TITLE: Death Without a Witness (World's Finest #2)
AUTHOR: Mara Greengrass
AUTHOR'S EMAIL: fishfolk@ix.netcom.com. Feedback is better than chocolate.
PERMISSION TO ARCHIVE: Please ask.
CATEGORY: A little of this and a little of that. ::shrug:: Any more would ruin it, IMO.
RATING: PG for some bad language
SUMMARY: Tim's given up the action-packed life of a Teen Titan, but the superhero world hasn't given up on him.
CONTINUITY: This diverges from current continuity just after Tim gives up the Robin suit.
DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to DC Comics. I just fantasize and worry about them.
NOTES: This is a sequel to "Life Without a Friend." Thanks to Illmantrim and Ozchick for copious help and suggestions that turned these stories from an amorphous blob into vaguely coherent fic. You guys rock!
* * * * *
Tim stared at the computer screen, mouse hovering over the send button. He'd rewritten this particular message twenty times. He had to send it now or he'd lose his chance to do so without giving away his identity, but there were so many things he couldn't say, so many...damn it. He hit send.
"To: thesuperkid@secure.tt.net
"From: birdguy@secure.tt.net
"Subject: I guess this is goodbye
"Please don't try to find me.
"I'm not sure if you'll have heard the news by the time you get this, but my dad found out I was Robin and he freaked. A lot. The upshot of which is that I'm no longer Robin. There will be a new Robin coming out to the Tower, someone I know and trust. Don't pick on her, because none of this is her fault.
"In fact, she'll need your help, since she doesn't have nearly my experience or skills. If you won't help her for the sake of the team, help her for me, okay?
"I promised my dad I'd make a clean break and I owe it to him to at least try, as penance for all the lying I've done over the years. In fact, my e-mail account will be deleted by the time you get this message, so I guess this is goodbye. Tell everyone I'm sorry. I'm sorry it happened this way, and sorrier I didn't get to say goodbye in person, but we both already knew life's not fair.
"I'll miss you. Take care."
* * * * *
The following days were a blur for Tim. Vague memories of staring out his bedroom window at the dark streets, lunches where he had nothing new to hide from Bernard, the odd feeling of being completely uninjured.
Tim couldn't remember the last time he'd been without a single bump, bruise, or bleeding gash. The worst danger he faced now was a paper cut or a school bus accident, and it was the worst feeling he'd ever had. He caught himself thinking how easy it would be to start a fight with a football player.
His dad could barely speak to him and Dana didn't know which way to turn. He caught both of them giving him odd looks over dinner and it made him want to do something bizarre--a one-armed handstand while juggling or something.
But he didn't.
He went to school, came home, did homework, ate dinner, and waited for things to make sense. They didn't show any signs of doing so.
The evening news was the worst.
Tim winced as the brunette in the olive green suit chirped the latest. "Pamela Isley, also known as Poison Ivy, staged her third escape from Arkham Asylum this afternoon. Police and prison officials say..."
Plans unrolled in his mind--protocols, contacts, usual hideouts, associates to question. He couldn't stop it, so he watched the automatic workings of his brain.
He felt eyes on him and focused his attention outward again. Both his dad and Dana were trying not to look at him. Tim realized he was clenching and unclenching his fists, as if checking the fit of gauntlets.
Resting his hands on his lap, he stared at the television, barely registering the ad for paper towels with its dancing trees. A small part of his brain made a note to see if Ivy had ever attacked paper product companies. He winced.
Probably he shouldn't watch television news, but it would take too much energy to come up with something else to do. And he couldn't quite give up this last connection. Sometimes they mentioned Batman or even Nightwing, describing a criminal's capture or some citizen seeing them. It was all he had, and if it ripped his heart out a little bit each time, well, that was the price he'd agreed to pay.
The news ended and he trudged upstairs.
* * * * *
Tim lay on his bed, counting cracks in the ceiling. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the last rays of the sunset coming through the window, and he tried to decide what to do now.
He'd spent much of the last two weeks in bed, catching up on several years of accumulated short sleep. Also, sleeping was a good way to avoid dealing with his dad. Or the empty hole in his life.
When he wasn't sleeping, he was studying or doing homework. His was undoubtedly the best-researched and most thorough examination of the causes of the Civil War ever in the history of Louis E. Grieve Memorial High School.
Bernard called at least once an evening, but Tim could barely handle speaking to him at school, let alone now. Now, when he should be gearing up to head out...
Tim closed his eyes, wondering how many hours of sleep a teenager could get if he really put his mind to it. Maybe he could take up tranquilizers and give his father something new to worry about.
Steph had stopped coming around days ago. Between his dad's rude behavior toward her and the knowledge that she'd taken his place, their conversations had become awkward.
It hurt that their relationship was over just like that, but it was really his fault, not hers. He didn't want to resent her for taking over as Robin, but damn it, he was human. And she'd just hopped into the new Robin suit and expected him to be thrilled for her. It hurt that she understood so little about him.
Tim wished he could call Dick and ask him how you dealt with being an easily replaced cog in the machine that is Batman's world. Hell, he wished he could call Dick and talk about basketball or the upcoming presidential election.
Then he'd get on AIM and shoot Kon a line or two, maybe tease him about telling Clark his secret. Or he'd send him outlandish suggestions on how they could annoy Starfire, try and make him spit-take on the keyboard.
Might as well wish for the moon, he told himself, 'cause it's not gonna happen. No more IM with Kon, no more trips to Titans Tower. That part of his life was over and the sooner he got used to that, the sooner he stopped missing...well, the sooner, the better.
The doorbell rang and Tim groaned. It was probably Bernard, even though he'd told the other boy at least a hundred times that he was grounded for life. But Bernard was nothing if not persistent when he smelled interesting gossip, and he hadn't bought Tim's excuse about breaking curfew one too many times. The funny thing, of course, was how close to the truth it was.
Tim sat up in bed, listening. There were several voices, all too muffled for him to hear clearly, but none sounded like Bernard. That was his Dad and that was Dana. Another female voice and two male. Who the heck?
He was just considering opening his bedroom door to eavesdrop when the door swung open. Dana stood in the doorway, face pale and shocky.
"What's wrong?" He jumped off the bed, heart in his throat as he imagined the thousands of possibilities.
"Your dad and I have had some...visitors. You need to come downstairs."
"Are you okay?" Tim asked.
"Yes. Just come down. Please don't argue, Tim."
Every sense alerted, Tim followed her down the steps. His fingers itched for a smoke bomb, a batarang, anything to use on whatever awaited him.
"Hello, Tim," Superman said with a broad smile. "Superboy says hello."
"Urgh," Tim said, frozen at the bottom of the steps. A costumed Superman stood next to his father, a grinning Flash and somber Wonder Woman just behind them. They were splashes of color in his earth-toned life, as if an artist had thrown globs of color into the living room and called it art.
Dana walked to stand beside Jack, who was also looking pale. His face alternately went white and red as he looked at his son. "Come in here," he said with some irritation.
Still speechless, Tim made it down the last step and into the room. The three superheroes stepped forward to shake his hand, looking incongruous against the normalcy of the room.
"Uh, it's good to see all of you, but..."
"What are we doing here?" Flash finished, still grinning like a loon. "It's kind of complicated."
"No, it's not," Wonder Woman said, shaking her head. "Your teammates, especially Superboy, are eager to speak with you and they asked our assistance to find you."
Tim felt dizzy and he groped with his hand until he found the wall, focusing on the slightly rough feel of paint until everything stopped spinning. They'd *found* him? How...why...
"Maybe we could all sit down," Superman said.
Jack nodded and everyone found a seat. Tim managed an internal chuckle as he watched Superman subtly influence the seating arrangements so that Tim was seated near him. Everyone thought Batman was the only tricky one, which was just the way Superman liked it.
Dana didn't notice, but Jack did, his lifetime in business making a power play obvious even when it happened in his living room. He scowled for an instant, but couldn't quite manage to maintain an angry expression in the face of Superman's bonhomie.
Nonetheless, he tried to take the initiative. "I thought I made it very clear in my conversations with Bruce Wayne that we were to have no further contact with the vigilante community. I'm a little surprised he'd send you three here."
Wonder Woman looked like she wanted to say something, but she pursed her lips and deferred to Superman.
"Batman has no knowledge of our visit. We are here on behalf of the teenagers who work with us, just as Tim worked with Batman."
Flash leaned forward. "Kid Flash is just that, a kid." He shook his head. "He's having trouble understanding why his friend is gone."
"His friend?" Dana asked. She went slightly paler when all eyes turned in her direction.
"Friend and teammate," Wonder Woman said. "You *did* realize that Robin was a member of the Teen Titans, didn't you? And previously the leader of Young Justice? He has worked with much of the superhero community at some point."
"I didn't really think of it," she said. "We were so focused on the danger, on Gotham."
Superman looked at Tim. "Did you tell them about your part in saving the world when it split in two?"
"Which time?" Tim managed to dredge up a cheeky grin.
"He's got a point," Flash said, laughing.
"Insolent pup," Superman said in a credible imitation of a supervillain, then laughed as well. "I was referring to when you, Superboy, and Impulse reunited the world of children and grownups."
Dana stared at him as if his skin had just turned blue. "You? You were involved in that?"
Tim sighed. "Yes."
"The JLA was very impressed with his work and leadership, that's why we allowed the formation of Young Justice," Wonder Woman said.
Jack frowned. "I'm sorry, but none of this changes the fact that my son lied to me for several years. Bruce Wayne put my son in danger I can hardly conceive of, without my permission."
Tim looked at his hands, letting the familiar rant wash over him as he considered what the visitors' presence might mean. His ruminations were derailed as he replayed Superman's words ("Superboy says hello") and Wonder Woman's aside ("especially Superboy").
He'd *told* Kon not to look for him. But when had that idiot ever listened to what was best for him?
"Mr. Drake," Superman began. Tim looked up, recognizing Superman's 'let's get down to business' tone. "We are not here to convince you to let Tim return as Robin. Among other things, only Batman could ask that."
Even though it was no surprise, Tim still felt a stab of pain in his stomach at the words. He concentrated on breathing steadily and not getting his hopes up.
"Then why are you here?"
"Jack!" Dana whispered. From the look on her face, she was horribly embarrassed to see her husband growling at three superheroes. Tim thanked the universe that she hadn't been there to see her husband point a gun at Batman.
"I have told you already," Wonder Woman said, tapping her lasso and eyeing Jack Drake with a less-than-friendly expression. "Our protégés wish to speak to their friend and we ask that you release Tim from his vow to avoid his former teammates."
Tim held his breath: To see Kon and the others...hell, even if he only got to talk to them. It would hurt, but if he was honest, he missed them. There were so many things he'd never gotten to say to them.
Everyone was looking at him and Tim kept his face expressionless. His dad looked uncertain.
"Jack?" Dana said quietly. "Say yes."
"You too?"
"Aren't you the least bit proud of what Tim's done?"
Tim blinked, Flash coughed, and Jack stared at her in astonishment. "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"Tim may have been wrong to not tell you, but what he's done these past years is incredible." She turned to look at Tim. "I wish you'd trusted us enough to say something."
"I couldn't," he said for the thousandth time. "It's not just my secret. It's Batman and Nightwing and Oracle and everybody. I couldn't put them in danger."
Flash cleared his throat. "I'm afraid it's the nature of the superhero business. When you know one identity, it can lead you to others. My identity isn't secret and at my wedding, my best man had to come in disguise--the most hideous blond wig you've *ever* seen."
"I've seen pictures," Tim said. "It was pretty bad. I'm glad he's gotten better at disguises since then."
He shared a moment of amusement with Flash over Dick and his terrible wigs, then remembered he wasn't allowed to see Dick. No more sparring sessions, big brother teasing, or bad advice.
"How is he?" he asked.
"He misses you too, kid." Flash looked sympathetic. "You know how badly he takes change."
"Tell him..." Tim swallowed. "Tell him to be careful. He gets careless when he's upset. Make sure Batman and Oracle are keeping an eye on him."
"I will." Flash nodded.
Tim remembered he had an audience and glanced at his dad. To his surprise, Jack Drake's expression was now thoughtful.
Dana's expression was hopeful as she looked between her husband and stepson. "Another friend, dear?"
"Nightwing," Tim said, not taking his eyes off his father. "He's been like a brother."
"And Superboy?" she asked.
"He's my best friend. He's matured a lot since he was The Kid."
"His maturity is due mainly to your influence," Superman said.
Jack looked away as Tim blushed and ducked his head at the praise.
"Wonder Girl and Kid Flash are your friends as well?"
"Yeah." Tim was hit by a memory: a warm hand in his as they flew across the Bay, trusting Kon to carry him safely to shore; Bart beneath them, his feet splashing icy water as he sped across the surface; and Cassie flying above, practicing with her lasso and nearly hitting them with an errant loop.
"You just want to see them?" Jack asked, staring at Tim.
Trying to not get his hopes up, Tim nodded. "I promised you I wouldn't be Robin, but I do miss my friends. I..." He shook his head, unsure what else to say.
"I can assure you," Wonder Woman said, "that we would not abet any further deception."
"I don't know."
Tim held his breath.
"Mr. Drake, I haven't always been the best father to Superboy, to Kon-El, but he asked me for his help. I don't want to let him down."
Superman and Jack Drake looked at each other and a wordless understanding passed between them. Tim thought about them--two men with sons they didn't entirely understand, who they'd failed in the past.
Jack nodded. "Okay."
Dana hugged him and Tim let out a slow breath, the empty place in his heart filling up again.
* * * * *
Tim sat on the roof of the brownstone, enjoying the light breeze that brought him the familiar smells of Gotham. Stars twinkled above him as he waited. A speck in the distance rapidly became a black and red blur that swooped to land in front of him. The familiar move made him feel simultaneously nostalgic and happy.
"Hey, Kon," Tim said. "I heard you wanted to talk to me." It didn't sound as funny as it had in his head.
The other boy looked uneasy, scrubbing his hand through his short hair. "Yeah, I did. The note was, man, the note was unfair."
"I know." Tim sighed, looking down at his scuffed sneakers. "I didn't know what else to do."
Kon came to sit next to him and for a while they just watched the stars.
"Bart came by earlier," Tim said when he couldn't take the silence any longer.
"Yeah, he told me. Said you looked shorter out of costume."
Tim snorted. "I talked to Nightwing too. He's got a stakeout all this week, but he's coming by on Sunday. So, um, thanks."
"I missed you," Kon said, not looking at him.
"I missed you, too."
"I kind of wondered. I mean, what our friendship meant if you could just leave and not say a real goodbye." His face was so still, it looked like stone.
Tim groaned. "I didn't want that. I just couldn't handle prolonged goodbyes making everything harder. I had to go. I promised my dad. We had a deal."
"I know. Well, I get that now. I was pretty pissed there for a while."
The stars twinkled, a pigeon croaked nearby. Tim sighed. "So, you went to the JLA, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
"To find me."
"Uh-huh."
"I can't decide if I'm flattered or terrified."
"You should be honored. I faced down Wonder Woman for you, man. I tempted the wrath of Batman for you." Kon turned to look at him, his old cocky grin hovering around the corners of his mouth.
Tim's gut clenched in a wave of homesickness, wanting everything back the way it was. "I'm touched," he managed to say.
Kon looked away again. "I didn't know they were going to show up on your doorstep. Clark and I talked about stuff and he said he'd take care of it and the next thing I know, I got your message."
"That's the difference between Superman and Batman, I think. Superman always takes the direct route, the shortest distance between two points, while Batman has to sneak around the edges of a problem."
Kon chuckled. "Like superhero, like sidekick. I'm just glad it worked, 'cause most of our other plans involved major property damage."
Tim shook his head. "Jesus. What are you guys going to do without me bringing the common sense?" It was meant to be a joke.
"I don't know." Kon was utterly serious, frowning at Tim as he said it, making him look down.
"Kon, I can't come back. I promised."
"Maybe your dad will change his mind?"
"Maybe. But...does Batman even want me back?"
"How the hell can you even ask that? Of course he does. You're the best damn Robin ever!"
Tim laughed, although it wasn't all that funny. "Nightwing might take exception to that."
"To hell with him!" Kon seemed to realize he was yelling and he turned away, frowning. "Just don't talk like that." He stared up at the sky.
Tim waited for Kon to look at him, but Kon continued to stare up, shifting position uneasily. "Kon?"
"What?"
"There isn't something else you wanted to tell me?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Oh, I dunno. Maybe because as Superman was leaving, he hugged me and whispered 'Welcome to the family.'"
Kon's head whipped around, his eyes so wide they looked like they would pop out. "Oh. My. God. He didn't."
"He did."
Head dropping into his hands, Kon groaned.
"So, *now* is there something you wanted to tell me?"
Kon looked up, face like a deer in headlights. "Uh. No?"
Tim couldn't help grinning, his face feeling like a Joker mask. "Then maybe we should just skip the words."
Leaning over, he pressed his lips to Kon's, running a hand over a broad shoulder. When Kon didn't respond, a knot formed in his stomach. Had he misunderstood?
Just as he was ready to jump off the roof in embarrassment, Kon grabbed his head and smashed their lips together. Tim laughed into the kiss, holding onto the roof with his other hand. He nearly lost his balance, though, when Kon pulled back to lick him, a damp tickle across his lips that made him gasp.
When they finally separated, Tim's lips felt sore, but he was still laughing.
Kon rubbed his forehead against Tim's, both hands on the back of his neck, holding him in place. "Welcome to the family?"
"See? Direct route. Batman wouldn't have been *nearly* that obvious."
Kon blinked several times. "No no no no! Bad enough Superman is meddling in my love life, don't make me imagine Batman getting involved too. I'll have nightmares for months."
Tim laughed harder. "What, it isn't bad enough you got Superman, Flash, and Wonder Woman involved?"
"Geez, I hadn't thought about that." Kon stared at him, face turning red. "My god, that's how he..."
"How he what?"
"Flash and Wonder Woman, they...I mean, we asked them to help us first and they said no. They said they'd need a good reason to go behind Batman's back."
Tim felt his own face getting warm. "Do you mean that Superman told Flash *and* Wonder Woman that you...that I...that we..."
"I think so."
"Oh god. That means the entire superhero community knows by now." Tim groaned, imagining the ribbing he was going to get from Dick.
"Well, I suppose it's possible that, say, Captain Marvel hasn't heard yet."
"Are you sure?"
"No."
"We are so totally the gossip of the month. Oracle's probably disseminating the memo even as we speak."
"Shoot me now," Kon said with a whine.
"We're already doomed, so how about if we kiss some more instead?"
"Good idea. See, this is why we need you back as Robin, 'cause you're the clever one."
"Fuck you."
"Promise?"
--Concluded in the epilogue, "Dark and Light"--
AUTHOR: Mara Greengrass
AUTHOR'S EMAIL: fishfolk@ix.netcom.com. Feedback is better than chocolate.
PERMISSION TO ARCHIVE: Please ask.
CATEGORY: A little of this and a little of that. ::shrug:: Any more would ruin it, IMO.
RATING: PG for some bad language
SUMMARY: Tim's given up the action-packed life of a Teen Titan, but the superhero world hasn't given up on him.
CONTINUITY: This diverges from current continuity just after Tim gives up the Robin suit.
DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to DC Comics. I just fantasize and worry about them.
NOTES: This is a sequel to "Life Without a Friend." Thanks to Illmantrim and Ozchick for copious help and suggestions that turned these stories from an amorphous blob into vaguely coherent fic. You guys rock!
* * * * *
Tim stared at the computer screen, mouse hovering over the send button. He'd rewritten this particular message twenty times. He had to send it now or he'd lose his chance to do so without giving away his identity, but there were so many things he couldn't say, so many...damn it. He hit send.
"To: thesuperkid@secure.tt.net
"From: birdguy@secure.tt.net
"Subject: I guess this is goodbye
"Please don't try to find me.
"I'm not sure if you'll have heard the news by the time you get this, but my dad found out I was Robin and he freaked. A lot. The upshot of which is that I'm no longer Robin. There will be a new Robin coming out to the Tower, someone I know and trust. Don't pick on her, because none of this is her fault.
"In fact, she'll need your help, since she doesn't have nearly my experience or skills. If you won't help her for the sake of the team, help her for me, okay?
"I promised my dad I'd make a clean break and I owe it to him to at least try, as penance for all the lying I've done over the years. In fact, my e-mail account will be deleted by the time you get this message, so I guess this is goodbye. Tell everyone I'm sorry. I'm sorry it happened this way, and sorrier I didn't get to say goodbye in person, but we both already knew life's not fair.
"I'll miss you. Take care."
* * * * *
The following days were a blur for Tim. Vague memories of staring out his bedroom window at the dark streets, lunches where he had nothing new to hide from Bernard, the odd feeling of being completely uninjured.
Tim couldn't remember the last time he'd been without a single bump, bruise, or bleeding gash. The worst danger he faced now was a paper cut or a school bus accident, and it was the worst feeling he'd ever had. He caught himself thinking how easy it would be to start a fight with a football player.
His dad could barely speak to him and Dana didn't know which way to turn. He caught both of them giving him odd looks over dinner and it made him want to do something bizarre--a one-armed handstand while juggling or something.
But he didn't.
He went to school, came home, did homework, ate dinner, and waited for things to make sense. They didn't show any signs of doing so.
The evening news was the worst.
Tim winced as the brunette in the olive green suit chirped the latest. "Pamela Isley, also known as Poison Ivy, staged her third escape from Arkham Asylum this afternoon. Police and prison officials say..."
Plans unrolled in his mind--protocols, contacts, usual hideouts, associates to question. He couldn't stop it, so he watched the automatic workings of his brain.
He felt eyes on him and focused his attention outward again. Both his dad and Dana were trying not to look at him. Tim realized he was clenching and unclenching his fists, as if checking the fit of gauntlets.
Resting his hands on his lap, he stared at the television, barely registering the ad for paper towels with its dancing trees. A small part of his brain made a note to see if Ivy had ever attacked paper product companies. He winced.
Probably he shouldn't watch television news, but it would take too much energy to come up with something else to do. And he couldn't quite give up this last connection. Sometimes they mentioned Batman or even Nightwing, describing a criminal's capture or some citizen seeing them. It was all he had, and if it ripped his heart out a little bit each time, well, that was the price he'd agreed to pay.
The news ended and he trudged upstairs.
* * * * *
Tim lay on his bed, counting cracks in the ceiling. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the last rays of the sunset coming through the window, and he tried to decide what to do now.
He'd spent much of the last two weeks in bed, catching up on several years of accumulated short sleep. Also, sleeping was a good way to avoid dealing with his dad. Or the empty hole in his life.
When he wasn't sleeping, he was studying or doing homework. His was undoubtedly the best-researched and most thorough examination of the causes of the Civil War ever in the history of Louis E. Grieve Memorial High School.
Bernard called at least once an evening, but Tim could barely handle speaking to him at school, let alone now. Now, when he should be gearing up to head out...
Tim closed his eyes, wondering how many hours of sleep a teenager could get if he really put his mind to it. Maybe he could take up tranquilizers and give his father something new to worry about.
Steph had stopped coming around days ago. Between his dad's rude behavior toward her and the knowledge that she'd taken his place, their conversations had become awkward.
It hurt that their relationship was over just like that, but it was really his fault, not hers. He didn't want to resent her for taking over as Robin, but damn it, he was human. And she'd just hopped into the new Robin suit and expected him to be thrilled for her. It hurt that she understood so little about him.
Tim wished he could call Dick and ask him how you dealt with being an easily replaced cog in the machine that is Batman's world. Hell, he wished he could call Dick and talk about basketball or the upcoming presidential election.
Then he'd get on AIM and shoot Kon a line or two, maybe tease him about telling Clark his secret. Or he'd send him outlandish suggestions on how they could annoy Starfire, try and make him spit-take on the keyboard.
Might as well wish for the moon, he told himself, 'cause it's not gonna happen. No more IM with Kon, no more trips to Titans Tower. That part of his life was over and the sooner he got used to that, the sooner he stopped missing...well, the sooner, the better.
The doorbell rang and Tim groaned. It was probably Bernard, even though he'd told the other boy at least a hundred times that he was grounded for life. But Bernard was nothing if not persistent when he smelled interesting gossip, and he hadn't bought Tim's excuse about breaking curfew one too many times. The funny thing, of course, was how close to the truth it was.
Tim sat up in bed, listening. There were several voices, all too muffled for him to hear clearly, but none sounded like Bernard. That was his Dad and that was Dana. Another female voice and two male. Who the heck?
He was just considering opening his bedroom door to eavesdrop when the door swung open. Dana stood in the doorway, face pale and shocky.
"What's wrong?" He jumped off the bed, heart in his throat as he imagined the thousands of possibilities.
"Your dad and I have had some...visitors. You need to come downstairs."
"Are you okay?" Tim asked.
"Yes. Just come down. Please don't argue, Tim."
Every sense alerted, Tim followed her down the steps. His fingers itched for a smoke bomb, a batarang, anything to use on whatever awaited him.
"Hello, Tim," Superman said with a broad smile. "Superboy says hello."
"Urgh," Tim said, frozen at the bottom of the steps. A costumed Superman stood next to his father, a grinning Flash and somber Wonder Woman just behind them. They were splashes of color in his earth-toned life, as if an artist had thrown globs of color into the living room and called it art.
Dana walked to stand beside Jack, who was also looking pale. His face alternately went white and red as he looked at his son. "Come in here," he said with some irritation.
Still speechless, Tim made it down the last step and into the room. The three superheroes stepped forward to shake his hand, looking incongruous against the normalcy of the room.
"Uh, it's good to see all of you, but..."
"What are we doing here?" Flash finished, still grinning like a loon. "It's kind of complicated."
"No, it's not," Wonder Woman said, shaking her head. "Your teammates, especially Superboy, are eager to speak with you and they asked our assistance to find you."
Tim felt dizzy and he groped with his hand until he found the wall, focusing on the slightly rough feel of paint until everything stopped spinning. They'd *found* him? How...why...
"Maybe we could all sit down," Superman said.
Jack nodded and everyone found a seat. Tim managed an internal chuckle as he watched Superman subtly influence the seating arrangements so that Tim was seated near him. Everyone thought Batman was the only tricky one, which was just the way Superman liked it.
Dana didn't notice, but Jack did, his lifetime in business making a power play obvious even when it happened in his living room. He scowled for an instant, but couldn't quite manage to maintain an angry expression in the face of Superman's bonhomie.
Nonetheless, he tried to take the initiative. "I thought I made it very clear in my conversations with Bruce Wayne that we were to have no further contact with the vigilante community. I'm a little surprised he'd send you three here."
Wonder Woman looked like she wanted to say something, but she pursed her lips and deferred to Superman.
"Batman has no knowledge of our visit. We are here on behalf of the teenagers who work with us, just as Tim worked with Batman."
Flash leaned forward. "Kid Flash is just that, a kid." He shook his head. "He's having trouble understanding why his friend is gone."
"His friend?" Dana asked. She went slightly paler when all eyes turned in her direction.
"Friend and teammate," Wonder Woman said. "You *did* realize that Robin was a member of the Teen Titans, didn't you? And previously the leader of Young Justice? He has worked with much of the superhero community at some point."
"I didn't really think of it," she said. "We were so focused on the danger, on Gotham."
Superman looked at Tim. "Did you tell them about your part in saving the world when it split in two?"
"Which time?" Tim managed to dredge up a cheeky grin.
"He's got a point," Flash said, laughing.
"Insolent pup," Superman said in a credible imitation of a supervillain, then laughed as well. "I was referring to when you, Superboy, and Impulse reunited the world of children and grownups."
Dana stared at him as if his skin had just turned blue. "You? You were involved in that?"
Tim sighed. "Yes."
"The JLA was very impressed with his work and leadership, that's why we allowed the formation of Young Justice," Wonder Woman said.
Jack frowned. "I'm sorry, but none of this changes the fact that my son lied to me for several years. Bruce Wayne put my son in danger I can hardly conceive of, without my permission."
Tim looked at his hands, letting the familiar rant wash over him as he considered what the visitors' presence might mean. His ruminations were derailed as he replayed Superman's words ("Superboy says hello") and Wonder Woman's aside ("especially Superboy").
He'd *told* Kon not to look for him. But when had that idiot ever listened to what was best for him?
"Mr. Drake," Superman began. Tim looked up, recognizing Superman's 'let's get down to business' tone. "We are not here to convince you to let Tim return as Robin. Among other things, only Batman could ask that."
Even though it was no surprise, Tim still felt a stab of pain in his stomach at the words. He concentrated on breathing steadily and not getting his hopes up.
"Then why are you here?"
"Jack!" Dana whispered. From the look on her face, she was horribly embarrassed to see her husband growling at three superheroes. Tim thanked the universe that she hadn't been there to see her husband point a gun at Batman.
"I have told you already," Wonder Woman said, tapping her lasso and eyeing Jack Drake with a less-than-friendly expression. "Our protégés wish to speak to their friend and we ask that you release Tim from his vow to avoid his former teammates."
Tim held his breath: To see Kon and the others...hell, even if he only got to talk to them. It would hurt, but if he was honest, he missed them. There were so many things he'd never gotten to say to them.
Everyone was looking at him and Tim kept his face expressionless. His dad looked uncertain.
"Jack?" Dana said quietly. "Say yes."
"You too?"
"Aren't you the least bit proud of what Tim's done?"
Tim blinked, Flash coughed, and Jack stared at her in astonishment. "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"Tim may have been wrong to not tell you, but what he's done these past years is incredible." She turned to look at Tim. "I wish you'd trusted us enough to say something."
"I couldn't," he said for the thousandth time. "It's not just my secret. It's Batman and Nightwing and Oracle and everybody. I couldn't put them in danger."
Flash cleared his throat. "I'm afraid it's the nature of the superhero business. When you know one identity, it can lead you to others. My identity isn't secret and at my wedding, my best man had to come in disguise--the most hideous blond wig you've *ever* seen."
"I've seen pictures," Tim said. "It was pretty bad. I'm glad he's gotten better at disguises since then."
He shared a moment of amusement with Flash over Dick and his terrible wigs, then remembered he wasn't allowed to see Dick. No more sparring sessions, big brother teasing, or bad advice.
"How is he?" he asked.
"He misses you too, kid." Flash looked sympathetic. "You know how badly he takes change."
"Tell him..." Tim swallowed. "Tell him to be careful. He gets careless when he's upset. Make sure Batman and Oracle are keeping an eye on him."
"I will." Flash nodded.
Tim remembered he had an audience and glanced at his dad. To his surprise, Jack Drake's expression was now thoughtful.
Dana's expression was hopeful as she looked between her husband and stepson. "Another friend, dear?"
"Nightwing," Tim said, not taking his eyes off his father. "He's been like a brother."
"And Superboy?" she asked.
"He's my best friend. He's matured a lot since he was The Kid."
"His maturity is due mainly to your influence," Superman said.
Jack looked away as Tim blushed and ducked his head at the praise.
"Wonder Girl and Kid Flash are your friends as well?"
"Yeah." Tim was hit by a memory: a warm hand in his as they flew across the Bay, trusting Kon to carry him safely to shore; Bart beneath them, his feet splashing icy water as he sped across the surface; and Cassie flying above, practicing with her lasso and nearly hitting them with an errant loop.
"You just want to see them?" Jack asked, staring at Tim.
Trying to not get his hopes up, Tim nodded. "I promised you I wouldn't be Robin, but I do miss my friends. I..." He shook his head, unsure what else to say.
"I can assure you," Wonder Woman said, "that we would not abet any further deception."
"I don't know."
Tim held his breath.
"Mr. Drake, I haven't always been the best father to Superboy, to Kon-El, but he asked me for his help. I don't want to let him down."
Superman and Jack Drake looked at each other and a wordless understanding passed between them. Tim thought about them--two men with sons they didn't entirely understand, who they'd failed in the past.
Jack nodded. "Okay."
Dana hugged him and Tim let out a slow breath, the empty place in his heart filling up again.
* * * * *
Tim sat on the roof of the brownstone, enjoying the light breeze that brought him the familiar smells of Gotham. Stars twinkled above him as he waited. A speck in the distance rapidly became a black and red blur that swooped to land in front of him. The familiar move made him feel simultaneously nostalgic and happy.
"Hey, Kon," Tim said. "I heard you wanted to talk to me." It didn't sound as funny as it had in his head.
The other boy looked uneasy, scrubbing his hand through his short hair. "Yeah, I did. The note was, man, the note was unfair."
"I know." Tim sighed, looking down at his scuffed sneakers. "I didn't know what else to do."
Kon came to sit next to him and for a while they just watched the stars.
"Bart came by earlier," Tim said when he couldn't take the silence any longer.
"Yeah, he told me. Said you looked shorter out of costume."
Tim snorted. "I talked to Nightwing too. He's got a stakeout all this week, but he's coming by on Sunday. So, um, thanks."
"I missed you," Kon said, not looking at him.
"I missed you, too."
"I kind of wondered. I mean, what our friendship meant if you could just leave and not say a real goodbye." His face was so still, it looked like stone.
Tim groaned. "I didn't want that. I just couldn't handle prolonged goodbyes making everything harder. I had to go. I promised my dad. We had a deal."
"I know. Well, I get that now. I was pretty pissed there for a while."
The stars twinkled, a pigeon croaked nearby. Tim sighed. "So, you went to the JLA, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
"To find me."
"Uh-huh."
"I can't decide if I'm flattered or terrified."
"You should be honored. I faced down Wonder Woman for you, man. I tempted the wrath of Batman for you." Kon turned to look at him, his old cocky grin hovering around the corners of his mouth.
Tim's gut clenched in a wave of homesickness, wanting everything back the way it was. "I'm touched," he managed to say.
Kon looked away again. "I didn't know they were going to show up on your doorstep. Clark and I talked about stuff and he said he'd take care of it and the next thing I know, I got your message."
"That's the difference between Superman and Batman, I think. Superman always takes the direct route, the shortest distance between two points, while Batman has to sneak around the edges of a problem."
Kon chuckled. "Like superhero, like sidekick. I'm just glad it worked, 'cause most of our other plans involved major property damage."
Tim shook his head. "Jesus. What are you guys going to do without me bringing the common sense?" It was meant to be a joke.
"I don't know." Kon was utterly serious, frowning at Tim as he said it, making him look down.
"Kon, I can't come back. I promised."
"Maybe your dad will change his mind?"
"Maybe. But...does Batman even want me back?"
"How the hell can you even ask that? Of course he does. You're the best damn Robin ever!"
Tim laughed, although it wasn't all that funny. "Nightwing might take exception to that."
"To hell with him!" Kon seemed to realize he was yelling and he turned away, frowning. "Just don't talk like that." He stared up at the sky.
Tim waited for Kon to look at him, but Kon continued to stare up, shifting position uneasily. "Kon?"
"What?"
"There isn't something else you wanted to tell me?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Oh, I dunno. Maybe because as Superman was leaving, he hugged me and whispered 'Welcome to the family.'"
Kon's head whipped around, his eyes so wide they looked like they would pop out. "Oh. My. God. He didn't."
"He did."
Head dropping into his hands, Kon groaned.
"So, *now* is there something you wanted to tell me?"
Kon looked up, face like a deer in headlights. "Uh. No?"
Tim couldn't help grinning, his face feeling like a Joker mask. "Then maybe we should just skip the words."
Leaning over, he pressed his lips to Kon's, running a hand over a broad shoulder. When Kon didn't respond, a knot formed in his stomach. Had he misunderstood?
Just as he was ready to jump off the roof in embarrassment, Kon grabbed his head and smashed their lips together. Tim laughed into the kiss, holding onto the roof with his other hand. He nearly lost his balance, though, when Kon pulled back to lick him, a damp tickle across his lips that made him gasp.
When they finally separated, Tim's lips felt sore, but he was still laughing.
Kon rubbed his forehead against Tim's, both hands on the back of his neck, holding him in place. "Welcome to the family?"
"See? Direct route. Batman wouldn't have been *nearly* that obvious."
Kon blinked several times. "No no no no! Bad enough Superman is meddling in my love life, don't make me imagine Batman getting involved too. I'll have nightmares for months."
Tim laughed harder. "What, it isn't bad enough you got Superman, Flash, and Wonder Woman involved?"
"Geez, I hadn't thought about that." Kon stared at him, face turning red. "My god, that's how he..."
"How he what?"
"Flash and Wonder Woman, they...I mean, we asked them to help us first and they said no. They said they'd need a good reason to go behind Batman's back."
Tim felt his own face getting warm. "Do you mean that Superman told Flash *and* Wonder Woman that you...that I...that we..."
"I think so."
"Oh god. That means the entire superhero community knows by now." Tim groaned, imagining the ribbing he was going to get from Dick.
"Well, I suppose it's possible that, say, Captain Marvel hasn't heard yet."
"Are you sure?"
"No."
"We are so totally the gossip of the month. Oracle's probably disseminating the memo even as we speak."
"Shoot me now," Kon said with a whine.
"We're already doomed, so how about if we kiss some more instead?"
"Good idea. See, this is why we need you back as Robin, 'cause you're the clever one."
"Fuck you."
"Promise?"
--Concluded in the epilogue, "Dark and Light"--