Two Days Later

Jason was on his deck, enjoying his morning tea. It was the start of October, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Which meant the rapid cooling of the days ahead and anticipation of the first snowfall. Rose had chosen the town for its relatively isolated position and small population. The town boasted a large ski resort that would be inundated with tourists in the winter months and the feel of an old western town in the summer. There were no towering skyscrapers or traveling gangs, adding to the idea of a small, neighborly community.

Rose and Jason had gone back and forth on whether or not to look up north, such as Alaska, for an isolated mansion to call their own. Rose's argument was that Alaska would be more trouble than it's worth. They'd be snowed in for months at a time and would constantly need to do chores and upkeep to keep any house livable. Jason's counter point was they were already natural planners and would quickly find ways to complete chores efficiently while storing needed supplies. It was after driving through the Colorado mountains toward Jump City to visit Kori and the other Titans that the couple fell in love with the small towns and valleys of the state.

From there it was a matter of finding the right house and town to call home. They settled on a 10,000 sqft, rustic mansion slash cabin that overlooked the ski resort up in the mountains of Steamboat Springs. It was just isolated enough to be left alone, but not so far from civilization that food and other necessities would be an issue. It featured an outdoor terrace with a bar, covered outdoor sitting area with a fire pit, and a rock stairway leading to a private hot tub. An outdoor deck wrapped around the side of the second floor for panoramic views of the mountains, and contained a second covered sitting area. Finally, a four car garage that was as close to a small showroom as one could get was attached to the first floor of the house.

The mansion itself was a six bedroom, eight and a half bath mix of the rustic cabin feel outside with modern home techniques inside. The family room had a large vaulted ceiling that could be overlooked by the third floor hallway. The gray stone that made up the fireplace extended from the floor to the ceiling, with enough room for an 88 inch TV and two large bookcases to either side of it. They had decided on a black sectional, coffee table, and blue patterned rug to fill up the space in front of the fireplace. Jason had a kitchen fit for a five star chef directly off the family room and a dining room that reminded him of the manor. He also had his own office/library, with a large oak desk and fully upgraded PC. Rose got her wine cellar, with a hidden doorway in the wall so they could store all their weapons. She affectionately named it the OPs center after decking it out with various computers, monitors, and weapons. They converted the first floor into a combination gym/entertainment area. Divided between the two large areas, which led to the outside terrace. Finally, most of the remaining rooms on the third floor were converted into guest rooms. Besides one room directly off to the right of their master bedroom. That room was a source of fear neither wanted to bring up as it meant unpacking a lot of baggage between the two of them and fully settling down.

Jason finished off the rest of his morning tea in a quick gulp as he meandered his way into the kitchen. He opened their large commercial fridge and began to grab the ingredients for a classic western breakfast skillet. After washing his hands, he began heating the cast iron skillet with a stick of butter. Once the pan was coated he dropped in the sausage and bacon to start to cooking. Turning both meats after a few minutes.

"We now go to Vicki Vale live in the North Atlantic. Where scientists have uncovered new elements that could lead to solving the world's impending energy crisis. Vicki?" The news anchor rattled off on the TV to the right of Jason.

"That's right David. Scientists have uncovered three previously unknown elements that when combined together create a supply of self sustaining energy." Vicki monologues in the background, Jason tuning her out in favor of adding fresh peppers and onions to his pan.

It was half way through crisping up the vegetables that he felt two arms slide around his waist and a lithe figure curl against his back. "Morning Red." Rose cooed.

"Morning Rosey." Jason replied softly as he spun around to capture her lips in a soft kiss.

Breaking off from the kiss, Rose leaned back while emitting a small giggle, "Your hair looks like someone did it up with a leaf blower."

"Probably the result of a good night's rest. Won't you say?" Jason grinned down knowingly.

Rose just smirked and looked over his shoulder at the pan. "How crisp do we want the vegetables?" Jason cursed and spun back around to the pan to keep the vegetables from burning. Rose just sauntered away with a small laugh as she prepared her morning coffee.

"Dad texted. He said they need you for a briefing Friday, and to come fully equipped. Something about meeting Eagle-1." Rose informed Jason. Jason turned to Rose, a slight panic in his eyes mixed with confusion.

"Did it really say Eagle-1?"

Rose merely nodded in confirmation, as a grin grew on her face. "You're in the big leagues now, Knight-01. No time for Ravager-01." She answered with a faux pouting tone and smirk.

About a year into leaving Gotham and getting set up in Colorado, Slade had tracked them down with Waller. They explained they were pioneering a new initiative overseen directly by the President. That's purpose was to function as a special forces group outside the purview of congress. Its members were to be made up of the best men and women the country had to offer. Regardless of military or legal status. Slade was acting as a liaison between the potential recruits and initiative. He would later be a trainer for their agents. He had been given a full pardon and a handsome salary to be apart of the initiative. When Jason asked why not just stick a bomb in their necks and assign them to Task Force X, as it would be cheaper for the country, Waller said that Task Force X wasn't cut out as a long term solution to the country's problems. It was more of a stop gap to assure members of congress that the military had a plan to counter the JLA, besides nuking them.

This initiative would appear to be like a PMC. Utilized by the CIA and NSA for fully deniable missions, but would be completely funded through back doors and blank checks from the government. Its goal was to be the final line of defense against meta-humans and the country's secret weapon to track down enemies of the state for elimination. When asked if they would join, the couple asked how their roles would function and the requirements of the position. They would effectively be likened to consultants. Taking missions as they were offered and being paid an agreed upon sum for each individual mission. It truly wasn't all that different from their mercenary work. The difference was they had DARPA and the full support of the US military for missions, medicine, and R .

Jason and Rose agreed to join the initiative, in exchange for full pardons, Jason's custom suit, assurances of no reprisals in writing should they leave or the initiative be terminated, and flexibility options for themselves as they didn't want to get locked back down into back to back missions. Slade had only given a slight grin, while Waller smirked and said she'd be in touch.

After that, Slade had shown back up a week later, unannounced, with a team of men to install a private zeta tube in the OPs center. Jason and Rose oversaw the installation of the tech while trying to make small talk with Slade. It was easier than expected as they discussed their journey to Colorado and subsequent adjustments to living with one another full time. The entire time Jason could tell he was being judged and weighed by Slade. A slightly terrifying prospect if he didn't know that Rose would probably tear Slade's head off if he killed Jason. As soon as the installation was complete, Slade proclaimed that he'd start Jason's expanded training the following Monday and entered the tube.

When he and Rose had emerged from the OPs center after that, they found they were the proud new owners of a blacked out, 2022 Ford Explorer. As no one had come to collect it after it sat in their driveway for a week. And true to his word, Slade portaled in the following Monday, shared a quick breakfast with the slightly surprised couple, and began Jason's worst year of training ever.

Slade would never tell the kid this, but Jason excelled at everything thrown at him. He was already a highly skilled CQC combatant and expert marksman. But the kid out did himself time and time again. Forcing Slade to adopt new training routines and challenges. All of which would be put to use with the other agents Slade had to train. By the end of his training, Jason was as close to Cassandra's abilities without the bonus of the sight, had Floyd Lawton's aim, and a technical/tactical knowledge that nearly rivaled Tim's and far outclassed Bruce's respectively.

The biggest improvement though was Jason's interactions with fellow agents. The league had discouraged interactions between him and full members, and Bruce's emotional constipation made him the black sheep of the batfamily. Here, the other agents shared his world view and weren't seen as psychopaths. Just ordinary men and women that answered the call. The validation made fighting the Pit so much easier as Jason didn't have the constantly nagging feeling of being crazy due to his opposing views to Bruce's. The Pit also got its bloodlust satisfied with his many missions, thus turning it into a honed knife that Jason wielded with deadly efficiency. It was a small wonder that he rose to be the top agent of "The Nemesis Initiative". Named after a Greek goddess of retribution.

"Knight-01 will always have time for Ravager-01. She's the only league he wants to be in." Jason answered as he cracked open the six eggs he had ready into the skillet.

"That's awful! I think we have to break up now!" Rose laughed as she started setting up the table.

"Damn, I was just starting to like you too. Had baby names and everything." Jason snipped back without thinking. Rose froze across the room and Jason tensed, willing the skillet to finish faster.

"What are they?" Rose asked softly, not looking across at Jason.

"Catherine, Katie, or Rory for a girl. Thaddeus for a boy or Harper for both. How about you?" Jason asked, trying to relax his posture.

It took a few seconds, but eventually Rose responded. "I like Harper. It'd be nice to honor Roy and Lian."

Jason checked that the eggs had begun to thicken, as he added cheese into the mix. He also lowered the heat to not burn them and buy him a few extra minutes. He then turned and walked over to Rose, pulling her hands away from her task of setting up the table.

Gently grasping both of her hands, rubbing calming circles into the top of her hands with his thumbs. Jason looked at her and spoke, "We're just talking names. There's no pressure for anything."

Rose looked up at him, a searching gaze analyzing his face. "Is it bad that I want pressure?" She asked.

"Do you think we're ready?" Jason countered as his mind cycled through his plans for a nursery.

"I don't know. I know I want it, but I'm scared of turning into my parents. Besides, we aren't married yet and that will be its own fisco." Rose answered.

"Rose, I want it too. I promise, I'll never let you turn into your parents if you promise to never let me become my dad." Jason responded and ignored the marriage portion. He had a plan all set up. He was waiting for the first snowfall that stuck to the ground and had a permanent reservation at the 5 star restaurant overlooking the town and its mountains. The ring was in his office desk. Locked in a drawer and then another inner safe. He was going to propose just as the sun hit its low point, but before disappearing behind the mountains. It would bath the private table in a soft yellow light and highlight the picturesque landscape.

"I promise you'll never be your dad. You're already better than either of them ever were." Rose countered while reaching up to deliver a kiss. "I'm not very hungry anymore Jay." She stated slyly as she leaned away from him.

"It tastes better reheated anyway." Jason shot back with a smirk. He quickly picked her up, eliciting a slight yelp then laugh from the assassin. Shutting off the burners and removing the skillet from the heat to cool, as he made his way toward the stairs.

He had a lot to do before meeting the President it would seem.