Tim POV – Tuesday

Tim shambles into the kitchen. bleary-eyed and heavy footed. He'd fallen asleep at the computer the night before and had ended up in his old room at the manor. He'd also been stripped of his uniform switched for an old pair of pyjamas, his superman ones. This leads him to believe It must have been Alfred and Dick who had moved him rather than Bruce. He'd have chosen the batman ones. Both selections would be embarrassing but the superman ones irritate Bruce. Alfred must be in one of his pranking moods.

Bruce and Damian were already seated at the breakfast bar. Bruce was reading the paper, he didn't verbalise a greeting but still knew Tim entered the room. Damian simply sneered in Tim's direction before Alfred gave him a look before turning to Tim.

Tim was shuffling towards the coffee maker. His path halted by Alfred who hands him a mug already filled.

"Beautiful." Tim murmured wistfully.

"Master Timothy, I presume you do plan to eat something along with your Coffee."

Knowing this was not a question, more like a command Tim sighed and took the plate Alfred was handing him.

"Thanks Alfred, do you know the time?"

"I do Master Timothy its 7:30am. Are you aware of your schedule today?"

"-TT-" Damian scoffs "Drake wouldn't even know what the date is pennyworth how could he know his schedule.

Now coherent enough to retort "I do know the date. Its um... its."

"It's Tuesday Tim." Bruce supplies

"Right Tuesday."

Damian laughs at him and ridicules.

"How can you expect him to be CEO when he can't even read the calendar. WE is going to be ruined before I take over."

They glared at each up heatedly. Sensing the rising tension about to breakout in a fight. Bruce in his batman voice says

"Boys"

Both stop sizing each other up, only due to Robin training. Neither wanted to back down. The tension has been lessening recently due to Tim living in his apartment rather than the manor. Alfred interjected with

"I believe you have an early meeting master timothy."

"Right Alfred id better get going. Thanks for breakfast."

"And you master Damian have school. As Tim is driving into Gotham, so he can drop you off."

Yet again a command not a request. Tim dejected

"Sure Alfred. Come on demon spawn. I don't want to be late."

"Like I'd go anywhere with you Drake. I can drive myself." Bruce put down his paper to look at his blood son before warning

"Damian." He responded with a huff

"Fine father." Damian pushed in front of Tim to leave first. Exasperated Tim follows. They both leave the kitchen to Bruce and Alfred.

"Shouldn't you be leave too Master Bruce. I am informed that you have important paperwork to sign today." Bruce grimaced. Seeing Alfred's expression, he got up and moved towards the door. Waving Alfred goodbye. The man somehow made a suggestion seem like an order.

"Have a good day sir."

Peter POV – Tuesday

Peter wakes up to a weight pressing into his side. His laptop had slipped beside him. Luckily, he hasn't broken it in his sleep. 'That's a relief, couldn't afford a flat and a new computer.' The pressure not even being uncomfortable due to his flexibility. The laptop had been altered to improve its specs. He can only get so much from dumpster diving for technology. Some stuff had to bought and that cost a lot of money.

He pulled his arms up above his head and stretched. His stomach loudly growled protesting to the lack of food. He'd gone out to get supplies last night, just convenience store stuff. He got plenty, a weeks' worth for a normal person. Still it was nowhere near enough, with his increased metabolism. 'Flat first, food later.' He picked up the phone and rang up the landlord's number. 'Hopefully he or she is awake already its 10am so it's likely.'

The phone rings twice before the line gets picked up. A woman asked

"This is Jones, who's calling?"

"Hi, my names Peter Parker."

They were going over details.

'Ok Timeout'

"I know when you're lying low you need alternatively identities, fake details. I'm not that ignorant I promise. But I have no fake papers nor the computer power to make them. So, for now I'm suck being me. Peter Parker is a good cover anyway, a homeless kid makes sense in this neighbourhood. No one suspects that puny parker could ever by Spider-man. You don't have to worry I know what I'm doing. Probably."

'Back to our pre-scheduled program'

"So… you're sure you ok with renting to me?"

"Sure, thing kid. You seem alright, definitely better off with a roof over your head."

She seemed honest, though didn't buy the whole my dad travels and I need someplace to stay to finish school story. Not that he'd expect her too, but it hopefully leads her to believe he's just another street kid. Which ultimately, he is. He'd be able to tell for sure when he met her. Nothing like mental ticks to show true intentions.

"When can I view the flat?"

"You can come over this afternoon. I can rent it out to you today if you've got the deposit."

"Yeah. That would be great I've got the money. What time?"

"2pm. Meet me outside the building."

"Thanks. I'll be there."

Jason POV – Tuesday

'Jones seems to be waiting outside for someone. Perhaps a new tenant. Flat number 16 has been empty a while. It's been nice to have the floor to myself. Makes the night-time activities simpler.'

A kid walks up. Definitely a street kid. Jason tenses, he's become quite protective of his landlady. Not that she needs his protection. She's the reason he chose this place. To his surprise the kid who she's meeting.

'He's scruffy, in clothes repaired from tears in the cloth. They could only a year old if that. Puts how he got the tears into question. He couldn't be more than 16. How, the hell could a kid like that afford to rent a place. Most sleep in abandoned buildings or just on the streets. He seems new to the life, few months in. His postures too relaxed, still alert, but he still seems to trust people. If you've been on the streets long enough you learn it's not worth the risk. It's been a hard first winter for the kid. He looks ragged, worn down, the cold will do that to you.'

Outside they talk for a bit before entering the building. Jason bristles. The kid completely tenses up and stops to look around.

'wonder what's got him spooked?'

Then they make eye contact. 'It's like he's actually looking at him, but that's impossible I've got one way windows. All he sees is his own reflection. Yet it feels like he's looking at me directly. He seems like trouble. There's something more to this kid.'

'I hear them walking up the stair to the 6th floor, my floor. Must be looking at number 16.' Most floors have 3 flats this one only the two for whatever reason. She shows him around for about an hour. 'I'm straining to hear through the walls. She Tells him essential information like what works and how to get said things to work. One of reasons he chose this place is the Wi-Fi that's included in the flats. Each floor has its own box so it's pretty decent.'

Jones POV

"So, Pete why no parents?"

'His whole-body freezes. Must have not expected me to come right out and say it. But I need to know. Real or not, if the child snatchers come knocking I need deniability or a story to tell.'

Pete stutters "well, it's just me and dad. He has to travel for work a lot. He's an international reporter. He was meant to be back by now but something came up. The last flats rent contract ran out, and the owner is refurbishing the place so I can't renew it. As he can't get back for a while and I've still got school. We decided I stay still summer, then join him."

"That's a lovely story, but its bullshit."

"Sorry?" Pete squeaked

"It's a lie. Obviously."

Pete was shifting, looking like he was about to leg it. Not wanting that to happen.

"Look kid. If that's your story then fine. Just don't change it now. We need to be on the same page if this goes tits up."

He had a confused look on his face. He stared into her eyes as if he was trying to find a hidden motive.

"So, you're going to let me stay?"

"Yep. You're better off here than anyplace else. You know that yourself."

"You're not going to call child services then?"

"Nope."

Jason POV

'She asks about his parents. He starts his cover story of a father that travels, and Jones doesn't buy it. He must have been twitchy cause she agrees not to squeal on him to child services. They exchange contact details. He gives her the deposit upfront. Which again surprises Jason he can afford to do that. The travelling dad story would work if he was dressed nicer. All the damaged hoodie says is hoodlum. she hands over the keys.'

'I hear say he can move in from today and he leaves saying that he will. Must have kept some belongings somewhere safe. Odd that a street kid would leave valuables away from himself but hey. Everyone's got their own methods. Could lose everything that way if robbed. Still your stuff could be taken if unsupervised.' Ms J walks up the stairs. She has her on an upper level.

'I'm kinda jealous of that. She's up there for a few hours before I hear her come down.' Before Jones leaves. Jason opens his door and strides over to her.

"So, who's the kid?"

She turns to him with a sideways glare. "Jason." She greets "I'm good, thanks for asking."

He doesn't respond and they just look at each other for a few beats. Jones sighs dejectedly caving in first. Jason is rather stubborn at times.

"His name is Peter Parker. Obviously alone claiming to have a after traveling for work but I don't believe it for a second and he knows that."

"He gunna come back?"

"Yeah wouldn't have given me the cash otherwise. Said something about getting his backpack and asked for cheap clothing stores. I suggested some donation point but he insisted on store."

"Got Street smarts then or still got some pride. How'd a kid like that get that kinda cash?"

"He has a job apparently. A freelance photographer for the bugle. Seems to make decent money out of it. Could be useful in my investigations if he's any good."

Jason hums. Mulling over what he's learnt. 'Sure, the photographer thing could be true. Yet the kid seems tougher than that. Been dealt some bad cards. From the looks of him he's got lean muscle. Shorter than he should be at that age. I bet the hunger aint helping that. I'll have to talk to him. doesn't seem like the gang type but could be a thief. He had some thin scars visible. Not noticeable. Could have gotten them many different ways. Some he doesn't want to think about, but he can't be sure about him.'

"Jason"

"Yeah JJ"

She grumbles at the nickname before collecting her thoughts

"Look out for him. don't call the cops. you don't seem the type, too wise to the system. He's better off here than in a foster home till 18."

'She's not wrong. Too old to get adopted. No one wants a problem teenager, he's already too jaded. May not have been on the streets long but didn't have that much beforehand. Only way out of the system would be to age through it.'

"Did you carbon date on him?"

"He says 17 but it's more like 14/15. He seems different Jason. He needs to be here."

"Yeah, yeah. I won't tell on the kid. Doesn't mean I'm going to be playing baby sitter either."

A new voice interrupts the conversation.

"I wouldn't ask you too"

Jones turns to walk towards the boy.

"Peter this is Jason. He's flat number 17. If you've got a problem with the flat call me. For anything else, him. He may seem grumpy but he's a softie deep down." Jason scoffs

"Well it's so deep that even I can't see it. But yeah Peter, you need help ask me first."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Oh, and its Pete."

"Sure, thing Kid."

Jason interrogates and Pete fidgets while answering, clearly uncomfortable. He starts to retreat to his new flat. 'He's got a backpack on with two plastic carrying bags one full of clothes the other food from a cheap supermarket. Must have stocked up on his way back. Even if his last place was close by, that's still fast. Its seems all his belongs must fit into the backpack. A definite sign of a street kid. Don't keep anything you can't carry.' Jason relents and turns away. Ms J starts to make her move.

"I'm off. Quit tormenting the kid. He can actually afford rent and I need the income from that."

'The saint that she is, charges less than she could. I know of at least four flats behind on the rent. Even at the low price it is. Makes me feel guilty for not paying more.' Both boys say goodbye and Pete turns back to his flat. Quickly before closing the door he turns to Jason.

"Bye, nice meeting you." with that he promptly pulls the door shut.

Chuckling to himself Jason turns back to his own flat. 'Well aint he interesting. That fidget seemed more forced than natural. It may have been normal for him once but now, not so much. No, he's had that behaviour stripped from him. It's like he's pretending to be himself. Been someone else for so long he doesn't know how to go back. Better get Timmy to look in to him. Replacement owes me a favour.'

Authors comment:

I just wanted to says thanks for the support I'm getting, along with the comments. They do actually encourage me and I'm glad other people like my story. Thanks for reading :)