Tim didn't know how they got there, he kept thinking back to the last thing he could remember trying to make sense of it all. They had all been there, Tim, Dick, Damian, and Barbara, so how could this have happened? They had been planning a surprise for Bruce, a sort of, hey sorry you didn't get married but you still have a family, type deal. It had been going well when Jason turned up, no one expected him to come climbing up the cave entrance, leave it to Jason to take the long way in, but to be fair no one had expected him at all. Dick had been the first to turn and question him, Damian had been the loudest and Jason didn't seem inclined to answer either of them. If he was surprised to see them, he didn't show it, just started walking towards stairs to the manor, that's when it happened. Jason fell to the floor, no sound of a shot, just the sound of their estranged brother hitting the floor. Everyone was on alert then; Babs had tried to get to Jason to check on him but the last thing Tim had seen was her falling a foot away from him. How? How could they have all gotten grabbed so easily? How did the kidnappers even get in the cave?
Batman was on the roof of the GCPD building talking to Gordon when the call from Alfred came in, his team had been taken hostage. He informed Gordon of the situation and asked that he let him know if he learns anything about them, then he went to go investigate his own way. Two Face didn't have a clue, but he would have a long stay in Arkham for all the weapons Batman found in his building. Clayface had nothing new to add but his partnership with The Riddler was something to look into when he had more time. He was perched on a rooftop when an thought came to him, a thought he didn't want to acknowledge, he might lose one of them again maybe even all of them. He refused to accept that, there were more criminals to question and he was the best detective there was, he'd find them.
Barbara was having a bad day, not only did she have to listen to Tim and Damian bicker over every little detail but now they were all tied up in a dark smelly warehouse. It would have been easy to use the lockpick in her glove to cut the rope but she wasn't wearing her gloves, she wasn't wearing anything but her bra and her panties. The same could be said for her male counterparts, boxers instead of uniforms. It was a bad day indeed, that only got worse when her vision adjusted to the dim light and she saw who had grabbed and probably undressed them. Joker was sitting in a dirty old recliner on the other side of the warehouse, he was reading a book, such a mundane action seemed weird for him, but the title was the weirdest part. How to Accept Your Partners Children: For Dummies sat on his lap and he seemed very enthralled with it, he hadn't even noticed them start to wake up. For the hundredth time that day Babs thought to herself today sucks. Joker was alone in the warehouse, or at least it seemed he was, she couldn't see behind the wooden crates that littered the place. One criminal is better than many, even if it is Joker.
Batman had gotten some interesting information from an angry Poison Ivy. She tried to hide it but the anxious way she pet her vines and the strained tone of her voice told him everything he needed to know. If there was nothing wrong with her plants there was only one thing in the world that would have Dr. Pamela Isley so angry, Joker had hurt Harley again. Probably pretty bad from the looks of Ivy. So, when she told him Jokers been off grid for a while planning something big, he believed her. If he trusted anything, it was that she would want him put away again, with a few broken bones to boot. He would be happy to oblige. She didn't have an exact location for him but she did tell him to check the warehouses near Gotham Harbor, that's where his henchmen had been last spotted. Batman thanked her for the information and left, letting Alfred know where his search was leading him.
Jason was not happy; he woke up half naked and tied up and not in a fun way. He checked his surroundings and the feeling only intensified. Not only had Joker grabbed him again but this time he had his siblings too, who might have been a pain in his ass but so help Joker when he got free. Bruce couldn't stop him this time. He was going to put a bullet in that bastard and enjoy it. "Hey asshole! What type of creepy ass foreplay is this for you? You think Batman will hit you extra hard for this one? Why don't you let me go and I'll show you what a person can really do with a crowbar!" Then came the laugh, the maddening laugh that Jason hears in the nightmares he won't admit he has. "Ah so the boys-wonder have woken up, and the Batgirl, don't think I forgot about you, I'm a feminist!" Jason could feel the anger radiating off of Babs and made a note to let her get a few good punches in before he shot him. If anyone deserved to hurt the Joker, it was them.
Damian had been planning to feign sleep a while longer as he came up with a plan but that was ruined by the damn fool, Todd. Joker had tied them up with rope instead of chains and Damian was certain that with some time he could free himself and teach the clown a lesson he wasn't soon to forget, and then save his family. He gave up the act and glared at him. "Clown, when I'm done with you, you'll need a straw to eat for the rest of your days!" "Don't worry Joker, there won't be many" said Jason to his left. Damian could tell that he meant it and made a note to keep him in check when they were free. He would make sure his father's code was followed. Of course, that doesn't mean they couldn't have some family bonding first. Akrham pays its doctors well, might as well have them earn their paycheck. Joker dropped the book and put a hand to his heart as if wounded "Now now children is that any way to treat your betters?" "The only better you are is better off dead." said Jason to his side again and a small part of Damian agreed. He supposed the League of Assassins upbringing would never leave him, that was okay, he had a code.
Dick was wondering when Bruce was going to show up with the lecture they were sure to get for all having been grabbed without so much as a single punch thrown. He sighed at the yelling and started working on the ropes that bound his wrists. How had Joker grabbed them all like that anyways? One minute everything was fine and they were giving Jason shit for forgetting where the front door was and the next his brother was on the floor, no sound, no smell, it made no sense. They all followed shortly after, just like Jason. He figured Joker must have created a new odorless knockout gas, but how had it gotten them one by one like that? He turned his attention to the bickering again and continued working on his ropes.
Batman checked every warehouse on the harbor but one, it was time to get his team back. He called Alfred and let him know he was going in, Alfred wished him luck and singed off. From the skylight he could see his team tied up but not much else, the glass was dirty but he could make out their shapes well enough, what he couldn't see was Joker. He would soon, and he would pay, Batman jumped down hard on the glass and fell to the floor with practiced grace. "What do you hope to achieve here, Joker?" He asked the man sitting on the recliner who was perfectly calm as if a middle-aged man in a bat suit hadn't just come through the ceiling. "Why Batsy it was so rude of you to keep me waiting, here I was, alone with the bird children, absolutely bored out of my mind." "You are out of your mind" said Barbara breaking her silence. "You see what I have to deal with!? No respect, you really have to raise them with a firm hand, I read all about it in thi-" "Enough" Batman threw a batarang at Dicks ropes and freed him, keeping his attention on the so called Clown Prince of Crime.
Dick dropped to the floor painfully, his legs had fallen asleep while tied up and when the batarang hit the rope he was working on they decided they didn't want to keep him upright. He cursed softly as he fought the ghost like feeling of his limbs and got up to free the others. He figured the safest course of action was to free Barbara first, she freed Tim while Dick started to get dressed and passed his siblings their outfits. Jason was the last freed and dressed but he was the first to engage just like Dick figured he would be. "You crazy bastard I'm gonna ki-" Tim attempted to sweep Jason's legs from under him to get him under control but Jason saw him coming and jumped "that was rude". "Sorry, can't have you getting trigger happy while the Bat deals with his stalker" Tim ducked a punch from Jason and Dick wondered if he should step in our let them get it out of their systems. He could see Damian eyeing them both closely, ready to jump in a restrain Jason himself if need be. Babs took the choice from him and slapped them both on the back of the head "this is not the time, if you two want to fight, fight after Jokers in Arkham" they both turned to look at Batman and the Joker fight. It seemed almost like a dance, a crazy, dangerous, ugly dance.
Joker was having the time of his life. He knew it was worth the money to pay those League of Assassins guys for those knock out darts. The gun was so silent even he didn't hear it go off, of course his henchmen did the heavy lifting but he wanted to be there to pull the trigger. He had no idea the mini Red Hood would show up, that was an added bonus. Now everything was paying off, Batsy looked so gleefully angry and every punch was one step closer to his ultimate goal. Tonight was the night, he'd finally get the Bat down to his level, to hell with his precious code he thought as he kicked Batman in the knee and pressed on his acid flower. Batman dodged the acid but not the left hook and Joker laughed and laughed. Oh he was having a good day indeed. "Now Batsy, I'm sure you're having as much fun as I am but if we don't speed this up you'll miss the main event!" Punch. "And what would that be?" Kick. "Why, the deaths of all your little birds and bats of course!" Kick. "They're free Joker, you've lost, again." Dodge. Laughter filled the warehouse.
Tim didn't like the sound of that laughter, he assumed some of his companions hated it more though. Joker had a busted lip with blood all over his chin and his eye was showing the beginnings of a massive black eye, Bruce on the other hand was sporting a broken nose and a bruised cheek. "I took a tip from Harley's dear old friend Amanda Waller and while your little sidekicks were sleeping I put a tiny little bomb in them!" His giggles only grew louder when Bruce punched him in the gut. " I say tiny but they sure do have a big BOOM!" Tim started to feel along his neck for any sign that a bomb had been implanted in him, he could see everyone else doing the same. He had what felt like a mosquito bite on the right side of his neck and he hoped that was all it really was, but there was a worry in the stomach that felt a lot like lead.
Bruce was filled with a blinding rage, if he had been a less experienced version of himself he might have even snapped. He now had even more reason the want her unit shut down, the Suicide Squad was a disgusting abuse of power and now it was giving criminals ideas. He had encountered the bombs that Waller used before and knew that as long as he could get the trigger away from Joker his family would be fine. He knew this was a game to Joker but it was a game he didn't feel like playing. "Where's the trigger?" Bruce grabbed the Joker by his lapels and pulled him in close. "Aw Batsy, that would be telling" Joker gave Batman a smile and patted the fists that kept him in place. "I'm ready to go to Arkham now."
Jason felt oddly calm for a guy with a bomb in his neck, if he did have one. The Joker may have been a homicidal maniac but he was also a liar, there was a chance. Either way the solution seemed very simple to him, a dead man can't pull a trigger. The bomb would be easy enough to remove without the threat of a trigger man. I should have never come today. Mailing it would have been enough. Hell, I could have just forgotten the whole damn thing. This is what I get for being sentimental. He though as he poked at the mosquito bite sized bump on his neck. Maybe he would break into Arkham after they were done here and make things right. Bring a crowbar for old times sake. People break out of Arkham all the damn time, breaking in should be a cake walk, even the tiny assassin next to him could do it.
Bruce shook the deranged clown hard and asked him where the trigger was once more. The Joker's only response was to shake no with his pointer finger. The X-ray vision in his cowl showed that he didn't have it on his person, meaning it could be hidden anywhere. It could even be in his cell in Arkham already, waiting for him to get there and kill his family from the safety of his own home. "I'm getting tired of asking you the same question, Joker. Where is the trigger!?" Bruce's hands were starting to cramp from how hard he was holding him. "You know, for the greatest detective you aren't doing much detecting. Fun fact! Do you know what the definition of insanity is?" "Yes" came his response from clenched teeth. "Oh goody, I'll tell you then! It's when you do something over and over and over all while expecting a different outcome. Seems sort of familiar, eh Batsy." Joker cackled at his joke happily until Bruce punched him in the throat.
Barbara wondered how long they were supposed to just stand here and watch this. Damian looked bored and Tim was watching the two men as if he was watching a tennis match. She had no idea what was stopping Jason from butting in and fighting either one of them maybe even both. She did have a feeling she knew the answer, it made her swell with pity for him and hope she was wrong. She looked over at Dick who looked ready to jump in and help Bruce at a moments notice. Good ole Dick she thought, always ready to help, but respectful of boundaries. Once again she thought of how leading the Teen Titans had really helped him grow. He had fit into his role as leader beautifully, but didn't fight for command when working with others. She was proud to know him. Focus Barbara she reminded herself, it wasn't a good idea to get distracted right now. Bruce might need her, or worse, she might blow up.
Joker was getting the tiniest bit bored with his new game. Batman's wrath seemed to dull after the big reveal and he was using his big old brain instead of his fists more and more. He was ready to head to Arkham now, let the Bat stew in the worry for a bit. Truth be told he didn't know where the trigger was at all. He had given it to Harley before their little disagreement and he was sure she was at her little green friends hideout now, pouting. Whether she brought it with her or left it somewhere on the way he didn't know. It didn't really matter either way, he had his fun and he was sure Batman had his. Now the game was over. Maybe next time he'd blow up a hospital, that was always fun. He was shaken from his musings when Batman punched him in the gut. Rude! he thought and laughed as he lost his footing. He felt himself step on something and slip, he was going down. There was a sharp pain and then nothing. Fade to black, curtain call, the shows over.
Bruce stood frozen for what felt like an eternity but must have only been half a second, he checked for a pulse and found none. He didn't need to pry his eyes open because Joker had fallen with them wide open and so they stayed, open and unseeing. He pulled out his taser and sent a jolt of electricity through the body, it didn't work. He tried once more with the same result. How could this have happened? He'd hit Joker so many times in their past he couldn't even make a guess at how many, so why now? How? He knew how but even the truth made little sense to him right now. He had punched the Joker, who stumbled back, his foot had landed on a book that was on the floor, How to Accept Your Partners Children: For Dummies, and then he fell back into a wooden crate. The sound his neck made when it came in contact with the crate was still echoing in his ears. It had been instant, he knew that. Joker might not have even felt any pain. What have I done?
They had all heard it, how could they not have? The sound was deafening to them all. "Father, it was an accident. You couldn't have prevented it. He tripped, you didn't push him. It was no fault of your own." Damian was at Bruce's side faster than the rest, Dick was next. "Exactly Bruce, it wasn't your fault. You didn't do this." Barbara kept silent, she placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder and didn't trust herself to speak. Bruce didn't need to hear that she was happy. She didn't even want to feel it, it made her feel guilty. But seeing the Joker dead had stirred something in her heart, the part that wanted revenge. She would stay quiet and be here for Bruce and she would never tell him what she wanted to say. Never speak it out loud. Thank you. Tim stood next to Barbara silently giving his support and agreed with the rest of them.
Jason was the only one that didn't move. He had so many emotions rushing through him that he felt his head truly was going to explode. He did it. Jokers dead. He did it! But it wasn't for me… "I'll make sure the bombs are removed and then I'll turn myself into the GCPD." What?! "What?!" It was the first time in his run with the batfamily that they had all been of one mind. He'd have found it gross in a different situation. "Father, you can't." "Bruce it wasn't your fault!" "My father wouldn't let that happen, I know it" "Bruce, please, you had no way of knowing he'd trip, Jokers fallen from buildings and lived, how were you supposed to know he'd die from that?" They could all try but Jason could see the determination in Bruce's eyes. He was going to turn himself in, they wouldn't stop him. "Bruce, you can't, think of us! Think of Damian and Dick, if the world finds out Bruce Wayne was Batman how long do you think it'll be before they put two and two together and figure out who Robin is. Some people already suspect that Nightwing might have been a Robin" "They do?" "Shut up, Damian would never know a moment of peace, he wouldn't be safe, neither would Dick." "I think you'll find that I would thrive in a situation like that, Drake" "Shut up! Neither of you are helpi-" Bang!
Tim was shocked out of his lecture by the sound of a gunshot. He turned to look at the sounds origin and saw Jason still pointing the gun at Jokers body. Now sporting a hole in his head. He's always wanted to do that "He moved," said Jason. Impossible "You know he was dead" said Bruce, his voice was steady but Tim could hear strain in it. The guilt was eating him up. He couldn't imagine feeling guilty for The Joker's death. "No, just mostly dead, and he moved so I killed him" Jason shrugged and holstered his gun. "Hell, I'll go to the GCPD and turn the gun in myself. If they even need to do all the forensics stuff, it is Joker we're talking about. They might want to throw me a parade." "Enough Jason, I know why you're doing this and I appreciate it, I really do, but I will be turning myself in." Tim was in awe, was Jason really doing a nice thing, for Bruce no less. "I'm telling you, he moved, plus lets be real here, what do you think the cops will believe? Hero Batman breaks his no killing rule or Red Hood kills another low life criminal?" "Jason, I won't let yo-" "I don't care what you'll let me do! It's done, I shot him. But if you think I'm going to Blackgate for it you're as nuts as he is…was. I'll drop off the gun and leave Gotham. I was only here for a visit anyways."
Dick walked towards his little brother and hugged him. He assumed he'd get punched and braced himself but the punch never came. Of course neither did a return hug, but Jason stood there stiffly and let Dick hug him. Wow he really is feeling generous today. "Are you sure you want to leave? I mean it's like you said, the cops might want throw you a parade, most of Gotham would too." Jason stepped out of his embrace and Dick let him go without fuss "Yeah. Gotham air doesn't agree with me, too much smoke and pollution." Tim walked up to them "wouldn't the mask protect you from that" "You'd think, but it doesn't." Jason shrugged. "Good luck, Todd" said Damian from his fathers side, he felt this was more of a goodbye for his siblings. He would stay out of it. "Jason, you don't have to do this for me" Dick turned to look at Bruce, he could tell he was debating himself, he had that I'm thinking suuuper hard look on his face. "Just shut up and accept it, old man." "Isn't there anyone in Gotham you'd miss?" asked Barbara, finally trusting herself to speak.
Jason closed his eyes briefly as a memory surfaced. "I may have fucked up. Ow, okay, everything hurts, can't move. I definitely fucked up." He had been investing Two-Face off of a tip that he was smuggling something big into Gotham. Something that absolutely was not getting into his hands if Jason had a say in it. He heard that it was coming through the sewers and everything was going great until Grundy arrived. Who would have thought Two-Face would use him as muscle, maybe Bruce, he though bitterly as he lay on the floor. He didn't know what was worse, that he got beaten so soundly or that they had just left him on the sewer floor like nothing, like he belonged there. Of course Jason hadn't told anyone he was coming down here, that would have been a smart idea. His vision was blacking out and he had a dark thought "I might die down here. No one would ever know." He was beginning to feel very tired; it was a strain just to keep his eyes open. "Oh well, it's not like I haven't died before. Maybe this time they'll let me rest." Jason closed his eyes and when he opened them next he was in the batcave. "What the?" "Hello Master Jason, so nice to see you awake. "Alfred? How'd you find me?" Alfred was standing at his side wiping blood off of his hands with a towel. There was a tray beside him with a needle, thread, and a ton of gauze, most of it bloody, he figured Alfred fixed him up. "You'll find that I'm quite capable of caring for my charges." "That doesn't answer my question." "Won't you allow an old man some mystery?" Jason sighed and gave a nod, happy to see that he could indeed move. "Whatever you say Alfred. Thanks for the patch up but I should go, Bruce won't want me here." "Master Bruce is away on Justice League business, not that it matters, the mansion is your home." Jason sat up and felt his world tilt for a moment, he put a hand on his head. "Not anymore, Alfred. Not for a while now." Alfred put a cold damp cloth on his head. It felt amazing and Jason leaned into it slightly, his ribs protested the movement. "So long as I run this household, Jason, this will always be your home."
Jason took something wrapped out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Dick. "Give that to Alfred." "So that's why you were in the cave!" said Tim. Jason turned to Babs to answer her question but suddenly felt like he didn't want to lie to her. He gave her a shrug and started to walk out of the warehouse. Before he made it out the door he turned to his family. "Oh, and Bruce, happy Father's Day."
The End.
