Steph was falling fast. Her head was pounding, her vision blurry, and she felt the panic rising quickly. She felt like she was going to throw up but as the ground got closer and closer the bile came up the back of her throat.
She could start to make out shapes beneath her. Steph felt like this was the end and just as she closed her eyes, she felt strong arms around her, holding her tight.
Feeling them land, she knew she was in the safety of Jason's arms.
"It's going to be okay; I've got you Steph, don't worry."
Jason knew he shouldn't neglect any sign or sound Steph made. After catching her from falling to her second death, he wanted to keep an eye on her and monitor her. She was his girlfriend and he wasn't going to let anything happen to her.
Hearing a soft moan coming from the couch, Jason dropped what he was doing and went over to Steph.
"How's your head feeling?" he gently asked.
"It really hurts," Steph replied, feeling where the butterfly closures were.
"When you're up for it, I've made your favourite soup."
"What did I ever do to deserve you?"
School was something Steph knew she needed to get on top of. After what had happened and her head injury, every time she looked at her assignment she wanted to cry. It was overwhelming and she didn't know what to do about it.
Getting up from the table, she walked through the house and found Jason. Sitting down in his lap, she cuddled into him and breathed in his scent. Jason was calming and with his arms wrapped around her she felt like she could relax.
"How about we work on your assignment together?"
"That would be really nice, actually."
Watching as the rain fell heavily, Steph sighed. She knew she needed to get to the Batcave, but the warmth and dryness of the library called to her.
She was standing under the awning, backpack full of books on her back, and her phone in her hand. She was halfway through typing a message when a familiar car pulled up in the 'no stopping' zone.
Not surprised by Jason's lack of law following, Steph ran to the car and jumped in, taking her backpack off.
"To the Batcave, my beautiful queen."
"You're such a dork, and yes, to the Batcave."
It was all staged. Cass, Dick, and Damian were injured, and when Steph found out about it, she saw red. Bruce and Tim were nursing some minor injuries and herself and Jason had been on the other side of town following a false lead when some wannabe criminals decided they wanted to have some fun.
Feeling Jason's hand in her own as they walked into Wayne Manor, Steph was anxious. She felt like she had let them all down and even though she knew she couldn't have controlled what happened, she felt bad.
"We will fix this Jason, I swear."
Steph understood what she was getting into. She didn't care if anyone disagreed with her choices, they were hers to make. She was going to track down those who hurt her family. No one hurt her family and got away with it.
Gearing up, she turned to Jason and offered him a small smile.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jason asked, coming over to her and pulling her into a warm hug.
"I am. They just can't get away with it."
"I know, that's why I'm going with you," Jason replied, loading his guns and holstering them.
After the latest takedown of some idiots and her head injury, Steph was pretty beat. She felt exhausted, all the bones in her body ached but she was thankful her family were safe.
Stretching out on the couch, her feet in Jason's lap, Stephanie let herself relax. Feeling Jason begin to slowly massage the bottom of her foot, she put her phone down and closed her eyes.
"Babe, I can feel how stressed you are in your feet. Later tonight I'm going to run you a hot bath and get us some dumplings for dinner."
"You're the best boyfriend ever."
It was cold out and Steph knew that Jason would, as always, be only in a t-shirt. Grabbing the sweater, he left last time he was over, she walked outside and waited for him to pick her up.
Waiting until the car stopped in front of her, she opened the door and threw Jason's sweater at him, climbing into the passenger seat.
"You're lucky I'm a thoughtful girlfriend," she said, watching as Jason slid the sweater on.
"I am, I'm very lucky," Jason smiled, leaning over and gently kissing her.
"You're such a dork," Steph smiled, buckling in her seatbelt.
