It almost had given him a heart attack at first. Even without the mechanized hint in his voice which his helmet always gives him, Debbie had for a second believed Jason was- well... she wasn't completely wrong.
"It's me, kid, it's Jason."
Jason let the young girl munch on the cupcakes he had brought her after Debbie refused to eat the healthy hospital food that was left for her in case she woke up every day. Debbie had her entire upper lip and nose covered in rainbow frosting which made a smile bloom on Jason's face.
"Small bites, princess, save some for tomorrow," it made Debbie laugh as she devoured almost half the box of cupcakes Jason had brought.
Even though she had woken up and ate various colorful cupcakes, Debbie still lacked energy. The young girl's face drooped down even with the occasional smile or giggle. She also kept from talking as much as before. That is until a certain bit of information escaped her lips.
"Mean old Ed wouldn't share his candy so I thought I'd try some. It didn't taste like caramel though, and it looked more like pop rocks and medicine."
That had truly caught Jason by surprise as he sipped on his coffee. His face now stern as he looked at the young girl with growing concern in the pit of his stomach, "What?"
Turns out Debbie had found her stepfathers stash. He punished her after she had spilled most of his supply over their living room rug and declared that they were only pieces of candy he had acquired at work. Debbie, being disobedient as ever with her stepfather, had snuck into his room one afternoon and swiped a large amount of drug, taking it back to her own bedroom.
One thing quickly led to another but they were fast in rushing the blonde to the hospital. For the time being she was only under surveillance and only once she could perfectly manage herself on her own, she would be free to go.
It still didn't keep Jason from growing furious. He gulped down the most horrid words threatening to escape his throat and forced a smile through clenched teeth, "I'm just glad you're okay, Debs."
As fate would have it, a nurse soon entered Debbie's hospital room to inform them the end of visiting hours. Jason was quick in saying goodbye, he gave Debbie her well deserved hug and kiss on her forehead before promising that he would visit again soon.
Jason had some business to take care of first.
The night was still young as Jason made his way to one of his shared safe houses with Roy. The red head surely would be there working on some form of gadget or another. Most likely building Damian's well deserved weapon.
"Harper, what more do you know about UT?"
Jason was correct. As he entered his warehouse/safe house, Roy was at his workbench fiddling with what seemed to be the wing of a miniature plane. The other man didn't even bother in looking up from his project, "Uh, well you can get it in almost any form. Pills being traditional as well as pieces of paper like LSD. Knowledgeable chef's are becoming more creative from what I hear. What exactly are you getting at here, Jason?"
Jason wasn't sure if this would be a good idea. Although he had very little choice and he trusted Roy with far worse. Jason would trust Roy with even his own life.
"I need to ask you a favor."
Roy wished he could say he was surprised. But in all honesty he was just down right relieved. Or at least he wished he could say he was somewhat relieved.
Oh, who was he kidding, Roy was terrified.
In front of him was who he believed to be one of the smartest men, one of the best tacticians he had ever known. And of course being his best friend, one of the worst partners in crime ever (meaning the absolute best) and the one person who Roy trusted with every inch of his being.
"Let me get this straight," Roy began, rubbing his forehead and sighing heavily, "You've got a kid?"
Jason nodded, "Yes."
"Not your kid though, right? Hopefully?" Roy bit his lip and waited patiently for the answer.
"No- uh, well... not biologically. No."
What a mess it seemed they were in. At least in Roy's opinion. And yet Jason was always the one telling him to not bring in any personal matters to their night time patrol lives. Yet Roy dealt with the issue at hand how his partner had told him to do so.
Jason took his friend to the hospital of all places. Roy would need to take care of the young girl all the while Jason himself tended to some certain parenting work. Although it wouldn't be Jason Todd and Roy Harper specifically who would be visiting the child.
"Hey, kid I'm Arsenal!"
Yes of course. The duo would don their masks that night.
Roy and Jason entered through the window of her hospital room, making sure to avoid every camera once they reached their destination. Roy of course had brought along a few trinkets to keep busy and Jason himself had brought few snacks for the young girl.
"Woah," Debbie had on the largest smile she could muster, "Are you like the Green Arrow or something? Connie from down the hall says-"
Roy shook his head, forcing a smile, "No!" he cleared his throat, "I mean well... nah. I'm way better than that clown. And I've got better weapon's and gadgets."
The red head and blonde were quickly acquainted, much to Jason's overwhelming concern. He had given Debbie a small box of chocolates and promised Roy a trip to the junkyard if the two behaved while he went out. They were more than happy to oblige by his rules.
Just as soon as he had laid down some rules, the Red Hood was once more out the window.
Debbie sat in her hospital gown lightly kicking her feet and eating chocolate, "Want some chocolate, Speedy?"
Roy sighed heavily, it would be a long night, "Move over, kid. And duh I want chocolate."
Jason on the other hand was making sure he got his work done. He returned to the docks, making sure he hid in his usual spot, looking down to the meeting place where Lawrence would surely come to with his colleagues.
As usual, the two cars rode up silently as the men got out to meet each other. Jason was familiar with their conversations already. And he wasn't interested in it anyhow. He went to pay Lawrence a personal visit for a certain blonde girl in his life.
Delto was there as usual. He patted Lawrence's back and the men shook hands as the others congratulated him. Oh, Jason was beyond prepared to rip him a new one.
He waited for them to leave the older man. Once Jason was sure the cars were out of sight is when he dropped down.
"Having a nice night, Lawrence?"
The man took a look around, searching for the source of such a mechanic voice. Before having the chance to take a step forward, a knife was positioned far too close on his neck. Jason had him pinned against one of the filthy shipping containers.
"Who-"
"Don't say a fucking word or I'll dismember you right where you stand," the man coldly stated after covering the others mouth, "Nod if you understand, you idiot."
Lawrence nodded.
"Now," Red Hood began, "you put a little girl in the hospital-"
"That wasn't my fault I-"
Jason pressed down on the knife making a string of blood trickle down and stain his blade. He sighed and shook his head as the man stayed quite, "You bastards just don't shut up do ya'? You were the one who put her there in the first place with your idiot jobs. Nod if you understand."
Lawrence was now nodding quickly, swallowing all pain from his minor cut due to the knife at his throat.
"You put her in there, I'll be the one taking her out," Red Hood tilted his head while releasing pressure on his knife. Oh how he wished to just slice old Lawrence into a million pieces then and there. But of course he couldn't. "Get rid of your ties with Delto, Lawrence. Keep the girl and her mother out of your filthy deals."
"I will! I swear it!"
The Red Hood took a half step back, wiping his blade clean on Lawrence's shoulder before chuckling to himself and offering his hand to shake. Lawrence's breath was uneasy, swallowing hard he took the gloved hand as Jason presented him with a firm, almost hurtful grip.
"To be sure you follow orders..."
SNAP!
Jason left the man clutching his crookedly bent arm as he made his way back to his girl. He made sure to make enough damage. A warning. If he didn't follow his directions well Jason would have a blast in repeating his message. Maybe even invite Roy with him.
It took him little to no time to reach the hospital. When he did, Roy and Debbie somehow miraculously were able to fit in the girls' bed and were heavily sleeping. Roy's own mask was threatening to fall off, his usual cap was sat atop the desk to his left. Debbie had various sloppy braids done into her hair as she slept with her feet draped over the red heads abdomen.
How he ended up with such people in his life, Jason had no clue. Yet he wouldn't give it up for the world.