Chapter 1

Length: 1,341 words

Notes: This chapter seemed to move too fast. Oh well.

Bart was so deeply lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed the rock that he tripped over. Actually he didn't even notice that he was in the exact spot he was told to meet Damian's agent.

"Get up," Snarled one of the guards. When Bart didn't budge, the guard growled and moved toward Bart.

"Forget it." Said one of the guards in reply. "I'll take care of him."

Bart sized up the guard. He was bigger, muscular, and obviously male. He hauled Bart to his feet and drug him until they were out of sight. The guard released Bart and slid off his helmet. "We have to go before anyone catches us leaving." He said, motioning for Bart to get up. "If they caught us, it would be trouble for you and me."

"Are you one of D-Batman's agents?" Bart asked, catching himself before he could say Damian.

The guard's lips lifted into a soft smile. "I'm not here for the fun of it," He remarked, walking briskly in front of the speedster. They moved quickly, until they were about a half a mile away from camp. Just ahead stood Batman, with a huge machine close beside him.

"Abuse," Acknowledged Damian.

"Damian." Abuse took a swift glance behind him. "I'm not sure how long we can be here, so you might want to show the kid the ropes."

Damian nodded, and gestured toward the machine. "This is Tempus, version three point one. So like I was saying, a quick tune-up, and we should be good.."

Bart was ready to drop when Abuse led him back to camp. He was moved to another section, of the awful camp, one that should be easier to access him from, on the story that shouldn't be able to find as much trouble here. Bart had to admit, Abuse was good at this.

Damian had drilled the name of every part of that machine into Bart's brain, sighing in exasperation every time Bart couldn't remember something. Bart even tried telling Damian that he had the totally wrong person, but unfortunately, Damian wouldn't believe it. He had then told Abuse to bring him back tomorrow.

So Bart stumbled into the little sleeping quarters of that sector, and what he saw surprised him. There were several younger kids, between the ages of six and eight, along with two men, a girl that appeared to be about thirteen, and and older woman. They were either younger kids or older adults with the exception of the teenage girl. Bart didn't think they brought in people that old or young.

"Who is this?" Asked the oldest man, glaring at Bart. "Well?"

"Um, Bart."

The woman snorted. "Just what we needed. Another child."

The teenage girl assessed him as the kids bombarded him with questions.

"Time to go to bed!" Shouted the woman, and the kids reluctantly trotted after her with a bunch of protests. The girl pulled her eyes away and walked behind them, gently encouraging them. The older man stalked off. And Bart was left with the younger man, who glanced him over. "Bart; right?"

Bart nodded. "And your name is...?"

The man directed his eyes away. "Nathaniel."

"I'm not exactly welcome here...am I?"

"Give them a chance," Chuckled Nathaniel. "They'll warm up to you."

"I have a feeling that's going to take a long time." Bart said in reply, sinking into one of the rock hard cots.

"I thought the same thing when I showed up here. And they accepted me, in spite of...everything." Nathaniel sat down next to Bart, and glanced around the room, not meeting Bart's eyes. Bart glanced at Nathaniel uneasily, studying him. He had on an orange prison suit, but all the older people here had those on. But what really made Bart shift uncomfortably was the inhibitor collar around the man's neck.

"What's so hard to accept?" Bart asked cautiously.

"Nothing. You should get your rest." Nathaniel rose to his feet and smiled at Bart. "I'll see you in the morning.

Bart was exhausted. He had pretended to sleep for a long time, but hadn't actually been able to get to sleep until two in the morning, because his mind was running with all the things that Damian had told him, and the mysterious secrets that Nathaniel was hiding. When he woke he was staring into a pair of bright blue eyes, icy ones, and for a split second, Bart wondered if he was staring into Damian's eyes. Then a piece of auburn hair slid down into that face, and Bart remembered.

"Good." Said the girl briskly, pulling away from his face. "You're awake, now start helping around here."

Bart pulled himself up, and slid out of bed. What time was it? It was still dark, and the Reach got them up at six, meaning it was at least five.

"Make it," Said the girl sharply.

"Excuse me?" Asked Bart.

"Make your bed. I don't know how they do things at your old sector, but we keep things nice and neat around here, so get used to it."

While Bart was sloppily pulling his covers up and trying to remember how to make a bed, he remembered that he didn't know her name. "What's your name?" He asked curiously, turning to face her.

"Casey Drake." She said swiftly, turning around, leaning against the table. "And you're Bart Allen. Son of Don Allen, Grandson of Barry Allen, both of whom were speedsters."

"Impressive," Remarked Bart sarcastically, although he was actually very impressed with the feat. "And your family history?"

"Stephanie Brown and Tim Drake's daughter." She replied promptly, walking up to his bed and fixing the covers.

"And how do you know so much about me?"

"My dad was trained by the World's Greatest Detective. I think I should be able to do my research."

Bart snorted.

When Bart met Damian that day, they worked on the machine, Damian trying-and failing-to teach Bart how to fix the wiring if it ever shorted out.

"Batman?" Asked Bart.

Damian responded with 'go on' noise.

"I met Casey Drake today. Tim Drake's daughter."

Damian looked up in mild surprise. "I knew he had a daughter, right before he and Brown died. Drake and I weren't on the best of terms. I wondered if his daughter had been apprehended by the Reach, but I wasn't sure."

"She's there. In my sector." Bart paused, fiddling with the wrench in his hand. "She'd be better at this than me. She's good at remembering, and watching, and making sure everything is in order."

Damian stared at Bart. "I picked you for a reason." He said with conviction.

Bart was asleep when a girl with bright red hair yanked on his arm. Bart shot awake, nearly hitting her in the head.

"Woah tiger." She said quickly.

Bart immediately recognized her. She was one of the girls that had brought him to Damian.

"What are you doing?" He hissed, glaring around the room to make sure no one was up.

"Get up," She hissed back. "The Reach is on to us, and Damian needs the plan put into action. Tonight."

"Okay, just let me grab my shoes." He whispered.

"Okay." Ella shifted. "Just hurry. I'll wait outside."

Slipping through the dark, he moved toward the wall that his shoes were against when someone caught his arms. Stifling a shout, Bart whirled. It was Casey. "Bart. I heard everything." She whispered. "So did Nathaniel. I'll make sure they don't catch you on the way out. Just, if you go back, keep my mom and dad safe. Please."

He smiled at her. "I promise." The second promise in a week that he couldn't keep.

She kissed him on his cheek. "Thank you. Go. We'll cover for you."