Fic: No One Dies in Crime Alley
Title: No One Dies in Crime Alley
Author: milleniumrex
Fandom: Batman
Characters/pairings: Jason Todd/Cassandra Cain/Stephanie Brown, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake
Rating: PG-13 for violence and language
Words: 2208
Summary: It's the anniversary of Jason's death, and he has an unusual plan for it.
Author's Notes: This fic is a semi-sequel inspired by pervyficgirl's fic Adding Something Better to It, written with her permission. It follows up my first sequel, Settling Accounts. This fic was written for shiny_glor_chan's Jason's Death Day Challenge.
Jason stirred as the moonlight peeked through the curtains. He looked over at the two beautiful girls lying next to him, sound asleep. Steph was curled up against Cass, and as Jason stared at them, he wanted nothing more than to lie down next to them again and go back to sleep. But not tonight. It was five minutes past midnight on April 27th. Not many people got to celebrate the anniversary of their deaths, he thought, a bitter little laugh escaping his lips. Last year, he spent most of it getting drunk out of his mind and picking random fights. This year was different. He had something to live for now. What he was planning was a little insane, but if he failed, he'd go down swinging.
Steph would try to talk him out of it. Cass might understand, but she'd still worry about him. That's why he was disappearing now, long before they woke up. He'd be gone for the day, carrying out his plans, and then he'd be back with his girls, for another year before this damned anniversary came around again. Drinking and fighting definitely hadn't given him any peace in the last year. Maybe this would do the trick.
He slipped out the window. Their apartment, in the heart of midtown Gotham, was far from the mean streets of Crime Alley, where he got his start. The police could handle the occasional burglary in Midtown, but in Crime Alley, human suffering was part of the scenery. It was the one thing he and Bruce still had in common - they were tied to this place by blood and soul. Much as they tried to fight it, they would never be free of it. But today, he had more rage and passion built up than any other day, and it needed to go somewhere. Crime Alley seemed like the perfect place. For one day out of 365, that hellhole wouldn't claim any more lives.
Jason could smell the factories spewing pollution into the air as he headed into downtown. The glittering lights of midtown were gone, replaced with the sights and sounds of poverty and fear. Anyone who lived here was either someone with no other options, or those who liked to prey on them. He was here to make sure the former had one day without fear - and the latter had something to fear.
A cry could be heard down below as a mugger pushed a young woman up against a wall, demanding money. Jason leapt down from the rooftop, drawing a club from his pocket. It was time to begin.
_______________
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Steph looked into her girlfriend’s eyes as she manipulated Cass’ fingers, helping to keep them limber. Cass was always quiet, of course, but there was something about today, a distant look in her eyes, that made Steph think she had something on her mind.
“Just…Jason. Feels weird not having him here.”
“You know our boy. He has a tendency to disappear. He’ll be back soon.” Steph smiled as she rubbed Cass’ shoulder.
“I know. But today…it’s the day he died. That’s hard. Hope he’s okay.”
Steph nodded, and there was a moment of silence between the two girls.”
“Cass? You died too, right?”
“Yeah. It was quick. No big deal.”
“I always wondered…what was it like? I mean, I try to understand what Jason’s going through, but it’s hard. I’ve never been dead. Came real close, but no cigar. I’d ask him, but it doesn’t seem like he wants to talk about it, even to us.”
“I don’t remember much.” Cass said. “I got stabbed by my brother…things got hazy, and then you were there. You took me away. Then I woke up in a Lazarus pit.” Cass paused, a sad look in her eyes. “I was only gone for a few minutes. Most of it was probably just…hallucination. But Jason…he was dead for a year. Whatever he went through…I don’t know. But it was bad.”
Steph nodded. “When I was hurt, I got really close to death. I don’t think I ever really crossed over, but there was this odd feeling, of something pulling me away. I suppose this is some strange little family we’ve got going here? Death survivors anonymous?”
Cass laughed softly and leaned forward as much as she could, touching foreheads with Steph. “I miss him. I hope he’s okay.”
“He will be. He won’t do anything crazy. I hope.”
“It’s Jason.” Cass cocked an eyebrow at Steph.
“Touche.” Steph gently eased her way into Cass’ lap, wrapping her arms around her. “Do you think I should follow him? See what he’s doing with himself?”
“Not yet. He’s got…a lot of hurt. He needs to work it out. I know a little about it.”
Steph nodded and buried her head in Cass’ shoulder. Cass closed her eyes and wished that her arms were able to give Jason the hug he desperately needed today. She remembered Jason's persistence with her, helping her through her darkest moments during her recovery. There were times she thought she'd never feel whole again, like when the months of physical therapy yielded no additional movement, and she was forced to accept that not only was her life as Batgirl gone, her independence was gone with it. The thought of staying like this forever nearly broke her, but she had pulled through with the help of her lovers. Doing the same for Jason just seemed right.
“What if…we were able to reach him?”
Steph looked up. “I know that look. That’s your scheming look, isn’t it?”
“Maybe.” Cass grinned. “He’s going to hate this, but…”
--------------
Jason could feel his heart beating out of his chest. He had never pushed himself this far before. Twenty muggings, 12 rapes, and seven cases of domestic abuse all stopped. Six wanted fugitives beaten to a pulp and left for the police. Three crooked cops thrashed in the middle of abusing a suspect. Two crack dens torched, and one gang hideout busted up. He was feeling so exhilarated that he didn’t even notice the blood leaking from his side until it soaked into his costume. Damnit. One of the gang members must have gotten in a lucky shot, but it was just a flesh wound. Nothing that would stop him from finishing his mission for the day. The sun was just starting to get, and things were only going to get worse. Even if it killed him, no one died in Crime Alley that night. He’d patch himself up when he had a minute to breath.
A scream came from a nearby alley, and Jason leapt from the rooftop, tracking the sounds. He jumped down from the rooftop to find…a defeated, tied-up mugger.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m officially cracking up.”
“Not quite, little bro. Although I’d say you’re already there sometimes.”
Jason whirled around to see Nightwing standing behind him, arms crossed.
“Look, Dick. I’m not in the fucking mood. This is the worst possible day for you to mess with me, so - “
“Of course it is. What, you think I don’t know what today is? I followed you around a little, decided to see what you were up to. It wasn’t hard to figure out your plan. Great idea, keeping Crime Alley free of crime for the day. Too bad it’s just insanely stupid to try to do it alone.”
“I’m doing fine, Dick.” Jason snarled.
“The blood leaking from your side says otherwise. Besides, it’s out of your hands.” Dick jumped up to the rooftop and Jason followed him. He looked around Crime Alley. He could see Catwoman in the distance, in the red light district. No doubt protecting the women. The Birds of Prey could be seen in the tenements, patrolling for drug dealers. As Jason was taking all this in, Robin swung up to the rooftop.
“I swept the warehouses. Destroyed more drugs than I thought were in all of Gotham.”
“Great work, Tim.” Dick grinned. “Like I said, Jason. It’s in hand. You’ve done enough.”
“Since when do you two give a crap about me?” Jason snarled. “How many times did I try to kill you the last few years? Who put you up to this? The old man?”
“Bruce? No way.” Tim laughed. “We left him out of it. No reason to make a bad day even worse. As for who put us up to this…”
“It was me.”
Jason spun around to see Steph, in her Spoiler gear.
“Steph? Why - “
“Because I knew that you would do something like this. Something so macho and boneheaded, if actually a really great idea, and you’d try to do it alone. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t try to help you out a little?”
“This was my demon to exorcise, Steph.”
“I know.” Steph turned to Dick and Tim. “Guys, would you mind?”
Tim saluted. “Sure thing. There’s a neighborhood to protect.” And with that, he and Dick were gone, off the rooftop.
Steph sidled up to Jason, taking his hand. “Jay, I know you’re hurting.”
“No. You don’t know. You might have some vague idea, but you can’t understand. The heroes…they make coming back from the dead look easy. Either they’re really good fakers, or it’s a little different for everyone. But there’s always this missing piece, something that doesn’t quite fit. I don’t know if I should be here. It’s always nagging at me…the memories of that psychotic fucking clown. That’s the last thing I remember. His face, before everything went black.” Jason growled under his breath. “But today that nagging becomes a full-fledged scream.”
“I know a little about nagging pains, Jason. Tortured by Black Mask, remember? This doesn’t have to be your cross to bear alone.”
“Look, Steph, I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate you putting all this together, but - “
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“Really? Then who - “
“Cass. She came up with the whole thing. I just did most of the organizing.” Steph pulled out a small communicator. “She’s back at home, by the computer. She wanted to talk to you.”
Jason picked up the communicator and held it to his ear. “Cass?”
Cass sounded a lot less tentative than she normally did when she spoke. She knew exactly what she wanted to say.
“Jason. Do you remember…what you said to me? The night after I found out I was paralyzed? You came to my hospital room. I was terrified. I wanted to die.”
“I told you…that you were Cassandra Cain, and you were stronger than this. I told you that you weren’t going to let this beat you. And that you wouldn’t be fighting this alone. We’d be with you every step of the way.”
“You’re Jason Todd. You’re stronger than this. You’re stronger than this pain. You’re stronger than the Joker. You can beat this without killing yourself alone out there. You’ve got us.”
Jason felt his throat tighten up as he listened to his girlfriend talk. Cass was incredible. She had overcome a blow that would have likely destroyed him, and she still had the strength to talk him out of his own self-destructive moments.
“I’ll be home soon. I love you.”
Jason hung up the communicator and turned to Steph, trying to not show any emotion.
“It’s okay, Jay. Your family’s got this. You did so much good today, but you don’t have to do it alone anymore. I know you’re used to being the lone wolf, but you’ve got something better now. The pain...it’s never going to go away fully. But it’ll get easier. And when it’s too much, we’re here. We might not understand everything, but we’ll try.”
Jason wrapped his arm around Steph as they walked towards home. And back at their apartment, Cass smiled at the thought that she didn't need to be able to move to help people.
---------------
Cass looked on as Steph finished stitching up Jason’s side wound. “Deep. You really didn’t notice?”
Jason grinned. “You know me. I’m tough.” He paused, “Thanks for coming to get me tonight. I’d have probably got myself killed out there. And I’d hate to miss out on this. You two are amazing.”
“Just repaying the favor.” Cass smiled. It had been almost six months since she’d lost the use of her arms and legs, and the fact that she was not only still here but happy with her new life was a testament to the two people she shared a bed with. The least she could do was help them with their own demons.
Steph applied a bandage to Jason’s side, catching a quick look at his chest before he put his shirt back on. When she came back from Africa, she felt like she was stepping into a life that had moved on without her. Little did she know that she’d find a new life, with new lovers, that was more satisfying than any she had before.
Jason felt exhaustion overcome him, as the day’s stress finally caught up with him. He could finally sleep. His city was safe in the hands of his brothers, and he had two angels watching over him, saving him from his greatest enemy - himself. His death day traditions in the past had been sorely lacking, but this one had promise.
Author: milleniumrex
Fandom: Batman
Characters/pairings: Jason Todd/Cassandra Cain/Stephanie Brown, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake
Rating: PG-13 for violence and language
Words: 2208
Summary: It's the anniversary of Jason's death, and he has an unusual plan for it.
Author's Notes: This fic is a semi-sequel inspired by pervyficgirl's fic Adding Something Better to It, written with her permission. It follows up my first sequel, Settling Accounts. This fic was written for shiny_glor_chan's Jason's Death Day Challenge.
Jason stirred as the moonlight peeked through the curtains. He looked over at the two beautiful girls lying next to him, sound asleep. Steph was curled up against Cass, and as Jason stared at them, he wanted nothing more than to lie down next to them again and go back to sleep. But not tonight. It was five minutes past midnight on April 27th. Not many people got to celebrate the anniversary of their deaths, he thought, a bitter little laugh escaping his lips. Last year, he spent most of it getting drunk out of his mind and picking random fights. This year was different. He had something to live for now. What he was planning was a little insane, but if he failed, he'd go down swinging.
Steph would try to talk him out of it. Cass might understand, but she'd still worry about him. That's why he was disappearing now, long before they woke up. He'd be gone for the day, carrying out his plans, and then he'd be back with his girls, for another year before this damned anniversary came around again. Drinking and fighting definitely hadn't given him any peace in the last year. Maybe this would do the trick.
He slipped out the window. Their apartment, in the heart of midtown Gotham, was far from the mean streets of Crime Alley, where he got his start. The police could handle the occasional burglary in Midtown, but in Crime Alley, human suffering was part of the scenery. It was the one thing he and Bruce still had in common - they were tied to this place by blood and soul. Much as they tried to fight it, they would never be free of it. But today, he had more rage and passion built up than any other day, and it needed to go somewhere. Crime Alley seemed like the perfect place. For one day out of 365, that hellhole wouldn't claim any more lives.
Jason could smell the factories spewing pollution into the air as he headed into downtown. The glittering lights of midtown were gone, replaced with the sights and sounds of poverty and fear. Anyone who lived here was either someone with no other options, or those who liked to prey on them. He was here to make sure the former had one day without fear - and the latter had something to fear.
A cry could be heard down below as a mugger pushed a young woman up against a wall, demanding money. Jason leapt down from the rooftop, drawing a club from his pocket. It was time to begin.
_______________
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Steph looked into her girlfriend’s eyes as she manipulated Cass’ fingers, helping to keep them limber. Cass was always quiet, of course, but there was something about today, a distant look in her eyes, that made Steph think she had something on her mind.
“Just…Jason. Feels weird not having him here.”
“You know our boy. He has a tendency to disappear. He’ll be back soon.” Steph smiled as she rubbed Cass’ shoulder.
“I know. But today…it’s the day he died. That’s hard. Hope he’s okay.”
Steph nodded, and there was a moment of silence between the two girls.”
“Cass? You died too, right?”
“Yeah. It was quick. No big deal.”
“I always wondered…what was it like? I mean, I try to understand what Jason’s going through, but it’s hard. I’ve never been dead. Came real close, but no cigar. I’d ask him, but it doesn’t seem like he wants to talk about it, even to us.”
“I don’t remember much.” Cass said. “I got stabbed by my brother…things got hazy, and then you were there. You took me away. Then I woke up in a Lazarus pit.” Cass paused, a sad look in her eyes. “I was only gone for a few minutes. Most of it was probably just…hallucination. But Jason…he was dead for a year. Whatever he went through…I don’t know. But it was bad.”
Steph nodded. “When I was hurt, I got really close to death. I don’t think I ever really crossed over, but there was this odd feeling, of something pulling me away. I suppose this is some strange little family we’ve got going here? Death survivors anonymous?”
Cass laughed softly and leaned forward as much as she could, touching foreheads with Steph. “I miss him. I hope he’s okay.”
“He will be. He won’t do anything crazy. I hope.”
“It’s Jason.” Cass cocked an eyebrow at Steph.
“Touche.” Steph gently eased her way into Cass’ lap, wrapping her arms around her. “Do you think I should follow him? See what he’s doing with himself?”
“Not yet. He’s got…a lot of hurt. He needs to work it out. I know a little about it.”
Steph nodded and buried her head in Cass’ shoulder. Cass closed her eyes and wished that her arms were able to give Jason the hug he desperately needed today. She remembered Jason's persistence with her, helping her through her darkest moments during her recovery. There were times she thought she'd never feel whole again, like when the months of physical therapy yielded no additional movement, and she was forced to accept that not only was her life as Batgirl gone, her independence was gone with it. The thought of staying like this forever nearly broke her, but she had pulled through with the help of her lovers. Doing the same for Jason just seemed right.
“What if…we were able to reach him?”
Steph looked up. “I know that look. That’s your scheming look, isn’t it?”
“Maybe.” Cass grinned. “He’s going to hate this, but…”
--------------
Jason could feel his heart beating out of his chest. He had never pushed himself this far before. Twenty muggings, 12 rapes, and seven cases of domestic abuse all stopped. Six wanted fugitives beaten to a pulp and left for the police. Three crooked cops thrashed in the middle of abusing a suspect. Two crack dens torched, and one gang hideout busted up. He was feeling so exhilarated that he didn’t even notice the blood leaking from his side until it soaked into his costume. Damnit. One of the gang members must have gotten in a lucky shot, but it was just a flesh wound. Nothing that would stop him from finishing his mission for the day. The sun was just starting to get, and things were only going to get worse. Even if it killed him, no one died in Crime Alley that night. He’d patch himself up when he had a minute to breath.
A scream came from a nearby alley, and Jason leapt from the rooftop, tracking the sounds. He jumped down from the rooftop to find…a defeated, tied-up mugger.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m officially cracking up.”
“Not quite, little bro. Although I’d say you’re already there sometimes.”
Jason whirled around to see Nightwing standing behind him, arms crossed.
“Look, Dick. I’m not in the fucking mood. This is the worst possible day for you to mess with me, so - “
“Of course it is. What, you think I don’t know what today is? I followed you around a little, decided to see what you were up to. It wasn’t hard to figure out your plan. Great idea, keeping Crime Alley free of crime for the day. Too bad it’s just insanely stupid to try to do it alone.”
“I’m doing fine, Dick.” Jason snarled.
“The blood leaking from your side says otherwise. Besides, it’s out of your hands.” Dick jumped up to the rooftop and Jason followed him. He looked around Crime Alley. He could see Catwoman in the distance, in the red light district. No doubt protecting the women. The Birds of Prey could be seen in the tenements, patrolling for drug dealers. As Jason was taking all this in, Robin swung up to the rooftop.
“I swept the warehouses. Destroyed more drugs than I thought were in all of Gotham.”
“Great work, Tim.” Dick grinned. “Like I said, Jason. It’s in hand. You’ve done enough.”
“Since when do you two give a crap about me?” Jason snarled. “How many times did I try to kill you the last few years? Who put you up to this? The old man?”
“Bruce? No way.” Tim laughed. “We left him out of it. No reason to make a bad day even worse. As for who put us up to this…”
“It was me.”
Jason spun around to see Steph, in her Spoiler gear.
“Steph? Why - “
“Because I knew that you would do something like this. Something so macho and boneheaded, if actually a really great idea, and you’d try to do it alone. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t try to help you out a little?”
“This was my demon to exorcise, Steph.”
“I know.” Steph turned to Dick and Tim. “Guys, would you mind?”
Tim saluted. “Sure thing. There’s a neighborhood to protect.” And with that, he and Dick were gone, off the rooftop.
Steph sidled up to Jason, taking his hand. “Jay, I know you’re hurting.”
“No. You don’t know. You might have some vague idea, but you can’t understand. The heroes…they make coming back from the dead look easy. Either they’re really good fakers, or it’s a little different for everyone. But there’s always this missing piece, something that doesn’t quite fit. I don’t know if I should be here. It’s always nagging at me…the memories of that psychotic fucking clown. That’s the last thing I remember. His face, before everything went black.” Jason growled under his breath. “But today that nagging becomes a full-fledged scream.”
“I know a little about nagging pains, Jason. Tortured by Black Mask, remember? This doesn’t have to be your cross to bear alone.”
“Look, Steph, I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate you putting all this together, but - “
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“Really? Then who - “
“Cass. She came up with the whole thing. I just did most of the organizing.” Steph pulled out a small communicator. “She’s back at home, by the computer. She wanted to talk to you.”
Jason picked up the communicator and held it to his ear. “Cass?”
Cass sounded a lot less tentative than she normally did when she spoke. She knew exactly what she wanted to say.
“Jason. Do you remember…what you said to me? The night after I found out I was paralyzed? You came to my hospital room. I was terrified. I wanted to die.”
“I told you…that you were Cassandra Cain, and you were stronger than this. I told you that you weren’t going to let this beat you. And that you wouldn’t be fighting this alone. We’d be with you every step of the way.”
“You’re Jason Todd. You’re stronger than this. You’re stronger than this pain. You’re stronger than the Joker. You can beat this without killing yourself alone out there. You’ve got us.”
Jason felt his throat tighten up as he listened to his girlfriend talk. Cass was incredible. She had overcome a blow that would have likely destroyed him, and she still had the strength to talk him out of his own self-destructive moments.
“I’ll be home soon. I love you.”
Jason hung up the communicator and turned to Steph, trying to not show any emotion.
“It’s okay, Jay. Your family’s got this. You did so much good today, but you don’t have to do it alone anymore. I know you’re used to being the lone wolf, but you’ve got something better now. The pain...it’s never going to go away fully. But it’ll get easier. And when it’s too much, we’re here. We might not understand everything, but we’ll try.”
Jason wrapped his arm around Steph as they walked towards home. And back at their apartment, Cass smiled at the thought that she didn't need to be able to move to help people.
---------------
Cass looked on as Steph finished stitching up Jason’s side wound. “Deep. You really didn’t notice?”
Jason grinned. “You know me. I’m tough.” He paused, “Thanks for coming to get me tonight. I’d have probably got myself killed out there. And I’d hate to miss out on this. You two are amazing.”
“Just repaying the favor.” Cass smiled. It had been almost six months since she’d lost the use of her arms and legs, and the fact that she was not only still here but happy with her new life was a testament to the two people she shared a bed with. The least she could do was help them with their own demons.
Steph applied a bandage to Jason’s side, catching a quick look at his chest before he put his shirt back on. When she came back from Africa, she felt like she was stepping into a life that had moved on without her. Little did she know that she’d find a new life, with new lovers, that was more satisfying than any she had before.
Jason felt exhaustion overcome him, as the day’s stress finally caught up with him. He could finally sleep. His city was safe in the hands of his brothers, and he had two angels watching over him, saving him from his greatest enemy - himself. His death day traditions in the past had been sorely lacking, but this one had promise.