Chapter 3: A Guessing Game

Steam poured from the bathroom door as Scarlett scampered into the closet to reach her robe, her body covered in goosebumps from the cool bedroom air. She tied the sash around her waist as she scanned the rack of clothes for the best outfit for her date.Just as he promised, Jason called the week after the gala and invited her to the pub in Bristol. He was picking her up within the hour. Despite their incredible chemistry at the party, Scarlett was more nervous about their date than she wanted to admit. Although Jason saved her night at the gala from being a complete disaster, he did come across as somewhat of a lady's man.Scarlett herself had been on many dates—most of which were terrible—but she was a novice when it came to true love and committed relationships. She only had one boyfriend in her entire life: Her high-school sweetheart, Logan. Theirs was the typical love story of a straight-laced pageant girl falling for the rebellious bad boy. Logan drew her out of her shell and made her dream about life beyond her mother's control. He was confident, brash, charming, and had rugged good looks to top it off. Not the kind of guy a good, honest girl would bring home to her controlling, white-picket-fence parents.Clearly, she had a type.By the time she turned eighteen, Logan had dropped out of high school a few years earlier and was working odd jobs in their hometown of Newark, New Jersey. He had gotten a tip from one of his work friends about a job at the Dixon docks in Gotham City and was looking for an apartment. Scarlett was worried about moving to a city with such a dangerous reputation, but her being head over heels in love and desperate to leave home, she agreed to it anyway.Unfortunately, their new life in Gotham proved to be less than ideal. Even after she signed on with Steven and found modeling gigs, Scarlett was forced to work multiple jobs to help pay for the rat-trap apartment Logan found. The two of them were spending less time together and it got to the point where most of their conversations turned into fights where he blamed her for some aspect of their life. She justified his behavior as nothing more than stress from his miserable job that paid less than promised. However, the fantasy was finally destroyed when she came home from a waitressing shift one night to find Logan in their bed with another woman. Naturally, he had a million excuses...none of which put him at fault. He accused her of pushing him to take the job and move to Gotham so she could leave home. The worst part was that Scarlett, who was heartbroken and riddled with regret, actually allowed herself to take the blame.That's when the insecurity really started. All her life, she had been told by her mother that being beautiful would ensure her happiness and success. Losing her boyfriend to another woman made her realize that beauty wasn't everything after all. She could be the most beautiful woman in the world and have a good heart, but it wouldn't matter. Nothing could ever keep her from being hurt by someone who claimed to love her. The thing she was convinced was her only asset was suddenly made meaningless. At that point, all she had left was her work...which only further chipped away at her self-esteem and sense of worth. She never had the chance to give herself time to heal.And thus the reason she was nervous about this date. Her budding relationship with Jason was either an exciting step in a new direction...or her falling back into the same, unhealthy patterns. She couldn't be sure how their date would end but she willed herself to keep an open mind. She liked Jason's confidence and sarcastic sense of humor, yet the small glimpses of kindness and empathy were even more intriguing. All Scarlett wanted was to spend her life with someone trustworthy, who was there to remind her she had depths beyond her reflection. Surely, that wasn't too much for her to ask...was it?After ten minutes of sorting through her clothes, Scarlett finally decided on a short red dress with a halter top and flowing skirt. She straightened her hair, applied a tasteful amount of makeup, and slipped on a diamond bracelet to add a touch of sparkle.Scarlett made her way downstairs to the lobby and pushed open the front doors, where she was greeted by the rush of humid spring air. The sun had just begun to set behind the uneven rooftops and the smog-shrouded skyline was tinged with orange clouds. Scarlett allowed herself one last moment to close her eyes and just soak in her surroundings. One last second to calm her nerves.When she finally came back to reality, her eyes landed on a red Lamborghini Huracan parked across the street from her building. Leaning against the driver's side door was Jason, looking handsome in a burgundy t-shirt, black jeans, combat boots, and a pair of aviator sunglasses. He gave her a slight nod as she approached the car."Hello, Jason," she said with a smile."Hey. You ready?""I think so. Awesome car, by the way," she said, eyeing the expensive vehicle. "I've never seen one of these up close before.""Thanks. It's kind of my backup."She quirked her head to the side. "Backup for what?""In case I don't measure up tonight. You might hate me before the date's over...but as long as you dig the car, I'll consider it a win."She couldn't stop herself from laughing. Just one of his sarcastic quips and any anxiety she had about the evening disappeared.Jason pressed a button on his keys to lift the doors and gestured for her to step inside the car. The interior was equally sleek and modern, with black and red leather seats and top-of-the-line navigation systems. Jason got in and pressed a button hidden inside the gearshift. The engine rumbled to life like a racecar.As they started along the highway, Jason glanced over at Scarlett and his heart began to race. Her ruby lips formed a dreamy smile as the light of the setting sun ignited the swirls of color in her green eyes. She looked so carefree and innocent. He mentally kicked himself, realizing he didn't compliment or reassure her in any way."It's...it's good to see you again," he choked, his voice hoarse. "You look amazing.""Thanks. You look very nice yourself," she returned with a nervous grin. She faced the window again and bit her lip. "Great Scarlett, way to make it awkward. How long did that take? Five minutes?" she thought.Meanwhile, Jason wanted to bang his head against the steering wheel. "Why is this so difficult?! I've never had a problem talking to girls before! I jump off buildings and kill criminals for fuck's sake! This is nothing!" he mentally scolded himself.Fortunately, the drive to Bristol was over quickly. Scarlett beamed with excitement as a piano's rich, seductive melody poured through the club's open doorway. What Jason referred to as a "pub" looked more like a stylish speakeasy: gold chandeliers, patterned carpets, and velvet chairs around gold-rimmed tables. In the center of the room was a polished grand piano and a dance floor, where several couples were swaying to the music.Jason guided her to a private corner booth and the waiter took their cocktail orders: A grapefruit martini for Scarlett and Woodford Reserve whiskey for Jason."So...how've you been lately?" Jason asked as soon as they were alone. "I know it's only been a week, but...""It feels like a lot longer...?" Scarlett asked with a flirtatious smile.Jason nodded slowly."Everything's fine," she replied. "Work is still exhausting, but that's nothing new.""If you don't want to do it anymore, don't be afraid to move on. Take a shot in the dark! You might like the result."She shook her head sadly. "I wish it was that simple. Once you step into the spotlight, you can never go back. No matter where I go people are always going to see that girl in a catalog, including future employers. People in the professional world don't take modeling very seriously...especially when you're doing it in a lace thong."Jason shrugged. "Why try to hide it? We all do things we're not proud of. If you learn to embrace your flaws, other people's judgments won't matter anymore."She nodded, considering his advice. "I guess so.""Your career has taught you to care too much about society's opinion. If you go out there and show people what you can do, you'll learn that not giving a damn will give you a ton of confidence. If people can't look past this part of your life and see what you have to offer...then honestly they can go fuck themselves!"Scarlett gasped, nearly spewing liquor from her nose. She and Jason laughed heartily as she wiped the juice from her chin. "You're right. I need to build up some confidence and seek out new passions."Jason smirked over the rim of his glass. "Well, if you're looking for passion...I think I can help with that..."She reached across the table and gave him a playful shove as a warmth spread to her cheeks. Jason seemed to have an excellent habit of catching her off guard. Scarlett hastily took a sip of her cocktail and turned her attention to the clubgoers on the dance floor. Some looked to be in their mid-fifties and others appeared to be college students. People from all generations loved music in Gotham.Feeling a little tipsy and mischievous, Scarlett tapped Jason's hand. "You know...whenever I'm out with my friends, we play this little game where we guess what's going on in other people's lives. We think up fun little scenarios to explain why they're here and what they're thinking.""Oh yeah?" he asked. "Is your life so boring that you have to nose into other people's to have any fun? Make up stories about their lives to feel better about what's happening in yours?"She shook her head, feeling a little scolded. "No...maybe it's just a way to remind ourselves that no one is perfect, including us. That we aren't alone in our struggles. It's not about putting people down, it's about seeing what it's like in their shoes. Everyone has a different story. Sometimes it's interesting to watch and see if you can put the pieces together. Are you too high and mighty for that, Mr. Princples?""Are you kidding? The first rule about me...I never back down from a challenge," Jason stated confidently. "How do you play?"She pointed behind him to a well-dressed couple on the dance floor. "Look at that couple there. They're both in their late forties or early fifties. They've been married a while, both have successful yet boring careers, and have two obnoxious teenagers at home. They're probably reminded all the time about how they're getting older and aren't as fun as they used to be. To try and spice things up, they've committed to a weekly date night. The husband seems like one of those Wall Street types, so he probably chose this place. It's classy...and he gets to show his wife he still knows how to dance. Maybe he throws in a few moves from their wedding just to make her laugh."Jason nodded. "Alright, not bad. Let me give it a shot." He scanned the room for his next target."There, on the left. Two kids from Gotham University. He's one of the popular kids who can easily get a date. I'm guessing by his Letterman jacket that he's on the football team. The girl he's with is a bookworm and probably doesn't get out much. There's a book bag on the table behind them with To Kill A Mockingbird sticking out of the flap. It's most likely hers. Were it a Friday night, I'd say he's only trying to get laid and blow off steam after a game. The fact that it's early on a weeknight and they're alone suggests he has a crush on her and doesn't want his friends to know. His buddies are probably pressuring him to go out with some sorority chick, but that's not his type. Right now, he's trying to teach her how to dance."Scarlett gawked in amazement. "Wow...that was really good. You're pretty observant! How did know to look at the book bag on the table?"He shrugged. "You can figure out most things about a person if you know where to look.""Oh really?" she challenged. "Alright, Hot Shot...how well can you read me?"He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment. "You think I'm really hot and you're hoping this date goes well so you have an excuse to see me again."Scarlett scoffed with laughter. "That's a cheap shot! It's our first date. Of course, I want it to go well..and if you want a second one you'll have to earn it! Come on, be serious. What can you tell about me?"Jason's expression turned serious. "Okay...I think that even after all the time you've been in Gotham, you're still on the run from your old life. You're trying to find your own identity and pin down a dream you think will last, but you're too nervous to go after what you want. I can't tell if it has to do with your mom or something else, but you've been through something that's made you doubt yourself and everything you believe in. You care so much about how other people see you that the thought of standing up for yourself is almost paralyzing. That's why you came here, isn't it? You wanted to prove to yourself and maybe your mother that you could take charge of your own life and that you have what it takes to survive in a city that's always trying to test you. But by now, you're probably realizing that the biggest test you're facing is yourself."Scarlett almost lost her breath. Jason unraveled every fiber of her being in just a few seconds...and he was right about everything. This man who was nearly a stranger read her life like it was the shortest book in the world. Was she really that easy to see through? Was her life truly that empty and devoid of purpose?"You said this game is supposed to remind you that you aren't alone, right?" Jason asked, his tone gentle and comforting. "Well, you aren't alone Scarlett. If you ever want to find someone who knows exactly what it's like to have no purpose and want to break free from the life you were given...look no further."Her eyes widened as he looked up at him. "Really...?"He nodded solemnly and took a big sip of whiskey like he was preparing himself. "I grew up in this shit-stain part of Gotham called the Narrows. No one from there comes into the world with any chance of making something of their life...and I was no different. My mother abandoned me, my father died in prison, and my stepmother overdosed on drugs."Her eyes softened. "Jason...I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine what that must have been like."He shook his head. "It's all in the past. Anyway, it was by sheer luck that I met Bruce Wayne when I was about twelve years old. I did some...work...on his car," he said smugly. It was technically the truth. He did work on Bruce's car—he stole the tires from the Batmobile."And he adopted you?" she asked. "That's amazing. I've seen some of the things the tabloids write about him. Some people think his charity work and overall "nice guy" persona is just an act. They say he's just another greedy business mogul hiding behind his money and good deeds.""I don't think that's true, but he isn't always the nicest guy. When he's good, he's fine....great even. When he's bad...let's just say the man is a fortress. There's no getting through to him. I guess he and I have that in common.""Seems like you have a lot in common, " she said. "You both went through really traumatic experiences as kids. Understandably, you two might have trouble getting close to people and working through those emotions. At least you both found a way to take that pain and turn it into something meaningful. The hospital fundraiser, for example. It seems like Bruce does a lot to help the community...and I think it's sweet he gets you involved.""Oh yeah, he's always there to help people in need," Jason said disdainfully.It was difficult for Jason to acknowledge Bruce's heroic reputation without thinking about that lost year...the one that ended whatever relationship they could have had. Jason was one of the few people Bruce couldn't save and the result was devastating. It had been years since they reconciled, but the memory was just as painful.Scarlett placed her hand over his on the table. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get this personal...especially on a first date," Scarlett said regretfully. "We were supposed to be having a good time.""Well, the night's still young," he said, grasping her hand. "Let's dance."..."Jason, let me get it!" Scarlett pleaded as she grabbed for the check."No. The date was my idea, so I'm paying," Jason insisted."Let me get my half, at least!""You know...I'm trying to be a gentleman for once in my life and you're kind of fucking it up," he said, sliding the check back in his direction."You are a gentleman. You made it through an entire evening without trying to hit second base. That's more than I can say for most guys I've been on dates with.""That's not entirely true. Since the gala, I've come up with about nine different plans to get you back to my place and twelve different things I want to do once we get there. I'm just being discreet."Scarlett held her breath, unsure how to respond to such a bold statement. "You haven't done anything yet.""Emphasis on yet," he quipped. "Good things are worth waiting for."She arched an eyebrow."Alright, fine," he relented. "You can take your half. Happy now, Miss Independant?"Scarlett studied him carefully. "What's the catch?""You have to go on a second date with me."Scarlett rolled her eyes, yet her smile gave her away."What's the matter? Am I that repulsive?" Jason asked, turning his lip teasingly."Oh yes...you're the devil incarnate come to lead me down a path of evil and debauchery," she teased. "I'm helpless against your wicked plans."He chuckled and bit his lip in a way that sent a shiver down Scarlett's spine."Damn...you make that sound fun. How about we try that for our next date?"She laughed and shook her head, then gave him a touching smile. "I had a great time tonight, Jason. I don't know what it is about you but you're just...so different than anyone else I've ever met," she said. "You're the first guy who has ever treated me like I have something more to offer...like I can be more than what I am right now. I guess you see something in me that I just don't yet."Jason offered her his hand to help her up from the booth. As they walked toward the door, he put his arm around her shoulders and leaned his head close as he whispered."Right back at you, Doll."...It was deep into the night by the time they left the bar. The shadowed streets were lit only by the colorful glow of the neon signs and the occasional flickering street lamp. The temperature also dropped some, providing a sense of calm that was so rare in that city. The atmosphere on the car ride home was charged with a new kind of tension than the one earlier that evening. Jason and Scarlett talked and laughed the entire time, sharing flirty glances and playful touches as they cruised down the street with the windows down and music playing from the radio.The guessing game at the club proved to Scarlett beyond a doubt that there was more to the complex riddle of Jason Todd. His personality was magnetic and exciting, but his past was dark and troublesome. She wanted to learn his story...every part of it. The good and the bad.When they arrived at her apartment building, Jason walked her to the lobby doors. Scarlett stopped and leaned against the wall, the two of them standing in silence."I meant what I said about our next date," he said at last. "If evil and debauchery are your thing my days are wide open."Scarlett laughed, but then her breath caught as he inched closer to her. He leaned forward as though he was going to kiss her, and she closed her eyes in anticipation.Scarlett wasn't usually the kind of girl to hook up with someone on the first date. The trust issues left behind from her childhood and her first relationship were very much intact. The night of her assault certainly didn't make it any better.But this night was different. Jason was different. The combination of the alcohol and their incredible chemistry had her ready to let go for one night. She just wanted him near her...in any capacity. She wanted to feel his kiss, his comforting presence all night long.Then suddenly, she felt his lips touch her cheek instead, in a kiss so gentle that it caught her off guard. A kind of warmth rushed to her chest that made her feel safe—and most of all—cherished.Just as quickly, he pulled back and offered her a confident smile. He was making it clear—that was all she was going to get...and it made her even more thrilled. He really wasn't like most other guys. He was a flirt, but he was respectful. He was confident but at times unsure of himself. He was hardened by his past, yet empathetic with others. There was such duality to his character.It almost reminded her of Red Hood. Why he suddenly came into her mind she couldn't explain, only that he and Jason were a little similar in that way. Red Hood was also perceived as one thing, a villain mostly. Yet he also risked his life to save innocent people every night.Once Jason said goodbye to her and walked back to his car, Scarlett was left to think about these two mysterious men who suddenly entered her life...and so close together. Surely, there wasn't the slightest possibility they were one and the same. It would be too large of a coincidence in so little time, so she pushed the notion out of her mind...for the time being.