A/N: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Very much appreciate it. Cookies and good karma to you all. :)

oOo

Jason wondered if he was losing it. Had the kid really just said he was Dick Grayson? He stared at Batman and Robin.

Robin quirked an eyebrow. "Dude, say something."

"You…you can't be Dick Grayson. Dick is five years older than me!"

Robin's eyes widened and Batman stepped forward. "What year is this?" he demanded sharply.

"W-what?" Jason stammered. His heart was pumping a mile a minute. He couldn't think straight.

"What. Year. Is. It?"

"2010…it is 2010, right?"

Batman nodded and Jason was relieved. For a minute there, he'd almost believed he'd gone back in time or something. Then he frowned. If he was in the right time, why in the hell was this kid so much younger than him? He put a hand to his head. Why do I feel like I've just walked into the twilight zone?

"We'll work this out," Batman told him. "I take it you know where the Batcave is?" Jason nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak. "Meet us there as quickly as you can," Batman ordered.

Then they were gone, leaving Jason alone on the rooftop.

oOo

Pressing every ounce of speed out of the stolen motorcycle, it took Jason less than thirty minutes to arrive at the Batcave. Much to his irritation, Batman and Robin were already there. Figures, thought Jason irritably. He guessed Batman was using his knowledge of Bruce Wayne's world to determine if he was telling the truth…and that included knowing where the Batcave was. Jason would like to have gotten there first just to prove he didn't follow them.

Climbing off his bike, he stalked over to where Batman was seated at the computer, trying to ignore Robin who was sitting cross-legged on a table watching him eagerly. He didn't care what anyone said, no way was this kid Dick Grayson; he was too small for starters, and that costume was not Dick's Robin costume.

"Okay, Bruce, what's going on? And don't tell me you don't know, because I bet you have some clue what's going on here." He knew this man wasn't his Bruce, but that still didn't stop him from feeling antagonistic towards him.

Batman turned around in the swivel chair and pulled the cowl off his head. "I think you've been transplanted here from another reality, some type of transdimensional mishap."

Jason blinked. "Transdimensional what now?"

"This isn't your world. I don't know how, but I believe you got caught in some kind of portal that sent you here."

"Not my world…this is earth, right?"

"Yes, but not your earth. There are infinite realities of earth, all lying one on top of the other."

Jason's head reeled at that titbit of information. "So how the hell did I end up here?"

"Probably some form of a rip in the space time continuum."

"You mean like a black hole?"

"In a manner of speaking. Do you have any idea how this happened?"

"Do I look like a science nerd? Wait! Son-of-a– Joker!"

"What does the Joker have to do with this?"

"He was at the Planetarium night before last, doing something with the projector." Jason explained what had happened at the Planetarium, really trying not to look at the kid now. He had removed his mask and Jason felt something churning in his stomach at the facial similarities to his Dick. How could he not have seen it before? But then, his Dick had never seemed that small or that young in pictures. Or had he? Jason wondered just how young he had appeared when he wore the Robin costume.

Bruce looked thoughtful. "So I guess we know how it happened. Now we just have to figure out how to get you back."

"Perfect. What am I supposed to do until then?"

"Hang out here," the kid – Dick – suggested at once, smiling at Jason in a free and easy way that Jason couldn't help but return from behind the mask.

"Thanks, Kid, but I think that one is up to Bruce."

He turned back to Bruce who was watching Dick with a slight frown. "Under any other circumstance I probably wouldn't agree, but in this instance I think that would be the best option."

Jason stiffened. "You mean you want me where you can keep an eye on me."

Bruce shook his head. "No. After the way you protected Robin this evening, I doubt you mean any harm. Besides, this isn't your world and you have no where else to go." He smiled at Jason who was surprised at the gesture.

"Uh, thanks, I guess."

"So, are you gonna take off your mask?" Dick asked. "Not being nosy or anything, s'just Alfred doesn't allow costumes in the house."

Jason grinned. It would appear some things didn't change in this world. "He didn't allow them back in my world either." Reaching back, he unhooked the red mask and lifted it off, then peeled off the domino mask beneath.

"Two masks? Dude, that's paranoid." Dick was shaking his head and grinning teasingly at him and Jason couldn't help but smile back. There was something altogether too damn likeable about this kid.

He turned back to Bruce who was studying him, memorising every aspect of his face. Jason sighed inwardly. Oh yeah, some things are definitely the same. "So, what now?"

"It's late. We should all get some rest. We can start working on how to get you back to your reality tomorrow. I'll show you to your room."

oOo

It was weird. Jason would have thought that finding himself in another reality with another Bruce Wayne, in a house identical to the one he had spent his teenage years in, would have made it pretty damn hard for him to sleep.

He slept like a baby.

When he finally woke, he took a quick shower and then changed into the spare clothes that someone – probably Alfred – had left draped over the chair near the door. All he needed now was some coffee and food and he'd be able to face this new reality. Whatever that meant. Jason stepped out into the familiar hallway, marvelling that every single thing was the same here as it had been in his world…except for one small exception.

"Morning," a voice greeted him as the door to his right opened and Dick appeared. "Coming down to breakfast?"

Jason's lips tugged in a smile. He had a sneaking suspicion that Dick had been hovering, waiting for him to get up. "Sure. Lead the way."

"Did you sleep okay?" Dick asked, falling into step beside Jason.

"Better than I thought considering I'm in a whole other reality."

Dick waved a hand. "Eh, happens all the time. Batman and the League will be able to get you back easy."

"The League?"

"Yeah, you know, the Justice League?" Jason shook his head and Dick's eyes widened in surprise. "You're kidding! You don't have a Justice League in your world?"

"Obviously not. Want to explain who they are?" Jason was amused to see that Dick was practically trotting to keep up with his longer strides, and he slowed his pace slightly.

"Well, they're heroes who work together to keep the world safe."

"Safe from what? And what kind of heroes?"

Dick shrugged. "You know, super-villains and aliens, that sort of stuff. Some of the heroes have super powers, but some of them are like Batman, regular people who fight on the side of Justice."

Jason had been mouthing the word aliens to himself when what Dick said caught up with him. "Wait, super powers?!"

"Yeah. Like Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern–"

"We have a Superman in our world," Jason remembered. "He stays pretty much in Metropolis though."

"That's where he's from here too, but he spends a lot of time with the League." Dick paused. "Isn't it weird how some things are the same but others are different?"

"You have no idea, Kid." Jason shook his head as they reached the dinning room.

Bruce was already there, reading the paper and drinking coffee. Jason saw him frown slightly when he entered with Dick. He supposed he couldn't blame him; he didn't want the kid getting too attached to him either, especially when he would be going back to his own world.

Jason tried hard not to think about the fact that he was already getting pretty attached to the kid himself.

"Morning," Bruce greeted them as Dick slid into the chair beside his. Jason sat on the other side of Dick and Bruce caught his eye. "How did you sleep?"

Jason shrugged. "Pretty good all things considered."

"I'm going to contact the League today. Knowing where you entered our reality makes it easier to send you back to your own, but we need to recreate the conditions exactly to get it right."

"But I don't know what the Joker did, and it's not like he's here to ask him."

Bruce shook his head. "We just need to match the energy used. I already have a reading from the planetarium and I'm running diagnostics to determine exactly how much negative energy was used so that we can duplicate it.

"So it could take a while to get me back?"

Bruce nodded just as Alfred appeared with plates of sausage, bacon and eggs for Jason and Dick.

The Butler put the plate in front of him and Jason placed a hand awkwardly to his neck. "Uh, Alfred? Sorry about the other day. You know, with the gas and…stuff." This wasn't his reality and this Alfred didn't know him, but Jason still felt the need to apologise. He had always been very fond of Alfred.

"Master Bruce has already explained the situation," Alfred informed him, putting a plate in front of Dick. "However, if I may be so bold as to give a little advice, Sir, it is never a good idea to waylay an elderly gentleman and kidnap a child."

Jason felt very small. Clearly, while the Bruce glare in this reality didn't faze him, this Alfred could still make him feel like a wayward four-year-old with just a few words. "Sorry," he said meekly.

"Indeed." Alfred retrieved the silver coffee pot from the sideboard and poured a cup for Jason before returning to the kitchen without another word.

"Don't worry, he'll come around," Dick whispered.

Bruce folded his paper and put it aside. "What are your plans for the day?"

"Plans? I'm in another world. I haven't exactly given thought to anything beyond that."

"I could show you our Gotham," Dick piped up. "Do you have an Inside Scoop in your Gotham?"

"Inside what?"

Dick smiled gleefully. "Guess that means you don't. It's only the best ice-cream parlour in the world! They make their own ice-cream; you should taste the sundaes!"

Once more, Jason found himself smiling back at that contagious smile. Bruce, however, was frowning. "Dick, I'm not sure Jason wants to go traipsing around Gotham eating ice-cream–"

"Sounds better than sitting around here all day," Jason cut in, engaging Bruce in a silent stare down. No one was going to tell him what to do, least of all Bruce Wayne.

Bruce's expression darkened. "Fine. I'll give you a ride. Alfred can pick you up later."

"Can't we take the bikes?" Dick's expression was hopeful.

"You know the rules. Just because Jason is here doesn't mean we break them."

Dick sighed. "Fine."

Jason glanced between the two of them. Clearly he was missing something here but before he could ask what, they were interrupted by Alfred. "Master Dick, I have Mr West on the phone."

Dick slipped out of his chair. "Oh man, I completely forgot to call Wally yesterday! Coming, Alfred."

Jason waited until Dick left the room before turning to Bruce. "What was that thing about the bikes?"

Bruce glanced at him. "Only Robin rides the bikes, Dick takes the car."

"How does that make sense? They're the same person."

"Gotham doesn't know that. If Robin is attacked, he can fight back. Dick Grayson on a bike has no defence."

Jason was baffled. "Why would Dick be attacked?"

Bruce leaned back in his chair and studied him. "Have you or the Dick from your reality ever been kidnapped? Other than as Robin?"

"No."

Bruce seemed surprised at that. "I had assumed that my counterpart in your reality is financially well established."

"He is."

"And yet you or the other Dick have never been kidnapped?"

Jason had an idea where this was going now. "No. Dick?"

"Twice this year alone." Bruce scowled. "Now do you understand?"

Jason stared at his plate. So the kid was a target in any persona? The thought left an unpleasant taste in Jason's mouth. "Is that why you sent him to Gotham Academy? Dick and I went to a public high school; neither one of us wanted to go to a private school."

"Neither did Dick, but I'm afraid he didn't have a choice in the matter." Bruce paused. "I hope I can trust you to keep him safe today?"

His expression was very dark as he studied Jason, and the younger man realised why Bruce had been so against them going into Gotham in the first place. He nodded, knowing that his actions the night before were the only reason that Bruce was trusting him now.

Jason felt slightly smothered by the weight of that trust.

oOo

"So?" demanded Dick several hours later as they headed for the infamous ice-cream parlour. "How different is this Gotham to yours?"

Jason wasn't sure how to answer. For the most part, this Gotham was almost identical to the one he inhabited, but there was also some glaring discrepancies as well. Discrepancies that made him slightly uncomfortable. The streets were cleaner, the people seemed less on edge, even the weather seemed less grey. He looked at Dick's expectant expression and settled for the least complicated explanation. "Some of it is different but it's mostly the same."

Dick nodded, satisfied, as though he had expected that. "This is it," he told Jason, stopping outside a fifties style ice-cream parlour. Inside was decorated with red booths, vintage signs and a jukebox in the corner.

It looked like a walking cliché and Jason had to force himself not to roll his eyes. Fifteen minutes later, however, he had to concede that Dick was right; the ice-cream was amazing.

"I feel like I won't be able to move for a month," he groaned as he finished the last of an enormous sundae.

Dick grinned slyly across the table. "You know, we could get some of their ice-cream cake to take away for Alfred; it's his favourite."

"Oh I see," said Jason in amusement. "A peace offering?"

"Something like that."

Jason laughed. "Alright, Kid. I'll get the cheque and order the cake. You call Alfred and tell him we're ready to go."

He was still chuckling as he walked to the counter. He knew it was a bad idea to get so attached to Dick – it would only make it harder when he had to go back to his own reality – but he couldn't help it. There was just something so damn likeable about the kid, plus he was pretty funny for a thirteen-year-old. Jason couldn't remember the last time he had enjoyed a day as much as he'd enjoyed this one.

Five minutes later, he returned to their booth with the peace offering disguised as cake, and was surprised to find three boys sitting with Dick. At first he thought that they were friends from school, but then he realised they were older, bigger, and Dick was tense as he leaned away from the one beside him. One of them had what looked like Dick's phone in his hands.

"Problem?" Jason growled as he reached the table.

The one sitting beside Dick looked up. Jason could see him taking stock of his muscular frame. He shifted away from Dick.

"No, no problem, just saying hello," the teenager smirked, sliding out of the booth and standing up.

The other two followed suit but Jason grabbed the one with the phone by the upper arm. "Forgetting something?"

"Uh, no," the boy mumbled, tossing Dick's phone back to him and shaking off Jason's hand.

"See you at school, Dickie bird!" waved the one who had been sitting beside Dick moments before as they walked away.

Punk! thought Jason, his hand clenching in a fist. He could wipe that smug smirk off that brat's face in one second flat.

"No!" Dick hissed, seizing his hand to pull him back, and Jason realised that he had been about to go after the boys.

He dropped into the seat opposite Dick. The boy kept his gaze on the table, refusing to look at Jason. "Want to talk about it?"

Dick shrugged. "Nothing to talk about."

"Didn't look like nothing. Are those kids bullying you?"

"It's fine. I can handle it."

"Right. Where have I heard that before?"

Dick looked at him. "Not from me."

"No, but isn't that what everyone says when they're dealing with bullies? That they can handle it? Come on, Kid, spill."

Dick sighed. "The big guy is Dirk Cadwell. He and his friends have been giving me a hard time ever since I started at Gotham Academy a few weeks ago."

"Define hard time."

"Mostly just name calling, knocking my books…you know stupid stuff, the usual. It's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal," Jason disagreed, feeling hot anger and wanting very much to go after the little shit and rearrange his pretty boy face. "What do your teachers say? Have you told Bruce?"

"No, and I'm not going to. Jason, this stuff happens all the time. Give them a couple of weeks and they'll get bored, move onto someone else."

Jason studied the kid closely. His shoulders were hunched and he was frowning, but he didn't look scared, he looked angry. "That's not what's bothering you, is it?" Dick shook his head. "What is?"

Dick looked around before lowering his voice. "I could kick all their stupid asses, and then some! But instead, I have to sit back and listen to them call me circus freak and take it. It sucks!"

Jason was surprised, and a little impressed. Dick was showing a lot more restraint in the situation than Jason would have. Even now, Jason couldn't guarantee that if he was in Dick's shoes, there wouldn't be a few broken noses.

Jason leaned forward. "You know what? I agree. Bunch of cowards like that? You could easily kick their ass. But the fact that you haven't shows you're the bigger man; any idiot can fight, it takes a real man to walk away from one."

Dick smiled at him and Jason was surprised at himself. Where the hell had that come from? He had never been one for advice, much less good advice. "Did you manage to call Alfred before the moron triplets arrived?"

Dick nodded. "He was already in Gotham. He should be here soon."

Jason glanced at the box with the ice-cream cake. "No ice-cream for Bruce?"

"He doesn't eat it. He doesn't eat any junk food."

Of course he doesn't. "His loss."

"You're not gonna tell him about those guys, are you?"

"I think he should know, Dick."

"Please don't. I can handle them; I don't want Bruce to know."

"Why not?"

Dick remained silent, staring at him with a pleading expression. Jason sighed. "Fine, I won't say anything to Bruce." Dick looked relieved.

Jason was grim as he got to his feet. It may be off limits to have a chat with Bruce about this, but you didn't say anything about the bullies. Dick might not be able to teach the bullies a lesson, but that didn't mean Red Hood couldn't.