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

Who Is Tanner?

By Alisa Joaquin

Part 11: Explanations and New Opportunities

Tanner woke up back in his room. Had it all been a dream?

"It was real," a voice said.

Tanner started and turned toward the voice. "Timothy! You're . . . you're . . . "

"You don't have to say it," Tim answered. "What I want is an explanation. How did you get to Metropolis and why?"

"It's hard to explain."

"Try me."

"You're annoyed with me," Tanner observed.

Tim sighed. "No. I'm more annoyed with myself for blurting out your name like that."

"I saw you die with someone. Your car exploded. I couldn't let that happen."

"You saw . . . "

"In a vision. It was you. I never dreamed you were a masked vigilante."

"And the how?" Tim asked.

"I discovered a kind of gateway in your garden behind the carriage house, down there, the sunken one. I could sense it."

"Show me."

Tanner led Tim outside and down to the sunken garden behind the carriage house. Tanner walked to the center and placed his hand once more on the carved stone inbedded in the concrete. Once more he felt the familiar tingling. Tim placed his hand on the stone as well.

"I don't feel anything."

"I can feel it," Tanner replied.

"Then you must be able to do magic like Zatanna."

"I don't know who that person is, but that would explain some of the things I can do."

"That was some throw you did with that knife."

"I seem to recall that I've always been able to do that," Tanner answered. "But I can't recall where I learned it."

"So, some of your memories are missing."

"Yes. I've had this around my neck as far back as I can remember. I was told I should never take it off."

Tim examined the medallion. "Have you researched it?"

"No. I don't even know where to start."

"I can help you with that," Tim replied. "There is one question we haven't discussed."

"What is that?"

"You know my secret, and I expect you will learn the rest soon enough, but the rest isn't for me to tell."

"The rest?"

"What I want to know is whether or not I can trust you with my secret and in time the rest as well."

"You can trust me, Tim," Tanner stated. "I've kept my own secret for this long. And you did save my life. I owe you that."

"You saved mine," Tim pointed out. "You don't owe me anything."

"Yes, I do. I can help you. I want to help. I just don't want to be living here and not contribute."

"Well, Samantha could use help with the children and Alfred, though he may not say it, can always use help in the kitchen . . . And you could be a big help with the Titans."

"The Titans?" Tanner's eyes went wide after that. "I . . . I don't know. I could never be a hero . . . "

"You have skill, Tanner. It would be a shame for you to waste it."

"I'll think about it," Tanner replied. "Aren't the Titans in San Francisco?"

"They are, and that's what I mean by the rest of it," Tim answered.

Then a revelation hit Tanner. "Samantha knows you're Red Robin. That's why you were arguing."

"Yes, she does."

"And she's okay with that?"

Tim nodded. "Uh huh." He waited for Tanner to put the other pieces together. He was quick. Tim had to give him credit for that. It wasn't hard to figure out if you knew what you were looking for. After all, Tim had figured it out when he was six. Tanner should be able to figure it out. Of course, they all took precautions to make sure no one else did, that is, those who would be a threat to the family. Tanner didn't seem to be a threat. After all, he saved him and Dick's lives, and Red Robin's life.

"Wait, you live at the Manor, and this is the carriage house on the Manor grounds, then that means . . . " Tanner's knees would have buckled if he hadn't already been lying down. He turned to face Tim, the expression on his face revealing what he was thinking at that moment.

"You figured it out just as quickly as I did, and I was six when I discovered the truth."

"How do you keep such a huge secret?"

"It wasn't easy, but you'd be surprised just how many people do know and they're able to keep the secret."

"How?" Tanner asked.

"We recognize the importance of it. And the fact that there are so many who would take advantage. There's a lot at stake, this whole family, for one. Other families, and friends. If one person found out who didn't care and decided to use that information, someone could get killed."

"I will never reveal your secret or the others," Tanner said. "I swear on this medallion and my life."

"There's no need for you to go that far."

"I think there is," Tanner said. "If I don't make a vow, the promise would be meaningless. You have changed everything for me, given me a new start."

"I guess you're right, when you put it that way. Are you up to having something to eat?"

"Lead the way, McDuff. How about I bake you some cupcakes."

"You can bake?" Tim was surprised at that.

"It's one of my specialties. I have to admit, it was one of the things that Victoria Devlin would complement me for, if not anything else."

"Well, you'll have to work something out with Alfred before you do anything in his kitchen. He can be pretty protective of his space, and his cookies are to die for."

"Thanks for the warning."

Tim and Tanner walked back to the Manor together, discussing various things. Tanner was glad that he had a friend who could finally help him learn about his past. For now, he did learn two more things about himself. It was a start, and that was enough for now.

End?

A/N: There will be more on Tanner in future stories. Watch for these future stories – A Circus Boy Returns Home,Talon D, Subliminal Death, and Tiny Tim Adventures. School of Crime, and The Martinez Birthday Conspiracy Coming up next: Bird Song: Rescue!