This first chapter is going to look pretty familiar to those who've read Robin #121, 122, & 126 since it follows a lot of the same story beats, just elaborating on the changes between this universe and the comics as well as giving a peek into Tim's head. The next chapter will start deviating from the comics more.


Tim glanced over his new school as he walked up the path from the student drop-off.

Louis E. Grieve Memorial High School was a charter school, but may as well have called itself a private school for the lower-upper class considering how hard often all spots were filled when less charitable parents tried to get their students a place in the school. It was a step up from any other public school in Gotham, but not quite the same quality as Gotham Academy. High society saw it as the place for those who couldn't quite afford or didn't have the connections for the private school. It was, in their eyes, the school of upstarts and new money.

Which was why it was strange when Bruce Wayne, Gotham's wealthiest and most connected billionaire, announced his third son would be starting at GHS instead of continuing at GA. According to Brucie, it was because of empty nest syndrome. With his elder two sons attending Gotham University and out of the house, he wanted to keep his baby close. GHS was only a ten minute drive from the manor, compared to the thirty minutes (not accounting for traffic) it was from GA. It was also in the calmer (by Gotham standards) neighborhood of Bristol. It made sense, so long as you accounted for Brucie being ditzy enough to not realize the social faux pas of sending his son to a lesser school.

Bruce, however, knew exactly what he was doing. Tim wasn't at the school because Bruce's nest was empty (his brothers showed up to mess with their father far too often for Bruce to miss them), but because the Colony needed an inside man as they investigated a lead on someone attempting to use the school's chem labs to make drugs after hours.

Tim didn't mind being that man. The only thing he'd miss from GA was the photography studio. He hadn't had friends at the school once Jason and the few friends of his Tim liked had graduated. Tim was an introvert, he knew that. It was a fact Dick nagged him over, but not one he considered a downside. It wasn't like he didn't have friends. He had a few online friends he talked to a lot, like Ives, and recently he had Kon. That was plenty of friends. Besides, it wasn't like the other GA students wanted to be friends with him either. To them, he was just another Brucie charity case, and not even a good one like the outgoing circus kid or the gruff Crime Alley thug (or the misunderstood theater prodigy, if you asked Jason's fellow theater nerds).

Honestly, Tim was excited about going to GHS. He wouldn't have to wear a scratchy uniform that made his skin scream on bad days, just his comfort jeans and hoodies. There wouldn't be high society politics or expectations (Dick and Jason said to ignore that stuff, but he was a Wayne!), he could just sit quietly without talking to anyone except the occasional teacher that wanted an answer and everyone would probably just assume he was being an aloof rich kid. It was great!

With a small smile, he looked down at the schedule in his hand. He'd have already memorized it, but then he'd received an email that morning about a schedule change to accommodate the advanced biology class he'd wanted.

"Hey, new guy, huh?"

Tim blinked and looked up. "Huh?"

"Hold up there."

A trio of students was sitting under a tree nearby. The blond in the middle was the one who'd spoken up. The other two looked up when he stood, but quickly went back to what they were doing.

"Transfer student?" the blond asked, walking up to Tim. "Foreign exchange? You didn't go to SNMS, so what's your story?"

"Uh… transfer. My dad wanted me closer to home," Tim answered.

The blond hummed, placing his hand on his chin. "Well, let's get a look at you then. See where you fit in. No visible face shrapnel, so you probably don't belong in the tattoo and piercings crowd." He started circling Tim, who watched him with a bemused smile. "Your eyes are clear and you lack the telltale hemp-ish smell that would place you with the heads. You're packing quite a load of books, but I don't get a nerd vibe from you. You obviously bathe too often and don't walk with a permanent cringe. You could be a jock - you look ripped enough - but again there're all these books to consider. Jocks and books don't exactly mix." He stopped, his hand on his chin again. "You're an enigma, grasshopper. I can't tell which clique you belong in."

"Is that important?" Tim asked instead of pointing out just how much stereotyping had gone into the other's detective work.

"It's vital. A place for everyone and everyone in their place. That's how the world works."

Tim snorted. If only it were that simple. "And what group do you belong to?"

The blond's grin grew as he pointed at himself. "None. I'm the exception that proves the rule. A nation unto myself, and a roving ambassador between all cliques. Don't try it yourself. It requires extraordinary finesse. In short, I pretty much run things around here. You're lucky you met me."

"I can see that," Tim said, voice heavy with sarcasm.

That only seemed to encourage the blond and he grabbed the paper out of Tim's hand. "Let's check out your class schedule." He tisked as he looked it over. "You took Cooper for history? Big mistake, son. He grades on the curve. You'll want to transfer to Weingast. He's afraid of getting sued again so he gives across-the-board A's, never tests, and never takes roll."

"Um, I'll stick with this schedule," Tim said blankly, taking the paper back. Classes like that were boring and hell on the senses since people usually talked through them.

"A rebel, huh? Suit yourself. Name's Bernard Dowd, by the way. Bernard, got it? Never Bernie. Call me Bernie and I'll have to punish you."

"Tim Wayne," he offered as he started heading towards the school again.

Bernard followed. "Glad to know you, Timmy."

"Tim."

He laughed and put his arm over Tim's shoulder.

Tim considered shaking him off, but the contact didn't feel bad, and Bernard, while a bit obnoxious, didn't seem like a bad guy. He actually reminded Tim a bit of Kon, though he was more nosy than protective.

"See? We're getting along already. I sense we're going to be good friends, you and me. Now let's go over a few of the social rules. You'll eventually have to learn them all, but I can cover the main ones that will let you survive the first day. Most important of all: never try to date any girl I like."

By the end of the day, Tim had decided it was lucky he didn't share many classes with Bernard. He was funny and nice, but first impressions made him think he'd prefer the blond in small doses.


"Gotta scoot, Bernard. After-school job," Tim lied as he rushed through the halls. Two months later and he finally had a solid lead on the drug case. It turns out they'd been putting too much focus on the science teachers and overlooked one of the gym coaches. He needed to plant some cameras, but to do that he'd have to leave the school and then sneak back in.

"Better watch where you're going then," Bernard called just before Tim rammed into a girl who was heading the other way. "Ow. That's got to hurt."

"Smooth move, looser," huffed a girl who'd been walking with Tim's victim as he sat up, hand on his head.

"Uh… hello," the girl he'd run into said as she sat up as well.

He blushed and stammered out, "Wow. I'm - I mean - I'm sorry. I didn't see -"

"Darla Aquista, meet Tim Wayne," Bernard introduced as he helped the girl up. "Forgive him. He's new here and hasn't been housebroken yet. Pick up the lady's books, Wayne."

"I'm really sorry. Really," Tim said, grabbing the textbooks and handing them to her as he stood.

"Don't worry. It was clearly an accident," she said, then left with her friend.

"Darla's really something, huh?" Bernard sighed as the boys watched the girls go.

"Yeah."

He elbowed Tim. "Hey, remember the most important rule."

Rolling his eyes, he elbowed Bernard back.


"Your black eye is clearing up nicely. You almost can't see it anymore," Bernard commented, looking over Tim's face.

"Shut up," he said, ducking his head. You couldn't see anything because there wasn't anything to see. There hadn't really been anything to see yesterday when Bernard had seen the bit of bruise that had been uncovered when Tim smudged his makeup, and even that much had been gone by the morning. Tim had ended up needing to add a bit of shadow around his eye so Bernard wouldn't ask questions.

"Just saying. Wouldn't want your face getting messed up. It's the best thing about you."

"You're too, too funny Bernard," Tim deadpanned. "Say, I need my algebra notes back, so -"

Bernard cut him off with a slap to his arm. He stared over Tim's shoulder with wide eyes, whispering, "Oh my God. She's here! But she never comes here!"

Tim started to turn to look around the diner that had become their go-to place for an afterschool milkshake, not bothering to lower his voice. "Who -"

"Don't look, doofus!" Bernard whispered, grabbing his arm. "Do you want to get us busted?"

Tim turned back with a smirk. "Oh, if you're acting this way, it has to be our goddess in residence, Darla Aquista. Why are you so afraid of her? She's probably human. Why don't you just go up and talk to her?"

"Me? Afraid? No way I'm afraid of any girl. It's those jocks she always hangs with that scare me."

Tim leaned back. "So if they weren't around, you'd hop right up and put the moves on her?"

"Sure. Absolutely."

Tim stood up.

"Where are you going, Wayne?"

"I'm calling your bluff. Don't let me down."

Three guys were standing against the wall next to Darla's booth, all juniors or seniors in letterman jackets. One had a football patch, another had a basketball patch, and the last had a swimmer's patch. They gave him curious looks as he approached.

"Excuse me, guys?"

"Who're you?" Basketball asked.

"I'm Tim Wayne. I'm new here and have only one friend so far, so I can't afford to lose him." He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb towards the booth he left Bernard in. "The trouble is that he's madly in love with Darla here and dying to talk to her.

"Now, as we all know, the official-rules-of-guys dictate that you'd be fully justified in beating the snot out of anyone dumb enough to make a pass at your girl." He glanced at Darla to see she was watching him with a wide grin and half-lidded eyes. He focused back on the jocks. "So here's the deal. Just this once, I'm willing to take the beating coming to him. I'm not suicidal enough to try fighting back, but I still suggest we go outside so that you've got all the room you need to do a proper job of it."

The three shared a look.

"Hey, you're all right, Tim!" Football laughed.

"You're pretty cool. Funny, y'know?" Basketball nodded.

Swimmer slapped Tim's back. "Besides, she really ain't our girl. Darla doesn't date anybody. We just keep an eye out for her"

Football waved him towards the counter. "Come on. You can buy us sodas while your bud takes his shot at her."

Basketball, arm slipping around T's shoulders, added, "Or a double bacon burger."

Tim gave the sulking Bernard a smirk as they passed.

He had to do it. Bernard could take a little teasing.

"I'm going to kill you for this," his friend hissed then left to talk to Darla.

It was hard to hear over the hustle and bustle of the diner, but Tim just barely caught Darla's words.

"Hi, Bernard. Your friend Tim is really funny. And cute, too. Do you know if he's seeing anyone?"

Oops.

"I'm going to sneak into your room one night," Bernard threatened as they were leaving the diner. "I'll tie you up and gag you then sell you to… to Bolivian organ pirates."

"Bolivian organ pirates?"

"They exist!"

"If you say so," Tim snorted.

Bernard was still steaming the next day at school, muttering threats under his breath and cursing Tim for breaking the most important rule.

"Believe me, Bernard, I have no designs on Darla Aquista," Tim finally said, shoving his friend.

"I've seen the way she looks at you, Wayne," Bernard argued, pointing at his face. "And don't think I haven't noticed you looking back."

"I'm happily involved with someone else," Tim sighed. He and Spoiler had been dating for a few weeks. It was rough and new, but he really liked her and wouldn't have cheated on her besides.

"So you keep saying, but where is this mysterious Stephanie whatsername? Why have I never met her? If you've got something you want to tell me, then speak up. We're buds. I'll understand. We're two modern, enlightened men in the third millennium, Wayne. No need to make up imaginary girlfriends."

"That's not it." He'd love to introduce Stephanie to his friends, but he technically wasn't dating Stephanie. Robin was dating Spoiler. Specifically, she was dating the Robin she called Small-Twitchy-Magic. Stephanie didn't even know Robin wasn't a demon, let alone that he was Tim Wayne.

"In any case, you don't want to be fooling around with Darla, anyway. She's too dangerous for someone as innocent as you."

"Excuse me?" If only Bernard knew.

"Rumor has it her old man's the neighborhood leader of the familymen, if you catch my drift."

"Henry Aquista!" That was why her name seemed so familiar. Aquista was a mob boss. Not a high-ranking one, but one just the same. He didn't cause trouble so he wasn't on the Colony's radar, but Tim made sure to keep track of even the lower names.

"So you'll stay away?" Bernard checked.

"Yes."


"Please tell me you're going to be at GA next year. I can already tell these snobs are going to get on my nerves. If I'm left alone with them for hours on end, I'll probably stab someone."

"Don't stab anyone. That'd only make them think they're right. You need to be sneakier."

"You know, that's a weird way of saying, 'Yes, babe. I'll be right by your side next year.'"

Tim sighed. He didn't know where he wanted to go next year.

The case had long been taken care of and he could have left GHS months ago, but leaving meant no more afterschool milkshakes with Bernard or bumping into Darla in the halls. He'd miss quite a few of his classmates (far more than he'd ever imagined), but losing Bernard and Darla would hurt. He could try to keep up with them, but his life made that hard.

Leaving also meant being with Stephanie, though. She'd been brought in on the secret and was training to be Robin with Tim while Jason finished up his preparations to move on to a new identity that would run at Batwoman's side. The truth coming out had only brought her and Tim closer while also giving Bruce an excuse to help Stephanie get into Gotham Academy, an offer she'd taken up at her mother's insistence. It wasn't charity - neither Brown would have accepted it if it was - just a chance to prove herself and earn a scholarship that would let her attend the school's upcoming year. Even still, Tim knew the only reason she'd agreed to go was that it would pretty much ensure she'd get the full ride she needed to get into medical school.

So Tim didn't want to lose Bernard and Darla, but he also didn't want to leave Stephanie alone at Gotham Academy. A part of him wished Stephanie had transferred to GHS instead, but he knew it wasn't practical since she lived on the other side of the city.

"Tim?"

"We've still got a few months before applications need to be submitted."

Stephanie clicked her tongue. "I see. Well, is it going to be a few months until you get outside?"

"I'm almost out now. Why? Is the hall too loud?" The hall was pretty crowded, but he didn't think it was loud enough for Stephanie to hear.

"Nope. I've got a surprise for you."

"Surprise?" he asked, pushing through the doors and out into the front yard. When he didn't get a response, he looked down at his phone to see Stephanie had hung up. "Okay, then."

"Tim, wait up!"

Tim turned to see Darla running up to him through the crowd that was starting to disperse now that they'd left the school. "Darla, hi. What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure. What do you need?"

"Well… you see… the thing is… I wondered if… oh, to hell with it." She reached forward and grabbed the straps of his backpack to yank him into a kiss.

He froze, staring into her eyes as the crowd started ooh-ing and jeering. He didn't… He knew Darla maybe had a thing for him, but he'd thought he'd made it clear that, no matter how flattered he was, he was taken.

Once his brain re-engaged, he pushed her away. "Darla, we can't do this!"

"Tim, I know you've heard the stories about my dad, but they're not true. You have nothing to be afraid of."

"I'm not! I don't-It's not that! I told you, I'm already in a committed relationship."

"Quit saying that!" She snapped, turning away and walking off.

"But -"

"You don't have to keep lying. Just admit it if you don't like me."

Shoot! He knew Bernard still thought he was lying about Stephanie, but he hadn't realized Darla did too. "Darla!"

She ignored him, climbing into her limo and slamming the door.

Tim groaned and pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes.

"That was rough. Sorry, dude," Tyrone - an ice hockey player Tim had helped out when he'd been failing chemistry - said, walking up and rubbing Tim's back.

"Thanks."

"Bernard's going to kill you, though."

Tim groaned again.


In this chapter: Tim is 14, Steph is 14/15, and Bernard and Darla are 15/16

Timeline:
- Spoiler appears: Aug 17
- Tim meets Bernard and Darla: Aug 22
- Darla gets a crush on Tim: Nov 18
- Stephanie finds out the truth: Feb 11
- Darla kisses Tim: Feb 24