A/N: Tim's love life hits a snag when he has to attend the cotillion, the dance where society's teens are now eligible to date. Not only that, when he is sent to Europe to meet with Wayne Enterprise business partners to gain support for his Wayne Foundation Neon Knights Project, Tim is presumed dead when the plane he was on suddenly explodes and nose dives into the Atlantic Ocean.
Red Robin Rising
by
AJ
Part 25: Delays and a Little Nonsense
Tim felt sick. The cut that the doctor had to make was hurting. He didn't feel like eating. When the doctor unlocked the door and came into Tim's cell, he found Tim curled up on the bed and shivering under the blanket. The doctor leaned down and touched Tim's forehead.
"You have a fever."
"Hurts."
"Where does it hurt?"
Tim placed his hand where the doctor had made his incision. The doctor moved the blanket aside then pulled Tim's loose pants down to expose the bandage. He carefully removed it.
"You have an infection. I will have to drain the wound."
Tim nodded. "Will it hurt?"
"I will only open the incision a small amount to clean the wound. You cannot make the climb anyway. This must heal completely. I may ask the guards to take me back to the compound to bring back supplies."
"Won't that get you into trouble?"
"No," the doctor stated. "I have been in the prison a couple years before. I helped a man by the name of Wayne."
Tim's eyes widened. "You're the doctor that helped Bruce."
"How would you know Bruce Wayne?"
"He adopted me."
The doctor's eyes went wide. He shouldn't have been surprised at that. The boy had the man's determination. The fact that he wanted to climb out of the pit before he was ready said a lot, but the boy needed rest. He would not make it out of the pit if he opened his stitches one more time and with the infection, it would delay him even further.
"So, you are his son. You are the grandson of the Demon Head?"
"Hell no," Tim answered. "If I were his grandson I would not be in here."
"I do not understand. You say you are the son of Bruce Wayne . . . "
"His adopted son. I'm Tim. Damian is Bruce's biological son and the Demon Head's grandson. Didn't I tell you earlier?"
"You must have," the doctor said. "I did not remember. It was not clear."
Well, now you know," Tim licked his lips. "Thirsty."
"Let me get you some water. Once I finish draining and cleaning your incision, the fever should go away."
"Hopefully, because I really don't feel good."
The doctor proceeded to drain and clean out the infection so the incision would not scar. He also made sure the boy was given an antibiotic and fever reducer, both rare commodities that the prisoners would actually kill for. The doctor had smuggled them in on the outside chance the boy's incision might become infected from some foreign substance, such as dust entering the incision. That was not the case. Even so, the doctor was glad he thought about the need instead of leaving it behind.
Once the incision was clean and dressed and the boy was given water with the medication, the doctor left the boy to rest. He made sure the boy's cell was locked to prevent another attack. He then went to check on the other prisoners who might need his services.
It was uniquely odd, even coincidental that the boy he decided to help was the son of the man he had helped those many years ago.
'I need to speak with the guards when they return,' Doctor Amir thought long and hard. 'I will need to return to the palace of the Demon Head and acquire more supplies. There is another way out, but I do not want to draw attention to it. That way is even more dangerous than climbing out of the pit. Even so, that way would not lead him toward freedom. It would lead him toward death. Only the Demon Head, the White Ghost, and the daughter of the Demon were allowed in that chamber. 'And there is no way to cross the Lazarus pit without touching the surface. It would mean certain death.'
Dr. Amir looked toward the sleeping boy.
'Rest well, young one. Let us hope you feel well enough to make the climb. I do not know how much longer we can pull off this deception.'
TDBSTDBS
Bruce led Samantha from the cave to the Manor.
"I want to go with you," Samantha stated.
"Out of the question."
"Why?"
"Because you are not trained," Bruce stated, bluntly. "This is not a game Samantha. We put our lives on the line to see justice is done."
"Then train me," Samantha argued.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I do not have to explain things to you. I am your sponsor. I could also be called your guardian. You are a healer. Do you really think you could turn a blind eye and hurt someone to get answers, like where someone has hidden a bomb that could kill innocent people?"
Samantha did not answer.
"I didn't think so." Bruce continued through the Manor until he met his sons in the dining room.
"You're late," Dick said. "We've been talking. We're all going with you."
"All of you?" Bruce questioned. "Sasha's pregnant. So is Samantha. And last time I looked, Barbara is still working to get her legs back in shape and is carrying your child."
"Well, maybe not all of us," Dick replied.
"Damn straight," Jason stated. "My wife is not going into the League of Shadows."
"And why not?" Sasha questioned. "I can fight just as well as you."
"You're carrying twins," Jason said. "I do not want you risking your life and the twins' lives. Please Sasha, do as I ask, stay home where it's safe."
"All right, I'll stay put," Sasha said.
"Dick have you talked with Barbara?" Bruce asked.
"She'll give us any support we need," Dick answered. "She'll tap into Ra's Al Ghul's communication network and see where he might be holding Tim."
"Why don't we confront my Grandfather face to face?" Damian asked.
"Because your Grandfather would have the League on standby. He knows eventually we would discover his subterfuge."
"Father, I am not afraid to confront my Grandfather."
"I know you aren't. That is why we need to confront him with a plan just in case."
The bat computer buzzed but no one was available to answer it. It continued to buzz for another 30 minutes.
"Penny One."
"Alfred this is Oracle. I know where Tim is!"
Damian continued to argue with his father. "My Grandfather won't expect me."
"Damian, continue to argue and I will leave you behind," Bruce growled.
"That's not fair, Father!"
"Master Bruce," Alfred called out.
"You heard me Damian, I will not confront your Grandfather without knowing what his plans are and whether he has Tim."
"Master Bruce!" Alfred raised his voice.
"What is it, Alfred?"
"It is," Alfred spied Samantha staring at the group with her arms crossed. "The phone, Sir."
"Tell whomever it is that I'll call them back."
"That is not what I mean, Sir."
"Phone . . . "Bruce's eyes went wide with understanding. "Oh you mean . . . "
"Yes, Sir." Alfred cocked his head to indicate the young dark haired lady with the striking green eyes.
"It's all right, Alfred," Bruce stated. "She knows. Boys, to the bat cave."
"Now, you're talking," Jason stated.
"Which way?" Dick questioned, and he gave Bruce a knowing smirk.
"Certainly not that old way," Bruce replied. "Take the clock."
"We can't all go through at once," Dick reminded.
"You know how to open the clock; I will meet you down there."
"Hey, no fair," Dick complained.
"Then come with me," Bruce cajoled. "But I don't think Alfred has changed out the uniforms."
"What are you, two talking about?" Damian questioned. "You're wasting time arguing over nonsense."
"No, we're trying to decide which would be the fastest route to the cave," Dick said.
"May I suggest the elevator in the kitchen?" Alfred said.
"He's right then all of us can go down together," Jason agreed. "But I don't know what the hell you two are talking about."
"Never mind," Bruce said. "Let's just get to the cave and find out. We are wasting time."
"Told you that already," Damian complained.
Bruce led his sons to the clock and opened it. He then stepped through leading his sons back into the cave.
Alfred watched them leave and he shook his head.
"Alfred, what was that all about?" Samantha asked.
"Beg pardon, Miss?" Alfred feigned.
"That phone bit," Sasha said.
"Just a little nostalgia I could not resist."
"Nostalgia?" Samantha questioned.
"Don't try to figure it out Samantha," Sasha stated. "Sometimes Alfred is about as mysterious as Batman."
"You mean Bruce, don't you?"
"No, I mean Batman," Sasha corrected. "When Bruce puts on that cowl, it's like he's a different person. You'll learn soon enough."
"Alfred, was that phone call about Tim?" Samantha asked.
"You are quite perceptive, young lady," Alfred stated. "Yes."
"Do you believe Bruce; I mean Batman, will he bring Timmy home?"
"Master Batman always does his best, Miss Samantha, and yes, I believe Master Batman will bring Master Timothy home."
Continues with Part 26