4PM - (Now)
"That's not going to work! I'm telling you, the encryption is far too random in its sequencing-"
"It will work!"
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"Listen, I'm not saying that you don't know what you're doing-"
"Yes you are! Just 'cause I'm a kid you think I-"
Jason rolled his eyes as he pulled the silver Aston Martin up to the main entrance of the Gotham Palace Hotel. Clearly he had forgotten just how much publicity this event had garnered as photographers lined both sides of the entryway into the hotel, the numerous flashes and shouting to get their targets attention loud enough to even be heard through the closed windows of the car.
It wasn't a huge issue, but certainly was annoying as he didn't exactly want to be photographed. Of course, luck was still on his side since no one had any idea who he was, so that meant that the paparazzi would take their photos now and research later, no doubt coming up empty and therefore meaning no photos of him in print or online.
It would have helped if he had prepared more, but it had kind of taken a backseat to the rest of his life at the moment…namely a dog, a strange cat that showed up when and where it pleased, and two kids.
'Scratch that. Three kids.' He concluded with a sigh as he stepped out of the car and accepted a valet ticket for it, continuing to be bombarded by the sounds of bickering through his near-translucent earpiece, courtesy of Roy, who had somehow de-aged in the span of an hour when left alone with Edgar.
Neither Roy nor Edgar seemed to be shutting up from where they were camped out in Evelyn's hospital room, keeping her company as she rested and recovered from surgery. He only hoped they didn't get themselves kicked out. Doc Thompkins had pulled more strings for him and the kids than Jason had expected her to, and he wasn't about to give her any reason to regret it.
"Children, stop it." Jason hissed quietly as he took out his phone and pretended to be on a call as he went to the smoking post just to the side of the entrance to give himself a moment to gather his wits and to get the bickering to stop.
"He started it!" the exclamation simultaneously made by Roy and Edgar.
"I don't care who started it. It just needs to end. Evelyn is trying to rest and you both promised to behave. If you upset her by getting kicked out, you will both be in trouble when I get back. Understood?" Jason's tone brokered no room for argument.
"Yes." Edgar mumbled with Roy grumbling his agreement as well.
"Good. I'm muting comms for now. No arguing." Jason tapped the earpiece with his finger under the pretense of scratching his ear.
'I'm going to regret this', he sighed, finishing his cigarette and making his way towards the vultures that had their cameras ready and waiting.
Yesterday Afternoon
Jason had almost been surprised by the swiftness and efficiency with which Doc Thompkins moved, both in a medical and administrative capacity. He had received a call from her a couple of hours after lunch, while he was out picking up the suits he had purchased a few days prior. Up until now, he hadn't been too sure whether he'd be the one to end up going or Roy, but the morning surgery time made it unlikely that there would be a conflict between the two priorities.
James -the friendly consultant from Jason's first visit to the store- hadn't been in, and even though Jason hadn't bothered dressing up for his venture into the store this time, he was recognized by other consultants who asked after Bud. He had smiled and engaged in some small talk about his dog, happy that she had made such an impression.
Roy's joke about making her the founding member of the Outpaws (a ridiculous name from a ridiculous man), held a bit of merit now as Jason found himself wondering how much Bud would be of benefit to him for cases as the Red Hood. For surveillance purposes he could definitely see her being useful. No one would really suspect a man and his dog, especially one that was so conspicuous, to be eavesdropping. He chewed on the thought as he tried on the readied suits, making sure everything looked as it should and picking up an off the rack suit for Roy (just in case), before making his way to a barber shop that was on the way back.
Sal had been cutting hair longer than Jason had been alive, and while Jason didn't much care for two-hundred dollar haircuts, he still needed a place that was decent enough to pass muster if he was going to be stared at for a few hours tomorrow. So a passing glance into the traditional barber shop a year back on one of his rare daylight excursions had him entering the man's shop in hopes of having an opening. And so began an infrequent relationship with the man who always seemed to be available for him when he needed to appear more put together than he actually felt.
Today especially, when he was nervous about Evelyn's surgery in the morning, and Edgar, and this case, and the thoughts and feelings of having seen Alfred...yeah, he needed just a few hours to center himself a bit.
He left the barbers an hour later, hair cut (not too short, and with it still long enough in front to be gelled slightly to the side) and a nice close shave (which he white-knuckled through considering he didn't like other people wielding sharp objects near his jugular).
Using Roy's car for his errands, Jason found himself in the grocery store on impulse, calling Roy and asking them what they wanted for dinner. Fast food was all well and good but considering Leslie's assessment about malnourishment and vitamin deficiency, it was best if he tried to get them all some healthy options.
Arguments abounded on the phone, and Jason cut it off quickly by asking to have the phone given to Evelyn, who apparently wanted chicken. That didn't exactly help Jason much, but it had quieted the other two down in the background which meant Jason would decide.
No one complained during dinner though, Jason having bought two roasted chickens and had cooked fresh carrots and creamed spinach. It was the first time his dining room table was actually hosting a dinner. 'It was nice' he thought, smiling to himself as Edgar mildly pleaded with him to allow him to feed Bud chicken (which she was now eyeing having finished her own food). 'Yeah...really nice.'
Bedtime was different that night compared to the kids first night there as Jason showed them the guest room. It only had one bed, a queen, which would fit them both and would do for now. He had moved all their stuff into the room, and it had been a true sign of his and Roy's partnership that they'd both gotten the kids washed up and ready for bed. They had a check-in time of ten in the morning at the hospital, with surgery not supposed to last more than three hours. The kids didn't seem nervous and passed out within a few minutes while Jason went downstairs and fell asleep on the couch to the sound of Roy tinkering with the laptop parts Edgar had in his backpack that he had revealed to them earlier.
Jason's last conscious thought was that he needed to tell Roy about how Edgar had been able to get that lock off the garage door.
9 am (7 hours ago)
Telling Roy about Edgar and the lock that morning had been the worst decision he could have made. Roy's disbelief had been evident, but it was Edgar's hesitant explanation of how he did it that made the guy almost fall off the chair.
Which is why Jason was now trying to peel the two of them away from Edgar's laptop project and Roy's harmless (well, mostly harmless) gadgets that he was showing Edgar and discussing with him as seriously as he would have with Jason. Although Jason could tell based on the way Edgar's eyes had lit up and he had talked in a long stream of almost unintelligible words, that this was probably the first time he'd been taken seriously.
Evelyn on the other hand, appeared content to read on the couch, a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone gripped in her only usable hand at the moment, while Bud lay at the end of the couch by her feet. She really didn't seem nervous as at all, and it was like a balm on Jason's poor nerves.
"We have to get ready to go now. You can bring the book with you to read afterwards" Jason offered up, kneeling beside her and smiling. She returned the smile with a small one of her own, which still had the same impact on Jason as it did when he had first seen her in that alleyway. That smile had joined a very small list Jason had of his favorite things.
"Wilson" Evelyn laid the book down on her chest and pointed at the sliding glass door, where sure enough, Wilson was staring at them. The cat's appearance did not adhere to any timetable, and it didn't just show up for food as Jason had seen the tuna that Roy had put outside go untouched. Jason thought that he really should buy some cat food or something. Not that he wanted the cat to keep coming back...it was already ballsy enough as it was; he didn't want to encourage it.
"That cat is crazy."
Evelyn shook her head with a bemused expression. "He likes watching us. Are you going to be there when I wake up?"
Jason froze for a moment, having been caught off guard by her question that came out of the blue. He couldn't fault her for it though.
"Yes. I'll be there. I promise." Jason said seriously. It was something that was already a non-negotiable in his mind.
He was realizing now that even though she was usually quiet, that didn't mean she didn't need reassurance. Jason could have kicked himself. He knew from experience just how much he had wished adults had tried to read his mind as a kid, because he never really knew how to ask for what he needed. Or if he did, he was too afraid to say it. He would have never said anything to Willis, and his mom had never really been a place to help him with anything. Bruce had been horrible at it, and Alfred -while solid and dependable and there to pick him up and dust him off when he needed it- wasn't someone that you had heart-to-hearts with on a regular basis.
"It's okay to be scared. Hospitals aren't fun, but you'll feel better afterwards. I've had a bunch of surgeries and I'm always happy when I get better. Plus, you get popsicles afterwards, which is pretty awesome." Jason laughed softly at the girls excited expression. Who didn't love popsicles?
"And after...?"
Jason tilted his head to the side in confusion, not understanding.
"After the hospital. Where do we go?"
It was the only time he had heard a slight tremor in her voice as she turned to look at Edgar who was in an excited discussion with Roy about terabytes and data.
As much as Edgar worried about Evelyn, it was certainly mutual. Jason wondered how much more guarded Edgar would have been if his sister wasn't always so calm. Now though, there was real concern in her eyes, and Jason's mouth went dry. He simply didn't know what their future looked like yet. All he did know was that he was going to make sure it was a good one.
"You might be with me for a little bit while I get things settled for you guys. I want you both to be able to go to school and grow up to be whatever you want to be. I promise I'm going to make sure you're both happy and I won't make any decisions without talking to the both of you." Jason squeezed her hand gently, trying his best not to break down in front of her because he was saying words that he had so wanted to hear as a child.
"We are happy here." She added quietly, looking down at their hands as Jason hadn't let go.
Jason couldn't do this right now. It was too much. He couldn't breathe properly yet he wanted about ten cigarettes and perhaps a decent bar fight to take the edge off. Jesus, she was killing him.
"Jaybird, we're going to be late! I'm going to start loading up the car." Roy called out as if he hadn't been the one dragging his feet. Still, it was just enough of a distraction for Jason to gather himself up and stand, but not before giving Evelyn's hand another quick squeeze. It was all he could offer her at this point.
You would have thought they were camping out in the woods for all that was put into the car and taken to the hospital. What with the large bag with Roy's gear, two garment bags, another duffle with shoes and other clothing accessories, some PJ's for Evelyn and an extra set of clothes (Roy had obviously gone a bit crazy at the clothing store the morning before without Jason having noticed).
Doc Thompkins had met them in pre-op as she gave Jason the results of the kids expedited blood tests (all normal), and got visitor badges for them all which thankfully marked them as family based on the last names Jason had provided her. He had actually been surprised to find her being the one to do the surgery but said nothing of it.
Edgar had been a bit bummed out that Bud couldn't come with them but Jason didn't think trying to sneak a 150-pound dog into the hospital would have been the best way to start the morning. And who knew about Wilson...it was very possible they would find that cat sitting in the waiting room looking at them like they were late.
Evelyn was prepped for surgery, and Jason held her hand the whole time while Edgar's anxiety was dampened by Roy asking the boy for his thoughts and suggestions on random tech stuff that Jason hadn't bothered to pay attention to.
"It's time now. I'll take good care of her."
Jason looked up as the the older woman came in with some of her assisting team. He didn't want to let go of Evelyn's hand but did so as calmly as he could with one last squeeze.
"I'll be right here when you wake up. Just remember...popsicles..." he winked at her, watching her smile as she was wheeled away. Edgar had waved at his sister and made sure that the whole popsicle deal extended to him too. If only Jason could be that calm.
It ended up being some of the longest couple of hours of his life (and he knew just how long an hour could feel like when you just wanted it all to end), but the relief at seeing Leslie come to the waiting room and smile at him - a wide, reassuring one - almost had him dropping to his knees as his legs buckled slightly.
"She did really well. No complications. She's being rolled into post-op now. You'll be able to see her in about twenty minutes. One at a time until she's moved to her own room." She warned him sternly as she eyed Jason's two co-conspirators with their far too innocent expressions.
"Thank you. I mean it. Thank you." Jason's sincerity causing the older woman to pat his shoulder and give it a squeeze.
"You were always a good kid, Jason." And with that, she walked back through the double doors which barred admittance to non-medical staff.
"Alright! Popsicles here we come!" Roy clapped his hands, garnering an enthusiastic "yeah!" from Edgar.
An hour later, Evelyn had been moved to her own room, drowsy from the meds but smiling as she held onto a popsicle surrounded by the three of them as they sat on chairs around her bed, enjoying their own frozen treats.
As he caught the unfinished popsicle that was about to fall from Evelyn's relaxed hand, sleep having taken hold again quickly, Jason realized just how hard it would be to leave, but he knew he needed to be the one to go and not Roy.
He was already too attached, and it wouldn't help him or the kids in the long run. This party came at the worst time but also the best one as it forced Jason to separate himself from this. He was the Red Hood, and there were other children out there that had it just as bad if not worse, and if this Berto Rowe was about to make the streets even more dangerous than they already were, then he had to stop him.
"How do I look?" Jason asked as he came out of the en-suite bathroom and did a twirl, which got him some applause and a dazed smile from Evelyn who was now awake again after a round of sleep. He was glad he had brought up everything from the car, even the suit and other items he had bought Roy hanging in the small closet off to the side. Roy was adamant that Jason find him a reason to wear it now that he wasn't going to the party (although happy he didn't have to dye his "fiery red locks"...his words, not Jason's).
Jason bowed in response to the praise, blushing slightly as Evelyn told him he looked very handsome. Roy stifled a laugh as Jason shot him a glare, and then set about making sure everyone would be alright for a few hours.
As he ran through some instructions, Roy nodded along as he moved the rolling dining table towards himself on the chair and began to unzip his duffle bag, taking out all sorts of equipment and making what seemed like a mini surveillance headquarters.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jason immediately went to make sure the door was closed as Roy didn't seem to care. Edgar was immediately interested in the proceedings and came over to watch.
Jason was rendered speechless for a moment before coming to his senses and scrambling over to shut the laptop which Roy had just opened.
"Hey! I'm in the middle of trying to make a control center here. I can't let you go in without any backup." Roy pointed out, acting like Jason was the one being unreasonable.
"There are so many things wrong with this scenario right now, Roy. One being that anyone could walk in to check up on her; two, the ids-kay are here; thre-"
"I know pig latin" Edgar rolled his eyes, cutting Jason off. These two guys were clearly morons if they thought he and Evelyn didn't know that Roy was Arsenal and Jason was clearly some sort of spy that worked with the Red Hood. It was obvious.
"Right...okay." Jason conceded, but wasn't deterred. He expected it to be a normal party but you never knew what could go wrong, which is what he told them both.
"That's exactly why you need me to keep watch. On the rare chance it's something not good then I'll cut visual. Besides, I'll have it set up to look like I'm playing video games should anyone come in." Roy pointed to the screen where he had a video feed of a game ready to go.
"It's okay. It's important to be safe." Evelyn murmured from the bed.
Jason walked over to her and took her hand in his. "I'll be safe I promise. I just don't think it's a good idea for you two to be involved." They couldn't fault him for his honesty.
"Too late..." Evelyn grinned sleepily, drifting off again to the sound of Jason laughing.
He ended up conceding defeat, accepting the earpiece Roy had handed him, a translucent little thing that was made with some sort of plastic polymer that Jason had never seen before. It wouldn't come up on even the most sensitive of scans. However, the contact lens case Roy was now handing him had Jason wincing. He hated these things, but with no helmet to pick up video feed and the possibility of missing something, the ability to replay events may come in handy. 'Better to have and not need...' Jason supposed, accepting it with a sigh and going to the bathroom to put it in.
Roy tested the A/V and when everything looked good to go, Jason ruffled Edgar's hair and told him to listen to Roy and watch over his sister. Evelyn was fast asleep now but Jason carded his fingers through her hair, staring at her for a moment before he walked out of the room, out of the hospital, and got into a cab that would take him near the stashed car.
While it was probably a bad idea, he smoked several cigarettes on his drive over to the hotel, doing his best to ignore the bickering that had started over screen resolution of all things, on the other end of the earpiece. All of which led to where he was now, calming two bickering boys, smoking another cigarette, and taking his first step onto the carpet leading the way to the hotel entrance.
4:10PM - (Now)
"Over here!"
"Mr. Mayor, a few more shots!"
"Let's get some photos of you guys together!"
Jason was glad for his sunglasses or he would have been blinded by the flashing that was going on around him. It was impossible to tell who they were yelling at most of the time (other than Mayor Sharp who had a tall blonde woman on his arm who was very much not his wife) and tried to walk quickly but confidently.
He blended in well enough, although he supposed black-tie would have been better for that since all the men usually looked the same. This time around, considering it was an afternoon function, Jason had wanted to balance blending in and standing out in a non-douchebaggy way.
Styled hair and sunglasses aside, Jason had gone with a suit that James had recommended rather than the one that had originally caught his eye. It was a dark navy silk-wool blend with thin light-gray pinstripes that were about half a centimeter apart and made him look several inches taller. Underneath the blazer he had a light blue shirt that was paired with a dark plum colored tie, a color palette that shouldn't have worked but did as the tie was the only pop of color, with half of it hidden beneath a navy vest.
Jason had never worn a three-piece suit in his life, and all the buttons had made the vest a bitch to put on, but he had to admit it had been worth it. A sterling silver chain shined against the flashing cameras, an actual pocket watch attached to the end of it which he had purchased because it had reminded him of Alfred when he had seen it.
A flat fold of a crisp white pocket square was tucked into the front pocket of his blazer, as opposed to a triangular fold that he could see many of others had done; he had chosen to focus on practically versus extra flair.
His shoes were simple but elegant, black lace-ups with a slightly narrowed toe, not too much but enough to give the suit a modern edge. A pair of silver square cuff links, a belt, and a lovely brown leather-strapped Patek Phillipe watch (which he had liberated off a drug kingpin's hand last year when it was obvious he wouldn't be needing it anymore) completed the look.
Of course, with everyone else in their best formal attire, he wasn't exactly a diamond in the rough.
Making it through the army of paparazzi, he paid attention to the flow of traffic, hotel staff ushering party goers to two elevators that had been purposely roped off from regular hotel guests. So far no invitations were being asked for so Jason followed along with a group of a few dozen others, taking the elevator up to the penthouse.
With a ding, the doors opened, showing Jason that they directly opened up in front of another set of double doors which had two security details standing in front of it and a line of people waiting to get in.
Definitely not hotel security considering the way they held themselves and the weapons inside their jackets. They opened the doors, and while Jason thought he would be able to make it in without producing an invitation, a woman in a sharp looking skirt suit stood there attempting to look like a pleasant hostess as she asked to see invitations.
Jason had planned for this possibility and had several options lined up. It all depended on on a few factors. Namely, if there was someone there solo or if someone else forgot their invitation. It ended up being the former.
The woman looked pleasant enough, although with a faint look of annoyance like she didn't want to be there at all. She wore a navy raw silk cocktail dress with no embellishments, the dress looking sharp and severe and no nonsense. She wasn't slathered in makeup and her brown hair was pulled back in a low chignon which revealed large diamond studs. He noted the black Louboutins were the only thing that stood out with their red soles and gave them a quick double take as they spelled out S-E-X across both shoes in a rather subtle way. He tried not to smirk.
Scooting towards her, he noted that two other security guards behind him had now moved closer. He wasn't sure if it was coincidence or not.
"This is going to sound really strange but-"
"You smell like cigarettes."
Jason had definitely not prepared for that response and floundered for second. Turns out he needn't have bothered.
"What's going to sound weird? And do you have a cigarette I could bum off you? I haven't had one all day and I'm dying." She looked at him hopefully and then with pure relief as he laughed and handed her one and the lighter which she promised to return to him. She looked like a kid on Christmas as opposed to a late twenty-something woman about to enter a formal event.
"I forgot my invitation and I need to be your plus one." Jason whispered quickly as they got closer to the front of the line. He didn't have time to be anything but direct. If they turned him away he'd have to sneak in and he really didn't have the energy to do that today.
"Uh...Jay..." Roy's voice came through the earpiece now but Jason ignored it. Whatever it was could wait another few seconds.
"That's the worst fucking excuse I've ever heard." The woman murmured with a smile, catching Jason off guard. It was surprising, but it helped take the edge off Jason's already stressful day. "But, you gave me a cigarette and trusted me with your lighter. So, we'll call this even. What's your name?"
They were third in line now.
"Peter Dumas." Jason replied easily. It was the alias he had used with Roy when they had created a file to go along with that card he had snatched that had started all this.
"Let's get you in then, Peter" she smiled, moving forward and looking at the frosted face of the hostess (which Jason would have to guess was probably an executive assistant or someone else close to Mr. Rowe). Although Jason noticed that the woman he was standing next to didn't move to retrieve her invitation from her bag.
"Your Majesty! What an honor!" the hostess' voice became obnoxiously high, making Jason almost wince if he wasn't too busy trying to keep his jaw from dropping to the floor.
"Yes yes. This is Peter Dumas, my plus one. We'll see ourselves in."
Jason felt the woman loop her arm through his and walk them through the double doors. He could feel far too many eyes on him and the flashing of a camera, from a photographer who had obviously been given exclusive access to the party.
Something must have shown on his face because the woman next to him kindly asked the photographer not to take any more pictures, which was good since Jason didn't know what was going on.
"Right...so...do I want to know?" he asked her with mild trepidation despite the smile on his face. She laughed and shook her head as she withdrew her arm.
"Probably not. But I'll see you outside on the patio for a smoke later. I have to give you back your lighter!" She grinned at him, a pleasant and fond one that actually wasn't flirtatious in the least. If he hadn't gotten that big hint that she was royalty of some kind, he wouldn't have minded talking to her for little longer. That wasn't going to happen now.
"Oh, by the way. Nice shoes." Jason's eyes flicking to the floor and the back up at her face, catching her grin and wink as she moved along. He watched her walk away, the two security guards following suit, along with hundreds of pairs of eyes. He didn't need that kind of attention on him right now.
"Of all the women at this thing, Jay..." Roy's groan a mixture of annoyance and envy. Jason wasn't really sure what to think as he went to grab a champagne flute from a passing tray and moved towards the corner of the room.
"Is she a princess or something..." Jason mumbled into his champagne flute, doing his best to cover the movement of his lips.
"Nope. She's a-"
Jason could hear Edgar now in the background and the muffling sound of things being moved around. He could make out "let me tell him!" and a pursuing argument which had Jason clearing his throat as a sharp reminder of his warning earlier.
"Okay, first of all, this is super cool and I'm totally jealous because you're like James Bond right now..." Edgar's words quick in his excitement. Jason tried not to laugh but he had to admit he was impressed that Edgar even knew who James Bond was. "She was a queen! A real one!"
Jason couldn't hear the rest of what Edgar was saying as he choked on his mouthful of champagne and tried not to cough too loudly. In the meantime, Roy came back on the line and confirmed Edgar's exclamation. Turned out she was the Queen of Umec, which despite obviously being in the Middle East, she had grown up in the States with a European mother, while her father ruled the country.
Recovering from his shock, Jason thought it was kind of cool, but more concerned now as people still seemed to stare at him a bit too frequently after his grander than expected entrance.
"I didn't realize you were dating royalty."
The voice came from Jason's right, one that sounded familiar but one he couldn't immediately place. He turned, his eyes finding a tall, blonde haired man in his early forties, although looking deceptively younger with the lack of the usual facial hair. Jason could hear the sudden intake of breath through his earpiece and then the faint click as it went mute.
"Apparently there's more than one queen here today" Jason responded smoothly, his tone firm despite the fake smile on his face. "I didn't see your name on the guest list."
"I didn't see yours either" Oliver Queen countered.