Chapter Two: Discussing the Past, Pondering the Present and what to do Next

Batboy quietly sat in one of the Titans guest rooms, pondering his odd situation. What was he to do? He couldn't reveal himself as Bruce Wayne, he didn't want that to get out. He needed to downplay his role with the Titans as much as possible. Robin walked in and sat down beside him. "I have to ask you something."

"What would that be?" Batboy replied.

"Have you heard of a man named Slade?"

"No. Can't say that I have. Who is he?"

"I don't know. That's why I was asking you."

"Why do you want information about this Slade?"

"He's a criminal mastermind, and I'm going to take him down."

"I don't know Dick, this Slade sounds dangerous. I don't think you should-"

"See? See Bruce? You haven't changed a bit. You still treat me like I'm a kid!" Robin began to pace around the room, his voice rose. "You were like this when we fought Joker. You were always worried that I'd get hurt. You're so overprotective!"

"Can I help that Dick? And keep your voice down! Do you want your friends to hear us?"

"No. And don't call me 'Dick.'"

"Why? It's your name, isn't it?" Batman asked.

"Well no one here knows that," Robin admitted. "I haven't told them yet. So what have you been doing?"

"You know. The usual. But...I did meet a young man who says he met you."

"Met me?" Robin asked. "When?"

"In Gotham. The night your parents died. He said his name is Tim Drake and that he got his picture taken with you before it happened. He told me he knew who we were and...He told me I needed another Robin."

"Another Robin?" Robin looked confused. "So, what did you do?"

"I did what I thought was best. I took him under my wing. He's my new protege, he is Robin III."

"I see. Still getting over Jason?"

"Yes. That's the first time...I couldn't save somone. It was the first time...I failed." Batman shook his head. "Do you know what that does to me?"

"Yes, I know how you feel," Robin replied. "Often I feel like I failed you. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't good enough."

"Don't you ever say that Dick. You never failed me."

They heard a knock at the door and jumped. Cyborg walked in and asked. "Hey, what's going on?"

"What have you heard?" Batboy demanded.

"What do you mean heard?" Cyborg asked.

"Our conversation," Robin said, "What did you hear?"

"Nothing. I just got here."

"You better not have heard anything," Batboy said. "Becuase I'll kick your butt!"

Cyborg stared at Batboy funny. What's he talking about? he thought. Weird.

"So, Robin, have you ever heard of Deathstroke?" Batboy asked.

"No, who's he?" Robin was curious.

"I'm trying to remember...He's an assassin/mercenary. He's taken a lot of jobs around Gotham...assassination attempts...that sort of thing. He vanished without a trace...and I've been tracking him since. Last I heard, he was here."

"An assassin? Here? Whoa!" Cyborg exclaimed in shock. "Listen, I don't have time to chat. Have to fix the car. Tell me what ya find later, 'kay?"

"Sure," Robin said and Cyborg left the room.

"Listen Robin, I need to use your computer," Batboy said.

"Sure," he replied. "I'll come with you. I need to do some research on Slade. Come with me. I"ll take you to my case room. I have all the information on Slade in there."

Batboy followed Robin down the long hallway until they came to a room. Robin opened the door and they entered. "This is all the information I have on Slade." He pointed to the walls at the pictures and newspaper clippings. Batboy was impressed. Obviously, this was very inportant to Robin. "This," Robin reached down and picked up a Slade mask, "Is his mask."

"It can't be!" Batboy looked shocked. "He eludes me only to come and do battle with you!"

"Bruce, you fought Slade?" Robin's voice filled with disbelief. "When?"

"In Gotham. He calls himself "Deathstroke" and he's the one behind the asssassination attempts. Of all the luck!"

"Luck?" Robin was skeptical. "You call that luck?"

"You don't understand Robin. The Justice League has been looking for him for a long time." Batboy pulled out his communicator. "Wonder Girl, Superman, Green Lantern, I've got some good news for you," Batboy said as he signaled them.

Wonder Girl picked up, "Bruce are you in Jump City?"

"Yes."

"Where are you?"

"Titans Tower. Giant "T" shaped building. Can't miss it."

"Good. We'll be there. What's the 'good news' you have for us?"

"I've found Deathstroke."

"Here? You're kidding!"

"No, he's here alright. Dick's fought him frequently."

"You are kidding." Wonder Girl's voice was filled with disbelief.

"I'm not. Listen. I need you to contact Tim."

"The other Robin? Why?"

"We'll make Slade see double."

"Slade? Is that Deathstroke's real name?"

"Yes. When you all get here, we'll take him down for good this time," Batboy's voice set with determination.

"Okay, Bruce. Don't get hurt, okay?" Wonder Girl's voice was concerned. "We'll be there shortly." The communication ended.

"So why are you calling this Tim Drake here?" Robin asked.

"He's my Robin, while you're the Robin with the Teen TItans. He only knows about you. He doesn't know there's another. And when we fight him, he won't know which one is you."

"Is there a way to tell who's who? I assume he has my uniform."

"He does, but his is a slightly different design. It's so slight, however, it almost looks exactly like yours. Besides, Tim's been wanting to meet you for a long time. He never forgot you."

"Well maybe we'll meet him soon enough."

Beast Boy ran into the room. "Hey guys, the Justice League's here. And there all eight year olds!"

"You talk about 'shortly,'" Batboy muttered.

"Oh and there's this guy, and he has your suit Robin! It's freaky! He claims he's Robin, but you're Robin! So how are there two of you?"

"Yes Beast Boy that is Robin. Robin III," Batboy explained. "He's the one who fights with me in Gotham while Robin I kicks butt with you guys in Jump City."

"Oh. This is awesome! Superman's here!" Beast Boy was psyched up. "This is the coolest day of my life!"

"It's no big deal, really. We get around." Batboy looked at Robin. "Is he that random?" he asked.

"You better believe it. I think what you said just went over his head."

Let's go on out. It's time for you to meet Tim Drake."

---

Downstairs, the eight year od members of the Justice League waited for Batman. Accompanied by Tim Drake, Robin III, they were introducing themselves to the Teen Titans. Starfire was confused by seeing another Robin, but Wonder Girl explained that this Robin was Batman's sidekick and not the one she knew.

Raven said nothing, but watched with intent curiousity. Cyborg and Green Lantern were talking and it seemed they were getting along just fine. Superman saw Batboy and said, "Hey, you two made it." He smiled and shook Robin's hand, "Dick, so good to see you again." Robin was nervous. No one called him "Dick" anymore.

Tim Drake stepped forward. "Hello, Dick Grayson, I'm Tim Drake. I met you when you were a Flying Grayson a long, long time ago." The room went silent. The Titans stared at the two Robin's as they shook hands. Beast Boy managed to break the silence.

"Robin, did he just call you 'Dick'?"

"What does this name mean, 'Dick'?" Starfire asked.

"It's the nickname for the name Richard." Wonder Girl explained.

"You're name is Dick?" Raven asked. "You never told us that."

"There's a lot I haven't told you. It can wait 'til later." Robin I smiled.

"Listen Dick, I have something for you," Tim pulled out a small photo. "I kept it all this time, hoping I'd see you again." He handed him a small photograph, "I've made myself a copy. The original's for you."

Robin I stared at the photo, not saying much. He just kept staring at the picture in complete silence.

"Thank you. You don't know what this means to me." The Titans weren't sure what he was talking about, so they decided that it wasn't the time to ask. Raven, stood up. "I'm going to meditate. Don't bother me." She left the room.

Suddenly Beast Boy shouted, "Hey Wonder Girl your-whatever it is, is eating my tofu No one eats my Tofu!"

"So Sorry. Bad, bad Estrigan. Bad demon, bad. Now morph back will ya Jason?"

Suddenly this voice boomed out, "Gone, gone Estrigan, arise the form of man." And there was a small poof and Jason Blood stood puffing. "Hey, why am I a little kid?"

"It's a long story dude," Green Lantern said.

"So you found Deathstroke eh, ol' buddy?" Kiid Superman asked.

"Yep, and this time he won't be able to get away."

"How can you be sure?" Kid Superman asked.

"Because Robin," he nodded at Dick Grayson, "won't let him."

"So you're saying Batboy that the Justice League team up with the Teen Titans and take down Deathstroke?" Green Lantern asked, "Cool."

"Deathstroke?" Cyborg asked.

"Slade," Robin explained. "Well it's been a long day, let's get some sleep."

---

Raven was up on the roof. She had just finished meditating when she heard a noise behind her. She turned snf dse Batboy walk up beside her. "So, you like solitude, huh?"

"Yes, helps me meditate."

"I see. So, how is he?"

"Robin. He's his typical self. Why?"

"Tell me, why is obsessed with bringing Slade down?"

"Because...I honestly can't tell you why really. He just is..."

"I see. Nice view you got from here."

"Whatever."

Batboy chuckled. "I like your sense of humor. Anyway, they call you Raven, huh?"

"Yes. Hey, who's your friend?" Raven asked in monnotone as Estrigan came up and started staring at her in his Estrigan form. Obviously, Jason got bored.

"This is Estrigan. He's a-"

"Demon," Raven finished. Batboy Raised an eyrbrow.

"How'd you know?"

"Believe me. I know."

"Pretty Raven. Pretty. Where's mom?" Estrigan asked in a funny way.

"Don't know. You go find her." Estrigan loped off promptly looking for 'mom'.

"Mom?" Raven asked.

"Estrigan calls Wonder Girl his 'mom'. Weird attatchment thing. It's kind of odd." Batboy frowned. "How'd you know he was a demon?"

"Because I'm half demon." Raven answered.

"Oh, I won't ask. So, you're surrounded by people. Why do you like to be alone?"

"Because, it's just the way I am."

"I understand. I too, prefer to work alone," Batboy sat down beside her.

"You do? How do you know Robin?"

"Robin's relationship with me...is complicated. "

"You called him Dick earlier. Is that his real name?"

"His name is Richard Grayson. And he is...my son."

Raven eyebrow rose further. "Your son? Aren't you a little young for that?"

"I may look like a kid, but I'm actually an adult."

"That explains things. So, what about Robin?"

"The information I tell you must never leave this rooftop. Understand?"

Raven nodded. She was good at keeping secrets. She had plenty of her own.

"Robin at one time was a young boy named Richard "Dick" Grayson. His parents were murdered by Anthony Zucco. I adopted him and took him to live with me. He became my sidekick, Robin. It was the childhood nickname his mother gave him. We were together for awhile, but then after a confrontation with the Joker, Robin was injured and I took him off duty," Batboy sighed, "He always resented me for that. Anyway, he left me to form the Teen Titans and he hasn't contacted me since."

He looked off into the distant sunset. "Sometimes, I don't think I should have let him leave."

"Don't worry. It was for the best. We're needed around here." Raven comforted him as much as she could. "You did the right thing in letting him go."

"Do you swear to not say a word of this conversation to anyone else."

"I promise. Not a word will leave this roof," Raven promised sincerely.

"Good. If you do, I'll stick Estrigan on you and you don't wanna fight an angry demon."

"Hmm...I see. We'll I've already had my experience with fighting demons."

"Oh?" Batboy frowned.

"Let's just say I have issues with my father." Raven said solemnly.

"I see." Batboy smiled. "Let's get some rest."

"Alright. And Batboy...Thanks."

"For what?"

"Explaining some things."

Together, the Dark Knight and the mysterious Goth walked back into Titans Tower.