He was quiet as she wrapped the gauze over the long cut that ran over her shoulder. There was no scolding. No lectures. That was bad.

Every movement Jocelyn made hurt like hell, but she had to stop the bleeding. Finally, she secured the bandages with a knot and let her hands drop onto her lap. Her eyes flickered up to the computer, but she quickly looked away. Her legs dangled over the edge of the old operating table.

"They weren't there," she said, breaking the silence. "But I know they're still in Gotham."

He didn't answer at first. "You got lucky," he finally replied. "You could've ended up with something that gauze won't fix."

"But—."

"Are those files that important to you?" Verlix demanded, his voice growing heated. "Do you want to open Pandora's box so badly you'd risk life and limb for it? In case you've forgotten, I was created to protect you. And right now, you're making it very difficult for me!"

"I know what you're programmed for!" Jocelyn snapped back. "Every time I fuck up, you don't waste time reminding me!" She pushed herself off of the table. "At least you know what you're for! What you are!" With both hands, she gestured towards herself. "Do you think this is normal, Verl? Do you think ordinary people can just do this?" She cloaked, and then reappeared. "And you won't tell me! All I know is that I'm not normal! Moving across states and across countries every few months is not normal! Having parents who left me with an AI is not normal!" Jocelyn made her way over to and slumped on the couch. She sat back and gingerly touched her bandages. "I was so close. Those files, they'll tell me who I am."

"You appear to be in distress," Verlix noted. There it was. One of those little reminders that Verlix was merely flexible lines of code, and not a thinking, feeling human.

"Do I?" Jocelyn scoffed.

"I had hoped that you were satisfied with what you had," Verlix said. "And when he came along, I had hoped that he would take your mind off of these little demons in your life."

The mention of him depressed Jocelyn even more. It had been a while since she had spoken to Jason. He had been caught up in other business. In his absence, she had resumed her search for the files on her own.

"I am happy, Verl," she said. "Most days, it's not hard to keep my chin up. But it's an innate desire; it's something human. I have to know who I am."

"As should be expected," Verlix admitted. "People are ever craving to know. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent the first men across the sea, or to the Moon." To Jocelyn, he almost sounded… tired. "Gone are the days when I had to tail your steps to make sure you wouldn't fall, or when I had to stay on high alert when you fell ill. My purpose is fulfilled; what am I to do now?"

"I'm still a child," Jocelyn murmured.

"Biologically, you are not."

"There you go again, Verl."

Well, it was getting late. The wound on her shoulder still hurt, but the pain was slowly ebbing away. After today's endeavors, Jocelyn found herself quite exhausted. Maybe it was time to call it a day. Those files weren't going anywhere any time soon. Jocelyn lifted her legs and rested them on the couch. She tucked an arm under her head. Through drooped eyes, she saw Verlix dim the lights.

Suddenly, the lights on the computer lit up. "What the hell?" she heard Verlix exclaim. Jocelyn opened her eyes and lifted her head. "What's up?"

"Someone just… someone just came in!" the AI responded, sounding flustered. The overhead lights brightened again. "They just bypassed the retina scanner!"

Jocelyn inhaled deeply and rested her head down again. "About time," she mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I bet he's stopped by to check on me. Probably freaked when he couldn't find me at the apartment."

"Who… Jocelyn Drei!" Verlix accused. "You gave Mr. Todd access to the retina scanner?"

"Mmhm," Jocelyn mumbled, closing her eyes. "It took a while too. The big baby wouldn't hold still long enough. I was tempted to go all Clockwork Orange on him." Verlix said nothing as the sound of descending steps echoed in the chamber. Jocelyn kept her eyes closed, but heard someone approach her. "So what's this all about?" she asked. "Not a single call or text in days."

"He's been busy," a deep voice answered. Jocelyn's eyes flew open. Looming above her was a huge, black silhouette with pointed ears. She let out a shriek and bolted upwards. Batman took a step back.

"I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay?" he asked.

Jocelyn put a hand over her chest. "I might need a defibrillator," she wheezed.

"No need. Your BPM has only increased by 30 percent," Verlix piped up. Another, smaller figure appeared beside Batman. "Way to go," Jason remarked. Both were costumed. Jocelyn let out a breath and leaned back on the couch. Batman turned away and faced the computer. "Verlix," he addressed.

"Batman," the AI replied. "It's an honor."

Jason looked down at Jocelyn and noticed her bandages. He plopped down on the couch beside her. "You all right?" he asked. "Did you dress it with antibiotics and stuff? I don't think Croc cleans those claws." He reached towards the bandages.

Jocelyn pushed his hand away. "I'm fine," she defended. "Anyway, you don't need to worry about me. You're supposed to be busy forgetting about me, remember?"

"Aw, so you've missed me?" Jason scooted closer.

Jocelyn crossed her arms. "No," she mumbled. She felt him take her cheek and tilt her face back to him. He leaned in.

"I missed you too." He pressed his lips to hers. Jocelyn lowered her arms. Even after all this time, he still knew how to make her heart go aflutter. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled in closer.

"Kids!" a rough voice barked. They quickly withdrew from each other. "None of that bullshit here," Verlix growled. "That's what the apartment's for. I swear, it hasn't been a minute and they're all over each other."

"Verl! Come on!" Jocelyn protested. "I haven't seen him in ages!"

"I suggest you brush up on what the definition of 'ages' means, darling," Verlix retaliated. "And this is my house. My rules. And rule number one, Mr. Todd: you get your hands off of her, or you best start praying to whatever deity you believe in." Jason shifted away from Jocelyn in defeat. He caught what could almost be a hint of a grin on Batman's face. Before he could get a better look, his mentor turned back to the computer. While Verlix's attention was diverted, Jocelyn sneaked a quick peck on Jason's cheek. His face brightened.

"You better be careful, girl. If he sees anything, he's taking it out on me."

"What's the matter? Afraid of a little risk?"

Meanwhile, Batman continued to observe the supercomputer. Verlix was very… he didn't quite know how to describe it. Memories resurfaced of his encounters with HARDAC, but that was different. HARDAC was nothing more than a talking machine. But Verlix was so alive. So full of expression. And hell, with the way he dealt with Jason, he even seemed to have an attitude. Verlix seemed to read his silence.

"I am unlike anything this world has ever created," the AI said. "And for good reason. I doubt I'd make anyone comfortable. Even Mr. Todd doesn't take me very seriously. The only reason Jo treats me the way she does is because I raised her. Still, I don't think the world will ever be ready for me."

"AI's have a bad rep," Batman said. "There was one in Gotham a long time ago that tried to wipe out humanity."

Verlix let out an odd noise. It sounded so much like a sigh. "As if Hollywood didn't do enough damage," he said. "I suppose you expected me to sound like this?" He switched his voice to a monotonous drawl. "Humans are weak. Machines are superior. Must. Destroy. All. Humans." Then, normally, he added, "My apologies. I'm sure you didn't come here to listen to the ramblings of a toaster."

"That's exactly why I'm here," Batman said. "Robin told me about you. I need to discuss something."

"You came to me?" Verlix mused. "Hm, that's new. Sure. But let's talk in private." A whirring noise caught Batman's attention. He looked to see a door slide open. "I'll speak through your earpiece. Go on." Batman walked to the small room and entered. Embedded into the wall was a vacant glass tube, big enough to fit a human in. The door shut behind him.

"That's better," Verlix said, speaking through a communication channel. "Pardon the low accommodations."

"There's no need to apologize."

"I'm a little flustered. You are a legend, after all."

"That's odd. You'd think it'd be the other way around. I'm just a person."

"Maybe you are," Verlix said. "But I prefer to keep the illusion alive. Keep the wool over my optics."

Wait, so that meant… "You don't know who I am?"

"Nope."

Batman was very careful to keep away any connections between him and Bruce Wayne, but he was sure Verlix would be able to find out in a heartbeat. He had the power and resources to do so.

"Just because I can, Batman," Verlix said, "doesn't mean I should. You wear a mask for a reason, after all. I respect boundaries. Unlike that rambunctious boy of yours."

"Thank you, Verlix." An AI with self-discipline? He was right; he was unlike anything in the world.

"Sure. So what is it you wanted to discuss?"

Batman wandered over to the glass tube, looking at the reflection that stared back at him. "It's about those files."

"It's always about those files," Verlix muttered.

"Do you know what they are?"

"Yes. Though I couldn't tell you what's in them."

"But you—."

"I said I knew what they are. I don't have the slightest clue what they contain. But Jo believes that… Ugh," he groaned. "Hold on a minute. Batman, please remove your earpiece for a moment."

Batman hesitated, and then reached up to his mask. He slipped his finger under and pulled the device from his ear. Suddenly, he heard a shrill whine. It was coming from the earpiece, and it was so loud he could still hear it from his hand.

From outside, he heard two cries of pain. Then Verlix, out loud, scolded, "That'll teach you. Nosy brats." As Batman replaced his earpiece, he heard Verlix speak to him again. "I suppose it was you who taught the boy how to hack into comms channels?"

"He's got up to tier eight channels mastered," Batman replied, trying to mask his fatherly pride.

"Hm. Tier 12 should keep them out," Verlix said. "So let's cut to the chase with these files: Jo wants them, and you want to keep them out of criminal hands. I see a very clear solution to this."

"Not quite. What does she want with them?"

"You really think she'll use them to make a weapon of mass destruction? Don't kid yourself. She thinks they'll tell her about herself. And then, after she gets what she's looking for, I'm going to delete them."

"You'll what?"

"Look, Batman," Verlix went on. "I don't know what's on those files. I doubt it's a weapon, but I know it's dangerous. It's dangerous enough to have crocodile men jump out of shadows at my little girl. Just when I thought I knew this city. So… do we have a deal or not?"

"A deal? I wasn't aware of any terms."

"I know you're looking for them too. And judging from the fact that you still don't have them, you're leading a wild goose chase. Let me lay it out for you: Jocelyn and I will help you recover those files, but she keeps them. Deal?" Batman was silent. "Even if you brought it to the Batcave, you'll never access them."

"How are you so sure?"

"Like I said, I know what they are. What's your final answer?"

When Batman left the small room, he found the main chamber dark. Minimal lights on the computer showed that Verlix was still monitoring the room.

Batman headed to the stairs, but stopped when something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He looked at the couch. Two still figures were draped across it, asleep. Jocelyn was nestled against Jason's chest, and he had an arm wrapped around her. Even as they were, they looked peaceful. Happy. In love. It almost seemed a crime to have to wake them up now.

He thought for a moment, and then turned back to the stairs. He didn't see why he couldn't let Jason take the night off. "You wouldn't mind, would you Verlix?" he asked quietly to the computer.

"Of course not, Batman. Have a good night."

Addendum: But this is Gotham we're talking about. That shit's pretty normal here.

Also, Verlix turned into a fanboy. Fan-AI. Whatever. But then again, who wouldn't?