Jason had re-entered the common room after his shower and noticed that everyone seemed to have cleared out. The only one was Babs in her chair, plucking away at a keyboard. Probably monitoring the situation out on the streets. Jason elected to continue his work on the tablet he had been reviewing earlier, and settled into the center chair at the table.
He was reviewing the market rate for all his apartment buildings across Gotham, setting up a deed transfer, and listing the various assets he was going to give the team. He was also trying to figure out the logistics of moving all his equipment, furniture, and tech into secure storage. That part was surprisingly easy. All he had to do was quickly call and ask Kori if she could get Raven to teleport all his stuff into several shipping containers he had bought across the country. The containers had been a paranoia driven endeavor after Bruce slit his throat open, but he knew supply caches were always useful and they would be too much of a hassle to sell.
Raven had readily agreed. In so long as she got four dozen of her chosen cookies a month for one year after he settled down. Jason was convinced he could probably bribe anyone with Alfred's recipes. So, Jason told her he'd let her know when he was ready to move a safehouse and have her over to oversee the move.
In the meantime, he sent Rose ahead to start packing up their favorite safehouse and researching where she wanted to live. He had a running bet in his head that it would probably be in some remote area of the US, probably by a mountain, and would entail a large isolated house. He and Rose weren't exactly people persons and they enjoyed being isolated together over any other activity. He found himself far more drawn to the idea than he thought he'd be.
He was interrupted in his task as he noticed a shadow slide into the chair across from him. Cass had arrived silently as she always did, but she seemed to have a large smirk on her face.
"I'm glad I'm awake too, Cass." Jason supplied as he resumed his transfer of assets. He was met with a light "Hm" in response. Before he could start to unravel that distinct lack of response, he heard bickering emanating from the hallway that could only indicate the return of Dick and Steph.
"Sixteen donuts, are you trying to starve us out!"
"That's two for everyone and will make us a bit healthier. Plus, we haven't been eating super well since this whole thing started and I don't want anyone to fall out of shape."
"We run across rooftops, punching people in the face, while covered in Kevlar. How are we supposed to fall out of shape?! Also, sixteen. Why not get two dozen? It cost us more to get less!" Steph screeched as she entered the room carrying two trays of coffee.
Steph set the coffee down with a scowl as she looked up to resume her tirade. Dick carefully set two boxes of donuts next to the coffee. Hmm… his last week in Gotham and he was about to witness a murder. One not caused by him surprisingly. He'll call that progress.
Deciding that he'd continue his long, drawn out torture of the batfamily. Jason helpfully asked, "How many donuts did you get?"
As he finished formatting his spreadsheet and sharing it with the other tablets on the table. Dick glared at him, while Steph was standing, arms crossed, trying to turn Dick into a pile of ash. But, before that inevitable bloodshed could begin, the rest of the horde filed in.
They quickly grabbed whatever donuts they could get their hands on as they situated themselves around the table. Tim, Steph, and Duke to Jason's left and Barbara, Dick, and Damian to his right. Cass was still smirking across from him and he swore he saw the gears in her head turning with some unspoken knowledge. Jason's thoughts were interrupted again when Tim loudly slammed the tablet he had grabbed on the table. He was looking at Jason, analyzing every movement he made, as if it would hold the key to some new puzzle Jason had given him.
"You're fine." Tim spoke as a statement and reassurance to some unfound danger.
"I am, and this has nothing to do with the past week." Jason responded coolly. Trying to head off any sort of argument that the past week wasn't indicative of the last few years. Truthfully, he should have done this years ago. He didn't have a reason then. As he was a ghost inhabiting the name of some dead kid, and thought he could make use of whatever time he had been gifted to make Crime Alley better. But, every step forward was two steps back. Especially after deciding to forgo killing to try and be part of the family. The only thing the last week had shown him was that he had unconsciously chosen what he loved more than the dysfunctional mess in front of him. He didn't hate them, and he loved every second he had around them. But it seemed every compromise was from him. Every decision questioned or attacked with little background of the facts. Further, they represented a danger that Bruce would find some invisible line that Jason had crossed and he would be launched into Arkham again. He was tired of living with the guillotine hovering over his neck.
"Those are the current market rates of my buildings across the city. I'll be relocating my stuff out of them within the week and I'm offering most of them at 15% below market. Wayne industries would have cheap, semi functional buildings to begin a new housing project. Repair and maintenance should be minimal to get them back in working order. It's a good deal if the project can be maintained long term." Jason spoke. This prompted the others around the table to scramble and review the contents of the tablets. Steph quickly stole Tim's and immediately blanched at the assets next to her name. More so the market rate and cost to her.
"I can't take this." Steph said trembling. Her skin had lost all its color.
"You can and you will." Jason returned firmly, yet kindly.
He had given her his penthouse near her campus. It was in a safe part of town and would be an excellent first apartment for the med student when she began her internships. He hadn't told her, but he also included an SUV, the furniture, and all her medical books for her next semester. He had already cancelled her order without her knowing. He may have also paid off her student debt up to now. She could handle the senior year on her own. It would give her incentive to find work and start helping people.
Duke was wide eyed at the list before him. He'd been given an apartment just outside Crime Alley, with instructions that the surprise in the garage was for him and Steph. They could figure out which belonged to who. But that wasn't what surprised him the most. "The Elaine/Gnomon Fund". Meant to fund treatment for victims of Gotham's rogues. He was trying so hard to keep from breaking down.
Cass had gently pried the tablet away from Steph and froze at the item listed on her tab. "Cassandra's House of Ballet and the Gifted". The description explained that the ballet classes would be used to fund speech therapy for Gotham's inhabitants. There was an address, bank account, and potential staff listing all contained within. She could only stare across the room at Jason. She was overjoyed at the gift he was giving, but felt a sharp stab of fear of what these gifts meant.
Damian meanwhile had opened his tablet and was reading his tab. It was a plot of land outside of Gotham with blueprints and recommended builders listed next to it. It took him a few seconds to recognize that the blueprints were for a shelter meant to hold stray cats, dogs, and of all things birds. The shelter would only inhabit part of the sprawling acres of land, as the rest would be considered an outdoor play area for the dogs. Another large indoor area of the blueprints indicated an inside play area. It was split into separate large rooms to allow the cats a chance to roam, and the dogs an inside retreat. Finally, individual and large aviaries completed the shelter. There were also recommended full time employees listed, with accompanying backgrounds and resumes. Also included was an expense listing that broke down his available funds. This gift had only one condition, which was to prioritize volunteer initiatives for the local orphanages and Crime Alley residents.
Damian tried to maintain his calm facade as the tablet began to shake in his hands. He could only pray that Todd got to his request quickly. This was too much.
Dick and Barbara had their tab combined. Dick's had a listing of instructors and an address of a gym. It featured interior shots of the gym and concept art of the renovation that would be completed to turn the aging gym into a tumbling and trampoline center. It had a few suggested programs. The one that caught his eye and caused him to begin breaking down was titled "The Flying Grayson's course". A listing of his and his family's acrobatics broken down by skill level for children up to serious performers.
Barbara wasn't much better as Jason had donated a large sum of money to the library she used to work at. On the condition it be used to complete an expansion and renovation. One part of the renovation was named Lian and Jason's corner. It was placed directly in the corner of the library that Jason would hide away in when he came to visit as a child. The expansion was for a tutoring program that would be used by the local orphanages to help children catch up to their peers and try to give them the best chance at a college education. The library would be renamed to the "Gordon Library" in honor of her and her father's dedication to the city at all levels. Jason was giving children the same opportunity he had so desperately needed when he was a child, and at the same time paying all the work she did with him forward.
"What is this?" Tim asked as he continued to stare down Jason.
"For you, this is a collection of your parent's archaeological discoveries and related pieces that will be travelling the country titled "The Drake's Exhibit of Discovery". The other properties are going to be bought by Wayne Industries, or you, to fund what I'm calling my new life fund. I'm spending the rest of this week with Rose and packing my gear into storage." Jason responded unwaveringly.
"I want out. I talked with Rose and we have decided to try something new. This is me liquidating unneeded assets, while doing something worthwhile with them besides lining my pockets. It's also my tribute to you all for the time we spent together. I'm leaving Gotham. As I finally got my head on straight and I can't be around you or this city as it triggers too many conflicting emotions. I guess it will also buy your silence. I will not have Bruce coming anywhere near Rose, nor what we decide to do with our lives. I love you all, but that's not enough anymore." Jason spoke clearly and decisively.
The entire table burst into a series of pleas and exclamations.
"We've been getting better. Don't let this week dictate your path going forward!"
"Jason, this is too much. I couldn't ever hope to pay you back or even measure up to this!"
"Crime Alley is your turf! I don't think I can measure up or be taken half as seriously! My colors will have them calling me the Bumbling Bumble Bee within a week!"
"It was enough when we worked to become brothers after the tower!"
"Todd, we can discuss these plans after we have dealt with father, and can sit down to a civil discussion all together."
"You don't have to burn this bridge. Especially, since we all still want you here."
The only one who hadn't said anything during this pandemonium was staring across at him. Her eyes indicated she already knew the outcome and hated being able to see it. "Is this what you want?" Cass spoke softly after everyone else had quieted down.
"I think it's what I need, Cass. I've been nothing but a ghost since I came back. It's had a lot of advantages, but the major downside is I don't exist. I want to exist….. I have a reason to exist." Jason said. He was never this open, it was worth it. If it meant he left this room with a chance at living again.
"I like her. She's good for you, and you for her." Cass said earnestly. Jason just smiled in response.
Cass then tapped the check box at the bottom of the tab and added her signature. The rest of the table just stared at Jason.
"Jason, I don't need this. I can't accept it." Steph strangled out brokenly.
"It's not about need Blondie. It's about giving you the best opportunity to outdo the rest of us. It's not charity. It's an investment in your future. I only make worthwhile investments, and you are at the top of my portfolio." Jason responded in his level tone. Stephanie couldn't speak, his faith in her was just too much. She tapped and signed the tab, knowing that he just gave someone so much like him the life he wanted before Ethiopia.
"The Bumbling, Bouncing, Bee of Crime Alley. It has a nice ring to it. But I think you'll find the locals respect locals. You and Steph will do great. You know you have a great life ahead of you. Make sure you keep Steph on that track too." Jason said while meeting Duke's panicked look.
"It's just a job, and shouldn't be worth everything else." With that Duke quickly signed, fearing the oncoming breakdown.
"Todd, I have no need for such a project or building. You shall postpone all your machinations and wait till we have returned father to normal and discussed these plans as a group." Damian spoke, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation.
"It's not for you. It's for the kids of Crime Alley. The stray dogs, cats, and birds that need a home, and the families that haven't met their furry or feathered family member." Damian didn't have an argument against that. He turned to Dick in silent question of what he should do. Dick offered him a tight smile and nodded. He signed a second later.
Dick swallowed the lump in his throat, "Jaybird…"
"It was supposed to be a wedding present. I couldn't get the gym's paperwork done in time." Jason shrugged. "I've finally started looking for what you two found a long time ago. Sign the tab." Dick turned to look at Barbara, but was met with the tablet being passed to him. Her signature was already filled out. His shortly followed.
"I'm not signing. I worked too hard to bring you back into this family." Tim said as his lower lip trembled slightly. He knew that Jason did love them. But the last few years with Bruce had toppled that house of cards three times now. Jason didn't deserve to have to pick up the pieces again.
"Tim, this is the best outcome. I get out of Gotham and start something new. Bruce gets his throne and control he's been seeking since being 8 years old, and you and everyone won't have to worry or deal with issues between me and him anymore." Jason said as a sad smile adorned his face.
"That's not what I want! You and I both know this is the end. You're going to disappear into the world after this and the next time I see you, if ever, will be your funeral. I don't want to lose my brother because Bruce is unable to say he loves you and doesn't need to control you." Tim strangled out.
"Tim, I don't know what will happen tomorrow, next week, or in a year. But I know whatever it'll be, I'll be happier away from here. I owe you something I couldn't ever hope to pay back, but I'm not going through another situation where I'm left to pick up the pieces as Bruce fucks off into the horizon. Sign the tab Tim."
Tim attempted to plaster on a blank expression, but was undone by the tears running down his cheeks. He then turned and took a deep breath. With that the final tab was signed and Jason pressed the print icon. A series of contracts erupted from the printer across the room.
Jason strode over and collected his physical version of the contracts. He had a backup on a flash drive in his pocket, but he always enjoyed the security of paper. "I'm going to pick up my pack and head out. I'll be here the rest of the week. Good luck with Bruce, and thank you for giving me this." Jason said somberly.
He left the common room, and grabbed his pack. Quickly stowing away the contracts, he slung the pack over his right shoulder and started toward the exit. He was intercepted about five yards from the door by a head of blonde hair, sobbing into his side as Steph hugged him as tight as she could. He returned the hug just as tightly. Eventually, he pried her head from his side and looked her in the eyes.
"You have nothing to live up to. You already do. I'm so proud and happy for you Steph." Jason said as he gently broke the hug.
Steph, nodded and said, "Thank you for being the big brother I didn't know I needed."
"I'm a phone call away Blondie. Just let me know what you need, even if it's just to vent." With that and a small smile, Jason opened the door to the blinding sun and a new tomorrow.