Stealing wasn't my thing, but unless I wanted to invoke Slade's anger towards me, I wouldn't fail.

The titans had given up looking for me, and since I struck out on my own, Bruce would have no way to find me, and yet for four years, I wished that he would.

Slade has had me under his thumb for four years, and he was terrifying when he was angry, it took him a year to make sure that I wouldn't leave before he had me go steal something.

A year.

It showed me that not only was Slade very serious in keeping me as his apprentice, but also the fact that he can beat the crap out of me if I step one little toe out of line.

It took me three years to get that into my head.

When I went out and stole anything, I'd avoid all heroes. It pained me to see them, and to know that I've betrayed my core values, but my fear of Slade outweighed my guilt.

I had a plan though, something I've spent about a month preparing.

I'm going to escape.

If I can escape long enough to get back to Bruce, then I'll gladly take that chance. It's better to live with Bruce than to live with your worst nightmare.

Slade is asleep, he keeps a strict sleeping schedule and expected me to do the same.

I got up and set my plan into motion, picking up the detonator, I planned to blow up part of the building when i was near the door, so it would mask me leaving.

i put my hand on the handle of the door, my thumb hovering over the detonation button.

i was going to finally be free of Slade, and I was going to go back to Bruce.

i took a deep calming breath, either this would work and i'd be free or he'd somehow find out, and i'd be dead.

either way i've got freedom.

i clicked the button, and pulled the door open just as the explosion rocked the building. i ran for my life, plunging into the darkness of night.

i didn't stop moving over the next several weeks, when i slept, i was never out in the open, i still had a couple of hours before nightfall, and i had finally made it into Gotham. There is a chance i'll run into batman, and i wonder if he'll recognize me? i've certainly grown, and my hair was buzzed off, i had gained some muscle mass, more than when i was Robin.

i can't ever dawn the Robin outfit ever again, because i had changed too much, maybe i'd come up with a new hero name, and make a new uniform, but first i have to find bruce.

the sun was set, and darkness covered Gotham, as far as i'm aware Slade never figured out my identity, but i could be wrong, the man knows as much or more than Batman himself, so i'm sacred he's going to come and find me.

i shook my head, and cleared my thoughts, i was waiting in the shadows of the police building roof, waiting for the bat to show, Gordan was up here too, but I didn't want to have our reunion in front of him, so i'm going to follow Bruce after he leaves. i heard the faint landing of feet that only someone that is as trained as i am, could hear it.

he grunted to get the commissioner's attention, and when Jim turned around, he jumped.

"you're going to give me a heart attack one day, you know that" bruce was just silent.

that's odd, normally he's more talkative with Jim Gordan.

"right... so joker's escaped, and we need you to catch him, he's got a hostage situation, and he's demanding you to come" Gordan said awkwardly.

bruce nodded, and gordan turned around, when he looked back batman was gone.

"commissioner Gordan" i greeted, stepping out of the shadows, my voice had gotten deeper, so i wasn't surprised when Commissioner Gordan jumped, and pulled out his gun.

"who are you?" he demanded, i put my hands up in a surrender gesture.

"it's robin"

"robin died"

"no, i didn't, is that what everyone said?" i asked

"the justice league came out with the news three years ago, he died in an explosion, and robin doesn't wear that much black, so i'll ask again, who are you" he sounded angry that i was even suggesting that i was robin. i looked down at my all black suit, it had slade's S on it, and had a half black half orange tunic.

"i really am Robin, when i was nine, and you first saw me, i cracked a joke at you, and then surprised you by jumping on batman's shoulders, i never died, just had to do something that i really never wanted to do." Gordan slowly lowered his gun.

"what happened to you?" he asked

"the superhero world sucks, but i've got to find Batman, where did he go?" i asked

"uh, he went to the old carnival grounds, and there's dozen of cops surrounding it."

i nodded my thanks to him, and jumped off the building.

the carnival grounds weren't that far, and I slipped past the cops into the building. I heard psychotic laughter, silently, i walked and hid behind some boxes watching the scene unfold.

joker was significantly losing the fight, batman had no mercy, and i had only seen him like this when i was seriously injured by one of the villains.

"batman" i yelled, joker had already been unconscious for a few minutes. Bruce froze right before his fist met joker's face.

"bats, its me, i.." before i could answer, i was brought into a hug, and suddenly enclosed in the black cape, just like it used to be, and i welcomed the comfort.

batman released me, and handcuffed joker, he radioed into the cave.

"batman to cave" there were a few moments of silence. "i found him" the person on the other end who i assume to be Alfred answered.

he nodded toward me, and i followed, understanding what he wanted to happen, we walked silently over to an ally, and got into the car I lovingly dubbed, the Batmobile.