Light Amidst the Chaos

Ch 12

Dick borrowed a camper van from Bruce for all of us to travel in. It was really spacious and we weren't all packed in like sardines. I was really nervous about going back to Gotham, mainly because I knew that I had to relive what had happened to my family all over again. To make things better, I have to literally raid my dead grandparent's house.

Maverick seemed excited about going on another road trip. Him and Gar have started a game of eye spy with Rachel. Kory has been up front with Dick and Conner, Jason, and I have been hanging in the mini lounge area. Krypto, who is Conner's dog, has been our main look out.

"Auntie Eli, I'm tired." Maverick mumbled, walking up to me.

I picked him up and put him in my lap. "I know buddy, I'm sorry." I moved his hair out of his eyes. "Why don't you take a nap, hm? We're almost in Kansas." I kissed the top of his head.

He seemed to like that idea and curled up against me. Luckily he was still small enough to do so. Once he got comfortable he fell asleep rather quickly. I gently rubbed his back and hummed to him to help him go into a deeper sleep. The poor little guy.

"So, how long have you two known each other?" Conner asked, sipping his water.

"About four years." Jason replied.

"I've known Dick almost my entire life." I added, holding Maverick closer to me.

"So you know Batman?" Conner asked, leaning forward.

I smiled gently, "Quite well, actually. Though I know him as uncle Bruce."

"Will we be able to see the batmobile?" Gar piped up.

"Or the batcave?" Conner added, hope in his eyes.

I chuckled, "Maybe, if you boys behave."

Garfield and Conner seemed satisfied with the answer. I felt an arm around me and looked over at Jason, who's eyes were glued to the window on the other side of the van. I leaned closer to him and put my head on his shoulder. He was warm and he smelled really good, like sandlewood with a hint of citrus.

It's been a few days since we've kissed and we haven't talked about it. There's been some stolen glances and touches here and there, but not a word about it. I'm starting to think it was because he didn't like me in the way I thought, or maybe he didn't feel anything. I wanted to kiss him again, I wanted him to officially be mine.

I looked down at Maverick, who's cheek was squished against my collarbone. I wanted more for him than what he's got now. I wanted him to grow up without villains and not know about the horrors his family has had to endure at such a young age. I wanted him to be safe and now he's in danger.

I can't stop thinking about the letter my dad left for me. He never wanted my mom and sister to die, yet they did. He left everything to Owen in the contract he wrote up, and he even had the audacity to tell me he loved me. I no longer feel loved by him, I feel like more of an after thought. He even killed my grandparents to hide his dirty secrets.

"You okay?" Jason whispered, looking down at me.

"I don't know." I whispered back, letting out a sigh. "I just wanna know what my dad was hiding. I just have a gut feeling that something in my grandparent's house is going to give us an answer."

I felt Jason's hand rub my shoulder. "I was thinking, maybe that casing Levin was building isn't just for Charlotte's crystal. What if it's for something bigger?"

I felt Maverick move off me and lay on the couch next to me. The space was small enough for him to curl up comfortably.

"Like what?" I whispered, grabbing a blanket and putting it over Maverick.