GSOG chapter 38

"Why do you think Ace freaked out like he did when he saw Old Man Kane?" Dick asks. They're sitting in the living room with a platter of cookies. He takes a cookie and starts munching on it. Bruce and Selina sit on the couch opposite him. Wally is beside Dick, though he seems distracted. Alfred had retired for the night, and Melinda is bringing in a tray of milk for the cookies.

"He didn't seem to growl at anyone else." Selina comments. Said pooch is lying beside Bruce on the opposite side of Selina, head resting on Bruce's lap and seemingly sleeping.

"I've heard a lot that animals and young children tend to dislike people who aren't good." Melinda says. "I don't know what he would have done though." She sets the tray down, sitting beside Dick on the other side from Wally.

"I don't know either, but it's rare to find a rich man who doesn't have any skeletons in their closet." Bruce says. "Jacob's always been a little standoffish, "old money" as they say." Dick glances at Wally, noticing he's off in his own little world. He places a hand on his leg, having the red head turn to him. Dick gives him a look of concern and worry.

"It's something Haly mentioned. The Court of Owls was a secret society of Gotham's elite. Rich people, right? Or at least those in high standing? How many of the rich families in Gotham are associated with the Court if it's really old?" Wally mentions. Dick looks at Bruce in concern.

"In Gotham history, there were Five Founding Families, only three remain now, The Waynes, the Cobblepots…" Dick trails off.

"And the Kanes." Bruce finishes.

"You don't think the Kane family could be involved with them, do you…?" Dick asks.

"I don't know, as far as I know, the Waynes never were, but I can't say for sure. I just know that an ancestor of mine, Alan Wayne, feared owls, mostly in his later years, he was found raving mad about them, then he fell into an open manhole and died, but his body wasn't found for several weeks." Bruce explains.

"The Talon said something about having killed Alan Wayne…" Wally comments.

"Jim told me about that, I've been looking into it and I've come up with nothing." Bruce explains. "I've considered having the body exhumed to see if there's any evidence that can be found now that forensics is better than it was almost a hundred years ago."

"To think, you and I both are caught up in this owl business…" Dick shakes his head. "It's ridiculous. What's next, the illuminati?"

"Parliament of Owls." Wally mentions.

"Frick…" Dick mutters. He leans over on Wally's shoulder, resting his head on it. "I hate that I'm overwhelmed by all this…"

"Oh, we're really in trouble now." Wally teases. He rests his head on Dick's head. "It's going to be ok…" He takes the side of Dick's hand. "No matter what, we'll stick together, we'll get through this. You will get through this." Dick lifts his head back up, smiling softly.

"Thanks, babe." Dick says softly, leaning up and kissing Wally's cheek. He rests his head back down on his shoulder. Wally places his head back as well.

-line break-

"Look, about this morning-" William starts.

"You interrupted me, boy." Slade mutters, cutting him off, not looking at him.

"You were touching my kid. You are never to lay a hand on him! I know what you are, and I'll damned if I let you defile him…" William warns. This is when Deathstroke turns to look at him.

"What can you do about it, Billy?" He puts emphasis on William's nickname.

"Talon." William corrects. "And I can destroy your whole life if you lay a hand on him again, do you understand me?"

"I am one of the few who knows how to truly end a Talon, try me." Slade taunts. "We have a deal, don't we?"

"Yes, but that deal doesn't involve you doing unspeakable things to an innocent boy!" William snaps loudly.

"I see… So, you were a victim at one point, weren't you? By whom may I ask? Your father? Nate maybe?"

"You keep his name out of your filthy mouth, or I swear to God you will suffer horrifically…" William mutters. "I will be watching, Slade." He gives the same attitude Slade gave when addressing him earlier. "Remember what I said about making you and your family a granny's pincushion…" His voice is deeper all of a sudden. "Don't test me."

"I'm quaking in my boots." Slade states monotonously as William leaves their little meeting.

-Line break-

The next morning, Wally is walking side by side with Dick in Gotham city. Bruce didn't want them to go, but Dick wanted to show Wally more of the sights that are around Gotham that he wouldn't find in Central. As they walk, Dick hears shouting nearby. He turns, Wally turns when he does. There's a boy running behind them. A store vendor chasing him and grabbing the kid, pinning him to the wall.

"I'll teach ya to steal from my shop!" The vendor snaps. Dick is there almost as quickly as a speedster, grabbing the man's wrist and stopping him from slapping the kid.

"Why don't you back off!" Dick snaps. The boy tries to run again, but Wally stands in his way, making him stop. The vendor pulls his arm free and points at the child.

"He stole from my shop!" The vendor snaps. Dick looks at the kid.

"Did you?" Dick asks. The boy shakes his head. "Turn out your pockets." The boy freezes a moment, but does as told, turning them out, but there's nothing there. "You see, nothing stolen. You must've been confused."

"No! I saw him pocket some apples!" The vendor snaps.

"All this over some apples? Really?" Dick questions.

"That's not all he's stolen! Kid takes cans, other fruit, last week he stole a blanket! Cops never catch him! But this time I got 'im." The Vendor states.

"Well, clearly he doesn't have the apples this time. And clearly you don't know how to read a situation. He's a child, you'd think he'd be stealing games and comics, but no, he's stealing to survive! Have you ever thought about that?!" Dick questions. "No, you wouldn't. You just see a thief and believe the worst." Dick pulls out his wallet, shoving a twenty at the guy's chest. "Here, you greedy fuck. I hope you choke on it." The vendor looks at him, looking about ready to hit him. "I'd rethink what you're about to do. Go back into your store. Now." Dick's glare at the man is terrifying. The man just leaves, going into the store. Dick takes out an apple and tosses it to Wally who smirks as he catches it, then hands another to the kid. "Here. What's your name?" The boy looks at the apple, then looks back up at Dick.

"Why'd you help me?" The boy asks.

"Well, that's a weird name." Dick teases, smiling playfully.

"Dork…" Wally remarks.

"Weirdo." Dick retorts, then looks back at the kid. "My name is Dick, that's my boyfriend Wally." He gestures to said redhead. The boy looks back at Wally, who's already munching on the apple, then looks back at Dick.

"Jason." He says softly.

"Well, Jason. How about some lunch?" Dick offers. Jason curls in a bit.

"I um… I should… my dad is…" Jason trails off, unsure of what to really say.

"My treat. You look like you could do with some real food." Dick states. "We'll go to a buffet, there'll be a whole variety of food there, and it won't be too expensive if it's money you're worried about." He steps closer to Jason, who's probably just a few inches shorter than him. "You're safe, I promise. No one will hurt you." Jason seems to tug on his jacket sleeves, pulling them down, Dick pretends not to notice, though it almost confirms his suspicions. The three start walking down the street, the buffet Dick mentioned isn't really that far from where they were. It's where they were headed before all this happened.

"Are you gonna eat that other apple?" Wally asks.

"What are you, a Shinigami?" Dick questions, smiling playfully at him, Wally playfully glares.

"Shiny what?" Jason asks, brow raising.

"Shinigami, it's a God of Death, and from an Anime called Death Note. I only just got into it and wow is it awesome!" Dick remarks. "It's basically a detective story about a serial killer named Kira and a detective named L, they have to figure out the other's identity and bring them to Justice. I haven't finished it yet, I'm only 15 episodes in, but I highly recommend it. I'm going to see about getting the manga at some point."

"Oh, so you're a nerd, got it." Jason comments. Wally laughs.

"I like this kid!" Wally states.

"I'm more geeky than nerdy."

"Dude, you're a mathlete, doesn't get more nerdy than that." Wally states. Dick sighs in defeat, then grabs the door, opening it for them to go in. "Thanks, Babe!" Wally kisses his cheek and steps in, opening the next door for Jason and Dick this time.

"Thank you, Love." Dick smiles at him, but is too short to really give him a good kiss on the cheek like he did, without making it awkward. They walk up to the front counter. "Table for three."

"Right this way." The Host states and leads them to a table. "Drinks?"

"Dr. Pepper." Dick answers.

"Sierra mist." Wally answers.

"Dr. Pepper." Jason repeats Dick mostly because he doesn't know what else there is.

"Got it, coming up." They write on their pad and then walk away.

"Come on, let's get some food." Dick says, Wally's already disappeared, leaving him and Jason. Jason hesitates a moment, but he does follow Dick to the buffet tables. "So, Jason, what can you tell me about yourself?"

"Um…" Jason trails off, he's not exactly sure what to say. "I… Like to read."

"Oh cool! I do too. What do you read?" Dick asks as he grabs for some food with some tongs. Jason is currently looking at what food looks good.

"Not anything crazy really…" He trails off again. "Promise you won't laugh?"

"I'm a giggle box, but I doubt what you'll say will make me laugh." Dick mentions.

"I… Like plays… Like Shakespeare. I like a lot of old classics like Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Charles Dickens, I like Homer's Epics, Edgar Allen Poe's poems." Seeing his eyes light up as he runs through all the things he likes, it makes Dick smile.

"Those are all really cool choices! Sounds like you're above the average reading level too for your age." Dick mentions.

"My language arts teacher has really been encouraging me and my love of reading. I'm currently reading Machiavelli On the Art of War. I'm wanting to read all the Sherlock Holmes books too."

"That book is basically college level… dude, how old are you?" Dick asks, smiling widely, amazed.

"I'm eleven!" Jason answers, smiling widely himself.

"That is impressive." Dick states.

"At least someone appreciates it. My dad says reading is girly, I should do math and whatever."

"Sounds like a misogynistic piece of work…"

"I think it's because my mom also liked to read. He hates her because she left us after I was born. Apparently I look a lot like her too." Jason states. "Sorry, that's a little bit of a trauma dump. Um…"

"Can I ask you something? It's ok if you don't want to answer." Dick starts. "Does he hurt you?"

"Huh? Uh, no… No… Not… Not at a-all…" Jason answers. He backs up. "Maybe I should go, I… I should… My dad will-" Dick can see the signs of panic and sets the plate aside, grabbing Jason's plate, setting it down. He places his hands on Jason's shoulders gently, but the boy flinches. "Please don't hurt me… I-I'll be good! I promise!"

"Hey… You're ok, Jason. I'm not going to hurt you." Dick says softly. Wally comes over with his plate of food, looking concerned at the two. Jason closes his eyes tight. "I promise I won't hurt you. You're going to be ok." Jason shakes his head.

"No… No, I'm not! If my dad finds out I'm here, he'll-" Jason stops talking, just breathing erratically. Dick messes with his watch before looking at Wally.

"Wally, water." Dick orders. Wally nods and sets his plate down, running off. Dick walks Jason off to the side, having him sit down. "Jay, look at me, ok?" Jason's green eyes meet Dick's blue eyes. "I can help you. I can make it so your dad doesn't hurt you anymore."

"I-It's ok… It's ok. I'm ok. I'm ok!" Jason states.

"You're clearly not." Dick says. "Listen to me, ok? What your dad does isn't ok. No one should ever hurt their kid, ever!" He looks right at Jason's eyes. "We can protect you. We will protect you."

"Jason Peter Todd!" A deep male voice shouts. Jason freezes up immediately, trembling. Dick stands up, looking at the man who's approaching them.

"Jason's not available, would you like to leave a message?" Dick asks, standing guard over the boy.

"Get the fuck out of my way, that's my kid!" The man demands.

"Not after we're through with you." Dick says. He grabs the front of Dick's jacket.

"Are you threatening me, you little bitch!?" The man questions.

"Little bitch, huh? Can't say I'm surprised you can't come up with better insults. You're not well read, right?" Dick asks, smirking. The man hoists him up and pins him harshly to the wall, making him grunt as air escapes his lungs. "Good job, you just made it a lot easier to do this!" Dick kicks at the man's lower extremities and he's dropped immediately as the man pulls back and holds himself. Dick then swings his leg and kicks the man in the head, knocking him down. He then looks at Jason, who's being protected now by Wally. Dick nods his thanks and Wally nods back. "So, why do you do it?" Dick asks. He turns and looks at the man again. "Why do you think it's alright to hurt your kid? Do you need to feel like you're stronger and in control of your own pitiful, criminal life, Willis?" He puts emphasis on his name. The man looks up at him.

"Who are you…?" He questions.

"Dick Grayson. Son of Bruce Wayne, and I have an interest in criminology due to my desire to be a cop one day. I read your file. And wow, you're such a petty criminal. Worst crime is child abuse." Dick taunts. The man tries to get back up, to attack him, but Dick stiffens in preparation. "I'd rethink your actions. Last warning." He doesn't move any further. Soon, the front door opens and people start whispering, seeing Bruce Wayne coming into the buffet.

"Dick! What's going on? Are you hurt?!" Bruce asks. Selina isn't too far behind.

"No, I'm ok. Thankfully this guy isn't much of anything. Willis Todd, a petty criminal who's an abusive parent. Isn't that right, Jason?" Dick asks. Jason looks at Dick, then at his father. Willis glares at him, as if daring him to answer honestly. Dick steps over to Jason, gently taking his hand and rolls up his sleeves to show hand shaped bruises on his arm. Jason's eyes widen and he pulls his arm back in.

"How did you know…?" Jason asks softly.

"I saw them when that vendor had you, your sleeve was up just enough." Dick says. "You can tell what happened. Everything that happens. You can trust us, Jason." Jason looks down, his shoulders start shaking as he fights back tears.

"He hits me a lot…" Jason starts.

"Shut your mouth!" Willis snaps. Jason flinches, which makes Dick glare at the man, warning him to keep his mouth shut.

"He leaves me and my mom alone for days without food," Jason continues, "and she's always high out of her mind because he keeps her hooked on narcotics, so she doesn't leave him like my biological mom left, but he blames me for her leaving me with him and that's why he beats me. He always gets away with it because his mother pays off the crooked police and doctors to get him off the hook!" He clenches his fists. "I try to fight back, but then he beats me worse and my mom does nothing!" He lifts his head, looking at his dad through blurry, water eyes. "Why?! I'm just a kid! What did I ever do to you?!" Willis pushes himself up and Dick moves, standing between him and Jason. Wally turns to shield Jason.

"Dick!" Selina calls in concern.

"You step any closer and you will suffer the consequences, I swear to God…" Dick mutters, glaring the man down. He seemingly starts to back down, but then he backhands Dick to the floor. The moment he does so, he's on the floor, with Bruce's foot on his chest, everything went by so fast!

"Let me tell you what's going to happen, Mr. Todd. Regardless of whether you hurt your kid, you just hurt mine and you're lucky I'm a kind, merciful man or I'd let my girlfriend have you. So here's your deal, you will be arrested, no fight, you will be tried, you will plead guilty to your crimes, and you may just have a light enough sentence that you might just get a pretty little cell in Blackgate." Bruce states darkly. Selina is helping Dick to his feet, checking him over, then hugs him tight. "Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir…" Willis states quietly.

"Good." Bruce states. He keeps his foot in place, but looks at one of the servers, many people are standing around, some are taking pictures. "Excuse me, Miss?" Bruce asks.

"Yes?" She asks softly, a little nervous. Bruce smiles widely to put her at ease.

"Could you cover everyone's bills under my card? I am really sorry for disturbing everyone's meals." He says before taking out his wallet, taking out one of his many cards. He holds it out to her. Police soon arrive and Jim makes the arrest, cuffing the abusive bastard while he reads his rights. "Commissioner, a word before you go, please?"

"Sure, Mr. Wayne." Jim states. He hands Willis Todd over to one of his trusted officers and approaches him. "What can I help you with?"

"Well, the boy over there, Jason, he's informed us that his mother is on drugs and his dad obviously has just been arrested. I was hoping I could be a temporary foster while everything is handled. He'd end up in foster care for the time being, anyway, right?" Bruce asks. Gordon nods his answer. "May as well spend that foster care with someone proven to provide a good home. Under the new Grayson Law, I should be able to do that, right?"

"Yes. I will need to meet you at the station so we can discuss paperwork. How old is the boy?"

"He's eleven." Dick answers.

"What do you say, kid?" Jim asks. Jason looks up at Jim, then looks at Bruce, his kind smile, his gentle eyes… He looks at Dick who smiles hopefully. Jason looks down a moment, thinking.

"What's… going to happen to my mom…?" He asks softly. He looks up at Bruce.

"We'll get her help for her addiction. Help her get sober, help her with a job, somewhere else to live, and once she's deemed stable enough, you can choose whether you want to live with her again." Bruce answers. He holds his hand out. "For now, you're safe with me and my family. We'll take care of you." Wally lets Jason go, letting him up. Jason steps up to him, looking up at him. Jason hesitates, but takes Bruce's hand. Bruce gives it a gentle squeeze, then a gentle shake, placing his other hand over Jason's. "You have my word." Jason smiles a little.

"Plus, we have a library, you can read to your heart's content!" Dick says.

"Question, though. Do you have a favorite color?" Bruce asks.

"Green." Jason answers. Bruce nods, smiling.

"Noted." Bruce states. He turns to Jim. "Who should he ride with?"

"I'll let him ride with you. It's not like I can't find you if you were to steal him." Jim states.

"Fair." Bruce states with a smile. The server comes back with Bruce's card, after having run the entire bill of everyone's meals. He looks through it all, nodding to himself, and then pockets his card, he writes the tip amount and hands it back. She gawks at the large tip, looking up at him. He nods, smiling at her then turns to the others. "Shall we go?" Everyone who's not there for food leaves. Wally grabs a roll off the plate he had and follows after the Wayne family.

Author's Note: Now that Jason's entered the mix, what will happen? I still have the poll up on my profile, I would love for you to vote on it. Pleaaaase!