Chapter 2

Catwoman was silent as Tim scrambled to his feet and wiping his eyes.

'Who are you?' she asked calmly.

'Tim... I used to live here...' he mumbled.

Catwoman sighed, 'This was not part of the gig.'

'Were you going to rob Virginia?'

Catwoman placed a hand on her hip, 'I suppose I was. You ain't going to tell on me to her will you?' There was a smirk playing on her lips.

'Batman and Robin got her.' Tim said glumly, 'She's arrested. I... I am no longer in her care.'

How a child this size could speak so elegantly was beyond her, her eyes widened beneath her goggles, 'She's arrested?'

Tim nodded, 'You're...not gonna turn me in?' he asked.

She actually laughed at that,' Kid I'm no hero, I'm a thief. I've got as much reason to not be turned in by you...'

'I can't go back.' Tim muttered and bent down to throw some things in his bag, 'I won't tell if you don't tell?' he proposed.

A skipped beat.

'How about I do one above that, I'm guessing you don't have anywhere to go now.' she said. He shook his head and she continued, 'Well how about neither of us spill the beans and you can stay the night with me. Get some rest and a shower and figure out yourself a game plan?'

Go home with Catwoman?

Tim glanced at the floor, He saw the torn half of a photo from the last time he had been allowed to go away with his parents, His mother's face was gone but his grin shone, with three missing teeth and half of his dad smiled back at him.

'Okay. Deal.' Tim said.

They left as quietly as they came. Tim followed through the shadows until they reached a towering condominium building in a far nicer part of town.

'Stay here for a moment.' She said softly by the garage. She vanished for about ten minutes until the side door slid open and revealed a casually dressed woman.

'Tim.' She said. She was slim, tall and fit. She wore dark yoga pants and a burgundy pull over. Her hair was dark and pulled back in a messy bun. Her make up still on and her eyes sparkled. They were the colour of emeralds and almond shaped.

'Let's go up shall we. I'm Selina.' She said.

Tim nodded and followed. They went to the elevator and went all the way up. Selina it seemed lived in the pent house.

'There's two bedrooms. You can use the guest one.' She said as they moved down a hall towards her apartment.

It was very spacious. The front door led to the living area which held a long couch and end unit. Across from it was a bookshelf unit. Beside that was the door to to deck/roof area. Behind the couch was the kitchen area. The other side held a long hallway.

'Down that way is bathroom, then both bedrooms next to them and a linen closet.' She said conversationally.

Tim nodded taking it all in. He suddenly felt something rub against his ankle. Glancing down he saw a pair of eyes gleaming at him. It was a tortoise shell cat gazing at him.

'That is Mina.' Selina said smiling, 'Isis is somewhere. I only have the two.'

He nodded and bent down to give the cat a soft pet. She rolled onto her side over his feet and purred as he kept stroking her soft fur.

'Have you eaten?' She asked. Tim shook his head and she strolled towards the hall.

'Why don't you shower or bath while I whip something off?' She suggested. Tim nodded.

The bathroom was long versus wide. The tub was elegant with jets and stand up shower beside it.

'Bath or shower?' She asked.

'Bath?' He asked shyly. She smiled and began to run the water, 'bubbles then?'

Tim brightened and she laughed freely as she dumped bubbles into it. She soon left him to his own devices and shut the door behind her.

Tim slipped into the water and relaxed. He decided to let himself relax finally. He didn't know where he would end up after this but he didn't care.

When Tim finished he hadn't noticed the towel awaiting him he dried himself off and changed again. He entered the kitchen to find Selina frying up an omelette.

He sat on the couch and she served it up for him. She had one herself as she plopped down beside him.

After a few moments of eating he spoke.

'Why were you there?'

'Miss Randall's ex husband and partner had a grudge and wanted certain items from their time of marriage. So he hired me to steal it.' She said simply.

She glanced at the clock, 'I have to take said items to him so if you want to hit the hay go right ahead. I'll be here when you wake up.' She said.

Tim nodded feeling his energy finally drain from him. She collected the plates and pulled him upward. She led him to the guest bedroom that he noticed was decorated in mostly greys and silver and fell onto the large bed.

She chuckled at his state and went to change again.

When Tim awoke the next day, it was too the smell of bacon and eggs. He found Selina in the kitchen with a black sleek cat on the counter watching.

'This is Isis.' She said smiling. They sat down and they began eating. It was after nearly finishing she spoke again.

'So what will you do now Tim Drake? 'Selina asked.

Tim paused. Unsure how to answer. What did he want?

'I want a home. But not the orphanage.' He said. She smiled.

'Well. How about I make you an offer Tim?'

It was then Mina leaped onto his lap. He jumped but she took no care and settled comfortably.

'It doesn't have to be permanent. But I have enough money. You can decide after a few weeks even if it's okay still.' Selina said softly.

Mina began to pure. Tim smiled and looked up, 'Sure.'

The next few days were a blur for them. Selina went to the orphanage and explained she found Tim at the bus station and agreed to take him on. He would be only in temporary care with her until a lot of legal papers had to be signed. Apparently Virginia had yet to do that herself.

She also went to fetch the rest of his things. She allowed him to then rearrange the room to his liking. He pushed the bed to the side below the window and his dresser near the foot along the wall. He kept the silver and grey bedding and hung his post from Haley's circus above the wall. There wasn't a closet but he was fine with that. He also had a small book shelf she purchased for him as well as a desk and chair which was on the other side.

There was only one thing left. He got himself a new cork board and went through the newspaper clippings and photos he could salvage. He then covered it on the wall beside the dresser with a dark blue curtain covered in stars that Selina helped put up.

When asked if she knew for sure who Batman and Robin were she merely winked.

'Now I can't go spoiling the fun!' She replied to his groan.

All in all Tim found himself settling in. Selina was funny and although Isis ignored him Mina was often found snuggled under his covers. They would often be found napping together.

As September had rolled in they had agreed to wait until the papers were finalised for school. The social worker Sarah checked in and on her third visit Tim agreed to the adoption.

A week into living with Selina and he was surprised with a gift; upon his bed was a shiny new camera. Mina curled up next to it. Tim had received gifts before. But this made his chest swell he never felt from receiving a gift.

He knew it was time when the night finally came and he watched on her bed as Selina suited up for a gig. She had skipped on a lot recently for Tim.

Watching the goggles slip over her eyes he knew he had made the right choice.

It was mid September when Tim had his first run with his camera. He had used it mostly to take photos of Mina and Isis. But with Selina on a gig he decided to take off into the night.

He slipped on the new sweater she got him. She insisted on taking him clothing shopping. Flipping the hood up he easily went out onto the roof leaving the door unlocked. He climbed down the fire escape and took off into the night.

He was nearing Crime Alley when he heard a shout. He hid behind a side door archway. A woman dressed proactively was pushing away a brute. Beside him was two other guys. One held a baseball bat.

'Let me go ass hole!' She said. It was as one man swung his bat Tim moved. He picked up a nearby piece of wood and swung taking the guy out by the ankles. The next guy flew forward with his bat out as the girl took off. Tim felt his shoulder sear with pain from making contact with the bat. He stumbled but managed to dodge the next attack and took off. He heard them follow and as one caught up to him that's when he heard it.

The snap of a line. The flutter of the cape. Robin flung to the ground from above kicking the bat away. He aimed a well thrown punch and spun and knocked out the next guy.

The final guy standing by the end of it fled. Robin spoke into his comm and turned to Tim.

'You again.' He said. Tim mumbled a sorry and Robin sighed. Tim merely grinned his shoulder killing him.

'Whoops. I'll just.. go now. Thanks again Rob!' Tim said hurriedly still feeling adrenaline.

'It's Robin.' The boy wonder scoffed.

He scaled the next wall as best as he could till he landed on a balcony. It was rickety and swung dangerously as he laid there. He realised Robin had not followed. Tim couldn't ponder it further as suddenly there was a creak too loud for comfort. He felt the metal rod above snap then.

The floor part of the balcony went and slammed into the wall. One end was still attached so he precariously hung from it.

'I swear the bat does not have this much trouble.' A voice said above him. Selina was there in full Catwoman attire. She lowered her whip and he took hold and she helped pull him up. He was thankful for her surprising strength.

Once on the roof he collapsed into a heap and dry heaved for a moment.

'I ran into Robin and he explained to me you went this way. ' she said. She let him rest before they went home.

Once home she tended to his wound and he changed into pj's.

'So.' She said when she too had changed.

'I'm sorry.' He said.

'It seems you're determined to go out.' She said, 'how about we put your talents to good use? Robin told me he may not have made it to the girl in time without you.'

He was shocked.

'You...you wanna train me to be like you?' He stammered. Selina smiled.

'Why not? And Sarah will be by this week to confirm everything went smoothly. By next Monday you'll be a Kyle. It's only fitting to train you rather then have you scamper off anyways.' She purred. Tim grinned, 'Okay!' He said.

'Besides,' she added with a wink, 'you're already getting close to that boy wonder.'

Tim blushed, 'Robin is just so cool!' He mumbled. Selina laughed, 'Oh hunny you have no idea. Just wait. Our end of the gig is just as fun.'

He would never believe such a turn of events would happen. Eventually they retired to bed and he smiled into his pillow as Mina snuck in to cuddle.

True to her words that Friday Sarah came by for her final visit and Tim became Timothy Drake-Kyle.