Chapter 4

Three Day's Later

When the young boy came around, the lights seemed to pierce through his eyelids. All the sounds, big and small, were now apparent and sharp. The gentle beeping of the heart monitor, his own breathing, and even the sound of birds outside of his window was perceived. The pleasant scent of freshener and tea reached his no longer stuffy nose as his eyelids wavered open. Dry throat had him coughing a little. He was thirsty. That beeping was beginning to drive him as he attempted to sit up, but his evident weariness kept him lying down helplessly, burdened in hearing the noise.

"Wow Alfie, you were right about the tea, it woke him right up," a chipper voice said as the boys eyes slowly looked over at the other edge of the bed, blinking quite a few times in hopes of clearing his vision. He felt himself being lifted upward, having him in a sitting position now as his baby blue eyes caught contact with Dick's.

"Indeed sir. Despite his age, Master Timothy has a thing for tea, this is a new chamomile tea that just came in, it should help soothe his throat as well as relax his lungs," Alfred said as he gently placed the tray over Tim's blanket covered lap. Looking up, Tim gave Alfred a confused looking face, unsure who he was around.

"Ehh," was all Tim could seem to say before he felt a warm hand cup him under his chin, gently turning him towards Bruce's gaze.

"He's going to need time, but the memories should be back faster than I thought earlier," Bruce said quietly as he looked over the boys facial features. He noted how hollow his cheeks were as well as how dry the boys skin was. He's still malnourished and dehydrated, he thought to himself. "You'll be alright," he said to Tim as he let go of him and gently pat his head. "I know you're probably lost right now, but we'll help you out," Bruce promised. Tim looked up at the man curiously, his blue eyes close to matching Bruce's as a tiny smile formed on his weary face.

"Thank you," Tim said softly, his faint voice close to cracking. His eyes looked like they were ready to close again, but he had to drink something. The IV was still in him, but his throat was like sandpaper, making it rougher for him to talk.

"Timmy, here's some tea, I'll help you," Dick offered as he carefully lifted the teacup up to Tim's mouth. "It's pretty warm so small sips," Dick advised as Tim obediently listened and took small sips of the delicious tea. It warmed him from head to toe, giving him a satisfying sensation through his body. Even the color seemed to return to his face, giving him a hint of rose in his cheeks.

"He should really eat something, that's too much weight loss in less than a week," Bruce noted as he watched the boy finish his drink. Ace grunted a little in agreement, laying down at the foot of the bed. The boys eyes seemed just as sunken as his cheeks. The fatigue in them appeared to show more as he repeatedly blinked to keep them focused.

"I know Bruce, but he's beginning to doze already, what exactly was in the tea, Alfred?" asked Dick in a quiet tone as Alfred smiled sincerely.

"It's a natural relaxant. The boy's clearly worn-out and being in a state of comatose isn't the same as a peaceful nights sleep," reminded Alfred. Timmy was hearing all of this, but his mind wasn't making sense of it as his weary eyes indeed began to finally become heavier. He let out a few weak coughs, clearing the remaining phlegm from his throat as he looked up at Bruce and Dick. Tim was slowly laid back down.

"Please, st...stay?" Tim uttered faintly as his hand tried to reach up from under the covers.

"Of course Timmy, we'll be right here," smiled Dick as he watched Tim's eyes close, letting him fall into a restful sleep.

A few hours later that Afternoon

Tim woke up again, his head throbbing a little as he turned his head to the side, checking out his surroundings. Strange, last he remembered there were people around, and they said they'd be there when he woke up. He was alone though. Aside from the dog he woke up to licking his face again, he was alone. The IV was out of his hand as his muscles struggled to help him sit up. Tim was still weak and bleary-eyed as he covered a soft yawn. Turning towards the side of the bed, Timmy let his legs dangle off the edge. The dog watched him curiously, wondering what the boy would do. The tips of Timmy's toes couldn't even touch the floor as he scooted himself off, a gentle plop of his weight hitting the soft carpeting. Tim was already feeling sweat from his efforts form on his forehead. It didn't stop him from using what energy he could to hoist himself back up in a standing position. He held back a wince, his arm giving him trouble. Being a child, he was rather curious as to where he was exactly. Some of the settings in the room looked familiar, but his head would have a ringing sensation in it, keeping him from focusing on it. Tim rubbed his eyes several times, hoping to wield off the drowsy feeling as his shaky legs walked on over towards the doorway. It was opened ajar, so Tim could easily open the entrance without fighting the doorknob. Not long after he got there, Ace hopped off the bed, following close behind. At first Tim just poked his head on out, a little nervous about venturing out in an unfamiliar area. It didn't look so scary as much as it looked ginormous. Tim's face paled a little at how elaborate the place was set up. It made him almost have a dizzy spell. He wasn't trying to escape, but he just really wanted to find someone. Maybe they could help him out on why he was there, as well as take him home.

Sighing heavily, Jason smirked to himself. The guys wouldn't want to be using that bathroom for a while as he closed the door to it. Poor Alfred would be most displeased. It was Jason's turn to look after Timmy, yet he went off to only take a leak. Then after having those leftover casserole dinners earlier, he really had to sit it out, for a good while. It was actually the bathroom across the hall that he went to instead of Tim's. He didn't want to scar the kid for life, or have him pass out from the stench, only to knock his brains out yet again against the sink or bathtub. Strange how Jason actually thought up that scenario. He would have to think up more soon, since he returned to the bedroom only to find the bed unoccupied. Dick and Bruce were gone on a mission, and Alfred was probably on the lower floor preparing dinner for everyone when they got back, so where the hell did Timmy take off to?

"Damn, Babybird, where did you go?" asked Jason to himself as he stormed out of the bedroom. Ace came trotting over towards Jay, woofing a little as though he was trying to tell Jason something. Stairs, check the stairs, Jay thought to himself, realizing that's the direction where Ace came from as he sped on down the hallway. Sure enough, little Tim was halfway down the stairs, the grand staircase that is, as his pace began to slow more. Tim did quite a workout taking one step at a time. He didn't realize how much energy he would use just going down the steps. Jason's pace however increased rapidly as he hastily stepped down the stairs.

"Hey Timmy! Where are you going?" asked Jason, more curious than angry as he caught up and knelt on the step in front of Tim, blocking him from going lower. Tim's baby blue eyes looked up at Jason. For a moment he just continued to stare, until a soft smile spread over his face. A flicker of understanding hitting him. Timmy, that's my name, of course! Even though Dick had called him by his name earlier, it didn't click in his head at who he was being addressed as.

"Home. I was wondering if someone could take me back home," he said calmly as he tried walking around Jason, his balance becoming unstable. Stretching his arm out, Jason blocked Timmy from going any lower.

"You're already home, and dad is out at the moment but you can see him later," Jason said, praying the kid wouldn't ask for his mom.

"Oh okay," Timmy said as disappointment filled his voice. Jason frowned. He hated seeing his little brother upset as he carefully hoisted him up in his arms. Damn, Babybird's too thin. Tim rested his head against Jason's shoulder, his body demanding a moment of rest as he panted a little.

"I know you haven't had anything to eat for a while, but how does some soup sound?" Jason suggested, hoping the kid could maybe keep food down at least. He was answered by the gurgling of Tim's tummy crying out in utter agony as Jason couldn't help but smirk. "Guess I got my answer. When we finish though it's back to bed for you," he said as he looked down at how Tim puffed out his cheeks, pouting a little. "B-man wouldn't want you relapsing, and neither would I," Jason said as Tim nodded a little, the tiredness unmistakable in his movement.

"Could you read me a story, later?" asked Timmy softly as Jason pat Tim's head with his freehand. They finally made it down the stairs, Jason being careful not to drop Timmy.

"How can I say 'no' to that face? You're an evil little manipulating brat," Jason smirked as Tim managed a shy smile. Jason gently sat Tim down in one of the dining room chairs. It still had the pillows on it from when he was living there. It was until now, unoccupied and untouched since.

"I'm sorry," Timmy apologized sincerely, unsure how he was supposed to react to the comment.

"Don't worry about it, it's a talent. You can use it on B-man to get me that new stereo system for my latest ride," half joked Jason as he began heating up the water, constantly looking over his shoulder to be sure that Timmy was staying put in his seat.

"Dinner will be served in a few hours, Master Jason," came Alfred's voice as Jason saw him coming from the other doorway.

"I'm aware, Timmy needs a little something though," Jason gestured with his head towards the table were Tim was sitting.

"Shouldn't you still be in bed, young master?" asked Alfred worriedly as he looked over the boy, feeling his forehead for a fever. Timothy's eyes looked up at Alfred curiously, seeing the butler being concerned about him.

"Don't worry, he seems okay for now, but I told him after this he's going to lay back down, then I'm reading him a story," Jason said simply while stirring the mix in with the now boiling water.

"Very good, sir. Shall I make you some tea to go with that as well?" the butler asked Timmy politely who looked up at him, still trying to recall who he was.

"Yes, please," Tim said graciously. "Um sir, do you by chance, make cookies?" asked Tim, a snap of familiarity flashed in his head as Alfred couldn't help but smile a little.

"Yes I do. When you are well enough I will make you some if you'd like," he offered as Tim nodded eagerly.

"Wow Alf, he's getting pretty sharp," noted Jason as he set the bowl in front of Tim. The heat was steaming off of the broth. "No one can forget you, or your cookies," he grinned as he pulled Tim's chair closer to him. "I know you're still a bit shaky, but just be careful and eat what you can," Jason advised as he handed Tim a spoon, then placed a dishtowel across his lap. The tea was placed near his bowl by Alfred. "If you need help I'll be right here," Jay said as Tim nodded his thanks. After Timmy ate all that he could, his now full tummy was busy digesting his supper. He could almost feel it all going through him, giving him a relaxing sensation. The tea was spot on delicious as well.

"Thank you," Timmy said gently as Jason put the dishes away and lifted him back up in his arms.

"Don't mention it. You're too skinny as it is so if you get hungry later let me know," Jay advised as Tim nodded. "How you feeling now anyway?" asked Jason as he held onto Tim, absentmindedly feeling his forehead. It was giving off some heat, but not enough to be a dangerously high fever.

"Tired," Timothy murmured, his head resting up against Jason's shoulder again.

"Well you did overdo it a little bit earlier. You need to rest before you can take those stairs again," frowned Jason as he made his way back up to the bathroom. "I think you should take a bath though before going to bed. That fever of yours is keeping you sweaty."

"I'm smelly?" Tim asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice, the color rising more in his cheeks aside from his fever..

"No, not really," admitted Jason. "I just think you'll sleep better knowing your clean, and Alfred already came up to change your sheets on the bed. He'll be bringing a change of clothes for you as well."

"Oh, okay," Timmy said as he tried to cover a yawn. Jason held back a grin, knowing full well the boy would fall asleep in the tub if he wasn't careful.

An Hour Later

Tim was finally fast asleep. It didn't take him long to doze off halfway through Jason changing his clothes after his bath. I was a good thing he told Tim a story while he was having his bath, Tim seemed very pleased. Alfred reapplied the bandages to his head and arm. They were healing well, but still needed to be watched for infection. Dick was now home and came to check on Tim, seeing Jason still in the room.

"Has he been asleep all this time?" he asked.

"Actually no. I brought him down for a light dinner; soup. Then he had a bath after and I tucked him in," shrugged Jay. Dick brightened up at hearing this.

"Glad you got him to eat something. I was getting awful worried," Dick sighed in relief as he lightly pat Tim's head. "Did, did he remember anything?" asked Dick curiously.

"Well, he did guess right that Alfred makes the cookies," grinned Jason. "He just asked him out of the blue, like he remembered it."

"Hmm. Say, if his stomach's up to it, I bet if we gave Timmy a cookie, he'd recall more, jog his memories, you know?"

"Definitely. I think he's starting to recognize the manor, but he's taking longer to remember us," thought over Jason.

"That, and even after the remedy was given to him, Timmy's still fighting that fever. We need to be careful with him. He's still weak and hopefully by the end of the month he'll be fully recovered," Dick explained as he looked down at Tim. He still looked heavily worn-out, but it was great news that he was awake earlier and actually eating.

If any of you are wondering how Jason's suddenly good with kids, well Tim was at the manor before for about a year, so he eventually learned how to care for him as well. Also I know when I was in 2nd grade for sure I bathed without supervision, but this tub here in the manor is freak'n huge and until Tim reaches a certain height he needs supervision, plus he's wounded and sick, not exactly wise to leave him in there alone.

AND, I apologize for perhaps some raunchy humor later or recent (belching, breaking wind moments). I grew up with two older brothers, and both of them remind me of Jason and Dick so much its sickening. I am not saying all guys talk about how much they stink up the bathroom, but I grew up with my brothers talking like that and one of my brothers would CONSTANTLY hug me, even if he was mad at me, so yea a bit of my brothers personalities are thrown in here. Please let me know if they're balancing out alright. Jason hasn't been beaten senseless by the Joker or felt 'replaced' by Tim in this story. He was just at first annoyed, since kids normally bother him. Tim however is a rare polite, sensible, and obedient kid. Those are rare; at least age wise.