章節 61: Something Isn't Right
The late afternoon sun dipped low on the horizon as Jason's black Mustang rumbled down the winding backroads, the faint hum of the engine filling the otherwise quiet air. Maggie sat in the passenger seat, her elbow resting on the window frame as she watched the scenery blur past. The city had long since faded into the background, replaced by tall trees and open skies.
Jason glanced over at her as he turned onto a narrow dirt path, the tires kicking up a trail of dust behind them. "You've been pretty quiet," he said, his voice casual but edged with curiosity.
She turned to him, offering a faint smile. "Just enjoying the ride. It's nice… peaceful."
Jason smirked, gripping the wheel as he navigated the final stretch of the road. "Yeah, it is."
Maggie chuckled softly, leaning her head against the seat. "Maybe that's why I wanted to come here with you."
Jason raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. A few moments later, the Mustang rolled to a stop at the edge of a secluded clearing. The spot was surrounded by tall trees, with the distant hum of the city barely audible. Jason killed the engine and stepped out, walking around to open the passenger door for her.
"This is it," he said, gesturing to the clearing. "Not much, but it's my place to clear my head."
Maggie stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the area. "It's nice," she said softly, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. "Very… you."
Jason leaned casually against the Mustang, his arms crossed as he watched Maggie explore the clearing. The serenity of the spot seemed to calm her as she turned to him with a soft smile.
"When I need to," Jason said, answering her earlier question. "You know how it is—sometimes you just need space."
Maggie didn't respond immediately. Instead, she gave him a lingering look, something unreadable in her expression. Without a word, she turned and opened the back door of the Mustang, slipping into the backseat with an inviting wave.
Jason raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What are you doing, Mags?"
She smiled, leaning back against the seat with a deliberate ease. "Getting comfortable," she said, her voice dipping into a tone that was both playful and enticing. "Why don't you join me?"
Jason hesitated for a moment, the shift in her demeanor catching him off guard. Maggie wasn't usually this bold, especially out in the open. But her inviting smile and the way her eyes lingered on him made him push his unease aside. With a small shrug, he opened the door and climbed into the backseat, settling beside her.
The moment Jason settled into the backseat, Maggie leaned in, grabbing the front of his jacket and pulling him into a kiss. It was intense, her lips moving against his with an urgency that took him by surprise. Jason's hands instinctively found her waist, steadying her as she pressed closer.
Her touch grew bolder, her hands roaming his shoulders, his chest, and then trailing down his pants. Jason's pulse quickened, caught off guard by how intimate she was becoming—more so than they'd ever been before.
"Mags," Jason mumbled against her lips, his breath hitching as her fingers tugged lightly. He gently pulled back just enough to look at her, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What's going on?"
Her eyes, dark and unreadable for a moment, softened into something that looked like affection. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice a low murmur, her hand starts to unbutton her blouse.
Jason studied her face, his instincts nagging at him. "This… this isn't like you," he said cautiously.
She tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Maybe I'm tired of holding back," she said, her voice dipping into something sultry, almost foreign. "Maybe I just want to show you how much I care."
Jason blinked, as she guides his hand over her exposed bra as he tried to process her words. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Mags. You know that, right?"
Her smile faltered for the briefest moment, but she quickly recovered, leaning in close. "I know," she whispered, her tone soft yet insistent. "I just… I need this."
Jason hesitated, his heart racing as he felt the weight of her words. Something about her didn't sit right, but the way she looked at him, the way she touched him, made it hard to think straight. "Mags," he said softly, trying to slow things down. "Are you sure you're okay? You've been acting… different."
Her expression flickered, irritation briefly flashing across her face before she masked it with a playful smile. "I'm fine, Jay," she said, her voice light but firm. "Stop worrying so much."
Jason searched her eyes, his unease deepening. The Maggie he knew was careful, thoughtful—not this bold, not this... reckless. But as she leaned in again, capturing his lips in another kiss, then another on his neck traveling down, his doubts were momentarily drowned out by the intensity of the moment.
The car was quiet again, the intensity of the moment between Maggie and Jason slowly dissipating. They sat in the backseat of Jason's Mustang, the silence heavy but not entirely uncomfortable. Jason ran a hand through his hair, trying to collect himself, while Maggie adjusted her blouse, a faint, satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Jason cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We should probably head back," he said, his tone casual but with an edge of unease.
Maggie nodded, still smiling faintly. "Yeah, probably a good idea," she said, her voice light.
They climbed out of the backseat, and Jason moved to the driver's side, slipping into the front. Maggie followed, settling into the passenger seat and buckling her seatbelt with a deliberate calmness. Jason started the car, the low rumble of the engine filling the quiet clearing.
As they pulled back onto the road, Jason's hands tightened on the steering wheel. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his brow furrowed in thought. "You sure you're okay?" he asked again, his voice careful.
Maggie turned to him, her smile soft but unreadable. "I told you, Jason. I'm fine," she said smoothly.
Jason nodded. The Maggie he knew wasn't this dismissive—this casual about something so out of character for her.
The drive back to Gotham was quiet, the atmosphere between them shifting back to something more familiar. Still, Jason couldn't shake the lingering feeling that something wasn't right. As they neared Wayne Manor, he cast another quick glance at her, his mind racing with questions he wasn't sure he wanted to ask.
Jason pulled the Mustang into the long driveway leading up to Wayne Manor, the grand structure standing stark against the soft glow of the evening sky. He glanced at Maggie who seemed calm and collected, her gaze fixed on the manor.
As the car came to a stop near the front entrance, Maggie turned to him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Thanks for today," she said, her voice low and sincere.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, no problem."
Instead of opening the door immediately, Maggie leaned in closer, her movements deliberate. She cupped his face with her hand, her eyes searching his for a moment before she kissed him. It wasn't rushed or overly passionate, but there was an edge of something… different. Jason couldn't quite place it.
When she pulled back, her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, her voice almost a purr, "If you want to go for round two, come find me after patrol tonight."
Before Jason could respond, she give him a wink and opened the door and stepped out, her movements smooth and unhurried. She glanced back at him briefly, her smile faint and unreadable, before disappearing into the manor.
Jason stayed in the car for a moment, staring after her, his heart pounding for reasons he couldn't entirely explain. Something about her words, her actions—they didn't feel like Maggie. Not the Maggie he knew, anyway.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before stepping out of the car. "What the hell is going on with her?" he muttered under his breath.
The large double doors of Wayne Manor closed behind Maggie as she stepped into the quiet, dimly lit space. Her footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors as she walked toward the grand staircase. Before she could ascend, Alfred appeared at the base of the stairs, carrying a silver tray with a tea set balanced perfectly atop it.
"Ah, Miss Maggie," Alfred greeted warmly, his eyes scanning her carefully. "Welcome home. I trust your day was pleasant?"
Maggue smiled faintly, "It was, Alfred. Thanks for asking. I'm just going to head up to my room and rest for a bit."
Alfred inclined his head, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Very good, miss. Dinner will be ready shortly if your hungry."
"Thanks, Alfred," she replied, already making her way up the stairs. "I'll see how I'm feeling."
Jason walked through the front doors of Wayne Manor, the cool air from outside still clinging to him. He tossed his bag onto the nearby bench and glanced around, as he scanned the quiet space. Spotting Alfred walking down the hallway with his usual impeccable posture, Jason approached him quickly.
"Alfred," Jason called out, his tone brisk. "Is Bruce around? I need to talk to him."
Alfred paused, turning to face Jason with his usual composed demeanor. "I'm afraid Master Bruce was called away on urgent Justice League business earlier this afternoon," he said, his voice calm but apologetic. "He won't be returning until tomorrow at the earliest."
Jason's brows furrowed, his frustration evident. "Of course he is," he muttered under his breath. "Figures."
Alfred's sharp eyes studied him for a moment. "If there's something pressing on your mind, Master Jason, I'm here to listen, as always."
Jason shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. I'll figure it out." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "What about patrol tonight? Is it just me?"
Alfred gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "You'll be patrolling alongside Master Dick this evening. He should be arriving shortly. Master Bruce specifically requested the two of you work together to ensure Gotham remains under watch."
Jason groaned softly, his irritation clear. "Great. A night of playing sidekick to the golden boy."
Alfred's lips twitched with a hint of amusement. "I trust you'll manage to survive, Master Jason. In the meantime, I'll see that your gear is ready."
"Yeah, thanks, Alfred," Jason replied, already distracted. His thoughts lingered on Maggie and the strange feeling he couldn't shake since their time together earlier. He glanced up the stairs toward her room, his unease gnawing at him.
As Alfred turned to leave, Jason called after him, "Hey, Alfred… has Maggie seemed different to you?"
Alfred stopped, turning back with a thoughtful expression. "Miss Maggie has been through quite a lot recently. It's natural for someone to behave differently while processing such events. However," he added with a subtle glance toward the stairs, "if you feel something is amiss, it's worth keeping an eye on her."
Jason nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. "Yeah. Maybe."
With that, Alfred disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Jason standing in the hall. He stared at the staircase for a long moment.
The hum of the Batcomputer and the distant sound of water dripping from the cave walls filled the air as Jason descended the long staircase into the Batcave. His boots echoed against the cold floor as he made his way to his gear locker, pulling it open with a sharp tug. He began suiting up, his movements brisk and precise, though his mind was anything but focused.
Jason couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had been gnawing at him since the drive back with Maggie. Something about her demeanor, her behavior… it didn't add up.
He tightened his gloves and adjusted his mask, the faint clink of his weapons being secured to his belt breaking the quiet. Just as he finished, he heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle engine rumbling down the hidden entryway. A few moments later, Dick Grayson, fully suited as Nightwing, strolled into the Batcave, his helmet tucked under one arm.
"Look who's on time for once," Dick said with a grin, his tone light as he approached. "What's the occasion, Jay?"
Jason rolled his eyes, strapping his staff to his back. "Don't start, Grayson."
Dick's grin faltered slightly as he picked up on the tension in Jason's tone. "What's going on?" he asked, leaning casually against the console.
Jason adjusted the strap of his staff, clearly trying to brush off Dick's question. "It's nothing," he muttered, his tone clipped as he moved to the Batcomputer.
Dick raised an eyebrow, his easygoing demeanor slipping into something more serious. "Come on, Jay. I've known you long enough to know when you're holding something back. What's up?"
Jason exhaled sharply, his hands gripping the edge of the console as he stared at the screen. "I said it's nothing, Grayson. Drop it."
But Dick wasn't buying it. He stepped closer, leaning his arms on the console beside Jason, his voice quieter but firm. "You're not great at hiding when something's bothering you. Talk to me, man."
Jason clenched his jaw, the tension in his body visible as he struggled to keep the thoughts swirling in his head contained. Finally, with a frustrated groan, he straightened and turned to face Dick. "Fine. It's Maggie," he admitted, the words sharp and heavy.
Dick's expression softened slightly, though his curiosity was still clear. "You guys get into a fight or something?" he asked, his tone more casual.
Jason shook his head, his jaw tightening. "No. It's not that. It's..." He hesitated, his brow furrowed as he struggled to put his thoughts into words. "She's been acting… weird. Ever since the whole thing in Metropolis."
Dick leaned in a little closer, his expression growing more serious. "Weird how?"
Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't know how to explain it. At first, it was small stuff—little changes in the way she talks, the way she looks at me. But it's been getting worse. It's like she's more… bold. More confident. But not in the way Maggie usually is. It's not her."
"Not her?" Dick repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Jason crossed his arms, leaning back against the console. "Today at school, she was… different," he began, his voice hesitant as he searched for the right words. "She was more affectionate in front of people, which isn't like her. Maggie doesn't usually go for PDA, especially not at school. Then she was all-in on going shopping with her friends for homecoming dresses, which, okay, maybe she's trying to get back to normal, but still—it felt off."
Dick raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "That doesn't sound too bad. Maybe she's just trying to bounce back after everything that happened."
Jason shook his head, his jaw tightening. "That's not all. After school, she suggested we go somewhere alone. I didn't think much of it at first—she's been through a lot, so maybe she just wanted to clear her head. But…" He hesitated, glancing at Dick. "When we got to my spot, she was… more forward than she's ever been before."
Dick's expression shifted, a mix of curiosity and concern. "Forward how?"
Jason ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. "Like… aggressive. And I don't mean just affectionate—I mean she was doing stuff we don't normally do. It didn't feel like her, Grayson. Not at all."
Dick straightened, his arms crossing as he considered Jason's words. "So she's acting like someone trying to push boundaries? Like she's… testing you?"
Jason nodded slowly. "Yeah. That's what it felt like. And when I asked her if something was wrong, she just brushed it off. The Maggie I know would've talked to me. She wouldn't just blow me off like that."
Dick's brows furrowed as he leaned against the console, his tone serious. "You think it's connected to Metropolis? To what happened with Eclipso?"
Jason exhaled sharply, his frustration clear. "I don't know, but it has to be, right? She wasn't acting like this before. And my gut's telling me something is really, really wrong."
Dick was silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Alright. If your instincts are saying something's off, then we don't ignore it. But we need to tread carefully. If this is connected to Eclipso, pushing too hard might make things worse."
Jason frowned, clearly conflicted. "I can't just sit around and do nothing, Dick."
Dick placed a hand on Jason's shoulder, his tone calm but firm. "I'm not saying we do nothing. I'm saying we gather as much information as we can. If there's something going on, we'll figure it out. But we don't act until we know what we're dealing with."
Jason's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if she's in danger…"
Dick nodded. "If she's in danger, we handle it. Together."
The tension between them eased slightly as Jason let out a long breath, his resolve hardening. "Alright. Let's get this patrol over with."
Dick smirked faintly, stepping back toward his bike. "You just want an excuse to hit something, don't you?"
Jason grabbed his helmet, his lips twitching into a faint grin. "Maybe."
As they mounted their vehicles and roared out of the Batcave, Jason's thoughts lingered on Maggie. No matter what it took, he was determined to uncover the truth—even if he didn't like what he found.
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