Notes: This is a kind of set up chapter between the previous and the next (the next chapter has all the fun). No one's happy but no one wants to talk (and by 'no one', I mean Jason and Dick).

Part 7 – Taking on Jobs

Jason had plenty of time to think on his way back to the safe house. Roy would need some time to look into Blockbuster's death and there was no way Jason was going to spend that time sitting around doing nothing. He was feeling an itch, a need to go out and do something. Plus, it would probably be better for Dick if he wasn't in a place that kept reminding him of Blockbuster, even if it was only for a while.

Jason threw open the door of the safe house. He had his plan of attack. A quick scan of the main room revealed it to be empty so Jason stormed towards the room Dick had been using.

Dick was lying on the bed when he opened the door, face in his pillow. Jason pulled out a travel bag from the wardrobe and dropped it onto the bed next to Dick's head.

"You have fifteen minutes to pack."

Dick's head turned and Jason got a look at a single blue eye. "What?"

"We're goin' to Metropolis. Luthor's put a job out. Remember?"

Dick sat up and Jason winced at the skin starting to go dark around his nose and eyes. At least the bleeding had stopped.

"You're thinking about taking it?"

"Not just thinking. We're flying out and you're going to use that charm of yours to get us the job."

"You're not worried it's a trap or something?"

"Are you?"

Dick shook his head, wincing a little as the movement caused him pain. "I know Deathstroke wouldn't send us into a trap. He doesn't need to."

"You're still going to keep your eyes out for one, aren't you?" Jason said, already knowing the answer. They had both been trained by the same paranoid bat. Jason wasn't going to relax and neither was Dick. "Fifteen minutes. Pack."

Dick nodded and slowly moved to grab clothes. Fifteen minutes later, he was ready to go.

Jason was nervous about this. They had scouted out the building where Luthor arranged to meet them but something could still go wrong.

"It'll be fine," Dick reminded him, reaching out and pressing against Jason's hand. Jason hadn't noticed that he had been violently tapping his finger against his thigh in impatience. He nodded and took a deep breath. They were on a rooftop so it would be impossible to be cornered, especially with Grayson by his side.

Luthor appeared five minutes before the time they had agreed to meet and he didn't seem surprised to see Red Hood and Renegade waiting.

"Nice to finally meet you," Luthor said smoothly as he held out a hand to Jason. Jason shook it. Luthor looked over at Renegade and Dick nodded his head in greeting. "I heard you had a new guard."

"He works closely with me," Jason informed him.

"Ah. Loyal then?"

Jason snorted in response. "He doesn't need to be. He just needs to do as he's told and remember that I shoot him if he doesn't."

Luthor looked surprised for a moment as he looked between the two costumed criminals standing on the rooftop. Then he grinned thinly.

"And Deathstroke has the opinion that you can't control him."

"Do you have a job for us or not?" Jason questioned. Annoyance laced his words, letting Luthor know that he wasn't in the mood.

"Security," Luthor responded. He pulled out a card with a place and date printed on it. "I'm having a little get-together for some associates of mine. Deathstroke was supposed to attend however, there's been an issue with his apprentice." Luthor let his displeasure show as he said that. A glance at Dick had Jason picking up the hidden threat. 'You better not back out because of your partner,' seemed to hum in the air between them.

"I think you'll find that we're both fully trained professionals," Dick soothingly said as he stepped forward and plucked the card from Luthor's hands. "Are we attending or working at this party?"

Luthor looked surprised for a moment. Jason didn't react at all. "You'll be the internal security. Attend the party like guests and remove anyone who doesn't belong there," Luthor explained.

"Like Superman?" Dick questioned in a joking tone.

"I'm concerned about that reporter woman, Lois Lane from the Daily Planet," Luthor informed them, "if you want to take on Superman, feel free however, I will deny any knowledge of your attendance at my event if you lose."

"I think we can handle one alien playing dress up," Jason said, turning back to nod at Dick. It was time to leave.

Dick nodded back and walked over to the edge of the building. He glanced back at Jason, to make sure he was following, before jumping off the ledge.

Jason grinned as he followed Dick off the edge of the building. They managed to ditch Luthor's eyes around the first block.

No wonder Luthor needed to outsource his security.

The room was a simple stage with chairs placed before it. Jason was confused only for a moment before it clicked.

This was an auction. No wonder Luthor required extra security. It would be damaging to his reputation if someone managed to take off with something without paying.

"Red Hood," Luthor greeted him with a smile. "And Renegade."

Renegade politely bowed his head. Red Hood shook Luthor's hand.

"What do you need us to do?" Jason asked.

Luthor outlined their jobs, which were about what was expected. Until the end, "of course, if Renegade would like to replace the auctioneer, he is welcome to."

"What?" Jason questioned as Dick froze like a deer in the headlights. They had already agreed that Jason would do most of the talking. Luthor seemed to like seeing Red Hood in charge of Renegade. It made sense since Renegade was unknown but Red Hood had made a name for himself.

"Deathstroke informed me that Renegade could work a stage."

"You brought us in as guards," Jason reminded the man.

"Indeed I did. Next time maybe."

"Next time," Jason repeated. He hoped there wouldn't be a next time. He much preferred stealing from guys like Luthor and blowing holes in their plans.

Dick and Jason both noticed the moment Talia Al Ghul walked in. She spotted them as well.

Dick's hand went to the escrima stick holstered at his side. Jason's hand tightened into a fist. Things were complicated with Talia, especially since she was attempting to build a group stronger than her father's League of Assassins without a care for anyone who might get in her way.

"I didn't expect this," Talia commented smoothly. "Red Hood, it has been a while. Who's your new friend?"

"He's Renegade," Jason said shortly.

"Renegade," Talia greeted Dick with a thin smile. "Does Batman know the kind of company you're keeping these days?"

"None of your business," Dick shot back in a growl. "I currently have no association with him."

Jason was not surprised to hear those words out of Dick's mouth. He had already assumed as much because of what Arsenal had said. He didn't know what to make of it.

Talia didn't look convinced but she shrugged and walked away with the final comment of, "see you at the auction boys."

The first part of the auction progressed as expected. Items were brought up and auctioned off and Jason took mental notes of who bought what. For example, some guy calling himself Calculator bought a powerful next-gen processor; obviously stolen from STAR Labs.

When the first part ended, Jason got to work. Those gathered were moved into another room where food and drinks were being served.

Dick appeared at his side moments after Jason took a glass of champagne.

"You know, we're supposed to be working," Dick commented. After a quick pause, he added, "and just how do you plan to drink that anyway?"

The bottom of the hood could be removed for eating and drinking but Jason wasn't going to tell Dick that. Jason was content to let the older man sweat over the conundrum.

"I'm more approachable with a glass in my hand," Jason reminded him. He held out his other hand to Dick. "Did you get the info?"

Dick passed him a piece of paper. "All the auction items for the next session are written down."

"Good," Jason hummed. Now it was time to cause some discontent to around him.