A/N: Welllcome to the third chapter! Guess WhAt! I've got a killer migraine right now, but oh well. When one lives with a mini Jason on their shoulder, one learns to ignore all.

Jenniferg7: You're too kind! Thank you so much and... Well.. Here's the third chapter! I guess this one's for you! Who d'ya like most? Timmy, we don' ask people questi'ns we already know the answer to. We know the answer t' that? Jason... Why. Sh. Sep, I was talkin' t' my baby brother. Tiny, lov'ble, adorable Tim, we already know I'm the favorite here. Hey! No we don't! You're in denial, but s'okay. Oh my God. This isn't helping my headache.Mwahahaha. (

Guest: Naw. I don't soun' like a "normal" pers'n. When y'grow up 'n the shitty part'a town, y'get a way'a speakin'. 'specially 'n Gotham. Accents, man. Some'a the vow'ls get dropp'd, and some'a the words get smushed t'gether. S'how it is. ...Well there's the answer to your question... And thank you so much! I really do feel like I've got great reviewers... Thank you guys, you really make my day :)

StyxxandBethany: Yeah... M'worri'd. Jay's m'big bro an' I'd be broke 'r dead f'it wa'n't for the idiot. Yep! Sep fin'ly decid'd t' fix me. Oh shut up. Why? You love my commentary. No, I don't. I really, really don't.

Echoes 01: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! I guess this chapter's for you too, Echoes, and I hope you like it! Awesome, but I woul'n't recc'mend y'say that t'oft'n. 'cause, y'know, there're real assholes out ther' 'n this fucked-up world who'd take way t'much freed'm in tha name-callin'. You too. Who d'ya like the most? *sigh* Timmy we've been o'er this. Shhh. Let 'em answer.

Social Issues

Tim stared at his beat-up, too big shoes. The sneakers were loyal ones, and Tim happened to like them, despite Jason's warning not to get attatched to just about anything they owned. He'd said it was because people are true jackasses when they want to be - especially adults and some of the older mean kids.

But he couldn't help it.

He'd gotten the shoes the first time he'd gone with Jason to steal from the mall maybe a year ago. They'd been lucky that day. Jason stole some clothes for the two, and Tim was getting the food when the shoes caught his eye. Jason happened to notice, and took a huge risk snagging the dark red, black, and gold shoes. Jason ran out of the mall sporting a few new bruises, and Tim sprinted after him without a single scratch. Both, had their arms full of goodies (they'd even snagged some candy) and were on could nine arriving at their apartment.

"Happy Birthday, Babybird." That had been what Jason said to Tim with a toothy grin on his face. He then ruffled Tim's hair and gave him a one-armed hug. "Treat 'em good, yeah? Don't want 'em goin' to shit too soon."

Now, Tim's eyes watered as he stared at the footwear. By now they were more dark, ashy grey and the laces were more beat up than Willis coming back home from a failed job. They were caked with dirt and the grime of the Alley, but Tim still liked them all the same. Jason's shoes... They hardly ever lasted, what with the beating they take when Jason escapes from store-owners and cops (not to mention gangbangers and thugs). The colors were a bit faded, but again, Tim didn't mind. They were a birthday present from Jason, so the twelve-year-old cherished the shoes. They stood out like a broken nose against the pale white floor of the room Tim was in. The whole room was a sort of light, pale green. It seemed like any stereotypical hospital room; two plush green chairs, a desk over in that corner to the left, the bed in the middle of the room with monitors around it (none of which were on), pale florescent lighting, a door without a window, an actual window (why the hell was there a widow? Who would want to see Crime Alley? Well at least it was a barred window...), and some magazines (none of which interested Tim. So what if Bruce Wayne just bought a new watch? Tim didn't care about that rich prick).

He wouldn't look up again. Leslie had finished working on Jason not too long ago and said he had a major concussion, soft tissue injury in his knee, and a badly sprained wrist. Jason would be fine, but Leslie said he would need to stay off his leg and needed to be supervised when taking a shower (to make sure he didn't make his injuries worse). Tim's heart had dropped when she'd said that, because that meant Jason couldn't go to work, and Jason wouldn't be happy. As a matter-of-fact, Tim was pretty sure Jason would throw a fit and end up trying to go to work anyways. Looking at Jason... Hurt. Tim couldn't stand to see his big brother so... So weakened. Looking so small.

No. Tim couldn't think about that.

Tim frowned, turning his eyes to the plain ceiling and leaning back heavily on the chair with a frustrated huff. He'd need to find a way to make money for... How long had Leslie said? A month and a half? Two months? Tim sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose before he casted Jason's bed a forlorn look. Jason liked to say Tim looked like an old man whenever he pinched his nose. "Makes ya look like ya've got the weight f'the world on your sho'lders, Babybird. I can't have that, 'cause tha's my job. Got it?" Tim could hear Jason's voice as sure as if he was actually talking. Which he wasn't.

Tim felt like screaming at Jason to quit being a drama queen already and wake up. But... That wouldn't... No. Tim wouldn't do that. With a frustrated noise, Tim decided to start going over his options.

Hm. That nurse had said that guy Dick was rich and famous... But Tim didn't-

His jaw dropped and Tim's head snapped to look at the door where Dick had left to get some snacks. Dick. As in... Dick Grayson? That guy Bruce Wayne adopted? Bruce Wayne. The richest bachelor in Gotham...

And Tim hadn't recognized his son!

That explained the wad of cash he'd gotten from the guy! It was a well-known fact about Richard "Dick" Grayson, that he was a kind-hearted guy. Very generous to the... Less than fortunate.

Tim wasn't sure whether to be flattered or offended.

A groan sounded from the bed and Tim's head spun with the sudden jerk his head made to look at Jason.

His brother had his eyes screwed shut and slowly dragged his uninjured hand to his face. "Tim?" he called softly.

"JAY!" Tim blurted. He couldn't help it, okay? Why don't you try keeping yourself controlled when your brother with a severe concussion wakes up, huh? Tim would like to see you keep a reign on yourself. "You're awake!"

A grunt was his response. "Mmmhm. Timmy?"

"Yeah?" Tim had, by this point, skittered off of the chair to stand next to Jason's bed, propping his chin up next to Jason's arm. The blood had been cleaned away, but there were bandages wrapping around Jason's head. Tim wondered if Jason would be glad to know none of his hair needed to be shaved or cut away - the gash had been near the back of his head, closer to his neck than his actual skull.

"Wher're we?" Tim blinked. Jason's words were slurring heavily, so it took him a bit to decipher his brother's words.

"Oh. Uh. About that..." Jason moved his hand from his face to give Tim a skeptical look. As his brother took in his surroundings, Jason's eyes widened and sniped back to Tim, who was chewing his lower lip and twiddling his thumbs behind his back.

"Tim" - Hey Jason's voice sounded clearer - "where. Are. We?"

Tim kept his eyes turned to the floor. Jason would yell at him. He just knew it. "Leslie Thompkins' free clinic," he whispered. Jason heard though. Tim could tell from the sharp inhale he'd heard.

"We need t' scram, Babybird. CPS might be 'ere alre'dy." Jason began to squirm, but the pain killing drugs in his system slowed him down and made his eyelids heavy. But they needed out. Now. Tim blinked. Jason hadn't yelled? Wait. Waiiit.

Tim sighed. He really needed to stop expecting Jason to end up adopting some of Willis' traits. Jason and Willis were not the same people.

Tim made a strained noise, and that's when Dick walks through the door with two chip bags in hand and three chocolate bars. When he sees Jason awake and moving, Dick smiles and looks over at Tim. Slowly, Dick's face becomes confused at the look on Tim's face. "Uh. Hey there."

At the sound of Dick's voice, Jason stills and shoots him a death glare. "Who're you?" The growl was hostile, and Tim realized Jason wouldn't recognize Dick since he'd been unconscious.

"Dick Grayson-Wayne," Tim answered, looking right at the guy accusingly. Maybe he was a little sore about not recognizing the guy. He'd take it out on Dick. "He's the guy who gave us a ride here, Jay."

Dick grinned back. "Yep," he replied popping the 'p'. Tim huffed. What was with people and popping their p's today? "Funny thing, I still don't know your names."

Tim glanced at Jason, who narrowed is eyes at Dick. "What'cha want our names for?"

The oldest shrugged, walking over to sit down in the chair Tim had previously claimed. "It's better than calling you the names I gave you in my head."

Jason's fists clenched and Tim sighed. Leave it to Jason to be the defensive one. "An' what would they be?"

Dick blinked, then blushed and looked at his hands. "Well... You," he pointed at Tim, "are Colin in my head, and you," the finger was now pointed at Jason, "are Lucas." The guy shrugged again. "I think you look like the names I gave you."

Tim and Jason stared at the guy with wide eyes. Jason's hands unclenched and he threw his head back and laughed. Tim's mouth twisted into a grin and he snickered. "Colin... And I'm Lucas. Y'hear that Babybird?"

Tim chuckled. "So we gonna give 'im our names?"

Jason shrugged, still laughing. "Go 'head, Tiny Timmy."

The youngest pouted at the nickname. "M'not Tiny," he sniffed. "You're jus' big, Jay."

Dick watched with what would seem to be amusement, and Tim knew he caught the names. "Okay, so Jason and Tim right?"

Jason gave Dick a blank look and Tim followed his brother's lead, giving Dick a confused one. "Where'dya get that from?"

The oldest in the room pouted - actually pouted - and Jason laughed again. Tim merely gave a shy smile.

"Jus' teasin', Dickie. Yeah m'name's Jason. Now, we need t' get outta here. Le's go Babybird." Jason swing his uninjured leg off the side of the bed, being more careful with the other one. When he tried to stand, however, Jason hissed in pain and grasped the bed with white knuckles and gritted teeth.

"Jay?" Tim scrambled to his brother, steadying him as best he could. Huh. Tim had forgotten to tell Jason about the bandages wrapped around his knee and the brace.

Whoops.

"M'fine, Timbers," Jason replied through gritted teeth. "Jus' forgot 'bout the knee." Tim glanced at Jason's wrist. It didn't seem to be bothering him but just in case...

"S'your wrist okay?"

"Eh. Been better."

Dick cleared his throat. Well... Tim had completely forgotten about the older male being there, and he wasn't ashamed to admit it... In his head. Jason would be less than pleased with that, though he wouldn't bring it up harshly. Jason was nothing like Willis. Tim was nothing like Willis. They would not behave like the monster that was their father.

Dick clasped his hands in front of him. "You two have any parents at home?"

Both Jason and Tim went stiff at the question. Tim cringed into Jason, turning his face to press it into Jason's side. Jason was the one who gritted out a reply. "No."

This answer was probably expected, which would be why Dick merely winced at Jason's tone. "Anyone to take care of you..?"

"I take care'a us jus' fine," Jason snapped. "I get food on the table and keep the wat'r runnin'. S'good 'nough for us, so back the fuck off."

Dick raised his arms in surrender, looking genuinely worried. "Okay, that's fine... But... You're not allowed to go to work for the next few weeks. Didn't Tim tell you?"

Tim glanced up at Jason to see a stricken look breifly flicker on his brother's face before it hardened again. "I'll work somethin' out. We're leavin'."

And they did. The two shuffled as quickly as they could out the door and out the clinic; Tim made sure he had Jason's pain pills in his pocket as they exited.

Good. He did.

Tim wasn't excited for the future, but then again he hadn't ever really been. They'll find some way to survive.

They had to.