Still 3rd Person pov

Dick is helping Rachel get her bed together as Alison does the same for the couches.

"So, uh, you and Alison?" Rachel gets brave. She's assumed during their trip, but Alison and Dawn's memories confirmed her biggest question. She's wanted nothing more than to ask, and she knew she'd have better luck with Dick than Alison.

Dick raises up quickly, "Huh? No." But of course not perfect luck.

She looks at him annoyed, "You realize it's impossible to lie to me, right?"

Dick looks defeated. "It's been a while.... It was a different time," He then gives Rachel the 'you happy' look before going to leave the room. "Good night."

Rachel sits on the edge of the bed, "Why did you break her?" She says before Dick can leave. Those words make him freeze instantly.

"I didn't, I couldn't," He stumbles over his words, "She played her part," He finally gets out, turning to face Rachel.

"That doesn't make better," Rachel rebuttals.

"Yeah, well, doesn't matter now does it? It's all in the past," Dick puts an end to it, desperately wanting to leave this conversation. He goes to leave again.

"Is it? Cause it's not for her," Rachel stops him once again. She saw the aftermath... she felt it. Dick pauses for a moment, almost falling for it, but he knows better, or so he thinks. Alison doesn't give a shit about it or him.

"Get some rest," He finally says. Rachel frowns, nodding.

Alison's pov

"Hey," Dawn enters the living room as I'm spreading out blankets. I only nod. "So, uh-"

"I don't wanna talk about it Dawn," I cut her off.

"Right," She exhales. She lingers, ugh. "I hope you at least found someone to talk to," She says before going to her bedroom.

I think of Jason, really starting to miss the little shit right about now. "I did," I smile to myself.

~~~~

Later, in the middle of the night, a buzzing sound goes off. I groan covering my head with a pillow.

"Better be glad I wasn't asleep," I grumble.

"Sorry," Dick whispers. I roll over to see him put his case on the table. He scans his eye and quickly opens it, taking out the phone. "It's Alfred," He informs me. "Hey, it's me," He answers, then listens. "We'll be there." This is about the phone call from the other day. Good. That means this nightmare is finally coming to an end.

~~~~

The next morning, Dick pulls us up to the Federal Reserve to get the money from Alfred to leave for Rachel. I wanted to stop for donuts on the way but apparently "we're in a hurry".

~~~~

Once we get back to the apartment he writes a note and puts it in the envelope with the money.

"Anything to add?" He asks, more-so offers.

"Good riddance." He heaves loudly. I hold my hands up, "Okay, okay. Have fun?" He looks up at me, not humored. I huff, "Fine, then just sign my name."

He finishes up writing on the outside of the envelope as Rachel and Dawn enter the apartment chatting and giggling. Dick quickly stashes it under the folded blanket.

"Yeah. Why don't you go watch it right now?" Dawn encourages her, "And take your shoes off."

"Okay," Rachel chuckles, "Thanks, Khaleesi!" Ah, they must've been discussing Game of Thrones. Dick smiles at their interaction.

I follow Dawn into the kitchen, Dick right behind me.

"Huh, you do you look like Khaleesi, kinda hot," I nod, leaning against the doorway.

Dawn bursts out laughing as Dick walks in, "What'd you do with Rachel? You know, the sullen one?"

"I didn't do anything with her," She answers so innocently as she starts putting away groceries, "I just didn't treat her like a kid. She's a good girl."

"But she is a kid," I say, getting myself a glass of water since there's no good stuff around here.

"What'd you do with Alison? You know, the moody one," Dawn rebuttals.

"Um, hello, still in the room here people," I wave my hands around.

Dick rolls his eyes, "Got her a donut." Oh yeah, I got one on the way back, ha. He didn't want a repeat of the other night, so keeping me quiet with food it was.

"So do you two wanna take a look?" Dawn shifts the conversation. Dick looks puzzled but I immediately perk up knowing what she means. "At the case," She smiles.

"The supplier's name is Bronson. He's moving small hand guns," Dawn explains, handing over a tablet to show us more, "He's trying to corner the pre-teen market. Intel says they're making a new shipment tomorrow night on the docks, and we think we can break the chain."

Dick nods, handing the tablet to me, and looks something up on his laptop.

"The famous bird computer. Wayne Enterprises Tech," Dawn admires, "What happened between you and Bruce?" Here we go.

"I'm sure she filled you in," Dick answers, glancing at me.

Before I can respond Rachel yells from her room. "Dragons? This show just got so much better."

Dawn chuckles, "It's a big responsibility."

Dick smiles cluelessly, "What?" How does he always miss everything?

"Taking her in. Especially under the circumstances," She looks in between us. I snort. "I mean, I know how healing it must be, doing what Bruce did for the both of you when you lost your parents. But taking care of a kid is complicated, you two know that better than anyone." Is she done yet? I'm getting bored.

"Good thing I'm not taking care of her then," I say at the same time Dick says, "We're not taking her in." Dawn looks taken aback.

"Look I don't have to say it to anyone here, I'm not good at the.... staying with people part," Dick gets quieter, looking down.

A lump tries to form in my throat before I quickly clear it, "Clearly," I jab.

He gives me a 'not now' look. "Look, I know things are tight around here, so I thought Alfred could give me some money, maybe help out a bit, help out Rachel at the same time. Two birds with one stone. Well, three I guess," He finally tells Dawn our- his plan. I might've laughed at the bird part if I wasn't starting to get pissed.

"Wait, you want to leave her here?" Dawn asks in disbelief. Did he not just say that?

"Just for a while, just until..."

"Until when?" Dawn cuts him off.

"You don't understand Dawn. I'm not good at family. I can't..." He sighs, "You don't know what I've become."

"What are you talking about?" She asks.

"Oh please. Save the dramatics, Dick," I finally snap and abruptly shoot up out of my chair, "And Dawn," I turn to her, "What did you think was gonna happen? That Dick and I would just take her in and we'd all be one big happy family? It's not the same anymore."

They both look at me warily. God, I hate that look. The one you always get after you actually say what you really wanna say and everyone looks at you like you're a disaster waiting to destroy.

Before anyone can say anything else Dick's computer beeps. I look down at it as Dick clicks on something. "Dawn do not hit this delivery. Look at the numbers of security contractors."

"That's a lot," I warn her.

She stands, "Don't change the subject, you two were finally talking for a change."

The door slams open, Hank walks in observing what was unfolding. "Well, isn't this cozy. There about to be another cat fight?" Funny.

"Hey," Dawn turns to him.

"We were just talking, not arguing," Dick tells him

"Same old," He then looks at Dick, "Come and go, take what you want," Before turning to me, "Alison, probably causing a scene, Dawn gets upset," Hanks rattles off, walking closer. I cross my arms.

"You know Hank, I've had all I'm gonna take out of you for one trip," I walk closer to him.

"What, you gonna throw shit at me next," He jeers. Dick looks confused but I know exactly what he's talking about. 

"Hank!" Dawn scolds.

"Oh yeah? You're funny, Hank, you're a funny guy," I pause for a moment, narrowing my eyes. Then a loud smack rings out as I slap him.

I laugh proudly. Dawn gasps. Hank just stands there for a moment, stunned, before starting to take a step towards me. Dick jumps up putting a hand on Hank's chest.

"Oh, you wanna defend her now?" Hank snaps, pushing Dick back.

"Stop!" Rachel yells, entering the kitchen now as well. Dick grabs Hank by the collar pushing him against the sink, then Hank reverses it pushing Dick against the table. "Stop!!" Rachel screams and this time the kitchen window shatters causing the guys to separate and duck their heads down, and Dawn and I turn away. After a second, we all slowly look at each other again. "I'm sorry," Rachel quickly leaves, confusion and worry written all over Dawn and Dick's faces.

"Jesus," Hank says lightly.

I let out a laugh, "Now I'm having fun."

~~~~

Authors Note: her little mentions of Jason <3
I can't wait until they're reunited!!