x. It's not long after Bart and Kon-El start to realize the shape of what Bane's pirates are joking about that Tim stumbles wet and tired onto the docks.

To have ground under him again is nice, though flight had become less sickening by the time Venezuela's coast had come into view.

"It's safest if I leave you here," his rescuer says, and Tim nods, trying hard not to shake.

He's tired but finally wondering if he can trust that the ordeal is over. He's been plucked from the heart of disaster and given a free ride to where he needs to be. Never in any imagining could have Tim anticipate this.

"I don't know how to thank you," he says. And though he had meant it when he had first sat across from Luthor, he means it a million times more now. "That was…I can't even get my head around it."

"Then don't try," offers the other.

For the second time, Tim senses regret or unease from the stranger. It seems so out of place. How can anyone so powerful be bothered by anything?

Tim nods, though. He feels that he owes the other some kind of promise. "I have information for…well, it's a secret. Do you want me to mention you? I don't know how to get around it, but I'm…well…I do owe you. And they won't press me if I insist."

In the black hours, where the storm is chasing them to the coast, Tim tries to make out the outline of this person; meta or agent of God? Tim's still not sure, though the other could pass as human. There's a crudely constructed mask covering the other's face and it looks like old material from a ruined mast that is covering as clothes. It's certainly not a stylish costume but if it's purpose is to conceal an identity, Tim can respect the success it has.

"I won't ask you to lie for me," the stranger says. "But it would do me a great favour if you didn't go about announcing this encounter."

"I'm grateful," Tim repeats, feeling as if words aren't enough. "But if you're out there doing things like this, well…I don't know what I'm saying. It feels right, though. I'm really too tired to be talking."

Tim laughs nervously and thinks the other nods, understanding.

"Unless you really are new at this," continues Tim. "But if so, I think it's a good path. If you could find a way to do this during the day though…" his thoughts are swirling.

Fear and Luthor and how he still has something to prove to someone.

"The day. You'd fit best in the day," he trails off. "Sorry. I'm…I should go. I'm late as it is, I can't even count how many days and…I'm…thank you."

The stranger nods, and as if by some illusion, Tim's alone and staring at an empty space. A more insistent breeze tussles his hair though. Tim's feet want to give but by some grace, he convinces them to move towards the familiar ship. He doesn't even look twice at Bane's monstrous vessel, feeling somehow safe even now that he's alone.

The plank is not extended on the Pearl, and Tim wonders why there is no patrol wandering above. He looks the sheer of the ship up and down and wonders if he could find his own way aboard, but he's far too tired.

Tim drops down on the wood planks not far from where Roy had once pretended to know how to play a sitar. And though Tim's alert, passively concerned with being caught in the return of his sea storm, the arm that grabs him from behind comes unexpectedly.

Instantly the sense of safety from his rescuer vanishes and Tim jerks his head back to see a dark shadow towering over him.

"Oh G—" he cries, stumbling back until his eyes can take in the full shape. And though his heart screams at him, Tim collapses with a strange sense of relief. It feels wrong inside, like too much of a contrast from his previous rescue. "Bru…Bat…"

The shape doesn't move from where it watches him. "I've just found out that you're dead."

Tim stares and then nods.

"So have you come to haunt my ship?"

There's irony there, or…relief? Tim's not sure anymore. "I'm…long story. I have to tell you about what Bane is planning."

"I've already worked it out of him. I shouldn't have had to."

Among all his conflicting feelings, Tim feels his stomach drop and his face burn. It's almost too hard to apologize. "I'm sorry. It…"

"No. We go on the ship first."

Tim nods, understanding the sense in that. "Com…compare accounts."

And behind the mask, the dark man is smiling. "Yes. Good."

♠