"A couple dumb mistakes, Bigger than we thought, Nothing left to do but run." -Winter is Coming, Radical Face

Tim turned onto the tarmac and parked next to a warehouse, pulling a briefcase out of the back.

"Is that your uniform?" Dick asked.

Tim smiled sheepishly. "Always prepared, I guess."

"Don't suppose you've got one of mine, too?"

Tim looked at Dick, blushing a bit, before pulling a second briefcase out of the trunk and handing it to his brother. Dick grinned and ruffled Tim's hair.

"If you two are ready, we should be leaving," a voice said from behind them. Dick and Tim turned to see their youngest brother, grinning like a shark, chest puffed out in pride.

Tim slapped his palm to his forehead, trailing it down his face. "Why is the demon brat here?"

Dick furrowed his brow at both brothers. "Damian, how did you beat us here?"

His grin spread even wider. "I heard you talking from the stairs, Drake. I knew where you would go, you're utterly predictable. Besides," Damian growled, "you're going to ambush my mother when she has done nothing wrong. I have every right to accompany you."

Tim sighed dramatically and looked at Dick, eyes begging for him to force Damian to go back home.

Dick looked at Tim with something akin to pity. "Where's the bike you used to get here?"

"In the hull of the plane. I will be going on that flight, Grayson."

Dick motioned with his hands to say something, then stopped. "We're not going to ambush your mom," he finally settled on.

"Which is why you don't need to come with us."

"Please, Drake, let the adults speak," Damian mocked.

Tim growled and looked pointedly at Dick.

But Dick was grinning, which scared both younger brothers. "I think we should all go," Dick said excitedly.

"Dick, no! You said before-"

"You can't be serious, Grayson-"

"Stop, stop, both of you. I'm pulling rank. Besides, little D might be able to get us in to talk with Talia." Dick pushed them both towards the plane. He was the only one smiling.

()()()()()()()

Talia held Jason's hand on the helicopter ride as her guards pretended not to notice. Jason kept his eyes straight ahead, and could barely comprehend anything that was going on. The farther he got from his family, it seemed, the thicker his catatonic state became.

She sighed as she looked him over. "Jason, I know you're in there. I know what help you want, why you contacted me in particular." Jason stayed impassive. She was reminded of the boy she sat next to long ago, who had cried at the mere mention of Bruce. "The first time I laid you in the Lazarus Pit, I was sure I had unleashed a curse, a plague. Ducra believed the same thing. But then I came to know you, Jason. I learned your sadness and your anger. I told you that you were meant for something, and you became a master killer. Was that your fate? Is death and destruction the only thing you believe in?"

Jason squeezed her hand once, but that was all. He vaguely thought of Ducra, but barely remembered who that was.

Words echoed in his head: One day your heart will shine brighter than the dark fury inside you. And that day will be glorious.

()()()()()()()

"Ollie, we've got to talk," Roy said as Kori stared out the window behind him, worry evident on her face.

Ollie looked from Roy to Kori and back again. "Uh oh, what happened?"

"Our friend is missing, and in a bad spot. Starfire and I are going to find him. Or, help find him, anyway."

"This is the guy you were in Gotham for?"

"Yeah. He's the guy that broke me out of prison." Roy looked at Kori sympathetically, knowing she was trying very hard not to melt the world around her.

"We never should have left him," she said fiercely. "That family does not care to understand him. We are all he has!"

Ollie weighed her words. "Batman's an ass, but he's gotten better. I know you know Nightwing, so this shouldn't be news, but a little while ago he lost a partner. After that, I think he started making an effort. Caring about people, I mean. He and Nightwing patched things up, at least."

Kori dented the windowsill she was holding onto.

"Ollie," Roy said warily, "who we're talking about is the partner that died."

"He's kind of dead, Roy." Ollie almost laughed.

Roy shrugged. "He got better."

Ollie did laugh at that. "Of course," he said. "You were teaming up with a princess and a zombie."

Roy thought about that for a second. "Pretty much, yeah."

"Well, he's family to you, from what I can see, and you're not some kid I can ground anymore. Just," Ollie paused, clasping Roy's shoulder. "Just don't be a stranger, okay?"

Roy nodded, unsure of what else to do. Kori walked to his side and squeezed his arm; impatience was coming off her in waves. Oliver saw and broke eye contact with Roy to move to the front door and hold it open for them.

After they left, he traced the splintered pieces of the windowsill Kori was standing by, just to make sure they had really been there.