Author's Notes: Because it is my spring break (yay) and I'm just relaxing at home this means no (real) law work for 7 days I'm going to try and post almost every other day. I mean there are 15 more posts to go still and when I get back to school it's gonna go by fast. Enjoy!

………

Inner Peace

May:

I think I've been here before, Tim thought to himself as he sat cross-legged on the floor of the study. Quite reminiscent of his first trip to the Manor, the teenager found himself left alone while Bruce went and did… whatever it was he did.

Tim knew this time to not move until he was told to and found that the hours passed a little more quickly than they had the first time. His kept his concentration from wavering too much and before long heard Bruce enter. Tim opened his eyes and turned to look at his mentor.

"Come, it's time you meditated."

The teenager stood and followed Bruce.

"But I thought that's what I was doing," he said as he walked down the Cave steps.

"You were merely passing time. I bet you continually thought about something. Your mind was active that entire time even if your body wasn't." Bruce stopped on the last step and faced the teenager. "You have to learn how to silence your mind. In meditation you should enter a world that is devoid of all sensation; it is your retreat and the place you work to rejuvenate.

"Once you can reach that level, you will become better at controlling your meditations and using them to control pain, slow your breathing and pulse. Once you possess these capabilities, meditation can mean the difference between life and death."

Bruce began to move again and Tim followed, not entirely certain what the older man was talking about, but aware he was about to find out.

The two of them moved to a secluded corner of the Cave. Two mats sat on the ground facing one another. Bruce took a seat and Tim took the other without a word.

"Close your eyes," Bruce instructed and Tim did so.

"Slow your breathing. Inhale and exhale when you hear me do so." The teenager listened intently and began to mimic Bruce's extremely slow intake and outtake of air. Tim felt himself get comfortable with the rhythm and began to keep it on his own.

"Look at the darkness before your eyes and calm your mind. Focus on listening to the sound of your breathing and nothing else." Tim began to feel his body relax to the point that he felt like he was drifting off to sleep and yet he didn't feel tired.

"Keep your focus…" That was the last bit of advice Tim heard.

Three hours later Tim felt himself slowly awake from the deep meditation. He opened his eyes and blinked multiple times to clear his vision. He saw Bruce sitting at the computer.

"You did well. I know that you were merely in a void and probably feel like you've been asleep." Bruce swiveled around and looked at Tim. "That will go away and you will begin to control these sessions and learn from them, but for now you must understand that meditation and merely standing still are two distinct things. Do you?"

Tim nodded his head.