raith_rogue

When Robin didn’t come home the first night, Thomas really wasn’t surprised. He assumed the puck had just gone out, found someone to hook up with, and gone to their place--or back to his own, even. He didn’t like it, but he didn’t worry, either.

But when Robin didn’t come home the next night, and wasn’t answering his phone, and hadn’t been in contact since he’d walked out...then Thomas began to worry. He rationalized that it was a perfectly legitimate cause for concern; there was someone trying to kill him, after all.

He tried not to let the worry get the best of him, though. There might be a perfectly logical explanation. He thought for a while about who else Robin might have gone to. There had been dozens of tales, old and new, of Robin’s exploits, but the ones that came to mind first were Dick and Tereus. And Tereus was with the police force, that much he remembered. It would be a good place to start. If that didn’t work, he’d break out the heavier guns.

He drove to the PD and checked himself in the mirror before getting out of the car, trying to look as respectable as possible. He strode inside and went directly to the desk sergeant, asking if Tereus was in. It was all he could do; he didn’t have any other names, no addresses, phone numbers, nothing. If this didn’t work he’d try to figure out another way to get in touch, but if it did work it would be much easier than trying to track either of them down somewhere else.

Tereus was in a briefing and a sergeant came to deliver the message that someone up front needed to talk with him. The briefing wasn’t anything he really needed to hear, he just went a) to keep up appearances; and b) in the event there was something he needed to know when he was at the academy.

Slipping out and checking his watch, he headed to the front to see a face that was familiar to him in the waiting area. It took a few moments to call up the name and he was smiling when he went to greet his ‘shopping advisor’. “Thomas,” he said, genuinely pleased to see the man.

Thomas blinked at being addressed by name, but the man was familiar. “...Tereus?” He vaguely remembered the encounter, but it had been ages ago, and it was a miracle he was remembered.

But that wasn’t important. “Look, do you have a minute? I’m sorry to bother you at work, but it might be urgent.” And it might not. He really hoped it wasn’t.

That wasn’t a good way to start a conversation and his face dropped into ‘business-mode’. He motioned for Thomas to follow him to one of the small rooms off to the side and shut the door. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to a chair and taking a seat across the meeting room table. “What’s up?”

Thomas sank into the indicated chair, looking tense. “You know Robin, right?”

Perhaps the only thing that saved Tereus was that he was trained to be a cop and by extension, to show as little emotion as possible in a high stress situation. Coupled with his being a bioroid and not prone to high emotion to begin with, he was able to keep his face neutral at the mention of Robin’s name, one of Tereus’ high stress triggers. “I do.”

It started to whir in his thoughts and he inclined his head. “Does this have to do with his taking to wearing police fashion accessories?”

Thomas pursed his lips, knowing immediately what Tereus was referring to. “I don’t know,” he said quietly. “I hope not. Have you seen or heard from him at all since last night?”

That definitely wasn’t good. “I haven’t. Haven’t heard from him in over a week as a matter of fact.” Tereus pulled out his cell phone. Not that Robin would call him but he was thumbing through his directory to pull up Dick’s phone number. “I’ll check with Dick,” he said as he hit the call button.

Thomas nodded and sat back a little, though he didn’t relax. If the situation were different he wouldn’t be this worried quite so soon, but with someone or someones out there trying to kill Robin, not to mention the possibility that his own sister might be involved in his disappearance, Thomas really didn’t think there was anything wrong with jumping the gun. Not when it might mean the difference between a live puck and a dead one.

“Hey baby!” Dick said brightly into the phone as he pushed into the front doors of the police department. “I was just coming to you. You good to go?” They’d made movie plans for after Tereus got off work, since it was the night Dick was taking off from patrol. “You better be,” he said without giving his boyfriend time to answer, “because I’m right around the corner.”

“Dick, I have Thomas here and he’s asking about Robin,” and his gaze flicked up to look at the man. “When you come in the door, hang a right, we’re in the conference room.”

“Thomas?” Dick vaguely remembered Robin mentioning the man he was staying with, but he’d never met him. He was immediately concerned, though, and sped up. “I’ll be there in thirty seconds.”

Tereus killed the connection and tucked his phone away. “Dick’s on his way. Have you met him?”

Thomas frowned and shook his head. “I don’t think so...but then, I didn’t realize I’d met you,” he admitted with a faint smile that just as quickly faded.

“Hi,” Dick said as he came into the conference room without knocking, “oh, good, right room. Thought maybe I’d barge in on an interrogation.” He came around the table to drop a kiss on Tereus’ cheek before sitting.

“Thomas, I’m Dick.” He extended a hand, “what’s up with Robin?”

Tereus reached out for Dick, letting his hand slide along Dick’s body until he sat down. “Glad you were already close by.”

Thomas reached across the table to take Dick’s hand, shaking it briefly, his demon stirring automatically at the touch. He leaned back, letting his hands drop into his lap as he answered. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Hopefully nothing. He left last night, and I haven’t been able to get ahold of him since then.” He sighed, not wanting to get into the why of Robin’s departure. It was none of their damn business, and not relevant.

Dick blinked when his skin flushed just barely. The brief touch seem to make his stomach flutter and he was distracted for a moment, shifting a little in his chair.

“Uh...” he shook his head slightly, trying to clear it, and belatedly hearing what Thomas had said. “right. Well, I haven’t seen him.” He glanced at Tereus, figuring Tereus hadn’t either. “You said he’s been missing since last night? So it’s been twenty four hours?”

Tereus was interested in the answer to that. They could file a report about Robin if that were the case. “Did he mention where he was going? Family? Friends? Business trip?”

Thomas nodded at Dick. “Twenty-four hours. He said he was going out for some air. When he didn’t come back last night, I figured...it’s Robin.” If they knew him at all, that was all the explanation that they should need. “But with what’s going on, the fact that I can’t track him down at all...concerns me.”

Dick was rubbing his open palm against his jeans, still distracted, but nodded once. “Is it usually easy for you to find him? Does he have places he likes to go - bars, clubs, other friends?” God, was it hot in here? Dick plucked at his jacket.

He watched Dick, brow drawing low. Dick seemed distracted, which was unlike him but thought maybe it was due to the subject. Namely, Robin. “Thomas,” Tereus said slowly, dragging his attention from Dick back to the other man. “Do you think this has to do with whoever isn’t trying to kill Robin?”

Thomas snorted at that phrasing, immediately understanding the meaning behind it. Of course Robin had minimized his danger. That was how this whole damn thing had gone all along, despite the fact that the puck had been willing to live with him for added safety. “I don’t know. I don’t know who it is. I think he does, but if I’m right he’s not talking.” And it was maddening, really it was. Just like so many other things about him.

“No he hasn’t been very forthcoming,” Dick said with a nod, “despite best efforts.” He glanced at Tereus and sat back, running a hand through already mussed hair. God it was hot.

“If you can think of anywhere else he might retreat to,” he said, shrugging his jacket off, “I’m sure we can put something together...” He would add it to his list of things that needed looking into, anyway.

“Did you want to file a report?” Tereus glanced at Dick and got up to turn the air down in the room. He was comfortable but clearly Dick was not. “I can help handle the paperwork and get you to talk to someone I trust.” Kate would most likely still be at her desk.

“No, no...I’m probably just overreacting,” Thomas replied, getting to his feet. “It’s Robin, after all. He’s probably shacked up somewhere. I just wanted to know if you’d heard from him. Thanks for your time.” He started moving around the table toward the door.

“Wait, Thomas...” Dick pushed to his feet, watching the man carefully. Obviously something else was going on and Dick got the sense it was a matter of whatever it was that existed between Robin and Thomas - acknowledged or not. “Would...he have left and not wanted to be found by you?” He wasn’t expecting Thomas to react well to the question, but he always followed hunches.

Tereus stood as well, turning to follow Thomas as he headed for the door. “Thomas, please,” he said right on the heels of Dick’s words. “We just want to help, either officially or unofficially.”

Thomas stiffened at the question, but he stopped moving toward an escape. “He doesn’t have to come back,” he growled. “All I want is him to answer his fucking phone so I know he’s okay.”

Dick nodded once, figuring as much. “If he’s looking to not be found, then he won’t be.” He braced his hands on the table, unperturbed by Thomas’ growl. “If you two had a fight then it’s probably best to just wait.”

“Does he frequently not answer his phone?” Tereus asked.

“He always answers when I call,” Thomas retorted, not looking at Dick, pretty much completely ignoring everything he said. They were the ones that were pushing it, after all. He’d been ready to walk out and do this on his own. And it looked like he would be anyway.

Dick couldn’t help his snort at that. He put his hands up, shaking his head. “Right, sorry. I was just looking for a full picture. Tends to make finding people easier, but if you’ve got this, you’ve got it.” He sat back down with a roll of his eyes.

“So, forgive me, Thomas, for being so slow,” Tereus said, leaning against the table. “But if there isn’t a problem, then why are you here? If he answers your calls, and he’s not answering now, wouldn’t that suggest that either there’s trouble or that he’s ignoring you?” He lifted a shoulder. “You’re a very attractive man, so I find it hard to believe he’s ignoring you, even if you did have a disagreement. You’ve verified someone’s trying to kill him and for whatever reason both you and he aren’t willing to let those who considered him a friend help. I’m not really sure at this point what is to be done. We are trying our best with no information except what we aren’t being told.”

“Honestly? I don’t know why I’m here,” Thomas snapped, grey eyes flashing. “By all means, help all you want. You know as much as I do, now.” He shook his head and headed for the door again. “I’m sure I can find my way out.”

“He doesn’t make it easy, does he,” Dick said cryptically, still sitting with his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t expect Thomas to accept their help, or to even turn around, but he knew what this was about.

Tereus shrugged. He was done offering to help. He’d do what was required in the course of his duty but he wasn’t about to go chasing Robin around begging him to actually trust them. “Still want to make that movie?”

Thomas paused with his hand on the doorknob. “No,” he agreed quietly, and let himself out.

Dick sighed and rubbed at the back of his head, amused annoyance turning to sympathy. “Yeah,” he said, glancing up at his boyfriend, reaching out to catch his hand to give it a squeeze, “yeah, whenever you’re ready, baby.” He gave him a half smile. “Poor Thomas.”