Author's notes: Another AU piece here. Not much to say other than enjoy. :-)

To the Moon

May:

After having his brief training session with Dick, Tim wasn't certain who else he could meet that would top that.

He was about to find out.

Bruce had called Tim and told him to be at the Cave at two. The time was different; usually the teenager was at the Manor or Cave by six in the morning. Not questioning, and relishing the chance to sleep in, Tim did as he was told and stood alone in the Cave waiting for Bruce.

He hadn't changed into his costume, not certain what was happening this afternoon and so he found himself a place in front of the Bat Computer and waited. He didn't wait long when he heard footsteps.

Rising, he turned and spoke as he did so. "What's the plan for today?" As he finished the question, Tim's mouth fell open. "Uh, hello Mr. Kent," he said softly.

"Ah, you must be Timothy," Clark said in way of greeting and held out his hand. Tim shook the appendage.

"And you're…Superman," the teenager said, not hiding the astonishment in his voice.

Clark laughed. "And I hear you're going to be Robin."

Tim smiled lightly hoping the blush he felt rising hadn't reached his face, "Maybe."

Superman ignored slight hesitation in the young man's voice and, instead, moved to the computer and took a seat in Bruce's chair. "Bruce wanted me to tell you to suit up."

"Why?" Tim questioned, he curiosity peaked wondering where Bruce was and why Clark was giving the orders.

Clark smiled that Superman smile of his at Tim. "You're going to be meeting the team."

The teenager absently nodded and walked to the costume vault as he heard Clark head upstairs. It wasn't until he was mid-way through putting on his pants that he realized what Clark had said. Tripping over his own feet, he hurried out of the vault and found Batman waiting for him. Not even wondering where Bruce had come from, the teenager stood in his half-clothed Robin suit, eyes wide with wonder.

"The team? The Justice League?"

Bruce turned and looked at the half-dressed teenager. "Yes. Clark felt it was important that you feel comfortable within the hero community."

"I'm not even a hero yet," Tim said as he gestured to his mis-aligned costume. "I only wear this because you want me to get use to it. I don't deserve this yet. I'm not Robin."

The older man pushed a few buttons on the computer panel. "You're right, you aren't Robin. You still have a lot to learn. But you will be one day and, when you are, you will fall into a role that has already been pre-defined. I don't want you to feel confined by that, though."

Tim realized suddenly that he hadn't given much thought to being a part of a greater community; he had only ever wanted to be Robin. He knew that Dick had been a Titan (the leader as a matter of fact) and Jason as well, but Tim hadn't ever pictured himself on or leading a team. The Titans didn't need him and he knew the younger crime fighters out there weren't ready for a team. And so, he realized perhaps for the first time, he would be put into a more pre-defined role than the other Robins and a part of him was thankful Bruce seemed aware of this fact. Already there was enough pressure on him (mainly put there by himself) to live up to the legend left behind by his predecessors, he didn't want others in the community to compare him to Dick and Jason as well.

Bruce's voice broke through the teenager's thoughts.

"You will be Robin, but you will be your own Robin. In order for this to be accomplished, Clark felt," Tim shook his at the mild annoyance that seemed to work its way into Clark's name, "that the hero community should get to know you early on. Now, get dressed and be ready to go in ten minutes."

Tim left, did as he was told and, exactly ten minutes later, found himself on the way to, well, the moon. As he traveled he suddenly was glad the Clark made Bruce bring him to meet the Justice League as he felt his excitement build at the prospect of meeting Wonder Woman and the Flash.

The tube came to a halt and, after a glare from Bruce, Tim hid his smile as he stepped through the open doors and took a deep breath.

It was time he created his own image.