It was Christmas day. All the Wayne family including Alfred, Bruce, Dick, and Tim were together. Bruce's current girlfriend Selina Kyle had spent the day with them as well. They had had an absolutely wonderful day opening presents, eating lots of delicious food and watching Christmas specials. The thing that they had enjoyed most was simply spending the day all together. It was now evening and they were currently all gathered around the organ in one of the living rooms singing Christmas carols their bellies very full. Well actually only Dick Tim and Alfred were really singing the carols Bruce and Selina were merely pretending to sing. Bruce glanced out the window at the beautiful winter night sky. It had snowed two feet the day before and everything was covered in white and he thought it looked quite beautiful. Just then he thought he saw a shadow move past the window. Must be just a trick of the light he thought. No one would dare come near the manor especially not at this time of night on Christmas day, would they? The only thing that bothered him was it wasn't the first time he thought he had seen someone out there. Earlier when they had been watching TV he could have sworn he saw someone outside the window. He must be seeing things he thought. He brushed it away as merely paranoia and went back to pretending to sing.

However about 10 minutes later it happened again. That's the third time he thought. What is going on? There must be someone out there. But who could it be? He thought a minute and then it hit him. Of course it had to be him! Who else would be standing outside the window on Christmas night? Excusing himself quietly from the crowd he slipped away unnoticed put on a coat and stepped outside. It was cold very cold he could see his breath and he was up to his knees in snow but he didn't care he needed to confirm his suspicions. He approached the figure standing next to the big picture window, smoking a cigarette, in the room with the organ and the all the happy people singing completely oblivious to his and Bruce's presence.

"Surprised to see you here." Bruce said.

"Yah well I figured since it is Christmas and everything and I was bored I might as well come over and see how the family is doing." Jason said taking a long drag on his cigarette.

Bruce shook his head. He had never really understood Jason and he had always felt really bad about that. Felt bad about how he had been so busy trying to make Jason into Dick that he had never really taken the time to understand or get to know Jason. He had never realized his mistake until it was too late.

"I see." Bruce said. "You know smoking can kill you."

"Really? I never knew." Jason said sarcastically. "I figure there are probably a lot of other things that are going to kill me before smoking does."

Bruce rolled his eyes. There were so many things he wanted to say to Jason but… talking wasn't exactly his strong point; especially when it came to serious things like feelings and emotions. He figured if he tried to say what he felt like saying to Jason it would come out wrong and make things worse between them; not that they could get much worse at this point.

"Why didn't you come inside?"

"Seriously Bruce? Do you seriously have to ask me that?"

"None of that stuff matters Jason, you are family and it is Christmas. That trumps all the other stuff that might be going on."

"Yah ok sure Bruce whatever you say." Jason said shaking his head. "Do you really think that I would fit in with that?" He said pointing towards the window where the happy group was still singing completely oblivious to Bruce's absence.

"You could if you tried."

"Yah right, and Grayson and the replacement would be so happy about that. They would be so completely thrilled if I came inside and spent Christmas with you guys."

"Yes they would be totally fine with it Jason. They would be so happy to have you over for Christmas. Even if they weren't it wouldn't matter because…because…I would be happy about it and I would make them be ok with it."

Jason looked up at Bruce with complete shock and awe on his face. Had he heard right? Had Bruce just said that he wanted to spend Christmas with him?

"Bruce I-I really?"

"Yes"

"You really want me to come inside?"

"I would love it if you came inside Jason. It would be so nice to have the whole family together."

"You really still consider me family even after-everything?"

"Yes of course Jason you are family nothing is ever going to change that."

Jason was shocked

"I-I don't know Bruce-I just don't know. I don't if I can face them after everything that has happened and what I've done."

"Don't worry about that Jason. I will handle them ok? Everything will be ok."

"I don't know Bruce what about golden boy and the replacement huh? What are they going to think?"

"I told you Jason don't worry about it everything will be fine."

"Bruce what do you think is going to happen huh? I am going to go in there and sing some kumbaya's and everything will be fine? It 's not that easy Bruce!" They hate me! I can't just walk in there and act like nothing ever happened!"

"First of all they don't hate you. They just don't know you. Second of all no, I never said it was going to be easy. I know it isn't going to be easy. Do you think I'm stupid? I know that a lot has happened and that there are a lot of issues to work out, on all sides. However all I am saying is that it is Christmas and you are family and I think that we should at least give it a try.

Jason sighed. Bruce was right. Even if he didn't agree with Bruce he could tell that Bruce wasn't going to give up on this until Jason agreed anyway. So he figured he might as well go along with it. This is going to be fun. Like having surgery without anesthesia is fun. He thought bitterly.

"Alright fine let's do it."

"Really?"

"Yah it wouldn't be Christmas without a little bit of family drama now would it?"

Bruce smiled and chuckled.

"Ok then" Bruce said and led Jason towards the door.

Everyone had finished singing and was now sitting on the couch talking and drinking hot cocoa. When they saw Bruce come into the room.

"Hey where did you go?" Tim asked

"Yah we turned around and you weren't there." Dick said.

"Well I thought I saw something outside and so I went to check it out and found something quite surprising."

Bruce stepped outside and standing there in the middle of the Wayne Manor living room was Jason Todd the former robin and current Red Hood.

Everyone's jaws dropped to the floor. Neither Dick nor Tim could believe he had had the guts to come here especially after what he had been up to lately.

Jason just stood there silently shifting his weight nervously from foot to foot.

"He was just going to stand outside all night but I saw him standing outside and convinced him to come in. He should be with his family tonight don't you think?" Bruce said in a voice that said: He's finally come home and I am happy and I want him to be here so you better be nice to him and not screw this up. His voice brokered absolutely no argument on the subject.

Dick and Tim got the message and merely nodded. Not daring to argue with Bruce.

Jason exhaled slowly. This was much much harder and more uncomfortable then he had anticipated. At least Bruce was sticking up for him that was good. And Grayson and Drake hadn't said anything yet to argue so that was good too. Maybe this would be ok after all.

"Jason I don't think you have met my girlfriend yet have you?"

"Well not officially anyway." Selina said getting up and coming over to Jason; knowing that they had "met" several times over the years.

"Jason Todd, this is my girlfriend Selina Kyle."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Jason." Selina said taking his hand and shaking it warmly.

"Likewise Selina" Jason said. "So girlfriend huh?"

"Yes for several months now." Bruce said smiling.

"5 months to be exact." Selina said.

"Good for you Bruce it is about time you guys got together."

Bruce laughed. "Yah that was pretty much everyone else's reaction too."

Suddenly Dick, sensing that he should get up and go over to Jason and make him feel welcome, at least for Bruce's sake, got up and went over and shook Jason's hand.

"Jason"

"Dick"

"It is good to see you."

"You too."

Jason couldn't really tell if he was sincere or not but he seemed sincere so Jason figured he would just take it at face value.

Tim didn't, wouldn't, get up though. Though he would never saying anything or argue with Bruce, he was inwardly fuming. How dare that bastard come here! He thought. And how dare Bruce and everybody else act so nice to him especially since they all knew what he did with his time. For God's sake, Tim thought, Bruce is basically telling him that everything that he says and does is ok with him! What the hell is up with that? This guy gets treated better than he ever does or ever has and he's a murderer! What the hell is up with that?"

Alfred had just been standing in the corner of the room staring at Jason with his mouth open. He couldn't believe he had come here. But he was glad. Maybe he was finally ready to come home for good. Alfred thought. He hoped so. He was so glad Bruce had done the right thing and invited him inside. Suddenly he remembered his manners and his proper duties as the host.

"My word Master Jason where are my manners? I am so sorry. Would you like anything to drink or eat?"

"Yah we have plenty of leftover food." Dick said.

"Umm no that's alright but some hot cocoa would nice."

"Coming right up sir."

"Well come on, why is everybody standing?" Bruce said, "Sit! Sit!"

Jason took a seat on the couch in between Dick and Tim. It wasn't cause he wanted to. It was because it was the only place to sit. Bruce probably planned it that way. Jason thought. He wants all his little robins in a row.

Everyone was silent for a while. Nobody seemed to know what to say. Hell Jason didn't even know what to say. He was actually afraid to say anything and he was afraid of anybody else saying anything. He was afraid they were going to start questioning him about his nighttime "activities". It was starting to get pretty uncomfortable when Alfred finally came in with the hot cocoa.

"Thanks Al."

"No problem Master Jason."

Alfred took a seat opposite the couch that the boys were sitting in.

"You know what we should do?" Dick said piping up.

"What?"

"We should watch It's a Wonderful Life!"

"Uck no I hate that movie." Bruce said.

"What? Why? It's a great movie!

"No it isn't!" it is completely unbelievable."

"Oh please" Dick said. An angel coming down to earth and showing a guy what life would be like if he was never born is too unbelievable for you?"

"No not that part. I actually completely buy that part. It is the end that is too unbelievable for me."

"The end? But that is the best part!" Dick said.

"Yes and it is completely unbelievable! People giving this guy all this money just because he is in trouble? Out of the goodness of their hearts? No ulterior motive? Please that is so unrealistic. People are just not that nice. Ever."

"Wow just when I think you can't get any more cynical and scrooge-like…" Dick said shaking his head.

"I actually completely agree with Bruce." Jason said speaking up. "I like the movie I really do but Bruce is right it is just too unbelievable people would never be that nice and generous without any ulterior motive."

"Exactly! I am so glad someone is on my side!" Bruce said.

"What the hell is wrong with you people?" Dick said. "It is a perfect feel good Christmas movie. Fine Fine we will watch something else." Dick said. "What about Rudolph? You know the 70's claymation one?"

"NO!" Bruce and Jason said simultaneously then started laughing hysterically.

"What? What's the joke?" Dick asked. Then looked at Tim. "Am I missing something?"

"It's just-Jason said between fits of laughter-my first Christmas at the manor Bruce made me watch that movie and it was horrible! And it was the only Christmas movie he had so…" Jason looked at Bruce. "Remember?"

"Yes I do. It was Alfred's idea to watch a Christmas movie for us to bond or whatever. And it was the only one I could find so…You know come to think of it I don't even know when or where I got that movie. I think Alfred must have bought it for me a long time ago."

"Hahaha you are old!" Tim said laughing.

"Shut up junior!" Bruce said laughing and throwing a pillow at him which Tim caught easily and then kept.

"Ok so then not Rudolph." Dick said chuckling.

"No definitely not Rudolph." Jason and Bruce said.

"Ooo I got it what about a Christmas Carol? Do you have any strong aversions to that movie Jason?" Dick asked laughing.

"No no a Christmas Carol is good."

"Ok then a Christmas Carol it is." Dick said and everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.

"Well we should adjourn to the TV room then don't you think?"

Everyone nodded and went to sit down in the TV room.

"Ok ummmm Alfred where is the movie?" Dick asked

Alfred rolled his eyes. He seriously wondered if these people would be able to survive without him sometimes.

"In the cabinet under the TV Master Dick."

"Oh ok then."

Dick fetched the movie and put it into the dvd player.

"Ooo Alfred can we have popcorn?" Dick asked.

"Oo yah popcorn!" Tim chimed in.

Alfred rolled his eyes again.

"Gotta have popcorn with a movie Alfred!" Dick said. Everyone else just chuckled.

"Yes of course right away sir." He sighed.

"Thanks Alfred!"

Alfred brought in 4 bowls full of popcorn for everyone to share. Everyone dug in hungrily. As Alfred expected and feared by the end there was popcorn everywhere.

Once the movie was over it was late and everyone was beginning to get sleepy.

After Alfred cleaned up all the popcorn, he said "I think I am going to retire for the evening sir if no one else requires my services."

"No that is fine Alfred. Thank you."

"Very well then. Goodnight everybody."

"Goodnight Alfred." Everyone said.

"Master Jason it was very nice to see you again."

"You too Alfred."

"I think I am going to call it a night too." Tim said. He was very tired now and had actually begun to fall asleep on Dick's shoulder during the movie.

"Ok goodnight kiddo." Dick said.

"Yah goodnight." Everyone else said.

"Goodnight everybody."

"I think I am going to go to bed too." Selina said.

"Ok then." Bruce said. "I will be up in a little while. I think I am going to stay up for a while ok?"

"That's fine" she said kissing him.

"Goodnight Dick, Jason it was really nice to officially meet you." She said chuckling. Going over and giving him a hug.

"You-you too Selina." He said clearly shocked by the show of affection.

Dick, Bruce and Jason sat in silence for a few minutes; before Dick said: "Yah I think I am going to go to bed too. I will see you guys in the morning ok?" He wasn't really tired but sensed the need for Bruce and Jason to have a moment alone.

"Ok goodnight Dick." Bruce said

"Yah goodnight Grayson." Jason said.

"Night Bruce, Jason."

They sat in silence for a moment not sure of what to say.

"See that wasn't so bad was it?" Bruce said.

"No it was actually…nice." Jason said.

"I told you everyone would be nice. They were glad to have you here."

"Yah well I don't think so. Not everyone, Drake didn't say two words to me the whole time.

"Yah well he probably just didn't know what to say to you. That's all. It will get better as time goes on you'll see."

Jason rolled his eyes, "Bruce…"

"What? What did I say?"

"This didn't change anything you know. It was just one night and besides they were only being nice to me because it was Christmas."

"That's not true and it doesn't have to be just one night you know you could…stay. You could stay Jason and we could be a family again."

"Bruce-Jason said aggravated. "Do you really think that would work huh? Do you? Because if you do then you are delusional."

"I don't see any reason why you can't stay and we can't be a family again."

"Then you are delusional. Bruce there are so many reasons this wouldn't work it is not even funny! I do not even have time to list them all!"

"It could work if you really wanted it to Jason. If you really tried."

"Bruce I can't-I just can't ok? This didn't change anything alright? I mean yah it is nice to come around once in a while and be around the family and stuff but I can't-I couldn't do it on a regular basis, and neither could they. And neither could you."

"Yes I could"

"No you couldn't. Believe me we would all kill each other within the first week."

"I agree there are going to be some rough patches but we could get through them Jason if we worked hard enough."

Jason looked in Bruce's eyes. He was practically pleading begging his son to stay not to leave him again.

Part of him wanted to stay just to make Bruce happy. But was that the right thing to do? He didn't think so.

"I don't know Bruce, I just-I just don't know. Have you thought about Grayson and Drake? Huh? Have you considered their feelings in all this?"

"They would be fine with it Jason."

"No they wouldn't Bruce! You know they wouldn't! They would be furious!"

"They might not be happy about it at first but they would get over it eventually. They would have to."

"Do you really think that is fair to them? To turn their world upside down like that?"

"It's not like that Jason."

Jason sighed. He could tell that he and Bruce were at an impasse here. Part of him really wanted to come home. To be part of the family, any family, again. But how could that possibly work he thought? It couldn't. Too much time had gone by and too much had happened to make it work. No he told himself it was completely impossible.

"Please tell me you will stay the night and at least think about it? Ok Jason? Please tell me that you will about it ok? Cause no matter what you think Jason it could really work. So just think about it ok? Think about how great it would be."

"Alright, Alright fine I will think about it ok?"

"Ok" Bruce said smiling.

"Now I am going to go to bed because it is late ok?"

"Yah me too"

"Ok"

"Where should I sleep?"

"Wherever you want. You room is still set up for you if you want."

Jason was shocked. "What? Really?"

"Yah I couldn't…I just couldn't bring myself to…to do anything to it after you know…you…you know. It was too hard, too painful."

"Oh" Jason said. He wasn't sure that Bruce still felt that way about him; wasn't sure that Bruce felt anyway about him. But obviously Bruce still had some very strong feelings about him. It made Jason very glad and happy to see he still had a place in this family, at least in Bruce's eyes.

"Alright thanks Bruce."

"No problem."

"Alright well I will see you in the morning then."

"Ok see you then."

"Oh and Jason?"

"Yes Bruce?"

"I am really glad you came inside."

"Me too"