Author's Note: BOOM! I am on a roll. Seriously, guy's you all rock. And there's only one more chapter left to go. I seriously love you all who put time into checking my story out!

Remember: Rate M for not just the violence and language, sexy things may occur.

Thirteen: The Life We Live is Superfantastic

Superfantastic

Everything is beautiful

Nothing's too tragic

In the heads of happy people

Bedtime stories, morning glories

Blue skis and the perfect life

For you and me

(Superfantastic- Mr. Big)

Recovery was a funny word, to some it came easy, to others, much harder. For Leslie, she was kept in a spare room at the manor. Cavalier visited daily to check in on her, leaving around dinner time to check in on her clinic. Leslie herself was coping. She could not walk due to her internal damage done to an organ. Her spleen was enlarged and Alfred had to visit her own clinic for proper medication and equipment.

Jason also remained at the manor. The fear toxin wore off with the antidote but he hardly spoke. Something broken seemed behind his teal eyes.

Sacha stayed at the manor as well. She at first seemed wary of the stay and of Bruce, but he waved her concern away one morning.

Alfred was making breakfast and only she and Bruce were up yet. She found herself facing the man as Alfred went to give Leslie her medicine.

'Coffee?' Bruce offered. Sacha shook her head. Her tongue seemed stuck to the roof of her mouth.

'There is orange juice and milk if you like, help yourself.' Bruce continued eyeing her now over the top of his paper.

The headline rang of the Joker's death. Jim Gordan had outdone himself, creating a perfect story of gang related shoot out in the grave yard that left the mad man dead. To the rest of the city, The Red Hood nor Leslie Thompkins, or even Scarecrow was there that night.

'What is it?' Bruce asked now, folding his paper and staring at the young girl.

'You know my history.' she started, 'and what I have done. Yet here I am, able to sit at your kitchen table.'

He raised an eyebrow and said calmly, 'You thought I would toss you in Arkham?'

Sacha looked ashamed, glancing at the hands in her lap.

'I wouldn't.' Bruce said and she looked up, her eyes wide.

'I see why Jason took you in.' Bruce said, 'you have great strength and skill, a lot of potential. I see that you've had a lot of pain and struggle as well. I want to help do the same as he did.'

She nodded, then she spoke quietly, almost afraid to ask, 'What about Jason, will you send him back to Arkham?'

'No.' Bruce said quickly, 'That was a mistake. And I never plan on doing it again.'

'He does care for you.' she said, 'Almost too much. It's like he always upset at himself for not being heard, but then when he does get heard he gets confused and lashes out.'

Bruce sighed, 'Jason is what I always feared would happen to myself, and something I never wanted to happen to any of my sons.'

'He said to me once that he was only your soldier.'

Bruce looked pained at that, 'So I've been told.' He said, his voice strange.

'Sometimes he gets enraged, and I think it's just from the pit, but now I see it's really from his pain as well.' She said, 'he never learned to deal with it properly. He was never given the chance. And now when it's before him, he just gets confused. Like a part of him is guilty for taking up help when offered because of what he has done.'

'You're a smart girl.' Bruce said, 'if only you were around sooner to help me deal with him.' Bruce chuckled. She cracked a grin.

'I guess no day like today.' a rough voice said. They both turned to see Jason himself leaning against the door frame.

'You should be resting.' Bruce said.

Jason shrugged and with a slight limp, made his was to sit down.

'He's right you know, you really are too smart.' Jason said to Sacha. She smiled in response.

Jason ran a hand through his hair, it was even longer now, and the white patch seemed to have grown as well.

'I'm surprised Alfred hasn't held you down to trim it.' Bruce said. He stood and got Jason a glass of water.

Jason's laugh surprised him. Bruce smiled behind his coffee as he sat back down. Sacha stood then and excused herself. She left heading back to her room leaving the two men alone.

'Look, just tell me.' Jason said. Bruce raised his eyebrows.

'Just tell me how long until you kick me out of here.'

'Jason I have no intention of doing that.' Bruce said, 'you can leave when you are ready to.'

'But you know I won't stop my ways completely.' Jason said, 'even with the Joker gone.'

Bruce said nothing, a crease forming between his eyes and Jason then continued, his next words almost a whisper.

'Could you ever forgive me for being a killer?'

'Only if you forgive me for not calling you my son enough, you deserve more then what I have said to you before now.' Bruce answered calmly. Teal eyes shot upwards and Jason opened his mouth to speak.

'Drake if you step on me again-'

'It's not my fault you can't walk straight in the morning.'

Dick waltzed into the kitchen yawning as Tim and Damian followed, arguing. Seeing Jason there the two boys stopped and Dick gave a big grin.

'Glad to see you're up!' Dick said happily. The three boys sat at the table surrounding the two already there. Alfred swooped in, Cass, Sacha and Selina following. Although the latter was far from happy.

'You know after such a fight you would think the boys would still be tired, and not yelling at the top of their lungs early in the morning.' Selina grumbled sliding next to Bruce pecking him on the cheek.

Sacha sat next Jason, with Cass next to her at the end. Tim was on Jason's other side and stirred his coffee humming to himself. Damian glared at him from across the way before growling at Dick's attempt at ruffling his hair. Sacha chuckled at their antics as Cass smiled into her drink. She caught Jason's eyes and he gave a grin.

Bruce watched calmly as the chaos around him unfolded. Alfred scolding the boys from their arguments and the two girls were chatting quietly.

Selina placed a hand gently on his knee and he glanced her way.

'I suppose I wouldn't have it any other way.' She said smiling. Bruce gave his own smile and turned back to his paper.

Soon Leslie returned to her clinic. It surprised her when it was Bruce himself that drove her in. Cavalier was there waiting for her. She hugged him and he left the two in her office to start the day.

'I never got to thank you enough.' she said to Bruce.

'I should be thanking you Leslie.' he said, 'for all your help with the case.'

'And with Jason.' he added.

'How is he?' she asked.

'Coping. He's back in the apartment you got him. Although he still visits for lunch now.' Bruce said. She could see the ghost of a smile on his lips.

'Good.' she said giving a smile herself.

'Do you remember some of my first visits here?' he said suddenly. She chuckled, 'As Bruce Wayne or Batman? I can still recall both, you as a young lad with bloody knuckles and then again years later, terrified because you grapple hook misfired and flew back to hit you in the-'

'Yes.' Bruce said quickly as she grinned, 'Those were the days.'

They stared at each other before both breaking into laughter.

'It'll be easier now won't it.' She said, 'with him gone.'

'I suppose it will be.' Bruce said. She smiled as voices were heard outside the door.

'May as well begin the day.' Leslie said, 'don't forget, you are always welcomed here.'

'Where have I heard that before?' Bruce said smiling once more then taking his leave.

'Well this sight seems familiar.' Jason said. He was watching as Sacha packed her bag.

'Well I'm not dumb enough to wear the wrong kinda of clothes for the season though.' She quipped. Jason chuckled.

Sacha was leaving. Bruce had offered her a scholarship program to hone her computer skills in California. She had readily agreed to it. Although it made Jason swell with pride, he also felt a pang of sadness.

'You'll be so far.' he whined.

'You can always get daddy's credit card to pay for a visit.' she said swatting his leg. He was on the bed as she double checked for any missing items.

'I suppose you could always come to visit when Tim does.' Jason said slyly. Sacha glared at him.

'I'm kidding.' he said.

'No you're not.'

'Nope.' he said popping his P as he spoke. She then zipped up her bag. He stood and walked her to the door. They shared a few minutes of silence until the buzzer rang indicating Alfred was there. He would be driving her to the airport with Tim, who was going back to the Titans.

'Promise you'll try to make some changes with Bruce.' She said suddenly.

'Already in progress.' he said, 'A big work in progress, but started for sure.'

Sacha nodded. She could tell from his tone he was still unsure himself if it was the right thing to be doing, staying in Gotham. But at the same time she had faith in his heart to make changes. It would be a process, and a long one, but it was a start. This time before they parted ways however, Sacha moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his large physique. He easily returned the hug. It felt strange at first to him, but he knew it was right.

'Don't be a stranger.' Jason said as they let go. Sacha grinned and opened the door and left.

Once she was gone, he gave a sigh and went back towards his room, deciding to take a nap. He barely was able to shut the door when there was a knock at the front door.

'What did you forget?' he asked opening it.

Cassandra stared back him, her eyebrow raised.

'Whoops.' he said letting her enter, 'thought you were Sacha.' he said shutting the door and locking it.

'Sooo.' he said. Cassandra merely walked into his room, he followed, staring at her.

'I heard you're back at the manor.' He said awkwardly. Cass nodded.

'Jason.' She said suddenly. He opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was, was immediately forgotten as she moved like lighting, closing in on him and pressing her body against his.

He gasped as she hugged him tightly. It took only a moment for his own arms to wrap around her tiny frame. He literally lifted her off the ground as he brought her up and kissed her.

When they broke apart, her dark eyes were bright.

'Never stop that.' she whispered. Jason cracked a grin.

'That I can promise baby bat.' he said. He carried her towards the bed, her legs wrapping around him. They crashed onto the bed, his lips meeting hers again. She moaned into the kiss and he whispered her name into her neck. He continually kissed down her neck before bringing his lips back up to her own. His hands wandered over her body, only pausing to pull her clothing off. She gave a soft groan as he kissed her bare flesh, causing goosebumps in his wake. Their lips barely left each other, and somehow he managed to discard his own clothing whilst the kissing barely stopped. He thrusted suddenly into her and she gasped. He couldn't help but grin in their kiss as she rocked herself with him. Their motions grew stronger and faster as he propped himself on his hands, but his lips never leaving hers. Eventually they succumbed to their finales and he collapsed next to her. They paused to catch their breaths, allowing the moment to be savoured.

Jason smiled, his hair falling into his eyes and Cass brushed them away smiling herself. She then snuggled into him allowing sleep to take over her.

Jason watched her breathing even and her eyes flutter closed. He sighed contently holding her tightly to him.

'Home.' he murmured before allowing his eyes to close and sleep take over.