Hi, thanks for the reviews! I'd probably still write without them, but it makes it so much more fun. Here's chapter 5, and the last chapter, #6, should be up in a couple of days. Both of these chapters are going to be a little longer than some of my previous ones, because I don't feel like spreading this out into three or even four chapters. It just takes too long, and I'm ready to get to work on Exile 5. Anyway, enjoy! - krt
Disclaimer in chapter 1...
Chapter 5: Name Game
Bruce and I just stared at each other for a while. Not the most fun thing I've ever indulged in, but I managed not to face fault. Finally, he broke the silence. "You have changed." He leaned back in his seat, still managing to look totally alert and in control, and steepled his fingers underneath his chin. "I had considered Robin for you as well, but I don't think that it's appropriate now. Robin would have implied that there is something that you still need to learn from me, and I don't think that that is the case."
I gave him a careful look. "There's always more to learn." Which was true, but I think that I understood what he meant. What I needed to learn now was just what experience and time would teach me, not training sessions and endless repetitions of lessons.
Bruce nodded agreement to my words, and seemed to gather from my contemplative look that I understood what he had meant with his statement. It was actually very interesting, feeling like I was on a more level mental playing field with him. Not that he couldn't out think me in a second, and probably do four other things at the same time, but at least I didn't feel like he was talking down to me anymore. I continued. "I don't think that Robin is a name that really portrays who I am anymore." I ran my hand through my hair in slight frustration. "That being said, I don't really know who I am anymore. All I really know is that I'm not the same, and I don't think it's going to work if I pretend that I am." I gave him a searching look, and figured out that he agreed with me from the look in his eyes. "It's also going to take a little time for me to get comfortable around people again." An eyebrow cocked slightly, asking why. I really didn't want to get into all this now. Or ever, really, but definitely not now. I shrugged. "I've been alone, Bruce."
I hope he understood what I was and wasn't saying. I've been alone, it was hard, I had to fight to keep from going crazy, and I'm not used to having people willing to defend my back. In fact, exactly the opposite, so I was going to have to learn to trust them again. Oh, I trusted them now, mentally, but it would take some time before it would be second nature again, where I could count on one of the clan to be watching my back so much that I wouldn't check it myself. That just took time.
Bruce gave me a searching look and nodded slowly. "That's understandable. I presume that you are interested in keeping the Tim Drake persona?"
I actually had to think about that for a second. Dad would connect a new hero showing up with me, regardless of what name I wore, but I wasn't really worried about him telling what he knew after the talk we'd had. Even though he didn't seem to want me as a son, I was proud of my name. I wouldn't give that up unless there was no other option open to me. I answered unequivocally. "Yes."
Bruce nodded, obviously not surprised, and continued. "You are welcome to stay at the manor." For a second, I thought I saw a flash of humor in his face. "I'm sure I have room for you somewhere. Unless you have somewhere else in mind?"
I didn't really like being a charity case, but I also knew that it would be stupid of me to not take him up on his offer. Offering to pay my way would border on ridiculous, as well. And it wasn't like I'd be putting him out. Oh, shut up, Tim, and quit making excuses for yourself. It wasn't like I had anywhere else to go. I'd have to figure out a way to get Alfred to let me help out some, though. "I would appreciate that."
"Now, the real question remains. What to call you?" Bruce looked thoughtful. "I haven't done this for years. Do you have anything to start from?"
I sighed. This wasn't going to be very helpful. "Umm, no... Nothing with man on the end." That was just a little, I dunno, obvious. I'd never liked that.
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "And what is wrong with that?"
Oops, good one, just go and stick your foot in your mouth and chow down. "Umm, I dunno, it always just seemed like what the older heroes used and..."
Bruce interrupted. "Older?" He scowled at me. "What are you implying?"
Eep. I think that he's kidding, but he's Batman, Batman doesn't kid, but I've been gone three years, Bruce found his sense of humor? Or is this just a one-time thing? Or maybe he's gonna kill me now for calling him old. Ok, I am mentally rambling. This is bad. I purposefully donned an embarrassed face and covered my eyes with my hand. "Y'know, I think I'll just shut up now." Kidding or not, I was not going to be continuing this conversation. Just a little too dangerous.
"That might be wise." Bruce returned to the subject at hand, which gave me the urge to sigh with relief. Mental note to self. Bruce might just possibly be a little sensitive about his age. "Hhhn." We both sat in silent contemplation for a moment. "You don't really need to inspire fear, necessarily. Gotham's is pretty accustomed to fearing anything that is out at night."
I shrugged. "I don't even really need the name to be all that well known, at least not from the start. For all practical purposes, all I really need is something to call me in the information circles and on the computer and com links."
Bruce shook his head. "True, but I predict that the Titans will be asking you to consider membership once it is known that you're back in the business. It is important to be recognizable for more than just the criminals."
I raised an eyebrow. "I would have thought that you only tolerated the various hero teams." I'd deal with the Titans issue when and if it came up.
"They have their purposes." Bruce straightened and stood. "We can discuss this tomorrow if you don't think of something tonight."
I turned back to the others as Bruce made a few adjustments on the computer. Dick turned towards me with a sappy smirk on his face. "Timmy, you can be... wait for it... the Creepy Shadow-Man!" Cassandra was trying hard not to crack a smile. Dick continued, pausing to laugh at about every third word. "Watch out, here he comes. Guardian of the shadows, Protector of all creepy things, it's..."
I interrupted. "Spare me, please. And don't call me Timmy." Ignoring the ensuing jokes, which were getting progressively stupider, I turned back to Bruce and rolled my eyes.
Bruce pulled the cowl back over his head and moved towards the transporter. "I have a JLA meeting. You're not to go out alone until I clear you."
I nodded my acquiescence. Understandable, and expected. I didn't imagine it would take long to get me on the streets alone again, but he had a right to be sure that I was prepared. Plus, even if I didn't like it, there wasn't anything that I could say that would change his mind. "Sure. Dick has Gotham tonight?"
"Yes, patrol with him. Let me know if you decide on something and get me any costume designs and I'll see that it gets made." With that he dissolved into nothingness.
Scarcely had he disappeared when an irritated Oracle appeared on the main screen. "Batman? Where is he? He's forty minutes late! Oh, never mind, here he is..." The transmission was cut off. I blinked. Batman had been late to a JLA meeting? Because he was talking with me? I think I need to sit down.
I fell into the main seat and turned to face the other two occupants of the cave, who were still avidly discussing possible names for me. As entertaining as it was, I was compelled to interrupt for the sake of Gotham. Not to mention my sanity. "Hey, Dick."
He turned. "Yeah?"
"I'm with you tonight."
"Cool. Did you guys decide?"
I fingered the R shuriken still in my hand, then carefully set it down in the box where it had originally been resting. It would have to wait for someone else. "Not really, I'm supposed to be thinking about it, though." I shot a glance at Cass. "I'm not going to be Robin. It just doesn't fit me anymore."
Cass looked thoughtful. "Yes, you changed. Should change name, too. I see." The thoughtful look disappeared as she lightly slapped Dick on the shoulder. "Time to work now. Go. Stop lazy."
She utterly ignored Dick's 'who me?' look and walked over to me, readying a fist. She was doing it very obviously, so I reacted the way I was supposed to and leaped to my feet. "I'm going, I'm going. I'm not the lazy one here." She wrinkled up her nose and me and moved towards the exit, heading for her patrol.
I headed upstairs to grab my stealth gear, such as it was, and returned in about ten minutes, dressed in my all black outfit, this time minus the leather jacket, so that my weapons belt was fully accessible. Downstairs again, Dick took one look at my mask and sniffed his distain. "No night vision? No built in scanner, camera, computer monitor, radio or police band? Hmmph, you need an upgrade."
Yeah, well, those upgrades he was talking about cost. Lots and lots of cost. My dad had set up a generous allowance to be sent to me monthly while I was overseas, but it wasn't enough to cover everything. I had to stifle a grin, if he only knew what I spent it on... lessons, and weapons, and plane tickets and bribes. Heh. I'd already had to scrimp to pay for what was necessary. "Yeah, well, it came down to that or walking home, so guess which one won out."
Dick shook his head sadly, and insincerely, in my direction. "Poooor Tim. Well, we can fix that. Right this way." I followed him out of the main cave and down the hall.
I had always termed this place the Vault, because it was stuffed full of every kind of weapon, disguise, or gadget that I could ever imagine. Well, that I could imagine when I was fifteen. Now, there were only a few that I didn't know at least the rudiments of using, and even fewer that I didn't at least recognize. Dick walked straight to a row of cabinets and started fumbling around. I watched, trying not to chuckle as he muttered endlessly to himself under his breath. "Ok, I know I saw it, I only had to organize this place forty million times. Nope, that's not it, nope, nope, hey? No, too small. Aha! Here, try this." Turning, he tossed me a mask, very similar to the one I had, but with the standardized Bat equipment.
I took it and put it on, reaching around to straighten it, so that I could actually see out of it. As I did that, my hand accidentally bumped a small button under my right ear. "Oracle here, who is this?" Opps, I guess that was the com button.
"Um, Tim, sorry, Babs, I'm not used to this mask yet."
"Mask? That must mean you're staying! Great! Let me know if I can help you out with anything. The Oracle sees all, y'know."
"I'll remember that. Thanks."
"Is Dick there? If he is tell him that Cass was just here and said that if he wasn't patrolling in two minutes that she was gonna have to come back over there and..." Dick, who had activated his own ear piece, started to push me towards his car.
I interrupted Babs. "I think that he got the message."
"Ok, well, I gotta get back to the JLA meeting, I think maybe they are actually going to talk about something relevant in a minute. Oracle out."
"Hey, you can stop pushing, I'll go already." Dick quit and rounded the car to the driver's side, tossing the keys in the air gently. I was curious. "Would Cass really come back here?"
Dick gave me a half-serious look. "I've never had the guts to call her on it."
"Point taken."
"Well, then, let's go kick some Gotham tail, bro."
TBC...
For those who were asking about this, yes, I am about to have a Tim/Dick bonding moment. Beware, Gotham! And I promise that the code name will be unveiled soon. - krt
Disclaimer in chapter 1...
Chapter 5: Name Game
Bruce and I just stared at each other for a while. Not the most fun thing I've ever indulged in, but I managed not to face fault. Finally, he broke the silence. "You have changed." He leaned back in his seat, still managing to look totally alert and in control, and steepled his fingers underneath his chin. "I had considered Robin for you as well, but I don't think that it's appropriate now. Robin would have implied that there is something that you still need to learn from me, and I don't think that that is the case."
I gave him a careful look. "There's always more to learn." Which was true, but I think that I understood what he meant. What I needed to learn now was just what experience and time would teach me, not training sessions and endless repetitions of lessons.
Bruce nodded agreement to my words, and seemed to gather from my contemplative look that I understood what he had meant with his statement. It was actually very interesting, feeling like I was on a more level mental playing field with him. Not that he couldn't out think me in a second, and probably do four other things at the same time, but at least I didn't feel like he was talking down to me anymore. I continued. "I don't think that Robin is a name that really portrays who I am anymore." I ran my hand through my hair in slight frustration. "That being said, I don't really know who I am anymore. All I really know is that I'm not the same, and I don't think it's going to work if I pretend that I am." I gave him a searching look, and figured out that he agreed with me from the look in his eyes. "It's also going to take a little time for me to get comfortable around people again." An eyebrow cocked slightly, asking why. I really didn't want to get into all this now. Or ever, really, but definitely not now. I shrugged. "I've been alone, Bruce."
I hope he understood what I was and wasn't saying. I've been alone, it was hard, I had to fight to keep from going crazy, and I'm not used to having people willing to defend my back. In fact, exactly the opposite, so I was going to have to learn to trust them again. Oh, I trusted them now, mentally, but it would take some time before it would be second nature again, where I could count on one of the clan to be watching my back so much that I wouldn't check it myself. That just took time.
Bruce gave me a searching look and nodded slowly. "That's understandable. I presume that you are interested in keeping the Tim Drake persona?"
I actually had to think about that for a second. Dad would connect a new hero showing up with me, regardless of what name I wore, but I wasn't really worried about him telling what he knew after the talk we'd had. Even though he didn't seem to want me as a son, I was proud of my name. I wouldn't give that up unless there was no other option open to me. I answered unequivocally. "Yes."
Bruce nodded, obviously not surprised, and continued. "You are welcome to stay at the manor." For a second, I thought I saw a flash of humor in his face. "I'm sure I have room for you somewhere. Unless you have somewhere else in mind?"
I didn't really like being a charity case, but I also knew that it would be stupid of me to not take him up on his offer. Offering to pay my way would border on ridiculous, as well. And it wasn't like I'd be putting him out. Oh, shut up, Tim, and quit making excuses for yourself. It wasn't like I had anywhere else to go. I'd have to figure out a way to get Alfred to let me help out some, though. "I would appreciate that."
"Now, the real question remains. What to call you?" Bruce looked thoughtful. "I haven't done this for years. Do you have anything to start from?"
I sighed. This wasn't going to be very helpful. "Umm, no... Nothing with man on the end." That was just a little, I dunno, obvious. I'd never liked that.
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "And what is wrong with that?"
Oops, good one, just go and stick your foot in your mouth and chow down. "Umm, I dunno, it always just seemed like what the older heroes used and..."
Bruce interrupted. "Older?" He scowled at me. "What are you implying?"
Eep. I think that he's kidding, but he's Batman, Batman doesn't kid, but I've been gone three years, Bruce found his sense of humor? Or is this just a one-time thing? Or maybe he's gonna kill me now for calling him old. Ok, I am mentally rambling. This is bad. I purposefully donned an embarrassed face and covered my eyes with my hand. "Y'know, I think I'll just shut up now." Kidding or not, I was not going to be continuing this conversation. Just a little too dangerous.
"That might be wise." Bruce returned to the subject at hand, which gave me the urge to sigh with relief. Mental note to self. Bruce might just possibly be a little sensitive about his age. "Hhhn." We both sat in silent contemplation for a moment. "You don't really need to inspire fear, necessarily. Gotham's is pretty accustomed to fearing anything that is out at night."
I shrugged. "I don't even really need the name to be all that well known, at least not from the start. For all practical purposes, all I really need is something to call me in the information circles and on the computer and com links."
Bruce shook his head. "True, but I predict that the Titans will be asking you to consider membership once it is known that you're back in the business. It is important to be recognizable for more than just the criminals."
I raised an eyebrow. "I would have thought that you only tolerated the various hero teams." I'd deal with the Titans issue when and if it came up.
"They have their purposes." Bruce straightened and stood. "We can discuss this tomorrow if you don't think of something tonight."
I turned back to the others as Bruce made a few adjustments on the computer. Dick turned towards me with a sappy smirk on his face. "Timmy, you can be... wait for it... the Creepy Shadow-Man!" Cassandra was trying hard not to crack a smile. Dick continued, pausing to laugh at about every third word. "Watch out, here he comes. Guardian of the shadows, Protector of all creepy things, it's..."
I interrupted. "Spare me, please. And don't call me Timmy." Ignoring the ensuing jokes, which were getting progressively stupider, I turned back to Bruce and rolled my eyes.
Bruce pulled the cowl back over his head and moved towards the transporter. "I have a JLA meeting. You're not to go out alone until I clear you."
I nodded my acquiescence. Understandable, and expected. I didn't imagine it would take long to get me on the streets alone again, but he had a right to be sure that I was prepared. Plus, even if I didn't like it, there wasn't anything that I could say that would change his mind. "Sure. Dick has Gotham tonight?"
"Yes, patrol with him. Let me know if you decide on something and get me any costume designs and I'll see that it gets made." With that he dissolved into nothingness.
Scarcely had he disappeared when an irritated Oracle appeared on the main screen. "Batman? Where is he? He's forty minutes late! Oh, never mind, here he is..." The transmission was cut off. I blinked. Batman had been late to a JLA meeting? Because he was talking with me? I think I need to sit down.
I fell into the main seat and turned to face the other two occupants of the cave, who were still avidly discussing possible names for me. As entertaining as it was, I was compelled to interrupt for the sake of Gotham. Not to mention my sanity. "Hey, Dick."
He turned. "Yeah?"
"I'm with you tonight."
"Cool. Did you guys decide?"
I fingered the R shuriken still in my hand, then carefully set it down in the box where it had originally been resting. It would have to wait for someone else. "Not really, I'm supposed to be thinking about it, though." I shot a glance at Cass. "I'm not going to be Robin. It just doesn't fit me anymore."
Cass looked thoughtful. "Yes, you changed. Should change name, too. I see." The thoughtful look disappeared as she lightly slapped Dick on the shoulder. "Time to work now. Go. Stop lazy."
She utterly ignored Dick's 'who me?' look and walked over to me, readying a fist. She was doing it very obviously, so I reacted the way I was supposed to and leaped to my feet. "I'm going, I'm going. I'm not the lazy one here." She wrinkled up her nose and me and moved towards the exit, heading for her patrol.
I headed upstairs to grab my stealth gear, such as it was, and returned in about ten minutes, dressed in my all black outfit, this time minus the leather jacket, so that my weapons belt was fully accessible. Downstairs again, Dick took one look at my mask and sniffed his distain. "No night vision? No built in scanner, camera, computer monitor, radio or police band? Hmmph, you need an upgrade."
Yeah, well, those upgrades he was talking about cost. Lots and lots of cost. My dad had set up a generous allowance to be sent to me monthly while I was overseas, but it wasn't enough to cover everything. I had to stifle a grin, if he only knew what I spent it on... lessons, and weapons, and plane tickets and bribes. Heh. I'd already had to scrimp to pay for what was necessary. "Yeah, well, it came down to that or walking home, so guess which one won out."
Dick shook his head sadly, and insincerely, in my direction. "Poooor Tim. Well, we can fix that. Right this way." I followed him out of the main cave and down the hall.
I had always termed this place the Vault, because it was stuffed full of every kind of weapon, disguise, or gadget that I could ever imagine. Well, that I could imagine when I was fifteen. Now, there were only a few that I didn't know at least the rudiments of using, and even fewer that I didn't at least recognize. Dick walked straight to a row of cabinets and started fumbling around. I watched, trying not to chuckle as he muttered endlessly to himself under his breath. "Ok, I know I saw it, I only had to organize this place forty million times. Nope, that's not it, nope, nope, hey? No, too small. Aha! Here, try this." Turning, he tossed me a mask, very similar to the one I had, but with the standardized Bat equipment.
I took it and put it on, reaching around to straighten it, so that I could actually see out of it. As I did that, my hand accidentally bumped a small button under my right ear. "Oracle here, who is this?" Opps, I guess that was the com button.
"Um, Tim, sorry, Babs, I'm not used to this mask yet."
"Mask? That must mean you're staying! Great! Let me know if I can help you out with anything. The Oracle sees all, y'know."
"I'll remember that. Thanks."
"Is Dick there? If he is tell him that Cass was just here and said that if he wasn't patrolling in two minutes that she was gonna have to come back over there and..." Dick, who had activated his own ear piece, started to push me towards his car.
I interrupted Babs. "I think that he got the message."
"Ok, well, I gotta get back to the JLA meeting, I think maybe they are actually going to talk about something relevant in a minute. Oracle out."
"Hey, you can stop pushing, I'll go already." Dick quit and rounded the car to the driver's side, tossing the keys in the air gently. I was curious. "Would Cass really come back here?"
Dick gave me a half-serious look. "I've never had the guts to call her on it."
"Point taken."
"Well, then, let's go kick some Gotham tail, bro."
TBC...
For those who were asking about this, yes, I am about to have a Tim/Dick bonding moment. Beware, Gotham! And I promise that the code name will be unveiled soon. - krt