As Bruce lead Jason into the house he looked at his young ward from years ago. His shoulders had filled out, but the way his clothes hung off of him told a tale of many days without food, while his sunken eyes and messy hair spoke of night without sleep.
He took his second oldest son inyo the dining room, pushed him into a chair, then sat across from him.
" To what do i owe the pleasure of you stopping by Jason? It has been some time."
" Well Bruce, " Jason Began, " Here is how it is. I hated you, and blamed you for not rescuing me. Then I came back and directed my rage and depression at you for not killing the maniac who took me from you. Ater a time of making your life miserable, i left to travel the world, and along the way I experienced losses, sadness, and many battles. Through it all you were on my mind. I began to realize that with every kill I made, I felt darkness in my sould, just as you had warned me. And while I do not regret the lives i have taken, I now understand what you were trying to tell me. I have come back to your doorstep to ask your forgiveness. I know the last time i came to your doorstep I demanded you ask for mine. Yet, more than that Bruce, I came back because I also believe that you are MY family. While i did not feel i belonged here before, I missed you. I also missed working with you. Dick contacted me a few months ago and said that You guys could use some backup on the streets after you got shot up by the penguins goons. I am here to offer my help to you."
Bruce pondered everything Jason said as Alfred came in holding a tray of food.
" Cheese and crackers with sliced pepperoni", Alfred started as he stepped into the room, " Your favorite if I remember, Master Jason."
" Fuck yeah!", shouted Jason as he reached for some.
Alfred smacked hs hand away, saying, " Master Jason, I know I have spoken to you about the use of curse words in this house.", a twinkle in his eyes as tthey met Jason's.
Jason jumped up and hugged Alfred, smiling as he said " I missed you Alfie, a whole lot.'
Alfred shook his head, " Not that nickname again Master Jason."
Jason chuckled as he sat back down, shoveling little cracker sandwhiches into his mouth my the handfull.
After a few minutes of watching Jasons show of excellent table manners in silence, Bruce finally spoke up.
" Listen Jason, I am happy to see you are back, and safe, but Ihave doubts about you coming back to out nightime work. There is already so much death in Gotham, and the last time you were here you left behind a pile of bodies as high as Wayne enterprises tower. I cannot let you back onto the team with loaded guns. Not with a good conscience."
Jason looked down at his hands for a moment, before loooking Bruce in the eyes. " Fine. I can do it your way Bruce." And with that he took both of his guns out of the holsers Bruce had pretended not to see on his hips, and placed them in front of Bruce. He and Alfred met each others eyes across the room before they both looked back at Jason.
" You would have shot me for trying to take those before. You can come with me tonight on patrol. But I will be keeping and eye on you. No killing. We really could use your help..."