Disclaimer: not mine

There's a poll up in my ffnet profile for Tim's new id in No Longer the Boy Wonder. Please vote.

Chapter 9

Dick struggled not to pace in front of the Zeta, glancing at the clock again. Jason was sitting at the Batcomputer so as not to overwhelm the kid, especially when they'd never met. Had B told Tim about him being back?

And then the Zeta activated, announcing Batman and Robin since Tim was still listed under the name. Bruce stepped out, his arm around the waist of a gangly teen. Tim had been gone for almost two years so it shouldn't be surprising that he'd grown. Bruce gently helped Tim further into the cave and Tim slowly looked around, every move hesitant. Then Tim shakily signed something and Bruce smiled.

"That's right Tim, we're home."

Dick moved towards them and Tim looked at him. "Timmy?" he called shakily.

His little brother stared at him blankly, no recognition, and Dick's heart plummeted. But then ever so slowly his hands came up to sign erratically.

Dick sobbed and nodded. "It's me, I'm here baby bird." He moved closer and B gently transferred Tim to him. Tim sighed softly, a hand tangling in Dick's shirt as his head rested against his shoulder. When he'd been taken, his head barely rested on his chest. "You're real, you're home," he choked out, rocking them where they stood. Tim whined softly and Dick could feel dampness in his shirt.

Tim was so much more alive than the images they'd seen, more aware then even in the recording of him with Bruce. He felt the fingers of Tim's other hand tracing out shaky signs on his chest.

"I love you too Tim, I've missed you so much. I…I thought we'd lost you."

Tim just held on shakily and Dick could feel the energy draining from him so he carefully picked him up. He might not be as strong as B or Jason but Tim was skinny, not underweight or anything, but he had a slender build. He could feel muscle under Tim's clothes so obviously work had been done to help him maintain muscle tone. He cradled Tim to his chest and carried him to the meeting table, sitting with the teen in his lap.

Tim curled into him, head now resting over his heart, obviously comforted by listening to the steady beat. Dick gently ran his hand through almost shoulder length hair. Bruce sat down beside him, close enough that their legs touched.

"Missed you B, glad you're both back," he reached out to his dad, who took his hand, squeezing it.

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Bruce glanced at Jason who looked at him and then signed in question, not sure if Tim knew he was alive or anything. Bruce motioned for him to approach before turning to Tim. "Tim, sweetheart, there's someone else here who wants to see you." Tim turned his head to see him, making a soft noise. "Do you remember Jason?" he asked carefully.

Tim blinked slowly and Bruce stayed quiet to give Tim time to think. He hated seeing him struggle so much with something that would have happened so quickly before. But then Tim gave the Robin sign and mine.

Bruce laughed. "Yes Tim, your Robin." He glanced back at Jason again and nodded.

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Jason approached and knelt beside the chair. "Hey Tim," he called softly, and Tim slowly focused on him. "I'm glad I finally get to meet my baby brother." He smiled at him.

Tim stared at him and then deliberately lifted a hand, reaching out to touch Jason's face, studying him and then slowly, Tim's lips twitched in a smile. He'd seen recordings of Tim in action, he was quick and precise, flowing fluidly in a fight. Him moving so shakily and slowly wasn't right. And then Tim signed Jay and he nodded, accepting the nickname, knowing it was an easier sign, he figured the kid would come up with something even easier for him, like he had for B and Dick since obviously they'd been the ones teaching him sign language before.

"Yeah, I'm Jay," he greed. "I'm very happy to meet you Tim." He reached out, making his movements obvious as he moved to gently ruffle Tim's hair.

Tim remembered him, he honestly hadn't expected that with how different he looked. The kid made a soft noise and then hesitantly reached out to him. Jason blinked and looked up at Dick who smiled but passed Timmy down to him. Jason stood with Tim in his arms and moved to another seat, his little brother curling into him trustingly. Jason talked quietly to Tim, telling him about how Gotham had been during his absence, Dick and Bruce talking in the background.

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Jason! His Robin! Robin was there. Jay? Easier to sign and Jay agreed. Good. He'd been…gone? Tim was Robin before. Jay here now. He couldn't remember.

"Easy Timmy, it's okay kiddo," Jason was saying, and Tim relaxed in his big brother's arms. "I know you're frustrated but you're doing great."

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Dick smiled as Tim curled so trustingly into Jason and he wondered if maybe they had actually met before. Jason had admitted he thought he might have caught quick glimpses of Tim when out as Robin but there was no way to be sure. But at a gala? It was possible even if Jason didn't remember it, with Jason being his hero such a meeting would have imprinted itself on Tim.

He turned back to Bruce; they had a lot to talk about. He hated having to tell B about his son now locked in the containment cell.

"What is it chum?" Bruce asked, sensing his hesitation.

"Damian," he admitted, glancing over at Timmy and Jason, relieved that Jason was keeping him occupied. "When he found out you were back with Tim…I'm sorry B, he's in the containment cell. He just went off, the names he called Tim made me feel sick. We've done everything we can but Talia sent no paperwork or anything. We couldn't put him in therapy or anything. If he was injured, we couldn't legally be involved in his treatment. I've never met a kid so young who is so arrogant. He seems to think that he is entitled to be Robin, that it's his birthright. I hate to think what he would have done if Tim had been active as Robin when he arrived."

"It's alright Dick, I know you all did your best with what you had," Bruce assured him.

"He calls me and Jason interlopers but his reaction to Tim…Jay thinks Talia aimed him at Tim, like how Jason was given faulty intel on him. She wants Tim gone…permanently. But with Tim how he is, he's no threat to her or the League or anything. Unless she saw the adoption as a threat to Damian's position?"

"But why Tim? You are the primary heir and with Jason's return she has to realise he would be added back in as well. No matter Tim's status, any inheritance is being split in several ways." Bruce sighed and then stood. "I'm going to meet him."

"You sure?"

He nodded. "Help Jason keep Tim occupied."

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Bruce took a deep breath and walked towards the containment cell. This was not how he wanted to meet his youngest. What had Talia and Ra's done to make the boy the way Dick and Jason described? He knew Ra's would have had a hand in it. The man had shown interest in Tim the one time they met and Bruce wouldn't put it passed him to aim Damian at him to remove him from the family and leave him vulnerable to a master manipulator. Talia may have seen Tim as a threat to his position in his life but he had already taken in three children, she had to have realised a fourth wouldn't be an issue.

He stopped in front of the cell to see a boy sitting on the bed, scowl on his face and arms crossed over his chest. He took a deep breath and activated the sound system. "Hello Damian," he greeted.

The boy immediately stood and approached the door, staring at him. "Father, it is good you have returned. Those interlopers have overstepped themselves badly."

"They are my sons, your brothers, not interlopers. They have told me about how you stole the Robin suit and went out alone. And of your reaction to my returning today with Tim."

Damian scoffed at the mention of Tim. "That imbecile should have been left where he was or put out of his misery."

"Tim is still recovering; he is making progress every day. He is not an imbecile; he was kidnapped and infected with a virus designed to supress brain activity. Your brother was fighting it the whole time. He may not make a full recovery but he is aware and able to think."

"He is a liability and not my brother!" Damian snapped.

"Not by blood, through that he is your cousin. No matter how you look at it, he is family. They all are family. Why did Talia send you to Gotham when it was well known I was off world?" he switched topics.

"Mother sent me to you so that you can complete my training," he stated proudly.

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Tim lay in Jay's arms, listening as he talked. He didn't understand everything and it was frustrating. He should be able to, he wanted to, but he couldn't. He whined and pressed his face against his shirt, unable to stop the tears.

"Oh Timmy," Jay murmured. A hand began stroking through his hair, another rubbing his back. "It's okay kiddo. You're so brave Tim, so strong."

"Jay's right Timmy," Dick agreed. And then he was being held between both of them, whispers of love and support and he sagged between them, silent tears falling.

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Alfred stood back, watching, heart aching for his dear grandson. To see Tim, older and grown, was a miracle. He had truly thought the boy dead before Mr Jordan had brought back word of his survival. It was obvious he still had a long road ahead of him, but his family would support him.

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Kon ruffled Jon's hair, his brother pouting at him for it. Home just…wasn't the same since Tim and the others had left. It was too quiet and Kon wasn't used to being so alone anymore. Even once Tim was sleeping in the medical bay or in a room with Bruce, he had still been close.

But as much as he missed Tim and even Bruce, he had to go on with his life. So he was continuing his medical studies, curious about further ways to help the kids and to look into his own creation.

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Cassie walked towards the couch where Tim sat, staring out the window. She shoved her shaking hands in her pockets. Would…would he know her? They were meeting him one at a time to keep from overwhelming or confusing him. If it went well with her then Bart would come by tomorrow.

He looked good, healthy, taller than he had been and his hair was longer. It had grown a lot for not quite two years but he'd been living in alien conditions so that could have influenced his body. She'd read the briefing, Tim was part Kryptonian now, though only a small part and no one was sure how that would affect him now that he was back.

"Tim?" She called softly, waiting.

Slowly he turned his head to look at her, just staring.

"Tim?" she moved closer and then knelt down so he didn't have to look up. "Hey," she managed a smile. "Missed you Rob," she told him and slowly recognition filled his eyes.

"Nhgg." The attempt at speech hurt to hear, he'd always been so well spoken. A flash of frustration crossed his face and then he lifted his hands to fumble through finger spelling.

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah Tim, it's me. Can I sit with you?"

He gave a small nod so she moved to the couch, smiling when he leant against her side.

"I'm so glad you're home," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. "We've missed you so much Tim. Bart will come to see you tomorrow." She began telling him about everything he'd missed and Tim listened, obviously not getting it all and occasionally fumbling through signs to ask questions or comment.

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Bruce stared at the woman he had once loved. Her cold green eyes met his even across the rooftop. "You kept knowledge of Damian from me for ten years, and then sent him to Gotham when I was off world. You tried to aim first Jason and now him at Tim. What are you playing at?" he demanded.

"I have ensured our son has the best training in the world, Beloved."

"As an assassin, so why tell him that I would complete his training? We do not kill."

"He needs a well-rounded education and you can provide that."

"He is beyond arrogant and won't listen to anyone Talia, that is not good training. Dick and Jason can handle him but Tim is far too vulnerable, especially with Damian's irrational hatred of him."

He had been surprised that she had been so easy to contact but she did not seem very willing to give proper answers. He hated to do it, but what other choice was there? He could not have an unrepentant killer in his home threatening his other children. "He will have to return to you."

"He cannot," she shook her head, beginning to pace a little. "My father will not allow it."

"Well, he can't stay here."

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Bart was vibrating, trying to move slowly and not startle Rob…Tim. Would he ever be Rob again? Non-speedsters always appeared to move slowly to him but now Tim reaching out to him seemed to be happening at a glacial speed. But finally, Tim's hand was resting on his arm. Bart smiled at him and Tim gave a sort-of smile back. Tim's muscle control was still a big work in progress but that was okay, they could help him!

"Missed you so much Rob, you're not allowed to vanish ever again!"

Tim stared at him and then toppled into him, making a pained noise, and Bart hugged him.

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Dick sat with Tim on the mats, gently pushing against his leg while Tim tried to push back. "You're doing great Timmy," he praised, feeling Tim pushing if weakly.

It was obvious that Tim was frustrated by his progress but as far as the rest of them were concerned, he was progressing. He'd been home for a month and could already move about his bedroom without help most days. They'd considered moving him to a downstairs room but in the end had decided the familiarity of his own room was for the best.

The Manor was so much brighter with Damian gone and Tim home, and he hated feeling that way. But Damian had refused all attempts at getting along with any of them. He didn't know what Bruce had done with the boy and hadn't asked, so long as he was kept far away from them.

Across the room, Jason was working with Bernard. Bruce was fostering the other boy since all attempts to find his parents had failed. Until they could be found he needed a guardian so Bruce had stepped up to help Tim's school friend. They were still hoping the Dowd's would make contact since their return had been reported world-wide but the longer it took the more concerning it became. Bernard would have a home at Wayne Manor for as long as needed, even if it ended up being for life.

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Diana smiled as Tim blew out the candles on his birthday cake. The party was small since Tim was still struggling with too many people around. A few of the Justice League members were present along with the old Young Justice team and the bats, obviously.

Tim's ability with sign language had improved so he was better able to communicate than he had been when he first returned. It wasn't perfect and he still got easily frustrated, but he was still improving.

He was given small, meaningful gifts. Lots of photos were included of Tim with the various attendees, in and out of uniform and Tim seemed to enjoy them the most. He'd even been given some stuffed animals which he enjoyed squeezing and touching.

She glanced over at Bruce, seeing the mix of happiness and sadness. This was a long way from the eighteenth birthday Bruce would have hoped for Tim to have. Legally, Tim was of age to be an adult and yet he would remain under Bruce's guardianship, declared unable to care for himself or make his own decisions. She did not agree with that and knew Bruce didn't either but the doctors simply didn't take the time to let Tim think and then answer. He wasn't brain damaged, it just took him longer to understand and work things through. He was still improving though and maybe…maybe by his twenty first?

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Bruce was relieved to receive the report of another group of children having been found, the Corps administering the cure immediately. They would be returned to Earth in the next few weeks.

He then brought up a camera feed to watch Damian as he raged against his caretakers only to be sedated, again. The boy was being kept in a remote facility that Bruce had long ago purchased for other purposes but had never ended up using. It had been swiftly refitted to give Damian comfortable accommodations but without luxuries to try and help work on his arrogance. The staff were well trained, all ex-military or similar who had tangled with the League at some point.

They would see to Damian's needs and general comfort while also attempting to acclimatise him to life in actual civilisation. It had been three months and there was no progress but such rehabilitation took time. It could be years before there was any noticeable change in Damian's behaviour.

Talia had not been happy with his way of dealing with Damian but could offer no other options that did not endanger his other children. And he had made it clear, if she took Damian from the facility then he was washing his hands of the boy.

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Jason ran for Tim's room as he heard a thud and cry. He made it to the doorway to see Tim laying on the ground, sobbing, one leg spasming. "Easy Tim, I've got you," he called, moving to carefully check him over before lifting him from the floor and setting him on his bed. He carefully stretched the leg out and Tim cried out in pain, eyes wide with fear. "Easy Timmy, I'm going to call Alfred," he explained, hitting the emergency call button they'd installed beside the bed for Tim.

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Alfred soon arrived and frowned at seeing Tim on the bed with Jason trying to sooth him. "Master Jason?"

"He fell, something's up with his leg," was the answer.

Alfred moved to the bed, seeing the way Tim's leg was spasming. "I will contact Dr Leslie," he decided after a moment. It could be a simple muscle spasm but it was lasting some time and obviously causing pain and fear.

"Tim okay?" Bernard stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"Why don't you sit with him?" he smiled at the teen who nodded and walked slowly to the bed.

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Bernard sat on the bed beside Tim and took his hand. He could see his leg moving weird and was worried. Tim seemed to be hurting too. So, he petted his hair and Tim clung to him and his brother.

The beds in their rooms were different to others, lower to the ground to make them easier to get in and out of. Had Tim fallen out? He hated seeing Tim in pain, he was his friend. He wished he could make Tim better; he was better than Tim and it wasn't fair.

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Bruce buried his face in his hands as Leslie left. Tim… all he wanted was for his son to be alright, to recover, but now…that was looking further away than ever. He looked up at the wheelchair that had just been delivered, hating the sight of it, and knowing Tim would hate it even more. Every test they could think of had been run on Tim and the results weren't good. Didn't he deserve a break after everything he'd been through?

Now, they had to move him to a downstairs bedroom because of the wheelchair. He knew the other children were hoping it was just a temporary setback but Leslie didn't seem very hopeful. This chair was temporary, to see if Tim could manage a manual one or if he would have to upgrade to an electric one. His arm strength and control had improved a lot since the last cure shot but could he deal with wheeling himself around? Thankfully, subtle alterations had been made on the ground floor to help Barbara get around in her chair so they didn't have to do anything there.

And Bruce couldn't help wondering, was it because of the virus…or the multiple attempts to cure Tim…or even his now altered physiology?

The look on Tim's face when he saw the chair broke his heart.

TBC…