A/N:Tanner comes to live with the Wayne Family, but who is Tanner?

Who Is Tanner?

By Alisa Joaquin

Part 6: An Awkward Moment

"We just got back, and you're going off again?" Samantha questioned.

"Bruce asked me to," Tim replied. "He said I'm the only one who can do this. Barbara just gave birth to Haley, so Dick will stay close."

"And what about his other sons?"

"Excuse us, but we're right here," Jason said.

"I can speak for myself, Todd," Damian groused.

"Stay out of this," Samantha growled, baring teeth that appeared sharper than they had been earlier that day.

"Samantha, that was uncalled for," Brue stated. "Everyone sit down. We have a new guest and I for one wish to welcome him."

"Sorry, Bruce," Tim said, as he sat in his place.

"Did I miss anything?" Dick asked as he entered the dining room.

"Only Drake and Mother arguing," Damian stated.

"What about?"

"Let's not get into it," Bruce insisted.

"Oh, let's not," Samantha seethed. "My husband is leaving, and we barely had time with our twins."

"He'll only be gone for a few hours, Samantha," Bruce replied. Please, don't mind us . . . Tanner is it?"

"Actually, it's Virgil," Tanner replied. "Victoria Devlin gave me that name because she joked about tanning my worthless hide every time she had me beaten, or shocked me into submission."

"We got a taste of those collars," Dick said. "It wasn't pleasant."

Alfred cleared his throat. "Perhaps it is best not to dwell on such unpleasantness."

"Alfred's correct," Bruce said. "This is supposed to be a celebration and a welcoming party."

"Since when do we celebrate anything," Jason groused.

"We celebrate," Dick answered. "Birthdays, holidays . . . "

"Births," Barbara came into the room carrying Haley. "She wants you, Dick."

"I'll be right back," Dick went over and grabbed his daughter. She was crying. "Hey little one, what's wrong?"

"She's been crying like that since you left the bedroom and she won't be consoled."

"It's all right," Dick tried to console his daughter. Within moments, Dick had his daughter calmed down. "What's got you upset?"

Barbara frowned. The bond that Dick and Haley had was obvious.

Moma hates me, Haley wailed. And . . . And Caleb says I have a brother.

Dick turned toward Barbara. "Barbara, is it true?"

"Our child is mistake," Barbara said. "I don't hate her."

"You have been acting very strange lately."

"Dick, I'm tired," Barbara said, pushing Dick off. It's been a long day.

Dick watched as Barbara left and went upstairs.

"What was that all about?" Jason asked.

"I think it's best we don't get in between them," Sasha stated. "Though I have my suspicions."

"Bruce . . . " Tim was about to ask his own questions.

"Sasha is correct. Dick and Barbara need to work out their own problems without us interfering. I apologize, Tanner. This was not the welcoming dinner that I was expecting."

"It's all right Mr. Wayne," Tanner replied. "This . . . All of this . . . Is a little overwhelming. I think I'm going to get some rest."

Tanner couldn't wait to leave the dining room, even though he was curious as to what was going on. The one called Barbara did appear unhappy, but at the same time he could tell that the thoughts she was having weren't her own. Samantha also was angry, but there was more about her that left her frightened of herself. And there was more to the Wayne family that he wasn't privy to. Tanner should ignore everything and let them have their privacy, but like a dog with a bone, Tanner wasn't about to let things slide. The tingling sensation that he often got was telling him that something big and dangerous was about to happen. He received such inclinations when Dick and Tim entered his life, and those feelings were telling him to trust the brothers. This time, it was telling him of danger. He just didn't know what form it would take.

Continues with Part 7

A/N: Watch for these future stories – Talon D, Subliminal Death, and Tiny Tim Adventures.