Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 11

Zor-El watched as Tim entered his lab in a chair that moved itself. The young man was staring at him, only a slight flicker of recognition. "It is good to see you again Tim, I just wish the circumstances were better," he offered smiling at him. And then behind him came Bruce and Kon, like so many other visits. "If you could," he motioned to the table.

Tim's chair moved beside it and he stared for a moment at the table.

"Need help?" Kon asked gently, but Tim shook his head and then braced himself using the arms, pushing up to his feet.

It was interesting to watch the way he simply worked around his body's limits. Such issues were so rare for their own people, Kal had been the first natural birth among them for centuries, all other children were very carefully engineered to be genetically perfect. Humans didn't have that so genetic abnormalities happened a lot, others suffered injuries that left them changed for life.

"I have a few scans to run, nothing invasive," he promised, and Tim nodded.

He tapped at something attached to his arm and Zor was surprised when it spoke. "Thank you."

Zor nodded and went to work.

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Tim smiled as Kon practically perched on the arm of his chair. Being around him was not helping get rid of his crush at all. There was no way Kon would ever be interested in him, even if he could be fixed, he was still Kon's one time slave. It felt…nice, to be back with them, right in a weird way despite how little he truly remembered of his time with them. He did remember Jon being a lot shorter though, the kid now the kind of lanky that screamed many growth spurts ahead. Unsurprising given Kal's height and even Lois'.

He knew better than to get his hopes up about anything anymore but the idea of being able to walk again…to not being in pain…

Gentle fingers began running through his hair and he relaxed, slowly beginning to drift off.

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Lois bit back a smile at the sight of Kon with Tim, the younger boy slowly relaxing into sleep as Kon absently played with his hair. Kon didn't even seem to realise he was doing it either. Seeing Tim fully alert and following everything was wonderful, he hadn't managed to speak but the machine did that for him and he had a sharp, inquisitive mind. She was very glad he had gotten that back after so long basically mindless.

Jon immediately became quieter so as not to wake Tim. Poor boy had to be stressed by the tests and the hope that he could be helped by them once more. And he'd obviously been in some amount of pain as well.

The way Kon looked at Tim…she had no problem with that so long as both consented, and Tim was truly capable of consenting now, not like when he lived with them. She just wanted her children to be happy and that would be hard. They were exiled from their home now, cut off from friends and support. They had to make new lives for themselves on this world, one centuries behind Krypton in terms of technology. It was not going to be easy and they would need support, friends. The human Green Lantern was a start with the 'heroes' and it seemed the Wayne family would be their start with normal humans.

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Kon held Tim's hand as they waited for Zor to explain his findings, hoping his uncle could once again give Tim a miracle. And from the smile on the man's face, it seemed like he could.

"Good news?"

"I believe I can cure you, yes," Zor told Tim who slumped into Kon's side. "However, it will require a decision from you."

Tim straightened; head cocked curiously.

"You are aware the virus began incorporating Kryptonian genetic code, DNA your people call it, into your own?"

Tim nodded and tapped away. "Didn't cause any noticeable changes."

"No, because it has lain dormant. I believe that bringing it out of dormancy and incorporating some more, will heal you. But this will make you a hybrid, like Kon. You won't have as much Kryptonian DNA but it will be enough for you to be classified a hybrid. And the process itself may cause some level of pain."

"Used to pain."

And Kon hated that Tim could say that. "What's the Earth attitude towards hybrids, Tim?" he asked, worried about how he'd be treated.

"You look human, no one would know," Tim tapped out the answer. "No known human/alien hybrids exist, yet. Half-mortals exist, like Wonder Woman."

"This is your decision Tim, I understand your government has your father as still making decisions for you, but I will not proceed unless you agree. Would you like to examine the data?"

Tim nodded and Kon settled in with him to go over it. It looked very thorough and Kon was glad he'd focused on genetics and medicine. He was nowhere near Zor's level but he could understand it. It seemed sound, though not without risks. But any treatment would have risks.

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It wasn't just Tim's results Zor was studying, but Kon's. The young man had reported the strange instance of sudden extra strength and several instances of suddenly being able to hear things he shouldn't be able to. Was exposure to Earth bringing forward something in his human genetics…or was it due to being Kryptonian? Their own solar system was very different. Kal hadn't noticed anything but he had only been onto their space station, not the planet like Kon. Their ships were fully shielded which would keep the rest of them from being affected if it was something like radiation from the yellow sun. If it was the mixing of Kryptonian and human or even simply the Kryptonian genetics then he would need to keep an eye on Tim too if he agreed to the procedure.

He also had to work out who would donate the genetic material. Someone unrelated to Kon would be best which meant Lois, Kon couldn't as a hybrid himself and he doubted the two boys wanted to end up siblings to any degree. Perhaps Kara was a possibility as well, as she was more distantly related.

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Tim smiled as Steph leant down to kiss his cheek, Cass simply curling up in his lap. He missed them when they weren't around, which sometimes seemed weird since they'd only met after he returned to Earth. He'd met Cass in a park after he'd started using the chair, she'd been watching him, curious and gradually had come closer. Finding out who her parents were, what they'd done to her…he'd wanted his bō and ten minutes of being able to fight again. Steph had hit Jason in the face with a brick! Good thing he wore a helmet.

Having sisters was different but he loved them both, even if Steph wasn't a Wayne since she still had her mom. Technically, he still had his dad though the man was in prison and Tim had been adopted while on Krypton. Tim had convinced Bruce to let him see him once and it had been…strange. But for once, there had been something almost parental in Jack's eyes when he'd seen Tim. That had been when he had more good days then bad, when he'd been able to speak short sentences at times. Jack had apologised but Tim wasn't sure how genuine it was, and that hurt.

No, the Wayne's were his family now and always would be. Though he was comfortable with the House of El too, they made him feel almost as safe as his human family.

"So, what's up with the family meeting?" Steph asked as she sprawled on the couch.

"Zor-El thinks he can cure me."

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Jason stretched out on the couch, Timmy tucked into his side, dozing. Another side effect of his condition was that he tended to drift off to sleep a lot unless kept busy. To think he used to run around Gotham at night and attend school during the day, now he slept at least eleven or even fourteen hours out of every twenty-four.

The idea of him being cured…he'd never known Tim when he was healthy. But becoming a hybrid worried Jason. Sure, Kon-El was one but he'd been born one, Tim would be made into one. Technically, he already was but the DNA was dormant. How would waking it change him? Kryptonians looked human enough, on the outside, but the inside? B had said there were differences in their brains too…would it change how Tim thought? His memories, emotions… what if…what if who came out of the procedure wasn't their Timmy?

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Kal stared at the earth identification. "Clark Kent?"

"The nephew of the recently deceased Martha Kent of Smallville, Kansas. She and her husband once helped J'onn when he was injured and became something of a place to rest to many in the League. With both now dead, their farm is vacant as they had no other family. The farm is a good size, more houses can be built on the land and it will give your family an income. We can have people show you how to run the farm and once you've settled into life on earth you can chose to find another career," Bruce…Batman explained.

"It is secluded?"

"On the edge of the town so no close neighbours."

That would be good considering they were being affected by the differences of earth to krypton. Kon had started showing them first, because he had been the first to come to the planet but now, they were all starting to show increases in their senses, their strength. Privacy to learn to deal with those changes would be good.

He looked over the id's for the others, Lois Kent, Conner Kent, and Jonathon 'Jon' Kent. Then there was Zoran and Kara Danvers, relatives on Lois' side rather than his own, but it still kept them as family.

"Thank you."

"After everything you've done for my son, for all of the children, this is a very small repayment."

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Conner Kent, he was Conner Kent now. The farm was…strange, unlike anything he'd ever known before. He had a small bedroom rather than the suite of rooms he'd had at the estate and station but it didn't really bother him, he'd never needed all that space. The yellow sunlight was strange but at least Zor was now sure that was what was causing them all issues. Thankfully, the Justice League was used to dealing with people with different abilities so they were offering them help to adjust not just to the planet but their new powers.

He was glad he was too old for school; Tim was forever sending him things to help him learn about earth and fit in though which was nice. And Tim had suggested that once his powers were under control then he could join the Titans if he wanted to. He wasn't sure but it would mean more time with Tim. And helping people could be good.

Jon wanted to go to school, to be around others his own age, but for now he was being 'home schooled' until Kal and Lois were sure he had his new powers under full control. Lois was absorbing everything she could find about their new home and she'd even gotten a job! It was kind of crazy but also just so very Lois. She was something called a reporter now for a newspaper.

He looked up as something hit him in the head, barely feeling the impact. Kara smirked at him and Kon grinned, launching to his feet and taking off after her.

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Bruce looked up as Tim walked into his office, happy to see him up on his own feet even if walking stiffly. "Good day?" he asked, moving to the couch.

"Mmmm," Tim answered, nodding. He sat carefully on the couch as well and Bruce tugged him into his side. He was at least semi-verbal today too, rare that he could walk and vocalise on the same day.

"Wanted company?" he asked. Tim had become very affectionate since being freed, was freer with his desire for it.

Bruce knew Tim had been touch starved as a child, neglected so badly by his parents. But their rough start had led to Tim not feeling comfortable asking for the touch he needed for too long. Things had been getting better, Tim leaning into a hand on his shoulder, asking for hugs, then Jack Drake had woken and Tim had returned to his custody. Thankfully, Kon had shown Tim affection even when he'd been mindless, they'd all continued that as they experimented with a cure and so when Tim had finally come back to himself, he'd felt more able to ask for and accept it.

"Pro…" Tim paused and took a deep breath. "Yyyes Zor," he got out, and Bruce understood.

"You want to go through with the procedure," he murmured, and Tim nodded. "Alright."

He had reservations, concerns, but it was Tim's choice. How could he condemn his son to this fate if there was the chance of a cure? Every specialist consulted agreed, if he continued to get worse then eventually, he would die, long before his natural life span was over.

"I'll contact them and see what needs to be done," he promised, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I love you son," he whispered.

"L've Dad." Tim tipped his head up and smiled at him.

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Bernard sat on his chair, watching the monitor. Even after two years, he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to wearing a mask. At least they didn't have full costumes since they never left the base. But…if Tim was healed, would he want to go back to field work? He was fine as Tim's assistant but there was no way he could run it all himself, even with Babs' help.

"Aus?" Tim asked, glancing at him, blue eyes hidden by the masks whiteouts.

"Sorry," he offered, and Tim turned from his console to look at him.

"Wwww…" Tim grimaced and then tapped the unit. "Worried?"

"I…are you sure, about the procedure?"

Tim frowned and reached out to grab his hand, tugging him around.

"What…what if it changes you? If…you're not our Tim anymore? You've seen the scans, their brains are different to us, compatible to a point but…"

"Always your brother, friend." Tim wrapped his arms around Bernard's waist and Bernard knelt to hug him back.

"I don't want to lose you," he whispered.

"Without this you will, I'm dying Ber. Slowly and painfully. This is a chance to live."

"Promise we'll always be brothers," he begged, and then his mask was being removed, blinking to find warm blue staring back.

"Al..wys," Tim forced out the promise.

Bernard nodded, replacing their masks since it was the rule. If they were in the base and the doors weren't locked then the masks stayed on.

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"Timothy," Damian greeted stiffly, staring at the image of...his brother.

Timothy smiled at him, tapping away and text scrolled across his screen. He knew the older boy used a machine to talk but it sounded odd over his system so it was better for him to simply type. Damian read his words and blinked.

"Has Father lost his mind?" he asked in disbelief and Timothy laughed. "It is not funny, an untried medical procedure that will give you alien DNA cannot be safe."

And once he would have wanted it to fail, for Timothy to die but…it was different now. He was not really sure how he felt about him but he no longer wanted him dead.

"Dam..ia," Tim spoke to him for the first time. He had never heard him actually speak before. And then the words appeared on the screen…I am already dying. This might be the only chance I have to live a full life. And I already have Kryptonian DNA, just dormant."

"I expect to see you standing on your own feet then the next time we speak."

Tim grinned and nodded. I look forward to it, maybe I can come see you.

Damian blinked at the message and then nodded. "That would be acceptable."

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Dick grinned and tossed the tennis ball to Tim who caught it easily. It was part of his therapy to keep him from losing function in his arms and they needed to make sure he could defend himself if attacked, just like Babs. And Dick wondered, could the Kryptonians do something to help her too?

"Nervous?" he asked as they finished up, and Tim drank some water.

"Yes. It's only a quarter but still a big change."

"No matter what happens Tim…"

"I know," Tim smiled as the computer spoke for him.

He reached out and Dick leant down to hug him, lifting him from the chair easily. He was too light for his age and height but with how little he used his legs it wasn't surprising. Tim clung on easily like he had when he'd first become Robin and Dick would carry him to medical or to bed when he stayed over at the Manor.

"I love you baby bird, no matter what."

"Love you too Dick."

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Tim lay on the bed, struggling to keep his breathing even as Bruce ran his fingers through his hair, Kon hanging onto his hand, thumb rubbing the back of it gently.

"You'll be okay, Zor-El is the best at this," Kon whispered, and Tim nodded.

"We'll be right here when you wake up sweetheart," B promised, leaning down to kiss his forehead.

"Are you ready to begin?" Zor-El asked.

Tim took a deep breath and then nodded, flashing a thumbs up. Zor nodded and then placed something over his face, not an oxygen mask though.

"Breathe deeply please."

Tim obeyed, taking deep breaths. It smelt really funny, his head beginning to spin, vision blurring and he couldn't help the soft whimper.

"It's alright Tim, just keep breathing," Kon sounded so far away…

His eyelids were heavy now, everything fading away.

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Bruce heard Tim whimper, eyes sluggishly tracking but obviously gradually losing awareness. His eyes slowly drooped before finally closing, the mask still secure over his face. He'd never seen Tim react to anaesthetic like that before so he wondered what was in it. A machine moved into place around Tim's body, meaning Bruce and Kon had to move away. All they could do was watch as it began to spin and make noise.

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The Manor was silent, all of them waiting for word of Tim's condition. Bruce would call as soon as Tim was awake again, but how long would that take? What if it didn't work? Jason eventually got up, pacing, and no one stopped him.

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Kon leant closer, seeing Tim's eyelashes flutter ever so slightly. "Tim?" he whispered. They didn't know if Tim would gain powers like them and if he did, would they kick in immediately since he'd been exposed to the yellow sun all his life?

Ever so slowly, blue eyes opened, blinking sleeping up at up. "K…" Tim coughed, throat obviously dry.

Kon's heart was racing with nervousness even as Bruce gave him some water.

"Kon?" Tim whispered hoarsely, but there was no stutter, no effort to force the word out.

"Welcome back," Kon grinned at him.

"Tim," Bruce reached out to gently cup Tim's face in one hand.

"Hey B," he murmured, eyelids already drooping again.

"Get some sleep sweetheart, we'll still be here."

Tim hummed softly, drifting to sleep, shifting on the bed to roll onto his side, legs moving under the sheet, curling towards his chest.

Kon looked at Bruce and knew he had a massive smile but he couldn't help it. Tim never curled up when sleeping but apparently, he used to. And now he had again! Bruce smiled back at him and they settled in to wait while Tim slept.

Zor said the procedure had gone very well, better than he'd predicted with how quickly the DNA had bonded to Tim's. Kara had ended volunteering as the donor since Kal had already created an identity for him as a member of the House of El back when he was a slave.

He couldn't wait to see just how healed Tim was. Even if only the pain had been fixed, it would have been wonderful but he'd spoken and moved his legs freely. Finally, Tim could move on from what had been done to him.

TBC….

So Tim is now ¼ Kryptonian. How powerful would that make him compared to Kal and Kon?