Talking Birds (BatFamily FanFiction)

Nancy Drew Books Under Tim's Bed

Tim

Two years, one month, and sixteen days. She would be eight today. I would be waking her up and showing her the rectangle present that I got her every year. Last year, when she turned seven, I bought The Sign of the Twisted Candles and it was under my bed with six other books that she had left behind. This year's was The Clue of the Broken Locket. I was excited to read it to her before bed. My fingers crossed behind my back that Batman had somehow found them and I could give Georgie two presents for her birthday. Both books were still wrapped. I couldn't open them because they weren't my presents.

I had been holding the one from her eighth birthday when Dick opened the door. He had decided last week that he would be moving out of the manor and into an apartment in Gotham. He would still be close enough for access to the BatCave and being Nightwing. Not much would change except Damien and I would be the only ones left to comfort each other.

When Dick saw the birthday present in my lap he smiled softly and came to sit with me.

"She's still alive, Tim," he assured. I wiped my eyes.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

He simply rested his hand on my head and we both stared at the wrapped book for a really long time.

"Do you have to go?" I asked him, finally peeling my eyes away from the thing in my lap. Dick pulled his hand back.

"I'm 20, it's about time I moved out. Plus I'll be closer to campus and Starfire," he explained.

"But she doesn't need you," I whispered. I'm not sure if he heard me or if I actually said it but the next thing that happened was both in and out of character for Dick. On the one hand, before the Incident he used to be know for sneak-attack hugs on Damien and Jason (the two people who hated it the most). On the other hand, since we returned, Dick doesn't ... touch people. He just doesn't. Nobody knew why but it just didn't happen.

Now he was hugging me like there was no tomorrow. Holding me like he would Dami when he had a nightmare. Like he used to when Jason and Georgie still walked the halls.

I cried.

Georgianna

I swung my feet over the balcony and Jay stood in the doorway. His arms were folded and his eyes were closed. A look of content washed over his face. Before he could react I pushed off from the balcony and fell. Jason lurched forward and caught me by the foot. Effortlessly he pulled me back onto the flat surface of the balcony.

"So you were paying attention," I laughed as he let out a sharp breath.

"That's not funny Georgie. If I had opened my eyes two seconds later you would've been dead, I would've been able to touch your boots and then you would've been gone! That's not funny," he hissed. I hung my head.

"Just wanted to see if you were paying attention," I mumbled. Jason grabbed my cheeks harshly.

"Listen here little girl, this is not a game. Joker's going to kill you if you can't behave. Do you understand what that means?" he barked. I shoved him away so his hands dropped from my face.

"I don't need you protecting me, Todd. Not when you couldn't even save yourself," I shot and returned to my seat on the balcony.

Jay stood in the doorway a minute before storming out. I would always get my way in the end. If I wanted to die, I'd do it and not even Joker could stop me. I run more than these buffoons think a seven-year-old can.

I'm in charge.

Dick

I waved goodbye to my brothers--- the two that still remained. When I moved out I had always hoped Jason would come with me. He'd always been the one to stick by my side. As Robin, as my brother. We had been inseparable as children and when he was an infant I had even given him a stuffed turtle called 'Tut-Tut'. For eight years he carried it around with him were ever he went. I just figured that we were always close. That when I left behind Wayne manor I would still have my brother by my side.

But I didn't. Jason was gone and nobody was doing anything about it.

That was part of the reason I had to leave. Bruce wasn't doing anything to get Georgie and Jay back. He had just given up hope that they were even alive, still out there. With him.

I wouldn't let that happen. No way. I was going to get my brother and sister back home and they would be safe. Safe.

"G'bye, Grayson," Damien deadpanned, mock saluting me as I went out to the car.

"Take care baby brother!" I cackled back.

"HEY!! I'm almost as tall as you!" he shot back.

"Maybe in a few years you can be pretty much as tall as me, baby brother," I replied and waved him off. Tim stood on the balcony above Damien's head. He clutched Georgie's gift to his chest. A Nancy Drew book that he hadn't read yet. I looked up and held up my hand to wave goodbye. Tim turned around and slammed the balcony door behind him.

"See ya soon Tim," I whispered. "I'm gonna bring Georgianna home."

Damien

The first night Dick was gone, I had a bad one.

I was in the cell. I was alone. Jason sat on the other side of the bars his hand outstretched for me. I crawled on my hands and knees, slicing them open with glass. There was still yards between us. I wasn't any closer to him than before, but my hands and knees were torn through to the bone. I laid down on my side still reaching out for Jason. The man in the mask came into view, the whip dangling in his hands. He raised it over his head and slammed it down on my back again and again. I wailed for Jason. Cried for him. But he stood there, his hands by his side and a smile on his face.

In a cold sweat I threw myself up in bed and gathered the sheets to my chest. I tore out of my bedroom and ran down the hall into Dick's room. With closed eyes I threw myself into his bed, feeling around for his arm to wrap around me. Then I remembered. He was gone.