Title: Shadow Child
Summary: "He walks the halls; a memory of what he once was, locked in his own mind."
Characters: Jason, as well as most of the Batclan eventually
Rating: probably heavy PG-13, light R
AN: I kept on wondering what it would be like, had Bruce been alerted to Jason's apparent resurrection shortly after it happened. And then, after rereading the annual, the page where the detectives commented on how he kept on repeating "Bruce" and how he told them Bruce was his father stuck in my head, and the idea was born. What if they questioned him a bit further? What if they actually got Bruce's full name out of him... And hence, the fic. While the chapters are going to be relatively short- as I mainly have been writing this during lectures and lab at Uni, this should be a long fic. I hope you enjoy the ride...and, of course, comments and con crit are always welcomed.

"It's a miracle he's alive."

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Noises. Voices. Strange...smells. Cold. Hot. Fire. Explosion.

The Joker.

Batman.

Bruce?

"B-B-" His throat is dry- no sound emerges. "Br-" He tries again. There are people in the room with him. He can feel it. Maybe- maybe if he could move-

"Oh my God, oh my God!" Exclamations. Too tired to listen. Water. Water for his throat. Bruce.

Bruce.

His arm hurts. Hurts too much. He can't move it anymore. Doesn't matter. Got attention. Someone- eye bandaged. Can't see. But someone lifts something cool, wet, nice to his lips. He swallows.

"Bruce." He tries again. This time, a bit clearer. "Bruce." Scratchy, but audible. "Bruce."

"Who's Bruce? Are you Bruce?" Idiot. No. Bruce is Bruce. Bruce will help him.

"Young man, are you Bruce?"

Stupid. Fine. Hurts to talk. He does it anyway. "No." His voice rises. "No."

"Who is Bruce? Tell me who Bruce is."

Can't they- head hurts. Can't go on. But have to. Just like- just like with Bruce. No quitting. Never give up.

"Bruce. Bruce Way'. Fah'er. Bruce." Sleepy. Needs sleep. But can't. Make them understand. "Bruce fah'er. Da. Dad."

"Bruce is your father?" Annoying. Higher voice. Woman? Doesn't matter. Just get Bruce. Bruce fix him.

"Y-yeah. Yes. Fah'er. Dad. Bruce Way' is Dad."

"And you? Your name?" Tired. Need rest. Need to go to sleep. Leave him alone. Get Bruce. Bruce come, he wake up. But not before then.

"Wait- don't fall asleep on us yet, kiddo. I need to know your name."

Maybe- maybe they'll leave him alone if they know. Maybe. Worth shot. "Jay. Jase. Jay...son."

And then he can't fight it anymore.

Darkness consumes him.