Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 8

Jason cradled Tim against his chest, his brother asleep, or close enough. The kid could seem so larger than life as Red Robin and so adult in the boardroom or at a gala but at the moment…he was small, so small. He was the shortest of them but it wasn't just height, he was very lithe, Jason could almost wrap one hand around both of Tim's wrists.

Tim twitched, eyes moving rapidly beneath closed lids, and Jason realised he was actually asleep, dreaming. He groaned, head rolling against Jason's chest, and he moved a hand to run through Tim's hair. This was why he'd stayed; no way was he leaving Tim to sleep alone after reliving those memories. He knew what Joker nightmares were like. He also didn't blame Danny for leaving while he had the chance, he'd come straight from work so he had nothing but the clothes on his back. This way, he could grab his things without leaving Tim alone.

Tim whimpered and Jason shifted, snagging the blanket off the back of the couch to wrap around him for more warmth. Even with one blanket he felt a little cool, still in shock?

"It's okay Timmy, you're safe," he murmured. "I've got you, we're in your apartment. Danny will be back in a while."

Thankfully, Tim settled a bit. Considering the pain he'd caused him over the years, it was amazing the kid could sleep in his arms, would be comforted by his voice. He'd come close to killing him in the Tower, he hadn't made the decision to do it or not when he'd gone there, but the rage had been too strong. No, he knew it had been wrong, Tim had done nothing to deserve his anger. And then after Bruce was gone, after the kid broke him out of jail to give him another chance…he'd been crazy and he could see it now. It wasn't till after Tim had saved Bruce that Jason had started getting things together, started getting a grip on the rage. He'd been stupid to ever blame Tim…but some of that could be laid at Talia's feet.

And knowing what he did of Damian's actions, he had to wonder what she'd told the boy about Tim. She'd aimed them both at him. Because Ra's was interested in him? Or to try and clear the way for Damian to get closer to Bruce? He wouldn't put it past her at all to have arranged to have both of them target Tim. She obviously saw him as a threat, at least back then, but now? Tim had pissed Ra's off, had beaten him, so she might not see him as the enemy anymore since it was known her relationship with her father had deteriorated.

He'd thought the brat had been getting better about Tim, had seen the truth about him, but it seemed he'd been wrong. It had been better because Tim had simply been avoiding Damian, till Dick got B to partner them and Damian left Tim to deal with Freeze alone, not the worst Rogue to handle solo but still very dangerous. And there was no guilt, nothing, about the fact Tim could have died. He'd only been allowed back out as Robin for a few weeks before the Joker broke out and it was obvious, he still thought he'd done nothing wrong. The look he'd sent Tim when B had chosen to partner with him…though he had been a bit more subdued since Jason had shot the Joker so hopefully what had happened had made an impression. He still didn't want the kid anywhere near Tim until he was mentally back on his feet.

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Danny stood over the Joker, watching him breath, assisted by the machines. This man…how much pain had he caused? Tim…Jason…they'd been permanently marked by his actions. He was an irredeemable monster. it would be so easy to just end it all…

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Damian sat on his bed, Alfred the cat in his lap, purring away. He felt…confused. It would seem that at some point in the past, Drake had gone missing, taken by the Joker. An event that just proved even further how inferior a Robin he had been. And yet unlike Todd, he had survived the time as a captive and continued on as Robin until Damian was able to take the mantle. The Joker was a formidable foe, not for any martial prowess but for his mind. The kind of opponent Drake did well against normally.

How had the Joker captured him? By the sound of it, he had held him for some time. And yet Mother had not told him anything of it when preparing him to come to Father. It had been well concealed, which suggested that Drake had been severely injured, perhaps physically and mentally. Grudgingly, he had to admit he had mental strength to have recovered from whatever the Joker had done to him so well that no one knew.

Hopefully, this latest interaction would be the final push the interloper needed to stop trying to be part of the family. All of his attempts to get Drake removed from WE had failed but he had not done so since Father's return. If Drake left the family fully then surely Father would remove him from the company and take his place until Damian was older. He'd withdrawn more and more since Father's return but remained hovering on the edges, like Todd but closer than him.

It was a pity Todd's shot hadn't killed the Joker, but there was still a chance he would succumb to his injuries. For the most part, he understood Father refusing to kill now, but not when it came to creatures like that.

Richard's distress over it all was not pleasant but he had no way to relieve it. Perhaps he should suggest they return to Blüdhaven for the weekend, or would he refuse to leave until assured of Drake's wellbeing?

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He stared at the body on the slab and all he felt was relief. Maybe that made him a terrible person but after everything he'd done to his family and the city, who could blame him? His men were gathering the security footage and interviewing the staff but no one really wanted to track down whoever had done it…besides, so far, it looked like natural causes. The doctors seemed to think that his body simply hadn't been able to handle all the stress and blood loss. His survival had not been guaranteed even once out of surgery.

For now, they'd keep quiet until they knew for sure what had happened. Though he would reach out to Batman, most of the Bats had been undetected last night, which was concerning, especially when added to the rambling mumbles a nurse had heard from the Joker in his one brief moment of semi-consciousness. He needed to ask Batman about Robin and Red Robin, if they were hurt or worse…he knew what Batman had been like the last time and Gotham did not need that again. Then again, there were other Bats too now, unlike back then.

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Tim sipped at the water Jason had given him, feeling a little groggy still. He hated nightmares, they always left him feeling a bit off balance if he woke suddenly and he had. Jason had woken him, trying to help because apparently, he'd been thrashing in his sleep. Danny was gone and Tim couldn't help the fear that he wasn't coming back…laughter sounding in the back of his head. He closed his eyes, trying to force it back, he was not having another attack! He wouldn't listen, he wouldn't. There was a soft thud and his foot felt wet, but it was distant.

"Tim? Hey, come on…it's okay. Look at me kid."

He took a shaking breath, gasping, choking back laughter, not again. Warm, calloused hands, wrapped around his, squeezing, grounding, and Tim managed to force his eyes open. Jason, it was Jason with him.

"That's it Timmy, I've got you. We're safe in your apartment and Danny will be back soon."

Tim groaned, leaning forward, and Jason carefully wrapped an arm over his shoulders. "S'rry."

"None of this is your fault Tim. Anyone says it is, you send them to me, got it?" Jason asked, and Tim managed a small nod.

Tim slowly relaxed against his brother, feeling bad since Jason had to be uncomfortable crouching in front of him. But it made the laughter go quiet, so he didn't move.

He tensed as the door opened, hands scrambling for a weapon but Jason caught his wrists.

"Easy," Jason murmured. "Look, it's just Danny."

Danny? He twisted around, eyes wide, and there he was in the doorway with a backpack and duffle bag.

"Hey," Danny smiled softly, putting the bags down before walking towards them. He'd come back. He sat on the couch beside Tim and Tim stared at him. "Tim?"

"Had a pretty nasty nightmare," Jason explained, "bit of a panic attack too by the look of it." Jason shifted to stand and Tim heard a few joints pop, feeling guilty. Jason moved back to the armchair and Tim looked back to Danny.

Danny lifted his arm in offering and Tim moved into his side, relishing the coolness of his body against his own. "Sorry, I was hoping to be back before you woke up," Danny murmured, kissing his temple. "But now I've got everything I need to stay until I can break my lease."

Tim blinked and then looked up at him. "Really?" he asked.

"Yeah, if you still want me to?" Danny asked, and Tim yanked him down into a kiss.

"Yes," he gasped when he let go. Yes, he still wanted Danny to move in.

"Guessing I missed something?" Jason asked, sounding amused.

"Danny's moving in," Tim grinned, feeling utterly relieved and happy, but not giddy which was good. Giddy was a bad sign. He hated that he was back to trying to track his moods but after the attack earlier it was safer.

Jason looked between them and then nodded. "Congratulations."

"Thanks," Danny nodded at him.

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Agent Alpha glared at the article. How? How had that woman gained access to so much classified data? They had ensured no one would be able to spread the information about Amity Park and their operations there. War crimes? Hmph, they had been doing their duty to eradicate all ghosts when they tried to launch that missile. Phantom had to be involved somehow, he didn't believe for a second that the ghost was gone, despite the lack of sightings since Fenton Works and the portal blew up.

Any other reporter and such apparent nonsense would be ignored. But Lois Lane? No, she would need to be silenced and fast.

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Bruce stared at the surveillance footage but there was nothing, just the medical staff and there was too much time between the last one going in and the alarms sounding for the nurse to have done it. The Joker was dead, it felt almost impossible. Dying in the hospital post-op, even after being shot by someone was one of the better options, there was nothing overly dramatic to inspire anyone with.

He honestly didn't know what he felt and was glad for the cowl. He nodded to Jim and then slipped away, heading for a particular apartment building. He deserved to know, to be assured that he was truly safe.

Bruce landed on the balcony that had been altered to suit someone who flew over the rooftops. Seconds later, the door slid open and Nightingale was there, body tense, but he relaxed at seeing Bruce, stepping back to allow him inside.

"B?" Tim called, and he looked over to see him on the couch among blankets, his hair very messy. But his eyes were clearer than they had been last night.

He ignored the young man by the door to walk over, carefully kneeling beside the couch. "Are you alright?" he asked in his normal voice, dropping Batman's growl. Knowing Tim's id made guessing the rest of them easy so he wasn't going to bother trying to deny it.

Tim hesitated but then reached out and Bruce enveloped his son in a hug, careful of the hard lines of his suit against Tim's unarmoured form. "Bad day," he mumbled. "I…I told Danny and Jason."

Bruce was surprised to hear that; Tim had never wanted anyone to know before. Then again, he'd never been in a serious relationship or faced the Joker with Jason present before. He glanced over at Tim's…boyfriend? Partner? Serious blue eyes met his cowl, the teen unmoved by a sight that could send hardened criminals running. He was impressed by what he'd seen of him so far. He freed one hand from Tim and reached up to remove the cowl, sure enough there was no surprise from Nightingale.

"Bruce?" Tim blinked at him in surprise.

"I was just at the hospital with Jim, Commissioner Gordon," he clarified for Nightingale.

Tim tensed and the other teen was quickly back on the couch with him, an arm around him, Tim leaning into him automatically. "Joker?" Tim asked, voice barely shaking.

"He's dead, Tim. He'll never hurt you or anyone else ever again," Bruce swore, and Tim just stared at him, eyes wide.

"You're sure?" he asked after a while, and Bruce nodded.

"I saw the body myself. Jim called me in despite the media blackout because the Joker was rambling about Robin and Red Robin the one time that he was semi-conscious. Jim was worried he'd gotten one of you."

"So, it's being kept quiet?" Nightingale asked, and Bruce nodded.

"They want to confirm cause of death first, run a full investigation to make sure no one killed him."

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Danny held Tim close, feeling him tremble as he took in the news that his torturer was dead. It hadn't fully hit him till after Batman…Bruce Wayne had left. He'd been purposely not thinking about the possible links since finding out about Tim but now he knew two other ids', mostly. He knew Jason was one of them and from his build and age he'd assume that meant Red Hood, but he also thought he'd been the second Robin.

At least he'd gotten Tim to eat something, scrambled eggs and toast wasn't a lot but it was better than nothing, and he had eaten when Jason was there. He was hoping if Tim could get a good night's sleep, then he'd improve by morning. He knew it'd take time for him to fully recover but he hated seeing him so shaken. Hopefully knowing the monster was dead would help.

"Danny?" Tim asked after a while, sounding sleepy but no longer so shocky.

"Yeah Polaris?"

"Did…did you?"

"Did I kill him?" he asked softly, and Tim nodded even as he moved his hand to link their fingers together. "Does it matter?"

"Did you kill him to protect me?" Tim rolled over to face him. "Please Danny."

"He could have hired someone, talked them into it…you'd never be safe as long as he was alive," he admitted softly.

Tim stared at him and then he nodded, leaning in to kiss him. "Thank you," he whispered. "I…I couldn't do it…couldn't even kill the man that killed my Dad. But…I think I have killed," Tim whispered.

"You shouldn't have to kill," Danny whispered.

"Don't know for sure but…there's no way they all got out."

"Who?" Danny asked gently.

If Tim didn't want to tell him then he wouldn't push but he was there for him if he did want to. So, he listened as Tim explained how Bruce had gone missing in time and no one had believed Tim that he wasn't dead, so he'd been forced to accept help from the League of Assassins…and what it had led to.

When Tim finished, Danny kissed him gently. "You did what you had to, Tim. If you want to never kill again then I'll stand by you, if you want to move to Hood's methods, same thing. Maybe being a halfa screws with your thoughts on death, but," he shrugged, not able to put it into words.

The others hadn't gotten it, had done their best to just see it as him having superpowers rather than facing the fact he'd died. And dying changed you, even if you didn't come back half ghost. But he had, he had lived with one foot in each world without truly belonging to either.

"Wait…" and now Tim looked alarmed. "The Joker, he won't, come back, will he?"

"No," Danny promised.

He'd made sure of it; he'd drained the ectoplasm from the room and made sure that the monster couldn't form a ghost or get to the Infinite Realms to form there. There had to be ectoplasm in some amount present at the time of death to allow a ghost to form in either realm. It hadn't been easy to do but he'd managed it, the Joker was dead and staying dead.

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Jason sat on his couch, staring at the tv but not watching it. He couldn't believe it, after all these years…the bastard was dead. He knew what B was avoiding confronting, Jason had technically killed him, after all if he hadn't shot him, he wouldn't have gone over rail either. They wouldn't know exactly what killed him until the autopsy was done, but it was his shot that had led to all of Joker's injuries, to the surgery, and then his death.

Tim and his boyfriend had accepted his actions, Tim had even thanked him, and he'd seen death in Danny's eyes if the Joker ever got near Tim again. So, he figured he'd be okay with them. But Bruce? Dick? The others? That he wasn't so sure about.

The timing was kind of eerie though, right when Danny had left to get his things. But that was impossible, right? Too many cops on the room and the security tapes would have shown him. Except, well…he was pretty sure Danny was a meta of some sort which meant powers, so maybe… he wouldn't say anything. If the kid had done it, then good on him. Either way Jason knew he'd be taking the blame.

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Dick watched the news report on the Joker's death, complications from the surgery had been ruled as cause of death. He knew Jason wouldn't be losing any sleep over taking the shot and honestly…he was glad it was over. He didn't know what had happened to Tim while he was missing but he could make an educated guess. The kid was strong to have continually faced the Joker after that without cracking. So, whatever he'd said to him this time… all that mattered was that his brothers, his family, and all of Gotham were now safe.

He'd go visit Jason soon, make sure he was dealing with everything. He wanted to see Tim too…but he realised he'd never been to his apartment. How was that possible? Surely for a birthday or something?

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Barbara sat back from her computer, running a hand through her hair to try and relieve the growing tension headache. It was odd…but there were times that Danny Nightingale seemed to vanish, he'd be between cameras and never reappear where he should be. One of those times…was when the Joker died and she couldn't help but wonder. It had become obvious that it was more than friendship between Tim and this Danny, if he was a meta then surely Tim would know.

She was worried about him, there was no sign he'd left his apartment since Bruce had dropped him off at the Nest, though both Danny and Jason had come and gone, even Batman had paid a visit the night Joker had died.

She was glad he was dead, after what he'd done to her, to Jason, to Tim…so many people. She wished he'd been gunned down years ago by the police since Bruce refused to kill him, the court system had ensured he couldn't be legally executed but death by cop had always been an option given his actions. The Joker never just gave up after all, but most were too scared to stand their ground against him thanks to the Joker venom and his love of explosives.

Maybe all of them could move past the nightmares now.

Lois Lane's latest article was certainly attention grabbing, concerning and…maybe indicated Danny Nightingale was something other than a meta.

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Tim stared at himself in the mirror, straightening his tie as he took a deep breath. He could do this, he could. Hands settled on his hips under his jacket, Danny gently kissing his throat.

"You look great," he murmured, and Tim couldn't help smiling.

It had been a week since the Joker's death was announced, well passed time he got back to work. Thankfully, it was known he was missing his spleen so his cover had been an infection they were worried would get worse if he didn't rest and medicate.

He felt steadier now, the nightmares not as bad. Danny had been at his side the whole time, skipping class and calling into work so that he could stay. Tim felt bad about it but had to admit that he'd needed the support.

"You need me at all today, just call. I can always ghost into your office to keep you company," Danny offered.

Tim shook his head. "I have to get back to the normal pattern." He couldn't use Danny as a crutch. He turned around and let his arms slip around Danny's waist. "I'll be okay." He would.

And he knew Bruce was going to be in the office today as well, he'd called and offered. Things were kind of weird between them, especially with the secrets he was now keeping from him, but their relationship was improving. Bruce really did seem to want him as his family, no matter how confusing Tim found that idea now. He'd wanted it so much when he'd first become Robin even as he accepted it wouldn't happen since he had living parents and Bruce was grieving so badly. He'd been so happy when Bruce had adopted him, even as he'd grieved the Dad, he never truly knew thanks to how much his parents had travelled. But then things had changed and he'd been pushed aside for Damian, no matter how many times the brat tried to kill him, he was told to let it go, that he was older and shouldn't fight back against a ten-year-old. Bruce had been trying but then he'd been 'killed' and Dick just didn't want to see it. He'd given up on trying by the time they got Bruce back but now…Bruce was reaching out and Tim was stupidly letting him. How many times could he let them hurt him before he learned?

"Love you," Danny smiled and Tim leant in for a kiss. He needed to get going or he'd be late.

"I love you too. See you tonight." He made himself leave the bedroom and then the apartment.

No one knew, no one had ever noticed before and there was no reason to now…no one but a few would know it wasn't just his scars that had him wearing such covering clothing. He knew he'd gotten out of his captivity and transformation all those years ago lucky, as much as he hated thinking on it, he remembered how much like the Joker he'd been made to look like. If it hadn't been at all reversable he would have ended up living pretty isolated.

He made it to WE and was relieved to make it to his office, seeing the concerned look on Tam's face as he passed her. She probably suspected he'd been injured facing the Joker and so off work recovering from it.

He sat at his desk and closed his eyes, relaxing. And then he turned on his computer and got to work. It was scary how quickly the work piled up, even when he'd done a little from home and Lucius had covered more. It was time to move on with his life and leave the Joker in the past where he belonged.

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Very impressive little badger. There may be no evidence, but he knew, the boy had killed the Joker. Getting the equipment, he needed without anyone noticing was taking longer than expected, but he was getting there. A few more months and everything would be ready.

TBC….

I was going to leave it up in the air whether Danny actually killed the Joker or if he really did just die from the trauma but in the end, I figured Tim would be too curious to not ask.

Poor Tim has been mentally in a bad place for the last two chapters but with time passing and support, he's getting back on his feet.