"Bruce, why did you say I had problems with bullies? Nurse Dianne thinks your abusing me now because our stories didn't match because I had no clue what you told her. I also made up some stuff about how you're overprotective and make me wear a helmet when I'm riding a bicycle. I haven't ridden a bicycle in forever, but you do make wear one when I drive the Redbird. Anyways, you need to be model 'good billionaire who took in neighbor child' or the school is going to freak out," Tim rambled on. "Bruce, are you listening to me?" Tim asked as he saw Bruce just nodding and not looking up from the Bat computer in response to the word vomit he just spewed.

"Sorry Tim, I really was focused on the Red Hood file. What were you saying?" Bruce asked as he swiveled the chair to look at Tim.

"Nurse Dianne asked me where I got the bruises back when I had sepsis, turns out we gave separate answers and she gave me a spiel about how she would help me if I needed it and that the teachers are mandated reporters. I really need to be careful on patrol and not have any kind of marks showing or she'll sic CPS on us both," Tim paraphrased.

"Oh, I thought bullies would be a good cover story. I'm sorry, Tim. I know you don't like lying to her," Bruce said apologetically. "I've been so wrapped up in the Red Hood and not giving you the attention, you deserve."

"It's fine Bruce. I know you're busy. Do you have any new leads on him?" Tim asked curiously. Bruce swiveled the chair back and Tim stood beside him looking at the Batcomputer. Bruce pushed a button and surveillance footage played of the Red Hood viscously smashing a pimp against a wall. The man couldn't have survived the beating the Red Hood delivered him.

"Aside from beheading, and reorganizing the drug trade he doesn't like it when prostitutes are mistreated. He gives the woman a business card to Leslie's free clinic and walks her there. The kids and prostitutes that live in Crime Alley love him. Even though I don't agree with his methods he's gotten better results than I have in all my years as Batman in Crime Alley."

"He must be local, but that fighting style reminds me of you, Bruce. Do you think he could be some kind of perverted fan?" Tim asked fully aware he shouldn't judge Batman fans.

"I noticed that too. It's a mix of street and League of Assassins. He has taken on multiple opponents and not struggled with keeping the upper hand. I don't want you to engage him if you see him run, or hide. Comm me or Nightwing to come. Dick is coming over tonight to try and help me find him. I want to either recruit him or at least find out what his goals are," Bruce said.

"I can still patrol tonight right?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, I'm not going to bench you when he hasn't shown any interest in us yet, but the first sign of trouble you get out of there," Bruce reiterated. "We don't know what he's fully capable of yet."

"I'd hate to be a drug dealer or pimp in Crime Alley right now. I'm technically still a kid I don't think he'd hurt me," Tim said as he looked at the footage of 'Hood giving a wad of cash to a little homeless girl. "Maybe he has a good heart, but violently shows it?"

"I'm afraid that he could go completely Gotham warlord, or with some guidance he could be an ally," Bruce said, "We can't forget that his alias is one of the Joker's old names."

"I know," Tim said reluctantly.


"Dick, how did you deal with Gotham Academy thinking Bruce maybe abused you. I kind of have a problem ever since I thought I had a cold and it was sepsis," Tim asked Dick when they were in the family room playing Mario Cart.

A smile broke out on Dick's face, "Only you Timmy. I really didn't have a problem with it because I was in gymnastics and any bruises were written off because of that. I let it be known how many trees Wayne Manor had and how much I liked to climb them," Dick explained as he leaned in with the turn in the video game. "I never had to say anything, I let people draw their own conclusions."

"There is only so many times circler bruises can be explained away with skateboarding falls. Bruce said I was 'dealing with bullies' like I haven't been blackmailing the worst ones for years. No one messes with me at school and the teachers all think I'm smart enough and I keep my mouth shut," Tim said, "They are going to be watching me so closely from now on looking for any sign that something isn't right. It's not like I can tell the bad guys, "Don't shoot or CPS might investigate Batman!' that would work out great," Tim sighed dramatically as he threw a blue shell at Dick in Mario Cart.

"Sorry, buddy. I think any bruises or injuries Jason had people expected because of the reputation he had around the school. The teachers loved him because he was smart and did his work, but he never could hide his accent. They all assumed he must have been rough and no amount of being adopted by Bruce Wayne could change it. It wasn't right, but he always could laugh it off and not get upset over it because it kept the secret safe." Dick said contemplatively, "He would have found this whole situation funny."

"It's not funny to me," Tim replied, "Nurse Dianne has known me for half my life and knows when something isn't right. She was always nice to me whenever I went to her office for anything, even stupid stuff. I once said I had a stomachache on the first day of school and she gave me a peppermint to suck on told me about her first clinical rotation in the trauma department. Apparently, she was so nervous she puked in the bathroom of the hospital and never told anyone so she wouldn't miss out on anything. I didn't think she could have ever been nervous; she always so was good to me or anyone at Gotham Academy. If it was a listening or telling a story to make someone feel better, she's better than the school counselor to go to," Tim replied. Mario Cart game was over with Dick being the winner by a small margin.

"I don't think I met her," Dick replied putting the controller down.

"She started working there my first year at Gotham Academy. I just need to be super careful and not make any mistakes or get any lucky hits in," Tim said.

"Not to be a downer but it's sad that you have to hide more about the nighttime job from the school nurse than your mom and dad," Dick said.

"I know, it's ironic. Dianne was right about neglect, but a few years off and it's never been Bruce doing anything to me. If my parents did care, it would be a lot harder to be Robin. It's not like it bothers me anyway," Tim replied, "We have enough time for enough another game if you want to go another round?"

"Sure, Tim. Even it really doesn't bother you it still matters," Dick said softly as he started the next race.