Just so you know this story will mix elements from before and during the New 52. I say this because it kind of contributed to Tim's chapter coming before Jason's (I though about doing it in descending Robin order excluding Dick) as well as how it will effect Barbara and Jason's chapters. I'm mentioning this because Jason will be in the outlaws and Barbara is still Oracle and paralyzed. I know Babs got an experimental surgery in the New 52, but her chapter will be specifically based on her Oracle time. Also, there are two instances of tattoos being placed in not quite logical places which I will explain.

This chapter takes place during Tim's Robin run and before Jason is alive/known that he's alive.

Patrol had gone pretty well. Dick had decided to join in on Batman and Robin's venture and after apprehending the Penguin, they all huddled in the Batcave. Dick had praised Tim's efforts for his Robin work all the way home, applauding him for how well he handled another crime filled night. Tim, on the other hand, was a little

Dick and Tim were comfortably sitting at a table over a late night snack. An empty bowl of cereal sat between them as Tim sipped down some coffee while leaving the remnants of a sandwich in front of him. While it wasn't something that Dick was fond of at this particular time of night, he knew Tim wouldn't listen to him. Not to mention the finals Tim insisted pulling an all-nighter to study for. It was going to be a long night, but Dick was going to make the most of it.

"So, a dolphin?" Dick inquired.

"Huh?" Tim responded before contemplating the statement. "Yeah."

"It makes sense. They're intelligent, friendly, and instinctual. All of which fit you. Though if I had to guess it's the intelligence that it represents in your case."

"Indeed."

A hand would awkwardly run up Tim's right rib cage.

"If you don't mind me asking, when did yours show up?"

Knowing that Tim had his wasn't a big deal, having seen it more than once when Alfred had to stitch him up. However, he was still curious as to how Tim got it. Especially since he was still at a standstill with his own.

Tim was well aware of the situation, something Alfred had mentioned in passing during the final stage of Bruce and Dick's falling out. There was no ill will in Dick's question, even if Tim felt slightly uncomfortable by it. Crossing his hands in front of him, Tim began to recall the tale.

It was a day Tim wasn't going to forget. He and his parents had finally gotten the chance to see one of the Flying Graysons' shows live. Not only that but they had gotten to meet the Graysons in person.

The family was overall kind and friendly. Tim kicked it off with Dick pretty well. The two acting as though they were the best of friends. Dick would even give Tim the chance to see his quadruple summersault up close.

It was a wonderful encounter for the whole family. They had even gotten a photo with the acrobats.

Unfortunately, the day would not stay pleasant as loose equipment would prescribe. This show would be the last for the Graysons as John and Mary would fall to their deaths. The sudden tragedy was a shock to everyone. It left Dick orphaned and that only damaged the scene more.

That was the biggest reason that it was a day to remember. The other was what Tim noticed before bed. Running up the side of his ribcage was a dim outline of a creature. Assuming he was either seeing things or the off chance that his tattoo had started to form were pushed aside by his own exhaustion.

Several months later, he would catch the most recent footage of Batman. He was helping to stop the Joker's latest scheme. However, that was not the only thing to be shown. For the first time ever, the news station had caught Batman's freshly indoctrinated protégé, Robin.

Tim was genuinely excited by the display. For weeks he had heard about Batman's sidekick and couldn't wait for the moment he could get a clear shot of the colorfully clad Boy Wonder, as he had been dubbed. Now that he had, Tim was ecstatic.

What really peaked his interest, was a move the cameraman managed to capture: a quadruple summersault. In that moment, Tim knew who Robin was. He knew only one person knew that move. That being Dick Grayson. And if Robin was Dick Grayson, Tim could guess who Batman was. None other than Bruce Wayne himself, who coincidentally adopted Dick after the death of his parents.

He would never tell his parents this, knowing that it had to remain a secret. At the same time, he would have to hide another revelation he noticed not to long after. The faded mark on his ribcage gained more color and texture. The frame of an aquatic creature became more defined, enough for him to make out the some kind of dolphin. It wasn't completely finished yet from what he could assume, but it was getting closer.

It wouldn't be for a few years before the tattoo was completed. After the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd, Tim eventually found himself in the caverns of the Batcave. Since first taking on Dick Grayson as Robin, Batman and Robin had become synonymous with each other. Batman needed Robin. With Jason being dead, and Batman in a state of violent grief, he needed Robin now more than ever.

Batman was reluctant at first, which was not something Tim could complain about. The death of Jason weighing heavily on him was understandable. However, after an unofficial test run and one Batman approved mission, Tim was granted the title of Robin.

Once he accepted it, Tim could feel a numbness to his side. Looking at the source, he found that his tattoo had finally come to fruition. The image bottle nosed dolphin, jumping upright, became clear.

"That's interesting." Dick observed. "I've never heard of one appearing in stages before."

"It doesn't happen that much," Tim confirmed, "but that's what happened."

There was a brief pause as Dick processed Tim's story.

"So I have a question for you." Tim admitted. "I know you don't have one yet, Bruce's is a bat, and Jason's has yet to be confirmed, but I just have to ask. What is Alfred's?"

Dick didn't answer for a moment pondering the question.

"I don't know a lot about it, but I believe it's a dog. Though where it is and when it showed up is a mystery to me."

"It's the head of a border collie on the center of the palm of his hand." Bruce interjected, a cup of coffee in his hand. "Showed up before he served time in the SAS and it symbolizes loyalty."

Dick and Tim shot Bruce a puzzled glare.

"What? You may not ask, so you don't come off as invasive, but do you really think I wouldn't know? Alfred practically raised me, not to mention I was five when I asked him."

Here's the first of the non conventionally placed tattoos. Tim's was a dolphin because he's known for being the smart Robin and generally being intelligent. I know Tim had other qualities, which is why I had Dick jab at the friendly and instinctual aspects (which were traits/symbols of dolphins) and I figured I would have his progress over time in accordance with him finding out about Batman and Robin. The reason I went with the rib cage was because 1) I won't be placing tattoos any where on the face or head 2) the right side of the body has been associated with the left side of the brain (the side where intelligence/analytical thought lies) and 3) the right lung is what oxidizes the blood for the body.

Alfred's is a lot simpler. his represents loyalty and dog's are just that. It's on the hand since he's a bit of a "helping hand" and I chose a Border Collie because they originate from the England/UK area and are also intelligent (which Alfred is considering he has medical training and all).