Two years after that fateful first meeting, Mara and Jason had become not only allies but also very close friends. They considered each other siblings. They did everything together. Jason had come to learn that Mara was brave, stubborn, and strong, but also kind and compassionate. Meanwhile, Mara had learned that Jason acted cocky and arrogant, but was actually more insecure than he let on. He also had a heart of gold, so long as you get close enough to him that he will show you. Mara was the one who thought things through, while Jason was more impulsive. They worked perfectly together and couldn't imagine ever being apart.

One night, they did something that would change their lives forever.

Mara and Jason were standing on one side of the street, staring at the glossy, black vehicle parked across from them, arguing. Mara had her booksack on, as she never left without it.

"Jason, I don't think this is a good idea," Mara said to her best friend as she looked over at him.

"Mar, it's fine. We do this all the time. We'll get the hubcaps off and get out of there before the Bat ever gets back outside," Jason argued. He had the tools they needed in his hands. He and Mara had been stealing parts of cars for years now. They had a good system going.

"But it's the Batman! And the car probably has some high-tech warning system or something!"

"I'd like to be able to get some fresher food tonight. Stay here if you want, but I'm going," Jason decided and promptly started walking over to the Batmobile.

Mara rolled her eyes and groaned, quickly walking after him.

"I'm not letting you do this without me, you should know that by now," Mara told him, determined.

They quickly got to work. Jason on one side of the vehicle and Mara on the other, her booksack on the ground next to her. They traded tools as they worked, both doing so quickly and efficiently.

"Did the two of you really think that you would get away with this?" a voice asked from behind Mara.

Mara and Jason both straighten their backs and look behind Mara at the sound, Mara making sure to grab her booksack. They were surprised, or just annoyed in Mara's case, to see Batman standing there half-concealed in shadow.

Before Mara can say anything, Jason spoke up. "Honestly, yeah, I thought we could."

"Jason!" Mara whisper-shouted in admonishment.

He just looked at her and shrugged.

"I'm guessing you two don't have parents?" Batman asked them, sounding amused.

"We wouldn't be doing this if we didn't have to, sir, " Mara said, polite but confident.

Batman sighed and said, "Get in."

Mara and Jason just stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Unless you'd rather stay on the streets?"

Jason and Mara turned to look toward one another and gave silent nods. They then proceeded to get into the Batmobile, neither one quite believing that this was real and not some weird dream.

The Batman got in and soon after the car was zooming down the streets. Mara and Jason were holding hands for assurance, both nervous.

Soon, the car entered a tunnel and came to a stop in what appeared to be a cave. Batman got out immediately, Mara and Jason more slowly. Once out of the car, they both looked around. Jason had his mouth open in obvious wonder, while Mara was more subtle and didn't let any emotion show on her face.

Mara turned to Batman, who was watching the two of them. At the sound of Mara starting to speak, Jason focused on the conversation.

"Really? An actual cave? I know bats are your thing, but not everything has to fit the type. Especially something most people will never even see," she observed.

Batman just chuckled at her.

"Whatever. What do you want from us?" Mara continued.

"Well, first, what are your names?' he asked, though he was pretty sure that the boy is named Jason as that is what the girl kept calling him.

"I'm Jason," Jason replied, before gesturing to Mara, "and that's Mara."

Batman surprised them both and took off his cowl. The children are stunned, though only Mara recognized who he was. She had seen him in the newspaper a few times, but Jason had never bothered to look at it. Jason just couldn't believe he had shown them his face at all.

"No wonder you have enough money for all this shit," Mara commented.

Jason looked at Mara quizzically.

"He's Bruce Wayne, as in the billionaire," Mara explained.

Bruce chuckled once more, "That would be me. Anyway, I'd like to give you kids a home, help put you on a better path," he began. "I also need a new Robin, though only one of you can do that. And of course, I'd have to train you, first. I would also enroll you into Gotham Academy."

Mara stared at Bruce for a minute before saying, "Uhm, one second, sir, let me talk to Jason real quick."

Mara grabbed Jason by the arm and pulled him a bit farther from the billionaire vigilante.

"What do you think?" Mara asked Jason in a whisper.

"That we should totally say yes! I'd get to be Robin!" Jason whispered back. He wouldn't let Mara know how nervous he really was.

"There's no way you're going out in a mask to fight crime where I can't watch your back."

"Why don't we both become sidekicks? I get to be Robin, though."

"Alright, fair enough. First sign something about this situation is off, we're gone, alright?" Mara acquiesces.

"Deal."

Mara and Jason turned back to face Bruce.

"One condition," Mara began, "He can be Robin, but you train us both to be your sidekicks. I'll just pick a different name."

Bruce stayed quiet, thinking. After a moment, he nodded his head saying, "Alright. Deal. Now why don't I show you two where you'll be living from now on?"

Mara and Jason nodded their heads.

Bruce turned and began leading them to an elevator nearby. A few moments later, they stepped out of the elevator and into a study. There was a chair and a desk that looked like it didn't see much use and was neat and tidy with a blank, fancy notepad on it as well as an old-time ink pen and ink well, the holder built into the desk. There was also a bookshelf in front of where the elevator they'd just exited had been.

In the study was another man, as well, this one much older with grey hair and a mustache.

Bruce gestured to him and said, "Alfred, this is Jason and Mara. Mara, Jason, this is Alfred, my butler."

"Huh, you really are rich if you have a fucking butler," Jason spoke up.

"Language, please, Master Jason," Alfred admonished.

Mara giggled at Jason's resulting facial expression. Mara had also noticed the English accent Alfred spoke with, though.

"I've gotten their rooms ready, Master Bruce. Theirs are next to Master Dick's."

"Wait, how did you know we were coming?" Mara asked, suspicious.

Bruce spoke up, "I told him before we got here. Anyway, Alfred will show you to your rooms." he paused, " Would either of you like something to eat first?"

Mara and Jason both nodded and Bruce turned to Alfred.

"I've already fixed something, sir," Alfred said. He then turned to Jason and Mara, "While Master Bruce gets changed, I will show the two of you to the informal dining area."

Once Jason and Mara had nodded their assent, Alfred turned and began leading them through the manor. Jason looked around as they walk, while Mara studied Alfred suspiciously.

Once they arrived, Mara and Jason noticed three plates of food with a glass of water by each. Each plate had more food than either remembered having ever seen in one place. They slowly went and sat down and began to eat.

They both drank all of the water in their glass and ate everything on their plates, causing their stomachs to hurt some. Alfred went and grabbed their dirty dishes, disappearing into an adjoining room nearby.

Once he had come back, sans the dirty dishes, he motioned to them saying. "Master Jason, Master Mara, please follow me and I'll show you to your rooms." Jason and Mara stood up and followed the butler up some stairs, and down a hallway to two bedrooms.

He gestured to one of them, "This is yours, Master Jason. The other is yours, Master Mara. I'll leave and let the two of you get settled and go to sleep for the night."

Mara and Jason entered their rooms, Mara more hesitant. The room was bigger than any of the old buildings Mara was used to sleeping in. On the wall to the right of the door were two full-sized dressers. And on the wall to the left of the door was a tv stand with a giant, flat-screen television. In the back left corner of the room was what looked to be a king-sized bed, maybe even bigger than that if such a thing exists. The bed was lying horizontally. Next to the foot of the bed was a big window with nice, red curtains. Next to the head of the bed was a nightstand with a small lamp atop it. A ways after that was an open door that lead to Mara's own personal bathroom, which she decided to check out in the morning.

Having finished gawking at her room. Mara walked over to the bed. On closer inspection, she noticed that a set of pajamas laid atop it. She supposed they were for her and grabbed the pajama shirt. It was softer than anything Mara had ever owned and looked to be close to her size. Shrugging off the too-small t-shirt that she was wearing, she put the pajama shirt on, the pants soon following.

Mara pulled back the blankets and got in bed. But once she'd closed her eyes to try and sleep, she began to worry. Was this too good to be true? Would she and Jason end up being murdered or tortured or something? Would Wayne decide he didn't want them after all and throw them back out onto the streets?

Eventually, Mara couldn't take being alone anymore. She got up and quietly exited the room, walking over to the door of Jason's. Without bothering to knock on the door, Mara opened it and walked inside to find Jason laying on his bed, his head turned to look at her.

Mara walked over to the other side of the bed and then paused.

"Come on Mar, get in," Jason encouraged her, to which Mara quickly acquiesced.

"Jay?" Mara spoke, turning on her side to face Jason, who laid on his back.

"Yeah," he replied.

"You think this is real? Not some dream or trick?" Mara questioned, her voice small and unsure, rather than sure and confident like it had been around Bruce and Alfred.

"I dunno, Mar. But whatever it is, I know we're in it together," Jason replied softly. Ever since he had met Mara, he had looked out for her. She ended up on the streets even younger than he had and he felt the need to keep her safe.

Mara nodded in response before turning to lie on her other side. For the first time since this whole thing had started, Mara began to worry less. After all, Jason was right. No matter what did or did not happen, at least they were together.

//Sorry if Bruce is a little ooc in this.//