Bruce sat there in the ice, silently meditating. He wasn't even shaking as his breathing was slow and relaxed, despite the sub zero temperatures.

Tim didn't like being there. It was cold, he and Bruce were only wearing shorts and a muscle shirt and Tim couldn't believe Bruce didn't feel the same way he did, like a frozen treat. "Can we go back inside? I'm freezing out here!"

"That would be the problem." Bruce said without opening his eyes. "Tummo meditation is an elemental battle between blood and ice."

"Are you serious?" Tim asked.

"You must learn to override your body's most basic instincts." Bruce answered. "Through meditation we can control out bodies, fight against hypothermia."

"Like 'mind over matter'?" Tim asked as he could barely feel his legs.

"Precisely." Bruce answered as he took another deep breath.

Tim couldn't believe what he was hearing. "And how are we supposed to do that?" He asked though chattering teeth.

"Through total muscular relaxation." Bruce replied. "Circulate heat to the surface of your skin. Think about this… and nothing else."

Tim couldn't do it. His legs were going numb and his chest was starting to hurt with each breath. Bruce's wasn't even shivering, as his breathing was short and controlled, as he sat there like a stone, not even the smallest shiver in the ice. "I can't do it."

"If I can." Bruce calmed responded. "So can you."

Before Bruce could say anything else, an unexpected visitor walked out there on the cold surface of the frozen pond. Alfred had come out from the manor and was carrying some coats with him. "I apologize for disturbing, Master Bruce."

"What is it, Alfred?" Bruce asked.

"I know you can't see it from this side of the estate." The butler answered. "But I wanted to inform you that the Bat Signal has been lit. You are needed in Gotham."

Bruce didn't respond but instead stood up and walked over, grabbing a coat from Alfred. "Get inside and warm up. We'll try this again next week."

Tim could barely stand up on his own as Alfred came up to cover him in a thick fur coat and help the young man to his feet. "Thank goodness for the bat signal."

"Not quite." Alfred replied with a sly grin. "Don't worry… Bruce had to start his rounds anyway."

Tim smiled. Alfred always knew when it was best to step in. But before he left there was something in the pond that he couldn't believe. The spot where Bruce has been meditating had turned into a small puddle of warm water. The ice has melted while Bruce was meditating.

"Where did he learn how to do that?" Tim asked, feeling small and insignificant.

"It took years of training." Alfred replied. "Word is while he travelling, Master Bruce trained under the late Buddist Monk, Master Shihan Matsuda. I suggest paying attention Master Tim. You are learning from the best."

"Damn." Tim said, as he realized how badass his boss was.

Alfred nodded. "Indeed."