CHAPTER 2

JASON TODD, AGE 13

"So, what's so special about watching videos?" Jason scooped the ice cream into the blender that Dick had just found in the cupboard.

Dick checked the label on the carton. Nope, not the soymilk and poured the milk in. "Bruce is kind of a stickler for family. We're usually so busy that we can't get together very often." Dick gave him a wry smile and began dumping sliced strawberries into the blender. "How are you doing with the popcorn, Alfie?"

"It is well underway, Master Dick," the butler called back.

"I think I forgot something..."Dick looked into the blender thoughtfully. "Oh yeah, the Ovaltine. Jay, would you find the Ovaltine? It's in the cupboard over there. I'll get the spoon."

Jason obediently went to the indicated cupboard and removed a package. "What is this stuff?"

"It is a cocoa flavored mix for milk," Alfred replied, shaking the cast iron pan vigorously.

Jason nodded and handed the jar to Dick, then stood next to Alfred. "Hey, Alfred, you mean to tell me that Wayne Manor doesn't even have a popcorn popper? I thought you guys had everything, man!"

"We do not have substitutes for those things best done the old fashioned way, Master Jason," Alfred replied and handed Jason some oven mitts. "You can take over here. Just keep the kernels moving until the popping sounds stop. And don't take off the lid!" Alfred took off his own mitts and left the room.

Jason put on the mitts and dutifully shook the pan. He and his Dad hadn't even had a popcorn popper; they'd used microwave popcorn on the rare times they had it. This pan shaking stuff was weird. It was really popping now...curious about what was really happening under the lid, he lifted it off just a bit and was startled when a piece of popcorn flew past his left ear. Startled, he dropped the lid and ducked, hands tucked over his head protectively.

Dick, equally startled, dropped into a crouch and made his way to the pan, then slammed the lid back down. Eyeing the chaos surrounding them both, Dick fished out the kernel that had landed in the blender and popped it into his mouth. "We'd better clean this up, Jay, or Alfred will have a cow."

"I'm sorry about that," Jason said ruefully as he found the broom and dustpan. "I've just never seen popcorn made in a pan before."

Dick grinned, sweeping kernels off the counter tops and into the trash can. "Don't I know it! I thought Alfred was gonna blow a gasket the first time I asked why he wasn't using microwave popcorn. Standards, he said, must be maintained." He finished clearing and emptied the popcorn that remained into a bowl. "I have to admit, it does taste better with real butter on it. Let's start up another batch and he'll never notice! The popcorn is in that cupboard over there," he nodded with his chin. "I've got the oil here."

Together, Dick and Jason made a second batch of popcorn and kept the lid on the pan. By the time Alfred returned to the kitchen, the second batch was done and in the bowl with the remains of the first and the shakes had been dispensed into their tall glasses.

"The Master isn't back yet, but we will adjust the settings on the television set and prepare for his arrival," the butler announced.

"Yeah, I know Alfie," Dick said and went over to the set. "The factory settings are always too green. I'll fix it." He knelt and began tinkering with the buttons.

"Can I help?" Jason knelt next to him.

"Sure. You'll have to adjust this thing when I'm not here. Believe it or not, Bruce is useless with electronics. That's what I always used to do as Robin, repair and adjust all the high tech gadgets. There's only one other duty for Robin, and that's the most important," he turned earnest blue eyes toward the boy.

"Yeah, I know, follow orders. I got that one," Jason snorted.

"No, not that one," Dick said solemnly. "Robin's primary job is to make sure that Batman gets home safely. Bruce explained it to me the first time I went on patrol with him. Your job is to watch his back and take out the traps he might not see." Dick grinned. "As for following orders? I made a career of breaking rules and saved his butt more than once." He turned back to television set. "That should do it."

"I hope I can be as good a Robin as you were," Jason said wistfully. "I'm not very good at the acrobatics."

"It just takes training," Dick said, clasping the boy's shoulder. "And time. I hope you get both. I know you'll be a great Robin."

"Why the serious faces?" Bruce's voice boomed from the doorway. "I've got some great movies for tonight."

"Didja get Robin Hood?" Dick demanded with a smile, climbing to his feet.

Bruce smiled back. "That, and the Scarlet Pimpernel. Lots of sword fights."

"What? No Terminator or Star Wars or something?" asked Jason.

"You'll like these movies, Jason. They're old but they're classic. The heroes in each are masked vigilantes, like us."

"You mean they swing around sky-scrapers wearing funny clothes?" Jason asked with a smirk.

"He's got you there, Bruce," Dick said.

"Well, maybe they swing from trees while wearing outfits kind of like your new uniform," Bruce admitted. "But they also help people. Robin Hood helped the poor and defended them from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Scarlet Pimpernel rescued people from the guillotine."

Dick nodded. "And spent the rest of his time pretending to be a rich idiot who didn't care about anything but clothing and women, right Bruce? I guess you could say, these movies give us a little inspiration."

Bruce rubbed his nose. "I guess so. In any case, they're good entertainment. Shall we?" He gestured towards the four black armchairs in a row. Dick passed the popcorn to Jason and helped himself to his shake.

HOURS LATER

"Why so quiet, Jason?" Bruce asked the boy.

"I don't get why the Scarlet Pimpernel didn't just kill Chauvelin to keep him from hunting down more people?" Jason asked.

"We don't kill. We let the law deal with the criminals that we bring in." Bruce eyed his ward closely. "I know that's not what you were raised with."

"No, it wasn't," Jason admitted. "Dick told me that my first job as Robin was making sure you got home okay. If that meant killing somebody to protect you, I'd do it. What's wrong with that?"

Bruce sighed. "Jason, we never use lethal force. Never. It's what separates us from the criminals. It's a line I won't cross and don't want you to cross for me, understand? Ultimately, our goals are peaceful ones even though we often work outside the law."

Jason's face was doubtful as he replied, "I guess so."