Chapter Text
Jason sat at his computer desk. Eyes going over multiple DNA tests he'd had done.
Jason Peter Todd paternity of 4yr old Jane doe_____ : 99.99%
His food had long since gone cold and his appetite normally an undying thing was now gone as he looked at the results. Then to the computer with the files he stole on "project Scarlet hood". Then back to the sleeping child in his bed.
There she lay silently wrapped in his jacket as she'd wet the bed earlier. The mere sight of a beer bottle had made her extremely upset. As had the empty pack of cigarettes. Poor girl was terrified of so many things. He tried to see if she would talk never once did she during the return home. She would just point or make small sounds.
Looking back on the file on his computer.
"Subject age 2 has become nonverbal. Refusal to speak even when punished. Will continue to monitor and test for results. "
Just below was a picture of that little girl. Only 2 years old battered and bruised. Eyes dimmed from disassociating.
So small and frail. Oxygen mask on wrapped in bandages.
"Altercation between subject age 3 and handler, handler became intoxicated on narcotics and alcoholic beverages. Subject wet the bed from reaction to smell on handler. Handler became hostile. Too hostile. Guards intervened, subject was unresponsive. Lazarus Residue in subject DNA has already begun healing wounds. Handler is being corrected."
Jason's hand shook, he remembered how hard he used to get hit by adults as a child. How afraid he was. Now, To find a child made with his stolen DNA. One who's entire like was just some project for the government..one where they planned to have her live out his entire life.
He read on how they planned to make her future only making him more and more angry. He was seething. Then came the plan for her 16th year. His blood ran cold.
"Subject will be found by Joker, subject will endure being subjected to torture via Crowbar then killed in explosion. Subject will be revived at 18 years old. Will Begin red hood training immediately."
Jason felt the pain in his head as the memories flashed before his eyes. That room, the crowbar swinging into his ribs and limbs that laugh that still haunted his dreams. "No." Jason growled out quietly. "No, no, no, no. Never. Again."
Jason was seeing red till her heard the tiny whimpers from the little girl. His heart was still racing but he schooled his expression. As she started to whimper more. Anything he felt in that moment had to wait. His hand trembling as it was gently placed itself on her's. His voice softened "the monster's gone. He's on the run and your safe here." Her hand so small compared to his yet she gripped it so tight with all her might.
He couldn't make the nightmares go away but maybe he could change them. So he took a breath and began with a book he knew well.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife".
Jason said as he shifted closer to her, reciting his favorite book from memory. He knew it wasn't very appropriate for her age but it was the only one that came to mind at the moment. And by some stroke of luck it was working. He the kid has taste. What could Jason say.
Jason knew he wasn't ready for fatherhood. He knew that extremely well. He knows how messed up he is. How messed up the world sees him. But not her. Not this terrified little girl. When he first saw her looking in her eyes he found he was looking in his own. How could he leave her to be cared for by others? Others that might give her to Waller to be abused. Or even to Bruce to be taught to be another child soilder.
But here in the quiet, right here. Right now all he could think to himself "nobody's gonna hurt you. I'm gonna do what I've got to do. Your life won't be anything like mine." He felt tears burn down his face. "You're gonna grow and have a good life and I'll do whatever I've got to do."
He couldn't see it but he could feel her become relaxed in her grip and her nightmares came to ease. Or so he thought. He felt little hands on his face. Blinking back tears he saw her. Bleary sleepy eyes yet she looked at him with gentle concern. Jason had to calm himself "I'm ok itty bitty." He whispered as she hugged him. So soft and so small. Yet she still had empathy. He hugged her back gently. And said softly. "Tomorrow we're going shopping. Get you a proper bed and all the toys you want. Actual clothes. And you get to pick whatever you want. All on me." He said... He couldn't bring himself to call himself dad. But he didn't want to be uncle either. She just needed to know she was safe and cared for. Tomorrow would bring it's own challenges. But tonight it would be the safety of her in his arms where no one could hurt her.
As she nodded back off to sleep on him he couldn't bring himself to lay her back down. Risk of waking her back up. He put his jacket over her and returned to his work in silence. Only now he went from reading those files to now browsing everything he would need to care for her long term.
His screen flooded with legal work and back channels Bruce taught him about for making sure someone had a legal paper trail. One that Waller couldn't touch. That's secured this girl a safe future.
First thing to fix. She would have a name. That boiled his blood. They bring a child into the world and they don't even give her the dignity of a name. Not with Jason. He refused to let this little girl be nameless! But he wanted her name to be strong and beautiful like she is.
He debated for a while. He thought it really shouldn't be this hard to give a child a name. Yet here he was now typing away to find a name that would fit.
Susan? Pass
Angela? No
Karen? Hahahahaha no
Michelle? Nah
Carissa?.... Maybe
Juliet? No
Martha? Mhhhhhh maybe but only maybe
Alexandria? Ooooh now that has something.
"Defense of man" strong, protective, heroic and just fancy enough that Bruce and Alfred won't have a cow. It's classic, timeless and has history. Plus he can call her Alex for short.
Then the middle name..... It should be something precious like she is. Something rare and valuable. Something special.... Rubies are a good choice.
*Rare
*Expensive
*Representative of passion, love, energy, protection,
prosperity, courage, strength, wealth and confidence.
All things she deserves in life.
So Ruby it would be
Alexandria Ruby Todd
Says the official paperwork on his screen.
He gently rubbed her back when she stirred slightly. Humming a slight tune as she settled down.
Maybe he wasn't dad yet. But he wouldn't let her be alone in this. He would be there to make sure she would be happy. And tomorrow would show that.