The Red Hood & The Red Head

Ch 15

It's been a week and Jackie hasn't been down in the Batcave since that night. Seemingly going through with her plan of leaving the bat behind her. Speaking of, she also doesn't remember a single moment after that, the conversation she had with Natasha completely wiped from her memory. But not from Natasha's, though she never brought it up the next morning, instead carrying on like nothing happened.

I was in my office, a stream of the news was playing in the background on my computer while I was writing some things down.

"Commissioner Akins, it's not news that the GCPD has been working tirelessly to put Snakebite dealers behind bars, but some citizens of Gotham think you would get more far along if you would allow for some help from a vigilante. Can you comment?" Reporter Dana Dewitt approaches the commissioner as he walked up the steps of city hall.

"There's no question we will put a stop to Snakebite and its manufacturers, The False Face Society, but this drug, it has its teeth in people. It's addictive, it's attractive, and it's lethal. And as for vigilantes, they bring nothing but more trouble. Now, I have a 10 hour budget meeting to get to." The man walks past her.

I'm brought out of my thoughts when I hear a brief knock and the door opens. I look up to see a familiar red head.

"Rushman, what can I do for you?" I ask putting my things away in my desk while shutting off my computer.

"Well, Mr.Fox had just left for a meeting and he tasked me to keep an eye on you. Meaning, don't leave your side." She says slightly amused as she comes further into my office.

"Meeting? Did Luke go with him?" I ask.

"Um no, Mark I believe his name was- the security guard. He's the one accompanying Lucius. Luke has today off due to a doctor's appointment." She tells me.

"Right, right. *nods* man I keep forgetting things lately." I rub the bridge of my nose tiredly.

"Maybe you're tense since you haven't taken your nightly walks." She says sarcastically but low so it wouldn't be heard outside the room making me look up at her.

"Hey, it's been a week. Yet you're still here. I think I've proven myself to old Saint Nick that he can hop off my dick- *chuckles* hey that rhymed." I chuckle to myself while Natasha cocks her head at me while slightly narrowing her eyes.

"Easy, Slim Shady." She says knocking the amusement right off my face.

"It's starting to hurt my feelings that you don't like having me around." She adds sarcastically setting her clipboard on my desk.

"I would like you around if you gave me something to work with. Instead of being a pretentious ass." I retort.

"All you do is look at my ass." She counters.

I then turn my head to take a look and she turns in a way that obscures my view.

"Stop looking at my ass!" She reprimands.

"Fine, fine. But I mean you can take the day off if you want. I have plans." I tell her.

"Well then we have plans because Lucius made it very clear that I can't leave you alone." She says.

~

Natasha is very confused when I pull into an exotic animal preserve shelter. We get in and we meet with a petite brunette woman.

"Hey, AJ." I smile when she sees us.

"Hey, Jackie." She returns the gesture.

"Oh- this is my assistant, Natalie. Natalie this is AJ. She's in charge of the sanctuary." I say and they exchange greetings.