GSOG chapter 40

It's been a week now since Jason's become part of the family, even if it's temporary. He already feels right at home. Surprisingly, he keeps his room very tidy, Alfred is surprised and impressed, though he suspects it might not last. Jason spends most of his free time in the library, he has been attending school as well, at his usual school, which Bruce drops him off at each morning. Kids have taken notice of the nice, new car the 'neighborhood trash' is rolling up in, but he doesn't mention anything about staying with Bruce because he knows he'll get bullied into getting things for them. He's waiting it out until he can live with his mother again.

But… There comes a call, that Sunday night… February 27, 2011. Bruce asks for Jason to meet him in his study, alone. Jason's a bit nervous, wondering if he's done something wrong. Bruce has Jason sit down on the small couch in his study. He steps over to him and kneels.

"Jason, what I have to say isn't easy." He starts. "And, I'm really sorry, but, seems your mother's passed away this afternoon from a drug overdose." Jason's mouth gaps, and he gasps.

"No…" He says softly, shakily. He bows his head, clenching his jaw tight to keep from crying, but a sob escapes. He brings his hands up, covering his face. "No!" He cries out. Bruce takes a chance and reaches forward, hugging him tight. "Why?! Why doesn't she love me!?"

"I'm sure she loves you so much, but whatever pain she's gone through must've been too much for her." Bruce says.

"I should have stayed with her… I should have been there to help her!" Jason cries out.

"I don't know if it would have mattered… Addiction is really hard to get over, it's basically a disease, and she wasn't able to fight it off. And I'm sorry we couldn't help her." Bruce says softly.

"It's not your fault… she did this to herself… Her and Dad… They both… Dammit!" He curses. Bruce moves so he's able to sit beside Jason, holding him close. "What'm'I gonna do…?"

"I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to insist you stay here, I'll take whatever measures to make it happen, so you always have a home." Bruce says softly.

"Why…? Why are you so willing to help me? I'm no one!" Jason questions.

"You're not no one, you've never been no one." Bruce says. "I want to help because you need it. There's no shame in asking for help. You need love and support, and we can provide that."

"What makes me more special than all the other orphans out there…?"

"I guess it's because you got my attention." Bruce says.

"You have an answer for everything, huh…?" Jason asks, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"Not always, but I try." Bruce admits.

"Can… Can I miss school tomorrow…?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need to get yourself right. I'm just sorry you're going through this. I'm not going to tell you soft half-truths to make you feel better, because I know that isn't what you need to hear right now, but I can tell you this, you will be ok. Dick, Melinda, Alfred, and I are here for you. We'll help you, for however long it takes. I just hope we can earn your trust." Bruce says softly.

"You haven't given me a reason not to yet…" Jason says just as soft in tone. "You sure I won't be a burden staying here…?"

"Definitely not." Bruce states. "You've fit right into this family, like a little puzzle piece. You may be wonky, imperfect, but you fit perfectly." He rubs his arm comfortingly. Jason leans his head onto Bruce's chest, curling in.

"I can't believe she's gone… She's really gone…?" Jason asks.

"Yes… I got a call earlier, just after dinner. We can go in to see if you'd like."

"Maybe at least to say my final goodbyes…" He says softly. He brings his arms up, wrapping them around himself. He curls in more, just crying, lightly sobbing, getting it all out. Bruce takes another chance and pulls Jason onto his lap, cradling him in a big embrace. Jason ends up falling asleep in his arms. Bruce holds him for just a bit longer before standing up, holding him close and carrying him to his room to lay him down. Dick sees from his open bedroom door that Bruce is carrying Jason who is asleep. Dick gets off his bed and runs over, looking at them both.

"What happened?" Dick asks.

"He wore himself out." Bruce answers. "His mother passed away."

"Oh… Oh no…" Dick whispers. He looks at Jason, seeing his tearstained face. Bruce enters Jason's room, because of Isis, all the kids leave their doors open, so Bruce sets Jason down on his bed and covers him up. He places a hand on the side of his head, brushing any hair off his face. Dick gets an idea and runs back to his room, looking at his collection of stuffed animals and brings one over, a little fox, handing it to Bruce to give to Jason. Bruce sets it down beside him. "So, what's going to happen…?"

"Well, I've asked him if he'd like to stay with us, he didn't give a definite answer, but I'm assuming it's a yes. I can file full custody seeing as his father is going to prison, and his grandmother has a criminal background. Only other person might be his biological mother, but she abandoned him many years ago… Her rights were terminated." Bruce explains. Dick nods a bit in understanding, he steps over to the other side of the bed, sitting down and looking at Jason.

"He's got a long road ahead… But we're here for him." Dick says. He looks up at Bruce. "Our little family just keeps growing, huh?" Bruce manages a small smile, nodding. Dick smiles a little bit, then looks back at Jason, taking his hand. "We're here, little brother."

As the days pass, and court dates come, Bruce officially adopting Dick, the adoption of Jason is also brought to the table. Both boys agree and consent to being officially adopted by Bruce Wayne. Both also decide to hyphenate their names, Richard Grayson-Wayne and Jason Todd-Wayne. Officially they're part of the Wayne family. Selina had returned from wherever she went the day prior to be there for her growing family. Both Bruce and her celebrate the verdict by taking the pair out for lunch after the proceedings.

Just a small restaurant that's a little high end, but nothing crazy, but they're about to learn something very important about Jason. And Jason learns something about Dick.

They enter the restaurant, Bruce holding the door open for them, they're easily recognized by the host and they're seated immediately. Bruce sits on the inside of the booth, Selina sits on the outside. Jason sits on the inside, Dick sits on the outside. Their waitress soon comes over.

"Hey, guys!" She greets, recognizing them more as just frequent patrons. "Who's this little guy?" She asks, looking at Jason.

"Uh, Jason." Jason answers, suddenly feeling a bit shy.

"We were just at the courthouse, I've adopted them both." Bruce says.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" She says happily. "Shall I get you started with your usuals?"

"Yes please!" Dick says, smiling widely. "Dr. Pepper, and the parfait minus the kiwi."

"I'll take the Greek salad like usual, with coffee." Bruce says.

"Mozzarella sticks and sweet tea." Selina says. Jason looks at the different appetizers.

"Uh, fruit salad?" Jason says.

"Would you like the traditional or would you like the parfait like Dick gets?"

"Parfait?" Jason asks, not sure what that is exactly, he's heard about it, but never really learned what they are.

"It's a layered salad with yogurt and thin slices of sponge cake." Dick explains to him. "It is delicious!"

"I'll try it like he gets it, with Dr. Pepper." Jason agrees.

"Excellent! I'll get those in to the kitchen. I'll let you have more time to decide what to have for the entrée." She says and walks off with her list, seeing one of her coworkers looking at the group, glaring at Dick Grayson in particular. "What's your problem?" She asks.

"I know that kid. He goes to my school." The waiter says. "He's an obnoxious, pretentious brat who acts like he's better than everyone because his daddy's rich." He explains.

"Dick? He's a sweetheart! I've known him since Mr. Wayne took him in, he's always been kind and generous."

"Don't you know it's all an act? You don't know what he's like in school. Got me suspended then sicked some creepy old man on me."

"Alfred?" She asks, brow raised.

"No, the other one." He says.

"What other- nevermind. Can you get them their drinks while I-" She's cut off when the phone rings. She sighs heavily. "I'll get the phone, you put in the order, ok? Read it carefully, no kiwi in the parfaits."

"Yea, whatever." He says, taking the ticket and bringing it to the register, typing it in as he reads it, but, he gets a devious idea and doesn't add the changes to the parfaits, leaving them as they usually are, thinking he just doesn't like kiwi and is just being a spoiled brat. Oh, how wrong he is…

He sticks the ticket and then grabs the cups for the drinks, pouring the hot coffee, the sweet tea, and the dr. peppers, setting them on a tray. He brings the tray of drinks over and has a plan to spill it, to make a scene at the table and catch Dick of guard, but before he can reach the table, he trips and spills all the drinks onto the floor, right by the table. Dick and Selina get up to help.

"Are you hurt?" Dick asks, he quickly recognizes his bully. "Oh, hey. Strange seeing you here." He still helps the kid up. "Are you ok?" The bully snarls and backs up, away from him.

"I don't need your feigned concern." He snaps quietly. Selina had been helping with the glasses, getting them on the tray when her head snaps over to look at the bully. The bully turns and walks away to find the things needed to clean up the mess. Selina sets the tray of now broken glass on the counter.

"What was his problem?" She asks.

"Jealousy I think." Dick says and he takes his seat. Selina sits back at the table as well. The nice waitress comes back, having seen the scene before them.

"I am so sorry that happened. He's still getting his server legs." She says, setting down their drinks.

"Is he ok?" Dick asks.

"I'm sure he will be. And don't worry, we'll have this mess cleaned up quickly." She says.

"Don't rush on our account, sweetie." Selina says. "Accidents happen." She smiles sweetly. The girl smiles back and takes the tray back to the back. The appetizers are ready, so she quickly brings those along, setting them down for them. They all start eating, talking, enjoying themselves. "Jason, wanna try a mott stick?"

"Sure." He agrees, and Selina hands one over. Jason takes it and smiles at her, eating it. He hums in delight. He's tried so many new foods living with them. Dick takes a few more bites of his parfait, though, gets a strange sensation in his mouth, it tingles, not like when eating pineapple. His brows knit and he stops, looking through it a bit with his spoon. He coughs a little, feeling a little odd in his throat. Meanwhile, Jason is itching the skin under his jacket. He slips it off, looking at what's causing the itching. He sees large red bumps on his skin. He starts itching in more places and he himself has some issue breathing.

"J-Jason?" Dick asks softly. He takes an EpiPen out of his pocket and uncaps it, driving it into Jason's thigh and pressing the release for the epinephrine. "Breathe… easy…" He soon takes it out. Jason looks at him, starting to get some of his breathing back but sees Dick's face is turning color. Selina's gotten up and she grabs Dick. The ground is still wet, but that doesn't matter right now, his throat is closing up. She searches through her purse for another EpiPen. Bruce takes the one he has in his coat out and hands it to her. She takes it, uncaps it and sticks it in his thigh. Bruce is now calling 9-1-1.

"Yes, I need an ambulance, both my sons just had an allergic reaction." Bruce says. "Both have been given epinephrine."

"Is he ok…?" Jason asks softly, looking at him with concern. Dick's breathing is returning, he takes deep, slow breaths. "What happened…?"

"I don't know, he doesn't have many allergies, just latex and kiwi." Selina says while she grabs her coat and places it under Dick's head. Bruce takes his parfait and digs through it, finding the kiwi inside.

"Someone put kiwi in it." Bruce states. "Bailey wouldn't be so careless." His voice deepens slightly. Paramedics quickly show up, just as their waitress, Bailey, is coming out of the back with the cleaning supplies. She sees Dick is lying on the ground with Selina beside him.

"What happened?" Bailey asks.

"Somehow kiwi got into his parfait." Bruce answers her. "Jason had an allergic reaction too."

"Oh god…" She says softly. Paramedics get Dick onto a gurney and help Jason onto one as well, looking over his hives that are starting to swell a bit less. Dick may be worse off, but these hives are horrible, and likely caused some of the swelling in his throat.

"I want my dad…" Jason says softly. "Dad…" Jason calls, reaching for Bruce.

"I'll be right there, Jason." Bruce says. He looks at Bailey. "What happened?"

"I swear I wrote down no kiwi." Bailey says. She walks over to the ticket spike next to the register and brings it over. "I told Drew to input it and to make sure to have the kiwi off while I answered the phone."

"Drew is one of the bullies at Dick's school. It's possible that he didn't do as he was told…"

"Drew!" Bailey shouts. The mean waiter, Drew, steps out from the kitchen, looking fearful. "Did you not input the kiwi like I told you to?!"

"Well, I uh… maybe… I… Didn't know how to do it… So I didn't…" He stammers.

"Bullshit!" She snaps. "I know you know, I trained you on how to do it! I watched you enter it several times! Why now?!"

"Because he's a pretentious stuck up brat!" Drew snaps. "He shouldn't even be at that damn school, he's a circus freak who should have been a street rat!"

"That's enough!" Bruce states, voice deep and booming, making him stop, the teen grows pale immediately. "Your past doesn't define your present, your actions define that, and your actions have proven near fatal to both of my sons. Thankfully, for you, I'll be merciful. You are smart, you wouldn't have gotten into Gotham Academy otherwise. You have so much potential, don't let your jealousy and anger squander it. Your boss will decide your fate here, I will be in touch with your father." With that, Bruce takes out some cash and hands it to Bailey.

"No, go. Dad won't mind taking care of the bill, be with your sons." Bailey says. Bruce looks at her, brows knitting a bit. "Go, please." Bruce nods and he walks toward the exit. Selina had already left to be with her boys. Jason's doing ok for now. Dick is being closely monitored and he isn't too bad all things considered, they don't have to put him on oxygen right now. They're taken to the clinic Bruce chooses to be observed by Dr. Leslie Thompkins. They soon arrive and Leslie orders them to a room, Dick's been given Benadryl already as that's shown to work best for him usually, so he's fallen asleep.

Leslie had gotten access to Jason's medical files and it's found that he had this sort of reaction when he was about three years old, it was to strawberries. He's had some broken bones reported, they didn't seem to be from accidents. He's had several reported scratches, bruises, and concussions, but no one ever did anything about why. It makes her sick that any of her colleagues would have allowed something like this to continue. However, she goes to see him once they arrive. She enters the room, looking at him and smiling, especially as Bruce is beside him. Selina is seeing to Dick since he's currently asleep.

"Hi, Jason, my name is Leslie. I'm the Wayne Family Physician." She says.

"Uh, hi…" Jason says softly, a bit shy. "Is Dick ok?"

"Dick will be fine, we're monitoring him right now." Leslie says. She takes a seat on the edge of his bed. "I read your file, you have an allergy to strawberries?"

"I do?" Jason asks, looking confused.

"Apparently this happened before, when you were really small. It's possible you don't remember it." Leslie mentions. She looks up at Bruce. "Do you know if the parfait came with strawberries?"

"It does." Bruce says. "Had I known he was allergic, I would have mentioned it."

"So, the possibility of being allergic to both kiwi and strawberry is not entirely unlikely, but perhaps we can do an allergy test panel at some point once he's better." Leslie suggests. "For now, I'll prescribe him an antihistamine to take as needed for the hives, and in case of emergencies. He probably should carry an EpiPen as well just in case. You said he was starting to have problems breathing?"

"Yes. Just before Dick gave him his epinephrine." Bruce explains.

"Why did he sacrifice his health for mine…? I wasn't the one dying…" Jason asks, he clenches his fists.

"Knowing what I know of Dick," Bruce starts, "he knew that either me or Selina would have an EpiPen on us because we always carry one for him, just in case he doesn't have his, and he wanted to make sure you were ok first."

"But why…?" Jason questions.

"Jay, you're his little brother. He loves and cares for you." Bruce says. "Like I do." He places a hand on his shoulder.

"But you barely know me…" Jason says softly.

"I know enough that I can determine that you're a good kid with a good heart that just wants to be loved. And you are loved. We adore you, Jason." Bruce assures. "You called me dad earlier. Do you remember?"

"Kind of… I just remember feeling scared." Jason says. "And… you make me feel safe…" Jason curls in. Bruce places a hand on the side of Jason's head.

"I'm glad, kiddo." Bruce says softly.

Over in Dick's clinic room, a man enters. Black hair, very pale skin, blue eyes, but they're clearly contacts. Selina looks at him, startling. She stands up, standing guard.

"Who are you?" She demands.

"William." He says softly. "I'm not here to do anything, I promise. I saw him being taken into an ambulance, I wanted to make sure he was ok."

"You're that owl guy, aren't you?" Selina questions.

"A Talon, yes." He answers. He looks at Dick, seeing he's unconscious. "What happened? Can you tell me?"

"No." She says firmly, glaring at him. "You nearly killed my baby. I'm not telling you anything about him."

"Fair enough. So long as he's alright now." He says, he looks at her, smiling a bit. "He's lucky to have someone so protective and loving in his life. You make a great mother." He speaks quietly. "I saw what Slade had done the other day."

"You threw the knife, right?"

"I did. Very astute of you." William answers. "And I'm glad you got him away. I don't trust Slade in the slightest. My hope in coming here was not only to check on him, but, if you could try to convince him to stay away from Deathstroke… He… is not a good man… I'm not perfect by any means, I have blood on my hands, I won't deny that, but there are some evils that are worse than just being a murderer… Slade is that evil… I see the signs, signs… my grandfather had…" William admits, bowing his head a bit, closing his eyes to repress tears. He takes a deep breath before opening them again. "I won't go into detail. From your body language, I can see you understand." He steps back. "I'll take my leave." With that, he does as he said he would.

Selina waits a moment, keeping her guard up, then, she looks at Dick. He seems so peaceful, relaxed. It sounds true what they say, seeing someone who's asleep makes them seem so much younger. To her, he also seems so vulnerable. She reaches a hand to his head, brushing the hair off his face. Subconsciously, he leans into her touch.

AN: Sorry this is late, I've had a lot going on this past week. But some of my problems will soon be over, thank the gods for that... Anyway, take care!