Chapter 8
They were able to make to the building rather unobserved as Dick ran past the crowd outside, the crowd then chasing him down the street, making the entrance empty and easily obtainable by the Dynamic Duo. Jesse had seen Dick running and mouthed "Emma" to the startled Brennan. He smiled, a smiled that brightened the dark cowl.
Brennan's eyes widened as they made it to the top of the Gotham State Building. Jesse had nailed his suspicion. The Riddler had set up a large and effective looking atomizer on top of the broadcast tower.
They were able to make to the building rather unobserved as Dick ran past the crowd outside, the crowd then chasing him down the street, making the entrance empty and easily obtainable by the Dynamic Duo. Jesse had seen Dick running and mouthed "Emma" to the startled Brennan. He smiled, a smiled that brightened the dark cowl.
"Your mission ends here, Riddler," Brennan found himself saying, almost feeling like Batman, "Come down from there and we'll take you back to Arkham, nice and easy."
The Riddler and his henchmen turned, surprised to find Batman and Robin staring back up at them.
"No way, you big bat," Riddler laughed, "There is no way you're going to pull me off of here."
"Brennan, you have to do it," Jesse glared at him as Brennan pulled back into a electro-generating stance.
Brennan stepped back and threw all of the electricity he could muster at the tower, electrifying Riddler and his henchmen, who fell quickly from the tower to the top of the building. In turn, the tower's hum stopped, and power around the city died.
"Whoops." Brennan smiled, "I guess no laughs tonight."
"Turn it back on, buddy and we'll get these guys out of here," Jesse laughed with him, patting him on the back.
Hours later, when the lights were back on and the stand-in Dynamic Duo had turned Riddler and his henchmen in at Arkham prison, Jesse and Brennan found themselves having a nice dinner in Sanctuary with Dick, Emma, Shalimar, Adam and a newly recovered Bruce Wayne. Brennan and Jesse had stopped at Wayne manor as well, changing into street clothes and letting Alfred in on the condition of his charges. They had invited him to their victory dinner, but Alfred had declined, stating his need to prepare the rooms for Master Wayne's return.
Dick had to admit he was impressed. Jesse and Brennan had stepped up to the plate and defeated a villain that to this day gave him the creeps. His memories of his parent's deaths at the hands of that madman were still evident, but he was grateful that they had helped him when times had prevented him from doing it himself. Emma had also become a dear friend to him when he was stuck staring at this duo he longed to be part of. They had made him an unofficial part of the team instead, and it was just nice to be part of this little family.
Bruce Wayne on the other hand was grateful for the chance to be out of the medlab, have good food to eat, and good conversation to follow. He remembered the young Kilmartin from when he first met Noah Kilmartin. The child had been so sick, it was wonderful to see him well and part of another family, away from the grafter that Noah had turned out to be. It helped lessen the pain of his involvement in the company that helped Jesse. The truth did need to come out and it was time.
"Jesse, can I talk to you for a moment?" Bruce asked as they were cleaning up the meal, "It's important."
Adam took the plates from him as he was heading into the kitchen, giving him his best 'go, it's important' look.
Jesse followed the older man down the hallway and into the meditation area. Bruce sat on the edge of the platform and motioned for him to sit with him. Jesse did so silently, helping Bruce sit.
"I didn't know how to tell you this, let alone, did I ever expect to be telling you this," Wayne started, "You have to understand, Wayne Enterprises is a huge company."
"Yeah, I'm well aware," Jesse replied, "What are you trying to tell me, Bruce?"
Bruce stopped. The kid was bright.
"I was one of the original companies that founded Genomax. I helped send you there," Bruce met Jesse's confused look.
"You?" Jesse was stunned.
"Yes, and when I found out what Breedlove was up to, I pulled every single cent of my funding," Wayne continued, "They told me you had died in their care and I was appalled. I later found out that Adam had hid you, trying and finding a cure to your leukemia. We couldn't let that cure be known because the aftereffects on many of the patients..."
"Were killing them..." Jesse continued, "But you stopped funding him, therefore, the research that was killing patients stopped."
"Yes." Bruce's reply was cold. He knew that he was right in telling Jesse.
"Bruce, I'm fine," Jesse met the man's look with the same determined glare that echoed Dick, "I found a new family here. Genomax might have done horrible things to me, but I lived through them."
"Yes, you did."
"And, you don't have to keep blaming yourself for it. I saved your butt, remember?"
Bruce smiled. The kid was okay with it. Then again, Jesse Kilmartin wasn't a kid. He was a man.
"How did you like being a superhero?" Bruce asked, in a desperate attempt to change the subject.
"Being?" Jesse was amused, "I was in the shadow of one of the greatest. And I like to think that I am honoring that tradition every day."
Bruce put his hand for Jesse to shake it.
"You are, my friend, you are."
The End.