Oh the stories I would tell if I owned Young Justice or Batman

Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor,
And mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we

And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase
Then cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care

Mount Justice

March 19, 02:19 EST

And so five members of Young Justice sat in the lounge and watched the youngest of them, ironically still a Robin, as he released his aggressions onto paper. Not that they sat near him or even pretended they were watching him. Superboy was sitting in front of the TV, watching static again. M'Gann had begun a baking project not long after their Robin had left though she kept craning her neck to try and see how Thomas was doing. Artemis and Kid Flash lounged on the couch, talking quietly amongst themselves, their words occasionally escalating into an argument before they remembered to lower their voices again. Aqualad sat cleaning and checking out his equipment, commenting on the couple's conversation every now and again. No one knew where Robin was and they suspected he wasn't in the mood for them to chase after him. It was quiet, eerily so for the normally boisterous team, but again these were quite unusual circumstances.

Damian, or Thomas, he supposes, kept to himself, trying to hold onto the anger that he'd initially felt at his older brother's earlier statements but found himself cooling down against his will. He'd never been able to stay mad at Grayson for too long. He looked down at the sketch he was finishing and added in the shading on the button down shirt Grayson had been wearing this morning. As soothing as it was to see the familiar face, it reminded him that the Robin here was not his brother. Damian pouted as he forced himself not to press into the paper too hard and ruin the picture. This child was impulsive and emotional and insecure, not at all like the Nightwing, like the Batman, Damian knew he would one day become. He set down the pencil and glanced in the direction of the other young heroes.

It was strange to see the rest of his mangy team like this, so young and inexperienced, but it was even more unsettling to be a complete stranger to them. Crock was supportive of him from the start having come from a similar background and was easily his favorite of all Grayson's friends. Harper, wherever he was in this reality, was a mess, currently in rehab after he relapsed following of death of his daughter and Damian had been forced to make too many trips to the Central City Cemetery. Aqualad, Miss Martian and the Superboy were heavily involved in running and mentoring for Young Justice and thus didn't make the trip to the Manor all that often. He knew that Zatanna and Rocket were in the League but he'd yet to get permission to go aboard the Watchtower and meet them. Father hadn't trusted him enough and Damian knew Grayson had to fight hard with the Justice League to keep him as Robin..

Damian heart clenched at the thought of seeing the original Batman again. He closed the borrowed notebook and gripped it tightly. His father was here, he was alive and maybe even interested in acknowledging his blood son. A very large part of him couldn't help but bitterly wonder why he couldn't have had this Batman, who seemed to give Damian much more attention than he ever did in the future.

He held on viciously to the feel of his father's supportive glove on his shoulder, to the feeling of acceptance when Batman gave him the name of his own much beloved father. He tells himself it's because this Batman is young and not yet worn thin by his attempts to parent a bunch of undeserving louts. Another, quieter voice tells him that his behavior when he first knew his father had been abhorrent and not deserving of the love he'd craved; the love Grayson had given so freely. He let his head fall back against the chair he's sitting in.

The wolf hybrid that had woken him earlier padded over and gave him a good sniffing before resting his large head on the arm of the chair. Damian scoffed, about ready to shoo the creature away so he could continue his brooding, but there was something nice about the easy, non-judgmental stare of the animal. Gently, Damian brought his fingers up and scratched around the wolf's neck and ears, feeling calmer as the animal narrowed it's eyes in contentment. Damian settled more comfortably into the chair as the wolf settled down by his feet. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant feeling, perhaps he could convince Grayson to get a dog when he got back.

It had been nearly midnight when he and Batman had run into Epoch on patrol and a glance told him it was almost 2:30 now. Grayson normally tried to ensure that he was in bed by 2, something about kids needing more sleep or some such nonsense. He was the son of Batman, grandson of Ra's al Ghul, he was trained to survive in the harshest conditions. His thoughts were interrupted as he yawned suddenly. Grayson was in his head again, that annoying laugh in his voice as he tells Damian that there's no shame in acting like a child, in relying on adults. He wondered what was going on in his time, were they looking for him? Did they even care that he was gone? No, of course they were, Batman always promised to be there for his Robin and Grayson was no liar.

His eyes start to flicker shut as he lets the memories of his older brother wash over him. He'll just close his eyes for a minute, gather his thoughts so he can be alert for the upcoming struggle to get back to his own time. Because one thing was for certain, Damian Wayne was not spending an extra moment in this backwards time period where the dead walked again, where his allies treated him like a criminal, where his family didn't love him. As he drifted off into unconsciousness, he dreamt of his home and the people that were waiting for him.

The Watchtower

March 19, 02:28 EST

"The tests on the kid you found have come back," Superman said, drifting up behind the dark vigilante who was busy analyzing video footage from the attack in Gotham earlier. The sooner they identified the criminal from the future, Epoch he believed the name was, the sooner he could get the boy back home. Batman grunted, as he shifted to another camera view, getting a slightly different perspective. Kent waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello, are you in there? I thought you might want to see the results considering how much it involves you."

Bruce closed his eyes in frustration for a moment before turning to glare at the Man of Steel. "It's ironic how much you concern yourself with my family when it took you months to acknowledge your own." Superman winced and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Okay, I admit it, I was a bit boorish at first but Conner and I have been making real progress. You're avoiding the issue Bruce and threatening to make the same mistake I did." Clark replied, holding up test results which told Bruce everything he already knew. "That boy in the mountain? He is your son, absolutely no wiggle room." He ducked his head to look over the papers again to avoid the glare his friend was giving him. "There seems to be some indication of genetic tampering post-conception but there's no doubt he's yours. He even looks just like you which I'm sure you probably noticed."

Superman looked up and was annoyed to see that Batman had already gone back to his work. "Bruce," he sighed.

"Don't use my name in public," Batman stated mechanically as he'd only said it a thousand times before. Superman rolled his eyes.

"Most of the people in the Watchtower know your name and, besides, there's no one in here but us." He watched Batman type a little longer, pulling up more files and videos. "You're going to have to address this eventually, to Dick, pardon me, Robin and your, well, son," Superman paused to consider something, "to both your sons."

"I am addressing the issue," Batman replied, not taking his eyes off of the screen. "I am seeking to find the man who sent the boy here, when we find him we can stop whatever he came back in time for and hopefully use his technology to send Thomas back where he belongs."

Superman raised an eyebrow before a delighted smirk appeared on his face. Batman held back a sigh as he unintentionally gave Clark more fodder for his argument. "Thomas? Is that his name? You named him after your father? Oh Bruce that's wonderful."

Bruce turned to glare once more at Clark before returning to the screen with a deeper frown on his face. "He refused to give us his proper name. He had the right idea with attempting to preserve the time stream as best he could given the circumstances, but we needed to call him something. I chose the name Thomas, that's all there is to it Clark."

Superman's smirk turned sardonic as he leaned against the computer console. "Oh now who's using civilian identities?" His grin faded into something softer. "Bruce, come on, anyone can go over all this footage. You'll never get an opportunity like this again, go see your boy Bruce, he's scared and alone and he probably could use his dad right about now."

"He's not my boy," Clark looked at him in confusion as he gestured back to the test results. "Clark it's," Batman paused rub the bridge of his nose where the Kryptonian always seemed to cause him pain. "I don't know him, I don't know what his life has been like, what types of hobbies he has, I don't even know his real name. I'm sure I'm as much a mystery to him as he is to me, I'm certain I'm not going to be the same man ten years from now." He turned to face his teammate and sort of friend whose eyes were lighting up with understanding.

"Besides," Batman continued. "The situation is more complicated than you understand, just because he's blood I'm still not certain he's my son. I'm fairly certain I know the identity of his mother and I wouldn't put it past her to have a child for the sole purpose of destroying me. For all we know, this could be an elaborate set-up by her to make us trust him."

He turned back to the screen. "He needs to go back to his time Clark, wherever that may be, and my presence up here will hopefully speed up that process. I acknowledge his genetic relation to me but, for now, I only have one child and his safety comes above all else. If Thomas, or whatever his name is, is working with the enemy then I want him away from Dick and the Team as soon as possible." Clark sighed, smiling with affectionate resignation. He reached out and gave his friend's shoulder a delicate squeeze as he set the files down on the table next to him.

"You're a good man and a good father, Bruce; one of these days you ought to tell Dick how much you love him." Bruce rolled his eyes as Superman exited the room leaving quietness in his wake. He never claimed Superman was the brightest of heroes but surely he was smarter than that. As Bruce resumed going over the video, taking notes on the villainous figure that had dropped into their lives along with his unintended passenger, he huffed quietly to himself. He may not have been one for sentimental words or grand gestures but Dick knew how proud his mentor was and how his adoptive father would move heaven and earth for him. Of course Dick knew he was loved.

Mount Justice,

March 19, 02:42

Bruce didn't love him. Okay so that was probably a bit extreme but, to Dick Grayson, the events of the day made it feel like Bruce had left him behind. He buried his head in his knees, hugging them closer to himself. He'd knew he'd acted like a bit of a jerk. He'd behaved emotionally and irrationally and stomping off to his room certainly wasn't very mature of him either but sometimes he just wanted to brood by himself. It was something he picked up from watching Bruce, healthy? Probably not, but it sure made him feel better. He squeezed his legs tighter, or maybe he usually felt better because Bruce would give him space for a while before offering his own form of advice and understanding and Dick couldn't count on that with Thomas here.

He can't get the image of Batman's, Bruce's, hand resting comfortably on the kid's shoulder like he'd earned it. Maybe the kid really was from the future, maybe he really was a Robin but did he deserve that respect from Batman? Respect that Dick himself had sweat and bled for? Did that brat know what it was like to have to start your life all over again? To work day after day, year after year to prove to his friend, mentor, guardian that he was worth training, worth keeping? Dick didn't know a thing about this kid, but he knows that he didn't deserve to have Batman accept him so readily.

Unless Batman decided he liked this new kid better, after all, it took years for Bruce to feel comfortable with such casual comfort with Dick. Maybe Batman had finally found the Boy Wonder he really wanted. The kid was able to take them down pretty easy after all, maybe Bruce thinks he can do better. He squeezed his eyes shut. He was being absolutely ridiculous he knew, a moment's gesture meant nothing stacked up against half a lifetime of care and support, but he couldn't help the ache in his heart. It probably didn't help that his birthday, a day that had become bittersweet since his family's murder, was right around the corner. Of course this kid would drop in and replace him during one of the few times when Dick really needed Bruce's attention.

And he's let himself get too deep, too attached. Didn't Bruce warn him about that when the Team founded? Batman was always telling to remain above his emotions, to conduct himself logically and without conflict. But here he was, completely in love with his new life. He missed his parents every day, but after seven years, he'd grown comfortable living at Wayne Manor. He loved sliding down the banister every morning. He loved being able to walk into Wayne Enterprises with a lazy shrug as he walks into Bruce's office. He loved sailing over to city, listen to Bruce do a poor job hiding his amusement when Dick makes too many bad jokes. He loved his new family, his pseudo father and grandfather and extended aunts and uncles. And he just might lose it all, again.

Dick knows he can't hide in here forever, sitting in the dark in his little used room here at Mount Justice. Eventually he's going to have to help the Team deal with the unexpected arrival, help Batman solve the case and deal with the consequences of his childishness. But he's afraid how it will end, either thrown out of the house or even just thrown out of his tiny space in Bruce's tightly guarded heart. He'll have to face that moment soon, but not right now, for now he still has time to be alone and let his worst fears assault him. He doesn't know what the future will hold, but he does know one thing, he is never, ever going to like that new Robin.

XxX

"So how's he doing?" M'Gann asked quietly as she floated over to her friends. She held a tray of sandwiches in one hand. Artemis was leaning up against her boyfriend, her head lying sleepily against his shoulder.

"He fell asleep about a half hour ago, stopped doing whatever it was he was doing and nodded off. I mean the brat can't be more than 10, so I guess I understand." She yawned just then, taking a moment to run at her eyes. "Even so, it getting late. Thankfully it's Friday or, Saturday now I guess. There's no way could I deal with school after all this."

M'Gann frowned as she set the tray on the table the five of them were hovering around. "Hmm, I was hoping he would have something to eat before he fell asleep. Robin says he's had to skip dinner a couple of times for patrol and Thomas is too young to get into such bad habits." Superboy looked up at her.

"So do you think he's really a Robin in the future? He certainly doesn't act like our Robin." M'Gann sighed and perched on the armrest of the chair Conner was sitting in. She grabbed one of his hands and lazily began playing with his fingers.

"I don't know, but I can tell you since he came here he's been so terribly sad, especially around Batman and Robin. I can't imagine what that must be like, to have your family treat you like a stranger, like an enemy. I can't tell if he is who he claims to be but his emotions have felt sincere enough, the way he was looking at Robin earlier was heartbreaking." She said closing her eyes and bringing Superboy's hand up to her lips.

Across from her, Kaldur laced his fingers under his chin. "After Robin made those comments, the boy certainly did look as if he'd been betrayed by a brother."

Artemis scoffed from the couch. "And what was up with that? I can see Robin being a bit upset about some bratty kid claiming his name but did he have to be so harsh? I'm not sure I believe the kid either and I felt bad for some of the things Rob said to him." Next to her, Wally shifted so he could run his hand up and down her back.

"It's not that simple babe, there's a lot more to Robin than we'll ever know. He's had a lot happen to him tonight, let's not forget Batman's very demeaning treatment earlier on patrol, not to mention how friendly Bats seemed to be with the new kid when he came to dump him on us." He reached over and grabbed one of M'Gann sandwiches, stuffing it in his mouth. "I'm sure he'll come around soon, Rob's not a bad guy, he probably just got a little jealous. It happens to the best of us." He said in-between bites.

"As if Batman would ever replace Robin with that punk," Superboy muttered under his breath.

"Yeah, but did you hear what Thomas said earlier," Artemis said lowering her voice and leaning forward conspiratorially. "About Batman not being Robin's real dad? I mean he could be lying but I always thought that the two of them were related, everyone in Gotham does."

"Blood doesn't necessarily make a family," M'Gann sighed. "Even if Batman isn't Robin's real father it's clear that he has taken Robin in as his own. It's obvious Batman loves him very much."

"You know that and I know that, but does Robin? Batman does not seem the kind of man to make his feelings known." Kaldur responded sagely and the group lapsed into silence after that, most likely thinking on how Batman would show his protégé that he cared.

"I just want to send Thomas home," M'Gann added. "I can feel the desire to get back to his family coming off him in waves." She looked down at her lap. "He's so sad guys, I didn't know it was possible for a little boy to be so sad. All I feel is loneliness and anger and a fear that he won't be accepted. I don't think he's a bad kid, I think he just needs some love is all."

"Oh come on M'Gan-"

"Shh," Superboy interrupted taking his hand back from M'Gann and turning his head where the kid was still curled up. He appeared to be sleeping still but his face was scrunched up underneath his mask. His head buried deeper into the chair and his gloved hands were clenched into fists. Damian moaned, folding in protectively on himself. Wolf woke up at the noise and trotted over to his master.

"Oh jeez," Artemis whispered as she sat up and observed the kid's nightmare unfold. "We should wake him, we should totally wake him up." But still they sat there unmoving as the young boy continued to whimper and twitch in his sleep.

"Don't make me go back," he hissed between his clenched teeth. "I'm trying to be good, I'm trying, please don't send me back." M'Gann's heart cracked at the broken plea coming from him so she floated quietly over to where the sleeping boy lay.

"Thomas, shh, it's okay," she soothed, reaching out a green hand to rest on the boy's shoulder. "It's okay, you just go back to sleep." She added, trying to calm the boy without entering his mind. Not only did he have excellent psychic defenses but it was just plain rude to mentally probe a guest.

"Father please," Damian muttered, "don't leave me alone again." M'Gann shushed him again.

"Shh, it's alright, you're not alone here Thomas, nobody's going to hurt you." She whispered, as his shaking grew more pronounced. She reached out to cup his cheek and was startled to see the boy finally wake himself up out of the dream. She gasped as he gripped her wrist tightly with one hand while the other snapped out and gripped her throat. M'Gann choked as the tiny, but powerful fingers constricted her airways.

"M'Gann!" Conner shouted, making his way towards his girlfriend who was being assaulted. He didn't have a chance to intervene for, as quickly as the attack had started, the boy retracted his hands. Miss Martian coughed roughly and was floating away from panting boy who was watching them with a dangerous edge. Superboy stomped past M'Gann and grabbed the front of the boy's cape. "What was that, you nearly killed M'Gann!" He shouted, the kid's mask narrowed down to slits.

"What was she doing then? Trying to spy on me? I know all about Martians and their mind tricks." Damian spat out, squirming a bit but knowing he couldn't break the half-Kryptonian's grasp. "I bet you were trying to take advantage of me while I was vulnerable, you all were!" He glared up at Superboy who still had him in his grip. "Let go of me you poor imitation." Conner growled at the insult and M'Gann had to step forward.

"Superboy, let go, it was an accident. I just startled him was all, please don't hurt him." She said, her voice hoarse but otherwise alright, she willed the finger shaped bruises on her green skin to disappear. "Conner, please." With a growl, Superboy let go of the kid, throwing him roughly back on the chair he'd been sleeping in. As soon as he was free, Damian flipped over the top of the chair putting as much distance as he could between him and the rest of the Team. He backed himself up against a wall, still watching them with unwavering intensity. They didn't have much more time to argue when Black Canary burst into the room.

"What on Earth is going on in here? I could hear you kids yelling from down the hall." She demanded, honing instantly on their newest Robin with his aggressive position and snarling features. "What did you do?"

"The kid just went crazy. He started having a nightmare, and M'Gann was trying to calm him down when he suddenly strikes out and starts choking her!" Artemis said from her side of the room. "I have some experience with those kinds of techniques and I know you didn't learn that from Batman and Robin."

Damian puffed out his chest in determination. His Grayson at least had the curtesy to be understanding when Damian accidently slipped into his old training. "I thought I was being attacked, you think this is the first time someone's tried to kill me in my sleep? I've had assassins after me since the day I was born. People like you and your ilk Crock." He replied just as harshly. Artemis stepped forward as if to confront the child but Black Canary stood between them with an expression that said she was not to be crossed.

"I don't care who started what, all I'm concerned with is that our supposed guest is attacking people. What was Batman thinking letting you roam free?" She said, directing her fury towards Damian who crossed his arms. "Alright, you're coming with me, you're going back in a holding cell. The rest of you, I don't know, go get some rest. As of right now, he is League business." She replied angrily, reaching out to grab Damian's arm as she dragged him forcibly out of the room. The remaining teens just looked at one another, before Wally shrugged.

"I was getting bored of his attitude anyway, I'm sure Canary will keep him in line." He said, yawning himself, "and I for one am all for getting some shut eye. It's late and this has been one messed up night. Night guys, I'm sure we'll get this worked out and get things back to normal soon." Wally said stretching as he walked out of the room. Artemis followed him, her anger still steaming over Thomas's remarks. Kaldur rubbed at his face before he too excused himself leaving only Conner and M'Gann.

M'Gann gripped her arms tightly, feeling bad for her part in the ensuing drama. "It wasn't his fault," she said quietly to herself. "He was scared and I startled him was all." Conner gave her an annoyed look before he exited the room and left her alone. "He was just scared."

Woo! We made it to chapter 3! Slight Plot progression, mostly getting into the heads of our main cast members as they react to the sudden appearance of future Damian. I've had a few people ask during reviews but I wanted to wait until this chapter, so, to clarify, Damian comes from a time after Bruce's 'death' and before his return. He is currently Dick Batman's Robin. For those comic minded, think halfway through Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin and beginning of Red Robin. Also people have been asking about Dick's behavior and my answer is, he is 14. 14 year olds do not always behave rationally and can be overemotional. Anything else you just gotta keep reading.