CHAPTER 23: Part 2 - "Every Villain Is A Hero In Their Mind"

*James, Upper East Side Apartments, Gotham City

"Where were you last night?"

James had been enjoying a plate of eggs and ham for his morning breakfast when the inevitable question was asked by his aunt Jane.

Keeping his eyes on his plate he continued to fill his mouth with food, one because it was quite delicious and the other to avoid the question.

Jane's death stare though would not be denied and swallowing what he had he said, "Out with friends." Before digging back into his breakfast.

"Pshh, you don't have friends."

COUGH COUGH COUGH

James struggled to breathe after that comment, it was so sudden and dry. Mind you true and rude as well, for James it was hilarious.

Cough Cough Cough, "You couldn't wait for me to finish my food could you?" He asked with a glare that was betrayed by the smile on his face.

Jane smiled back, "I raised you to be politer than trying to speak with your mouth so full."

Standing she took her plate and placed it in the kitchen sink. Since the fires wrecked their old apartment, Jane had moved to some apartments in the Upper Eastside. It was more spacious and honestly much nicer than their previous home. A large kitchen with 4 bedrooms and a balcony. Most would see this as a huge leap upward for a family living in apartments near Sprang Bridge and wonder how they could afford it. But despite Penguin's incarceration and his scheduled payments being frozen Jane had saved enough over the years to be covered for many decades. The other added benefit was that it was far away from where the disaster had caused them to lose some precious family members.

Watching her as she cleaned her dishes James wondered how much she knew of what he had been up to. 6 months ago when he had recovered enough to make it back to the mainland and visit Jane had watched him closely and locked him up as it were. It took a whole month before she would let him walk out on his own, which admittedly was helpful for forcing him to recover. During those first few months, he had worked with Freeze on uncovering the secrets of his healing ability and hunting down rumors of Black Mask. The first was an overall failure as seen, and the last had turned up nothing.

And when Freeze needed supplies such as the shipping container mess, James had thought he covered his tracks well from his aunt's eyes. He had used the excuse many times of going to the library to study and take classes for his GED to appease her curiosity these last few months.

Now he was not too sure.

Finishing his food, he walked over to stand by her side and began to help her clean the dishes by wiping the clean but wet plates. For a while, they just stood like that with the water running, the clinking of glasses, and the shuffle of dishes being the only noise.

"I am moving out of Gotham..."

James dropped the plate he was holding into the sink, the clattered startling the both of them. Reaching over he turned off the water and stared at Jane. It was strange, he never remembered being taller than her, but standing next to her 5 ft 6 stature versus his 6 ft height made him realize how long they had been together. Staring at her from the side he could see that beyond her amazing looks she looked tired, hints of wrinkles were beginning to show around her eyes, and the energy he remembered her having when he was younger was diminished. All of which were common symptoms of a hard life in Gotham, and the drain the city would have on people.

Hearing her say what she had said was not a surprise for James. He knew she had wanted to leave for years with the money she had saved. Whether to move to Metropolis to be closer to her son and his family, or her daughter's family which had settled out in the midwest in a small farming community. The only reason she hadn't moved he suspected with both happiness and sadness was because of him.

"When will you move?" he asked quietly.

Reaching over she turned back on the sink faucet and continued washing the dishes.

"I was thinking after you finish your GED this upcoming June, that way I can keep an eye on you." Nudging him lightly as she mentioned keeping an eye on him.

He smiled at that, "I never get into trouble."

Jane rolled her eyes visibly at that, "Right, and every night you have disappeared it hasn't been to interact with the underworld or steal something has it?"

"... I should have known you would know what I was up to."

Splashing some water at him, she gave him a look that indicated, 'You think!'

"It is just..." James paused to consider his words, "It's my fault what happened..."

Jane's head swung to look at him, "What?!?"

"It's my fault... if I hadn't pushed the gangs so hard... if I had been faster or willing to end the fight sooner, I could have been there in time for Sarah... Violet... Crystal."

He didn't remember when she wrapped her arms around him, he could barely feel it as he talked.

"I need to fix my mistakes... I need to help Crystal, I can't help the others but her I can!"

He could feel the sigh that came from Jane, "We have talked about this before James, no one could have expected a reaction like that from Black Mask. You need to stop blaming yourself for the actions of others, you are not a god."

He did not respond to that, in a world full of men who had powers like gods it became harder for the average man to contend with.

Letting him go, Jane said in a very serious tone, "I would like you to come with me, leave Gotham, and... your current occupation."

Silence held for a bit, it was a peaceful silence, one of reflection. But perhaps also one of the inevitable answer to Jane's question.

"But...," she said sadly, "I know you won't."

He merely nodded, no words were needed for what they both knew was true. He would not leave Gotham till he was good and ready.

"Will you go stay with John in Metropolis?" He asked.

That question did perk her up a bit, "Yes, I plan to visit him and the kids. Then I will go to Nicole's ranch in Kansas to visit her and that cowboy of a husband. After that I want to take a few months and travel, I have never seen the world and I think I want to while I am still young."

"I assume Scotland and Ireland will be high on that list," James said with a smirk.

"Of course, I have never before seen the highlands, and I will need to try haggis at least once in my life."

They talked for a little bit longer while they cleaned up from breakfast. Mostly about where she would visit and of kids who would convince her to live near them. So far it seemed the advantage was with Nicole, the quiet town life appealing greatly to her. Though she would greatly miss the various stores she could find in a large city like Metropolis.

It was nice, just talking about mundane life. It was one of the things he truly appreciated about Jane, she had an understanding of him. Sure she did not support what he was up to, more for the dangers of it rather than the morals, but despite her lack of enthusiasm, she did still love him.

Finishing the dishes, he checked the time to see that he needed to get going for the next job he was going to pull. It had been just a few days since he stole some computer components from GC Tech, it was part of a larger job. First the components, then some hard drives, payment to be received after recovery of both items.

As he got ready to leave the kitchen he felt her grab his arm, looking quizically at her she said in a serious tone.

"I will always have my door open for you, and so will Nicole and John." Her eyes brook no arguments from him about that.

"You will visit me and your siblings when you can or so help me even the Justice League won't save you from the ass whooping I will give you!"

Seeing the visible gulp he made she nodded in satisfaction, "Now I need to get going for work and I suspect you also have something planned."

Nodding he grabbed his shoes and a jacket, as he was putting them on he looked over to see the woman who had raised him giving him a sad smile.

In a quiet but sincere voice, he said, "Thanks, Mom."

And then made his way out the door. They both had said what needed to be said at that time.

The direction of his life was not the one he knew she wanted to see him heading to. James years later would wonder if fate was a real thing, it seemed that his life was bound in the direction he was heading since he was a child. Looking back, this seemed to be the pivotal choice that would seal his fate. He would forever wonder what if he had accepted her offer.

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*Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne Manor

"OWWWW MOTHER FU...."

"Master Todd that is no way to react to a few minor bruises."

"THIS SHIT F&*KING HURTS ALFRED!"

"That may be so but your language is leaving much to be desired for a young man of your standing."

"HOW ABOUT I TAKE THAT LANGUAGE AND STICK IT UP YOUR OWWWWW!"

"There we are all done," Alfred said with satisfaction.

Picking up the first aid kit he stood up and began cleaning the coffee table that he had used as his makeshift medical table. They were located in one of the many wings of the house, with furniture and decoration that would not look out of place at Windsor palace. Save for the current 'patient' Alfred was treating.

Appraising the battered Jason he mused his appreciation of Master Wayne's stoicism when replacing bandages on wounds. He was much more quiet and profoundly less crude than the most recent addition to their family. Still, though, it did feel him with some nostalgia for his younger years when he served in the SAS and later briefly in Special Services, his colleagues after all hadn't been quite choir boys.

Jason finishing his curses reached up to scratch the bandages only to get a sharp rap on his hand from Alfred and his broom which he swore appeared out of thin air.

"Keep touching those wounds and they will scar or worse get infected." He lightly scolded his young charge.

"Beyond amusing me with the opportunity to say I told you so, it will also delay your ability to go back to school and patrol."

"Who gives a f&*k about school?" Jason snarled as he now rubbed his stinging hand.

Alfred who finished gathering up his stuff, began to walk out, "Consider young Todd that Master Wayne prefers partners who can at least count to 10."

He could practically feel the glowering look Jason was giving him as he walked away. The truth was Alfred had begun to lose a little patience with the crude and ill manner of the new Robin that Bruce had brought in to replace Dick. Then again, the young Grayson had not exactly been a pleasant guest at first, he probably just needed more time to get situated.

Now Miss Gordon had been a lovely addition to the mansion. Polite, tough, and very intelligent, she would have done well in Alfred's previous occupations. It also helped when she first came to the manor she insisted on helping the old butler clean the dishes after dinner. He was after all, not above some light bribery to win his approval.

Walking down he came to one of the secondary kitchens of the Mansion and walked in to both clean his medical kit and throw away the old bandages.

"How's Jason?"

The sudden voice startled Alfred so badly that he ended up dropping everything in his hands. His bag, old bandages, and some of his tools tumbled onto the floor, pausing a moment to collect himself he gave the voice a very annoyed look.

In his clipped British tone, he said, "Must you continue to sneak up on me Master Wayne?"

Bruce Wayne was leaning against the wall near the door hiding him from the view of anyone entering the kitchen. Despite the facade of years of training and being Gotham's Knight, Alfred could still see the smirking kid who used to steal sweets when he wasn't looking.

"I will stop when you refer to me as Bruce on a regular basis," Bruce said with a small smile.

Alfred merely huffed and knelt down to pick up all the mess he had dropped. Bruce soon joined him, tossing the trash and putting the tools in the sink.

"Young Todd is doing well if he stops itching his bandages. I suspect he will be back up and ready for civilian life and patrols in a few days."

"Mmmmm," Bruce said as he stood up from helping Alfred clean.

Alfred then proceeded to wash his tools in the sink, "Have you found the robber that attack him?"

Bruce walked over and stood next to Alfred, offering a hand, he began to dry out the tools.

"No, and Jason's description has me very worried... the robber had abilities, Alfred."

Appraising him, Alfred said, "Not too unusual in this day and age."

"No, but the description is. Telekinesis and concussive blasts, with some experience in hand-to-hand combat. Not only that but based on the conversation had, he knew Dick. Or at least knew Jason is not the first Robin."

Alfred stopped washing, "I am not wrong to assume these coincidences are far too poignant not to be who you are thinking it is?"

Bruce nodded, "The Hound."

Turning around to lean against the sink Alfred said, "But all evidence suggested he was killed?"

"Nobody, and it was only in large part because the injuries seen were so severe that any thought of surviving a 200-foot fall was impossible. Never mind, the fall alone would kill a perfectly healthy person, to begin with," Bruce said, frustration evident in his voice.

"To make it worse," Bruce continued, "The computer parts stolen are incomplete. It makes no sense to steal what he did."

"Perhaps for money? Sell the parts on the street?" Alfred suggested.

"No, unless you know what you are doing those parts are really only good for scrap. And those who know what they are doing would have been smart enough to make their own. Plus, with his abilities, there are much easier ways and more profitable ways of making money."

Sighing, Bruce said, "I am missing some pieces to this puzzle, and until I figure it out I won't be able to..."

"Track down the young man you think this is," Alfred said gently.

He put a hand on Bruce's shoulder to comfort him, "There is another possibility that this is a completely different meta, or that the thief grabbed just whatever was close. Maybe Jason did not see or hear exactly what actually occurred. Sometimes the simplest of answers are the most likely."

"You don't really believe that do you, Alfred?" Bruce asked.

Alfred smiled, "No, but I hoped even if for a moment it made you feel better."

The two stood there silently, the faucet running being the only noise in the kitchen.

"Thank you, Alfred."

"Of course Bruce."

After finishing the cleaning they both prepared to leave the kitchen to go their respective ways when Jason came rushing into the kitchen. The bandages he was wearing hid much of his face, but his panic eyes were plain to see.

"Turn on the TV... the news... now!" He said out of breath.

Bruce merely raised an eyebrow and Alfred grabbed a remote and turned on the TV in the kitchen. Flipping the channels for a moment he finally reach one of the local news channels, immediately he could see why Jason had rushed in.

"... the recent incident has left police reeling," A reporter stood in front of what appeared to be a Wayne Industries building. The bright noonday sun was distorted with sirens and lights filling the background with officers swarming the area. On the edges of the camera frame, you could see other reporters, camera flashings, and even hear the muffled voices as they also stated the situation.

The poor attempt to keep the excitement from the reporter's tone at the scoop was a little distracting but the words stilled the three of them in the kitchen.

"It has been confirmed that here at the Wayne Industries main offices, a break-in has occurred resulting in over a dozen injured and possibly one police officer killed at the scene."

Alfred glanced at his two charges to gauge their reactions. Jason looked anxious, concern in his eyes and confused, Bruce however had a different reaction. His eyes had narrowed with focus, his jaw tightened, and he was looking over every detail available on the screen. While the reporter talked he had gotten out his cellphone, not the one he used as Bruce Wayne, no this was the device Batman used to access the BatComputer, the GCPD database, and a few private military satellites. Right now this was not Bruce Wayne, he didn't even need the cowl. Anyone at that moment would recognize the Dark Knight.

"Officials have yet to comment, but eyewitness reports state at 11:55 am during the lunch hour that a hooded figure broke into the offices using some form of meta abilities. During the break-in, several security guards and workers were injured, and a few have been sent to GC Central Hospital for critical care. It is also been reported but yet confirmed that one GCPD officer while on patrol was killed while trying to stop the suspect..."

The reporter paused and touched his ear where his earpiece was, something was being relayed to him.

Nodding the reporter said, "It has been confirmed that a GCPD Officer has been killed in the line of duty. The officer's name was Benjamin Montoya, officer Montoya is survived by his 2 children and sister another GCPD officer..."