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Broken Bird…

It was the first time in over three years he stood at the Zeta Tube and trembled a bit.

The scar on his cheek itched a bit, and the desire he had to run away, far away, was not forgotten as he stared at the entrance.

Three years had passed since he had last been here, and he remembered the last things the Team had said before…

Three years since he had been… he couldn't even bring himself to think it because it still hurt. It didn't hurt his body anymore, that pain had passed. No, the pain he hated was the rejection.

'He's out of control!'

'We know right where the line is! He doesn't!'

'He's going to get someone killed!'

'No, he'll kill someone!'

'He is no Robin.'

'You're nothing but a broken bird. No one will be coming to save you! They've left you!'

"Hey, Jaybird, ready," a hand clasped his shoulder jolting him from the memories and acknowledgement of the other's presence. He shrugged off Dick's hand coldly then and didn't respond as he walked past Dick, after his replacement. This was the first time in three years he was being trusted to even leave the Manor, and Bruce didn't trust him at all anymore. So why was he even here.

The scar on his was killing him with phantom pains.

"Hey everybody!" Tim greeted. "Look who's back!"

Everyone's eyes widened as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Jason said nothing as he looked away from them behind his shades and slowly walked away from them. They didn't want him.

He was a poorman's Dick Grayson, and upgraded by Tim Drake. Not even Bruce trusted him anymore, he wasn't going to tolerate knowing he was unwelcomed. They had probably felt nothing but relief three years ago. God knows they didn't look for him, just moved in, not even two months after he was taken.

Jason walked into his old quarters, it was clean, impersonal still and he picked up the pillow before collapsing on his bed and squeezing his eyes shut. He should leave, he should go far away, it would probably be a relief for them not having to worry about the killer that he was. After all that's all they thought he was. A killer.

Not that he had killed that fucktard, he hadn't saved him, but he hadn't killed that rapist either.

Sitting up Jason dropped the sunglasses as he dragged his hands through his hair and focused on the breathing exercises Bruce had taught him when he had first arrived at the Manor and he hoped it would settle him down.

Nope, he couldn't do this.

Standing he grabbed his glasses, shoved them on and left.

Someone called for him but he walked out before they could stop him and he didn't care as he walked out into that alley in Gotham before walking with no direction in mind. Anywhere but there was better in his mind.

Dick stared after Jason's departure and sighed as he slumped a bit.

Three years ago Jason had been snatched by the Joker. And for nine months; NINE MONTHS!; he'd been tortured, and left in hell without a single clue eluding him or B, or even Tim as to where Jason had been taken.

They had found Jason only by fluke, investigating a human smuggling ring, ran by Black Mask; who had been in Arkham at the time. What they had found when they had gone about investigating Arkham had broken Dick's heart.

They had found Jason, so battered, bloodied, and broken that he didn't even really look human.

The physical recovery had taken two years, just two years, before Jason was considered strong enough to resume Robin training. But what he guessed B, Time, Al, Babs and he had forgotten was the trauma to Jason's mind and soul.

Something was broken in Jason, whether it had been broke before the Joker and just shattered afterwards remained to be seen in Dick's mind. Because he could see where they had all pushed Jason before, pushed him away, hurt him, and then the nine months with the Joker… Dick didn't want to know what that monster had done to his baby brother.

"He'll be fine Nightwing," a hand touched his shoulder and he turned to look at his girlfriend, Zatanna.

"We don't know that," he said softly.

"We got a tracker on him, so we will know if he gets in trouble, and B's got him," Tim said.

Dick looked away from them. Jason must have thought they thought so little of him to keep their eyes always on him. But the truth was the opposite. They couldn't bear the thought of losing him again...

"Last time… nine months. He doesn't talk to us, and whenever Robin or I try to include him, he just shuts down, I don't know what to do, Z," Dick admitted softly.

"Red Bird will be fine," she whispered softly. "You're a good brother," she insisted.

Dick didn't point out that with Jason, he'd been a terrible brother. Horrible. He did not even deserve to be called Jason's brother for what had happened.

"I just want him back," Dick admitted.

"We'll get him back, he has therapy sessions with black Canary, so we will just go from there." Zatanna spoke calmly and he just sighed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he screamed as he and that cat flew. Slowly she walked after him

"Tell me where he is, witch boy, or I will have that cat's head," she snarled as they walked onto the physical plan. Klarion scrambled away from her desperately, her prey was terrified.

"I don't know!" he shrieked.

"You were the last person to see him, tell me where he is," she growled hoisting him up by the shirt collar.

"GCPD! Put The Boy Down!" voices shouted which had Raven looking up to the weapons aimed at her and she snarled as she turned her attention back onto Klarion.

"Speak now, or I feed you to Etrigan," she warned.

"You wouldn't!"

"Test me, Witch Boy!" she challenged as her four eyes glowed red beneath her hood.

"I believe you were told to let the kid go," a harsh voice said which had her straightening up where she stood.

"Stay out of it mortal," she warned as she dropped Klarion. "You Stay," she hissed as she slammed her shadows down on him.

"You made it my business, this is Gotham," the young man stated.

"So it appears," she replied dryly. He moved fast, she unleashed the shadows then, but he was quick, there was a bullet shot and she yanked the shadows around them.

That's all for now folks.

Enjoy A Precious Gem =)