0A/N: With Samantha now part of the family, and Tim determined to marry her, Jason and Dick have taken it upon themselves to teach Tim how to please a woman without Bruce knowing about it. Something powerful happens and two brothers are in hot water with their father. Dick and Jason decide they had better keep out of Bruce's way for a while by taking a case that leads them out of Gotham. The case, however, has to be interrupted when word reaches them that Tim has a life threatening illness . . . or is it? And has that case actually come to Gotham?

New Life, Death, and Soul Easters

by

AJRedRobin and JasonToddLover

Part 18: Epilogue

Jason was closest to the hall. He raced to the closet in the foyer. He grabbed one of Bruce's trench coats then raced out the front door. He found Tim lying on the front lawn. He was quick to remove most of his Red Robin gear. He hid the gear in some nearby bushes. The only thing he left on Tim was his Kevlar leggings and boots. He then wrapped Tim in Bruce's trench coat and carried him into the Manor. He didn't even blink an eye from the surroundings. Most of the snow had been cleared away and where Tim had been standing, there was a scorched patch of earth. Once he was inside the Manor, Jason quickly shut the door.

Samantha wanted to race out with Jason, but it was Dick who restrained her.

"Samantha, it's better that we wait here. Jason will be back with Tim."

They all watched with concern as Jason carried Tim into the living room and laid him on the couch. Samantha noticed Tim wasn't wearing the red cape that looked like it was covered in feathers. He was wearing one of Bruce's coats. What happened to the wings?

"Good work, Jason," Bruce said. Bruce went over to the couch to check on Tim.

"Is Tim all right?" Dick asked, deeply concerned.

"He's just unconscious," Jason stated.

"No," Samantha stated, hugging herself. She tried to use the link she established with Tim, but there was no answer. He was too far down for her to reach.

"What do you mean, no? Explain," Bruce demanded.

Samantha approached the prone figure on the couch and placed a hand on his chest. She closed her eyes and focused. "His aura is almost spent. He is lucky to be alive at all."

"Tim said you have healing gifts," Dick stated. "Is there anything you can do?"

"I can give him energy," Samantha stated. "But it is up to Tim to come out of the state that he is in."

"I do not understand what or how Tim was able to destroy those demons, but if you can help him, please."

Samantha closed her eyes once more and focused. This time her hands hovered just above Tim's chest and navel. Her hands began to glow. She passed her hands along Tim's body, pouring healing energy into him. She continued to give him energy until her hands stopped glowing.

"That is all I can do. Now it is up to him." Samantha placed a hand on her belly as a tiny red aura responded. /Hush Caine, your father is all right. He just needs time to rest and rebuild his weekend aura./

"What do you mean, it's up to him?" Dick sounded panicky.

"It is all right Dick," Samantha soothed. "Poor choice of words. I mean he just needs rest. It will help to rebuild his aura. He will be sleeping for a while."

"I'll carry him to his room," Jason offered.

"No, I will," Dick stated. "I'll take him in with me."

Jason didn't argue. He felt a pang of jealousy ever since Dick and Tim found out they were biological brothers through Dick's mother. Granted Jason and Tim weren't as close, but Jason felt that Tim understood him. He watched Dick pick up Tim from the couch and cradle him in his arms, Tim's head resting on Dick's shoulder.

"It's all right Jason, Dick's got him," Bruce tried to console his second son.

"Yeah, he always seems to have him," Jason muttered under his breath.

"Jealousy, Todd?" Damian smirked.

"None of your business, Demon," Jason retorted.

"Enough boys, it's been a long night. Get some sleep."

"What about night work?" Damian asked.

"We're skipping it for tonight," Bruce answered.

"Master Bruce, may I speak with you?"

"Yes, Alfred, what is it?"

"Master Timothy's attire," Alfred stated in a way that hinted at the fact that Tim had been dressed in his uniform when he went out there.

"Ask Jason about it," Bruce replied. "I'm going up to bed. Samantha, you should as well."

"Yes, Sir."

Samantha started to make her way toward the stairs when she saw Alfred stop to talk to Jason. What were they talking about? She watched curiously as Jason led Alfred outside. She wanted to follow when Sasha appeared in front of her.

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"What are Alfred and Jason up to?" Samantha questioned. "Alfred said something to Bruce about Tim's clothes and he said to ask Jason."

"I'm sure it's nothing, Samantha," Sasha stated. She was also sworn to secrecy regarding the night work. She had watched from upstairs since Jason wanted her on bed rest. She had an appointment in two weeks to see Dr. Leslie. "I just came down to grab a snack."

"No, there is something going on."

"I wouldn't worry about it tonight. Come on, let's get a snack and then it is time for bed. You do have an exam tomorrow, don't you?"

"Um, yes," Samantha said absentmindedly. She let Sasha lead her from the hall and into the kitchen. If she would have waited a little longer she would have seen Jason and Alfred returning and she would have seen Jason carrying a pair of red wings.

DTJDDTJD

Dick carried Tim up to his room. He shifted Tim in his arms so he could open the door. He stepped through then carefully shut the door with his foot. He carried Tim over to his bed and sat him on the edge. He was careful to balance Tim so he could remove the trench coat. Then he slowly lowered Tim to the bed and swung his legs up. Once Tim was comfortable, he removed his boots and Kevlar pants. Dick then took a pair of pajamas from his dresser and placed them on Tim. Once Tim was in pajamas, Dick positioned him so he could cover Tim with the bedclothes. After Tim was tucked in, Dick got change and climbed into bed. He wrapped his arms around his little brother. Dick held onto Tim and silently tears streamed down his face. He didn't know why he was reacting this way. Tim was safe, but something in his psyche was reacting badly to what happened. His little brother was safe in his arms, not taken away from him.

'Why am I reacting this way? I know why, Tim had died at first, but Samantha brought him back. I can't lose him,' Dick thought. 'He's a Flying Grayson and technically the only family I've got. It doesn't matter whether we've got kids on the way. Tim's my brother. I can't lose him.'

Dick continued to shake inside, until he fell into a fitful sleep filled with dreams and nightmares he will never disclose to anyone.

End

A/N: Dick has become very overprotective of Tim. There is a reason for that. What that does to him will be explored in future stories. We will learn more as their brotherly relationship is explored. Plus, more of Tim's past will be revealed as well.

Next Up:

Red Robin Rising

Tim's love life hits a snag when he has to attend the spring cotillion, the dance where high society's teens are considered eligible to date, and Samantha isn't too happy about it. Not only that, when he is sent to Europe to meet with Wayne Enterprise business partners to gain support for his Wayne Foundation Neon Knights Project, Tim is presumed dead when the plane he was on suddenly explodes and dives into the Atlantic Ocean.