Chapter Text
Jocelyn sighed softly as she flipped on to her beat up couch. She looked around her messy apartment, knowing she needed to clean before going to bed.
She groaned and sprawled out on the couch and grabbed the remote. She had finally gotten her 4 year old son, Jaxson, to sleep. He hadn't been feeling well, a tummy ache was all he said and Jocelyn had made sure he wasn't running a fever or anything.
Thankfully he seemed to mostly just want an excuse to be extra clingy, his tummy ache seemed to disappear when they were cuddling. Jocelyn didn't mind, she adored spending the day with her baby boy, but she had neglected her chores because of it.
Jocelyn sighed and turned on a random show before she forced herself back to her feet and began cleaning her living room, mostly just picking up Jaxson’s toys and some blankets.
After a few minutes Jocelyn moved to the kitchen to get the dishes done. As she began to wash a coffee cup she looked out the small window in front of the sink, expecting to see the usual Gotham cityscape. She froze and squinted into the darkness at the figure standing in the room across from her building.
Jocelyn blinked and leaned closer to the window, setting the cup down. The person was way too big to be Tim, Jocelyn had also thrown a fit when Bruce sent the new Robin to check on her and Jaxson without warning her. Seeing someone else in a uniform anything close to his hurt her heart.
The figure could be Bruce but he wasn't in the Batsuit which Jocelyn found strange. He was definitely too bulky to be Dick. Jocelyn frowned, anxiety beginning to bubble to the surface.
After a few seconds of thinking, Jocelyn dried her hands and slowly began turning off the lights in her apartment, as well as making sure all the windows and doors were locked. She then moved to Jaxson’s bedroom and scooped the small boy out of his bed.
“Mama?” He mumbled and opened his teal blue eyes.
“Shh buddy, we're gonna have a sleepover okay?” Jocelyn slipped into her room and locked the door before laying her son on her bed “Go back to sleep sweetie.” She smiled and moved to check her window and the adjoined bathroom’s window.
“M’tay, Mama” Jaxson snuggled up against Jocelyn’s pillows.
Once Jocelyn was sure they were safe she risked another look outside. Sure enough, the man was there. He hadn't moved, was just… watching her.
Jocelyn frowned “Who the fuck are you?” She whispered and shifted. She knew damn well she wasn't sleeping now. She debated calling Bruce, maybe she was being stalked by a rogue.
She looked up at the man again, she could see him a little better now that her lights were off, but was still too far away to actually identify. All she could see was he was tall, buff as hell, and looked to be wearing cargo pants.
“Mama?” Jaxson called out and Jocelyn jumped. She thought he was asleep.
“Yeah baby?” She hoped he couldn't hear her voice shake slightly.
“Bedtime… why aren't you sleeping?” Jaxson wiggled before he started to climb out of the bed. He walked over to her and hugged her leg. “Mama can't sleep?” He asked softly.
Jocelyn smiled and picked Jaxson up before leaving the window. She laid down with him, “Mama's just anxious buddy” she sighed, “I thought I saw something outside.” She kissed his head and smiled as he snuggled closer.
“I'm sorry Mama. It's probably nothing” he whispered softly and yawned “Eyes are mean in the dark sometimes, remember?” He hummed and shifted closer, clinging to her.
“Mhm” she hummed, though that man definitely was a simple illusion, at least he didn't seem to be harmful. “Let's get some sleep.” Jocelyn whispered and held her son closer. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and sent a quick text to Bruce.
“Hey, B. Just wanted to let you know, there's a dude staring at my apartment building. Not sure if it's at me, definitely feels that way but you know…”
Bruce texted back immediately “On my way. Stay inside with Jaxson.”
“No shit” Jocelyn mumbled and laid her phone back down
“No swearing Mama” Jaxson chided and wiggled around so he could wag his little pointer finger at her.
Jocelyn laughed softly, “I'm a mama, I can swear if I want” she nipped at the air in front of his finger, clacking her teeth loudly. Jaxson let out a squeal of laughter. “Mommies are allowed to swear” she smiled and tickled his sides slightly to get another squeal.
“Mommy!” He laughed loudly “Stooooop” Jocelyn smiled and held him close again as he began to settle down. “Mmmm. Night Mama” Jaxson whispered softly and nuzzled closer.
“Night Jaxson” she whispered and kissed his head.
A few moments passed and Jocelyn jumped slightly at a soft tap at her window. She looked up across the small space to find Nightwing. He smiled and waved before giving a two thumbs up.
Jocelyn arched her eyebrows and sat up slightly “What?” She mouthed.
“Dudes gone.” Dick mouthed back with a shrug. “All good. I'm keeping watch” another thumbs up.
Jocelyn frowned “Creep” she mouthed jokingly smiling, “Thank you.” she added seriously.
Another thumbs up and then Dick disappeared from the view of the window. Thank God too, Jocelyn didn't appreciate her basically brother-in-law watching her sleep.
At some point Jocelyn fell back asleep. She awoke the next morning to soft giggles as her four year old tried to sneak out of the bed.
“You need to be quieter to be sneaky Jax” Jocelyn opened her eyes and the boy froze, hanging off the bed as he tried to lower himself to the floor. “Need help?”
“No!” He let go of the sheets and landed with a thump, Jocelyn sat up quickly to check on him. He was already standing and smiling wide, “Morning Mama!” He beamed.
“Morning, sweetie” Jocelyn smiled, ignoring the ever present ache in her heart. Everyday Jaxson looked more and more like his dad, some Jocelyn was both grateful for but also hurt some days.
“I want waffles!” Jaxson announced and Jocelyn smiled standing up.
“Waffles? Okay… what fruit? We have bananas, blueberries, and I think strawberries” she pick up the boy and placed him on her hip, carrying him to the kitchen as he thought.
“Mmmm… Blueberry!” He smiled
“Got it” she set him in his booster seat and handed him his coloring book and crayons before she got to work.
A while later Jaxson was fed, washed, dressed and now playing in the living room while Jocelyn did the dishes. She was mostly done when there was a loud, sharp knock at the door.
“One second!” Jocelyn called, assuming it was her landlord. She quickly dried her hand and ran a hand through her short, black hair in hopes to make herself look somewhat decent since she hadn't had a chance to shower yet. She looked through the peephole and froze, not her landlord. A tall, buff, man with teal blue eyes.
Jocelyn opened the door as much as the chain lock would allow and eyed the man. He was wearing a brown leather jacket, dark jeans and combat books. His hair was mostly black except for a shock of white at the front. He was tall, well over 6 feet and massive. She frowned “Can I help you?” She asked.
“Um…” The man shifted and cleared his throat”I guess I uh, look different…” he sighed softly and shifted again, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets “Look, there's no easy way to say this so I guess I should just rip the bandaid off yeah?” He looked at Jocelyn for confirmation and she just arched her eyebrow, “It's me, Jo. Jason. Jason Todd.” He swallowed and shifted again.
Jocelyn blinked. Every warning bell in her brain went off. That was impossible. He couldn't be Jason, Jason was dead. She saw his body, and she buried him. There wasn't any way he could be here.
She slammed the door in his face and Not Jason yelled “Wait!” While Jaxson looked up from his toys and cocked his head, “Mama?”
“I'm fine honey. I'm going to call Grandpa B real quick okay?” She ducked down the hallway and dialed Bruce.
“Jocelyn?” he answered calmly.
“Bruce, there is a man outside my apartment claiming to be Jason… I don't… do I call the cops?” She squeaked.
“No. It's him.” Bruce sighed “It's Jason. It was him last night too.”
Jocelyn froze and stared at her apartment wall, “This is a real shitty prank Bruce. I don't know who the fuck…”
“It's not a prank Jocelyn, “ Bruce interrupted, “He's alive. I'm not fully sure how yet either, we aren't exactly on the best of terms at the moment. But, I can assure you, it's him.” Bruce said gruffly.
Jocelyn swallowed and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill “Okay… I'm… I'm hanging up now” she whispered.
“Okay. Goodbye, Jocelyn” Bruce ended the call for her and Jocelyn took a few extra moments to take some deep breaths.
She stood up and walked to the door. She quickly unlocked the chains and opened the door, hoping Jason hadn't left. He hadn't. He was still standing in the hall, leaning against the wall. He looked up for his phone when she opened the door.
“Hey…” he whispered and pushed off the wall.
Jocelyn swallowed and moved before she could second guess herself, hugging him tightly, “Jay…” she whispered, voice cracking.
“Yeah… it's me” he whispered back”We should go inside…” he was tense under her, she could feel him looking for threats.
“Oh umm... yeah. Just um” she pulled away and looked up at him. “Let me warn Jax, yeah?” She asked.
Jason nodded and let her go. Jocelyn smiled and slipped back into the apartment. Jaxson was standing on the couch, peaking over the back.
Jocelyn smiled and walked over to him, picking him up “Is it okay if Mommy lets a friend inside the apartment?” She asked him softly. Jaxson nodded and hid his face in Jocelyn’s neck. She chuckled softly and called out to Jason “You can come in!”
Jason stepped into the apartment, shutting the door. He stopped and stared at Jocelyn after, “Holy… he's…” Jason blinked.
Jocelyn chuckled and moved closer ”He’s a mini you” she whispered and tried to get the toddler's face out of her neck, he did not budge, “He's… shy” she chuckled softly, “And a momma's boy…”
Jason nodded and shifted closer, “He's big… I dunno what I was expecting…” he shifted again.
Jocelyn nodded and risked leaning against Jason, thankfully he pulled her closer to him, a hand resting on her hip.
“Jax… can you say hi?” Jocelyn poked the boy’s cheek.
Jaxson turned his head slightly, peeking up at Jason, “Hi…” he mumbled, “You're big…” he added, his teal eyes widening.
Jason snorted, “Yeah, I am.” He flexed his biceps and Jocelyn couldn't stop the blush. “You're pretty big too. Looks like you're a strong kid” he smiled softly.
Jocelyn shifted Jaxson on her hip, “He's very helpful” she smiled and kissed his cheek.
Jaxson wiggled out of her arms and ran out of the living room. Jocelyn chuckled softly as the boy disappeared.
“He's hyper.” Jason noted.
“Mhm. Gets it from you.” Jocelyn mumbled and leaned against him “How… how are you here Jay?” She whispered, she could hear Jaxson in his room looking for something.
Jason sighed softly, “It's… it's a long story, doll.” He pulled her closer, spinning her around to face him, “I'm still not entirely sure what happened myself.” He buried his face in her neck. “I'm glad I'm back.” He whispered.
Jocelyn swallowed and hugged him tighter, “Me too, babe. God. I missed you so much.”
“Missed you too, Jo” Jason whispered and kissed the top of her head. “I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you. I'm sorry I missed so much.” His voice cracked slightly.
“Jay…” Jocelyn started but was interrupted by the sound of tiny feet running down the hall. Jocelyn pulled away from Jason and watched their son run in the room proudly holding a Wonder Woman action figure.
He walked over to Jason and pointed at the older man's tank top, “Wonder Woman!” He smiled at the symbol visible under the jacket. He held up his action figure “She's my favorite too!” He smiled wide.
Jason smiled and crouched down to Jaxson height “Yeah? She's pretty cool huh?” He ruffled Jaxson's hair.
Jaxson giggled and nodded “Yeah! She's super strong and super cool!” He bounced and then ran to play in the living room again.
Jason stood back up and watched Jaxson for a moment, “I missed a lot…” he whispered.
“It's not like you did it on purpose, Jase.” Jocelyn sighed and moved closer, “You died.” She whispered. “I know you would have been here if you could have” she hugged him from behind, resting her head on his back.
“Does he… know about me?” Jason asked softly.
“Yes.” Jocelyn pulled back slightly to look at his face, “Jay, I talk about you all the time. You're his dad…” She reached up and grabbed his chin, “He asks about you often.”
Jason’s gaze softened and he looked back and Jaxson, “How do we…. I mean… I'm here… I want to be in his life now.”
“I figured as much.” Jocelyn smiled and kissed his cheek and moved to the living room, lowering herself to the floor next to her son, “Hey, Jax. Can we talk?”
Jaxson looked up and nodded, setting his toys down, “Yeah momma?”
“Remember what I told you about daddy?” She asked softly, eyeing Jason as he shifted closer.
“He had to go away ‘cause he got hurt by bad people.” Jaxson frowned.
Jocelyn nodded and smiled, “Well… daddy’s better.” Jocelyn looked up at Jason who walked closer and sat down next to them.
“Hey, buddy.” Jason smiled softly.
Jaxson’s eyes widened as he stared at Jason, “Daddy?!” He hugged Jason as soon as he nodded.
Jason's eyes widened for a second before he hugged Jaxson closer, “I'm here buddy” he whispered.
Jocelyn smiled and leaned against Jason, happy to have her family whole again.