Family
They all eventually stood up. Bruce gave Alli her knife and Jason his back, as well as all other weapons that had been knocked aside at the fight. He offered Jason his guns. Jason winced at the sight of them.
"Take them." Alli advised. "Maybe we could modify them to shoot something a bit less...deadly." Jason nodded and reluctantly accepted the weapons. Alli sheathed the sword she'd lost.
"How'd you get them to glow like that?" Dick asked. Alli smirked.
"You really expect me to answer that?"
"...yes?"
"Let's just say I'm full of surprises." Jason snickered at the annoyed look on Dick's face.
"...Jason...I know you said you weren't going to be staying at Wayne Manor, but...the doors are always open to you. You are always welcome there. You will always have. Home with us." Jason looked like he was about to cry. He nodded at Bruce.
"Jay...will you stay? With us?" Jason was silent before smiling and nodding.
"Yes. Oh yes." Dick hugged him. "Thank you..." he whispered. Alli shuffled her feet and backed away a bit, turning away, uncomfortable, and trying to hide her sadness.
"Alli?" she turned back to look at them.
"You're welcome to join us. You've brought Jason back to us. You'll always have a home with us if you need one too." Bruce said. Dick stepped towards her.
"You got me my brother back. You're a part of the family as far as I'm concerned!" he said, smiling. Her eyes widened slightly. She hesitated.
"I-I don't know...I'm not really the group type. Or a people person." Dick shrugged.
"Hey, if it helps, neither is Bruce." he said, earning a glare in his direction.
"True dat." Jason said, getting his own Batglare. She cracked a smile.
"Fair point." she ignored the Dark Knight's glare.
"Bruce could adopt you!" Jason suggested. Alli looked kind of sad.
"I'm a bit old for adoption Jay."
"Huh?" he looked confused. "But aren't you...16 or 17?" she shook her head.
"That'd make you older than me. You're almost 19. You're just forgetting how much time has passed. It happens after your...you know. But I'll be 22 in a few months."
"Geez, you're almost as old as me!" Dick said.
"So it would seem."
"So you'll stay?" She hesitated again.
"Please Alli?" Jason asked softly. She felt tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't believe she was about to do this...
"Oh, how could I refuse my brother? Yes I'll stay." Jason cheered, Bruce nodded, and Dick clapped her on the back.
"Welcome to the family! Oh, wait til you try Alfred's cooking! You won't regret it!" Dick promised. She smiled and rolled her eyes.
"But if you're staying on, could you change your name? We don't approve of deadly force." Bruce said. Alli nodded and thought for a minute before saying.
"Scarlet Rogue."
"Good one." Dick nodded in approval.
"Suits you." Jason said.
"Welcome, Scarlet Rogue. Come on now. Let's go home." They all followed as he turned to go back to the Manor.
"Hear that Alli? We're going home!" Jason whispered excitedly to her. She smiled tentatively.
"Home..." she whispered.
Ta-da! What'd you think? Hope you enjoyed it! We're on to the Epilogue, the very last chapter before the sequel is posted! Can't wait! Peace out! -lanamere