Old scars and new friends.

It was a risk coming here, but he had to… he needed to see her, to understand to try and get her to understand, but it was mostly for himself.

Hiding his face from the cameras Jason Todd sat and waited patiently for the inmate he'd requested to see to be brought to the seat on the other side of the window.

He fiddled with the zipper of his jacket as he waited, a slight nervous tick he'd had since he was a boy, but this was different.

At the sound of footsteps he looked up to see the patient he'd requested to see placed down on the seat in front of him, she herself sticking out her tongue at the guard before turning her head to him.

Harley Quinn began to laugh. "Well look who it is. How's it going Jason, long time no see you double crosser."

"I'm not here to have a fight Harley."

"That's too bad… I do like it when things get interesting with you. What do ya want?"

"I wanted to talk."

"Bout?"

"Him."

Harley felt her eyes widen slightly before she narrowed them.

"Why the hell do you want to talk about my Mista J?"

Jason shuddered at the nick name, remembering how often he'd heard it when he was tied up and being beaten, Harley would call down to him and tell him when the cost was clear with that 'Mista J' always finishing off each and every sentence.

"You were as much as a victim as me Harley," Jason whispered before he glanced up at her. "He hurt you just as bad if not worse then me… I…" he ran a hand down his face. "I just wanted to understand why."

"My puddin loved me."

"You don't hit the people you love."

"But I suppose kidnapping them pushing them off a building is okay?"

Jason fell silent. He knew who she was talking about.

Barbara had never meant to get as hurt as she did, he didn't want to hurt her, she was his friend and he loved her like an older sister and she always looked out for him, always.

When Joker had shot her… he'd been so angry, so angry, he'd wanted to do something to punish Joker there and then, but Bruce wouldn't have it, he went after Joker himself and Jason sat alone in the Bat-cave, before he went out to see her in hospital.

"That was different," he whispered. "I wasn't thinking straight," he glanced up at Harley who didn't seem impressed. "Why did you stay with him Harley, he hurt you and yet you went back to him time and time again."

"People do crazy stupid things when they're in love," Harley shrugged like it was obvious. "And my mista' J loved me, he loved me so much, no one would ever understand how much he loved me!"

"Everyone understand how much he loved you Harley, the only person who didn't was you."

"Why are ya really here kid?"

Why was he really here? He didn't know. Maybe it was like Bruce, he couldn't keep away, he was drawn to the madness, to the death and destruction that these insane members of society caused. Whatever the reason, Jason was here and he was talking to her.

"You're better then most of the inmates in this place," he shrugged. "You could get better, get free."

"Getting free ain't a problem Jay, I can do that with my eyes closed!"

"Not what I meant, I mean being free… being really free!"

"Are you really free?"

"Huh?"

Harley tilted her head to the side. "Are you free?" she questioned again. "Or are you still stopped, still trapped by… him? Unable to move forward, because for better or for worse kid, My puddin made you. He created you."

"Like he made you?"

Harley shook her head. "Mista J freed me. He was the only one who actually listened to my problems while I was listening to everyone else."

"I'll listen."

"Sorry kid, but you're way too young for me."

Jason sighed and shook his head. "This was a mistake coming here," he muttered as he ran a hand down his face.

Harley frowned slightly as she studied the… well young man now in front of her.

"You're lost aren't you Jason? You don't know what you're doing with your life…" she studied him before smirking. "That's a dangerous place ta be buddy, you've got one of two choices… you either end up like us or… you end up getting past it."

"I don't think I can get past it."

"Then welcome the Asylum kiddo I can't wait ta see ya in our ranks!"

"But don't think I can let it beat me either," Jason looked up at her through his hair and smirked slightly. "I know what I am and you freaks aren't going to dictate my life anymore. I'm in control of my own destiny and my own mind. I may be slightly controlled by the ghosts of my past but I won't be consumed by them."

Harley blinked before frowning. "Come again?"

Jason smiled. "Thanks Harley, you helped. I now know what I'm doing."

"Ummm good for you…?" she trailed off as she watched him leave.

Jason went, practically running out to his car, which was pretty battered, mostly from the night before when he'd went out for another petrol of the city as Red Hood, some of the guys had more firepower then he was expecting and he had to leave, his car taking the hits.

Once he was out in the court yard he frowned at the sight of a woman carrying bags, a certificate showing she was perfectly sane clasped in one hand as she walked, but there was something else, she was clearly pregnant.

The woman glanced at him and smiled. "A young man like you wouldn't mind giving me a lift would you? I just need to get to Gotham."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "And why exactly would I trust a crazy?"

"I have been declared sane."

"You still could be dangerous."

"True, but how do I know you're not a crazy who just hasn't been caught yet."

Despite himself Jason found himself smiling. "Touche."

The lady bowed slightly, smirking at him.

Jason sighed. "Fine," he reached out and took her bags as he lead her to the car.

She raised an eyebrow at the bullet holes. "Nice accessories."

"I thought it would give it an edge," he mumbled as he put her bags in the back.

She smirked as she slid in as elegantly as she could with her slightly swollen stomach into the car. "Most people opt for a new paint job or a spoiler."

Jason slid next to her on the drivers side. "I'm not most people."

"I can tell," she pointed to his face. "Had a little run in with Joker I see."

He found himself reaching for the 'J' that was branded on his face, casting a glance to her and she smiled gently at him.

"It's fine. I never liked the clown, hated him actually. You did well to survive him, did Batman save you?"

Jason had pulled away and began driving by this point, his hands tightening on the steering wheel, his knuckles going white, which didn't go unnoticed by his passenger.

She raised an eyebrow. "Touchy subject?"

"Have you got somewhere to stay in Gotham?" he asked deciding to change the subject.

"No," she sighed. "That's the funniest thing about Arkham, they let the inmates free without even making sure they have somewhere they can actually go. I'm sure I'll find somewhere though."

"And just who am I giving a lift to?"

"Oh how rude of me," she smiled as she held a hand out to him. "Mist Terry."

Jason raised an eyebrow before shaking her hand. "Jason Todd."

Mist's eyes lit up with recognition. "I heard you were dead."

"I heard you were dead," Jason counted and Mist actually laughed at this.

"I was dead. But now I'm not."

"Guess we have that in common," he tapped at the steering wheel. "So… what's your plan?"

"Well I'm not entirely sure… I mean do you know any work going for an ex-assassin, ex-investigative reporter, ex-convict, ex-dead person and ex-vigilante?"

"That's quite a lot of exes."

"And not one of them a boyfriend, not bad really when you think about it."

Jason actually laughed at his, it as the first time he laughed in a long while. "Well," he laughed. "I suppose there is that. Gotta say not many options."

"Hmm… so what is it that you do, ex-robin, ex-dead person, ex-Arkham Knight?"

"How'd you-?!"

"Please, I date the Riddler, I'd have to be smart."

"You were Ghost weren't you? On Halloween, the new vigilante?"

"I was."

"Huh. I did wonder where you went afterwards."

"As did I you," Mist stretched slightly before wincing and laying her hand gently to her stomach. "Once these two little ones come out," she said as she stroked the small but clearly rounded bump. "I'm going back to vigilantism. But I do have a day job."

Jason thought for a moment. "Well.. I am looking for a partner…" he trailed off and Mist lifted her gaze to him as he tapped the steering wheel. "Think of it as… paying off the your half of the rent since… well you can stay with me until you get yourself on your feet. If you'd like."

"Why are you being nice to me?"

"Riddler was one of the few who I didn't hate and who didn't come along and beat the living hell out of me when Joker began inviting people to take pot shots. Plus… you seem like a nice person."

"Oh thank god, my acting lessons payed off."

Jason sniggered before he glanced at her and smiled, a real smile. "So… is that a yes? Partners?"

Mist glanced at him and smiled. "Alright… partner," she reached her hand out again. "Mist Terry, Ghost."

Jason reached over and shook her hand again. "Jason Todd, Red Hood."

"Hmm I did wonder who that was… we're going to have to work on your trigger happy nature."

"As long as I get to shoot some scum, I'm all ears."

"Oh, but of course… friend?"

Jason blinked. That word… he hadn't used that word in a long time… had no one to use it with or for, but now.. maybe…?

They were both broken people, broken and tortured who were trying to find their feet once more and Mist had a family on the way too, twice as hard for her, she could use a friend right now… and so could he.

Jason nodded and cracked his trade mark boyish grin.

"Friends."

THE END.

Note: Jason is my favourite out of the Bat family, always has been and always will be :D I love him to pieces!

If you can't tell I'm starting to set up the stage for After Arkham now, hence Jason and Mist becoming friends, you guys are going to love the next chapter, I swear it's gonna be good! :D