Chapter Ten: Babybird

"You cannot be serious."

To say Dick Grayson was a little peeved about the surprising revelation of a new Robin coming into the picture, was the understatement of the century.

He was even angrier that Bruce had "forgotten" to tell him about the newest addition to the family.

"He came to me." Bruce snapped.

Dick rolled his eyes. "Uh huh. Like I came to you? You adopted me after the freaking police department wouldn't let me go with the circus! Where did this kid come from? The zoo?"

Bruce was obviously trying and failing to contain his annoyance.

Dick was not appreciating the effort.

"Look, I knew how you would feel about this after what happened to the last one-"

"Jason." Dick snapped, his arms folded across his chest. "His name was Jason. Use it."

Bruce sighed, but nodded anyway.

He knew Dick was right.

It was crazy to bring another innocent child into this, but Tim needed it. Just like Dick and Jason had.

"I don't want another kid getting hurt like Jason." Dick continued. "I don't mind if you adopt him, but Robin? Why?"

"Because Gotham needs the Batman." Bruce shot back. "He lowered his voice a little from its previously raised tone. "And whether I like it or not, Batman needs Robin."

Dick's angry expression fell.

He sighed and rubbed his masked eyes.

"Okay. But how can you be sure you can protect him this time?"

"I can't be." Bruce admitted.

"But I can put him in a safer situation. I want you to introduce him to the team. He can be the new Robin."

Dick almost wanted to protest, then thought better of it and kept his mouth shut.

It would be safer for the kid around other heroes. Other heroes with powers.

His shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine. But if it doesn't work out we are finding something safer. Got that?"

Bruce actually smiled slightly.

"I'll drop him off tomorrow."

Nightwing hadn't been expecting the ten year old boy Batman dropped outside the cave the next morning. Honestly, he hadn't been sure what he was supposed to think.

Tim was tiny. His black hair was a little spiky. He stood easily three feet shorter than Nightwing.

But he stared up at the older hero with a mixture of curiosity and reserved intelligence.

"Hi." Tim said after a while of awkwardness.

"Hi." Dick found himself saying back.

He felt himself slip back into the time when he had started out as Robin. He had been younger than Tim. But not by much.

He offered a gloved hand to the younger boy.

Tim smiled cautiously and took it.

The doors to Mount Justice slid open.

Nightwing's four remaining teammates waited to greet them.

Maybe having another little brother wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.

A/N: OMG! It has been so insanely long since I've updated and I am so sorry. Yeah, I know that doesn't make it better. But I hope you guys are still reading this. Thank you all for being so patient. This was an awesome suggestion by the way. Thanks. J