"Ow! Batman!" Robin the Boy Wonder found his backside in quite a lot of pain as Batman continued to whack away without deterrent.

They were in the Batmobile on the edge of Gotham city, stopped along the side of the road. Tim didn't think it was a good idea to just be stopped here, as the Batmobile wasn't exactly your average road vehicle and often drew attention, but Batman seemed to think the correction of his charge couldn't wait.

Tim squirmed; there was very little room in the compartment for this kind of physical activity. He was lying over Batman's lap with his head nearly touching the floorboard on the driver's side. Tim pushed one hand out to steady himself as he was slowly slipping further onto the floorboard. Batman must have noticed the inconvenience of their positions and stopped abruptly. He pushed Tim up off of him, back into the passenger seat, and roughly buckled his seatbelt for him. 'I'm not a little child' Tim thought, but as his backside was throbbing and he was more than confused by this point, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

"We're not finished." Batman said gruffly as they barreled down the country road towards Wayne Manor at breakneck speeds.

Tim nodded to no one in particular and stared down at his hands, he had a feeling he was in for an even longer night than he had had thus far.

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"Kon," Tim spoke hurriedly into the small sleek cell phone, "You know I want to hang out, but I've got solo patrol for the first half of tonight and then I meet up with Batman to try and bust the Montego Crime Syndicate's monthly meeting."

"Dude, that bust sounds like nothing. Just ditch the solo and come chill for a bit, I'll help you get back to Batman in time for your little break up." Kon was always a bit too relaxed for Tim's taste, but he liked the guy well enough, and hanging out with him was usually fun. Plus, he hated to admit it, he thought the other teen was pretty cool and wanted Kon to like him.

"Yeah, I don't know. Bruce's been on edge lately and I don't want to push him further." Tim glanced around in paranoia, sure that anytime his misspoke about Bruce, Alfred was sure to be inconveniently nearby and eavesdropping.

"Come on, you're young, you spend all of your time and energy either studying, researching, training, or kicking ass, just take a 15 minute break. We'll grab some burgers or something and check out the new 15th street district. It's nothing. You could even say it was research if you got caught." Kon laughed. Tim envied the boy's freedom.

"Alright, fine. But only for 15 or 20 minutes, nothing lengthy, dangerous, or time-consuming. I'll meet you at the corner of Picksworth and 15th at 9:30pm. You got it?"

"Awesome man. See you then Rob." And Kon was out.

Guilt crept into the back of Tim's mind but he quickly shoved it out. He was a teenager, he deserved to have a little fun – Bruce had probably forgotten what it was like to be 16. He would have a little break and then get back to the action, no harm, no foul.

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"Stay." Batman barked as he parked the car. The stoic man jumped out of the Batmobile, leaving a forlorn Robin in the passenger seat. Soon Batman came around and opened the side passenger door. He reached over and unbuckled his charge's seatbelt and wrenched the boy out by his forearm.

"Please, Batman, let me-"

"No." Batman cut him off, "Be silent."

Oh shit, this could not be good. It was rare that Batman gave him such direct and harsh orders in the Batcave. Sure, business was business but usually in the dank dark cave Batman became more patient, more understanding, more…human?

They had reached a metal medical table on the opposite side of the cave. Batman reached under Tim's arms and lifted him up to sit on the top of it. He immediately began searching Tim's body for signs of damage.

"Oh, so now you suddenly care about my well-being." The moment the words came out of his mouth Tim regretted them. The ungrateful sassiness of them.

Bruce stopped his ministrations and glared, just enough to make Robin gulp, and then went back to his business of covering up the various wounds and cuts that snaked Robin's arms and legs.

"I didn't mean it!" Robin blurted out.

"Silence." Batman didn't need to be loud with his command. His gruff voice was enough.

Tim sat there contritely, tears falling down his face.

"Turn over."

Batman continued his care. Normally Alfred or Leslie would take care of his wounds, but tonight Bruce did it instead.

"Off the table and bend over." Another gruff command.

Tim, not wanting to further his list of transgressions, hopped to obey. He felt the top of his tights being lowered, he looked back, confused as to what Batman was going to do, and saw a needle in his hand.

"Batman, what is that?" Tim hated shots, and he hated medical care without explanation.

"It's a tetanus shot, some of your cuts were metal-induced and it has been awhile since your last one." Batman said all of this as if Robin should have already known it.

"I could have sworn the last one was only a few months ago!" Tim's voice was shaky and he backed away from Bruce slowly, hoping to get out of the shot.

Bruce reached out and grabbed Tim with his free hand,

"I know you hate this Robin but I don't think it can wait. Now, please, be still and take the shot."

Robin began to feel trapped and panicked. He wasn't used to this gruff sort of care. He didn't like waiting for the rest of his punishment. He felt totally helpless and the thought of a painful shot at this time elevated his fear.

"No, I won't…I can't." Robin tried to yank himself out of Batman's grip.

"Robin." Batman snarled in a warning tone.

"Please…" Tim began to thrash.

"That's it." Batman grabbed the boy, pinned him under his arm and to his side, bent him over, yanked down the suit and tights, and quickly administered the shot. Robin wriggled in place and whimpered but did not fight too much. Batman raised his charge back up to face him. Robin's eyes were red and there were tear tracks down his face.

"Ow." The boy sniffed. Batman wiped at one of his stray tears.

"I don't like to be so rough with you Robin, but sometimes you force my hand." Batman looked concerned and sad, his mask of anger and disappointment gone for the moment.

"I'm sorry." Tim shakily offered.

"I know."

"I'll accept whatever punishment you have for me."

"Yes, you will."

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To be continued...