Disclaimer: not mine

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Chapter 6

"So, what's next?" Sora asked as he lounged on the bed.

"Well, Kon said I haven't been declared dead so I can access my finances easily enough since he grabbed me a computer. So…somewhere to live would be a good start," he suggested, sitting on his own bed with a container of chicken and rice.

The food in Radiant Garden had been simple and healthy. He'd missed take out but he missed Alfred's cooking even more.

"Not going home?"

Tim shook his head and dragged the computer over. "No, Kon will keep quiet too. I…I'm not ready. I want to see B but I want everything set up first." He needed it to be on his terms. When he'd left Gotham, it had all been so wrong, he'd been chased out, had no control.

"Okay. So what kind of place do you want to live in. House, apartment…what kind of options are there?"

"For vigilantes? Nothing pre-made." Though there was a property he'd been considering for a while. He'd bought it months before Bruce even 'died' but hadn't done anything with it yet, at least above ground. Work had been started on a base of operations under it though and should have continued even in his absence. "Need a place to live plus access to a secure area for gear," he explained. "I own a building that will work, but it needs a complete renovation to be liveable unless you want to sleep underground since that part should be almost complete."

"You own a building?"

"Rich kid," Tim grinned at Sora. "Besides, I saw how much Munny you have thanks to Heartless just dropping it everywhere. Which is still very weird." The idea of his enemies just dropping various supplies was something he doubted he'd ever get used to.

He accessed his accounts, happy that no one outside his old team had touched them and they had only accessed the one he'd set up for them years ago. Part of him had been worried either Ra's or Damian would have managed to get in and drain his inheritance. He was lucky his mother had ensured no one could touch it but him, otherwise it would have been lost thanks to his dad. She'd actually hidden away quit a lot of money as his 'inheritance' just in case something happened with the company. He wasn't in Bruce's league but he was still a millionaire and he was going to use that. He loved Bruce, loved his family but…he didn't feel safe with Damian there. So, he sent off a message to the family lawyer, hoping B would understand.

He then brought up a bunch of architectural websites and the like, shifting the laptop so they could both see. "So, what do we need for Keyblade training in the bunker? And what kind of bedroom do you want?"

That got him a wide-eyed look and he'd expected. He was a detective and very good at reading between the lines. Sora hadn't really had a home in years and it was past time he had one again. He wanted Sora to like living on Earth, wanted him to like living with him.

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"Kon."

He winced as he heard Clark call his name but shifted course for Metropolis rather than back to the farm. He'd hoped to get back before Ma or Pa realised that he was gone. He'd been so focused on Tim that he hadn't stopped to think. He landed on the balcony and then grinned as he caught Jon, the younger boy chattering away at him.

Once inside Lois smiled and kissed his cheek before whisking Jon away, it really was way past his bedtime. Kon heard the flick of the white noise generator going on in the kids' room so he could sleep soundly and moved to join Clark in the living room. How was he going to explain just taking off?

"Is it really him?" Clark asked.

So much for keeping his return from everyone. They hadn't gotten the sound proofing up in time so the question was, could he convince Clark to keep quiet. Kon took the seat opposite Clark and took a deep breath.

"It's him, Tim's alive and back in Gotham," he confirmed quietly. "We set up security checks years ago," he pointed out before Clark could push. "He passed them all. He…he didn't know Bart and I were back so my showing up was as much a shock to him as hearing him speak was to me."

"Who else knows?"

"No one, he's not ready yet. He said things got bad before he left? So, he's taking his time to get settled before letting the family know. I promised Clark. He knows Bruce is back and he'll approach him when he's ready."

"Kon…"

"He didn't die but…it was close Clark, too close." The thought of Tim lying in the sand, bleeding out, alone…if he'd tried to move, he could have paralysed himself without realising it. "He had to be kept medically paralysed for a while because his spine was hit." He closed his eyes and then a hand gripped his, making him realise his were shaking. "So yes, he's taking his time coming home. He's not ready to hit the rooftops yet either since his spine is still healing."

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Clark felt a bit sick. Tim was either in motion or sitting still, waiting. The idea of him paralysed, unable to walk or fly between buildings… he wanted to ask why the teen hadn't called for him but depending on where the wound was, he might not have been able to. How terrifying must it have been, to just lie there, waiting to die, unable to move. And by the sounds of it, not just his spine had been hit. "How was he wounded?"

"Impaled on a sword," Kon answered tightly. "He had to have surgery to clean out the abdominal cavity to avoid sepsis and fix several organs. He's healing, whoever did the stitches is great at them, by the time he's finished healing human vision will have trouble finding the scars."

He could imagine the kind of organ damage a sword would do, he'd seen it before. Tim must have been terrified, sure, the kid had been hurt before, it was the nature of the work. But he'd never been so alone…why? Why hadn't he just listened? Given Tim a chance. If he had then Tim might not have been so alone, might have tried to call out to him or he would have heard his failing body. Wherever he'd received medical aid must have been somewhere well hidden and sound proofed.

There was evidence the League of Assassins had been after Tim, had they been the ones to wound him? Or save him? Had they done something to him if they'd had him? They all knew Ra's was capable of a lot and very able to find those with the skills his people lacked if needed. Was Tim right now some kind of sleeper agent for Ra's? it could explain him not wanting anyone to know he was back yet. Tim hadn't been insane with grief, which meant he'd been at least mostly mentally sane and in that case he didn't think the man could willingly turn Tim to his side, at least not without a lot longer working on him.

He hated to do it, but he suggested it to Kon who immediately denied it.

"The League never got their hands on Tim, he's with one of the people who found him. I've seen enough of the League to be able to recognise their training. Sora's not one of them. Tim told me everything and I believe him."

"Just be careful, please? And I can't keep this from Bruce forever. One week, I can give Tim one week to reach out and then I'll tell him."

Thankfully, Kon accepted that.

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Sora stood at the window, looking out at the city by daylight…it didn't do much to improve things. His memories of his time…away weren't the clearest, not until Riku had shown up. But he remembered being in a massive city, trying to live there, but also…crystal? It was all so confusing. The city he thought was maybe similar to Gotham but with newer looking buildings and not so…grungy. It had been cleaner, rainy?

He shook it off, glancing at where Tim was still sleeping only to start as his Gummiphone beeped quietly. He pulled it out, surprised to find a message from Kon. He'd given him his number because Tim didn't have a phone yet, his old local one was long gone and his Gummiphone was meant to be on the way. Riku had confirmed it had been sent two days ago but since Tim had never heard of Moogle's before it might take a little longer. He checked the message and grimaced, doubting Tim would like being given a deadline to make contact, especially one so soon.

And as if he knew Sora was thinking about him, Tim began to stir sleepily before startling awake.

"Easy Tim, we're in the hotel in Gotham," Sora murmured calmly, seeing as Tim became fully aware of his surroundings. After so long fighting Heartless and the Organisation he was used to people waking up badly.

"Right, sorry," Tim yawned and then frowned. "Did I imagine last night?"

In answer, Sora tossed him his phone to let him see the message.

Tim groaned as he read it. "Guess Clark heard my voice before you got the room silenced." He fell silent, thinking. "I can reach out to B in a way that should prove my id and get him to come alone but that can wait a few days. I want to check out the new base first, see how complete it is and take a look at the rest of the building before calling in the contractors. First, we'll both need clothing. Radiant Garden fashion is a bit different to Gotham and the material will stand out as something very non-local. Don't want to be taken for aliens or something."

Sora nodded, this was Tim's home so he'd follow his lead just like Tim had followed his and Riku's back in the Garden on his few trips away from the Castle. He walked over to the bed and gently pressed his hand to Tim's spine level with his scar, carefully sending a healing spell into the area to help with the last of the healing, feeling Tim relax. "These beds aren't the best for the back."

"I'll be getting an orthopaedic mattress," Tim told him, and while Sora didn't know what that was, he could make some assumptions. "Want first shower?"

"You go ahead, I'm going to call Riku and let him know we made it safely."

"Okay, we can grab some breakfast on the way to the shops." He got up and headed into the tiny bathroom.

Sora picked his phone up off the bed and pressed Riku's contact.

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Tim looked around and grinned as he took in the multiple levels of his new base with a lot of the equipment already in place. It was further along than he'd thought it would be, a few weeks and he could have it up and running. The computer system would need setting up but the fabricators were all online so he could get started on a new suit, something completely new.

He'd never felt like Red Robin fit him, despite clinging to the tie to the time before the demon brat. So, he would need to come up with something, the suit would be easier than a new name. It needed to be something unconnected to him as a Keyblade wielder as well, should he make another id in case he had to use his Keyblade? He'd never seen Heartless or Nobodies but that didn't mean they weren't around and the most likely to know anything were the Lantern Corps. But what reason would he have to start asking about them?

At least he had an outfit for if he needed to fight with the Keyblade, apparently fairies made their gear. They even changed styles every few years and made it so they all matched, he guessed so people would know who was one of them. Still to work on Earth, they'd need masks of some sort to keep their identities safe. Though, Sora needed one first, he didn't exist on Earth after all. So much to do.

"This place is amazing!"

"Thanks," Tim grinned and moved to the fabrication area. "First thing first, I need new gear."

"Oh, right!" Sora began digging in a pocket and Tim had to admit, magic pockets were great, he loved the ones on his things already. "Here," he held out something way more advanced looking than the non-medical tech he'd seen in Radiant Garden. "One of my trips while you were recovering was to this world that kind of has a superhero team, I'd seen you fiddling with the tech in what was left of your old suit and asked them a favour."

Tim took the package and opened it to see some kind of visor and maybe a wrist computer. The tech looked very different to anything he'd seen but also very human in its design. If he could reverse engineer it or just add it into what he already had… "Thanks Sora."

"So, are you going for the same suit we found you in?" Sora asked, leaning against the wall to watch.

"No, it never felt right and I only wore it for a few months. I liked some parts of it though so I'll use them, same with my old Robin gear. What about you?"

"Huh?" Sora blinked at him, and Tim rolled his eyes.

"I haven't known you very long Sora, but even I can tell you aren't the sort to sit back and leave others in danger. Can you honestly say you'll be fine with me going out night after night to stop crime without wanting to come along?" Tim just stared at him because he didn't believe it for a second.

Sora stared at him, considering and then he slumped. "Yeah…you're right."

"Can you fight without a Keyblade?" Tim asked, curious.

"Sure," Sora shrugged. "Riku and I started sword training when I was…four? Destiny Islands might be mostly peaceful but we were still islands with the dangers that come with that."

Tim frowned. "Are you saying, pirates?"

"Yep, and not the kind I met in Port Royal. Last major raid was when I was six but there's a reason everyone sticks to the big two islands and the Play Island. We're not the most technologically advanced World, we've got very basic computers, trams, motorised bikes, ships and stuff but for weapons we still pretty much use swords and the like. Most kids learn to fight in case of another raid. Kairi was pretty much the only one who didn't and as the adopted daughter of the Mayor, she could get away with it. Even Selphie has this skipping rope that really hurts if she gets you with it. No firearms like the pirates in Port Royal though."

"Well, there are a lot of firearms, guns, in Gotham. Our gear is made to protect us from bullets but it won't stop everything. He brought the program up on the laptop to show Sora the kind of things they could do with a suit.

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Bruce blinked as a notification popped up on the screen, clicking to find it was to an email account he hadn't used since…since Tim had been forced back into civilian life by his father. It had been their one sure way of communicating, even if only in code. Tim hadn't legally been his son then, but he had been in every other way and he hadn't trusted Jack with him. So, they had created a fake classmate and had kept in contact via email, it had been better than nothing.

Hey Matt,

Sorry it's been so long; I've been out of the country. So much for skiing the Alps, at least the hospital had a nice view. But I'm back in Gotham now, want to meet for coffee, normal spot?

Tim

He stared at the message, heart racing. Could it really be him? The League had been hunting him, if Ra's had gotten to him…it had been months and even the strongest would break eventually. But to what end? Ra's had never shown serious interest in killing him so he doubted it was to draw him out to be killed. Unless killing him was a test of his control of Tim either through training or mental manipulation? It didn't matter…he had to go. For the chance it really was Tim he had to risk it. And even if it was a controlled Tim, there were ways to break such things. Tim was strong, he'd be fighting it.

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Sora was kind of amazed by Tim's home. There was just so much! He'd never had the time to just explore San Fransokyo but he thought the tech levels were similar, if different. There were so many people and stores that it was a little overwhelming, but Tim stuck right by his side while also dodging cameras since there was someone called Oracle who used them to watch. And Tim didn't want to be seen, not yet.

He had more clothing now then he'd ever owned before, all of it new and properly fitting. No hand me downs from Riku or Wakka which felt weird. He had actual luggage too since they were going to be living out of the underground base and it didn't have bedrooms and closets. Even with Tim throwing money at the renovation, it would still take several months to turn the barely standing theatre into a liveable building.

For tonight, he was going to be alone. He'd offered to go with Tim was backup but Tim wanted to do it alone. He was worried his dad would detect Sora, even if he used magic to hide. He didn't like letting Tim go alone, not when he wasn't 100% healed, but it was Tim's choice. Tim had a local phone now so they could stay in contact at least.

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Bruce stood on the roof, wishing he could get lost in memory, but not now. Not when… there, the soft, deliberate scrape of a show and then a figure was standing beside him. No suit of any kind, just jeans and a hooded sweatshirt to conceal him from onlookers. Taller than Bruce remembered but Tim was only seventeen. Bruce himself was in the non-descript gear he used when he needed to do something unrelated to Batman, it was rarely used but kept in top condition. His companion slipped away into the shadows and Bruce followed.

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Tim's heart was racing as B followed him away from where anyone, even Oracle, could see them. He took a deep breath and shoved the hood down even as he looked Bruce over, he looked healthy at least. "Hey B," he whispered, nervous.

"Tim," his voice was flat though not Batman's growl, and Tim understood. He'd been missing, utterly silent, for months.

"It's me Bruce." He lifted the sweatshirt to reveal skin and reached for Bruce's hand, silently pleading, and Bruce let him guide his fingers to the scar, hearing the soft hiss as Bruce realised.

"I nearly died, I was kept in a medically induced coma and then paralysed to let my body heal. The paralysis…nearly ended up permanent. Major organ damage and my spine was hit. I'm still doing rehab for that but there shouldn't be any lasting effects. It was a private hospital, the people who found me bleeding out took me there, paid for my treatment."

"The Justice League looked everywhere."

"Everywhere on Earth," Tim corrected.

"You were off world?" Bruce demanded, and he nodded.

"Don't know what planet I was on, they never said. They never asked questions outside of my health, all my needs were seen to. Everyone looked human enough that I didn't realise at first."

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Bruce stared at the boy before him, he looked like Tim, sounded like him. He was taller, his hair longer but those eyes were Tim's when he was pleading with him for something. His skin was paler but months in hospital would do that. His spine…organ damage… he forced himself to retrieve the device he had brought and Tim immediately held out his hand, allowing the sample to be taken. Bruce had re-routed the monitor before leaving, just in case someone was in the Cave, he didn't want the results flashing up on the main screen. They waited in silence as the sample was analysed and then the machine beeped…match. It was Tim's DNA, no sign of cloning or any kind of tampering.

Bruce stared at him, searching for the slightest hint that it wasn't his son before him but every motion, every word, screamed his son. "Tim," he breathed, lifting a hand to his face and Tim leant into his touch, eyes closing.

"I missed you so much," Tim choked out, and Bruce reached for him, Tim falling into him, clinging on tight.

"I'm here, we're both home," he promised. He would be looking into who could have saved Tim and why, surely there was a motive and why Tim of all the thousands dying that same hour? What would the price eventually be?

TBC…

So Tim's covering up what happened by giving a partial truth.