A Renegade Knight

CHAPTER XVI

It was a peaceful hour of silence for both Bruce and Tim before the two were thrust back into reality. Damian, finally awake enough to realise Tim had slipped away, had made his way down to the cave with Alfred and tried to engage Tim in a verbal fight. Tim had ignored the boy, instead watching as Bruce sighed and rose to his feet to try and calm Damian down. However, that hadn't saved the teenager from the wrath of Alfred.

The Englishman, finally able to rest from his duties of caring for the injured and the young, turned his sights on Tim and the blood slowly seeping through the back of his clean shirt.

It had taken all his will power to try and resist the older man, and even then it wasn't enough as Alfred managed to drag him to the corner of the medical bay and remove his shirt, inspecting the long cut in his back. Tim didn't have the heart to tell him how it had happened and instead resigned himself to sitting quietly as Alfred worked and watching as Bruce talked Damian into taking Tim's abandoned seat.

Although neither of them realised it yet, Tim could see the slowly strengthening bond between father and son. It didn't take a detective to see that soon the two would start to form the well functioning team that defined Batman and Robin.

Tim sighed quietly as Alfred worked, causing the older man to pause as he treaded the surgical needle.

"Master Timothy?" The Englishman asked.

"I will start looking for an apartment in the morning Alfred." Tim muttered, his eyes still glued on Bruce and Damian. In front of the two, Tim's adopted father pulled his little brother into a one armed hug. Tim didn't need to look around to know that Alfred was frowning at him.

"Master Timothy, do not think that you have been replace."

Tim couldn't help it. He smiled.

"No. Damian can't replace me. I just think it's time for this bird to finally leave the nest."

There was a minute of silence as Alfred slowly worked, stitching up Tim's back.

"An old friend of mine in New York has been involved with the newly created Lex Towers." The older man said slowly. "I believe one of the Penthouses is for sale. If you wish, I can get you the details."

Tim thought for a moment, trying to ignore the needle in his back. Lex Towers, in the heart of New York City. It would be a very good place to start.

Nodding his head, Tim relaxed slightly.

"Thank you Alfred."
T

he two fell into silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

💫💫💫

It was almost six hours after Tim and Alfred's talk that Jason awoke. The Red Hood awoke violently, ready to attack at a moment's notice as he swung to his feet. However, he had overestimated his abilities. The pain in his chest toppled the rogue bat, sending him crashing to the ground. He swore loudly, trying to remember how he had fallen asleep. He had arrived at the Cave with Batman and watched, forgotten in the shadows as Bruce rushed Dick into surgery. However, it seemed that he hadn't been forgotten enough as Alfred appeared and immediately began to assess his injuries.

Like many before him, Jason had fallen to the wrath of Alfred, allowing himself to be manhandled rather then start a fight with the Englishman. But he had not expected the older man to sedate him. The shock of the situation had lasted the few seconds between Jason noticing the needle in his arm and him losing consciousness and falling onto the waiting bed.