Synopsis: Someone has stolen all the money from the Wayne Foundation Youth Charity Fund. Batman and Red Hood go after the man who did it. While doing research on the thief, Tim is hit by a mysterious beam from an odd weapon sitting on a shelf and is de-aged. Oh boy, what are they going to do with a four-year-old Tim?

Chapter 22: Negotiations and a Temper Tantrum

Alfred handed Tim a plate of sausage and eggs as soon as Tim ate some fruit. Tim watched as Dick left the kitchen. 'He's never forgone breakfast before,' Tim noticed. "I think something's wrong with Dick," Tim said to Jason. "And I think it's my fault. I need to apologize for snapping at him."

Jason had also noticed that Dick didn't eat anything. "He'll talk when he wants to."

"I don't know. He looked pretty upset," Tim took a bite of his eggs and sausage.

"Well, we can go and ask him later if you like."

"Sure. So, you want to go down to the cave and see what you can teach me?"

Samantha gave Tim a disapproving look. "I don't think that such a good idea."

"I've got to learn how to protect myself. I don't know how long I'll be in this form. If someone tries to kidnap me, again, I can fight like a kid and try not to take them down the way I normally would."

"Well maybe you shouldn't leave the house. We can avoid that problem."

"Aw, come on Sammie. There is one reason why I am going to have to leave."

"And what is that?" Samantha crossed her arms, not interested in what Tim had to say.

"I need clothes," Tim stated. "Alfred didn't save hardly any of Bruce's old clothes. And besides, if I save them, our boys can grow into them."

'Oh great, hand-me-downs from my Dad,' Caleb thought. 'How am I going to explain that in a few years.'

Samantha just sighed. "Okay, what ever. I'm taking Caleb to the garden."

"So, Jay, you want to take me shopping?"

Jason watched as the healer walked away. He could tell that Samantha wasn't happy. "Um . . . I guess?" He really didn't want to go against Samantha's wishes.

"It should be okay. What are the chances of being kidnapped again this soon?"

"Can you not say that?" Jason cringed. "I don't want to deal with having to hunt someone down because they are trying to take you away."

"I'm just saying, what are the odds. I could probably calculate them, but I'm sure you don't want to hear that, so . . ." Tim finished his breakfast and wiped his hands and mouth clean. "Either we go practice downstairs or we go shopping. Either way Sammie isn't going to approve, but it's my decision."

"Well, we can go shopping, but you're staying in the stroller."

"Come on Jay. I'm not four years old. Technically I look four. Do I have to be in the stroller?"

"Yes, you are going in the stroller whether you like it or not," Jason said, but added in his mind, 'Plus, I want to push him around and to see his little legs dangle from sitting in it as well. It will be something to look forward to when my twins are four.'

Tim gave a pout, thought better of it. After what happened at the park, he really couldn't blame them. Tim sighed. "All right. If you get me one thing."

"What is that?" Jason questioned.

"You get me a frappaccino."

"A what?"

"You know, it's sort of a coffee smoothie. You can get them with caramel or chocolate, with or without coffee. I like the mocha."

"Coffee? I'm not giving you coffee."

"Aw, come on. I haven't had one in weeks."

"And you're not having one when you're in that toddler body either."

"I'll share it with you,"

"I don't like those things, too fancy. I just like straight coffee."

"Damn. I want one. I've been craving one."

"Don't swear. Well maybe if you behave, I'll get you a small one."

"Of course. What am I going to do run off? I'm better behaved than that."

"Uh huh," Jason wasn't convinced. He finished up breakfast and feeding Jaxon, but didn't believe Tim. After all, he ran off to save a little girl, and he ran and hid because Caleb didn't recognize him. "We'll see. I need to get ready. Sasha's taking the twins to the zoo today, so that leaves you and me."

"Or maybe I should act more like a four-year-old since we're going shopping. We're going to the mall?"

"Yeah, I'll take you to where I got some of Jax's and Jaylyn's clothing. It's a pretty nice store."

"Good, who knows how much longer I'll be in this body. Now that Caleb recognized me, I don't feel so bad."

"I wish we knew what to do for you," Jason commented.

"Damian thinks the cats eye opal might have magical properties, but I haven't talked to him since. He took it out of that gun. I should do some research on it."

"You know, sometimes the little monster is right. It could have magical properties, but we won't know until we inspect it some how."

"We'll have to ask Damian when we get back," Tim said.

"Wait in the parlor," Jason instructed. "I need to give Jaxon to Sasha."

Tim did as he was instructed, not knowing that Jason's son wasn't happy about being left out. He didn't hear the temper tantrum that Jax decided to display once Jason and Jaxon returned upstairs to their room, otherwise Tim might have changed his mind about going to the mall.

"Jaxon Timothy Todd," Jason tried to calm his son. "That's not the way to handle things."

"WWWAAAAHHHH!" Jaxon cried. I want to go to the aquarium and see the jellyfish!

"I'm sorry, but we can't. Your Mom's taking you to the zoo, but if you contine to behave like this, you're not going. You'll have to stay home. We'll go the the aquarium tomorrow."

"WWWAAAAAHHHAAAA," Jaxon continued to cry. I wanna go now!

"Jaxon, that's enough. I promised, Tim . . ."

Uncle Tim's not my brother!

"This is getting us nowhere," Jason picked up Jaxon, walked to the nursery, and deposited him in one of the cribs. "You're going to have to sit there and calm down. The zoo is going to have to wait. In fact, no aquarium if you don't change that attitude."

No Jellies?

"No jellies."

Jaxon's lower lip began to tremble as fat tears fell down his cheeks. I'll be good.

"Better be," Jason warned. "I've got to take your Uncle Tim shopping. It's bad enough he's a little kid right now. He can't be a father to his own kids. He can't even be an uncle to you and your sister. You need to be patient. Hopefully, we'll get things back to normal soon. Okay, Buddy?"

Okay. Jaxon calmed down despite the tears rolling down his cheek.

"Your Mom will come and get you after she's had her breakfast. I've got to go downstairs and meet with your Uncle Tim," Jason said. 'Let's just hope nothing goes wrong.'

Continues with Chapter 23: Shopping Trip Gone Wrong