Wake Up Call.

dinner time, jason

I came home after my meeting with Selina. My head was spinning with the information that she gave me, but I was having a bit of difficulty trusting her.

She has been known to lead people to the paths that she could benefit most from. I don't think I need to remind anyone of the Bane episode. I don't think I need to remind anyone of ANYTHING that Selina has done to hurt Bruce.

But there I went, caring about Bruce and his well being. He didn't care about mine. He let me die.

I had to get over that. I had to face the facts that I died and I came back. I had to work it out in my head that Bruce failed me and it's just the way it happened. Life stopped and then it started again.

I should look at this as a blessing, but instead I feel like I'm being cursed. I should have stayed dead. I should have never came back to this unforgiving world. I should have never died to begin with, but that's a different story.

Walking down to the side walk, I have my head someplace else. Maybe that's why I didn't see Bruce casually leaning against some sports car, with a phone pressed to his ear. To be quite frank, it disgusted me that he chose a phone over walking to my door and actually greeting me.

But that was Bruce, business first. He must have seen the look on my face, because he quickly hangs up and motions to the car. He knows I'll listen to him. He knows some part of me is that lost little boy who looks for his direction.

So, as he's making his way to the other side of the car, I make my way to the passenger side of the car.

"Put your seat belt on." He smirks, glancing over to me as we're both in the car. I side glance him, but refuse. I mean, it's not like I'm going to die. Bruce would never let that happen ...

"Fine, suit yourself." He chuckles and takes off. We speed through the traffic, cutting left and right, causing me to break out into a fit of laughter. Bruce always loved his toys. Hot cars and fast women were usually his thing. This was no exception.

We come to a slow once we get close to the mansion. The air between us was light, as we were both grinning like idiots.

"I just brought her home. She's a beauty. I've been waiting to do that for a few days now." He says through his smile. It was almost like old times. I felt myself being pulled back into the familiar pull of fondness.

"Yeah, that was something." The air grew thick between us as he obviously picked up on my sarcasm. As much as I truly did enjoy the ride, Bruce can't win me over with fast cars, no matter how much he tries.

"Listen, Jason." He parks the car and turns to me. This is probably another apology about that night. I didn't have time for that. I didn't want to hear a word that he had to say.

"Just stop Bruce. Is there really anything left to say between us?" He looked as if I physically slapped him. He pulled back, hurt crossed his face, and he didn't even try to mask it. Why?

"I just mean.." I begin, feeling guilty for the words that I just spoke as true as they were. Bruce is trying, so why couldn't I?

"No, you were right. Alfred is waiting for you inside. I'm just going to lock the car up and I'll be in." Bruce pulled the keys out of the ignition. He wouldn't look at me, which made the guilt feel that much worse.

Slowly, I get out of the car and I walk to the door. Before I'm even able to begin to knock, the door swings open and the familiar face of Alfred is smiling at me.

I always felt safe with Alfred. He was the father figure to us all. If not for Alfred, I'm sure I would have died a lot soon than I actually did.

He cared for me. Something that no one has done in a long time.

"Master Jason, its such a pleasure to see you again." He pulls me into an embrace. I don't even hesitate to hug him back.

"It's good to see you again, Alfred." I tighten the hug. It really was so good to see you again.

"Come, dinner is ready. I want to hear all about your last couple weeks." He steps back out of my embrace letting me pass through. I take a step into the mansion and it's exactly the way I thought it would be.

Exactly the way it was when I left. Which stirs an emotion inside me that I didn't know that I had forgotten about. The feeling of being home. I was home. 

It upset me. I didn't want this feeling to be eating me alive. I didn't want to feel like everything was okay now. I didn't want to have Bruce, this mansion or this life, make me feel complete. 

I wanted to be angry and I wanted to be rebellious and I wanted to fight. I wanted to be my own person, but here I was, melting into the familiarity of this place, of my home. 

"Are you okay, Master Jason?" Alfred's fatherly voice of concern brought me back to him. I frown, but nod. Yes, I was fine, wasn't I? More so now than I was before stepping inside. 

"Yeah, sorry Alfred. It's just .. everything is exactly the same. Doesn't Bruce ever think about redecorating or something?" I press on trying to clear my head. I didn't have time for this. There was bigger things cooking outside than what was here. 

I just needed to get through this dinner and to get by Bruce without him suspecting anything. And if I know Selina like I know I do, she's already told Bruce herself. I just need to be faster.