I wander around the mansion and find myself following my nose into the kitchen. Alfred is in the middle of chopping onions for dinner.
"Not a good introduction, Miss Reid?" Alfred asks.
"I like Roy," I answer drily. "Kory, on the other hand… not that much."
"Understandable." Alfred walks over to the refrigerator and opens it. "Hm. Out of cilantro." He turns to me, "It seems I have an errand to run. Maybe to get your mind off your troubles, could I get you to chop the celery?"
"Of course," I nod. Alfred sets up the cutting board and leaves me alone to chop the celery.
"The 'die in the hole with the diapers' line was pretty good."
Chop. Chop. Chop. Chop.
Jason pushes off from the doorframe he was leaning on and stands across from me on the other side of the counter. "I'll admit, that introduction could have gone better."
"You think?" I scoff, keeping my focus on my task.
"Good news is," Jason reassures me, "they're only staying a week, if that. You only have to play nice hostess for that long."
"I tried to be nice, but that comment she made…"
Jason shrugs, "You shouldn't let comments get to you like that. I figured you would've grown a backbone from me."
I stop mid-chop and look at Jason. "Do you really wanna irritate an already pissed off pregnant woman who happens to be wielding a knife?" When he doesn't answer, I continue chopping and say, "I didn't go into that room thinking 'I hate this woman, I think I'm going to be so rude that I won't be able to recognize myself in the mirror.' But, honestly, what was I supposed to do? Let her call my baby a science experiment and just smile and agree with her?"
At this moment, I'm chopping ferociously. Jason places his hand over mine that is on the knife to stop me and calm me down.
"You stood up for yourself and those you care about, Ronnie. I'd be pissed if the girl I fell in love with had let her feistiness die out because of the situation she was thrown into."
I try to suppress a smile and fail greatly. "Well–"
"Jason."
We both turn to see Roy standing in the doorway.
Jason scrunches his eyebrows, "What do you need, Roy?"
"Actually, it's Bruce who needs you," Roy says.
"Hm. Okay. Strange." Jason kisses my forehead. "I'll see ya at dinner."
Once Jason is gone, I turn to Roy. "Bruce ran to the office fifteen minutes ago."
"I know," Roy smirks. "I actually wanted to get you alone and I knew after that scene upstairs, very few things would get Jason away from you." Roy picks up a celery stick and starts munching on it. "I wanna apologize for Kory's behavior. She's not usually like that and I don't know what's up with her." Munch. "Personally, I like you. A girl's gotta have a sharp tongue like yours to survive Jason."
"Do you think Kory's behavior had anything with her and Jason's past?" I ask as I gather up the celery pieces and put them in a bowl.
"I can't see that being a reason considering they never were really together."
I make a face. "Is it wrong that I honestly don't care and never will care what she thinks of me?"
Roy shakes his head. "Honestly? No. There are times I don't like her, but she's my girl. I have to stick by her side through thick and thin."
I smile. "For a bunch of outlaws, you guys sure are gentlemen-like."
"Honor among thieves." Roy sighs and leans his arms against the counter. "I'm gonna tell you something, because it's something that I know has been worrying both you and Jason. He didn't run out on you, Ronnie."
I take a deep breath. "I know, but–"
"He loves you. I can't believe I just said that about 'Hardhead Jason,' but he does. He went away because – well – because he wanted to prove to you and, even more so, to himself that he deserved you. That he was worthy to have someone like you." Roy walks away to leave me with my thoughts, but stops right at the door to give me on last statement, "He'd kill me for telling you, but… he talked about you every day. It got so bad that at one point, I was the one threatening him instead of the usual other way around." He throws me one last smile and leaves.
*()*()*()*()*
Dinner was… interesting. I kept my mouth shut, which was only easy with Jason by my side. Bruce was awfully quiet and Tim kept his conversations limited to Jason, Roy and me, completely ignoring Kory. Dick never even arrived for dinner although he's made it every night before hand.
I was the first one done and went straight to the kitchen to start the dishes. Alfred brought in the others' dishes and I made him go to bed early, leaving the dishes to me. I need the busy work.
"Well, you could cut that tension with a knife."
I roll my eyes. "I should get an award for how well I held my tongue."
"Don't feel bad," Tim says as he grabs a rag and starts helping me dry the dishes. "Kory's never been my favorite person either."
I look over at Tim. "Why?"
"Reasons," he shrugs.
I bite my lip and then ask on a hunch, "Did Dick go back to Blüdhaven?"
"No," Tim shakes his head. "But you won't see him around much for the next week or so."
I pause my work. "Why?"
Tim makes a face. "Him and Kory have a history."
I throw the washcloth into the sink, splashing soapsuds and water everywhere. "Who hasn't she slept with!"
Tim raises an eyebrow, surprised by my outburst. "You're scary when you're pregnant."
I deflate. I turn around and slide down to the floor, leaning my back against the sink cabinet.
"Sometimes I wish my life would go back to the way it was."
"The way I see it," Tim says to me, "this would have happened anyway. You did say that the scientists had been doing their research for years."
I nod. "I know. I guess I just hate what's going on inside me." Tim opens his mouth, but I stop him. "Not the baby. I mean, what's going on mentally. I feel like all my emotions are out of whack."
"Don't all pregnant women feel that way?" It's my turn to throw Tim a look, but he just laughs. "You know, Bruce has a knack for attracting those who need a family, even if you already, somewhat, have one at home. I mean, look at Dick and Jason. Both were basically homeless when Bruce adopted them, unless you count the circus as home." Tim nudges me. "Then there's you and me. You have your mom and brother–"
"Not really my brother anymore," I interrupt.
"He's still related to you." Tim sighs and continues, "And I have my dad. But they'd explode if they knew have of the things that happen to us."
"It's hard because you can't always tell them everything that's going on," I added. "I don't see my mom anymore – Bruce told her that I'm with you at some college prep course out of state – but I still could never tell her the truth. But Bruce… you can tell him anything because – even if sometimes it seems like he's not really listening – he understands and really listens." I smile, "You know he's not going to drag you to a therapist."
"Exactly," Tim laughs. "I know the minute my dad finds out I'm Robin, he'll make me quit in a heartbeat."
I relax and look around the room. "Who knew the kitchen would be a great place to have deep conversations."
Tim makes a mockingly terrified face. "I'd be scared if these walls ever learned to talk."
I laugh. And keep laughing. It feels good. I haven't been able to spend much time with Tim lately, so right now I'm savoring every moment.
