Epilogue is from Jason's eyes because that is better than anything else.

I don't own DC and yes, I killed of my OC. (if that is a surprise to you, you skipped a chapter.)

Jason's POV

I walk down the rows of tombstones, looking for hers. I personally requested to pick it out. I'm wearing my Red Hood outfit, going as I am. Someone catching me before I get there is a chance I'll take.

I find her. I stare at the two by five and a half area that is still brown from recent burial. She is buried under the black soil, resting. Like I was.

'Lucy. This can't be where you are. It's too dim, dark, full of death. How was someone so pure born into a city so cruel?'

I'm on my knees now. She is somewhere six feet below me. I stare at the bouquet of white flowers in my hand. They are a big contrast to the other flowers gathered around here. They are lilies. These are roses, her favorite. I set them down, leaning against the stone.

I remove my green mask and it drops to my side. The wind picks up a bit and I see the fluff of white in my bangs. It reminds me of how different I am from who she knew me as. I can barely tell myself the reality.

'She's... I didn't mean to. I... I...' My mind pulls the memory back. Back in the cave with Bruce, with Lucy.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Jason stop!"

I don't look at her. I feel the weight in my hand increase just from her voice. I have to do this. I have to. It's the only way.

I come back to reality. I dig my hands into the moist soil, wishing she's right on the surface and I could pull her up. I'd kiss her, hoping there was still some Lazarus Pit water on my lips, even after three years. My hands turn to fists buried in the dirt. I can't take it.

"WHY! Of all people why HER!" I scream at the sky at the top of my lungs. Now I'm the force making puddles on the ground. I sob right above where she would be. I can still see her. Laughing. Smiling. Caring.

'You don't deserve this Lucy. I didn't deserve you. Your so kind-'

I'm pointing my gun. Bruce throws his batarang. I have to duck so it wouldn't damage my only way of killing him. It slightly grazes my arm. I point my barrel back at him. He's out of options.

"Look at me. … Look at me, Jason."

"Don't get involved, Lucy."

"Put.. put the gun down."

"You set her up to this! Didn't you Bruce! … You don't want me to soil your legacy, do you! So you drag my girlfriend into it-!"

She runs in front of me and takes my hand.

"Jason.. You're scaring me.. I.. miss you. I want you to come home. Please.. Come back. The boy I fell in love with is who you are, not this."

Those words were full of such tenderness, concern, and hope.

"Lucy.. this is who I am. Accept it-"

And I will regret those words for the rest of my life.

"-I have."

I push her out of the way and aim my gun at Bruce for the last time.

I shake my head to clear it. I don't want to think about it. I look at the tombstone.

'Please Lucy, please come back. I kept my promise. Now you have to do the same.'

I stare at the dirt expecting the impossible.

'I did it. See? It's easy. Nothing to it. But you have to start it yourself. You have to want to. Please come back. You can't leave me...'

I know she can't hear my thoughts. But like with my mom, I wait for an answer.

"Jason," someone says behind me. That isn't her voice. But I still recognize it. "Jason look at me. Acknowledge your older brother."

I do neither.

"Jason, you're not alone in the world," Grayson says.

"Go away," I state, annoyed already. But he sits down anyway. "I'm a monster," I admit.

"No you aren't."

"Yes I am. You weren't there when it happened." I shudder. "You didn't see her fall or her-"

"Jason, listen to me!"

"No! I'm done, listening! He has to pay for his crimes! Then the Joker will pay for his. If he's still out there.. He could still hurt you. I will never let that monster hurt anyone again."

"Jason, think about what-!"

I pull the trigger...

BANG!

...right as she runs in front of me.

"-her blood on the floor, from my bullet," I finish as the memory fades. I'm shaking from my condition, from my grief. Alfred had me sit down in the infirmary so he could patch my injuries, but I haven't listened to his advice on how to keep up with it. And I refused to stay at the manor. I couldn't eat, sleep, or tend to myself in any way since it happened. And I think I might be getting a cold from the rain.

"It's my fault. She's gone because of me.."

"Well, Jason-" he starts.

"-Now don't say it isn't because it is. I... I-" I try to say it. The reality should be spoken. But it's stuck on my tongue.

"You can't say it can you?" Grayson asks. I shake my lowered head, defeated. "Well if you could, you wouldn't stop." I feel drops on my face again.

'Is it raining? Or am I crying again?'

My brother wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. I just go with it. He can hug me. I need the comfort.

"Did you pick the stone?" He asks me. I nod, not wanting to try to break the knot holding my throat closed. I don't have the strength. "It's beautiful. It looks just like her." I nod again, squeezing my eyes shut with emotional pain. For the hundredth time, I feel my heart break.

"She always had a smile," I manage to say, "..the letter is a personal touch.. Sh-she loved sending them," I croak. Memories of her letters to me, to my mom, even to Alfred flood back. I smile as faint as the fleeting images.

"You really loved her, didn't you?" He asks.

"I still do," I reply choking on my words and tears. 'You know that Lucy? Through all that's happened, I love you. We've been parted by death twice and I still love you. I always will.'

After a few minutes, Grayson let's go.

"I have to get back to Blüdhaven," he states as he walks away. I never looked at him once when he was here. I regret that.

"Jay?"

He's giving me a chance to, so I turn around. He looks tired, but there's love in his eyes as well. "Yeah?" I ask. He can see through my persona. Even with the tears I'm staying as strong as I can around anyone, even him. 'It's a little ironic. People at school called me a bad boy. I never thought I'd become one.'

"You gonna be alright?" He asks, interrupting my thoughts. I look back at Lucy's grave.

'Am I?' I hang my head, "I don't know."

And that's the story!

I like how I got Nightwing in there again. Jason really needs the support from his older brother (And they never interact in the movie. The helicopter scene does not count in my mind! They didn't talk, or fight, or ANYTHING! ..Anywho-)

I am actually proud of myself for multiple reasons.

1. I actually finished this one. I honestly thought I wouldn't. But my readers are persistent and decided it was a little more decent than I portray it to be *shrugs* Apparently they were right.

2. I killed off a character. I struggle with this, even if it is necessary. So practice with it (sorry Lucy) is good for me.

3. I wrote a tradegy! (English 12 inside joke. Someone mis-pronounced it in class and they will never live it down.)

So, that's that. Red Hood has a Heart is finished and I have one less story to think about.

I won't list my past works, but if you go to my profile, they are listed.

So.. tell me what you think.. :)

And no flaming for Lucy's death. (should have put that on the previous chapter... Oops.)

~CtW