Chapter Four
That evening after dinner, Bruce, Barbara and Dick sat around the table sipping coffee until it was time for Tim to go to bed. When it got to ten o'clock Bruce sighed.
"This isn't going to be easy." He stood up and walked into the television room where he found highlights of a football match playing on the TV and Tim sprawled out in front of it, his eyes glued.
"Bedtime, Timothy." Bruce told him. Tim didn't stir and kept looking towards the TV.
"I won't repeat myself." Bruce voice grew firmer, but Tim didn't move a muscle. Bruce rolled his eyes and wished Tim could even act just a little intimidated, at least Dick was when he was younger. The man covered the room in two steps and switched off the TV. As he pulled back, waiting on Tim to stand up he watched aghast as Tim switched the TV back on and continued to watch the game.
"I don't think so, Mr. We've had a great day, now don't spoil it. Bed."
"You're spoiling it." Tim rolled onto his side and looked up at him. "Come on Bruce, it's the weekend."
"I know that, and one weekend which we haven't been called out to fight crime. So, I want you to get a good night sleep."
"But after the football there is an amazing film coming on."
"One that is obviously too old for you if it is being shown at that time."
"Oh man. I'm not a kid." Tim complained.
"Yes you are and it's time for bed." Bruce pulled the boy to his feet gently and placed two hands on his shoulders as he marched him up the stairs. Tim complained the whole way until he grumbled 'goodnight' and slid into his room.
Bruce made it back into the kitchen and shook his head.
"Well that only took like half an hour." Dick joked and removed his hand that had been resting on Barbara's thigh under the table. The young adults shared a look and sipped at their coffee once more. Bruce sat down.
"He'll be up for a glass of water in fifteen minutes, so let's make this quick."
"Barbara, Dick has already informed you about the Joker's plan?"
The woman nodded.
"No matter what we do, Tim stays out of this one. We can't let him find out about any of this - it's too risky. The Joker knows getting to Tim will get to us and we can't afford that weakness."
"The Joker said you had to do this thing alone though, right? But you aren't going to?"
"Well, I will be mostly. I am going to attend the event as myself and then when the Joker gives the signal, I'll get suited up and stop the chaos that the Joker is setting up at the main entrance. The jewels are in the last door on the left in the Town Hall and it faces out onto the back. Joker will have taken care of the lasers and cameras, but he needs the security men around the doors to be taken care of. They should come running when they hear Batman is in trouble holding down the thugs and so the place will be clear for them to get the jewels."
Dick ran a hand through his hair and chewed his lip angrily. "I can't believe you are actually letting him take the jewels."
Bruce frowned. "You know me better than that. Listen, this is where you two come in. When the Joker takes the jewels, he'll exit out the back window where most likely a van will be waiting for him. I want you two to be waiting on the roof and when you see Joker exit, follow him in the Batplanes. Give him twenty minutes to think he has got away with it, then take him down. By that time if he tries to blow anything, I will have everyone out of the building and be on my way to help you out. But, Dick, you don't have to actually take him down, just keep him busy until I get there and help you guys out. There will be at least four of his boys with him and maybe more if he gets to his hideout in the twenty minutes, but believe me we will stop him and get the jewels back. Do you have any questions?"
"What will we do if he gets to his hideout? I mean, we can't just go in and try and fight off all of them." Barbara asked.
"I know. If they get to their hideout, wait for me and we'll come up with a plan then. Just remember the Joker is unpredictable. Be alert and don't automatically stick to the plan. Act on your instinct and stick together."
They heard the creaking of someone coming downstairs.
"Shopping tomorrow, sounds fun?" Bruce changed the conversation to anything.
"Yeah. Dick promised me he would take me." Barbara explained, playing along.
"Can I have a glass of water?" Tim asked folding his arms over his chest. He was wearing one of Dick's old T-shirt that Dick had given him ages ago. It was far too big for him and the sleeves of the T-shirt reached past his elbows and it sat just above the hem of his shorts.
"What are you guys up to?" He questioned, eyeing them suspiciously.
The three looked at each other and noticed for the first time they were hunched over the table. It did look like they were planning something and they all sat back quickly.
"Nothing. Now run along and get your drink and off to your bed, kid." Dick smirked, he loved winding up Tim.
"It wasn't that long ago you had a bed time too, dweeb head." Tim gulped down his drink as Dick blushed at Barbara's teasing look.
