Slight OOC-ness and me just making stuff up.
Thank you to those who have faved, altered and reviewed. I don't bite you can leave a negative review, feedback would be nice is all I'm saying.
I don't own Batman only my own characters.
Chapter 3
The first or was it the second time Jason jumped through her window, he nearly gave her a heart attack. Coming home from work had already left her exhausted enough, walking through her front door and seeing the sight of red on her couch was a bit overwhelming. As the shock subsided she went on business as usual. Cleaning up the small apartment, although Jason couldn't understand what for. She spent all her time at work and when she was home all she did was clean, the place was immaculate.
She never once removed her jacket, which Jason noted was always a part of her routine as soon as she walked through the door. Was she tiring to prevent him from seeing her scars? Jason could care less about seeing another's disfigurations; he'd come across a variety of monsters far more gruesome. A few scars weren't going to scare him.
Placing a paper bag in front of him was what stopped his analyzing thoughts. Watching her walk away he knew exactly where she was going. If the ridiculously girly watering can wasn't evidence enough, Jason probably knew her schedule was well as she did. He didn't bother following after her instead he focused his attention on the paper bag in front of him.
It had been weeks since they began their little arrangement and the night of the thunderstorm was the first real sign of trust. She had allowed him into her home, well not really seeing how he broke in but still valid. She treated him like a house guest, didn't ask any questions or demand anything. She simply gave.
Looking back at the paper bag in front of him, just like always a small piece of paper greeted him. Opening the small note…. "Happy Eating"
Jason was defiantly sure there was something wrong with her but at the moment all Jason knew was that she provided food. It was nothing compared to Alfred's cooking but as the saying goes beggars can't be choosers. Not that he couldn't provide for himself, this was just convenient.
Walking back to her apartment she wasn't surprised to see he was still there. What did surprise her was the fact that the paper bag remained untouched. Walking into her bedroom she noticed a small piece of paper on her bed… "Foods getting cold."
Taking the hint or was it an invitation, she walked back into the kitchen and poured herself a bowl of cereal, which was cold to being with. Walked over to the coffee table and took a seat on the floor right across from Jason. Spoon full after spoon full she wondered how he was going to eat with that mask on. Was there a small latch or…..
Jason removed his mask and placed it on the coffee table right next to the paper bag, before finally pulling out his own meal. He wasn't what she expected, wearing a mask like that she half expected him to be a somewhat disfigured. Not that she was one to judge but he was actually quite handsome. She did her best not to stare focusing on the cheerios floating around in her bowl of milk.
Jason didn't even try hiding the smirk.
She no longer delivered his meals to the roof; it was more of a sit in arrangement now. He would often be sitting on her couch waiting for her to come home or just after finishing her gardening. Jason always preferred the leftovers she brought however cereal was her preferred midnight snack. With a variety that ranged from Lucky Charms to Special K.
Their communications system wasn't really needed anymore but it was still nice to receive a little note in the morning or just before going to bed. Even if they were still inquiries for the most part.
Sitting in what felt like their designated spots, they began another night of no talking. Jason wasn't sure what it was but neither made any attempt to speak. If they were uncomfortable in silence it wasn't evident. But Jason was over it now, it was time for a little heart to heart or at least some small manner of chit chat.
"Any reason you don't have Cocoa Puffs in storage?"
Her mouth was left half way open when he asked about her cereal preferences. The question had honestly taken her off guard, they had never spoken face to face before. It was always through writing and she was happy with that. Not to mention questioning her cereal choices was not what she had imagined as their fist topic of conversation. The fact that he was the one initiating the conversation was shocking enough.
No one ever spoke to her unless it was necessary. At work she remained unnoticed and she was perfectly comfortable that way. She had managed with that aspect in life a long time ago. So why was he starting a conversation with her now and out of any topic cereal. It puzzled her, glancing at him she noticed that he was waiting for an answer. Thinking quickly she reached for a piece of paper but he was quicker, pulling the paper out of her reach. Was he serious?
Off the top of her head the only other way she could think of was….. She began to pull on her ear indicating a sound.
"I'm not playing charades."
He was serious…. Without something to write on and his unwillingness to play along she didn't have much choice. She began to move her hands in a concise sequence and all Jason did after she was done was nod his head. She was left slightly puzzled, could he really understand her. It wasn't a rare talent or anything; she had just never met anyone in Gotham or rather the Narrows who she could communicate with.
The meal carried on and by the time they were both done Jason walked over to the window mask in place ready for the nights events. Turning around making sure to have her attention, his hands began to move as hers had done before.
'Night Evy'
He jumped through her window without a moment's hesitation, leaving behind a very shocked Evelyn. Not only did he know sign language but he knew her name. Not once had she ever mentioned it and not once did he ever ask. He knew, that left her wondering what else he knew.
Discovering her name was no real challenge, especially when she left him alone in her house. A quick look here and there was all Jason needed. A name gave him access to all her information, well all the basic information. Where she was born, who her parents were, but what Jason really wanted to know he would need to get straight from the horse's mouth. So why not start the conversation off small. The sign language had through him off but only temporarily. So many hours studying what seemed to be useless skills did come in handy eventually.
Was this really it? Work home work home. He wasn't the most social person, but even he had a night off. Sitting on her coach again was just like any other night. She came home cleaned, watered her plants, ate and slept. In all this time Jason had never seen her do anything for herself, was she just anti social or perhaps a workaholic. Whatever the reason Jason was sick of it.
They were taking the night off.
Jason didn't wait for her to get home, meeting her halfway and like most times, he appeared out of nowhere nearly giving her a heart attack. The look she gave him after the initial shock was one of curiosity. He never came down to meet her especially without his mask. Evelyn had seen him without it on several occasions, but never out in public. What was he up to?
Without a word he took her hand and started leading her down the street. He moved at a rapid pace turning street corner after street corner. And when she was completely lost he slowed down, across the street there was a bright neon sign. The Guild Cinema, with names and times just below. As they came closer and closer it became clear that this was their destination. A movie? This was his big rush; Evelyn couldn't see the point of it all.
As they moved closer and closer there were only a few people waiting in line. The only two showings were the disappearance of bees and the other was a film some considered to be timeless. Again that look of curiosity washed over her face.
"What? Radars of the Lost Ark is a classic."
She said nothing simply nodded her head in understanding. Evelyn had never actually seen the movie so she couldn't consider it a classic or not. The only thing she could understand was that this was not routine. As they waited in line the looks they received were obvious. Looks of shock and interest, she was familiar with all of them but these looks were different. Only they were not meant for her, glancing to her right she could see him clearly. Theses looks were directed at Jason. The young women looked at him like most women did, with hunger in their eyes. Hunger that could never be satisfied by the leftovers in her paper bag. Others looked on with sympathy, what horrible curse was he placed under to be in the company of such a frightful sight.
Her jacket was well in place, the onlookers could not see the extent of the damage but they didn't need to see it. A group of youngsters came to stand behind them and like all the others stared at the strange sight before them. A handsome young man going to the movies with what could only be described as a disfigured girl. It didn't take long for the whispering to start. You would think being so close they would be a little less obvious. Disgust was present in every single one of their remarks, as it always was.
Without warning Jason pulled her closer, Evelyn had completely forgotten that he was still holding her hand. Leaning in close a little too close for comfort, he whispered in her ear.
"Any churros?"
At that angle the onlookers were left with a misinterpretation of events, disbelief and silence was all they heard. Finally reaching the box office, Jason had almost forgotten he had to pay. The cashier waited patiently but Jason did nothing.
"Sir?"
Once again Jason pulled her along without a word. Turning into an alley Evelyn was lost once again, he was the one that dragger her here. Did he not want to see the movie? Releasing her hand he walked further in the alley. Coming across an obviously locked door, Jason bent down and began working on the lock. Before Evelyn could say anything the door was open with Jason waiting for her. Looking from side to side there was no one in sight.
"Forgot my wallet at home."
Sneaking into the movies, was he serious. She stood still as worry consumed her thoughts. The consequences of what might happen if caught. Jason looked inside checking to see if anyone was in sight, while Evelyn remained motionless. Seeing her inner turmoil Jason began to move his hands in sequence.
'Now or never Evy.'
Hesitant at first, she moved forward. They were really doing this. Walking through the open door they quickly moved to find their theater. Finally taking their seats Evelyn wondered if this was not the first time Jason had snuck into the movies. As the film began to play the paper bag she had carried around all night come in handy. Tonight's leftovers were shared with one another and the film was indeed a classic.
It was an unspoken rule, no questions asked. Every time Jason came through her window bleeding all over her couch she never said a word, not that she could. Evelyn would simple pull out her first aid kit and help in any way she could. Not once did she ever ask. What happened? Are you ok? Does it hurt? It was a simple understanding, she never asked about his injuries and he never asked about hers.
Jason had notices the bandages that would appear on her arms every now and then. For the most part she did a good job at hiding them. However having so much experience patching himself backup it was easy enough for Jason to spot. Curious as to the cause Jason followed her to work, nothing out of the ordinary. Evelyn worked at several restaurants in the Narrow. Apprehensive about her looks it was obvious the manager placed her as far away from the costumers as possible. Working as a dish washer or simply on garbage duty, Evelyn was a shadow among the other workers. Not a single person addressed her for anything, she did her job and that was all they needed. At the end of the day she picked up several leftovers no doubt Jason's next meal and left for home. Nothing out of the ordinary, then why were there bandages on her arms.
The following day Jason didn't bother following her instead he choose to say in her apartment to investigate the situation fully. Searching through all her draws Jason found absolutely nothing, nothing that would point to the cause of her injuries. Walking through her bedroom everything was perfectly normal, expect the slight squeak. Every few steps the floorboards would create a slight squeak; such a small clue would have simply gone unnoticed. But he did notice, Jason bent down to check the floor boards and sure enough they were removable. It was so cliché it was comical.
Inside Jason found a duffle bag filled with clothing, clothing that did not resemble Evelyn's little girl "disguise". Shuffling through the clothes a box was placed at the very bottom, opening it Jason discovered pictures. Picture after picture they showed a little girl with a man, Jason could only assume was her father. They looked happy, as happy as any child would look. As he continued to look through the images, those happy smiles became less frequent. The little girl would still smile but it was no longer the same, she was older now and the person standing next to her was not the same man.
The box contained several documents that Jason paid little attention to, as his full attention was brought to the knife that sat at the bottom of the box. Picking up the knife, a small amount of dried blood was still visible. Jason didn't need any DNA test or fingerprint analysis to know whose blood that was or who used the knife last. The only question left was why.
Jason was no stranger to self destructive behavior, he just never expected it from the five year old stuck in a young women's body. Returning the knife and the pictures to their proper place, Jason carefully replaced the floorboards where they belonged. His curiosity was picked beyond reproach…
No questions asked. That simple unspoken rule would of course come back to bit him in the ass. Waiting was all Jason could do now; he knew the cause now he needed the reason. That's what he had been waiting for all along wasn't it; new or old those scares possessed a story and Jason loved a good story.
