A/N: Tim is six years old and he just finished 1st Grade. While out on a school picnic Tim is taken by an unknown kidnapper. Can Batman and Robin find him before it's too late?

Cliff Hanger

by

AJ

Part 8: Hero Worship

Tim was shivering and coughing. That storm had caused him to become sick. How long has it been since he had any water? He was so thirsty he could drink up a whole ocean. Yuck, maybe not. An ocean had sodium in it. Maybe a cool, refreshing, mountain lake would quench his thirst. Tim started to cry again when he thought about that. He wasn't going to get out of this mess. He had tried to find a means to climb down, but he couldn't find any safe way to, that lead to falling at least 500 feet to his death. There were no hand holes or places to put his feet. And climbing up was out of the question. There was no place for him to grab onto from the overhand that formed the small cave that gave him barely any shelter.

"Uh huh huh *cough*cough*cough,* Tim cried. 'I'll never see my parents ever again or Mrs Mac. *cough*cough*cough* My parents probably won't even notice that I'm gone. I'll probably die here.'

"Hey, take it easy," a voice cried out from above.

"Who . . . Who's that?" *cough*cough*cough* Tim suddenly perked up. "Who are you?" Someone had found him at last. He was beginning to give up hope.

Robin dropped down on his bat rope. "It's just me. Don't let the mask fool you. I'm here to help."

Tim's eyes went wide when he saw the boy in the costume. It wasn't Halloween yet. That was still months away.

"Come here. I'm not going to hurt you," Robin said. "I'm here to rescue you."

"Rescue me?"

"Exactly, unless you want to hang out on this cliff the rest of the day. It's going to get dark soon."

Tim launched himself at the bigger boy and wrapped his arms around his neck. He held on tight as Robin climbed back up to the top of the cliff.

"You're very strong for a little fella. Are you okay?" Robin asked. "Did anyone hurt you?"

Tim shook his head no, his mouth hanging open. "Who did you say . . . "

"Oh sorry. Batman says, I sometimes forget that important detail. I'm Robin, Batman's partner."

"Wow," Tim's eyes were still wide.

"Can you still hold on tight?"

"Um, why?" Tim asked.

"Well, we need to get you back to Gotham. I need to take you to police headquarters. Someone's waiting for you there."

"My parents?" Tim's face lit up at that prospect.

"No," Robin stated. "A Mrs. Mac?"

"That's our housekeeper," Tim said a little disappointed.

"Come on," Robin didn't question the difference in the sound of Tim's voice. His own heart ached a little for his own parents. He changed the subject so Tim wouldn't notice the sudden hitch in his voice. 'Have you ridden a motor-scooter before?"

"No."

"Then you are in for a treat."

Robin placed the boy in front of him. He attached a strap around the boy and himself to keep him in place. Then he started the engine and sped off. Tim was elated. The wind was blowing in his hair and he let out a laugh. He watched as Robin wove in and out of traffic and still obeyed the traffic laws. Tim looked up at his rescuer and wondered how old Robin was. He couldn't have been more than 12 years old, Tim estimated. He was good with math and numbers and Robin was a kid like him.

'I wonder if he goes to school like me." Tim thought. 'I wish I could see his face. His voice sounds a little familiar, like I've heard it somewhere else.' *cough*cough*cough*

Tim was trying to figure it out when Robin pulled into a parking space outside police headquarters. He untied the strap bounding them together then lifted Timmy off his bike and placed him on the sidewalk.

"Okay, Timmy," Robin said. "Let me just make sure my bike is secure and I'll take you to see Mrs. Mac."

Timmy waited patiently as Robin made certain his bike was locked up and it couldn't be stolen.

"Here we go," Robin said. He held out his gloved hand and Timmy grasped it. Timmy's hand was almost swallowed up by Robin's larger one. They walked up the steps together, Timmy still wondering who Robin really was.

"I want to find out who he is,' Tim thought. 'He feels somehow familiar, like I should know him.'

Tim was led through the big doors of police headquarters and then to the elevator. He was aware of the police officers staring at the boy in the strange uniform. When they got to the floor that Robin had pressed the button for, the elevator doors opened and Robin led him to another set of doors. Tim was continuing to try to hold back the coughs, but they were getting worse.

*cough*cough*cough*cough*cough*

"That cough doesn't sound good. You're going to need some medicine," Robin stated.

Tim made a face.

"I know, I don't like medicine, too. This is Commissioner Gordon's office," Robin said as he led Tim inside.

"Mrs. Mac!" Tim rushed forward and hugged the older woman that was standing there. He didn't see there was another man there, too.

"Mr. Wayne," Robin went over and shook his hand. "Good to see you, again."

"Robin," Bruce stated. "I take it everything went well?"

"Mr. Wayne?" Tim ran over to Bruce and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"Just helping out the police to get you safely home."

"Me?" Tim's eyes went wide. "Aaacchoo! *Cough*cough*cough* Tim wiped his nose on a sleeve.

Bruce pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the boy. "Sounds like you caught a cold."

"I need to get you home, Timmy," Mrs. Mac said. "I cannot thank you enough Mr. Wayne and you Robin."

"Are Mom and Dad home yet?" Tim asked.

"No, I'm afraid not. They won't be home until next week, but they did send you something."

"Oh," Tim sounded disappointed.

"What, you do not like presents?" Bruce asked.

"It's not that Mr. Wayne," Tim stated. "I just wish they'd stay home with me."

Bruce looked over at Robin. They both were thinking the same thing. Who would leave a young boy alone with a housekeeper? And one who was obviously sick and couldn't take care of himself.

"Tell you what Timmy, how about you come and stay with my ward and I," Bruce suggested.

"Can I? Aaaachooo!" Timmy asked.

"I'm sure Dick won't mind. It will be just until your parents get home."

"Can I Mrs. Mac?"

"May I," Mrs. Mac gently corrected her charge. "I don't see why not."

"Yay!"

"And we can have Alfred help take care of that cold of yours."

"I better be going Commissioner, Mr. Wayne," Robin stated. "Batman will want a report." Robin was about to leave the office when Tim ran after him.

"Robin," Tim stated. "Um . . . Thanks."

"You're welcome Timmy," Robin ruffled Tim's hair then headed to the elevator. Tim watched him leave. He made a silent vow to himself. 'One of these days I'm going to find out who he is.'

End ?

A/N: . . . If you want to see a story about Tim and Dick as young boys, let me know. I'll see what I can come up with.