Disclaimer: not mine

Thanks for all the suggestions of what being adopted by Diana should mean for Tim!

Chapter 6

Tim woke slowly, body feeling heavy, head a bit foggy but he kept his breathing regular, trying to work out where he was. There were snatches of memory, a fight…a voice…hands…touching him. Tim fought down a shudder, he couldn't give away that he was conscious. But…another voice, familiar…trusted. Diana? Yes, Diana had been there. Where? Slowly, he opened his eyes to find himself in a room, lying on a cot. He was alone so he carefully sat up, head spinning momentarily but then it passed. He grimaced as he realised, he wasn't really wearing anything, wonderful.

And then the door opened and he tensed. A young woman entered and she smiled at him.

"Good morning young Prince. How do you feel?"

"Prince?" okay, some people called B the prince of Gotham due to his money and how much work the Wayne's had always done for the city but…Tim? "Where am I?" he gripped his pounding head, nearly jumping as she approached, and she held her hands up.

"My name is Lydia; I am a Healer. You are on the island of Themyscira. Your mother brought you here for healing."

His…mother? Janet was dead, had been for years…the paperwork. "Diana?" he asked hesitantly and Lydia nodded.

"Are you in pain?"

"My head hurts," he admitted.

She nodded and moved across the room, Tim watching her. She put something in a cup and then approached, Tim eyeing it warily. "It is a simple pain reliever, I swear," she told him, holding it out.

Tim hesitated, why was he hesitating? He reached out and took it, staring at the water with herbs floating in it, took a deep breath, and raised it to his mouth, sipping it. It tasted…surprisingly okay. He finished it before he realised and let her take the empty cup, relieved to find the pain beginning to fade within minutes.

"Do you think you can eat?" Lydia asked, and he considered it before nodding. "Very well, I shall have a meal brought and inform the Princess you are awake." She moved to leave.

"Um…"

She turned back patiently.

"Clothing?" he asked and she smiled, nodding as she left.

Tim sighed, running his fingers through his hair, grimacing as he found tangles from sleeping, a bit oily too but not bad enough to suggest he'd been out for a long time…unless someone had washed it for him? He was so confused. How could he be on the island? He was most definitely male after all and yeah, legally he wasn't an adult yet but by ancient standards he would be. So even if they'd make an exception for a hurt kid, he wasn't a kid.

And then there were footsteps moving swiftly his way and he looked up to find Diana in the doorway. Her fear turning to relief as she met his eyes.

"Tim…Little Warrior," and then she was kneeling in front of him, a hand cupping his cheek, and Tim leant into the comforting touch.

"Diana what's going on?" he asked after a few moments of just basking in the offered affection.

She moved to sit beside him on the cot, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and he leant against her. "What do you remember?"

Tim closed his eyes; it was easier to think with the pain in his head dulled by whatever had been in that cup. "Kon," he whispered. Kon was alive, wanted him, kissed him. "Paris…an explosion? I…did I get blown up?"

"No, Jason saw the room go up but he then found evidence of you being in a fight on the rooftop the shot came from."

Okay, that was good. "He called me and I sent Clark as he was able to get there quicker but he couldn't find you. Kon could and tracked you to an airfield but your captors were too far ahead especially as there was a sudden, large earthquake in Chile. We were forced to abandon the search for you to help."

Tim nodded, he would never want his safety put over the lives of civilians. He shivered and she pulled him even closer. They stayed quiet as Lydia returned with a tray of easy to eat food and a pile of cloth. She bowed and then left, closing the door. Tim picked up the cloth and frowned, okay…

Diana chuckled but helped him dress in the tunic like thing…no that was the wrong word, what was it called…chiton? It fell to his mid-thighs and he was glad for that bit of cloth he'd already been wearing due to how short it was. He did not want to flash an Amazon!

"How long have I been here?" he asked, suddenly nervous.

"Three days," Diana told him, stroking a hand over his hair. "Do not worry, healers pay no attention to anything but caring for those who need it. And all are old enough to remember when our people lived among men."

"Not sure that makes it better," he muttered, face hot. He touched the fabric, all natural, but it was soft and a nice blue…had they tried to match his eyes? The material was as soft as Diana's, so the expensive stuff? Or did they all wear nice soft fabrics when not training?

"It's alright, Tim. It's just like being in any hospital."

"But why am I here?"

"Because you were dying. The people who took you were part of the League of Assassins. They took you to a base called The Cradle. For three weeks we alternated helping survivors and searching for you. When we did, Ra's had you in a chamber with a Lazarus Pit. He was seated on a throne and you…you were kneeling at his feet. He had spent the time we were searching, drugging you. When we found you, it was as if you couldn't hear or see us, you only responded to Ra's."

Tim felt sick. He didn't…hands…he gagged and a pot was quickly placed under him as he lost what little was in his stomach.

"Easy Tim, you're safe," she murmured, rubbing his back as he continued to gag.

"H…hands," he gasped out. "All…all…over…"

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Diana closed her eyes in pain at his words. So he did remember something despite how drugged he'd been. "Ra's will never touch you again," she promised, and he shook his head. She stroked his hair. "He won't Tim, he can't, because he is dead."

He looked up from the pot, eyes wide. "You…"

She shook her head. "I was busy flying with you. According to Jason it was a team effort between him, Kon, and Bart." She picked up a cloth and wet it before gently wiping his face. It was strange how easy it was to care for him, she cared for many people but not so maternally. "The healers…examined you, there is no evidence of injury."

He shuddered but nodded.

"It seems he was trying to manipulate your mind while drugged, he wanted you to lead the League at his side. But you responded to me, even though only vaguely. But because of that, Ra's decided the drugs weren't enough. He…stabbed you." Her hand rested over his abdomen, above his bellybutton. "He was going to stab you again but Kon made him drop the blade and Bart grabbed you. They gave you first aid while Kal and I dealt with the ninja. But…you were bleeding out, even through the bandages."

She couldn't help tightening her grip on him, not enough to risk hurting but wanting him to feel grounded in the present. Did he even realise they weren't speaking English? There was no way to test if he had gained any gifts, not until he felt up to sparring with someone or at least attempting to train. And she would not push him, not after what he had been through.

"If I was that badly hurt, how can it only be three days?" he asked after a while.

She took a deep breath and began to explain, unsure how he would take it.

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"Wond…Baby Bird," Jason whispered, seeing his brother, blue eyes clear and focused on him.

"Hey Hood," Tim smiled tiredly at him.

"Are you okay?" he looked okay, more skin on display than usual. "Nice outfit," he smirked, and Tim rolled his eyes.

"Not exactly much available locally for guys."

"Good point," he agreed. "So how are you?"

"I…physically healed? The healers are releasing me to a room this afternoon but they want me to stay on the island for a while to be safe. Wonder Woman…she told me what happened and what you guys did." Tim took a deep breath, looking down for a moment. "Thank you," he whispered. "I…I keep feeling hands…"

"Shh, it's okay Timmy, he'll never hurt you again." He wanted to do more, to hug Tim, but they were thousands of miles apart.

Hearing a noise he turned and then smiled. "Superboy and Impulse just showed up." He waved them forward and then the communicator was being pulled from him.

"Hey Wonder," Kon greeted softly.

"Kon," Tim almost sobbed his name, and Jason stood up, tugging Bart out of the room to give the two privacy.

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Tim walked slowly onto the balcony, looking out over the island. It really was beautiful, a paradise. He could feel some of those below glancing up at him on occasion but he ignored them, looking was fine. How long was it since they had seen a male?

"What do you think of our home?" a voice asked and Tim turned, eyes widening as he realised just who the regal woman was. He bowed, not sure what else to do.

"It's beautiful, your Majesty."

She nodded and moved to stand beside him. "By the grace of the gods, this island is now your home as much as it is ours, you are one of us, grandson."

"It all feels…like a dream," he admitted. "I knew Diana made Dick sign custody over to her but to go so far to help me…why?" he took a shaky breath. "My own parents…they never stayed…no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect son…I was never enough."

"It is not a child's job to be enough but for the parent to be enough," Queen Hippolyta shocked him by saying, by reaching out and gently brushing some tears from his face. "Watching my daughter care for you, it is obvious she cares deeply for you Timothy. So deeply the gods answered her prayers to make you, her son."

"What does that mean for me?" he asked shakily.

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Hippolyta observed her new grandson, seeing how lost the idea of a parent wanting him made the boy. His skin now held the flush of good health, no longer the deathly paleness of the last time she had seen him. She noticed he was occasionally tugging at the bottom of his chiton and made a note to have some longer ones provided for him.

"There has never been an adoption like this," she told him. "You have healed quickly this once but that was due to direct intervention. We do not know how the blessing will affect you other than you becoming part of our family. But whether you remain a mortal man or not, the island is now your home. You will always be able to find your way here. You have a new family to get to know, with many aunts." She smiled at him, watching blue eyes go wide before he smiled back at her.

"I've never had an aunt before. Never knew my grandparents either."

With his black hair and blue eyes, he bore a passing resemblance to Diana already and she wondered if his appearance would change any.

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Curious whispers followed the young man as he wandered the palace, learning his new home. Never had a man been allowed such freedom, not even Steve Trevor who had led to their Princess leaving. And this boy was now their Prince, the son of Princess Diana. He did nothing to get in anyone's way but if approached he would speak with them.

He was honestly the most interesting thing to have happened on the island in years.

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"What do you want?" Hood growled, and it was hood at the moment, the red helmet shining in the light of a nearby lamp, hands near his guns

"You're back, so are Superboy and Impulse. Is he…is he alive?"

"You expect me to think you care?" he sneered.

"He's my brother, of course I care!" Dick yelled back, before taking a deep breath. He'd come out as Nightwing tonight, not wanting to face Jason over Tim in the cowl. "Did you find him?"

"He's alive and somewhere safe to heal from what that monster did to him. Oh, you might want to tell the Demon Brat his dear old grandpa is dead for good. Attempting to mind control and eventually rape Superboy's boyfriend was not exactly a smart idea."

Dick swallowed. Ra's had…he felt sick. "When will he be home?"

"What home?" Hood growled. "The one where he's continually attacked and nearly killed? We're all hoping he'll move to Metropolis or San Francisco, where he's appreciated."

"But he's one of us," Dick denied.

"You fired him with no warning till he saw his replacement in his suit and you think you have the right to say that?" Hood shook his head. "He's better off with Wonder Woman."

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Diana stood barefoot in the sand of the training area. She wore no armour to ensure as even a playing field as possible. It would not be her first-time training with a mortal teammate, though Tim was younger and smaller than them. But she was the best one to begin his training in their ways of combat. Even if he never gained their speed or strength, he should still know their ways and weapons. He could already use a staff, could he use other weapons beyond batarangs?

Tim stepped onto the sand, digging his toes in with an almost childish delight that she was pleased to see. He had always been so serious, though according to Cassie he would let loose with Young Justice.

"Ready?"

"To get my butt kicked?" he grinned at her and she laughed.

"Hand to hand to start, you've had a few weeks of inactivity after all."

Tim nodded and slid into a ready stance.

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Hippolyta watched her daughter and grandson in the training ring. He was good, adaptable. His way of fighting was not one she recognised but that was to be expected, such things would have changed and evolved since they had withdrawn. He was light on his feet, quick, fighting on the defensive against a stronger opponent. The fight was a warmup, checking for any pain or stiffness left over from his wounds.

And then Diana grabbed two training staffs, tossing one to Timothy who caught it easily. His hand to hand had been good but with this weapon…he had obviously trained under a master of the staff.

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Tim stared in shock at the cup and then looked up at Diana who smiled softly. "Did I…"

"You did," she murmured, gently taking the cup from him.

He shouldn't have been able to catch that, even with his well-trained reflexes. So… he took a shaky breath. "What now?" he asked.

"We keep a watch and see if it is just your reflexes. It will be alright Tim."

"I haven't found all the intel yet," he whispered.

"Jason has offered to complete the search. He has what you had saved to the secure sever before your hotel room was destroyed and you can talk with him. I will have Kal give Kon his own communicator. You have a lot to learn Tim, even if faster reaction times are all you inherit. There is a whole new culture to learn."

"And it's all literally Greek to me," he managed a grin, and she chuckled.

"At least you understand Greek now," she teased.

They finished the meal and Tim headed to where his new tutor awaited, he couldn't spend all his time with Diana, he had to get to know the other Amazons too and the more teachers the better. He entered the bright room to find a lot of scrolls and books waiting. He missed his laptop.

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Kon smiled as Tim appeared on the communicator. "Hey birdbrain," he teased gently, seeing the hidden stress in Tim's expression. "You okay?"

"I, uh…I caught a cup…Kon, I shouldn't have been able to catch that," Tim sounded halfway to panicking. "Understanding the language is one thing…except Iris tested me and I can read Latin and every other language she tried."

"Breath," he coached. He hated being so far away, unable to help him. "Come on Wonder, just breath with me," he murmured, taking deep breaths. He guessed calling him Wonder was even more suitable now. And it meant he'd be staying on the island for longer, for training.

"Do you want Cassie to know?" he asked gently, yes they'd fought but they'd also been friends for three years.

Tim frowned, considering it. "She's going to find out soon, there's a royal proclamation going out about my being Diana's son and Prince of Themyscira. Oh, and part of the adoption, I've got my new id."

"Oh?" he perked up, leaning in excitedly. Red Robin had always been meant to be temporary while he was searching for Bruce.

"Corvus."

"Sticking with the bird theme huh?"

"Don't ask me, ask whichever gods healed me," Tim shrugged, thankfully calmer now.

"I like it, got any ideas for the new suit?" Kon wanted to keep him on the line as long as possible, any contact was better than none.

"No, Diana said not to worry about that till it's closer to when I can leave. If my reflexes get to Amazon levels then I might be able to use the bracelets so…"

"So, no point designing a suit that might need to be changed, especially if your fighting style does," Kon nodded. "I miss you."

"I miss you too," Tim smiled softly at him.

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Cassie was surprised and yes, a little worried, to be called back to the island. Had something happened? She hadn't seen Diana since the earthquake and she'd left in a hurry. They hadn't really talked since the lecture on how to treat friends either. She arrived and was immediately led away to change out of her Wonder Girl costume into something more fitting to the island, which still felt weird. And then they all gathered before the Palace where Queen Hippolyta stood, a large scroll in her hands. Beside her was Diana, also dressed very regally.

"Amazons! I come before you to announce the newest addition to the Royal Family," the Queen announced, and Cassie froze. What?

Was Diana…who?

"As many of you are aware, my daughter recently returned with another, a male child."

Okay, what the hell? A male on the island?! And then her breath caught, could it be?

"By the grace of the gods, I present to you the son of your Princess, Prince Timothy Drake Wayne-Prince."

And then another figure joined them and it took Cassie several seconds to recognise Tim dressed in traditional Greek clothing. His hair had been growing out ever since Kon's death and now it was resting on his shoulders, he was even starting to tan! But he was standing there, healthy, and nervous though she doubted most could see that. Diana smiled at him, her hand resting on his shoulder and he smiled up at her.

Seriously, what was going on?! She knew Diana had taken legal custody of Tim but this? Did Kon and Bart…they knew, or at least they knew Tim was somewhere safe. She hadn't really seen them but she'd heard they were calmer now.

And…she'd missed the rest of the explanation but that was fine, she could find out later. What mattered was that Tim was alive and seemed healthy.

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Jason slipped away as silently as he'd come. One site left, a cave in Iraq, how fun. But he could go home soon with everything needed to get the time travel experts in the League working to bring the big bad bat home. He was kind of looking forward to B's reaction to how badly Dick had messed up. Bruce versus Diana over parenting Tim…that was going to need popcorn…and body armour.

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Tim sat beside his new mother and grandmother (he still wasn't used to that) listening to the stories as the Amazons feasted and wow they could feast! He'd met so many people and was glad for his photographic memory or he'd have no chance of remembering half of them. And then Cassie was walking towards them and he couldn't help stiffening slightly.

"Tim," Diana murmured, and he shook his head.

"It's okay, we have to talk this over eventually." He stood up and motioned for Cassie to lead the way, this was not for everyone to hear.

"They found you," was the first thing she said as the door to the small room shut and then she was hugging him and Tim didn't know how to react.

This was Cassie but…she hadn't listened, hadn't believed him.

"Are you alright?"

"I am now," he answered. "Apparently, I was almost dead by the time we got here. Ra's wasn't too happy when the rescue party showed up," he shrugged slightly, a hand pressing over the scar.

"And now you're Prince of the Amazons?"

"Yeah…that was a shock to everyone. There's a scroll that lists every Amazon and my altered name showed up under Diana's the same night I ended up miraculously healed. The Queen said a god or goddess healed me. I…I was a mess, Cassie. Ra's had me for weeks and was determined to have me, he uh…he drugged me, badly. They were ready to have me seeing the local equivalent of a psychologist for months to sort my head out but the healing covered that. I don't really remember anything anyway." Nothing but the feeling of hands, but she didn't get that info, not now.

"I'm sorry Tim, I'm so sorry. I messed up…" she looked down at the ground. "I get it if you can't forgive me. If I'd known you were in trouble, I would have come but I didn't know anything till we were working on the Earthquake and everyone made it clear my help wasn't wanted. I know you…I should have known you wouldn't be so sure without evidence."

Tim stared at her. He knew Cassie and he knew she really did regret it. He moved closer and hugged her. "I've missed you," he whispered, and then she was hugging him back. "We've both really messed up. I want my friend back."

She sobbed and hugged him even tighter. "Missed you dork."

"Hey, that's Prince Dork thank you."

And then they were laughing. It would take time to fully forgive and move on, but it was a start.

TBC…