Brothers Forgive

By

AJ

Part 6

Damian followed his father back down the stairs and into the ICU. He didn't know what to expect after the doctors had to rush in to save Tim's life. Tim was still hooked up to the machines giving him oxygen, but he was no longer intubated. The heart monitor continued to check his pulse and blood pressure. He no longer looked quite as pale as when Damian saw him just . . . two hours ago? Had he been on that roof that long? Damian shivered as he drew closer. He couldn't tell if Tim was awake since his face was turned away from him. When Tim did move, Damian froze in place. Then Tim turned his face toward him and Damian almost panicked. He didn't know what to do at first. Damian was released from the spell when Tim beckoned him to come closer. He first took small, careful deliberate steps uncertain whether Tim really wanted him there. When Damian reached Tim's bedside, both just stared at each other, not daring to break the silence.

Then Damian's face suddenly scrunched up and he threw himself into Tim's lap sobbing.

'I . . . I . . . I'm . . . so s-s-s-sorry," Damian wailed. "I . . . I didn't mean for this to happen. Please . . . for . . . forgive . . . .me."

Tim, astounded by Damian's reaction, reached over and placed a hand on the distraught boy's head. "I . . . I'm sorry, too. And what happened after I left was an accident. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I should have been watching the road."

Damian looked up into Tim's face and saw soft tired eyes, eyes that held no hatred. In fact, they held something else, but Damian couldn't define it. Then Damian watched as Tim gave him a sideways grin. Since they were alone, it was an opportunity for both of them to clear the air.

"You're not going to get rid of me that easily, Brother," Tim stated. "Before, when I went looking for Bruce, this was after the funeral, Dick asked me to look after you if something happened to him. He knew he was going to have to become Batman, again, even though he didn't want to. I did promise him that I would look after you, but that was before I found out that Bruce was alive."

"What made you believe that Father was alive?" Damian never really heard the story. In fact he was too focused on the fact that Dick gave him the position of Robin.

"You weren't there when we were told. It started with Superman . . . with Clark. He wouldn't look me in the eye when I asked him how Bruce died. I wanted to know the specifics. He wouldn't tell me at first. But I insisted. And when he did, his pupils were dilated."

"So he lied," Damian responded, though he was surprised that Drake had noticed something that small.

"It's a misnomer that Superman cannot lie," Tim stated. "It's not exactly a lie, but he will withhold the truth."

"Why would he lie about Father's death? Why couldn't he have told us the truth, that Father was stuck in time?"

"He knew 'someone' had to become the Batman, not only in body, but in spirit as well until Bruce . . . until Father was able to return."

Damian noticed that Tim used the familiar title, but didn't argue the point. Instead he focused on the topic. "He did it for Grayson's benefit," Damian surmised.

"Dick had to be Batman when Bruce defeated Jean-Paul, but he wasn't ready to take on the mantle. He had doubts. And Dick knew that role was temporary at the time. He still didn't have the confidence that was required to take on the role the way the role needed to be taken on. I tried, but our father really wanted Dick to succeed him. So, believing Batman dead . . ."

". . . Gave Grayson the push he needed to become the Batman," Damian added. "You know Tim, you're not as dumb as I thought."

"Thanks," Tim replied then added in a conspiring tone. "Let's not tell Dick. I think he expects us to fight like cats and dogs."

"You're probably right. So, you forgive me?" Damian asked, his face taking on a look that often was Dick's way of pleading and even Bruce had that look when it came to asking forgiveness from Alfred.

"Of course, Little D. You're my brother, and brothers forgive each other," as Tim ruffled Damian's hair.

Damian playfully swiped at Tim's hand, though in truth, he was enjoying Tim messing with him for a change. He didn't know what he would do if Tim had died. The thought became appalling to him. "So, when are they going to let you out of this hell hole."

"Not for a week little brother, and then Alfred probably won't let me patrol for another three."

"Well, when you are ready, do you want to patrol together?"

"Sure," Tim stated. "That would be great. You know, you're not so bad with that bow staff, though I bet I could teach you a few more moves that could add more reach to your swing. Also, Robin should carry a sling."

"A sling?" Damian asked, his eyes narrowed.

"All the Robins carried a sling. Dick used it with such accurate precision that was his weapon of choice. You might not be able to get to the villain fast enough, but a well placed stone in a sling . . . I've seen Dick use that sling in places that were so tight you wouldn't think it was possible to even get a rock through."

Both boys were in deep conversation, Damian asking questions and Tim providing answers, sharing stories that he knew about Dick being Robin that Damian had not heard before. The hour had come and gone and neither was aware when Bruce entered the room followed by a nurse.

"Okay, enough gab, Tim needs his rest," Bruce stated. "I need to speak to Dick about something, then it will be his turn to spend time with Tim."

"Can we come back later?" Damian asked.

"Sure, Damian," Bruce stated astounded at Damian's sudden change in attitude.

"Goodbye Tim, we'll see you later."

"Okay, Little D," Tim stated. "Let Dick know, okay? On second thought, don't let him know. I'll tell him myself. He'll probably ask me."

"Ask you what?" Bruce questioned his son.

"Oh, nothing Father," Damian replied "It's between us brothers."

Damian gave his father a slight smile. Tim had forgiven him, and had promised to teach him more about the bow staff, and even about being a detective. They planned those little sessions in secret. Damian wanted to be the best Robin his father ever had. After all, if you couldn't learn from previous Robins, whom could you learn from? It just made a lot more sense now. And each of his brothers had been Robin before him. What were brothers for if you couldn't learn from them and keep a secret from their Father? Boy was this going to be good.

End