The Ex

12. The ending

  The batfam had left Qurac and went back to Gotham. Alfred was taking care of Jason, Tim, Dick, and Barbara were discussing what happened to Talia, and Bruce and Damian were having their own conversation.

  "Damian..." Bruce began, but he didn't know what to say.

"You don't have to say anything, father." Damian replied. "I'm fine, and you got Todd back in one piece. Mostly. I had every confidence you'd figure something out."

  "Just, promise me you won't do something like that again. We don't trade lives, we find a way fo save everyone." Bruce stated.

"I promise." Damian answered. "I'll assume I'm not in trouble for disobeying your orders  If so, we'll need to have another talk."

  "I can let you off this time since you're safe and so is Jason." Bruce smiled.

"Thank you." Damian stood up and left the room. He went to Jason's room to talk to him next.

  "Master Damian. Is there anything you need, Sir?" Alfred asked.

"A moment alone." Damian replied.

  "Of course, Sir." Alfred nodded and left the room.

  Jason woke up when Alfred closed the door. He looked up and was shocked to see Damian.

"Bruce told me what you did. I know you won't admit the reason, but putting our little 'family feud' aside for the moment, thank you." Jason said. "You didn't have to do that. For me of all people, too."

  "I have my reasons. But I accept your gratitude, Todd." Damian continued. "But remember this whenever I want something from you."

  Jason rolled his eyes. Damian would never admit that he cared about Jason. He didn't care much, but even that little bit of love, he would never admit.

  "Get some rest. You're no use to us in this state." Damian stated as he walked back over to the door.

"O-Ok?" Jason couldn't tell if that was considerate or insulting. He'd take it as both.

  Before Damian left the room, Tim came in with a paper bag.

  "Hey Jason! I picked up a gift for you. Something to help you feel better." Tim walked over and handed Jason the paper bag. Jason opened it up to find four cases of mini churros.

"Yes." Jason laughed. "Thanks, Tim." Jason put the bag on the table and laid back down.

  "Damian, come on." Tim opened the door back up again.

"I will leave when I decide to." Damian hissed. Tim sighed and left the room again.

  "I thought you were leaving when he first came in?" Jason asked, confused.

"I was. But Drake doesn't need to know that." Damian smirked as he went back over and opened the door again. Again. "Todd? I'm glad you're ok."

  "Thanks, Damian." Jason smiled and closed his eyes.

  Damian left the room and went into the livingroom. Dick was already there with Barbara. But Barbara left as he came in.

"You did good work, kid." Dick laughed. "You almost went down in a plane crash in the process, but it all worked out in the end."

  "I wasn't worried. I had everything planned out ahead of time. The only thing I didn't predict was my mother's escape." Damian explained.

"Bruce is already trying to track her down, but you saved the day." Dick smiled.

  "Why does that surprise you?" Damian questioned.

"Just take the compliment." Dick sighed.

  "How are things between you and Barbara?" Damian changed the subject.

"I didn't take you for a romantic." Dick gasped.

  "I'm not. Just curious to see how long that lasts." Damian snorted.

"It's going well, thank you." Dick rolled his eyes.

  "Just checking." Damian replied.

  Bruce came up from the batcave and walked down the hall. He went to Jason's room to see Alfred fixing him up again. Jason had fallen asleep again, and Bruce wasn't sure if he should wake him. So he just sat in the chair next to his bed and waited while Alfred continued his work.

"How is he doing?" Bruce asked.

  "He'll be alright, Sir." Alfred whispered. "Damage is recoverable. He shouldn't have any permanent problems other then some scars."

"Thank you, Alfred." Bruce nodded.

  After about thirty minutes, Jason woke up again with a jolt.

  "You alright?" Bruce asked.

  Jason didn't realize he was there until he spoke. "Yeah, I'm fine." His breathing said otherwise.

"You don't have to pretend. Pain doesn't make you weak, it shows all you've been through and that you can survive it." Bruce continued.

  "It was just a nightmare." Jason explained. "Even though that sounds bad, I realize now it's not even close to actually reliving it."

"It's over." Bruce responded.

  "Alfred told me that Talia escaped." Jason said.

"Yes." Bruce nodded. "But that's a problem for another day."