Chapter 6: Patrol without Permission

Tim's POV

Yes! Today was Friday and Fridays meant Damian and I could go out on patrol! But we also had to follow a few rules unfortunately.

Rule number 1: We have to stay with an adult at all times. In other words we had to stay within a five foot distance of Bruce, Dick, or Jay. I hate this rule. How do they expect us to get anything done with the three of them nagging us all the time?

Rule number 2: We could only patrol on Friday or Saturday. We couldn't go out on "school nights." It's a stupid rule; Jason gets to go and he's in school, but he's eighteen and should have already graduated. But we did get to patrol all the time during the summer and holidays, which was great!

Rule number 3: We have to sit and wait quietly in the Bat-mobile if things get "too rough." This was one of the worst rules. It was so boring just waiting. Plus I was stuck waiting with Damian. He could never sit still, so we usually ended up fighting, which made Bruce really mad.

Rule number 4: We were not allowed out on patrol under any circumstances if one of the more dangerous criminals escaped. So basically that meant anyone in Arkham was off limits and we could only take down purse-snatchers or gangs. Lame! If one of the criminals from Arkham escaped, while we were on patrol, we either stayed in the Bat-mobile or were taken back home. Lame!

Rule number 5: We can only stay out till 11pm. Another stupid rule. Dick and Jay are allowed out until they decide to come home. It's not fair! Curfew stinks!

Rule number 6: We were not allowed to play with the bat-signal. Okay, this wasn't even our fault! Jason was the reason why the rule was written. I don't know why it's a rule, but no one will tell me.

Rule number 7: We were never-

Suddenly the school bell rang. Yes! Only a few hours left till patrol! I jumped up from my desk and headed for the parking lot.

********Break********

We were about five minutes from home when Jason's radio (aka incredibly horrible taste in music) stopped playing. I was glad for the screaming and heavy metal to come to a stop. Thank God!

"We interrupt this program to inform you that Two-Face has escaped from Arkham Asylum. He is armed and dangerous. Please notify the police should you see or hear anything."

No! No, no, no! It's not fair!

********Break********

Damian's POV

Drake and I were seated upon the sofa watching television when Father walked past us. "Father, I demand you allow us to patrol tonight!"

"No Damian. Two-Face is too dangerous for the two of you." He said before going to enter the Batcave. Grayson and Todd followed him.

Pennyworth then strolled over carrying a platter of cookies. "Do not fret young masters; you both may go when you are of the proper age." He gave us a small smile and returned to the kitchen.

Taking a cookie, we returned our attention back to Phineas and Ferb. Suddenly, Vicki Vale interrupted the program. Tt, what is this annoying fool doing interrupting my program? "We interrupt this program to inform you that the Penguin has escaped from Arkham Asylum. He is armed and dangerous. Please notify the police should you see or hear anything."

What a joke. The Penguin was a fool, he could easily be captured by Drake and-

Jumping up, I shouted, "Drake! Did you hear that!"

He rolled his eyes. "Duh, I'm sitting right next to you."

"We should go after him! Father, Todd, and Grayson will be busy trying to stop Two-Face. They probably aren't even aware of the fact that the Penguin escaped! We could easily bring him down!"

"I don't know Damian, you know we're not supposed to break the rules." He said apprehensively.

"And why do you think Father gave us those rules?"

"To keep us safe." He said innocently.

"Of course not! They are only trying to test us! We have to go now!" I shouted defiantly.

"But…"

"Are you coming? Or shall I venture out alone?"

********Break********

Tim's POV

I couldn't let him go alone. Twenty minutes later we were standing on a rooftop overlooking the spot where the Penguin was last seen. "Do you see anything yet, Robin? Robin?"

"Mmphh!"

I quickly turned to see one of Penguins thugs had Damian! His arms were pinned behind his back and a cloth was being held against his face.

"Robin! Let him-"

Before I could do anything I was grabbed from behind and a cloth was pressed against my face. Chloroform! Robin's limp form began to disappear from my sight until I blacked out.

********Break********

Damian's POV

Upon opening my eyes, I found my hands and ankles to be securely tied. A gag was fastened tightly around my mouth. I could feel something pressed against my back, it began to stir. Ugh, it was Drake. I was tied to Drake. Could this get any worse? We were confined in a cage? A cramped and small birdcage. How original. The cage was inside some kind of enclosure. Trees, grass, a waterfall, and flowers filled the biome. A giant birdbath stood in the center of the enclosure.

This was all Drake's fault! This was his stupid idea! It's his fault we were captured by the Penguin. How humiliating to be captured by one of the lamest villains in Gotham.

Tim's POV

Could this day get any worse? First our patrol gets cancelled and then we sneak out. Then we get captured by Penguin and I get tied up and stuck in a cage with none other than Damian. Ugh! This is all Damian's fault! It was his stupid idea!

The Penguin suddenly waddled in carrying his ridiculous umbrella. A few of his hired hands followed. A cigar hung loosely from his crooked smile. "Wah, Wah. Look boys, it's the bat's youngest brats!"

We glared at him.

"Wah, Wah. What's wrong little birds? Cat got your tongue? Don't like your cage? I know! Poor babies miss their Daddy! Don't worry my little birds. I've got a little surprise for Daddy."

Surprise?

The Penguin then walked over to a large object covered with a sheet. The sheet was tugged away revealing a giant owl. An owl! You have got to be kidding me! A bird! Wow, no one saw that coming….

Suddenly a dark object crashed through the ceiling landing right on top of the Penguin. Batman! He was followed by Nightwing and Red Hood. Yes!

When Penguin and the other thugs were lying on the ground beaten and unconscious, Batman, Nightwing, and Red Hood turned towards our miniscule prison.

Oh crap! The day just got a lot worse. They did not look happy! I knew we shouldn't have left the manor! This is all Damian's fault!

Damian's POV

It got worse. Batman, Nightwing, and Red Hood turned to look at us with glares plastered upon their faces. They did not look satisfied. This is all Drake's fault!

********Break********

The ride back to the cave had been silent. Father and Grayson sat in the front scowling. Todd kept flipping his knife around in his hand. They were all livid with anger. Drake only stared at the floorboards. A look that was full of guilt was shown on his face.

I could see Pennyworth standing at the top of the stairs as we entered the cave. His arms were crossed and he wore a stern expression. You knew things were not looking good for us, if Pennyworth was angry.

As we exited the Bat-mobile Father told us to get ready for bed and then to meet him in the study. As we slowly we ascended the staircase to shower and dress in our pajamas, I knew that we were in abysmal, unfathomable trouble.

********Break********

Bruce's POV

What in the hell were they thinking! They could have been hurt! They could have been killed! What if it were Two-Face that had gotten his hands on them? What if it had been the Joker? I shuddered at the thought of what terrible feats would have been done if-

My train of thought was interrupted by Damian and Tim opening the door of my study. I motioned for them to take a seat in the chairs in front of me. Tim looked ready to burst into tears. Damian had a defying scowl etched on his face.

I bellowed, "What were you thinking! You could have been hurt! You could have been killed! What if Dick, Jason, or I had been hurt or killed while trying to save you? The two of you deliberately disobeyed me! You left this house without permission! The two of you disregarded my rules; knowing that you were fully aware of what the consequences would be! Why? What was so important that you two would risk your lives and your chances at ever going out on patrol?"

Tim spoke first. "I'm sorry Daddy. It was my fault. We didn't mean for things to go wrong. We just wanted to prove to you that we were ready." He choked out between sobs.

I looked at Damian. "It was Drake's entire fault Father."

God, it was like dealing with younger versions of Dick and Jason! It was almost always Jason's idea and Dick would always try to take the blame for it.

"Damian, was this Tim's idea?" I growled.

He dropped his gaze to the floor and he whispered, "No Father. It was mine. I only wanted to prove myself worthy of you."

Calmly I walked over to them, "This will not be going unpunished. No patrol for three months. And-"

"Three months!" Damian screamed.

"And no TV, no videogames, no friends, no allowance, no computers, and no cell phones for the rest of the month. In addition, you will also receive a spanking."

Tim merely nodded, while Damian stared at me in shock.

********Break********

After receiving their punishment, I bent down and pulled both of my bawling boys onto my lap. I rubbed their backs and whispered soothing words.

"I'm… sorry… Daddy." Tim wailed.

"I… am… sorry… Father." Damian cried.

I wiped the tears from their faces, while saying, "I only did what I did because I love the two of you and I couldn't bear to lose either of you. Besides you didn't have to prove anything to me. Why do you think I allow the two of you to wear those uniforms? You're just not ready to go out alone yet."

I then carried my two little troublemakers to their separate rooms. They were tired and so was I. Besides the stunt they pulled tonight probably took ten years off of my life.