Someone is always watching

Chapter 12

Wayne Manor Friday during the day

"I don't like the idea of her coming here Alfred." A very exasperated Bruce said. 

"I am aware Sir, you have said so quite a few times. Nevertheless she is coming on Sunday for lunch. I even managed to convince Master Jason. Do not let my efforts go in vain." replied the Butler. 

"I still don't understand how and why you came up with this idea?"  for the world's greatest detective he sure can be dense sometimes. 

"Well Master Bruce, the boys are finally acting like brothers towards one another, and we do not have a family portrait. She is truly talented, and as you well know her financial situation is not getting any better. Two birds one stone Master Bruce."

"hm" Bruce just grunted adjusting his tie, he had to be present at Wayne Enterprises since Tim was busy with his team, his school, the mission and the new protocol he was creating. "Fine, I don't see the point of arguing, we need to figure something out for Jason, he is still legally dead. Do the boys know?"

"No, and I wish to keep it as such. I do not want to give them reason to cancel. And do not worry about Master Jason's predicament I am sure we can work something out." Bruce was heading to the door when Alfred continued, "Master Bruce, I urge you Sir do not keep them in the dark much longer, their minds will go as far as thinking unimaginable things, when the truth is quite simple and not as gruesome as you believe it to be." Bruce inhaled and looked at the man who raised him.

"I know, I just don't want to fail again, not her and not them, it will have to wait a little while longer." a sad smile was making its way on Bruce's face when Alfred lightly squeezed his shoulder and wished him a good day. 

Gotham University after class

"I'm sad to see you go." Nerissa said to 'Peter', while walking out of the classroom. 

"I was just subbing, but if you ever need a model I don't mind doing house calls for you." he replied teasingly with a wink. "We're not working together anymore, how about a real coffee?" he added. She wanted to say yes, Peter was really nice, funny and good looking, but her mind drifted to a man whose face she's never seen. How can she be so obsessed with Red Hood when she's only seen him twice, why was she so drawn to him? 

"I'm sorry, but I can't." she felt so bad, but she knew Peter deserved to be with a normal person, and she was far from normal. 

"I don't mean to pry but is there somebody else? is that it? or was it something I did or said?" Jason/Peter was worried he had actually said something to upset her.

"No, no, no, it was nothing you did on the contrary, and there is no one well not exactly, but it's just uh, well it's just complicated.." she was clearly confused and didn't want to hurt his feelings. A side of Jason was kind of happy she said no to 'Peter', because Jason really wanted to get to know her as Jason and he wanted her to get to know him as Jason, but that was out of the question. 

"It's okay, I totally get it. Can I give you a ride home?" he wanted to spend more time with her, she made him feel normal. 

"I have Thirteen with me, I can't hold a pet carrier on a bike." she logically explained grateful that the cat was here, she could imagine wrapping her arms around his waist touching those abs she's been sketching all week. "And I'm wearing a skirt." 

"hmm, valid points." he was smiling at her, "Why did you name her Thirteen?" he genuinely wanted to know. She chuckled a bit, he was already addicted to her laugh, and said.