LUCID

Pretending

After Veronica's encounter with Jason, she arrived at Grayson's apartment, dialing the same old passcode and the alarm went right off. She sat down on the couch, tired and devastated about what just happened, she couldn't even make sense of anything, as she placed both hands on her face, she let out a soft cry, she was alone and she needed to let go of all the sadness she was feeling at the moment.

The next day came and Veronica checked all of Jason's files, files she hadn't dare to look because it showed how Jason died and that pained her. "What the hell...." She whispered to herself with tears in her eyes, she read every little detail Grayson had written on him, from the day he died, the Lazarus Pit, Scare Crow, everything she needed to know was right there, on a screen in front of her.

As she kept reading, she was interrupted by the sound of the front door. She quickly closed every tab and went to check the security camera, she saw Jason, analyzing the living room and everything in his surroundings.

She wiped the tears out of her face and went over with a straight face. She analyzed every one of his movements, as she walked over to him, like she wasn't crying a few seconds ago, facing him like that, after reading everything on his files. The fact that she wasn't there to help him, or even give him comfort, broke her apart. "You're still here.." Jason looked at her serious as he spoke. Hoping she had left for her own good and his.

Veronica ignored Jason's question and walked towards him, looking curiously into Jason's eyes, as if trying to find the Jason who loved her dearly. Jason saw what she was trying to do and turned away, his back now facing her. "I know what you're trying to do." He said, his voice was full of sadness. "Can't you just explain what's going on?" Veronica wanted answers, she wanted him to stop telling her to leave.

"Listen.." Jason slowly softened, he hated pretending to be an asshole to her, but he needed to keep a distance for her own sake. He was a wanted man, by police and mostly crime lords, Veronica's arrival made it difficult for him to keep it together. They knew who she was and what she meant to him in the past.

"The only way... I get to keep you safe, is if you leave." Jason went closer to Veronica, trying not to get too close, but she got closer instead and placed both arms on his shoulders as she looked softly into his eyes with a smile, waiting for him to open up. "There's some big shit going on in Gotham and your arrival, just fucked this whole shit." He said coldly to her, Veronica let out a sigh and couldn't help but give Jason a hug.

"Umm.." Jason tried to contain his urge to hug her back, but he also missed her like crazy, so he gave in. "Jason, I missed you so much.." Veronica spoked with a crack on her voice, tears falling down her face, she was happy knowing the Jason she loved somehow, still cared for her.

A minute passed by and Jason let go of her, Veronica sat down on the couch in front of her, watched as Jason walked back and forth, rubbing the back of his head, as if thinking on what to say. "I'm gonna kill Dick.." He said, but Veronica only stared at him curiously, she was waiting for him to get his thoughts together, she knew him too well.

"I told him to keep you away, from me, from Gotham.."He finally spoke, and took a seat besides Veronica. "Jason, I came here on my own, because I wanted to and Dick couldn't stop me.." Veronica spoke, getting Jason's full attention. "I needed to know you were alive and.. ". Jason interrupted her with a kiss and Veronica only gave in.

"You can't stay here.." Jason said as he slowly let go of their sudden kiss and placed both arms on her shoulder, leaning in, looking her straight in the eyes. "You can't also tell me to leave." Veronica responded, but that only made Jason angry.

Veronica was confused by his sudden change of attitude, he was hostile at first, then sweet and hostile all over again, that made Veronica feel confused and angry, she hated the fact that he kept telling her to go away. "I'm not leaving, not unless you kill me.." She responded as she stood up and guarded herself.

Jason only looked at her, he felt anger and hated the fact that she didn't care about her own well being, he also couldn't force her, so he had to make a decision that would keep them both safe. So he did. "Don't leave this apartment unless I'm with you." Jason spoke getting Veronica's full attention.

She had no problem with staying in, the apartment was big and there was food on the fridge, as long as she had Jason near, she would comply, she hated Gotham anyways, but she also hated being told what to do. "Fine by me.." She lied and Jason fell for that lie.

After their conversation, Jason left the apartment, telling Veronica he had some business to attend to. Veronica waited a few minutes until she saw Jason leaving on the security cameras, she rushed to the lab in Dick's apartment and logged into the computer, Jason didn't know Veronica placed a bug on his jacket when they hugged.

She turned on Jason's Tracker and saw he was headed to one of the biggest and dangerous clubs in Gotham, every crime boss hangs out there and she had a feeling something big would go down. Veronica was determined to find out everything for herself, she wanted to know what kind of trouble Jason was in and how she could help.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading, updating soon. :)