Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 4

Clark slumped in front of the Batcomputer. He felt utterly horrible but it was done, mostly. Barbara was on her way to help him lock all the systems down to keep Bruce from accessing them. From now on, Nightwing was the local vigilante, unless Dick chose to take up the cowl since it was Batman the villains feared. And it was possible that Bruce could become Batman again but that would be dependent on him going through therapy.

He hadn't wanted to do it, but Bruce had refused to see the truth of his actions. For the moment, Diana had him on the Watchtower, sedated. He would be given a full medical check-up while there, just to be sure nothing else was influencing his behaviour.

"I'm sorry Alfred, but if we didn't step in the police would have turned on him. He's a founding member of the Justice League, if he can't keep in control of himself, it brings doubt on all of us," he said as he heard the elderly man approach.

"I see. And what did Master Richard say?"

Clark hesitated but Alfred had to see the truth too. "He's the one who brought it to our attention. He came to me to call a meeting of the League since he knew he couldn't get through to Bruce alone. We're locking everything down, only Dick and Barbara will have access. Whether Dick choses to take the cowl up to keep anyone from realising is his choice. I didn't want to do this, but Bruce has left us no choice."

"Very well then Master Kent."

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Dick stared at the message. It was done. And now he had a choice to make – did Nightwing become Gotham's protector or should he take up the cowl? It was hopefully only temporary and they could always disguise Batman's absence with an off-world mission. Bruce they would just say was overseas on vacation until he was cleared medically. Part of him was hoping there was something medical involved, that the doctors could do something but…he doubted it. Bruce had never exactly had healthy coping methods when it came to grief.

He missed Jason so much, had so many regrets…but he also knew better than to let that interfere with any of his work, day or night. Batman, Nightwing…they were all symbols, sure they worked outside the law as vigilantes but they also had support because they never went too far.

And now…now he had another little brother to protect. Jason would have loved Tim, would have taken him under his wing, looked out for him. Dick would just have to do it alone, well, with Bab's help. He was glad that Tim didn't seem too interested in actual vigilante work but was more invested in helping people. He'd have to learn how to fight but it was as a last-ditch kind of thing. Best to focus on stealth and avoiding fights.

But Tim wasn't legally his brother and he wasn't sure what to do about it. He knew Babs would be investigating the hell out of the Drakes for him, they should have dealt with Tim's scars years ago when they were fresh. There was no way he'd seen a proper surgeon but why? He hated the idea the kid had somehow hidden his injuries from his parents but the idea that he had and even could did not paint a pretty picture.

Their best idea at the moment was blackmailing the Drakes into signing over at least partial custody, though full would be better. Would they do it though? It was the best way to keep Tim with them, CPS was way too risky, the kid could end up in a way worse situation. And while Dick could work to be registered as a foster parent, it would take time. He didn't have Bruce's money and resources as a civilian. He had a trust fund and his own income, surely that would be enough? But going that way led to a lot of variables and ways it could go wrong. Though, Tim could likely vanish from any foster home or orphanage he was put in if he'd been shadowing them for years.

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Tim looked around the gym curiously and also excited. He was going to be training with Dick Grayson, Nightwing! He shifted nervously and Dick smiled at him, putting his bag down on the bench.

"Okay Tim, we're just going to start with some stretches to warm up first, then I want to check where you are on the basics. You've been following us around for years on the rooftops so I'm assuming you've got some of the skills down for travelling up there since you don't have a grapple."

Tim nodded. "I'd find places to jump across, I can walk across pretty narrow beams too."

"That's a very good start." Dick grinned at him, and Tim smiled back slightly.

He copied everything Dick did, he knew some of the stretches from a gymnastics class back when he was seven. His parents had allowed it since the extracurricular would look good in the future. They hadn't been as keen when he'd taken Taekwondo lessons but had allowed it, then there'd been the Joker and he'd dropped all athletic extras, too scared he'd hurt someone. But Dick would be able to protect himself easily even in Tim snapped.

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Three sessions in and Dick was impressed, it was obvious Tim had taken lessons before the mess with the Joker and it was coming back to him as they trained. He lacked the strength for a lot of what B had trained him and Jason in but that was fine, everyone was different. He could train with eskrima like Dick…but he'd prefer even more range. Some kind of pole arm?

If they went in for lethal force a sword would work but he didn't want to have to make Tim keep himself under the rigid control it would take to not kill or maim every opponent. A spear would give the option of blunt blows with the shaft while still able to cut if necessary…but it didn't seem like something for the kid. A staff on its own maybe?

It had been a week since Clark and Diana had taken Bruce and Dick knew he was being a coward. He was focusing on work, patrols, and Tim…but he knew he had to go to the Manor. Bruce was still on the Watchtower and Clark had mentioned sending him to Smallville for some farm and animal therapy, plus no one ever said no to Ma. That meant Alfred was alone and that wasn't fair to the man who was basically his grandfather. Maybe…maybe if it went well and Alfred promised, maybe he could introduce Tim? Not even as Ghost, they were neighbours after all. They could come up with something for how they'd met. Tim could use a grandfatherly figure in his life after all.

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Babs glanced back to see Tim asleep on her couch. He looked adorable in sleep, younger and happier, so long as the nightmares stayed away anyway. She looked at the package on the table, hoping he would like his surprise when he woke up. Dick was out on the streets, ensuring Gotham knew there was still a vigilante to care for the streets. For now, he was going out as Nightwing but she knew he was still torn over whether or not to take up the cowl. She honestly didn't know which would be better. For his own mental health, she thought he should remain Nightwing but did Gotham need Batman?

Everything was so complicated. If only Jason hadn't run off to find his biological mother…but that wasn't fair, it wasn't his fault the Joker had left the country since he very rarely left Gotham let alone the US. The odds of the two of them being in Ethiopia at the same time and for the same woman were astronomical. She hated the Joker, he'd paralysed her and killed Jason, had caused so much grief over the years. She honestly didn't understand Bruce when it came to that man. Then again, the one time he had tried to kill the Joker, Superman had stopped him.

But still, if Joker broke out again, she wouldn't say a thing if Dick decided to do something permanent to the monster. For Jason and Tim, she'd do it. The thought of Joker ever getting his hands on Tim again…she got the feeling Harley would be happy to help deal with him if he ever tried to hurt Tim.

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"Hey Dinah," a familiar voice greeted, and she turned to greet him, surprised he'd left Gotham and Blüdhaven unattended without the League having called him in for an emergency.

"Dick," she smiled at him, "what can I do for you?" she doubted he'd come for therapy but he also seemed to be one of the more mentally healthy vigilantes. "Is it about Batman?" she wouldn't talk about the failed therapy sessions, patient confidentiality. Her office was soundproof but she would still not use Bruce's name since he never wanted anyone to know.

"Actually, it's about another of your patients. He said you know him as T?"

She froze. "Is he alright? Dick, he's just a kid." She warned, if he'd done something…but Dick held his hands up.

"Easy! I'd never hurt a kid. He…" he checked the door was locked. "He's the one who brought B's actions to my attention."

Her eyes widened at that news. She hadn't expected that at all, hadn't known T was anywhere near the vigilantes of Gotham. "Is he alright? He didn't say anything last session."

"He spent the time Diana and Clark were dealing with B at my apartment. Turns out I met him as a kid, he was there the night…at the circus…"

"He knows who you are?"

Dick laughed. "He's a genius! He knows a lot of our id's but would never tell. He gave me permission to tell you about this but was too nervous to tell you himself." With that he showed her a signed note from T giving permission for Dick to disclose the following information. "For months, there's been talk of a 'Ghost' on the streets, someone who calls the cops or ambulance for people, especially those who Batman went overboard on."

She had the feeling she knew where this was going and felt sick.

"T is Ghost. Babs and I have kind of taken him, as much as we can given his family situation. I'm training him so he can protect himself and Babs helped him design a suit. It's heavy on protection without limiting his range of motion and has lots of storage space. We're not training him to fight as a vigilante, we just want to keep him safe. He won't stop going out as Ghost so we're doing everything we can to ensure he stays safe. There's nothing on the gear to link him to the bats so he shouldn't be targeted. He's got a comm too so he can talk to us and ask for help or backup. He's been following us for years Dinah, since I was Robin."

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to remain calm. The thought of T out at night in Gotham, helping people… if he ever ran into the Joker she hated to think what it would do to his mental and emotional health, if he survived. But if he'd been doing this for years then he had been handling it.

"I'll talk to him about it and how he handles what he sees as Ghost."

"He told me about…JJ," Dick murmured. "I've seen him without his makeup. Would it hurt him if I offered to pay for surgery to reduce them? He's so scared of them being seen…but I don't want him to think they make me uncomfortable, they don't. What was done to him isn't his fault."

Dinah considered it. How would T take such an offer? "Don't offer it now or else he'll always wonder if you really do accept his appearance. Summer holidays would be a good time and gives him time to heal from surgery without missing any school."

Dick nodded, obviously happy to accept the advice. "Any idea how to get him away from his parents without involving CPS? So far, our best idea is blackmail."

"Oh?" She hated that she had to be so careful when she wanted to help T. Anything he told her was covered under confidentiality.

"Not sure if he's told you anything about them and I know you can't tell me. But well…he deserves so much better. If not for all this, I'd have just nudged B's interest but I…I'm honestly not sure how he'd react with Tim's past with the Joker."

"I can write a recommendation for you. It's obvious you care about T and you're pretty well adjusted for a vigilante. If it does come down to CPS being called and you wanting to legally fostering him then I'll make sure they know you're cleared to foster from a psychological standpoint."

"Thanks Dinah." Dick smiled tiredly. "Oh, any ideas who to ask for weapons training? I want him to have more reach than my eskrima and the more trainers the better. But we also want him to remain as secret as possible."

"I'll think over the options."

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Tim stared at his reflection, taking in his very own Ghost uniform. Was it really him? He saw Dick in his Nightwing gear walk up behind him, gloved hands moving to rest on his shoulders.

"Looking good Ghost." He grinned and Tim slowly smiled back. "Come on, I'll teach you how to put the domino on."

Tim followed him and watched him apply the adhesive to his own mask before slowly placing it on his face. Tim nodded and carefully applied the adhesive to his own brand-new domino. He took a deep breath and lifted it to his face, carefully pressing it on. He looked up at Dick who grinned and gave him a thumbs up. And then the mask lit up before his eyes, information scrolling before his eyes as it synced and then Oracle's symbol flashed up with a welcome message. So cool!

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Babs grinned as her system registered Ghost as being online. "Hey kiddo, ready for a night out?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am. This is amazing!"

She chuckled softly. "Hey, you helped design it," she pointed out. "Okay, your systems are all synced and it seems Nightwing is with you at the moment. Now then, there's been some power issues, want to help give out blankets and check on the elderly?" she asked.

"Sounds good," he agreed.

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Harley watched the hooded figure scramble down the fire escape, dropping to the alley floor and approach the guy who'd just been stabbed. She'd been coming back to check on him after running off the attackers. Curiously she watched the short newcomer kneel down and begin pulling medical equipment from his various pouches even as he talked quietly.

"Need a hand?" she asked, seeing the patient was out cold so wouldn't be freaked out by her presence.

"Mama," he whispered, and her eyes widened.

She quickly moved over, gently tipping his head up to find a black domino covering his eyes. And the clothing…high quality and well armoured. She took a deep breath and took some of the gauze to work at cleaning the knife wound. "He needs an ambulance."

"Already called." He cocked his head slightly. "Nearly here."

"Then up we go." She gave him a boost up onto the fire escape and they watched from the rooftop as the man was seen to by the paramedics. "So…"

He hunched slightly. "Oracle helped me design it and Nightwing's been helping too."

She took in the gear and how protective it was. "It looks good on you," she praised, even as she considered things. "You've been doing more than photography huh?"

"I'm Ghost," he whispered.

She'd heard about the Ghost and yeah, it figured it was him. "You're safe?"

He nodded and tapped his ear. "Direct comm line to Oracle. And I've got trackers on me in case something happens. I…I have to do this; I want to help people."

She sighed and reached out to hug him, feeling him curl into her arms. "Okay baby, but promise me. If he breaks out, you don't go out until he's back in Arkham." She never wanted the two to see each other again.

He hesitated but then slowly nodded. "Promise."

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Alfred cleaned slowly, not used to the silence, not after the last years. He had known Master Bruce was flirting with disaster due to his reaction to his grief. But he had not expected any of this. Master Kent was keeping him informed and he had yet to be released from the Watchtower due to his refusal to step back from vigilantism.

He missed Master Jason so much; the sweet boy had had such a hard life but he had really blossomed in the Manor. He'd been doing so well in school; he loved classical literature and they had run their own little book club. He was the only one Alfred could ever trust to help in the kitchen.

He knew Master Bruce blamed himself for the boys' death but no one could have predicted the Joker's presence or that he was working with his birth mother. He'd now seen the files, the photos, and he understood the League had to act. He just wished Master Bruce could see that too.

He was surprised when the doorbell rang, straightening his suit before opening the door. "Master Dick."

"Hey Alfred," the young man shifted uncomfortably. "I…I'm sorry, once I had the files…I had to turn them in."

Alfred ushered him inside. "Dear boy," he murmured, drawing him into a hug, and Dick held on tight.

"B was so close to crossing the line, I had to."

"I understand," he murmured.

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Tim lay on the mats, panting. He was exhausted, aching, but he also felt good. It was a good ache. Dick grinned at him and flopped down beside him. He reached out and ruffled Tim's hair, Tim leaning into it. He was getting used to physical touches feeling nice. Dick would never hurt him. He…he wished he could always live with Dick but that was selfish, his parents loved him, they did.

Training with Dick and Babs, patrolling with proper supplies and tech, just spending time with them… it was more than he ever could have dreamed of. And Dinah said he seemed to be doing better too. Maybe he was really healing?

TBC…