Chapter 10: Homecoming

Disclaimer: I don't work for DC Comics. Last disclaimer, because it's just too obvious in my opinion. I'm sorry I haven't updated this story for so long. I know a lot of people like it. I just had a hard time writing the end.

It was dark, and a storm was coming. Jason, Cassandra, and I faced Wayne Manor and made sure no one could see us. Exhausted, we searched for the secret entrance. Finally, we found a button under one of the hedges. I pressed it, and a tunnel appeared.

We arrived in the Bat-Cave and hung up our costumes. There were some chattering sounds as Thomas and Martha perched on my shoulders. Jason looked around at the place. "It's been so long since I was last here," he said quietly. "It doesn't seem like much has changed at all."

I also heard two familiar voices laughing loudly. Alfred greeted us looking flustered. "Miss Wayne, Miss Cain. So glad you made it home alright. Tell me, how was your first night on the job?" he asked me.

"I think it went pretty well," I said, smiling at Jason and Cass.

"Good, good. Masters Bruce and Damian have just returned after foiling one of Killer Croc's heists. Mister Jones put up quite a fight, and Master Bruce is showering." I heard the laughter again. "Oh yes, we have company over." He shook his head and smiled, and was about to walk away when he saw Jason. "Master Todd," he murmured. "Is that really you? You've returned?"

Jason nodded. "Yeah, I'm back. Good to see you, Alfred." They embraced, both of them close to tears. "I missed you too."

As Alfred went to do laundry, I wanted to show Jason something. I took him into Dad's office and opened a safe in the wall. It contained his Robin uniform, several of his school papers, a drawing of the two of them, a letter from Jason to Dad, several Father's Day and birthday presents, and other items. "He hasn't forgotten you," I whispered. I saw a tear slide down his face.

The two of us joined Cass to see the "company" Alfred mentioned earlier. We didn't want to be antisocial. Dick and Tim were on the couch fighting over a bag of chips. They waved at us, and their jaws dropped when they saw Jason. The bag fell and made a mess for Alfred to clean. "Jaybird!" said Dick. "You're back!" Both of them ran to him.

Jason didn't have much to say. "Miss me?"

"No," said Dick. But I had a feeling he was lying. "The legend returns!"

Then I heard someone stomping our way. Damian was still wearing his Robin costume, minus the mask. "Will you keep it down? Some of us have school tomorrow." He acknowledged me and Cassandra. Then his eyes widened. "Todd?" Jason nodded. "Hmm." He didn't seem interested, but if there was one thing Damian was good at, it was concealing emotions. Living with Dad may have made him more of a human being, but somethings he picked up from his mom, Talia al Ghul, and her evil, ancient father, may never change.

"Damian, can you bring Dad down here?" I said. "We want to surprise him."

"Exactly what should I tell him?"

"Whatever works." He seemed to disapprove, but went anyway. Dick and Tim went with him.

Jason began to pace as he thought about the upcoming reunion. "This isn't easy for me."

"Well, everyone has things they'd rather forget forever," Cass reassured him.

"I know," I said, remembering something pretty unpleasant.

Jason looked at me curiously. "What could you have done?"

I took a deep breath as I recalled one of my darkest hours. "When I was in 7th grade, back when I lived with the Rolfes, I . . . cheated on my math test."

He smirked. "You're kidding, right?"

"I wish. It was a very hard test. My grades were already good, but I wanted straight A's pretty bad. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep it a secret long, and I was grounded for three weeks." It was a pretty embarassing story, but I was glad I made him smile.

Finally, Dad came down wearing his bathrobe. He didn't look pleased. I wondered what Damian told him. "OK, Alex, where are the spiders?"

I glowered at my half-brother. "Why did you tell him that?!"

He shrugged. "It was the best I could think of." I facepalmed.

"What's going on here, Alex?" You probably already know this, but you don't trifle with Batman, even if he's your old man.

"And you call yourself a detective!" Dad's face paled. He whirled around to see a certain someone dangling a red hood in his hand.

"J-Jason?" Dad choked on the word.

"Yeah, it's me, Bruce," said Jason. "I'm back." There was an eternity of silence. Then they both began weeping, as Dad held his estranged son like he wouldn't let go again.

As Alfred swept the mess Dick and Tim left, he remarked, "I don't know if I've ever seen him so happy." I agreed with him. I wished that moment could last forever, yet I knew all too well it couldn't.

Elsewhere in Gotham. . . (EXIT ALEX'S POV)

In the lair of a monster. . . a place best avoided. . . a madhouse of the worst kind. . . a simgle sound rang out. . . DING-DONG!

"HARLEY!" rasped a fiend who needs no introduction. "Make yourself useful and get the door!"

Harley Quinn pranced to answer it. "Okey-doke, puddin'!" She swung it open and gasped.

Facing her was a man with an aura of menace so potent even the Joker felt uneasy. "Won't you invite me in?" His voice was smooth, sounding like that of the Devil himself.

"Of course we will, Strange old boy!" said the Joker. "Standing in doorways is very rude! Tsk, tsk," he chided.

"That's Professor Strange to you," snarled the professor. "I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you: the downfall of Batman."

The Harlequin grinned his perpetual Chesire Cat grin. "My favorite topic! Oh, do go on!"

To be continued. . . I know, I'm even worse than the Joker and Strange, ending the chapter at a time like this, but with luck the next will be out faster than a speeding Superman! Sayanora!