I made a playlist for this story. Here's a link:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXrcgg_ojOecU-jV0aR4TCuJ9JMWUjVAw

...

Alfred was not particularly happy at the moment. Which, given the circumstances, was completely understandable.

Master Bruce had messaged him moments before asking him to prepare a room in the family wing (Known by visitors as the 'West Wing') of the Manor. Which, in and of itself, was a surprise. However, that was all the information he was given. And he could only feel suspicious, for the last time he'd been given little to no information about preparing a room, Master Bruce had brought home a child.

Multiple children, in fact.

Don't be mistaken, Alfred loved all the young Masters with his entire being (no matter how many heart attacks they seemed adamant to give him) but sometimes he would just like to have a little warning if there would be a new addition to the family.

At least a warning more than, "Alfred, please get a room ready in the west wing. We're having a guest tonight."

But no. Master Bruce did not give up any more information, and none of the other Masters (or Miss Stephanie and Barbara, for that matter) had told him in their father's stead.

It was a miracle the family had not sent him into an early retirement at this point.

"Alf? What's going on?" the youngest member of the family asked as the young boy came down into the cave, a questioning gaze in his eyes. "Aren't I training tonight?"

"Ah, Master Duke. I believe something has occurred with the Superheroes the other Masters interact with, for they have not yet returned. However, Master Bruce informed me that we would be having a guest tonight and asked me to prepare a room. They should be arriving momentarily."

"Guest?" Master Duke asked, his eyes widening. "Is it someone we know?"

"Master Bruce refrained from giving me any further knowledge." Alfred replied, his tone completely neutral despite his disdain about it. "I'm sure he will educate us on what has occurred when he arrives." The or else went unspoken.

It was at that moment the Zeta Tubes whirled to life.

"Alfred you will not believe what happened!!" Master Jason said as he, Master Richard, and Miss Barbara stepped through. "It's in-fucking-sane!!"

Alfred raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "I'm sure whatever happened is not enough to excuse the use of such crude language, Master Jason. There are impressionable ears here."

Master Jason blushed. "Sorry, Alfie."

"That is quite alright, Master Jason." Alfred responded. "Now, where is your father? And this 'guest' he speaks of?"

"They're coming soon. Bart was... reluctant to let Tim come by himself." Master Richard responded.

"Who's Tim?" Master Duke questioned.

The three in front of them exchanged glances.

"We have a lot to discuss. For now, let's just leave it at: the multiverse sucks." Miss Barbara said. "We can talk about everything else later."

Alfred nodded the affirmative. "Very well. How about a cup of tea to calm everyone's nerves?"

"Can I have hot chocolate?" Master Jason asked, standing on the balls of his feet. "Please, Alfie?"

Alfred sighed. "Very well. Do follow me to the Dining Area after you change. How many will be joining us tonight?"

"8." Miss Barbara answered. "Including you."

...

When they arrived in the cave, it was empty. Tim wasn't able to hide his sigh of relief. He wasn't sure how he'd react to seeing Alfred right now. The older man was practically his grandfather and the only Bat other then Babs still alive who made him feel like he still belonged. Tim had already been tested in the worst way these last few hours. He wasn't sure he could handle much more. He felt just about ready to collapse.

"You okay?" Steph asked from next to him.

"...Yeah. Yeah I'm fine." Tim said, after only a second of hesitation. "Just tired. You think Alfred has that room ready?"

Steph looked concerned, but at the begging look he sent her, dropped it. "Yeah. Probably. You don't want to stay up for tea?"

"It's been a long day." Tim responded.

Steph nodded. "Alright. I get it. Dying and coming back to life in another universe takes a lot out of you, huh?"

Tim laughed. Well, if one thing certainly hasn't changed, it's the fact that Steph can still make him laugh when he feels like breaking down in tears.

It was refreshing.

"Guess so."

Their moment was interrupted by Bruce, who had just walked out of the Zeta Tubes. "Tim. I asked Dick to put some clothes that should fit you in your room." he said. "Is there anything else you need?"

Tim shook his head. "Nah. I'm just gonna get changed and go to sleep." he hesitated, glancing at the older man. "Unless there's something you need me to do...?"

"No. Not at all." Bruce said, looking just a bit confused. "Here, come with me, I'll take you to your room."

Tim nodded, trailing after Bruce, looking back once to see Steph heading off to the changing areas.

He sped up, noticing he'd lagged behind.

.

He didn't sleep that night. He was too busy plotting and thinking.

...

Steph sighed as she wrapped a towel in her hair, heart full of a hurricane of feelings.

Tim was... on the verge of a panic attack. She could see it.

She was too, when she first came to this universe. All the differences and similarities was just too much for her to handle. She couldn't fathom how Tim must be feeling, seeing as how he was closer with everyone's counterparts in their universe before coming here. It must be majorly affecting him.

Especially since some of those people were dead in their old one.

And it made her sad. She didn't know how she was supposed to help him. Tim had always been the type to hide away what he was feeling, especially if he thought it would burden someone. She always hated it, and wasn't ashamed to admit that she resented anyone who allowed it to happen. It was why she was so adamant to get him to talk, to open up.

And then she died. And then, other's Tim loved died too.

It must have been so hard on him. Not having anyone to talk to except Cass, who was apparently in Hong Kong. And even if he did have someone, the chances of him actually doing so was so incredibly slim that it would surprise her if he ever said a word.

It was breaking her heart.

But she could fix it. He was here, with her, and she could help. With this Universe's version of the Batfamily -who were, admittedly, much better with emotions then the Batfam she had once known- to help her.

They could do it. They could show Tim that it's okay to talk, to open it. That he wasn't a burden.

As long as they all worked together to do it. 

........

Kind of a short chapter. Scratch that, very short chapter, but the next chapter is like 89% dialogue while Tim 'sleeps'. Basically, Alfred and Duke ask questions while everyone answers and also plots where to go from there. Anyway, yaaaaaay Duke and Alfred are here!! Questions about what Duke is doing will be answered soon enough, I promise. By the way, if anyone is wondering about the differences in time, this universe is 12 hours behind Tim's. So, he died at night, woke up at day. If that makes sense?So yeah. Next chapter should be out soon. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!