Robin's Need (ONC Entry - Batman Beyond/Young Justice Fanfic)

Strange Place

He found himself alone in the cold Batcave sitting on the medical bed, his arm and side injured with no way to take care of said injuries on his own. To say he was far from amused regarding the situation was an understatement, yet after waiting who knows how long, Alfred returned. "Flash has left already?"

"Yeah. I don't know when he'll be back if that's what you want to know." Terry looked at the man in the eye. "Actually, he left when I brought up the fact there might be something at the scene which might allow them to discover Batman's identity and that might negatively affect Robin."

"I see."

"Who's John?"

Alfred ignored his question, instead choosing to focus on finding the items needed to take care of Terry's injuries. "I wonder if this is a habit for yourself, just like it is for Master Bruce and Master Richard."

"You're not going to answer my question, are you?" Terry watched the man start by lifting his arm so he might wrap the injury up. The second question remained unanswered as well, Alfred instead focusing on poking Terry's injured side, assessing if there were any injured ribs before proceeding to get another instant compress before handing Terry a set of clothes. He looked down at the clothes now in his hand while the other held the compress to his ribs. "Wait. Are these Bruce's?"

"I know they'll likely be a bit baggy on you, but we can get you something else in the morning."

"That's not..." Terry didn't know how he felt about wearing a dead man's clothing.

"If you follow me, I'll show you to the guest room, though you may already know where that is."

"Who knows. The Batcave's layout certainly wasn't the same as I remember." He followed the man to the elevator and rode up to the study. His robin blue eyes widened slightly, recognizing something finally. A fire flickered in the fireplace, adding a little bit of warmth to the gloomy place. The place still wasn't home; a sigh escaped his mouth, the fact he'd never go home starting to set in. "Why can't I go home? I wish Flash had actually taken the time to explain rather than dashing off like that, but he did have to see to – that. I wish he didn't stick me with a needle either."

"Well, it's nice to see you act like something is familiar."

"I'm sorry." Terry rubbed the back of his head, his robin blue eyes watching Alfred carefully. "Not for none of this being familiar, as things definitely changed between now and my time frame."

"Then you are from the future." Alfred continued leading him to the guest room.

"A future where he's alive."

"Then why are you apologizing for not being able to save him? Doesn't his death affect you as much as us?" One of Alfred's eyebrows shot up.

"What's going to happen next?"

"I don't know. The Justice League will have a thing to say about that."

"Great..."

"You've not had a good experience with them?"

"Not the ones from my timeframe. Let's just say I learned something which really turned my life upside down. I'd rather not talk about it."

"Well, I am a stranger to you. However, I hope you do come to trust me, as it appears, you'll be staying with us as you don't have any other place to go." Alfred stopped in front of the door. "By the way. What is your name?"

"Terry McGinnis."

"We may have to come up with a different name for your cover story."

"Yeah... I'd appreciate it if you didn't." Terry glanced away, only turning his head back when he realized Alfred opened the door to the guest room. He glanced around, not feeling at home in the impersonalized room. Much of his personal tastes, such as music wouldn't even exist for a few years.

"We can also get necessities for you tomorrow. Is there anything particular your interested in?"

"Uh, no." Terry shoved his hands into the pockets of the baggy pants he wore. "The brands I typically use likely don't exist yet, for all I know, not that I really paid attention to that."

"Then perhaps..."

"Please don't get me the same stuff as Bruce."

"Master Richard uses pretty much the same thing."

Realization hit Terry. He turned and looked at the man. "I don't need anything expensive. I'd prefer if none of it was."

Alfred let one eyebrow raise up, yet didn't say anything but, "Have a good night, Master Terry."

"And can the Master Terry bit, please." Terry let out a sigh, before heading into the room and collapsing onto the bed. He started thinking he might get some sleep despite the strangeness of the place when someone screaming made him bolt up strait.