.magenta

Roy heard a soft murmur from the princess sounding like ‘of course. For him always.’ He heaved a sigh of relief. So much shit happened in such a short time that he couldn’t even process it. Whatever happened to Jason, he isn’t waking up. He isn’t healing. Not even his best medical skills was healing him and whatever it was, it was slowly killing him.

Roy’s desperate now. He’s desperate enough to reach out to an old friend he hadn’t talk in a long time. When Jason wakes up from this ordeal, he’s going to be so mad. He knew he sworn off Gotham, his family, and everything relating to Gotham.

He watches Kori, holding Jason’s hand once more and mutter something in her language.

He heard the soft buzz coming off from his iPad, alerting him the guest approaching their door. He strolls to the door and before the guest even knocked on the door, Roy swings the door open. He greets Dick with a smile. “Dick. It’s great to see you.”

Dick surprised at the sudden greeting. He smiles back. “Roy. You look good.” He peeks inside the room. “Is Jason…?”

Roy steps aside and lets the big brother inside. He follows Dick into the living room where Kori and Jason resided. “I managed to get him stable. He’s been like this for three weeks. Even I don’t know what’s wrong.”

Dick drops to his knees and closely inspects Jason. It was so weird looking at Jason who seemed so peaceful and quiet. His memories of the young Robin during his times and comparing to what he’s witnessing. It truly is a rare moment to see. “What happen? How did this happen to him?”

“It’s a long story.” Roy sighs.

“Well I have time. What’s going on with my brother’s life?”

The archer blinks, surprised to hear the word ‘brother’ coming out his mouth. He knew Dick wasn’t close to Jason when he used to be Robin. But hearing the word brother from him, it showed that Dick is different back then.

And so for the past hour, Roy told whole story to Dick with Kori adding a few things as well. It was during their usual hunt for the Untitled. Along the way, they met the unfriendly the League of Assassins.

“Apparently, Jason use to run with them.” Roy scandalously whispered. “He trained with them when he came back.”

Dick didn’t say anything, but the worried gesture said it all. Roy continued on with the story. The League of Assassins beat them up so bad and taken Jason with them.  Roy and Kori didn’t find Jason until a week later, wounded and bloodied all over. They all tried within their means and medical expertise to heal him but it came with no luck.

He hasn’t woke up since.

Dick took all the information like a sponge. The fact that his brother was found wounded and he hadn’t woken up since worried him. If the two can’t find anything to cure him, can their family heal him?

“Why didn’t you guys immediately taken him to us?”

Kori and Roy glanced at each other, knowing that a certain event from three months ago didn’t reach Dick’s ears.

“Yeah, about that…” Roy chuckled nervously.

.

“You asshole!”

Seeing the mighty Dark Knight getting punch in the face is more amusing than Roy thought. Bruce didn’t even fight back, but he stayed silent during the whole backlash from Dick. Something about family. Something about Jason is part of the family. Something about ‘what the hell did you tell him?’

“We didn’t talk much.” Bruce finally replied just as Dick calmed down. “I wanted to know what he was doing here.”

Dick glared at him. “For some reason I don’t believe you.”

“Actually, it’s the truth.” Tim said, as he spins his chair around from the computer and focused on them. “Sorry, Bruce. I was about to go out but then I saw you guys. I hate to say it but Bruce did sound kind of harsh to Jason.” Before Dick can even do anything rash to their foster father, he quickly added, “Bruce did wanted to talk to him. Jason wasn’t going to have it and left.”

There was sudden alert from the computer that Tim whirled back around and typed a few things. Then he finally opened one window showcasing blood of Jason’s. “Ok. So I ran his blood. No poison. None whatsoever. Whatever is keeping him asleep is either magic or he’s in a coma.”

The last one is something that none of them wanted to hear. Bruce was afraid of hearing it. His son in a coma? It was the last thing that he wanted Jason to be in. He sighs inwardly as he glances at the medical bed where his son resides with the princess of Tamaran next to him. Deciding he should check him out himself, he leaves to the medical area. As the father approaches his son, a picture of young Jason lying in a coffin appeared in his mind with the same pose, same face, and same peacefulness.

No. No. He is not dead. Not dead. Not dead. He sees his son’s body rises up then down notifying him that he is indeed breathing. Bruce sullenly stare at Jason with the words, ‘you have one less son to worry about now’ lingering in his mind. He doesn’t know what made Jason lash out so badly at him.

Maybe he shouldn’t have harshly asked him why he was there in the first place.

Bruce takes his hand and grips it tightly. Whatever was going on, he’s going to have Jason fixed no matter what it takes.

No matter what—

He immediately heard a sharp intake of breathe and the grip on Bruce’s hand tightens as Jason sat up. The commotion in the background stopped momentarily. Even Bruce found himself in a shock. Kori however reacted first by engulfing him in a tight hug.

“Kor!” Jason sounded alarmed. “Wh-What’s going on?” He tried to squirm a bit but found himself hissing.

The princess pulls back and carefully sets Jason carefully back to bed. “You were injured, Jason. The League of Assassins took you away and we found you badly wounded a week later.”

The young boy nodded, taking all the information. There were no present confusion on his expression meaning he remembered. Then Bruce squeezed his hand to take his attention away from the Tamaran princess.

“Jason—Son. I just want you to know that I—we are always here for you. Our family is always here for you. This house is always open to you. I’m sorry that you got the wrong impression that I didn’t want you there.” He abruptly stops when he felt his son’s hand slip from his grip. His eyes met with a very troubled turquoise eyes.

Batman was the first to ask him. Of course he would be first since the Batman needed to know everything that is going on after all, if it is concerning any of the team members. "Green Arrow, what is it you called us for?" He crosses his arms automatically, his permanent scowl in place.

Oliver resisted the urge to roll his eyes. God, why can't he be friendlier like Bruce Wayne? "I've called you all here today to inquire you all if you… uh have seen my wards lately?" Now he could feel Batman's scowl scorching in his head. It was as if he was saying, 'You lost both members of the team I'm running?'

Robin frowned and glanced at his mentor. The missing archers have been concerning him lately. After day one, he tried tracking where Artemis and Dane went, but all traces were untraceable. He didn't know how it was possible, but he's pretty sure that Artemis 'dark' past has a play into this. And speaking of a certain archer, ever since he kissed Artemis two week ago, he can't stop thinking about her. It was a kiss he can't ever forget. Hence, this is why he is concern of his—ahem—the archers.

Kid Flash crossed his arms and inquired teasingly, "I didn't know you had taken another ward."

"Shut up," Oliver scowled at the flash brat. He ignored the warning look from his girlfriend. "Has Artemis and Roy—Dane been here lately?"

"When was the last time you seen the both of them?" Batman asks with full of authority.

Oliver opened his mouth to respond, but closed again. Wait, he really needed to think about this. And he blamed half of this to Black Canary. She's such a distraction, a hot distraction. Heh, heh. "Ahem—well, the last time I saw Dane was exactly four days ago when he said he needed to do some soul searching at Denny's. I think I saw him with some Asian chick though. And I last saw Artemis was four days ago, carrying a duffel bag and said she was going to the cave and train with Black Canary."

Then Black Canary crossed her arm this time, "She didn't train with me four days ago." She frowned. She had gone shopping with M'Gann for some womanly needs.

Suddenly, there was a small –ahem—in the team and Kaldur stepped forward, with a slight embarrassment and guilt written all over his face. "I was the one that Artemis came to see four days ago."

"What did she want from you?" Robin inquired, with slight venom in his voice. Calm down; don't get angry at the leader. Kaldur likes some other chick.

The Atlantean face his head down to the floor. "She… got me drunk."

There was a loud guffawed. "No way, dude! She got you drunk? With what?" Kid Flash suddenly has a huge grin on his face.

"I believe it was called Vodka." Once again, Kid Flash roared in laughter. He kept laughing until he saw the glares he was receiving both from Batman and Robin. He could also see that Green Arrow was amused. Really amused.

Oliver deduced that duffel bag was a bunch of vodka that she gotten from her house.

"Why did she get you drunk for?" Batman interrogated the Atlantean.

Usually, a normal being with cower under the gaze of the Batman, but this was Kaldur. Human customs still eludes him (a little). "She wanted dirt on Ro—Dane." Kaldur looked away in shame. OH! How could he just tell the archer of the darkest secret Dane wanted to keep in the dark? He suddenly felt a tingly sensation in his spine—the scary one, like the revenge kind of sensation.

Oliver sighs, this was getting nowhere. "Ok, so we know that Artemis got Kaldur drunk for fun. She's probably on some expedition to get revenge on him after that prank he pulled a month ago." He cheekily grinned at that certain memory. It was the week that Artemis somehow convinced Batman to give her a week off.

It was also the week that Dane stole all of her uniform and replaced it with Speedy uniforms, Dane's old speedy uniforms that is. Artemis was forced to wear it, every day that week until she found her regular uniforms. Ha! That week was just priceless.

"Speedy—"

"It's Artemis, GA. Call me that name again, I swear to god, I'll kick you in the balls so hard that—"

"—Speedy, take down those—OW!"

"Green Arrow, why are you grinning like an idiot?" Black Canary disapprovingly said.

Oliver snapped out of his thoughts and coughed. "Well, I like to declare that my ex-sideki—"

"Partner," Wally corrects.

"—ex-partner and current partner are missing in action." There was a sudden silence. With all the looks Green Arrow received, it mostly said, 'no fucking shit Sherlock'.

"Actually, I've been trying to track Artemis's and Dane's location for quite some time now." Robin piped up. He pulled up the hologram map of Gotham. A glowing blue dot blinked for the spot of some run-down telephone booth. "That is the last zeta-beam Artemis used before she disappeared. Along with Dane. Both of them are untraceable." He gave his mentor the look. Even his mentor couldn't track the both of them.

"But where else would both of them go?" M'Gann said, thinking why and where Artemis would go with Dane.

"You guys don't think they went to try to find the real Roy Harper?" Connor suggested out of nowhere.

The room suddenly got quiet.

They wouldn't be stupid enough to go find the real Roy Harper without some kind of back-up and without the permission from Batman. That was just plain suicide. They needed more back-up, more than two archers!

And speak of the devil; Oliver's phone began to ring loudly. He pulls it out and looked at the caller id. "It's Dane."

"Pick it up," Black Canary urged, slightly nudging his arm.

He nodded and flipped his phone open and, "Where the hell have you been to? You two weren't stupid enough to go look—Wait. Wha-What? You— Are you serious? I—Ok, I'll tell her." Oliver looked at the team with pure shock on his face.

"Are they ok?" Black Canary asked.

He nodded. "Canary, they did it. They managed to find Roy from Cadmus. And they want you to set up a hospital bed for Roy. He's really malnourished and they should be coming right about now."

The zeta beam began to glow brighter and brighter until the computer announced arrivals of, "Recognized, Red Arrow B-06, Artemis B-07, Speedy A-05."

Dane was the first to materialize and looking all uninjured while on his arms was another red head with a—missing arm? Lastly, Artemis materializes with her uniform tattered and bloodied.

Nobody moved an inch when they arrived and Artemis and Dane felt like they came in a wrong time. Why were they looking at them as if they've grown another head or two? They have never felt so uncomfortable in their lives. Even Batman wasn't even acting! What the hell?

"Oh my god!" Finally, Black Canary suddenly cried out, with tears almost streaming down her face. She approached the Harpers hesitantly, hoping her mind is playing tricks, but it's not. She hastily grabbed Dane's arm and dragged him to the med bay.

Oliver came up to Artemis and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're ok and thank you for bringing him home."

"No problem, Uncle. You should be by his side since you know; he's kind of missing an arm." She felt his Uncle nodding before letting her go and running towards the med bay.

Artemis was unexpectedly bombarded with questions and hugs from her team. The whole group hug thing broke away when Batman cleared his throat and ordered the rest of the team to get out (even Boy Wonder). He wanted to personally interrogate the archer regarding of her unauthorized mission.

"What happened?"

"My sister found a trail of some Cadmus trucks shipping some new packages from Cadmus at their Washington D.C. base going to a new base at Vancouver. Dane and I formed a team with Cheshire, and from there we've been planning on how to encounter them. Then two hours earlier, the truck stopped at some stop 200 miles before the border to Canada. Dane distracted the drivers and the guards," Artemis snorted. "And Cheshire and I infiltrated the truck. We found Roy, ran to some unexpected guards, took them out, stole a helicopter and went to Cheshire's safe house."

Batman was still glaring at her even after finishing up her story. "What you did was utterly reckless and may have cost your life. But I congratulate you for this mission and saving Roy Harper from Cadmus."

Artemis swore he just smiled at her.

"Any injuries?"

"Uh…" Lying to the Batman would be utterly stupid. Obviously she is injured. "My shoulder was dislocated but I had Dane to put it back. I have a gash on my left arm, but I managed to disinfect it and sewed it up and put a bandage over it. Cheshire took out a bullet wound from my right thigh and cleaned it up for me."

Batman nodded at the report. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "I'm glad you're fine." And he walked out to the door, heading to the medical bay area where everyone might be at.

When the big Bat left, the little bird entered the briefing room. He hugged the archer tightly as he could without putting pressure on her injuries.

"I'm so glad you're ok."

"I never knew you cared so much, Rob."

"I always care for my teammates."

"Right—" After a few minutes, the blond tried to wiggle out of the tight hug but failed. "Robin, you can let me go now." She struggled some more, but the younger boy had tighten his hold around her.

"Unless you give me a kiss." Robin replied, slyly. Artemis could see that fucking smirk on his face right now.

There was a loud cough in the room and Robin immediately pressed his lips on hers for a second before he pulled away, grinning like a troll he is and left with his best friend. Artemis could only stand there, gaping, wondering, thinking, what the hell just happen?

She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a snicker from Zatanna. "Did he— what's going on Zee?"

Zatanna could only laugh as she approached her and lazily put her arm around the blonde's shoulder. "'Mis, birdy boy has a mad crush on you."

Artemis shook her head in denial. "No way; he— he can't suddenly have a crush on me after that kiss in New Years!"

The magician sighed, shaking her head. "I think birdy boy had that crush of his even before the kiss, 'Mis. Just accept the fact that he likes you and you might possibly like him too, unless you're crushing on someone else."

Artemis made a face at her best friend. "No, Zee. I'm not. I think I like to stay single until I graduate school or something."

"Robin and Artemis, sitting in a tree—"

"Shut up!"

.

Two days after all of the craziness surrounding the whole rescuing the real Roy Harper from Cadmus and fact that he's missing an arm. When he woke up, he was hysterical that he's missing an arm, but he was even more hysterical that some clone stole his life, his friends, his everything!

He couldn't even deal to see Dane after that. But he could handle Artemis Crock being in the room. The first day, Artemis tried to get him to see Dane, who also saved his life from Cadmus.

"Don't be a brat. I don't care you missed three years of your life, but god damn it; it wasn't Dane's fault for stealing your identity. He seriously had no idea that he was clone, just until two weeks ago. Just don't blame all of this on Dane. He doesn't deserve that kind of shit. Especially when he had been spending all day and night trying to get trail on you for the past two weeks."

After that, she was able to get Roy and Dane talking to each other with Oliver added to the mix. She stayed at the mountain for another day since she's also injured and the fact that Batman got mad at her for leaving the cave the same day she got back. All she wanted food at Denny's!

She mostly spends her time at the cave hanging out with her teammates until Sunday, the day her mother comes home from a convention at New York. She couldn't wait to tell her that she teamed up with her older sister to save someone. Hah! Her mom will never let that down. Jade saving someone?

When Sunday finally came, Oliver came to her and thanked her once again for bring Roy home and getting both Harpers to talk to each other. "Roy wants to get a prosthetic arm and wants to re-learn using the bow and arrow. I just want to ask you—"

"Yes, I'll teach him."

"Great, thanks. Dane is teaching him too, but I think Roy would want some female company."

Artemis snorted at that comment before leaving via zeta beam. It was about sun down by the time she arrived at Gotham and smelled the murky air that is Gotham. She walked down to her apartment with a grin on her face. She really couldn't wait to tell her story to her mom.

When she reached for her door knob to her apartment, she abruptly felt a chill. She ignored the feeling, but in the back of her mind that something happened. She quickly opens the door, and when she did, she was engulfed with the familiar smell of blood.

She quickly spotted the blood first, and then her eyes shakily move to the corpse on the floor.

Blood.

Her… mother was murdered.

Artemis felt cold.

Why did this happen to her mother? She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve death.

Who would…? Who would do such a thing?

She staggered to the table where a note is waiting for her. She felt dizzy, confused, and enraged. Who would-?

You should've stayed in the family business baby girl – Daddy

She crumpled the note and flipped the table in rage. She silently collapsed on the floor, sobbing quietly.

It took about ten minutes for the GCPD to arrive at her house with Commissioner Gordon. He was the first person that Artemis thought of calling. Because she's close to Barbara, she also gotten to know Commissioner Gordon.

"You're welcome to stay at my house, if you want. I know you would need a friend to confide in all of this." He offered and she took it.

Artemis wanted nothing but to see Barbara and Bette, her two best friends at Gotham Academy.

Gordon had told his men to handle this before leaving with Artemis. He wanted to get temporary custody of the girl before bringing him home. Being the commissioner of GCPD, it only took about ten minutes. And before Artemis knew it, she was in the arms of Barbara crying her heart out at her bedroom.

The archer admits that this was the first time that she cried for anything at all. Even though, she barely knew her mother, it pained her that she couldn't get to know her more. She practically grew up in the household of al Ghul as she trained to be an assassin for them at a young age.

Barbara comforted the blonde girl until she fell asleep that night. The next two days, she didn't go to school. She didn't feel like facing the world outside.

That afternoon, Bette came over with notes and homework for the past two days. The three of them talked about her past, about her mother, about the fact she never thought she cared so much of a woman she barely knew.

"Artemis, I think you really should call your Uncle and Dick. He's worried sick about you." Bette informed the archer, after handing checking out how many missed calls the archer has. Currently, it has 161 missed calls.

Artemis didn't know if Batman found out, but she told Gordon that she didn't want any of this on the media. She didn't want any of the media's pity. "I'll call them later."

Bette sighed and handed her phone. "No. At least call your Uncle. He must be worried sick and you should know that Gordon can't be your guardian for long."

She has a point there. Artemis opened her phone and scrolled down on the missed call list. The last few were from her team and Oliver. She hovered over Oliver's name on the list before pressing on his name and instantly calling him.

She needed her Uncle.

.

Green Arrow tuned out whatever Superman is talking about. He can ask Black Canary about it later. His mind is already occupied of thoughts of his two current wards and how they are having a hard time communicating with each other.

And then there's case about his missing niece. She hasn't picked up her phone in the past two days and he couldn't find the time to go over at Gotham to check up on her and her mother. But lately, he's been occupied with League missions that Superman keep sending him into.

When a tune of his cellphone ringed, he could feel half of the League glaring at him. He apologized and took out his phone to see who was calling him. His eyes bugged out at the name of the caller ID and ignoring the League's glare, he answered, "Artemis! Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you! Jeez! I'm surprised your mom hasn't called me yet to ask where you've been!—What? Two days ago? How come you didn't—I'm coming over right now." He quickly stood up and began running towards the exit.

"HEY! Meeting isn't over!" Superman called out.

"Ollie, where are you going?" Black Canary asks, trailing quickly behind him.

Green Arrow turned around and venomously spat, "Artemis's mother died two days ago."

That statement also caught the attention of Batman and also followed Green Arrow and Black Canary out the door without saying anything to the rest of the League.

Superman contemplated whether he should continue the meeting or not.

The worst possible way to find out that their dead son is alive is just when Jason is down at the cave with a broken hand that just broke his own memorial case.

But Dick knew when Jason pulled out his notebook and asked Bruce if he was the Bruce Wayne, the one who adopted him. That truly killed Bruce in a way. His dead son comes back with no memories of the past.

Dick sighed inwardly, wishing he could rewind time. He glanced at his brothers for any indication of help, but of course they were too busy spacing out while Bruce paced in front of them.

He coughed loudly catching Bruce's attention. Then Dick finally replied, "Well I only knew about him for like a week or two." He pointed at Tim. "He knew about him longer."

Tim gave him the dirtiest look ever, but he easily dodged himself out of the situation quickly. "Damian knew about Jason for five years!"

Bruce halts his pacing and turn to stare at his youngest son in disbelief. "Five years?"

A –tt— was heard and something along the lines of 'cowards' when Damian glared at his brothers. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. He gazed directly straight into his father's eyes. "From mother's information, Jason was revived six months after he died. Six months after his revival, mother found him, took him in till now. I met Jason after he was thrown in the Lazarus Pit. It simply restored his catatonic state, but his memories were lost."

"Wait, wait, wait." Dick suddenly stood up, appalled by the new information. "If Jason was revived six months after his death, where was he before Talia found him?"

Tim quickly figured it out and gave an answer to his older brother before Damian did. "He was in Gotham. Where else would Talia find him?"

Jason was in Gotham the whole time? Dick glanced at Bruce and even he was distressed by the details of his post-resurrection. He sat back down on his chair feeling dismayed all of the sudden. If only they had found him first. Things would be different. Jason would have his memories intact.

He snapped out of his imaginations when Damian insisted, "Father, you should be spending precious time with Todd. God knows what fatgirl is doing to him."

Bruce blinked. He honestly should be. Starting anew with Jason is his first priority and giving him new happy memories. He'd do anything to give him what he deserved. Bruce dismissed his kids with a simple wave and he glanced at the picture frame on his desk, a picture taken by Alfred. It was him and Jason, just right after they ate Jason's favorite chilidog. He touched the frame, his index finger outlining the smile on the young child's face.

A son who was once lost tragically is now miraculously brought back to him.

.

"That seriously went well than I originally thought!" Dick grinned earning two hardened glares from his younger brothers. He innocently looks at them. "What?"

Tim rolled his eyes. "Don't 'what' us, Dick! I thought we all decided that you were going to do the explaining!"

"The pressure was too much!" Dick defended himself haughtily.

Damian cuts into the conversation, sneering at both of them. "You two were useless, especially Drake!" Tim instantly gave him the 'what the fuck' look. Both brothers watched the youngest stalked off to his room.

"He's totally been ten times moodier ever since Jason got here." Tim informed out of the blue. "Maybe he doesn't like all of Bruce's attention on Jason?"

Dick shook his head. "If he didn't like that, Damian would be threatening to kill Jason by now." He shrugged, still unsure what his little brother's problem was.

"I guess." Tim replied, shrugging. He wasn't too sure about that. Damian seemed closer with Jason than Dick himself. Then again, with Damian's current attitude towards Jason, Tim isn't so sure about it anymore.

By the time the brothers arrived at the kitchen, the sight of Alfred and Stephanie greeted them. Their favorite butler was making his famous turkey sandwich with the crusts cut off. Stephanie was glued on her iPhone, giggling.

"Oh, hey! So, how was the talk with Bruce?" Stephanie beamed, looking excited for some reason.

Tim scrunched his face as if he had smelled something horrid. "You make it sound like your insinuating something else." He said accusingly.

Stephanie grinned innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Dick leaned over Alfred, his hand sneaking for a piece of the sliced sandwich. Then his hand was quickly slapped away. Alfred reprimanded him. "This is for Master Jason." In retaliation, Dick pouted. "Master Richard, you are not a child anymore. You will just have to make a sandwich for yourself."

"Speaking of Jason, where is he?" Tim asked. Whenever Stephanie was around, Jason was around.

"Oh, he's in his room. He's got some phone call from his friend." Stephanie informed.

"A friend? He has friends here already?" Dick raised an eyebrow.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Ohh. Rude. I'm so telling him." She snickered, suddenly typing really fast on her phone.

"Wait, don't—"

"Too late."

Tim glanced over at her phone and assured his brother. "Don't worry, she didn't send anything."

.

"—send some as soon as possible. You should have told me earlier about your condition Jason."

"Sorry."

A deep long sigh then, "Take care of yourself and please watch over him." Click.

Jason sighed, feeling as if he'd been scolded. Then again, he was scolded. He should've called Talia ages ago, but he guessed either Roy or Kori contacted her about his recent blackout. Either that Talia just knows somehow. She sees all.

His phone vibrated and glanced at it.

Stephanie Brown ; Dick is looking for you! Come down to the kitchen when you're done talking with Roy.

Jason quickly replied with a simple 'be right there'. He pocketed his iPhone and headed out of his room. He didn't want his family waiting for him for a long time.

Hm. Family?

It was odd thinking about family. The word seemed so unfamiliar especially coming out of his mouth. But why would it seem weird when he already had a family? Dick, Tim, Damian, Alfred, Bruce…

"Auuughhhhh!"

Suddenly, Jason is down on all fours, his hands on his head. It was as if a blunt object to the head was attacking him repeatedly. The pain was excruciating that he hoped the pain would come and go. He had migraines before, but this one was a different kind of pain. He felt like someone was attacking him inside his own mind. It was different from the usual 'drilling into his skull' kind of feeling.

He slightly snapped out of it when he felt the slight touch on his shoulder and he managed to crane his neck to see whom it was. The excruciating pain abruptly stopped and he gave himself a few seconds before standing up with the help of Damian.

"-tt- Todd, you haven't had an episode for years." He said, stating the facts. Jason glanced at him and instantly knew that the little kid hasn't forgotten anything of their time together. Living with the al Ghul's was either a paradise or hell. A paradise when he's spending time with Talia or Damian. Hell when Ra's himself was around.

Jason finally was able to support his own weight while slowly leaving Damian's support. "Thanks."

They snapped their head at the sudden heavy footsteps heading their way. Damian grunted lowly when the figure revealed himself at the corner of the hallway. The feared expression on Bruce's was evident. It was as if he'd almost lost a son again.

"I heard a scream." Bruce said, trying to contain his façade, but the crack in his voice told another thing.

Jason didn't say anything. He was in awe, staring at his 'father' the one who took him in. Damian saw this and sighed inwardly. "Todd tripped. He fell flat on his face unfortunately."

"Oh I'm glad you are ok, Jason." Bruce's voice trembled.

Then without a second thought, Bruce approached quickly and didn't give a hesitation when he pulled Jason into an embraced. Damian took this sign to leave to give them space. It was much needed after the fiasco at the cave. Just after Bruce found them, he immediately called the three bothers leaving Jason with Stephanie.

In shocked of how things just turned, it took Jason a moment to register that this man was hugging him tight as if he'd disappear from the spot. He awkwardly hugged back, unsure how to feel that he was abandoned by him earlier.

Bruce finally pulled away, keeping Jason in arm's length. Jason took this chance to finally look at the man who had the heart of adopting him off the streets. Compared of the picture of him in the notebook, Bruce looked much older. Before he can speak, Bruce beat him to it.

"I'm glad you're back, son."

It had been a long day and he was finally coming home after three days spending his day in Paris. It was kind of weird for him at first because every time he was out of the country, he would always be on a mission with his teammates.

Those three days spent in Paris, he had spent every last minute with his friends at his safe house and at restaurants. Jason mostly pigged out and took advantage at that because Alfred was giving him rabbit food. It was hard to watch his family eat delicious meal and he was stuck with salad or any form of vegetables.

It was even worse when they ate out and Damian enforces eating healthy on him.

Damn brat!

Anyways, Jason heaved a sigh and let his friends enter his room through the window. Also the same way Roy sneaked in and sneaked out with him.

Roy gave him a cheeky grin while Kori smiled warmly at him and thanked him.

And Jason wasn't that bothered that his friends were over because he was so used to it. He allows them to crash at his safe houses even when he's not there.

He did all the necessity things at the bathroom being the last one to use it and his eyes landed on his king sized bed. It was already occupied by the couple and Jason raised an eyebrow.

"I ain't sleeping in the middle."

Roy grinned and patted on the empty space of the bed. "Aw, c'mon, Jaybird. You know you secretly like being in the middle."

Jason glared. "I don't want to sleep next to you."

At that Kori sighed and scoot over to the middle. "I think it would be best not to change our sleeping habits." She said, looking over at Roy. The archer pouted slightly and gave in. Jason smirked and crawled to the side of his bed and lay next to the princess.

This was one of their usual sleeping habits.

They didn't even realize it until Essence pointed it out during a fight against her. Apparently, his ex-girlfriend has been keeping close tabs on him—them and thought they were in a polygamy relationship.

"Bats won't mind that we stay here for a while?" Roy asks, sleepily.

"Mm, who cares? He knows that we worked for a year." Jason replies. He felt the princess shift slightly and her fiery hair landed on top of his face. He moved his hands to place it out of the way.

"I'm sorry for that." Kori apologizes sincerely.

Then silenced hanged in the air between the three until Roy declared.

"I love you guys so much."

.

Dick yawned once more as he reached the last step of the stairs. He automatically followed the smell of the coffee in the air. He entered the kitchen expecting the butler preparing breakfast and making coffee for everyone.

Instead, he saw someone drinking coffee from his mug. He was ready to attack the raven haired until Dick realized that this person drinking from his mug was—

"Jason?!"

Said person looked up from the mug and grinned widely at him. "Hey Dickie." Then he magically pops out another similar mug to his. "I made you coffee."

Dick took a step forward and stared at his brother wide eyed. It was still unbelievable that his brother was here and it felt like a dream. It was only three days ago that he found out that his brother was whisked away by his friends and was depressed that they didn't take him.

"Wait you told me that you were coming home tonight!" Dick stated and grabbed the mug from his hands.

Jason shrugged and went to nearest stool to sit on. He took a sip of his coffee before replying, "Shit went down last night and we had to leave town."

Dick groaned loudly and he rubbed his temple. He knew something went bad every time the Outlaws were together. He didn't know if Jason or Roy would be the main cause, though he doubted Starfire would be the main cause unless someone wronged her. He looked up to his little wing who seemed amused. "What did you guys do?"

Jason's face contorts into a frown. "Hey, just because 'shit went down' doesn't mean we nor I had done anything bad!" He said defensively. "'Sides, we were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Now he really wondered what happened to his brother and his team. He wasn't able to ask when another familiar voice greeted him.

"Dick!"

He turned to the source of the voice and stare wide eyed at the red head before him. His lips turned into a smile and he approached the archer and gave him a hug. "Roy! You slept in the manor?"

Roy chuckled. "Of course. Jaybird doesn't have the heart to leave us stranded outside."

"I would've."

The red head whipped his head to the 2nd eldest Wayne and pouted slightly. "You wouldn't, Jaybird! You love us too much!" He wailed dramatically. He ignored the face that his best friend made towards him. "So, Dick, what's for breakfast?"

There was a loud snort by the counter. "He can't cook for shit, Roy. He'll burn the manor down."

"Hey!" Dick pouted, hands folded. "I'm not that bad! I know how to cook."

"No you don't." Jason pointedly argued. He stood up from the stool and made his way to get the pan. "I'll cook since Roy won't stop complaining until he gets his breakfast."

The red head archer grinned innocently at him. "Thanks, Jaybird."

"Wait, wait, wait." Dick took the pan away from Jason's grip. "I'll call Alfred down to make us food. I don't want you fainting while you're cooking!" He said.

Jason glared defiantly at his older brother. "Dick, stop treating me like I'm going faint at any second just because I feel weak. I can manage cooking breakfast for us."

The eldest Wayne sibling sighed exasperatedly and handed the pan back to his little wing. He ignored the triumphant smirked plastered on Jason's face and went to sit down by the counter. Dick looks at Roy who in turned gave him an amused smirk. "I take it Jason cooks for you guys too?"

Roy snorted amusingly. "No shit. I can only cook ramen to save my life. Kori, well, it's Kori. Remember all those times she tried to feed us her Tamaranian delicacies?" He shuddered at the thought of it.

And speak of the devil when the Tamaranian Princess sashayed inside the kitchen. She greeted Roy with a 'Good Morning' and she hugged Dick. Then Kori proceeded to approach Jason and greeted with a kiss on the cheek and they started a small talk.

Dick raised an eyebrow at that, noticing how the princess was standing too close to Jason. And then, only one thought ran across his mind: is he dating Kori?

The eldest Wayne didn't comment on that issue when he saw red head heading back towards him and Roy. He gave her a small smile. "Hey. What were you talking with Jay about?"

Kori raised an eyebrow curiously and replied, "I was making sure that Jason is strong enough to make breakfast." She glanced back at the said boy and heaved a sigh.

"Have you guys been trying to look for a cure?" Roy asked, knowing the answer already. After all, Jaybird had already informed them of what has been going on the past week.

Dick's frown deepened. "We've been trying. Heck, I even took him a healer that could heal any sickness, but it kind of ended in a disaster." He chuckled nervously as flashes of that day appeared in his mind. It still sends chills since Jason told him that the healer wasn't any ordinary healer. "Tim tried to use this kryptonian plant and somehow made it to tea. Let's just say, Jason ended up in a bloody mess."

Roy appeared horrified. "Is Tim trying to end his life early?"

The eldest Wayne sibling glared at his ex-teammate. "Of course not! Tim thought that the plant would work on Jason since it was rumored to cure anything."

This time, the other red head glared at him, her green orbs piercing through his. "'It was rumored to cure anything.' Right. He should have researched the plant thoroughly."

Dick sighed, rubbed his temples. "I know. I know. We already reprimanded Tim for that. We're just trying to heal Jason, y'know. I don't think anyone of us want to—" He lowers his voice. "—lose him again."

The archer seemed upset as did the princess next to him. "How come you guys just don't throw him to the Pit?"

He shook his head and folded his arms. "We tried to convince Bruce, but he's really against it. He won't even tell us why."

Kori seemed even more upset by that given information. Her energy was cackling in the air and it wasn't until Jason's voice to tell her to calm down and she did. The trio turned their attention to their chef of the day and he seemed annoyed.

"I said, breakfast is ready. Dorks."

.

His eyes were still glued to the screen before him as his arms were folded and reading the information.

It had been a long week and still Bruce couldn't find a cure yet. Every information he had gotten hold on was either too risky or didn't have enough test results.

His children were still looking for any information to cure his 2nd son as well and even they ended up in disaster, except for Damian who is still enforcing Jason to eat healthy all the time now.

Bruce snorted at that thought. Damian was able to do something he couldn't do when Jason was young which was to eat his vegetables. It felt like it was only yesterday that he met him in Crime Alley and witnessed the little boy stealing the tires off of the bat mobile. He smiled and realized the memory always brought a smile on his face. It was something he couldn't forget.

And then flashes of the young boy lifelessly laying in his arms and Bruce felt immense pain in his chest. He shook his head, rattling that certain memory out. It was something he didn't want to think about and he promised to himself that he won't fail Jason ever again.

He returned his attention to his research until he deemed it for no use. Some of things he had gathered were either to dangerous and he wasn't going to risk his son's life.

Bruce glared at the screen and as far as he knows, there was nothing else in the world that could cure Jason. He clicked his tongue in frustration and racked his brain to think of an alternative. He refused to use the alternative cure until he found one. In all honesty, Bruce was terrified to take him to the Pit. He's afraid of the outcome.

He'd always believe that his son went crazy after taking a dip into the Lazarus Pit and now he didn't want to risk his son losing his mind again. He frowned at the thought and he knew it was the only way to heal him now. Still, he was thankful that the al Ghul's had resurrected the boy. If not, he would've never been this close to him before.

He sighed deeply and Bruce's eyes landed on his phone. It was now or never. He knew Jason still had a few weeks, but he wasn't going to wait any longer. With the way his other sons were trying to find a cure for his heart, it was almost a miracle that Jason didn't die.

"Bruce?"

He whirled his chair in recognition of the voice. His eyes widens slightly. "Jason, you're home early." It came out as a statement instead of a question. He was expecting his second son tonight.

Jason chuckled and rubbed his neck nervously. "Something kind of happen in Paris. Bruce, calm down, it wasn't that bad. We were caught in the middle of something that we had no part in. So you know, we ran away from Paris and decided to head back here."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "I didn't see any footage of you coming home from the security cameras."

"Well, remember that bad ass ship I was talking about?" Jason waited for his father to nod and when he did, the 2nd son grinned. "It's slightly more advanced than your computer. You should really check it out. We have it out in the backyard in camouflage mode."

Bruce smiled warmly. He really needed to check the ship. He was curious how the ship managed to bypass his security. Not a lot of people or hackers could manage to break in his first firewall. "I'll check it in the afternoon."

"Cool." Jason was heading back to the stairs but then he halted. "By the way, eat breakfast with the family. I cooked breakfast for everyone."

Bruce nodded and replied, "I'll be up soon." And he watched his son struggled up the stairs. He mused and thought of installing an escalator or an elevator. Once Jason was out of sight, he turned his attention to his phone.

He gripped on it tightly as he turned on his phone and scrolled down on his contact list. When he finally found the name he was looking for, he stared at it for the longest time. His thumb hovered over the name for the longest time.

So many things were running through his head and wondered if this was such a good idea. Could he trust that woman with Jason's life?

But she disobeyed her father for Jason before. Bruce stared down on the name and finally his thumb slightly grazed over it.

Now Calling…

After a few seconds he held the phone against his ear and waited for the other to pick up. It was only a second later that the other line picked up.

"Hello, Bruce."

When he accidently cut himself on his index finger. (Seriously, he receives more gruesome injuries and one little cut Dick is hysterical)

When the whole family out voted him to change the color of his uniform from blue to red. (It was a brutal ruling)

Suddenly Tim was shoved inside harshly and immediately glared at the culprit. Damian glared back. "You were in the way, Drake."

Tim rolled his eyes and didn't reply back. There was no point in arguing with the demon child. He's as stubborn as Bruce is.

Damian narrowed his eyes, then his attention turn to his older brother. He frowned at the predicament that Dick is in. "Grayson! What on earth are you doing? Stop your pathetic sobbing. It's truly an unruly sight."

Tim stepped closer to Dick feeling the angst coming off from him.

"Jason—" Dick began. He groaned loudly before checking his iPhone again then back at his brothers. "Stephanie told me that he left town last night. We were supposed to hang out today. It was like a day with Little Wing." He slumped on the table as he muttered incoherent things. Who knew that Jason leaving town would leave Dick so distraught? "Plus, Bruce is coming home tonight! It would've been great for Bruce to see Jason! And Alfred. Oh my god!"

"I think it's a good idea that Jason is out of town," Tim chirped which he earned a glare from the oldest brother. "For the time being." He finished before Dick retaliated. He realized that Dick always felt emotional whenever Jason is mentioned or seen within sight. He could just imagine how Bruce would feel whenever Jason is mentioned or seen within sight. He shuddered. He honestly didn't know how Bruce would take Jason's resurrection. "We should at least tell Bruce about Jason and let him ease him in with the information that he's alive. Instead of just dropping the bomb on him."

In the corner of the kitchen, Damian munched on his breakfast. He chewed quickly before speaking, "I disagree. We should warn my father about Ja— Todd."

"Don't talk like Jason is a danger to this family, Damian!" Tim snapped his eyes flickered at the demon spawn.

Damian –tt- before leaving the kitchen. Tim could've sworn hearing "you don't know shit, Drake." as the demon spawn walked by. He watched as the youngest angrily strides out he kitchen. This made him curious. Damian knew about Jason for a really, really, really long while and it's possible that Damian would at least know some information. There were a few things about Jason that Tim felt sketchy about. With the intent of going after the demon, Dick called out his name. Tim whirled around to face him.

"When Bruce comes home, we don't tell anything about Jason. Not until Jason comes home. He'll just shut us out."

Tim blinked, startled at the sudden mood change. He slowly nodded and jogged out of the kitchen. He catches up to the demon spawn by the stairs and Tim immediately grabs hold of his wrist tightly all the while Damian responded with an attack. Tim dodged but his grip on his wrist tightened. Then he dragged the demon in a safe corner of the hallway, and then he inquired.

"What do you know about Jason?"

.

Jason snapped his eyes opened. His head felt a little hazy as if he'd been sleeping for a long time. He couldn't get his mind to concentrate what happen the night before. Everything seemed like a blur. All he could remember returning to the hotel then blank. He didn't know what was going on anymore. What the hell is happening to him?

Then he heard the door to his room cracked open revealing a worried Tamaranian Princes. "You're awake!" She fully opened the door, letting the light inside his room and Jason cringed at the blindingly bright lights. "You fainted, Jason." Kori switched the light on.

"I did?" This time, Jason woke up and stared at his friend in disbelief. Next, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and immediately checked for the time and date. "Shit." An entire day passed and he'd promised Dick to hang out with him earlier.

"We passed a message to Stephanie to tell Richard that you went out of town." Roy notified by the door. "Sorry, we didn't want the family to go to you and try to help." Unsaid words were left behind. Jason knows of Roy's intention by doing this. His blackouts happen occasionally and they (Kori and Roy) knew how to deal with it. "Are you planning to go back right now?"

Jason nodded as he stood up and sauntered over to his bags of clothes. He took out fresh clothes to wear for the night since the rest of his luggage was at the mansion. "I'm going to make it up to him." He went to the restroom and walked out with new clothes. Jason walked over to the stand and picked up a few personal belongings, wallet, iPhone and the journal he received from Talia.

Once Jason was ready to leave the hotel room, Kori and Roy walked him to the front door. "Be safe." Kori frowned, not liking the idea that he was leaving right after he just woke up from his blackout.

Jason nodded and walked out the door without another door. Kori and Roy watched him leave and once his back disappeared from turning left to the elevator, they closed the door.

Roy strides back to the couch at the living room with Kori following behind closely. They sat closely right next to each other and Roy heaved a sigh. Sensing his distress, Kori rubbed his back soothingly. "He's going to be alright." She assured him gently. "We're going to be alright."

.

The nerve-wracking guilt was eating him up, as he felt more nervous seeing Dick. What if he was mad that Jason ditched him without any kind of warning? Or that Stephanie told him he couldn't make it instead of himself telling his brother instead? The sudden 'what if' scenarios bombarded his mind and only thought of the worse.

But Dick seemed like a nice guy.

You don't even know the guy. His conscience argued. What if he actually turns out to be a dickhead? He didn't even want to hang out with you when you were Robin!

Jason frowned, lingering on his thoughts. It's true he didn't know the guy, his brother, but he'd do anything to get to know the guy. With the resolution in mind, he shoved those thoughts to the dark corner of his mind and he placed the key inside the doorknob then twisted it to unlock the door.

Cautiously, he entered the mansion, all lights still lit. He didn't know why he even entered his home as if he was intruding.

Oh crap. Jason glanced behind him, eyeing the window showing the nightly skies. He doubt Dick was even home. Then he felt dejected to the knowledge that he came home alone. Perhaps he should've stayed in the hotel just until tomorrow morning.

But he was here now. He might as well sleep it off and wait for Dick in the morning. Sighing, he on his way up the stairs, until he heard shuffled footsteps.

It was getting louder and louder and his eyes were glued to the section where it was coming from. Jason stood frozen when the blonde girl entered dancing around with muffled music blaring loudly from her headphones. Stephanie halted when she noticed his presence and she stopped midway with her dance. He watched her face turn crimson in embarrassment.

"Oh my god…!" Stephanie instantly grabbed his hand and quickly dragged him off the stairs. Jason was too shock to react or to say anything and let the blonde just drag him along. Stephanie stopped once they arrived in front of a room. She let him inside the room and she nervously stared at him. "Um, Jason! Just stay here ok! Don't move! And don't tell Dick, Tim or Damian what you've just witnessed!" Stephanie repeated to stay again and she slammed the door in a dash.

Jason blinked. What the hell just happen?

He turned around, eyeing all of the things surrounding him and he knew, that Stephanie just stuffed him into her own room. He stood still. He already had one on the blondie, might as well just find more blackmail material just in case.

Just in case.

Minutes later, found Jason lying on the purple covered bed as he stared at the ceiling. He already finished looking through Stephanie things, but in respect of her privacy, he didn't read her diary. Sighing, he sat up with a new intent in mind. He wants to take this chance to explore something that Talia said before his trip to Gotham.

He stood up and he made his to the door. Before walking out of the room, he peeked out for any signs of the blonde or anyone in that matter. When he deemed it safe, he exited the room and followed his memories of the other day. It was only seconds later that he automatically found he was looking for.

Jason curiously stared at the grandfather clock. Talia's voice echoed in his head on how to open it. He sets the clocks hands at 10:48 then he pushed the clock to the side revealing the secret passage. He took a step inside and followed the path to a long set of stairs.

His only view was the giant monitor and the chair was empty. He felt a pang of disappointed, thinking that someone would be sitting there. As he reached the bottom the stairs, he took the chance to awe at all the things collected around the room. It was almost… something he didn't expect for a Batcave. He expected to be some kind of dark cave or something.

The shiny glass case with the Robin costume display caught his attention. Curiosity drew him in closer and closer to the glass case. He placed a hand on the case as if he was trying to feel the connection between the costume and him. Something nagging in his head telling him that's his costume. It's his Robin costume in display. And for what?

Jason glanced down at the epitaph displayed: Jason Todd. Good Soldier.

He read the epitaph again and again. Good… soldier?

Good soldier…?

.

Nightwing immediately jumped off his bike and he jogged towards the medical bay area. Red Robin and Robin followed suit behind Nightwing. Stephanie greeted them with a grim smile while patching Jason's hand. Once she was done, she gestured the boys to follow her in which they did.

"Hey." Jason greets with a smile. He lifted up his injured hand. "Um, I'm sorry. I don't know what happen. I just punched the glass case… I didn't think it would break so easily."

Nightwing tore off his mask and he held Jason's injured hand and glanced at the broken case. He broke his own memorial case. "I'm glad you're safe. Just don't punch anything glass-y from now on." He smiled at his little wing and gestured the young man to follow him. But before they could get even two steps, they froze when they heard the familiar deep voice wondering what's going on in here.

Kidnapped and someone took him last night?!

The eldest Wayne siblings immediately leaned up and shouted loudly, "What? What? How the hell did that happen?"

Damian decided to fill him in. Apparently, Tim was the first one to wake up today and wanted to ask Jason if he was still planning to watch the movie Looper with him. After all, Tim is all about cheap movie tickets because paying twelve dollars and fifty cents is ridiculous. Anyways, he entered Jason's room only to find it trashed.

Panicked, Dick hastily slid off the bed and trotted across to his brother's room. He opened widely and dread came rushing down him.

Jason's room was a complete mess. Remnants of the light bulb was scattered around the room from the lamp by the window. The window was clearly opened wide, letting the morning breeze in. By the bed were specks of blood on the carpet.

"I already ran some test on whose blood that is." Tim said, frowning.

Damian stepped in front of Dick and proclaimed, "Its Todd's blood."

Dick groaned loudly, running his hand down his face. Just when everything was finally settled down, someone just decided to fucking kidnap his brother? "Did you run the security camera?"

Tim nodded. "Ran it twice. There were no intruders within the vicinity. Someone really good must've hacked our systems."

Dick bit lower side of his lips and gnawed it gently. Now they had no absolute lead on their brother and it was killing him. All he can think about how Jason was injured and with his weakened heart, who knows how Jason can last long without tiring himself out?

He turned back to his room to put on some appropriate clothes. Damian was nice enough to tell him that Bruce had already been informed of the situation and is now working with Oracle on who could've hacked his systems. After all, not many people could hack the Bat computers easily.

Dick went down to the cave as soon he was dressed and greeted his father. "Any progress with Jason yet?"

"No. Whoever hacked out systems was smart enough not to leave a trace. Even Oracle couldn't even find a small trail." Bruce informed him, a small distressed tone in his voice.

The eldest Wayne sibling gazed hard on the computer monitor, re-watching the same footage and clearly saw nothing wrong. Someone hacked their computer to hide from their cameras and successfully gotten Jason. "Who would've wanted Jason?" He murmured to himself.

.

"You fucking bastard." Jason snarled, rubbing his body. "That fucking hurt you know?" Jason icily glared at the cheekily smiling red head.

Last night, his teammate thought it would've been funny to kidnap him in the middle of the night. Jason knew he should've not showed him how to bypass the security at the Wayne manor. Roy fucking Harper had patiently waited for him under his bed until the moment was right to kidnap him.

Of course, Jason didn't go down without a fight. ("I wouldn't even call it a fight, Jaybird.") Fine, he tried to fight off the red head but only hurt himself instead. He was easily knocked out and now he was hauled into an adventure with his teammates.

Roy Harper grinned down at his teammate. "Calm down, Jaybird. My grip on you shouldn't have been that tight. I'm surprised you couldn't even break from it either."

Starfire agreed, finally looking up from the screen. "It would seem your heart is weakening your body, Jason." The Princess had done a body scan on her teammate courtesy of something that came along with the badass ship. "Roy, will you be taking him to your specialist first?"

The other red head shook his head. "Nah, Jason almost killed him the last time, remember?"

The said boy narrowed his eyes at Roy. "You were planning to take me to your stupid acupuncture specialist? How the fuck is that supposed to help me? Are you trying to speed up my death?"

Kori laid a hand on Jason's shoulder to calm him down. "Do not worry, Jason. We decided not take you there after that fiasco at New York." Her flaring green eyes glaring daggers at the other red head. She was also the victim of that fiasco. "Roy wants to take you to another specialist."

"Fuck no."

"Hey! I was trying to help." Roy defended himself as he crossed his arms. "Besides, it helped taking your pain away right?" He grinned in satisfaction when he saw Jason grumbling under his breath and knew instantly that it did helped. "Fine. We'll just go to Kori's recommended doctor then."

"Tch. Anything better than your stupid acupuncturist." Jason muttered, ignoring Roy's snicker. He watched as the two red heads went to their designated seats and began inputting coordinates. He lay back down on the bed and his mind began to wander.

Until that is he realized that his family might be freaking the fuck out as of right now. He called Harper and when the archer approached him, Jason extends his hand and demanded a cellphone to use. Of course the archer had inquired why and he replied, "They're going to be worried as fuck. Do you know how Dick is when he's worried?"

Roy opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out. All the memories he spent with the Titan teammate came crashing down and hastily handed the phone.

The younger man grinned at the red head before taking it and quickly dialing the Wayne manor. It had been six hours later that he'd been kidnapped which mean that he has been sleeping the whole night. When Jason came to he immediately recognized the team's ship and knew who kidnapped him.

Roy. Fucking. Harper.

"Roy! We've got trouble! Jason was kidnapped!" A loud shouted over the phone. "Do you think you can come down to Gotham and help us find him?"

Jason distanced the phone from his ear from keeping himself getting deaf. "Dickwad, it's me. Roy kidnapped me. They're taking me to a little adventure."

There was another shrill shout on the other side of the phone and he could clearly hear his older brother telling the others. "What?! Jay, are you hurt anywhere? I saw blood on the carpet. Did Roy hurt you?"

He sighed loudly and hated how Dick easily gets worried. "I'm fine. The blood happened when I accidently scraped myself with Roy's arrows. Tell the rest that I'll be back in a day or so."

"Just-Just come home safe ok?

"Sure thing, Dickwad."

Jason turns to his friends and his eyes landed on the sickly grinning archer. "So, where is Kori's specialist?"

"Get ready for another space adventure!" Roy announced excitedly.

.

"We're almost there." The Alien Princess announced. She stopped and glanced to her side and waited for Jason to catch up with Roy and her. Once he reached them, Kori gives him a doleful look. "Are you sure you do not wish to be carried, Jason?"

"Thanks, but no thanks." He replied. Jason knew this was not a case of his pride but rather he didn't want to be a burden to his friends. He still had enough energy to walk a few miles even. (He just didn't want to be carried by Harper). Jason realized that Kori was still staring at him in worry. "I'm fine, Kori. I'll let you know when I'm tired."

Kori seemed to accept the answer and continued walking by his side. Roy was ahead of them, just in case they get attack for no reason. After all, they can't be too careful now.

"Is this guy legit?" He inquires. Jason doesn't know the full details of the doctor that Tamaran Princess was taking them too.

The red headed Princess nodded. "Yes, the doctor I know of can heal anything." She replied.

Another doctor who can heal anything? Jason grimaced at the thought when Dick had taken him to healer at Nebraska. Things didn't even end well when that healer had a reaper tied to a leash. He decided not to protest aloud; maybe the alien princess's doctor can heal him?

He still couldn't understand why Bruce just wouldn't throw him into the pit. It was the fiery green water that healed him in the first place and if it wasn't for that pit, he wouldn't be here. He'd be probably still be in a catatonic state under the care of the al Ghul's. Treating him like a science subject as to how he cheated death.

Honestly, Jason didn't think he cheated death. He died and something brought him back to life six months later. He guessed somewhere out there thought he deserved a second chance at life and Talia believed the same thing as well.

"We're here." The archer said aloud, breaking Jason's train of thoughts.

The Outlaw team came to a stop in front of a giant house. They could hear the screams and the pain radiating off the house and Jason went sickly pale. Because that doesn't sound too good and he doesn't want to be in pain.

The men watched as their alien princess head inside the house and they hesitated to follow her. They didn't really want to find out what was on the other side of the door.

Jason shot a glare at the archer for even dragging him into space to see an alien doctor. He wasn't fucking planning to die.

Roy chuckled nervously, rubbing his neck in the process and ignoring the death glare from the younger man. "Jaybird, calm down. We only took you here in best interest. Besides, you're the only one who's holding the team together, y'know?"

Jason's eyes widen when the archer continued talking. The young bird didn't realize that Roy thought of him that way. He only saved Roy because he thought it was the right thing to do and not because he used to be Dick's teammate at the Titans.

Though he wouldn't admit that having Roy around for company wasn't as bad at first. He enjoyed Kori's company as well since he confessed his life story to the princess. He thought he owed it to her because she used to date his brother.

And speaking of his brother, Dick doesn't even know they're dating yet.

Yet.

"We'll tell Dick during the right time. Besides he just found out that we were hanging with you for a full year and I don't how he'd handle that his ex-teammates are dating." Roy explained, his chartreuse eyes pleading.

Jason's orb landed on Starfire and she seemed to agree with it as well.

"We promise to tell him soon." She says.

"But not too late…" Jason mutters.

Kori's bright flaming hair distracted him from his thoughts and Jason looked up. She seemed pleased about something and he got his answer when he felt the ground shaking and grumbling under his feet.

He took a step back as did Roy.

Out came from the house was a giant alien, similar to that of that alien who invaded Kori's and Roy's room back at Miami, but bigger.

"Which one is he, Princess?" The voice boomed.

Jason felt his blood rushing down from his face. "This is the fucking doctor?" He whispered to himself. He's never going to see the next day.

Roy turned to him, pale as well. "I'm scared for your life Jaybird. I don't want the bats hunting my ass for the rest of my life for this!" Jason felt Roy's hands as he was hauled on top of the archer's shoulder and then he heard, "Jaybird wants to go to my specialist instead!" With all Roy's strength, he ran as fast as he could.

"Harper what the fuck! Put me down!"

"No way, Jaybird. You can't even run to save your life."

"Yes I fucking can."

"Sorry, but I don't want you dying out of exhaustion either."

"Harper!"

Jason only received a howl of laughter from the archer and decided it would be a waste of his energy to even convince the red head to put him down. He just didn't like to be carried, especially when he was on someone's shoulder.

Roy put him on his feet as soon he stopped running. In the corner of their eyes, they saw the fiery princess heading their way, but she didn't look too happy.

Jason watched as the princess landed on her feet and glared icily at her boyfriend. He listened to the couple argue about him how he could've been healed but the boyfriend retaliated how the bat family might be on their ass if anything worse happened to Jason.

He snorted and rolled his eyes. Roy had no idea. All of his siblings who tried to heal him got punished severely by Alfred by cleaning the manor. Even Damian was punished along and had to do chores with Stephanie to his amusement.

Jason was amused that Roy even managed to win an argument against Kori. He guessed she didn't want to be in trouble with the bat family if anything bad happen to him.

Starfire announced to go back to the ship. Roy suggested on hitting in one of Jason's safe houses in Paris. The archer is craving for some Italian food at this moment.

"Jaybird, are you coming or what?" Roy called out.

Jason stared up at his teammates—friends. "Not even going to ask permission to use my safe house?"

He snorted. "Please. We've raided every one of your safe houses without your permission. Besides, you loves us right?" The archer grinned widely and wrapped an around his shoulder. Jason felt another hand wrapped on to his right and Kori smiled warmly at him.

He smiled to himself and then turns to the archer.

The frown was evident on the blonde's face and she took a seat across from him. "Is it… like a serious condition?"

"No." Jason chuckled as he finally took a sip of his coffee. "It started when I slept over a week ago. Anyways, I'm thinking of visiting Roy and Kori later today." He immediately changed the topic of his sleep insomnia. It wasn't something he liked talking—No. He trusts Stephanie, but he didn't feel too comfortable to talk about his nightmares.

Stephanie jolted from her seat as if something clicked in her mind. She leaned in closer to his face and whispered, "When you are you going to tell Dick about them? Since y'know… they were old teammates."

He shrugged in response. "It's up to them. I don't think they're too keen to meeting an old teammate right now."

Stephanie pouted a bit. "Aww that's too bad." She checked her phone again and cursed silently. She stood up announcing her class is just in a few minutes. "So I'll meet you up later?"

Jason nodded. "Just come over to the hotel."

.

Roy expected to spend his day with his lovely girlfriend on the couch and watch T.V. all day long. After all, they had nothing else to do since their other missing piece to their awesome team is missing in action. Of course, the red head couldn't do anything about his missing friend reuniting with his sibling.

Jason nonetheless deserves the long awaited reunion. God knows what the kid went through with his day with Talia. It was pure luck that the archer even met him before he went on his way to his suicide mission.

It was during the afternoon, the heat was in rising temperatures and the red head wanted nothing to find a shade in this god-forsaken place. He was in a certain mission in Qurac and unfortunately, he was solo-ing. Roy just hoped that he didn't get captured and put into a prison or some sort. Prison here in the Middle East is something to avoid, even for an American and a hero, he guessed.

And just as he was about to go his way, his chartreuse eyes caught something familiar, an out of the ordinary person, a dead person. Roy rubbed his eyes, convinced the heat finally got to him and he was somewhere in a bad part of heaven, the really frustrating heat of heaven. The suicide mission was instantly gone from his mind and unconsciously sauntered to this supposed-dead-person.

Automatically his voice called out without him realizing. "Jason?" The red head watched the raven haired glance at him with such unfamiliarity. He was pretty sure he made an impression on the young Robin when he first met him. But it certainly irked him with 'Jason's unfamiliar expression.

This was humiliating. Coming up to some random man in the desert asking if he's Jason, which was certainly impossible. Last time he checked, the young Robin was dead. Dead like buried under the six feet of soil.

Roy apologizes quietly, saying he got the wrong person. He never got the chance to walk away when a sudden tight grip on his shoulder held him on spot.

"Roy Harper."

The red head's chartreuse orbs broadened at the last person he thought he was going to see. "Talia al Ghul," And his mind quickly pieced the puzzle and it dawned to him. "Lazarus Pit,"

Talia impressed by the quick assessment. "Yes. The Lazarus Pit. Roy Harper, I have to ask you to watch over my— Jason."

"How was this possible? Do they even know?"

"He doesn't want them to know." She clarified before gesturing at the raven haired behind her. "Watch him for a couple of hours. I have certain duties to attend here." And with that, the daughter of the demon sauntered away, leaving him and the lost bird alone.

From that moment, Roy chose to stay by his side for many reasons. First: Talia. Second: Talia al Ghul. Third: The supposed dead Robin, Jason Todd was alive. Fourth: Interestingly enough, he found an amnesia bird. Or maybe his memories are permanently lost? He never got the chance to get the verdict, even now.

And from that moment when Roy chose to stay, a little form of duo team between the Red Hood and Arsenal were born (later added a threesome when they met Starfire).

His ears perked when he heard the rattling from the front door and he excitedly announced, "Jason's here~"

.

Laughter echoed the room for a good minute as the red head gripped his stomach tightly. The atmosphere was light and Kori had a loose smile. Jason entertained them with a story at his stay at the Wayne Mansion. He didn't realize his story was even that hilarious.

"Oh God, I knew it!" Roy said wiping the tears formed at the brim of his eyes. He held out his hand towards Kori and demanded, "Pay up, Princess!"

Kori muttered a few curses (non-understandable) before giving up a few wads of cash she somehow have. She stared at him sullenly. "Richard is emotional, but I didn't think he was this emotional." She said.

Jason scowled at his friends and narrows his eyes. "Roy—you— You bet on me?"

In the speed of an arrow, Roy immediately defended his actions. "You left us alone for a week, Jaybird. You can't blame me that this just happen to popped up." Seeing that his explanation did no good with the raven haired, he wailed, "We were so bored and so lonely without you!"

"You guys have each other."

"But it wasn't the same without you though. You know, the three of us, hanging out like old times." The red head pouted and somehow his chartreuse eyes managed to shine under the bad lighting.

Jason rolled his eyes and muttered along the lines of freaking ginger and his stupid eyes. He sat on the nearest couch available and he held his hands together. He took a deep breath and suddenly announced, "They want me to move in to the mansion."

Roy immediately beamed and said, "That's good! Spend more time with family and please make time for your lovely awesome friends, okay?"

Kori was quick to jab him on the side, noticing the underlying tone in Jason's voice. "You don't sound particularly happy about it."

"I am happy about it." Jason stressed. "But, I'm not sleeping well either."

At this point, the couple immediately knew to that problem. It wasn't much of a secret since each and every one them held no secret from each other. None. And Jason's nightmares were part of it and which caused the former to have insomnia.

"You haven't had a nightmare for years." Roy noted. "Why now?"

"Perhaps it's something in the mansion that triggered it." Kori suggested. She remembered clearly, two years ago when Jason had used a crowbar for a weapon against a certain enemy. Immediately when night fell, Jason's mind was plagued by nightmares and continued on until that woman did something.

"I doubt that Mansion would have any crowbars lying around and about." The red head countered. It was no secret among the team (back in the Teen Titans days) how Robin was beaten to death. Roy didn't like the idea of his friend plagued by memories of his eventual death.

Jason shook his head, refusing any ideas of why his nightmares resurfaced. "I'll call Talia for meds." He didn't even bother to listen to Roy's refusal to that idea and sauntered over to the kitchen to make a quick call. He wasn't going to have a simple nightmare ruin anything.

He took out his cellphone, ready to call Talia but halted once he noticed the one new message notification. Quickly checking it out, he read the message once and without a second to spare, he deleted it.

Putting away his phone, he strolled back into the living room and announced he needed to do something.

.

The moon shined brightly over Gotham, as the city bustles on with its business. In the upper corner of the city were lighted up beautifully as the night goers went on their way and parents making their way to their home. In one particular building, the shouts and pleads were undeniable and unluckily, the victim was alone.

"Please, don't k-kill me! I have a family to-to feed!"

He titled his head to the side, pressing his gun against the man's cowering forehead as his finger rubbed the trigger. "Sorry, but orders on top said to kill you. And if I were you, I would say my final prayers or something. 'Cause even I didn't have time to do that last time."

The man gave him an odd look, but it soon disappeared when he pressed the gun against his forehead. "I don't hear you prayin' old man." Just as soon he heard the man whispering under his breath, he pulled the trigger and—

Click!

"Whoops. Forgot to reload." He sheepishly smiled at his hostage as he quickly reloaded and once again, they were back to the position they were in a minute ago. "Let's try this again."

"Please! What have I done? Who paid—?"

"No one paid me." He growled and he finally pulled the trigger. The pleads from the man grew tired and wanted to get the shit over with already. He stared at the bloody mess his gun created and frowned. "Fucking hell, I ain't cleanin' this shit."

He heard a soft buzz from his earpiece and a voice congratulated him.

"You don't have to clean anything. Leave that to my men. In the mean time, keep doing this and I will keep my end of this bargain, Red Hood."

"Can't I have a regular breakfast, Alfred?"

The butler shook his head and apologized. "I'm afraid not, Master Jason. You will start eating healthy until you recover."

"This is not breakfast." Jason lifted the spoon up in the air, watching the oatmeal dripping back onto the bowl.

"You'll have to endure through this Master Jason. There will be a better meal during lunch, I assure you."

"…Fine." He watched as the butler giving him the smallest of smiles before walking out of his room. Jason turned his attention to the oatmeal again and contemplated whether he should please Alfred by eating it or he could give it to a certain bird that happens to like oatmeal.

Jason decided against it when he tried oatmeal for the first time. It wasn't bad as he thought it would be. He shrugged and tried to eat as much as he could (which was two bites) before feeling nauseous.

He rubbed his tummy to calm it down, but it didn't even help. He closed his eyes to ease on the pain and felt like he immediately lost all of his appetite altogether.

He halted when he heard his phone vibrate on the nearby table and he went to grab it. Jason grinned to himself as he read the text message he received.

From: Stephanie Alfred is making me clean the kitchen today. :c

Jason snorted to himself. It looks like Alfred found his next victim to punish. He almost felt bad for Stephanie since she did nothing to him but brought him to Speedzone. Unlike his two brothers who seemed intent on curing him the fastest way and yet the results almost killed him.

Note to self: Don't let Dick persuade you to go visit a 'Doctor' and don't let Tim experiment on you.

He turned his attention back to the text and quickly typed a reply. Jason set the tray of oatmeal on the side and grabbed his cane by the table. He went out of his room and into the foyer. He continued down his adventure to the kitchen to visit Stephanie, but not before he heard something crashing down the next hallway.

Isn't Damian's room down there?

Worried, Jason tried to make to his room as fast as he could. When he finally arrived in front of baby bat's room, he barged in without a second thought. He knew the warnings about entering Damian's room without permission and Dick and Tim never had been into his room. Jason apparently is Damian's first guest.

Jason kind of expected Damian's room to be a mess, maybe he had misheard that crash for something else? He ignored baby bat's haughty glare, but noticed the phone he was holding.

"Your girlfriend broke up with you?" Jason teased, sitting on the nearby chair.

Damian opened his mouth to argue, but closed them. He sighed deeply before calmly saying, "I was trying to contact my mother."

Jason stiffened at the mere word mother. His mother equal Talia. He had been planning to call the woman for some time now ever since he defeated the last Untitled. He owed everything to that woman, especially his life since she was the one who brought him back. He didn't want to admit it, but he was grateful to that woman.

He looked up at baby bat and noticed how little shaky he was. "For what?"

Damian huffed and gazed at the white walls of his room. He mumbled something, but it was too low for Jason to hear.

"What was that?"

"I said I was trying to contact my mother to convince grandfather to let you use the Pit again." Damian repeated. "Even though it would be impossible since my grandfather does not like you."

Jason leaned against his chair and smirked. "The feeling is mutual." He always knew that Ra's wasn't his biggest fan, especially how he just wanted to keep him under his radar. Without Talia's belief in him, she wouldn't have thrown him to the Lazarus Pit. "You would ask Talia despite Bruce's protest against me going to the Pit again?"

The same gunmetal blues he sees on Bruce, was also the same colour as Damian when his eyes locked onto his. "Yes, anything to save you, Todd."

"Aww, baby bat cares."

"I don't think anyone in this family would handle your death well if you died again, especially father."

And the bitter truth behind that was Jason doesn't know how his family would've handled his death. He had ignored everything when he was still content with making his family suffer back then. Even now, Dick or anyone else doesn't want to tell him how they handled his death. He had left that subject alone and moved on. He didn't need answers when he was accepted back into the family already.

Jason didn't reply. He took this chance to take a good look around his room and noted how clean and organized he was for a ten year old. His orbs landed on the familiar red helmet showcased by hanging on the wall.

"Wow, you actually hanged my helmet." Does the kid worship his helmet or something?

"Do you want it back?" Damian asked.

"No. Keep it. You should've asked if you wanted my helmet just to hang it on your wall and worship it." Hah.

Baby bat narrowed his eyes, a blush creeping up. "I do not—"

"Don't feel embarrassed, Damian. Tim still has photos of me when I was Robin kept somewhere in his room. He probably—"

"Todd, get out of my room!"

.

Deciding to take a little adventure down the Batcave, Jason went on the lift that Bruce had recently installed. After all, the walk down the Batcave has way too many stairs. Plus, his dad added the lift function quite recently too, from what he heard from Alfred.

When he arrived at the Batcave, the chill air made his hair stand up and suddenly felt cold. Was it always cold down here? A few meters away, he could hear clacking noises from the keyboard and instantly knew that it was his dad behind the computer.

Jason slowly approached his mentor as his eyes looked at the documents that were displayed on the screen. Some of the documents he recognized in Tim's bedroom and noticed that these were medical documents based on the heart.

The man behind the computer, his mentor, his dad, was scouring away in the Bat computer researching any possible way to find a cure. He frowned at the documents he read on the nearby table. It went as far as drug trials to transplants to magic.

"It could've been easier to throw me to the pit." Jason suggests.

Bruce whirled around to face him, tiredness written all over. "No, Jason. I will not throw you to the pit. I'm—I'm sure there are other alternatives to heal you."

"Why not the pit, Bruce?" Jason demanded.

The older Wayne attempted to reply but halted, holding his thoughts back. He didn't want to say. He wouldn't even know how his son would even react. "Just give me a few days. If I can't find any alternatives then I will call Talia and…" He trailed off.

Jason nodded and he instantly felt bad. He didn't mean to raise his voice at his dad, but he was just so frustrated over the fact why Bruce just doesn't want to turn to the Pit to heal him? Wouldn't things be easier? His family wouldn't have to worry about him every five seconds when he's out of bed. He walked away from his mentor and in the corner of his eyes; he noticed his old uniform safely kept in a glass case.

He approached it cautiously and took a good look on it.

Jason Todd; A Good Soldier.

He snorted at the placard. Something about that made him felt a slight pang in his chest. Was that all he ever is to Bruce? A good soldier?

And not a good son?

Was I ever a good son?

He could hear his dad's approaching footsteps and he felt the man's presence lingering behind him.

"I could take it—"

"Bruce, I was just admiring my old suit. Can't believe I fucking used to wear that." Why the hell did Dick had to design the original Robin suit with scaly shorty shorts? Just thinking about it, when he was kid and wearing it made him cringe. "Hey, it's good thing Tim invented pants with the costume."

Jason heard a loud snort behind him and he turned around to Bruce smiling a bit. Bruce laid a hand on the glass case. "Do you remember the first time you wore the Robin suit?"

"I was admiring myself in the mirror. I looked better in that Robin suit than Dick right?" He grinned as he remembered the days whenever Dick would come over he would gloat to his predecessor that he looked away better in the suit than Dick ever did. Of course, Dick didn't go down without an argument.

At the end of the day, Jason prevailed anyways. He realized those days spent with Dick back then were rare. Really rare. They weren't even this close unlike in the past.

"If you say so, Jason." Bruce smiled at the response to his son's 'you know I am'. "But do you remember when you first showed it off to Alfred and me? You claimed on top of the car that it was the best day of your life."

Jason furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He searched through his memory for that moment Bruce mentioned but he came up with a blank. He looked at the Batmobile for any trigger and repeating 'Best day of my life' in his head.

"I don't remember that, Bruce."

"You don't?"

"No… not really."

Bruce sighed and continued with, "What about when you were too sick to go to patrol that I ordered you to stay behind. I stayed behind as well and we watched a movie all night long."

Jason looked away for a moment. He was a bit skeptical about that memory. Like Bruce would give up a day of patrol to watch over sickly Jason? Yeah fucking right. "Sorry, Bruce. I don't really remember that."

"Oh," His father sounded almost heartbroken.

Jason cursed to himself. He really had no explanation on the gaps of his memories. He never even realized it till now and wondered if the gaps were caused by the beating from the psychotic clown. But the pit restores everything and should restore his memories as well. He pondered if he should have a talk to Talia soon.

There was a silence in the air for the moment. It was really awkward since Jason had declared that he remembered no such memories.

It was finally broken when Jason spoke up.

"Dad when I—if I die again, cremate me instead." Jason suggested slowly. He watched his dad's expression closely before adding, "Waking up in the coffin and crawling my way out is already traumatizing. I don't want to experience that ever again."

"No, Jason." Bruce denied his request. He shook his head. "I will find a way to heal you. I won't be losing you again, son."

And before Jason could even register that next move that his father did, he was stunned. He was engulfed tightly in to his dad's arm, something he never received when he was kid. It was unfamiliar to him. Jason returned the hug, wrapping his arms around his dad.

"I don't want to die, Dad."

"I won't let you die again, Jason."

He could feel the older man's shaking and hearing faint sobs behind him. Jason smiled sadly to himself and wondered if he just came home from the start, thing between them right now wouldn't be so bad.

.

It was a nice spent day and finally he plopped onto his king size bed. The family decided to play monopoly tonight.

Jason came out on top, despite Damian's declaring that he would win this game. Then again, with a few tricks and cheats, he was able to win the whole entire game. It was something he liked to do because messing with his brothers is the best.

He pulled up his blanket all the way and spread all out on his bed. All he wanted to do was sleep. He closed his eyes momentarily once he felt cozy before opening them again when he thought he heard something rustling under his bed.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion when he didn't hear it again, but just to make sure, he wanted to check.

He slid off his bed carefully and slowly bends down to look under. Empty. Huh. Was he hallucinating?

When Jason leaned up again, he felt a cold hand clamped against his mouth and a strong arm wrapped around his body.

Did he not have good memories with Bruce?

The oldest of the trio snapped out of his thoughts when Stephanie shouted, "Let's go!" And she dragged both boys inside the park. The blonde announced that she'll order the food and Damian thought it'd be wise to go with her. Who knows what kind of food she'll order?

And Jason was left all alone in the middle of the food court and sighed. He found the perfect booth by the corner with dimly lit lights and he sat comfortably in the middle waiting for the blonde and his little brother to come back.

He scanned the food court around, the laughter, talking, crying echoing in the air. His orbs landed to one family to another and realized how much of his childhood he had missed out. Jason knew he grew up too fast, but he didn't have a choice. His real father left him. His mother died of an overdose and even then, he had been taking care of his drugged out mom. His real mother— Jason shook his head, ridding the thoughts of the woman.

His childhood was nothing but a sad one. Happy moments didn't even exist in there.

Maybe it did when Bruce found him stealing his tires. Still, it bothered him that he couldn't find any good memories with his adopted father.

Jason heaved a sigh, giving up that he did not have any good moments in his childhood. He scanned the area for any sign for little brother and the blonde and he found them bickering as they walk to his table. Once arrived, Stephanie scooted in the booth as Damian did the same and sitting right across from each other.

"So, what kind of foo—"

"Fatgirl here ordered too much high cholesterol food." Damian seethed out, glaring at the blonde.

Stephanie slammed her hand on the table. "I don't think Jaybird would appreciate eating like a rabbit."

"Well he needs to watch his cholesterol intake. You should know that his heart is in a weakened state!" The little man argued back, aggravated that the blonde didn't see his way.

Jason butted into their argument before it escalates. "What food did you guys even order?" His question was answered once he saw the server heading their way. The lady server name Cindy carefully laid a nicely done supreme pizza and bowl of fresh Caesar salad. The server flashed them a smile before leaving them. "Seriously? A fucking salad?"

"Start eating healthy, Todd." Damian says, taking a slice of pizza from the tray. The little kid slapped away the prying hands from the eldest as he tried to get a slice. "No. You can't have one."

Jason glared at the little demon before pleading at Stephanie to help him out. The blonde had betrayed him and ignored his plead. God damn it, he wasn't going to eat Caesar salad just for lunch! He needed more than that.

"You've got to fucking kidding me." He heaved a miserable sigh before stabbing a fork at his salad and ate it slowly.

.

Damian grinned sinisterly at the racetrack, watching peons driving unprofessionally and his mind racked how he could come up to the top of the rank. He glanced at his brother and the blonde before declaring that he won't lose to them either.

"Let's go to that one first!" Stephanie said, pointing at the first track. She started running towards it excitedly.

Damian rolled his eyes and began walking nonchalantly towards the racetracks. Does she even realize that Todd doesn't have that much energy to get to the racetrack that quickly? "-tt- Stupid girl." He glanced to his side to check on his brother and when his orbs landed on an empty space next to him, Damian's eyes widens.

He completely made a 180 degree turn, blindly looking for the older man. Dread came crashing down on him as his thoughts were filled what if Todd collapsed somewhere? Where the hell did he go? With his sharp hearing senses, he heard coughs from right side and sighed in relief when he found his brother by the bench.

Damian rushes by his side and takes hands him the water bottle he had in his hand. Todd had grabbed it, uncapped it, and drank it down quickly. Damian felt distressed over the fact that Jason was not fit to go anywhere. Going to Speedzone alone was a bad idea when Jason can't even walk for a few steps.

"Thanks," Jason muttered under his breath when he finished drinking his whole entire water bottle. He chuckled lightly. "Maybe going to Speedzone is a bad idea." He heaved a sigh as his aquamarine eyes were watching the crowds walking by. "I don't have that much energy to walk around as much."

"Why did you agree to go with Brown in the first place?" Damian demanded, albeit too harshly. He toned it down a bit when he told him, "You knew that you were not fit to go."

Jason ruffles his hair in Damian's annoyance, but he didn't swap it away. "I wanted to go here ever since. I've always wanted to come here. Someone promised me." Damian felt his brother's heavy hands leaving his head and he looked straight into his brother's blue-green eyes. Damian's eyes widens when he hears Jason murmuring something under his breath and his face contorted into a frown.

He couldn't explain it, but he felt stunned. He never knew his father—

Damian whipped his head to the side when he heard Stephanie rushing towards them. Before the blonde arrived, he muttered, "-tt- I will be right back, Todd."

.

Jason watched the little kid dart away as Stephanie arrived.

"Are you ok?" She frowned, seeing how he seemed out of breath still even when he was sitting down for a minute.

He nodded. "Just fucking tired. Just go have fun with demon brat when he gets back. Besides, Dick and Tim should be here for another hour right?" Jason said, taking out another water bottle and taking a sip. He seriously hated feeling this weak, especially when he was out and about.

"No way, Jason. I took you here because you've never been here as a kid." Stephanie reasoned. "Why do you think I also agreed to bring Damian along? The kid grew up too fast to have fun."

Jason stared at the blonde, staring into her blue eyes and as if she was telling him that he also grew up too fast. He heaved a tired sigh. Jason raised an eyebrow when he spotted the little kid with a wheelchair. A smirk crawled up to his lips and he teased, "Baby bat is such a wonderful little brother, don't ya think?"

Damian looked away, hiding from embarrassment and snapped, "Get in, Todd!" He ignored the cackle coming from his older brother as he slowly moved to the wheelchair.

Stephanie grinned. "Aww, Damian loves his big brother."

"Shut up!" He hissed, pushing the wheelchair heading for the turbo track.

.

Tires were squealing, yelling could be heard and the fast motors echoing in their ears.

"I'm taking first place, Fatgirl!"

She swerved the car towards him and she hissed, "I'm taking first place!" She laughed out loud when she swerved out and in again hitting his car.

Damian cursed out loud; yelling coherently about blondie was going down. He stepped on the gas; catching up to the blonde.

Damian didn't get the chance to go head to head with Stephanie as he was hit from behind and his car skidded to the side. He slammed his wheel when he realized whom the perpetrator was.

"Todd, that's cheating!"

Jason's next victim was Stephanie and did the same thing he did to his brother. He smirked evilly when he heard threats from the blonde as she skidded off to the side.

"See ya losers at the finish line!"

.

"Tim, you ready to go yet?"

"Yeah, give me minute. I need to put some shoes on."

Dick heaved a heavy sigh as he waited by the front of door of the manor. They had finally finished with their chores and he was just glad to be done with it. Forever. Alfred had them clean every inch of the manor and he could still feel his hands tingling. He was glad that the butler ended their punishment today.

The elder Wayne heard footsteps trotting down the stairs and grinned widely at his brother. "Let's go." Dick went outside and was met with a very tired Bruce in front of the door. "Bruce, you're home!"

Bruce nodded, noticing that his sons were dressed up. "Where are you planning to go?" He inquired.

"Speedzone!" Tim exclaimed excitedly. "We're meeting Stephanie, Damian and Jason over there."

Dick furrowed his eye brows when he saw his adopted father's face turned into a shock one. He watched the older man checked his watch before announcing that he'll come with them. Dick shrugged and didn't bother questioning the man.

They all followed Dick to the Range Rover and set their destination for Speedzone.

It was half an hour later that the Wayne men finally arrived at Speedzone. Dick and Tim were excited to be here again since they haven't been here since they were a kid and Dick wanted to see how Damian was like with his first time in a park.

What they did not expect was the trio walking out of the place. Stephanie was waving at them excitedly, Jason looked kind of tired, and Damian looked grumpy as his arms were folded.

"What happened?" Dick automatically inquired.

"We got kicked out." Stephanie replied sheepishly. She gave them an innocent smile.

Tim exclaimed, "For what?"

And one by one, they all named why they were kicked out.

"For destroying property,"

"And their vehicles,"

"And crashing the car into the bar," The blonde nervously laughed as she scratched the back of her scalp. "This was all because Jason and Damian and their stupid competitive streak that this happened!"

Damian glared at the blonde and retaliated with, "-tt- Don't act like you've done nothing to get us kicked out, Brown. At least I didn't combust my own damn car."

Stephanie hissed a quiet, "Shut up! It's nothing worse than yours!"

Dick looked at the eldest of the trio, the older one who was supposed to be mature and whatnot. He almost panicked when Jason slowly crouched down and carefully sat on the floor. He heard him breathing hard as if he ran a marathon around Gotham.

The eldest sibling set down on one knee and asked, "Are you ok, Jay?"

Jason nodded, trying to catch his breathe. "I'm fine."

"Todd, you should've stayed on the wheelchair." Damian said a frown clearly displayed on his face.

"No it's fine. Besides, we're banned now remember?" Jason chuckled.

.

It has been a long day for Jason. After they were picked up from Speedzone, Dick decided to have a movie night with the family. Jason didn't mind spending time with his family, but he can't help but feel like they were spending time with him as if he was going to drop dead the next day.

When they finished the movie, X-Men First Class, Bruce had helped him up to his bed. Jason along the way jokingly said to Bruce that he should add an escalator to the house. Or an elevator. Yeah. That would be nice too.

Bruce carefully helped him to his bed, even tucking him in and Jason felt his dad lingering over him.

"Bruce?"

"Did you have fun at Speedzone?" He asks with a sad smile on his face.

Jason nodded. "Of course, despite that I got banned from that place." He was fine that he got banned from the place anyways. There are other parks in the world he could still visit.

He looked up to his dad and noticed the miserable expression on his face. Then he could feel his dad's calloused hand caressing his hair and realized that Bruce hasn't done that ever since he used to be Robin.

"I'm sorry I didn't take you to Speedzone. I promised to take you there."

"It's fine, dad." Jason assured him. "You promised to take me on my birthday and I was already dead by then." He could see Bruce's crystal blues glistening against the moonlight and for the first time in his life, he had never seen his father cry in front of him. Jason could only assure him with a smile because that's all he could do.

Even if his dad didn't take him to Speedzone when he was kid, Jason was just grateful to have a father like him. Before his lids slowly closed on him, he murmured a soft, "'Night, Bruce."

"At the cave, he said he wanted to check on something." Tim questionably glances at his brother. "Boring night?"

"Until we got the call Scarecrow got out. But it ended pretty fast." Dick replayed the memory and snorted at the thought of Scarecrow giving himself up so easily at the instant he saw them.

"Demon?"

"Damian." He corrected.

Dick quietly munched on his cereal, reeling back to last night to that man who could've look like an adult version of his dead brother. The man was constantly in his head, thinking about him. Maybe he should've jumped down and took a good look at him. He depressingly sighed and continued to munch on his cereal.

Next to him, Tim heard the loud sigh and raised a brow. Now he was curious what got Dick all depressed up. "Something wrong?"

Dick shook his head and went back eating. Then he lifted his head to stare at Tim, wondering if he should tell him about it. Decided already, he spoke up, "Actually, there is. Last night, I saw someone that would've have looked like an adult version of…" He trailed cautiously, looking around for any signs of anyone else in the kitchen. Dick leans in closer. "Jason."

Tim spluttered milk all over the table. He scrambled to get the napkin nearby and wiped the mess he made. He didn't think Dick would see Jason this soon. He kind of figured that Jason needed more time as in like a month. "It must've been a coincidence. I-I mean he's dead."

"I guess." He mumbled and shoved another spoonful of cereal into his mouth. He really must be seeing things again, after of last night's events. He knew after seeing that person last night, he had been hopeful (even it was impossible) that it was his brother down there. It was all wishful thinking, he knows, but he couldn't help it. The death of the young Robin still haunts him till to this day.

His thoughts were rattled by the loud doorbells echoing in the mansion. Dick scrunched his brows together and expectantly glances at Tim. "Are we expecting someone?"

Tim shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of." Dick stood up and headed to the front door. Tim trailed behind Dick, curious who their visitor was. It's not like the Wayne Manor have guests over all the time.

Dick opened the door and said, "Yes, how may I…" He trailed off, his jaw wide open. Blood instantly drained from his face. It can't be…

He stood there frozen, taking in the figure standing before him. Flashes of the lookalike from last night bombarded his mind and he instantly figured it was the same person. And he could confirm that this is his little brother. He could recognize those aquamarine eyes that his Little Wing held as a young child, that sparkle in his eyes. Without thinking, he sputtered, "J-Jason?"

Jason looked at him with such uncertainty that it frightened Dick to the core. His only thoughts were his Little Wing must hate him so much. The next move that his Little Wing did startled him as he took out a little notebook from his pocket and flipped through the pages. When he stopped, his aquamarines glanced up and down and inquired, "Richard Grayson, right?"

No. No. He didn't like the unfamiliarity brightly shone in his aquamarine orbs or the questioning tone. His Little Wing never called him by his full name, ever. It was always his little pet names like 'Dickhead' or 'Golden Dick'. Hysterical laughs escape his lips. "Stop joking, Jay. It's me, Dick! Dickhead! Don't you remember?"

Jason was taken back at the sudden tears free falling from the other man. He never realized how much his presence could affect such a man. The strict voice booming behind the man caused the said man to stop crying and moved away from the door to greet the new incomer.

"Dami—"

"Grayson, I must speak to you urgently." said the kid. He glanced past the taller brother and nodded at the man standing by the door. "You've finally shown yourself to the family, Jason."

Jason laughed warmly, taking a step inside the manor and approach his little brother. He ruffled his hair, only to be swapped away and he snorted. "I miss you too, brat." He smirked once he saw the blush forming on the kid's cheek. "How long have you known that I was in town?"

"For a while." Damian replied, smugly. He turned on his heel and quickly grabbed the wrist of the eldest brother and dragged him out of the front door and into the kitchen. Once they stopped, he was instantly bombarded with questions.

"What's going on? How do you know him, Dami? I— How come he doesn't remember? Jason's joking right? This got to be some prank or—"

"How long have you known about Jason?" Tim demanded. He had quietly entered the kitchen while the other was in the middle of the break down. He glared down the demon and demanded once more.

Dick scrunched his brows and glance at Tim, a look of disbelief. "You've known too?"

"Dick, I—" Tim never had the chance to answer as the door behind them closed behind them, revealing the last member of the Robin club.

"Why did you guys leave him all alone—" She trailed off; her voice dying down as she automatically sensed the tension between the brothers. Stephanie looked from one sibling to another and knew they were in a middle of something and quietly excused herself.

"Tt," Damian grunted and glared at his brother. "How long have you known about Jason, Drake?" He repeated the same question and smugly smirked at his brother. He didn't miss the flicker of anger crossed his face.

Before Tim could retaliate back, Dick stepped in and demanded from the little brother. "Damian, how long have you known about Jason?"

The littlest Wayne scowled before crossing his arms. "Since I was five."

"You've known about him for five years? How come you never said anything?" Tim asked.

"The same reason you didn't tell Grayson two weeks ago." Damian sneered.

Dick, still processing the information that Damian knew about his Little Wing alive for five years. Five fucking years. He never ounce a word about him. "Lazarus Pit." He stated. It was the only answer he could think of. Jason was once dead and the only way to raise the dead is the Pit. "He was raised by the Pit?"

Damian shook his head, frowning. "No. When I met him, he was already alive and well without the use of the Pit. But it was only his body was alive, but not his mind."

"But how—?"

"Grayson, when he was shoved to the Lazarus Pit, it restored his mind but not his memories."

.

Jason watched as his successor stalked off to the same direction Damian led the taller man to. He frowned, faintly hearing the shouting in the other room. Maybe it wasn't much of a good idea to come by at this time. A comforting hand squeezed his shoulder and distracted him from his brooding.

"Don't feel too bad, Jay." Stephanie reassured. "You meant a lot to Dick."

"That's a sad excuse for a nickname."

"Tell me about it. I still don't know how Dick came from Richard."

Jason amusingly snorted. The shouting increasingly got louder. He stood up, feeling that he may have caused an argument between the both of them, but not before Stephanie took his hand and dragged him away from the living room. "Where—?"

Stephanie giggled and shushed him. She led him to the second story of the manor and leading him through the complicated hallways and turns and finally they stopped in front of the door. She gripped the door knob tightly before turning it slowly, revealing a bedroom left untouched for years. "This is your room."

Jason held his breath, scanning the room. This is him, his past life, his childhood in front of him. He walked around, taking in a feel of his old room. Slightly touching the posters, the collections on the shelf for any recollection and sadly nothing came. He came across a picture of him as a younger child and older man, standing side by side, smiling. So, this is Bruce.

"That's a rare picture." Stephanie said.

"Really?" His brow rose up.

She nodded. "Bruce barely smiles nowadays. It's rare really seeing his genuine smile. You know, your death hit the family hard, impacted Bruce a little more. Alfred—you should know him in your little pocketbook— never had the heart to clean up your things."

"So I left the room the way I left it before I—"

"Yeah. Tim, Damian and I have been here before out of curiosity. Alfred keeps the room dust free. Once in a while, Dick comes in here." Stephanie leans in to his ear and whispered, "You could hear him crying sometimes. Bruce would stand in front of your door for hours."

Jason plopped on the bed with the frame on hand and stared at it more. He desperately wanted to remember something at least, one thing, but nothing really came. The more he thought of it, the more he wanted to remember a single thing and eventually he stopped when he felt the pain shooting in his head. The pain stopped once another person called him out.

"J-Jason?"

He turned to the source of the voice. Stephanie quickly excused herself and shot him a peace sign before taking off.

"Dick…?"

What surprised him the most when the man began wailing his name and bawling on the spot until Dick engulfed Jason into the tightest hug he ever received. "I'm so happy that you're back, Jason. I don't care if you don't remember me, but we can start over. I wasn't much of a big brother to you when you were young, Jay, but I will make it up to you."

"I'll take up on your fucking word, Dickhead." Jason smirked.

Dick blinked, suddenly picturing the little boy, smugly smirking at him and saying those exact words. He felt a sudden deja-vu hitting him. He remembered those exact same words when he'd promise Jason that he'd come over to the manor more to teach him more acrobatic moves. Now, he was promising that he's going to make it up to him.

Jason shook his head, confused why he said that. He rarely says anything vulgar unless he was really upset. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that." As he was growing—living with the al Ghul's, they drilled him with constant proper manner exercises as many times they could.

"No it's ok. I'm used to it. Actually, you liked to cuss a lot."

"So I've been told."

.

It was the afterhours of the night, the rare moon shining brightly down on Gotham. Jason gazed at the sky longingly; his arm stretched out as if he wanted to snatch the moon for himself. It was long night and he was tired.

He spent his time with his family, his brothers and Stephanie. It ended up more with a story telling kind. He told them his origins from the beginning.

Waking up from the damn, confined coffin and spend walking around Gotham for two good years, until one of Talia's men found him. She took him in, threw him in the Pit a year later, and then stayed at All-Caste for a year and came back to live with Talia again.

"You went back to Talia again?" Dick's brow rose.

Jason could tell the displeasure on his face. He knew of Talia's past actions with Wayne family and he wasn't least of bothered by it. Maybe because he was 'raised' by her? "Talia and Damian are the closest I have to family."

In return, Dick didn't say anything. None of them spoke, even Damian who'd usually have a usual retort. Jason didn't know what kind of relationship Damian had with her mother right now and even if he hasn't seen the little brat for three years, he knew it was bad.

"So what happen after that?" Stephanie asks.

Jason blinked at the sudden question. He collected his thoughts quickly and replied, "Talia made sure I finished my GED and I recently graduated at a high school at London." Jason continued. "I chose Gotham University, for obvious reason for my college."

"Tt. What are you doing on the roof, Jason?" Damian sneered. He threw a small blanket over him. "You'll get sick."

Jason, a teasing smile appeared on his lips, said "I thought I was the older brother here."

The little brat snorted both hands on his hips. "I spent most of my time taking care of you. Even now, you don't know how to take care of yourself."

He laughed. It was true. Fresh from the Pit with no memories at all, he always had constant help from the maids and most of the time from Damian himself. Even if Damian didn't want to admit it, but he knew the little kid wanted to spent more time with him for more 'brotherly bonding'. "Admit it, Dami, you liked playing big brother."

The little kid's cheeks flushed bright scarlet, showing clearly under the moonlight and it was quickly diminished by anger. "Shut it, Todd! I do not!"

Jason burst into fits of laughter at the sudden change of personality. "You're still the same little brat." He felt the glare from the little man and he tried his best to contain his laughter. Things suddenly became quiet between them as Damian moved away from his view of the moon. Damian sat next to him.

The night continued on, with neither of them saying a word to each other.

Jason glanced at Tim, sensing his stare for quite some time. He smirked to himself as his 'brother' noticed and immediately looked away flush. He felt the car pull up at the front of the Ritz-Carlton and stepped out of the taxi, along with Stephanie and Tim following behind him. Jason pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and gave the driver a solid fifty and "keep the change".

"Whoa. I wonder how he's loaded with that much cash." Stephanie whispered.

"It was a courtesy of Talia." Jason replied, gesturing the duo to follow him inside the hotel. He barely missed the baffled expression on Tim that he had stopped his trail and frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Tim opened his mouth to retort regarding Talia but decided against it until they arrived in his suite. "Nothing. Let's head to your suite." He suggested.

Jason nodded and continued his trail towards the nearest elevator. He didn't know the exact relationship between Talia and Wayne—or the al Ghul and the Batclan. His caretaker didn't elaborate on that and he was still left in the dark. But basing it on Tim's reaction, Talia's relationship with the Batclan must not be that good.

The sharp ding, indicating their arrival to their floor, he led them down the hall and soon they were standing in front of the suite doors. Just as he took out the card key, the doors were swung open and they were greeted by a shrill cry of, "Jaybird!"

The red head froze as soon his chartreuse eyes landed on the other company. He wasn't aware that his friend brought guests over and he immediately panicked. "Oh shit!"

Tim stepped forward; astonish to find Roy Harper present in the room. At that moment he only thought that Roy knew about Jason all along. Then another thought hit him and questioned the red head, "How long have you known about Jason?"

From behind Roy, another red head peeked out, her emerald orbs curiously peering to the new guests. Like Roy, she wasn't informed of guests coming over to the suite. Kori stepped aside and opened the door wider. She shot Jason a worried glance and inquired, "Are you sure we can trust them?"

"Yes. They're family." He answered. He guessed he could call them family even if it was his first time meeting them. All he knew Tim was his successor and little brother. As for Stephanie, she's acquainted with Batman and Bruce Wayne and Jason might as well call her family. Jason noted the princess's worried expression and assured her once more. "Trust me, Kori. I wouldn't bring anyone up here if I didn't trust them." He pushed Tim and Stephanie inside the suite.

The princess proceeded to stare them down as they walked by. "Yes, but this is your first time meeting them, Jason." She crossed her arms and huffed lightly. Kori didn't like this idea one bit, though she knew that her friend would be meeting his family soon, but not this soon.

Jason sighed knowing the princess's stubbornness. "I know, but they're my… family, Kori. They're the only ones who knew me."

"I don't think these are the people who you should talk to about your past." The princess retaliated.

"I'll take whatever I can get." He replied and ended the conversation by heading towards the living room.

Accepting the fact that Jason brought what he considered 'family' despite meeting for the first time, she followed them into the living room. Kori, of course, was doing this for the safety of Jason.

Stephanie fidgeted, uncomfortable of the dead silence among them. She had come here along with Tim to get the story from her newfound friend. To think she would be able to meet the infamous Jason Todd was a dream. Surely, it was, after all those years, that day when he as Robin had saved her once before. It may have happened years ago, but she still vividly recalled the memory of that day.

She snapped out of her reverie as she heard Roy inquiring why Jason bought guests over. Tim quickly explained their situation to the red head about his confusing revelation and wanted to know answers. At that point Jason purposed to tell them.

Instantly, all eyes were on Jason, waiting for him to start telling his story.

"It was five years ago…"

.

Stephanie glanced at Tim once more, registering the unemotional expression plastered on his face. It was only a few minutes ago that they left the suite and promised Jason that they would hang out tomorrow. She could only guess what Tim could be thinking of.

She knew Tim often talked about Jason, talked to Jason at the cave and caught him in the act years ago. She was aware of his late night escapades to take photos of Batman and Robin in action and even to this day, Tim still has those photos.

Then her mind traveled to other parts of the Wayne family. They knew something that not even Batman even knew and it had to do something with his dead son. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. How were they going to tell Bruce about Jason?!

"We're not going to tell anything, Stephanie."

It took her a moment to register Tim's words. "Wait, why not? Bruce deserves to know!"

Tim lets out an exasperated sigh. "I know that Bruce deserves the truth, but we swore to Jason. Eventually he's going to reveal himself soon."

Stephanie nibbles her lower lips nervously. She honestly didn't know how to handle the situation as of now. She knew the other family should know of this information, they deserve to know. It was something that could lift their grieving hearts lift from the long time loss. "Can we at least tell Babs about this?"

"No! What part of 'keeping him a secret' don't you understand?"

"I understand everything, thank you very much. Babs is bound to know and we should at least tell her. She could help us deal with this situation until Jason walks up to the manor asking for Bruce."

Tim shook his head, still denying the idea. "We should respect his decision, Stephanie. It won't be long that the others will notice."

Stephanie huffed as she pouted slightly. There was no use to argue with him any longer. "If you say so."

.

"So, when are you going to introduce yourself to the other family?" Roy plopped on the couch nearby as reached for the controller on the coffee table. He flipped through the channels, checking any morning cartoons that might be on. His two halves soon joined him. "I could just imagine Dick's face after seeing you." His face plastered on a silly grin, thinking what could happen.

"Richard would be so happy to see you again." Kori added a hint of a small smile.

Jason hummed a bit. It had been two weeks since he met Tim and Stephanie at Gotham University. It was pure coincidence that he had the same classes with the bubbly blonde. His days in GU were more interesting now, hanging out with her and later with his little brother. "I'm planning to go sometime this week."

Roy turned to grin at him. "I can't wait for the family reunion." He sighed, musing.

Jason rolled his eyes and decided he wanted to think. He informed his friends that he was going to get some latte from the café across the street. He needed to get something hot to drink in this cold weather and he didn't trust Roy making hot chocolate. He shuddered, just thinking about it. Never. Again.

He grabbed his coat by the rack and headed out to the elevators. In no time, he reached the lobby and he was out of the hotel. Just right across from him was the café he liked; for all of its latte goodness.

Just up at the skyscraper, two heroes overlooking the city by the ledge of the building. It was a slow night for Nightwing and Robin. Crime seemed to take a day off and Nightwing thought it was a good idea to get some rest. He glanced at his partner noticing the scowl plastered on his face.

"Grayson, we've been here for an hour." Robin snapped, not liking the idea of taking to take a rest. There could be some crimes out there that could be happening because Nightwing and Robin decided to ditch crime fighting for drinking hot chocolate.

Nightwing waved his little partner off, smiling sheepishly as he did so. "Taking a little break once a while is not bad." He stared off into the sky; his mind drifting to the ghost of the past. He constantly thought of him at quiet nights such as today. What if's continuously runs through his head about what would it be life be like if he was still alive.

He gave it a lot of thought as years gone by and pictured different scenarios in his head. Dick glanced at his little brother and snorted to himself. He would've been a great brother to Damian, maybe to Tim even. He just wished he spend more time being a great brother back then, but the constant arguments with Bruce and feeling betrayed that he'd been so easily replaced…

Dick heaved a heavy sigh as he runs his hand through his raven locks. He tore his gaze from the sky and down below, peacefully watching people doing their business as time pass by. Though one person caught his attention and he got a perfect look of his face. Funny. That man would've look like him if he was still alive.

He never took his eyes off the man; as it felt like he was seeing his Little Wing again, but all grown up and nicely dressed. Minutes of staring at the man, he shook his head, rattling the thoughts out of his head. What was he thinking imagining some random man that would have looked like Jason all grown up?

Dick breathed out heavily again. He suddenly felt it was six years ago again, seeing his dead brother's ghost wandering about Gotham. He was seeing him again in this older man that eerily looks like Jason.

If only it was him.

He could set things right, make up all those times he neglected the boy when he needed him the most. Dick also took fault of his death. If only…

"Sir? It would seem Scarecrow escaped Arkham again."

"Tt," Robin scoffed. "Finally, let's go." He straightens up as he took out a grappling gun from his utility belt.

Nightwing stood up and before taking off; he took one last look at the man before disappearing into the night.

The blonde let herself in and formally introduced herself. "Hey, I'm Stephanie. We never met and I heard about your health and I brought you this." In her hands were a box of See's Candies and she held it out in front of her.

Jason lifted his eyebrow. "I'm dying and you're giving me a box of chocolate." He deadpanned.

Stephanie grinned as she sat on the chair next to his bed and gave him the box. "Well, chocolates make everything better!"

"You're so fucking weird." He said. Jason opened the box and popped one of the chocolates inside in his mouth. Stephanie reached over to steal a piece also, smiling sheepishly as she did so.

Both of them watched the television in silence as they silently ate the chocolates together. There wasn't much to be said between them, but Jason was glad to actually have some company. He'll take any company right now because being alone and dying at the same time is the worst. He knows that his family is there with him, but they're so busy trying to find a cure that he didn't want to bother them.

And he didn't want to get in the middle of their research and end up being their guinea pigs in the end.

Jason didn't want to admit it but fuck he missed Harper and Kori. Unfortunately, the couple extended their vacation somewhere in Fiji, so Jason could spend with his family for a while. As of right now, their team was in an indefinite hiatus, if that even existed in a team quota.

His orbs sneaked a peek at the blonde. He hadn't heard much of this girl wonder, but all he knew, she was a Robin and— "Oh, are you the fourth Robin that died?"

Stephanie chuckled nervously. "Uh, well, I didn't technically die. Dr. Thompson faked my death and sent me off to Africa to recover."

"That's nice,"

He really thought it would be a great conversation about how dying felt like and how coming back to life was like. Unfortunately, he's the only Robin that experienced both.

"But—uh—you should go to Africa! It's a great place to recover!" Stephanie piped up, trying to cheer him up.

Jason sneered, "I don't want to spend my dying days in Africa."

"Hey, it's not that bad! You could ride elephants and stuff!" She exclaimed, reaching for another chocolate.

He snorted and reached for another chocolate. "No way. You should just convince Dick to ride elephants over there." Jason heard a shrill laughter from the blonde and he slyly smiled. "Thanks for donating your blood to me." He muttered, focusing on the television.

"Wha-? No problem. Besides, whatever Tim did to you must've been horrible. Though I don't really know the details except you coughed up tons of blood out." Stephanie said.

"His Kryptonian friend gave him an herb that was rumored to cure the body with any sickness. What Tim didn't know that it doesn't work well with humans."

"No way. He didn't even research the herb thoroughly?"

"I doubt it."

"He must've been desperate to cure you then."

Jason lowly hummed. "Maybe."

Stephanie grinned. "If it makes you any better, Alfred is forcing him to clean all the windows in the manor. Inside and out."

He would've cackled in glee to hear that baby bird was forced to clean the mansion instead he snorted in amusement. To think that Alfred would be punishing Tim would be a first. It was only two days ago that the butler was punishing Dick over the whole fiasco at Nebraska.

The blonde rattled him from his thoughts when she set a dozen of eggs in front of him and she smiled broadly at him. Jason returned a grin as he grabbed an egg. "I like the way you think."

"Why, thank you."

.

"Jason! What are you doing in the kitchen?!"

Said boy glanced over at his older brother and went about to his business. "I didn't realize it was crime to get a glass of water."

Dick's face absolutely looked horrified. "You could've pressed the 'help' button we set aside on your bed side, Jaybird." He sauntered over to his little brother and assisted Jason to the nearest stool. Unfortunately for Jason, he didn't even have an ounce of energy to fight back and he had permitted Golden Boy to fetch him water.

It was only few minutes later that Dick finally finished preparing his ice-cold water. It was wholly comical to find out that the family had bought a purifying water machine for Jason.

"Alfred finally relieved you from chores?"

Dick groaned loudly as he sat on the stool on the opposite side of Jason. "Thanks to you and Stephanie, he made me clean the windows with Tim."

Jason quickly defended himself with a grin. "It was Stephanie's idea in the first place. Whatever baby bird done to blondie, she must've been pissed off." He was pretty well informed of Tim's love life, thanks to the little demon who spilled everything after he had teach him a move that he learned from the All-Caste.

Jason didn't really want to know how the fuck did Damian even know about the little details in Tim's love life. Though he heard from Stephanie that she and Damian don't get along that well.

Dick's chuckled snapped Jason out of his thoughts. "You have no idea, Jaybird." He shuddered at the thought of how Stephanie reacted when Tim finally came back home.

Suddenly the door swing opened dramatically, entering the said blonde with a bag in her hand. Jason's grin grew wider at the sight of the bag's greasy site and he knew that Stephanie could pull through.

Stephanie set the bag on top of the counter and smugly smirked. "You're lucky that your favorite chili dog stand made some for me."

Jason snorted as his hand made his way into the greasy bag and took out his all time favorite messy chilidog. "You were probably dressed up as Batgirl to get chilidogs this late." He countered, setting his chilidog on the nearest plate as the chili coming form the sides' slides off onto the plate.

The blonde had done the same thing that Jason did with his chilidog. She gazed at him. "If you must know, the owner actually knows me. I used to be a regular there before."

"No way. The old man at the stand knows you?"

"Is that so hard to believe, Jaybird?"

Dick looked crestfallen when he rummaged through the greasy bag only to find none left. He pouted at the blonde. "You didn't buy some for me."

Stephanie snorted at the eldest Wayne. "You butt will grow too big if you ate a chilidog, Dick."

Jason who had been listening closely and had first taken a bite of his deliciously meaty hot dog, choked. He started having a coughing fit mixed with laughter and Dick quickly refilled his glass of ice-cold water as Stephanie caressed his back.

"Don't you dare die on us, Jason." Stephanie said, warily. Jason gulped down every last drop of the water he was given and he let out a satisfied sigh when he felt his throat free from the food.

"I ain't going to die on my favorite food." He declared as he took another bite of his chilidog, but not before saying to Dick, "That is the reason why Barbara doesn't let you eat junk food."

Dick looked shocked. "What? She can't control what I can and can't eat!"

Jason continued to banter with Dick about his big ass would get bigger by eating a chilidog. Sometimes Stephanie would join in and double attack the eldest Wayne. It was for another fifteen minutes that another Wayne sibling comes sauntering in with the most displeased face plastered on his face.

"Todd, what is that disgusting thing on your hand?" Damian demanded, narrowing his eyes at the deadly junk food.

Jason glanced down at his food and back to the face of a child. He extended his hand and displayed the food in front of the little demon. "A chilidog."

The little demon's face clearly showed his displeasure at the sight of junk food displayed in front of him. His beady blue eyes observed the junk food and he frowned. "Todd, this is clearly bad for your heart. I demand that you stop eating this at once before your cholesterol levels goes up."

Jason childishly gave him a face and retracted his extended hand. "No way, Damian. I haven't had this in a long time." He leaned in closer to his food to take the final bite before it was quickly snatched away from him and he gaped as his little brother ate the last piece of his chilidog.

He didn't know whether to be pleased that Damian didn't end up spitting the food out or livid at the fact that Damian took his last bite. Jason shrugged as he could always get another chilidog.

One of the things that Jason excelled at was reading people and he could clearly saw a glance of a surprised expression. It was clear that there many things that the little demon haven't experienced yet and as a duty as older brother he will let him experienced the best thing in his life. He grinned and he inquired, "Say Damian, want to go with Speedzone with me and Steph tomorrow?"

"It's Stephanie and I, Todd." Damian corrected automatically before huffing and folding his arms. "Why would I go to such a place?"

Stephanie slyly smiled. "You can actually drive and hit other people's car and stuff." She baited.

Damian seemed to have some internal struggle inside his head. He sighed as he eventually agreed to go.

"Wait, I want to come too, guys!"

"Pennyworth clearly grounded you, Grayson. He wants you to clean the attic again."

Stephanie finally snaps out of her muse and gives him a smile and laughs nervously. "Sorry about that. Nice to meet you, Jason." She forced out his name, knowing that kind of certain name was taboo in the Wayne Manor, or within hearing range of Bruce for that matter.

Jason nodded his curious gaze on her. "Likewise."

She flushed slightly, thinking this guy was probably the only good-looking guy in campus yet. She immediately took his hand and proceeded to drag him away from campus. Stephanie had one store in mind to buy his new similar shirt and luckily it was only across the street.

In the corner of her eyes, she looked back at the boy, at the supposedly, 'Jason Todd', the once dead Robin, the taboo name in the Wayne Manor. She didn't know anything much of Jason, except he died in the hands of the Joker.

But they couldn't be the same person, right? Right? Right.

The one name came across her mind, a name she hasn't thought about for a long time since their break up. Because he knows everything. Yeah.

They finally arrived at the designated store and Stephanie, not realizing that she was still holding Jason's hand, she slipped her hand away and nervously laughed. "This is it!"

Jason approaches the door and gestures her to the opened door, "Ladies first."

Stephanie smiled and muttered thanks. She entered the store and scanned around for the certain shirt that had a similar style. She gestured Jason to follow her as she went to get the T-shirt of the similar style.

Grabbing the nearest simple white V-neck T-shirt and showed it to him.

"It's kind of the same, but at least you get a new T-shirt right?" Stephanie said, finally noticing the slight differences with the stained shirt.

Jason took the shirt by its hangar. "It's fine."

"Great! Now go try it on if it's your size." She chuckled as she thought, And if it looks good on you. She just grabbed the first shirt she saw in the front and didn't bother to check the size. Stephanie watched as Jason inspected the tag and returned the shirt for another size.

Jason then went to the changing room, leaving Stephanie to wait. The blonde girl took this opportunity to take out her cellphone and speed dial the intended person. A couple rings later, the phone picked up.

"Steph—"

"Tim! This might be a weird question, but Jason Todd did die right?" Sweat was crawled down on her skin, as the phone on the other line was quiet.

"Stephanie what are you talking about? He is dead! What brought you on to this?"

She flinched at the sudden raise in his voice. It was expected as she had asked a question she already knew the answer. It was to assure herself. Even though Stephanie had only seen Jason Todd's picture once when he was five years younger, it wasn't a coincidence that another guy popped into Gotham with the same name. "Just—Just come to GU now!"

"Wait, I can't. I have to—"

"Whatever you're doing right now can wait! This is more important! Come to GU now!" Stephanie immediately ended the phone call once Jason came around the corner, sporting the new T-shirt.

She grinned at him. "Let's go!"

.

"Wait—!"

Tim heaved a sigh as he got up from his chair. The call from Stephanie was totally unexpected, as they haven't talk to each other in a long time since that blind-date disaster a month ago. Now, he had no choice to meet up with her. Tim was now curious as to why Stephanie would bring—no—ask him about his predecessor.

He walked out of his room and the smell of pancakes filled his nose and followed the scent down to the kitchen. The whole family already occupied the area by the time he arrived there.

"Tim!" Dick happily called, eagerly gesturing him to sit down with the family.

Tim approaches the table and reached for an apple in the center table. "Sorry, I have to go and meet up with Stephanie." He flinched slightly when an ear-piercing squeal came from his older brother. "No. We're not back together." He clarifies before Dick could jump into conclusions.

"Oh then why are you meeting up with her then?" A mischievous twinkle glinted in Dick's electric blue eyes.

"Like Brown would get back with a vermin like you." Damian snorted, stabbing his pancakes as if it were his victims.

Tim scowled at him. He ignored him and decided not to retaliate back. He doesn't like dealing with the demon brat. Then he turned his attention to his adoptive dad.

Bruce peeks out of his newspaper with a small smile. "Have fun."

.

Tim sighed loudly, just as he arrived in front of Gotham University. It was pack with students as today was orientation. Oh god, what if she sets me up with a blind date?

It wasn't the first time Stephanie managed to trick him into one before. This is why he was cautious around her and didn't know what that girl concocting now.

He took out his iPhone as he felt a soft buzz in his pocket. Tim read the message carefully and made his way to the destination written on the message.

From afar, he spotted the lonely blonde sitting by the fountain, playing with her phone. Tim approached her with a simple 'hey' and suddenly received a glare from Stephanie.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"You don't get scared easily." Tim says, raising a brow. Then he got down to business. "What did you bring me down here for?"

Stephanie looks around cautiously. She leans in and said in a hushed tone. "I bumped into this guy."

He had an incredulous look planted on his face. "This is what you called me here for?"

"No! No! No— Kinda of. Yes!" Stephanie stuttered, and she pleadingly looked at him as she grabbed his arm. "Just hear me out!" She waited for him to stop struggling out of her hold. Once he did, she heaved a sigh before continuing. "There is this guy whose name is Jason Todd. Don't look at me like that! That's why I called you earlier! It can't be a coincidence that there's another guy name Jason Todd!"

The blonde huffed angrily at him, his incredulous face never changed. Stephanie knew that Tim didn't believe her. Damn it. Where is Jason anyways? It was for another second for her to register the said guy approaching them and stood behind Tim.

"Oh. Is he part of the GU tour too?" He inquired, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

Stephanie flushed slightly before replying, "N-No! He's my friend."

Tim whirled around to the faint familiar voice behind him. If anything, he recognizes the voice anywhere as part of his childhood escapades at night. His eyes landed on the man whom Stephanie was talking about just a second ago. His mind automatically compared to the younger counterpart of Jason to the Robin he remembered as a young child.

Then he racked his brain how it was possible for his predecessor to be alive. He's dead. He took a second look at Jason and watched him as he took out a notebook from his pocket and began skimming through it. Once Jason stopped on the page, he stared at him with full recognition.

"You're Timothy Drake?" Jason asks.

Tim was taken back by that question. "Yeah. I'm Tim Drake. H-How do you know?" After all, they have never met formally before.

Jason approaches him, taking a good look of him. "So you were my replacement, huh?"

"Ok? I'll see you soon then."

Click.

Jason stared at his iPhone, repeating the conversation he had with Talia in his head. The past three years that he came to know the woman, he still can't read her. Her presence is such an enigma like a puzzle he can't solve. It didn't bother him as much about her enigma presence since he came to view her as a mother figure. Talia was always looking out for him, trying to give him a normal life in which she succeeded.

He sighed as he tried to convinced his conscious that Talia didn't sound disappointed over the phone. Jason told Talia from the very beginning that he'll apply at Gotham University. Even though it wasn't his prefer choice for a college, but he wanted to go to Gotham City in a under different circumstances. Living in the city where he born and raised, it has been his long time ambition and it was finally coming in fruition.

Jason checked his refrigerator to check if any food were left to cook. Usually, Talia enjoys eating his food and he might as well cook tonight. He didn't know, where and how, but ever since he started living alone, he's skilled in cooking. Cooking just came to him, just like when a random mugger comes after him.

He cringed at the memory when he had broken the mugger's collarbone. He didn't mean it, but his body responded to the danger automatically. After seeing what he done, he didn't feel any remorse afterwards. The mugger deserved it.

A sudden ache in the back his head appeared, as if someone just banged his head against the wall constantly. Jason shut his eyes tightly, grasping his temples and trying to soothe the migraine. His migraines were one of his constant symptoms and no medicine in the world could fix it. It would randomly hit him as if a drill was trying to go through his skull.

But ever since Jason stopped trying to remember about his past, the migraines stopped as well. Occasionally. The ache in his head disappeared for the moment and Jason took this time to recollect himself. The pain usually leaves him dizzy momentarily, but it wasn't for long. His shook his head out of his dizzy state and concentrated on what to cook.

Jason took a good minute to figure out what to cook for dinner tonight. There were a lot of options to go from, but he is really craving for pasta. He took out the needed ingredients onto the counter, the needed pots and pans as well and began cooking.

.

Taking one last bite of her pasta, the gleam in her eyes still remained and she gracefully wiped her mouth gently with a napkin. "That was very delicious, Jason." Talia praised, neatly folding her napkin and gently putting the fork aside. She smiled at the chef of the night. "You're getting better."

"Thanks." Jason nodded, appreciating the praise. He, too, finished his remaining pasta and he got up to pick up the plates on the tables to the kitchen. He quickly cleaned the table with the wiper nearby and hastily went to wash the dishes. Jason recognized the glint in her eyes that she had a surprise waiting for him.

A few minutes later of dish washing, he wiped his hands on a cloth and by the time Jason turned to walk back to the dining table, there innocently sitting on the table was an unfamiliar small notebook.

"What's that?" He pointed at the notebook as if it was the most abominable thing in the world.

"Your gift," Talia replied, gesturing him to pick up the notebook. "Since you're going to Gotham University, it would be unavoidable if one of your siblings saw you in Gotham. These are just simple notes about them and things to know."

His eyes widen slightly at the new revelation and quickly skimmed through the pages. He caught glimpses of names and none were familiar to him. None had struck out to him and in his eyes, they were just unfamiliar names, strangers.

All of those names were apparently family, people who had taken care of him before he supposedly died. He ran through his finger onto the names written and realized these were the people who should be familiar to him and yet the names came up with no memories at all. "All of these people, do I know them all personally?"

Talia raised her wine glass to her lips for a sip before answering. "You were particularly close to the Wayne butler, Alfred Pennyworth. You spent most of your time with him."

Alfred Pennyworth, Pennyworth, Pennyworth. He chanted the name in his head like a mantra and his mind could only configure a grandfather figure in his head. Jason could see a silhouette of the man in his mind, but the face was too hazy to see. He didn't linger of that thought until he asked another question. "I don't spend that much time with Bruce?"

"You do. As Batman and Robin of course." She clarified clearly to the boy. Her orbs were carefully watching Jason's reaction for anything. "But outside of the costume, you spend your time with him as well when he's not at work."

Jason hummed quietly. He had nothing to say about Bruce Wayne, except for the unbearable pain in his chest. He ignored it and continued with the questions. "What about… Richard Grayson?"

"I'm afraid he rarely spends time with you." Talia informed. "I'm sorry, but I don't have more information on your relationship with Richard. Let's just say, he wasn't exactly happy to find that he was easily replaced."

He said nothing and in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but think this douche is a dickhead. He just had a sudden feeling that he used to call him a dickhead pertaining to that of his namesake. Jason didn't press on that matter and moved on the next name. "Timothy Drake?"

Talia shook her head gently. "You never knew him. He is your successor to the mantle." She clarified.

Jason nodded and continued flipping on the pages. Talia seriously went all out in this notebook, even as far as to know what their daily schedule was. Then he landed on the page named Damian Wayne and gazed at it. Jason glanced back at Talia curiously. "I didn't know Damian became part of the family already."

Her eyes flashed dangerously for a second at the mere name of her son. Her features changed that into a gentle natured one. "Please take care of him, Jason."

He nodded, taking the promise. He asked no questions regarding Damian. The last time he'd ever seen the little man was over two years ago when he decided to drop by his condo for the night before taking off. Jason could still remember it clearly in his mind and till to this day, he still wondered about the fallout between mother and son.

.

"What do you mean it's not fucking ready?" Jason glared heatedly at his red headed friend. He had just arrived in Gotham, excited to be finally be here. It was soon all washed away with slight anger after his friend informed him of his living situation. Of all things, his place was not ready to move in just yet.

"Calm down Jaybird—"

"Roy, choose between Jaybird and your trachea. You can't have both." Jason snapped, his glare intensified at his nickname.

Roy smugly smirked fearlessly. He's so used to threats that he just became immune to it. "Jaybird, just listen to me." He ignored the glare shot his way again. "Last night there was an accident, just when the repair crew was done renovating our place. Some criminal came in and destroyed the place."

Jason sighed irritably, running his fingers through his hair. "Great. Just fucking great. Where are we staying at right now?" He demanded calmly, his anger dissipating slightly. He had picked a condo close to the University, just so he could be near.

"The Ritz-Carlton and we got a suite. We all have our own rooms before you ask." Roy answered. He took one of his friend's bags and gestured the young college student outside to the waiting zone. Just around the corner, the familiar white car parked, he led Jason to the car. Before going inside, he and Jason dumped all of his belongings in the trunk.

Jason was greeted by another red head. "Hello Jason, I trust your flight was well?"

"It was fine."

Roy clasped his hands together and leaned in, his curious chartreuse orbs at his friend. "Now that all three of us are here, are you going to tell us your reason for bringing us to Gotham with you?"

.

He stood in front of the building of Gotham University. It was nothing impressive as he seen better. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he strides towards the building, with the intent of attending the orientation. Though, he didn't really want to attend it right now. He could always study the map of the school.

The sudden smell of coffee hits his nose as he felt something burning on his chest and he took a step back.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry!" The blonde apologized, a napkin ready in her hand and soaking the coffee from his shirt.

"It's ok." He replied, nonchalantly. Jason stops the girl trying to wipe off his already stained shirt. A mere napkin wasn't going to clean his shirt anyways.

The girl smiled cheekily at him and then offered a proposition. "Look, I ruined your shirt. You're probably here for the orientation. Let me buy you a shirt and I'll give you the best tour here in GU."

Jason repeated the offer in his head one more time and contemplated whether to take it or not. His lips quirks and takes the offer.

"Great!" The girl pipes up, happily. She takes out a hand. "I'm Stephanie Brown."

The familiar name echoed in his head, he knew he read that name somewhere before. He takes her hand and shook it. "Jason Todd."

It was even more of a bad idea, since she is working with her sister and Dane Harper. (He changed his name after emo-ing for a week how he doesn't have a name of his own and that he was a clone).

Her sister, Jade Nguyen or Cheshire, the infamous assassin who is –was? —part of League of Shadows. Actually, she doesn't even know if Cheshire is even part of the League anymore and even she is, she doesn't care (no she really cares, what if she suddenly stabs them in the back or just disappear like 'Cheshire Cat' if they get caught).

Ok Artemis, heads up don't even think of the bad things.

This was only a one-time team up with Cheshire. She just knew the back of her head, that if they do manage to save the real redhead arrow, she'll be seeing a lot of Roy and Dane. She knew that Oliver Queen doesn't even know how to care his wards. Yeah, he's pretty horrible at it and pretty hopeless. No wonder Roy-Dane turned out all grumpy and shit (before finding out he was clone of course).

"Artemis! Are you even listening to the plan?"

The blonde archer snapped out from her thoughts and stared right into the gorgeous eyes of –oh yeah—Dane Harper. It wouldn't be so bad to look at two Roy Harpers… "Uh… Yes?"

Cheshire rolled her eyes, knowing pretty well her little sister did not listen a word of what they had said a few seconds ago. How the hell did Artemis get the job as Talia al Ghul's personal assassin/bodyguard years ago? Talia is not that kind of person who would repeat an order.

"Pay attention!" Cheshire snapped and once again pointed at a road on the map. "Here, is the transfer point, where they switch drivers and cargos. The good thing about this and how easy this is going to be is that, this just a bunch of regular people—regular security guards. No meta-human nor any assassin or bulky guy is protecting it. So, Dane is going to distract the security guard—"

"I don't understand why I have to do this? I think it'd make more sense for a girl to distract those guards." Dane crossed his arms in defiance. There is no way he's going to be a mere distraction while he lets the girls do the infiltration. It should be his job! As an honor of Roy's clone dammit!

Artemis and Cheshire glanced at each other before grinning back at the redhead archer. "Puh-lease, from an inside source I have, Dane, I heard you were quite good at distraction those guards back at the Cleveland mission two years ago." The blonde archer said, with a glint of evil twinkling in her eye.

"And that is why, Dane, you are entrusted with this hard job." Cheshire puts hand on his shoulder, with a fake sympathy shown clearly on her face.

Dane's faced turned red as lava. "Who the fuck told you that? It was Robin wasn't it? I know it was that little troll. I swear, when I get my hands on him, I'm going to strangle him to freaking death!"

Then Artemis lays a hand on his other toned shoulder (oh yeah), with the biggest grin on her face. "Actually, it was Kaldur who told me. It took me a while, but his tongue became loose after a few vodkas."

Dane's eyes bulged in shocked. Kaldur? Kaldur'ahm? Aqualad? IT WAS HIM? That… That… little fish prick boy, he was going to fry him. No. He was going to fry all of the fishes in the goddamn ocean and eat it in front of him! Ha! Take that AquaBAD!

"Oh look, the trucks are here." Artemis pointed out. Then she slightly nudged Dane. "Go on—Do your job."

"Shut up."

After the redhead left to seduce those guards with his manly charms, Artemis memory after that became a blur. It happened so fast. First, she was just running towards the trucks with her sister, then there was a little argument about names—superhero names (how Artemis for a superhero name is stupid and Cheshire is still surprised that people hasn't connected Artemis to Artemis Crock), and to the part where they were dragging a really paperweight body of Roy Harper (holy shit he's missing an arm) to safety.

Artemis sighed once she reached her sister's safe house. Her shoulder is dislocated, her left arm has a gash and she has a bullet wound on her right thigh. Cheshire's clothes were tattered and ripped and she also had some bloody wounds, but not bad as hers. Then there was Dane, with no freaking injury on him.

He smirks at the archer. "I'm almost glad that I took on that job."

The archer rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Shut up and call Oliver. He must be worried sick that we were gone for three days and we didn't even tell him." She watched the redhead roll his eyes at her before walking to the other room. She turns her attention to her older sister.

"You got the whole thing on camera?"