This Is My Future

Chapter 32

Artemis P.O.V

I looked up when Dick and Tim walked in.

Robin was on his wrist computer and Tigress was spinning around in the computer chair. She had come in a few minutes after Tim went to the garage, she was joking with us and fake attacking Robin for upsetting Tim.

Dick pulled up his own wrist watch when it started beeping. "C'mon kitty," Dick said.

Tigress stopped spinning, stood up and stumbled forward. Dick caught her. Tim sat in the chair.

"What are we doing?" She asked fixing herself.

"The computer had alerted me of some kind of energy wave outside the city. I think we should check it out."

She nodded.

Robin and Tim stood up.

"No," Dick said, pointing at the boys.

"What?" They asked simultaneously.

"Neither of you are coming."

Both frowned, "Why!?"

Dick pointed at Robin, "Because you get on my nerves and can't keep your damn mouth shut." He pointed at Tim, "And you already have a concussion. I'm not taking chances."

Both fourteen year olds groaned.

"Artemis," Dick said looking at me. "You're in charge."

"What!?" Robin and Tim yelped. I forced myself not to laugh at the fact that both the boys voices broke at the same frequency.

I nodded, "Just a warning; whenever I babysit...the kid eventually ends up tied to something."

Dick shrugged, "As long as everyone's alive when we get back."

"I've never killed one, but with these two, that might happen."

"Acceptable as long as it's not Timmy," Dick chuckled heading out the door.

I snickered. Robin flipped off his older self. Tim was back in the chair, sitting sideways.

I heard the car leave the garage and I looked at the boys.

"Hey Tim..." Robin said hesitant.

Tim glanced at him then away, "Yeah...?"

Robin bit his lip, "I...I wanted to apologize."

"For?"

"Earlier," Robin said. "I stepped out of line. It wasn't my place to question you like that...or judge your worth."

Tim shrugged, "S'okay...I know I don't deserve to wear your 'R'."

"Of course you do Tim," I assured, though I wasn't sure myself; I don't really know the kid.

Robin nodded, "Why else would Bruce let you be Robin. He obviously sees something in you."

"No idea what it could possibly be," Tim sighed. "I'm not as smart as you...and no where near as strong as Jason."

"Who?" Robin asked frowning. Tim froze. I frowned.

"Who's Jason?" Robin asked.

Tim chewed his lips.

Robin furrowed his brows, "Tim?"

"He's..." Tim muttered, "The, second, Robin."

I raised a brow, "I thought Dick said you were the second Robin?"

Tim shook his head, "He said I was the Future Robin, and, in this time; current, Robin."

"So you're not my successor?" Robin asked.

"No, I am," Tim said. "But not direct. I'm Jay's direct successor and since Jay was your direct successor I'm your second successor."

"So you're the third Robin," I stated. Tim nodded.

"Wait," Robin said as if realizing something. "Was?"

"Huh?" Tim hummed.

"You said 'was'," Robin said.

Tim looked away.

"What do you mean 'was' my successor; isn't Jason still my successor?"

"Yes...and no..." Tim whispered.

Robin frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Jason is your successor, but..." He trailed off.

"But what?" Robin asked.

"He..." Tim breathed. He was getting that saddened look he had when Robin was badgering him over how he became Robin. With his expression, he didn't need to finish for me to understand.

My eyes widened a bit and I looked at Robin; his face was filled with utter shock.

Tim never finished and neither of us asked him to. We all just sat in unsettled silence.

Robin surprised me; he didn't ask how Jason got to be Robin or even how he died.

"So, I guess we're technically brothers then," Robin said breaking the silence.

I frowned, "What?"

"Tim and I," he said. "Bruce is our foster father...that would make us brothers."

"Yeah..." Tim said.

Robin nodded and he smiled, "I always wanted a little brother."

Tim chuckled sadly, "You had two for a while."

Robin nodded faintly, "Jason's in a better place now. No matter what happened, he can't be hurt anymore."

Tim nodded.

"But I guess we're technically twins," Robin said thoughtfully. Both Tim and I looked at him as if he was crazy. Robin snorted, "We're both fourteen."

"Ohh," Tim breathed.

"If you're twins then I'm just going to kill you both now," I laughed grabbing Tigress's crossbow.

The 'twins' looked at eachother, "...Run!"