#part 5

“That’s why I’m going alone. He’s more likely to let himself feel and react the smaller his audience is.” Jason could see Dick nod to himself. “Tell the others I can’t leave Gotham right now because of some cases but I can cover patrol routes.”

-

“Alfie?” Alfred looked up sharply from where he was sitting in the corner of the kitchen. He knew why he was here, he’d been listening in to the conversation in the cave through the bugs he had down there. He knows that he’s always kept himself distant from the family to an extent but for one of his grandchildren to keep this from him, from all of them. He couldn’t understand.

“I already heard. I just need a moment to think before I get back to dinner. I’ll be fine Master Jason.”

“Where were you at. I’ll takeover for now.”

-

Bruce looked up as his eldest came back down the stairs. “Jay went to talk with Alfred. He’ll stay in Gotham and cover patrol routes. We could probably also get him to ask about Daniel at Richie’s while we know he’s going to be out of town.”

He hummed that could work. For sure Cass would follow Tim. She was the most stealthy and could get a good read on how sincere Daniel was toward Tim. One of Bruce’s worse fears in their civilian lives was people using his kids to get his money. He doubted that was what this was after five years but you can’t be to cautious.

“Father, I think I should go with Cassandra.” Damian spoke up. “I think I have the most training, and ability to remain objective in this situation." That would work. He and Barbra, once she was back, would focus on researching, Jason, Dick and Steph would split patrol routes, Duke would stay on dayshift, and Cass and Damian would follow Tim and his…family.

Tim’s family. His husband. His children.

-

Dick read the information they already had. It looked like Tim had met Daniel while Bruce was in the time stream, but after he had shared the evidence and pinpointed where he would emerge. That time where he had solved the problem and been able to return home while everyone waited for Bruce’s return but didn’t. Everyone had assumed it was because of the fight he had with Dick, but maybe not.

Was that why he hadn’t told them. Because of that fight? Was it his fault Tim had hidden this from everybody?

-

Duke was unsure what to do. He had never been that close to Tim, but it seems like he had joined the family after Tim had his secret family already so maybe that was why. Either way Duke was lost. He didn’t know how to help Bruce or his siblings with this.

-

Cass looked over at Damian as they traveled. They were silent but his body language practically screamed ‘sad, conflicted, confused’. He could feel her eyes on him. “I am fine Cassandra.”

“Lie. Talk to me, little brother.” She demanded.

“I thought our relationship was improving. I know I caused the rift between us originally but we had been getting better. I can not help but think, ‘What if it was to keep his family safe from me.’” Damian explained.

Cass could understand, but she didn’t have the words that would give her little brother the comfort he needed right now.

-

Jason brought his bike into the shop and Richie came over. “Hey Jay. Let me get a look at it.” He inspected the dent on the side. “this looks like someone took a bat to it.”

“Yeah, probably stupid kids. Some of the cars in the parking garage had broken windows.” He looked around the shop as if just noticing. “Danny not in?”

“No he’s on a trip with his family. From what it sounded like his husband had a bad week. They weren’t planning on this trip for another month or so.” Richie explained. “Normally I wouldn’t be fine with someone just taking off last minute for vacation but I kinda owe him for being the other guy on call for the ‘I have no clue’ problems.’”

“How is his husband. I think he only talked about him and the kids for half an hour last time. Marital problems?” Jason asked jokingly.

-