Ra's Al Ghul was seated across from me at my own table, his daughter, Talia, stood behind him, still as a statue.

"You intend to negotiate with me?" Ra's leaned forward, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"The way I see it, my father is still alive." Probably. "So I'm free from his alleged life debt. I propose a better offer, one we would both benefit from." I sat back against my chair, hand under the table, on a dagger placed on my thigh. Just in case. "Kill Slade Wilson, I'll come willingly and provide the same service I provided for him."

"Is that all?" His brow lifted.

"Leave the Bats out of it. Slade will go after them when he realizes what I've done. I want them protected."

"And you swear your allegiance to me if I do this for you?"

"I do, however I reserve the right to withhold an identity or weakness from you if I believe it will affect any of the Waynes in any way." I had no real ties to this world except them. "As well as Superman."

"Why so insistent?" Talia tilted her head to the side.

"The last time I revealed a hero's identity, not only was he murdered, but it affected Dick Grayson's place in the hero community and by extension, all the Bats. Green Lantern's funeral was a tipping point and Dick Grayson's death further drove a wedge between the heroes. We need them to get along to ensure this world's continued survival, do you disagree?"

"You have a point." Ra's held up a hand, halting anything Talia had to say. "I shall agree to your terms."

"Wait." Jason stumbled through my window and I briefly closed my eyes. "No deal."

So close.

Tim was close behind his brother, dusting off his sleeves.

"Any more I need to be worried about?" The last thing I needed was for Bruce to be here and I'd rather not have Damian in the same room as his maternal relatives.

"No. B's distracting the demon." Tim set his hands on his hips. "This isn't happening."

"If I couldn't kill Slade, surely Ra's could." I gestured toward the man, who was entirely unimpressed by the turn of events. "All it takes is to be an informant."

Jason moved closer to me. "Can I talk to you" he glanced at the Al Ghuls. "In private."

"Fine." I addressed Ra's. "Tim will entertain you until I get back." Talia scoffed.

I allowed Jason to drag me into the hall outside my apartment. "You're seriously giving yourself up? Again?"

"Above all else, my mission in life is to destroy Slade." I lowered my voice as some people passed. I think one of them was my neighbor. "If I have to work for Ra's to do that, I will. Plus it guarantees everyone's safety. Slade will get back at me, and he'll do it by killing you or Tim, anyone I care about."

"You think we aren't in danger every time we face on of Gotham's crazies?"

"Slade isn't like Scarecrow or the Joker." Jason flinched. "He's cunning and brutal. I know his methods more than most, which means I know how dangerous he is."

"I know too. The League has faced Deathstroke before, I read the reports."

"But you've never faced him. Dick ensured you or any other Robin never would." I shot back. "This is the only way I can see that almost everyone wins, even if it means that I lose."

Jason's jaw clenched. "You're so desperate to be a martyr, you don't see the damage it'll cause."

"I am not a martyr."

"Oh yeah? Selling yourself to fucking Ra's Al Ghul to kill your old man and protect us. That doesn't sound like self sacrificing shit?"

"What do you mean 'damage'. I hardly believe I'm worth it." It might have been a cruel move, to throw Jason's words back in his face, but I needed him to understand. This was for them.

"You're blind if you can't see the affect you're having." Jason ran a hand through his hair.

What affect? "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Nothing." He sighed. "Just, we don't need to be saved."

"Neither do I."

"So why are you trying to protect us?"

Frustration burned in my chest. "No one else is going to die because of me." Isn't that what it all lead back to? Dick Grayson would've never died if I hadn't existed. If he wasn't so determined to help me. "I won't let it happen again."

This is what happens when you are disobedient.

"Eren." Jason took ahold of my shoulder and pulled me into his chest, tucking my head under his chin. "It's not your fault, it's okay to let go." At first I tensed. "You're safe, you don't have to be strong anymore." He soothed. Tears began to fall of their own accord and soon I began sobbing, maybe for the first time since the night Dick died.

It was like a floodgate had opened and there was nothing left to do but cry. Why did I have to have a break down right here? Now? My chest tightened and I could hardly breathe.

Jason rubbed my back, muttering encouraging words.

He just held me.