Timothy Drake Chapters

Ch1

"What's up with you? You're acting weird." Superboy said to Robin at the party.

The members of Young Justice were celebrating everyone's Birthdays at once since it's proven impossible to do so separately. They were even celebrating Shadow's. Even though she technically didn't have one anymore. Having not aged in several years it was more of an account of passage of time.

"I am? Hmm I'll have to work on that, but I suppose I am going to go crazy not telling someone… Lets go over here. She wont be able to hear." Robin said as they moved closer to the blaring music.

Super boy smirked.

"You like her." Superboy said, indicating Shadow; who stood across the large room by the windows.

"Yes, a lot. It's her own fault. She told me not to fall in love with her years ago… well… of course that's just what I did!"

"So, what… did you get her a gift or something?" Superboy asked.

"Heh something like that. A gift that will last her life time." Robin said and Superboy looked confused.

"Look at her… its so hard for her to be here right now. She hates celebrating her Birthday. It's when all this started for her, or paused rather. She will never get any older and being home at last she's noticing how much we've all changed." Robin said and Superboy was speechless.

It was hard to remember this about Shadow.

"So, what did you do for her?" He asked.

Robin was almost reluctant.

"Well… she doesn't have to be alone forever anymore." Robin said and Superboy was stunned.

"You didn't… is that possible?" He asked.

"I did and it s possible. Batman kept Dr. Doran's research so that they could find an antidote. They found one, but it's too late for her. It's bonded too deeply into her DNA." Robin said.

"When?" Superboy asked.

"I've been working on it for a few years. This had to be done at the right time. I changed myself earlier this week. So I'm still on edge. It's so amazing all that she can hear and see and do!" Robin said with a little overly hyper excitement but quickly contained himself. "But I'm sure it's like this for you too. I was able to count the threads in your shirt from across the room." Robin said and Superboy smirked with a chuckle.

"That's the tip of the iceberg. You have to show me." Superboy insisted.

"Later. Maybe… too risky to turn here. Plus I want to see if Shadow wants to get some air. She's miserable." Robin said.

"When are you going to tell her?"

"Um I hadn't thought that far ahead but I thought maybe see if we can figure out the attraction between us. I know she feels something for me but she's hesitating."

"And if she doesn't love you?" Superboy asked.

"It doesn't matter. She's my best friend, besides you. I'll be here for her."

"And Batman doesn't know?"

"No you're the first I've told."

"Batman is going to flip his shit if he finds out."

"I know. That's why we'll keep it from him for as long as possible. That way when he does find out it will be too late. It might even be too late now. Besides I may have something to hold over his head." Robin said.

Superboy was intrigued.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You know that Shadow is Batman's 'niece' but that she isn't related to him. He took her in when she was little after her parents died. He was their friend. But these abilities… I've discovered something… everyone has a scent like a fingerprint and related people smell similar. The closer the relation the similar the scent. Maybe it's easier for me because I'm new and she's lived with Batman all her life but he's keeping a big secret from her and everyone." Robin said and Superboy was shocked when he caught the meaning in his words.

"He smells like her?"

"Yes, almost exactly. Now why lie and say he's not related to her when he clearly is. Maybe he has a different relation to her than uncle." Robin said as he pondered the theories.

"What do you think it is?"

"I'm not sure. I only just realized this scent thing so I'm learning more about it." Robin said.

"This is just… wow… keep me posted."

"Will do."

Robin said as he then went over to Shadow, who was standing by the large windows staring out of them. Her hood was up and long cloak hid every feature about her but Robin knew she was depressed even though she tried to hide it. Shadow turned to Robin, knowing he was approaching her. He wanted to comfort her but hesitated, he didn't want her to read too much into it even though he wished she would. She reached out her hand and touched his shoulder.

"Happy Birthday." She said with a smile.

He grinned.

"You've wished me Happy Birthday several times this week." He said.

"I know but this is a different party."

They were celebrating everyone's Birthdays for the year even though some had passed and Shadow's wasn't for two months. Wally and himself were lucky to have Birthdays so close. This would be a Birthday he would never forget.

"Thank you again, then." He said with a grin.

He then mustered the courage to say more.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"For what?"

"For all this. I know you don't like celebrating your Birthday." Robin said and she smiled softly.

He could just see her face under the shadows of her hood.

"It's alright. I've been thinking that I haven't celebrated in so long this is nice. Besides isn't it about celebrating birth. That people are glad that I was born." She said.

"Even so. I can tell you don't like the attention."

"Yes. It's very tiring." She said.

"Come to the roof with me? Get some air for a while. They wont miss us." Robin said and she nodded.

They went to the roof, greeted by cool crisp air of night and a few stars. A perfect night.

"What would you think to celebrating on your birthday this year?" Robin asked as they sat on the edge of the roof together.

"Another party?" Shadow asked, a look of distaste on her face as she lowered her hood.

Robin enjoyed the fact that she was always less formal around him as Shadow then when around the others. She rarely lowered her hood.

Robin smiled.

"No, no party… just whatever you'd like. What would you like on your Birthday?" He asked.

"I would like normal. No drama, no crime fighting, no costumes."

"Well, I don't know about no costumes on Halloween. But at least for us I think that can be done. How about dinner? Just us, as friends."

He was sure to emphasize the last part. He knew Shadow was having mixed feelings about the kiss they had shared and he intended to keep the ball in his court. Shadow thought for a moment and then smiled.

"That sounds nice." She said.

"Then it's a date." He replied daringly.

He saw Shadow blush but she didn't challenge him on the subject. He was glad that she hadn't dwelt too much on their recent kiss and wondered if she had decided to come home because of it. Though he knew he was reading too much into it. It had been a month since and she had said she would come home soon. And he was glad she was home at last. Though now that she was home it meant that Wonder Woman would call her to the island of Thymiscara to be judged. Wonder Woman wanted to be sure Shadow wouldn't hurt anyone; that she wasn't a danger to society. Robin knew Shadow was more likely to step in front of a thousand bullets for someone than hurt anyone. Robin also worried if he shouldn't go see this challenge with Batman. Seeing Shadow in trouble might make him blow his cover, but he had to see it. He wouldn't let Wonder Woman keep her there, even if he had to fight everyone on the island.

"Are you worried about seeing Wonder Woman?" Robin asked.

"No, I'm not worried. Wonder Woman will throw every Amazon at me; may be even herself to try and prove she's right. She will not succeed. It will be the fight of my life." Shadow said.

"When do you see her?" Robin asked.

"Next weekend. I don't l think she likes me. It's not like I had a choice with this." Shadow said sadly.

Robin placed an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. She smiled and leaned into him.

"I'm not going to like watching this. It sounds like a trap. It's not going to be a fair fight. Wonder Woman wont play fair." He said.

"No she wont, but she wont win. Even if I have to let them beat me to death. Though you and Batman wont let her get away with it." Shadow said and Robin nodded.

"We wont." He replied.