Kagome stared down the tower nervously, head shaking wildly as she backed up from the edge, "nope… no way, climbing up here was hell enough."
Ezio's hands grabbed her shoulders to stop her from leaving, spinning her to face him and bending down as he tilted his head to the edge. "Questa è la terza volta che siamo venuti qui uccellino, è tempo di volare."
"There's no way I survive that," her hands splayed across his chest, curling into fists in his outer coat and stepping closer, "and no way that haystack breaks my fall."
"Starai bene, devi solo saltare."
"I can't do this."
Ezio's eyes roamed her face carefully; taking note of the tears forming in the corners of her eyes, from fear he was sure. They had been in Monteriggioni for three days now and each day he had brought her to the tower outside of the city she had reacted the same way. He couldn't properly train her if she was going to fight him at every turn.
"Ti ho promesso sicurezza," he released her shoulders and pulled his hood from his head. His boots thumped across the stone as he paced, fingers raking through his hair as his face contorted in thought, it would be an amazing feat to get her passed this.
Kagome shifted and wrapped her arms around her body, Ezio had dragged her straight to a seamstress for custom clothing for their stay as soon as they crossed through the gate. She didn't know how long that would take but for now she was standing in borrowed pants that were far too thin for the wind and chill in the air, "can we—I'm cold; freddo."
Ezio stopped his pacing and lifted his eyes, he could admit her Italian had gotten better, not much for them to do over the course of their journey but try to understand one another. His eyes lowered to her chest and back up, she had caught on quick to his flirtations of her it seemed now that she could understand certain things, "I can warm you."
"You're at least twice my age…" she rubbed her hands together as her face flushed or maybe it was the wind that made them burn, "that's not… maybe that's normal here but not where I'm from."
Could he see her lying through her teeth? Her friends from back home would kill to have a guy that looked like this pay them attention, 'and you used to be one of those girls.' The thought sent another wave of heat through her body, turning her back to the man and inching over to peer down the tower. Her stomach lurched at the height and she flung herself back, "can't… I can't… please, can't we just go back down."
"You must learn."
"I don't want to," she flung her arms wide, glaring at him angrily, "this isn't for me."
Ezio closed the space between them in an instant, gripping her chin and tilting her head up to his, "what else don't you want?"
Kagome bit her lip as her eyes widened, pulling out of his grasp and moving for the door on the ground. She'd take those stairs and ladders over that suicidal jump any day, "I'm going back…"
"You'll have to stop running Little Bird, you're here you can't escape it."
Blinking at him half way down the hole, Kagome stuck her tongue out and lowered the door over her head, knowing full well he'd get her back up there tomorrow with the same results.
Present
Jason rubbed the back of his head as he trudged down the stairs, cigarette balanced between his lips; his bloodshot eyes turned to look at the clock that blocked the stairs to the Batcave before turning and making his way to the dining room. Digging his lighter out, he took a drag and exhaled heavily, taking the stick between his fingers gently and shoving his way into the room, "mornin'."
"Ah Master Jason, good of you to join us this morning," Alfred turned with a plate ready, frowning in disapproval at the cigarette, "put that out if you please."
"I just lit it," he sighed and complied with the butler's request, shoving the stick in his pocket; he'd just finish that after breakfast. Bruce smirked from behind his coffee cup, at least Jason still listened to Alfred, "what time did you get back?"
"Two hours ago."
Bruce glanced up in concern, a lecture dying on his lips at the hard look Alfred gave him behind the former Robin's back. If he tried to say something to him now he'd probably disappear again and not come back this time, "Damian this Assassin… is we she one from the League?"
His eyes followed Alfred from the room before turning to his son, elbow braced on the top of the island that served as their breakfast nook. Damian's face contorted angrily at the question, his chai tea forgotten in front of him as his turquoise narrowed, "how insulting, the League of Assassin's would never align themselves with someone so disgustingly murderous."
Jason's eyes darted to Bruce's as he scraped the remnants of his breakfast onto his fork and rolled his eyes, of course the little brat would defend the league. "You're wasting your breath Demon Spawn, I'm going to kill her tonight." He stood from the stool, making his way to the sink to settle his plate at the bottom, digging his cigarette from his pocket as he turned.
"Like you did last night?"
"You little—"
"Enough both of you," Bruce rubbed his tired eyes and stared into the cold coffee at the bottom of his mug, "Until last night we didn't know a thing about her, her fighting style or even that she was a woman; she—"
"Morning," Dick smiled cheerily as he backed into the kitchen, Barbara's wheelchair handles firmly in his hands as he maneuvered her around, "how's Tim?"
"Dick told me he had a run in with the Assassin last night," Barbara's eyes darted anxiously to each of their face's with her words, taking one night off to spend time with her father and she was shoved out of the loop. "Why didn't anyone call—"
"I had a run in with her too," Jason snorted and flicked his ashes into the sink, "where's the concern for me?"
Barbara rolled her emerald eyes and folded her hands over her lap, "are you okay?"
"Yeah, thanks for asking."
"Coffee?" Alfred dodged between the bodies between him and the pot, holding the glass aloft as he gazed around. He was filling Bruce's mug before it was fully off the counter, filling two mugs for Barbara and Dick before turning, "I'm going to check on Master Tim."
"Thanks Alfred."
"We didn't call because you needed time with your father, there's nothing wrong with you taking a night off every once in a while." Bruce addressed Barbara's question first, matching her annoyed look with his own blank one before tapping the counter and grabbing his coffee, "as I was saying… we didn't know anything about the Assassin and she managed to hit Tim with a dart without him noticing."
"Figure out what was in the dart?" Dick mumbled softly around his drink. He didn't like seeing the younger boy in that state, in only a matter of seconds besides; his eyes turned to Jason, watching his jaw clench angrily before taking a drag of his cigarette, he'd be out as soon as the sun started to set to kill her.
"Smaller traces of the same compounds used in lethal injections…"
"It's a wonder Drake didn't succumb, it was still too much to stay conscious," Damian crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, glaring into the marble surface. He surveyed his father out of his peripheral, he could end it now… tell him exactly who was under the hood and end this, but he'd be lying if he didn't wonder what had brought Kagome to Gotham.
'Wait it out, if she gets too out of hand I'll kill her myself.' Damian determined the outcome easily, he could take her out no problem, he was a far better fighter than Drake was.
"This Assassin only popped up… five or six months ago and the only targets that had fit her MO were wealthy," Barbara pulled her phone from under her leg and began to scroll with a furrowed brow, "there's plenty of people in Gotham to target."
"There was one in Germany about a week ago, guy was a stakeholder in the Deutsche Bank," Dick supplied easily, "for all we know she could be after you Bruce."
"She might as well dig her grave now… oh wait," Jason blew the smoke from his nose as his face turned thoughtful, "I meant pick her cell at Arkham so she can just break out to come after whoever she wants for her next target."
"Jason, it's just not what we do," Bruce shifted on his stool to blink at his former Robin, "do not kill her if you see her again."
The tip of the cigarette hissed as Jason dipped it in a small drop of water and crossed the floor to toss it in the garbage, arms crossing as he leaned against the counter. "I don't take orders from you, haven't for a while now."
The air shifted as the occupants quieted, there was no mistaking the restrained animosity in Jason's voice. Dick tilted his head down as Barbara lifted hers, anxiously meeting his with a frown; Jason staying at the mansion again was progress… but it still made them nervous when his anger flared.
Damian's eyes flicked between his father and Jason, frown deepening as his arms crossed over the marble, "perhaps we should use you as bait father, see if that'll lure—"
"She's after Batman, not Bruce Wayne."
"Oh, you're not dead Drake?" Damian deadpanned as a collective intake of breath came from everyone at seeing the youth up and walking, "what a shame."
Tim lifted his middle finger quickly, collapsing into the nearest barstool and holding his head up. It throbbed painfully and the lights were burning his eyes, but he was alive… "it's Batman she wants."
"I'm sorry Master Bruce, Master Tim insisted on speaking with you down here," Alfred hovered in the doorway, "now back to bed, you've said what you had to."
"But—"
"You need to get your rest, the antidote I created can only do so much," Bruce gave him his best dad face under the relief of having him alive. "Bed."
Tim groaned and slipped from his seat, grumbling softly as he trudged from the room with Alfred on his heels. "Bruce had a broken arm and went out as Batman the next day," he grabbed the bannister to steady himself, leaning back to look at the butler with a frown, "I'm fine."
"Think of how fine you'll be after you get a few more hours of sleep," Alfred turned at the soft knocking on the front door, crossing the foyer to the barrier, "we're popular today."
"Dick's always here," Tim lowered himself to the stairs slowly, craning his neck to see the caller.
Alfred straightened his jacket and reached for the handle, "yes-oh, Miss Kagome, hello again."
"Hi Mr. Alfred," Kagome smiled at the warm look in his eyes and held the bag in her fist up slightly, "I'm so sorry to just barge in, I was wondering if Jason was in? I felt bad about his chips and wanted to bring him a new bag."
"Please come in, I'll go and tell him he's got a visitor."
Kagome stepped into the mansion with a grateful nod, folding her hands together in front of her as she watched him walk away.
"Jay's got a girlfriend?"
Hazel snapped to the voice, brow arching at the boy on the staircase as her face flushed, "I'm… no, I just-I'm Kagome."
"Tim Drake."
"Nice to meet you," she moved closer and held her hand down to him. His hand was clammy in hers, face pale as he assessed her from his spot on the ground; his steel blue eyes sharp before softening, she was no threat.
"You too," his head thumped against the pole holding the banister up, he hoped Jay came out, he wasn't going to pass up this opportunity.
"Are you okay?"
"Food poisoning," the lie rolled off his tongue as easily as it always did. "This is nothing, last week Dick almost got shot."
Kagome's head lifted as her face scrunched in confusion, he was so calm talking about it like it happened all of the time. 'Guess it does if he's a cop…' "Well I hope you feel better."
"Thanks," he lifted his head to look at her better, she was too nice for Jason. He snorted at the thought and cleared his throat as he shifted, although maybe what he needed was someone like her.
"I'm sorry Miss Kagome, Master Jason is indisposed at the moment," Alfred returned quickly, glancing down at Tim with a questioning gaze before turning back to Kagome. "He should be available shortly if you'd like to stay."
"I have some errands to run before work, I just wanted to drop these off for him."
Alfred took the bag held out to him and pointed down at her ankle, "is it giving you any problems?"
Tim grunted and climbed to his feet, he could be on his deathbed and still be hassling Jason. This was where he left them in their boring conversation, hands shoved in his pockets as he made for the kitchen, a Cheshire smile in place as he fell against the doorframe and staring at Jason, "your girlfriend is cute."
"I want to meet her!" Barbara reached behind her and tapped Dick's hand before pointing to the door, "especially since she came back after you almost broke her ankle."
"It was an accident, Barb." He sighed as he rolled her chair forward, he had been wondering about her ankle since he was the one that caused the injury, two birds with one stone.
"She's not my girlfriend," Jason tapped a second cigarette from the pack free, placing it between his lips with a glare as he attempted to find his lighter in his pants. "Shouldn't you be in bed Timmy?"
"She could probably do better anyway," Damian didn't believe it, for the first time he was sure it was Jason that could do better; he smirked at the vein throbbing in the man's neck. "Or you'll end up like Father."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Damian arched a brow and shook his head, "she's probably exactly like Kyle or mother even, you have a type after all."
Bruce snorted, from what both Alfred and Dick had said about her she was a sweet girl and a bit of a clutz, "I don't have a type."
"Denial is the first step to recognizing you have a problem," Jay dropped his hand on Bruce's shoulder as he passed, a trail of smoke following behind, "going out, don't wait up."
"Jason, don't do anything stupid."
"Like what?" he turned, cigarette between his fingers and blowing the smoke out with a frown, "don't ruin my fun Bruce."
Kagome balanced the tray carefully in her hand, turning out of the kitchen carefully as she made for her table. Her phone burned against her chest as if calling to her, adding to her guilt that she hadn't gotten to New York to see her brother. She hadn't anticipated spending more than a few minutes at Wayne Manor but when Officer Grayson came out to see how she was and introduce her to his girlfriend Barbara Gordon a few minutes turned into an hour. That hour had been enough to throw off the rest of her day and as much as Souta said it was okay it didn't stop the guilt from threatening to drown her.
"Here we go, can I get you anything else?"
"No."
Kagome nodded with a small hum, she was enjoying her first night of waitressing more than she thought she would, but the guests that clearly thought they were above her she could do without. "Let me take this out of your way," she grabbed the salad plates off one of her other tables, mentally reminding herself to fill their water glasses before moving for the kitchen.
"You're doing good," Lark slid her tray over Kagome's, staring at the girl's left ankle. She could see the swelling from under the black hosiery, it was amazing she hadn't complained about it, the last girl they hired cried for days about her bruised knee. "Does it hurt?"
Kagome hummed and glanced down at the area that caught her attention with a quick shake of her head, "I'm okay; it kind of went numb ten minutes into wearing the heels."
Lark lifted her hands and fixed Kagome's bowtie with a satisfied smile, "Mr. Cobblepot expects perfection from us, remember that."
"I can do that."
"I hope so," Lark's hands fluffed Kagome's dark locks around her shoulders, linking their arms and dragging her through the kitchen, "he's got a special guest here… and he wants you to handle his table."
"Me?" Kagome blinked in surprise, she had ten other tables to worry about nevermind that she was the new girl.
"None of us can stand him and refuse to waist on him… too much bad blood, but since you're new we thought you could handle it."
Dark hair moved gently with the nod, following Lark's finger to the table in question and jerking back, "why's that guy look like a clown?"
Lark laughed at her obvious discomfort and shook her head, "you really are new to Gotham… that's the Joker, Mr. Cobblepot doesn't necessarily like him but he tips well-with stolen money of course-and he doesn't cause too many problems so he doesn't turn him away."
"Just be his waitress tonight, he gets your undivided attention and the girls and I will handle your other tables. I'll make sure you get your tips."
Kagome's tongue darted out to lick her lips, reluctantly agreeing and moving forward nervously. "Hi um…" she blinked rapidly and cleared her throat, god if she didn't hate clowns, "I'm—"
"The cheese platter to start and we may as well go ahead and put in our entrée order as well," Joker flicked his napkin out and tucked it into his collar, nose turned up as he pointed to a random dish on the menu, "the seafood tasting for the table and the trio of deserts."
"And don't you dare scimp on the bruschetta this time," Harley almost lunged from her chair as she jabbed her finger at Kagome's chest, "Mista J and I are here for a lovely evening, not like last time."
"Got it…" Kagome turned stiffly and almost ran for the kitchen; Harley was a lot better to be around when she was by herself… or maybe when the Assassin was standing in front of her, she couldn't really tell… Kagome gave a tight smile as Jay nodded to her across the kitchen, turning to Raven and whispering something before they gave her a thumbs up in support.
Her pencil tip hovered over the pad, Joker had talked so fast she had to rack her brain over his order and there was no way she was going back out there to ask.
"Newbie."
"Oh um… patrons aren't allowed back here—"
"Save your breath," Harley rolled her eyes and glared around the kitchen, chefs avoiding her eyes as she closed the distance between her and Kagome, "you are the one from last night, I thought so."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I told you to save your breath," Harley placed a gloved finger against Kagome's mouth to silence her, "you got a bit of a limp there, I saw it last night too. So you decided to stay."
Kagome pursed her lips and exhaled sharply, one night and she was already targeted by more than Damian… "Please don't say anything."
"Not mine to tell, just remember what I said… Mista J alone would kill to find out who's under the hood. You watch your back out here, the girls of crime alone will help but there's not much to be done for you if you make an enemy of the wrong person." Harley plucked the pencil from Kagome's hands and scrawled out the order Joker had given to her before handing it back, "don't forget to keep the bruschetta coming."
She winked with a smirk and reached around Kagome to grab the plate of complimentary bread, making her way out of the kitchen. 'I hate this city…'
"Done with that?"
"What?" Kagome pulled the top paper from her pad and handed it to the chef, "sorry Greg."
Kagome produced her tips from the top of her leotard, Lark had made good on her word and made sure she got all of her tips while her attention was focused on Joker and Harley; surprisingly they hadn't been as bad as she expected them to be and their tip had been amazing.
"Hey little brother," she answered the vibrating phone in her hand and lifted her foot to the arm of the couch as she reclined back, "sorry I couldn't make it."
"Yeah I know, you keep telling me that. You don't need to come over every day I told you that."
"I still feel bad," she draped her arm over her eyes, finger twitching in time to the throbbing of her ankle. Those heels really did a number on the area, towards the end of her shift she didn't think she'd be able to make it much longer.
Souta remained quiet aside from his breathing and the occasional cough, more than once sounding like he was about to start something before growing silent once more.
Kagome lowered her arm and blinked at her ceiling, "what's up?" he should be sleeping right now, it was almost midnight after all and between the medications and treatments that's what he did most.
"I don't want to do the heart surgery."
Sitting up, she shot to her foot and limped to the kitchen for an ice pack, there would be no hunting Batman tonight on her leg. "Souta—"
"Just stop-stop killing people, stop the treatments, stop all of it… my chances are slim enough as it is…"
Kagome settled the ice pack back in its place and shut the freezer, her forehead resting gently against the door as her chest constricted. He was giving up… "Can we talk about this tomorrow? I'll come over early and—"
"Kagome," her name dripped in exhaustion before a coughing fit overtook him, "please."
She sniffed and turned her phone away from her ear, now he was begging… "what do you want me to sneak in tomorrow morning?"
A strangled laugh reached her ears before silence greeted her; he was thinking it over, probably thinking about all of the best choices for a last meal, "Toasties anything Toasties."
"You've got it… Toasties and you're room at 8 am on the dot."
Kagome lifted and tapped her forehead against the freezer as Souta coughed out his thanks and ended the call, did he really expect her to give up on him just like that? Knocking on the door drew her attention, limping forward and peering through her peephole.
'Jason?' her nose wrinkled as she lowered off her toes and eased to the side, double checking the chain and opening the door, "hi?"
"Hey," amusement flashed in his eyes at the chain across the door, that wouldn't hold him if he really wanted in. "You going to open that?"
The door shut in answer, opening wider and allowing him to brace his right forearm against the frame. "Oh, I didn't realize you were part of Penguin's colony."
"Part of…?"
Jason jerked his chin at her uniform, finger flicking up and down with an appreciative nod, "looks good on you."
"Thanks," Kagome cleared her throat and rubbed her forehead. Did she invite him in or—?
"I came by earlier, curtesy of Alfred but you weren't in," Jason tapped his pack of cigarette's against his leg and gripped the stick between his lips. Shoving off the frame, he fished his lighter free and lifted the flame to the tip, taking a deep drag he turned his head and blew the smoke away from Kagome before turning back, "wanted to thank you for the delivery earlier."
"You didn't have to, I felt bad," she shifted with a slight wince. Jason tapped his fingers against the wood and snapped his fingers, "you eaten?"
"Mr. Cobblepot has the employee discount for us for break."
Jason snorted and bent down, producing a takeout bag and shrugging, "want some company?"
Kagome perked at the idea and tilted her head, who was paying him to offer? 'Maybe he can help,' the thought had her moving to the side to permit him entry, he probably knew something about Batman that could help. "You mind if I ice my ankle?"
"Can I keep my cigarette?"
Kagome shrugged and limped for the freezer, taking the ice pack out and making for the couch. "It's your funeral," she waved her hand around the small area as she lowered herself to the cushion.
'I've already had a funeral,' he snorted and rolled his shoulders back, not something you talked about on a first date. He pursed his lips and froze as he walked, this wasn't a date though… he didn't even know why that thought crossed his head.
"Sorry it's not much, it came furnished."
"Better than what I had as a kid," Jason grunted and leaned down to grab her injured leg and pull it across his lap. Ignoring the startled look of confusion, he reached over her petite frame and grabbed the ice pack to settle it on her ankle. Holding a wrapped burger and sleeve of fries out, he took the offered glass from Kagome and flipped it, balancing his cigarette over the edge.
'Not a date,' he stared at his burger between his hands, he could admit one thing though; the Demon Spawn had been right that she could probably do better. 'Then why am I sitting here?' he stole a glance at her out of his peripheral, he wanted to prove the kid wrong.
Questa è la terza volta che siamo venuti qui uccellino, è tempo di volare—This is the third time we've come up here little bird, it's time to fly
Starai bene, devi solo saltare—You are going to be just fine, you only need jump
Ti ho promesso sicurezza—I promised you safety
