Chapter 11: Epilogue

Key Character(s): Alfred Pennyworth & Bruce Wayne

When Tim walked into to the kitchen, he smelled the sweet aroma of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Nothing beats Alfred's cooking, although he will admit that his waffles aren't exactly the greatest thing on the planet. Thankfully, today's breakfast choice was pancakes.

After going through an emotional turmoil for quite awhile, getting the chance to make amends with his brothers made him feel a lot better. After all, too much negative energy is unhealthy, so it was great that he finally allowed himself the chance to smile every now and then.

"Good morning, Master Tim," Alfred spoke in his casual, professional demeanor.

"Morning Alfred," Tim replied as he sat in front of his meal.

Alfred came over and poured syrup all over his pancakes before he could grab a bite. The thing that surprises Tim is that Alfred was always a hundred percent punctual when it comes to his job as a butler. Of course, every butler should work to his or her potential, but Alfred was a member of the family. He's not just a butler; He is family, and he was rightfully cherished.

"Thank you, Alfred," Tim spoke as Alfred walked back to the counter.

The butler was quite surprised. Though he does receive a rare gratitude every now and then, Tim's acknowledgement seemed to have a type of sincerity that he had never heard before. It was like there was much more behind that simple 'thank you,' and Alfred didn't have to be the Batman to notice it. Heck, the Batman probably wouldn't even notice it himself.

"What?" Tim questioned when Alfred gave him a look, "Just wanted to say thanks."

In return, Alfred gave him a soft smile. "Quite the noble one, aren't we Master Tim?"

Alfred has done so much for everyone in this household. He truly is the guardian and protector of those who live in Wayne Manor, and he acknowledges everybody as well.

"Hopefully Bruce feels the same."

It was a soft slip, and Alfred caught it.

"Of course he does, Master Tim."

The seventeen-year old smiled at the butler, but more of a faded smile. He nodded his head as he grabbed his fork and knife and prepared to eat. A good breakfast was just what he needed to start the day off correctly.

As the butler went on and continued cleaning up in the kitchen, he thought of Tim's comment. Come to think of it, Tim hasn't really been so talkative for the past month. Similar to Dick, Tim always had a positive vibe that can put people in a good mood. It was now that he realized that he hasn't heard that much from Tim lately, aside from running into him every now and then and a few greetings here and there. Alfred had assumed that the young man was busy with whatever workload he may have.

Now, he seems to be in a bit of a brighter mood, but he can still sense some sort of bother within the seventeen-year-old.

"Everything okay, young sir?"

Tim let out a small sigh before answering, "I've just had a lot on my mind lately. I'm okay though, just had to take some time to get over it."

"Ah, going through a phase I see," the butler commented.

"Yeah," Tim silently spoke, "I guess so."

Though he may not know in complete detail about the "phase" that Tim went through, Alfred can ensure that there is one solution that can help the young man.

"Master Bruce is in his office filling out some paperwork. It will take him quite awhile, I assume. You should pay him a visit after you finish your meal."

Tim paused. He should have known that mentioning Bruce's name in this particular scenario would lead Alfred to make an assumption. Nonetheless, the butler still had a good idea. Tim never really got the chance to talk with Bruce, so he might as well at least say hi.

"Yeah, I guess I will."

The doors to the office were open, and there was Bruce sitting behind his large desk with a pen on his ear and his eyes focused on a particular set of files. This is the Batman, and yet here he is looking like a typical, working man. Though it was quite ironic, the scene looked very settling. Bruce living a normal life would not be a problem at all.

"Hey Bruce," Tim spoke somewhat cautiously.

Bruce caught sight of him, and then continued back to his paperwork.

"Hello Tim."

Tim started to feel a little heartache again. Here he was, giving him less attention as opposed to a stack of papers. It is understandable that he is busy, but he wishes that his 'father' would acknowledge him sometimes.

"How's it going?" Tim asked, hoping for some sort of conversation to spring out of this.

"Busy," the man said simply.

Again, no acknowledgement. Maybe now is the wrong time. Question is, when will there be a right time?

"Alright, talk to you later then."

It was now when Bruce realized a specific shift in tone.

"Wait," the man spoke before the teenager can leave the room.

Tim halted when he heard the man speak. At least now, Bruce seems he is about to start some sort of conversation.

"What is going on, Tim?"

The teenager felt a chill run down his spine. Bruce seemed serious with his question. Had he known all along or something?

"Has Damian or Jason said anything?" Tim asked nervously, yet curiously.

Bruce was confused. "No. Why?"

"Oh." Of course, Bruce can sense any sort of bother on someone's face. Tim's facial expression probably gave it away. "Never mind then," Tim said as he turned his back towards Bruce and began to walk out again.

"Tim," Bruce spoke sternly. Calling his name was more of a demand this time.

As for Tim, he slowly turned around and walked back in, closing the office doors this time.

"Talk," Bruce demanded.

Tim took a deep breath. It was time to say what had been on his mind all these weeks. He trusted his brothers that they wouldn't tell Bruce a thing, and they didn't. So now it is time for Tim to speak.

"Can I ask you something Bruce?"

"Go right ahead," Bruce simply told him.

"When you took me in as Robin, did you only do that just because you had no choice?"

Though it was hard to tell, Bruce was quite surprised. Where did that question come from?

"I took you in because I knew you were fit for the job," Bruce answered.

"But you still had to take me in regardless, right? Because of my actions, my parents almost got killed, and you took me in because I had nowhere else to go and you had to keep my parents safe, correct?"

Bruce continued to be surprised from Tim's questions.

"Yes," he answered simply.

"So ever since you took me in, what did you see me as? A kid you're just protecting?" Tim asked punctually.

"No."

"A tech geek that could be useful to have?"

"No."

"A worthless sidekick?" His voice began to crack a little bit.

"No."

"Then what am I to you Bruce?" The teenager choked out, "What am I?"

"My son," Bruce answered in a completely honest manner.

Tim looked at Bruce straight in the eyes, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Bruce stood up from his chair and began walking to towards the seventeen-year-old.

"No matter what reason that got you under my care, even if it was unexpected, you became a son to me. That's all that matters to me."

Suddenly, Tim let the tears fall out and he ran right into Bruce's arms. He hugged him as tight as he could, for he had never had this experience in the longest time.

"What's wrong Tim?" Bruce asked as he encased his own arms around his son.

"For a long time, I thought everyone didn't care about me, especially you," Tim choked out, "You seemed so focus on Jason and Damian, and Dick was always there by your side. I felt so brushed off and neglected. I even took it all out on Jason and Damian, and I said some cruel things too. But really, I just wanted to be part of the family again. I just wanted to be close to you again, and I haven't felt that in forever."

And finally, guilt took over Bruce.

"Tim, I am so sorry," Bruce told him sorrowfully. He felt like a lousy father. It is no fair that Bruce paid more attention to his other sons more than him. "My boy."

It felt so comforting to hear that from Bruce. Tim supposes that he should have spoken to Bruce this whole time. Instead, he kept all his emotions bottled up, and that was a mistake. Nonetheless, he's glad the he is welcomed back into Bruce's embrace.

Pulling back to arm's length, Tim told him, "I knew you were focused on maintaining a good relationship with Damian and Jason. I understand that. I guess I just felt a little hurt and jealous when you and everyone else seemed to have little time with me."

"That doesn't excuse me or anyone else for that matter," Bruce commented firmly, "You are a part of this family, and you deserve to be treated as such."

With the tears falling out of his eyes a little bit more, Tim smiled, "I already talked about this with the other three. I'm just glad I got to talk about this with you. I missed you Bruce. I barely get the chance to see my own parents no more, and I missed having someone to lean on."

Bruce smiled, and it was a rare, yet comforting sight, to see him giving a sincere smile.

Placing both his hands on Tim's shoulders, Bruce told him, "Though I know you have your own father, you are still a son to me. You come to me whenever you need to, for any reason what so ever. You got it?"

Tim smiled, and shoved himself back into Bruce's arms.

"Got it."

Tim sat in the family room watching TV. There was really nothing to do for the night. Bruce and Damian are out on a mission after Dick called them for a supposed emergency. Tim was curious to know, but figured it was best to not bother him.

After all, he is finally on good terms with everyone. Talking with his brothers surely made him feel better, but it was his conversation with Bruce that was the final icing on the cake.

He felt acknowledged. He felt wanted. He felt loved.

He was assured.

And most importantly, he felt like part of the family again. That's all he wanted to be sure of.

"Master Tim?"

Tim turned around to see Alfred walking in.

"Go get ready," the butler told him politely.

"For what?" Tim asked curiously.

"There's suspicious activity going on in East Gotham. Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin are all waiting for you."

Tim's face began to light up. "They're all waiting… for me?"

Alfred smiled, "Master Bruce stated that he is not going to start the mission until you arrive, Master Tim. Your brothers also agree."

And with that, Tim cheerfully got up from the couch and rushed to get his suit.

Because Red Robin was needed.

The End.

A/N: And that's the end! Boy, it was hard trying to mix pre-new 52 and new 52 elements together. Hope I didn't confuse anyone. Though the new 52 seemed to have erased the close father-son relationship that Tim and Bruce established, I tried to refurbish that in this fic (which has more of a new-52 background). After all, a godfather is still a father, right? Moreover, in the new 52, all the Robins still refer to each other as brothers for the most part, so I still like to think they are ALL Bruce's sons regardless.

Hope you guys liked this story, and much thanks for the reviews and the favs!

(Now, I eagerly await Batman v Superman in just a few more days!)