Slade threw some cheese, ham and bread onto a plate. Going over to the fridge, he pulled out a bottle of apple juice and put it on the table next to the plate. He still felt strange being back in his childhood home. He remembered that he had never been allowed in the kitchen; his parents were very rich, and they had always treated him like he was an annoyance. No matter what he did, he was always under their feet and irritating them in some way. As a boy, all he'd ever wanted was for his father to smile at him. Just once. And maybe with a hint of pride... but he'd grown up, and he one day understood that his parents would never love him.

When they died, he was left the house since there was no will. He had hidden Raven here because it was so remote and so unlike him, the villain the Titans knew. He also knew the area back to front, so Raven would never be able to get far should she manage to escape. Which was unlikely. The Titans wouldn't dream of looking here, and he wouldn't give them the opportunity to track him until he wanted them to. It was the perfect plan.

Picking up the plate and juice, he headed for the steps, a bottle of ointment tucked under his arm. When he reached his room – no, their room – he found Raven curled up in the bay window. She was staring out the window; she looked so peaceful in the soft light. But as he entered, her head jerked up from where it had been resting on her arm. Holding up the plate, he said, "Hungry?"

She glared at him for a moment before grudgingly nodding. He chuckled softly as he pulled a little table up next to where she sat and set the plate and juice down. Raven took a piece of ham and nibbled at it, never taking her wary eyes off him.

He knelt down next to her, near the leg, he noticed, that she had propped up on a pillow. He unscrewed the lid of the bottle of ointment and saw Raven wrinkle her nose as the potent smell wafted over to her. "Don't even think of putting that stuff on me." She said.

"It will bring the swelling down." He said. Reaching into the pocket of his cargo pants, he pulled out a wad of bandages.

Raven watched him, still trying to get used to her enemy dressed in casual clothes. He wore khaki pants, a long-sleeved black top and black combat boots. The only thing that identified him as the villain she knew was the mask. As he bent forward, unrolling the bandages, Raven couldn't help but notice how the fabric of his shirt pulled across his back, emphasising his well sculpted muscles and broad shoulders. What am I thinking? She thought, and watched instead what he was doing. He dipped his middle and index fingers into the ointment and reached for her leg with his other hand. His fingers on her skin were surprisingly warm and gentle. Raven flinched, sucking in her breath as his thumb pressed a little too close to the sore area. "Sorry," he said softly. With care, he began to rub the potent substance into her ankle. It soothed the pain, and Raven relaxed.

As he rubbed, his thumbs moving in circular movements, Raven watched his hands. She had never seen them bare; his fingers were long with slightly square tips. They were strong hands, capable of violence, but right now, gentleness. They were large too – Raven was willing to bet her hand was at least half the size of his. Overall, he had handsome hands – if that made any sense – and she was surprised; they weren't the type of hands she expected a villain to have. Especially not Slade.

He finished with the ointment and Raven was a little disappointed – it had felt nice. He picked up a bandage and wrapped it around her ankle. Then another and another until she could scarcely move her foot.

He stood up, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Thank you." Raven said softly. "It... it feels better."

"Good." He replied.

"So tell me, Slade," Raven said as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Where are we?"

"You should've guessed that I can't tell you that."

"Okay, well how about a bit of background knowledge on this actual building? How did you get this old mansion? Was it abandoned?" she asked.

He sighed. "No. Well, yes, in a manner of speaking."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"

"This was my parents' house, okay? This is where I grew up. Happy?"

Raven blinked. She hadn't expected that. And she'd actually begun to like this house? She didn't know why, but it seemed to hold so many secrets. It was a sad house, and it seemed to suit her, she thought. But this was actually where he grew up? Somehow, she couldn't picture a young Slade. It was like he'd always been... Slade. She never thought of him having parents and a childhood... he was her enemy. Why would she wonder about his youth? But right now, she did find herself wondering what kind of childhood he'd had. Had it been unhappy and made him who he was today?

"So... why did you bring me here?" she asked.

"Surely you can guess that one? It's in the middle of nowhere."

"Yes, yes, okay... but surely there are plenty of other remote places?"

"I'm sure, but none as convenient." He replied.

"But..."

"Why so many questions, Raven?" he interrupted. "You know I won't tell you anything that will be of any use to you."

Raven shrugged. "Curiosity."

"Funny; I never thought of you as the curious type." Raven raised her eyebrows in challenge. He chuckled and stood up. "As riveting as this chat is, I have things to do. I'll be back later with dinner. Enjoy some solitude." While you can, Raven added silently.

As he made to leave, she called after him, "Wait!" he stopped and turned back, his hand on the doorknob. "Please, I need something to do or I'll go out of my mind with boredom. Don't you have any books or something?"

He considered her for a moment before nodding curtly. "Look under the bed." With that, he turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Curious, she limped over to the bed and peered under it. She saw a large square shape, and dragged it out. It was a big, dusty box, filled with books. "Thank God." Raven muttered. There was nothing like losing herself in a book. It was the best way to escape the world, even if it was just for a little while. And by the look of the box, there'd be enough to keep her busy until she could finally get out of Slade's beautiful old house.