A/N: Sorry I didn't update in so long! My chapter that I had written got deleted after fanfiction decided that I no longer needed it. So, I needed to restart. Hopefully, this chapter is good though! Enjoy and be sure to review!

Aria let out a groan as she shifted her position. She moved her hand under her body and felt something soft. Groggily, she opened her eyes and slowly scanned the room.

She was lying in a bedroom on a bed. Shakily, she raised herself up and looked around before groaning and resting her pounding head in her hands.

What the hell had happened to her? She squinted in the dark as shapes began to form. After a few moments, she realized that she was in her room lying in her bed.

"What the hell happened?" She grumbled as she pulled her feet out from under the covers. Someone had tucked her in bed?

"How the hell did I get here?" She was puzzled, curious as to how she not only made it to her apartment but also into her bed. Especially when she couldn't even remember to change her clothing. She looked down at her clothing and recognized the same clothes she had worn the day before to work.

"I need tea." She put her foot on the ground and pushed herself from the bed, ignoring the pounding in her skull. She felt as if Athena was stuck in her head.

However, just as she stood, she felt her knees give out.

"Damn it." She moaned as her motor functions abandoned her. Before she could hit the ground, she felt a pair of strong arms close around her.

"Careful." A voice whispered in her ears. Fully sober now, she turned before throwing a punch. She felt her hand collide with flesh followed by a 'god damn'.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?" She hissed as she backed away, one hand feeling around for a weapon while the other remained folded in a fist.

"Fiery, aren't you? Even after a hangover." The sexy drawl caused her eyes to grow wide as recognition dawned.

"You?" She asked as she stumbled backwards, her hand feeling around for the light switch. It hit home and light suddenly illuminated the room. Standing beside her bed was a smiling Red Hood, wearing only his half mask to cover his face. He was smirking at her while rubbing his jaw.

"Quite a punch you have there. You're like a boxer." He winked at her, earning a blush from her before she cleared her throat and straightened up.

"Why the hell are you here?" She asked as she revived some of her anger. Why had he been in her apartment while she was unconscious and drunk?

"Well, a simple thank you would have been nice. Especially considering that I brought you home rather than left you to lie unconscious in that alleyway." He replied, watching as her eyes grew wide.

"Wait, you brought me home and tucked me in?" She asked, obviously surprised. Just how drunk had she been?

"Yes, I brought you home and 'tucked' you in." He smirked as he said the work tucked, evoking another blush from her.

"Well, that's the last time I drink." She grumbled as she shook her head.

"Wait! I slept through an entire day?" She suddenly exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand. Jason had to stop himself from laughing at her reaction. Even when waking up from a hangover, she still maintained the appearance of a perfect secretary.

"Yes. Just how much did you have to drink?" He raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. She felt her face turn hot before she cleared her throat.

"Thank you for bringing me home instead of leaving me in the alleyway." She replied as she looked at him before turning away.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take a nice steam shower. I smell like a bar." She said, looking down at her clothing before she turned towards him.

"I believe you know the way out." Her tone made it obvious that she expected him gone by the time she returned.

"Oh my god." Aria sighed as she felt the warm water run down her back. She closed her eyes and tried to remember what had happened the night before. She remembered being in the bar and drinking. After that, she had stumbled out and ended up in the alleyway.

Vaguely, she recalled the guy who had cornered her in the alleyway and attacked her. However, everything after that was a bit fuzzy. However, from what she had pieced together, Red Hood had shown up and saved her from the guy.

Sighing, she turned off the shower before stepping out and wrapping up in her towel. She really needed to remember never to drink again. It always ended badly whenever she drank.

"What the hell did happen last night?" She mumbled aloud as she toweled herself dry before pulling on a pair of sweats and tank top. Opening the door, she headed to her room and popped her head through the door.

No sign of Red Hood.

"Good." She mumbled as she headed to her kitchen. She had seen enough of him for the last couple of her mumbling to herself, she put on water to boil in the electric kettle before leaning against her counter top. As the water began to boil, she turned and headed into her living room. Sighing, she grabbed the remote and turned on the television before plopping down onto the couch.

"-unsuccessful. Authorities continue to look for Rick Martes. Father Thomas Martes arrives in Gotham City tomorrow. In other news, billionaire Bruce Wayne-" Aria turned down the volume of the news report before turning and heading into the kitchen.

"What a frustrating day." She grumbled to herself as she poured the water into a cup. She dropped a teabag into the water and absently began to stir.

"You're telling me." A voice suddenly said from behind her. Letting out a gasp as the hot water spilled on her, she spun and raised her fists.

"Whoa, easy tiger." She glared at the owner of the voice before relaxing her stance.

"Now, tell me. Is this going to be a normal thing? You just barging into my apartment?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He chuckled and shrugged before leaning against the wall.

"Besides, I thought I told you to leave." She hissed as she turned away from him. She grabbed a paper towel and began to wipe up the spilled water.

"You're not exactly one to be passing orders." He smirked at her turned back before she spun and shot him a glare. He looked at her for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I actually need to talk to you either way, so there was no way I was going to listen to you and leave." He saw her stiffen before she sighed in defeat.

"Well, since you're going to be here, would you like a cup of tea?" She asked before she caught herself and chuckled in her head. Here she was asking the infamous Red Hood, the same one who killed criminals and showed no mercy to anyone, if he wanted tea. Apparently, his thoughts were along the same lines as he cocked his head at her and gave her a look as if she were insane.

"Um, that is if you want." She mumbled before turning away and pouring milk into her own tea. She heard him chuckle behind her before she turned and scowled at him.

"Stop laughing at me." She shot at him before sipping her tea. She closed her eyes and sighed in delight as the warm tea ran down her throat. She could feel her hangover going away and felt more sober than ever. She opened her eyes and saw him studying her, a slight smirk on his face.

"What now?" She asked, putting her tea down and placing her hands on her hips. Her eyes wandered to his lips, which looked vaguely familiar.

"Nothing. You're just very," He paused to look for the right word to describe her.

"Fiery. You remind me of a kitten trying to be a lion. It's very cute." He smirked at her blush. For some reason that he couldn't explain, he enjoyed making her blush.

"Just like last night." He watched her eyes widen at the mention of the night before. Clearly, she didn't remember what had happened the night before.

"Wait, what happened las-" She began before she stopped.

Suddenly, memories of the night before flashed into her head.

"No, you deserve a proper thank you. After all, you've done so much for me these last couple of days. Don't you agree?" She asked, leaning in so that her breath brushed his lips. Jason stood still, unsure what to do. He could smell the alcohol on her breath but he was scared to make any sudden movements.

"Whatever you want." He replied as nonchalantly as he could, watching as her eyes grew wide before she smiled.

"If you say so." She breathed before closing the distance between them. Jason could feel the passion hidden in the kiss as Aria wrapped her arms around his head and pulled herself closer to him.

"I should thank you more often." Aria replied breathlessly as she looked up at Jason and chuckled. Then, everything went black.

Aria's eyes grew wide as she recalled what had happened the night before. She had kissed him! She had kissed Red Hood! That's what had happened! And that was probably why he kept looking at her the way he was. She felt like crawling into a hole and never coming out. She looked up at him and saw him giving her a curious look. Clearing her throat, she turned away, fully aware of the fact that her cheeks were now pink.

"I see you remember then." He said, looking at her pink cheeks before he leaned back against the wall and folded his arms.

"Um, actually I still don't." She mumbled the lie, unable to face him.

"I see. Well then, are you okay?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned in towards her. She turned and looked at his lips once again before nodding.

"O-of co-cou-course." She stuttered, sipping her tea. She choked on the tea and began coughing, his gaze making it even worse. She had kissed him and forgotten? If she was able to, she would have groaned as she recalled what had happened the night before. However, she found that she really wished she could remember the kiss. She vaguely wondered if he was a good kisser.

"Really? Because you don't look okay to me." He said, leaning in so that they were eye to eye. She laughed nervously before moving backwards. She knew that her pink face wasn't helping her.

"I am. Now, please leave." She said, pointing towards the window. He looked at her before nodding and turning away. As she watched him head towards the window, she had an urge to ask him how the kiss was.

"Don't be stupid." She scolded herself, shaking her head. However, she was curious about the kiss and wished she remembered it.

"Wait," She suddenly yelled before she could stop herself. He paused before turning back towards her.

"Um, I have a, I, um, I have a qu-question." She managed to say, surprised she didn't choke on her tongue from the look he was giving her.

"Actually, it's fine." She mumbled, watching as he raised a curious eyebrow.

"My, you're blushing." He smirked at her, causing her blush to deepen.

"Well, I just remembered something." She mumbled.

"And what might that be?" He asked. He was now in front of her, his nose almost touching her own.

"It's nothing." She squeaked, shaking her head. He looked at her before shrugging in boredom and walking towards the window.

"What did you need to tell me?" She suddenly yelled out, watching as he stopped. Slowly, he turned and looked at her from head to toe, making her feel naked and exposed.

"I'll tell you next time. You don't seem to be in the position to hear anything." He replied to her pink face before he resumed walking towards the window.

"Wait! What happened last night? With the kiss and everything?" She blurted out, watching as he stopped in his tracks.

"So, you do remember it?" He asked, slowly turning to face her. She shook her head before nodding slightly.

"Maybe, it popped into my head." She mumbled before looking up at his smiling face.

"Stop smiling at me! Why the hell did you kiss me?" She suddenly growled at him.

"I didn't kiss you. You threw yourself at me." He replied in an isn't-it-obvious voice. Her eyes narrowed before she stomped towards him.

"Get out of my apartment, you son of a-" She began before he grabbed her and pulled her towards him.

"I wasn't complaining about the kiss. In fact, I found that I quite enjoyed it." He taunted, watching as her eyes grew wide in surprise before anger filled them.

"Go to hell." She hissed through closed teeth.

"Already went there, toots." He smirked at her. She let out an angry huff before she pushed him away and stepped back from him.

"You should have stayed, you beast." She spun around before heading into the kitchen.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms grab her and spin her around. Red Hood looked down at her before pinning her to the wall, her arms raised above her head.

"Listen, toots. I'm not one of your little boyfriends who you can have your temper tantrums with. If I want, I can carve you right now." He whispered, leaning in towards her face. It was time that he reminded her of who he was as she seemed to be forgetting that he was a feared crime fighter and an anti-hero. He watched her eyes grew wide in fright before her expression changed.

His green eyes looked so familiar to her. Aria felt her breath snag in her throat as she slowly recalled where she had seen eyes like that before. Convinced she was going insane, her eyes moved towards his lips and then his hair.

No, there was no mistaking it. The same intense green eyes, the same sensual lips, the same black hair. She looked up at him and noticed that his hair also hung over his eyes.

"Understand?" His voice shook her from her thoughts and she found herself staring into his green eyes once again.

"It can't be." She whispered, causing him to stare at her before he released her and headed to the window once again.

"Jay?" She suddenly asked, her voice breathless. She saw him stop and tense before he slowly turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

He slowly began walking towards her before suddenly grabbing her and pushing her against the wall.

"What did you just call me?" He asked as he leaned in, his face stone cold. She looked at him before shaking her head, a rush of courage filling her.

"You're Jay, aren't you? Don't lie to me." She whispered the last part, leaning in so that their lips were centimeters apart.

"I recognize your eyes. And lips." She breathed against his lips, smiling victoriously as she saw his eyes briefly widen before becoming emotionless once again.

"You're delusional. Are you sure that you're sober?" He asked before he turned away from her and began to walk away once again.

"Wait!" She suddenly ran and threw her arms around his waist, stopping him in his tracks.

"Don't lie to me. I need to know I'm not crazy." She whispered into his jacket as she buried her face. As she held onto him, Jason felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. He suddenly wanted to hold her and protect her from all the horror she had faced. He wanted to protect her from all the evils in the world and make sure she never had to face the things he had faced.

However, he caught himself and shook away his thoughts. He was the last person who could protect her and he was the last person she would let protect her. No, his role was not protector. That was Batman's role.

His purpose was to clean up Gotham and exterminate crime, no matter the measures he had to take to do so. He turned and pried her hands from his jacket.

"I'm not your hero. Don't forget that." He whispered in her ear before he turned and walked away.

"Jay, please." Her silent plea stopped him and Aria watched as he fought an internal battle. She felt her heart plummet as she saw him head over to the window before he leapt through and disappeared from her apartment.

"I see." She turned away and finished the rest of her tea.

However, she heard a noise behind her. She spun around and saw Red Hood standing in front of her. Wide, helpless blue eyes stared at him as he stood there, wondering if he was real or not. He took a step forward before reaching out and grabbing her.

She let out a squeak of surprise as he pulled her towards him and planted his lips against hers. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and instantly felt her respond.

"Does that answer your question?" He asked as he pulled away. She looked up at him with dazed eyes before shaking fingers reached up to pry his mask from his face. He watched as she gasped and her eyes grew wide in surprise.

"It is you." She whispered as she reached up and ran her hand along his face. He smirked at her before planting a kiss on her upturned palm.

"You recognized my lips?" He asked, looking down at her still shocked face. Rather than responding and blushing as he had predicted, she shook her head in confusion.

"So, it was you all along? You're the Red Hood?" She asked to no one in particular as she looked down at the mask in her hands. Jason sighed before he nodded. He honestly had no clue as to why he had revealed his true identity to her.

"Wait, why did you tell me? I mean, why?" She finished, giving him a puzzled look. Jason observed her before sighing. The reason he told her was probably not the reason she wanted to hear. He doubted she would want to hear that he had told her his deepest secret because he wanted to use her so that he could get to her boss and his father.

"Because, I trust you." He spoke the lie with ease, watching as a slow smile crossed her face. She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips.

"But, if you tell anyone, I will kill you." He whispered after they pulled apart, watching as her eyes grew wide before she nodded.

"Where is my son?" Thomas Martes yelled as he barged into his Gotham City office.A startled Aria let out a squeak, dropping the paperwork in her hands in the process.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Martes. Welcome to Gotham City." Aria smiled at her boss's father as she struggled to pick up the paper on the floor.

"Where is my son? Who is this maniac that kidnapped him?" Thomas ignored her greeting as he continued his rampage.

"Sir, please calm down. Gotham City Police Department is doing all it can to find him." Aria reassured him, noticing that his face was still livid with anger.

"Well, they're doing a shitty job! It's been three days and my son still hasn't been found! What the hell are they doing? They call themselves police officers?" He thundered as he headed towards Rick's office.

"You! Get me the commissioner of police!" He yelled at Aria before slamming the door in her face.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Martes." Aria grumbled as she turned away. She could see where Rick got his charm from.

"And get me something to eat!" Although the door was closed, she could hear his voice clearly as if he were right next to her.

"This is going to be a long day." She mumbled as she called Commissioner Gordon.

"One Grilled Chicken salad." Aria ordered before she sat at her usual booth and sighed.

"I'm so tired." She grumbled before dropping her head into her folded arms. She had spent the day before making preparations for Thomas's arrival, which had been hell for her. She had lost a day because of her hangover.

Then, she had to spend the entire time avoiding the press and protecting Thomas from them.

"Your order, ma'am." The waiter put the salad in front of her. She mumbled a 'thanks' before looking down at the salad, no longer hungry. Once again, she felt tiredness overwhelm her and dropped her head into her arms.

"Rough day?" She didn't have to look up to know who was talking to her.

"More than usual." She sighed as she raised her head. Jay's handsome face greeted her, instantly making her smile.

"You seem very happy." She mumbled as he sat across from her. He shrugged before gesturing to the waiter.

"A turkey breast sandwich and a cup of coffee." He turned back to her and saw her lying on the table, completely drained.

"Did you sleep last night?" He asked, leaning back in the booth. She raised her head and mumbled some incoherent phrase before dropping her head again.

"No. I didn't. I had to work through the night to get everything ready for Thomas's arrival, especially because I lost a day due to my hangover." He heard her mumble before she groaned.

"I know. You looked like you were ready to collapse last night." He said, causing her to raise her head and stare at him.

"You were spying on me?" Wide eyes filled with shock stared back at him. Tongue in cheek, he continued with a smile on his face.

"I was on patrol and decided to drop in to see how you were doing seeing as how you weren't at your apartment." He watched as her eyes grow wider before a blush tinged her cheeks.

"I didn't- that is I- you check up on me?" She finally asked, unable to believe that he paid special attention to her. He shrugged nonchalantly before the waiter arrived with his order.

"No really. I patrol the entire city and look for crime. Nothing big." He watched as her face fell but pretended not to notice. She picked up her fork and absently began to stab at the lettuce. She raised her hand and looked at her watch before she gasped.

"Oh my god. I need to get back to the office." She grabbed her salad and closed it before standing and heading towards the door.

"I'll see you later." She said, heading to the door. She didn't see him stand and follow her but she felt him grab her hand.

"Do you have to go?" He asked, watching her eyes grow wide before she nodded.

"Yes. Thomas needs me back in the office." She sighed in exhaustion before smiling at him.

"Bye." She turned and was about to walk away when she felt him pull on her hand and realized he was still holding her.

"Is that how you say bye now?" He asked before he pulled her into him and captured her lips. He felt her gasp before she relaxed and kissed him back.

"Wow." was all she could manage when he pulled away.

"You're telling me." He winked at her before letting her go.

"I'll see you later." He smiled as she nodded and turned away. Aria felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she headed back to the office, fully aware of the fact that his eyes were still on her.

Maybe a romance wasn't that bad after all.

So, reviews! Curious as to what you guys think about the latest chapter! I'll update again ASAP.
-DramaQueen95