Chapter 3: Reckless Intent.
Jason stood perfectly balanced on single pole placed in the middle of the BatCave by Bruce. Tim was at the work bench fiddling away at some gadget while Bruce held a welding mask over his face an was welding something to a massive suit of armor that was sitting on a just as massive bench.
"How much longer?" Barbra asked from the stair way where she was reading a book. She was dressed in her black and yellow leotard with her cape wrapped around one side of her. Her Cowl was resting on her lap.
"Ten minutes." Bruce said never looking up. "He's lucky I dont turn him in." He shouted over his shoulder."
"I already apologized Bruce." Jason said as he held his arms out by his side to keep from falling the twenty feet to the ground. The pole was only a 1x1 and Jason's punishment for putting the mugger thug into traction was to spend four hours a night for two weeks balancing atop of it. After three days, Jason was already getting tired of it. "This is the most fucked up punishment seriously! Come on the guy's alive, he's fine, and most importantly," Jason winked at Barbra, "I saved that woman's life."
"You were reckless." Bruce said sternly as he stood up from the robot. "You're lucky I showed up when I did or you would have killed that man."
"I wasnt going to kill him." Jason said defensively. "And even if I had so what?" Barbra looked up at Jason at that point. "He's a convicted mugger and rapist. Not like the world would miss a scum bag like him."
"That's not the point Jason." Barbra said before Bruce could blow his top again. "The point is you're better then that." She smiled at Jason and gave him a loving look. "You dont need to stoop to their level. You're better then all of them." Bruce visibly calmed down and nodded his head as Jason turned his head slightly.
"Jason," Bruce looked up as Jason looked down, "I think you've learned your lesson alright?" Jason's face lit up. "Instead of two weeks I'll just do five days." Bruce turned back around and started opening files on the bat-puter.
Barbra giggled to herself as Jason looked over his mentor. He lowered himself slightly to stretch out his pained limbs. Tim never turned his head as his headphones blocked out all of them.
"If you two are going to make it to the movie then you better get down Jason." Bruce said never turning around. "Also next time you wanna go out onto streets, dont wear the leather. You look like a biker gang groupie."
Jason laid panting on the bed as Barbra laid next to him smiling and running her fingers through his hair. They were naked under the covers of Barbra's bed and entwined with in each other's bodies.
"I still cant fucking believe Dickybird didnt stay with you." Jason said smiling. Barbra giggled and kissed Jason's chest. "After that I'm shocked he didnt propose after the first time."
"Oh?" Barbra looked over Jason. "Makes me wonder the same thing about you." Barbra teased and kissed Jason again.
"I'm to young to get married." Jason snarked tickling Barbra's side making her squirm next to him. "Besides I'm smarter the that fuck-tard." Jason pulled Barbra back onto his lap and kissed her neck. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?" Barbra asked placing her hands on Jason's face.
Jason smiled bigger and wrapped his arms around Barbra's waist and positioned her just right making Barbra lean her head back a little and smile herself. He kissed down her neck and her exposed breast.
"Of course," Jason started, "I pr..." As Jason spoke the bed room door opened.
"Barbra hun I was called in apparently Batma..." Commissioner Gordon stopped in the doorway as he saw Barbra and Jason in her bed. Barbra turned beat red as Jason's body drained of all color. Barbra and Jason looked to each other then back to Gordon, who's eyes were fixed on Jason.
"Uh..." Jason said awkwardly as Barbra slipped off of his lap and Jason rolled to far side of bed away from Gordon. "I dont think we've been introduced yet." Jason laughed nervously. Barbra shot him a 'shut it' glare causing Jason to sink lower to the ground and pull his pants on.
"Get out." Gordon said sternly.
"Dad..." Barbra started.
"GET OUT NOW!" Gordon shouted loudly causing Jason to open the window and climb down the fire escape leaving Barbra and her father yelling and shouting at each other.
"Wait so he walked in on you two?" Nightwing laughed as Jason sat wearing the leather jacket and red domino mask in the kitchen of Mt. Justice.
"Its not fucking funny." Jason's eye twitched.
"Nope." Red Arrow said laughing. "Its fucking hilarious!"
"Fuck you Arrow." Jason said through gritted teeth.
"I dont see what's the problem?" Starfire asked as she sat next to Nightwing. "I mean, you two are both sexually attractive to one another, what's wrong with having sex?"
Nightwing and Red Arrow busted out laughing even more as Jason sat there shaking his head. Koriand'r, or Starfire as she had been called when arriving, had only been on Earth a little over two years. Jason had only just met her before the Joker tried to kill him. The orange skinned red haired green eyed alien princess was so naive to Earth's customs that he was amazed she was even still clothed. The first three times Jason met Kori she was flying around Mt. Justice fully naked.
Artemis and Miss Martian walked in and looked over Jason. Nightwing and Red Arrow were still laughing as Starfire continued to look confused.
"What are we calling you now?" Artemis asked looking over Jason.
"Nothing." Jason mumbled. "I'm not here on business I'm here for personal reasons."
"Batgirl's dad caught the two making the beast with two backs." Red Arrow laughed.
Starfire looked at Red Arrow in confusion. "I thought he caught them about to have sex?"
Red Arrow and Nightwing started laughing again and fell over in their chairs. Jason blushed such a deep red color that his skin nearly matched the domino mask he was wearing. Miss Martian giggled herself while Artemis just shook her head.
"The beast with two backs is a Shakespearean term." Jason explained staring daggers into Red Arrow. "Roy'd Rage over there is making a joke about something I said to him a few weeks back. Asshole."
"Such a 'linguist'." Red Arrow joked again. A gust of air and Jason grunted when a streak of yellow and red ran past him made Red Arrow laugh even harder.
"Oh no." Jason lowered his head onto the table as Kid Flash came to a stop right by Nightwing.
"Did I hear that right?" The ginger youth asked holding back laughter.
"One word Wally and I'll beat you to fucking death!" Jason threatened.
"Alright enough." Nightwing laughed. "Everyone leave Jaybird alone. He's had enough of a hard time tonight alright. I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Its bad enough Ol'Man didnt even seem to care." Jason said recalling the phone conversation after Jim Gordon called Bruce and explained what had happened. "He only asked if we were being careful. Its like he already knew we were doing," Jason looked over Miss Martian and Artemis, them being the youngest people in the room, "You know, THAT."
"World's Greatest Detective." Kid Flash said laughing. "I'm sure he knew you two had sex before either of you two did."
"Oh fuck me." Jason groaned and dropped his head hard onto the table.
"Isnt that what caused all of this?" Red Arrow joked again.
"I swear to god Arrow..!" Jason began but was stopped when his phone started ringing. Jason answered his phone and took a deep breath. "Hey Barbra."
There was a long silence as Barbra talked on the phone and Jason never moved. His expression never changed. Miss Martian and Artemis traded worried looks between themselves as Nightwing looked over his younger adopted brother with cautious eyes. Red Arrow and Kid Flash continued to snicker between themselves and Starfire was still trying to figure out what 'Beast With Two Backs' meant.
"No." Jason said lowering his head, letting his hair cloud his face in shadows. "No I understand. Yeah... Yeah... No... I'll be fine." Dick exhaled loudly and stood up. The others quieted and stared towards Jason. "No I mean it. I'll be fine." Jason said again. "Yeah I'll see you around school and around the Cave I guess. Yeah," Jason stood up and headed towards the door, "Actually, Barbie." Jason hung up the phone and dropped it.
"Jason?" Dick whispered and reached out. "Hey man it'll be..."
Jason grabbed Dick's arm and flipped him over his shoulder. As Dick was upside down Jason twisted on the spot and caught his predecessor with a knee to the gut causing Dick to fall to the ground clutching his midsection.
"Tell Batman," Jason opened the door and threw off the red leather jacket and the domino mask, "That I'll be reckless on my own from now on." Jason let the door close behind him and walked away.