Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

Jason Todd's POV

I've gone through hell and worse in the past few years of my life. I've screwed every second chance I had. I've been thrown into jail then bailed out by my adoptive father or my brothers more times than I could count. Eventually, they succeeded in bringing me to the light; but it wasn't easy. After dying and coming back, I had become a monster. It still surprises me that Bruce, Dick, and even Tim would do so much to help me. But eventually I began to change. It began when I started helping my brothers as well as the Titans. But it was the supposed death of Bruce that pushed me to the edge and eventually landed me back in prison, miserable and alone.

Finally, my salvation arrived. Bruce walked into my cell. It was a surprise to see him alive. I realized how happy and relieved I was to see him alive. Even after all the things that had happened, a part of me was still that Jason that had looked up to Bruce as a father. And losing him had broken me harder than I knew. So it really shouldn't have come as a surprise when I broke down crying in front of Bruce. He said nothing but held me close. I barely registered the entrance of Dick and Tim as Bruce led me out of the cell. And then he took me home, not the grubby apartment that I had stayed in, but home with Alfred's cooking and the bat cave below. They had left my bedroom exactly how I left it more than seven years ago. They had left the manor exactly how it was seven years ago, with the addition of Tim and the demon brat.

For the first few days, I said little and barely moved. The prison sentence and my years of emotional and physical turmoil left me weak and malnourished. Alfred set to work to make sure I was fed enough to help gain back my strength. Bruce, Dick, Tim, and even that brat Damian each took turns spending time with me. I knew they were making sure I wouldn't leave like the last time. But for once I didn't care. I let them take care of me, and slowly I began to regain a semblance of a normal life. Well as normal as the life of a former Robin can get.

I started talking more, hanging out with my brothers, and messing around like the teenage I still was (only in an older body.) I even started laughing more; playing pranks on my brothers; mostly on Dick. Usually Tim helped in these endeavors. Even Bruce tried harder to make me feel welcome and wanted. And eventually, I did.

Not long after my return to near sanity (nobody's perfect), Bruce welcomed a new addition to our screwed family; his fiancée. She had stayed mostly away during my rehab time in order to let me adjust to things slowly. I learned later that this was Bruce's and her decision. And Tim and Dick assured me that she was no dumb blonde out for Bruce's money. Dick and Tim told me that she was nice, unsure about dealing with us, but very strong, both physically and mentally. They also mentioned that she was a tough and stern mother figure, putting both Bruce and the boys in their places at times. Even Tim admitted that she had effectively punished him for one of his more sinister pranks; dying Dick's hair pink. But Tim also mentioned that it took all of her willpower not to laugh at Dick's hair when he came running to her like a little kid.

Not too long after, Bruce married his fiancée, Wonder Woman; also currently known as Diana Wayne now. Soon after, with the adoption of Cassandra (after we found her) and Stephanie, as well as Cassis (Wonder Girl) moving in; we became some sort of a hybrid freaky bat family. But hey, it was family.

So lift went on. A month after Diana entered the family; she and Bruce decided to allow me back into fighting crime on the streets of Gotham. Bruce and Dick even offered to design a new name and suit, but I refused. I explained to Bruce that I needed to redeem myself; which meant redeeming the Red Hood. Eventually, Bruce agreed to let me keep my old biker version of the suit. He had only one condition; to get rid of the guns. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard to do.

I then resumed my training with Bruce with Dick, Tim, and even Diana joining in my new training regime. It wasn't long before I was ready to get back on the streets of Gotham.

A little while later, Bruce and Diana initiated me into the Justice League (Tim, Dick, Stephanie, and Damien had already joined before.) It meant I was finally a hero, not some street thug. And although I still had a long way to go before Red Hood could be redeemed; I felt better about myself in a long time.

Life was routine but not unpleasant. Nights were spent on the streets in Gotham City, days were school (college, Diana insisted), and sometimes league business. Life was surprisingly good.

Diana once suggested I accompany Bruce and her to one of her global warming summits in Kyoto. She had wanted to turn this into a family trip, so Tim and Damien came along as well (Stephanie had exams so she stayed with Babs, Cassandra was somewhere in Hong Kong again, and Dick had work to do with the league, but he promised to meet us later.)

While Diana was at the summit, Bruce made appearances with Wayne Enterprise's business partners. That left Tim and me "babysitting", to use the word lightly, Damien. Really, what we actually did was run around Kyoto looking for crazy diversions. Usually we returned to the hotel fresh from a gang fight, with cuts and bruises all over our faces and arms. Even having to withstand one of Bruce or Diana's lectures about how stupid we were couldn't take the fun out of our escapades. They claimed I was being a bad influence on the boys; I didn't care. And neither did Tim and Damien. Those were the good old days.

On the second night of our stay, there was a huge party for the diplomats at the summit. Diana insisted that Tim and I come. After whining and cursing; and mostly only to make her happy, we were dragged along.

We were dressed in our unbearable suits; Bruce with the classic tux, Tim and I went all black. And of course our mother dressed in a way that seemed to make her look more like a princess.

As Mr. and Mrs. Wayne regally entered on the red carpet, Tim and I planned our entrance. Our parents poised politely for the camera, smiling and chatting with the paparazzi; and we made our move. Tim and I, well we sort of sprinted across the red carpet. I'm pretty sure that all the reporters got were blurry photos of our sides (we tucked ours heads in.) Once we arrived at the banquet hall, we ignored the critical eye of our stepmother, passed the amused but stern look Bruce was wearing, and charged the buffet table.

"This is the only reason I'm here," Tim said as we snuck fancy cheese and caviar into our mouths.

"Enjoying the buffet, boys?" a woman approached us as Tim looked up with fear.

"Mmmm," I answered before I noticed our mother staring at us.

"Really, can't you two behave?" she asked bemused.

"Yes, mom," we answered mechanically.

Diana gave us a look and prepared to berate us when Bruce arrived and grabbed her hand, "Come princess, we have subjects to greet," he said in his Bruce Wayne voice.

Diana sighed, gave us one last look, and walked way. Bruce turned to us and gave us a stern look, adding, "Don't upset your mother, and try not to embarrass the family."

"It's a little too late for that," I muttered as he gave a warning look.

He walked away and we resumed our pillaging. Really, you'd think we were hobo children, not the adopted kids of the richest man on earth and a princess.

"You know, you should come up to breathe sometime," a voice came from behind.

I looked up to see a pretty brown haired girl. She was named Annie, and she was the daughter of a prominent company owner in the US. She seemed okay and she was hot; so we started going out.

By luck, or design, her family's business was located in Gotham. So we were able to hang out without the long distance crap. Unfortunately, we became Gotham's new sweethearts; Annie usually dragging me to every public function possible. I hated these parties, but once Annie wanted something, Annie got it.

Six months passed and Annie told me that she was going to stay in Paris for a month while her parents were meeting with a French businessman about expanding their business in France. I was unusually quiet as she said goodbye. Something bugged me. It was our six month anniversary in a week and she had surprisingly made no mention of it.

Once I told Diana, Dick,and Tim (more like after they dragged it out of me) about how Annie was going to be away during our anniversary; they suggested romantic mush things that I should do. Now I really don't care for fluffy romance, and I couldn't care less about our anniversary. And really the only reason I ever remembered our anniversary was because Annie always gave me hell for not getting her an anniversary gift. She was evil; and made sure I never forgot our "special" day.

But Annie hadn't nagged or whined at me for a gift since last month; so I wondered if she had forgotten. I quickly pushed that aside, Annie never forgot a chance at receiving gifts. But why did she forget this time?

Diana then suggested that I should surprise Annie at her hotel (Annie seemed to have forgot to tell me which hotel she was staying at; but her mother had told Diana) and bring her flowers. I hated this idea, especially since Dick had done the same for Babs last year. Anything Dick does, Jason avoids faithfully. But this time fate was screwing with me. Dick bought me a ticket (secretly) and Tim dragged me over to the airport; insisting that he come along.

I retorted that I didn't need a babysitter, and he gave me a look and said, "Look, is it so bad to help my romantically deficient brother keep his first girlfriend and be slightly happy?"

"Yes, it freaking is, especially when that brother is me. Go interfere with Dickie or Damian's lives, or Cassie, Steph, or even Cassandra's lives!" I snapped annoyed.

"Because, one Dick has already been taken care of; the brat is too yound, Cassie is back with Connor, Stephanie is supposed to focus on school (Diana's orders) and Cassandra is fighting in Asia. That leaves you, so deal," replied smirking.

I stuck my tongue at him and walked towards the plane area. A few painful hours later we arrived in Paris. Taking a taxi, Tim made us stop and pushed me into a flower shop.

"Don't fight it, you know it's pointless," Tim advised as he closed the taxi door on me.

"Damn you," I grumbled as I entered the shop.

I entered the shop and gazed around. Flowers were everwhere, in every girl color possible. Too much color! Too much girly! I had to get out of there and quick. Jason Todd was not going to get caught spending time in a flower shop. That's Dick's job.

I approached the shop owner who luckily understood and spoke English. He told me his name, but I decided to remember him as Frenchie.

"What can I do for you, good sir," he smiled.

"I need some flowers for my girlfriend," I said awkwardly.

"Ah, young love," he replied as he started gesturing to different flowers.

As I looked, his words nagged at me. Love? Was I in love? Is this what it felt like? Having to suffer through plane trips and having to give gifts to my girlfriend? Did Annie love me? I pushed away these thoughts and chose the most expensive flower; roses. Annie liked expensive things.

Choosing two dozen; the man then began preparing them as I looked awkwardly around. Suddenly my eyes caught on a picture of a stunningly beautiful blonde girl. I think I stared at her face for a good five minutes before Frenchie interrupted my observation.

"That is Supergirl, she saved me during that attack on Paris three years ago," he said as he finished wrapping paper around the flowers.

It was then that I noticed the Supergirl costume she was wearing; the one that resembled her famous cousin, Superman. I had been so fixed on her face that I hadn't even noticed the rest of the picture. She was smiling with Frenchie and in her small, but undoubtedly strong hands; she held a bunch of white flowers.

"Lilies, she told me her favorite flowers were lilies, and she always used to return here for my lilies. She used to say they smelled better than anyone else's," Frenchie boasted proudly.

For some freaking reason, I kept listening to Frenchie. I seemed entranced by the beautiful hero, and it was really freaking the hell out of me. Forcefully, I broke out of my trance, quickly paid Frenchie and ran out of the store.

"What took you so long?" Tim asked me as I slammed the door of the taxi shut.

"Nothing, the crazy man was lecturing me on about lilies; I barely got out of there alive," I lied as Tim rolled his eyes.

"You're such a baby," he muttered quietly.

We arrived at the hotel, and stood in front of the hotel for a while as I stood there awkwardly wondering what I was supposed to do in this situation. Tim took one look and me and said, "You'll do fine, Jay. Go in and show her that you do care; that you can resemble a normal human being."

"Look, I know. I was just waiting for you," I retorted.

"Right," Tim said sarcastically.

We walked into the front desk; Tim turned to me, "I'll get the rooms, you go on and surprise her."

I nodded and entered the lobby (after asking for Annie's room number) and went to the elevator. Just as I was about to get in; my eyes caught on something shiny. Then I heard a familiar voice. I turned around felt my whole world crash down and burn.

There was Annie, my Annie, wearing the second month anniversary gift; a silver necklace with an emerald pendant. There was my girlfriend kissing another damn guy! I felt numb, I didn't feel anything for a long time. I couldn't. I felt my legs carry me over to them. Finally, it seemed as if all my emotions exploded right then and there. I dropped the flowers on her lap. It was then that Annie broke away from that jerk and looked up at my cold, hard eyes. Her eyes widened in fear as she tried to speak, "Jason, I'm…"

"Shut the hell up, it's freaking over," I snapped as I turned to leave.

Then I turned around and hissed, "I'll be taking these," and with reflexes that would have made Bruce proud I snatched the earrings, bracelet, ring, and watch that I had been forced to buy for her.

Annie looked shocked and upset but before she could open her cheating mouth to say anything I brought my head dangerously close to hers. I glared into her bewildered eyes, then ripped the necklace from her neck. Annie gasped and brought her hands around her neck as the jackass next to her stood in shock doing nothing.

"This was my mothers," I lied, but hey, she deserved worse than the guilt this would give her.

The jerk then suddenly stood up and attempted to say something along the lines of "Stop making a scene" or "What the hell, are you crazy!" I barely heard what he said, and I suddenly punched him. He went out cold as I staggered off. It was then that I noticed that Tim had been watching the whole scene with narrowed eyes at Annie. I passed by him and murmured, "Let's get the hell out of here."

Tim followed me outside and waited until I stopped at a park before he spoke, "Jay, I told you so," which was more of an attempt to cheer me up than actually show off.

"Nice to know you care, but I should be surprised that she managed to stand the sight of me for so long…" I ranted.

"Jason, she was lucky to date you, not the other way around. And I told you she wasn't good," Tim returned seriously.

He was right, the first time I met Annie; Tim narrowed his eyes and told me, "I don't trust her."

I had told him to shut up at the time and ignored any other warning he had given. He gave up warning me and just hoped that his doubts were wrong for once. Next time, I plan on listening to him. Not.

"Now that you've proven your point and made me fell a hell of a lot better, can you find me an ass kicking?" I said sarcastically but then becoming serious.

"Just a second."

After an hour of kicking ass and blowing off steam, we took a taxi back the airport. But before we arrived, I stopped the car in front of the flower place from before. Something told me to go in one more time. So I opened the door of the taxi to leave. Tim gave me a questioning look and I gruffly told him, "What? It won't take long."

As I walked towards the store I noticed that the weather was rainy and foggy. Great, even the world seems to hate me.

When I entered the store; the florist was putting away his things. Hearing the door open, he said without looking up, "Sorry, but we are closed."

When I didn't answer him, Frenchie looked up to repeat his words but stopped when he noticed me staring at the picture. My eyes were transfixed on her face, her eyes, her smile, her hair, her everything. For the first time that day I felt at peace, no longer could I feel anger or pain. It was like she was an angel who could take away the pain. Wow, that was cliché. I was starting to sound like Dick, uhh! I quickly shook myself out of my reverie and turned to gaze at Frenchie who was staring at me with knowing eyes.

"What?" I snapped a bit harshly.

"Nothing, sir," Frenchie replied politely as he began to resume his clean up.

I just stood there awkwardly staring at him; and I found yet again that I didn't even know why I was there. I didn't even know what to say.

He walked over to the lilies and wrapped a dozen of them then he walked over to me and placed them in my bewildered hands.

"Here," he said gently, "Find a Supergirl of your own, one who calms the fire within it true to her love for you."

So he knew. He must have noticed how calm I became as I stared at that picture. But I also knew that he was giving me false hope. I could never hope for someone that special, certainly not Supergirl and certainly not girls half as beautiful and special as she was.

"With my luck, that will never happen," I said solemnly.

"Don't give up so easily, fate will have better things for you," Frenchie offered encouragingly.

I stared at the flowers; they gave me the same feeling as I did while staring at the photo. I looked up and did the one thing that Jason Todd never does truthfully, "Thanks, I guess."

I then took out the necklace I took back from she who will henceforth be referred to as that damn woman, and gave it to Frenchie. He refused to take it.

"Here, sell this and use the money to expand your store and your garden," I persisted, "Grow more lilies."

I said this suddenly and forcefully. I groaned, when did I become so sentimental and girly? Dick was getting to me; so were all those distracting colors. I had to get out of there.

"Just take it, I need to go."

There was only so much that Jason Todd could tolerate in a flower shop. Not to mention if Tim found out that I was paying a man to grow flowers just for the sentimental feelings that I suddenly felt; my reputation as Jason Todd, bad ass jerk, would go down the toilet. And I sure as hell wasn't about to allow that to happen.

I suddenly shoved the necklace into the man's hands, murmured a goodbye, and made a run for the door. I was almost there when I suddenly collapsed on the floor, tripping on a damn flower pot. And as if the world couldn't make my life suck more, the door opened and Tim entered the shop.

"Jay, do I even have to ask?" Tim remarked as he noticed me on the floor.

He took a look around the shop to figure out why I was so interested in it. Then his eyes momentarily stopped on the picture. I began praying that he wouldn't figure anything out and thankfully, he just looked back to me and said, "Get off the floor, Jason."

I sprund up and Tim shook his head as he stepped out. I was about to leave when an arm pulled me back. It was Frenchie with the lilies that I had left on the counter. I took the flowers and turned around to leave when I heard Frenchie say "Thank you, sir."

I looked back one last time before I finally left; he smiled and waved goodbye.

I got out into the fresh but damp air and sad down in the cab without another word. And never once did I relinquish my hold on those flowers. Even in the plane, no one could take the flowers away.

When we returned, Tim and I took a taxi home. When we entered our home, Bruce, Diana, Dick, Damien, and Alfred were waiting in the living room for us. Damn Tim, he must have called ahead and told them. I had hoped to have been able to sneak in unnoticed but no, Tim just has to open his big mouth and ruin my plans. I'm going to kill him!

Alfred put a hand on my shoulder and told me, "It's going to be alright son."

That helped surprisingly a little, and then Bruce gave me a sad smile as Dick approached me with arms outstretched ready to capture his prey in a suffocating hug. I sidestepped Dick as he crashed into Tim who was behind me. I turned around and gave them an evil smile and a "Ha!" when suddenly I was engulfed in possibly the strongest hug every. My stepmother was crushing me a hug. I struggled and waited to get out of her grip. I did not enjoy that Hug! Really! Finally she let me go and told me, "She didn't deserve you, Jason."

I nodded and turned to leave when someone pounced on me. It was that fool of a girl brother of mine.

"Oh, Jason, don't worry, I'm sure you will find someone better. I'll help you. I promise I will make you happier," He said as he clung onto me.

I bit back a retort and glared at a smirking Tim, then got an evil smile. I grabbed Dick's waist and flipped him over my head. He fell on the floor with a huge scream as I watching smirking.

That brother of mine stared up at me and glared, "Why, Jason, why?"

"Oh, get up you ninny," I returned as I walked past a disapproving Diana and Bruce. I suddenly noticed my hands were empty; the flowers! Where were my freaking flowers!

I turned to face the others and questioned, "Where are…?"

"Your flowers, Master Jason, are in the vase right here. I took the liberty of taking them from you when you came in," Alfred answered as he held up a vase full of my lilies.

I staggered over to him and took the vase, muttered thanks, and walked off into my room. As I left I heard the others talking.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Diana asked worried.

"Over time," Bruce answered.

"What's with his obsession with those stupid flowers," the brat asked.

As I left, Tim followed me. I opened the door to my bedroom when Tim finally spoke, "You know your obsession with those flowers is unhealthy."

"Shut up," I retorted.

I saw Tim smile as he left. Maybe he thought that everything would be okay. Besides, Jason was single and available. Oh yeah! Right?

End of Ch. 2

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