*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Four: Chapter 260: Underestimations

Upon arriving at the bat cave, Bruce had planned to transfer Jason from the batmobile and to the glass cell in the bat cave. Bruce thought it to be a seemingly simple thing. But Jason would prove that is was to be something very far from anything remotely close to simplistic. Maybe Bruce thought that the conversation they had on the ride home would somehow show Jason that he only wanted to help. But Jason didn't want his help. He spit on Bruce's help. So it probably won't surprise you too much when I tell you, that getting Jason in that glass cell, was nothing short of a miracle...

Bruce puts the batmobile in park and kills it's engine. With a sigh he pulls off his cowl. With eyes bloodshot from exhaustion, he turns to face Jason. "I had Alfred prepare a meal for you. I'm sure you must be quite hungry." Jason's red lips part and his eyes narrowed as he stared at Bruce in silence. To which Bruce shrugs, "Suit yourself."

Bruce raised his door and wearily climbed out of the batmobile. He crosses around to Jason's side and opens his door. He uncuffs him and helps him out onto his feet. He motions to the glass cell. Jason takes a few steps towards it. Bruce closes in just a step behind. But just when Bruce is thinking that Jason is being compliant, he is swiftly made the fool.

Jason stops abruptly and throws his head back. He can hear the sound of Bruce's nose breaking. Then, everything he had ever learned from the Joker came into play. He spins around and springboards off the batmobile, tucking in his legs to make the cuffs be in front of him. He interlocks his fingers and pretends Bruce's head is a volleyball. Bruce is knocked onto his back.

The bat is caught off guard and is effectively dazed. Jason crouches into a fighting stance and waits for Bruce to make a move. Bruce is aware that the Lazarus pits have a tendency of increasing ones speed and agility. He had to defuse the situation, yet, be very careful at the same time. Bruce licks his top lip and can taste the blood. He looks up at Jason who smugly smiles down at him.

"Oh come on Bruce, you didn't really expect me to be a good little boy, did you? Oh, you did. That was very dumb of a man like you. The big bad bat made a shitty judgement call. Hahahaha!" Jason laughs, but staying prepared for anything. "Did you really think your attempt of a heart to heart made any impact on me whatsoever?"

Bruce quickly slings a batarang at Jason. But Jason was too fast, and the Lazarus pits had only made him faster.

"Hahaha! I guess J failed to tell you that I could move more quickly than even he could. You used to always tell me how fast and agile your precious Joker was. Do you remember that Bruce?" Jason asks. Despite his laughter, he keeps a watchful glare, never once breaking his stance. He stay readied for an attack. And he knew Bruce would eventually attack.

"Yes," Bruce gruffly answers and pushes himself up off the bat cave floor.

A move Jason has already anticipated, and is prepared for. With a well placed karate kick to Bruce's chest, he manages to buy himself a few seconds to do a roundhouse kick that lands Bruce on the floor again. "Geeze Bruce, are you getting too old for this kind of stuff? Or are the late nights getting to you finally?"

Bruce shakes his head no and pushes himself to his feet once more. "I have no interest in hurting you Jason."

Jason drops to the floor and does another roundhouse that takes Bruce's legs out from under him. Bruce is starting to question himself now. Did he have the capability of beating Jason in combat now? Or had the Lazarus pits made him undefeatable? "Well maybe you should chisel that into my headstone in the family cemetery. I think it's the perfect epitaph." Jason's teeth gnash.

"Just stop this Jason. Just let me help you," Bruce tries to reason with him in vain.

"What's the matter Bruce? Am I not quite the opponent you remember?" Jason asks, "You taught me to fight fair. Right? That explains the preplexed look on your face. But you see, J taught me something different. He taught me how to win at any cost."