Gotham

Gotham 8

"What's wrong with Bruce?" Rose asked Richard on their way off of the elevator.

"He's a sour man, there are lot of problems with his life." Richard paused, "It has something to do with Catrina Scott but there's something that you need to see to understand the danger you are going to get into if you continue to search for Catrina Scott." Downstairs in the Batcave Richard lead Rose to the middle platform. "Tim will explain to you what happens when someone gets too involved with the Joker." He requested that I sit and wait for Tim to arrive. I asked him why he couldn't show me, "Because it's too hard to talk about it."

"What's 'it'?" Rose asked as Tim hobbled onto the platform in his plastic boot. "Hey! You got the cast off!" Rose exclaimed, Tim looked at his boot.

"Yeah, a few days ago..." He trailed off and asked his brother why he needed him. Richard whispered softly into Tim's ear. Tim's eyes darted to Rose and Tim nodded. Tim asked Rose to follow him. "Come on," He requested as Rose did as she was asked.

"What are you going to show me?"

"The consequences for being curious."

"You're not going to hurt me are you?" Rose questioned stepping back. Tim stopped in his stride he looked back to Rose who evaluated her situation. Tim reached for her arm and dragged her forwards. Rose resisted and twisted out of his grip.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Rose." Tim promised, "I promise." The look in Tim's eyes was genuine, Rose didn't normally trust people but his gaze was so strong she resisted her instinct. Tim's hand took hers and she pulled away, she would follow him but she would be wary of his every move. He turned and continued to lead her into a dark room. Tim flipped on the switch which illuminated the small area. Inside there was a large display box made of glass. Bright spotlights showed the dark suit that was inside the glass box. The chest of the suit was torn and frayed but in bright yellow spray paint there were words which Rose read aloud.

"Ha Ha Ha, joke's on you, Batman!" Rose thought for a moment before she turned slowly to Tim who was staring, misty eyed at the suit. "What happened?" Rose asked, Tim sighed and tried to muster up the words. He looked at the floor, Rose rested a hand on his shoulder and he put his hand on hers.

"I had another brother." He said quietly, "His name was Jason Todd and he was killed by the Joker." Rose rubbed her hand down his arm and back up again. "He tried to find his Mom, he was an orphan." A tear escaped Tim's eye, he was ashamed that he was crying. His brother had died over a year ago, shouldn't that have been long enough? "The Joker knew somehow and was one step ahead of him. He died with his Mom in a trap. Bruce tried to save him but..."

"Don't say anything." Rose commanded as she pulled Tim into her arms. He squeezed his eyes tightly and didn't allow her to see him cry. Though he was taller than she, he buried his face into her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Tim." He shook his head and pushed Rose away.

"Don't be sorry, it wasn't my fault. It wasn't Bruce's fault." Tim added as an afterthought. "It was Jason's fault. Don't be sorry for me, look at this as a warning. Once the Joker knows who you are, knows what you're searching for... He will kill you." Tim looked at Rose dead in the eyes and spoke from a place that was deep in his heart. "He will kill you to get back at everything that Bruce and my brothers and I have built. We fight for order while he fights for chaos." Rose was moved by his words, they didn't deter her from wanting to know more about Catrina Scott, his words motivated her to find out every detail.

"Let me join you."

"What?" Tim gasped, this was not the direction that this conversation was supposed to take. "Are you nuts?"

"Let me join your cause, teach me how to be a detective. I can find out what I want and when I'm satisfied I'll stop."

"No, I couldn't let you do that. Bruce would kill me."