Jay raised an eyebrow as Tripp walked into the kitchen, shirt off, only wearing a pair of white boxers with a red bat symbol on the back. Jay gagged a little. And Tripp raised an eyebrow as he took a carton of orange juice out of the fridge, "What?"

Jay shook his head, "Why… why would you wear underwear like that!? I mean, it's just creepy! You're walking around Batman's house, wearing underwear, with his symbol on them!"

Tripp smirked, taking a few chugs straight from the carton. "They aren't even my underwear. I borrowed them from Justin."

"… I didn't need to know that."

Out of nowhere, a wooden spoon descended on Tripp's head.

"OW!" Tripp yelped, nearly dropping the orange juice as he stepped away from the attacker, Alfred Pennyworth. "The hell man?"

"Master Tripp, in this house, we do not drink from the carton!" Alfred scolded, taking away the carton and wiping off the lid with a washcloth. "If I catch this behavior again, the spoon will not be upon your head, but rather, your rear."

Tripp paused, looking at Alfred for a minute, before responding. "Did… did you just threaten to spank me if I wasn't good?"

"Yeah, he did." Jay answered. "He'll do it too."

"Huh." Tripp said thoughtfully as he turned to leave, "I thought Justin was the only one who did that to me."

Jay cringed. "That's it, this house has too many people in it. I'm going into town."

AT DR:

Kyler walked into the kitchen, and nearly gasped. Snow, their quiet little innocent Snow, was sitting on the counter, with Raphael in front of her, arms wrapped around her. His tongue looked like it was throat deep, and she was yanking on his hair like it was her life line.

She quickly got out of the kitchen, nearly tripping over Rex.

"Oh, hey there." Rex said, smiling at her.

Kyler couldn't stop the faint blush that rose across her cheeks. "Uh, hi."

Ever since Rex had joined DR, he had pretty much kept to himself. He would talk to Justin, and a little to Raphael, but other than that no one saw much of him. Conan had suggested that it was because he didn't do much hero work, but according to the reports he gave Justin, he pulled in just as many robberies, rapes, murders, and drug busts as any of them.

Rex looked behind her into the kitchen, "Damn, are they going at it?"

"Big time."

"Good for Raphael. About time he lost his V-card."

Kyler's jaw dropped, "Wait, he's a virgin?"

Rex gently pulled her out of view of the kitchen, "Not for long he isn't. As long as no one were to… I don't know, interrupt them?"

Kyler felt a small part of her crave to break it up at Raphael's expense, but she knew deep down that she wasn't the type of girl to do that to her friends. She looked up at Rex slyly. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That depends, are you thinking of getting Justin to pull a horrible prank on the two of them so we can get all of the laughs, and none of the blame?" Rex asked.

Kyler pulled out her phone, "Hell yes."

WITH JUSTIN:

Tripp settled next to me on the bed, pulling me closer to him, "So, are you up for just taking it easy today?"

"And your definition of taking it easy would be, what?" I asked, bent over my laptop. I was just looking over a few things I had typed out over these past few months.

Tripp sat up, his arms going around my shoulders. His arms weren't exactly huge, not even that big. He didn't hold a candle to Bruce, or Dad, or Dick, or even Tim. He wasn't built at all. I guess the word to describe him was cut. "My definition? Hmm… sex all day?"

"Of course."

Tripp laughed, and then started reading over my shoulder, "What are you writing?"

"Nothing." I said, shutting my laptop. "Don't you have puppies to go kick?"

"I would, but your dog is terrifying."

Rango let out a small growl, staring at Tripp from the foot of the bed. Ever since Tripp had started sleeping here, Rango's habit of sleeping next to me had been rudely stopped. He had grudgingly moved to the foot of the bed. I doubt he would forgive Tripp for taking his spot. Ever.

"Rango is awesome." I argued.

Tripp snorted, "Yeah, but he always looks like he wants to eat me." Rango gave him a toothy grin. "At least he has good taste."

"He eats shit."

Rango let out a bark, which I assume was something along the lines of, and bacon!

"So what was with the nightmares last night?" Tripp asked.

I frowned, "Did I scream?"

"No, but I could tell you were having a nightmare." Tripp explained, "You kept tossing and turning, like you were trying to run away, and you were talking in your sleep too."

Oh shit. "About what?"

Tripp shrugged, "Nothing to weird. Talked about green eyes, mentioned a crowbar, and something along the lines of 'leave me alone' then you started crying."

"Liar." I accused. "I never cry."

"You do in your sleep."

I hate crying, it's the most pointless thing in the world to ever do. That's why I don't do it, that and because it shows weakness, and my entire being cringes at the thought of being weak, whether it's physical or emotional.

"And not to sound weird or anything, but you talk about this guy with the green eyes a lot. Who is he?"

"Someone whose dead now." I mumbled, not wanting to get into the whole 'my father from and alternate universe beat me with a crowbar' story. It was long and depressing.

Kenya ran in, thankfully preventing Tripp from asking anything more about the green eyes. "Justin! Tripp!"

She scrambled up onto the bed, and Rango jumped up, grabbed her collar, and started dragging her out of the room. "No! No fair Rango!"

She bopped him on the nose, and he flinched, but continued dragging her towards the door. "Justin! Make him stop!"

Tripp chuckled, getting off the bed and taking a few steps towards Rango, "Oh come on mutt, put the toddler do-"

Rango dropped Kenya, and let a fierce growl rip through his throat. Tripp jumped back onto the bed, grabbing my shoulders and yanking me between him and Rango. "I swear, your dog wants to kill me!"

Rango scooped Kenya up again, but before he could toss her out of the room, I spoke up, "Rango, drop the pink one."

Rango walked over to the bed, and set Kenya down onto it gently. She crawled onto my lap, "Tripp, you ran away!"

"We'll never speak o it." Tripp said, flicking her nose playfully.

My phone beeped, a text from Kyler popping up on the screen. Justin, Raphael and Snow are making out in the kitchen. Do your worst.

My eyes widened, and I scrambled or my laptop, pulling up the DR security cameras to show Snow and Rex, both on top of the kitchen counter, neither one wearing their shirts.

Tripp raised an eyebrow, "Hot Shot looks like a bit of an amateur. I mean, he need to be holding her hips, not her shoulders."

Kenya craned her neck to look, "What's going on?"

I covered her eyes, "Nothing."

My fingers flicked to the keyboard, pressing in a command quickly. Seconds later, the sprinklers on the ceiling in case of fire turned on, spraying cold water all over the kitchen, successfully keeping Hot Shot a virgin for now.

I chuckled at my own evil trick as Snow yelped in surprise, and snapped the laptop shut. "Kenya, what do you want?"

Kenya smiled, and pointed to the door, "Come watch movies with me!"

Tripp raised an eyebrow, "What movies?"

Kenya's smile got even bigger. "Disney!"

I groaned, and Tripp smirked, "Kid, me and Justin promise to watch every Disney movie ever made today, with you."

"You son of a bitch!"

Kenya gasped.

"… Kenya, don't tell Mom."

FIVE DISNEY MOVIES LATER:

"WHY IS ALL OF THESE MOVIES ABOUT LOVE!?" I screamed.

Tripp laughed, pulling me closer, "Don't be like that Justin, they're adorable kid movies. Kenya, which one is next?"

Kenya held up a movie with a picture of an orange cat on it. "This one!"

"Oh joy, we get to watch animal love now." I grumbled.

Tripp nuzzled his nose into the crook of my neck, planting a few kisses there. "You should be nicer to Kenya Justin… She wants to watch movies with her big sister."

"… Stop guilt tripping me."

Keya point up at the TV, "Sh! The first song is starting!"

Oh joy.

Now it's always once upon a time In New York City. It's a big old, bad old, tough old town, it's true.

But beginnings are contagious there, they're always setting stages there. They're always turning pages there for you.

Ain't it great the way it all begins in New York City? Right away you're making time and making friends.

No one cares where you were yesterday, if they pick you out you're on your way, to a once upon a time that never ends.

So, Oliver, don't be shy
Get out there, let go and try
Believing that you're the guy
They're dying to see
'Cause a dream's no crime
Not once upon a time
Once upon a time in New York City

Huh… funny, didn't I kind of get my start in New York? I mean, Gotham City. This song isn't that bad, it's actually pretty ice. All about new beginnings, and being the best, right? Hell, this song is right up my alley!

If it's always once upon a time
In New York City
Why does nightfall find you feeling so alone?
How could anyone stay starry eyed
When it's raining cats and dogs outside
And the rain is saying, "Now you're on your own"?

That's a sad turn… but that part isn't relatable for me. I don't feel alone. I really don't… everything is fine now, I have family, friends, there's nothing bad about my life anymore.

That's when the itch started. It wasn't anything new; I had felt that familiar tug at the back of my mind before. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I had a feeling it wasn't anything good, so I chose to ignore it.

So, Oliver, don't be scared
Though yesterday no one cared
They're getting your place prepared
Where you want to be
Keep your dream alive
Dreaming is still how the strong survive
Once upon a time in New York City

Dreaming did help… but if you didn't back it up with trying for it, then it was just a pretty wish. I tried to shake that thought off, because it didn't apply to me. I did back up my dreams. I wanted to get out of the League of Assassins, and I did. Right? I am out. I don't ever have to go back.

It doesn't matter if I miss Russia, or the snow covered forests when it's so quiet it feels like you're the only one alive in the whole world.

And it's not like I miss the constant action in the League of Assassins, with the live or die training, or the power structure, and how I was the best of the Apprentices, or anything like that…

Keep your dream alive
Dreaming is still how the strong survive
Once upon a time in New York City
Keep your dream alive
Dreaming is still how the strong survive
Once upon a time in New York City
And it's always once upon a time
In New York City

Damn these Disney movies to the deepest depths of hell for making me feel emotions besides anger.

I mean, I can't be entirely blamed for missing the nonstop action in the League of Assassins, can I? It's been boring as hell around here! Mom and Dad have been back from their honeymoon for three weeks, I don't hate Jay anymore so that doesn't occupy my time, and the crime rate is low!

Low!

When is the crime rate in Gotham ever fucking low!?

Well, according to Bruce, when there are a lot of well known heroes in one city, criminals keep a low profile. I don't really blame them, I mean, they've got to watch out for Batman, Red Robin, Robin, Red Hood, Blue Jay, Black Hood, Mary, Micheal, Gabriel, Red X, and the occasion non-resident super hero dropping by. Like Nightwing, or Speedy.

If I was them, I'd be hiding my ass too.

That doesn't change the fact that Jay had to talk me out of sneaking into Black Gate just to get a good, old fashioned, knock-down-drag-out from the inmates that I had put there in the first place.

Kenya jumped up onto my lap, "Justy, what are you thinking about?"

"Moving out." I answered.

Dad looked up from his beer can that he had been chugging a few seconds ago. "Moving out? Why the hell would you be thinking about that?"

"Because Gotham is boring!" I groaned. "I mean, think about it! I could pull a Dick Grayson! Go out, find my own city, change my costume, my name, and have a whole city of potential fights all to myself!"

Dad rolled his eyes, "Shut up Justin."

"It's not too long before I'm eighteen Dad!" I teased. "When I do, I might go to my own city. Maybe go to Washington DC? There's a lot of crime there."

"We could even move in together." Tripp whispered in my ear, "Our own place."

"You already live together." Dad grumbled. "You won't fucking leave!"

Tripp shrugged, "Good point. Let's just stay in Gotham, fire cracker, Alfred is here."

Hard to argue with that. "Fine, but I still really need to beat someone up!"

It was when I had this sudden epiphany that Jay storms in, yelling for dad. "JASON, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

Dad, along with everyone in the whole damn house, rushed to see what the big deal was. "Yeesh Jay, what's the problem?"

Jay looked frantic, and was shaking "My- my b-br-brother. He found us. He says Justin and I have to enter the League's martial arts tournament, or... or-"

Mom sat him down. "Why don't you tell us the whole story?"

62 MINUTES AGO, JAY'S POINT OF VIEW:

I can't believe it takes this long to make a mint/chip shake! They've had me waiting for ten minutes, and I finally get the damn thing. Next time I'm going to the DQ across town. I sit down at the nearest table, and just try to relax. Justin may hate the lax of crime, but I'm eating it up. Nice mansion, now that Justin isn't being a little bitch I don't have to avoid her all day, and I have had mind blowing sex with my girlfriend every night since the wedding. (Apparently catching that bouquet wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.) And I suppose the idea of marrying her isn't that scary, now that I've had time to think about it. I just want to wait a few more years before that kind of commitment. This last year is the first time I've ever been truly free, and I plan to savor it just a little longer.

My thoughts are broken by someone sitting down across from me. My heart stops when I see his face. That spiked blonde hair, those dead glassy eyes, and the smirk. God I hate that smirk so goddamn much. I hate how much it looks so much like Justin's classic fuck you smirk.

"Did you miss me, little brother?" God no, I hoped you'd finally overdosed you worthless shit.

"About as much as you missed me, I would guess. So, how long have you known that I'm alive One?"

"Hmmm, maybe the wedding where you ran out and attacked the leader of our organization? Jesus Christ IV, did you honestly think she wouldn't recognize you, you stupid cunt?"

Shit! Shit, shit, shit! I can't believe I was so stupid!

"So why haven't you come earlier?" And the shit eater has the nerve to grin wider.

"Because, little brother, the league of assassin's doesn't give a shit about you! Or that clone girl you've been fucking. Kudos by the way, the last year has been good for her; bigger boobs and an ass to bounce a coin off. But Talia got all the data she needed from the cloning project, so she didn't care when you released the clone. But Dad? He still isn't too happy to see you up and kicking."

I ignore his comments about Ann, and my urge to stab him. I need to know why Father sent him. "One, why did he send you, of all people?"

"Because he wants to rectify your mistakes. You and Justine Todd are to enter the Assassin's tournament in one month."

"Why would I do that?"

One frowned. "Father also mentioned that if you win, which you won't, your free to go, and he won't ever bother you or your bitch again." One's smile returned. "But if you lose the tournament, I am supposed to kill you, then the Todd's. And as a reward, I get your bitch and Justin, if Talia doesn't want her anymore. I'm gonna enjoy those two."

I'm fuming, but I can't beat him in a fight, not without knowing if he has back up. "And if we don't enter the tournament?"

"Then I tell your new family your dirty little secrets. Especially the big one, the one they will never look you in the again if they knew. I hope you pick that one to be honest, just to see the look on your squeezes face when she finds out."

I feel myself go pale. They cannot, not ever learn about that. I'd rather die.

"We'll be there."

" I thought so." One got up to leave. "Oh, and the shakes here rock, don't they?"

With that, he left the store. I saw him take snort of cocaine in the distance.

PRESENT, WITH JUSTIN:

I frowned, "Wait… I've already done the Tournament of Assassins."

Jay nodded, "At the apprentice level, and that was more of a test to become a full fledged assassin than a tournament. In a tournament, there's only one winner. This tournament is about ten times worse than the one you had. It's nonstop bloodshed, unlike the one you were in. Instead of hundreds of kids entering, it's a couple dozen mercenaries, cut throats, and pretty much anyone with hand to hand skills, looking to either win the tournament, or catch the leagues attention."

Kim raised an eyebrow, "Why would they want that?"

Jay nodded, "If they were to get recruited into the League of Assassins, they get more connections, resources, and options then they could have dreamed of. Not everyone in the League got the same treatment as me and Justin. Going in there as an adult isn't that bad, especially if you're already in the business of killing for money."

I frowned, "But, I shouldn't be allowed in the tournament. I mean, Talia said herself that I was dead to her and the organization when I won the apprentice tournament."

Jay shrugged, "They still want you in. Talia does anyways."

I shook my head, "Talia doesn't care about me anymore. She played with me, and she got bored. At the wedding, she didn't so much as look at me. Whoever's trying to get me in this tournament, it's not Talia."

Damian spoke up, "Grandfather is the one behind this."

All eyes turned to him, and he shrugged. "You remember what you told me happened in London? With Dunya? When you told her you had won your freedom, she said Ras Al Ghul didn't give a damn. He's the one who wants to see you compete."

Dad's hands were squeezed so tightly into fists, his knuckles were turning white. I could see that from all the way across the room. "Ras never expressed an interest in Justin-"

"Until she bested Talia." Mom pointed out. "Ras knows what goes on here, with all of us. It's safe to say he probably knows everything about Justin, and if I were him, and some teenage girl bested my daughter, to bluntly that Talia would just… give up on her, then I'd be very interested."

Dad shook his head, "She didn't best Talia-"

I smirked, "Escaping, avoiding her many mercenaries trying to get me back, surviving the Gotham streets, being recruited by Dick Grayson into the Batfamily almost immediately, befriending Damian Wayne, talking both Kimberly Mathilda and Jason Todd into returning to the Batfamily, creating my own team out of the runt of the Kryptonian litter, a necromancer stuck in a pocket dimension, and a Teen Titans reject, saving Kenya from her would be kidnapper sent by Talia, the tournament of apprentice assassins, not to mention the whole 'daddy from a different dimension with a crowbar' scare, and the mole incident."

Dad paused, "That's not besting-"

"No, I'll give you that, not every one of those was me besting her." I admitted. "However, all of them were something I did that she never expected. She hates being surprised, so in her eyes, every unexpected outcome was me besting her."

Jay ran a hand through his hair, "Doesn't matter who wants you in it or why, we still need to figure out what we're gonna do about it."

Dad locked gases with Jay, "What do we do? We tell your brother, 'fuck you' and when he comes for us, we kill him, and hide the body from Bruce."

Mom put a hand on Dad's shoulder, "Jason, that's not going to solve anything. And before you go to your second option, neither will locking Justin in a closet."

Ten times the bloodshed as the last tournament? Nonstop action, not from petty street thugs, but from pro assassins who are gonna be trying to maul me? Nearly certain death shoved in my personal space every three seconds? A chance to really make Princess Talia pissed off in front of her whole stick-up-their-ass League again? Finally seeing Ras Al Ghul in person? Flipping off both of the Al Ghul's at once?

I grinned, "Here's your solution: I'm in."