A/N thanks for the reviews and support.
Suzululu4moe: Thanks for your review my friend. He has not met Even or Sven yet. More will be explained in later chapters. How and why he left Chronos. Saya. Bruce's reactions will be fun. I'll admit that.
Drake's POV
Timothy Drake had been looking for his oldest brother since he disappeared. Like the rest of them he though Dick just needed some time off. No one even considered at the time that Dick wouldn't come back.
It had been ten years since he had seen his brother. There had been rumors. Rumors that different people had seen him. Or that he had taken a new identity. Part of him didn't believe any of it. Thought that his brother would just show up one day like nothing had happened.
Bruce had been angry when someone stole a painting from his New York office. It wasn't priceless or even known by anyone. Those could be replaced.
No the painting that had gone missing was one that Dick had made. Bruce encouraged the new hobby and had framed the painting. It bothered them all when it was stolen. So he had gone to the FBI for help at Bruce's encouragement.
He met with Peter Burke. The brown haired man had a gentleness about him. There was also a strange sadness and guilt about him.
Peter had taken all of the information from him. It didn't take long. They seemed to be waiting on someone.
The one called Hughes said," Let's go see what is taking Caffery so long."
Tim had heard of Neal Caffery. He was the criminal informant that worked with the FBI. He followed the agents to the basement. When they arrived at the gym he saw a surprising sight. By the looks on the other's faces were the same.
An agent had his arm locked behind him. His face was pointed to the ground. An obvious pained expression from the uncomfortable position marred his face.
Tim's surprise was not because of which agent had the upper hand. But who the person was. While his eyes were grey and clouded the face had not changed. Richard "Dick" Grayson stood in an FBI hoodie armlocking a fellow agent.
When he noticed them he immediately released the agent. He didn't even notice Tim. Instead his grey eyes searched the agents.
Dick asked in a cold tone," Are we done?"
The other agent replied rolling his shoulder," Yeah we're done. Neal where did you learn to do that? Most agent here couldn't keep up with you if you fight like that all the time."
Instead of answering Dick of Neal as he was called now pushed past them to the locker rooms. How had they missed him at the FBI? He could have sworn all government agencies was the first place Bruce looked.
Unless... Unless this wasn't the first place Dick ended up at. There was something going on here. Tim maybe the second youngest but he was far from stupid.
Peter asked curious," How did he do? Besides getting you in a painful lock."
The agent that had sparred with his brother replied his gaze was solely focused on the locker room doors," I could barely keep up with him. Caffery is one hell of a fighter. I've seen soldiers with less experience and talent than him."
Given that Dick had been trained by the bat himself it shouldn't have been surprising. He was the first Robin. There were more hardships being the first than with anyone else.
Deciding to get some answers he asked his hands shaking slightly with anger and confusion," " Who was that?"
"The one who stormed off?" He asked. A nod being his only answer.
"That would be Neal Caffery our consultant. That was his self defense test. The FBI decided to test all the agents and consultants prowess in it."
Another reply was given with a snort," We can safely say Caffery can take care of himself."
Neal Caffery. That name stuck with him. Not because it was Dick's identity. No it was because that person was a criminal. Tried and convicted.
When Dick came out his eyes were a cold blue. Part of Tim was surprised at the change. How could Dick change the colors like that? He heard of some people's eyes changing color depending on the light. Not like this though. The only thing that had changed about Dick was that he was wearing a white button down shirt and jacket. The jacket looked expensive however. He wondered how a criminal was able to afford such clothes.
His eyes widened in surprise at seeing him. It was brief barely there. If Tim hadn't been watching he would have missed it.
Nonetheless the eyes became confused as he asked," Peter who's this?"
Agent Burke answered," Neal this is Timothy Drake. He is here on behalf of Bruce Wayne. Someone stole a painting from their New York office."
There was a hidden accusation in the statements. Something was definitely going on between the agent and Dick. Given his brother's history with the agency Tim couldn't say he was surprised.
Dick growled," You can check my ankle. I have not been anywhere near Wayne's. It's a conman's code. No one same would go near Gotham. Too many vigilantes."
:That's not the only reason. Is it Dick? You were avoiding us too. So that we didn't catch up to you.: came Tim's hurt thoughts.
Neal's POV
He could feel the eyes of his brother on him. As much as he didn't want to admit it. He knew that Tim had recognized him. A small part of him was grateful the other didn't call him out on his identity. That would have been disastrous.
Still it had been awkward for Neal to sit at the table. Sit at it and pretend that the young man in front of him wasn't his brother. That they were complete strangers.
The last ten years had been good practice. It had taught him a poker face that rivaled Selina Kyle's. Something he was not looking forward to. The day the Black Cat and Cat Woman crossed paths. Interesting conversation that would be.
Peter asked snapping him out of his thoughts," Neal what do you think?"
Thankfully he had been half listening otherwise he would have been caught unawares. Narrowing his eyes at the screen he scrutinized the security. Given that this was New York not Gotham it wasn't nearly as strict as the other.
There was no doubt in his mind a low level Chronos Eraser could have broken in. His eyes mapped out the route. For the route it made sense but when he saw the painting his heart stopped. Why that painting? It had no value on the market. None at all. He would know. For he painted it.
Ignoring the pain in his chest he said grabbing a marker," This is the route I would have taken," He began to mark on the map," I do have a question. Who made the painting? It is not one I recognize."
It was Tim who answered," One of my brothers painted it years ago. Our father has cherished it ever since. It was stolen three nights ago. My father will do anything to get it back."
Neal flinched. It almost sounded like they cared. Made the killer in him want to snort in disbelief. No one cared about him but Mozzie. There were just people who used him.
Neal said grabbing his phone," I'll make some calls."
Then he was gone. For now he would do his job. After that he could deal with his family being in town.
Once in the elevator he dialed Mozzie," Mozzie I need you to check something."
Mozzie's voice came through clear," A new case? What is it this time Neal?"
Neal had to force himself not to snap as he said," Yes it's a new case. The New York office of Wayne company. Someone stole a painting from the company. Mr. Wayne wants it back."
Mozzie's incredulous question was next," We are helping the Wayne's? Why are we even touching him with a ten foot pole?"
As he stepped out of the elevator he answered quietly," Because his son is here."
Mozzie said in his knowing tone," You know this guy, Neal. What is going on?"
As he tried to step out of the building a hand grabbed him. Instinct kicked in. Neal grabbed the hand twisting it counter clockwise. The sound of bones grinding on each other filled the air. His other hand struck out hitting the person in the throat.
Then his vision cleared. Tim held his throat for a moment but soon recovered.
Neal sighed as he said," Moz I'll have to call you back."
Closing his phone he turned his full attention to Tim. His muscles tightened. Fist clinched into a tight ball.
Tim glared at him as he said," Dick. We have been searching for you."
This time Neal couldn't help it he snorted," Searching for me. Yeah right. I'll do this job, Tim but that's all."
Tim's blue eyes flashed in anger. Neal's became a hard grey as he shifted his stance. Ready to fight.
Glancing around them Neal noticed the attention they were getting. Agents were coming closer their eyes focused on Tim. They weren't suspecting Neal of wrong doing. They suspected Tim. It had been the shift of his stance that alerted them to something being wrong.
Neal said holding out a hand to stop them," I'm leaving, Tim. You want to go to jail you will come after me. Otherwise leave me alone. I am not the same person you once knew."
With that he turned and left the building.
Walken's POV
Being in New York was not his version of a vacation. Yet for some reason the council insisted he make this trip. To specifically visit an FBI field office.
If he had been an operative it would have made more sense. But he wasn't an operative. The closest he had come was housing a potential asset. The day that boy had come to his office was one he would never forget.
Flashback
Sitting at his mahogany desk he was filling out paperwork. Most of his job as a member of the council was filling out paperwork. Though most people only saw him as Karl Walken mayor of the town.
Karl was in his late twenties when Train Heartnet first arrived. He was dragged in by four Chronos Erasers. This was surprising given that he barely looked eighteen. He had black hair and blue eyes. They were filled with such anger that it would have made a lesser man step back.
Karl said to the erasers," I can take it from here. You may leave."
He steepled his fingers together watching the boy. This was the boy, Sephiria had found. He was fairly short but not a midget. His blue eyes held an untold hurt. That was the boy's reason for joining Chronos.
He said breaking the silence," My name is Karl Walken. You must be Train Heartnet."
The boy said dully," That's the name they gave me when I joined Chronos."
So that wasn't his real name. Interesting. The boy would definitely be an interesting addition to Chronos. Yet somehow Karl knew the boy wasn't a killer at heart. He would not enjoy it as many of Chronos did.
This would not make a loyal assassin. Though he didn't really care. The boy was more like a lost child than a killer. It would be interesting to see how long he lasted. Either he would break and fully embrace the lifestyle. Or he would run.
End of flashback
In essence the boy had done both. Train Heartnet fully embraced the lifestyle of Chronos. He killed without hesitation. Without pity. For the first few months after becoming an eraser Heartnet would appear at his door. Never saying anything just looking for somewhere to hole up for the night.
Karl never turned him away. Even when the boy had stopped coming around he left standing orders. If Train Heartnet arrived he was to be let in. One day the boy just stopped coming and Karl never questioned it.
A few years later after Train Heartnet became the Black Cat something happened. It changed his thoughts on the boy entirely. Black Cat told them that he was no longer a killer. That he was a stray cat and would choose to live his life as he choose.
Karl was proud of the boy. Few would have the guts to do such a thing. Fewer still could keep ahead of both erasers and the numbers.
Sounds of arguing broke him from his thoughts of the past. When he glanced over he thought he was still lost in the past. There was no way that that could be him.
Blinking several times revealed it was. Train Heartnet, number XIII was standing in front of the FBI field office.
