Why We're Here

Blitz Trains The Bird

I rapped on the door of Wayne Manor, struggling to hold the paper bag in my arm. By the time Alfred opened the door, I was about to drop it.
"Miss Lucille, what is this?" he asked, taking the bag from me.
He set it on the table, obviously surprised by its weight. I took a deep breath, "Some materials I borrowed from the University. Bruce needed them for a new gadget he wants to try."
"So you stole them?"
"Borrowed."
Alfred gazed at me pointedly, sighing reluctantly. I stretched my arms out as a shout rang up from the entrance to the cave. Jason quickly stomped up from the cave, jerking off his Robin mask and cape. He dropped them in his path to his bedroom.
"What just happened?" I asked, glancing at Alfred.
Alfred pursed his lips, "Master Bruce can be a bit, disagreeable, sometimes."
"That, I knew."
"Master Jason doesn't take too well to it," Alfred continued, "His stubbornness and Master Bruce often clash."
Bruce came up moments later. He had a scowl across his lips as he tugged down on his black turtleneck. When he saw me, he sighed, "Lucy, I didn't expect to see you here."
"I was on my way to the gym, and I thought I'd drop the stuff by," I gestured to the bag, "It's all you asked for."
"Thank you."
I could feel the tension inside of him. When I glanced at Alfred, he gave me a tiny nod.
"So," I began, "Want to talk about it?"
"What?" Bruce asked.
I crossed my arms, "Whatever just happened between you and Jay."
Bruce stared at me for a moment. I was worried he would brush it off, but he didn't. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "He won't do what I tell him."
"None of us ever did."
"He's different," Bruce sighed, "You and Dick at least listened to me sometimes. He never listens, not even in training."
I smiled, "Bruce, you just have to figure out how to get through to him. Find something to connect over, then he'll listen. It worked with me."
Bruce rubbed his head. I could tell he was exhausted, even if he wouldn't admit it. Sighing, I realized him being in this state of mind wouldn't help anything. He and Jason needed to be a part for awhile.
"Tell you what," I shifted my gym bag higher onto my shoulder, "How about both of you have a break? I'll take Jason to the gym with me, and help train him there."
Bruce glanced up at me, "I don't think-"
"Bruce, don't argue, I can see the exhaustion on your face."
"He won't go," Bruce admitted, "I don't think he'll even listen to you."
I smirked, "I have my ways. Besides, there's a pool there, I'll bribe him with that."
Bruce chuckled slightly, nodding his approval. Grinning, I began to make my way up the stairs. Jason was just coming out of his bedroom, dressed in a snow coat and jeans. When he saw me, he stopped, "When did you get here?"
"Ten minutes ago," I replied, "I'm on my way to the gym, care to join me?"
He scoffed, "Did Batman tell you to take me?"
"No, actually, he didn't want me to," I shrugged, "I'm offering anyways."
Jason searched my face for signs of lying, "Are you going to make me train?"
"I'm going to let you do whatever you want."
"I don't believe you."
"Jason, for once in your life, will you please stop being so arrogant," I groaned, "I'm giving you a way out. Besides, there's a pool there, you can swim if you like."
Jason thought it over, ultimately nodding. He turned back into his room to get his gym bag. As I waited, I glanced behind me to see Alfred standing at the top of the stairs. He smiled slightly, "Good job, Miss Lucille."
"Thank you, Alfie."
He continued towards his bedroom while I leaned against the stair railing, waiting for Jason. He came out moments later, dragging his gym bag behind him.
"How far is it?" he asked as we went out into the snow.
"Just a few blocks," I replied, "Don't tell me Robin's scared of snow."
Jason wrinkled his nose, "I'm not afraid of anything."
"I beg to differ."
It didn't take long for us to get to the gym. When we arrived, I gratefully took a deep breath of the warm air. Both Jason and I stripped off our coats as I went to the front desk.
"I brought a guest today," I showed them my card, "My brother, Jason Todd."
The man glanced at Jason before turning back to me, "Five dollar copay."
"No problemo."
I slid him the money as he wrote a card for Jason. Jason took it and stuffed it in his bag. With that, we made our way to the locker rooms.
"What do we do first?" Jason asked.
I shrugged, "Depends, do you want to swim? Punch some bags? Play some ball?"
"Let's play basketball."
The two of us separated in order to change. After I took my blue tank top and black leggings out of the bag, I stuffed my gym bag in the locker. When I finished changing, I stuffed my other clothes in there too.
Jason was waiting for me outside of the locker room. He had changed into red basketball short and a grey hoodie. Glancing up, he said, "Took you long enough."
"I'm sorry, it takes work to look this great," I pretended to flip my imaginary long hair dramatically.
Jason giggled. I led him down into the main gym floor. Various types of workout machines littered the ground. In the corner, a room separated off for kickboxing. In the opposite corner, a door lead to the basketball court.
"Where's the pool?" Jason asked as I got the ball.
"On the roof. It's heated."
Jason smiled. I could tell he would want to go there later. While he glanced at the net, I quickly whipped around and threw the ball at him. It hit him in the shoulder and bounced off, making him yelp.
"What was that for?" he asked, grabbing the ball.
"You were distracted," I replied, "Take it from me, distraction can get you killed."
In my early days as Blitz, distraction was my biggest problem. I would be watching Barbara perform an epic drop kick, and get distracted from my own villain. My attention span nearly killed me several times.
"I thought you said this wasn't training," Jason frowned.
I grinned, "It depends on how you look at it. For now, let's just play a friendly game of ball."
"I'll take you down," Jason smirked.
"Please," I scoffed, "I've been at this way longer than you."
"But, you're old."
I glared at him, "Oh, you are so going down."
***
"I actually can't believe you beat me," I muttered.
Jason beamed, "I've been playing basketball for years. You got nothing on me."
I frowned. The two of us had just gotten out of the pool after a quick swim. It was getting late, and the gym was about to close. Pretty soon, it would be time for Batman and Robin to go on patrol.
"I'm never letting this go," Jason smirked, "I hope you know that."
I glared down at him, "And I hope you know I'll make you regret it."
"You don't scare me."
"Oh, but I will."
Both of us laughed. We left the gym, waving goodbye to the man behind the front desk. The snow had gotten harder. When it hit, it felt like tiny ping pong balls. It penetrated my coat, making me shiver.
"Thank you," Jason's voice was almost too quiet for me to register.
I glanced down at him, "What?"
"Thank you," he repeated louder, "I had fun."
I smiled, reaching up and ruffling his hair, "Anytime, Jay. You know, if you ever want to get away from The BatDad, you can always come to my place. The door's always open, or a window, your choice."
Jason laughed, "Thanks, Louie."
I grinned. We walked the rest of the way to the manor. When we arrived, Jason hurried to the door. He spun around to wave at me before going inside. I waved back, a smile slowly growing on my lips.
Jason was different. He wasn't like Dick, or Barbara, or me, or even Bruce. He was his own breed of hero, but he was nobel. With enough practice, he had the potential to become something great. He may be unconventional, with many emotional issues, but he was amazing.
All we have to do is get him to see that.