Chapter 27: A Sick Babybird

Bruce's POV

Tim was nestled in the crook of my arm; a heavy blanket enfolded his small frame. One hand was wrapped around that monkey while the other clutched my shirt, refusing to let go. His entire body was curled up. His face was feverish and pale as he struggled to breathe through his mouth. Neither of us had gotten much sleep last night. He had managed to catch the flu for the third time this year.

I hated it. Out of the entire household, Tim had the weakest immune system. None of the doctors I've taken him to have never been able to figure out the reason why he gets sick so easily. It scared me, knowing he could fall ill at any moment and that I can do nothing for him.

"Master Bruce, you need to get up and get ready. You have an important meeting with the board and then you have a Justice League meeting tonight. Would you like me to take him?" Alfred asked while entering the room and gestured to Tim.

I brought my hand up and gently brushed his bangs aside. As if disturbed by my hand, his baby blue eyes flew and he scrambled to get to the trashcan currently beside us. I grimaced while holding him as he disposed of what little food he had managed to keep down during the past two days.

"I'm sorry." He whimpered, turning to face me. I then noticed the vomit sliding down his pajamas and onto my sheets.

"It's all right, son. Let's go get you cleaned up." I gently replied. "Alfred-"

Alfred wasn't in my bedroom. As if he knew what I was going to ask, he entered my room carrying fresh pajamas and sheets.

After giving him a look of gratitude, I took the pajamas from him and carried Tim into the bathroom.

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

Dick's POV

After finishing my breakfast, I climbed the stairs and entered Bruce's bedroom. I didn't have class today, so I planned on spending the day with Timmy since Bruce couldn't be here.

Tim was buried under a pile of heavy blankets while sleeping in the middle of Bruce's bed. Bruce was standing in front of his mirror in his spacious walkthrough closet, tying his tie.

"Make sure he drinks plenty of liquids and check his temperature, you know it gets high easily. If something goes wrong, Alfred will be here, and you know Leslie's number and I'll be here as soon as possible. And-"

"Bruce, relax. I know what to do. Timmy will be fine, okay?"

"Daddy?" Tim called out faintly from underneath his nest of blankets.

"What is it, son?" Bruce asked while moving to Tim's side.

Tim coughed weakly before asking, "Are… are you leaving me?"

"I'm sorry son, but I have a couple of extremely important meetings I have to attend to today. But, I'll be back soon and Dick will take care of you while I'm gone. Okay?" Bruce replied guiltily.

Tim nodded slightly before closing his eyes and whispering, "Bye Daddy."

Bruce ruffled his hair and told me goodbye before reminding me to call him if anything changed for better or worse.

I moved to sit beside him. Poor Timmy. Why does he have to get so sick all of the time? He looked so small and weak nestled under all of those blankets. His big baby blue eyes opened slowly as he looked up at me.

"Hey Timmy. Do you need anything?" I asked softly.

"I don't feel so good." He whispered.

"I know, Timmy. I could get Alfred to make you some tea or get you some juice or something." I said sympathetically.

He shook his head. "Tired." He replied softly before closing his eyes.

I took the opportunity and walked downstairs to get a cup of hot tea for him. Upon returning, I found him on the floor retching into the trash can. Leaving the tea on the nightstand, I dropped down beside him and held him until he finished.

I picked him up and carried him into the master bathroom. Sitting him on the counter and keeping one arm around him so he wouldn't fall, I reached for Bruce's thermometer and a cloth while he slumped against me. His temperature read 101.3 degrees. Better, it was 102.7 degrees yesterday.

After tucking him in, I leaned against the headboard and laid the damp cloth across his forehead.

"I'm sorry you have to take care of me." he wheezed.

I hated it when he says stuff like this. It's not his fault, it's his parents. They made it Tim's fault that he would get sick and he would believe them. He feels guilty that we have to take care of him. "No Timmy, it's not your fault that you're sick. Besides, I love taking care of you." I replied while bending down to cuddle him. "Why don't we watch a movie together? I'll let you pick it." I said softly.

"But, what if I fall asleep?" he asked.

"I'll pause it and we can finish it when you wake up. Sound good?"

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

Damian's POV

Upon entering my house, the first thing I see is Grayson cuddling Drake! How ridiculous! Grayson acts as if Drake is some helpless child, unable to fend for himself. What is wrong with him?

I am suddenly shoved out of my father's doorway by Todd. How dare he put Drake's needs before mine! Alfred follows him carrying a tray of hot soup, orange juice, and a bottle of cough syrup. What is wrong with these people! He gets sick all the time! Why must everyone overreact!

As I step forward, I notice the Batsignal, appearing in the window. But it's only six. It's too early.

"Grayson, Todd look!" I shout as I point to the window.

I watch as Grayson hands Drake over to Todd and leaves to find out what's going on. I turn my attention to Todd. Drake is in his lap, being supported by Todd's chest. I snarl and cross my arms as I notice how gentle Todd can be when he caresses the helpless one's hair and smiles at the pathetic one.

"Jason, Joker and Harlequin have escaped from Arkham." Grayson says upon reentering the room.

I watch as Todd returns Drake beneath the covers and moves beside Grayson. They start whispering to each other. Then they move to stand besides Drake.

"Timmy, we have to locate the Joker and Harlequin. We'll be back after a while. But, Damian's going to stay with you until we get back. Okay?" Grayson replies.

"What!" I shout.

"Damian, you will stay with Tim until we get back." Grayson orders.

"What if he passes his life-threatening illness onto me!" I shout.

"He's been on the antibiotic for two days. He's no longer contagious. You'll be fine." Grayson replies before heading out the door with Todd at his heels.

Sighing, I moved over to Drake.

"You don't have to stay if you don't want to." He said weakly.

"I shall do whatever I desire to." I replied while sliding into the bed beside him and reaching for the remote control for the TV.

"Thanks for staying with me." he said softly.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Whatever."

We sat there watching Phineas and Ferb, until he fell asleep. His head rested on my shoulder. I had the strongest urge to knock it off, but I allowed it to remain. He is somewhat tolerable when he is ill. I slowly shifted my weight so we were both lying in comfortable positions. And I readjusted the cloth lying on his head. I allowed him to snuggle against me, as we both fell asleep.

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

Jason's POV

Since I got done with my shower first, I told Dick I'd stay with Tim for a while. He and Damian were snuggled against each other. After snapping a perfect blackmail picture with my cellphone, I woke Damian up.

"What!" he whispered savagely, while prying himself loose from Tim's grasp.

"Dick wanted me to tell you to do your homework."

He stomped out of the bedroom while muttering curses in Arabic under his breath.

"Hey Babybird. You awake?" I whispered softly while sitting beside him.

"Where's Daddy?" he panted.

"Dad's not back yet. He'll be back soon." I replied gently.

"Will you stay with me, Jay?" he pleaded with his big, baby blue eyes.

I slid into the bed and pulled his tiny body towards me, wrapping my arms around him. He closed his eyes and leaned against me. I smiled at his reaction. Tim has always been so cute and sweet and tiny. I brought my hand up and gently brushed his bangs aside.

Suddenly, his baby blue eyes flew open and he scrambled to get to the trashcan currently beside us. I quickly sat up and held him while he puked his guts out. Gross. I soon felt something wet sliding down the left leg of my jeans. Great, Tim threw up on my favorite jeans. He soon stopped and turned to face me. I had vomit dripping down my jeans and he had it running down his pajamas. I was about to yell for Dick, who was better at this caring for people shit, until I saw his teary eyed expression.

"I'm sorry." He whispered weakly as he saw the vomit running down my jeans.

"It's okay, Babybird. You couldn't help it." I softy replied while scooping him up and carrying him into Bruce's bathroom, while ignoring the fact that I now had vomit on my T-shirt.

I sat him on the counter and went to turn the water on. Turning around I saw that Tim had passed out and was about to fall face first off of the counter and onto the floor. Instead of him hitting the floor, he fell against Bruce's chest.

"Jason, why don't you go get ready for bed. I'll clean him up." Bruce suggested, obviously pissed at me because I almost let Tim split his head open on the floor. How was I supposed to know he'd fall asleep and gravity would start working?

"Okay." I replied and walked out of the room, while he unbuttoned Tim's pajama top.

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

Bruce's POV

I settled down into bed with Tim. Hoping he would actually to be able to sleep through the entire night.

"Daddy?" he whispered.

"Yes Tim? Do you need something?"

"Are… are you going anywhere tomorrow?" he asked nervously.

"I'm not going anywhere. Why did you ask?"

"I love my brothers, but I want you to take care of me when I'm sick. Jason doesn't understand how gravity works, Dick won't stop asking me if I need anything while I'm trying to watch a movie, and Damian's nice to me, which is scary."

"I'm not going anywhere. Now, go to sleep." I replied gently. I'll have to cancel a meeting tomorrow, but it'll be okay. After all I own the company; they can't fire me, besides I have more important people to spend time with.