Disclaimer: not mine

Serious question, is anyone actually reading this one?

Chapter 5

He hissed, backing away, only to hit a hard wall. He looked around wildly, he was cornered and alone. He wanted Sire but the gentle voice that had called him out of the darkness and into a life of blood and pleasure was gone. Mistress said gone, he knew Sire was dead, he had felt it. But it didn't change anything, he still had to obey Mistress.

"It's alright Bernard, we don't want to hurt you," the one in front said.

He froze in terror. How…how could they know his name? Why had he been so slow and gotten separated from the others? His first time away from the Nest and now he was going to be destroyed.

"That's your name, isn't it? Bernard Dowd." The black clad figured held something out and Bernard stared. That…that was him?!

He looked between the figures in fear and confusion.

"It's okay kid," the one with their head fully covered said, his voice sounded weird. "We want to help you. Your parents miss you."

Parents? What was that?

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Bruce watched the young vampire carefully, letting Jason speak to him since he didn't seem as scared of him. He kept the photo held out, unsurprised when the boy snatched it to stare at. He seemed lost at the mention of his parents which seemed to prove they were wiping everyone's memory when they turned them.

His hair was longer than in his photo, his skin deathly pale, faint acne gone. He still looked like the boy in the photo but a more 'perfect' version, something otherworldly about him. Was that what Tim was like now?

They'd gotten lucky, cornering a lone vampire and one who's id they knew. If they could convince the boy to help them then maybe they could learn what was happening. Was there a chance to spare Dick their fate or were they too late? Was he eldest already dead, buried and…changing? It didn't matter, they were still his sons, he would always love them.

He was willing to help any of the vampires who wished to stop whatever was happening and hopefully Bernard would be one of them. Bruce remembered the boy, he'd only met him twice while fostering Tim but they had been friends, good friends, and Bruce had been sad when they drifted apart. He had hoped that Tim would be more able to maintain ties outside the cape community but it hadn't worked.

Bernard was mostly focused on Jason now, but Bruce could tell he was still watching where they all were, so he made sure everyone remained in place. They didn't want to spook him; it was bad enough they had him cornered.

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Jason slowly raised his hands and removed his helmet, the voice changer seemed to be upsetting the kid, with enhanced hearing who knew what he could hear, mechanical noises or something? Wide brown eyes blinked at him and he smiled at the baby vampire. "See, we're not scary, we don't want to hurt you, we want to help you. You have a family who loves you, Bernard. You've been missing almost two years and they haven't given up on you."

In Gotham such a long disappearance usually meant dead but the Dowd's hadn't given up the search, even if the cops had. He was a lucky kid to have such determined family but…could they accept what their son had become? They hadn't approached them, not sure how to tell them without absolute proof that Bernard had been turned.

"Family?" the boy asked, head tilting slightly to the side. Jason had his attention, he had calmed down a bit, even seemed curious. "Sire's dead, she said he left, but I felt it."

"I'm sorry Bernard," Jason offered, feeling someone die had to be traumatic, and his Sire was likely the closest he remembered to family now.

"Why?"

Jason cautiously moved closer to the boy, slowly lifting a hand to rest on his shoulder, feeling no warmth from his body. "Your Sire was important to you, wasn't he?" Jason asked, and Bernard nodded. "Then I'm sorry you lost him and that you felt it." He was sorry Bernard had lost what was likely the only stability he had in his new existence; he wasn't too sorry the vampire was dead though since he'd killed Bernard in the first place.

Bernard looked at his hand, eyes wide in... awe? "Warm," he whispered.

Jason swallowed and then made a crazy decision. "Don't bit me," he warned, and then he shifted closer, carefully wrapping his arms around the kid…teen, hugging him. He felt Bernard go stiff, a growl starting but then he shuddered and sagged against him. He moved a hand to rest at the back of his head, cradling him gently. "It's okay Bernard."

Hesitant hands came up to clutch his jacket as the kid shook in his arms, a soft keening cry coming from him. He could see B's face, see the discomfort, the urge to try and help, but he shook his head slightly. Best not to overwhelm him.

"Let us help you Bernard," he whispered, and Bernard looked up at him, red tinted tears falling down his face.

"Mistress, she…she won't let anyone leave, she killed Sire for trying."

"Let us worry about that, we can get you somewhere safe."

"Why? I eat humans."

"You didn't ask for this, you were abducted. Like a lot of other people since this 'Mistress' came to Gotham."

Bernard cocked his head to the side, studying him. "She took someone from you."

"Yeah kiddo," he wasn't going to lie. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone, bringing up a photo of Tim and Dick together.

Bernard's eyes widened in shock and fear. "That's…Timothy, he's her favourite. She'll never let him go. When she doesn't want him…he usually picks me, he's…gentle."

Jason fought not to show the horror he was feeling.

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It was definitely Timothy, even if he looked different, human. And the other human… "They brought him in a few days ago. He's being kept in a room, Timothy's allowed to play with him and Mistress has gone in but no one else is allowed, not since he first came and we were allowed to feed on him. He tastes good," he offered, but he didn't think the man liked that. But he wasn't punishing Bernard for upsetting him, he was still holding him, gentle, like Timothy.

The weird thing on his face made it hard to tell but… "You kind of look like Timothy," he told him.

"He's my little brother and Dick's my big brother, my family."

"Timothy loves Mistress, she's his Sire." He didn't know why he said that, warning him?

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Dick kissed Tim back, no matter how wrong it felt. He had to cooperate to keep Tim happy, because a happy Tim let him get away with more, would talk with him. He kept knocking him out when done though, so Dick didn't know how long it had been. Since he'd gotten one hand free, Tim didn't trust him to not escape while they slept, which…fair. He would definitely do that but he'd also find Tim, wrap him up in something, and take him with him.

Tim pulled back and gave him a water bottle, petting his hair while he drank, like he was a pet. That's all he was to Tim now, a plaything, a pet. But he could work with that, Tim would listen when he told him about his life, though he was refusing to believe they could still love him and want him back as he was now. But they did, he just had to make Tim see that.

A cold hand slid into his pants and Dick swallowed, knowing what Tim wanted now. He relaxed as Tim worked his pants off, letting his mind drift, he couldn't stop what was going to happen but he didn't want to be present for it. He refused to hold it against Tim, he wasn't in his right mind. It was like someone under Ivy's pollen or mind control, which it pretty much was.

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Kon closed his eyes, hands balled into fists. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and he didn't shake it off, taking the comfort Bruce was offering. The thought of Tim…he felt sick. It wasn't Tim's choice; he wasn't in his right mind. That Bernard thought it important to say that Tim was gentle, like that was abnormal. But he also said Tim would choose him when not wanted by his…Sire. Gentleness and picking Bernard, their Tim was still in there somewhere, some part of him had to recognise Bernard. That was why he favoured him, because he was familiar, even if Tim didn't remember why.

He didn't know why it was Jason who seemed to be able to calm Bernard but he was grateful. Knowing Tim wasn't just dead, a corpse buried somewhere they hadn't found, was a relief. Anything else, they could deal with. If this Sire didn't want to give Tim up, that was fine, he could handle her. She couldn't handle sunlight; he'd see how she liked his heat vision or just rip her head off. He wasn't a bat, yes, he tried to avoid killing, but if he had too… And he knew Bart would help, he'd always been a bit of a blood thirsty little weirdo but he was their weirdo.

If they had a location, the two of them could zip in, grab Tim and Dick, and get out without a fight. Then they could deal with the rest later.

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Bernard stared at the window, seeing two figures moving about inside. They were…they…he cried out, clutching at his head, feeling warm hands catch him, a voice…

"Bernard? Can you hear me? What's wrong?"

He sobbed, the pain fading, staring at them. He…he could never go home, they loved him…but they'd never accept what he was now. "Dad…Mom…" he whispered, and then he was being held close to a warm body.

Tim…this was Tim's brother? Red Hood…Batman…memories crowded in his head even as he made the connections. He looked up at the masked man, considering. "Didn't you die Jason?" he asked, wiping at his eyes.

Red Hood froze, staring at him. "Bernard?"

He looked back at the apartment, it wasn't familiar. They'd moved? "I can't go home; they won't accept this."

"You remember?" he asked, hope clear, and Bernard nodded.

"I…I was at the library, I left late…then a man was there, I tried to run but then everything went foggy. It didn't hurt, it felt good and then I just…went to sleep." They should know Tim wouldn't have felt pain.

Tim had been Robin…Red Robin? It had to be him. Dick would be Nightwing, he was the oldest. So…Damian Wayne was the current Robin. Bruce Wayne was Batman…it was crazy but also made sense, who else could afford all those gadgets?

He looked over at the others. "Tim's Red Robin, isn't he?" he asked. "That's…that's why he was turned, why they've got Dick. She's targeting you."

"Do you know why?" Batman asked, and Bernard shook his head.

"I'm a nobody, they don't tell me anything, just what to do."

"Is Tim…is he okay?" That was Superboy! Tim's Robin had been teammates with him but it seemed more…oh.

Bernard cautiously approached him. "You smell like danger…sun…" he hugged himself.

Superboy held his hands up and then slowly extended his hand. "I'm Kon, it's nice to meet you, Bernard. Are you the conspiracy nerd friend?" he asked, and Bernard was glad he couldn't blush anymore.

"You…how?" he hesitantly took the offered hand; he was even warmer than Jason.

"Tim used to talk about you, no names though since it was before we knew who he was."

Bernard studied him and then frowned as he realised. "You love him."

"Yeah."

"He doesn't remember you."

"But you remember now, so he could too. And even if he never remembers, I love him. Please…help us."

Bernard shook his head, terror taking over. "She'll…she'll destroy me…kill you…she…."

"Shh," Jason pulled him into another hug, and Bernard burrowed into his warmth. "She won't touch you. We'll get you out of Gotham right now," he promised.

"Why?"

"Cause you're just a kid caught up in something you didn't ask for. You were Timmy's friend too."

"I could take him to the Fortress, no way she's getting there," Superboy…Kon offered.

"The cold?" Batman asked.

"Don't feel the cold," Bernard told them. "Like warm," he murmured.

"What about the Watchtower? Plenty of heroes around for safety, and the medical bay can probably get him…food," a female voice said. That was…Spoiler? "And it's got heating. Even if she told Tim to access it, he can't, his…his bio's wouldn't match now."

"Nightwing could, and from what we've seen from Drake's footage, they could make him give access," Robin pointed out.

"We'll have his access locked out," Batman said. "Bernard, we'll send you to the Watchtower, you will be safe there, it is in space."

He was shocked they would do so much to protect him, because he used to be Tim's friend? He looked around at them all. They were grieving for Tim, he could tell, worried about Dick…Tim had been as gentle as he could be now with him. He didn't hurt him like the others, would nip but not bite…he'd even made sure Bernard got to feed once when he was being punished.

"I have to go back," he stated as firmly as he could.

"What?" Jason asked.

"I…I can get a message to Nightwing or if you have lockpicks or something for him? Tim wouldn't suspect me if I look for him."

"Bernard, if you're caught…" Kon stared at him, and he nodded.

He doubted she'd give him a swift or painless end. "I have to do this." How could he ever forgive himself if he left Tim and Dick there while he went somewhere safe? He'd done so many horrible things, but he could do this right one.

Batman approached and Bernard didn't move. He carefully set something on his shirt. "A camera, we'll be able to see what's happening. This is a tracker," he held up the small black spot and then slipped it into Bernard's shoe. "If you think you're under suspicion then get out and we'll handle the rest."

Bernard nodded shakily. He was then given the tools Dick would need to get free plus a syringe.

"Will it work?"

"According to an occult specialist, it will knock a vampire out for twelve hours."

Bernard nodded. "I have to go back now." He looked at them all and then turned, running across the roof and leaping down into the alley. If he stayed any longer, he wouldn't go back.

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Timothy watched as Richard slumped, deeply asleep and unable to wake until Timothy or Sire told him to. He left the room and smiled when he saw Bernard, getting a shy smile in return. He pulled Bernard close and kissed him, nuzzling at him. "You smell like smoke and human."

"Got separated hunting," was the answer as hands slid under his shirt. "Does Mistress want you?"

"She's busy," he told the older vampire, tugging him closer. He pinned Bernard to the wall, kissing him hard, their fangs clashing, Bernard moaning. So maybe he felt a little jealousy he was getting to go on hunts now when Sire wouldn't let him even step outside the building.

They parted and he pulled Bernard to the room, stripping quickly. Bernard lay on the floor, his own clothing piled nearby. Timothy studied him, he was really very pretty, and Bernard reached up for him. He knelt and leant in to kiss him again.

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Bruce stared at the dot on the map, they had their location. Near the docks, likely a warehouse, but that area was a warren. They had chosen a good location for secrecy, no one willingly went there, not after the Joker had bombed some nearby warehouses. Getting in undetected would be difficult, they likely had sentries all around to ensure they weren't found.

They had to be ready for Bernard to act. If…if Tim had been feeding from Dick, then he'd be weak, even if he hadn't been captivity took a physical toll. Could Bernard get him and a sedated Tim out alone? If there were sentries then it was unlikely. Kon had told him to shout for him as soon as they were out. Kon could protect him, but Bruce decided to begin shifting their routes that way.

They had no way of arranging the right night, they would just have to watch his camera and tracker. The camera was aimed mostly at the floor at the moment but he could catch glimpses of bare skin, bodies writhing together. He was glad it wasn't Damian watching, education classes or not, he did not want his son seeing what was looking like an orgy.

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Dick let his head slump back against the wall, breathing hard, Tim resting against him, purring softly. "You're like a big cat," he murmured.

"A what?"

"A cat…they're an animal that makes a similar noise when happy." They really had erased everything.

"If you say so," Tim murmured, nuzzling at him.

There was a knock, surprising them both, and then a familiar face was in the doorway.

"Bernard?" Tim stood and moved towards the other vampire. And he was definitely a vampire too, poor kid.

Bernard smiled at Tim, nuzzling into him. "Mistress wants you." He purred and nuzzled, drawing Tim out of the room, and Dick watched, something seemed off…

"Okay," Tim kissed him and then left.

Bernard stuck his foot in the door, watching Tim, and then he slipped inside, pressing a finger to his lips. What? The vampire moved to kneel beside him, pressing something into his hand, lockpicks?! "Red Hood said you're a jerk for making him worry," he whispered in his ear.

Dick's eyes widened in shock and he turned his head to look at Bernard. He got a nervous smile in return. "You remember," he breathed, and Bernard nodded.

He pulled something out, a syringe, and then hid it again. "For Tim. They put a camera and tracker on me."

Dick slumped, that was good. They'd be able to find them now.

"Can you walk?" Bernard asked, and Dick had to shake his head.

"Sorry," he whispered.

Bernard frowned, chewing at his lip. No matter how strong a vampire was, some loads would be awkward and carry both of them would be awkward for Bernard. Dick would at least be able to hold on and shift his weight to help, but Tim would be deadweight, literally. "Hide those, we'll have to wait a few nights. There's a group scheduled to head out, less guards then."

Dick nodded. "Get going before you're caught."

"He…whatever he's doing…it's not him. He has to do what she says. If she says to play with you…"

"I know," Dick smiled at the kid. "Go." He fiddled with the lockpicks, he had to hide them where Tim wouldn't find them.

He had hope now, B knew where he was, had probably watched the whole exchange, maybe even heard depending on the camera model. And he had help on the inside, as long as Bernard could hold his cover. If he gave away that he remembered…

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Kon watched the footage, staring at Tim as he stood from where he'd been straddling Dick. The way he moved was all wrong, a confident prowl nothing like how Tim walked even as Red Robin. And then the view was blocked, but the sound made it clear what was happening. Tim was kissing Bernard… who was guiding Tim out of the room while he was distracted, good work.

And then they got a look at Dick, he was pale, a little sickly looking, but his eyes were bright, warily tracking Bernard as he approached. The shock and hope in his eyes as Bernard gave him Jason's message was painful to see. Hearing he couldn't walk was worrying and Kon would call and make sure Clark and Kara were on alert for Bernard or Dick to shout. They'd been planning on Dick carrying Tim and Bernard watching their backs but that obviously wasn't going to happen.

TBC…

Only ever seen Bernard in fics and he's had his memory wiped and turned into a vampire so if he's out of character that's why. Plus, he's terrified of Sophia and for very good reason. His Sire was Derrick, so when he died, the memory wipe started losing strength. Used him here and For Sale since he's a friend of Tim's from school.