Author's notes: Although Robin training didn't deal only with the physical aspect of things, for the first beginning months (and more to follow) that will be a huge theme because, in my eyes, Tim already came to the team with the strong ability to be a detective. Don't worry, though, that aspect will be dealt with.

Free-Falling

February:

There was a gut-check moment as Tim felt his body fall without any resistance. He also had a sanity check moment in that same instant since he had willingly jumped off the ledge. Tim involuntarily gasped and reached quickly for the grapple gun. His hands shook uncontrollably and as soon as he fired the gun he knew it wouldn't catch anything, so all he did was prepare for impact.

Two seconds later his body landed with a solid thump on one of the large mats that littered the back area of the Cave. The teenager released a groan and sat up shaking his head as he caught his breath. Though the mats and his preparation lessened the impact, it was still rather jarring. Tim looked up to the perch that he had just jumped off of and saw Bruce standing at the ledge. The older man spoke down to Tim.

"You jumped without a plan. You must know where your hook is going to attach before you make any move. Only in the most unforeseen circumstances should you not know where to aim."

With that Bruce jumped and Tim listened to the grappler's release and watched as the older man slowly landed next to him. Every movement Bruce did was effortless and Tim wondered how many times he had made that particular leap with the others Robins.

"I don't know the ledges," Tim began in his defense as he got to his feet.

"And you don't know the city, but you will learn it. You will never leap without knowledge," Bruce nodded back towards the ledge and Tim began to make his way towards the top again. As the teenager climbed, Bruce continued to speak.

"Everything out there must be planned. With every move you make you must know the consequences. You must know all your options. You cannot go into a battle, a leap, or even a conversation without being prepared.

"Things will arise that are unpredicted, but in some part of your brain you will be prepared for it. There is nothing out there that we shouldn't expect."

Tim reached the top of the ledge again and looked out at the dark cave. It was hard to tell the difference between walls, nothingness and ledges, but he looked anyway. He fingered the grappler in his hands and suddenly saw his path. Second ledge on the right has an outcropping large enough to grasp, he thought to himself as he continued to scan. Tim pictured the flight, release, hooking and slow decent. He then found another ledge; one he could attach to should his first plan fail and he then traced that path. The teenager smiled as he jumped.

This time he landed softly and soundly next to Bruce on the mat.

"You'll be able to do that with your eyes close one day," Bruce said and pointed back at the ledge.

Tim happily climbed back up.