CHAPTER 26
Meanwhile on the other side of the mountain Damian turned over in his bunk, the light coming from the bottom bunk simply making it impossible for him to sleep. With a sigh, he put his head down. ''Do not you sleep?''
Tim looked up from his tablet and at least had the decency to look embarrassed. With a nervous smile, he whispered. ''Sorry, force of habit. I'm almost done here.''
The ten-year-old nodded and went back to lie down as Jason's voice rang through the darkened room.
''And what exactly are you doing?''
''Checking the differences from this world to mine.''
''It looks more like you're looking for your counterpart.'' was the reply.
Tim shrugged. ''Yeah, that too.''
The room was silent again.
''And there? You found?''
''Yea.''
Jason rolled his eyes. ''And where are you?''
Tim sighed. ''At home. As always.''
''And that's bad?'' Damian heard Jason ask.
''No...yes. I don't know. I thought... forget it, never mind.''
''Oh come on Timbo you can tell me I may not be Dickhead but I'm not a bad brother. He can talk.''
Tim visibly shuddered at that, memories of what had happened a few months ago in the Titans Tower flashing back to his mind.
''WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT I DON'T?'' His Jason had yelled at him, wanting to know why he was replaced. Tim wanted to fix things with his own Jason, he really did. And he also wanted to know this version of the man.
Even if he couldn't be in the same room alone with the other boy without remembering the older version. The only thing keeping him from having a nervous breakdown was the fact that Damian and B.J. be in the room too.
This is not the Red Hood. It's Robin, your Robin, your childhood hero. Talking counted as a first step, didn't it?
''... they are my parents. In my world they were...''
"Were they?" Damian asked this time, curiosity getting the better of him.
''Negligent. They went off digging and traveling around the world for months on end and left me at home with the housekeeper who came only once every fortnight if she did. I thought it would be different here, you know?''
The room went silent again before Jason whispered curses.
"I'm sorry Tim." B.J's voice rang through the room.
Damian was also shaking his head. He knew a thing or two about being raised by others, but even Thalia stuck around. At least he acted like he was a person. In her weird way, but he acted.
''I hope this B finds its counterpart soon. I know I'll pester mine until he finds you." Jason muttered.
That made Tim crack a small smile. "I also hope this one finds you soon."
Damian pulled the blanket over his shoulders. Not wanting to admit that he would also seek both of them in his world, they were… bearable. Maybe Grayson would help him with that when he got back. He turned to his side.
His father wasn't the best, but at least he was better than his mother, who tried to kill him... who was he kidding? If Grayson and Pennyworth hadn't been around, he too would have been alone in that huge mansion while his father patrolled the city day and night.
''Tt.'' He settled into the bunk. Maybe, just maybe, B.J was right and having more brothers wasn't so bad.
Tim was ready to turn off the tablet when an alert popped up on the screen. Frowning, Tim sat up abruptly, startling Jason and B.J. With the movement of the two boys, Damian also sat up.
''What's wrong?'' B.J asked.
''An alert.''
''From where?''
''From here.'' Tim read the message. ''Helena and Kara are sure the mountain is being invaded. Probably the league of assassins, judging by the number of people. Of all Kara's powers, only her super hearing has returned."
With that Damian leapt from the bunk. ''Get dressed.''
The others got up and dressed in record time.
''We need to warn the girls.'' Jason exclaimed as he put on his utility belt.
''Dick and the team too.'' Tim picked up the tablet again.
''Where's Dick's room?'' B.J shifted his gaze between the three of them.
''I think in the other hallway.'' Tim replied absently.
''Any chance to talk to the league?'' Jason asked.
Tim shook his head. ''There's something blocking the signal. Nothing comes out of the cave."
Damian rolled his eyes. ''If it really is the league, then grandpa took precautions for that.''
B.J stared at him for a moment. ''I really, for a moment, forgot whose son and grandson you were.''
''Excellent time for Kon to be out...'' Tim frowned, now lowering the mountain floor plan.
"Too perfect timing." Jason crossed his arms, making the other three look at him. ''What's it?''
"Do you think someone might have said something?" Tim asked, his brain racing. ''The team just got back from a mission, maybe Ras just wants the machine back.''
"And would Ras risk part of his army for a simple machine?" Jason raised an eyebrow. ''Does not make sense.''
''I would if it's a big investment.'' B.J looked at the door.
''No, he's right. It's a simple thing and with the league's reach, he could build another one.'' Damian followed B.J.
''Unless the resources for the machine have run out.''
''Are you really thinking that someone is leaking information to villains? We just got here, we barely know them, this is ridiculous!" Tim looked at them frankly.
"The Titans have faced cases like this before." Jason shrugged.
"Tara Marcov is an example." B.J agreed.
''We're wasting time!'' Damian hissed.
"Okay okay, so where do you each go?" B.J asked.
The three looked at Tim, who looked back at them confused.
''What's it?''
''You know how to lead. And very well, by the way, from what we saw back there."'
''Oh no...'' He held up his hands.
''Timothy, we need to alert the rest of this mountain, or you lead or I lead!'' Damian pointed his finger in the older boy's direction.
''I honestly prefer Timbo to lead.''
''JASON!'' B.J clapped him on the arm.
''It is true.''
Tim swallowed, but nodded.
''OK. I didn't answer Helena because I don't know if they hacked the cave's communications. Damian, the girls are in the front room, wake them up, we've wasted enough time here. B.J look for Dick. Jason and I will stand guard in the hallway. We will try to avoid the league as long as we can. Let's go.''