Bruce and I talked for a long time after that…a really long time. We fought, we cried, we laughed and went back and forth between hating each other and clinging to one another for comfort. It was clear I could not go back to being his partner, at least, not in the way I had been before. Equally clear, however, was the fact that he needed one. We talked about that probably the longest. I could understand the way he felt, not wanting to put another child in danger. With me, he had been young, naïve and a bit stupid, shoving an eight-year-old into a costume and expecting him to fight people three times his size. With Jason, he was a little smarter but still, the experiment he had started with me came to an end people had been predicting since I had first stepped out of the shadows in red, green and yellow. It hardly seemed logical to ignore those results. That was what he said, at least. I had a bit of a different perspective, something a little more utilitarian.

Sure, Bruce had made Jason and I Robin because he had thought we needed it, but I argued that, perhaps for the experiment to work this third time, it had to be the other way around. The world needed Batman, Gotham needed Batman. He saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives but to continue to do that, Batman needed Robin. Without a partner, Batman could not do his job. All of that, I argued, was justification for asking one person to make the sacrifice, to be Robin, for the good of the city and everyone in it. If Bruce could accept that, it was just a matter of finding the right person. Luckily, I was pretty sure we already had…

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After I got back from my ordeal, I slept for a long time. I got up once or twice to stumble down to the kitchen and get something to eat and then it was back to bed. Dad had heard about the kidnapping on the news and flown back to Gotham to see me, which was actually really nice. The way I spun the story, to my dad, the police who later asked me questions and everyone at school, I had been snatched by the people from Namazu Inc. while I was out skateboarding and held for a couple hours as bait for the Batman. Since this was Gotham and kidnappings by supervillains were not uncommon, I achieved minor celebrity status in school for a little while but other than that, no one felt the need to think too much about my story. Dad admitted to working for Namazu Inc. for a while, though he had been totally unaware of what they were doing, and postulated that I had been chosen in retaliation for him maybe knowing too much. That actually added some credibility to my story and in the end, no one suspected I had helped Batman, which was exactly what I wanted.

I folded up my make-shift Robin costume, stowed it in the back of my closet and started trying to move on with my life. I knew I should have been happier about the end of the case and, for a while, I was. Dad paid me a lot of extra attention over the next two weeks, even taking me for the ice cream we had missed out on before and I got to know Dana, his new girlfriend, who was actually really nice. My grades picked back up now that I wasn't sleeping through class and I started trying to spend more time skateboarding and less time in front of my computer. But, in truth, I missed it.

I missed the challenge of solving cases and the wonder of working in the Batcave, of helping Alfred clean and sparing with Dick. I missed all the attention they had given me and the fun we'd had. In some ways, I had the odd sense that the most exciting days of my life were already behind me and I was only eleven! How could anything ever compare to helping the Batman stop a plot to destroy Gotham!? I still had the nagging sense that I had been right at the very beginning, that Batman needed a Robin and, even though this latest crisis had been averted, he still needed one. Finally, I decided I would go back to the Batcave one last time. I wasn't sure if Batman wanted my help but I had something prepared and I owed it, at least to myself, to finish what I had started.

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Since he had kicked me out of the cave and I wasn't sure how he felt about me anymore, I called ahead. I debated for a long time how to get in contact with him, if I should try and figure out what his home number was or maybe Alfred's number or if I should try and contact Dick and get Bruce's number from him. In the end, I decided the easiest thing to do would be to call him from my Dad's cellphone. I waited until Dad went to bed, which ended up being nearly three a.m., but I knew he would still be awake. I was actually hoping he would be out on patrol and Alfred would pick up but the voice that answered on the third ring was not a prim, British drawl.

"Jackieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, you arrrrre up late, you naughty boy! Listen, I sure hope this is important because I'm kind of in the middle of something…or should I say, someone! Hah hah hah." I blushed.

"Ohh, um, I'm sorry, it's Tim Drake. I just had a question but I'll call back later." I was about to hang up when Bruce stopped me, his voice dropping about four octaves when he did.

"No, it's ok Tim, I'm not doing anything, that is just how I answer the phone when I…sorry." We were both silent for a few moments. "So," he continued awkwardly, "how have you been? Are you…ok?"

"Yea," I said, "I'm fine."

"We hadn't heard from you since…what happened. I would have reached out but I didn't know if you… I mean, I assumed you would be spending time with your father, since he's back in town."

"I have been," I affirmed, "and that's been good, everything is um…everything is good."

"That's…that's good," Bruce said awkwardly. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Well, I…I had something that I wanted to give you…well, talk to you about I guess…it's kind of a presentation sort of a thing and I just wondered if it would be alright if I came by and…showed it to you sometime…"

"Sure," Bruce agreed quickly, "I mean…I've actually been meaning to reach out. There was something I wanted to discuss with you as well and Dick's been wanting to hear how you are. Do you want to come by tomorrow?" I froze. That was so soon and I was so nervous! Well, best to just get it over with.

"Sure," I said, "I'll come after school tomorrow, if that's ok."

"That sounds perfect," Bruce affirmed, sounding almost as nervous as I felt, "if you want, Alfred can pick you up."

"No," I countered, "I'll just ride my bike. I have math club tomorrow so I don't know exactly when I'll be done. Is that ok?"

"Yes, yes, come any time, I'll be around."

"Ok," I agreed. "I guess…I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes," Bruce said briskly, "and again, sorry about the way I answered the phone…it was just…goodbye." He hung up. I replaced my dad's phone and went back to my room, slipping into bed. I was so filled with trepidation, I barely slept.

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I arrived at Wayne manor at about four. I had decided in the end to skip math club. I just couldn't focus with my last trip to Wayne manor hanging over my head. I had no sooner stowed my bike in its usual place and rung the front doorbell than I was swept up into the arms of Alfred. "Ohh, I am so very happy you are alright, dear boy," Alfred cried, "when I heard that you had been kidnapped, I was terribly worried." I wiggled in his grasp, trying to get away before he strangled me.

"I'm ok Alfred," I insisted, "I'm fine!" He held me at arms-length, looking me over critically.

"I will never forgive Master Bruce for the danger you were in," he said gravely.

"Aww, Alfred," I protested, embarrassed, "it wasn't his fault. I was the one that got myself caught."

"Nonetheless," Alfred countered in a stately voice, drawing himself up to full height, "you are a child, you can't be expected to know how to deal with such things. Now, you are here to see the master, yes?" I nodded, feeling suddenly shy. "Well, he is in the cave, I suggest you head there now."

"Ok," I agreed, "but listen…just in case I don't see you again…I wanted to thank you for everything."

"And why, pray tell, would we not see each other again," Alfred asked critically.

"Well, just…you know, since I won't be coming by here anymore." Alfred gave a hmph.

"Well, if it comes to that, we shall say goodbye then but I suggest you speak to the master before deciding who you will and will not be seeing in the future." Confused, I nodded and started down the stairs into the cave. I made it to the bottom step before I was assaulted again.

"Timmy, ohh, little Timmy you had me worried sick," Dick whimpered, scooping me up and swinging me around. I giggled, protesting the whole time but loving it anyway.

"Put me down!" I insisted, "you're gonna make me sick!" Dick held me at arms-length, grinned at me and then pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me tightly. "Ok, ok," I laughed, trying to shove him away.

"Put him down Dick," a voice nearby said. I gulped. There was Bruce. He didn't look angry this time at least, but when Dick set me on the ground, I stayed close to him. "I'm not going to…yell at you again, if that's what you're worried about," Bruce said awkwardly.

"I wouldn't let him get to ya anyway," Dick countered playfully, pressing me to his leg. I smiled up at him and swallowed hard.

"I'm ok," I said, "listen I wanted to…show you something." I looked from him to Dick. "Both of you actually, if that's ok."

"For sure," Dick affirmed, "Bruce said you had a presentation. Want us to like…sit down or something?"

"That would be good…if you don't mind," I said tentatively, wrapping my arms around my binder, "it's an um…I mean…I made a powerpoint."

"Bruce, he made a powerpoint," Dick hissed, "Bruce that's so cute." Bruce frowned at Dick and took two chairs, setting them up so that they faced the screen of the bat-computer. I gulped awkwardly again and loaded my presentation onto the computer, gazing pointedly down at my notes in my binder while I spoke. I knew if I made eye contact with either one of them, I might lose my nerve.

"Ok," I began, "now I know you may not like this but I really believe that you need a Robin and this time, I'm not just gonna let you ignore me." I glanced up at Bruce and Dick, trying to look determined and brave, and then quickly returned my eyes to my notes. I was regretting turning this into a presentation. I hated public speaking. "Anyway, I know you may not want my help or anything but, over the course of the last couple weeks, I've been assembling a list of possible candidates to be Robin."

And, for the next thirty minutes, I briefed the two of them on the ten people I thought might make a good Robin. The entire time, Bruce didn't betray a single emotion. He paid rapt attention though, his face fixed in a look of mild interest. Dick, on the other hand, just giggled. He tried to stifle it but it was obvious I was the butt of some joke I didn't understand. That both irritated and worried me but I plowed through, carefully presenting the reasons why I thought each individual might have the right stuff to help Batman in his crusade and when I was done, Dick clapped.

"I know this is only a couple people and you'll probably want to do more extensive background checks and stuff but, if you don't like any of them, I could probably find you some more candidates. I want to do this, I want to help you because I…care about you and what happens to you and what happens to…Gotham." I looked up again now, meeting their gazes and for a minute, we were all quiet. Then, Dick burst out laughing again.

"Ohh please Bruce, please can I tell him," he pleaded. Bruce gave him a deep scowl.

"I told you that you could be here on the condition that you were quiet!" Dick gave him a sassy look and Bruce got up, walking up to me and crouching in front of me.

"Tell me what?" I asked, looking from Dick to him.

"That…" Bruce said slowly, "I actually already have someone I'm considering to be Robin, although if he says no, you might be on to something with these other candidates." I stared at him in surprise.

"Then…you agree with me…"

"I do. You were right, I do need a Robin. Dick and I have been talking about it a lot, in fact. That's…actually why I wanted to have you over." He surprised me by taking both of my hands and holding them tightly, looking right into my eyes. I was trapped in his blue-gray stare, feeling suddenly like I couldn't move. "Tim, over the last few weeks, you have proven yourself to be remarkably resourceful, tenacious and brave. You were able to see a pattern where no one else could and you followed through even when everyone around you was telling you that you were wrong. And, when it came time to act and you knew you had no one else to depend on, you did what you had to do to save the day, even though you had minimal training and equipment. You are an incredibly brilliant young man and are already an astounding detective. I think, with a little more training, you could do great things. With that in mind, I was actually hoping that…you might consider being Robin."

"M…me," I stuttered, backing away from him a little. My mind was spinning and I almost collapsed. Of course, I had dreamed about being Robin, I don't think there is a single kid in Gotham who hasn't and there was a time when I would have given anything to don that costume and go swinging off into the night with the Batman but I never really considered I had what it took. Could Batman really be asking me to be Robin?

"Now, I know that this is no small decision and it shouldn't be one you make lightly," he continued, "being Robin is very dangerous and you should never forget that the last boy to wear the costume, that…Jason…died. It also requires a great deal of time and energy and it will hurt. Your nights will be long and often brutal. You are going to have to lie to the majority of the people in your life and regular relationships will be difficult to upkeep. I am not always…the easiest person to work with either but you'll have to listen to me and do what I say and you'll always be…" But, whatever else he was going to say was lost when I careened into his arms. He knelt for a moment in shock as I hugged him tightly. "Is…is that a yes?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed, "Of course it's a yes, of course I want to be Robin, it's all I've ever wanted for like…forever! Do you really think I can do it?" He took my chin in his hand and locked his gaze with mine.

"I would not have asked if I didn't."

"Yea," Dick whooped, rushing over to us excitedly. He scooped me up, saying, "You know, this was basically all my idea, I thought you'd make a great Robin since the day you helped me solve my case! I just had to help Bruce see it. It's a really good thing you agreed to it though because Tim, come on, those other people you picked out, terrible!"

"Hey," I countered angrily, "they were not! I spent a long time coming up with that list. They are excellent candidates!" Dick gave me a sassy look and pointed at the computer screen, which still displayed an image of the last contender.

"That guy is a forty-year-old contortionist from the carnival."

"I mean…he's not the youngest but he can really…contort."

"How is that a qualification for being Robin?" Dick asked.

"It could come in handy, besides, he's an orphan, I know Batman likes orphans."

"He's forty," Dick cried, "I think at that point, it doesn't really matter!"

"Alright," Bruce said gently, "enough of that Dick. You'll have plenty of time to drive him nuts later. For now, I think it's time to start training, that is, if you're ready Tim."

"I am," I insisted, eyes bright with excitement, "I was born ready."