Here's the next part. It has been brought to my attention that in comic continuity, the Young Justice crowd already knows Robin's identity. Unfortunately, I didn't know that. At the moment, I can't afford comics subscriptions, so I tend to get my knowledge from TPB's, and only some of those. So, just suffice it to say that in this series, Tim was 'exiled' before he got around to telling them, or they figured it out, or what ever happened. (Which is now making me curious... as long as Batman didn't tell them... that would be just too much...) Anyway, there's only about 2 more chapters, and then we return to Gotham and... well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? ;) -krt
Disclaimer in chapter 1
Chapter 3: Why's and Wherefore's
"So, Robin, where were you all this time?" Kon, Bart, Cassie, and I sat down at what was obviously the Titan's conference table. Their logo adorned the center, and there was a huge map of the world adorning the wall behind me. I'd managed to get the chair with its back to the wall without making a fuss. My friends would consider my need to always watch the door paranoia, and although it may be that, it was a part of me. I wondered how Bruce got along in the Watchtower, with the table set in the center of a huge room, with doors all around.
I realized that Kon was looking at me expectantly, still waiting for the answer to his question. I hadn't really considered how much to tell them, then realized that, for once, what I told them was totally up to me. With that thought firmly in mind, I decided that it was time to come clean with people who I considered some of the best friends that I'd ever had. They looked like they might become so again, because their welcome was as sincere as it was loud. "First, I think that you should know that my name is Tim Drake." Everyone's eyes widened. I knew what they were thinking. "And this time it really is my actual name. You can look it up on the net and get a picture if you like. I would ask that you not tell anybody else, though. I have enough problems without getting fan mail or something worse."
Kon blanched. "Nothing is worse than fan mail, trust me. I'm beginning to wish my identity was a little more secret." The other two laughed at his expression. I guess there's a story behind that little remark.
Bart sat back in his chair and shot me an inquisitive look. "Stop me if this is none of my business, but why are you telling us your identity now?"
Good question. I was going to have a hard time getting this one across. "When we were in Young Justice, there were... factors that made it not my decision to tell you. I felt that I couldn't tell you."
Cassie broke in. "Factors being Batman."
"Well, yes. I don't really blame him, either. I might have made a similar decision faced with his choices. There was no real reason that he could trust you to keep the secret." I raised a hand to fend of the defensive that was starting to bubble out of them. "Think about it, we were very young, and prone to get into a lot of trouble." I was pretty sure I heard Cassie mumble something about 'Still are' but I continued. "I was having trouble keeping my own secrets from... people, and there was no use adding to the problem."
Cassie looked uncertain. "I understand, but why is it so important that you all keep your identities so close? I mean, I can understand not letting the public know, but why can't he trust at least his fellow warriors at least?"
I sat up, leaning my elbow on the table. This was something that I actually had just figured out for myself. "Actually, it's not a matter of trust at all. It's a matter of protection. Enough people know a secret of that magnitude, and somebody is bound to let it slip sometime. Not the secret itself, maybe, but at least the fact that he or she knows. And then that person is in danger from people who would torture and kill to find out what exactly they know. So, you don't tell people until you are sure that they can keep even the knowledge of the secret quiet."
Kon raised a skeptical brow. "I'd call it paranoia, personally. I mean, really, who..."
I cut him off, raising a hand and counting off the fingers. "Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow... there's more. All in his city. I'd be paranoid too." Heck, I am paranoid too.
Kon winced. "You may have a point there."
"I understand perfectly, but all this doesn't really answer my question. Why tell us now? I mean, we could have just gone on calling you Rob." Bart really had matured a lot. We'd been talking for quite a while now, and I hadn't even seen him fidget once. I guess I hadn't expected my friends to have changed as much as I had, but it seemed like they had. It wasn't just Impulse either. Cassie was much more confident in who and what she was. Kon seemed to have realized that having people consider you a teen idol wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Young Justice wasn't acting all that young anymore. Heh. Who'd a thought it.
"Because now it's my choice, and I trust you with it. Honestly, if I'd been able to stay around, I'd have figured out a way to tell you soon. Even Batman's figured out that you can't have a team without mutual trust. Plus, I'm really not Robin anymore and Al? What was I thinking?" I winced and lowered my head. They laughed, and I inwardly smiled. We may not have seen each other for three years, but we were still friends, and I was glad that we were able to pick that friendship up where it had been cut off.
"Which only leads back to the original question. Where the heck did you go? We honestly thought that you were dead. You could have considered how we'd feel about you just suddenly disappearing." Kon frowned at me.
I couldn't conceal a wince. "I had no say in the matter. My dad found out about my night-job and totally blew his stack. I got shipped to Switzerland, and I was literally watched day and night. The bat clan broke contact with me and at the time I didn't know why, and that really limited my ability to even contact you or anybody else, much less tell you anything about what was going on."
"Switzerland? Why there?"
I was about to answer when a shrill tone shattered my thoughts. Obviously, it meant something to the others since they headed back towards the monitor bay at full speed. Well, most of them did. Impulse stayed behind and shook my hand. "Sure glad you're not dead, Ro- I mean Tim."
"Me too, now that you mention it." He grinned and headed for the bay and the others. He'd still probably beat them there. Once again, I found myself jogging down the halls.
Suddenly, Impulse was back at my side. I almost jumped out of my skin. I wasn't used to people coming up on me that fast anymore. He didn't seem to notice though. "Just a big building fire downtown, probably caused by a group of terrorists that are hanging around threatening people. We're going to go and Kon wants to know if you'll come."
Cassie jogged towards us. "Yes, Rob, take my place. I promised Roy I'd stay with Lian today. He's out on a 'job' and won't be back until tomorrow."
I didn't really want to go with them, mostly because I didn't have any costume. Or an identity, for that matter Not to mention that the last thing they needed was someone who they hadn't trained with for three years, and who definitely wasn't the same person that they'd remembered. "Cassie, you go, I'll stay with Lian. She should still remember me if I remind her. I saw her quite a bit when I visited Nightwing here."
"Oh, would you? That would be wonderful. LIAN!!" Cassie turned and yelled towards the open doorway.
We were soon joined by a perky little seven-year-old, who looked me up and down and said, "I know you, don't I?" She cocked her head to one side, obviously trying to remember me. Wonder Girl explained the situation and Lian agreed to stay with me for an hour or so while the Titans took care of business. Cassie left in a flash of red and left me alone with Lian, who queried, "What's your name?"
"Well, you'd remember me as Robin. I came around with Nightwing some. Why don't you just call me Rob for now, ok?" I gave her a grin, hoping she wouldn't ask what my real name was.
I should have known that she'd know better than that, considering how she'd been raised. "Oh, yeah, I remember you now. So, who are you if you're not really Robin anymore?" Smart kid, she'd picked up on what I hadn't said. Of course, considering that she'd been mentored by people ranging from a world class detective to an Atlantean mage, it would be understandable that she would be wiser than her years. She probably just figured I'd changed codenames.
I decided to level with her. "Y'know, Lian, I really don't know who I am right now, in that way." I added a little emphasis to the last phrase so that she'd understand that I was talking about the hero business.
"That's ok. Daddy says that sometimes you have to step back and figure things out again. That must be what you're doing."
"Exactly. Your Daddy's pretty smart."
She gave a cute little pixie grin. "Sometimes..." I laughed at her joke and she looked gratified that I'd seen the humor of the statement. She grabbed me by the hand and led me toward the door. "C'mon, I'll show you everything."
Looks like I'm going to get the Lian Tour.
TBC...
Disclaimer in chapter 1
Chapter 3: Why's and Wherefore's
"So, Robin, where were you all this time?" Kon, Bart, Cassie, and I sat down at what was obviously the Titan's conference table. Their logo adorned the center, and there was a huge map of the world adorning the wall behind me. I'd managed to get the chair with its back to the wall without making a fuss. My friends would consider my need to always watch the door paranoia, and although it may be that, it was a part of me. I wondered how Bruce got along in the Watchtower, with the table set in the center of a huge room, with doors all around.
I realized that Kon was looking at me expectantly, still waiting for the answer to his question. I hadn't really considered how much to tell them, then realized that, for once, what I told them was totally up to me. With that thought firmly in mind, I decided that it was time to come clean with people who I considered some of the best friends that I'd ever had. They looked like they might become so again, because their welcome was as sincere as it was loud. "First, I think that you should know that my name is Tim Drake." Everyone's eyes widened. I knew what they were thinking. "And this time it really is my actual name. You can look it up on the net and get a picture if you like. I would ask that you not tell anybody else, though. I have enough problems without getting fan mail or something worse."
Kon blanched. "Nothing is worse than fan mail, trust me. I'm beginning to wish my identity was a little more secret." The other two laughed at his expression. I guess there's a story behind that little remark.
Bart sat back in his chair and shot me an inquisitive look. "Stop me if this is none of my business, but why are you telling us your identity now?"
Good question. I was going to have a hard time getting this one across. "When we were in Young Justice, there were... factors that made it not my decision to tell you. I felt that I couldn't tell you."
Cassie broke in. "Factors being Batman."
"Well, yes. I don't really blame him, either. I might have made a similar decision faced with his choices. There was no real reason that he could trust you to keep the secret." I raised a hand to fend of the defensive that was starting to bubble out of them. "Think about it, we were very young, and prone to get into a lot of trouble." I was pretty sure I heard Cassie mumble something about 'Still are' but I continued. "I was having trouble keeping my own secrets from... people, and there was no use adding to the problem."
Cassie looked uncertain. "I understand, but why is it so important that you all keep your identities so close? I mean, I can understand not letting the public know, but why can't he trust at least his fellow warriors at least?"
I sat up, leaning my elbow on the table. This was something that I actually had just figured out for myself. "Actually, it's not a matter of trust at all. It's a matter of protection. Enough people know a secret of that magnitude, and somebody is bound to let it slip sometime. Not the secret itself, maybe, but at least the fact that he or she knows. And then that person is in danger from people who would torture and kill to find out what exactly they know. So, you don't tell people until you are sure that they can keep even the knowledge of the secret quiet."
Kon raised a skeptical brow. "I'd call it paranoia, personally. I mean, really, who..."
I cut him off, raising a hand and counting off the fingers. "Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow... there's more. All in his city. I'd be paranoid too." Heck, I am paranoid too.
Kon winced. "You may have a point there."
"I understand perfectly, but all this doesn't really answer my question. Why tell us now? I mean, we could have just gone on calling you Rob." Bart really had matured a lot. We'd been talking for quite a while now, and I hadn't even seen him fidget once. I guess I hadn't expected my friends to have changed as much as I had, but it seemed like they had. It wasn't just Impulse either. Cassie was much more confident in who and what she was. Kon seemed to have realized that having people consider you a teen idol wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Young Justice wasn't acting all that young anymore. Heh. Who'd a thought it.
"Because now it's my choice, and I trust you with it. Honestly, if I'd been able to stay around, I'd have figured out a way to tell you soon. Even Batman's figured out that you can't have a team without mutual trust. Plus, I'm really not Robin anymore and Al? What was I thinking?" I winced and lowered my head. They laughed, and I inwardly smiled. We may not have seen each other for three years, but we were still friends, and I was glad that we were able to pick that friendship up where it had been cut off.
"Which only leads back to the original question. Where the heck did you go? We honestly thought that you were dead. You could have considered how we'd feel about you just suddenly disappearing." Kon frowned at me.
I couldn't conceal a wince. "I had no say in the matter. My dad found out about my night-job and totally blew his stack. I got shipped to Switzerland, and I was literally watched day and night. The bat clan broke contact with me and at the time I didn't know why, and that really limited my ability to even contact you or anybody else, much less tell you anything about what was going on."
"Switzerland? Why there?"
I was about to answer when a shrill tone shattered my thoughts. Obviously, it meant something to the others since they headed back towards the monitor bay at full speed. Well, most of them did. Impulse stayed behind and shook my hand. "Sure glad you're not dead, Ro- I mean Tim."
"Me too, now that you mention it." He grinned and headed for the bay and the others. He'd still probably beat them there. Once again, I found myself jogging down the halls.
Suddenly, Impulse was back at my side. I almost jumped out of my skin. I wasn't used to people coming up on me that fast anymore. He didn't seem to notice though. "Just a big building fire downtown, probably caused by a group of terrorists that are hanging around threatening people. We're going to go and Kon wants to know if you'll come."
Cassie jogged towards us. "Yes, Rob, take my place. I promised Roy I'd stay with Lian today. He's out on a 'job' and won't be back until tomorrow."
I didn't really want to go with them, mostly because I didn't have any costume. Or an identity, for that matter Not to mention that the last thing they needed was someone who they hadn't trained with for three years, and who definitely wasn't the same person that they'd remembered. "Cassie, you go, I'll stay with Lian. She should still remember me if I remind her. I saw her quite a bit when I visited Nightwing here."
"Oh, would you? That would be wonderful. LIAN!!" Cassie turned and yelled towards the open doorway.
We were soon joined by a perky little seven-year-old, who looked me up and down and said, "I know you, don't I?" She cocked her head to one side, obviously trying to remember me. Wonder Girl explained the situation and Lian agreed to stay with me for an hour or so while the Titans took care of business. Cassie left in a flash of red and left me alone with Lian, who queried, "What's your name?"
"Well, you'd remember me as Robin. I came around with Nightwing some. Why don't you just call me Rob for now, ok?" I gave her a grin, hoping she wouldn't ask what my real name was.
I should have known that she'd know better than that, considering how she'd been raised. "Oh, yeah, I remember you now. So, who are you if you're not really Robin anymore?" Smart kid, she'd picked up on what I hadn't said. Of course, considering that she'd been mentored by people ranging from a world class detective to an Atlantean mage, it would be understandable that she would be wiser than her years. She probably just figured I'd changed codenames.
I decided to level with her. "Y'know, Lian, I really don't know who I am right now, in that way." I added a little emphasis to the last phrase so that she'd understand that I was talking about the hero business.
"That's ok. Daddy says that sometimes you have to step back and figure things out again. That must be what you're doing."
"Exactly. Your Daddy's pretty smart."
She gave a cute little pixie grin. "Sometimes..." I laughed at her joke and she looked gratified that I'd seen the humor of the statement. She grabbed me by the hand and led me toward the door. "C'mon, I'll show you everything."
Looks like I'm going to get the Lian Tour.
TBC...