Jerome and his Complicated Destiny

by DarkLordFluffy

Jerome lasted two years after his brother left until he had enough. He ran away. But ended up running much further than he had ever thought was possible. He ends up in a whole other world parallel to his but years ahead. Will he ever make it back to his own world? And will the life he leads while there, help him prevent him from becoming a psycho? Or was he always a bit psycho?

4. Chapter 4 - Jerome the Protector

When Jerome woke up he was lying on a couch in a very fancy looking building. The style of the furnishings and decorations was very Chinese like they were somewhere in Chinatown. But some of it wasn't Chinese. Some of it had a distinct ancient Middle Eastern style that pretty much screamed Ra's Al Ghul. He wasn't even surprised that when he sat up, he saw a man looking at him that looked very similar to the supposedly ancient sorcerer. Right down to the facial hair, stripes of grey in his hair and elegant clothing that screamed 'I'm an ancient sorcerer'.

"Ra's Al Ghul, I'm guessing?" Jerome said, standing up and rubbing his head.

"Indeed." the man said. "You are quite the anomaly, aren't you? Spending nearly your entire childhood in another world. Not many people get to meet their future selves."

"My parallel self. Not necessarily my future self." Jerome said, annoyed at what the man said.

"Continuing to deny it isn't going to stop it from happening." Ra's said with amusement. "That world was closely parallel to ours. But years in the future. You now have foreknowledge of many things that will happen in our world."

"The worlds aren't exactly the same. There are a lot of differences." Jerome said. "Just because something happens in that world, doesn't mean it will happen here."

"The details are different. But not the things that matter. They will always be the same."

"And so you can't have me out there warning people, can you?" Jerome said. "Why didn't you just kill me? Why go to the trouble of kidnapping me?"

"Why would I kill you? You are necessary to Gotham city...and to Bruce Wayne. His opposite. The chaos to his order. Your chaos will cleanse the city and forge Bruce into something worthy of being my successor. You will help shape the future of my heir and provide his Gotham city with something to fear. I would never prevent you from fulfilling your destiny." Ra's said smiling at him.

"Like I said, just because my parallel lost it completely, doesn't mean I will take the same title." Jerome sneered at him. "And I would never hurt Bruce Wayne. Ever." Ra's just stared at him smugly. "Bruce won't ever want to be your heir, Ra's. No matter what you do. No matter what you dangle in front of him. He will never be your successor. You say I have foreknowledge? So I know that I have seen that you will never get what you want."

"Your adopted father was still alive and relatively young when you left, yes? Still plenty of time for the other me to convince him." Ra's said. "You're not the only one with foreknowledge. I have seen this in my head for centuries. Bruce will become the dark knight of Gotham city and rule over it in the shadows."

Jerome laughed at him. "I'm thinking you might have misinterpreted those visions a bit. Yeah, he does all of that. But its not as your heir and he's not going to rule Gotham. He's going to protect it. From people like you."

"He is the richest man in the city, yes? He owns most of the buildings and controls most of the technology that is used in security and policing in the other world? The elected officials listen to what he suggests? How is that not ruling over Gotham?" Ra's asked smugly. "Even a benevolent and protective ruler is a ruler."

"Ok. You've got a point. But still. That will have nothing to do with you." Jerome said.

"Indeed. My heir is strong and clever and fully capable of reaching that future on his own. But he needs to have the motivation for doing so." Ra's said. "You will be a part of that."

"So all of this was to motivate him to train himself to become the person you see in your head? Even the death of his parents?" Jerome snarled at him.

"The death of his parents was not something I ordered. The Court of Owls acted on their own. But I am not angry at them for doing so and it did not surprise me. The death of the Waynes was always going to happen. Whether by the Court's manipulations or a random thug on the street. They were fated to die. You know this to be true. It is the event that pushes him to be stronger. The event that will ultimately shape him into who you saw in the other world."

"Where is he? I know you have him. What did you do with him?" Jerome asked.

"He is not with me at the moment. He is with a loyal agent of mine who is preparing him for his future." Ra's said. "You will not be harmed but I will not allow you to leave until my plan is realized. Then I will allow you to go free. But do not think we will not see each other again. I will call on you and your brother before long. To see that you play your part."

"You leave Miah out of this!" Jerome snarled.

"I'm not the one that will involve him, Jerome." Ra's smiled at him smugly. "I have things to prepare so, if you'll excuse me, I will return later to show you what Bruce has done for his future and the future of this city." the man walked away.

Jerome wasn't treated like a prisoner. The ninjas allowed him to wander as long as he didn't get close to an exit. He was even provided with food when he asked. He spent the night wandering and worrying about Bruce and then lounging on a couch and also worrying about Bruce. He hoped that Bruce could figure out a way to save himself. He was Bruce Wayne after all. The future Batman. So even as a teen he'd be tough and clever. And he had to survive to be Batman someday, right?

The next afternoon Ra's returned and turned on the tv to the news. "I want you to see something. I think you'll appreciate the sight."

Jerome stared at the news as they reported on an attack at Union Station. A gas bomb that went off that was filled with a virus that was named the Tetch virus for some reason. The people running out of the station that were exposed to it, turned into feral angry and violent monsters, many of them attacking everyone they ran into. And a lot of people were exposed to it. The virus was apparently very contagious through blood transmission. "Why did you think I would find this interesting? Just because I was supposed to end up as a chaotic monster doesn't mean I am now."

"I thought the knowledge that it was Bruce Wayne who pressed the button releasing the virus into the city would interest you. Are you sure you know Bruce as well as you thought?" Ra's asked.

"Impossible! If it was him then it wasn't with him clear headed and of his own freewill. He would never do something like that on his own!" Jerome said, calling the man out on the bullshit.

"You're right. He had to be helped along. But he was the one who pressed the button. And soon he will be coming here so I can reveal his destiny to him. Everything has happened the way I have seen it." Ra's said. "Why are you so resistant to your destiny? I can see the fire and chaos in your eyes. You barely hold your true self back at this point. You want to give in to that madness. You crave it. But you're working so hard to deny it. Why? Stop fighting it. Accept it. Accept your importance to Bruce and his destiny. Nothing you do will stop it at this point."

"You may be right about me. I am not a good person no matter how hard Bruce tried to help me down the right path. But I won't let anything happen to Bruce. I won't let you use him. I owe him that. He's a good person. He will never be the person you want him to be." Jerome said, defiantly.

"We will see." Ra's said, smugly.

That night, the ninjas all seemed alert for something. Ra's made Jerome follow him into the catacombs of the building. "Bruce will be here soon."

"Whatever. What makes you think I won't try to snap him out of whatever spell you've put him under?" Jerome asked.

"You can certainly try. But he doesn't know you, does he?" Ra's said, smugly. "So your words will have little power."

They watched as Bruce made his way through the catacombs and into a room with a glowing green pool of liquid. Was that a Lazarus pit? The liquid that could bring someone back from death and heal any wound? He wouldn't be surprised if it was since it was Ra's Al Ghul he was dealing with. Ra's walked into the room with Jerome close behind him.

"I wouldn't touch that, Bruce." Ra's said as Bruce got close to the pool.

"You know who I am?" Bruce called out, not able to see them just yet, likely because Ra's liked to be a dramatic asshole that made big entrances.

"Who do you think told the Sensei to send you here?"

"He's dead." Bruce said. "He was murdered."

"He died, but he completed his task." Ra's said, letting Bruce see him. Jerome leaned against the wall, not wanting to be anywhere near the Lazarus pit if that's what it was. "The Court of Owls is destroyed, Gotham burns, and you...are here."

"He told me to complete my training." Bruce said. "To find the demon's head."

"You already have, Bruce. I'm the one you seek." Ra's said, walking into the light. "I'm the demon's head. I am Ra's Al Ghul. Why have you come to me Bruce?"

"The Sensei told me to seek you out." Bruice said. "That you would complete my training."

"And did the Sensei tell you who I am, what I seek?" Ra's asked.

"I know you are not a part of the Court of Owls, that you only used them. But I don't know why." Bruce said.

"Because he's trying to manipulate you, Bruce. I know you can't see that right now, because he's got you under some kinda brainwashing, but that's the truth." Jerome said.

"Be quiet. Trying to talk him out of this is pointless." Ra's said, looking over at Jerome annoyed. He looked back over at Bruce. "Know that I have been alive for more years than you can imagine. That I have seen and done things that would shake the core of everything you believe. That I'm thought to be a demon, a saint, a ghost. But for all my years, all my travels, there is one thing that I have never found. A true heir. But I need to know if you are ready."

"I am. The Sensei trained me." Bruce said, his eyes empty of the life and determination they usually contained.

"This is just total bullshit. What kinda heir are you looking to have if you have to have him under your spell to get him to this point? That doesn't sound like much of an heir." Jerome said. "I know he would never agree to this normally."

"Who are you? You say the same things as Alfred and everyone else. None of you know me at all. This is what I want." Bruce said.

"You may want this but are you ready for it? Truly?" Ra's ignored Jerome. "The Sensei set you a task. He asked you to be the one that released the virus that now envelops this city. You failed."

"What? You told me he pressed the button himself." Jerome said. He laughed. "You lied. He is fighting this, isn't he? I knew it. Bruce is so much stronger than you think. He would never press that button on his own!"

"I would have! But Alfred, he distracted me!" Bruce said.

"No. He didn't distract you. He just helped the real you break through this a little. Who else other than Alfred, the man you consider like a father to you, could do that? He was trying to help you fight this. So listen to what he said, Bruce! Fight it!" Jerome said desperate to get Bruce to listen.

"Enough." Ra's told Jerome. "I know you tried your best, Bruce. And so I'm going to give you another chance to complete your journey."

Alfred was suddenly dragged in by a few ninjas. Jerome looked at him in concern. He looked pretty beat up. Bruce looked at him in surprise.

"Don't look so surprised, Master Bruce." Alfred said from where he was made to kneel. "I told you you couldn't get rid of me that easy. Just got a bit sloppy. Got a bit of ring rust. Let these little ninja monkeys get one over on me." he looked over at Jerome in surprise. "You said you weren't working for them. Was that a lie, then?"

"It wasn't a lie. I did say Ra's would probably kidnap me at some point for knowing too much. I was right. That guy is Ra's, like I thought. So maybe you could've saved us all a little time if you had believed me." Jerome said, annoyed. "You ok? They didn't beat you up too badly?"

"Why would you care?" Alfred asked. He looked over at Ra's. "Let my boy go. Please. Take off whatever spell you have on him and let him go."

Ra's went up to him and hit him hard in the face. Bruce didn't flinch but Jerome was pleased to see a bit of emotion when Alfred was hit. That was something. Alfred might help him break through.

"This man is your past, Bruce." Ra's said. "Now embrace your future." Ra's took out his sword and handed it to Bruce. Jerome stared in shock at it. He was going to ask Bruce to kill Alfred, wasn't he? "Kill him. Fulfill your destiny."

Bruce took the sword and aimed it at Alfred.

"Don't do this, Bruce. Don't." Jerome pleaded with him. "You won't be able to live with yourself if you kill him. He's important to you. It would destroy you. Fight this. I know you can break out of this. You are the strongest, most stubborn person I've ever known. I've seen you break out of worse. Out of Scarecrow's fear toxin, even. Prove me right. Don't let him win!"

"Listen to him. You are stronger than this. You fight this." Alfred said. "Ra's is wrong. Your destiny is to be Bruce Wayne. And one day you're going to remember that. And you're going to remember how much I love you. I remember the first time your mum and dad brought you home. They were so exhausted. And they gave you to me. This tiny, defenceless little creature. And they said, 'Look after him,' and I said, 'sure.' And I scooped you up in my arms, and I held you and you opened your eyes...and you looked at me. And at that moment, I decided that I would do anything for you. Anything." Alfred looked at Bruce. Jerome could see that Bruce was affected by his words but not enough. "So if this is what you need to do, Master Bruce, you crack on. You do it." Jerome stared at him in shock. Was he sacrificing himself to snap Bruce out of it? Jerome realized that something like that would probably snap Bruce out of it but at what cost?

Bruce screamed and plunged the sword into Alfred's chest. And as soon as he did, Jerome could see Bruce snap out of the spell he was under. Bruce stared at what he had just done in shock and horror. "Alfred. Alfred!"

Bruce rushed to his side and stared down at him, not knowing what to do. Jerome also got down beside him and tried to slow down the bleeding. But Alfred slipped away. Jerome hated it. He had cared about Alfred too. The other Alfred had always treated him with kindness. He was attentive to whatever he needed. He was just as much of a father to him as Bruce. So seeing this Alfred die was hard to take.

Ra's Al Ghul laughed as he slipped into the shadows. Bruce grabbed the sword and slashed at the shadows in a rage, hoping that one would contain the ancient sorcerer.

Jerome turned around and looked at the Lazarus pit behind him in realization. There was a way to save him! Jerome got up, grabbed a nearby bowl, and slipped it into the waters of the pit, careful not to touch them himself. And brought it over to Alfred. He hoped it would work. It had to work! He poured the glowing water over the wound. The wound sizzled and smoked as the water hit it but soon the wound closed enough to stop the bleeding and Alfred gasped awake. He was alive! "Bruce! Get over here! He's alive!"

"He's alive?" Bruce asked with a shocked look as he rushed over to where Alfred was. "How? I saw him die." He looked down at Alfred who said his name before passing out.
"The Lazarus pit. I was told stories of how it's supposed to heal all wounds, and even bring someone back to life if they haven't been dead for long." Jerome said, still looking at Alfred in concern. "He's not out of the woods yet though. I only gave him a little. Too much more isn't good for anyone. He'll need to go to the hospital. Is Ra's gone?"

"Yes. He disappeared." Bruce sneered at the shadows as if Ra's was still in them. "He's going to pay for what he made me do." He looked over at Jerome. "Who are you, anyway? Why do you seem to care so much? What you said while trying to wake me up didn't make any sense."

"It's a long story. We need to get Alfred to the hospital and then I'll tell you. I promise. Just help me get him to safety first. Ok?" Jerome asked.

"Ok."

Bruce stayed with Alfred as Jerome went to find a phone upstairs. The ninjas had cleared out along with Ra's. He found a phone and called for an ambulance.

Alfred was rushed through the very busy hospital with Jerome and Bruce right by him. A doctor rushed over. "Let's have a look." He looked at the wound. "Whoa. What did you do to cauterize this?"

"I don't know." Bruce said. "Is he going to be ok?"

"We'll do everything we can." the doctor said. "What are your relationships to the patient?"

"I'm family." Bruce said.

"It's complicated on my part." Jerome said, staring at Alfred extremely worried.

The doctor and nurses wheeled Alfred into the OR. Bruce and Jerome were left waiting in the waiting room, both looking rather rough. A nearby nurse who was a member of the Maniax noticed Jerome and asked what was wrong.

"Someone I care about is not doing well. Alfred Pennyworth. Keep an eye out and see that they are doing their best in there to keep him alive and well, ok?" Jerome said.

"I can do that. I'll make sure he makes it. What should I do, if he doesn't?" the nurse asked.
"Just come and get me and let me know which doctor was caring for him. I'll want to get personal if he fails." Jerome said.

Bruce stared at it all in confusion. When the nurse walked away, Bruce spoke up. "You said you'd explain who you are?"

"Yeah. I did. I don't know if you'll believe me. Hardly anyone sane ever does. But here it is. The reason I care so much about you and Alfred is because I've met you before. Not you specifically. Another you. When I was young, I found myself in another world just parallel to ours. I was alone. I had nothing. But a man helped me. A very kind, very rich man, who took me in and treated me like his own son. Even adopted me. And his butler was just as kind and understanding as him. They both became like family to me. Closer actually, since my actual family was never as good to me as them. I can never repay them for all of that. That man was named Bruce Wayne. And he was the strongest, smartest, and bravest man I've ever known. You seem just like him. I can tell you'll grow up to be very similar."

"Another world?" Bruce asked. He didn't look like he thought Jerome was crazy. He seemed to keep an open mind about it.

"Yeah. Hard to believe, huh? But it's true." Jerome said, rather emotionally. "I know you aren't the Bruce I knew. I don't care. You are still a Bruce Wayne. I owe the other Bruce everything good in my life. I couldn't live with myself if I let something happen to you or to Alfred."

"I don't know if any of that is true, but you saved Alfred's life. He'd be dead right now if not for you. Thank you. So much. If you weren't there…" Bruce looked at the floor with a guilty look.

"It wasn't your fault, Bruce." Jerome said, trying to reassure him. "Ra's had you put under a spell. That was all him. You couldn't control yourself."

"I still let it happen. I let them put me in that state. And I didn't stop myself. I didn't fight it off." Bruce said.

"But you did. You did fight it off. I saw you fighting it that whole time. Ra's is ancient. He's powerful. You realize how hard that had to have been to finally break yourself out of that? It's not surprising that it took what it did to free you." Jerome said. "And Alfred isn't dead. He's alive. And he won't blame you for what happened. No one will."

Bruce just stared at the floor for awhile. When he finally looked up it was to ask a question. "Why did Ra's have you? Were you a captive?"

"Yeah. The other world was several years ahead of ours. So I had foreknowledge that Ra's didn't want getting out. But he also didn't want to kill me because he said I have a destiny just like yours. Or similar to yours anyway. And he didn't want to stop that. I want to say that what he said about me was all bullshit but...I don't think it was. I have foreknowledge, remember? I saw the man in the other world that paralleled me. And it wasn't a pretty sight. I never want to get that bad. But I know that deep down, maybe I was always going to fall. I promise, Bruce, that whatever happens, I will do my best not to do anything too awful. I refuse to be as bad as that monster. For you, I'll fight it forever, if I have to."

"I don't really know what you're talking about but if I can do anything to help you fight, I will. You did your best to help me fight off the spell I was under. I remember it all. It's only fair that I help you. Whatever you need." Bruce said.

"Thanks. But I don't know what you could do to help me." Jerome said.

"Is Alfred going to be ok?" Selina asked, having just arrived. "I heard about what happened. Is he going to pull through?"

"Go home, Selina." Bruce said, looking emotional.

"Can you tell me if he's ok?"

"No. No, you don't get to do this." Bruce said angrily.

"Do what?" Selina asked.

"Walk back into my life. You think I need your pity? I don't." Bruce said.

"Dude. She helped me when I found your clone pretending to be you. She's been worried sick about you this whole time. Take a good long look. That's not pity in her eyes." Jerome said. "I know you care about Selina Kyle. She clearly cares about you. She was ready to beat up an entire group of crazies when she thought we were beating up you instead of your clone. She wouldn't have stood a chance and yet she was willing to do it anyway. I know you're hurting, but don't take it out on her. Don't say something you'll regret later."

"Is that true?" Bruce asked Selina.

"I don't know if I would've fought them all. But I would've tried something to get you away from them if it had been you they were beating up. I do care about you." Selina said like she thought he was an idiot for thinking something different than that.

"Wow. I did not think I'd have to deal with teenage drama while I was here. Just make up already. I'm going to go get a snack so you can have some time alone to talk." Jerome said, rolling his eyes and walking away.

Jerome was happy to see Selina sitting next to Bruce and holding his hand to comfort him when he returned. It would seem they had made up.

"Any news about Alfred?" Jerome asked.

"He's out of surgery. He's stable but they aren't sure if he'll pull through." Bruce said with a worried look.

"He's a tough old guy. I'm sure he will." Jerome said, partially to himself.

Jerome sat in Alfred's hospital room with Bruce and watched on tv the newscaster talking about the police finding a cure for the virus. Bruce was asleep in a chair near Alfred's bed. They both looked over in pleased surprise at the man when they heard him start to wake up.

"You're awake!" Bruce rushed to give Alfred a hug which was probably painful for the old guy. Bruce pulled away and stared at him with a sad look on his face. "I'm sorry, Alfred."

"It wasn't your fault, was it?" Alfred said.

"I completely lost my way." Bruce said. "I've been trying to find who I am for so long, searching for some greater meaning. I don't know who I am, Alfred. Who am I supposed to be?"

"I can't help you with that one, mate." Alfred said. "You're a man now. You got to find your own path."

"I'm not like you. You've always been so sure of who you are." Bruce said.

"Oh I don't know about that." Alfred said. "I've been through some very dark places, as have you. You need to find your true north and let that guide you."

"What's yours?" Bruce asked.

"You." Alfred said, smiling at Bruce. "It's always been you. You got to find something that you really care about and you protect it at all costs. And when you find it you'll never be lost again."

Jerome stared at the exchange in awe. He knew that the other Bruce and Alfred must've had a similar conversation at some point before Batman was a thing. And it was likely one of the conversations that helped lead him in that direction in the long run. He was touched that he got to see it.

"So I see you weren't lying about that Ra's guy, Mr. Valeska." Alfred said, bringing his attention back to them.

"Why would I lie about something like that? I'm not crazy. Well, I suppose I'm not completely sane but that's beside the point. Ra's is real and not likely to give up with just that. We'll have to be ready for him." Jerome said.

"We? You aren't the one that's at risk. Why care about us?" Alfred asked.

"I already told you that I was raised in another world for most of my life. Bruce will tell you more. But it's the reason I can't walk away from this. From the both of you. I have to help."

"You've helped us so far, so I suppose, whether or not I believe all that other world stuff, at least I know you are on our side." Alfred said.

"I am. You have my word." Jerome said, completely serious about it.

Jerome headed back to his fanatics to stop them from organizing a search party for him. They had fared well against the virus attack. Jongleur and Dwight had managed to rally the others together in protecting themselves and subduing any loved ones infected with it until they got the cure.

"Geez, when you guys work together you actually do accomplish something. Who woulda thought?" Jerome joked to them. "It's like what I've been saying this whole time. The fighting between you was annoying and just wasting our time."

"We may be unhinged but even we have limits. We couldn't let the virus spread further than it had." Dwight said. "But as much as I hate the police, I have to admit if they hadn't found a cure when they did, we might've not made it through this. Where were you? We could've used your guidance."

"I was busy getting kidnapped by a secret organization that liked to wear bird masks and an ancient sorcerer that employs ninjas. So it's been a long couple of days. I tried to get back as soon as I could." Jerome said.

Dwight and Jongleur looked at him and each other as if they weren't sure he was bullshitting them or not but weren't sure it was safe to ask.

"I'm not staying for the fun tonight, though. I was just checking up on you before heading out again. I won't be gone all that long but don't wait up. It might be a few days." Jerome said.

"Why is the Wayne kid important to you? Is he more important than us?" Dwight asked, looking kind of jealous.

"That's really none of your business, is it Dwight?" Jerome said, getting a dangerous look on his face. "All you need to know is that he is important to me. The details of why shouldn't be important to you."

"Does it have something to do with the other world?" Jongleur asked. "You said it was several years ahead. And you also said you were cared for by a rich person. Was the rich person Bruce Wayne? Is that why you care? That's ok, boss. I don't really care. You're right. It is all none of our business. And I understand that family is important."

"You're right, ok?" Jerome said, annoyed. "That is the reason. I feel protective over him. He looks so much like that guy. Acts a lot like him too. I can't not care."

"We told the others not to touch him or his butler. Like you said. We listen to what you say." Jongleur said. "Don't mind Dwight. He gets a little jealous when it comes to your attention."

"I do not!" Dwight protested.

"You totally do." Jerome said. "It's rather annoying actually. Look, I'm not in this to be liked. Honestly, having fans is a bit disturbing to me given just how bad I can get. But I play along because I know all of you need it. Getting jealous is just going to piss me off. So work on it, ok?"

"Ok." Dwight said, not looking like he enjoyed being called out.

"I hope I won't disappoint anyone else too much." Jerome said, looking at Jongleur with an irritated look. "Will I?"

"No. We all understand that you have things to do that don't always involve us. We asked you to lead us. Not the other way around. So we have no room to complain." Jongleur said sincerely.

"Good. See you both later. I'll keep in touch." Jerome said, before leaving.

"Are you sure there's nothing I could help you with, Mr. Valeska?" Bruce asked when they were at the manor. Alfred was sent home and so they were all back at the manor, including Jerome.

"Jerome, please." Jerome said. "And I don't know. I…" Jerome suddenly had an idea. Something he had been putting off. "Actually, there may be something you could help me with."

"And what would that be?" Bruce asked.

"I've been looking for someone for quite some time. My twin brother. I…" Jerome figured he better hear the whole story. "The last time we saw each other, we were only ten years old and he was lying about me to get sent away. He lied and said I was hurting him. I would've never hurt him. He's the other half of my soul. But our mother believed him and so she sent him away. Sent him to a fancy school. Which is what he wanted all along. I know he probably feels like I would hold a grudge for what he did. That he might be paranoid that I would try something. But I don't and I never would. I would've had a bad life after that lie, yeah. But I ran away and ended up probably having a better life than him. I don't hold a grudge against him. I just want to see him. More than anything."

"What can I do to help?" Bruce asked.

"Miah ended up a structural engineer at Bishop and Hays. You're a rich guy. I assume you or your father have funded the building of several buildings in your lives. I know the other Bruce did. So maybe you or your dad funded a building designed by my brother. That could lead me to him." Jerome said with a hopeful look.

"My father kept detailed records. We could have a look and see if we find his name." Bruce said.

"Thanks." Jerome said, smiling. "If I could find my brother, it would mean so much to me. You have no idea."

"Even if he's not in those records, I'd still be willing to help find him for you. It's the least I can do." Bruce said. "You said his name is Miah? Short for Jeremiah?" Bruce asked as he took down several leather-bound notebooks.

"Yeah but he wouldn't be in those as Jeremiah Valeska. They changed his name to Xander Wilde."

They looked through the records of each building. Bruce looked up after a few minutes and smiled at Jerome. "Look. Xander Wilde. He designed Wayne Plaza."

"That figures. It does look like something he'd design." Jerome smiled back at him.

"And my father left a note talking about meeting him to finalize some plans. It doesn't say an address. Just a street. Ainslie Drive." Bruce said.

"Finally. Finally I get to see him again." Jerome said, a bit emotional. "Thank you, Bruce. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"I'm glad I got to do it for you." Bruce said, smiling at him.

"This is awkward to ask but...would you come with me?" Jerome asked. "Miah is probably paranoid that I'm going to hurt him. If I go there alone, I don't know how it will go. If you were there to vouch for me…"

"Of course, I'll come." Bruce said.

"Thank you." Jerome said in relief. "It really will help, I think. Miah is...well I'm sure he's probably pretty isolated at this point because of his paranoia. That can't help his state of mind."

"He's your brother. Surely he'll understand once you explain it to him." Bruce said, trying to reassure him.

"He's smart. Maybe he'll see the truth. I just don't know. I worry. I don't want to make it all worse for him." Jerome said, worried. "If he won't see us, if I can't explain, what if he just isolates more once he sees me? I don't want to hurt him."

"You won't." Bruce said.

Jerome fidgeted in the backseat of Bruce's car as they made their way down the road that was indicated in Bruce's notes. Bruce tried to give him reassuring looks. Alfred wasn't sure about the whole situation but trusted in Bruce's judgement of it. Plus he agreed that Jerome had proven himself an ally. When they found the small building in the middle of nowhere, Jerome told them to stop.

"But it's just a shed or something." Alfred said.

"The high tech buttons near the door and security camera suggest otherwise." Jerome said, getting out of the car. It was one hundred percent the entrance to Miah's place. "It's likely mostly underground and a lot bigger than it looks. And probably a maze. That was always Miah's thing."

"So do we go up and ring the doorbell?" Alfred asked.

"I think he probably already knows we're here. Security camera with motion sensor I'd expect." Jerome said, pointing at the camera that seemed to be tracking their movement. No. Not their movement. Just Jerome's. Jerome looked up at it. "No matter what you might think about me, I'm not here to hurt you. I never would. All of this was pointless, Miah. You didn't have to hide from me. I just want to see you. I miss you so damn much. You can't lie to me and say you don't feel the same on some small level. Please let me in, Miah. You think I'd come with them if I was going to hurt you? Think. You were always the logical one. Use it now."

After a few moments, the door opened. Jerome looked over at it and then back at the camera. "Thank you, Miah."

Alfred stayed by the car, rather reluctantly as Bruce and Jerome went through the door and down some stairs. It was, as Jerome expected, a lot bigger than it looked. A serious looking blond woman stood there at the bottom of the stairs, staring at them with an appraising look.

"I'm guessing you're his assistant?" Jerome asked.

"Follow me." she said before turning around and walking down a corridor. They followed her down long corridors.

"I guess I called it when I figured this would be a maze." Jerome said.

The assistant was silent as she led them. She stopped at a metal door that she opened with a voice code. "I also guess I called all the paranoia, too." Jerome rolled his eyes as he and Bruce walked through the door. The assistant walked in and closed the door behind them and stood to the side in a stance which implied she was ready for danger. Jerome saw a familiar bespectacled redhead staring at him with a complicated look from across the room.

"I had always assumed that when I left you would build up a grudge against me. That the years from being with our abusive family would make that grudge a true threat to me. But I don't see any of that in your face at all. Why? It doesn't make any sense." Miah asked, almost looking confused.

"I admit that when you lied and then left me behind to face the consequences, it hurt. A lot. In every way imaginable. But I've moved on. I didn't stay with our family for very long after you left. Only two years. And then I ran away. And was taken care of. Adopted by a family that truly cared about me in a way I had never known before. So whatever grudge I might've had, had I stayed at the circus, didn't form. Honestly, the only thing I've wanted to do since I ran away, was to find you. And beg you to make me a part of your life again. We were inseparable. Don't you remember? We barely left each other alone. I would annoy you, always trying to pull you into in some kinda mischief and you would always annoy me with science facts. I know that we won't have that back at this point. But can we try to at least be a family again? A real family, not the bullshit our mom and uncle liked to think was family."

"Mr. Valeska. If it would help, I think Jerome is being sincere." Bruce said. "I haven't known him for long but he is someone I trust and he seems to care for you a great deal."

Miah seemed to consider both of their statements. He had what almost looked like a combination of disbelief and relief warring on his face. "I want to believe you. You have no idea how much I want to believe that's true. But I've lived with this fear for so long. I was so sure you would hate me."

"You've never really understood hate before though, have you? I mean, you can't really feel it yourself, so how could you? That's ok. That's just you." Jerome said, with a sympathetic look. "I'd never hate you, Miah. No matter what you do. You're my brother. I love you. I'd do anything for you, no matter what you do or who you decide to be. You need to understand that. I've missed you so much."

"...I've missed you too." Miah said. "You have no idea how hard it was to sleep after I left. For the longest time. Every bed seemed empty."

"I have no idea? I had the very same feeling." Jerome said, walking closer to his brother. "Every night. I didn't have you to there to comfort me. I felt…"

"Incomplete." Miah said uncomfortably as Jerome stood in front of him.

"Yeah." Jerome said. "That's exactly what I felt. You felt the same? That's reassuring. I was worried that you wouldn't have missed me at all. I suppose that sounds horrible. But it's what I worried about."

"I'm sorry that I didn't find some way to bring you along with me. I was desperate." Miah said.

"I understand. I forgive you." Jerome said, smiling. He went for a hug and Miah stiffened but accepted. And he actually looked grateful for the physical contact. Jerome smiled into the hug as Miah started to return it. "Thank you for hearing me out, Miah."

Bruce stared at them smiling. Miah's assistant looked relieved that it turned out the way it did.

"I must confess, this is not at all how I thought I would be spending my evening or I would've had Ecco prepare better for guests. I was more worried about fending off an attack than entertaining." Miah said as he sat down across from Jerome and Bruce, in his living space inside his bunker, with a drink in his hands. Alfred had been invited inside and was sitting with them. The living space was just about as concrete and colorless as the workroom. Jerome figured that Miah had been more worried about security than he was decor.

"I can understand that. No worries." Jerome said, amused.

"We don't mind. We understand how confusing this could all be." Bruce said.

"You said you ran away from the circus? And that you found a family to adopt you? Tell me more. I'd like to know more about what I missed in your life." Miah asked Jerome, looking genuinely curious about it.

"The man I ran into, almost quite literally, was rich. He saw the bruises on me and couldn't ignore them. He took me in, cleaned me up and treated me like I mattered. He adopted me. He had another boy there that he had adopted that was a few years older. He became a good friend of mine. I will always miss his snark. They became my family. They funded my education. I got a Phd. Who woulda thought I could get that far in life? I guess encouragement makes all the difference."

"I always knew you were intelligent. You just never wanted to pay attention." Miah said. "But we have the same brain. Logically we would have the same potential to succeed. I never understood why mother could never see that."

"Because she's an idiot. You know, she tried to make nice with me after I visited her and she saw I did well for myself? Like I would just suddenly forget that she on several occasions said she wished I was never born?" Jerome shook his head.

"Sounds very much like her behavior with me. Which is why I cut all contact with our family." Miah said. "What did you focus on in college?"

"Pharmacology actually." Jerome said.

"Pharmacology? I'm surprised. I always assumed you would pick a more creative subject. You were always much more creative than me." Miah said.

"Oh I think I would have. But I had my reasons for picking that subject. They're a little complicated and I'm not sure that I want to explain just now." Jerome said. "But after college I got a job at Wellzyne as a scientist. It was a good job. I enjoyed it. Chemistry is actually an enjoyable subject overall."

"So we both succeeded in life. I'm so glad." Miah said, smiling at him. Jerome smiled back even though he knew the smile on Miah's face was his normal, fake happy smile. He knew Miah was trying his best. So he didn't mind. He knew that Miah was happy to have him there in his own less than emotional way or he wouldn't even be trying at all.

"Well we better be heading out. It's late." Alfred said, getting up.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay with my brother for now. If that's ok with you, Miah?" Jerome asked with a hopeful look.

"Of course. I'm happy to have you here. If you hadn't asked, I would've suggested it. Please do stay." Miah said.

"Keep me informed if Ra's shows up again, ok?" Jerome told Bruce as they were leaving.

"Of course. I'm glad this all worked out for you." Bruce said, smiling at him.

"So am I." Jerome said. "Thanks for your help."

Jerome slept on Miah's couch that night, with a big smile on his face. He was finally home. Miah was his home. The only thing about this world that was worth bothering with. Well, him and Bruce. Bruce was worth it too. But Miah was his twin. The twin he finally had back. Miah was accepting him. It made him so happy that he did. It's what Jerome had hoped for.

Miah was truly a genius. Jerome had always known that. But looking at the diagrams and blueprints scattered around Miah's workspace just made it clear that he was brilliant. "These are pretty amazing, Miah." Jerome said, smiling at his twin in admiration.

"Thank you. I always try to do my best with my designs." Miah said, not really reacting to the praise.

"Well, your best is pretty damn good. You must set the bar uncomfortably high for every other engineer." Jerome said, beaming. "I always enjoyed seeing you working on your drawings as a kid. They always fascinated me."

"I am glad that you're here. You can stay for as long as you want." Miah said. "But I feel like there's something you want to talk to me about that you aren't sure how to tell me. What is it, Jer?"

Jerome looked uncomfortable. "You're right. There is something I want to talk to you about. It's nothing bad. In fact, it's something that might help you. But I'm not sure how you will react to me talking about it."

"What is it?"

"I always knew that you couldn't feel strong emotions. It's ok. That's just you. I never judged you for it and it never bothered me." Jerome said, very worried about how Miah was going to react to this conversation.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Miah said, looking away with an almost irritated look.

"You don't have to hide it, Miah. And there's nothing wrong with it. It doesn't make you any less of a person. Honestly, the only reason I mentioned it was because I wanted to help you with it."

Miah looked uncomfortable with the conversation. But didn't walk away. "Let's say you aren't wrong. How would you even help me with it anyway?"

"I told you there was a reason I studied Pharmacology. That was the reason. I wanted to find a cure for you." Jerome said with a hopeful look.

"I'm not sick. Why would I need a cure?" Miah asked, finally looking irritated.

"You aren't sick. That's not what I was saying. You have a mental illness that limits your ability to feel strong emotions. That doesn't make you crazy. And there is nothing wrong with having a mental illness. Nearly everyone has some kind of mental illness. It's almost a requirement for being human. The point I'm trying to make is that I found a cure for you. Something that will let you feel the emotions you've never been able to feel before. All I've ever wanted to see is you smile. Really smile."

"I've smiled before."

"Fake smiles. What I want to see is a smile in response to a positive emotion on your face. I want you to be able to feel truly happy. That's all I want. Don't lie to me and say that you can. I lived with you for ten years. I saw the truth. Now let me help you."

"You have a cure for it?" Miah asked with an almost hopeful sounding voice, not bothering anymore to deny that maybe he did have an issue.

"I do. I worked really hard on it. It works. I tested it on other people that have a similar issue. It worked on them." Jerome pulled out a vial of his cure and smiled at Miah. "I spent my life getting to this point. To come back and give this to you. Because that's all I've ever wanted. To see my twin brother happy."

Miah stared at the vial like he wasn't sure if he should trust it.

"I'm not going to make you take it if you don't want it. It's a gift for you. You can choose whether or not to accept it. I won't be upset if you decide not to."

"If I decided to take this I would have to take precautions to make sure you aren't trying to poison me. Ecco would have to be present to see that you don't get away with any deceptions." Miah said, staring at the vial intently.

"I understand that. That's sensible." Jerome said, beaming. Was Miah going to let him give him his cure?

"I will consider it." Miah said with a look that said he was seriously considering it.

"That's all I ask." Jerome said, with a hopeful look.

The next day, as they were having breakfast, Miah spoke up. "I said I would consider it. I've talked with Ecco and she will be here to observe as I take it. She agrees that if it will help me I should take the chance. But know that she said your death will not be quick or painless if it kills me. She's very loyal so take her at her word."

"I'm fine with that. Whatever makes you feel comfortable, Miah." Jerome said, smiling at him happily. Miah had agreed to take it! Jerome was buzzing with joy.

"I'm not going to deny that maybe I have an issue. I never wanted to acknowledge it because it made me seem far too much like our family. And our family has never been stable." Miah said with a serious look.

"Oh I know. Even I feel like I inherited more than a bit of that." Jerome said in amusement, trying not to think about the fricking cult he had following him. He was pretty much a cult leader. That was mind boggling to think about and he was not sure how he was going to explain them to Miah.

An hour later Ecco arrived to observe. Miah sat down in a chair and rolled up his sleeve.

"Now, this may be a bit overwhelming at first. And you might not understand which emotions are which. That's normal. You've never really experienced them. It'll take time." Jerome said, trying to reassure his brother.

"Let's just get this over with." Miah said, now not looking as sure about his decision but stilling letting it happen.

"Ok. This won't hurt all that much more than any other shot." Jerome got out the syringe and pulled the liquid from the vial into it. He cleaned the area on Miah's arm where he was going to inject him. "Relax. Don't flinch." Jerome slid the needle into Miah's arm and injected the cure into him.

"How are you feeling? Feeling any different?" Jerome said, worried, after a few minutes of Miah just sitting there with an unreadable look on his face.

"I don't know what I'm feeling." Miah said, frowning and closing his eyes. "But it certainly is different."

"Ecco and I should keep an eye on you for the next few days but you probably don't need to worry. You didn't seem to have a bad reaction to it." Jerome said, smiling and trying not to worry himself. "Can you describe what you're feeling?"

"It's not an unpleasant feeling at all, I think. But I don't have any frame of reference." Miah said, looking a little confused.

"Like I said, it will take time for you to get used to it. But if you are feeling anything at all, that's a good sign. It means it worked." Jerome said, smiling at that wonderful concept. Miah could be cured. They'd have to wait and see if it was successful. Miah wouldn't be used to the emotions at first. It might be overwhelming to him. But it did look like it worked.

Over the next two days, Miah seemed to be reacting well to the cure. And as Jerome was telling him a joke one day, Miah laughed. Jerome stared at him in overwhelming happiness.

"You laughed." Jerome said, beaming at him.

"So I did." Miah said with a pleased sounding voice. He found himself smiling at Jerome a little. And it was a real smile.

"There it is. The thing I've wanted to see all my life." Jerome said, overjoyed. "You have no idea how happy this makes me to see you happy."

"Am I happy?" Miah asked, with a confused look. "I suppose that could be what I'm feeling. I never thought reuniting with you would go this way. I was so paranoid. It ate at me. But I don't have to worry about that anymore. I suppose happiness is a normal response to that."

"I'm so glad." Jerome said, over the moon. He had his brother back and had now succeeded in curing him! It was all worth it.

Ecco walked into the workroom with Bruce. Bruce had wanted to check up on them.

"Mr. Wayne. It's good to see you again." Miah said, smiling at him.

"Likewise. But you can call me Bruce." Bruce looked at a small model on one of Miah's worktables. "May I ask what this is?"

"It's a compact electrical engine. It generates power." Miah explained.

"Fascinating." Bruce said, looking at it with interest. "How much power?"

"Just two could light up every building south of Westward Bridge." Miah said.

"Impressive, huh?" Jerome said smiling, really proud of his genius brother.

"How does it work?" Bruce asked with wide eyes, beyond fascinated at this point.
"Ambient energy harvested from micro tremors and air density shifts. Miah said, looking pleased that Bruce seemed fascinated with his work. "It's virtually without cost. And it would be clean and stable."

"You have a brilliant mind." Bruce said, smiling at him.

"He definitely does." Jerome agreed with a smile. Jerome knew that hearing that would please Miah. And now that he could feel emotions correctly, he'd truly be able to enjoy it. He could already tell he was. Miah seemed a bit overwhelmed with the praise.

"Thank you. It's just a model though. I haven't built it yet. I don't know if it would work if I did." Miah said, blushing a little.

"Mr. Valeska. I wonder if you would agree to let me fund your work on this?" Bruce asked, looking absolutely serious about the request.

"Really? I'm not sure how to respond to that." Miah said with an uncertain look.

"You respond by saying yes." Jerome said, rolling his eyes. "Bruce is rich. He can afford it. And you and I both know, if you came up with it, it will work."

"Please? This is brilliant. Truly. Clean and safe energy? Why wouldn't I want to fund that?" Bruce asked.

"Then I guess I have to agree to it. Thank you. I truly appreciate your confidence in me. You have no idea." Miah said with a very overwhelmed and grateful look.

"Changing the subject here a bit." Jerome said, getting serious. "Have you had any sign of Ra's?"

"No. Nothing. It's like he's just disappeared off the planet." Bruce said, frustrated.

"I know he won't be gone forever. If he's anything like the other version of him, he never gives up. Not with this. I'm sorry he's so obsessed with you, Bruce." Jerome said, shaking his head.

"We'll just have to prepare for the eventuality that he'll come back. I've been training for that. I won't let him use me again." Bruce said with determination in his eyes.

"Who's Ra's?" Miah asked curiously.

"A very dangerous man who thinks that Bruce is his successor. And won't stop until he makes that true." Jerome said. "It's a long story."

"What can I do to help?" Miah asked. "If there's anything I can do, I'll do it, Mr. Wayne. You are, after all, going to fund my design. And it seems like my brother cares about you for some reason. I can't ignore that."

"Thank you for offering but I'm not sure what you could do for me involving Ra's. Jerome is involved so I won't say you can't be involved. But I have to warn you, Ra's is very dangerous."

"And debatably immortal." Jerome pointed out.

"I thought those stories were just a myth." Bruce said, eyes widening. "I read up on him. Surely he can't be as old as they claim?"

"If he's anything like the one I've heard about, then yeah, he's probably that old." Jerome said, amused. "As hard as that is to believe."

"This whole thing sounds fascinating. Why wouldn't I want to be involved?" Miah asked with an intrigued look.

"Like I said, you can help but please don't put yourself at risk for me. In the meantime I'll have a talk with Wayne Enterprises to work with you on the generator project." Bruce said.

"I look forward to that. As I said before, thank you, Mr. Wayne. This means a lot to me." Miah said, smiling at him.

"I should probably check on my groupies. If I leave them for too long they get restless. And that's never a good thing given their mental instability." Jerome said the next day. "Do you think Ecco could give me a lift?"

"Your groupies? You have groupies?" Miah asked, a bit confused. "I thought you said you were a scientist."

"I was a scientist. I'm not saying that I am now. It's complicated." Jerome said, sighing. "These people are very close to being some kind of cult and they think I'm someone they should idolize. I don't understand it. But I realize they'd be a whole lot more dangerous if I didn't let them treat me that way. This way, they do as I say and I don't have to deal with them tearing the city apart. And they are entertaining to spend time with, I have to admit."

"I'll tell Ecco to give you a ride on one condition." Miah said, with an unreadable look.

"And what would that be?" Jerome asked.

"You let me meet them." Miah said, smiling.

"I don't think that would be a very good idea. They aren't exactly the safest people to be around." Jerome said.

"They are a part of my brother's life. And my brother is important to me. I would like to meet the people that value you that much." Miah said, with an exasperated look. "I am not helpless. I don't need protecting, Jer."

"I realize that. Sorry. I suppose if you want to meet them, you can." Jerome said, not knowing if that would go well at all.

The fanatics were stunned when they saw someone exactly identical to Jerome get out of the car with him.

"So you found him." Jongleur said, looking happy for his boss. He looked at Miah. "Jerome always said that was what he wanted to do. That it was the main reason he came back. I'm glad he found you. I'm Jongleur. It's a pleasure to meet you finally."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Miah said, shaking his hand.

"So what's been happening lately?" Jerome asked Jongleur. "I miss anything?"

"Penguin has made a new policy for criminals that's causing an issue. We'll talk more inside." Jongleur said, leading the twins inside.

Miah seemed a bit out of place in his suit and tie. But all people seemed to be looking at was his face and how much he looked like Jerome. The twins and Jongleur went upstairs into the private rooms. Dwight was waiting there.

"Finally. You realize that you can only really lead us if you're here and know what's going on." Dwight said annoyed.

"Remember what I said about that attitude last time?" Jerome said, giving him a dangerous look. "I was busy. I found my brother. I did say at the start that would take priority for me, didn't I?"

"Sorry. We just have an issue and you weren't here to help us get through it." Dwight said, before noticing Miah and staring. "Wow. You weren't kidding when you said he looked like you."

"Yeah. Focus. What's the issue, Dwight?" Jerome asked impatiently.

"Penguin is the issue." Jongleur said, speaking up before Dwight could say it and earning himself an irritated look from Dwight.

"He's started this new policy in the underworld where a criminal has to buy this license if they want to commit a crime. He says he's going to have the cops look the other way if they have the license. We ignored it because we weren't interested in the cops ignoring what we did but Penguin is apparently also not letting anyone without a license commit a crime. He's sending Zsasz after anyone that tries." Dwight said, giving Jongleur irritated looks. "And he's being very picky about who he lets have them. Not many of us have been able to get one."

"That annoying little bird." Jerome said, frustrated. "Looks like I'll have to pay him a visit."

"Would you like some of us to come with you, Jerome?" Jongleur asked.

"Yeah. Only a few though. Actually, I think I have an idea of how I can drive home about how unwise it is to mess with us." He told them the plan.

Miah listened to his plan. "Clever plan, brother. It's so simple yet will definitely make a point. You always were the creative one."

"Sorry that I'll have to cut this outing short, Miah. I didn't realize I'd have to go threaten a crime boss. You should probably call Ecco to pick you up."

"I understand. You have responsibilities even if they are unconventional." Miah said, not looking fazed. "I'll have Ecco pick me up. Oh and I would like to tell you...I'm having a room in my place set up as a bedroom for you if you decide to stay with me for any length of time. I can't keep having you sleep on my couch."

"Thanks, Miah. I appreciate that. See you when I'm done." Jerome said, smiling at his brother.

Penguin didn't know why he wasn't in a good mood. Things were working out. He finally had Ed where he wanted him, in a block of ice and not a threat. He had a popular club. He had a criminal empire. He had the respect he deserved. It was the best feeling ever. So why wasn't he happy? He stared up at Ed's frozen form and brooded.

"I'm not interrupting a moment with you and the Riddsicle am I?" said an amused voice behind him.

Penguin whirled around and saw the redheaded man that was a captive of the Court along with him. The man was smiling at him with an eyebrow raised.

"What do you want? We aren't open yet." Penguin said, irritated. "How did you even get in? Where are my guards?"

"Wow. Such a cold greeting for someone that helped you escape." Jerome said, not at all bothered by it.

"I didn't need your help. I would've found a way on my own. And I believe it wasn't you that came up with that plan." Penguin said with an annoyed look.

"No. It was him." Jerome said, pointing at the frozen Riddler. "I guess you didn't kiss and make up. But whatever. I'm here on serious business." A few rather colorful thugs walked in and stood behind the grinning redhead after having beat his guards unconscious. "You see, you've been threatening my people. And that makes me a little irritated. Do you realize how dangerous it is to deprive them, of all people, a chance to blow off steam? They aren't stable on the best of days but lately they've been very very antsy. I get the feeling a few of them could crack and do something unfortunate. And if that happens, know that I will only mildly chastise them for that and enjoy watching it on tv." Jerome grinned.

"Are you trying to threaten me?" Penguin asked. "If they come to me and ask for a license I'll consider it. If they pay. They won't get treatment any different from other criminals in the city. They aren't special."

"Oh you might want to rethink that. It's not a threat. It's a warning." Jerome said, sounding very amused. "You see, my people are from every walk of life. Many have normal jobs when they aren't having fun with me. Can you imagine how risky it would be to deny them their fun? They could be your hair stylist. Your bartender. Your waiter. Your gardener. Maybe even one of your club employees. What happens when they crack under the pressure? Do you think you'll be safe from them? They could slip poison into your drink. Or attack you with pruning shears."

"You're bluffing. I'd know if one of my employees worked for you." Penguin said a little unnerved but trying not to show it.

"Oh want to bet on it?" Jerome said with a slightly deranged grin. "You can come out now."

Penguin looked over in shock as his bartender and a cook walked into the room and sported deranged grins similar to the redhead's.

"You see. My people could be anyone. So it would be best not to tell them they can't blow off steam with a little bit of crime. Lay off with Zsasz and let us have our fun. Or it might not end well for you." Jerome said smugly, as he gestured around at the two club employees. "Case in point."

Penguin looked very unnerved. "I'm going to be firing them, you realize. So your threat doesn't mean much."

"They aren't the only ones working for you." Jerome said, laughing. "You attract people who aren't as morally good or sane to work for you. It's not that hard to see how at least a few of them would enjoy hanging out with me on their days off. And I'm not going to tell you which ones are my groupies. So have fun with that if you don't want to listen to me."

"I suppose I could have Victor look the other way if they proved they were a part of your gang." Penguin said, not looking like he liked saying that at all but didn't have a choice. He looked genuinely a bit frightened by the concept he could make an enemy out of a gang that could be anyone he knew. He would truly not know where the next threat would come from. It would drive him insane. So he gave in. Truly unnerved by the redheaded grinning psycho before him.

"Thank you. That's very generous of you. And the smart move." Jerome said, mockingly. "That's all I needed. I'll leave you alone with your frozen boyfriend now."

"You made it seem like we had more members as his employees than we did." Jongleur said in awe. "We only had those two and one other. His gardener. But he totally bought that we had them everywhere he went. The look on that bird's face. It was classic!"

"Yeah yeah." Jerome said when they were back at the club. "I technically wasn't lying. We could be anywhere he went. And he wouldn't know. Heck we even have a cop as a member. So I was really just telling him the truth. That it wouldn't be healthy for him to threaten all of you."

"Thanks, though. Only you could've explained it to him in a way that he would take seriously." Jongleur said, really pleased. "Hopefully he'll listen and we can go back to our random fun. But...do you have any plans for something big? We love the random bits of crime but planning something big could be a blast. And Dwight has been getting a little annoying."

"I don't know. Do I look like a guy with big plans? Up until now I've been mostly focused on finding and curing my brother. Now that that's done… maybe. I'll think about it."

Jerome's phone rang so he answered it. "Yeah? It had better be important."

"Jerome? It's Bruce."

"Bruce? Hey, what's up?" Jerome said with a pleased look, waving Jongleur off. Jongleur rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.

"I have some lead into Ra's. It's not much but something. There's an ancient embalming knife being auctioned off by Penguin that I think is connected to Ra's in some way. I read about it and saw a drawing of Ra's. I know that's a shaky connection at best but I thought I should let you know."

"You want me and my groupies to acquire this knife for you?" Jerome asked. "We could, if you wanted."

"No. I plan on going to the auction and getting it myself. I just wanted to let you know what I discovered. I'll keep you informed when I know more." Bruce said.

"You do know that if Ra's is involved and wants that knife for any reason, that it could draw him out again, right? Be careful." Jerome said with a worried look.

"I realize that. I think he is already trying to get his hands on it. And if that is the case, I need to get my hands on it first. If it's important then it's an acceptable risk." Bruce said with the kind of determination in his voice that Jerome had always loved to hear from Batman. He was experiencing the beginnings of Batman. No nickname yet. No batsuit. Just that logical, brave to a fault determination that was Batman. The attitude that told anyone he encountered that he wouldn't let himself fail. It made Jerome feel so at home.

"Just let me know if you need my help with anything. Anything at all." Jerome said, missing the other Bruce far too much and desperately wanting this version of Bruce Wayne to accept him in his life a little because of that.

"I will." Bruce said before ending the call.

Not long after Bruce acquired the knife, Jerome got another call from him while he was back at his brother's place.

"Jerome, I need your help." Bruce said, sounding a little stressed out.

"What is it? What's happened?" Jerome asked, very worried. Miah looked over with a concerned look.

"Ra's has some people after me. I can't go to the police. Can you come meet me somewhere with some of your friends?"

"Of course. Tell me where you are and I'll be there." Jerome said, getting up with a purpose.

Bruce told him where he was and ended the call. Jerome got on the phone again.

"Jongleur here."

"Jongleur, I need you to bring a few people with you and pick me up. Use your judgement as to who would be most useful in a fight. Bruce is in trouble." Jerome said, getting on his coat and grabbing his weapons from his room.

"Sure thing boss. I'll be right there." Jongleur said with a concerned sounding voice.

Jerome ended the call.

"I'm coming with you." Miah said with a determined and rather brave look.

"This will be dangerous, Miah. I don't want to put you at risk." Jerome said.

"I don't care. Bruce means a lot to me too, brother." Miah got a really serious, almost dangerous look on his face. "And just because I don't go out and beat up random people with my friends like you do, it doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to hold my own. Not when it involves something or someone I care about. I prepared myself for years to defend myself against you. Don't ever underestimate me again."

"Wow." Jerome replied, not really knowing what to say to that. He had always remembered Miah as the one he protected. But Miah was genetically identical to him. It wasn't like he was weaker. Jerome often forgot that. "Sorry. I suppose that could be annoying, me being so protective. I'm just used to it because that's the way it was when we were kids. I had to protect you from our awful family. I guess we aren't those kids anymore, are we?"

"No, we aren't those kids." Miah said. "But I do appreciate your desire to protect me. It means a lot to me. Now let's go save Bruce."

When the twins and a few of the Maniax got to where Bruce was hiding, they found the brave teen hiding out in a stairwell with another boy around his age.

"Are you sure we can trust them?" the boy asked Bruce.

"I trust Jerome and Miah. And I know that Jerome's friends are loyal to him. So yeah, we can trust them. It's better than being alone with those people after us." Bruce looked over at Jerome. "We need to go back to the museum. The knife is there. Ra's is after the knife. We have to get to it before he does."

"Well, then follow us. We brought a van." Jerome said, smiling at Bruce cheerfully yet reassuringly.

Jongleur looked at the bite on the other boy's hand. "I've got some antiseptic and bandages in the van. I'll wrap that up for you."

"Thanks."

"There was an ancient Sumerian jewelry box here." the boy named Alex said as he led them to the museum display at the Natural History Museum. "I just replaced it."

"Hiding in plain sight." Bruce said, finding it clever. "Good thinking."

"There's a legend about this knife." Alex said as he took the knife out of the display. "That terrible things happened because of it. But what if it's not just a legend? My grandfather is dead. The man that killed him, he can't have this."

"I won't let him." Bruce stated seriously. "I promise." Jerome could again see a bit of Batman leak into Bruce's eyes. Bruce was already so brave. So badass. And he was only a teen. Jerome loved that he got to see it.

They all heard the sound of glass shattering. Jerome and the Maniax got out weapons. Even Miah got out a knife.

"Sounds like we have company. How many people were after you, do you think, Bruce? Give us a rough estimate." Jerome asked, looking around warily.

"Only two that I could see." Bruce said, looking around just as warily. "But what if Ra's is here too?"

"The lackeys will be no big deal. Ra's on the other hand, might be more than we can handle at the present time." Jerome said, remembering reading all about Ra's on the bat computer. He was a difficult opponent even for Batman. And none of them were Batman, at least not yet.

A man scampering around on all fours and growling like a monster appeared. "What the fuck is that?"

"That's the one that bit me." Alex said nervously.

"Right, Jongleur and you two, stay here and hold them off. Me and Miah will get Bruce and Alex out of here." Jerome said, aiming his gun at the dog-like man growling at them. "We stick together. Ra's could be here, so be cautious."

"Get the kids to safety, boss. We got your back!" Jongleur said, throwing a few knives at the two Ra's lackeys.

Jerome and Miah guided the boys through the museum. They made it to an atrium when Gordon rushed up to them.

"Mr. Valeska. Why am I not surprised, you're here?" Gordon asked. "Are those people still after you, Bruce? Where are they?"

"My friends are holding them off." Jerome said, a bit annoyed. "I told you it was Ra's. But you didn't believe me."

"Your story was a little unbelievable and we were pressed for time." Gordon said like he was going to have a much more open mind going forward.

"I wouldn't worry much about those lackeys. They don't look like ninjas so I think my guys can take them." Jerome said.

"Can someone tell me what is going on? What is so important about this knife? Why are people dying for it?" Gordon asked, with an irritated look.

"Excellent question, Detective." said Ra's, appearing dramatically as always and holding a dagger to Alex's throat. "And you shall have your answer soon."

Gordon and Jerome aimed their guns at the sorcerer, only Jerome wasn't as confident with his aim. He doubted shooting at the guy would harm him at all. Ra's was on a whole other level and none of them were ready for him. The Bruce in the other world was one year into being Batman when he first met his Ra's Al Ghul. And he barely made it through that battle alive. If Batman couldn't stop him, he doubted a bullet could.

"Just give me the knife and I will release the boy." Ra's said with a smug look. It was a look that said he would absolutely go through with his threat if they didn't.

"Of course." Gordon said. "Bruce, hand me the knife."

"No. Don't do it. If he wants it, no good things will come from him getting it." Jerome said, nervously.

"There's that foreknowledge again. It will get you in trouble." Ra's said, with a sneer. "This isn't about you at the moment so rein in the narcissism a little. I am glad though to see that things are progressing well with your destiny."

"What are you talking about?" Jerome asked, a little concerned. "How are things progressing with my destiny? I told you I wouldn't have the same destiny as my parallel and I meant it!"

"No. You won't. Not at first. Your destiny here will not be as you expected and won't be as it would have been before. That is true. But the outcome will be the same. And you will ultimately take that fall into insanity…willingly." Ra's said with a smug look again. "We are getting sidetracked. I will have the knife. I will have it now."

"I can't give it to him." Bruce said, with a terrified look. "Jerome is right. If Ra's wants it, it can't be for anything good."

"If we don't hand it over, Alex is dead." Gordon said. "That's all that matters."

"I trust Bruce and Jer. We can't hand it to him. I can tell this man is a true threat to Bruce. I can't allow him to get what he wants." Miah said with a dark look.

"You don't know who he is." Bruce said to Gordon. "I can't let him have it."

"Well done, Bruce." Ra's said with a proud look on his face. "You are finally beginning to see things clearly. The question is…" he cut Alex's throat. "Are you strong enough?"

Jerome shot at Ra's with a snarl on his face and the sorcerer laughed when the bullets did absolutely nothing to him.

"Forgive me. I will have to alter my plans a little. Jerome's absence from this world and reappearance has had a ripple effect on the destiny of Gotham and my visions have not been able to keep up with the changes. You may keep the knife for now. I will hold off on my ultimate plan until after the city goes dark. Then I will call on you again, Bruce. Be ready." Ra's said. He looked over at the twins who looked a little shocked that the man could shrug off bullet wounds like they were bee stings. "You, on the other hand, I will be seeing again far sooner. As I said, before, you are important in helping shape Gotham and Bruce Wayne. I do not wish him harm. I merely want to bring out his true strength. In time, you will see that. You will share in my vision. When that day comes, you will see me again."

"Fat chance of that." Jerome snarled. "I will never help you."

"What makes you think I'm talking about you?" Ra's asked with a smug look.

"I will never betray Bruce Wayne!" Miah said, just as irritated by the claim as Jerome.

"It will not be a betrayal. Ask Jerome what Bruce's destiny is. He will need something to bring out the true strength within him. To make him the man that would take such a dramatic title. Ask him about his adopted father."

Ra's disappeared.

"I should've given him the knife." Bruce said, distraught as he sat outside the museum watching the cops mill around setting up the crime scene. Jerome's groupies had split as soon as they realized cops were on the way. Jerome was not surprised since many of them had unregistered firearms.

"I think he would've probably killed the kid anyway." Jerome said. "It wasn't about the knife at that point for him. I think he was just trying to send you a message. To push you. Part of Ra's whole thing in the other world was getting the other Bruce to realize that sometimes death is necessary if it's because of something important. And the other Bruce made a vow not to kill, no matter what."

"Alex's death wasn't necessary!" Bruce snapped at Jerome.

"I know. That's not what I was saying." Jerome said. "Ra's was probably trying to put you in a difficult position where you would feel responsible for the death of someone because you couldn't risk the other option. He knew you wouldn't give him the knife and that worked into his plans. He's just trying to manipulate your way of thinking. You and I both know, it won't work, but Ra's is a bit obsessed at this point and will try anything."

"I am responsible for Alex's death. I should've never put him in that situation. I'm the one that made Alex's grandfather have a look at the knife. I put them both at risk and now they're dead." Bruce looked devastated.

"Ra's is responsible. No one else. He killed them, not you." Jerome said, frustrated that Bruce couldn't see that.

"My brother is right." Miah spoke up. "Ra's seems like a truly desperate person. Capable of anything. You couldn't have known what he would do. And if you had given him the knife, who knows what would've happened? What did he even want it for? What significance is it to him? We can't risk those unknowns with someone so dangerous."

"I know that I'm responsible for this. I understand that you're trying to make me feel better and I appreciate that, but it doesn't stop that from being true." Bruce said.

"Mr. Valeska, as much as I think I might distrust you, you do seem to know more about this Ra's Al Ghul than the rest of us." Gordon said, walking up with a sigh. "Anything you could tell us about him, would be helpful."

"I don't know much more than you. Just that Ra's is a whole lot older than he looks, is very very hard to kill, and has an entire league of assassins that have his back. Those are all things that seem pretty obvious now with all we've seen so far. I don't know how we can stop him. The person that would have, that did in the other world, isn't really here yet. And who's to know if he actually managed to stop him for good last time? The guy is a cockroach. He just keeps coming back. I'm sorry I can't help you more than that but it's not like I faced that version of him personally." Jerome said. He thought of something. "Though, I could offer a bit of insight into your Penguin problem if you'd like."

"How?" Gordon asked skeptically.

"The Penguin in this world is not the same as the other one so I can't give anything that will be one hundred percent accurate. But they are similar enough that I could offer advice. Penguin is one of the more traditional criminals in that money and power are his main motivations. That's not a secret. But what he tends to underestimate is his employees' loyalty to him. The other Penguin tended to get betrayed often by his thugs and allies. Just give them a bigger criminal to back that will treat them better and they will turn on him. But be damn careful which criminal you choose to trust with that or you'll have a bigger problem. And honestly, Penguin is annoying enough. I would rather not have to deal with worse. Though that Falcone guy doesn't seem so bad. Maybe you can get him to come back."

"I was actually thinking of going to him. But he probably wouldn't listen to me." Gordon said.

"Why wouldn't he?" Jerome asked. "Oh, I remember. That Mario guy is Falcone's son. You killed him. I saw it in the news. Bummer about that."

Gordon didn't look like he wanted to talk about that. The subject seemed to make him very uncomfortable. "Does that foreknowledge of yours say that he'll listen to me?"

"How should I know? I don't know of any specific incident like that involving James Gordon in the other world. I don't think he ever dealt with the Falcones on more than a professional level. So I have no idea if Carmine Falcone will listen. I do know that Falcone is one of the few old time criminals in Gotham that seemed to care about the city despite all the illegal things he did and allowed. So maybe." Jerome said. "Good luck. Those licenses are annoying."

"Jerome, can we talk? You can come back to the manor with me. I just need to speak with you alone." Bruce asked with a complicated look.

"Sure, Bruce." Jerome said. "Miah, I'll see you later. Either later tonight or tomorrow."

"I'll see you then, brother." Miah said, smiling at him before going to Ecco's car and leaving.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Jerome asked when they were back at Wayne manor.

"I can't discount the possibility that you really were in another world. And you seem to know the other me so well." Bruce said. "Please, tell me what he's like. Tell me what I do with my life. I have no idea who I am. Please tell me."

"Bruce… I don't know if it's safe for me to tell you any of that. People shouldn't know their future. Trust me. I know." Jerome said, not wanting to think of his own parallel.

"Is it bad? I thought you said that your adopted father was a good person." Bruce said, confused.

"He was a good person. His life was not something bad. Far from it. It's just...don't you think you should discover all of that on your own? You shouldn't base your future on what your parallel self did in his. He's not you. You are you."

"You still said that the worlds are similar. That things would probably happen in a similar manner. The way you talk about the other version of me, makes it seem like he's some kind of hero. I don't feel like that at all. I don't know how I could get to that point. How did he get to that point? What should I do?" Bruce asked.

"If things go the way they are supposed to in this world then you'll get that way no matter how much you know beforehand. And me telling you could make it less likely. Please don't ask me to reveal that. I know how important that will all be to you. I don't want to ruin it for you. Just rest assured, you will grow up to be an amazing person. Someone I truly look up to. Someone worth caring about." Jerome said, smiling.

"I'm sorry. I know that I probably shouldn't ask that sort of thing." Bruce said, looking sad. "I just feel so lost. I'll change the subject. If you can't tell me about me, can you tell me about what I had with you? Was I a good parent?"

"The other Bruce is caring and protective over all of the people he cares about. Every single one. And yeah, he was very good to me. He was always so busy but he always made time to see that I was doing well."

"I'm a little disappointed I won't get to meet a young Jerome of my own." Bruce said.

"Who's to say another Jerome from another world won't show up in your world at some point? Maybe this is common." Jerome joked. "But even if that's unlikely, you will have other kids in your life that will need your care and attention." Jerome thought of something. "Bruce, when you meet the second one of those boys, protect him. As much as you can. Maybe nothing will happen this time around. It's not likely to, given who did all of that in the other world...but still… protect him."

"What happened?" Bruce asked, with a concerned look.

"There was a boy a little older than me that Bruce had adopted as well. He was just as brave and determined as you. So much so that he got himself in a very bad situation and Bruce couldn't get to him in time to save him. It wasn't his fault. And won't be yours if it somehow happens again. I just want you to know that."

"This boy, you cared about him, didn't you?" Bruce asked.

"He was like a brother to me. Almost as close as I feel with Miah. Sometimes even closer. I miss him so much." Jerome said, getting a bit emotional. "There was another older boy he adopted first but he moved out before I even got to know him. The second boy was the one I bonded with."

"If I meet the version of him that's born here, I'll do my best to protect him. Both of them." Bruce said. "You have my word."

"This is a within reason kind of thing. Don't be smothering." Jerome said. "And you have plenty of time before it will even be a thing. Those kids aren't even alive yet."

"I understand. I will try my best. I am glad I have time to figure that all out. Thank you for telling me." Bruce said.

"I'll tell you one more thing. I can't tell you the end result but I can say that all the training you're doing, it will mean something. It will all pay off someday, Bruce, I promise. Don't give up on that." Jerome said, smiling at him with an encouraging look.

"Thank you. That's actually reassuring." Bruce said, with a thoughtful look. "You can stay the night if you want. It would make me feel a little less nervous actually. Ra's is still out there."

"Of course I'll stay. Whatever you need, Bruce."