"Yellow moon, right now that moon is telling you to open up your eyes. Young man, you're still dreaming, and that's just fine. So dream on, dream on – turn around, you're not alone. Tell me everything you see. Every day and every night, until you reach the light, I will send you my all my love. Every day, every night, until you reach the light, I will send you all my love."

Akeboshi Yellow Moon

Oh Silent Prayer of My Thoughts

By: The BatThing

Tim awoke with a start, and he almost feel back to sleep, but then it came again, somebody was screaming, and they were frantic. The boy jerked up and shoved back the covers, practically flying out of his room. He managed to slip his sunglasses on and pull on a red windbreaker that Montoya had just found for him. The boy jerked the door open and rand down the flight of stairs and to the back door. He could smell the smoke, he could see the smoke circling in the dark night, and the screaming went on.

People were starting to gather now, staring at the building just a few feet away that was inflames. It was clear there was no way anybody was coming out of there alive. Tim touched his glasses for a moment then made a mad dash towards the building. Yeah, Gordon would probably kill him for this, given the chance that he'd come out alive.

A man suddenly stepped in front of him. "Hold it there, son, it's no use. You're no good to anybody dead – there is no way that the people inside are alive. This is no time to go play hero."

Suddenly the screaming started up again and this time it was more desperate. Tim shoved past the man and glanced around to find the screaming person. He didn't know much, but he could try to be of help. It dawned on him, before he even saw who was making the noise, who it was. Annika.

She was clutching a cat, her eyes' closed and tears pouring down her face – making a trail through the ash that layered her. For a moment Tim felt a bit too frightened to approach, he hadn't expected it to be her. He barely knew the girl, but seeing her like this caused a sort of panic. It was her house on fire, her family inside. He took a deep breath and then moved forward once more, only to be grabbed and jerked back by his arm.

"Let go, bastard! There are people inside -." Tim turned to take a punch at the man holding him back but quickly stopped, seeing Gordon's worried expression. "Jim! I gotta' go and –."

"You aren't going in there." The commissioner snapped. "Look at the building and think again, everyone inside is dead. Don't be an idiot."

"But it's her family!" The boy attempted to pull away again, feeling slightly desperate. "I have to do something. I can't let this happen to her!"

"It already did." Jim hissed.

The boy pulled and pushed. He glanced back at the building and then at Annika. She was so little, and she had been so happy. Tim knew what it was like to lose family. it had changed him, and almost killed him. He couldn't allow something like that to happen to Annika, not the girl who had showed him kindness, shared a meaningless piece of chalk and a few warm smiles. She hadn't done much for him, true, but she had been there. She meant nothing to him, nothing more than just a face he recognized.

But she didn't deserve this, she couldn't get through this. Tim shook his head, looking at Jim, eyes pleading. "You can't -."

"They're dead." Jim snapped, not angry, but worried that the boy would break free and attempt to run into the building. "Right now what you need to do is try and think what can be done for her. She knows you, right? Maybe you should go be with her!"

No he couldn't. Robin stopped fighting the man and shook his head. "Jim, if you don't let me go I'll -."

BAM! A shriek and then everybody was rushing back. Annika just screamed louder and Tim felt his arm released as Jim went to the girl, pulling her away from the collapsing building. The commissioner lifted up the screaming girl and she didn't fight it. Tim watching in silence as she was carried slowly away from the fallen building, her screams just as loud. Sirens wailed overhead.

"You smell like smoke."

Tim lifted his heavy head and looked at Bruce. He cleared his throat and slowly took a bite of his toast. "Candles do that."

"Oh please." And with that the man got to his feet and left the room a very unhappy person. His breakfast untouched, the newspaper unfolded, and Saul doing his best to look proper.

The boy felt bad, and his toast suddenly tasted so much worse. If the morning could get worse, well, Tim might not make it. He glanced up at the silent butler and tried to smile, but he only got a nod in return. Saul was no Alfred, and Bruce was no Bruce. The boy sighed and lifted his fork, stabbing his toast and thinking about Annika and Jim. Gordon had not been pleased when Tim had left to go to 'help Leslie', but at least Annika was alright. She had been checked into the hospital, and Gordon was searching for any of her possible relatives.

"If you are not hungry for toast then perhaps I could get you something else?"

Tim snapped his head up and then looked down at his toast – which was unmistakably dead. The boy had ripped it to bits, and stabbed it again and again. He almost felt bad for his breakfast. Shaking his head he got to his feet. "Not hungry I guess."

Saul gave a polite nod and started to clear Bruce's and Tim's wasted breakfast. The boy could hear Alfred saying something about starving children, but Saul offered no such punishment. He just let the matter slide. Tim didn't hate Saul, but there was no doubt in his mind that he would ever learn to enjoy the man.

"Thanks though." And Tim hurried out of the room, only to stop and look abashed as Bruce was glaring at him in the sitting room. "Hi."

"Hello." The man said with a sigh, flipping through the pages of a book. He snapped the reading material closed and then got to his feet. "You're going to be late for school if you don't hurry."

"Yeah, I know, I was just –." Tim sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry if I've made you upset."

Bruce gave a sarcastic chuckle and plopped right back down on the couch. "You're sorry for making me upset? Tim, if you were sorry maybe you'd start being honest and stop making up these idiotic excuses. I know you're still gallivanting around at night, and I've had my fill. You don't listen to what I say. You treat me like … like you're just trying to please me. As if I'm in the way of something, and you're really the one in charge."

The boy shifted his weight, looking at the carpet and wondering why he didn't feel that bad. He tried his best to look guilty, but it was just an act, just like everything else he did here. An act.

"I know my words are wasted, they usually are, so let's try something else." Bruce took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I'm new to this, sort of, and I didn't want to be a 'bad guy'. I was hoping you and I could get along, I was hoping that this would be resolved without any trouble."

Uh-oh. Tim felt butterflies awake and he jerked his head up, eyes large. Bruce had better not try anything smart.

"Your car – I want the keys." Bruce seemed nervous, as if Tim might attack him. "And as for your freedom at the Manor, well, that's been changed. No more time to go see your friends, or visits to Leslie. Until you can start being honest with me then maybe this is best."

The boy almost wanted to laugh. Bruce was such a dork if he thought this would affect him. He nodded, trying to look upset, wondering how well it was working. So what if he couldn't use the car? He wasn't 16 yet – and so what if he couldn't see his friends? He never did anyhow. Maybe he should complain or something. The boy thought about what to say and Bruce seemed to be waiting for something.

His mentor looked scared, which made everything a little more humorous. Bruce wanted to be friends with Tim. Bruce was worried Tim might get upset. Things were so odd. If Bruce were in his right state Tim would probably be dead. He looked at the man before him and saw how nervous he looked. And the boy couldn't help himself. He laughed.

It wasn't a big laugh, more of a smile and a cough, but it was a laugh.

Bruce took his a deep breath, closed his eyes and sighed. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." There was a frown. The boy felt he should give one in such a situation. It was clear, though, that there was no fooling the billionaire before him. "You're just not you, and sometimes, it's kinda' funny."

"What?"

"You know, I keep thinking of how you use to act – and it's funny because you're so different. It's like, like you don't know what to do with me."

"I don't know what to do with you!" Bruce steamed as he tossed his arms in the air.

The boy watched for a moment and wondered how hard it was for Bruce to live the life he was living right now. It couldn't be fun, but it couldn't be that bad either. Right? There were bigger problems than worrying about how stressed out his mentor was.

The two looked at each other and Bruce shook his head a few times. "You aren't upset with me for grounding you?"

"Well, no, I guess not."

"You aren't angry that I'm so different?"

Tim made a face. "You can't help that, besides, it's only temporary. Soon enough you'll be back to your old self, and then you can kill me."

Bruce looked away. "Kill you? I must be a monster." He sounded happy as he spoke and then glanced again at Tim. "What makes you so sure? What makes you think that I'll get my memory back? For all you know I could be like this for the rest of my life, there is no saying that I'll go back to the way I use to be, so how can you think like that?"

"Well, because you came back from the dead." His answer was dumb, but totally true. "People told me you were dead, Bruce, and you weren't. Things don't always work out the way I want them to, but … things work out. You might not think that you'll remember, and maybe you won't. But for me, I say you'll remember, you have to, and I think you know you have to. It won't be long before you understand that."

"I have to remember?" Bruce frowned. "I don't know about having to remember. Life will go on without me remembering what I use to be life."

"No." Tim laughed, and he was happy to do so, because he realized how sure he was that his mentor's memory would return. Bruce was the Batman, and Batman fought – no doubt, deep inside Bruce, Batman was trying to make things right. "You'll remember, something inside you is going to kick in – and you'll remember."

"Until then I suppose you'll keep lying to me?" Bruce frowned.

"I never said that."

"But it's true."

Tim was silent.

"You're still grounded."

"That's fair."

It was an awful day, but Tim felt good. The talk with Bruce had lifted his spirits slightly. The weather was damp, rainy, and Annika was going to need a lot of help. But the boy smiled despite himself. How lucky he felt. Bruce was going to remember. Bruce was going to remember! He was sure of it, sure that things would turn out alright.

"There ya' are." Bullock was standing in the rain as Tim jogged up the stairs to the Police Station. "Yer' late, I hope ya' know. Commissh' ain't gonna' be happy."

"He'll live, I think." Tim smiled at the detective. "What are you doing out here? Reflecting on life? Thinking about the special girl in your life? Or maybe you were worried about me?"

"Yer' in a good mood." Bullock pulled his coat tighter. "And yer' wrong about all three. I'm takin' ya' to the hospital."

Tim stopped smiling. "How is she?"

"How would anyone be after somethin' like 'dat? Montoya and I searched fer' family, she doesn't have any. And ta' make matters worse, 'da girl mentioned somethin' about a strange man. The fire was probably arson. This was probably a murder." The man tossed his toothpick as he started down the stairs, followed closely by Robin. "Montoya thinks it might have ta' do with 'da Gauss Murders. There isn't any proof though, no way to be sure about it."

"Is she hurt?"

"A few burns, a few bruises, and 'da cat she was holding got good and scared and clawed her up something nice. Other than 'dat? No, she's good. It's just 'da rest of her 'dat is hurting, which might be worse then a few injuries."

Tim nodded. "Yeah, I know."

"I know you know." Bullock glanced at Tim and nodded. "Yer' her friend, right? So do what Gordon did fer you. She'll need it."

Annika was still holding the cat when Tim came into her room. She glanced at him and then hugged the cat tighter. "You came to see me?"

Tim pulled a chair beside her bed and nodded. "Of course, we're friends, right? You would come to see me too." The boy sighed and looked at her distressed expression and didn't want to try and relate. Thinking back about how he used to feel was painful.

"Mr. Gordon sat with me for a long time. He's n-nice." The girl stroked her cat and then doubled over, hair falling, covering her face. Her body shook and she silently sobbed away, no more tears to shed, but not willing to allow that to stop her.

"I know it's hard, Annika." Tim said softly. "I lost my mom and dad once before. And then I got a new family, and I didn't even get to keep them. I know how you're feeling. And I know you're hurting."

"Twice?"

"Huh?"

She was still trembling and her cat seemed to be used to the constant mood swings of its owner. "You lost your family twice? I remember you told me your daddy died, that's why you live with the Commissioner. How can you loose your family twice?"

"I had two families to loose, that's how. My real parents died when I was a little older than you are now. I went to live with my new family. I was really happy, too, but sometimes things get weird. I lost them all and now I live with Gordon. I know what you're feeling. Alone, scared, torn up inside, angry, depressed, confused. And while you might never get totally better you will get better."

"I hurt all over." The girl admitted. "Inside, all over inside of me. And it won't stop, it won't stop hurting, and I can't feel anything inside, but I know I'm hurting. What will happen to me?" The girl wondered aloud, and then bent over again.

"Don't worry about it right now, Annika." Tim dug into his front pocket and pulled out a plastic bag. "Here. It's a promise made real."

"What is it?"

"It's sidewalk chalk."

"Sidewalk chalk." The girl took the plastic bag from the boy and stared at the pink stick inside of it. "You kept my chalk?"

Tim smiled at her a little. "Yeah, I did. It's usually in my room, but I took it with me today. I thought … thought you might want it back."

Annika looked at him. "Why did you keep it?"

"When you and I first met I come back from seeing my old home, and … and discovered my brother had died. Then on top of that the commissioner told me my guardian, or dad, was probably dead for sure. And I was sitting outside feeling sorry for myself, trying my best to accept things, and you came and sat with me." Tim smiled. "And you gave me sidewalk chalk. Sometimes, when you're feeling bad, dumb stuff can cheer you up. You know?"

The girl rolled the chalk between her fingers. "A promise."

"Yeah, it's my promise that I'll sit with you when you're feeling down. I'll take care of you Annika. I'll talk to you and listen to you."

"Can you smile?"

Tim blinked. "Yes."

"Let me see."

The boy looked startled. He made a face as the girl started intently at him. The awkwardness of the situation allowed him to smile, not out of happiness, but just to make things less weird.

It satisfied the girl though. She snuggled into her covers, holding her cat tighter and the pink chalk in her hand. "I'm sleepy."

"I'll go then and -."

"You promised." She turned to look at him. "You promised to sit with me. Please, don't go."

"Ok." He lowered back into his seat. "I'll stay."

The girl started to cry again, and Tim didn't talk, or try and stop her. He closed his eyes and let her cry. It wasn't long before she drifted into a fitful, but finally a real rest.

To be continued …

Next Chapter: Hmm, what will the next chapter be about? You tell me! I certainly don't know. And that's just fine, I never know, but I'm sure I'll think of something. XD Thanks for all the reviews, top notch! Not going to lie, this is my all time favorite story I've written, and I don't even get that many reviews. Weird, huh? You'd think I'd get tired or it considering it's not that popular.

Oneredneckgoddess: Ah! Hello! Yes, yes, I can't wait till Jim discovers Tim is lying, and Bruce discovers Tim is living with Commissioner Gordon, and everything comes crashing down all around. Oh-ho-ho, I am an evil girl. XD It'll be the best part to write, I've got it all planned out thanks to the song: Ashita e no Bashno (instrumental) from Full Metal Alchemist. Weird thing – it's a happy song:-/ Oh well, thanks so much for the review! Keep reading, things will get faster and more out of control!

Trunksblue: Please update son? Tisk, tisk, wasn't it you who called me son before too? LOL, good times, good times. Anyhow, I wonder what Tim is going to do too, because I don't even know. I'm sure he'll think of something, or well, I hope he does. Gah, my computer is so slow, I can barely get around. I try to go to deviantart when I get a chance, but I don't get many. I hate working and slow computers, they don't mix. Anyhow, love all your drawings, I'll ogle at them more when I get back there. XD And yes, Bruce 'remembers' aka, he feels something. I'll get to that in another chapter though. Glad you caught it! Talk to you later.

Delia Ra'Nar: Yeah, life without Alfred is not a happy one. I can't tell my sister I killed him off, she'd kill me. Everybody in the world of Batman loves Alfred, he's such a great guy. Oddly enough, he's like a mother … weird, weird, but I had to say it. Saul is just a paid butler, we won't get attached to him.

Oh yeah, Tim is going to crash and burn, and Bruce is going to be like: GAH! And then Gordon will be like: Gah! I can't wait to get into the climax, I've been waiting since I first started this story … four years ago, it's so old. Anyhow, lets hope I can write it how I see it. I feel so guilty, he's just now starting to be happy with life, and looking at things with a nice outlook. I'm so evil.

And yes, bring out the Bat! Bring out the Bat! Thanks so much for your kind words, glad you still are enjoying it!