BRUCE

I sleep for a long time after we talk but I still manage to be out of bed before Jason. I dress casually today, or as casual as someone like me dresses. I put on jeans, a button up shirt and a blue jumper. I have to remember to stop touching him until he feels better around me, he expects a blow instead of a warm hand meant to bring comfort but at least now I know for sure his father worked for Two-face. Surprisingly it's rather easy now to know what to do to help people emotionally, I still hesitate a lot but Dick taught me a few things. I'm surprised Jason told me about his dream, Bruce Wayne has known him for all of a week but it was a nice surprise that he trusted me, even if his dream was a traumatic experience that should never have happened.

"Come on Jason, time to get up." I approach the couch at 1pm and shake him a little.

"No, don't hit me! Please, I'm up!" He looks around and lies back against the couch, gives a sigh of relief and smiles. I find it adorable when he smiles, I used to like seeing Dick smile as well, Jason is quite a cute child even if he is far too skinny for my liking. I have no doubt that on the streets he was noticeable and attracted the wrong kind of attention, I hope he was smart enough to avoid predators or fast enough to get away.

"Sorry, I thought I was back at that stupid school."

"Well it's time to get up, go back to your room, shower, brush your teeth and meet me down here for lunch ok?" He puts the blanket over his head and tries to make it so I won't be able to pull the blanket off him. I grin at his childish behaviour.

"I'm getting ice water Jason; I can always replace the couches if I have to."

He sighs and pushes the blanket off and glares at me, I can't help but laugh.

He gets up and walks out of the room. I walk toward the kitchen.

"What are you cooking Alfred?"

"Steak Master Bruce, it will be served with salad when Master Jason arrives and not before."

"I caught him smoking last night, I'm not going to take action against him this time, and his explanation was a horrific nightmare about what happened to him once before his parents were absent." Alfred looks at me sadly.

"We both knew he has a troubled past, he is strong though Master Bruce."

"He would have to be after what he described last night. It was Two-face Alfred, I think he killed Jason's father. I believe Willis Todd was working for Two-face but he either didn't do a job sufficiently enough or communicated with someone he shouldn't have."

"You will figure it out Master Bruce," I nod my head at him.

After ten minutes I walk the stair case and knock on his door. I don't hear movement, nor do I hear the shower running. I cautiously open the door and find him asleep under the covers. I'm torn between laughter and irritation but neither emotion appears on my face. I make sure my movement is silent and slip past him without detection. I walk into the bathroom, close the door and begin to run a bath. Either he will get into the bath fully clothed or he will admit defeat, clean himself up and meet me down stairs. Either way I'm confident he won't be victorious. I assume he likes bubbles since my previous overly cheerful ward loved them, so I pour a generous amount into the lavish tub and return the bubble bath bottle back under the sink. I turn the taps off once the tub is filled and return to Jason. He really does look peaceful but unfortunately we have places to be today.

I silently make my way over and sit beside him. I put a hand on his shoulder and gently shake him. He moans and tries to turn away from the offensive hand that disturbs his sleep but I persistently shake him until he looks at me.

"You people are against sleep in this house aren't you?" He whines at me. I can't help but smile, he has no idea.

"Only when people who should be out of bed remains in said bed and won't get out of it." I reply with a raised eye brow. He huffs and tries to turn over again.

"No you don't." I grab him from around the stomach and pick him up, careful to be gentle with him since I know the extent of which he is bruised. I walk him into the bathroom and sit him on the sink.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You get in the tub or I drop you in it fully clothed and stand there until you get undressed and I then leave you to wash yourself; the choice is yours." His eyes grow wide.

"I'll get in the tub now, no need to stay."

"Wise choice, soap is under the sink as are the wash cloths; I'll go get you a towel." I walk back into his room and grab one of the luxurious and soft towels we own.

"I'll go now but I expect you downstairs within the next half hour." I say as I leave him to it.

I retreat to the kitchen to converse with Alfred. He has always been intelligent and wise, unafraid and strong, protective and fierce; I know even now he would shoot to kill in order to protect myself or this household (especially the vase he's quite fond of). He was once a British secret agent and an actor as a cover but long ago gave that up to serve my family to which I am very grateful for. If it had not been for Alfred, I could possibly be dead right now, my grief taking the form of a knife to my throat or I could have become a killer but these thoughts are not beneficial to anyone so I shall stop.

"Alfred, you know I'm going to adopt Jason as my ward, can you get the papers as soon as possible?"

"As you wish, Master Bruce," Alfred nods his head.

"Inform Dick, he has the right to know." He smiles at the mention of Dick and I smile back.

"Yes sir."

Jason eventually comes down in jeans and a black shirt, Alfred and I smile at him welcomingly and he smiles back. I gesture him to follow us into the small dining room and we each sit down.

He digs into the steak and grins at me.

"This is the best food I've had in my life, nothing compared to eating bugs and drinking gross water." He wrinkles his nose in disgust and I find that adorable.

"So no cockroach requests on the menu in future Master Jason?"

"Yuck, no!" He sticks out his tongue. "Can you stop calling me Master? This isn't I Dream of Genie, it's annoying." I'm surprised he has heard of that show let alone seen it. My conclusion is that either his parents showed him I Dream of Genie because they liked it or his TV had limited channels.

"I'm surprised you've heard that show, it's an old one."

"It's a good one, ages ago when we actually had a TV, we had limited channels but one of them had all of the old shows on it so we used to all watch it... Before everything fell apart." There's my answer. He swallows and looks down at his food sadly. I look to Alfred for help.

"Some things in life are unfortunate Master Jason; just know that while you're here we will take good care of you."

He slams his fist on the table in sudden anger.

"Please stop calling me that! I don't need your help, I don't need your money and I don't need a butler," he points to himself for emphasis, "I was fine on my own, just fine, at least, f-for all I know my dad is out there right now looking for me and I'm w-wasting time with you," he stutters out, trying to stop himself from crying. Obviously he's not adjusting as well as I believed but I can still defuse the situation and stop it from getting worse, I have to be understanding.

"Jason if you want I could try and help you find your real dad, go to the police maybe, I'm sure they could find him?" Alfred gives me an odd look but says nothing. I'm doing what a normal person would do in this situation, not what *I* would do.

"No! Umm the wrong cops will get involved; Dad already said most of them were dirty. Look, I'm sorry I yelled, I'm having a hard time coping at the moment, just give me a bit. I promise I won't yell again. You've both been real nice, something I haven't seen in a long time. I'm still on edge, generally Gothamites aren't nice."

"Ok, we don't have to do anything you don't want to do, it was just a suggestion if you change your mind I'm right here." He smiles at me.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

We continue eating, Alfred and I communicating in glances and facial expressions. I tell him I'm glad I have him, especially now of all times. He says his place is always by my side. Jason might be a hard one to live with in future, if his mood swings are anything to go by; I'll have to tread carefully in order to not offend him. Unfortunately, I'm horrible in social situations.

I can play the socialite billionaire, smile for photos, say all the right things to the girls but when it comes to real emotions and real relationships, I try but I'm not very good.

"Now Master Jason I believe it is time to go, Master Bruce will take you to the doctor now."

"I'm not sure I want to go, p-please, please don't make me." He stutters and looks at me in fear.

I kneel down to his level and look him straight in the eye.

"I'm not used to having a child that is malnourished Jason, I want to do what's best for you in order for you to be healthy and fit but I can't do that without seeing a doctor, so how about we make a deal?"

He looks at me suspiciously and glares.

"Just because I'm a kid doesn't mean I'm stupid Bruce, you can't fool me."

I look him straight in the eye.

"I have no doubt of your intelligence Jason, the doctor I'm taking you too worked with my father. They were best friends back at the hospital; I trust her one hundred precent. You come with me to see Leslie, who is one of the best doctors I know and I'll buy you five items from wherever you want, do you trust me?"

I hold my hand out to shake and he looks at it, deciding.

"You won't let her hurt me?"

I shake my head.

"Deal. Guess we're stopping at the toy store on our way back." He shakes my hand and grins.

We walk to the car and he tries to get into the driver's side, cheeky bugger! I laugh at him and push him toward the passenger seat.

"No fair!"

"When you're sixteen I'll teach you to drive, but not before." (Unless he takes an active role in my other job, if so, I'll be forced to teach him.)

"Well that's pointless, I already know how to drive, I used to help my dad sometimes, I also know how to Hotwire." My hands clench on the steering wheel as I drive out of the garage and onto the driveway of the manor. Of course he does.

"I am going to make myself very clear Jason, unless I specifically say you can; I do not want you driving any car ever until you have a licence. Any cars you drive are to be with my permission, understood?"

"Whatever." He crosses his arms and glares out the window.

"Am I understood?"

"Fricken hell, yes!"

"Jason! Swearing is unacceptable."

"Oh I know worse words than fricken hell, like..."

I cut him off.

"Don't say it!"

He grins at me and chuckles to himself.

As I drive out of the gates I can't help wonder when my life became a big joke, obviously someone is having fun with it because I am not. We sit in silence for the most of the way, silence is comfortable, I can do silence.

JASON

I don't understand how, he's an adult but I've never heard him swear, I just don't get it! My dad used to swear all the time, sometimes at me. I don't get these people. They seem really nice but I don't have much in common with them, I'm... I think I'm an orphan... I don't think dads coming back, he would have by now. So what does a poor orphan with barely anything have in common with a rich adult? Absolutely nothing, well besides him saying he was an orphan too but now he's an adult so does it count? I'm glad they seem to be making an effort to talk to me, and even though the thought of ice water wasn't funny at the time his tone was playful and he was smiling at me this morning, even laughing, maybe his way of joking?

I'm beginning to think neither of them are normal, for one thing no one in Gotham just takes in a kid and doesn't expect anything in return. If you're rich you walk by us with your noses in the air as if you're better than us or if you're rich and perverted you take us and own us. Wait! He did take in another kid didn't he? Dickhead or whatever, wonder what happened to him.

"What happened to that other kid you said you had?"

I turn my head toward him and see him smile sadly.

"Dick is now nineteen and able to make his own choices, he moved to Bludhaven and became a police officer, he's doing quite well, although the last time we spoke was over a month ago unfortunately, why do you ask?"

"You mentioned another ward and I was wondering why he wasn't around. Why don't you speak to him more often?" He turns his eyes back on the road and thinks about my question for a second before answering.

"I don't want it to end in an argument like the first time. I managed to patch things up but things are still tense between us, I miss him but I don't want to get in his way. In truth I'm not good at relationships, I work too much, I say the wrong things, I make the wrong choices. Relationships are really not my thing, which you'll have to forgive me for."

"You've done ok so far." He turns back and smiles.

"That's because you're a child and I'm really trying. This isn't easy for me, not by a long shot. When Dick was younger he would listen to me, he trusted me but as soon as he became a teenager the arguments started. He acted like he didn't want my advice anymore, he just wanted to do it all himself. He wanted me to stay out, he wanted independence and to some extent I should have relented. I was worried about him and when he came home all bloodied and beaten I told him he would have to quit his job and stay in school, I told him it was too dangerous walking the streets of Gotham at night. He of course told me he wanted to keep his job, I told him I wouldn't let him so he moved to Bludhaven and just to spite me he became a police officer, a very dangerous job there or here."

"What was his job, and why was he walking the streets at night?"

"He worked at a supermarket and the reason he would walk the streets is to get to his car or sometimes he would disregard my rule about coming straight home and go over to his girlfriends, they got him in the car park one night." I think about what he has just said.

"Why didn't you just pick him up from work to make sure he's ok? Why make him quit, it wasn't his fault?"

"He wanted independence and because they nearly killed him! He didn't need the job Jason, I'm a billionaire. I would have given him money if he had of asked but he decided he no longer wanted my money, he even went so far as to throw it away when I tried to give him some."

"Wow sounds like he's stubborn, also sounds like you didn't want to let him go, you should have compromised or something. Still Dick or whatever probably should have just been grateful that you cared. Some people aren't so lucky, especially in Gotham."

"Well the past is the past, I can't change it now Jason."

We finally make it to the clinic; much to my um... well I hate doctors, I wouldn't say I fear them, let's just say wary? I get out of the car and walk inside to the clinic with Bruce, everyone staring as we walk in. It's a small clinic but at least it has a children's section with games. I race over to the children's blocks and start building as Bruce checks in. He eventually comes over and to my surprise, sits with me on the floor and starts helping me build, I grin up at him at the unexpected behaviour.

"I used to play with Richard when he had to go for check-ups, he liked coming to the doctors though, another person to listen to him talk."

"Well he's an idiot if he likes them." I reply and suppress a shiver, avoiding his gaze.

"There's nothing to be scared of Jason, just know that I won't let anything hurt you." This calms me a little because strangely I believe him.

"Jason Todd?" A voice calls and I look over to see a lady in her fifties or sixties with black hair and grey through it tied in a bun, wearing a pink cardigan, black pants and a white doctor's coat. She smiles at us and shows us into her office.

"So this is the child that Alfred told me of?" She asks as she sits behind her desk and we sit in the chairs across. "Is this going to become a habit? Perhaps you should turn the manor into a children's centre." She says with amusement but I don't find that funny.

"The Wayne Foundation is well on its way to helping the homeless and orphan children. It's just trying to convince them they're safe that I'm having trouble with, but with luck I'll have it running soon." She smiles, nods in approval then turns to me with an outstretched hand to shake.

"Hello Jason, I am Leslie Tompkins, I have been Bruce's doctor for most of his life and I can guarantee we will get along," she smiles at me and I shake her hand and roughly pull it back, I still don't like doctors.

"I don't like doctors and I don't wanna be here, so if we could get a move on so I can make good on the deal Bruce and me have that would be good," I fold my arms against my chest angrily and I have to really try not to glare at her.

"Ok, what do you need done?"

I'm about to answer exactly what I would like done when Bruce speaks.

"I need full blood work done so I can focus on any deficiencies he has, I also need to know what to feed a malnourished child and I need something to help him quit smoking, I want to catch it before it stunts his growth."

"How much have you been feeding him? Small portions I hope?"

"Yes of course, if I feed him too much his body will reject it and he will get even sicker," Bruce tells her, his voice a little unsure but she nods her head at him.

"Then I can do a blood test here today, I don't like the idea of him fasting, he's thin enough already without me drawing blood when he's weak."

"Woah Woah Woah! Rewind and shove it where the sun don't shine! There is no possible way that I'm letting you stick me with a needle, go and stab yourself if you love them so damn much but I aint no junkie." I glare at them both, daring either one to come near me. Bruce turns to talk to me and I turn my glare solely on him.

"Jason needles aren't for the purpose of using illegal drugs, they are to help test blood so that we can help you get better, we talked about this last night and this morning, I told you there would be tests."

I smirk at him, figuring I've won this.

"I never agreed to the tests Bruce I only agreed to see Leslie. You didn't say I had to get the tests done as part of the reward either, you just said I had to agree to see Leslie Well if I'm not mistaken we are here Bruce, I've seen her." Bruce looks surprised, shocked to be outsmarted by a kid and I am happy to be the one that did that to him. I glance at Leslie and she's trying to hide a grin, I've won.

"It was implied that I wanted you not only to see Leslie but to do everything she says, you don't deserve a reward if you're not even going to follow an instruction as simple as letting her take blood. I am trying to help you Jason but I can't do that without knowing what's going on, so how about a compromise? I get us a milkshake or a drink from wherever you want before we go home if you let Leslie take blood, deal?" I shake my head, I don't like doctors and I sure as hell don't like needles!

"Yeah, no Bruce, in fact I'm leaving, I never said I wanted any of this, and I'm not quitting smoking for you." I get up to leave when Bruce puts a hand on my shoulder, I try to shrug it off but his grip tightens.

"Jason, if you are to remain in my house, which you will be since I will be signing the adoption papers very soon, you will get blood tests and you will quit smoking, I will not have you endangering your own life." His voice is calm but strong, no hint of violence or aggression just dominance and strength, it makes me turn to face him, his face serious and determined. Despite all this, the only thought I have is he wants me! He wants to adopt me, he cares about me! Still I test the waters.

"I said I don't want it Bruce, now let me go."

"You're stronger than most kids Jason, don't let a blood test get the better of you, you're better than that." He's challenged me, the bastard challenged me and he knows I won't back down!

"Fine but only because I'm better then all those other brats." We both sit back down and she smiles at me once more, I scowl at her and her grin widens. She motions for me to sit in a special chair at the back of the room which has long arms on it to keep the persons arm steady. I sit in the chair and she grabs a needle from the cabinet, a few tubes to put the blood in, some band aids and cotton balls. Bruce comes to stand near me and goes to grab my hand but I push him off.

"I need you to keep still please," she says as she puts a band around my arm and asks me to do a pumping motion so that she can better see the veins. I turn my head to look at Bruce and breathe deeply as she swipes my arm with an alcohol swipe and stabs me. I grit my teeth; he is so paying for this, literally!

By the time she finishes I feel really sick, my head is spinning so I close my eyes and put my head on my other arm and just breathe as she puts the band aid on, makes Bruce sign a form and leaves the room.

"How are you feeling kid?" he asks affectionately and stands beside me. I close my eyes against the room.

"Like I've just been tortured, you are such an arsehole! I told you I didn't want this and now I can't get the fricken room to stop spinning."

"I told you not to swear Jason, several times, please desist or I will have you cleaning my car tomorrow as punishment. Do you want me to carry you to the car to go and get drinks and then go to the toy store or would you rather be angry with me?"

"Don't pick me up or I might throw up, just tell the room to stop spinning please." I feel his hand go through my hair and I try not to lean into the touch.

The doctor comes back in and sits behind her desk once again.

"I can print off a list of things that he should eat to help him gain weight again if you like?"

"Yes, that would be good."

She begins to hand him sheets and explains what I should be eating the most and what will help bring my weight up to a healthy range while I sit here trying not to heave up my lunch.

"As for the smoking, give him these or these, whichever he prefers; just make sure he uses them." She hands him nicotine patches and gum and turns to stand up.

"Thanks Leslie but I better get him home now," he says warmly to her and to my surprise gives her a hug.

"I'm coming by the manor soon, just try and stop me Bruce Wayne," she smiles at him and ruffles his hair.

"I cringe at the lecture Alfred would give me if I were to stop you, you're always welcome Leslie."

"And if you don't go and see your boy in Bludhaven soon there will be trouble young man," she says quite sternly and I'm surprised he's actually taking this; he even seems kind of sheepish.

"I promise I will Leslie," he backs away trying to distance himself politely and signal that we are leaving.

"I would also tell the boy over there if you are to adopt him. If he's as smart as Dick was, he will figure it out extremely quickly," his face goes from sheepish to very pissed off in a matter of a second and I'm here left wondering what the secret is.

"Leslie!" He snaps at her then turns around without another word and gently pulls me up. I stumble and blink rapidly at him, trying not to pass out. He picks me up and cradles my head against his chest.

"That is not your concern, nor your business Leslie! Don't come by for at least a week." He walks out with me in his arms without another word and I assume he has grabbed all of the things she gave him.

"How you doing Jason?" He looks down at me with a sympathetic look.

"I'm really tired now, not sick much anymore," I like being in his arms, I can hear his heartbeat and it's nice to have someone touching me who doesn't want to harm me so I close my eyes against his chest.

"Where do you want to go now?"

"You mentioned milkshakes earlier but can we skip the toys for another day, I'm really tired now."

"Sure Jason, where from?"

"Wendy's?"

"Okay we will drive thru Wendy's to pick up milkshakes."