Once again, in case someone didn't read the top of Chapter 7, I will be out of town and not able to access a computer, so no updates for tomorrow. To make up for it, this third chapter is posted. There will be three chapters on Sunday as well. Hope you enjoy writhing in your seats for more. Don't forget to review and tell me if I'm getting OOC with any of these characters, messed up on any spelling or grammar, or if you just plain don't like where this is going. Thanks a bunch and enjoy your Saturday guys!

Bruce sat brooding in the living room. After coming home very unsuccessful, as usual, in his search for the lost vigilante, he discovers all of his sons looking rather puzzled. His parents were looking guilty and troubled, and Alfred was in the kitchen, busying himself with dinner. Once he'd heard the story, he sat down and didn't say a word. He didn't eat dinner and refused to look at anyone.

His boys weren't to be blamed for anything; they had no idea that his parents were harboring the very person he'd been out searching for. Alfred had been forced into silence, and it wasn't as if he could stay angry at his parents once they'd told him of the boy being sick.

He was merely taking it all in. His parents had left out no details, down to Robin's guilty confession and Jason's stunning. Truly, that utility belt was a wonder.

"Bruce? Are you angry with us?" Martha asked her son, placing hot tea in front of him.

"No, mom." He sighed and took the cup. "I'm just trying to figure him out. Why is he always running away from me? Why won't he stay and talk?"

"I think he's afraid, Bruce."

"Of what?" Bruce frowned. "I wouldn't ever hurt him. He's suffering on his own and I just want to give him a home. You said he was crying out in his sleep for his parents, right? It's no wonder there wasn't a missing person poster up for him. There was no one to miss him."

The thought hurt Bruce. Did Robin save him and his parents because it reminded him of his own parents? The boy had died—yet was somehow alive. Perhaps he wasn't alive at all. But how could a ghost have felt so real and manifested to so many people? No, a ghost couldn't have done the things this boy had done.

"Master Bruce, I'm afraid I have a confession myself." Alfred spoke up from the door to the living room.

"Alfred, we forced you to stay quiet. You are not at fault here."

"It is not about that, Lady Martha. I'm afraid I've had my own run in with Robin. This was nearly three weeks ago, sir. While waiting outside to pick you up, the boy had run into the limo. After feeding him some scones, he revealed some information I found questionable. After his request not to tell you, I have kept silent. I believe this information may both shock as well as aid you."

"Tell me everything Alfred."

Alfred did so, also not skimping on any details. Bruce charted out the information on a piece of paper.

"We know Robin doesn't have a home or a family. We also know he's dead, or used to be. He's feeling lonely, and he's picked out a couple of people to protect. He's protecting Barbara Gordon, and she's run into him three times. He's also protecting me; I've run into him five times, and twice he's saved me without showing himself. Alfred, from your information we've gathered he feels if he is around me, it will cause me pain."

Bruce took another piece of paper and started to scribble on it.

"Is Robin an alias? Why would I be unhappy if he is near me? Who is Batman, KF, and Miss M? How did his parents die? How is he alive? How does he know Alfred and Barbara Gordon, and why has he contacted them? Where did he get that belt? Where did he come from? Who are his parents? Who is them and when did I say those things?"

Looking back up to his parents and Alfred, he nodded at each of them.

"Any theories? Any answers to these questions?"

Thomas spoke up. "I have a theory. According to the little details, our room used to be his. He misses Alfred's scones, he wishes he hadn't rescued us so that he wouldn't feel lonely, all of it points to—"

"Time travel." Tim piped up from the doorway. "He traveled back in time."

"Young master Timothy, I do believe this was a private meeting."

"Like that's going to stop us from eaves dropping." Jason scowled, revealing his hiding spot behind a couch. "Besides, Golden Boy shocked me, and like hell if I'm just going to let him get away with that."

"Jason!" Martha raised her voice sternly. "Keep up that language and you'll have a bottle of dish soap sloshing around in that foul mouth of yours."

Damian, from his place on top of the ceiling fan, peered down. "If Robin traveled back in time to change something, then what did he change?"

"He saved Grams and Gramps, weren't you listening?"

"But why would he go back in time to change something he'd regret?" Bruce frowned. "I think we're missing a big factor here. I don't think he meant to go back in time. If I remember right, Robin looked surprised on that night when we told him our names."

"You think he didn't recognize us and unintentionally changed the past." Martha bit her lip. "If that was the case, then wouldn't he be looking for a way to change the past again? To fix what he's changed?"

"No." Thomas shook his head. "When you think about it, somehow Bruce and Robin were together in his timeline. In his timeline we aren't alive, and most likely, Jason, Tim, and Damian weren't living here either. Before, Robin said Bruce didn't need him because he had a family now. There's something he's protecting Bruce from."

"Dad, are you going to adopt him, too?" Tim asked. "I wouldn't mind. I mean, it looks like the kid's had it rough for a while now."

Bruce stared at his foster son. "It doesn't look like he's willing, Tim. I offered, but he's turned me down."

"Dad," Jason stood up and looked to Bruce. "I know what he's protecting you from. A kid like that doesn't just automatically get fancy gear and skills like that. Someone taught him. If he's been with you in his timeline… Dad, you're a superhero too."

It took a moment to sink in.

"It makes sense." Damian jumped down from the ceiling fan. "Father has the wealth to get anything he wishes. Todd is right. Father must have trained him."

"Wait, why would he protect Dad from that? Why wouldn't he want him to know?" Tim crossed his arms and furrowed his brows. "I would want to be a superhero. Beating up bad guys and having cool super powers… who wouldn't want to be one?"

"Golden Boy doesn't have super powers." Jason scoffed. "At least not that we've seen."

"It's because it's dangerous." Bruce stood and grabbed his jacket. "He's protecting me in every sense of the word. If I became a superhero again, I could get hurt. Then there's what he said about my happiness. That must be you, all of you. "He's got a family now." That must be what he meant. If I get hurt or killed, it would affect all of you."

"I believe Robin holds you in extremely high regards. He seems to be working hard for your happiness, sir." Alfred brought in several more coats. "It seems to be starting to snow. If we are going to find him, we must be quick."