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ajremixSo I'm being very bad a couple counts. 1) I'm putting this up un-beta'd. 2) I'm putting this up un-beta'd while writing a whole load of characters I've never touched before. 3) I'm putting this up having only gone back over it a handful of times. 5) I'm putting this up despite knowingly not knowing what I'm doing for the next chapter.
I'm such a bad person, but I'm hoping people are still interested in reading it, so up it goes regardless.
Title: The Inventor 13
Fandom: DCU
Rating: PG
Word Count: 4026
Characters: Ted, Bat-family, Birds of Prey, Booster at the end
Summary: Eras don’t end, they merely change. Everywhere Ted goes, he brings the laughter with him.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
“This is stupid and absurd.”
Dick gave a little huff, breath misting in the cool, pre-morning air. “Thank you, Damian. I would’ve forgotten if you didn’t keep saying that every five minutes.”
“I wouldn’t have to say it,” the boy said crossly, “if we weren’t here.”
“If you weren’t here,” Tim corrected. “Which I don’t know why you are.”
Before Damian could do more than ‘tt!’, Dick said, “Because he complains whenever I leave him behind to do anything and Alfie needed a bit of a break. Besides,” he gave Tim a wink over Damian’s head, “it’ll be interesting.”
A wide, unpleasant smirk crossed Tim’s lips, “Oh, yes it will.”
Damian had seen those looks on his supposed brothers before and it never bode well for him. “What will be interesting?”
“Ted will either find you amusing or annoying,” Tim grinned, “in either case, he’ll take great joy in riling you up.”
“And you’ll be clawing at the walls within five minutes,” Dick added. “This will be the greatest show of all time.”
“Tt! You think I would’ve come to meet this man unprepared?” Damian crossed his arms imperially. “I’ve read Father’s file on him.”
That only made the other two laugh. “First off,” Dick snickered, “you can’t prepare for Ted Kord. He will always find a way to either surprise you or get under your skin. Second, Bruce was not the most objective man in the world- particularly when it came to people like Ted.”
“And your opinions on Kord are objective?”
“I’ve had my problems with him, yeah, but he’s a good guy. Very likeable when he wants you to like him.”
“Then why did he die alone even when he asked for assistance?”
A coldness descended on them. Tim froze very carefully, very blankly and tried not to think of the helpless anger and all the losses he suffered around that time and Dick still felt the sharp pain of guilt and regret that his jealousy was what kept Ted from coming to him for help when everyone else failed him.
“People make stupid mistakes,” Dick said tightly. “So we have to learn from them and make sure they don’t happen again.”
Giving an unconvinced sniff, Damian asked, “So how does Kord feel about the fact people are so eager to please him in order to assuage their guilt?”
Somewhere overhead was the growing buzz of a small jet that didn’t quite manage to drown out Tim’s growl or Dick’s low voice as he said, “Ted is someone who deserved more than he ever got. Maybe some people are going out of their way for him out of guilt, but he’s more than earned their respect in the past. And if you’ve read Bruce’s file as closely as you claim then you know, even if he didn’t like Ted, he respected him.”
“If you end up being even a fraction as decent as Ted,” Tim added sharply, “then there’s hope for the world yet.”
Out of the darkness a small jet formed, lights tracing over the airfield, down the runway and the noise blocked out any potential for conversation. The three watched as the jet landed, taxing toward them. Damian’s expression remained stoic while Tim’s scowl lightened and then gave way to an eager grin as the jet neared. Dick waved the jet into the open hangar, feeding off Tim’s excitement.
They waited patiently (save for Damian’s deepening sneer, crossed arms and tapping foot) as Ted did his final checks, shut down the plane and opened the door. “Avast!” Ted called, poking his head out. “Permission to disembark, mon capitaine?”
Dick’s arms opened wide, “Mi casa es su casa. Just keep the wild parties to a dull roar and rampant debauchery out of the papers.”
“Damn, guess I need to cancel the parade of hookers I was going to have announce my return.” Ted hopped down the stairs with a suitcase in one hand and a bag slung crosswise over his body. He held out a hand that Dick pumped with a bright smile. “Thanks for the use of the hangar.”
“Just figured it would be less hassle all around than you trying to explain to a public airfield why a dead guy wanted to land his plane there.”
“And I thought zombies were making a comeback.” Ted turned to the next young man and said, “Well, the lack of mask is throwing me off, but given the context I’m going to guess you’re the Robin I knew.”
“Tim,” he said, hand extended and smile filling his face. Dick chucked adoringly at Tim all but bouncing on his toes. Damian looked slightly disturbed. “Tim Drake Wayne.”
“Pfft,” Ted bypassed Tim’s hand and just pulled him in to sling an arm across his shoulders (making Damian look straight up disturbed). “Despite my disappearance and a slight lapse in correspondence before then, I’d like to think we’re still friends.”
Tim’s eyes glittered in amusement at Ted’s effortless casualness. “If we really must be.”
“Oh, we must if you want any fun new toys.”
He perked, “You got me something?”
“Not yet, but I could possibly be bribed into whipping you up something.”
“As charitable as ever.”
“I’m a bleeding heart, what can I say?” Ted finally turned his attention to Damian, still smiling expansively. “And this must be the new Robin I’ve heard about.”
“That’s Wayne to you,” Damian said shortly.
“Wayne Wayne?” Ted rubbed at his chin. “Parents weren’t very creative, were they?”
The boy bristled. “You will address me as Wayne though I’d rather you not address me at all.”
Casting a glance at Dick, Ted said, “Really lives up to his reputation, doesn’t he?”
“What reputation?” Damian demanded.
Ted grinned back, all teeth, “That you’re something that needs to be experienced.”
Damian glowered suspiciously, uncertain if he was being insulted or not. “Well, Grayson?” He snapped. “Can we get going now?”
“My, isn’t he a cheery one?” Ted chatted lightly, following the Wayne boys to a nearby sedan. “I can’t even imagine who he got that from.”
“Believe it or not, he’s gotten better.” Dick slid into the driver’s seat and popped the trunk so Ted could put his bags in. Damian marched himself into the passenger’s seat, letting Ted and Tim claim the back together. As Dick pulled out of the Wayne-owned airfield, he looked into the rearview mirror and said, “We should get to the Clocktower early enough for all the Birds to be up. Babs has a room for you to crash out at, but if you ever feel like making a trip back to the Manor with Tim, you’re more than welcome to.”
“I’m basically playing things by ear, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Man, I can’t wait to show you all the new things Babs has. You never saw the Aerie Two, have you? It’s pretty impressive, but I don’t doubt you could beef its capabilities some more.”
“What is this?” Ted gave a little laugh, shoving lightly at Tim’s shoulder. “You’re picking my brain already? Whatever happened to the ‘hi, how are ya’s?”
Tim couldn’t help a wide grin. “Hi.”
“Hi. How’ve you been?”
“Not bad, you?”
“Can’t complain. So what’s the Aerie Two?”
As Tim happily launched into a breakdown of the helicopter, Damian turned his head to give Dick a scrunched up and very unhappy glare. Dick folded his lips over and tried his damnedest not to laugh.
~*~*~*~
“TED!”
Before he even got through the doorway, arms were throwing themselves around his shoulders and Ted couldn’t help a breathless laugh as he was run into the doorframe. The arms were attached to Zinda who pulled back enough to give him a loud, wet kiss on the cheek. “It’s good to have you back with us!”
“Always glad to surround myself with beautiful women,” he quipped back. Dick had dropped him and Tim off at the Clocktower before driving off (with Damian threatening bodily harm should Ted come to the Manor), meaning Ted had to drop a bag in order to give Zinda a one-armed hug. “And Tim, I guess. He’s told me you’ve got a shiny flying toy you might want me to look at?”
Her eyes lit up bright and her smile grew even larger. “Oh, wouldja? It’s the best we got outta your company and it is the best, but it ain’t got your special touch.”
Ted wriggled his fingers with a comical leer. “I have no problems giving you front row seats to my ‘special touch’.” Zinda laughed, smacking Ted’s shoulder and making him stagger a bit towards Dinah who wrapped him up in her own hug.
“Oh, Ted. Don’t ever stop being an inappropriate smartass.” She teased.
“I don’t think I could. I’m pretty genetically inclined for inappropriate smartassery.”
As Dinah pulled away, Helena stepped forward, her hands on Ted’s shoulders and smile warm. “Surprisingly, all of us actually missed you.”
“I know. My charm and wit is pretty indispensable. And, to be completely honest and non-objectifying, I’m glad to see you ladies looking good.”
“Can’t say that until you’ve actually seen all the ladies,” Barbara said as she rolled up. Everyone stepped back, giving Ted enough room to kneel in front of Barbara with a fond, warm smile on his face.
“As if it were possible for you to look anything less than amazing,” Ted chided, his hands folding over hers.
“If you leave us again, you’ll never find out if that’s true.” Barbara tugged at Ted’s hands, leaning forward to pull him into a tight, tight hug. A palm rested between her shoulders, warm and large and reassuring- just as Ted had always been. Barbara had to press her face against his shoulder for a moment until the knot of tears undid themselves from her throat. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“I’m sorry I even left.” Ted pulled back, reaching up to stroke this thumb over Barbara’s cheek and feeling her jaw tremble just a bit. “Aw, don’t- you’re going to set me off and no one wants to see a grown man blubbering like a baby.”
That caused her to laugh, just as he’d hoped. “I don’t know- some women like a man unafraid to show emotion.”
“The idea of a woman getting turned on snot-crying kinda disturbs me so I don’t think I’m going to win in either case.”
Barbara was still laughing as she leaned forward, placing a soft kiss to the crown of Ted’s head. “Dinah’s right- don’t ever stop being an inappropriate smartass.”
He grinned, pushing himself back up to his feet and was surprised to find someone he didn’t recognize among the others. “Well, here’s a new face.” He stuck out his hand to the young woman. “Ted Kord.”
“Oh, I know that.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry, didn’t mean it like that. I meant I kinda covet your gear. I’m Stephanie Brown, the new Batgirl.” She smiled winningly, shaking Ted’s hand firmly and happily.
“Yeah?” He gave Barbara a sideways look, silently asking ‘What happened to the last Batgirl?’ to which Barbara gave a little ‘later’ wave. “I didn’t realize Bats used my tech.”
“Steph’s had a bit of an odd career, even for us.” Barbara explained. “She used to be Robin for a little while and before that you might’ve known her as Spoiler.”
Ted’s brow furrowed and he tapped at his jaw, trying to recall. He snapped his fingers. “The girl with the hood, right? Tim’s friend and one of the people Bats would get all ‘hrr’ about.”
Stephanie giggled at the description. “Yeah, I guess that’s pretty accurate. I always got Kord products when I could afford them as Spoiler and Tim usually let me try some of the stuff you let him test.” She paused briefly. “Uh, hope you don’t mind.”
“I do, actually. You go back in time and stop yourself this instant.” He gave a cheeky grin and wink. “Hey, the more feedback the better.”
“Tim,” Barbara said, “why don’t you put Ted’s bags in the spare room and meet us in the kitchen? The rest of you should grab some sleep.”
“Hey, Skipper- want me to keep an eye on the monitors while you catch up?”
“You don’t have to, Zinda, but if you don’t mind doing it for a bit, I would feel more comfortable with it.”
She gave a jaunty salute. “No problem at all, Skipper!”
Tim took the bags to the other room and the women bid their good nights (or mornings, as the case may be). Stephanie watched as Ted and Barbara moved to the kitchen, talking lowly to each other and something made Ted shake his head and laugh. Stephanie couldn’t help telling Dinah, “Aw, they’re so cute.”
“I know,” the older woman said fondly. “If it weren’t for Dick and Booster, I’d have tried hooking those two up years ago.”
“Booster?”
“You know Booster Gold, I’ve seen you fawning over his magazine spreads.”
Stephanie flipped a hand. “Who wouldn’t? But I mean why him? I’ve heard about the rumors about him and Beetle, but are they really true?”
Dinah’s smile was a little amused, a little wicked. “Let’s put it this way- if you ever see how those two act together, you won’t wonder why there’s so many rumors about them.”
~*~*~*~
The three talked until well past sunup- laughing, reminiscing, tossing around ideas to improve this, that and the other thing. They talked until Helena and Stephanie came in for breakfast before going to their respective schools, until Dinah came in for a snack and went to take over monitor duty for Zinda who passed through the kitchen for a ‘night cap’ and gave them a sleepy wave.
Somewhere after Tim having to leave to deal with some Wayne-related business and Dinah coming in, asking if she should make breakfast or if they were just going to live off coffee today, Ted and Dinah managed to coax Barbara into taking a nap (“Oh no, you need the sleep,” Ted told her, “because you and me are going out for dinner tonight and you’re not allowed to use the excuse about being too tired to not laugh at my bad jokes.”)
Ted, meanwhile, spent his time cooing over the Aerie Two and reacquainted himself with every little technological progress that he missed. He didn’t make any upgrades then, but looking at the helicopter gave him lots and lots of ideas to work with that he jotted in his trusty notebook.
When Stephanie came back from her classes she had a late lunch with Ted, discussing her new gear and any problems or changes she could think of. Ted felt good having projects to focus on again, even if he didn’t exactly have funds to work with.
Tim came back to the Clocktower around late afternoon to find the two on the couch, half watching television, half laughing at whatever was on. “You know,” the young man said as he vaulted the couch to sit on Ted’s other side, “you should play Cyber Stryke.”
“What’s that?”
“Ooo, it’s pretty fun!” Stephanie bounced to her feet, going to hook things into the television. She paused just long enough to slide the game’s box toward Ted. “Here!”
He looked at it with bemusement. “ ‘Cyber Stryke’...” Then his eyebrows jumped. “By Lightspeed? Oh man- I’m embarrassed to be associated with this game already, just from the spelling!”
Tim couldn’t help a little chuckle, “It’s not actually that bad. It has a good story and graphics and it’s definitely more fun with more people playing.”
And it was fun, though they probably should’ve warned Ted that the fun generally stemmed from the absurdity of the game. As it was, he spent about five minutes laughing himself sick at the character designs. “I’m supposed to be taking this seriously?” He gasped, “Really?” Scrolling through the character list, Ted stopped on a recently unlocked female character. “Alright, all bets are off- this is my girl, right here,” he snickered. “Look at her! She’s got less clothes on than Starfire!”
“Alright, if you’re taking her then I’ve got Big McLargeHuge,” Stephanie said, picking a character that looked to be part-man, part-sentient tank and filled up about half the screen. Tim went for a much more conservative yet highly over-accessorized character that Ted and Stephanie dubbed ‘Kitchen Sink’ (“No,” Ted insisted, “he’s got one somewhere, I’ll bet you twenty bucks!”)
That’s how the Birds came across them- Stephanie and Ted yelling and cursing at the game and Tim just laughing at them. The women exchanged glances and smiles. It had been far too long since they’ve had such unfettered, unself-conscious laughter around them and hearing it made all their hearts lighter.
“Aaaaaaargh!” Ted growled at the television, madly pounding on the buttons with his thumbs. “Move your fat ass, Twiggy! Stop being difficult!”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to tell a character you nicknamed ‘Twiggy’ that they have a fat ass,” Steph said, biting on her lip to keep from giggling. Loudly.
“Watch me. No! Jump you stupid little-!”
Tim, though not nearly as practiced in the game as Steph, calmly tapped commands to his character. He’d long since stopped trying to smother a grin. “I can’t imagine why your doctor was concerned about you getting over-excited.”
“According to Babs I only come in two modes- excitable and tech-coma. It’s part of my charm.”
“Certainly working on me,” Steph jerked the controller, as if that would get her character moving even more sharply, “I think you’re awesome.”
“You know what would be awesome? If Twiggy here didn’t- dammit!” Ted flailed as the character died, then flomped on the couch, head tilted over the back. “Did my company actually make this game? It sucks!”
Tim and Steph were still fighting, Steph making little ‘pew pew’ noises as her character fired and Tim said, “I’m pretty sure Booster officially sold Lightspeed a year or two ago, but yeah. It’s not a bad game, it’s just the battle system isn’t polished.”
“I’ll say it’s not,” Ted groused. “Did they stop letting Bart beta when they switched hands? He always catches these kinds of problems.”
“Bart was dead for a bit.”
“Oh yeah,” Ted blinked. “Well, that would be a good reason to take him off the testing list, then.”
The room lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Well, almost silence. “Who’s got Bowie for a ringtone?” Steph asked incredulously.
It took Ted a couple seconds to react, “Oh, hey- that’s me!”
The two teens gave him looks. “Really now?”
He made a face at them. “It’s Booster’s phone, I’m just borrowing it.” Snapping it open, Ted moved to the hall, “Hello?”
“/Hey, Ted./”
“Booster- what’s up? You’re so un-busy that you’re calling me out of boredom already?”
“/Well, yes and no./”
“Which part is which?”
“/Not particularly busy, but there is something that I think you’re in a better position to solve than I am./”
“It’s not a math problem, is it? Did you never feed Skeets a calculator?”
“/No, it’s/,” there was a hint of concern in Booster’s voice that made Ted frown. “/It’s Shel./”
“What is it? Is she okay?”
“/Basically, yeah. But she wants to leave for a few days and normally I’d be okay with that, but the last time she went out without anyone, she nearly got fried in Coast City and before that.../”
Before that she was kidnapped, held hostage and killed- Ted remembered that. “Alright. What do you want me to do?”
“/Well, I can’t keep her here, I already know that and Rip says he can get paperwork done for her so she’ll at least be legally existing, but... I-I just.../”
“I get it, buddy, I get it.” Ted leaned against the wall, playing idly with the hem of his shirt. “I’m assuming what you want is someone to stay with Michelle. Someone you can trust to handle themselves and her, but someone that won’t make her feel like she’s being babysat.”
“/Rip, Skeets and I were discussing the need to get Shel working on her defensive skills if nothing else./”
“Alright- competent, not a babysitter and a defensive instructor...” Ted rubbed at his chin thoughtfully, wondering if things really could fit that neatly together. “You do trust me, right?”
“/I wouldn’t be calling you if I didn’t. Hell- I wouldn’t have even given you my phone if I didn’t./”
“I know you don’t like Gotham, but what do you think about me asking Babs if she and the Birds can take her in and maybe train her a bit?” There was a long pause on the line and Ted felt the need to fill it. “You know Dinah can kick just about anyone’s ass and Babs and Helena aren’t far off. Plus they have the new Batgirl and she seems like a pretty sweet kid. I mean, Zinda may be a little over-exuberant sometimes but...” The silence continued. “Booster?”
“/I’m here, I.../” There was a ragged sigh and Booster’s voice was sounding a little strained. “/I figured you’d ask them and I was hoping you would because I know I can trust them but I just.../”
“You’re worried, I get it.”
“/It’s stupid./”
“Hey,” Ted wished he were with Booster right now, putting an arm around his shoulder, “it wasn’t stupid when you were worried about me, it’s not stupid that you’re worried about your sister. Anyone that tells you you can’t be afraid of losing someone close to you deserves to be punched in the teeth.”
There was a little huff of laughter on the line. “/I dunno, punching people in the teeth hurts./”
“You have a strength-enhancing suit and a forcefield, you big baby.”
“/And then I have to worry about slobber and or blood getting on my suit. No thanks./”
“Pfft. Wuss.” Ted tilted his head back, wondering what Booster was doing- if he was in his room or in costume or what. A thumb traced restlessly over a belt loop. “So you’re okay with the idea, then?”
“/Yeah, more or less. Still need to talk to the Birds about it, though. Should probably bring it up with Bats, too. Just in case./” Ted could hear Booster making a face on his end. “/Should probably warn Shel about that fungus of a Robin he’s got./”
“Well, luckily the third Robin is going to be hanging around a bit so she’ll know the kid-sidekicks aren’t all little asshats.”
“/I take it you met the brat./”
“Jesus that kid is all of Bruce’s bad points and then some! I’d hate the meet the mom.”
“/I think I feel more comfortable imagining he popped out of a rotten cabbage patch at ten-years-old. Better than imagining someone raising him like that./”
“Good point, I think I will, too.”
There’s another length of silence, but Ted knew Booster for so long he could tell when he had something to say but needing the time to say it. “/So.../” he said slowly, “/do you think this is a good idea?/”
Ted knew he didn’t mean if Barbara and Dick would agree to it, but if this was the best thing Booster could do for Michelle. But Ted didn’t want Booster defaulting to Ted’s approval, not after all the growing he had to do on his own. “I dunno,” he said lightly, “can you think of a better alternative?”
There was a pause and then, “/No./” Booster then added, sounding more self-assured and definite, “/No, this will be good for her./” Ted smiled to himself, proud of his friend.
“Alright, then. I’ll talk to Babs about it tonight and give you a call later, alright?”
“/Yeah, sure. Thanks, Ted. I appreciate the help./”
“I know you do. And I’d offer it even if you didn’t.”
Booster’s smile was audible. “/I know. Thanks anyway. Tell me if and when it’s okay to bring Shel up./”
“Will do,” then, because Ted found himself missing the man now that he heard his voice, said, “Can’t wait to see you again.”
A pause and then, in a warmed, slightly stunned tone, “/Same here./”
I'm such a bad person, but I'm hoping people are still interested in reading it, so up it goes regardless.
Title: The Inventor 13
Fandom: DCU
Rating: PG
Word Count: 4026
Characters: Ted, Bat-family, Birds of Prey, Booster at the end
Summary: Eras don’t end, they merely change. Everywhere Ted goes, he brings the laughter with him.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
“This is stupid and absurd.”
Dick gave a little huff, breath misting in the cool, pre-morning air. “Thank you, Damian. I would’ve forgotten if you didn’t keep saying that every five minutes.”
“I wouldn’t have to say it,” the boy said crossly, “if we weren’t here.”
“If you weren’t here,” Tim corrected. “Which I don’t know why you are.”
Before Damian could do more than ‘tt!’, Dick said, “Because he complains whenever I leave him behind to do anything and Alfie needed a bit of a break. Besides,” he gave Tim a wink over Damian’s head, “it’ll be interesting.”
A wide, unpleasant smirk crossed Tim’s lips, “Oh, yes it will.”
Damian had seen those looks on his supposed brothers before and it never bode well for him. “What will be interesting?”
“Ted will either find you amusing or annoying,” Tim grinned, “in either case, he’ll take great joy in riling you up.”
“And you’ll be clawing at the walls within five minutes,” Dick added. “This will be the greatest show of all time.”
“Tt! You think I would’ve come to meet this man unprepared?” Damian crossed his arms imperially. “I’ve read Father’s file on him.”
That only made the other two laugh. “First off,” Dick snickered, “you can’t prepare for Ted Kord. He will always find a way to either surprise you or get under your skin. Second, Bruce was not the most objective man in the world- particularly when it came to people like Ted.”
“And your opinions on Kord are objective?”
“I’ve had my problems with him, yeah, but he’s a good guy. Very likeable when he wants you to like him.”
“Then why did he die alone even when he asked for assistance?”
A coldness descended on them. Tim froze very carefully, very blankly and tried not to think of the helpless anger and all the losses he suffered around that time and Dick still felt the sharp pain of guilt and regret that his jealousy was what kept Ted from coming to him for help when everyone else failed him.
“People make stupid mistakes,” Dick said tightly. “So we have to learn from them and make sure they don’t happen again.”
Giving an unconvinced sniff, Damian asked, “So how does Kord feel about the fact people are so eager to please him in order to assuage their guilt?”
Somewhere overhead was the growing buzz of a small jet that didn’t quite manage to drown out Tim’s growl or Dick’s low voice as he said, “Ted is someone who deserved more than he ever got. Maybe some people are going out of their way for him out of guilt, but he’s more than earned their respect in the past. And if you’ve read Bruce’s file as closely as you claim then you know, even if he didn’t like Ted, he respected him.”
“If you end up being even a fraction as decent as Ted,” Tim added sharply, “then there’s hope for the world yet.”
Out of the darkness a small jet formed, lights tracing over the airfield, down the runway and the noise blocked out any potential for conversation. The three watched as the jet landed, taxing toward them. Damian’s expression remained stoic while Tim’s scowl lightened and then gave way to an eager grin as the jet neared. Dick waved the jet into the open hangar, feeding off Tim’s excitement.
They waited patiently (save for Damian’s deepening sneer, crossed arms and tapping foot) as Ted did his final checks, shut down the plane and opened the door. “Avast!” Ted called, poking his head out. “Permission to disembark, mon capitaine?”
Dick’s arms opened wide, “Mi casa es su casa. Just keep the wild parties to a dull roar and rampant debauchery out of the papers.”
“Damn, guess I need to cancel the parade of hookers I was going to have announce my return.” Ted hopped down the stairs with a suitcase in one hand and a bag slung crosswise over his body. He held out a hand that Dick pumped with a bright smile. “Thanks for the use of the hangar.”
“Just figured it would be less hassle all around than you trying to explain to a public airfield why a dead guy wanted to land his plane there.”
“And I thought zombies were making a comeback.” Ted turned to the next young man and said, “Well, the lack of mask is throwing me off, but given the context I’m going to guess you’re the Robin I knew.”
“Tim,” he said, hand extended and smile filling his face. Dick chucked adoringly at Tim all but bouncing on his toes. Damian looked slightly disturbed. “Tim Drake Wayne.”
“Pfft,” Ted bypassed Tim’s hand and just pulled him in to sling an arm across his shoulders (making Damian look straight up disturbed). “Despite my disappearance and a slight lapse in correspondence before then, I’d like to think we’re still friends.”
Tim’s eyes glittered in amusement at Ted’s effortless casualness. “If we really must be.”
“Oh, we must if you want any fun new toys.”
He perked, “You got me something?”
“Not yet, but I could possibly be bribed into whipping you up something.”
“As charitable as ever.”
“I’m a bleeding heart, what can I say?” Ted finally turned his attention to Damian, still smiling expansively. “And this must be the new Robin I’ve heard about.”
“That’s Wayne to you,” Damian said shortly.
“Wayne Wayne?” Ted rubbed at his chin. “Parents weren’t very creative, were they?”
The boy bristled. “You will address me as Wayne though I’d rather you not address me at all.”
Casting a glance at Dick, Ted said, “Really lives up to his reputation, doesn’t he?”
“What reputation?” Damian demanded.
Ted grinned back, all teeth, “That you’re something that needs to be experienced.”
Damian glowered suspiciously, uncertain if he was being insulted or not. “Well, Grayson?” He snapped. “Can we get going now?”
“My, isn’t he a cheery one?” Ted chatted lightly, following the Wayne boys to a nearby sedan. “I can’t even imagine who he got that from.”
“Believe it or not, he’s gotten better.” Dick slid into the driver’s seat and popped the trunk so Ted could put his bags in. Damian marched himself into the passenger’s seat, letting Ted and Tim claim the back together. As Dick pulled out of the Wayne-owned airfield, he looked into the rearview mirror and said, “We should get to the Clocktower early enough for all the Birds to be up. Babs has a room for you to crash out at, but if you ever feel like making a trip back to the Manor with Tim, you’re more than welcome to.”
“I’m basically playing things by ear, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Man, I can’t wait to show you all the new things Babs has. You never saw the Aerie Two, have you? It’s pretty impressive, but I don’t doubt you could beef its capabilities some more.”
“What is this?” Ted gave a little laugh, shoving lightly at Tim’s shoulder. “You’re picking my brain already? Whatever happened to the ‘hi, how are ya’s?”
Tim couldn’t help a wide grin. “Hi.”
“Hi. How’ve you been?”
“Not bad, you?”
“Can’t complain. So what’s the Aerie Two?”
As Tim happily launched into a breakdown of the helicopter, Damian turned his head to give Dick a scrunched up and very unhappy glare. Dick folded his lips over and tried his damnedest not to laugh.
~*~*~*~
“TED!”
Before he even got through the doorway, arms were throwing themselves around his shoulders and Ted couldn’t help a breathless laugh as he was run into the doorframe. The arms were attached to Zinda who pulled back enough to give him a loud, wet kiss on the cheek. “It’s good to have you back with us!”
“Always glad to surround myself with beautiful women,” he quipped back. Dick had dropped him and Tim off at the Clocktower before driving off (with Damian threatening bodily harm should Ted come to the Manor), meaning Ted had to drop a bag in order to give Zinda a one-armed hug. “And Tim, I guess. He’s told me you’ve got a shiny flying toy you might want me to look at?”
Her eyes lit up bright and her smile grew even larger. “Oh, wouldja? It’s the best we got outta your company and it is the best, but it ain’t got your special touch.”
Ted wriggled his fingers with a comical leer. “I have no problems giving you front row seats to my ‘special touch’.” Zinda laughed, smacking Ted’s shoulder and making him stagger a bit towards Dinah who wrapped him up in her own hug.
“Oh, Ted. Don’t ever stop being an inappropriate smartass.” She teased.
“I don’t think I could. I’m pretty genetically inclined for inappropriate smartassery.”
As Dinah pulled away, Helena stepped forward, her hands on Ted’s shoulders and smile warm. “Surprisingly, all of us actually missed you.”
“I know. My charm and wit is pretty indispensable. And, to be completely honest and non-objectifying, I’m glad to see you ladies looking good.”
“Can’t say that until you’ve actually seen all the ladies,” Barbara said as she rolled up. Everyone stepped back, giving Ted enough room to kneel in front of Barbara with a fond, warm smile on his face.
“As if it were possible for you to look anything less than amazing,” Ted chided, his hands folding over hers.
“If you leave us again, you’ll never find out if that’s true.” Barbara tugged at Ted’s hands, leaning forward to pull him into a tight, tight hug. A palm rested between her shoulders, warm and large and reassuring- just as Ted had always been. Barbara had to press her face against his shoulder for a moment until the knot of tears undid themselves from her throat. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“I’m sorry I even left.” Ted pulled back, reaching up to stroke this thumb over Barbara’s cheek and feeling her jaw tremble just a bit. “Aw, don’t- you’re going to set me off and no one wants to see a grown man blubbering like a baby.”
That caused her to laugh, just as he’d hoped. “I don’t know- some women like a man unafraid to show emotion.”
“The idea of a woman getting turned on snot-crying kinda disturbs me so I don’t think I’m going to win in either case.”
Barbara was still laughing as she leaned forward, placing a soft kiss to the crown of Ted’s head. “Dinah’s right- don’t ever stop being an inappropriate smartass.”
He grinned, pushing himself back up to his feet and was surprised to find someone he didn’t recognize among the others. “Well, here’s a new face.” He stuck out his hand to the young woman. “Ted Kord.”
“Oh, I know that.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry, didn’t mean it like that. I meant I kinda covet your gear. I’m Stephanie Brown, the new Batgirl.” She smiled winningly, shaking Ted’s hand firmly and happily.
“Yeah?” He gave Barbara a sideways look, silently asking ‘What happened to the last Batgirl?’ to which Barbara gave a little ‘later’ wave. “I didn’t realize Bats used my tech.”
“Steph’s had a bit of an odd career, even for us.” Barbara explained. “She used to be Robin for a little while and before that you might’ve known her as Spoiler.”
Ted’s brow furrowed and he tapped at his jaw, trying to recall. He snapped his fingers. “The girl with the hood, right? Tim’s friend and one of the people Bats would get all ‘hrr’ about.”
Stephanie giggled at the description. “Yeah, I guess that’s pretty accurate. I always got Kord products when I could afford them as Spoiler and Tim usually let me try some of the stuff you let him test.” She paused briefly. “Uh, hope you don’t mind.”
“I do, actually. You go back in time and stop yourself this instant.” He gave a cheeky grin and wink. “Hey, the more feedback the better.”
“Tim,” Barbara said, “why don’t you put Ted’s bags in the spare room and meet us in the kitchen? The rest of you should grab some sleep.”
“Hey, Skipper- want me to keep an eye on the monitors while you catch up?”
“You don’t have to, Zinda, but if you don’t mind doing it for a bit, I would feel more comfortable with it.”
She gave a jaunty salute. “No problem at all, Skipper!”
Tim took the bags to the other room and the women bid their good nights (or mornings, as the case may be). Stephanie watched as Ted and Barbara moved to the kitchen, talking lowly to each other and something made Ted shake his head and laugh. Stephanie couldn’t help telling Dinah, “Aw, they’re so cute.”
“I know,” the older woman said fondly. “If it weren’t for Dick and Booster, I’d have tried hooking those two up years ago.”
“Booster?”
“You know Booster Gold, I’ve seen you fawning over his magazine spreads.”
Stephanie flipped a hand. “Who wouldn’t? But I mean why him? I’ve heard about the rumors about him and Beetle, but are they really true?”
Dinah’s smile was a little amused, a little wicked. “Let’s put it this way- if you ever see how those two act together, you won’t wonder why there’s so many rumors about them.”
~*~*~*~
The three talked until well past sunup- laughing, reminiscing, tossing around ideas to improve this, that and the other thing. They talked until Helena and Stephanie came in for breakfast before going to their respective schools, until Dinah came in for a snack and went to take over monitor duty for Zinda who passed through the kitchen for a ‘night cap’ and gave them a sleepy wave.
Somewhere after Tim having to leave to deal with some Wayne-related business and Dinah coming in, asking if she should make breakfast or if they were just going to live off coffee today, Ted and Dinah managed to coax Barbara into taking a nap (“Oh no, you need the sleep,” Ted told her, “because you and me are going out for dinner tonight and you’re not allowed to use the excuse about being too tired to not laugh at my bad jokes.”)
Ted, meanwhile, spent his time cooing over the Aerie Two and reacquainted himself with every little technological progress that he missed. He didn’t make any upgrades then, but looking at the helicopter gave him lots and lots of ideas to work with that he jotted in his trusty notebook.
When Stephanie came back from her classes she had a late lunch with Ted, discussing her new gear and any problems or changes she could think of. Ted felt good having projects to focus on again, even if he didn’t exactly have funds to work with.
Tim came back to the Clocktower around late afternoon to find the two on the couch, half watching television, half laughing at whatever was on. “You know,” the young man said as he vaulted the couch to sit on Ted’s other side, “you should play Cyber Stryke.”
“What’s that?”
“Ooo, it’s pretty fun!” Stephanie bounced to her feet, going to hook things into the television. She paused just long enough to slide the game’s box toward Ted. “Here!”
He looked at it with bemusement. “ ‘Cyber Stryke’...” Then his eyebrows jumped. “By Lightspeed? Oh man- I’m embarrassed to be associated with this game already, just from the spelling!”
Tim couldn’t help a little chuckle, “It’s not actually that bad. It has a good story and graphics and it’s definitely more fun with more people playing.”
And it was fun, though they probably should’ve warned Ted that the fun generally stemmed from the absurdity of the game. As it was, he spent about five minutes laughing himself sick at the character designs. “I’m supposed to be taking this seriously?” He gasped, “Really?” Scrolling through the character list, Ted stopped on a recently unlocked female character. “Alright, all bets are off- this is my girl, right here,” he snickered. “Look at her! She’s got less clothes on than Starfire!”
“Alright, if you’re taking her then I’ve got Big McLargeHuge,” Stephanie said, picking a character that looked to be part-man, part-sentient tank and filled up about half the screen. Tim went for a much more conservative yet highly over-accessorized character that Ted and Stephanie dubbed ‘Kitchen Sink’ (“No,” Ted insisted, “he’s got one somewhere, I’ll bet you twenty bucks!”)
That’s how the Birds came across them- Stephanie and Ted yelling and cursing at the game and Tim just laughing at them. The women exchanged glances and smiles. It had been far too long since they’ve had such unfettered, unself-conscious laughter around them and hearing it made all their hearts lighter.
“Aaaaaaargh!” Ted growled at the television, madly pounding on the buttons with his thumbs. “Move your fat ass, Twiggy! Stop being difficult!”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to tell a character you nicknamed ‘Twiggy’ that they have a fat ass,” Steph said, biting on her lip to keep from giggling. Loudly.
“Watch me. No! Jump you stupid little-!”
Tim, though not nearly as practiced in the game as Steph, calmly tapped commands to his character. He’d long since stopped trying to smother a grin. “I can’t imagine why your doctor was concerned about you getting over-excited.”
“According to Babs I only come in two modes- excitable and tech-coma. It’s part of my charm.”
“Certainly working on me,” Steph jerked the controller, as if that would get her character moving even more sharply, “I think you’re awesome.”
“You know what would be awesome? If Twiggy here didn’t- dammit!” Ted flailed as the character died, then flomped on the couch, head tilted over the back. “Did my company actually make this game? It sucks!”
Tim and Steph were still fighting, Steph making little ‘pew pew’ noises as her character fired and Tim said, “I’m pretty sure Booster officially sold Lightspeed a year or two ago, but yeah. It’s not a bad game, it’s just the battle system isn’t polished.”
“I’ll say it’s not,” Ted groused. “Did they stop letting Bart beta when they switched hands? He always catches these kinds of problems.”
“Bart was dead for a bit.”
“Oh yeah,” Ted blinked. “Well, that would be a good reason to take him off the testing list, then.”
The room lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Well, almost silence. “Who’s got Bowie for a ringtone?” Steph asked incredulously.
It took Ted a couple seconds to react, “Oh, hey- that’s me!”
The two teens gave him looks. “Really now?”
He made a face at them. “It’s Booster’s phone, I’m just borrowing it.” Snapping it open, Ted moved to the hall, “Hello?”
“/Hey, Ted./”
“Booster- what’s up? You’re so un-busy that you’re calling me out of boredom already?”
“/Well, yes and no./”
“Which part is which?”
“/Not particularly busy, but there is something that I think you’re in a better position to solve than I am./”
“It’s not a math problem, is it? Did you never feed Skeets a calculator?”
“/No, it’s/,” there was a hint of concern in Booster’s voice that made Ted frown. “/It’s Shel./”
“What is it? Is she okay?”
“/Basically, yeah. But she wants to leave for a few days and normally I’d be okay with that, but the last time she went out without anyone, she nearly got fried in Coast City and before that.../”
Before that she was kidnapped, held hostage and killed- Ted remembered that. “Alright. What do you want me to do?”
“/Well, I can’t keep her here, I already know that and Rip says he can get paperwork done for her so she’ll at least be legally existing, but... I-I just.../”
“I get it, buddy, I get it.” Ted leaned against the wall, playing idly with the hem of his shirt. “I’m assuming what you want is someone to stay with Michelle. Someone you can trust to handle themselves and her, but someone that won’t make her feel like she’s being babysat.”
“/Rip, Skeets and I were discussing the need to get Shel working on her defensive skills if nothing else./”
“Alright- competent, not a babysitter and a defensive instructor...” Ted rubbed at his chin thoughtfully, wondering if things really could fit that neatly together. “You do trust me, right?”
“/I wouldn’t be calling you if I didn’t. Hell- I wouldn’t have even given you my phone if I didn’t./”
“I know you don’t like Gotham, but what do you think about me asking Babs if she and the Birds can take her in and maybe train her a bit?” There was a long pause on the line and Ted felt the need to fill it. “You know Dinah can kick just about anyone’s ass and Babs and Helena aren’t far off. Plus they have the new Batgirl and she seems like a pretty sweet kid. I mean, Zinda may be a little over-exuberant sometimes but...” The silence continued. “Booster?”
“/I’m here, I.../” There was a ragged sigh and Booster’s voice was sounding a little strained. “/I figured you’d ask them and I was hoping you would because I know I can trust them but I just.../”
“You’re worried, I get it.”
“/It’s stupid./”
“Hey,” Ted wished he were with Booster right now, putting an arm around his shoulder, “it wasn’t stupid when you were worried about me, it’s not stupid that you’re worried about your sister. Anyone that tells you you can’t be afraid of losing someone close to you deserves to be punched in the teeth.”
There was a little huff of laughter on the line. “/I dunno, punching people in the teeth hurts./”
“You have a strength-enhancing suit and a forcefield, you big baby.”
“/And then I have to worry about slobber and or blood getting on my suit. No thanks./”
“Pfft. Wuss.” Ted tilted his head back, wondering what Booster was doing- if he was in his room or in costume or what. A thumb traced restlessly over a belt loop. “So you’re okay with the idea, then?”
“/Yeah, more or less. Still need to talk to the Birds about it, though. Should probably bring it up with Bats, too. Just in case./” Ted could hear Booster making a face on his end. “/Should probably warn Shel about that fungus of a Robin he’s got./”
“Well, luckily the third Robin is going to be hanging around a bit so she’ll know the kid-sidekicks aren’t all little asshats.”
“/I take it you met the brat./”
“Jesus that kid is all of Bruce’s bad points and then some! I’d hate the meet the mom.”
“/I think I feel more comfortable imagining he popped out of a rotten cabbage patch at ten-years-old. Better than imagining someone raising him like that./”
“Good point, I think I will, too.”
There’s another length of silence, but Ted knew Booster for so long he could tell when he had something to say but needing the time to say it. “/So.../” he said slowly, “/do you think this is a good idea?/”
Ted knew he didn’t mean if Barbara and Dick would agree to it, but if this was the best thing Booster could do for Michelle. But Ted didn’t want Booster defaulting to Ted’s approval, not after all the growing he had to do on his own. “I dunno,” he said lightly, “can you think of a better alternative?”
There was a pause and then, “/No./” Booster then added, sounding more self-assured and definite, “/No, this will be good for her./” Ted smiled to himself, proud of his friend.
“Alright, then. I’ll talk to Babs about it tonight and give you a call later, alright?”
“/Yeah, sure. Thanks, Ted. I appreciate the help./”
“I know you do. And I’d offer it even if you didn’t.”
Booster’s smile was audible. “/I know. Thanks anyway. Tell me if and when it’s okay to bring Shel up./”
“Will do,” then, because Ted found himself missing the man now that he heard his voice, said, “Can’t wait to see you again.”
A pause and then, in a warmed, slightly stunned tone, “/Same here./”
Tags:
- chara: batgirl/stephanie brown,
- chara: batman/dick grayson,
- chara: black canary/dinah lance,
- chara: blue beetle/ted kord,
- chara: booster gold/michael carter,
- chara: huntress/helena bertinelli,
- chara: lady blackhawk/zinda blake,
- chara: oracle/barbara gordon,
- chara: robin/damian wayne,
- chara: robin/tim drake,
- fic,
- group: batfamily,
- group: birds of prey,
- multi: dcu: the inventor,
- series: dcu
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 06:21 am (UTC)The only mistake I caught was 'Time' instead of 'Tim' fairly early on (I'd scroll back up but knowing me I'd miss it anyway).
I always enjoy seeing that people actually do like Ted instead of just bitching about him all the time. I think you've got everyone spot on, but to be fair I don't read BoP very often and as much as I love the Batfamily, I can't stand Bruce, so I'm really not up to speed on them.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 07:55 pm (UTC)But yeah- I do have a fondness for the Batfamily though Bruce himself is rather hit or miss for me. And if Michelle even met the Birds in canon, I would stop drop and roll with glee no matter where I was.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 09:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 04:57 pm (UTC)The bit with Damian was just perfect. And so was the Birds & Beetle reunion. And I just love Tim.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-15 07:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-17 08:26 am (UTC)Yeah this is great. I don't have much constructive things to say because I am so awestruck by your awesome and this fic.
Hope there is more soon :D
no subject
Date: 2010-11-13 06:37 am (UTC)I love it!!!!
no subject
Date: 2012-07-10 12:48 am (UTC)