Chapter 2

Tim's Point of View

I always thought of myself as brave. Brave enough to become Robin, to work aside an emotionless man dressed like a bat, and to confront insane maniacs that enjoy causing chaos and pain for innocent people. However, when it came to Julia Remington, I was a full-out coward. While receiving Julia's number was by far one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, I worried that my connection to Julia would upset my case on the coffee shop. Perhaps it was Bruce's influence that prevented me from calling Julia. I don't know if I ever would have called her without a distressing revelation.

It was about three days after the encounter with Julia at the coffee shop. I was in the Nest, checking surveillance footage from around the shop for suspicious activity or glimpses of Julia, whatever came on screen first. All was progressing fine until the opening of the ceiling entrance diverted my attention.

"Hey, Timmy," Dick greeted as he dropped to the floor. He was wearing his Nightwing suit, which would mean he stopped by during his patrol. Dick has a habit of creating pit-stops while on patrol, actually when I think about it; it's probably the reason why Bruce is upset with him most of the time.

"Hello, Dick," I answered unenthusiastically, quickly switching to footage that Julia wasn't in, "Is your nightly visits going to become a habit?"

"Gee, Timmy, if I didn't know any better I'd say you don't want me here," Dick whined leaning up against my computer console. "What are you working on?"

"Just a case, nothing you need to know about," I interjected, turning off the computer as Julia passed by one of the cameras again. "You can leave now."

"Oh, come on Tim. Is it a crime if I want to stop by and see my little brother? You never come to the manor anymore." Dick stated with a hurt look. We all say Bruce is the manipulator of the family, but the real one is Dick. Bruce uses his approval, but Dick uses his emotions and guilt to trick everyone. I have played victim to his manipulation for years, I have begun to hate it.

"Like that is any surprise," I threw back as I stood. "Goodbye, Dick." I turned away from him in an attempt to leave the room when I saw the coffee cup with Julia's number on it sitting right in Dick's line of sight. Crap…

"Don't be this way, Tim. I know Damian and you don't get along, but the manor is still your home. Alfred misses you, so does Bruce. I miss you," Dick implored as he moved closer to me. Due to his rapid approach, I deduced that Dick was planning to hug me. While I was in no mood for Dick's suffocating, guilt-ridden affections, I realize that submitting to them would most likely get Dick to leave before he notices the coffee cup.

"Sorry Dick, it's been a long day," I apologized while rubbing my eyes to hide the nervous expression on my face. Dick placed his hands on my shoulders to turn me around and pull me into the hug I had been dreading. Deep down, part of me enjoyed the attention and love that Dick was displaying, but my logical mind informed me that Dick gives such affection out freely, therefore losing its value. I would take anything if it keeps him from seeing the cup.

"It's okay, Tim. I just worry about you. You stay here, locked up in your little 'cave', working endlessly. I am just scared you are becoming too much like Bruce," Dick soothed while tightening his arms around me. Observing my lack of response and assuming that it is caused by the offense of the pervious comment, Dick continued, "Not that being too much like Bruce is a bad thing. I am worried that you are sacrificing your personal life for the mission like he does." Dick pulls back from the hug to look me straight in the eye, keeping his hands on my shoulders. His expression is one of concern, almost convincing me that he truly cares. "Bruce is so alone, and I don't want that for you," Dick finishes, squeezing my shoulders gently before letting go.

"I understand, and thank you for your concern," I replied insulted. I will not let myself be manipulated by Dick into thinking he cares for me. He showed his true feelings when he chose the demon spawn over me. This entire speech was about Dick coming to terms with his own guilt. Dick stared at me with pity as he slowly shook his head.

"Anyway, Alfred asked me to stop by to invite you over to the manor for dinner on Sunday," Dick asked hopelessly as if he knew the answer I was going to give.

"I can't, I have a case to work on," I answered, turning back to the computer to dismiss Dick in the process.

His head dipped in disappointment, Dick took out his grapple gun to leave. "Goodbye, Tim," he spoke as he shot out of the building with the ceiling entrance slamming closed behind him. I sighed with relief as Dick did not appear to see anything about the case or more importantly Julia. Turning on the computer again to go back to the surveillance footage, I found myself to be unsettled. Damn you, Dick…I swore to myself as I was unable to get back to work due to the haunting nature of Dick's words.

I am not that much like Bruce, I tried to reassure myself, and I am not alone. Well that wasn't true; those connections I tried to make didn't last. Dick never cared in the first place, the demon spawn hated me at first sight, Jason tried to kill me, Cassie broke up with me, and Stephanie died on me. The relationships I tried to form were taken away from me whether they had romantic or familial intentions. Even paternal relationships were never really existed in my life, except for the one with Bruce. Though, Bruce has never acted like any parent towards me or anybody for that matter, so maybe that relationship doesn't exist anyway. As friendships goes, I lost most of the normal ones due to becoming Robin, and most of the titans were estranged from me at the moment. The only person who was still my friend was Alfred, who I never see because he is at the manor where the demon spawn is.

As my thoughts attempted to make sense of what Dick said, the surveillance footage continued to play in front of me. It was as if by the fate, Julia came on screen. Interrupting my thoughts with her beauty, Julia walked on screen to sit on the back stairs to the shop. She appeared to be drawing something on a scratchpad. She is so beautiful. Taking my breath away like she always does, I reached a realization.

I am acting like Bruce, I thought as the reality of that statement crashed down on me. I am clearly interested in, in love with, Julia but I stopped myself from pursuing a relationship, because it would interfere with the case. Dick was right, I was becoming Bruce. The impact of this realization and the image of Julia on the screen was enough to stir me into rising to grab the coffee cup. Taking the cup in my grasp, I took out my phone and started dialing. Only when the ringing of her phone sounded in my ear did I realize what I was doing. I was about to hang up the phone out of fear when I was stopped by the sudden halt of the ringing.

"Hello," a sleep-ridden voice sounded followed by a yawn, "Who is this?" Recognizing the voice as Julia's, I had trouble speaking. "Hello," Julia asked again, seeming to get a little worried.

"Hi, Julia," I said once I found my voice again, "It's Tim from the coffee shop." I was met with silence that was interrupted with a thumping sound and rapid rustling. "Julia..." I asked with the fear that something happened on her side of the phone line.

"Yes, I'm here," she responded after a few seconds, "Why are you calling me in the middle of the night?" I froze at the realization that it was half past one o'clock in the morning.

"I…I didn't realize the time," I stuttered fearfully at the chance that I might have lost Julia. Of course, I didn't know her that well back then.

Laughing, she replied, "It's okay, I was in the middle of a bad dream anyway. Thanks for saving me." The sound of her voice soothed me like nothing else in the world allowing Dick's words to finally fade away from my mind to leave me in peace "So, why did you call," Julia asked in a tone that hinted at a smile resting on her face.

"Uh, I was wondering what you were doing Saturday night," I quickly inquired with my nervousness leaking through my voice.

"Saturday…mmm," she responded smiley, "I have to work until 5 o'clock, but after that I am free." Hope was busting through my chest, forcing me to crack a smile.

"Can I pick you up after work for dinner?" I asked timidly, wondering if I was too bold.

"Yes, you can. I'll have to stop at home first to change, but after that I'm yours," Julia answered causing me to full-out grin in a way I haven't done in years.

"I'll see you then," I stated feeling as through my heart would burst from joy.

"Yep, see you," She answered before hanging up the phone. I stood there in utter bliss for several moments before I realized I needed to hang up the phone as well. Before putting my phone away, I put Julia's number into it. As I was about to create the contact, I realized something about myself. I wasn't going to become like Bruce. I wasn't going to be alone.