After banging on the manor door, I placed my hands in my jacket pockets, and lowered my head. I couldn't bare to look Bruce in the eyes when he would open it. I heard small rumblings behind the door, and I saw the door handle shake slightly. It flung open, and to my surprise once again there was Tim. He looked just about dead. His usually well kept, short black hair was all over the place. The whites of his brown eyes were bloodshot, and all veiny. His usual pale skin looked even whiter. Once that Tim saw that it was me he unexpectedly threw his arms around me.
"You made it!" He cried out. I'd never been hugged by Tim before, and honestly I never really get hugged that much. Not knowing how to respond, I slid my hands from my pockets, and patted Tim on the shoulder. He realised me shortly after, and wiped his face. He was dressed in his red, and black Red Robin suit, only missing his cowl. I saw Barbara slowly roll up behind Tim in a silver wheel chair. She looked even worse then Tim did. Her makeup had started running down her face due to the tears falling from her eyes. Her ginger hair had been scattered all over the place just like Tim's. It was hard to make out her eyes, because I was too focused on the square rimmed glasses that covered them.
"Come in." Tim said with a monotone voice. He stood aside, and held the door open for me. I thanked him, and walked past him, to enter the mansion. I caught Barbara looking up at me, as I made my way past Tim. Every time I looked at Barbara it made me furious. I would never get furious at her of course, but her perdicament, and how it happened. She was bound to a wheel chair for life, after being shot in the spine by the Joker. She would then be undressed, and humiluated by that sick fuck as he took pictures of her in her helpless situation, and guess what Batman did about it? No, he didn't break that bastard's spine in response. He threw a couple of fist to his face, and chucked him back into Arkham where he would escape just a few months later. You know after my death I thought I would be the last person he'd ever let the Joker hurt. I came back from the dead, and I kid you not I was expecting that son of a bitch to be six feet below. Boy how was I heartbroken by the truth. I'll never forget the pain I felt when Talia al Ghul told me that Bruce only roughed him up just a bit. I remember crying myself to sleep that night. I guess I wasn't important enough for the Batman to break his oath just that once. I remember coming back to Gotham for the first time since my death. When I saw Barbara in her wheel chair, and heard the story of how she got that way I was sick to my god damn stomach. What made it worse was that she didn't blame the Joker or Bruce for her incident. She only blamed herself. Needless to say I cut contact with everyone for a while. I'd eventually return, but it was never the same as when I was Robin.
"Jason." She breathed, as I bent over to give her a warm hearted hug. She squeezed tightly. I felt horrible. She had lost the love of her life in Dick Grayson. I knew they planned to get married sometime within the next year. I remember this so well, because I remember me, and Roy trying to keep it from Kory because deep down we both knew she had feelings for Dick still even after all these years. I stood stright after we hugged. Tim shut the door stiffly, and walked past me. I looked around the humongous mansion. It looked a lot different then I remembered. A large dimond chandelier was dangling in the center of the room. There was a large red carpet rolled across the white marbled floor. It led to a wide, polished, brown wooden staircase that led to the next floor up. The next floor was one large overlook, used mostly for Bruce's parties. I saw that he had added two massive hand painted pictures of both of his parents on the wall above the upper floor. Swords, and axes were hung around the room. I also spotted heavily armored statues on either side of the staircase. Tim headed left before reaching the staircase, and walked down a well lit hallway. Barbara, and I followed him silently through the halls, until we reached the family dining room. It was small, and cozy. In the center of the room was a small table with six seats. One for the entire family. Except for me. Tim pulled me out a chair to sit on. He would then push Barabra closer to the small table. When she was in reach, she used the strength in her arms to lift herself out of her wheel chair, and dragged herself towards a dining chair. I sat down next to her, while Tim sat down across from us. I started poking my figures through the flower themed, white table cloth.
"Where's Bruce, and Alfred?" I asked looking around, realizing that they were no where to be found.
"Alfred, and Bruce are at the hospital. They're... they're claming the bodies." Barbara whispeared aloud. I sat there with a weird feeling overcoming me. I breathed, and leaned my elbows on the table. My hands reached for my black, grey streaked hair. I ran my figers through them until my hands were on the back of my head.
"Why was Damian in Blud' Haven? Shouldn't he have been out on patrol with Bruce? It's Saturday right? Bruce works Saturdays." I asked looking over at Barbara with a raised eyebrow.
"You know how Damian was. He got into fights with Bruce all the time about stupid things. Well tonight was one of those nights, so Damian called Dick up, because that's who he went to the most with his problems. I guess Dick talked him into coming over to his house on his day off to hang out. You know to give Bruce, and Damian a chance to cool off." Barbara explained to me. I noticed that she was already refering them in the past tense. I had so many questions, but I couldn't bare to bring myself to ask them all. I already know how Bruce was feeling. He no doubt was being eaten alive by the guilt of loosing his son after having a fight with him.
"Are we even sure they're really dead? Maybe they escaped! I'm sure Dick had some sort of plan in case anything happened? I asked aloud. I was looking for any chance to bring up any doubt about their deaths, because I couldn't let them go. I couldn't really let them be dead. As soon as the question sliped past my lips Tim shook his head with great sorrow.
"Alfred recieved a call after they were rushed to the hospital. They said Damian survived the intial explosion, because... Dick covered him. They said Damian was... he was screaming for Bruce as they lifted him into the ambulance, and he died on the way." I could feel tears building up in my eyes after Tim finished. I couldn't help but picture Damian being burned horrificly screaming for his father. I felt a warm tear falling down my face. Tim opened his mouth to say more, but I held my hand up, and shook my head to silence him. I didn't need to hear anymore. I didn't want to hear anymore. I felt disgusted. I think both Tim, and Barbara saw this, because there was a short silence. That was until Barbara started crying again. Tim tried to comfort her, but she waved him off.
"Can I be left alone for a minute?" She whispeared darkly. With that Tim looked up at me, and nodded.
"Sure thing Barb." Tim said understanding her needs. Both he, and I stood from our seats, and walked out of the dining room. I ran my hand through my right jacket pocket for my pack of cigarettes.
"I need a smoke." I said. I needed a cigarette really bad at this point to try to calm my nerves. I opened the manor door, and walked out into the warm summer night. I heard Tim following me, as I walked out into the garden. I stopped, and stood on the stone made trail, and pulled my pack of cigarettes out of my jacket. Tim stopped, and stood next to me. I pulled out my red skull designed lighter, and lit my cigarette. I placed both the pack, and my lighter back into my jacket. I placed the cigarette in my mouth, and inhaled. I didn't help my mind much, but it eased my trembleing.
"Care if I get one of those?" Tim asked looking at me with a sideways glance. I gave him one in return.
"You're a little young aren't you. You're what, six-teen?" I asked. He gave me a blank look.
"Seven-teen, and who cares. I mean you're not my father." He said blankly. I guess one cigarette wouldn't hurt the kid, so I reached back into my pockets to pull out my cigarettes. I hit the pack hard against my open hand, and pulled him out one. I lit it with my cigarette, and handed it to him.
"Thanks." He said. I saw him hesitate before putting the cigarette in his mouth.
"Don't mention it." I replied, trying to brush off the fact that I just gave my little brother a smoke.
"No seriously. Don't tell Bruce about this." I said turning to Tim. He turned to me with the cigarette in his mouth. He inhaled, and blew the smoke out. He squinted his eyes.
"Why would I?" He coughed loudly.
"Anyway, i'm positive that he's got more important things to worry about than me smoking one cigarette." Tim had a good point I guess. We both continued to smoke without saying a word.
"So when did you get to Gotham?" I asked admiring his Red Robin suit. He blew smoke once again.
"About seven minutes ago. I was on my way here when I called you. I got the news and drove my way here in the Titan's jet. Thank God New York is only a few towns away. I'm not sure how Barbara would've handled if she was alone for too long." Tim sighed. I nodded. I was as calm as I was going to get. I was only smoking now for something to do. I'm the type of guy who can't sit around, and do nothing for too long. This situation only amplifies my urges.
"Bruce knows i'm here right?" I asked sounding incredibly nervous. I feared Tim's answer. I didn't want to be around Bruce if he didn't want me around. Any other time i'd have no regrets in being a pain in the ass for Bruce, but this is not the right time. This was more serious than anything any of us here have ever been through before.
"Yeah, he told Barbara to contact the entire family, and Dick's closest friends. So Wally, Roy, and Donna are the only others who know about this." Tim said. I was put to ease at his words. At least I was wanted here. At least Bruce considered me close enough to be in the know.
"So what do you think will happen now?" I asked pulling my cigarette out of my mouth, and dropping it on the ground. I stomped my foot down on in, thus putting it out.
"I have no doubt that within the next two weeks Bruce is going to find Joker, and make him pay." Tim said in an sinister tone. I saw that his eyes looked as though they were filled with rage.
"By making him pay you mean he'll get jabbed a couple times in the face, and thrown back into Arkham?" I asked shaking my head, and rolling my eyes. Tim glanced at me quickly.
"Well, what do you want him to do? He's not going to break his non lethal force rule, Jason." Tim called out to me. I nodded, and sighed before looking into his eyes.
"I know." I said in response. Honestly i'd be mad pissed if he would break his oath now. After making a big deal about his rule to me, back when I was obsessed with killing the Joker. Him telling me that his rule must never be broken no matter what happened. If he went back on his word, and would kill for Dick, and Damian. It would be a big fuck you to both me, and Barbara.
"I think i'm going to start sticking around more often." I said aloud. I felt that I needed to. After this everyone would be wrecked emotionally including me. I need to get closer to those who are left. Tim, Barbara, Alfred, and Bruce. Dick, and Damian dying has made me realize that anything can happen at any moment, and the ones who are here today may not be here tomorrow, so I should spend as much time as possible with them now while I can. I can't let another situation like this happen. I mean if I had been close enough with Damian I could of had him stay at my house, and he'd still be here. And Dick. If I hadn't been so jealous of the way he had all the friends, all the girls, all the skills, and all of Bruce's love, and actually spent time training, or just hanging out with him I wouldn't have hated being compared to him so often.
"That's Bruce." Tim said dropping his cigarette on the floor. He pointed to the metal gates in the distance. I saw a black limo on the other side. The gates flew open, and the limo blazed into the manor driveway. Bruce was indeed finally here.
(Thanks to those of you who followed, viewed, and left reviews on chapter 1, and I hope everyone enjoys chapter 2.)