Chapter 2: Just One Dance

Jason downed the rest of his whiskey and glared at the groups of partygoers laughing nearby. The last place he wanted to be on a Friday night was a charity gala hosted by Gotham's elite. He despised charity...or at least Gotham charities. They rarely used the money as promised and some even stole bank account information from unsuspecting patrons. Bruce insisted he go to the gala despite his feelings to "support good causes," but Jason knew the real reason.Even though he deserted the League of Assassins and returned to his family a few years ago, his relationship with Bruce remained tense. Jason believed killing criminals was far more efficient than hoping they would change after a good beating. Dead criminals meant fewer criminals. It sent the bigger power players a message that their next offense could be their last in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Bruce held firm that murder was immoral and the very thing he endlessly fought to prevent. By putting yourself in a monster's shoes, you become the monster. Their shared hatred for the other's method of upholding justice put them at constant odds, which is why Jason chose to work alone. Bruce hoped the Children's Hospital Fundraiser gala at the Royal Hotel would serve as an opportunity to mend their broken relationship. He couldn't have been more wrong. Jason went in with the plan to embarrass himself and his family so deeply that they'd practically beg him to leave. Bruce's girlfriend Selina Kyle caught onto his master plan and redirected him to the bar with a threat of personal violence if he tried anything else. He had been there for the last few hours.Jason received another drink from the bartender as he observed the other attendees. Corrupt business magnates talked with their associates and wracked up ludicrous bar tabs. Their dates—every gorgeous young model, actress, or socialite in the city—drank the finest champagne and ogled the less rich yet more attractive men on the dance floor. Jason studied the ladies for a moment, then shook his head. When it came to romance, Jason wasn't one for commitments. He'd had minor flirtations with a few of his female crimefighting partners—including Artemis, Rose Wilson, Dick's ex-girlfriend Koriand'r, and even Barbara when they were teenagers—but nothing lasting. He knew it would likely come to a bitter end, so there was no point in trying. He also couldn't afford to have anyone normal get close enough to discover his secret. He saw firsthand how many of Bruce's relationships ended in disaster because he was too free with his identity. The woman usually met with some horrible fate or ended up being another piece of common criminal scum. Even if he did decide to settle down, he'd hardly know what to do with a girlfriend if he had one. His childhood didn't exactly teach him about honesty, trust, affection, and all the other elements of a healthy relationship. He didn't care about having one-night stands either. Sure, it was a way of releasing tension. But what's the point of getting close to another person, even if it was just for an hour, if it meant nothing? He was better off alone. No one worth holding on to would ever agree to be with someone as damaged as him."Excuse me!"Suddenly, a man with perfectly coiffed hair in a designer suit rudely pushed his way into the seat next to Jason. His face looked mutated by surgical enhancements and his fragrant cologne was already giving Jason a headache. He didn't bother to apologize and just sipped his drink, muttering a few curse words into the glass. The man then turned in his chair and motioned to someone standing in the crowd."Would you like a drink, Scarlett, dear?"Jason felt a presence behind him as the mystery woman approached. Thankfully, her perfume was much more pleasant. A mix of roses and peonies with a pleasant sweetness of vanilla. Too curious for his own good, Jason peered over his shoulder to get a look at the girl. His eyes widened when her familiar face came into view.It was the girl he saved three nights ago in the alley in Chinatown. In the warm glow of the ballroom candles, he could finally get the full picture of her. Her side-cut salmon pink dress hugged her slender hourglass figure and displayed her lightly tanned skin. She had doe-like green eyes that revealed flecks of blue and brown when they caught the light. Yet, her most striking feature was her short ruby-red hair. It was shorter in the back, with longer strands at the front that perfectly framed her heart-shaped face. Upon closer inspection, Jason could see the faint pink outline of the scratch on her cheek. He smiled, realizing she did exactly as he said. It was almost healed. Jason had rescued many women from assault, but the one who stood before him had somehow lingered in his memory. Hardly anyone he saved ever dared to speak to him out of fear, and rightly so. More often than not, he had murdered their attackers in front of them and disappeared as quickly as he came. He could understand if they didn't trust him. However, this Scarlett girl showed a strange curiosity in him. She treated Red Hood like a hero rather than a myth. A relief instead of a nightmare. She was either very compassionate or completely ignorant. "I've never been to a gala before, so I don't know what they serve," she replied anxiously. "Do they have Moscato?""You want to drink cheap desert wine at an elite charity gala?!" the man asked, astounded. He groaned and waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright. I forgive your ignorance. Bartender, we'll have two Mint Juleps."Jason gritted his teeth at the man's arrogance."Oh, but I've never tried—.""—Trust me, Scarlett, you'll thank me later. I first tried it when I attended the Kentucky Derby last year with a friend from New York, and now I couldn't imagine drinking anything else. Don't worry, you'll be a sophisticated woman in no time if you stick with me."Scarlett defeatedly accepted her drink and sat beside her date. Jason could tell by the sheen of her eyes that she was struggling to hold in her tears. He suddenly felt an unexplainably intense desire to punch the man in the throat. Thankfully, another man approached the pair before he lost control."Blaire Fontaine! Fancy seeing you here! I didn't know you were a donor of the children's foundation."'Blaire...of course that's his name. It's as pretentious as he is,' Jason said to himself."I'm not," Blaire replied with a look of disgust as he sipped his cocktail. "I was invited by our friends from the label, but it seems they stood me up. ""Are you sure?" Scarlett asked. "Maybe they're just running a little late.""Actually, the rest of our party is over by the hors d'oeuvres table," the man stated, gesturing to the left of the ballroom. "Really? And they couldn't be bothered to tell me?" Blaire snarled irritably. "Well...I suppose I'll join you. Are you coming, Scarlett?"She smiled uncomfortably. "No thanks. I think I'll stay here. I don't know them very well and I wouldn't want to impose."Blaire turned and disappeared into the mob without sparing a second glance. Scarlett sighed as she swirled the mint leaves floating in her cocktail with the tip of her finger.Jason couldn't stand it anymore. This girl had already been tormented enough and needed just one person to show a little decency. "Rough night?" he asked. Scarlett whirled around in surprise, but her expression softened when she saw the concerned look in his eyes. "No, it's okay...," she said with a forced smile. "My date is just in a bad mood.""Why do I get the feeling he's always in a bad mood?"Scarlett chuckled and shook her head. "It's true...Blaire can throw a temper tantrum with the best of them. I've learned it's better to leave him alone when he gets like this." "From where I'm sitting, he's not the one who got left alone," he observed."Yeah...I don't think he's very happy with me right now. I grew up in the high society crowd, but I guess my tastes aren't as refined as he'd hoped. His friends haven't been very nice to me either.""Why the hell did you come here with him then?" Jason wondered, glaring in Blaire's general direction."We're friends from work, I guess you could say. He needed a date and I didn't have plans. I know I'm not his first choice, but going to a party with a wannabe Victoria's Secret model on your arm must be better than going alone."Jason gave her a cheeky grin. "Oh...so you're a lingerie model? It's not hard to see why..." he said, trying not to be too obvious about checking her out. She really was a beautiful woman. Scarlett blushed and looked away, feeling embarrassed that she just admitted that to a complete stranger. With the truth out, there was zero chance of her carrying on a platonic conversation with this man. "Trust me, it's not as thrilling as it sounds," she added, trying to recover her dignity. "I'm trying to find better work, but it's hard when everyone just chooses to see you as one thing, you know?"Jason felt put in his place. He knew exactly what she meant. He had been judged his entire life for things that were mostly outside of his control. He didn't ask to be born into poverty to parents who didn't care whether he lived or died. He didn't expect to be orphaned and have no choice but to steal for survival. He tried to be better, but the world always saw him as little more than a waste of life. A street rat, a troubled teen, and now a vicious killer. Now he felt guilty for coming across as too flirtatious. This Scarlett girl had been taken advantage of enough. She didn't need one more creep trying to ruin her week. If anything, she needed to be reminded that there were still halfway decent people left in the world. "Yeah, actually...I do know," he replied. "No matter how hard you try, you can't outrun your reputation. After a while, I just found it's easier to ignore people than fight that losing battle.""That isn't always as easy as you make it seem," she said. "Especially for me. I can't really ignore the people I'm coming to for jobs.""Then if you don't mind me asking, why be a model? That kind of job is just an invitation for people to judge you."She shrugged. "Believe me, I know...but it pays the bills. And I worked too hard to quit now. My mom put me in front of a camera when I was two and I've never left. Sometimes I wish I had more hobbies when I was a kid. Maybe then I'd have something else to fall back on."She laughed wryly and swirled her drink. "I must sound pretty pathetic, huh?" Jason shook his head. "Not to me."There was a brief moment of silence between them. Jason was intrigued by this mysterious girl. She seemed so gentle and caring, and far more forgiving of people's flaws than they deserved. It was honestly refreshing. "Is that how you met the next star of Botched over there?" he asked, pointing in Blaire's direction.Scarlett chuckled. "He's a consultant at one of the Versace stores here in Gotham," she replied. "I did a photoshoot for some of their window ads a while back and Blaire was the one who styled me. He tried to start his own menswear line last year, but his investors didn't think his style would sell. I think his job at the brand is the only place where he can exert some creative control and put his passions to use. I can't blame him. We all need a place to be ourselves and feel like we're making a difference in the world.""Sure, but that's no excuse for how he treats you. Why do you waste your time with that asshole? Anyone with half a brain could see you're too good for him."Scarlett bit her lip, failing to mask her appreciation. "That's very sweet of you, but he isn't that bad. He was thoughtful enough to invite me to this gala. Then again, he probably just didn't want to come alone.""That's what my date did," Jason said with a cheeky grin."She sounds charming," she said sarcastically."I'm Bruce Wayne's date for the evening."Scarlett nearly choked on her drink. "Oh...I didn't know he liked men. Doesn't he have a girlfriend and kids?""I'm one of his little orphan children, actually. He dragged me here so he and I could have some father-son bonding time," he sneered. "I take it that didn't go well?""I was excused because I was being an ass. On purpose, of course.""Good for you. I don't think I'm brave enough to embarrass myself on purpose! Maybe that's why I'm trapped at the bar with only this cocktail for company.""Well, you've got me now," Jason expressed with an affectionate smile, which she returned."You're right. Thanks for letting me vent. I'm not usually this open with strangers.""Speaking from experience, sometimes the people you have the most in common with are strangers."Suddenly, the live band began to play a slow, steady melody that filled the room with the soft, sultry notes of a piano. "Hey, that dance floor looks pretty lonely," Jason observed. "How about we give it some company?""I'd love to," she replied as Jason took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. For the first time that night, Scarlett felt at ease. Large crowds often made her feel insecure and vulnerable, but the attack in the alley made her dread isolation even more. Nevertheless, the rest of the room and every bit of disappointment she felt that night melted away as he took her in his arms. Blaire deserved it for his rude behavior. If he was allowed to talk to other people on a date, why couldn't she? Besides, she found it oddly fulfilling to break the rules."By the way, I never caught your full name, doll," Jason inquired as they swayed to the music.A flicker of recognition passed through her mind at his nickname for her, yet she couldn't remember where she heard it. "Scarlett Vesper. You?""Jason. Jason Todd."...The two danced the night away, talking and laughing about the absurdity of the people around them and many other things. When the last song ended, Scarlett spotted Blaire searching for her near the bar, so she prepared to tell Jason goodnight.Jason had another idea. Their similarities were extraordinary— the difficulties of their childhoods, the constant criticism, and the hidden desire to feel appreciated by the people around them. The more time Jason spent with her, the more he became attached to her. She had this infectious joy that made him so confused, yet so relaxed. He couldn't rationalize his feelings and didn't want to anyway."Wait!" he said, gently grasping her elbow as she turned to leave. "Are you and Mr. Fashion Plate a thing by any chance?"She observed him curiously with a playful smile. "We're just friends...and we might not even be that. Why?" Jason released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Look...here's my my deal. I was having a shitty time tonight too until you showed up. It's rare to meet someone as interesting and... I'll be honest...as genuinely nice as you in this town. I promise I didn't plan to make a move on you, especially after the crap you've been put through tonight."Scarlett nodded with a hopeful smile. "Okay..." "But now that we're here...I'd be a real dumbass to let a girl like you walk away. I figured I'd shoot my shot before it's too late and you'd let me know if I've got a chance."Scarlett laughed in shock, her cheeks turning bright red. She had never been asked out so bluntly before, but she found his confidence to be very attractive."Yeah...you've got a chance," she answered bashfully. "Thank you for saving my night. Most guys would have ignored me or tried to take me home, so you're a real gentleman.""I wouldn't go that far, but I can be a good boy when I find the right motivation," he winked. "There's a hole-in-the-wall pub in Bristol. Good drinks and good music. You in?""Yeah, sounds like fun!" she exclaimed as she opened the clasp on her clutch purse. She pulled out a pen and took a brochure from a nearby table. Scribbling quickly, she passed the note to Jason."There's my number. Give me a call sometime," she said as she rushed to join Blaire at the hotel entrance, all the while throwing a smile back at him over her shoulder.'No one worth holding onto, huh?' Jason asked himself as he held her number in his hands, a disbelieving grin on his face.