Silence Speaks Volumes

A Young Assassin and the Conflict

Damian had taken a liking to Selina. She wasn't around much, but he and Jason both hung around her when she was. Selina liked the boy. She'd never wanted kids, but she had always possessed motherly instincts. She would hold Damian in her lap whenever he was there.

...

Talia decided to visit Gotham. She wouldn't admit it, but she missed her son, and it was always a treat to see her beloved. Talia decided that she would visit for a day during the week she didn't have any trips.

Talia was welcomed by Alfred and led to the living room where she was told the 'whole family' was. She walked into the room to see her son in the lap of no other than Selina Kyle. "Get your hands off my son," she said coldly and snatched Damian away. The boy was always trusting of whoever she and her father trusted. Talia figured he extend that to his father. She'd have to instruct him better. She never liked Selina. Selina was always trying to steal her beloved. The cretin failed to understand that Bruce Wayne belonged to Talia al Ghul and no one else. Now, she was trying to steal Talia's son. Talia would have to find a way to explain to her father why killing Selina Kyle would further the League's cause. Her father tended to stay out of Gotham out of respect for Bruce. "My beloved, how could you let this trash put her hands on our child?" Talia was mad. She held Damian close.

"I'm not trash," Selina stood up. She was mad now. Talia brushed Damian's clothes. "I didn't get him dirty! What's wrong with you?" Jason took Damian from Talia. It looked like they ladies were about to fight, and he didn't want the boy to get caught in the crossfire.

"Calm down," Bruce said. Everyone was silent and the tension was palpable. Damian sneezed.

"I'm leaving," Selina said.

"You should," Talia sneered. Selina gave Talia the finger and left. Talia took Damian back. "My beloved, I'd appreciate if you don't have our son around street trash."

"Selina's not trash, Talia, and stop instilling such ideals is Damian's head." Damian sneezed again.

"Are you sick, Ibn? It's probably this Gotham air. It's purer in Father's compound." Talia took Damian to his room. She sat down in a chair and Damian sat at her feet. "How are you?"

I am fine. Was my last test adequate? Talia smiled warmly.

"You were sufficient. How are they treating you?"

Jason is-- Jason has admirable qualities.

"Yes. Are the other boys okay?" Damian nodded. "Jason told me about that harlot, Drake. Father is prepared to take care of it."

She is fine. Jason got rid of her.

"I'm glad Jason is taking such good care of you, my love." Damian told his mother all he had done in Gotham and she shared what she did on her trips. It was getting late, and he fell asleep soon after. She dressed him in his pajamas and put him in bed. "Until again, my love," she said as she left.

When Talia walked out of Damian's room, she went to find Jason. She found him in the kitchen. He was eating a pre-patrol snack with Dick and Tim. "Hey, Talia," he said.

"Jason, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of Ibn." Jason blushed.

"It was his pleasure," Dick cut in. "Jay's such a good big brother." Talia nodded. Talia was comfortable leaving Damian here now that she knew Jason would take care of him.