A/N: Hello whoever is reading this story! I know there are a lot of people out there who love batman, you'll love this story too! Just stick with it! It's only just starting to get good!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

Enjoy!

Chapter: 10

The next week was a lonely and awkward week. She continued to ignore Tim and Steph, which was hard. She had so much to tell them yet she also felt that she shouldn't tell them anything at all. She moved through classes, ignoring the strange and impressive knowledge streak she gained from her mysterious one year disappearance. The strange increase in speed came and went, but with it came a constant restlessness. She couldn't stay still, that bothered her. It bothered her so much that she decided to rejoin the gymnastics team just to have something active to do,

"C'mon coach, you have to let me back on the team," she said after school the day she decided to rejoin,

"I can't. You haven't been here for half of the practices, plus you've been missing for a year and returned with absolutely no memories. You can't rejoin, you don't remember the routines," Tori grit her teeth, she realized she often did this before she did something stupid and this time wasn't an excuse to that fact.

Without a second thought she marched over to the open uneven bars and pulled herself up onto the lower on. She then proceeded to do the whole routine from eighth grade on them, the only one she really remembered doing. She executed it perfectly and with ease. Liam, as she kept realizing, had been right when he said it was like riding a bike. Tori remembered everything she ever felt while doing gymnastics. Power, grace and strength. She felt the buzz from doing the almost impossible…she ate every minute of it up until she finally reached the end of the routine and dismounted. Landing firmly on the mat, feet planted solidly. The coach stared dumbfounded before glaring at her,

"Crowne. That was the stupidest thing a student on this team has ever done," he yelled,

"So I'm back on the team?" Tori asked, noting Olivia and Zoe's dual sneers and glares,

"You're back on as an alternate. No competing until I say it's okay or we need another member. Is that clear?"

"Crystal," Tori said, saluting like a soldier. Gritting her teeth again as a snippet of a memory flashed by, 'we're like freaking soldiers to him,' a deep gravely voice hissed. Tori couldn't see this guy's face but she could hear the anger resonating off the man's voice. It wasn't Tim's voice or Wing's voice or the boss man's voice this time. That time it was someone else's…and Tori recognized it. It was the guy's voice, the one she saw in the alleyway across from Dr. Leslie's Clinic. Blinking Tori shook her head and ran off to change, realizing a second to late that she had super sped to the locker room as soon as she was in the hallway…thank god no one was in the hallways and school was over.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tori waited patiently at Dr. Leslie's clinic. Her parents had ungrounded her due to Tori's ruse that she was volunteering at Leslie's clinic after gymnastics practice on Thursdays. In actuality, Tori was going over there to get updates by Leslie, and to have check ups revolving around the chip in her neck. They concluded that it was a chip. Leslie couldn't tell what kind though. It could be a tracking chip or just a chip someone randomly decided to implant into her neck while she was missing. Tori said she didn't know why anyone would put that in her neck. The truth was she really did know why. As the man said, they thought they were 'improving the world' but really they were just killing kids. She didn't tell Leslie this because she didn't want the lady to go to the police, in fact Tori was shocked she hadn't already. Tori voiced this question when the woman called her in. Leslie laughed,

"I've had many cases that required the police, many which have saved children's lives, but I'm sure if I told the police of this situation, they'd laugh and have me admitted to Arkham,"

"Really?" Tori asked,

"Yes. There are many good cops in the precinct, but just as many crooked ones. Not only that but what credibility do we have? An X-ray, CT scan and the memories of a sixteen year old girl? We have no proof," Tori frowned,

"Someone should fix that system,"

"We have the Commissioner, Harvey Bullock and Batman, that's it,"

"What about Montoya?" Tori asked, having met her at the police headquarters,

"Eh, never really met her," Leslie said,

"Wait? You've met all those people including Batman?" Tori asked,

"Yes, he saved my life once or twice," Leslie said, "With all the crime in this City he still has time for old woman like me," Tori was silent for a moment, a thought starting to form,

"Does Batman have any partners?" she asked finally. Leslie stiffened,

"What brought this on?"

"Just wondering…trying to understand the vigilante population of this City. I've never seen Batman…or anyone else who helps him. I mean he has to have help, this is a pretty big and corrupt city as everyone loves to point out," Leslie smiled wryly,

"Yes, he has partners,"

"What are they called? I mean they have to have names,"

"There's Robin," Leslie said, "he's the youngest,"

"How old?" Leslie shrugged, but Tori could tell she knew more than she let on…why did everyone lie to her?

"There's Red Robin," Leslie said, Tori remembered the memory of the glimpse of red and black, "There's Nightwing," Tori remembered the calm and joking voice of the mysterious 'Wing, "There's this anti-hero Red Hood," Tori didn't know who that was, "He's around Crime Alley mostly, he doesn't get along with the others," Leslie said, before frowning, "We shouldn't be talking of this, we should be talking about you, that's why you're here," Tori blinked, remembering she had scheduled this appointment for her, not to discuss people who may or may not exist,

"I've determined that the chip is fused with your nervous system," Leslie said,

"So what does that mean?" Tori asked,

"It means that I cannot take it out without causing damage to you permanently,"

"Oh," Tori said, swallowing thickly,

"I did say that was a possibility," Leslie stated sympathetically, "We'll continue trying to figure out what it was put there for. In the meantime keep an eye on how you're feeling, what changes occur, how much water you drink, how much you eat…" Leslie droned on. Tori listened, but was still worried that she'd have to live with her increased intellect and speed for the rest of her life…she really should've told Leslie right away what she can do, but it never seemed like the right moment. Steeling herself, Tori started to speak,

"Leslie there's something I need to tell yo—," Tori was cut off by Leslie's beeper going off,

"I'm sorry, I need to go. You know the way out, we can pick this up later," Feeling a little dejected, Tori left.

Outside Tori started to head in the direction of home, only to notice a familiar red jacket that belonged to Tim, he seemed to be looking for something…more like someone, he was out searching for her. Not wanting to deal with anymore issues for the day. Tori turned in the opposite direction. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed another flash of red, disappearing down an alley…the one right across from Dr. Leslie's clinic. Gritting her teeth in anticipation of doing something stupid, yet again, she marched over to the alley.

She turned into it only to find it completely empty. Tori looked to her left, confused and turned to her right and…WHAM! Cold metal slammed into her face. With a cry of pain she fell to the ground, her jaw throbbing as she glared up at her attacker. It appeared to be a homeless person in a red jacket. That was what she had saw. Cursing herself for her stupidity she held her hands up, showing that she was defenseless. Her attacker dropped the bat, and pulled out a switchblade,
"'and over yous money," he slurred. Really? I got hit in the face with a bat by a drunk homeless guy? Tori thought to herself bitterly as she slowly got to her feet and reached into her back pocket to retrieve her wallet, but she was feigning it. Quick as she could she lashed out with a kick to his wrist, knocking the blade out of his hand and into the air. Tori then punched him in the face, wincing as she felt her wrist roll uncomfortably and dodged the blade falling to the ground. Not wasting anytime she push kicked him into the wall. Frightened the man scurried off. Taking a deep breath Tori noticed the sound of clapping. Whirling around Tori saw the same guy from before standing in the alley,

"You didn't feel inclined to help?" she demanded,

"You seemed to have it under control," he replied,

"Who are you. How do you know me? How do I know you," Tori asked, putting a hand to her jaw and realizing that the bat had actually torn flesh. It was bleeding. She groaned, Jess would never let her out at night again,
"Let me see," the dude said, stepping forward, Tori took a step back,
"No way, I don't know you…well…I don't remember you. I don't even know or remember your name," she said, crossing her arms, wincing as her wrist ached. It wasn't broken, but it hurt,
"Next time when you punch, don't tuck your thumb into your fist and don't let your wrist roll as you make impact with the face. Weren't you taught this in karate class?" the guy drawled, stepping forward again and handing her a piece of white gauze which he pulled out from almost nowhere. Grumbling Tori took the gauze and placed it over the wound, "You might need a tetanus shot too,"

"Leslie already gave me one,"

"Why?"

"None of your business stranger. How did you know I did karate?"

"Because," he stated, "You told me,"

"So I did know you,"

"Yeah,"

"What's your name,"

"Jason Todd," he said, rolling his eyes, or at least it seemed like he was, Jason had on dark shades and a dark red jacket, "What brings you to this alley? And well…Crime Alley in general,"

"I was visiting Dr. Leslie," Tori said flatly,

"And just decided to almost get mugged in an alleyway?"

"No, I saw red and thought it was you. But it turned out to be a violent drunk homeless guy,"

"You were looking for me?" Jason asked, surprised,

"Yes, you know me and you're the only person who hasn't lied to me," Tori said, "You know Tim Drake right?" Jason paused, pursing his lips before answering,

"Yeah, I've heard of the kid,"

"Well I thought he was my friend, but it turns out all he's doing is lying to me," Tori stated. Jason smirked,

"Liars are part of life. For all you know I'm lying to you right now,"

"But you aren't lying Jason. For some reason I just know you're not lying," Jason mumbled something under his breath that she could barely hear, something along the lines of, "Of course…taught you that trick,"

"Who taught me what trick?" Tori asked, Jason looked up, stunned that she could hear him,

"Nothing," he muttered, "Listen Tor. Tim isn't lying to you. He's protecting you. You may want to remember your entire past, but sometimes what you've experienced isn't something you'd want to remember,"
"I'm regaining memories from my year of being 'dead'" Tori spat, "Let me just say, I wish I could un-remember them just as much as people want Santa to be real. But it ain't happening," Jason winced at the word 'dead' like it physically hurt him,

"Did you—did you actually die?" he whispered, Tori cocked her head at that strange question,

"No…someone else died in my place," Tori replied, whispering as well, "But you have to keep that a secret…only me, Tim and Stephanie know," Jason nodded as if relieved before smirking again,

"If you really want to discover more about your past and why Tim is acting all secretive, start with your mom. She's got more cans of worms than Lex Luthor,"

"Who's Lex Luthor?" Tori asked confused,

"Just ask her about Peter," Jason said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "And before you ask who's Peter…just ask Maud…then talk to Tim. Let him explain himself to you…also, go on the internet and look up who's who in the world or you'll be helplessly lost for the rest of your life," Rolling her eyes Tori started to walk out of the alley only to stop,

"Hey, Jason?" she called to his retreating back, he turned, "Why do you stay in Crime Alley?" Jason smiled wickedly,

"These are my haunts, my grounds, my turf," Jason said, flicking a farewell salute before disappearing into the shadows. Rolling her eyes and smirking at his antics Tori left, heading home.

A/N: Wow, Jason Todd giving advice and standing up for Tim...never thought I'd see that! Sorry if Jason seems a little too Oc-ish, I try to keep the characters that already exist as realistic to their character as possible. PM me if you have questions, concerns or just want to say hi! ALSO REVIEW

Another chapter will be up tomorrow! I'll also be updating my other story today!

~ ShadowBat48