Disclaimer: not mine

I might have oopsed on the timeline with Tim being in pain for over a year but with Danny being stuck at the Fenton's he'd be under 18 so…Tim wasn't yet 17 when he ran off to find Bruce.

Chapter 4

Tim stared at the scar. It had been so ugly, always painful in some way…and now it looked properly healed, older than it actually was. It had always looked and felt so new. The surgical scar had healed far better than the original stab wound and he had assumed it had something to do with who stabbed him, the Council of Spiders loved spider venom and the like but he'd had his blood checked several times and couldn't find anything lingering. He pressed a hand to it and it felt no more sensitive than the rest of his skin. His other hand moved to cover his mouth as he choked on a sob. For the first time since waking in the Cradle, there was no pain in his side and it made him feel a little lightheaded.

Jason was immediately there, wrapping his arms around him. "Tim? Talk to me Timmy," he demanded, voice shaking.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," he got the words out, hands shakily holding on tight to his brother's jacket. He felt Jason's grip tighten, his brother cradling him close as Tim struggled with the sudden absence of pain.

"It's okay Tim, I've got you, I'm here kiddo," Jason murmured, and Tim just let go, trusting his big brother to protect him.

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Danny watched as Jason held Tim as he fell apart in the shock and relief from the pain. He felt sick. How much pain had Tim been in every day? He was likely still in pain; the life of a human vigilante would be hard on the body. Danny was lucky since he healed like a ghost. He felt bad for Tim, wanted to help more but he didn't know how. So, he was just stuck watching as Jason held the shaking Tim and Danny was pretty sure he was crying.

Oh, water! He scrambled up and went to the kitchen to get him a glass and snagged the box of tissues on the counter, carrying them over to put beside Jason who nodded.

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Jason shifted Tim fully into his lap, one hand gently supporting the back of his head as Tim silently sobbed. Finding out that Tim had been in pain for well over a year now made him feel sick. Sure, they all ached from old injuries, it was just something a vigilante had to get used to but from Tim's reaction to the sudden lack of pain, that wound had been a lot more painful. He carefully supported Tim, feeling the death grip the kid had on his jacket, as he sobbed silently. He'd caught Tim with tears in his eyes a few times but actually crying let alone full-on sobbing? And he didn't like the fact that Tim was sobbing silently, that was learnt behaviour. Had the Drakes been even worse than they knew?

Jason ignored the movement as Danny got up, sensing him in the kitchen. He nodded in thanks when a glass of water and a tissue box were placed in reach, seeing the anxiety in the kid's eyes.

Gradually, the sobs trailed off, Tim going limp but his breathing was still hitching so he wasn't asleep. Jason picked up the glass and shifted Tim enough to press it to his lips, Tim obediently drinking. Then he grabbed some tissues to dry his face off before giving him one so he could clear his nose.

"I'm going to call an Uber to take you to Bernard's," he murmured, and Tim frowned in confusion. "You need a break Timmy and some time to decompress. Spend the night with your boyfriend, okay?" Jason pressed and Tim finally nodded. "Do you have things at his place or do I need to pack you a bag."

"Not a kid," Tim mumbled, head against Jason's shoulder, even as Jason dug out his phone to book a car.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to help," Danny whispered.

Tim lifted his head to look at his clone and then he stumbled out of Jason's lap to latch onto Danny, seeming to shock him, blue eyes wide even as he quickly wrapped his arms around Tim to hold him up.

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Danny caught Tim, feeling him trembling still, looking utterly exhausted. Danny shifted back and then dropped down onto the couch. He looked up at Jason, bewildered, and the man stood, ruffling Tim's hair before heading upstairs. Okay then.

"Thank you," Tim whispered.

"No problem, I couldn't just leave you with that," Danny answered. It felt a little weird, to be hugging a body so much like his own, though there were differences. Tim's muscles were more solid than his own since he was strictly human. He was also warmer than Danny.

"How?" Tim asked, lifting his head to meet Danny's eyes.

"I…I…" he hadn't even told his parents, he'd never told anyone, they all saw it or were there.

"I don't have the meta gene, I tested myself, but a lab accident…?"

Danny looked away.

"It's okay Danny, there's nothing wrong with being a meta. I've got friends who are meta's. I don't know what your power is exactly, but you healed a wound I've had for over a year."

Over a year?! Danny closed his eyes, focusing on Tim, and then mentally swore.

"Danny?"

"You really need to stay away from the GIW…and my parents. You're a lot closer to being Liminal than I first thought."

"Liminal?"

"Ecto-contaminated enough to start showing…traits." Before he could say anything else, Jason reappeared with a bag.

"Uber's here," he told Tim who hesitated but then nodded.

"You'll be okay here. I…"

Danny nodded. "I'll be here when you get back," he promised. Maybe sticking around was crazy but so far Tim seemed to be accepting him. If he had the chance to have family…it was worth the risk.

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Bruce went over the intel that Barbara had sent him, much of it forwarded from Tim who had apparently received it from an escaped civilian. From the look of what had been found that person was very lucky to have made it out. He didn't like it at all. How could an entire small city be cut off without anyone noticing?

He made it up to the Watchtower and took his seat in the main meeting room. The others filed in, Clark and Diana sitting beside him even as Bruce finished transferring all the files to the Watchtower computers, linking Babs in since she was still searching for more. He wanted Tim in as well but he was still with the civilian apparently.

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Bernard opened his door and froze at seeing Tim with a duffle bag, wary but it looked like his boyfriend. Then again, if he'd told him to ask security questions…was it a clone thing or something? "Tim? Are you okay?"

"I…" Tim swallowed, the bag falling from his hand, and Bernard automatically caught it before realising he shouldn't have. "Ber," Tim whispered and then he pulled his shirt up to reveal his scar…how? "He healed it, for the first time since Iraq I'm not in pain."

It had to be Tim, blue eyes showing a bit of shock, so Bernard tugged him inside, dropping the bag onto the floor. Tim let him manhandle him onto the couch to examine the scar, well, scars though they were so close together it was easy to mistake them for only one. He very carefully touched the area but Tim didn't react like he normally did.

"Who? How?" he asked in shock.

Whoever it was, he owed them more than he could ever repay. He was the one that Tim came to when the pain got bad. How often had Tim fallen through his window still in uniform, barely able to move because of the pain after a night fighting and grappling through Gotham's sky? Only Bernard and Tam knew because Tim couldn't let himself be vulnerable around the other bats anymore. She had been there for the aftermath of the surgery, had helped Tim care for the wound while she was being held hostage by the League to ensure Tim's cooperation.

Tim reached out to pull him closer, kissing him and Bernard was happy to return it. Slightly shaking fingers moved to play with his hair and Bernard shifted so he was straddling Tim's thighs.

"It's okay Tim, I'm here," he promised between soft kisses.

Tim was obviously very shaken by what had happened, part way in shock it seemed, and that worried him. It was very rare for Tim to be so off but every scar he could feel under Tim's shirt said that this was Tim.

"I love you," he murmured, as he ran his hands over Tim's skin in a soothing motion.

Tim tugged him down so he was lying on top of him. "I love you Bernard, so much. He…he's my clone. A pair of scientists took my hair when I was three, aged him up so we'd be the same age but they never told him. He found out and came to meet me because he said I deserved to know. I want to trust him Ber, so badly."

Tim had been cloned as a kid?! That was insane and he hadn't even been a bat back then.

"Why you?"

"I impressed them apparently. They wanted a kid with brains to help with their work as far as we can work out from their notes. Danny…that's his name, didn't stick around to ask them about it. Once he found out he left, well, for that and other reasons. He also came to find Batman for help with another issue his home is having." The more Tim talked the stronger his voice got, coming out of his shaky state which was good.

"So, you're identical?" he asked gently, head against Tim's shoulder even as he kept stroking his side.

"His hair is cut differently and is shorter plus his accent is different. He hasn't even tried to pretend to be me once, Jason even called him my name and Danny corrected him."

Bernard nodded, that had to be a good sign, right? Unless he was trying to earn their trust first? "I'll stay away as long as you need me to for it to feel safe," he promised. He would do whatever he could to lower Tim's stress levels. "You can stay here whenever you want or need, Tim. Even if I'm in class."

He felt Tim nod, a hand moving up to lazily stroke his back. "Jason packed me a bag for tonight," he murmured.

"Good. Want Chinese and silly movies?" he offered, and Tim nodded again.

Bernard reached out to grab his phone to put in the order at their normal place on Tim's card. He wasn't getting up till Tim asked or the food arrived.

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Clark felt horrible as the presentation continued. How…how had they missed this? It was interesting that not even Luthor would pass those laws, it really showed how bad and dangerous they were. Amity Park needed help and fast before this so-called GIW decided to make their next move.

It was easy to divvy up the work, the press was up to him while Diana went to the politicians to let them know what was happening right under their noses. The others would be running recon on the town and 'agency'. Depending on what they found they would either act immediately or give the government the chance to act.

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"Know anything about cooking?" Jason asked a while after Tim had been safely delivered to his boyfriend, he'd texted Bernard to make sure he'd made it.

He liked Bernard, the kid was good for Tim, he made him act more like the teenager he was. He hadn't even blinked when he found out that Tim was Red Robin and was very understanding when Tim had to cancel things last minute. Tim had basically fallen for the perfect partner given his life and Jason hadn't been at all surprised that Bernard had been the one to ask Tim out, the kid was so awkward with social interactions outside of business.

"I made breakfast this morning," Danny answered.

"You actually got Timmy to eat breakfast?" he asked in surprise.

"Doesn't he normally?"

"Not unless you count coffee," Jason admitted.

"My sister taught me the basics. Our parents are…busy so she's cooked for both of us for years."

"So, you have siblings?" Jason asked as he began getting food out for them, Danny moving to help him.

"An older sister, Jazz, she's the one who showed me the paperwork. I hope she's okay," the last was a whisper.

"Will they hurt her?" Jason asked in concern.

Danny thankfully shook his head. "She's staying with some friends; she was meant to be away at college but…" he shrugged.

"They won't let people leave for anything?" he asked, and Danny shook his head again.

"Especially us since our parents work with them. We've been sabotaging their work for years though since it's cruel. What their weapons do…" Danny shuddered.

"Don't worry, Batman will ensure the Justice League puts a stop to it."

"It's nice to know our calls for help were blocked somehow and the Justice League didn't actually abandon us. Do you…do you think they'll arrest my parents?"

"If they've done anything illegal, it's likely," Jason answered gently. "Human cloning wasn't illegal back then so even if that comes out, they shouldn't face charges for that. But supplying weapons to a fake government agency that is threatening people?"

Danny sighed and nodded even as they moved to the couch to eat. "I'm guessing you're staying tonight too?"

"Yeah, don't want any misunderstandings if anyone drops by and finds you rather than Tim."

Danny nodded but it was obvious the kid knew that he was also there to keep an eye on him.

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Dick was surprised to find that Tim and Jason were off patrol. Not that either of them patrolled with the rest of them on a normal night but they often worked together. And then Tim didn't answer when Dick called to check in. He called Jason, worried now.

"Hey Dickie," Jason answered, and Dick heard a familiar voice call out in the background though something sounded odd.

"Hey, everything okay?"

"I can take a night off now and then without the world ending," Jason sighed, and Dick knew he was rolling his eyes.

"Sorry, saw you were both off and was worried. Have fun," he offered before hanging up. It was good they were spending civilian time together, way better than how things had been between them at first, not that it had been Tim's fault.

Tim never wanted to do anything with the rest of them anymore. Sure, he'd come to lunch sometimes, but only if either Cass or Jason were there too, it was like he didn't trust the rest of them. It was so stupid; they wouldn't hurt Tim!

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Tim woke slowly, feeling so relaxed, his pain barely noticeable with his knee aching a bit. He didn't want to move, to risk it all coming back, but he really needed the bathroom. There was a familiar body pressed against his, an arm flung over his chest and soft breaths moving his hair slightly. Bernard. He slowly opened his eyes to find his boyfriends' apartment so he took a deep breath and carefully shifted to get free of his hold, shocked when his side didn't hurt. He made his way to the bathroom and took care of business then lifted his shirt, staring blankly at the scar on his side…Danny…oh. The memories flooded back and he leant against the counter.

Danny had somehow healed him, he had to be a meta, but he didn't blame him for not wanting to talk to him about it. They may be genetically identical, at least till Danny's accident, but they didn't know each other, not yet.

"Hey, you okay?" Bernard asked from the doorway.

He nodded and smiled at him, pulling him in for a good morning kiss. "I feel better than I have in years," he admitted.

"No pain?" Bernard asked gently, hands on Tim's waist.

"Just an achy knee." He'd learnt not to lie about his pain to Bernard.

"The one you wrecked when you fell?" he asked for clarification, and Tim nodded.

Damian had nearly ended his vigilante career with that stunt. He'd almost killed him but it had been the knee that lingered. He'd had to have surgery on it, thankfully a knee injury was easily explained with his habit of skateboarding. But the surgery had to wait until the majority of his other wounds had healed which hadn't done his knee any good. Winter was the worst but he could handle it.

It was really the only thing he envied his friends for having, the ability to heal. He didn't want or need powers but it would be nice to not have to deal with chronic pain thanks to the battering his body had taken over the years. How Bruce wasn't crippled with pain he didn't know considering what he'd been through since becoming Batman.

Tim didn't argue when Bernard slipped his knee brace on for him. Bernard liked taking care of him and for some reason, it felt nice when he did it. He supposed it was part of being in love, to like it when they looked after you. He looked after Bernard when he was sick, as much as Ber would let him since he was missing his spleen; Bernard was always worried about making Tim sick in return.

"Are you okay, Tim? Finding out you've been cloned…I'd be freaking out."

"And geeking out," Tim teased. "Conspiracy nut."

"Takes one to know one," Bernard shot back. "Seriously Tim, I'm worried about you."

Tim wrapped his arms around him, resting their foreheads together. "I'm okay," he promised. "I want to trust him but I also know how good a liar I am and I've seen what happens if I go to the wrong side," he admitted, fighting back a shudder of the memory of his own face under the cowl with gun in hand, that was one future he would do anything to avoid.

"You've seen it?" Bernard frowned, and Tim realised he'd never told him about the future him.

"Time travel," he admitted, and Bernard shook his head.

"Just when I think I know how crazy your life is."

"Not…too crazy?" he asked, worried, and Bernard kissed him.

"Never," he promised, pulling him out of the cramped bathroom.

They got dressed and then cuddled for a bit on the couch. Tim wanted to tell him everything but sometimes that was more dangerous than having limited information and Bernard was used to him not being able to tell him things.

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Danny tensed as the door opened, but then Tim walked in and he looked a lot better than he had when he left. Tim paused when he saw him, uncertainty flitting over his face. Danny took a deep breath and smiled at him, Tim blinking before smiling slightly in return. "Your brother has weird tastes in movies," he stated.

Tim laughed and dropped his bag at the bottom of the stairs. "Yeah, he does. Did you have a good night with him?"

"Actually, yeah. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Tim sat on the couch. "Sorry."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for Tim. I should have asked before doing that."

"I think we were all under a lot of emotional stress thanks to the topic. Danny…for the first time in over a year, I'm not in pain and you gave me that gift." Tim reached out and touched his hand. "I can never repay you for this."

"You're helping save my friends Tim, even if nothing happens from you passing it all on, you've still done everything you can," Danny assured him, wondering if Tim had noticed his cooler body temperature. "If there's every anything I can do for you…"

"I was going to say that," Tim admitted. "Even once the GIW is dealt with, will you be safe to go home?"

"Jason and I were talking and…"

"And his parents have been giving them weapons so might be arrested too," Jason finished as he walked down to join them. "Hey Timbers, have a good night?" he leered, and Tim threw a pillow at him.

"Chinese and movies, thank you."

"Good." Jason ruffled his hair, and Tim rolled his eyes.

"You've got the same birthday as me, right?" Tim asked.

"July nineteenth," Danny answered, and Tim nodded.

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"So, three months till we're eighteen," he murmured.

His mind was spinning with ideas and plans, the League should have moved before then which meant his parents would either be arrested or reporting him missing… which could cause issues if the police got involved. If he was listed as missing and they submitted DNA and fingerprints…sure their fingerprints would be different, but their DNA?

"Tim?" Jason looked at him, expression serious and Tim knew that he knew what he was considering.

"How does Daniel Drake sound?" Tim asked hesitantly, and Danny stared at him in shock.

"What?"

TBC…

Tim is following his gut. Danny healed him without asking for anything in return and knowing he could be kicked out for being a meta which has really put a strong tick in the he's for real box.