"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well."

Book in hand the somewhat weary Diana Prince raises her voice with this statement only to follow it with another question.

"This quote was famously said by a man who almost ruled the world. A man who will be the subject of our scrutiny for the next several weeks, I am speak of..?"

"Alexander the great.."

A small smile curled in the corners of Diana's mouth, how appropriate it was for Conner Luthor to answer a question on Alexander the great. Watching the boy the smile widens taking in the contrasting obsidian hair

and steely blue eyes with enigmatic curiosity.

"And what was Alexander's point, Mr Luthor"

"That even though it is are fathers who bring us into the world, it is our teachers who guide and mould our minds into the people that we are. Alexander could also be referencing the fact that our parents are not always the role models they should be and showing them undying loyalty can be our undoing."

The Smile on Diana's face didn't wavier an inch, it remained firmly in place as Conner Luthor spoke the exact words she had wanted. Here was a boy that could study anywhere in the world with his fathers influence, and yet he ended up here in this city. How fitting it was that Conner who probably felt the exact way Alexander the great had when speaking those immortal words should be in her classroom living what they described.

"Very good Conner, A+ for effort"

Diana took pleasure in continuing her lecture but was not slow enough to miss the light nudge of Bart Allen's arm against Connors. It was not unusual for the bushy haired teen to tease Conner when he slipped up and actually showed how intelligent he was, but somehow this was different. The nudge wasn't as friendly as usual, it was attention seeking. Following Bart's trail of sigh out of the large windows that covered the west wall of her class room Diana was shocked to say the least. Was a dress like that the most appropriate thing to wear to a high school?

Tim Drake was an oddly patient child, even for someone of his colourful (Black and Blue) upbringing he was uncharacteristically quiet and reserved for you average sixteen year old. However damn it all to hell if that constant clacking wasn't annoying. Click-clack Click-clack, Stiletto heels forcing their way down onto the concrete beneath them gasping out that vile sound. Tim Drake, dressed in a dark domino checked shirt and dark jeans walked silently besides that puddin' rambling psychotic that called herself a psychiatrist.

"Oh Puddin'…doesn't this school look lovely…so much different than that last lovely place you got your self kicked out of"

"I didn.." too late was Tim cut of by the third member of their group.

"What?" The voice was coldly high pitched, something that made it all the more terrifying. "I hope to god you weren't about to back sass your mother"

"N..N-o sir..I was going to say I didn't know it was going to be this nice." The lie came easy, it was the smile that threatened to tear his heart out and made Tim want to cry, But even having to smile at the man was a far cry from the most painful things he had felt and done.

"Good boy...wouldn't want to have to discipline you in such a public place.!"

Standing almost a foot and a half taller than Tim, Joe was not to be crossed no matter the fact a purple suit clashed with violent green shirt made him look like an overgrown aubergine. Yes, Joe Ker was a man not to be crossed, as even with his lanky frame he could still hit like a truck and curse like its driver. The man however stupid he may look exuded a je ne sais quoi that made you fear him rather irrationally something he knew and fed upon. Joe Ker loved to be in control even if he was not, if he could make you think he was he had won.

Tim continue to walk after their short conversation, slow , head bowed yet meticulously graceful. As he drew closer to the entrance hall he could feel the glare of eyes on him and even without looking up knew they came from the adjacent class room windows, where already settled students would be sizing him, analyzing him, waiting like some kind of evil predator to strike the coup de gráce.

Clean yet rough Tim's hair hung just long enough to cover his forehead and a portion of his eyes, a useful length for he used it to survey his surroundings without drawing too much attention to his quickly darting eyes. A common practise for young Tim Drake he had always learned from a very early age to know his surroundings, where was there enough room to run? Where were his exits? How was everyone standing, close enough to hit? To close to get hit? To close to not hit in the right way? To close for him to get away? All of these questions and more started to slowly thread threw the boys head as they always did on his first day. In the last eighteen months Tim had attended eleven different high schools, this one in front of him was going to be his twelfth. Tim had attended schools all over from Star city to Central city and had kept moving because of the fleeting (And highly illegal) nature of his fathers work, however even at the high schools that had lasted more than a month he had never really "fit in" no matter what he did. Tim had tried being a nerd, he had tried being a jock, he had even tried being a music type but non of these worked for him and they all ended in the same way. Tim Drake ended up sitting alone in a single corner of the cafeteria awaiting his fathers next "transfer". Now faced with the gleaming silver octuple doors of JLA academy he couldn't help but wonder when his first new school bruise would come as opposed to the first new house bruise he received last night. Stopping his train of thought Tim had just enough time to look up and see Harley asking directions to the principles office.

An indignant smirk crossed Tim's pale face as he watched the boy Harley was speaking to turn from tan to pink to red. Tim couldn't blame the boy, superficially Harley was a knock out all blonde hair, blue eyes and big boobs. However Tim knew that behind that jovial mask a snake remained poised and ready to strike. The boy Harley was speaking with finally managed to stutter out a direction with the aid of an unhelpful point towards a brick wall as Tim simply thought that the little black (and red) dress Harley professed was clothing was leaving far to little to the boys imagination for any real satisfaction.

Smiling wide and shaking her head (A shake that travelled al the way down her body making everything bounce) Harley returned to an upright position and with a swivel of her hips moved in the direction of the principles office.

The now late morning sunshine spread threw great bay windows to illuminate the desk poised directly in front of them. The sunshine provided for a great dramatic ambiance in the room as it left the already dark-skinned principle shrouded in a veil of shadow. In his first year as principle this single man had done more for the JLA academy than any other for a century prior. It was as if the man could read the thoughts of his students and his spirit was felt like an ever present ghost among the halls. Yes, to say J'onn J'onzz was elated by his achievements was not so much the understatement of the day but perhaps of the decade. Tapping ebony fingertips against a cool oak desk Mr J'onzz could not help but replay the events of his earlier visit before his next oh so crucial one.

Thanagar is something of a private army in the city. On a governmental pay-roll Thanagar acts as both a police force and private security firm, servicing prestigious institutes such as the museum of natural history, to Multi billion dollar companies the likes of Lexcorp and Wayne enterprises. Characterised by the company symbol of the hawk, guards that belonged to Thanagar were known as Thanagarians and each irradiated power. The two Thanagarians that had stood in Mr J'onzz office that morning just so happened to be old friends of his, and a married couple when not on the job.

"So here's what we know, a soon to be pupil of yours is the adopted son of this man" With a flick of his wrist Katar Hol threw the photograph he had been holding to lightly fall on J'onn's desk.

"Besides being violently psychopathic he is also suspected to be involved with numerous criminal activities. The problem remains however that…" Katar seemed at a los trying to remain composed but also express the precariousness of the situation.

"We can't put his ass in jail until we have solid evidence of his involvement in these activities." Shayera then spoke in her usual blunt tone, an action that earned her a reprimanding but ever so slightly endearing look from her husband.

"Yes, as bluntly as Shayera did put it we don't have any solid evidenced that he's involved, but we know he is" Katar looked up from his wife and they both continued to regard J'onn carefully, almost hawk like.

"So, what your asking of me is to watch the boy? So that when he slips up you can arrest his father?"

"Exactly!" the reply was quick and for a moment J'onn was unsure who had spoken but when Shayera continued he knew it had been her.

"The kid is key, if anyone knows what's really going on it'll either be the pop psychologist or the kid, and while Mrs Quinzel seems genuinely attached to Joe Ker. The boy, by all eye witness accounts is another story."

"Don't you think this plan has the possibility to be detrimental to the boys health though, for all we know he is completely innocent in this?"

"He could be and most likely is, that's why were going to appeal to the child's better nature and try to convince him to tell the truth about his father."

J'onn paused for only a moment then looked up to face the Thanagarian couple.

"But what if he doesn't fold? What if he isn't willing or uncooperative. You risk blowing years of work on the hope a child may give you the information thousands of dollars worth of technology couldn't."

" That's why were going to assess the boy first before making a move, were going to wait and watch and judge if we think he might be willing to talk about his father."

Katar who had been oddly silent for the last few moments took a deep breath exhaling slowly as he exchange a look between himself and his wife. Having done that her turned back to J'onn voice rather grave.

"We believe the kid might be more willing to co-operate because of his suspected mistreatment. No doctor in any city has ever treated him since after he was adopted and he is characteristically seen wearing loose and conservative clothing. These along with many other factors including both Mr Ker and Mrs Quinzel's knack for violence has lead many to believe that Tim Drake may be suffering abuse at the hands of his step-parents. Again however we are unable to prove this due to mitigating circumstances."

Closing his eyes for a brief moment J'onn took time to gather his thoughts before responding.

"So, all in all you want to use an emotionally and possibly physically damaged sixteen year old to expose his crime lord father?"

"Well when you put it like that.."

J'onn had no care for who had spoken at that moment and pressed his hands into a pyramid leaning his forehead into those enclosed hands.

"Fine…I will allow you access to Tim Drake in any way I legally can. However you must also promise me that the boy will not be placed in harms way anymore so than he already is."

Taking no time to agree both Thanagarians nodded with enthusiasm.

"Thanks J'onn…if it makes you feel any better you may have just saved a million lives"

A deep buzzing rose Principle J'onn J'onzz from his recollection and her stared down at his intercom dumbfounded he owned a machine that made such a repulsed noise. Glancing quickly at the wall clock he flicked the button on the intercom allowing the two way radio to crackle to life.

"Sir, a man by the name of Joe Ker is here to see you."

The sweet voice of Helena Bartellie was like warm molasses as it trickled threw the speaker. A warmth that made a rumbling chortle resound in the headmasters throat, for he knew Helena was very aware of who the man was. He also knew it was taking all of her self restraint to not break Joe Ker's arm.

In her younger years Helena Bartellie was known around the world. A skilled athlete she was set to enter the Olympics alongside some of the worlds best, but sadly her career was cut short by armed thugs. Some permanent nerve damage later Helena was sat behind the secretarial desk of JLA academy's own J'onn J'onzz. It was not everyday that old wounds resurfaced for Helena but just watching Joe Ker made her blood boil. The man was a fidgiter, his twitchy movements and darting eyes only made it more plain that the man was not right, and defiantly should not have been allowed to adopt children. Helena was plugged into every crevice of the school and nothing happened ther that she didn't know about, so naturally she knew the nature of the Thanagarian security teams visit and that Joe Ker deserved to have his arm broken. In several places.

The static click of the intercom buzzed with the solid tones of J'onn J'onzz rousing young Helena from her musings.

"Thank you Helena, if you would be so kind as to show them in please."

As the intercom fell silent every eye in the small waiting area raised to the door behind Helena's desk. Standing in all here petite glory Helena bartellie showed Joe Ker and his family into the principles office.

As the door once again closed behind the retreating back of Helena Bartellie J'onn J'onzz smiled a warm but still professional smile to his guest's.

"Please, Take a seat Mr Ker, Mrs Quinzel" nodding to both Harley and Joe all eyes then returned to fall upon Tim.

"Do not worry Mr Drake I am not being rude, I only suggest you do not sit as you shall be leaving in a short moment."

A slight raise in his eyebrow told J'onn that the boy was either confused or amused. Could the boy have even been happy to be so quickly leaving the presence of his parents.

"A senior student will be here in a second to take you on guided tour of the school facilities, while myself and your parents talk over some final arrangement I'm sure they will pass on to you later."

Nodding his understanding Tim had just enough time to tune out Joe and J'onn talking about menial time tables and lesson plans before the static buzz of the intercom broke threw the airwaves again. Without even answering the resounding buzz Mr J'onzz gave Tim a single glance and Tim took this as his queue to leave and step quietly out of the door with just enough time to hear Mr J'onzz ask him to speak to Mrs Bartellie at the desk before he left on his tour.

Stepping out into the lightly less stuffy room Tim headed to the desk where Mrs Bartellie kindly handed him a stack of papers that included a student rule book, map, time table, planner and news letter. Smiling warmly Mrs Bartellie looked the young man over again.

"Looking like that will only draw more attention to yourself…"

"I..W-What..?"

Tim stuttered over his words unaware that he had been looking like anything.

"My advice.." Mr Bartellie carried on regardless of his protesting "If you want to avoid being the new kid…stop looking like one, stand a little taller. A smile wouldn't go amiss either."

Blush crept onto sun kissed skin as Tim felt a presence moving closer behind him. Going ridged as the stranger pressed up against him draping and arm over his shoulder and a chin on the other Tim swallowed silently.

"Bullying the new kid already Mrs?"

"Why ever would I do that. I mean come now...I'm harmless"

Cold sweat started to edge its way down Tim's spine as the stranger mad no move to back away.

"Like I'm so sure…" Grinning wickedly the stranger then turned to Tim with an odd expression somewhere between bemusement, amusement and curiosity.

" Don't worry kid I'll not let the mean old lady get you…" That wicked grin persisted as the stranger finally backed away, most likely deterred by the now bulged eyed Tim. Finally Stepping in to save the now absolutely dumbfounded Tim, Helena spoke an introduction.

"Tim Drake, meet Dick Grayson…"

Dick or Richard as Tim would have preferred to call him (though Dick protested he do otherwise) Tim soon found was just as "friendly" as Tim had initial suspected. Loud, cheerful, brash and definably simply happy Dick Grayson was an all round decent guy. Standing almost a head taller that Tim (but then that was no shock as nearly everyone did) with dark hair and brilliant blue eyes Dick could maybe have passed for Tim's older brother, that was if Tim hadn't got the worst and Dick the best.

"So this I what's called the "Clock corridor", because it has the clock at the end. To the right you have the Tech Block where every technology related subject such as Systems and Control, Catering and Art and Design take place. If you exit to your left you have the Dance hall, Drama studio and Music lab…Your not listening are you? Jumping a little Tim blushed as he turned to Dick and shook his head.

"Sorry I just. I can't get over the fact that Bruce Wayne adopted you…"

"Well Bruce is-"

"Bruce Wayne! One of if not the richest men on earth, billionaire business genius, humanitarian and philanthropist!"

"…you're a bit of a fan boy aren't you..?" Dead panning a little Dick continued walking but turn to scrutinise Tim a bit more severely.

"Sorry I guess you get that a lot then…"

"I used to, but most people I know are used to it by now. Maybe that means I should meet some new people hu!" Smiling brightly again, something that was apparently contagious as Tim felt the edges of his mouth rise Dick continued to walk. "So anything you want to know, or can I finally toss you to the sharks?"

Shaken a little by Dick's choice of words considering his past experience with said shark's Tim stiffened momentarily before forcing himself to relax.

"No, not really, though this time table is a little weird…"

"Yeah the JLA system is a kinda' odd, its supposed to make the most out of our time in school to combine a good mix of free time and classes."

"You seem to do this guide thing a lot…"

"As a head boy I have certain…Duties, but it's kinda nice meeting the new kid's. Anyways, the time table. School starts at 8:45am you have 15 minuets with your tutor, tutor groups are made up of around thirty other people in the same year as you and you study P.S.E, Health, religion and Social Studies with you tutor. Ever Lesson is an hour long and after Registration you have fist period which becomes second after and hour and you go to your next class. After second period you have a 15 minuet break and after that is third period. After third you have a half hour lunch before fourth period. Fourth period is followed by and other half hour lunch before fifth period. After fifth your finally free to go home, but the school offers several after curricula's if you interested."

"..Your forced to say that to every new kid, aren't you."

"Yes, yes I am" still beaming Tim couldn't help but to relax. Only to jump out of his skin as the bell rang signalling the start of the first half hour lunch period.

"So what…Do you have thing for red heads or something?"

Dick's eyes widened a little before that patent smile broke out again. Shrugging aloof, the dark headed man leant into Kory Anders.

"What can I say… I like 'em fiery"

Rich and deep Dick laughed along with Kory, his chortle highlighting her own titter. Watching the two Tim took a little time to inspect the other members of the group. Dick and Kory were laughing it up like old pals, while three triple glares burned at them from Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon and Roy Harper respectively. Moving away from the hostile expressions Tim studied the bemused M'gann M'orzz before finishing his inspection with the distracted Wally West. Blinking a few times Tim did a quick head count, two out of the eight people present didn't have red hair (though they both also shared the same hair colour; black). What were the odd's of that?

As the laughter died down and the glare's became less sever a cool hand being placed on Tim's shoulder had him jolt up right.

"New blood guy's?"

Unlike when Dick had come up behind him earlier, the current hand on his shoulder was much more aware of personal space. A fact Tim was especial grateful for. When the pressure left his shoulder Tim got his first look at the woman as she moved across the table in front of him. Tall but not noticeably so and heavy on the curves Tim took stock of the woman, who thankfully wasn't another red head. Following her subtle address of the group dick who seemed to be talkative to the extent of a bad habit was the first to speak.

"Of course Ms Lance…Or is it Miss Queen now?" Another patented grin from Dick and a slight scoff from Roy had Ms Lance (as Tim assumed she was) smile and return the banter.

"Just because you have...enlightened my classroom for the last five years doesn't mean I'm not allowed some secrets Mr Grayson…Or is it Mr Wayne now?" Dick continued to smile, but at the same time it seemed like those few words had gotten to Dick in ways no others could have. "But I assure you Mr Grayson, if I had made such a change, you would be the first to know. Most likely from my would be step-son." At this point Ms Lance only turned to Roy, flashing a smile that was mostly teeth. Without returning the smile or even looking to Ms Lance Roy spoke slowly to her.

"Don't worry Dinah, I care too little about what happens between you and Oliver to share that information with my friends." Swirling the straw in his drink Roy still refused almost petulantly to look at Ms (Dinah) Lance.

"Good, that way I didn't need to come all the way over here to tell you not to wait up this evening as Oliver and I would be visiting Italy over the weekend" The toothy smile was back in full force as Ms Lance finished her sentence. Almost knocking his class over with the speed at which Roy stopped swirling his straw he finally turned to Ms Lance and smiled before replying.

"Sapete Feta fa Oliver vomito"

"Charming"

With one last fleeting glance at the group Ms lance smiled and walked away long blonde hair swaying along with her hips. Silence filled the void left as Ms Lance walked away, only fleeting glances at Roy filled the still air.

"So house party at Roy's then." That patent grin was back, and the atmosphere lifted.

Having gotten here at around Eleven taking a tour of the school until around twelve and eating lunch with Dick and the rest until half past, it was now time for Tim's first class.

"Sooo…ouch, you've Chemistry now. Top floor and all, with Mr Palmer. Triple ouch"

Since their introduction Dick had become something of a liaison to Tim, showing him about teaching him about the school system and the teachers. All in all he was a welcome guide and Tim had learned to like him, even if he was kind of cheerfully annoying.

"What's so bad about chemistry? I like chemistry, or is it the teacher?" Tim had been trying not to ask to many questions, and besides the one about red heads earlier this was maybe his third about the school system. His reasoning was simple, don't draw to much attention to yourself, asking questions means expecting an answer, receiving an answer means being noticed.

"No Mr Palmer is alright and it works as a positive that you like chemistry, it's just the way he teaches is like he's talking to someone who already knows what a Van-der waal is, or what the exact scientific value of a calorie is." Looking down at Tim patent smile in place that very same smile started to fall as Tim spoke.

"A van-der waal is a term applied to the tiny bonds between molecules that are not due to ionic interactions or covalent bonds, The scientific value of a calorie is the amount of energy required to raise one cubic centimetre of water above one degree roughly equalling four joules of energy" Tim allowed himself a small smile as he watched Dick's eyebrow twitch, even if he shouldn't be drawing attention to himself he did love it when he got an opportunity to show how smart he was with someone he hoped may actually care.

"Alright smart pant's I take the ouch back you and Mr Palmer can go be best friends now" Saying that Dick directed Tim with a small nudge to a door that read in bold letters Chemistry, Room: 231, Ray Palmer.

"So what I just go in and act like the new kid I am?" Another question that he shouldn't have asked yes but Tim felt rather stupid stood face to face with a door that promised trepidation should he enter. Tim however after a few seconds realised it did not matter he had asked another question. Like the ninja he did not appear to be Dick had simply vanished.

History he could do, English he could do, Math's while it was a little harder he could still do, for god's sake he could even bake! Conner Luthor stated all of these things quietly repeatedly to himself in his head at he glared down at that horrible offending piece of paper on the desk in front of him.

"An E!"

"Yes Mr Luthor an E.!" Mr Palmer repeated the short sentence again to Conner for the fifth time as his student was about to repeater the question a sixth. "30 out of 100, in an E Mr Luthor no matter how hard you glare at me, the paper or Mr Allen for not allowing you to cheat off of him, it is always going to be an E" having said that Mr Palmer moved from the table Conner had sat at that day passing Bart his marked exam paper as he went.

"You know if you put your last few test scores together you get EEFGE!" the final non-word word was spoken almost melodically as a childish and simply maniacal smile spread across the speakers face.

" And you get AAAAA+! From your's. Not the first time you've said that you know that Bart?"

Golden eye's flashed with harmless mirth as Bart Allen began swinging his legs under the desk. Despite being almost air headed at first meeting Bart had a mind like a sponge, Eidetic his father had once called it. Friends since their much younger years Conner and Bart had been threw much together, a bromance fit for the ages.

"You know I offered to tutor you" Bart spoke again this time using his 'I'm serious I don't want you to fail' voice.

"We tried that remember. You don't actually study you just read the damn book and remember it. Something I am frustratingly incapable of doing." A loud thud resounded in the class as Conner placed his head not very gently on the desk.

"Trying to give yourself a concussion isn't going to help, infact it may lower your chances as excessive damage to any lobe of the brain even self inflicted can lead to-"

"Yeah Bart I tune out when you go super computer you know that right?" Cutting the boy of was often the only way to shut him up and as fast as Bart was Conner was quicker when he didn't want to hear a lecture on the correlation between blunt force trauma to the head and lasting detrimental neurological effects.

"How do you expect to learn if you don't let me teach you anything?"

"Semantics'!" the answer came sharper that intended and most would have recoiled at the sound, but Bart having the amount of exposure to the piss Mr Luthor was far less easy to scare.

"That makes about as much sense as your old hair style did." Smiling at pissy Mr Luthor Bart still refused to flinch even when a dark glare was shot his way. What did make Bart move however was the sudden opening of the classroom door, something that never happened without a knock first.

Stepping into the bright class room Tim began to squint. Who exactly designed a room so that the sunlight hit you as you walked in? Raising his arm a little to cover his eyes Tim soon regained the ability to see shapes against the bright glare.

"Great, another new pupil who was raised in a barn."

The scathing comment etched its way into Tim's skin even if the boy felt there was no more room for it. The comment combined with the slight titter it received from the other occupants of the room had Tim regress. The comfort he had felt with Dick just moments ago forgotten he shut himself within a shell once more.

"You must be Tim Drake I take it, my latest element." finally regaining eyes sight Tim was able to look at the teacher, a frankly ordinary looking man in his mid thirties maybe.

"Mr Drake if you would step this way please, firstly I would like you in every instance after this one to knock before entering my class room is that understood?" a nod from Tim "secondly I would like to ask you a single question before I allow you to remain in this class." Tim was a little shocked, he had heard from his " parents" that this institute was prestigious but he had never expected to be threatened with expulsion from a class if he did not know an answer to a question.

"Are you ready Mr Drake?" A slow hesitant nod from Tim indicated Mr Palmer to continue "What is the function of a calorimeter?" Out of the corner of his eye Tim saw a small bushy brunette straighten in anticipation, almost as if he wished to answer the question himself. At the present time however Tim had no time to regard the boy and quietly gave his answer.

"A calorimeter is a scientific devise used to measure the calorific value and enthalpy change of a given fuel." Thinking every word before he said it Tim concentrated on getting the answer exactly right, and watch as Mr Palmer began to smile.

"Very good Mr Drake, but now it is time that we shall give you a new name…What does everyone think of Hydrogen?" Smiling down at him Tim looked up at Mr Palmer in confusion as a similar mummer of confusion travelled its way among the other pupils. "My Reasoning is simple Hydrogen has an atomic number of one. The smallest atomic number applied to any element, and as you can see you Mr Drake are the smallest male in the room. Looking about Tim slowly noticed it was true not only was he the shortest, but in overall size he was considerably smaller that all of the other boys. "Now that's sorted Please take a seat Mr Drake".

Still rather dumb founded by what had happened in the last few minuets Tim remained still for a few seconds while Mr Palmer turned away from him moving to a large blank Periodic table in the corner, and started to fill in his name where Hydrogen should have been. Turning slowly Tim came face to face with at least twenty pairs of eyes that were all studying him in an all to familiar predatory way. Unnerved by his vulnerable position and the sheer amount of studying eyes Tim moved quickly to take one of the very few spare seats he could see.

"Hi I'm Fluorine!" Tim had to make a conscious effort not to scream. The boy had come from nowhere, all bushy brown hair and practically vibrating with excitement Tim unconsciously leaned away from the boy. "Well no, I'm mean I'm Fluorine like your Hydrogen, but I'm Really Bart, Hi"

"It's because your volatile isn't it? Like your full of energy and will react to anything" Tim spoke slowly with his theory still trying to get further away from the boy, something said boy would not allow as even as Tim moved back he moved forward.

"Exactly! Because fluorine is the most reactive element as well as the most electronegative, and I'm just hyperactive. So, Mr Palmer said it was appropriate!" The boy, Bart smiled wide revealing lustrous white teeth and almost dragged Tim with him as he returned to his seat. "So I heard your Tim, is it short for Timothy or is it just Tim? But Mr Palmer also said you're surname was Drake do you prefer Drake or Tim? It sounds odd but some people-"

"I Think that's enough Bart Let him breath." Disinterest oozed from the third member of their group as Conner sulked about his dismal grade.

"What its not like I'm smothering the him!" At the mention of smothering Tim moved back a little, Bart seemed ok but had admitted to being reactive. What if he occasionally became violently reactive? "Oh don't give me that look I'm not really going to smother you!" As if Tim had spoken aloud Bart replied to his thoughts.

"Y-Yeah I kind of figured that." Speaking softly Tim let his eyes wonder to the third of their group taking in the seemingly massive frame and dark hair.

"This is big K little r" Bart had spoken again and as he did the third had raised his head to asses Tim for the first time.

"Big K little r?" Tim repeated the phrase again a little confused, the boys name could in no way be big K little r, could it? When the unnamed third continued to stare at him he started to stare back and both boy's ice blue eyes met. A quick motion made Tim flinch a little but he calmed himself as he noticed the other had only raised his hand to shake.

"Big K little r, I'm Krypton but you can call me Conner"