This is to Lemo and blacknightdemon for either reviewing or adding me to their buddy lists. Another chapter on its way, expect it within five hours.

Oh, and this story really needs a beta, because I'm not cut out to beta my own stuff.

Scrib

As soon as Batman spoke, I knew I was in for it. I could tell when he left me to Alfred's care, and ignored me for two hours. I was going to get it good!

But surprisingly, I didn't – well, sort of.

"Explain."

"He said he was Absolom, British accent, he appeared in my room after I said Ssoulbondss (Here He looked at me strangely) and had a dagger almost like mine, cuts all over, apparently unconscious, holding only the dagger in his right and the holster in his left, with two stick things. When he appeared the room seemed to suck in on itself, then go back to normal and leave him."

"And what were you doing before you said…that phrase?"

"…" I couldn't tell him – He'd kill me, or worse!

In a surprisingly casual tone (which I knew wasn't casual at all, only meant to make me talk) Batman commented, "This Absolom freely admitted that he was responsible for his cuts. And as you have matching daggers, cult-like designs on your bodies, look similar, and you are looking extremely guilty right now…"

So I told him. Everything. Everything. About the blood and…and my sex life and, well, EVERYTHING! When I finished, he sat back and rubbed his eyes: the first sign of weakness I'd seen in years.

"What is your impression on this Absolom?"

"Trustworthy," I blurted. Was I sick? I kept saying stuff without even thinking about it. I could 'see' Batman raise an eyebrow under his cowl. "Uh…"

"I'm going to assign him to you. He is not to leave the grounds or know I am Bruce Wayne, nor any more of the Bat-clan's identities. Your own is up to you – he currently knows you as Tim. You both are restricted to the grounds until I see fit. Alfred will bring Absolom in a few hours."

Batman kept to his word. All the passwords to leave the grounds had been changed, as well as any over-rides I'd ever known. Alfred prepared a room for Absolom and me, sniffing – yes, sniffing! – the entire time. He then brought my partner-in-crime up from the Cave, shutting us in.

"The only person around here who speaks like a normal person, I'd I've somehow gone and pissed him off…Batman said you're Tim, right?" I just plopped down on my bed, groaning mental – the kids at the Tower wouldn't survive a minute with out me.

It's not that I'm arrogant, but none of them, not one has been trained to think logically, not even Kon. And his dad/sponsor/mentor/guardian/adult-hero-person is Superman! So lost in my musings of the destruction I'd find at the Tower next time I was let out, that I didn't lift my head until I heard the signature click!

"Absolom, where did you find that?" The teen in question didn't look up from his perusal of my bo staff.

"Ah, so you finally speak. I found it under the third floorboard on the left. I've seen one of these before, but the shopkeep said it's an almost dead art. Too bad, because that one was wicked – it was mithral – blades on each side – the staff was four feet – each blade was nine inches – runes engraved down the entire length…" He looked up. My face must have shown its confusion, because he looked a little sheepish.

"Sorry, I forgot you'd have not idea what I was talking about. You, Alfred, and that crazy man who dresses up like a bat are what my people call Muggles. That means you don't have the 'special abilities' that we do."

Interest piqued in spite of my self, I asked, "What type of abilities?"

"Well," he hedged for a moment, "It's easier to explain with my wands – the two sticks. But there is one thing that would work without them - " And the next thing I knew, there was a CRACK! and he was standing on my bed. Another loud CRACK! and he was back at his own side of the room.

"My God - " Was he a teleporter?

"I'm a wizard, Tim. Born Harry James Potter." Now, unlike Absolom, that name struck a bell.

"YOU'RE Harry Potter? That rich British kid they're going crazy to find?" Well, with two hours to kill, and me only having a TV…

"Oh, Merlin, they are? There's not a reward, is there?" Absolom/Harry didn't seem as excited as I'd thought he'd be.

"Uhm, yeah, there is."

"I can pay more if you don't send me back – does the Bat-whacko own this mansion?" Gritting my teeth, I shoved the insult to my mentor aside.

"A man named Bruce Wayne does. He's a friend, sort of."

"Oh?"

"They aren't always on the same level of sight. Batman's a - "

" - crimefighter, yeah, I got that much out of Alfred. How do you know this guy, anyways?" Well, I guess he'd find out one way or another.

"Because I'm his apprentice in crime fighting. My 'hero' name s Robin. Much like your normal-person name is Absolom. I've been training with him for years, helping him defend Gotham from crazy villains."

"So you're saying you're fighting to protect the innocents, keep the streets safe, and defeat those who'd rule the world?"

"Pretty much." Why was he so cool about it?

"Alright then. Sign me up."

"Huh?"