Tim shook his head, this was not what he had expected to happen. In the last month, something had changed with Batman. He was more prone to violence even more so than after what happened to Robin, Bruce Wayne's ward Jason Todd. The only explanation, the Joker was out of Gotham.

The news had sent a cold chill through the city, even with the early Autumn heatwave that was engulfing the city. Having regained consciousness during the first week school was back, the Joker had somehow wormed his way for his primary psychiatrist to help him escape. The woman, a Dr. Harleen Quinzel, was more or less the craziest person Arkham had ever produced; well, at least that's how Tim saw it. What kind of person willing help a man like the Joker, and defend him? No, a sane person that is for sure.

Batman started that week tearing through Gotham's underbelly; seemingly fruitless in his search for the Joker's whereabouts. Nightwing was not even able to help the man, seeming to disappear for a few days at a time. Tim could not pinpoint exactly where the man was going, but he knew it must have been important enough, with all things considered

Looking out the window of the coffee shop Tim was sitting in, he was surprised to see said man, on Dick Grayson coming towards the establishment. The man was hardly seen in Gotham anymore, with speculations that he had left weeks ago. Tim knew that was not entirely true, with Nightwing's spariadic appearances on Gotham's rooftops and alleyways.

Tim could feel his body shake with anticipation on what he could, probably should do. The information was right there, on the very front of his mind. Batman, no Bruce Wayne, was not a solitary human by nature. He was a man that formed deep bonds, and those bonds are what defined him. The presence of a Robin made both sides of the man into a true hero, rather than a commonplace vigilante; and right now it was what he needed. Someone to ground him, to show him what truly needed to be focused on.

Tim watched as Dick smiled at the teenager behind the register, ordering what looked to be coffee and a doughnut-like pastry. As he was given his order, Tim moved into action. He quickly put his computer in his bag and his empty disposable coffee cup and headed to the door a few steps behind Dick. His mind was made up, and no matter how tonight ended, things would never be the same.

***Two Weeks Ago, BatCave***

Jason knew something was wrong the moment that he entered the Cave. Dick still disapproved of Jason being in here, but Jason was no going to let the elder's words stop him. His sessions with Black Canary, for the older woman had agreed to use code names during their sessions, had helped him somewhat. At least to work through some of his thoughts on what he could do.

Shaking his head at the thought that even the older woman would think his actions now would not be advisable, Jason finished his descent down into the cave. He felt so strange, using Alfred's entrance rather than his sliding pole behind the clock; but that was a thought he barely allowed to live as he heard the shouting.

"... This has nothing to do with him." A calm voice said, though Jason knew for a fact that Bruce's teeth would be clenched, with his fist flexing for just a few seconds before cold blue eyes shot at you.

"This has everything to do with him, Bruce!" Jason was almost taken back with the actual anger coming from Dick's tone. There was an absoluteness there did not seem to belong to the older man, at least not the one that Jason had come to know in the last few months. "You can't hide something like this forever Bruce, not from him. He can get into the Computer quicker than even I can, and I've used the damned thing for years longer than he has. He can't find out on his own."

There was a loud scraping sound, and boots hitting the ground repeatedly. Bruce was either pacing or stomping his way to Dick. Jason could not be certain, he was holding his breath and hiding along the shadowed wall, just wanting to hear what the conversation was about. He could almost figure the subject was him.

"He does not need that stress, Dick. He is what he is today because of him…" Bruce's voice was guarded, something Jason had just recently learned to read. It was not a new expression for his mentor, but it was one that was the most human.

He never heard how was to be ended, for Bruce was interrupted by Dick, this time the elder's voice was pulled tight. An imitation of Bruce's voice, though probably subconsciously done. "That's where you're wrong Bruce. Jason isn't like you or me. You can't use yourself as a mold for what his reactions will be." There was a pause, "He's going to find out, and best be it from you. The Joker may have taken his leg, but you can't get rid of a Robin like that."

Jason stood there, no longer caring about hiding himself. The Joker… Why were they talking about that clown? And what were they not telling him? His heart seemed to be going a million miles an hour, and stopping all at the same time. Was the Joker awake? Did he somehow get out? His voice hitched for just a moment when the sound of a car engine roared through the car.

Bruce… Bruce was keeping things from Jason. Nothing knew, of course; but damn, it hurt to think that nothing had changed in that respect. But to keep this… It was like everything in him was on a slow reset. He thought the Joker was out of the picture for good. Not just locked up in Arkham, but in the closest thing to a body bag that he could have been without actually being dead. He thought that Batman would have done whatever it took to make sure no one got hurt like Jason did.

Jason swallowed down whatever emotions were building in his throat as he took a cautious step into the Cave-proper. It seemed empty, the Batmobile gone from it's turntable and Dick's Nightcycle (Wingbike?), or whatever he called the damned thing, was not parked in it's usual spot. This was good for Jason, for he did not think he could not confront one or the other about what he heard.

It was also good, because it gave him the time to work on his secret project. Well, it was only secret from everyone in the Manor (and Barbara) except for Alfred. The older man seemed to have a sixth sense whenever it came to his boys not wanting to take the time to recuperate. And modifying his Robincycle was definitely in that category. He was honestly just amazed because Alfred was keeping his silence, though the man probably knew more secrets than the C.I.A. and F.B.I. combined.