Timothy Drake Chapters
TSF – Ever The Detective
After Cat had spent some time in the garden she decided to kill time in the cave but Bruce was in there and her emotions were still wild. She knew he could read her like a book. She quickly tried to retreat but of course Bruce cornered her, and if she ran it would make him suspicious.
"Is there anything you'd like to tell me Catarena?" He said and the blood drained from Cat's face.
He was the only one who could still catch her off guard. She swallowed hard, hoping he wouldn't notice.
"I… um… about what?" She asked.
"About you and Tim." He said and she could tell he was trying to make her think he knew more than he did.
"What about us?" She asked, back on guard.
"Last night… that seemed like a date." He said and Cat blushed.
"Oh… yes it turned out like that didn't it." Cat replied.
"Are you two together?" He asked.
"Yes. Is that alright?" She asked.
"Of course it is." He replied and Cat relaxed but then he dropped the bomb. "Though, you seemed to be having a disagreement at the zoo." He said which made Cat tense again.
"Spying on us?" She asked defensively.
"Normally no, but your conversation attracted my attention. I didn't mean to spy." He said and something dawned on her.
"You could read our lips." She said, mostly to herself.
She was kicking herself. She should have known better.
"You can tell me anything Cat." He said and she decided to test him on that.
"Really?" She asked and he nodded.
"Then I want to tell you something." She said and he waited for her to go on. "When Jason and I were together I decided I would ask him to change himself to stay with me. I had planned to ask him when you called me to come home that last time." Cat told him, the tears welling up as she remembered.
"And Tim… he changed himself." Bruce said and Cat nodded.
"Yes. He did it all on his own." She told him.
There was a long pause and Cat was afraid Bruce was angry but he then spoke.
"Do you want him to stay with you?" He asked.
Cat was shocked but his sudden question produced a strong reply within her.
"Yes… very much." She answered quietly but she felt selfish.
"You're not being selfish Cat." Bruce said which surprised her. "If he did this on his own, how is that selfish of you? You have the right to happiness. If he can help you life out your life then I want nothing but that for you." He said and at could not believe her ears.
"You're not bad?" She asked.
"Of course not. What you are is not a curse Catarena. He's given up his aging life to stay by yours side. How could I dream of taking that from you. I want you to be happy. Are you happy?" He asked as he stepped up to her and placed his hands on her arms.
She nodded but he could see mixed emotions on her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I'm afraid that not everyone will be so accepting of this as you are."
"Wonder Woman? … Don't worry about her. I'll take care of her." He said.
"Please don't tell her!" Cat pleaded.
"I won't, I promise." He said and Cat was satisfied.
That night Batman went out with Robin alone. Cat knew he wanted to have a little fun with Tim before letting him know he knew the big secret. When they returned to the cave it was late and Tim could tell something was up.
"I wish you had shown your full potential tonight." Bruce said which stopped Tim in his tracks.
Tim played dumb.
"What do you mean? I gave it my all." Tim said and Bruce smirked.
"I know what you did. I know what you are now Tim." Bruce said and Tim's eyes widened.
"I… did Cat?"
"Cat didn't tell me. Your activity at the zoo attracted my attention. I am the greatest detective remember, and I talked to Cat earlier. I can still read her like an open book." Bruce said and Tim stopped dancing around the subject.
"Well, get on with it. Yell at me. Tell me how stupid I'm being." Tim said.
"You're not being stupid. You're giving up your aging life to help Catarena survive the future. You've done what I couldn't; what no one else could. Thank you." Bruce said.
Tim was so stunned all he could do was nod.
"Just don't break her heart or I'll break you." Bruce warned and Tim swallowed hard but nodded again.
"Now, can I see?" Bruce asked.
Tim smirked and obliged him. Bruce nodded in approval. Tim then departed to the manor to visit Cat like he had promised. But of course Tim's mission was waylaid yet again, this time by Dick. Tim was slightly annoyed by the scent of jealousy radiating off Dick. Tim stopped, knowing Dick wanted to say something. As if Dick could ever shut up.
"So you and Cat huh?"
"What about us?" Tim asked.
"Are you dating?"
"I don't see how that's your business. And how do you know about us?"
"I saw you sleeping in her room. I only put two and two together." Dick said. "You know… she used to sleep with me during storms." Dick added spitefully.
"Oh I am aware. Guess she doesn't need you anymore." Tim replied venomously.
"Isn't Cat a little old for you?" Dick asked.
"I like older women. What exactly are you trying to get at here?" Tim asked, tired of the game.
"I still love her." Dick said.
"It seems you made it pretty clear to her you didn't want her. Now all of a sudden you do. Are you trying to tell me this might turn into a war?" Tim asked.
"Maybe." Dick replied.
Tim laughed.
"Well good luck with that. I'm pretty sure I've already won." Tim said smugly.
"Oh yeah? How's that?"
"I did what you couldn't" Tim said and left Dick standing in the living room to mull over his words.
Tim went to Cat's room and followed her scent out onto the balcony and into the garden where she was sitting once again. The moon was full and bright, giving everything a blue hue but Tim could see clearly even without the moon. Tim spotted Cat and watched her for a minute. He didn't think she could get any prettier but she did. Watching her calmed his annoyance of Dick but it wasn't enough to hide from Cat. She noticed him and turned, he then came down by her.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"It's nothing. I'll tell you in a minute. Dick is being well… dick. But more importantly… Bruce knows."
"I know. Our trip to the zoo… he could read our lips."
"Was he mad? Did he force it out of you? I'm so sorry I wasn't here with you." Tim said.
Cat smirked.
"Bruce could never force anything out of me if I really didn't want to tell him. He seemed mad at first but then he told me I could tell him anything. So I told him how I wanted to ask Jason to change and he guessed that you had changed yourself. You knew I can't live forever alone and Bruce sees that now. He's very grateful for your sacrifice." Cat said.
"What sacrifice? The chance to live for eternity with the one I love the most in the whole world… it's like a fairy tale." Tim said.
Cat smiled a little and shook her head softly, she was afraid Tim really didn't understand it all but he would learn and she'd be there to help him. Tim then wrapped an arm around her as he caressed her cheek with the other hand. He captured her lips and melted away all of her worries and concerns. She would have been content to kiss him the rest of the night but she remembered his annoyance at Dick. She got him to stop kissing her with a little difficulty.
"So, why are you annoyed at Dick? What's he done now?"
"He walked in on us sleeping this morning. I was awake but pretended to sleep. He implied to me he still has feelings for you and that he might try to pursue them." Tim said and he could see her cheeks flush red with anger.
"He… ugh that… I'll kill him… stupid… What did you say to him?"
"I told him I was pretty sure I've already won you." Tim said a little doubtfully.
Cat locked her eyes on his.
"Of course you have. Don't ever doubt it." Cat said as she wrapped her arms around him. "Seems I won't be able to escape his drama… But I want to make him jealous. Is that wrong?" She asked. "I don't think so. I wouldn't mind helping you."
Tim had no problem capturing her lips once again. From an upstairs window Dick watched them. After all public displays of affection were the easiest way to cause jealousy.
