Part 5 – Dick

Alternative title: Graysons

Ibn waited a few minutes before bringing Tal'i inside. He passed Ry'an to Tim as the baby had been reaching out to the younger version of his uncle. Tim held the baby away from his chest and stared at it in fright.

"It's a baby, Replacement," Jason said, taking Ry'an from Tim. The baby started crying at being lifted from the small one's arms. Jason made a face and placed the baby back in Tim's arms. "Heh, looks like he choose you. Enjoy fatherhood."

"Unclehood," Ibn corrected. "I'm not leaving my son with you, no matter what my daughter wants."

"But, Daddy, if they want Ry'an, we should give him to them."

"I don't want him," Tim practically squeaked. The baby was drooling and his mind was setting off alarms for germ exposure.

"Tim, it's better to say 'I like him but he belongs with your family.'"

"Shut up, Dick."

Ibn tried to will his headache away as Dick, Tim, Jason and Damian bickered behind him. He had left a little bit of tea in his cup and was regretting leaving it as his head throbbed.

The library was one of the rooms in the manor which hadn't changed much over the years. Books still rested on shelves towards the ceiling and there were chairs for those who wanted to read. The only difference was the small playpen and desk and chair set up for the children. Ibn gave Tal'i some paper and watched with a peaceful feeling in his chest as she walked over and started colouring. There was even a Batman Inc. colouring book sitting on the table which she flicked through. Tal'i decided on a picture of Batman and started colouring it purple.

Tim carefully placed Ry'an in the playpen and smiled a small smile as Ry'an tugged on his shirt sleeve. He had to admit, Damian's spawn was chubby and cute.

"I get the feeling we're waiting for something," Bruce said to Ibn.

Ibn moved over to one of the shelves and pulled out a gun holster.

"That's probably not one of mine," Jason said when everyone from the past turned to glare at him. He was taking a stab in the dark and was surprised when Ibn backed him up.

"No. It's not. There's only one person in this household who would leave his equipment lying around."

"Hey, has anyone seen my holster?"

The group turned towards the entrance. Standing in the doorway was the recognisable form of Dick Grayson. His hair was going grey at the sides and he was wearing an outfit they hadn't seen before. An aqua, almost blue shirt with olive cargo pants and fingerless gloves in the same colours.

Ibn held the holster up with a smirk on his face and good mirth in his eyes.

"Yes." The future Dick Grayson moved forward, his feet not making a sound as he collected the item from Ibn's hands and clipped the holster around his upper thigh. "You're a lifesaver, D."

"So, what does father have you doing?"

"Meeting some people, collecting some stuff. Hopefully we'll be able to send your guests back where they belong."

"Hopefully? Not exactly inspiring trust there, Richard."

Dick shrugged and snuck a glance at his granddaughter before moving Ibn away with a guiding hand on the younger man's shoulder.

Any questions and thoughts about Dick Grayson wearing a gun around his thigh and calling himself 'Birdwatcher' were blown away by the sight of Ibn and Dick together. Ibn was giving Dick an amused expression as Dick gave him worried looks. The group was stuck trying to read their lips as they exchanged words.

'You can come. Mar'i won't be mad. She'll understand.'

'It's Tuesday. I'll be fine. You should worry about yourself, Richard.'

Dick switched to a small, reassuring smile as he placed his hands one Ibn's arms.

'You're a good father, Damian. I'll get what Bruce needs quick and be back soon.' He looked up at the taller man with something like pride glistening in his eyes as he spoke. Ibn gave a chuckle and shook his head with a fond smile. His lips moved 'I know' and he told Dick to get on with it.

Ibn watched Dick go, ignoring the flutter of worry in his chest. He knew Dick could handle himself but he couldn't help remembering the time he thought he had lost his older brother.

"What. Was that?" Jason asked in a disgusted tone.

Ibn turned to see them staring at him. Jason and Tim were frowning and glaring while Dick and Damian were glancing at each other in shock and looking very unsure about something. Bruce was also trying to hide something. His breathing had evened out in a way he really only did when he was trying not to react emotionally.

"What?" Ibn asked innocently. He had no idea what they looked so disturbed about. "Is it about the gun?"

Tim violently shook his head while the rest quickly and vocally denied that.

"It's the gun, isn't it?" Ibn sighed. He knew his father used to have issues with guns, which Jason hadn't helped when he ran around as Red Hood with guns as his main weapon.

"Are you blind?" Jason asked, his face twisting into a sneer for a moment. "What's with you and Dick?"

Ibn didn't understand.

"You looked like…" Tim hesitated, "like a father and son." It was the best comparison he could think off, especially after all the time he spent watching Bruce with Dick and Jason.

Ibn couldn't help the slight rising of eyebrows and twitch of lips which spoke of how he was pleased with that simile.

Damian however, sneered like Jason.

"Disgusting," he declared. "Why you would need a buffoon like Grayson with father around?" Despite the phrasing, Ibn knew that Damian hadn't been asking the question but expressing his disgust.

Ibn straightened his back and glared down as his younger self. The effect was similar to his father's commanding others to pay attention to what he had to say.

"'Grayson' is a man worthy of respect," Ibn stated. "Without him, I would have ended up with Mother and Grandfather."

"So?" Damian questioned, crossing his arms and glaring up at his future self. He was not intimidated by this 'family' man one bit. "That's preferable to this weak creature you are, bending to the whims of these stragglers."

Ibn smiled and his teeth glinted in the light. He knew he looked sinister and it was enough to make the visitors from the past wary.

"Are you really so naïve as to believe me weak?" he asked his past self. "Even when you know I am you. I've been through the same training and more. I know all your weaknesses."

Damian felt a chill down his back but his pride would not let him back down.

"I could still beat you."

"I was Robin, I co-created a new team of heroes, I've been Nightwing, and I've been Batman. The member of the Justice League I got along with the best was Shazam until they let Irey West join as the new Flash. I'm brother to the previous Red Hood, friend to the current Red Hood, brother to Red Robin who is the creator of the Titans. And I'm the Son of Batman. If you managed to beat me, it would only be because I let you."

"You've been Nightwing?" Tim gasped.

"Wait? Previous? Who's using my name now?"

"Shazam?" Bruce questioned in a low growl.

"I get to be Robin? Ha! In your face, Drake!"

"Shut up, brat!" Tim spat back.

"Irey gets to join the League?" That last one is Dick, who looked worried about his best friend's child.

Ibn's lips twitched at their surprise. It was nice, for once, to be the one who knew everything. The rest of the family had been around longer than him and knew more than him about regular and hero stuff. Even Mar'i did because her father had told her many stories which had allowed her to become an encyclopaedia of the caped community, which had not been Dick's intention at all.

Even though Ibn wasn't supposed to share too much, it was preferable to fighting with a ten year old. It didn't matter that the ten year old was his younger self, he would still be fighting a child.

"Yeah. Irey took over as Flash for the League when her father couldn't leave the city because of work." He shrugged as he answered Dick's question first. "The arrangement actually worked. So, Irey's the League's Flash while Wallace works as Flash in his city as well as a League consultant."

"How did you get Robin?" Tim demanded to know.

"Wouldn't you rather the surprise?"

"What, from the little you must know about me, tells you I would enjoy that?"

"Oh, you'd hate it. However, it's a long story and I'd rather not talk about it."

"Ibn. Don't antagonise our guests," Mar'i said from the doorway with a smile dancing on her lips.

"Mama!" Tal'i cried out happily, dashing over to get a hug.

"How long have you been there?" Tim asked in surprise. They hadn't even noticed her standing there.

"A while," Ibn and Mar'i responded in unison. Mar'i glanced over at Ibn.

"You noticed."

"-tt- Of course." Then they both looked to Bruce who gave a small nod, indicating that he knew she had been there as well.

Dick have a small frown on his face and his eyes were shiny.

"We didn't get a chance to talk this morning," Mar'i said to him. "Although, I was hoping to find older dad here too."

"Father sent Richard out on errands," Ibn said. "And you've come home for lunch, even though you usually eat at work. What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Mar'i said. "Pamela saw the image Grandpa Bruce is sending around and said I could join in on the fun. As long as I'm back at the end of my lunch break."

"You flew here," Ibn realised. It was the only way Mar'i would have been able to make the trip during her lunch break. Car would take too long. He was slightly disappointed that Mar'i would use her powers foolishly like that. "Wait. How did Pamela see the picture? It wasn't sent to either of you."

"Selina." The people from the past jumped at the sound of Catwoman's name.

"He sent it to Catwoman?" Ibn said, his voice rising in almost a screech.

"Catwoman!" Tal'i parroted. "Me. Ow." Tal'i whipped her hand out like a cat scratching and smiled up at them, looking for praise at her cat impression.

Ibn placed his head in his hands. Mar'i placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You want to go yell at him?"

"I do not yell," Ibn responded with a glare. "And I'm going to have lunch. Come along, Tal'i." And Ibn picked Ry'an up out of his playpen and stalked out of the room.

"Mummy, mummy! Come on!" Tal'i said excitedly, tugging on her mother's work pants. After all, she knew that this was special as it was rare that she had both mother and father home during lunch.

The people from the past followed Ibn's stalk back to the dining room.

"I hope future Dick is quick like he said," Tim said. He absent-mindedly scratched at his upper arms, insecurity radiating from his form. "Then we can get out of here."