Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kaia was at her favourite diner (well, technically, it was the only one she could afford on her own, but that kind of made it her favourite). She was drawing nothing in particular, but it was her nothing. The diner was barely occupied this late, only people on road trips, drunk dads (Kaia could relate to that) and the staff remained. That was, until an unfamiliar face sat across from her in the booth.

Kaia tilted her head. “Sorry, I’m sitting here.”

“I know,” The kid had a cocky grin. He looked to be about her age. “You look bored, I am bored. So, why not kill two birds with one stone?”

“...Thank you?”

“I’m Jason. Jason Todd.”

Well, now Kaia had a name to put to the face. Progress, she told herself. “Kaia Grace.”

“Is that Japanese?”

“Hell if I know.” Kaia grinned.

“Whatcha drawing?”

“I don’t even know. some… bird.”

“You sure that bird isn’t just an angry pigeon?” Jason laughed, before he got a good look at the drawing, and then scrunched up his nose. “Looks like the Bat.”

“The what?”

“Oh my god, do you not know who Batman is?”

“...He’s real???”

“Yeah. Seen ‘im with my own two eyes,” Jason gestured to his eyes, as if that was any help. “More than once, actually.”

And their conversation spiralled from there. First it was about how Gotham is way too rainy (small talk, she knows, blah blah blah), and then they just kept going until it was utter nonsense. Finally, it was 11PM, and the diner was closing.

“See ya t’morrow, Kaia,” The chef waved her off. Kaia waved back.

Once they were standing outside of the diner, Kaia put her hands in her pockets. “Guess I better head home.”

“It’s dangerous this late. Let me walk you back.”

Kaia’s eyes narrowed. “You better not be trying to kill me, Todd. Or worse-” She gasped dramatically. “-flirting.”

“Ew, no. To both of those.” He laughed.

Kaia nodded her head. “Good.”

When they got to Kaia’s lousy one-bedroom apartment (her parents were never even there, so they didn’t bother spending money for an extra room), Jason opened the door for her.

Kaia rolled her eyes. “You’re too nice. I don’t like it.”

“You’ll have to get used to me,” Jason elbowed her.

“Well. I’ll see y-”

And he was gone.

Hm. He reminded her of a Bat.

Chapter Text

Kaia walked a shortcut through Crime Alley. She technically knew she shouldn’t be here, but it was so much faster than walking around it, so to hell with that. But, god, had she wished she’d listened to her gut that night when she got shoved into an alleyway at knifepoint.

“Hands where I can see them,” Her masked assailant grumbled at her. They were almost doing a bad impression of Batman. She would’ve laughed, if it weren’t for the situation she was in.

Nonetheless, she complied, the cold metal of the knife against her neck scaring the everloving crap out of her.

“Wallet. Now,” The accidental Batman impression somehow got worse, but she fumbled for her wallet anyways.

Then she saw a mix of yellow, red, and green.

And- oh, it was Robin. She stifled a gasp.

“You know that’s not the nicest thing you could do,” Robin quipped, kicking her assailant in the nuts. It was almost funny.

The masked man turned around, clutching his crotch. Was it that easy? Kaia could’ve just done it herself, if it really was. But her thoughts were interrupted by one brightly-coloured vigilante.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” She was out of breath, despite not having done literally anything.

“Good.”

“Um, thank you,” Kaia muttered.

Robin winked at her. “Don’t mention it.” And then he was gone.

Kaia was left staring at where Robin had been standing. Being a vigilante must be cool. She wondered if she’d get to do that someday.

Still shaken up, Kaia rushed through the rest of Crime Alley as fast as she could. She was going to meet Jason at their go-to hang out spot — the milkshake place (Kaia didn’t actually know was it was called, because the sign had been illegible as long as she’d remembered. As far as she could tell, nobody else knew what it was called either).

Once there, she turned on her phone to a text from Jason.

“yo im gna be late but dw im still coming”

Kaia replied with a thumbs-up and continued waiting. She hadn’t gotten paid yet, so had Jason offered to buy their milkshakes for that day. So she was resigned to waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And-

Oh, there he was.

“Hey-” He greeted her, sweating.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Tough workout?”

“Uh- yeah.”

“Whatever,” She elbowed him playfully. “Let’s just order.”

They ordered their usual — an Oreo milkshake for Kaia, and a peanut butter one for Jason. Then they went and sat on the ground outside the shop.

Jason broke the silence. “Everything okay? You seem… tense,” It felt like he knew more than he was letting on.

Kaia shuddered at her earlier memory. “I- Some guy tried to rob me earlier.”

“What?” Jason must’ve been playing up his surprise. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah- Yeah I’m fine. Robin swooped in,” What she didn’t say, however, was that Robin had looked an awful lot like Jason.

Jason seemed to relax, but, again, it looked too rehearsed. She brushed it off. This was just how he was. “Good.”

Then, they drank their milkshakes in silence for much longer.

“Hey- can I tell you something?” Kaia spoke this time.

Jason nodded. “Oh, yeah of course!”

“I’m gay.”

“That makes two of us, Gracie,” He flashed a smile, using the nickname only he was allowed to call her.

Kaia smiled at that. Somehow, deep in her heart, she already knew he’d be cool about it.

“I- You’re the first person I told,” Kaia muttered under her breath.

Jason flashed a smirk at her. “Glad you trust me, then.”

After not much longer, they went their separate ways. Kaia was careful to avoid Crime Alley this time, and remembered to kick anyone who tried to mug her square in the balls, like Robin had.

Maybe that’d come in handy someday.

Chapter Text

Kaia was slumped on the shittiest couch known to man, half-watching the TV, but her mind was elsewhere — stuck on the ominous text Jason had sent two days ago.
“i gotta tell you something. can i come over tomorrow?”
He’d never come over. And that silence had been gnawing at her, twisting itself into a knot in her stomach.
Her gaze flicked back to the news just as the anchor’s voice cracked through the room.
“Reports say Robin, Batman’s partner, was killed in an explosion two days ago. Officials believe The Joker is responsible.”
Kaia’s fingers tightened into a fist. Robin. Dead. It felt unreal. That night he saved her from the mugger, he’d been unbreakable. But now, the sharp finality of it hit her like a punch in the gut. She swallowed hard, the image of him—a kid her age, with a future stolen away—flooding her thoughts.
He could’ve gone to college. Had a job. A family. But none of that mattered now.
Time slipped past unnoticed—minutes stretched to what felt like hours. When the next story began, it dragged her back with a colder weight.
“Two days ago, Jason Todd-Wayne was reported missing by his father, Bruce Wayne.”
The name felt like a cruel echo. Her heart hammered so loud she thought the whole room would hear.
She didn’t hesitate. Her boots hit the floor, grabbing her keys and helmet without thought. The motorcycle roared to life, and suddenly she was tearing through Gotham’s streets, her mind a frantic mess.
What if Jason’s dead?
The timing fits.
What if Jason was... Robin?
A bitter taste settled in her mouth.
Had he been trying to tell her that?
Now, she might never know.
When she reached the Manor, her usual caution was gone. She slammed the doorbell, knowing she'd probably broken several road safety laws on her way there.
Alfred opened the door, his usual warmth replaced by a heavy sadness. “Ah, Miss Grace. I take it you’ve heard the news.”
Kaia nodded, voice barely steady. “Hi. Sorry, Alfred. I don’t really know why I’m here.” She took a shaky breath. “Can I talk to Bruce?”
“Of course,” Alfred said softly. “Though I doubt he’s in much of a mood.”
Kaia knew the Manor better than most. She found Bruce’s study door and knocked. A grunt came from inside.
“Alfred, I told you I want to be alone.”
Kaia pushed the door open a crack. “I’m not Alfred.”
Bruce looked up, surprised. “Oh. Hi, Kaia. I didn’t expect you.”
She shrugged, settling onto the edge of a chair. “I didn’t expect to come either. Saw the news... and here I am.”
Bruce’s eyes were tired. “Do you want to talk?”
Kaia nodded, then blurted out before she could stop herself. “I think he was Robin.”
Bruce’s eyes flicked sharply to hers.
“And I think you’re Batman.”
Her words hung in the air. Bruce let out a humorless laugh.
“Really? Bad timing, don’t you think?”
Kaia bit her lip, eyes studying him. The pieces fit too well. But she wasn’t ready to fully say it aloud yet.
Bruce sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Kaia... this isn’t something to rush. Not right now.”
She stood, determination stiffening her spine. “I want to help.”
Bruce’s gaze sharpened.
“You do realize vigilantism is exactly what got your best friend killed?”
She swallowed. “I want to do it for him.”
The room went quiet.
Bruce studied her like she was a complex puzzle. Then, after a long moment, he said simply:
“Fine.”
Kaia let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
That was her win.

Chapter Text

Their last conversation had ended with Bruce saying she’d need to spend more time at the Manor if he was going to train her. She immediately asked if she could move in, because the apartment her parents paid for (but had barely stepped foot into, ‘cause they were out doing drugs or something) was the worst place ever. Of course, Bruce had welcomed her with open arms. So, today, she’d officially moved in. There wasn’t a fancy moving truck, or a big spectacle about it, because Kaia didn’t have that much stuff. She just took a backpack of things and that was all she’d needed.
It was hard to adjust to the quiet of the Manor. It was hard to adjust to the size of the Manor.
It was hard to adjust to everything about the Manor.
Kaia accidentally tripped up several security systems during her first week alone. Not to mention how many times she’d gotten lost in the endless expanse of hallways and rooms. Seriously, what kind of person needed this many goddamn rooms?
Deep down, Kaia knew this was too nice for her. Too nice for a scrappy kid who’d grown up alone in the poorest and most dangerous parts of town. But she didn’t want them to realise that, so she spent her time hopelessly pretending that she belonged.
Several times, she’d gotten overwhelmed by the food. She’d been used to shitty instant noodles and anything she could make in 5 minutes, but now she had Alfred. It was a crazy jump in quality. She’d still find herself making instant ramen sometimes, just for the comfort of it.

She’d been there for all of two weeks when Dick came to visit.
Kaia was in the living room reading ‘Pride And Prejudice’, a book Alfred had said was Jason’s favourite. So, naturally, Kaia had picked it up.
Dick walked in, still obviously looking upset about Jason. “...Kaia?”
“Hi.”
“Why are you here?” Dick paused. “Not that I’m upset about it- I’m just confused.”
“Master Bruce has offered to train Miss Grace.”
“‘Cause I wouldn’t stop asking.”
“Hm,” Dick studied Kaia’s expression, before turning to Alfred. “Does she know?”
“Yeah, you’re Nightwing. That’s kickass.” Kaia turned the page.
Dick sat down next to Kaia, who paused her reading to look up at him. “You do know that being a vigilante-”
“Yes. I know it’s what got Jason killed,” Kaia looked up at Dick, tears welling in her eyes. “I want to do it for him. Because he died for it. So I’m going to live for it.”
“Wise words, Miss Grace,” There was a hint of a smile of Alfred’s face.
“...Okay, kiddo,” Dick ruffled her hair, tears welling in his eyes as well. “I know you’d make him proud.”
Kaia smiled—a genuine smile—at Dick. At the man who she considered to be like her older brother.
“Me too.”

Kaia was in the library. The one Jason had always loved. The one that hadn’t been touched since he died. She ran her fingers over the spines of the books like they were relics, like maybe if she held onto them long enough, she could hold onto him too.
Dick walked in and caught her before she even saw him. He could tell something was off just by the way she sat there — too still, too quiet.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, voice low.
Kaia snapped her head up, walls instantly going up. “I’m fine. Just leave me alone, Dick.”
He didn’t move. Just sat down nearby, watching her. Waiting.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and stubborn.
After a long while, Kaia sighed, finally letting some air out. “I know I’m not enough,” she said, voice cracking. “I’m trying so fucking hard, but I’m scared I’ll never be. Please don’t tell Bruce.”
Dick didn’t hesitate. “You’re enough. For him. For me. Hell, you were enough for Jason too.”
That hit her like a punch to the gut. Tears spilled before she could stop them, hot and sudden. She buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed.
Bruce showed up then, quietly, almost like he knew she needed him. Kaia closed her eyes and hugged herself tight, bracing for the blow she’d always thought would come. But instead, Bruce put his hand on her shoulder, steady and warm.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “You’re safe now.”
She let the walls fall, just for a moment, and for the first time, maybe she believed it.

Chapter Text

Kaia woke up, on what would’ve been just another day. Except, oh wait. Today was her first day of learning how to fight…from the Batman himself. Kaia still couldn’t believe it, but she let her disbelief wash away as she turned on the shower. While washing her hair, she couldn’t help trying to take as long as possible. She still felt like any moment now, all of this would be taken away from her and she’d be back in her shitty apartment again. But, nevertheless, she finished her shower, threw on a random pair of sweats (apparently she had Hello Kitty sweatpants, who knew?) and went downstairs. She ate her breakfast, mostly zoned out, before Bruce appeared from the entrance to the Batcave. Kaia had never actually been down there yet, but she knew she would be soon enough.
“Ready?” Bruce asked, and Kaia nodded her head. She gave a quick thank you to Alfred before following Bruce to the training room.

Kaia’s heart pounded in her chest as Bruce stood across from her in the training room, arms crossed and eyes sharp as ever. The room was huge, way bigger than the entirety of her old apartment. Kaia tried to steady her breathing.
“Are you ready?” Bruce asked, voice calm but commanding.
Kaia nodded, fists clenched, feet planted.
Bruce moved first, a quick jab aimed at her face. Kaia barely blocked it, staggering backward.
“Keep your guard up!” Bruce barked. “Watch my shoulders. Anticipate the strike, don’t wait to react!”
Kaia swallowed, wiping sweat from her brow. “Got it.”
Bruce threw another jab, faster this time. Kaia ducked but misjudged the distance, and Bruce’s glove grazed her shoulder. She flinched.
“Better, but you’re still too stiff,” Bruce said. “Relax your muscles. Move with me.”
Suddenly, the sound of a door sliding open cut through the tension. Dick dropped down from a rope, landing softly beside her.
“Whoa, rookie,” Dick teased, grinning. “Already getting bossed around?”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “It’s Bruce. What did you expect?”
Dick shook his head. “Alright, let me show you how it’s done.”
Bruce stepped aside and folded his arms, watching.
Dick gestured for Kaia to follow him to the mats. “First, footwork. You gotta be light and quick.”
He demonstrated, bouncing on his toes, weaving side to side.
Kaia tried to copy but stumbled, nearly falling over.
“Hey, don’t worry about looking perfect,” Dick said, laughing. “It’s all about feeling the rhythm. Like dancing.”
Kaia frowned. “I’m terrible at dancing too.”
Dick grinned. “See? We’re gonna work on both.”
After several clumsy tries, Kaia finally found a smoother flow. Dick gave her a thumbs up.
“Nice! Now, punches.”
He showed her a basic jab and cross combo, slow and deliberate.
Kaia punched the air, focusing on form.
“Remember to rotate your hips. Power comes from your whole body, not just your arms.”
She tried again, and this time her punch had more oomph. Dick nodded approvingly.
Bruce clapped his hands once. “Enough chit-chat. Let’s spar.”
Kaia’s eyes widened. “Spar? Now?”
“Light contact,” Bruce assured her.
He stepped forward, moving fast but controlled. Kaia tried to block and dodge but got hit a few times — nothing painful, just reminders. After a particularly quick one, Bruce scored a gentle tap to her ribs. Kaia gasped, wind knocked out.
Dick caught her before she fell. “Good hit! See? You’re learning.”
Kaia grinned despite herself. “You’re lucky I’m a fast learner.”
Bruce’s voice cut through, calm again. “This is only the beginning.”
Later, Kaia sat on the bench, sipping water. Dick plopped down beside her.
“You did great for day one,” he said.
Kaia smiled tiredly. “Thanks. I’m gonna need a lot more practice.”
Dick bumped her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ve got your back.”

Chapter Text

Three months ago, Kaia had picked her vigilante name — Spectre. Coincidentally, three months ago, Tim Drake had entered the picture. Kaia got a really sour taste in her mouth when she found out Tim was Robin, but nonetheless she’d clicked really well with him. They didn’t fully trust each other yet, and nobody could replace Jason as Robin in her eyes, but they were close enough.
After Lucius Fox had helped Kaia design her suit, she was more than ready to go on her first patrol (she was still salty that Tim got to patrol with Bruce before she had, but that’s not the point).
The three of them suited up in the cave. Kaia was incredibly nervous, but she’d already gotten the full rundown more than enough times for her to know exactly what to do in nearly every situation.
Bruce handed her a comm. She put it in her ear. “Are you ready?” He asked, more-so to Kaia than Tim. Nonetheless, they’d both nodded, and they were on their way.
For most of the night, there wasn’t anything of note happening. Sure, there was a robbery here and there, but that was just your average run-of-the-mill Gotham shit.
Then, Kaia watched someone get mugged. In the same alleyway she had. By the same Batman-impersonating loser she had. So she acted. She wanted to be this person’s Robin.
She jumped down (quite clumsily, she’d admit) and apparently she wasn’t as quiet as she would’ve liked to be. She got hurt by the blade, but she kicked the guy in the balls anyway. More-so for memories sake than anything else. She’d made sure the girl was okay, and grappled back up to where Batman was.
It was only when the adrenaline had faded and they’d retreated for the night did she notice the gash she’d received.
“Shit,” Bruce muttered, stitching her up.
“I’m sorry-”
“I get it. I know what happened to you in that alleyway.”
Kaia paused. Jason must’ve told him.
Bruce sighed. “Don’t make me bury another kid.”
She froze. She knew he was exaggerating, but his words hit harder than she’d like to admit.
Bruce finished stitching her up. “I’m going to check the perimeter. We weren’t exactly subtle when we arrived.”
Tim nodded, and Bruce disappeared down the hall.
Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, until Tim finally spoke.
“You know, I’ve noticed you don’t really talk about why you joined all this. You’re guarded.”
Kaia blinked, caught off guard. “Hmph. You’re a better detective than I gave you credit for.”
“I’m not pushing you or anything—” Tim started, but Kaia cut him off.
“I was friends with Jason.” Kaia started. Tim froze. Most of the time people avoided mentioning Jason around Tim, but Kaia wasn’t exactly known to follow rules. “We knew each other for five years. When he died, I put the pieces together that he was Robin. And I asked Bruce if I could help.”
“And he let you.”
“God, no,” Kaia chuckled. “He was so reluctant, it was actually annoying.”
Tim snorted. “Sounds like Bruce to me.”
Kaia nodded.
She’d decided she could trust Tim.

Chapter Text

It was mid-April when Kaia’s phone rang unexpectedly. Everyone Kaia knew just texted her, but she answered anyway.
“Hello?”
Tim looked up at her from the other side of the table. They had been eating lunch together, but now he was intrigued. Tim could hear the voice on the phone, and Kaia knew.
“Is this Kaia Grace?”
“Yeah, that’s me. Why?”
The voice on the other end of the phone sounded upset on her behalf. “I regret to inform you that your parents, Claire and Adam Grace, both passed away in the crash of American Airlines Flight 63.”
Kaia stopped midbite, a smile playing on her face. “Oh shit, really?”
“Yes, we are sorry for your loss.”
Kaia hung up.
“DUDE!” She was grinning way too brightly.
Tim looked at her. “...I heard. That sucks.”
“No, dude, this is awesome, I’ve seen them a grand total of twice in the past five years.”
Tim blinked. Kaia could tell he wasn’t expecting that. “Well… Congratulations? I’m gonna go back to my game.”
Alfred, who seemingly hadn’t been paying much attention, walked over to Kaia. “Miss Grace, I overheard your phone conversation. May I ask why you aren’t particularly upset?”
“Oh, no worries Alfie! It’s ‘cause they left me at their shitty apartment while they went and did drugs halfway across the world or somethin’.”
Alfred’s eyes went wide. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy, Miss Grace.” Then he took her plate and walked away.

Kaia didn’t mean to end up there.
She’d been wandering the Manor, like she always did when she couldn’t sleep or when the silence felt like it was swallowing her whole. She opened a door and there it was — Jason’s old room.
Everything stayed exactly the same. Nothing moved. Nothing changed. Like time had stopped on some sad-ass pause button.
She didn’t touch anything. She didn’t want to disturb it. Just stood there, staring.
The old posters on the wall. The scattered clothes. The faded baseball glove on the bed.
It hit her all at once. The years of loud, chaotic life Jason had lived, now replaced by this heavy quiet.
Her throat tightened and her eyes burned. She blinked fast, trying not to cry right there. But when she closed the door behind her and shuffled back to her own room, the dam broke.
She collapsed on her bed, holding herself tight and just sobbing.
Some time later, a soft knock on the door.
“Kaia? You okay?”
Tim’s voice was gentle, like he wasn’t just asking… he really wanted to know.
She wiped her face with the sleeve of her hoodie and opened the door a crack.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Tim didn’t move. Just waited for her to say more.
She sighed and let the wall come down, just a little. “I went into Jason’s room.”
Tim nodded, like he kinda expected it.
“It’s… weird. It’s like he’s still there, but he’s not.”
“Yeah.”
Kaia shrugged, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I know you never really knew him.”
“Not like you did.”
She gave a small laugh, even though it hurt. “But I think Jason would’ve liked you.”
Tim smiled. “That means a lot.”
They stood there for a beat, just breathing in the quiet between them.
“I don’t wanna fuck this up,” Kaia said, voice soft. “Being here. With Bruce. With all of you.”
Tim shrugged, trying to sound casual. “You’re not gonna fuck it up. And if you do, we’ll just deal with it. Together.”
She blinked back tears again, but this time it felt a little lighter.
“Thanks, Tim.”
“No problem. Anytime.”

Two days later at breakfast, Bruce put down a set of papers in front of Kaia. She expected a casefile, but she read it anyway. And then re-read it. And then read it again. Because Bruce fucking Wayne wanted to adopt her?
She signed, obviously. He’d been her acting guardian for the better part of a year now, and, while she was only a year away from being an adult, Bruce being her dad would last well into her adulthood.

Chapter Text

Kaia had been Spectre for three years when rumours of a new crime boss started spreading around Gotham’s criminal underworld. She’d heard her fair share of whispers while patrolling, but criminals aren’t always the brightest, so she didn’t fully believe it.
Until she saw him.
She was watching from a nearby rooftop, when she saw him. The guy with the Red Hood. “I want those arms shipped and I want them shipped now!”
“Yes, Red Hood, sir, sorry boss,” His goon spoke.
Red Hood wasn’t a very clever name, but criminals weren’t exactly smart.
When he was alone, he shot a bullet up into the air. “Dammit, I know there’s a bat hiding up there!”
Kaia jumped. She had been as quiet as she could, how could he tell? But she remained still, and suddenly there was a wanted crime boss standing in front of her. Her breath hitched. How the hell?
She blinked. She knew there was something familiar about this man, but she couldn’t quite place it.
Red Hood studied her. “Hmph. You’re new.”
“Not really,” She scoffed. How would he know that anyway? And how was he so wrong about it?
“Newer than Nightwing,” He scoffed.
Kaia studied him. This man was so familiar, who was he? “...Most bats are.”
Red Hood twirled his gun, a mannerism that—oh god, he reminded her of Jason—she recognized. She couldn’t see his face, but she could tell he smirked. “You better get the hell out of Crime Alley now, okay? Or I let the Bat bury another one of his kids.”
Kaia jumped (literally, she jumped off the rooftop and grappled away). She arrived at the Batcave way faster than she’d anticipated. She caught Tim running through a casefile, and flashed a (fake) smile at him. He frowned at her. “You’re back way too early. Did someone die?”
She scoffed. “I saw the Red Hood. In person.”
“What?” Tim looked up. “He’s real?”
“He’s real as shit. And you wanna know what he said to me?”
“Oh, do tell.”
“He said I was new, which, like, a little, but not much. How would he think I was? I’ve been here for years- That’s not the point,” She paused. “And then he goes, and I quote, ‘you better get the hell out of Crime Alley now, okay? Or I let the Bat bury another one of his kids’.”
Tim stood up. “What the fuck?”
“That’s what I said!”
“Are you turning in early for the night?”
“Yeah,” Kaia took a breath. “Scared the shit out of me.”
“I’ll patrol for you if you look at this case for me.”
Kaia grinned. “Deal.”

Chapter Text

It turns out, the case Tim was working was an arms deal to Russia supplied by Black Mask. Tim had gotten benched because he broke an arm, so Kaia fully took over the case for him. She was hot on the trail of the dealers when she ran (quite literally) into a familiar sight.
The Red Hood.
“Excuse you,” She glared, and then continued running. But he grabbed her arm, and she sighed. “What?”
“Um, excuse you,” He scoffed. “I’m trying to stop you. Is that not obvious enough?”
“No, it’s obvious, I’m just ignoring it.”
“It’s rude to run away from a conversation,” He wagged his finger at her.
“It’s rude to interrupt me.”
“Well, I guess I’ve gotta do this,” He cracked his knuckles. “Like I always say, you learn the hard way, or you learn the even harder way.”
Kaia froze. Jason had said that all the time. Granted, her freezing was probably a part of his plan, considering he got in what would’ve been a rather easy hit to dodge. Ignoring the newly throbbing pain coming from her ribs, she ran. Kaia’s boots pounded against the cracked pavement, breath coming in ragged bursts. Every step throbbed with sharp pain radiating from her ribs, the sting growing worse with every movement. She tried to ignore it, focusing on the dark alleyways and fire escapes as she zigzagged through Gotham’s maze. Her heart hammered, adrenaline masking the ache—but she knew it wouldn’t last.
“Oracle, couldn’t stop the arms deal. There was some…interference.”
“Oh, Babs still running comms?” Hood remarked. He knew that would get under her skin, but he said it anyway. But she kept running.
Eventually, she made it to not the cave, but the clock tower. She let herself in.
“Kai? What’s going on?”
“Breach.”
Barbara’s face soured. “Oh god. What happened?”
“I relayed you the message, and the Red Hood said ‘Babs still running comms’?”
Barbara’s eyes darkened as Kaia repeated the Red Hood’s words. “How the hell does he know who I am?” Her voice was sharp, laced with worry.
Kaia shrugged, tired. “I don’t know, Babs. But he’s watching.”
Barbara tapped her fingers against the console, brows furrowed. “This isn’t just another thug in a mask. He’s something else. Something dangerous.”
Kaia nodded silently, her mind already racing with possibilities. Without another word, she slipped away, the weight of the night pressing down on her.

Chapter Text

Kaia had been trailing the Red Hood for two days while Cass covered her usual patrol. The second night, he walked to the alleyway where the man had tried to rob her years earlier. She thought it was a little strange, but disregarded that.
What she thought was really strange, however, was when the Red Hood began mumbling to himself.
“Wonder how she’s doing now,” He muttered. “Hope you’re okay, Kaia.”
She froze, heart pounding. Did he just say my name?
“That night could’ve gone really bad. Glad I was there.”
She backed away, and reflexively went to the clock tower.
“Hood say something again?” Barbara greeted her.
She was out of breath. “Jason is the Red Hood.”
Barbara turned around to look at Kaia. “You can’t just say that-”
“He talked about the night I got robbed in that alleyway. Said he was glad he was there to save me.”
Barbara stood silent for a moment, blinking as if to make sure she heard right.
“Oh my fucking god... Jason’s alive.”
Kaia’s breath caught. For the first time in years, hope flickered.
“Don’t… don’t tell anyone. Not even Bruce.”
Barbara nodded. “Secret’s safe with me.” She took another breath. “This changes everything… but we have to be careful. Jason isn’t the kid you knew.”
“I know.”
“You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll figure it out together.”

Kaia sat alone in the quiet of her room, the hum of the city far below barely reaching her ears. The words she’d overheard from the Red Hood kept replaying in her mind. “Wonder how she’s doing now... Hope you’re okay, Kaia.” It was like a ghost, a thread pulling at something buried deep inside her. She clenched her fists, heart pounding. Was it really Jason? Alive? Right there, just out of reach? She’d spent years building walls around herself, telling herself it was better this way, better to hold onto the memories than face the uncertainty of the truth.
Her mind drifted back to that night in Crime Alley. The fear, the pain, and then that moment when someone had saved her. The flicker of a smirk beneath the mask. A voice that felt familiar, even if she hadn’t seen his face.
She bit her lip, conflicted. What if he’s not the same Jason I knew? What if this is just a shadow wearing his face? The thought made her chest tighten.
Still, something deep inside whispered hope. Hope that maybe, somehow, he was still the person she remembered. But she wasn’t ready to confront him. Not until she understood more, until she could be sure it was safe.
Kaia grabbed her phone, and scrolled to Jason's old number. She figured it would bounce, but she sent him a text anyway.
“been thinking of u lately.”
She was surprised when it went through.
And when it was marked as read.
And when he started typing.
And when he stopped.
She turned off her phone. She'd confront Hood when the time was right.

Chapter Text

It turns out, she didn’t have to wait too much longer for the time to be right. Hood—No, Jason—was alone in a secluded alley, smoking a cigarette. Now was the perfect time. Kaia landed silently behind him.
“You know,” she started, “those things are bad for you.”
Jason turned around, gun raised, mask off. Kaia said exactly what she was thinking. “Oh my god, it is you.”
“Yeah, duh,” Jason scoffed.
Without thinking, Kaia took off her mask. Jason stared at her in disbelief. “...It’s not really…oh my god, I tried to kill you.”
“All in a day’s work.”
Kaia wasn’t really sure who leaned in first, just that they hugged each other so tightly it felt like her bones were going to break.
“Why did you become…” Jason blinked.
“Wow. Missed you too,” She rolled her eyes. “Because of you.”
“...What?” Jason stared at her. “You didn’t know I was Robin.”
“Not until you died,” She took a shaky breath. “I’m actually a pretty good detective.”
“No wonder Bruce took you in,” Jason half-smirked. “So... you’re Spectre now? That’s got a nice ring to it.”
“I picked it out myself.”
Jason took a breath. “Why… why didn’t you say anything?”
“I thought I was delusional. I thought I was making up that you were my dead best friend because you reminded me of him.”
“It’s been hell, you know... being Red Hood. Not like the old days.”
Kaia shrugged. “I figured. You seemed... different.”
“Guess I’ve got a lot to explain.”
“I’m all ears. But maybe not here.”
“Oh?” Jason’s ears perked up. “Where then?”
Kaia mentally weighed her options. “Well, we can’t go to the cave for obvious reasons.”
“No duh.”
“We could go to the clock tower?”
Jason cocked his head.
“Oracle’s base of operations.”
“That’s still connected to Bruce,” Jason shoved her playfully.
Kaia smiled at him. “I swore her to secrecy.”
Jason tensed. “You told her?”
“We thought you directly threatened her earlier. I needed her to know you weren’t a threat.”
“Oh,” Relief washed over Jason. “Then, yeah, the clock tower.”

Chapter Text

They arrived at the clocktower and entered. Barbara was there, monitoring CCTV cameras near known Black Mask drop sites.
“Babs,” Kaia started. “Our theory was correct.”
Barbara looked up and froze. “Oh my god. Jason.”
“That’s what I said,” Kaia shuffled nervously.
“...Why are you a crime boss?” Barbara started.
Jason shrugged. “Long story short, Joker’s still alive.”
Barbara nodded.
“Hey, you wouldn’t mind if Jay and I caught up here? There kind of… aren’t any other places we can go.”
“Oh, no of course!” Babs smiled.
“So,” Kaia said, trying to fill the space, “it’s been a minute.”
Jason snorted. “You could say that.”
Kaia shifted on her feet, feeling that familiar awkwardness of trying to pick up after a long silence. “How the hell did you come back, anyway? Am I allowed to ask that?”
Jason snorted. “Depends. You wanna hear the short answer or the long, ‘holy shit I cheated death’ version?”
“Hit me with the short one.”
Jason exhaled and looked at her sideways. “A lot of luck, some unfinished business, and a really annoying healing factor.”
Kaia laughed, the sound catching in her throat. “Figures. You were always stubborn.”
“Hey, you’re one to talk.” He smirked. “What about you? Spectre, huh? Sounds badass.”
“It’s a name I picked out myself,” she said, a little proud. “Guess I had to find my own way after you disappeared.”
Jason’s expression softened, eyes flicking down for a moment. “Yeah… sorry about that.”
Kaia shrugged. “It’s fine. More or less.”
They fell into a rhythm, words coming easier as they caught up. Small details first—how Bruce took her in, the cases she’d cracked, the nights she’d stayed awake trying to make sense of everything.
Jason listened, genuinely interested, like he was piecing together the part of her life he’d missed.
“And you?” she asked, voice quieter. “What’s it like? Being… this?”
Jason’s smirk returned, but there was a sadness beneath it. “Messy. Dark. Nothing like the old days, but it’s mine now.”
Kaia nodded, understanding more than she said.
They stood there a little longer, the past still heavy but somehow lighter now that they were together again.
And then Jason checked the time.
“Shit.”
“Hm?”
“I… have to go.”
“Aw. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Kaia grabbed his shoulder.
Jason hugged her. “Of course not.”

Kaia met Jason more and more often in semi-public places, and sometimes he would give her information to take down rival dealers.
Tim noticed.
Tim noticed how Kaia would randomly turn off her comms, and how Babs would ignore it (she never did that for him).
Tim noticed how Kaia seemed to only take down dealers that rivaled the Red Hood.
And Tim noticed Kaia spending an obscene amount of time hanging out with him.
He’d been listening from afar, doing his best to piece together what the actual fuck had Spectre hanging out with a known crime boss.
Their conversations never gave him enough information.
“You just vanish for like... what? Years? And then show up playing crime boss?”
Tim could tell Red Hood was grinning. “Yeah, well, someone’s gotta keep Gotham interesting. You know, keep the family drama alive.”
“You’re impossible,” Kaia punched the Red Hood, and he laughed.
“And you’re still here, bossing me around like usual. Missed that.”
“Oh please, don’t flatter yourself,” Kaia rolled her eyes.
They went silent for a few minutes, and Tim was considering leaving, when-
“Joker’s back, by the way. Surprise, surprise,” Red Hood actually sounded upset.
Kaia laughed. “You’re the only one who acts like that’s shocking.”
“God forbid I wish he was long dead by now.”
“That’s a really dramatic way to say you’ve got baggage.”
“Thanks, therapist. Now, what about you? How’s Spectre treating you?” Red Hood slung an arm around Kaia’s shoulder, and Tim flinched.
“Eh. Not bad. Less shooting, more sneaking around.”
“You’re getting soft.”
Tim wasn’t gaining anything from this conversation. He frowned.
“Hey, Jay?” Kaia spoke.
“Hm?”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too, Kai.”
Tim immediately turned around and left.

Kaia met Jason in the same alleyway she’d unmasked in.
Jason leaned back and lit a cigarette. “So, Spectre, huh? That name sounds like you’re trying to be spooky or like some haunted ghost. Pretty fitting for you.”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, I’m not here to haunt anyone. Just trying to keep things from falling apart.”
“Sure, sure. You sound way too chill for someone who’s probably breaking bones on the regular,” Jason laughed.
“You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? Playing crime boss with a bad habit and worse temper?” Kaia’s words seemed serious, but her tone was obviously joking.
Jason smirked. “Hey, it’s a full-time job. Gotham doesn’t run itself.”
“You’re still impossible. I missed that.”
“Oh, I missed you too. Sort of.”
Kaia snorted. “Sort of?”
“You know, in that ‘don’t choke me’ kind of way.”
“Keep dreaming, Hood,” She held back a laugh.
Jason eyed her seriously. “So… why didn’t you tell me you were Spectre? Could’ve used a heads-up before you started diving into the chaos.”
“Thought I was crazy. Figured you were dead. Guess I was wrong.” Kaia shrugged.
“Yeah, well, surprise! I’m the undead’s best comeback story.”
“You really love playing with fire, don’t you?”
Jason grinned. “You could say that.”
Kaia burst out laughing for no apparent reason. That was when Tim turned the corner. Kaia didn’t see him, but Jason did. Kaia looked up at Jason. “Everything okay?” Then she turned around.
Jason spoke in a voice she’d rarely heard him use. “Should’ve known the kid’s got eyes everywhere.”
Tim, in his full Robin getup, was standing behind Kaia, arms crossed. “What the hell do you think you’re doing hanging out with him? That guy’s bad news.”
Kaia shook her head. “Calm down. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m talking about! You’re playing both sides and it’s reckless. You don’t get to pretend this is okay. You’re supposed to be on our side, Kai. How am I supposed to trust you now?”
“That’s not what’s happening.”
“I’m telling Barbara,” Tim grappled off.
Jason almost followed him, but Kaia stopped him. “Don’t- I’ll handle this.” Kaia grappled after Tim, and burst into the clocktower while Tim was mid-rant.
“Babs, she’s hanging out with a crime boss-”
“Tim!” Barbara and Kaia said at the same time.
“Tim… Red Hood is Jason.” Kaia spoke softly.
“WHAT.”
“...Please don’t tell anyone else-”
“JASON IS A CRIME LORD?”
“Tim, I promise it makes sense.” Babs spoke.
Kaia spoke way too fast. “He’s doing it to spite Bruce because Bruce let Joker live after Jason died.”
“...Huh. Solid reasoning,” was all Tim said.
“So… please don’t tell anyone. Especially Bruce.”
Tim thought for a moment. “Fine,” and then he left.
“Damn,” was all Babs said.

Chapter Text

Jason leaned back against the rooftop ledge, flicking a small stone off the edge. “You know, sometimes I wonder why I didn’t just stay dead. Less drama, fewer headaches.”
Kaia smirked, pulling her jacket tighter against the chill. “Yeah, but then who would keep Gotham interesting? You’re the chaos it needs, whether it likes it or not.”
Jason gave her a sidelong glance. “Flattery from Spectre? I’m honored. Though I’m pretty sure you’re just saying that because you want me to share intel.”
Kaia laughed. “Maybe. Or maybe I just like hanging out with the one guy who’s as stubborn as I am.”
Jason grinned. “Fair. So, what’s the plan now? You’re still sneaking around, playing the mysterious ghost, huh?”
“Keeping the city safe, one stealthy step at a time,” Kaia replied, her tone half-joking, half-serious.
“Still hates to be called ‘ghost,’ I bet,” Jason teased. “I remember when I was all about dramatic entrances.”
“Yeah, well, I prefer not to get shot at immediately,” she said with a wink.
They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the city humming beneath them.
Just then, a thud beneath them. Kaia didn’t even have to look to know who’s there. “Hey, Dick.”
“No real names in the field, jackass!” He reminded her.
“Relax, he knows,” Kaia still hadn’t turned around.
Dick was utterly flabbergasted. “That’s… not a good thing??”
Jason turned around and pulled off his mask. “Relax.”
And he was even more flabbergasted when he recognized who Kaia was sitting next to.
“...Jay?” Dick sounded like he was going to cry.
“Hey,” Jason did his best to sound nonchalant, but Kaia could tell he was going to cry too. Kaia just smiled.
“Do you guys… need some time?” Kaia chuckled lightly.
Dick cleared his throat, trying to regain his usual composure. “...No. Sorry.”
“Um, Dick?” Jason made eye contact with him. “Don’t tell anyone. Especially not Bruce.”
“Tim and Babs know,” Kaia added.
Jason snorted. “So, yeah, I guess you can tell them.”
Dick was still processing it all, torn between loyalty and shock. “Alright,” he finally said, voice low.

Later, when Kaia arrived back at the cave, Steph was there, leaning against the railing with her arms crossed like she’d been waiting all night.
“What took you so long?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.
“The usual,” Kaia mumbled, unlacing her boots and kicking them off.
Steph narrowed her eyes. “The usual doesn’t usually involve coming back smelling like gunpowder and rooftop dirt.”
Kaia didn’t even look up. “I tripped.”
Steph snorted. “Uh-huh. You’ve been disappearing a lot lately. Something going on? You got a secret boyfriend?”
Kaia nearly gagged at the implication. “Ew. No. That’s disgusting.”
Cass, who had apparently been sitting silently in the shadows the whole time, shifted forward into the light. She signed slowly and deliberately: We want to know if everything is okay. We’re worried about you.
Kaia’s expression softened, and she crouched a little to meet Cass’s eyes. “I’m okay, Cass. You guys don’t have to worry about me.”
Steph crossed her arms tighter. “Yeah, see, when people say that but keep pulling disappearing acts, it just makes me more worried. So either you’re moonlighting as a pizza delivery driver-”
“Do I look like I have the patience for that job?” Kaia cut in.
“-or you’re hiding something,” Steph finished, ignoring her.
Cass’s gaze stayed on Kaia, steady and unblinking.
Kaia finally sighed. “I’m not hiding anything dangerous. Promise.”
Steph pointed at her. “That’s not the same thing as not hiding something. I’m putting that in my mental file.”
Kaia rolled her eyes and headed toward the lockers. “Fine. Just don’t go filing warrants on me, Spoiler.”
Cass smirked, but Steph muttered, “We’ll see.”

Chapter Text

Kaia was getting tired. She’d been fighting off Black Mask goons for almost an hour, and Jason still hadn’t showed.
Until he did. He shot a (non-lethal) round at the dealer.
Kaia laughed. “Took you long enough.”
Jason just rolled his eyes. “Traffic.”
They both knew Jason would’ve just swerved around it, but that was a good enough excuse for Kaia.
“Pause. You know the Red Hood? And you’re joking with him like it’s just another Tuesday?” Steph’s eyes were wide, but she hadn’t stopped fighting.
“It is another Tuesday,” Jason quipped.
“It tends to be, especially on the day after Monday,” Kaia deadpanned.
Dick and Tim were just staying quiet in the conversation. Because they already knew. And it would be stupid to engage with Steph right now.
After about ten more minutes, the goons were down. “What was that about ‘took me long enough’?” Jason stared at Kaia.
“Oh, shut up,” She punched him in the shoulder playfully.
Steph and Cass both braced for him to start swinging back at Kaia, but he just chuckled and patted her on the head.
Just then, Batman showed up. “Mask off.”
“Jeez,” Jason complied. “‘How are you, Jason’, ‘I’m so glad you’re not dead, Jason’.”
Kaia exhaled from her nose.
The whole time since Jason’s mask had been taken off, Bruce had been silent.
Until he spoke.
“...Jason?”
“In the flesh!”
“Is it flesh, though?” Kaia wondered out loud.
Steph broke the silence next. “Double Pause. The Red Hood is Jason motherfreaking Todd????”
“That’s who I was sneaking out to see,” Kaia shot finger guns at Steph.
Bruce turned his gaze towards Kaia. “How long did you know?” He sounded angry. She didn’t like it.
“6 months, I think?” Kaia asked, but also answered. Jason nodded, like that sounded right to him too.
Bruce looked mildly terrifying as he took a step towards Jason. Instinctually, Kaia put herself in-between Jason and Bruce. “Don’t make me choose,” She spoke, “between my father figure and my best friend.”
Jason stared at Kaia. “You didn’t care to tell me he’s your dad?”
Kaia stared back, and shrugged. “He’s your dad, too.”
Bruce’s glare could’ve melted concrete, but Kaia didn’t move from in front of Jason.
Jason raised a brow. “You gonna ground her or me? Because technically, I’m the one with the gun.”
“Technically,” Kaia muttered, “I could still take you.”
Bruce took one step back, his eyes never leaving Jason. “This isn’t over.”
Jason smirked. “Yeah, yeah, add it to the list.”
Steph looked between everyone like she was watching a soap opera. “Sooo… are we gonna actually talk about this? Or just… brood in moody silence?”
Cass signed something to her, and Steph snorted. “Yeah, I know, ‘shut up,’ got it.”
Bruce finally turned away, cape snapping in the wind. The others followed — all except Kaia and Jason.
“You’re staying?” she asked.
Jason shrugged. “What? You think I’m gonna give him the satisfaction of watching me storm off? Nah. I’ll leave when I’m bored.”
Kaia smiled faintly. “So… ten minutes?”
Jason chuckled. “Five, if you keep talking.”
They stood there, side by side, watching the city, the weight of the night still hanging in the air. For now, neither moved.