Jason.

Dick sighed and shook his head.

The little sneaks.

Both of them.

Jason had already been in bed by the time Dick returned home, which meant revenge was out of the question.

For the time being.

Dick was a little disappointed-and surprised- by that.

He had expected Jason to wait up for him, at least to see whether or not Dick made it home before curfew.

Dick stepped into the rather spacious sitting room.

A small fire was going, despite the warmth of the night, emitting a rather cozy glow.

"So… you sent Jason to bed, huh?" Dick said, speaking to the seemingly empty room "Was that for my benefit or his?"

"Did it have to be for either?" Bruce asked. He was seated in one of the giant armchairs facing the fire.

"I guess not, but I was expecting it to be." Dick moved deeper into the room, sitting down in the armchair across from him.

He settled down.

"Maybe it was for mine," Bruce said.

"Maybe," Dick conceded, "but I'm guessing it wasn't."

"How was your night?" Bruce asked. He didn't argue the case further.

"It went well." Dick smiled, remembering Barbara's description of the movie. "I'm not sure Barbara was very impressed with the movie choice, but, all in all, I think it was a good night."

Then he sat up straight. Wally had given him his blessing to tell Bruce the news. He didn't think it should wait any longer.

"Linda's expecting."
Bruce's surprise only showed in the slight widening of his eyes. "What?"
This time Dick felt as though his grin could split his face in two. "Wally told us. Linda's going to have a baby. Or two. Who knows? It could be twins."

"Indeed it could, young sir."

The voice came from behind him and Dick jumped slightly, not expecting to have Alfred come up on him from behind.

Bruce's face barely concealed his mirth as Alfred continued, "Forgive me." He angled a glance at Bruce. "It was not my intent to creep up in the dark as your father would. Though," he added, with a particular glimmer in his eyes, "you could always thank me for keeping you on your toes."

Dick laughed at that. "I don't know where we'd be without you, Alfred."

Bruce rubbed his face, giving his head a shake. "We wouldn't be watching our backs in the dark."

Alfred shot him another look. "No, we only have to worry about that when you're around, I'm afraid."

Bruce grunted, but didn't argue the point.

"As for your question, Master Dick," Alfred continued, "you would all most likely be floundering about in the dark without me to care for you all."

Dick laughed again. "Your confidence in us all touches my heart, Alfred."

Alfred raised an eyebrow. "You laugh, young sir, but have you ever seen Master Bruce prepare so much as a sandwich for himself?"

Dick stopped and his eyes widened just a little. It was true that Bruce never cooked, but… something in the manner in which Alfred had spoken.

Slowly, he turned to look at Bruce.

Bruce frowned, leaning forward slightly in his chair. "Justice is a full time job, Alfred. When would I have time to cook?"

"Or perhaps the reason is because your cooking has been found so unpalatable that the rest of us would rather starve than sample one of your dishes?"

"I don't have time to prepare food, Alfred!" Bruce exclaimed, offended. "When would I have time to prepare food?"

"I have watched you burn water, Master Bruce."
"That's a scientific impossibility, Alfred."

"And yet," Alfred sniffed, "it has been done."

Dick stood up slowly. As entertaining as it was to listen to Alfred debate one of Bruce's shortcomings with his surrogate father, he still had a little brother to confront.

Jason was sleeping, curled up with one hand wrapped around his head.

He looked so innocent and -dare he say it- adorable when he was asleep.

Dick almost smiled, but refrained from doing so.

Revenge was what he had come for and revenge he was going to get.

Wally's words at the diner had suggested that Jason was the one to spy on him and Barbara at the ball and, while Dick knew no harm had been done, he didn't think he ought to let his brother get away with it.

He took a step towards the bed, than stopped, somewhat surprised.

Ace's basket had been moved from its place by the fireplace. Dick realized he hadn't seen it when he had been downstairs with Bruce and Alfred, but he hadn't really been looking.

Now the basket was resting at the foot of Jason's bed, the pup curled asleep within.

Now he did smile, the tenderness of the scene for the moment overtaking his desire for vengeance.

But then he realized that the dog could very well indeed fit nicely into his plans for revenge.

Slowly, he crept on tiptoe to the bedside.

Jason had lived on the streets for most of his young life. Dick knew that he was no heavy sleeper- he had to be ready to wake on a moment's notice in order to survive- and he didn't want to wake him by mistake and thus ruin his surprise.

He knelt next to the dog's bed, running his hand gently over the soft fur.

The pup shuddered in its sleep and cracked one eye open to blink at him.

Dick smiled. "Hey, boy," he whispered.

On the bed, Jason tossed in his sleep and Dick held still. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do once Jason woke and found him in his room, but he preferred that that part would come after he had a chance to put his plan into action.

Jason stilled.

Dick allowed himself to relax.

Gently, he lifted the puppy into his arms. "You feeling lonely, little guy?" he whispered. The pup squirmed in his arms, licking his hand with a warm, pink tongue. "I think I've got the solution for that right here."

He carefully set the pup down on Jason's bedcovers. The dog sniffed the sheets. The tail started wagging, slowly at first, then with increasing speed.

Ace ambled his way over to Jason's face, settling himself down next to the boy's head.

The tiny mouth opened in a big yawn.

The puppy shuffled, sniffed Jason's face… and then the tongue came out and the pup licked him from his forehead to the tip of his nose.

Jason moaned, murmuring in his sleep.

The dog licked him again.

"Stop it." Jason waved a hand lazily in the air, turning over to face the other way.

Ace put his tiny paws on Jason's shoulders. His tail was wagging now.

He licked Jason's ear and, when Jason swatted at him in his sleep, gave him a little nip.

This time, Jason gasped, shooting up in bed.

The pup tumbled over backwards in surprise.

Dick doubled over laughing.

Jason blinked rapidly, taking in his surroundings.

"Dick!?"

He was confused. That was expected. The anger would come later.

"What the hell are you doing in here?"

Oh yeah. He was pissed.

He made to clamber out of bed, but a sound from the puppy had him stopping in his tracks.

"You dumped Ace on my bed?!" he demanded, incredulous. "Why the hell did you dump Ace on my bed?"

Dick shook his head, struggling to get his laughter under control. Oh yeah, Dick. You're real mature.

He wasn't prepared for the force that hit him directly around the middle and he fell to the floor.

The breath was knocked out of him as the weight landed directly on top of him.

Jason straddled his waist, hands gripping his shoulders.

He glared down at him.

"You…" Dick managed, finally succeeding in getting the words out. "I… talked to Wally."

The look of surprise on Jason's face was downright comical.

"You what?" he demanded.

"I talked to Wally," Dick said, more clearly this time. His cheeks were sore from grinning, but he couldn't stop.

"Yeah?" Jason growled. He sounded surprisingly awake. "He tell you it was a good idea to dump Ace on me in the middle of the night? And you listened to him?! I thought you had better sense than that!"

"First of all," Dick counted off on his fingers, "hey! There's nothing wrong with my sense. And second, I already know you spied on us, Jason! You already confessed, so don't try to hide it," Dick defended himself. He didn't have it in him to be annoyed, however. "You were Wally's spy!"

"I was his what?" Jason actually sat back. Dick contemplated shoving him off for a split second. He was fast. Faster than Jason. The kid wouldn't see it coming...

He made his move and Jason toppled backwards onto the floor with a cry of alarm.

On the bed, Ace gave an excited yelp. He bounced to the edge of the bed, tail wagging.

"Ew! Why would I spy on your… your little love fest!" he sputtered, but he had a guilty grin anyways. "Especially for Wally!"

"My what?" Dick gaped at him. "Jason!"

Jason crossed his arms, trying hard to look angry. It didn't work and the smirk still tugged at his lips anyways. "I didn't spy on you. Now get out!"