Disclaimer: not mine
lots of likes and follows but only one review?
Chapter 2
Dick stared at the coffin as it was lowered into the frozen ground, fitting he supposed. A frozen grave for a frozen body. He wanted to cry, to scream and demand his baby bird back but none of the Justice League Dark would help them try and find who had taken Tim from them. They were kind about it, even Constantine, but none of them would risk it. Tim was only seventeen! He should be looking forward to graduation not eternally enslaved or tortured.
Jason stood beside him, supporting him. He could because the funeral was only family and close friends which meant no civilians outside Lucius, his family, and Jim Gordon.
When it was over, Dick couldn't have told anyone what the priest said, he hadn't heard a word of it. His eyes met Clark's; Lois tucked into his side. Beside them was a silent Kon, then Bart and Cassie. Then Jason was leading him away, back towards home.
,
Damian stared at the grave and the temporary stone. Timothy Drake-Wayne, beloved son and brother. He hadn't loved him, hadn't considered him his brother. And yet…Timothy had gone above and beyond, had sacrificed his afterlife and for what? No one could say definitely beyond it being for the clone and speedster and the battle against Darkseid. Father's injuries…had he been meant to die? Had Timothy traded himself for Father as well?
He didn't know how to feel about that, what to think. Had he been wrong about him? Had Mother?
,
Bruce nearly threw the book, frustrated. He was a detective, the world's greatest according to many, and yet he could find nothing. How had Tim? Where had he found the information to contact such a being? And even if he found something, what if it was for a different creature? He had no way to know which one Tim had dealt with except it had to have something to do with the cold from the way he had died. Why make him suffer like that?
Tim's reaction that last morning…conflicting memories? It made sense, as old memories were overwritten by the changed events, it would have been confusing. Had…had it been a gift, to let Tim see that his wish had been granted before he died? There was so much he didn't know and longed to. He just wanted his son back.
,
Jason worked quietly beside Alfred. Since that day…the Manor was quiet. It had been a shock the first patrol after, to see Bruce…but then Babs and Dick had stepped in, forcing B to step back from patrol. Dick had taken up the cowl, Bruce benched until he got his head on straight. And…there was a new Robin. They'd all known it would happen soon, Tim had begun working on suit designs, had been planning to pass the mantle on. Seeing the shock in Damian's eyes when he'd been given the R, a new design that Tim had made just for him…it seemed that in death, Damian was finally seeing the real Tim. It was just too late.
Jason had looked over Tim's files, seen the various designs he'd been playing with, the names he'd been working with. He wondered which the kid would have chosen in the end. Now, they'd never know.
He remembered nothing of his time dead, there'd been pain and then the terror of the coffin, nothing in between. But the idea of Tim being tortured or used as a slave or who knew what else…it made him feel sick. The kid didn't deserve that, very few did. Darkseid, the Joker, some others sure, but not Timmy. Things had been good between them, they were brothers, and now Tim was gone forever. It wasn't fair.
,
Embarrassingly, she yelped as a glowing green scroll appeared, that…that was not good. That glow was found only one place…the Infinite Realms… hesitantly she approached the desk, checking it as carefully as possible but it didn't seem to be a trap, or at least, not one for her. But on the front of the scroll, was a familiar symbol. This could not end well.
"Bruce, we need to talk," she told him over the comm before heading for the closest Zeta. She didn't want to take it to him, knowing better than to try and open it.
,
Bruce stared at the glowing scroll sealed by a familiar bat symbol. Zatanna said it came from the Realms but that she couldn't tell anything else except it was meant for Bruce. But she had no idea what it was or what would happen if…when he opened it. But it was the first hint at a lead to Tim. Even if Tim was dead, if there was no way to bring him back, how could he leave his son to an eternity of horror? He'd been tempted to contact Ra's for the first time ever, to ask him to use the Pit, but Constantine had shot that down before he could ever truly consider it. It might bring his body back, but it wouldn't be Tim, his soul couldn't be freed so easily. And a soulless body would be an abomination.
This might be a trap, could be anything…but if there was even the slimmest chance to see his son, to free him…how could he not? And so, he opened the scroll.
,
He smiled slowly; the next step had been taken. His eyes went to the statue again, soon, soon it would be done.
,
Bruce blinked and looked around, well, that was interesting and worrying. He was no longer in the Batcave but in a frozen land…with a green sky. And then he shivered, good thing he'd put the Batsuit on, it was a lot more insulated than any of his civilian clothing. He glanced around but there was nothing to guide him so he just began to walk. Tim, this was for Tim.
It felt like he had walked forever when finally, in the distance, something appeared…too far yet to tell what it was. But it was the first sign he had so he kept walking towards it. Eventually, he made out a massive palace that shone strangely in the light and finally he could make out why, ice, it was made of ice. And his heart began to race, Tim had frozen to death, could this be it?
It was too large to circle and take in and whoever let him in might not take that well…or his normal methods of entry. With no real plan, he walked up to the gate and it opened for him, allowing him into a courtyard full of grotesque statues…ice statues, they were bland, not well formed but it was enough to make out some were meant to be humanoid and some not. But the way their forms were twisted…pain…agony. He was going to be sick. Please no. There were no defining features, no way to identify anything…anyone. And he prayed his son was not among them.
Bruce took a deep breath and kept walking, up the stairs and through the door that opened for him. He stared into the darkness beyond and then stepped inside, he would not hesitate. Whatever it took to free his son.
,
Steph made her way into the Cave; she was meeting Cass there for some more training. Batgirl and Spoiler made an effective team and…it helped. They both missed him so much, he'd been Cass' baby brother and Steph's ex…and neither of them had been there when he needed them, not that their presence would have changed anything. At least…at least he hadn't died alone, she knew it was one of his greatest fears thanks to his parents. But most of the family and his friends had been there as Tim died.
And he had died for them. She didn't know how to feel about the fact that Tim had been pushed so far that he'd literally sold his soul for the family. How bad had things been? And none of them had been aware of the change, did that meant they'd all been dead? Or had Tim been the only one to be aware of it because it was his deal?
She frowned in confusion, seeing the empty case. Batman was out? But hadn't she passed Dick upsta…oh no! She spun and rushed upstairs, of course she'd left her phone up there! Ugh.
,
Bruce stepped into the massive hall and at the other end was a throne. It was made of ice and crystal, the light reflecting off it, making the room bright. And on the throne…it was humanoid but most definitely not human and it's eyes…an eerie green that matched the sky, that was too similar to the Pits for comfort.
He approached the throne slowly, warily, but the figure just watched him, showing no hostility. Was that good? "My son made a deal with you," he stated cautiously, and the head moved slightly in what could be a nod. "Why?"
And then Bruce wasn't in the room but on the battlefield against Darkseid…watching his own death, the mess after, Cass vanishing, Jason going off the rails…the battle for the Cowl, Tim and Damian injured…Dick…Dick taking Robin from Tim, Tim running to Europe, searching…the desert and death…waking beside the Pit but having a surgical wound…finding the scroll…oh Tim.
And then he was back in the room, staring at the creature. "Please, let me see my son," he would beg if he had to.
Glowing eyes seemed to stare into his soul and Bruce shuddered as suddenly he knew Tim's fate.
He was going to be sick, the thought of Tim as one of those statues… "Please, take me instead, let him go." The creature seemed surprised by his words, a question, and Bruce nodded. "Always," he whispered, he would always wish it was him rather than his children.
The figure leant forward studying him intently and then it motioned to the door.
"Thank you," he choked out and then he turned, rushing from the room. He had to find Tim, he would find him, he would wake him and they would go home. He didn't know how that would work and didn't care so long as it did. He had a million question but they weren't more important than his son and if questioned it, then it may retract its clemency.
Bruce stepped into the massive courtyard…were there even more statues now? Of course, it was a test after all, could he find his son when there was nothing to identify them? He couldn't even rule out the ones that didn't seem human since who knew the power it had over the souls it owned; Tim may have been altered first.
He stepped up to the first statue, studying it, there were no defining features, no hints as to who it may have once been. How was he meant to find Tim among them? But he had to.
,
Dick stated at the empty case, swearing mentally as Steph and Cass hovered. What the hell was Bruce thinking? It had been almost six months since…since the funeral, one month since what should have been his eighteenth birthday, and B was still benched. They all knew he was looking for some way to free Tim if not bring him back and that was part of why he was benched. The other reason was the backslide into violence that had happened after Jason's death. Sadly, Damian taking up the Robin mantle hadn't offered the same help as Tim doing so had.
"Babs, you on?" he asked over the comm.
"Online," she answered. "Dick…I can't activate the suits trackers and there's no sightings that I can find."
"Zeta activity?"
"Negative…there's no sign he left the Cave."
Dick was going through the Cave footage and there! "He was here and then…he vanished in a flash," he murmured, rewinding further. "Zatanna was here briefly, I'll call her."
,
Bruce walked through the statues, looking each over carefully. He was a detective, used to logic and such but here he had nothing…nothing but gut instinct and the belief that he would know his children no matter what. The tortured shapes would be giving him nightmares for a long time and he hoped they weren't aware in their prisons of ice. How long had he been searching? Was there an end to them? And then he hesitated, turning back to look at one.
Bruce slowly approached the twisted shape, it's mouth open in a silent scream, nothing human about it and yet…something almost bird like… but… "Tim?" he whispered, heart racing. He reached out, gloved fingers touching the ice. And he knew, it was him, this was Tim or what his soul had been twisted into. He swallowed hard, not sure if he was going to throw up, scream, or cry.
"Tim, it's me, I'm here son," he called, but the ice remained still. How was he meant to wake Tim? The being hadn't told him, another part of the test? He tugged his gloves off, skin prickling in the cold, pushing back the cowl, and then he cupped a frozen face between his hands, the ice even colder than the air. "Wake up Tim, please. We need you; we love you."
He pulled off his cape, settling it around the statue in a futile attempt at offering warmth. "Come back Tim, please. I love you son," he begged, leaning his head against the ice, not caring about the cold. "Please."
The sudden crack was loud in the silence and Bruce jerked in alarm. And then his eyes widened as the ice glowed. "Tim? Wake up!" he called holding on to the ice. But…was it warming? Slowly, the ice seemed to gain definition, features… "I'm here Tim, I've got you," he whispered.
The twisted form seemed to slowly straighten out, shifting, changing until it looked human and then the ice shattered. Bruce threw his arm up to protect his face, terrified, but then he stared at the very human figure before him. He lunged as it crumpled, immediately wrapping the naked form in his cape.
"Tim? Open your eyes, please," he pleaded the too still form, terrified it was all a trick but…no, his chest was rising and falling slowly with breath that began to fog in the cold air. This was Tim's soul and yet it was like he was a living human? Unless he was alive now? He knelt in the snow, cradling his son close and then ever so slowly, Tim's eyelids began to flutter.
And then he saw unfocused blue, Tim's lips parting as he began to gasp. Bruce realised Tim wasn't seeing him and carefully pressed his hand to Tim's cheek, feeling the still present cold to his skin. "Tim?"
Tim screamed, thrashing in his hold, Bruce moving to restrain him so he didn't hurt himself or Bruce.
"Tim! It's alright, you're safe now. I'm here, I'm real," he promised, not sure what Tim was seeing. Which timeline did he remember? "I've got you Sweetheart," he whispered in Tim's ear, Tim was thrashing but there was no thought to it, not attempt to truly fight, nothing of his training. Bruce saw his eyes roll back as the thrashing turned to spasms, was he fitting? And then he went limp, but he was still breathing. Bruce cradled him close and then there was a flash of light.
,
So, the test was passed. Good. He sat back and closed his eyes as the statues faded away, nothing but an illusion. He stood and left the palace, returning to his haunt, though he knew he would return one day. The deal had not been negated, only put on hold.
,
"Zatanna, what was," Dick cut off, throwing his arm up to protect his eyes as green light flooded the room, hearing Steph yelp.
"Get down!" Jason called from nearby.
And then the light faded and Dick blinked the spots from his vision. "B?" he called, seeing the figure crouched on the floor. His cape was off, wrapped around something he was cradling close.
Bruce looked up, the cowl down, his face pale and…he was crying? He met Dick's eyes and then looked down, gently pulling the cape back to reveal…
"Timmy?" Dick choked. But…it couldn't be, they'd buried him…
"Call Leslie," Bruce ordered as he stood, staggering slightly before heading for the medical bay.
Dick turned to the others. "You all saw…?" was he seeing things.
"It looked like Tim," Jason agreed before following Bruce.
Dick took a deep breath and made the call.
,
Jason stared at the body on the medical bed, it looked like Tim…right down to the strange magical mark on his chest that had killed him that he'd glimpsed before it was covered by a medical gown. And yet his chest was rising and falling with every breath, the heart monitor beeping steadily, the oxygen mask making a soft noise with every breath. He was buried under a pile of blankets, lips tinted faintly blue with cold. Could it really be him somehow?
"B…what? How?"
"A scroll appeared with the bat symbol before Zatanna, she brought it here. I chose to open it because it was the first lead, a chance… I don't know where it took me but it wasn't on earth, the sky was green and the constellations unfamiliar. There was snow and ice everywhere but eventually I reached a palace. I found the creature Tim made the deal with and it…it showed me the original events. Tim was a captive of Ra's along with Tam Fox, he'd been badly wounded in a fight and lost his spleen. Ra's made it clear the Pit was an option and the forced Tim to lead the league using her as leverage," Bruce explained quietly, everyone listened from where they had gathered in the doorway. "Tim found a scroll in a storage room and used it. Kon and Bart were still gone and so was I. Jason you…you nearly killed Tim and Damian before leaving Gotham after fighting Dick over the Cowl. Dick took it up and then…took Robin from Tim with no discussion. You called Tim insane when he insisted that I was alive so he ran from Gotham, tracking the clues."
Jason felt sick at the thought of hurting Tim again. "Does he remember…"
"I don't know," Bruce admitted, one pale hand clutched in his own. "He…I found him…"
Jason glanced at the others, for Bruce to so unable to speak…what condition had Tim been in?
"The courtyard of the palace was filled with ice statues, they were twisted…grotesque…but also not well made, no clear features… and Tim was one of them. The being allowed me to bring Tim home so long as I could find and wake him."
Bruce brushed Tim's hair back from his face with his other hand and Jason realised Bruce needed medical too.
"B, your hands," he murmured, and Bruce shrugged slightly, uncaring of his own pain.
"I'll be fine," Bruce stated.
"Was he conscious?" Dick asked hesitantly.
Bruce frowned. "Not really, he was unconscious at first once freed from the ice, but he seemed to rouse when I called to him. But when he opened his eyes, they were unfocused and then he was screaming and thrashing about. Eventually he was almost fitting and then he passed out," Bruce explained.
Fitting wasn't good. Hopefully the doc would get there quick. Tim's stats seemed okay, other than his body temperature anyway.
And then Tim stirred, head moving restlessly against the pillow.
"It's alright Tim, you're safe," Bruce murmured, stroking his cheek.
Jason took Tim's other hand, feeling the iciness of his skin. "We're here baby bird. You're in the Batcave."
Ever so slowly, blue eyes opened to stare around blankly. There was no way to know what had been done to him, what being an ice statue could have done to his very soul and that blank look sent chills down Jason's back. Tim's lips parted and he coughed but then Cass was there with a cup and Jason took it even as Bruce gently lifted Tim's head, supporting him as Jason put the cup to his lips, relieved when Tim sipped at the water.
,
"There you go, that's better, isn't it?" Bruce asked, and Tim's gaze moved to him, brow creasing slightly in confusion. "It's alright Tim, take your time," he murmured, squeezing Tim's hand, happy to feel Tim's fingers twitch in response.
Tim whimpered, a sound that cut through his heart, and he carefully lifted his son, sitting on the bed to hold him, stroking messy hair, thankful the ice hadn't left it wet since that would just make him colder. Tim curled into him, a shaking hand lifting to clutch at the front of the Batsuit. That had to be a good sign though, Tim wasn't trying to pull away or showing fear of him.
"Tim, can you understand me?" he asked softly.
Tim licked his lips, swallowing. "Nnnggghhh," he tried to speak.
And then Leslie was in the doorway, freezing in shock at the sight of Tim in his lap. "What happened?" she asked, pulling her professionalism around her.
Bruce explained again, as briefly as possible, gently lowering Tim back to the bed but Tim clung to him, making noises of distress. "Shh, it's alright Tim, I'm not leaving. Leslie just needs to look you over."
"Hello Tim," Leslie spoke softly and Tim's gaze darted her way, which suggested he at least understood his own name.
,
Dick sank into the couch. Tim…Tim was alive, somehow. Except he was also dead, they'd checked, the coffin was still…occupied. This body was brand new or something, which Leslie thought explained his confusion, inability to speak and clumsy movements, he was having to relearn everything. His soul knew but the body didn't. And he never wanted to have to sneak into the graveyard with ground penetrating radar again. They could have called Clark or Kon but they wanted to keep what was happening was quiet until sure Tim was alright.
How had Bruce convinced the creature to release Tim, to bring him back to life? He couldn't help waiting for the other shoe to drop but Bruce insisted he hadn't made a deal beyond being able to bring Tim home if he found and woke him. And Tim…the deal had literally left a mark on him, the one on his chest, and he wasn't warming up. Leslie said his body wasn't suffering from the coldness, it seemed like he was now cold.
They'd kept Tim's death quiet and private but it was still known, how could they explain his return? They had time to think of something at least, depending on how quickly Tim relearnt things.
,
Everything was so noisy and bright, confusing. But gentle, familiar arms held him and he tucked himself closer to the warmth. The thing pressed to his face again and he obediently opened his mouth, the liquid warm and nice. His vision was hazy and distantly he knew there was meaning to the noise but he couldn't understand it. Something else was there and he opened his mouth again but something was put inside, something weird. He closed and the thing was tugged free, he swallowed and then choked.
,
Jason gently fed Tim the spoon of oatmeal, Tim's closing his mouth around the spoon, making him tug it free. Then the kid swallowed only to start choking. Bruce leant Tim forward, hitting his back to dislodge the food and it dribbled from Tim's mouth.
"That's a problem," Jason murmured, grimacing. "He didn't even try to chew, B. I don't think…swallowing's reflex but chewing is something kids learn, right?"
Bruce frowned, gently rubbing Tim's back even as Jason grabbed a cloth to gently clean Tim's face. "I didn't think his control of his body would be this basic…he grabbed on."
"Even babies can grab on, B." Jason felt horrible. Was Tim…had he been reduced to a child? A baby? No, he'd tried to speak before, hadn't he?
"I'll call J'onn," Bruce murmured, gently shifting Tim's position so he was cradled in his arms, looking down into hazy, unfocused eyes.
,
J'onn had been worried by Bruce's call and now he was staring at an impossibility. It seemed no bat or bird would let death stop them. He had listened carefully to their explanation of everything that had happened to Tim and now he was in the medical bay, meeting a hazy gaze. "Hello Tim," he greeted gently, the boy reacting to his name, that was good. "Bruce called me in to help you because they aren't sure if you can understand," he explained in case Tim could but just couldn't respond.
Ever so gently, he reached out to touch Tim's mind, feeling him shy away, confusion and fear before Tim relaxed and…recognition. 'J'onn?'
'Yes Tim,' he responded. 'You remember me?' he asked and in response, there were flickers of memories involving him.
Tim's memories were…disorganised, some hazy, but he was Tim Drake and his mind was there.
'What's…happening to me?'
'Try and remain calm Tim.'
'Help me, please.'
'Of course,' he agreed. With Tim aware and wanting help, it was not difficult, just time consuming to help his mind re-order itself.
,
Cass watched as J'onn left the medical bay, he looked tired. He took a seat at the table and looked at them all.
"Tim is present within his mind."
They all relaxed at that news.
"His memories were…I suppose one could compare them to ingredients tossed into a blender haphazardly. That is what took so long. He was aware enough to know something was wrong and he recognised me, so he was an eager participant in sorting his mind out. It will take time to rebuild muscle memory but when he wakes, he should have more control of his body. Fine motor control may be more difficult till he has more practice. Give him time."
"Does he remember…." Jason trailed off and J'onn looked grim.
"Sensations, pain mostly. The deal itself and the being are very hazy and I could not clear them up at all, I believe that is the beings doing. And there are dim memories that I believe come from the timeline before the deal was enacted. He may remember more in dreams so he may be confused upon waking occasionally. They will likely fully fade with time."
Cass was happy to hear that but…J'onn was holding something back. He glanced at her and shook his head slightly, holding it back at Tim's urging then. Something private? Or something Tim didn't want to worry them with?
,
Dick took a slow step, his arm firm around Tim's waist as his brother took a hesitant step as well. "That's it, you're doing great."
Tim huffed, rolling his eyes. "Not a baby," he grumbled.
His speech had returned relatively quickly which made sense, once he'd managed a word or two the rest had flooded back. He was still struggling with cutlery so it was mostly finger foods for Tim unless he was willing to be helped. It was obvious he was frustrated but considering everything…Tim and all of them were very aware of how lucky they were to have a second chance with him.
"I love you baby bird," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
Tim looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise, but he smiled back shyly. Tim twisted to hug Dick who hugged him back.
"I missed you so much, you are not allowed to die again till you hit one hundred, got it?"
Tim nodded against him. "Sorry."
,
Tim worked at reading the page on the screen. It wasn't as hard to focus on things, his eye muscles strengthening. It was why his vision had been so bad at first, his eyes had been brand new, like a newborn baby. Still not normal but a lot better than then.
It was nice to be alone, he didn't have to pretend, able to rub at his chest, not that it relieved the cold ache. The mark was still there and with it, the lance of ice still sat in his chest. And he wondered, was he really as free as everyone else thought? He didn't remember why he'd made the deal anymore, well, he knew why because Constantine had come to check him out and talk about it. But his memories of the original time were gone now, there was nothing no matter how hard he tried. Bruce had seen it but refused to talk about it which meant it had to have been bad, the way he hovered confirmed that. Even without remembering, he didn't regret it, he knew he had to have had a very good reason to have sold himself to some kind of creature. He didn't remember what they looked like, where it was…all he remembered was the pain and cold.
He set the tablet aside and looked to the window. No one knew he was alive, his new body had a different heart rate, and he was always cold now. So, it was unlikely Kon or Clark would pick up on his presence. But…
"Kon-El," he whispered. "Kon? It's me, it's Tim. I'm at the Manor."
He waited, practically holding his breath, and then a familiar form was floating before the window, eyes wide. He smiled and lifted his hand in a wave. "Hey."
Then the window was being shoved open and Kon was in front of him. "Tim?"
He pushed to his feet and reached out to Kon. "It's me," he smiled shakily and then he was in Kon's arms.
,
"Tim," Kon choked out, holding his best friend tightly, he was cold, too cold, but he was breathing and holding on in return. "How…how is this possible?"
"B…he made a deal with the being, if he could find and wake me then I could come home. But my…my old body still exists in the grave; this one is new. I had to relearn how to move and everything, J'onn had to come and help me sort out my mind too. So, they've kept it quiet."
"But you're okay?" he demanded, scanning Tim over, everything seemed to be working okay, if not how he remembered but he guessed that made sense if it was a new body.
Tim nodded. "The cold seems permanent," he admitted. "You're really warm." He leant heavily against him and Kon chuckled.
"Solar powered," he whispered, holding on tight. If Tim wanted to use him as a heater, then that was fine with him, as long as Tim was alive. "What about Bart and Cassie?"
"You can tell them," Tim murmured, and Kon realised he was falling asleep. He carefully manoeuvred them to the couch and sat, Tim lying in his lap.
The door opened and Kon looked up, meeting Bruce's eyes, the man smiling softly. "He still tires easily and sleeps a lot," he whispered. "The heat you radiate probably helped knock him out too."
"But he's okay?"
"Leslie checked him out fully. He's still working on fine motor control and stamina but otherwise, medically he's clear."
Kon nodded, looking down at Tim, reaching out to gently pet his hair, finding strands of white mixed in with the black.
,
Cassie held tight to Tim's hand as her friend stared at his own grave, looking a little lost. "Tim?"
"It's weird…knowing my body's down there, rotting, but I'm here."
"What do you want to do?" Bart asked.
"I don't know," he admitted softly.
They four of them stayed a while but then headed back to the Manor, Kon carrying Tim to keep out of sight and also because it had been the longest that he'd been on his feet since coming back. He was getting stronger every day and he'd even begun stretching and doing some light gymnastic/dance training. How long would it take him to get back to field condition? Did Tim want to go back into the field?
She smiled as Tim was playfully tugged between his brothers. His future as a vigilante wasn't important, what was important was this, friends and family. She laughed when Damian snuck in and pulled Tim away. That was something she'd thought would never happen but it seemed the two of them were becoming brothers now.
"Happy Birthday!" everyone cried out as Alfred carried in a birthday cake with nineteen candles. This party would replace the memories of Tim's eighteenth birthday that they had spent grieving for him.
TBC…
