The Name of the Game

A Word: Ibid.

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"It'll only take a day or two," Tim says and he's mostly speaking to convince himself as he rolls a couple shirts up tight and wedges them into the bag. Compacting everything down as tightly as he can. Old habit from days when trunk space was limited and if something wasn't absolutely needed it got left behind. "Maybe three if the old man's being particularly stubborn."

"It's fine," Darla assures him. Again. She's sitting cross-legged on the bed and smiling fondly up at him as he paces the room. Looking for anything he might have forgot. She gets up and stops him by wrapping her arms around him. Resting her pointy chin on his chest and laughing up at him. Her breath smells like coffee and toothpaste. "Stop worrying. I'm sure your dad is fine, and you're going to have fun with your brothers. Right?"

For a given definition of fun. Still, Tim admits as he hugs Darla close, it will be nice to be with Dick and Jason again. Even if it will all end with finding Bruce. "You're right," he smiles and bends down. Slotting his lips against hers, enjoying her soft lips that part so easily for him. They kiss, slow an soft before parting with a sharp inhale of air. "You're always right," Tim tucks some of her tangled hair behind her right ear and smiles down at her. "You know I love you, right?"

"You're the sweetest dork, Tim," Darla laughs but she raises up on her toes to give him a quick peck before backing away. "And I love you too. Now get going before your brother thinks you're ditching him."

Tim smiles and turns back to his bag. Closing it with finality. If he's forgotten anything there are plenty of gas stations between here and Jericho. Darla gives him one last kiss and shuts the door behind him. The locks tumbling shut as he turns. He nearly drops his bag when he steps out into the street, still tasting coffee and chapstick, and sees her.

The Red Bird. The one thing he'd almost missed more than his family. Her red paint glows under the rising sun. The light running along her body in a way that emphasizes the shape that had led him to the name they all called her. Tim itches to run his hands over her. Pop the hood and check the engine. Makes sure that Jason's been able to keep up with the car without Tim there to help him.

And that thought makes Tim go cold again, because it's very clear that Dick had driven the Red Bird here and Tim knows that Jason has to be very badly off to allow that.

"Dick," Tim starts as he steps up to the popped trunk. Catching the sight of the armory kept under the false bottom before Dick flips it closed. Tim places his bag in. Carefully wedging it between the bags Dick's putting back in. "How is Jason? Really."

Dick sighs and closes the trunk carefully. Pushing until it catches instead of slamming it shut. He looks in through the back window and Tim can see bits of Jason in the back seat. "He'll be fine. He just really is tired. I wanted to leave him at a hotel, but," Dick shrugs and smiles at him, "he really wanted to see you too."

Tim smiles and moves around to get a good look. Jason's curled up uncomfortably in the back seat but looks completely relaxed. He's broader that Tim remembers. Not as skinny and Tim thinks he might actually be bigger than Dick standing now. Hard to tell with the way he's laying on his side. Hunched over in what has to be the only position that doesn't cause him pain.

Tim wants to wake him up, but Dick's right in not wanting to disturb him. If Jason's so out of it he can't help then he's really got to be hurting. Speaking of which...

"Give me the keys," Tim straightens up and looks at Dick. He holds his hand out and demands, "I'm going to drive."

Dick laughs and tosses the keys over the car. Not bothering to fight as he goes around to the passenger seat. "It's been almost ten years and the two of you still don't trust my driving."

"You drive just fine, Dick," Tim lowers his voice as he slides into the Red Bird's seat. Hands curving around the steering wheel automatically. Jason doesn't stir at all when the doors shut and the engine purrs to life. Tim carefully adjusts the mirrors, feeling the burr on the rearview mirror that he'd never been able to completely sand out after an accident with a lighter. "The Red Bird is a lady though, and you can't treat her like just any car you know?"

Dick's laughter is quiet in the car as Tim pulls away. Following his simple directions and watching the apartment sink out of sight in the mirror. Tim pushes away the feeling of foreboding that seizes him. Focuses instead on the purr of the engine and the sounds of bodies shifting on leather seats. "So, what are we hunting?"

Dick stretches out next to him and begins to lay it all out for him, and Tim slips back into it all a little too easily.

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