Italics are text messages

Dick stood looking at the spot Tim was just standing feeling that things were worse than he first thought. He knew that things had not bene easy for any of them, especially Tim, but he honestly thought it was just a little road block. Dick just wanted his family to be whole again. Before he could worry about it anymore Jason walked over.

"What's up Dicky? You spacing out?" Jason had pulled off his signature hood. Even though his relationship with the family had been rough for years after coming back to life it was slowly getting better; he wasn't trying to kill all the members of his adopted family and could at least talk to Bruce now.

"Nothing. How about we have a bonding movie night you, me, and Tim!" Trying to not to show any of his concern for Tim as Jason is still very hostile towards Tim. But he was not going to let his quietest brother get away that easy.

"As much fun is it to have bonding time with our little family I'll have to pass." Just because he could stand a few of them doesn't mean he wanted to spend bonding time together. They continued up the stairs to get some food. This night job was hungry work. Upon entering the kitchen they see the family's beloved butler.

"Master Dick and Jason how was the evening? Hopefully uneventful." Alfred was the foundation of the family, without him it would crumble so quickly. Not to mention they would probably starve without his exceptional food. Alfred was also the only one that never judged or forced any of the family members; he let them be themselves and for that they were forever grateful.

Dick offered a loving smile to one of his long time caretakers. Alfred had raised Bruce and helped Bruce raise all of his wards afterwords; all of the children saw him as a small piece of heavenly relief from the world around them.

"No it was pretty boring." Said between bites of cookie

"Yea just your normal scumbag trash"

"That is good to hear. I appreciate the nights that you boys don't need to be sown together."

After having evaded a confrontation with Jason, Tim had bid Alfred a quick goodnight not even staying for the world's best cookies. He had already showered and was getting ready for bed; hoping to be asleep before Dick came up and started asking questions. Tim lifted his shirt and looked at the sown up bullet wound and the countless bruises that littered his body (most of which were compliments of Damian). The more recent ones coming from his carelessness the last few nights. It was not that Tim was one for self-harm, he didn't cut himself, or was he a masochist and not that he would admit it but the bruises from enemies, or family, seemed to help him release some of the pent-up pain. Feeling like the physical pain could take away some of the mental; if only for a moment.

Now he was starting to regret this way of thinking as he poked his ribs and pain erupted through his chest (some of his ribs were definitely fractured). Tim sighed knowing he would have to be more careful to make sure his family didn't find out. Speaking of which he told Stephanie he would call her when he got back but sent her a text instead of how he would call tomorrow after work.

As Tim crawled into bed to get a few hours of sleep before he went to WE with Bruce he couldn't help but think about how there was some exhaustion that sleep can't help with.

The light of the next morning shown through the tiny crack between the curtains with the alarm blaring to his right. Tim pushed himself off his stomach and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the alarm clock (trying not to throw it against the wall). The red numbers of 6 a.m. flashed on the screen and Tim groaned. Rubbing both hands through his hair he stood and walked over to the bathroom to get ready for a long day.

As he finished fixing his tie he walked out of his room. Directly across the hall from him was Dick's room of course with the door closed it meant he was not in (Dick always left the door slightly open when he visited to let his brothers know they were welcome.). Next to Tim's room on the left was Jason's room with a faint snoring being heard. No one besides Alfred was ever allowed in there and no one besides Dick ever really tried to go in there. On the right of Dick was Damian's room the one room Tim actively avoided like the plague; not that he was afraid of the little demon spawn but anytime the youngest two brothers were in the same room together it always ended badly. Lastly was Bruce's room a few down from Damian's (of course the little brat would get the closest room to Bruce but still be near Dick. Bruce's room was probably the largest but least used.

As Tim walked down the hall and the stairs to the common dining room where most of the family meals were eaten. As he walked into the room a feeling of dread filled him as he saw Dick, Bruce, Alfred, and Damian. Bruce and Alfred weren't a problem but Dick could start question from last night and Damian would most likely try to start something. The only thing that made it better was that Jason wasn't awake yet.

Being a bat Tim didn't show any of the discomfort he was feeling and just sat down.

"Morning Timmy!". Dick's perkiness never seeming to fade.

"Hhmm." Tim was not a perky person by nature and the fact that he didn't have any coffee yet was not in the mood to deal with his childish brother.

"Good morning Master Tim. Hopefully you had a good night sleep." Alfred asked as he offered him his typical breakfast of oatmeal and fruit. Of course no one could ever not smile and feel better around Alfred.

"I got enough. I'll be better after some coffee."

"Timmy you really should wean yourself off of that. You're an addict."

"Tt of course Drake would need assistance to be able to function this early in the morning." Up until now Damian had ignored Tim's presence, like he normally did, but anytime an opportunity to but Tim down arose Damian jumped at the chance.

"Funny seeing how you're addicted to getting Dick's or Bruce's approval all the time." Even though Tim was more level headed and didn't normally rise to the bait set before him, today was just not his day.

"Boys that's enough. Tim finish your breakfast and we are meeting Lucius at 7:30." Bruce, like Tim, was not completely functional in the morning, as he was a night owl all the way, and was not in the mood to deal with the arguments of his sons.

Luckily for Tim the day passed quickly and got slightly better with his one on one time with Bruce. Not that he would ever admit it but he still worshiped the ground Bruce walked on and would do anything to gain his approval. But he had to be careful not to let his pain from his abdomen show (which was hard to do around the world's greatest detective).

By the time Bruce and Tim returned to the manor they had a few hours to relax (not that any of them ever did) before patrol. Tim went straight to his room to text Steph like he promised.

Hey Steph

Sup boy wonder decide to finally contact your best friend.

Sorry I didn't mean to forget

I'm just kidding you dork. Btw did you take care of your ribs?

Yea

Tim you better not be lying!

Steph I know how to take care of myself.

No. No you don't Tim. You constantly forget to eat and sleep on a regular basis!

Steph I promise I am fine. I won't wither away.

You better not. Who would eat waffles with me and vent about life. Lol

They continued talking about the most random things as they always did. Tim had no idea how he would survive without one of his best friends. She always brought light into his world; which he was always grateful for. But as much as he would be willing to tell her anything he could not bring himself to mention his real situation; he couldn't bare to look that weak in front of her.

After hours of talking to Steph he headed downstairs to get ready for tonight. Of course the night was just as unlucky as his morning because Dick, Jason, and Damian were in the cave too.

Sighing, Tim walked down the rest of the stone steps planning to quickly get ready and leave. But his brothers had others ideas.

"Hey Timmy there you are!" Just like over 12 hours ago Dick still had a cheerful smile on. Jason and Damian both stopped conversation to glare at the smallest Robin when he finally joined them.

Though they would never admit it but when they stopped throwing death threats, Jason and Damian had something things in common. One of which was their dislike/hatred of Tim.

"I was thinking we could pair up. Maybe you and Jason and me and Dami." Dick would never suggest Damian and Tim as only one of them would probably make it home. At least with Jason he knew it would upset Dick if he hurt Tim.

"Why do I have to be paired with the replacement?"

"Thanks but I'm fine on my own."

"What you think your too good to pair up me?!" Jason took a large step to get in Tim's face and Tim tensed his body to get ready for whatever may come. But before things could escalate Dick stepped in.

"Chill out Jason you were the one just saying how you didn't want to be paired up." Not missing how Tim tensed again as if getting ready for a beat down; it broke Dick's heart to see his little brothers so at odds.

Jason huffed, crossed his arms and walked away; Damian had left long ago to get ready caring so little for the outcome of the situation.

"Ignore him Tim. He's just pissy because he and Bruce got into an argument."

"Sure" Tim watched Jason walk away and couldn't help get a little depressed that his childhood hero hated him so much.

Tim waited until his brothers left until he decided to get ready and leave himself. After several declines to team up Tim promised Dick to call immediately if he needed help before Nightwing left with Robin; Red hood had left alone shortly after their altercation.

Standing on top of a large sized building, Red Robin could see a good portion of the city and in a weird sort of way it was calming (something only a person born in Gotham could understand). To be out here and feeling like he could just disappear from the problems and stress his life brought him. Luckily the night had been busy enough for the others that no one really bothered him.

The night had been fairly average for Red Robin, with a few robberies, a dozen or so muggings, and a really boring encounter with the Riddler; Red Robin was about to call it a night. When a squad of cop cars chased a getaway car down the road right below him.

Sighing he jumped from rooftop to rooftop to catch up and luckily got there in time for the shoot out to begin between the cops and criminals. Dropping down next to a middle age cop behind the cop car Red Robin asked about the situation as the bullets continue to fly.

"Bunch of arrogant brats from a local gang. Thought it would be fun to bust into the largest bank in Gotham and thought they would not get caught."

Of course Red Robin was not the only one to hear the commotion. Shortly after his arrival Nightwing, Robin, and Red Hood all dropped behind the same cop car as Tim.

"Seems like someone needs to teach those little shits a lesson." Red Hood smirked as his pulled his guns from the holsters.

"Hood we need to try talking to them before we… Hood!" Jason didn't see the need to continue to listen to the boring speech Dick was sure to spew so decided to get a head start.

Frowning Dick jumped over the cop car after his oldest younger brother not wanting him to go in alone; at this point the group of criminals had doubled in size. Not one to be left out Robin followed Nightwing into the fray.

Sighing, as much he disliked and distrusted two of his three brothers, Tim didn't want any of them to get hurt ( yes even Damian). But it was harder to keep up and fight off the gang with the consistent pain of his ribs. Which would end up costing him dearly.

As he was getting ready to take down his fifth gang member a strong force hit him upside the head; hard enough that he fell to one knee. As he quickly stood and turned to deal with the idiot that thought it was smart to physically attack a Bat. But his injured ribs caused s slowdown of his movements. So he was not able to react fast enough before he felt a searing pain from his left shoulder and turned his head to see that a second scumbag had stabbed him in the shoulder blade; right behind his heart.

Tim's vision began to get hazy as he fell to his hands and knees.

"Red Robin!" Tim could barely turn his head to look to see Nightwing rushing over to him before he collapsed on the ground. Overhead he could still hear the voices and gunshots as it got harder to stay awake.

Falling to his knees beside Tim, Dick quickly began assess his little brothers injury; unfortunately it was bleeding profusely. Robin finished the gang members where he and Nightwing just stood and Red Hood had moved closer to the pair to keep anyone else away.

"Sorry Wing."

"Don't apologize little brother you're gonna be just fine. I just need you to stay awake." Dick forced a small smile as he held Tim as he tried to slow the bleeding. Damian had called Batman but from the severity of this injury Dick felt like he would not make it in time.

But Tim knew it was a near impossible request to ask as he felt his eyelids get heavier. Tim was always looking for a cure to the emotional pain that followed him these past few months and he always knew that this job would most likely be the death of him but he wasn't ready yet. But that didn't seem to matter has he finally gave into the darkness calling him.