I've been getting a lot of requests for a Dick and Tim chapter, so here's a chapter about one of Dick's memories about when Tim first arrived.

Chapter 23: Find Your Voice

Dick's POV

I remember when Timmy was added to our family. He was so silent and so tiny. He was nine years old, but could have easily passed for six. For the first three weeks, Tim never spoke a single word. At first I thought Jason did something to him, but Jason wouldn't do anything like that. At least I think he wouldn't. However, I was determined to break Tim's silence.

He'd shy and his muscles would tense every time I would hug him or even speak to him. But after about a week, he got used to it. After the first week, I had a tiny, silent shadow. He'd practically stick to my side like glue. Timmy reminded me of a baby monkey that I would play with when I was with the circus. He'd wrap his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist and I would carry him around. That's probably why I got him a stuffed monkey. But he would never say anything. After the first week, Bruce and I were extremely concerned, so we decided to get Timmy a speech therapist.

I did not like Dr. Morgan. There was just something about him I didn't like. Bruce and I took him to the speech therapist for three weeks. He basically told me that Timmy would never talk or be able to function in society, because he wasn't 'developing' properly forever during our final visit. I didn't believe him; I knew my little brother was smarter than everyone thought he was. I decided this was our last appointment.

As we left his office, a man walked over to us. He had a gun in his coat pocket. He told me to hand over my wallet or else we would get hurt. Tim was clearly terrified. He pressed himself against my leg and clutched my jacket. As I handed over my wallet, the man took notice of Tim. Then I found a gun pressed roughly into my torso and he jerked Timmy away from my side. I screamed at him to let go of my little brother.

As soon as I ordered him to let Tim go, I end up taking a bullet to my side. Typical. Somehow, someway, I'm always the one who gets injured, because I try to protect my younger siblings. But, it wasn't that bad though; the bullet had only grazed my side.

Anyway, Tim starts screaming bloody murder. He wouldn't stop yelling my name. Turns out he could talk after all. My shooter starts to drag Tim away, but he doesn't get very far. Tim broke the man's hand and knocked him out. I still have no idea how that happened. I guess he was paying attention when we were practicing in the cave and when I tried to show him basic self-defense.

Naturally, I'm fine. I'm only bleeding out on the sidewalk in broad daylight and no one but Timmy actually cared. All I really needed was a Band-Aid, but Timmy was my top priority at the moment. I'd be fine. I've had worse. I finally managed to get Timmy calmed down and to stop screaming my name every five seconds.

I held him in my lap; trying to get as little as possible blood on him. I sat on the ground holding him, kissing his forehead, rubbing his back, whispering things like: it's okay, I love you, and anything else that came to mind. I'll never forget what his reply was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Please don't hit me. Please don't send me away." Tim begged.

I was truly shocked at his words. "Timmy, you have nothing to apologize for. Everything's okay. And I would never hit you. Never. And I would never send you away… What are you sorry for? You did nothing wrong. You only acted like you did, because you were afraid I was hurt. And why didn't you ever talk to us before?"

"I talked to you. Talking is forbidden. I thought that if I was quiet then you would let me stay."

"What are you talking about? We want you to talk to us. We want you in our family."

"My parents said it was forbidden. They would punish me for breaking the rules. They threatened to send me away." He said softly.

My heart clenched at his words. How could anyone do that to their own child? It's wrong. I pulled him against my chest and kissed his forehead gently.

"Timmy, listen to me; you have a voice. And I want you to use it. Your opinion matters to us. You're a part of our family now and talking is allowed. We would never send you away or let anyone take you away from us. You're our little baby and we all love you so much. Okay?"

"Okay… you promise?"

"I promise."

"Does that mean I have to talk to Jason? He scares me." Timmy replied nervously.

I laughed at his comment. "He scares me too, sometimes. But he's okay once you get to know him. He's a real softy deep down. And who knows, you might actually start following him around."

I was so happy that Timmy finally started talking to us that day. But, what was I thinking telling him to give Jason a chance! I should have known Jason would steal him from me!