Phoenix Chapter 6
Meanwhile back at Wayne Manor...
[Earlier at 1pm flashback]
A week went by since finding Timmy and having him recover his energy as well as memories. Things almost seemed back to normal. Timmy was his quiet self, but he still enjoyed Jason and Dick's company. He was often found with his nose in a book to help time pass by faster. At times he also seemed to fall into a pattern of taking a short nap everyday.
Tim remembered moving in with the Wayne's earlier and even recalled how to maneuver around the mansion itself. Tim however, at this time, knew nothing of Bruce being Batman, Dick being Nightwing, and Jason being Robin/Red Hood. They didn't want Timmy to know until he was ready, and especially because of the current turn of events. When he had first moved in with them, Tim didn't know about their secret either. He was suspicious, but he minded his own business that whole year. This man was kind enough to take him in as one as one of his own, so why should he be pointing fingers at the things that perhaps made no sense in the mansion?
"Come on Timmy, play some Sorry! with us or something," Dick nearly begged as Tim's head lifted up from the book, curious as his blue eyes peaked behind it.
"Why?"
"What do you mean, 'why'? Because it's fun, and you can read about the-," Dick grabbed the book from Tim with ease "-what is this called? The Blood of Martyrs, any other day of the week, just not today."
"Wh-"
"Because it's not often that Jason wants to play a board game!" emphasized Dick as he threw his arms up in the air in exasperation.
"Oh. Okay," nodded Tim reluctantly. Jason seemed to keep his distance at times from Tim, so it was nice to play a game with both brothers instead of one.
"Good choice, Babybird," smirked Jason. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to kick some Dick."
"You'll be sorry about that," challenged Dick as Jay just shook his head.
"What? Will I get into, trouble?" questioned Jason as Timmy did all he could to not laugh. He knew they were putting on a show for him, he just wished it didn't look so obvious!
[End Flashback]
Bruce had decided to not mention anything to Timmy about his parents deaths just yet either. The whole ordeal in itself was something that Bruce was close to praying that Tim never asked about his parents. He knew that time would come, but he wasn't sure how the aftermath would affect Timothy. Regardless, Tim seemed to be recovering well. His arm was healing up and he had more of an appetite, which pleased Alfred. He still was thin for his age, but he regained some weight after having several plentiful meals despite not always finishing them.
Unfortunately, it was a short-lived recovery. On Thursday night at 4pm, Tim was walking down the stairs, every step being taken carefully. He wasn't bedridden anymore at this time. Halfway down, Timmy began feeling short of breath and a little dizzy. He stopped for a moment, holding the railing with both his hands. For some reason they were cold and clammy. His legs were unsteady while he struggled to stay standing up. A wave of exhaustion swept over Tim, his grip lessening on the railing.
"TIM!" gasped Jason as he ran up the steps, skipping every two. He caught Timmy before his body could tumble-down the stairs. "Come on Babybird, don't do this to me," he muttered as Timmy's head rested up against Jason's chest. His figure was slack in Jason's grip.
"J...Jayssn?" Tim's faint voice murmured, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion as his baby blue eyes tried to stay open, his eyelashes fluttering several times. Tim felt himself being lifted in Jason's strong arms, his head along Jason's shoulder. Breathing even seemed to drain Tim of his energy as his shallow breathes became lighter. What's happening to me? Why do I feel so, weak? Tim thought to himself, his head feeling fuzzy as he fought hard to fight against the fatigue weighing him down.
"Bruce!" hollered Jay as he carried his brother down the steps, his voice echoing through the mansion. "Something's wrong with Tim, he almost took a nasty trip down the stairs," Jason grimaced as Bruce came out of his study and went down the steps. It wasn't yet time for him to suit up for the night, but regardless, his son's health was by far more important.
"Timmy?" Bruce gently brushed Tim's bangs over softly to the side, feeling his forehead with the back of his hand, those baby blue eyes were closing more as Tim began nodding off. He was giving Bruce a puzzled look, as if trying to recall who he was. Sweat droplets were on Tim's cheeks and forehead, his face flushed. Timmy felt so weak, his consciousness slowly flickering away, his once bright eyes, now void of any familiar thoughts. This feeling seemed like it had happened before, but the boy couldn't think clearly. "Take him up to his room, he has a fever. I'll get Alfred," Bruce looked down at Timmy closer. It seemed that he was showing signs of fatigue, confusion, and dizziness, judging from the way he almost collapsed down the stairs. At first Bruce suspected a flu bug of some kind, but he just had that sickening feeling in his stomach that it was something else.
Four Hours Later 8pm
"I don't understand! He was improving everyday, but now he doesn't know who any of us are!?" irked Jason as he clenched his fists in frustration. Tim still knew who Jason was right before the delirium consumed him. Please let it be the fever, thought Jay. He wasn't the only one who was upset.
"Come on Timmy, don't leave us hanging," Dick, said softly. He was constantly by Tim's side, also hoping and praying that there was a logical explanation as to why his brother was so confused. Timmy was buried under several blankets, fast asleep for the night, his temperature negotiable. Dick kept reapplying the damp cloth over his flushed forehead, but Tim didn't stir. He had finally fallen asleep only an hour ago, but no matter how Bruce and Alfred tried coaxing and talking to him earlier, Tim actually seemed more terrified than ill. Sweat was pouring down him from when he was trying to thrash away from them. Eventually he fell into an exhausting sleep. Alfred then took that opportunity to change Tim into some dry clothes.
"Should we call Leslie?" asked Alfred calmly, although worry was evident on his face.
"I don't think we have a choice. We'll call her tomorrow. Hopefully he'll regain consciousness in the morning."
"You better wake up Babybird, and you damn well better remember your own family," muttered Jayson as Dick smiled tiredly towards him. Getting angry was Jason's way of dealing with things that were too difficult for him to cope with. Hitting something (until there was nothing left) was much easier for him instead of trying to compromise in the end. Dick knew this and he wasn't about to let his little brother be easy bait for his other brother to vent.
"Don't be so hard on the kid, Jay. You know it's not his fault."
"He just had to see his lousy parents that day," Jason grumbled as he looked down at his baby brother. "You still loved them, even though they dumped you and moved on in their own lives, you still cared about them," his voice rising with every word.
"Jason, that's enough," Bruce said calmly, although his tone of voice went almost into Batman mode. Jason looked down at his feet, unable to hide his guilt as Bruce put his hand on Jason's shoulder.
"I know, but... he didn't deserve it," Jason said quietly before pulling away from Bruce's grip fiercely as he left the room, footsteps leading towards the entrance way before the sound of the door closing echoed behind him. It's a good thing he left when he did, because that's when the tears broke to the surface.
"He's off to vent," sighed Dick while he stood on up. "I suppose we both should suit up on now."
"I will, but you're staying."
"No I'm coming wi-"
"Stay, for Tim," Bruce said bluntly as Dick caved-in and sat back down. "In case he wakes up, then you will be there for him. Alfred is on monitor duty tonight."
"Quite thrilled, sir," Alfred said in a rather dry tone.
"Glad to hear it," Bruce acknowledged with little to no emotion as him and Alfred headed on out of the room. Bruce turned around momentarily. "If Jason comes back, tell him not to suit up in his new costume yet, he'll make it too obvious that Robin and Red Hood are the same."
"I'm pretty sure he packed his other one, and what makes you think he's going to listen to me?" Bruce held back a grin.
"I'm sure you'll think of something," he said before Richard couldn't help but smirk evilly.
I just want all of you to know, I have no idea how I am still writing this. I haven't a clue where all these followers and favs are coming from. Either you are all extremely bored with nothing better to do (like me!) or this is actually interesting and you want me to write more. Not a clue! I'm going to assume that it's a solid C average, and frankly I'm okay with that! I'm sorry this chapter is short, but I had to break off somewhere so I can piece my plot together. I'm sorry I don't update very steady either, but I have tried to at least have ideas set before posting chapters.
I won't threaten you to review either, because I will write what I want to and if you don't like it, well too bad so sad! Personally seeing Faves and follows has me blushing more than reviews. Although if anything is bothering you, then yes, please let me know. Keep in mind that I'm a writer, not a miracle worker. Take care!
~Stas
