Disclaimer: Do not own DC
So mostly what I know about the Court of Owls is from the Gotham Knights game, which I love. I've also read some fics dealing with it and it's interesting how different Talons seem to be across the Game and various stories on AO3. The game has them more as mindlessly obedient monsters, at least the general Talons. While stories have Talons being anything from like that to completely the person they were before but in that case, what makes them loyal? Like the series I read and loved called Owls Are Birds Too (CoO AU) by TaxiCabToSlowtown where the bats are considered Talons but only Jason has been changed at the start.
Trying to beat the novel writer's block by writing whatever ideas come to me, hence all the new stories.
Chapter 1
Tim knew he shouldn't but he was bored and stuck at home with nothing to do. Everyone had been sent home, the school shut down to try and keep them from all getting sick. It sucked but it was also nice to be back in Gotham without his dormmates around. But he'd done all the work for the week already and it was way too early to head into the city proper to try and spot Batman and Robin.
This would be his second shot at finding them. He'd been away at school since the summer after all, but he was pretty sure he'd pinned down their general patrol routes this time. He'd also made sure to prepare everything he might need; he didn't want to end up overly thirsty like last time.
But he had hours till the Bats would be on patrol and he was bored. He'd researched every artifact on display in the house over the years and nothing new had been added in a while, so that was out. He wandered the silent halls for a while, hating the never-ending whiteness of it all. He'd seen other houses at galas and they had way more personality than Drake Manor. His favourite was Wayne Manor, even before he knew the truth. His 'home' was cold, a show piece, it wasn't a home. Sometimes, he wondered what Mr Wayne would do if Tim walked over one day and asked for a hug because he was lonely. But he would never have the courage to actually do it.
He wandered the house until he ended up in front of the Master suite, hesitating. He wasn't meant to go in unless there was an emergency, like a storm breaking the window or something. Eventually, he worked up the courage to turn the handle and step inside. The room looked like it always did, nothing out of place, no dust due to the housekeeper. But the scent of Mother's perfume was gone, it had been months since they were home.
He went to the wardrobe and opened it, running his fingers carefully over her dresses, they still held her scent because of the enclosed space. Father's suits and shirts smelt of his favoured aftershave. He missed them so much. He loved them and he knew they loved him, they did! They just had important work. They were home as much as they could be. They trusted him to look after himself and the house while they were away.
Tim hesitated but then stepped into the wardrobe, closing the doors behind him. He moved to the back and curled up, closing his eyes, imaging they were there. It was nice, warm and dark, safe. He shifted back, leaning more against the wall and then jolted forward as something popped behind him. He turned around and ran his hand over the wall, a panel had come loose? He pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight, worried he'd broken something, then they'd know he'd been in there…except a whole panel had popped forward and it didn't look damaged. He ran his fingers along the edge and they were smooth.
His eyes widened, could it be? A secret compartment! Did his parents know? Hands shaking with excitement, he reached inside, finding a box. He pulled it out, taking in the rich wood and engravings. It was amazing! What was it for? It had to be for something, there was a lock that needed a key. Who would lock an empty box? Did it belong to his parents? Was it something they'd found on a dig? No, while it looked old, it definitely hadn't been buried for centuries, there'd be damage to the wood. So, it had to belong to a Drake since the Manor had been in his mother's family for…a long time. Where would they keep the key? It wasn't in the hidden panel; Tim checked several times but the box was the only thing in there. So where could the key be?
He didn't have time left to search though, not if he wanted to see Batman and Robin. So, he put everything back exactly how he found it and went to his room to grab his gear for the night, heading into the city.
,
Bruce landed on the rooftop, searching the shadows as Jason landed beside him.
"B?"
"Hn." He swept the rooftop thoroughly but there was nothing.
"Wrong rooftop?" Jason suggested.
"It was this one," he insisted.
Jason moved to the edge and reached for something, lifting his hand to reveal a small…badge? "I've seen these, it's from some new video game. Lots of kids have them, they can hook on backpacks, jackets…B, only kids wear it. There was a kid up here?"
Bruce frowned; he didn't like the sound of that. It had definitely been a camera flash. Was one of their enemies or a gang forcing a child into trying to photograph them? They'd check the cameras in the Cave, hopefully whoever it was had been captured on them. They would need to protect the child from whoever was using them.
,
Tim stared in awe at the key in his hand, he'd found it! It had taken two weeks, but he'd done it. He'd be going back to school on Sunday night for Monday classes to start up since they'd decided the place was plague free finally.
It was a pretty little thing, very decorative, but it had to be the right one. He made his way to the Master bedroom and opened the secret compartment, pulling out the box. It fit! He was practically bouncing as he turned the key. What was hiding in the box? The kid clicked open and he lifted it only freeze. He stared, wide eyed, shocked. But…
,
Jason sat back, nothing. They'd been searching for weeks but other than the badge, there had been no sign of the kid. Had he been killed for being seen? Dead kids showed up all the time in Gotham so how would they know if one of them was the kid they were looking for? He hated to think it but he'd seen it enough on the streets.
Jason was well aware how lucky he was that he'd tried to steal B's tires, that winter had been so cold…he probably wouldn't have made it without doing things he would have hated himself for. Yes, there were shelters in place but the only trustworthy ones were the Martha Foundation ones cause B checked on the staff frequently. He was even letting Jason help with that, to make sure kids like him were safe.
But the lost badge, unless it was a 'gift' from those who made him spy, said they weren't a street kid. While they weren't overly expensive, they weren't something a street kid could or would buy. Unless they were only new to the streets which meant a very easy target.
He sighed; they were getting nowhere. There just wasn't enough even for Batman to go off.
,
Tim was just kind of…drifting through school. He didn't know what to do, how to feel. He didn't know how to feel a lot of the time though, that wasn't new. But not knowing what to do? He couldn't tell anyone, because if they were real then whoever he told would be in danger and he couldn't be responsible for anyone dying. But…it could also just be his parents, mostly Jack, testing him. He'd done it before, to see if Tim was being bad when they were away and he was home by himself. Surely that was it? So, if he told anyone, then he would know that Tim had been in their bedroom and he would get in trouble.
He remembered a nanny, when he was little, telling him the rhyme. She'd been gone two days later, Jack said she'd gotten a position with a family who had a good boy. But what if it was because of the rhyme?
He just felt so confused.
,
"So, B is seriously still looking into this?" Dick asked, and Jason nodded. He sighed, yes, Bruce got obsessed about stuff but this was taking it a bit far.
"I hate it but if they were a street kid and whoever knew they were spotted… they're probably dead," Jason admitted softly.
Dick grimaced but nodded. "You did everything you could to find them Jay. It isn't your fault." He reached out to ruffle his hair.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Now come on, we've got Christmas shopping to do!" he grinned, and Jason laughed but got up to get his shoes.
,
Tim rarely went out bird watching anymore, though when Robin vanished and Nightwing appeared, he couldn't help catching some shots. And then when a new Robin debuted, he had to get some photos of him as well. Jason was a different kind of Robin to Dick, Tim liked him better, not that Dick wasn't great. Sometimes he went to school in Gotham so that he could go out more, but there was still always the worry about what he'd found. If it was real or not.
In the end, he had decided that all he could do was keep his head down and say nothing, no matter what.
,
There was tension in the air. They were home for the Christmas gala season and usually that meant they were in a good mood; they'd even remembered to bring him home for the break. So why? It couldn't be about the box, he'd never said anything about it and it had been two years.
"Timothy."
"Yes Mother?"
"You need to be on your best behaviour for the Marsh gala, it is very important. Understand?"
"Of course, Mother," he agreed. He stood still as she fussed with his tie and collar and then they headed for the car.
He didn't like galas, even though they were great people watching opportunities. It was interesting that none of the Wayne's were there…they never attended the Marsh galas, why? And…maybe his parents weren't upset with him because the tension was still there, especially when they interacted with certain families. Old families of Gotham, the rich and powerful. Maybe he was just seeing things? Being paranoid? But sometimes a little paranoia was good.
,
"Master Bruce!"
"Alfred?"
"Perimeter cameras are picking up odd movement on the border with Drake Manor. I used the thermal, several figures appear to be converging on the house. They accepted the invitation for the New Years ball."
"Which means they're home," Bruce finished, rising quickly to his feet. "Come on Jason."
They rushed down to the cave, changing as quickly as possible before rushing next door. Bruce hoped it was a false alarm but as soon as they reached the estate it was obvious, the security had been disabled. They moved faster as a scream sounded from the house.
"B?" Jason asked as they rushed closer.
"They have a son, try and find him," he ordered.
"On it."
,
Jason leapt up, grabbing the easy hand hold, scurrying up the window and breaking it to gain access. It looked like an empty guest room so he left, heading down the hall. The house had gone silent and that was never a good sign. Good thing Bruce had made him memories the house plan once since they were their nearest neighbours. The kids' bedroom should be close to the Master one, right? He checked the doors, seeing one doorknob with smudged fingerprints so carefully opened it.
The room was dark, but he could make out shapes…the empty bed. But that didn't mean anything, a smart kid would hide with the sounds that had been coming from the house.
"Kid, you in here? It's Robin, Batman's here too. We're here to help."
There was a soft noise, a snuffle? And then Jason braced as a small figure slammed into him.
"Easy, I've got you," he murmured before activating his comm. "I've got the kid."
"Get him outside."
"B?"
"Don't bring him downstairs Robin, he doesn't need to see this."
Jason swallowed. "Understood." He took a deep breath. "I've got to get you to safety, okay?" he asked, and the kid nodded. "Got a name?"
"Tim," was the whispered answer.
"Alright Tim, we're going out the window. Hold on tight." He lifted the boy, realising he was older than Jason had first assumed. Ten or eleven maybe? Tim held on tight, hiding his face against Jason's shoulder and then they were dropping to the ground.
,
Bruce stared at the bodies of Janet and Jack Drake; they had been too late. Both were dead. At least Jason had confirmed that their son was alive. He called the Commissioner and then began investigating, finding evidence of stolen antiques but that didn't feel right. Not with how quickly it was all over. And the violence in their deaths… it felt more targeted.
,
Tim sat huddled under a blanket on the hard chair next to Detective Montoya's desk. She'd been nice so far and no one had said anything but he knew, his parents were dead. Why else would Robin take him out the window? Why he'd been kept from going back inside?
And Robin was sitting beside him, chattering away about nothing, a comforting presence. And then Batman arrived, talking with Commissioner Gordon. The Wayne's must have seen something on their security or something, had come rushing to help.
Tim had done nothing, he'd hid like a coward, had seen the shadows in the hall. He didn't think it was random at all. What was he meant to say when questioned? Should he mention how tense everything had been? Or did he keep his mouth shut.
"Hey," Robin called, and Tim looked up at him. "I know you're scared, but you're going to be okay."
Tim managed a small nod.
,
Jason was shocked to hear from the police that Tim was older than he'd assumed, only two years younger than him. A bit small for his age, but some kids were before they fully hit puberty. He felt so bad for the kid, to lose both parents in one night. Did he have other family? Would he be shoved off on social services till someone was found? B was a registered foster; Jason wouldn't mind if the kid came to Wayne Manor for a bit. Better them than some of those horrible places he'd heard of while on the street.
Bruce motioned to him and Jason looked down at the boy.
"Thank you, Robin." So, he'd seen the motion.
"Stay safe kid." He left before he could say more, not sure what else he could say really.
,
Tim stared at the man who was talking to the Commissioner. He recognised him from galas, Mr Mayfield. And Tim didn't like the way the man glanced his way.
"Tim?" Commissioner Gordon called gently, and Tim got up to join them, clutching the blanket. "This is Alec Mayfield, you're going to be going with him, son. All of the paperwork is in order."
Tim nodded numbly and Mr Mayfield smiled at him, a hand coming to rest on his shoulder.
"Once the house is released, we can get your things, but until then, I've had my housekeeper buy some things that should fit you."
"Thank you, Sir," Tim answered politely.
He obediently left with the man, kind of grateful that his home was on the other side of Bristol, though being so far from the Wayne's and the possible safety they offered wasn't good. He was exhausted and collapsed on the bed in the room he was shown to, falling asleep immediately.
TBC…
