It started that summer

The Jokers Robin

***A/N: This chapter is lightly based on "The Three Jokers #1"***

"Alright, let's go through this one more time," Babs' voice crackles over the comms. "Tim and Steph, you're tasked with tracking Bruce from the east side of town. There's a hidden route that should put you just behind him. Duke and Cass, you'll follow up on Dick—last we saw, he was at his apartment complex before heading east with Jason. I'll stay back here to try to manage Damian when he wakes up. Everyone clear on their roles?"

"Yes," everyone collectively responded.

As I adjusted the steering wheel, I asked, "Oracle, do you still have a read on Dick's communicator?"

Steph, seated beside me, was already scanning the GPS. "I'm checking now... and—wait, this can't be right."

"What's up?" Duke's voice says through the earpiece.

"It's showing Arkham. Jason must have the communicator, he's already there!"

"Damn," I muttered. "We're not going to make it in time."

Steph's eyes widened, "Wait, I know another route. I'll take the wheel." We swapped seats quickly. "Can't you guys hack into the system or something?"

"Right. Red Robin, grab the iPad from the glovebox and start downloading your software. Combining our systems should give us what we need. Signal, have you picked up anything new?"

Signal's voice was hesitant. "We're on-site, but I don't think Nightwing was the only one hurt. Do you really think Jason might have lost it?"

The question hung heavy in the air. Steph shot me a concerned glance as my tablet beeped. "It worked!"

Cass's voice was calm and decisive. "Our priority is to bring Batman, Nightwing, and Red Hood back safely."

"Exactly," Babs agreed. "We'll sort out the rest later. Signal and Orphan, I'm sending Starfire's number. See if you can reach her." She continued, but I pulled out my earpiece, feeling overwhelmed.

"What are you doing?" Steph asked, glancing over.

"I can't focus. Besides, you're listening in, right?"

"Well, yeah." She took a sharp turn, causing me to jolt. "Sorry about that," she said with a sheepish smile. "Tim do you think? You know Jason better than anyone."

"I... I don't know. He's a pain in the ass and loves to stir things up. He does some questionable things, but he's not a villain," I said, my grip tightening on the seat. "He's my brother. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. He can be reckless and unpredictable, but he cares about Dick in his own messed-up way." I laughed nervously, adjusting my seat belt. "He'd never hurt him like this, right?"

"Right," Steph reassured me. "Remember how the media twisted things after what happened with Bruce? Jason saved Batman, and they painted him as a killer. He's got a past, sure, but so does everyone. We'll figure out the truth together. Don't stress too much."

"I'm not worried!" I yelled back.

"You're probably just tired," she teased.

"I'm not—"

"I saw you eating cereal with a fork and coffee last week. Dick found you passed out at the counter before movie night."

"Okay, you've got me there," I admitted, rubbing my neck in embarrassment. The car screeched to a halt, and we were thrown forward, our backs hitting the seats. "What was that?!" I undid my seatbelt and got out of the car. "Of course." Spike belts were scattered on the road, and the tires were deflated. A note lay on the ground, which Steph picked up, still rubbing her head.