I sincerely hope you can all forgive me for taking so long to get this chapter out. My only excuse is writers block which has completely swamped me the past few weeks so this chapter took longer to pop out than the others...

But I am glad I finally got it out to you guys. Sadly it is by far the shortest chapter in the entire story. Hopefully it is to your guy's liking. One more chapter left and I promise it will be much longer than this one!

Probably shouldn't be asking but don't forget to leave those amazing, lovely, reviews people! I enjoy all of them greatly!

Without further ado, Chapter 9!

Don't own DC fool.

The change from pitch black to a blinding white light was quicker than Jason would have liked. He grimaced and immediately closed his eyes against the harsh light. A few seconds passed before he slowly opened his eyes once more and allowed them to adjust to the light. Once his eyes did adjust he took in where he was exactly.

Familiar silk sheets, familiar plush mattress, and familiar as hell walls. His room at Wayne Manor. Even after he tried his hardest to get away from this damn place he ended up there again. On the far side of the room the drapes were left wide open to allow the sun's rays inside. From what Jason could see the clouds have finally cleared and the sunlight was shining down on the snow, brightening the world so it was painful to look at for too long.

A faint beeping reached his ears (How had he missed it before?) and he turned to see a heart monitor and IV drip positioned by his bed. Numbly he watched the rise and fall of the heart monitor as it kept track of his heartbeats. Sluggishly, due to the heavy dose of meds he was on, he moved the sheets off of his legs. In the same movement he swung his legs over the edge.

His stomach twisted uncomfortably as he sat there and his head began to pound painfully in his skull. Dully he noticed he didn't feel as warm so his fever must have either broken or lowered greatly.

"Jason!" A surprised voice caused him to turn his attention towards the door which held a certain red headed archer.

"God fucking damn it Roy, could you be any louder?" The younger man snapped putting a hand to his aching head. "Mind telling me why I am back at the fucking Batsy Manor?" He asked as he pushed himself up onto shaky limbs and swayed dangerously.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you shouldn't be standing up just yet." Roy rushed forward and led Jason to sit back down on the bed. "You are still sick." He added as he settled the younger outlaw onto the bed. Said man grimaced up at the archer.

"How long was I out for this time?" Jason asked with a deep frown.

"Careful, you are starting to look like Bats." A murderous glare was sent his way. "Just saying… You were out for about four days at the most…." He explained to the sickly bird.

"Fuck… I was really out that long?"

"Indeed." Both men turned to see Kori standing in the doorway with her own frown. "We were all very worried for you Jason. You almost died, twice." She strode forward and put a hand to his shoulder gently.

Silence filled the air as Jason soaked in that little fact. Damn, twice? Wonder how that went over with Bruce and them.. He thought idly. Roy and Kori stood there watching him and waiting for some kind of reaction.

"Dying isn't something new to me, so don't expect me to give a shit about it." He shrugged idly as he looked up at his friends. Both shared a look before looking back at him.

"Well we give a shit about it, seeing as you are our friend." Roy stated with an air of ignorance about him. The younger man just rolled his eyes at him.

"Jason." Kori was speaking now so he turned teal eyes to face her once again. "Promise us you will never allow something like this to happen to you again. If we hadn't gotten you back to the manor in time…" Her vibrant green eyes turned to look to the floor sadly. Damn, she can guilt trip a guy almost as badly as Alfred! Jason thought as his heart clenched painfully in his chest.

"I'm sorry Kor…. I'll try not to die next time. Promise." A smile quirked on the edge of his lips and when Kori looked up again it spread to her own lips just as easily. "Now which one of you will be so gracious as to help me downstairs? I'm fucking starving." Laughter escaped from Roy and Kori who have greatly missed this interaction between the three of them.

"Roy? Kori?" A voice called from the hallway, one Jason narrowed his eyes at. "What are you two-" Dick popped his head into the room and his eyes widened greatly when he saw his younger brother sitting on the edge of the bed with the other two outlaws standing before him. All three pair of eyes were trained on him, two showing a fraction of joy and curiosity and the third glaring harshly at him. "Jason! You're awake! Bruce! Alfred!" He turned and called down the hallway before he strode forward eagerly.

"How are you feeling? Need some water? Food?" The elder brother asked quickly as he crouched before Jason whose jaw set in agitation.

"I'm fine Dickie-bird." He muttered, unaware of the old nickname he used to call the elder slipping free from his lips. Though he sure as hell didn't miss the wide smile on his brothers face. "What?"

"Nothing."

Before anymore words could be said Bruce and Alfred quickly strode into the room with varying emotions on their faces. Alfred looked relived and collected as always. While Bruce had a stoic look on his face when his eyes landed on Jason. The younger quickly adverted his eyes to glare at the ground.

"Oh, I think I hear Tim calling us. Come on Kori!" Not a word of protest left the alien's lips as Roy grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her out of the room. Leaving Jason alone with absolutely no backup. Fuck you too Roy. He thought bitterly as he tightened his grip on the sheets below him.

Silenced ruled out over all as the four just waited for something to give.

"Jason.." Bruce said softly earning the younger man's attention as he looked up at the man who took him in all those years ago. His face was still devoid of any major emotions and his eyes gave nothing away as well. Just like Bruce has always been. Some things just never change.

"What?" The younger asked as he raised an eyebrow. "You gonna reprimand me old man? Say how stupid it was of me to try and get away from all of you? That it was foolish as well as dangerous?" He snorted absently as he kept eye contact with Bruce as he spoke. From the corner of his eye he saw Dick flinch as if struck. Good.

"What you did was foolish and dangerous." Bruce said after a moment with a heavy sigh. "But it was because of us that you went ahead and did so." Teal eyes remained emotionless as he stared at his adoptive father waiting for him to continue. "Jason… We never meant to hurt you in anyway. We just wanted to help you. I am truly sorry for what had happened…"

"Yeah Jaybird! And I am sorry for what I said." Dick jumped in right behind his mentor. "I wasn't thinking right and it was stupid of me to say any of those things." He rambled softly with wide begging eyes.

Once both said what they needed they waited with baited breath for Jason to react in some way. Finally after the tense silence the younger let out a sigh.

"Maybe it's because I am hopped up on god knows how many drugs, or the fact that I almost lost my life again, but…. It's alright." He muttered softly keeping his gaze down. "We all know I wasn't exactly the perfect house guest." Alfred gave a curt nod at that but said nothing. "So I guess you can see it as me forgiving you. Or something along those lines." He let out a another sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

"Does that mean you will stay here? At least until you are in perfect health that is." Dick asked eagerly with a wide smile on his face. Eyes hopeful and open to the younger. When he didn't answer Bruce crouched before him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"We would all be very happy if you did stay Jason. At least for a while." He said softly meeting the younger's eyes. Something seemed to pass between them before the wayward Robin looked away and let out yet another sigh.

"Fine, fine. I'll stay until I am healthy again. After that I will get out of your guy's hair." Came the soft reply which was met with a joyous cry from Dick. Which earned him a few odd looks and he responded with a sheepish grin.

"I'll go tell Tim and Damian." The eldest Robin said before exiting the room. Amusement danced in Bruce and Alfred's eyes as Dick left the room.

"Now how about we get you downstairs and to the kitchen. You must be hungry Master Jason." Alfred offered as Bruce helped the sickly man up.

"Starved Alfred, starved."