Only in Darkness

19: The Three Musketeers

Chicago

2018

"Dude looks dead." Jason commented, holding onto one of the legs of a passed-out Dr. Adamson, Marlowe holding the other while Dick held his arms as they carried him through the parking garage.

"Trust me. There's a difference between dead and knocked out." Dick grunted and readjusted his grip as they walked. Marlowe just grinned, too happy in this moment to be reunited with Jason, even if it's only for a little bit.

"This is awesome! Robin and Robin and Stargirl in action!" Jason laughed slightly, sharing a look with Marlowe. Dick frowned at them both as he huffed.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Did Marlowe not tell you about me?" Jason asked over his shoulder, his head tilting like that of a puppy not understanding a command.

"No." The man pushed out, and Marlowe nervously chuckled.

"I- uh, I didn't really know how, or if I should. Considering that if Bruce wanted people to know about you he would have told them..." Marlowe winced, guilt bubbling under her unadulterated joy. Her eyes cutting between Dick and Jason.

"That's fair," Jason nodded at the girl and Dick watched her worry fade away in an instant, eyes basically sparkling as she shared a smile with the boy next to her. "Names Jason Todd. The new Robin. Robin 2.0, right?" The boy winked at Marlowe.

Marlowe laughed as they came to a stop at the car Dick and Marlowe had borrowed from the crazy family back at the motel. Dick didn't like the feeling of being left out as Jason and Marlowe looked at each other, only to laugh more like it was some kind of inside joke. It definitely was.

Dick didn't like being in the dark.

Marlowe did not look like Marlowe, at least as Dick knew her. He also had never seen her initiate contact with another person before. Much less smile like that at them. Which in and of itself was dizzying.

Putting down Dr. Adamson Dick went to open the trunk, Jason rounding on the man, hands on hips, straightening his shoulders. Marlowe doing her best to hide her laughter. The boy trying so hard to impress Dick it was hilarious.

"Hey, seriously man," Jason leaned against the back of the car, "It's an honor to meet you." Jason held out his hand for a fist bump. Marlowe bit her lip to seal away her chuckles at how it obviously pained Dick to not leave Jason hanging. Looking at her boots to hide her grin until she could school her expression.

Marlowe let Jason and Dick load Adamson into the trunk, "I always wondered what this moment was gonna be like, never thought that when it happened I'd be saving your life, or seeing this one in person for the first time in what, five, six months?"

"Four actually." Marlowe corrected with an easy grin, leaning where Jason once stood, the boy reaching over and pushing her. Dick's eyes widened at the gesture, expecting Marlowe to get upset only to see her laugh. The man blinking and shaking his head, trying to break out of this delusion he was currently in.

"Felt like longer." Jason responded sincerely, Marlowe meeting his mask covered gaze with a soft look Dick hadn't even seen directed at Rachel before. After a moment the man cleared his throat, motioning for Jason to back up so he could close the trunk.

"So, there's a new Robin?" Dick asked.

"Yours truly, in the flesh." Jason smirked in response.

"Does Batman know you're here?" Dick questioned with a bit more bite.