AUTHOR'S NOTE: I don't usually do these but I needed to get a couple of pieces of information out there. First, a huge apology for the delay, my computer crashed and ate this chapter so I had to rewrite it. Originally it was going to be "and they all lived happily ever after," but that's not fun. So this is part 1 of a trilogy. Second, on my biography page, yes I know there's no biography yet maybe over winter break, you'll find a poll, let me know who you'd like to see JT's mom as. Last, I need a beta so bad. I'm horrible about editing my own stuff, my professors don't even like for me to edit my papers. If are one or know one please let me know. Enjoy the last chapter in Red Vega.
"That's not yours Kit put it back," Kit swung around quickly. Standing behind him looking bored was the Red Robin. "Don't you have a diaper to change," Kit snarked turning back to the second large emerald that sat in the glass class. "I said put it back Kit," Red snarled. "Or what you're going to call Hood on me," Kit hissed turning around forgetting the twin to the emerald in his pouch. "I don't need Phoenix here to make you give it back; but he is why I'm here," Red said coming to a crouch waiting for Kit to make his move.
Kit debated for a moment before jumping for the roof. As much as he was curious as to what the bird was up to he wanted his emerald more. Movement out of the corner of Kit's eye was the only warning before to feet planted themselves in his back forcing him to the ground. Rolling to his back, Kit found Red Robin standing over him. Grabbing the vigilante's foot Kit rolled his body up off of his shoulder pulling Red's feet out from under him. Red Robin landed with an oof before jumping back up and back into an attack crouch.
"Wow, so the birdie has bite," Kit snarked. "This birdie has more than bite," Red said with a snarl. "At least now I can see, what Jason sees in you," Kit said standing suddenly catching Tim off guard. "You're hot when you're mad." Red Robin can't help the eye brow rise, of the things that he had expected; Kit complimenting him wasn't on the list.
"But, the problem is you're poison," Kit says with a cruel smirk. "You're going to ruin it, cause that's your cycle, meet someone great, have them fall for you, screw it up, run away, come back, and it's never the same," Kit said sounding board as he sits himself up on the ledge of the building. Red Robin feels his hands clench into fist. He refuses to believe that, he won't ruin it this time. "Isn't that what you did to Batman and Robin, the Titans, Superboy, you kill everyone you love," Kit hisses at Red Robin. It's the last sentence send Red Robin, no, sends Tim Drake, launching himself at the cat-burglar.
The two go crashing down onto one of the lower roofs. Tim swings at Kit and Kit taking his fair share of swing but when it ends its Red Robin standing, Kit on his back looking up, the pressure of Red Robin's boot in Kit's neck. "Let me make this clear to you, Jason is off limits for anything but friendship. He loves me, I will win his trust back, and you will not get in my way or I will have you back on the streets begging for scraps do I make myself clear," Red Robin snarls. "He's not yours yet bird boy and when he finds out about this," Kit starts to threaten, "I'll tell you, like I told him, get in my way and you'll find out why I'm considered the most dangerous Robin after all I hear there's more than one way to skin a cat, care to find out."
The early afternoon light made the weather perfect to sit outside for lunch, "He did what," Roy yelled. "I knew I shouldn't have told you," Jason grumbled. "No, no, he did what," Roy repeated. They sat outside the coffee shop, Abby sitting a high chair as she ate her snack. "Seriously, He laid it down like that, he wasn't going to give you a choice that you were his," Roy asked. Jason nodded, "And what did you think at the time," Roy asked. "After I was over the shock of the entire scene; it was the fucking sexiest thing I've ever seen," Jason said with a smirk and Roy spit out his coffee. "So are you two," Roy asked, "No. We're not anything, Tim's just putting me on notice that he wants back in the running," Jason said with a smile.
"So it's true that the little bird made his move finally," a sultry male voice said as a blond hair, emerald eyed young man sat down in the vacant seat across from Jason. "Kit, you look, vex," Jason said with a smirk. "I had a little run in with your birdie after we met up last night," Kit said pouting. "Oh and what did my birdie tell you," Jason asked, he couldn't help the amused sound. "He told me to back off, that you were his and he did like sharing his toys. And he was very mean to me," Kit said pouting. Roy could help but burst out laughing. "Oh Jason, you're in so much trouble." But Roy's laughter died down when he saw the concerned face of his best friend. "What's up," Roy asked. "If he sought Kit out, is he going to seek out Talia," Jason said half to himself and half to Roy. "Jay, she's, he wouldn't," Roy started. "Wouldn't he, it's Tim, when he wants he can be more reckless then me. And sorry Kit, Talia is a whole different level then you. He strikes at her, she doesn't pout about it, she'll strike back." Jason knew he would have to talk to Tim, he would need to know.
"Mr. Todd," Jason had to bite back the groan. Isabelle Hart was the socialite daughter of Raymond Hard of Hart Industries. She had been trying to catch Dick's attention and now had apparently moved onto Jason realizing that there was less competition. The lovely dark haired young woman sat down in the last empty seat with the three men. "Izzy," Jason said with the grin of a practice socialite. "Lord Jason, no one's called me Izzy since I was 12, it's refreshing," Isabelle said with a fake laugh. "Well seeing as he hasn't seen you since he was what Jay, you were 14 when you were kidnapped, that would make sense," Jason snarked at the girl. Beside her godfather Abby laughed at Isabelle's face. "That's no way to talk to a lady Roy," Kit scolded. "Isabelle Hart, may I introduce Roy Harper ward of Oliver Queen and Kittredge Harris, Selina Kyle's nephew," Jason said introducing his friends. Jason could almost see her eyes lit up at the names that were dropped. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ollie and my father go way back, I'm surprised I've never seen you before Mr. Harper," Isabelle said. "Probably due to my drug problem, Ollie doesn't really let me out of my cage too much," Roy shrugged; Jason covered his mouth to cover the laugh/cough at the deb's surprised look.
"Oh I don't know Roy never bother us," a fourth voice said with a smirk. Jason had to hide his surprise at Tim standing beside him dressed in a black suit and blue tie. "Mr. Drake," Isabelle said with a flirtatious smile. "Let me make this easy for all of us both, Isabelle, Ray's dating a princess, Kit is bored with you, and Jason has only been back six weeks, so if you could possibly wait a little more time before you start dropping your panties and spreading your legs in hopes of trapping a Wayne family member we'd appreciate it. Good-bye," Tim said cruelly.
Isabelle look offended and shocked all at the same time as she stood and stormed out. Tim sat calmly down ignoring the surprised faces of Ray and Kit while Jason simply looked annoyed. "Think you could have handled that better Tim," Jason said looking at his partner. "I told you Jason, I'm done screwing around, Isabelle Hart doesn't stand a chance against me, and I just didn't want to have to mess with her. It's obviously going to be hard enough to get rid of this one," Tim said nodding towards Kit. "Guys, if you don't mind I'd like to speak with Tim alone," Jason said towards Kit and Roy. "Yea, sure, see you two at home, want me to take Abby," Roy asked. Jason shook his head and watched his friends leave.
Tim leafed through the menu as Jason watched, "Listen baby bird, I heard you last night," Jason said taking Tim's hand making sure he had his attention, "But shit like that ain't gonna do you any good. It's not you first off. So you can out bitch Kit, not what I find incredibly sexy about you baby bird," Jason said with a grin. "So you do think I'm sexy, tell me Mr. Todd, what's the sexiest thing about me," Tim said with a grin that stole Jason's breath. "Beyond your confidence, eyes, smiled, ass, and snark? Abby, you get a whole lot of points because of Abby," Jason said starting with a grin ending in a quiet whispered. Tim squeezed Jason's hand, "Let's have lunch with our daughter," Tim said with a smile as the waiter came closer.
Tim smiled as he leaned against the door way watching Jason sit in the rocker their daughter looking up at him with her wide sapphire eyes as he told her a story.
"So then the prince came riding up on his bike and was like, I'll save you, and the princess looked at him like he was crazy and snarked back, 'I got this," and she proceeded to kick the evil queen's butt with her bad ass ninja moves that her daddy and Shiva had taught her and defeated the wicked queen. Afterwards the prince looked at Snow White and asked if she wanted to get married and she was like 'hell no, I need a bad ass to hang with and you're a sucker and then went off adventuring with her team of friend the Red Jerk and Star Princess and they had bad ass adventures. But she always remembered to check in with her dads and check her lines so her Uncle Wing wouldn't come stalk her and break into her apartment to check them himself. The end," Jason said with a satisfied grin.
Tim clapped and laughed, "Something tells me that's not exactly how Snow White goes but the general idea is there." "Hey, no sorry girlie, whiney, fairytales for our girl, cause she's gonna be a bad ass," Jason said raising Abby above his head making the toddler laugh. "Well it's time for our bad ass baby to go to bed," Tim said smiling walking over running a hand over Abby head and leaning over to kiss her cheek. Jason laughing pulling Abby to his chest, "We got your dad to say bad ass." Jason handed Tim, Abby before moving to check the windows and set the extra security for the room. Jason smiled and watched as Tim got their daughter ready for bed.
Tim hummed quietly pulling off the pink dress that Kori had given Abby and moved to the bathroom where Jason had drawn the baby her bath. Tim handed Abby to Jason and went about doing the second check of all the security while Jason bathed their daughter. Soon she was tucked into her crib her eyes dropping sleepily as Tim handed Abby her bed and whispered, "Lumos," a gift from Zatanna, The bear gave off a soft, warm glow. The two quietly stole out of the room and closed the door.
"You going out tonight," Tim asked as Jason and he walked towards the main staircase. "Nah, Bruce said he, Dick, and Damien have got it tonight. He'll need us Friday though," Jason muttered. "How are the class choices going," Tim asked. "Think I narrowed now what I'm taking. Couple of counseling classes, abnormal psychology," Jason said with a smirk. Tim can't help but chuckle, "However will you do the research for it." Tim paused for a minute, "I don't, I mean if you don't have other plans," Jason smiles and grabs Tim's hand, "You wanna watch a movie with me baby bird?" Tim smiles at him gratefully.
It's late and the movie ended about half an hour ago but neither of the two men had moved from their comfortable spot. Jason lies on the couch slowly breathing tasting the scent that is a mix of Kevlar, cinnamon, and spearmint, something that he was introduced to on his and Tim's only night together. On his chest lays Tim, his eyes open but he bring himself from moving, the steady thumps of Jason's heart is too hypnotizing.
Finally Tim blinks and moves to look at Jason, "There are so many things I want to say and do right now," Tim admits. Jason looks confused, so Tim continues, "I want to kiss you, and I want to know if my memory is just exaggerating or do you really taste like the wind when I fly through Gotham. I wanna undress you and make you call out my name as I do things that I've been imagining since I was fourteen and you came back from the grave. I knew I was going to be in so much trouble, I had fantasized about you when you were Robin and now there I was as Robin and you hated me but all I could think about is wanting to know your taste and the sound of your voice when it was happy. I want you to forgive me for being so stupid and running from something that I've wanted all my life and being so afraid that I'm poison and going to slowly kill this dream I had been living it."
Tim can feel Jason's hand cart through his hair, "But mostly I want to say I'm sorry. Not just for running out on Abby, on our family. But for making you feel like you weren't worthy, that I was just another person who had thought you weren't worthy of them, of being with them. It's not true, you're worth so much Jason, and you are such an amazing man. That anyone who got lucky enough to know you be your friend, your partner, your lover, they would thank their lucky stars," Tim says reaching up to cup Jason's cheek. "I'm so sorry I made you ever doubt that. You're worth ten of me; I've always been the replacement."
Jason's fingers came up to Tim's lips, "That's my name for you, and it became your name because I was angry, hurt, and confused. I didn't understand, no one had ever loved me, the one person who had come close had died of an overdose but I had been her whole world. I didn't understand that a parent, a real parent, can love more than one child. There's more than enough room for the heart to love multiple people. I didn't understand that, that just because Bruce loved you, was proud of you, didn't mean he didn't love me anymore. It caused problems between Dick and me, and then it caused problems between me and you. I'm glad Dick figured it out, that he was able to be your big brother," Jason said with a smile. "And I do love you Tim, I love that you're incredibly brave and strong. That you don't give up on anything or anyone; that you're loyal to a fault and want to help everyone. I love that you hum when you get Abby ready for bed and it's always the same song," Jason smiled at Tim's confusion, "Georgia on my Mind, Ray Charles, the song I was singing the night you caught me in Bruce's nursery."
"You knew I was there?"
"I didn't care; Abby was my whole world at that point. Nothing would, or will, drag me away from her," Jason said with a shrug. "Like I said I do love you Tim, but right now, for this time, can we just be this, whatever it is, partners, parents, Jason and Tim, I promise no one will take the position of significant other," Jason asked. "On the agreement that I get to take you on dates, real dates; I don't care what the newspaper say, I don't care if we're seen or if the board kicks me out. I want you to know I'm not ashamed of you, Jason. I want the world to know I have this amazing partner, that is the epitome of the phoenix story," Tim negotiated. Jason nodded as Tim laid his head back down. "Does this mean I have to move," Tim asked quietly, "No, I think it's okay if we're," Jason tried to grasp for the world, "Snuggling," Tim offered and Jason groaned, "Just don't tell Dick that, he'll be an octopus if he finds out." Tim laughed and closed his eyes, yeah; he could handle being a snuggling partner for now.
"Okay the plan," Tim stating packing his briefcase while Jason sat at the table with his coffee and textbook and Roy feed Abby. "We have a plan," Roy snarked. Tim growled as Jason looked up, "Don't antagonize him, Roy. He's gotta meet with the board today and they wanna rundown of Wayne Enterprise's R&D." Tim looked up in surprise, "Hey I listen, just cause my head is in a textbook when you're talking doesn't mean I'm not multi-tasking," Jason said defending himself. Tim smiled at his partner, and then continued his thought.
"You'll keep Abs until your class in which you'll drop her off to Sandra at W.E. from there Dick's gonna pick her up around 2:30ish and keep her till Damien gets out at 3:30 when he'll pick her up and bring her back here where you will be Roy till either Jay or I get home," Tim instructed. "From there we're supposed to meet the family around 6:30 for dinner. The party will start around 8 for Abby's 2nd birthday party and her 1st Wayne family society party," Tim says the end part with faux excitement making Abby giggle. "Alfred has your tux at the Manor, and yes you will be wearing a tux, as will Roy he just doesn't know it. Star even agreed to wear those special contacts that make her eyes look human," Tim said with a grin. "The orangeness can be explained away by too much tanning and being a redhead," Roy snarked to Abby, "Us gingers are so abused Lil' Red." "Stop calling her that, she's gonna think that's her name the way everyone refers to her," Tim groaned kissing Abby on her head and then walked over to Jason kissing him, "Good luck on your psych test today," Tim said with a smirk. Jason just raised an eyebrow, "You're not the only one who can multitask." Tim walked out of the room and when the main door closed Roy looked at his best friend.
"Still no title," Roy asked. "Don't start Roy, I told you, were partners, we don't wanna title it, or put pressure on it, we just wanna raise our daughter and be happy," Jason said going back to his textbook. "Partners that kiss, snuggle, share responsibilities, raise a daughter, and pay bills, but don't have sex Abby, I don't know kinda sounds like they're married to me don't you think," Roy said looking as if Abby was about to launch into her own opinion. "Please don't corrupt my baby's mind," Jason said getting up and putting his coffee cup into the sink. "Oh I don't know, with you and Tim as her parents I think she's already corrupted, I'm just developing it," Roy said with a smirk. Jason rolled his eyes and headed up stairs to his room.
Roy had a point, thought Jason was loathed to admit that. He and Tim had been partners since their agreement a little under ten months ago. One more than one occasion they had spent their nights off snuggled together on a couch reading or watching a movie. When Jason had to study Tim made sure that Abby was a disturbance or would sit and quiz Jason on the subject. They had even went to kissing before they left, a physical manifestation of their deep partnership as Damien had rationalized it on morning after witnessing it. None of it bother Jason, except the fact that Roy might be right. Maybe it was time to give it a title. Jason would think more on it later, but for now he had a Psych test in an hour to get ready for.
"Selina, you look lovely as always," Jason said as Selina Kyle came into the lounge, a red A-line gown her blond hair swept up in a French twist. "And you look so handsome, Armani looks good on you," Selina said hugging Jason, she had taken her position as his 2nd mother to heart and would often worry about him or take him to lunch and chat about Abby. "How's Kit," Jason asked. The young cat burglar had recently decided to do a trip around Europe to do some training from some of Selina's old mentors. "Last I heard he was enjoying the gypsy life in Romania," Selina said with a smirk, "I'm sure he'll drop in at some point." "Cats and landing on their feet and all," Jason said with a nod taking a bottle of wine and offering to pour Selina a glass.
"So where's the lady of the hour," Selina asked looking around for Abby. It was rare that Abby wasn't with Jason or Tim, "If you can see the giant blue cupcake sitting on Bab's lap that would be my daughter," Jason said with a laugh. "Oh my, who dressed her," Selina said covering her mouth in a laugh, "That would be her Aunt Kori, I've never seen so many ruffles in my life," Jason grinned. But he had to admit his daughter looked beautiful in the sapphire halter neckline with beaded collar and bodice the ruffled layered short skirt poofed out remind Jason of a cupcake. "I think Kori, Zan, and Cassie are thinking about entering her in beauty pageants," Jason said with a laugh. "That would be quiet the team to compete with," Tim said coming up behind him already holding his own glass of champagne as other guest began to fill the Wayne Manor ballroom.
The night progressed on with smiles and laughter as the gifts for the Wayne heiress were piled high, discussion of the right schools, beauty pageants, and debutante balls were had by people that Jason despised. Soon Jason found himself in one of the studies Abby sitting on the floor playing, stripped of the dress. Tim slide open the door and smiled at the two, "I wondered where you two were hiding." He sat down next to Jason as Abby toddled around the room in nothing but her diaper. "What a picture for the Gotham Gazette," Tim said well naturedly as he leaned against Jason's side. "That monstrosity was making her chafe and being handed around was starting to hurt her baby body," Jason defended. Tim smiled kissing Jason's cheek, "You're a good dad to save her." Abby toddled over to the two before climbing into Jason's lap and yawning. "Oops, looks like someone's ready for bed, she'll start to become fussy soon," Jason said. Abby's nature was to be a good and flexible baby, but when she became tired she was a tiny grizzle bear. "Let's get her candles blown out and then you two can make your escape," Tim said taking Abby and began dressing her again.
The crowd was singing the birthday song, unaware of the danger surrounding them. The Wayne family stood on the platform, Jason and Tim on either side of the birthday girl who was standing on a chair. Behind her Dick held onto JT who had fallen asleep at some point despite his insistence that seven years old meant he should stay up late. Beside him holding JT's hand was Barbara Gordon and behind her Bruce and Selina stood beaming at their adopted sons. Damien stood off the right of Tim trying to look like he wasn't enjoying the party but there were times when he looked at his niece and nephew that the smile would slide on his face. "Blow hard princess," Tim said as Abby leaned over like her daddy showed her and began blowing the candle in the shape of a 2. The room clapped loudly and cheered for the toddler, as the clapping began to die down one set of hands stayed loud as the crowd parted and too Tim and Jason's horror stood Talia Al Ghul with about 50 of her ninja's behind her.
"That was very good Vega," Talia said with a cruel smile. Tim scooped Abby up shielding her from the woman. "Don't make this harder than it has to be Timothy. These nice people of Gotham don't stand a chance against my ninjas if you don't hand her to me," Talia said holding out her hands for Abby. Jason got between Talia and his family, "Leave Talia," Jason said coldly. Talia moved closer and with a gesture several of the ninja's grabbed bystanders holding them at sword point. "Give her to me phoenix or I will have my men kill them all," Talia said coldly. "Talia," Bruce said moving closer to his sons Selina not far behind but both stop at the snarl that formed on Talia's face at the two daring to be in the same room together.
"Don't Jason," Tim said quietly grasping Jason's bicep. He could tell his partner was about to take a swing at the assassin. Tim moved slowly from behind Jason, "Do this Talia and the gloves come off. I will dismantle everything that you and your father have built and then I will make you suffer in ways you haven't thought of yet," Tim warned. Talia moved to the younger man taking the toddler out of his arms. For her part Abby became distraught at no longer being in her dad's arms her wails making her displeasure known. Talia quickly handed the crying toddler to a ninja who stole out of the room towards what sounded like a helicopter coming closer.
"If you hurt her Talia, the pain I will inflict on you," Jason warned. "Hurt, don't you remember my beloved phoenix; she'll become my greatest weapon. The Red Vega, the falling star of the Wayne family," Talia said leaning in to press her lips to Jason as she spoke only loud enough for Tim and Jason to hear, "Besides, you wouldn't want her brother to be lonely would you?" Tim could feel his heart pick up and Jason tense next to him. Talia pulled away and walked towards the window that the ninjas had broken and were making their escape from.
The room had exploded in activity, but Jason and Tim stood stalk still grasping each other's hand, their daughter, gone, taken right out of their arms. Bruce ushered them both into a private study and locked the door. Several the superhero community were already there but looking at the bats they knew they were not wanted. This would be handled by family, the most they could do was take care of Gotham in their absence. Kori and Roy stood in one corner seething, Dick looked as if he couldn't decide whether to be panicked for his niece or relived that Talia hadn't taken his son as well. Bruce stood with Selina waiting for the explosion from Jason and Tim while Damien sat quietly waiting for orders.
"The Outlaws are going after her, and we're not playing by your rules Bruce," Jason said, "I know I said no killing, but this is my daughter, I won't leave her in that insane," but Bruce interrupted him. "Jason, I can't, I can't condone killing, but I understand, the desire, the need. You'll still have a home when you bring your daughter back." Jason nodded curtly then turned to Tim, "Don't even think about leaving me," Tim said coldly, "Tim, what were gonna do," Jason started. "She's got them Jason, my babies, in that hell-hole, she'll twist them, and turn them to monsters, I won't allow it, they won't become me. Talia has no idea what she's done, she's going to learn why I'm called the Dangerous Robin," Tim said looking Jason in the eyes. Jason nodded, "We leave in two hours, Red X." Jason, the Outlaws, and Tim left the room. The family stood looking at each other, unsure whether to follow the group. No one notice a missing member and wouldn't till the morning. "Did Tim say, babies," Barbara said quietly.