Little Bird's Vengeance Chapter 55 Genes Don't Lie

For once, all the residents of the top floors of the tower were having breakfast together. Well, except for Barton and Romanov. Still, it was a larger than usual gathering.

It was even peaceful, Rhodey mused. The Reds has their heads together, plotting something in low voices. Bart kept everyone entertained by repeatedly clearing and restocking the table, while Tony gave a list of increasingly ridiculous demands. For example, he'd just asked for, and received, a Tasmanian Devil, which was now munching on a bit of bacon. And there was a friendly argument about the best way to prepare coffee.

Romanov swept into the room, Barton on her heels. They'd been increasingly standoffish since Hood turned up, not that they'd been the friendliest beforehand. "Red Robin," Romanov announced. "Red Hood is not your brother."

The teenager looked up. "Pretty sure he is," he drawled, glancing sideways at the now extremely tense Hood.

"The genetics say otherwise," Romaonv said blandly, dropping a pad of papers in front of him.

"Oh hell," Kon breathed.

Rhodey frowned. Those boys were brothers by adoption, and they both knew that. What would genetics have to do with it? Unless SHIELD hadn't heard about the adoptions.

"You obtained DNA from both of us, analysed it, and so are showing that we are not actually related," Red said coldly. "I see. In the light of this…revelation, what do you recommend?"

Barton had an arrow on the string, although he had yet to draw the bow. "We can take him into custody until you are ready to return home and give him to your people," he offered.

Red rose abruptly. "We must discuss this with Director Fury," he announced. He glanced at Hood, who also rose. "Bart, take that poor beast back where you found it. We'll be back sooner or later." He stalked off, Hood following placidly, Barton and Romanov more warily.

"Those guys are in deep trouble," Cassie sighed.

"Those two aren't actually related?" Jane asked.

"They are, but by adoption not blood," Cassie explained. "They were both in their teens at the time of their respective adoptions, so it's hardly news. Rob's just furious SHIELD's trying to take advantage of that."

"How much trouble are they in?" Bruce sighed.

"Who? The Bats or the agents?" Kon asked.

"Both."

"Depends on how long it takes Rob to calm Hood down," Cassie answered.

The lights blinked red. Tim placed his comm on the table next to Fury's, and checked his opponent's device was deactivated while the Director did the same.

"You already knew we have no blood relation," Tim stated.

Fury stared at him impassively.

"Romanov and Barton don't know that," the teen continued.

Still no answer.

"I'm guessing it was their idea."

Silence.

"Director, what the hell are you doing? Do you like playing with other people's emotions? You know full well we've a complicated relationship, so why on earth would you send your agents to tell Hood he's not my brother?" By the end, Tim was on his feet, the slim measure of control he'd been holding to for the past hour snapping.

"What is wrong with Hood?" Fury asked.

Tim blinked. "What do you mean, wrong with him?"

"He's severely emotionally instable, prone to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation, and I have no idea how you're keeping him under control. At least, you claim he's under control," Fury accused.

"So you set us up to try and get some dirt on us," Tim deduced. He took a deep breath, sank back into his chair and tried to think it through logically. After a moment, he let out a hollow laugh. "You know, I can't even be sure I wouldn't do something similar in that situation," he said. "I know how frustrated you must be by our…evasiveness, and by how out of your control we are. It's not something I can talk about."

"I take it it's his decision?" Fury asked. Tim nodded. "From what I've seen of your brother, he could be a very good operative if he controlled himself. We might be able to help. We do have several agents with shady or troublesome pasts. Romanov and Barton, for example. And I think you're too close to him to see how to help him best. But I need to know what his problem is before I can help."

Tim nodded. It was indeed in Fury's interests to find some way to calm Jason down, and there was no hint of a lie in his words. But he was not telling him about Jason's death and resurrection. No way. That would have to be Jay's choice. "I will speak to him," he said, picking up his comm. He returned it to his ear and switched it on. "Hood, Fury wants to speak to you," he said.

"Really? What is it this time?" Jason responded bitterly.

"He wants to know what's gone wrong in your life," Tim answered. "He wants to help you."

There was a pause. "He telling the truth?"

"Yes. Come and talk to him yourself; there's no recording in here. No-one but us three will know what you say."

"On my way," Jason replied. A moment later, the door opened, and the older teen entered. "Explain yourself," he demanded of Fury.

"I know you're Tim's adoptive brother, not blood," Fury said, and Tim noticed Jason raise an eyebrow at the use of his name. "You utilise an industrial world-leading company, and your father is the CEO. I gather his name is Wayne?"

Jason looked…disconcerted. Only in the micro-gestures, of course, but that was all that was needed.

"He can help us," Tim said softly. "He's got the resources, and the know-how. And if he does, we can take care of some of his problems for him. He just needs to trust that we won't make it worse."

Jason took a deep breath. He opened his mouth, closed it, breathed again, and tried to speak once more. Then he sighed. "I gotta think about this."

With that, he vanished.

AN: Yeah...Tim not happy. Nor is Jason.

Quick challenge: In Jason and the Argonauts, I have foreseen Thanksgiving coming up. 'Course I've foreseen it; I'm writing it. But I have a teensy problem. Being British, I know naught all about the intricacies of this holiday. So, if you celebrate it, would you mind please telling me what traditions you observe and what kind of things you'd give thanks for?

Next, I've started cross-posting on AO3. That means I'm also posting my chapters there, FYI. I intend to add post podfics, which are audio files of the stories being narrated. As yet, there isn't a lot over there, but I'm working on it.

Also updating today, Jason and the Argonauts. What happens next on the streets? Next week, more of each.

Finally, please review!

Katara