I had writers block on this chapter all weekend. I knew what I wanted to happen, I just had no idea how.

I'm actually quite content with this outcome.

I do not own Young Justice, or... another character mentioned (or is a main character...) in this chapter.

It had been a year.

One year ago, the bright, happy, thirteen year old Robin, otherwise known as Dick Grayson, had been taken from this world. His laugh had faded, his smile vanished, his being lost to the darkness of death.

It was on that night that Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, found himself patrolling Gotham. He had considered staying at the manor so his emotions could not distract him too much, but the hero soon realized that crime still went on without him.

Thus, the Dark Knight was fighting a huge crowd of thugs. They had been attempting to mug an innocent woman, and had obviously not expected the Bat to stop them.

Seems like the Joker was spreading around that it was... that day. To bad for the criminals, Batman worked even through the pain.

After knocking out the last of the goons, the somber Dark Knight started to head back to where he parked the Batmobile, dully noting it was in Crime Alley. He hadn't noticed that earlier; the death of his son had distracted him from the fact he was near the area that his parents died.

As he approached his vehicle, the hero's eyes widened in surprise and shock.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Barbara Gordan was mourning her lost love.

She still had every newspaper that had mentioned his death. She had been, and still slightly was, deathly afraid that if she didn't keep them she would forget he was gone. While this would normally be a good thing, the girl knew that every time she was reminded of that sad fact her heart would hurt as much as it did when she first found out if she did truly forget.

In honor of her beloved friend's death that had occurred a year ago, Barbara was flipping through newspapers that mentioned his demise. While she broke down in tears at every article about him came up, it wasn't until she turned to a page of the issue the day after Dick's body was found that she stopped, staring at the page in shock.

Bruce couldn't believe what he was seeing. It wasn't really of much importance, in the long run. He could easily stop the being quickly working on his car. The Dark Knight just didn't know that there was even a kid with that much guts.

Barbara looked down at the date listed in the article. It was the same day that Dick had died, one year before. How could she not have seen the connection before?

The boy holding the Batmobile's tire looked up when Batman took a step forward, shock quickly engulfing his small face. The tool being used to pry the tires away was quickly dropped, hitting the cement below loudly.

Barbara scolded herself for such stupidity. She should have realized this ages ago. The body structure was identical, as was the voice. It would also explain why Dick had always had so many bruises and scars; she was sure Bruce wasn't abusing the boy, they were far too close. Double-checking the paper to make sure she wasn't jumping to ridiculous conclusions, Barbara realized that Dick and Bruce may have had some... interesting ways to bond.

The child looked so small and fragile. He was short, even smaller than Dick had been. The boy had pale skin, contrasted with many bruises, scraps, and scars marring the tender flesh. Pitch black hair framed his pale face, much like Dick's hair had, only much more unorganized. It was the boy's eyes that truly caught Bruce's attention- they were a very light blue. Not nearly as bright as Dick's eyes had been, but they seemed like the brightness was supposed to be there. That it was dimmed, somehow, by whatever life the child had faced on the street.

Suddenly, Barbara realized Dick's cause of death wasn't even as mysterious as it had been. If her suspicions were correct, which she truly thought they were, then this issue of the newspaper had actually reported her friend's death twice without even knowing it. Reading the second article, she felt her blood run cold with each word. Dick, her best friend, her secret crush, her true love, had gone through such... torture? It was enough to make her heart ache in near physical pain.

What possibly shocked Bruce the most was that the boy was still trying to get away with the tires.

As the child started to scoop up the heavy tires, almost as big as him together, the Dark Knight quickly pulled him in his own direction.

"What do you think you're doing?"

More surprises came for Bruce when the kid answered.

"Trying to make a living."

"Stealing is not a living."

The boy shrugged slightly, a fierce glare being sent at the hero soon afterward.

"Well, it gets money. Some of us can't afford big fancy cars, or a bunch of cool gadgets, or a high-tech costume."

Bruce looked at the child again. There was definite hurt in those eyes, those blue eyes so similar yet so different from the only eyes he truly wished he could see dancing with light again...

"Where are your parents?"

A deep scowl formed suddenly on the kid's face, though it was quickly wiped away as the boy answered in a drawl.

"Well, Batman, I wouldn't know. My dear old dad abandoned my mom and me ages ago, though I think he's dead now. I will admit my mom is dead. Overdosed on drugs. The norm."

What kind of life was it where overdosing on drugs was considered normal?

Certainly not one appropriate for a child to be leading.

This new information made Bruce's decision for him. Taking a firm grip on the kid's arm, he pulled him towards the Batmobile.

"Hey- What are you doing?"

"You're coming home with me."

He had bled to death. Dick, sweet, perfect Dick, had bled to death.

That is, if she was correct in her assumptions, he did.

Looking down at the article about the death of Robin, the Boy Wonder, Barbara decided there was no way she was wrong.

Now realizing the full truth, Barbara only started to love Dick more. He had spent his teenage years saving those in need. Most kids his age would only care about the next level on their video game, or the next big sports event. Meanwhile, he had been stopping criminals and saving lives.

Of course, she realized quickly that his heroics was what caused him to die. She should hate that he was Robin, despise that he risked his life when he knew that some people wouldn't be able to go on without him...

However, no matter how hard she tried, she could not dislike that he was a hero. It was an honorable way to to leave this life, even if the one who took it had been far from honorable.

Suddenly, she realized that she really liked the idea of being a hero.

So much that she herself may need to try it.

"Wouldn't this count as kidnapping?"

Even as the boy sat locked in the Batmobile as Bruce reattached the wheels so they could leave, he was raving about how this was not legal and how he demanded to be let go.

"It's for your own good. You are almost guaranteed to be either dead or caught up in a gang within a year if you stay here. With me, you actually have a chance on a future."

The child turned away with a huff as the hero sat down in the driver's seat next to him. They drove in silence for a few minutes when Bruce realized he was about to tell his secret identity to a boy he knew next to nothing about.

"What is your age?"

The boy did not turn towards Bruce while answering.

"11"

"What's your name?"

"I don't have to tell you that."

"I'm about to offer you a good home, and you won't even tell me your name?"

"How can I be sure your house is so good?"

"You're the one who pointed out that I have rather expensive tools for my crime-fighting."

"For all I know, you spent all your cash on the stuff."

"Just trust me on this."

"Not likely."

"Your name?"

"... Jason."

"Jason what?"

Since Dick had kept a watch on Batman, now certainly known to Barbara to be Bruce, he would need someone to help him now. Maybe she could fill in with that. To honor Dick, to protect the one he had seen as his father.

She wasn't quite decided yet, but she was liking the name "Batgirl".

"Jason Todd, happy now?"

Bruce couldn't help but smirk at the boy's, now known as Jason, reaction.

"Yes, I am actually. Welcome to the Bat Cave, by the way."

Jason looked out the window suddenly, realizing they had arrived.

As he opened the door for Jason, Bruce kept a close watch on the child, thinking about what he was about to do.

It was for Dick. His son had always cared for everyone, now it was Bruce's turn. Jason had obviously been hurt deeply, even if he would not admit it. The hero was determined to help the child. Even if that meant telling someone he barely knew who he really was.

When he was sure the boy was fully paying attention to him, even though his eyes kept wandering to the giant penny only a few yards away, Bruce lowered his cowl. A gasp of recognition and shock escaped Jason's mouth.

"You told me who you are. Jason, I'm Bruce Wayne. It is a pleasure to meet you."

As the shock turned to a smirk on Jason's face, Bruce knew he had done the right thing. Dick would be proud of him.

That he was sure of.

There. JASON. He has been my plan ever since this story grew past a two-shot. I love that boy almost as much as I adore Dick.

This chapter, as well as the next one, is set-up for the sequel. There's only one left, people! Then the story will continue under a separate title...

Please review! For Jason...