A/N: Here we go, the next instalment. I'll just leave this here and let you read :)

The Secretary - Chapter 20

It had been almost three weeks since Robin and Slade had parted ways. The raven-haired man had just gotten home from an interview early this Monday morning when Alex and Roy had shown up at his apartment and kidnapped him to the mall. Alex had claimed that it was Raven's birthday soon and that he wanted help picking out a gift for her. They also had the morning free since that evening they were going to be doing some last minute touch ups for the EXPO steadily approaching next week.

"Why in the hell did I agree to go shopping with you again?" Robin asked thirty minutes later, while sounding completely exasperated. He was watching in scared astonishment as Alex viciously attacked a paper bag that housed his precious newly bought candy. They had literally just left the store...they weren't even ten feet away and he had already begun to stuff his face full of sugar. "That can't be healthy," the raven-haired man mumbled.

"Don't worry, I will still love you when your as big as an elephant," Roy said, grinning at his lover. He quickly snagged a piece of licorice before his husband had a chance to eat it all.

"Hey! That's mine," Alex growled rudely, trying to snag his sacred treasure back. Roy just smirked and quickly smacked the offending hand away, throwing the candy in his mouth, chewing and swallowing. The assistant gave a startled, pitiful noise when he realized that he wouldn't be getting the licorice back.

"Really?" Roy scoffed at his husbands behaviour. "Its not like you will miss one piece, geez," he laughed, used to Alex and his quirks. Alex scoffed and started walking ahead towards a few clothing stores, completely ignoring both of them.

"Unbelievable," Robin said, staring after the long-haired man.

Roy grinned at him and wrapped his arm around the blue-eyed beauty's shoulder, pulling him close, ushering them both after Alex when he began to get too far away. "My life is never boring," he says fondly in Robin's ear, tickling the hairs on the nape of his neck. The young prodigy feels a shiver race down his spine. It causes flashes in his mind of their drunken night together, bursting pleasure, sweaty bodies, hard, hot, pounding , over and over ...yes yes...fuck!... it all comes rushing back. It is at this point that Robin is overcome with a sudden thought.

"Do you think Slade did what he did because of us?"

"Because of...?" Roy suddenly understands exactly what Robin is talking about. "No, no way that was just fooling around."

"But, do you think it pushed him away? I knew he was a little jealous...but...was it my fault?"

Roy can't help but feel sadness when he sees how uncertain Robin is. How even after three weeks he was still over thinking everything that had happened that day. Slade had really hurt the young man. Even though they had only really, technically, been just starting to see each other, it was obvious that Robin had been hit hard by Slade's blow.

The short-haired man quickly wraps his arms around Robin's waist and kisses him softly. "This was not your fault."

"Logically I know that, but feelings are lame as fuck," Robin quips out, grinning slightly. Roy liked to think it was because he had kissed him that had put him in a better mood.

"HEY?!" They both heard a shout from down the hall. It was Alex, annoyed. "Are you guys coming or not? We need to find the perfect gift for Raven, this is important! We only have an hour before we need to be at the office."

"You were the one too busy stuffing your face with candy," Robin yelled back. It didn't take them long to make their way over to where the long-haired man was standing. He grinned at both of them and grabbed Robin's hand in his own, pulling him towards an escalator that went downstairs.

After finally deciding that Raven would like a full DVD and Book set of Harry Potter, courtesy of Alex, "she loves this stuff, she has written fan fiction about two of the main characters, I have yet to find her user name and she refuses to tell me" "how do you know this?" followed by "I don't think she would want you telling people that." They were finally heading towards Robin's apartment to drop him off.

They were in the blue Jeep less than two minutes before Robin's cell phone began ringing. It was an UNKNOWN number.

"Hello?"

"Is this Robin Grayson?"

"Speaking?"

"Hello Robin!" It was a female voice. Something about it seem vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "I tried to reach you at Wilson Enterprises dear, but they told me that you no longer work there. What has happened?"

"I...uh, who is this?"

"Alexandra Simone, don't tell me you've forgotten our lunch meeting so soon after it happened. I was quite impressed by you, I must say, I assumed a smart man like Slade would know to keep someone like you around, but I guess that would not be that case, right?"

"Ms. Simone, I am so sorry I didn't recognize you!"

"Nonsense Robin, why are you no longer in Mr. Wilson's employ? I thought I told you to keep a hold of that one, hmm?"

"He...he let me go, unfortunately." At least that was as much the truth as anything. "I guess he didn't see me as a good fit and decided he didn't want me there anymore." Robin felt his heart speed up a little bit. If Alexandra Simone didn't know what had transpired that day between Slade and himself then he knew right away that the CEO had covered it up. Probably spending a lot of money to do so.

"Ludicrous that man couldn't take his eyes off of you."

Yeah, its time to get off this subject.

"Um, so since you know that I am no longer Mr. Wilson's secretary am I to speculate that this is not a call for business purposes?" Robin couldn't keep the smile out of his voice when he then added. "I thought that you didn't 'particularly like to be wooed.'"

Ms. Simone's beautiful laughter could be heard over the phone.

"I'll get right to the point then. I have been invited to a prestigious event and would like to bring a date. Preferably someone who is beautiful and intelligent but will also not want to get into my pants at the end of the evening. I immediately thought of you, young Robin." The woman sounded completely sincere. It managed to make the raven-haired man blush.

"You want me to be your plus one?"

"But of course, that was the reason I was calling, but knowing what I know now ...I am also tempted to offer you a corporate position within my company."

Robin couldn't help but gasping. "and you are offering me a job?"

What the hell?

"Well, attend this event with me and maybe well talk after we dance, I would be foolish not to scoop you up now that you are available."

Robin was gaping at the two redheads who had been quietly listening to the conversation. They had just pulled up to Robin's building.

"Say yes!" Alex cracked the silence, sounding like he thought it was the obvious answer.

"Y-yes, I would love to go as your date."

"Perfect. Wonderful. I will text you all the detailing info of where and when. So, until then Mr. Grayson you have a nice afternoon. I look forward to seeing you soon."

The phone clicked and she was gone.

"Oh my god did that actually just happen?"

"Uh yeah."

"What are the odds, right?" Roy said, sounding a little suspicious.

"See Roy! I told you that karma actually exists, Robin gets bitch slapped by life and this is what happens."

"Yeah...karma," Roy mumbles, not sounding sure.

There was one thing, well maybe a few things, that Slade had learned about Roy Harper over the years that he had been employed with Wilson Enterprise. Things that had secured a lasting and valued position within his company for as long as he wanted it. While Roy could be just as chaotic as his loathed husband, there was always another edge to him. A persona that emerged when he became passionate about something. He could flick it on as easy as a light switch and become serious, intelligent, focused and professional. His work for Slade's company time and time again was a testament to that claim.

When Roy had stepped into his office unannounced, late Tuesday night after most of the employees had gone home and only the city lights against a fading light backdrop were seen Slade saw that edge in the redheads expression.

"May I come in?"

Slade studied the man's face as he nodded his head. Roy only took a few steps inside the CEO's office before he began to speak once more.

"Look," he couldn't help but sigh. He seemed conflicted. "I never meddle. I stay away, I let you run your business as you see fit. I never question, not really. I do what you pay me to do. That's what pays the bills and all that, even though my husband and I can get a little crazy," Roy turned and glanced out into the darkened city. "I am grateful that you have allowed my lover and I employment here for as long as you have."

"Is there a point to all this?" Slade narrowed his eyes slightly, calculating. He had a pretty good idea where this was headed...

"I want you to know that I have fallen for Robin. My husband has fallen for him, most of all. But, I can't say that I blame him. I think that with a bit of time, we could make him fall in love with us too. But, really, I'm not here to talk about my weird relationship with my lover and our choices..." he trailed off, glancing away.

Slade felt a searing stab of jealously at the thought of Robin with them, at the thought that the blue-eyed man having already been with them.

"Then exactly what are you here for, because I can tell you right now I am not impressed."

Roy's dark blue eyes were conflicted as they stared into Slade's own. "I am giving you a chance to get him back."

Slade's sharp, bark of a laughter cut him off. "I don't need anything from you."

"If you don't make this right, then I can't promise you that he won't be ours. I am trying to tell you to make a move, any move, something...there is still a chance...there is!"

"If you are so fond of him, why not just claim him for yourself? Why bother saying anything to me at all?"

"Because while he could be happy with us, he wants you. He wants you on every level there is and I think that every person should be able to feel that way about someone. Its the way I feel about my husband after all."

"One kid," Slade sneers out through gritted teeth. He just sounds so frustrated. "One kid walks into this office for two months and everyone is in an uproar. How has one punk managed to uproot an entire working atmosphere in only two months? Its just ridiculous. All of you, Rose, William, your husband, need to mind their own business before you all find yourself without a job."

"Maybe we are all fighting it so hard because we saw how you were with each other! How can you deny it?"

"This conversation is over! Get out of my office before you are fired!"

"You would fire me for speaking my mind?"

"I have fired people for less." Slade's glare was overwhelming. It made Roy deflate a little bit under its intensity.

"Yeah, I've seen just how you fire people." He had been there that day after all. Stunned stone still and completely blindsided. Just like they all had been, Robin especially. Why am I trying to help him again?Robin should be with us.

"Is your job really worth some kid?" Slade means for it to sound sarcastic and harsh, but it doesn't quite get there.

"Yeah, because that kid well, he will always be worth fighting for." It was then that Roy quickly left the office, slamming the door on his way out.

Did I just almost fire Roy Harper?

Slade's thoughts were so muddled the next day that he left a little earlier than usual. He had gotten into his car and had meant to go home but had gone in a different direction, towards the one place he knew he shouldn't. Robin's apartment.

The CEO sat parked outside Robin's building for an hour before he decided that he needed to get a grip and quickly left. He sped down the street and spent the next hour and a half driving around a little out of it, a lot on his mind.

Slade eyed a small convenience store located on a side street and ended up stopping and parking beside it on the road. The small shop was pretty busy considering its location and the man quickly grabbed a bottle of water and waited in line to pay for his purchase.

It wasn't until the CEO left the store, heading for his car that he got the shock of his life.

Robin...

Robin's cold cold blue eyes stared into Slade's like nothing ever had. It was a look that the CEO had never seen on the raven-haired man's face before. Slade had a hard time masking his own features as hundreds of things all flashed through his mind at once. They had literally just run into each other. It was the first time they were face-to-face. Of course, the CEO had been been known to park out in front of Robin's building in a nondescript car and wait for his ex-employee to come home...

Maybe everyone really can see what I am missing. If the businessman didn't care, then he would have stayed away. What is it about him that continues to draw me in?

Even like this he is still beautiful.

Slade fully expected the young man to start shouting, to scream profanities, accusations, something...But, the cold expressionless face that was looking back at him threw him for a loop. He was at a loss.

To say that Robin was in shock was an understatement.

What is he doing here?!

His truest, immediate feeling was a spike of rage that shot up from his gut and pierced his chest. It spread out and engulfed him. All he could do was stare at Slade and even though he wanted to let that fierce anger explode out of him, he couldn't even form the words to do so. They were stuck in his throat.

The tension was unbearable.

Finally after what seemed like minutes, he glanced away, placing his hands inside his jean jacket and began walking home. He hadn't taken his car as the store wasn't that far from his place, plus he always enjoyed being outside. It was obvious that Slade was just as surprised to see him as he was. The blue-eyed man didn't think he could stand to hear what the businessman had to say to him, or even if he had anything to say at all.

Probably the latter, his mind said numbly. So, yeah, it was a little cowardly, but he turned around and left before the CEO could even say a word. He didn't know what would be worse: hearing Slade admit that he had only been a means to an end, a silly game or something else, something dangerous, like maybe he made a mistake that...

It wasn't long before Robin heard the sound of a car roaring to life behind him. But by then he had already rounded a corner onto the next street, out of sight.

Yeah, that's what I thought...even in his mind he hadn't been able to stop the small flutter of longing...of a hope that maybe Slade would say something, do something...explain or apologize or...

Ha! He's already done enough, his mind screams at him. Ugh! God what is wrong with me I should hate his fucking guts.

When Robin had first decided to head up to the convenience shop that was only a few blocks from his home, he had every intention of going straight back to his apartment afterwards and drowning himself in popcorn and movies all night. He had never thought he would see Slade...and so close to his place...

The raven-haired man made an unexpected turn on a few streets over and began heading in a different direction, away from his building. He wasn't exactly sure where he was going, all he knew was that he was suddenly in need of a good long walk to clear his head.

It had become pitch black a few hours later, the sun having set long ago. Robin had been walking for a couple hours now. After having stopped at a small 24/7 cafe shop half way across town to get a coffee, he finally found himself in front of a local beach that was closed in by a lot of beautiful trees. The area was deserted, considering it was almost one in the morning. The young man thought this was the perfect spot to enjoy the night air and be alone with his thoughts. Living in the heart of a city meant it was always noisy, it had been a long time since it had been this quiet and calm.

He stayed there for another hour or so until he started to shiver, deciding that enough was enough and he should probably figure out a way to get home.

He saw headlights pull into the parking area for the beach, only feet away from the sand and divider marked with chains going across five spaces. Somehow Robin did and didn't expect Slade to emerge from the vehicle.

"What are you doing here?" Robin spat out when the man came closer. Did he follow me here?! I must be miles from my apartment.

"I followed you here."

" Yeah, evidently," he says, mocking.

"Look we need to talk-"

"No, we are done talking, we are done everything."

"Let me explain-"

"Its done, you've made your point! I get it Slade Wilson, I fucking get it. You win."

"Robin please-"

"You don't care!" Robin shouts, throwing his hands up. "You have made that abundantly clear, one-hundred percent clear, a lesson that I will never forget." He softly touches his neck, quickly running his thumb and forefinger across each side of his throat. His chest aches uneasy and he knows his hurt thoughts are flashing across his blue eyes. "Jesus, I am leaving...I need to get the hell away from here."

"Stop!"

"No, fuck off!" He side steps the man's attempt to get close to him. Quickly making his way onto the sidewalk. He wasn't even sure if this was the direction to his apartment, he just knew that he needed to be anywhere but here.

"You don't understand..."

"I understand plenty."

"No!" Slade is then tugging on Robin's arm, practically making him spin in a circle, while he used both hands to steady him and hold on . The raven-haired man looks as if he is about to lose his cool on the CEO, snarling angry words and trying to untangle his arms from Slade's grip on them. "You don't understand because ...because I actually do care! About you..."

Oh shit, flashes across Slade's mind.

It took three seconds for all the fight to drain out of Robin's body. His mouth opened, eyes widening. It wasn't long before he startled into a burst of harsh laughter. It sounded dry and sarcastic.

"You don't care about me!"

They were so close now, Slade could see the true anger and anguish that etched into Robin's features so easily. As if he had truly been so affected because of what the CEO had done.

Of course he had been. Slade knew when to exploit a weakness after all. The businessman only felt bitterness at his thought when he saw the state that he had put his ex-secretary in. It made him do something so incredible stupid he was surprised he couldn't stop himself.

He leaned down and kissed him. He was surprised when Robin didn't immediately try to punch him in the face.

Oh god, Oh god...I want to hate you, I want to hate this...

Slade was kissing him with passion, with emotion. It made him melt for a moment, a single moment when Robin felt right and happy and warm ...until reality came crashing in. The young prodigy ripped his mouth away, panting slightly.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?!" The young man demanded.

"Get off of me," Robin growled when the man said nothing, finally managing to push him a few feet away. He started shaking and appeared to be loosing his cool and Slade found himself feeling extremely guilty because of it. "'You don't pay for that privilege anymore', right? Ha! I was such a fool, such a fucking fool."

"Robin...!"

"What?!" the young man roared, fists clenched and looking like he was ready to start swinging.

"I made a mistake, I am sorry-"

"That's all you have to say?!" Robin shouted, he was pacing back and forth in front of Slade's vehicle. Suddenly, the blue-eyed mans' forearm swung out and smashed Slade's passenger side window into pieces with the force of it. The sound caused the CEO to jump. Robin was shaking with his anger. The older man could see blood beginning to creep to the surface of Robin's jean jacket, staining the fabric a dark red.

"Your hurt," Slade said, trying to come closer to inspect the damage.

He never got the chance. Robin, who was stalking a few feet away towards a metal green garbage can the beach used for swimmers that was a third of his size. Slade's eyes widened as the blue-eyed man lifted the object and began using it as a bludgeon against Slade's car.

To say that the CEO was shocked was an understatement.

So...his anger got the best of him, what the hell did he care?

Every time Robin used his weapon of choice to smash another side window, dent a door or bumper, every scrape and scratch that he inflicted made him feel good. It felt like justice. To inflict as much aggression into that car as Slade had created in him.

The fact that the CEO didn't once try to stop him in his rampage made him very smug.

Minutes later, after he had drained his energy and emotions, he tossed the caved in garbage can on the ground next to the car. Robin was panting as he chanced a look at Slade's astonished face. The car was a wreck, still drivable obviously with the windshield still fully in tact, but he would probably be pulled over by the police if he attempted it.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin apologized, his tone anything but remorseful.

"Robin..." the ex-secretary had never heard the businessman say his name so many times in such a short period.

The blue-eyed man was struck silent when he saw pain and frustration flash across the CEO's eyes.

If he didn't care he would have stopped me from trashing his car...

He said he cared about me...

No, all he wanted to do was hurt me, did hurt me...

I miss him...fuck fuck what is wrong with me?!

...it doesn't excuse what he did.

Please.

When Robin couldn't dare to look at Slade anymore, he bolted. Running as fast as he could in any direction, just wanting to be away from the man. Slade shouted for him, but the younger of the two continued running, glad that it didn't appear that he was being followed.

He ran for a solid fifteen minutes straight until he closed in on a diner that was 24 hour. He didn't bother to go inside, only stayed behind the building. It didn't take him long to grab his phone and begin dialling.

"Hello...?" Alex's voice was sleep-filled and not very coherent.

"Alex, its...its Robin I need you guys to come get me...I just, fuck! I just need someone to come get me I don't have my vehicle." He couldn't help but sigh and run a hand through his hair. He hadn't realized he'd been shaking until he felt his trembling hand on his head. It was there that he realized that his arm was bleeding quite a lot.

"Robin? What- are you okay?"

"I'm not fine, I just really need someone to pick me up please-"

"Okay okay, text me where you are I am gonna wake up Roy and we'll see you soon babe."

"Please hurry."

"Anything for you love."

A/N: The garbage cans that occupy beaches where I live are roughly 4feet and are made of solid metal. I have had that scene in my head and in my notes long before this chapter. Next chapter has some steamy bits in it, so stay tuned for that ;)