When the Past Bites Back

Jason and Maggie walked out of the movie theater, still caught up in the excitement of the film they'd just seen. Maggie laughed, shaking her head.

"I still can't believe they went with *that* ending. I mean, seriously?"

Jason grinned, shrugging. "Yeah, but come on, the action scenes made up for it. That fight sequence was awesome."

"Maybe," Maggie teased, nudging him playfully. "But you're just biased."

Jason laughed, about to respond, when a group of people appeared on the sidewalk ahead of them, blocking their path. They wore purple and black colors indicating they are part of the No Mans gang, their faces tough and familiar with the hardened edges of Gotham's streets. Jason's expression shifted instantly, his posture tense as he instinctively stepped in front of Maggie. The leader of the group narrowed his eyes, his gaze locking on Jason. After a moment, a slow, mocking grin spread across his face.

"Well, well… if it isn't little Jason Todd. Haven't seen you since you were running around the Narrows."

The gang members closed in, forming a tight circle around them, Maggie's gaze darted between Jason and the leader, her instincts on high alert. She glanced up at Jason, whispering just loud enough for him to hear.

"Who is this guy?"

Before Jason could answer, the leader chuckled, a smug grin spreading across his face.

"Name's Chase," he said, his tone laced with mock hurt.

"Can't believe Jason here never mentioned me. We used to run together back in the Narrows. Man, did we tear up the streets. Right, Jay?"

Maggie's eyes darted between Chase and Jason, her brows knitting in confusion.

"What is he talking about, Jason?"

Chase laughed, clearly enjoying the tension.

"You really don't know, do you, sweetie?" He shot Maggie a smirk before focusing back on Jason.

"Jay here was one of the best. If you wanted something off a car—any car—Jay was the guy to get it. We had a pretty good thing going, till he got picked up."

Chase took a step closer, his expression darkening slightly.

"Tell me, Jay, why is it that when you got picked up, you didn't come back? You just leave your old crew behind like that?"

Jason clenched his fists, his gaze hardening as he met Chase's stare.

"I found a way out, and I took it."

Chase's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. "See, Jay," he replied, his tone darkening, "no one leaves the crew. You don't just walk away and pretend like we don't exist. You owe us, and you know it."

The gang members around them shifted, closing in a little tighter, tension crackling in the air. Chase's smirk returned, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint as he looked between Maggie and Jason.

"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Easy would be you let us have… what's your name, sweetheart?"

Before Maggie could respond, Jason quickly stepped in, his voice sharp. "Don't," he said firmly, keeping his gaze locked on her.

Chase chuckled, clearly enjoying the control he felt he had. "Or the hard way," he continued, his voice turning cold. "Me and my crew kick your asses right here, right now. What's it gonna be, Jay?"

Jason's jaw clenched, his fists tightening as he assessed their options, tension hanging heavy in the air. Jason leaned in close to Maggie, his voice barely a whisper.

"Run...Now."

Maggie gave a small nod, her instincts kicking in as she turned to slip through a gap in the circle. But before she could get far, one of the gang members shoved her roughly back, blocking her escape and forcing her back toward Jason. Another member stepped in behind her, closing off any route out, trapping her firmly in the center beside him. Chase laughed, his smug grin widening.

"Guess the hard way it is," he said, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he dropped his hand, signaling the attack.

The gang members closed in, advancing on Jason and Maggie with menacing expressions. Jason braced himself, positioning Maggie behind him as he clenched his fists, his mind racing through every move he'd learned from his training. Maggie tensed, instinctively dropping into a defensive stance, ready to fight alongside him. Chase smirked, watching with amusement. As the gang members surged forward, a wave of hostility and raw aggression, Jason and Maggie barely had a moment to assess their attackers. Some charged in with fists raised, while others wielded chains, bats, and even a few gleaming knives that caught the dim streetlight. The odds were overwhelming—twenty against two—but neither of them backed down. Jason blocked the first punch thrown his way, delivering a quick counterattack with a sharp jab to the attacker's jaw. He ducked as a chain whipped past him, narrowly missing his head, and retaliated with a powerful kick, sending one gang member stumbling backward. Maggie, right beside him, dodged a swing from a bat and responded with a quick elbow to her attacker's ribs, following up with a knee to the stomach. Another gang member lunged at her with a knife, but she sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting it just enough to disarm him, tossing the knife aside. Amid the chaos, Jason ducked under another swing from a chain and turned to Maggie, his expression serious.

"Listen—if you see an opening, take it and get out of here. You need to call for help."

Maggie hesitated, glancing around at the gang members closing in. "Jason, I can't just leave you. Without me, they'll—"

"—have the upper hand," Jason interrupted, giving her a steady look as he blocked another punch.

"I know. But we don't have a choice. We need backup, and I can hold them off long enough if you can just get away."

Maggie swallowed hard, torn between her instincts to stay and help him and the undeniable logic of his plan. She glanced around, looking for any sign of an opening. Jason gripped her shoulder briefly, his voice low but firm.

"I'll be fine. Just go when you can."

Finally, Maggie nodded, reluctantly agreeing. Maggie spotted a narrow gap between two gang members who had momentarily turned their focus to Jason. Without hesitation, she slipped through, moving swiftly and quietly until she was clear of the immediate chaos. She ducked behind a parked car, pulling out her phone, her hands shaking slightly as she dialed her father's number.

"Dad," she whispered urgently, trying to keep her voice low. "We're in trouble. Jason and I—there's a gang—"

Before she could finish, a rough hand grabbed her shoulder, and she whipped around just in time to see one of the gang members standing over her, his expression twisted in anger. He slapped the phone from her hand, the device skidding across the pavement, and stomped on it, crushing it under his boot.

"Where do you think you're going?" he sneered, grabbing her arm tightly. "We're not done with you yet."

Maggie took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of strength and focus she had. She twisted sharply, breaking free of the gang member's grip, and delivered a powerful knee to his stomach, causing him to double over. She followed up with a swift elbow to his temple, knocking him out cold. He dropped to the ground, and she didn't waste a second. Her eyes darted around, landing on a bat lying discarded on the pavement. She grabbed it, gripping it tightly, and turned back toward the fight. What she saw made her stomach twist—Jason was on the ground, surrounded by gang members, some kicking and others swinging down at him with fists and chains. It was exactly what she'd feared, and a surge of determination flared up inside her. Without hesitation, she charged toward them, raising the bat. She swung it with a fierce, fluid style, instinctively channeling the moves she'd seen in videos of Harley Quinn use so many times before. The bat connected with a sickening crack against the first gang member's shoulder, sending him stumbling back. Maggie didn't stop—she kept swinging, each strike precise and full of force, driving back one attacker after another. The gang members turned in shock, not expecting such an intense counterattack. Maggie's strikes were relentless, the bat whirling in her hands as she took down anyone who dared get too close. Her eyes were fierce, her movements a blur of controlled rage and focus as she fought to reach Jason's side. Finally, she cleared enough of the gang members to drop down beside him, gripping his arm.

"Jason," she said breathlessly, her eyes scanning his bruised face. "Come on, get up."

Jason blinked, a hint of a smile through his pain. "Nice moves," he muttered, pushing himself up with her help.

As Maggie crouched down, her arm wrapped around Jason's to help him up, she felt a sudden, sharp jolt of electricity course through her back. Her muscles seized, her vision blurring as she cried out and collapsed to the ground beside Jason. She gasped for breath, barely able to move as she fought against the lingering effects of the taser shot. Through the haze of pain, she managed to turn her head slightly, catching sight of Chase standing over her, the taser gun still aimed in her direction, a smug grin on his face.

"Told you, Jay," Chase sneered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "No one walks away. And now, I think it's time you two learned a little lesson."

But before Chase could take another step, a dark, imposing shadow loomed over him, followed by a quiet, controlled voice that cut through the tension like a blade.

"That's enough."

Chase froze, his face paling as he looked up and found himself face-to-face with Batman, his cape billowing as he stood between the gang members and Maggie and Jason. And beside him, equally fierce and ready, was Batgirl, her stance steady, her eyes locked on the attackers. The gang members hesitated, backing away instinctively as Batman and Batgirl stepped forward, their presence filling the alley with an undeniable sense of authority and power. Chase's smugness faded, replaced by a nervous tension as he realized he was no longer in control. Batman's gaze shifted briefly to Maggie and Jason, a flash of concern in his eyes, before he focused back on Chase. Batman and Batgirl advanced, Chase's bravado vanished, replaced by a flash of fear. He took a quick step back, his eyes darting between the two caped figures who now stood between him and Maggie and Jason. Realizing the severity of his mistake, he gave a quick, frantic signal to his crew.

"Let's get out of here!" Chase barked, his voice tight with panic.

Without a second thought, the gang members turned and scattered, sprinting down the alley and disappearing into the night, their earlier confidence replaced by sheer terror. They knew better than to try their luck against Batman and Batgirl; facing Gotham's protectors was a surefire way to lose. As the last of them disappeared into the shadows, Batman knelt beside Maggie and Jason, his voice low and steady.

"Are you both alright?"

Maggie nodded weakly, the effects of the taser still lingering but fading. Jason grunted as he pushed himself up, managing a small smile despite his bruises.

"Yeah…perfect timing."

Batgirl gave them a reassuring nod. "Let's get you both home."

With Jason patched up as best as Alfred could manage for the night, Maggie slid an arm under his shoulder, carefully supporting him as they made their way up the stairs. Each step was slow, Jason wincing as he moved, his bruised ribs and battered body protesting, but he couldn't help giving her a small, grateful smile.

"You know you don't have to do this," he murmured, though there was a warmth in his voice that betrayed his relief.

Maggie rolled her eyes, giving him a playful nudge.

"Don't even think about it. I'm your girl—I'm not letting you crawl up these stairs alone."

They shared a quiet laugh as they reached his room, the unspoken comfort between them soothing after the chaos of the night. Maggie helped him sit on the edge of his bed, guiding him down gently. Once he was settled, she brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead, her eyes softening.

"Thanks," he whispered, his voice filled with more than just gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Maggie smiled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to his cheek.

"Good thing you don't have to find out. Now get some rest, okay?"

As she pulled a blanket over him, Jason caught her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His gaze met hers, full of warmth and something deeper.

"Stay with me… just for a bit?"

She slipped off her shoes and carefully climbed into bed beside him, wrapping her arms around him gently as he settled his head on her chest. Her fingers ran softly through his hair, offering him a comforting presence as he closed his eyes, the tension in his body slowly easing. They stayed like that for a while, the quiet of the room settling around them. Finally, Maggie spoke, her voice soft and reassuring.

"Do you… want to talk about Chase? And the gang from the Narrows?" She paused, giving him space to respond or stay quiet.

Jason was silent for a moment, and Maggie felt him take a slow breath, his fingers gently gripping her hand as he seemed to gather his thoughts. "The Narrows wasn't exactly a great place to grow up," he began, his voice low. "Chase and the others… we were just kids, you know? But we did what we had to do to survive. Hustling, stealing—anything to make it through the day."

Maggie's arms tightened around him, her heart breaking a little at the thought of him facing that kind of life alone.

"And Chase? You two were close?"

Jason nodded against her.

"Yeah, at one point. He was like a big brother in a messed-up kind of way. We looked out for each other, but… it was more about loyalty to the crew than anything else. When I got busted by Batman, your dad. He give me a way out. I knew, once I left, I couldn't go back."

She ran her fingers through his hair, comforting him as he spoke.

"I'm glad you got out. And… I'm glad you're here with me now."

Jason looked up at her, the weight of his past reflected in his eyes, but also something softer, a kind of peace he rarely showed.

"Me too, Mags. Thanks for listening… and for staying."

They stayed wrapped together in each other's warmth, slowly asleep.