Robin's War Journal

"Hey, you've reached Tim. Leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can."

[Disclaimer]

Tim ordered a German-
chökolätekäke sundae and found an empty booth in the back where they'd be unlikely to be overheard. "Parents' Weekend's coming up soon," he said to Kon. "You think anyone from Cadmus will come out to visit?"

[For super_tactile. Conversation NFB.]

This was a bad idea. No, actually, telling Jason he was Robin had been a bad idea. Talking about it was a worse idea. Tim couldn't explain how he'd become Robin without telling Jason about his own death. This... was going to involve a lot of lies.

[For the other (caped) Robin.]

Commissioner Gordon was alive and recovering and Catwoman had been cleared of the shooting. Because one of Gordon's own men had shot him. Tim knew Gotham had dirty cops - that was old news - but this was a new low. Even knowing that the dirty cop had been hired in the post-No Man's Land mess didn't help.

Bruce had taken Gordon's injury hard. Even Tim had to admit that Bruce was being a dick when he refused to leave Gordon's hospital room, forcing Barbara to coordinate the investigation. Tim was surprised she hadn't told Bruce where to shove it.

Alfred had quit. Which showed you just how badly Bruce was behaving, since Alfred had put up with plenty over the years. The manor didn't feel right without him, though Dick reminded Tim that Alfred had quit before. At least this time he was just over at Dick's place in Blüdhaven.

The cabin was quiet when Tim returned. He stuffed his bag under his bunk and headed off to class.

[Establishy.]

Tim's visit back home had been pretty uneventful, for Gotham. Oh, sure, there'd been a few armed robberies and one minor hostage situation, but that was a normal evening for Robin. His dad had had time to go to a Knights game with him on Wednesday, which was pretty awesome. The Knights even pulled through in the eighth inning with a two-run homer and kept the lead to win the game. Granted, they'd been playing the Padres, but a win was a win.

The biggest event of the week was meeting Ted Kord. The Blue Beetle! Retired, but still. Sometimes the Robin gig really didn't suck. Although he felt a little guilty for messing with Dick that day at Barbara's place. Even if Dick totally deserved it for the crap he'd pulled with Karla.

After unpacking, Tim flopped down on his bed to check the news on his laptop. Lex Luthor was up in the polls again. People had to see through his crap eventually, right? No way could the guy actually become president.

[Establishy, for I cannot brain this week. I was going to actually write his Gotham stuff out, but, ah, didn't happen. Link is to excerpts from Birds of Prey #19.]

First sessions of classes at Fandom High were over, so Tim was relaxing in his room. He was flopped down on his bed, reading the book of Protocol Karla had loaned him. Her world had some very interesting views on gender roles.

[Post open, door open.]

Tim wasn't thrilled with the assignment for today's Sex Ed class, but he decided to check Google and see if he could come up with any ideas. He'd managed fine until he came across urethral sounding.

"GAH!" he yelped. He slammed his laptop shut and eyed it warily. He was just going to bring in a feather or something. No more Google.


[Blame brat_intraining and no, not linking to anything. Google if you dare. Post is open if you want.]

Bruce had already left to attend the groundbreaking of a new Martha Wayne Foundation youth center. Tim had his laptop out on his bed and was checking the status of the latest Knights game. Dick knocked on the doorframe and Tim looked up. "Hey."

Dick came in and shut the door. He tossed Tim a flash drive. "I ran that check you asked for."

Tim plugged the drive in and pulled up the DNA data. He skimmed over the report quickly. "It's a match."

"Yeah," Dick said. "What are you going to do?"

Tim stared at his computer screen. "I don't know yet," he said finally. "I need more information."

Dick nodded. "Do you need a ride to the airport?"

"I can call a cab," Tim said, scrolling through the data on his screen again.

"It's on my way," Dick said. "I'm headed to New York for a Titans meeting."

Tim closed the laptop and pocketed the flash drive. "Then sure, thanks."

[Establishy.]

Alfred was waiting at the door when Tim's cab made it up the drive.

"Master Timothy! How was your trip?" Alfred looked over Tim's shoulder at the pile of luggage the cabbie was unloading. "You seem to have acquired a few possessions."

"Working theory says they'll be gone in the morning," Tim said. He had his arm wrapped tightly around the LEGACY backpack.

"I see," Alfred said, not batting an eye. "Have you informed your father that you're in town?"

"He and Dana are on a couples retreat this weekend," Tim admitted. The cabbie pulled a suitcase labeled CONFLICTING FATHER FIGURES from the backseat.

"Master Bruce is downstairs," Alfred said, taking the handle of the suitcase without comment. "Master Richard wished me to inform you that he's been delayed on business but will arrive in time for the game tomorrow."

"I got his text," Tim said. "Thanks, Alfie. My usual room?"

"Of course," Alfred said. Tim tried to pick up CONFLICTING FATHER FIGURES but LEGACY kept getting in the way. Alfred held up a hand to stop him. "I can handle these," he said. "Go say hello to Master Bruce. I believe he's missed you."

Tim nodded and headed into the house, trying not to think about why ABANDONMENT ISSUES had accordian-folded sides for expansion.

[Establishy.]

Tim found a spot to stash his clothes again and hit the rooftops in costume. It felt good to be out and moving after a week of being plain old Tim Drake. He just hoped he didn't run into any deities causing trouble, 'cause he was pretty sure they were out of his league.


[Open if you want to encounter him! If abandoned warehouses are not your thing, let me know where he might be finding you.]

[ETA: NFB, please!]