Tim had been avoiding him. Once he knew Dick was no longer in a life threatening condition, he had left the Medbay and not returned. He was still stumbling over his feelings towards what had happened. Dick had faked his death. He had put all of them, even Alfred, through so much pain; thinking that they would never see him again.

They had mourned him! Thankfully with Bruce off world they had not made a public announcement of his death; the rest of the world was none the wiser. With Batman's help they had been able to find the identity of the John Doe that had taken Dick's place and got his body back to his family. Tim could only wish he could find the same closure.

Dick was apparently healing well, Tim had overheard Bruce telling Alfred. He was however concerned about his mental health. A personality disorder Bruce had said; J'ohn was apparently working on suppressing it, but Batman didn't know how long it would last. Bruce being Bruce was already setting up a backup plan, should Dick's other persona's once again start battling for control.

There was talk of creating a suit that would change to represent the persona that was at that moment in control. That way the Team could react accordingly and keep themselves and Dick out of danger as much as possible. But that was only if Dick was struggling to stay in control.

Tim was finding it hard to care. There was a wall around his feeling towards his brother; they were locked away by the feelings of betrayal. It wasn't until he heard that Dick was leaving, quitting the Team and heading back to Blud Haven, that he realised what he had to do.

Dick was setting up his bike. The cave's garage was in a dull light, the room full of shadows. Sticking to the shadows Tim approached the elder. After months of having voices in his head, Tim didn't judge his brother when he didn't notice him. Even in his unfeeling state, Tim could appreciate what his brother had been through.

'Not going to say Good bye?' Tim said, walking out of the shadows. Dick whipped around to face him. Upon seeing the familiar Robin suit he visibly relaxed.

'Didn't think you would want to see me.' he shrugged but Tim knew the thought stung. Tim just nodded; in truth, until just now, he didn't know if he had wanted to see him. Robin looked the older over quickly, taking in the slight bruise over his left cheekbone. The way he hunched over minutely, his stab wound still causing him some grief. He didn't put all his weight on his damaged leg either. He was a mess, Tim concluded. He had done a terrible thing, faking his death, putting them through that ordeal. But hadn't he paid the price a hundred times over?

'I just want to know one thing.' said Tim, breaking the somewhat awkward silence.

'What?'

'Why didn't you tell me? Why did you make me loose you?'

Dick eyed his brother sadly. He knew the pain he had put him through; he had felt the same when Jason had been killed. But there had been no other way.

'I had to protect you.' he whispered, 'If you had known Renegade was me, you would have held back. They would have worked out who I was and they might had gone after you!' He peered over his glasses and Tim could see a sheen of tears over his eyes. 'Not that it mattered.' Dick straightened, angrily throwing his gloves onto the motorcycle seat. 'Slade worked it out anyway. My fear gave me away.'

A feeling spread through his chest and Dick breathed out slowly. The voices were gone, but he could still occasionally feel his persona's emotions. This feeling was disgust, self disgust. It was coming from Renegade. Tim seemed to notice the change in him and his expression softened.

'I always said I would never sacrifice everything for the mission.' Dick continued after regaining control. 'Artemis was originally the one to go undercover. But I couldn't put her in that danger; I couldn't sacrifice her. It had to be me.'

Tim remembered something the Team had said after they had returned from the battle. They had called Nightwing self sacrificing. Robin hadn't understood; he had been too wrapped up in his grief and what he had been put through. But it was true. Dick would rather sacrifice himself that put others in the line of fire. Yes Tim had been hurt, as had the rest of the Bat family and the Team. But Dick had placed himself into the belly of the beast. He had been living under the same roof as his worst fear for months! He had broken his mind to pieces, taking on yet another violent persona. He was almost killed and even now he was punishing himself for betraying the Team.

And here was Robin, his brother, giving him the cold shoulder, when all he had tried to do was protect them.

'I'm sorry.' Now it was Dick that broke the silence. 'I always said I didn't want to be like the Batman. Turns out I'm worse.'

Tim knew what Dick was getting at. He knew the young man loved Bruce, but he didn't agree with the Dark Knight's methods. Nightwing hated how Batman focused solely on the mission, forgoing everything and everyone else.

'No you're not.' said Tim, stepping a little closer, 'You did what you had to, to keep us out of the danger as much as you could. But the mission also needed to be completed.' He smiled sadly at his brother, 'You're not Batman, you're different. You're Nightwing.'

Dick chuckled darkly, leaning against his bike. 'Most of the time.' He said bitterly.

Tim crossed the remaining distance between them, resting a comforting hand on his brothers shoulder. He didn't say anything, he didn't need too. Dick put his hand over Tim's, patting it thankfully.

'I better be going.' he said somewhat hesitantly.

'Where are you going?'

'To tie up a few loose ends.' Tim didn't like the sound of that, but he knew there was no stopping him. The bike revved and Dick placed his helmet on his head.

'I forgive you.' Tim said it quickly, getting it out before he could change his mind; before his brother disappeared. Dick seemed to sigh in relief, he nodded.

'Thanks Timmy.' The engine revved again and he was gone.

It was less than a minute later when another engine roared to life and a black motorcycle drew up next to him. Jason pulled his helmet from under his arm.

'You going somewhere?' The relationship between these two Robins had never been particularly friendly, but there was something about watching both his brothers leave that was causing a tightness in Tim's chest.

'Dickie Bird's losing his marbles. Someone's got to make sure that bastard Renegade doesn't raise his ugly Russian head.'

'You know he's not really Russian right?' Jason's placed his helmet on his head and placed his hand lightly on the gun in his belt.

'Don't get smart with me Replacement.' said Red Hood. Robin shrugged, showing he wasn't afraid of the anti-hero.

'You sure you can take Renegade? He beat your ass before.' He smirked despite himself. Red Hood didn't bite; he looked straight ahead, revving his engine.

'In all honesty...it's not renegade I'm afraid of.' As he rode off into the night, Tim was left with a haunting question. What persona did Dick had inside him that was worse than Renegade?

A/N Yeh, in all honesty I was pretty much finished with this story. But then SonYukiGoku'sSister put an idea towards me for a final chapter...which may or may not have sparked the inspiration for a sequel...if any of you guys would be interested in that? Let me know in a review. Karin xx