up, son. Slade won't be happy if you're late this morning," Wintergreen said bluntly. I sighed and rolled over, being careful not to hit my broken arm on anything.

Wintergreen was disappearing back through the door. I groaned as I rolled all the way over and stared at the now closed door. I was tired. I didn't want to get up, especially if Slade was back. I felt a shiver go down my spine.

Slade was still mad at me.

I sighed as I pulled myself out of the warm bed. It surprised me that the bed was soft, something I was grateful for. It was terribly cold in that room. Why was it so cold? My ears popped as I walked over to the bathroom and gazed in the mirror. I looked awful with the huge gash in my head and the bruises marring my skin. My hair fell loosely in my face and over my eyes. I opened the cabinet and found it sparsely stocked. Only bare necessities such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a hair brush. I frowned. There was no gel, or anything to pull my hair back with. I picked up the hair brush and ran it through my dark hair, smoothing it out and causing it to give off a soft shine. With nothing else to do, I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way to the door that would lead out to the hall. I opened it carefully and listened for any signs of life. I picked up on the smell of bacon, but otherwise, everything was silent. I stepped out and made my way down the hall quietly and cautiously, on alert for any sound of pursuit. I leaned my ear against the door that I knew led to the kitchen. This place was new to me; I didn't know where any of the doors went to except the one to my bedroom and the one to the kitchen. I heard movement, but there was no talking. Was Slade in there? If he was, what would he do when I made my appearance? Would he hit me? Re-break my arm? Would he press the trigger? Wintergreen was on his side; I bet he even brainstorms with Slade on what to do to me. Wintergreen was strong and intimidating, but I could take him if I wasn't out of commission with my broken arm. Slade, on the other hand, was like someone out of a horror movie. If I even looked at him wrong, I'd pay for it. But where was he? He had to be in the kitchen, right? If not, then that meant that he was-

"What are you doing?"

I let out a rather girlish scream at the unexpected voice. My back slammed into the closed door as I turned around and tried to move away.

"What? Me? Oh…nothing. I was just, you know…and then you…just checking to make sure the door was…sturdy…solid. You know?" I stuttered quickly, knocking on the door twice to emphasize my point. "Yep, strong as steel. Great architecture, Slade. Hehe…um, where did you come from?" I asked stupidly. I felt a drop of sweat fall off my face.

Slade's unbending steel eye bore a hole through me. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he stood tall. He was the picture of power.

"Please don't hit me." I squeaked as I stared up at the man pitifully. Slade didn't move for the longest time. I watched anxiously, hoping he wouldn't hurt me again. I flinched wildly when he lifted his arm.

"Calm down, boy," Slade said lightly, "I'm not going to hit you." He pushed the door to the kitchen open and gestured for me to go through. After regaining my composure (or lack thereof), I warily stepped into the room in front of Slade. I paused to look around for a moment, making sure nothing was out of place or…a potential danger to myself. When did I become so selfish? I jumped when the door slammed shut and let out a surprised squeal.

"Stop being so jumpy, Dick. It isn't becoming of you," Slade said nonchalantly as he took his place at the table and opened up a newspaper. Seriously, why hasn't he hit me yet?

"Maybe I wouldn't be so jumpy if you weren't a sniveling, dead beat, psychopathic kidnapper," I muttered.

"What was that?" Slade barked with a dangerous gleam in his eye.

"Um…nothing…I was just um…talking to myself." I stumbled over my words. My mouth was going to be the death of me. Batman always told me that I needed to learn when to shut up. They didn't teach a course on that at Gotham University…

"Let me get one thing straight with you right now, Dick. I will not, by any means, accept backtalk like that from you. Ever. When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer it honestly. So, let me ask you one more time. What did you say?" Slade asked dangerously as he lowered his paper and stood up slowly.

I backed away until I couldn't back up any farther. I caught a glimpse of Wintergreen by the stove. He stood there and watched in anticipation. The jerk.

"I'm losing my patience, Dick," Slade said as he advanced menacingly.

"Slade, I-" I began, but couldn't continue. So now it would happen. Now Slade would beat me to a bloody pulp again and there was nothing I could do about it.

Slade's fist gripped my shirt front tightly, and he lifted me off the ground.

"Dick…" he growled.

"Slade, we talked about-"

"Not now, Will," Slade interrupted, "Dick has something he'd like to say."

"It was nothing…just mindless… Ah!" I was cut off by a sharp backhand to my face. "Slade I-"

I couldn't continue. His massive fist wrapped around my neck and held me off the floor. I felt something crack as my airway was constricted and I was left fighting for air that wouldn't come into my lugs.

"What. Did. You. Say?" Slade demanded as he let up on the pressure ever so slightly.

"I-ack…I said that you were…a sniveling…dead beat…psychopathic kidnapper…" I wheezed out through the hold on my throat. The grip on my neck tightened and Slade's eye widened in fury.

"Well now, that wasn't very courteous, would you say, Will?"

"Ahem," Wintergreen cleared his throat, "no, sir. Not at all."

"I would say an apology is in order, what do you say, Dick?" Slade asked menacingly. I struggled in his hold. I tried to kick out at him, but I wasn't strong enough. Darkness clouded my vision. I tried to say 'yes,' but no sound came out. I did the best I could to nod my consent, hoping he'd let up.

"Well, I'm waiting," he said pleasantly. I gathered all the strength I could, and even though I knew I couldn't, I tried to suck in the precious air.

"I'm sorry," I said. I couldn't even hear myself. It didn't even come out as a squeak.

"Come now, Dick. It's not so hard. You need only apologize and I will release you."

I clawed at his armored wrist, trying to pull him off, but he was too strong.

"Sorry….I'm sorry." I wheezed as loud as I could.

"Sorry…" Slade prompted.

No…not that. I looked at him with pleading eyes but was met with the unyielding steel gray that peered from behind that cold metal mask. The grip on my neck tightened.

"I'm waiting, apprentice."

"I'm…sorry…master." I mouthed without sound. Black spots swam across my vision, and just as I was about to pass out, I was released. I fell to the ground with a thud, coughing and sucking in the precious oxygen.

"Now, was that so hard?" Slade asked after a moment of watching me.

I didn't respond, but focused on not passing out and leaving myself in such a vulnerable state in front of my enemy.

Slade growled and pulled his foot back, ready to kick me. My hands shot up in front of my face.

"No, master! No it wasn't!" I yelled desperately. Slade's foot lowered slowly back to the ground. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked back to his chair, leaving me on the ground.

"Get up, Dick." He ordered coldly as he took his seat and lifted the newspaper back up.

I ground my teeth together to bite back the growl as I pushed myself back to my feet. Wintergreen placed a plate of food in front of me as I slumped down into my chair. I ducked my head down to avoid looking at my captor and raised a hand to my neck. It hurt, and there would no doubt be bruises there before the day came to a close.

"Dick, your hair is unruly." Slade said in disgust.

"Yeah? Well then why don't you-" I began. I bit my tongue before I could continue. I saw Wintergreen raise an eyebrow, but he remained silent.

"Care to finish that statement?" Slade asked.

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak anymore. Slade was right, of course. Without gel or something to pull it back with, it was untamed. It was silky smooth and beautiful, but still, it was untamed.

"Will will cut it for you after you eat," Slade stated. My head shot up at his proclamation.

"No," I blurted out without thinking.

"What?" Slade barked angrily.

"I-I mean…that isn't necessary. I can tie it back…or something…" I trailed.

"It isn't up for debate." Slade deadpanned.

I tore my gaze away from him and stared at the food in front of me. What could I say? How could I protest? I couldn't. I could, but it wouldn't be a wise decision. I stabbed my food and shoved it down my throat without tasting it. I hated this place, I hated Slade, and I hated Wintergreen.

I wanted out. I was in pain, my arm still throbbed, my neck hurt, my head hurt…my soul hurt.

Slade stood from his chair and walked out of the kitchen without saying so much as a word to either of us. I scarfed down the rest of my food and stood to go as well, but was stopped by a strong hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Wintergreen's kind eyes looking back at me.

"Sit down, son. This won't take long," he said calmly. He pulled my chair back out and gestured to it. I looked from him to the chair and back again with a loud sigh. Wintergreen cleared the dishes from the table and put them in the sink. He left the room and came back moments later with a small black case. I watched as he pulled out a comb, some scissors, a spray bottle full of water, and a small, hand held trimmer. He covered me with the apron and began spraying my dark hair with the water.

"Mr. Wintergreen, this really isn't necessary…" I tried.

"Hush, now, Dick. This is Slade's orders and they will be followed. Do not give me grief over this," He said sternly. I closed my eyes and waited for the snip snip that I knew would follow.

I wasn't disappointed. I watched long strands of hair fall to the floor and into my lap. Slade knew this would hurt my pride. He already held me captive with my friends' lives dangling under my nose on a thin string. He had me. Why did he want to tear me down even further? So he could build himself up in the criminal world? I could feel my pride draining with each snip. Every hair that fell from my head represented another small part of me that Slade now controlled. I hated it. I listened as the trimmers buzzed to life, and felt the cool metal slide up my neck to rid my skin of any hair there. I looked up as Slade re-entered the kitchen. He looked me over and stepped up to me and ran his fingers through my hair. I shivered at the contact.

"Shorter," he said bluntly.

"As you wish," Wintergreen said.

"Wait, what? No," I protested as I began to rise from my seat. I was shoved back down by two strong hands. Slade's eye was glaring down at me as he held me down firmly.

"Try to get up again, and I'll secure you to the wall. Clear?" he warned.

"Slade, don't do this. You alre-AH!" My head jerked to the side in response to the strong backhand from Slade.

"Clear?" he growled.

"Yes," I seethed. I felt a sharp sting on the other side of my face.

"Don't test me, Dick," Slade warned dangerously.

"Yes, master," I spat. Slade stepped back and nodded at Wintergreen who commenced with cutting my hair off. I watched as shorter pieces of hair fell amongst the longer strands. Once he was done, Wintergreen removed the cover and let me up. I raised a hand to my head to wipe the itchy hair away and felt my heart sink at how short my hair was. Just a few minutes prior, it was long and healthy. Now it was short and stubbly.

"Damn," I whispered under my breath. My head jerked forward as I received a rather forceful smack on the back of my head from Wintergreen.

"We've discussed this," He stated firmly.

"Yeah…right." I answered.

"Cheer up, Dick," Slade said, "It looks much better now anyway."

"Yeah, like I'm taking fashion advice from the man who hides behind an ugly mask," I said bluntly.

"Do you need a lesson in respect so soon after arriving?" Slade growled as he advanced on me.

"Maybe. Whatever drug you gave me on the plane sure as hell didn't help with my memory, you sick psychopath," I answered. Why the hell am I so stupid?

"You're lucky your hair is short," Slade spat.

"No thanks to you," I yelled. I just didn't know when to shut up.

I saw stars as the fist made contact with my left cheek and again on the right. His fist connected with my stomach, sending the air from my lungs. I slumped to my knees, gasping for air. Damn bastard. Slade's boot connected with my ribs. Pain exploded in my broken arm as he placed his foot on top of it and pressed down. I bit back any cries of pain that wished to escape as Slade sent a kick to my chest.

"Thank you for your services, Will. We'll be going now," Slade said darkly.

"No…" I choked out. Slade gripped the hard plaster cast in his fist and drug me through the door. I managed to stumble to my feet as he drug me along.

"Wait…Slade. I-don't," I mumbled.

"Shut up," he spat.

Slade opened a heavy metal door and released my arm. I couldn't see anything beyond the thresh hold of the door, and I didn't hear anything either. I looked up at Slade in confused caution. He shoved me forward.

"Watch your step," he warned. He pulled a small chain from the ceiling and a single bulb illuminated the way in front of me. I looked down to see an uneven, hazardous looking staircase that led down into darkness. Everything about this was ominous.

I was walking to my doom voluntarily. This man was going to beat me all to hell and I wasn't even putting up a fight. What the hell happened to me?

"Slade-I…where are we going?" I asked carefully as I descended into the darkness. Probably to a place where no one will hear me scream…

He didn't give me an answer, so, I continued to make my way down the squeaky staircase. I almost tripped when I came to the floor and tried to keep going down. Slade paid it no mind and disappeared into the darkness. I was blinded when the lights flooded the darkness. I blinked awkwardly a few times to get my vision adjusted to the sudden change. When I got my act together, what I saw in Slade's basement blew my mind. As far as I was concerned, Slade had brought me to a small house in the middle of nowhere. So, why in the name of creation did he have a massive haunt in the basement? Seriously, his plane was down here, along with a number of other forms of transportation. He had weapons, hundreds of weapons lining the walls. Guns, knives, swords, throwing stars, boomerangs…you name it. Not to mention he had a full gym, sparring ring, a pool…where the hell were we? How did he even get this stuff down here?! I must have looked pretty stupid as I was taking it all in.

"Impressed?" Slade asked with a lilt in his voice.

"Yeah…How did you...Where did this…how?"

Slade didn't respond as I looked at the various weapons on the wall. There were so many! Some I had seen, some I hadn't, some I had used, and most I hadn't.

Javelins, numb chucks, maces, staffs, tridents, and…

My eyes locked on a section of weapons on the wall. The sight of them sent shivers down my spine, and one of them I recognized. I forgot about Slade standing right behind me and walked toward the wall where it was hanging.

I lifted the coiled leather off the wall and held it in my grasp, inspecting it. It smelled of blood.

It was woven in a tight pattern, thick at the base and thin at the top with a metal tip.

The deep brown whip was the very one that had left the scars across my back a month and a half ago. My hand shook lightly as I looked it over. It was sturdy, heavy. Effective.

I flinched wildly, dropping the bull whip when Slade's voice sounded right behind me.

"I wouldn't hesitate to use it again."

"No…I mean...that is…you-I-I-that…you won't have to…I-" I didn't know what to say. I knew he wouldn't hesitate if he got it in his mind I deserved it. "It won't be necessary," I muttered.

Slade had a peculiar spark in his eye. He bent down to pick the whip up off the floor where I had dropped it.

"It belonged to my father," he said, "needless to say, I know the pain you felt."

I turned to look at him, my eyes wide at his proclamation. Was he lying? Did he have scars on his back just like I did? I was suddenly very curious…but I wasn't sure if I wanted to know. I didn't want to relate to him like that. But…if he knew the pain…what in the world made him think it was an appropriate punishment? If he knew…why would he wish that on anyone? Even if it is his enemy…someone he didn't care about.

But he wanted me as an apprentice, someone he might have cared at least a little something about, so why did he use it on me?

Slade rolled the whip back up and replaced it on the wall where I had taken it from, allowing his hand to linger on it a moment longer before turning to me.

"Scars are just scars, Dick. We all have them. They just make us stronger, don't you agree?"

"I guess. But sometimes they could have been avoided…" I trailed, "You have them too, then? From the…the whip, I mean." Slade shook his head with a small laugh.

"Yes, Dick. I do," he responded. I looked away from. So…that was one thing we had in common.

We had both been beaten by strong, pissed off men. Was I surprised? I don't know…it begged the question…

What kind of father did he have that he would beat his son with a whip?

"Come on," Slade gestured with his hand and we walked to the back of the room, which happened to be HUGE.

My emotions were all conflicted as I looked over what awaited me there. Anger, joy, hate, curiosity, confusion, fear…everything mixed together and launched itself at my heart as I stared at the gymnast equipment there. Why? What was the point?

"What?" I deadpanned.

"You're an acrobat, Dick. There's no hiding that. I see it when you fight, I see it in the way you walk and hold yourself. It's unique. You will continue to train as an acrobat and you will use your skills to hone in your battle techniques. I will help you create a fighting style all your own."

My heart clenched at his words. How dare he?

"My fighting style is fine. It's already different because I'm an acrobat. I don't need to change it."

"You do, and you will."

"No. That's not what acrobatics is for. I won't take what my parents taught me and pervert into something as sinister as fighting. Especially not for you," I spat.

"I don't think you understand how patient I've been with you this morning, boy. I've reached my limit."

"Patient?! How the hell is strangling me and beating me down being patient?!" I snapped.

I heard a low growl come from Slade. Anger flashed through his eye as he stepped closer to me. I backed away and put my hands up.

"N-no. Wait, I didn't mean it!"

"On the contrary, Dick. You and I both know you meant it. Whether you meant to say it out loud is another matter entirely." Slade grabbed my wrists and pulled me close. "I'm going to teach you how to mind that tongue of yours."

"Please don't. I'm sorry" I pleaded.

"I promised Will I wouldn't punish you today for your past transgressions. He seems to think I need to be softer."

I looked at him in confusion. Softer? How was he being softer? Granted, I didn't have any more broken bones yet…but was he really going to keep that promise?

"I am a man of my word, Dick."

"What have you ever done to prove that to me?"

"I have not punished you today for your past transgressions."

I rolled my eyes. He was so stupid.

"Do not try me, Dick. For your past mistakes, you will be pardoned. However, disrespect will absolutely not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?"

I nodded softly, waiting for him to release me. When he did, I pulled back and stepped away from him.

"Follow me, apprentice, we have things to do."

Slade led me over to a work table covered in spare parts. Wires, nuts, bolts, batteries…this was Cyborg's area of expertise. Not mine…

He went into a long spiel about direct currents and wiring. Some of the information I knew, some was new to me. Slade walked me through basic electrical and robotics skills. In the process, he created a small robot that rolled across the table by itself. It wasn't advanced in any way…a child could do it. I did come away from the lesson with a few new tips and tricks, but it certainly wasn't anything I wanted him teaching me. He didn't stop there, though. He spoke about computer systems, firewalls, viruses and the like. I couldn't do much, but he also made me do my best at a one handed spar with him. Naturally I lost miserably and came out of it with a few new cuts and bruises. I did the best I could to keep my tongue in check, which was a huge accomplishment considering all of the things I could have said. I'm only human though. I did spew some disrespectful comments and hateful backtalk, which was met with a sharp slap to my face, brutal jab in the ribs, a torturous blow to my cast, or some other form of pain. At the end of the day, upon looking in the small mirror in the bathroom, new bruises had formed on my jaws, and deep purple bruises decorated my neck. It led me to wonder…

Did he feel even the least bit sorry throughout the day? He saw them. Dark purple black stripes…the shapes of his fingers across my neck. He knew he put them there…but did he care? Was there any remorse at all? I touched the bruises lightly with my fingers. They were sore and would remain for a few days. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle…but still. Was he so cold hearted that he didn't care? Even a little. I never saw him looking and he never said anything about it. Never hinted…

Then there was the bruises and cuts on my face. Did he feel anything about those? Any remorse?

What about my hair?

My arm?

The scars?

The cuts?

The brand that graced my chest?

The whip wheels on my back?

Was there anything?

He wanted me as an apprentice… someone to follow in his footsteps. Someone to train. Someone to be like him. Someone he could trust, and in turn trust him. Someone who was loyal…

He kidnapped me for that very purpose. Did he not recognize that he would actually have to put up with me? Take care of me? Treat me like a human being rather than some pack animal? I relied on him for everything now…he knew that…so why did he have to resort to this? Doesn't he know that the first step he has to take to gain my trust is that I must first be able to trust him? There was no way I trusted a man who beat me for the smallest comment. In order for me to be loyal to him, he must first be loyal to me.

They were just thoughts…but…what if he did?

But what if he stopped treating me like an animal? What if he did take care of me? What if…what if he stopped beating me? Did I want that? Did I need that? What would happen then? Would I start to trust him?

Would he trust me?

Batman didn't.

The Titans don't.

Jason didn't.

Tim didn't.

Surely Slade wouldn't.

He wouldn't, of course. I'd been with him for months and he hasn't changed in the least. That would never change. He would never give me a chance to try to gain his trust. So, all we would ever be is kidnapper and victim. Torturer and the beaten.

Robin and Slade.

Hero and Villain.

It had been almost five months…

No one had come for me. Batman…hadn't come for me. He has Barbara, Tim, Jason, Alfred, and now the Titans. There's no way they hadn't found me yet. So what were they waiting for?

Of course…I didn't even know where I was, so how would they?

How couldn't they? They had their resources. Jason had the criminal world, Tim had the cyber world, Bruce had the hero world, and Barbara had access to everything. The Titans…we were spread all over the world. Surely they all knew I was missing. They would have been on the lookout. Someone should have found me.

I'd have to find my location. Once I knew that, I could…I could what? Jump Slade and Will? Run? Call for help?

Even if I knew where I was, I couldn't get out alone. I couldn't send out a message, I couldn't contact anyone. That much had already be determined. After what I did back in Jump, there's no way Slade would let me anywhere near a computer or transmitter of any kind.

I was losing hope. I wasn't going to make it through this with my will power. He was going to beat me down into a moldable dough and reshape me into what he wanted me to be.

A thief.

A killer.

His apprentice.

So? Did I do alright?

I really loved having them both have the scars...it seems...fitting. I don't know. Did you like it or not and why?

Once again, I've been really busy.

The chances of me updating again anytime soon are slim, but I will be updating in order. So, after this, I'll update Stygian, then Resurrection, then the Family of Slade Wilson, then back to this.

Next chapter is Slade's POV for this.

GUYS, PLEASE LEAVE ME IDEAS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS AND THE LIKE. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT SLADE TO DO TO ROBIN, AND KEEP IN MIND I DON'T WRITE SLASH. I'LL WRITE TORTURE, FLUFF, WHATEVER. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. I NEED YOU. I KNOW I FAILED YOU ALL, BUT UNLESS YOU WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR FOR AN UPDATE, I NEED YOUR REVIEWS.

Y'all have a great day, stay warm, and smile at a stranger. :)