Chapter Text
Bruce headed in the direction of the scream. “It’s Harley. She’s upset.” Jason said coming in beside him. “Cass is staying behind to watch talia.”
“Is she alright? Was she attacked?” Bruce asked
“She’s just upset oldman. Or distraught I guess. No idea what about.” The two turned the corner to see Harley attacking a few lockers, and herself they way she was hitting her arms and legs or slamming herself into those same lockers. “Whoa, Harley what the fuck?” Jason goes to try and stop her. Instead she turns her punches and kicks on him.
“Harley, what happened? What’s wrong?” Bruce asked. Mind whirling to recall if he missed Talia doing something when she took Danny. He was trying to get ahold of her arms. Harley would scream in frustration in his face before breaking the hold. He really didn’t want to resort to a stronger hold. And from the look of it neither did Jason.
“Oh you two are just going to make it worse. Shoo. shoo.” Eddie waved his hands at the boys, avoiding a swing from Harley pushing at Bruce’s side rather comically. “Why would you think you should try to console a woman? Really.” Eddie backed up to avoid his wailing friends' wailing fists and legs. Let her abuse Bruce. Though Eddie did notice a few bruises appearing on Jason’s bare arms where he blocked her.
“The hell is wrong?!” Jason got slammed into the lockers with a grunt trying to bear hug Harley. Bruce got a kick in the gut for trying to help.
“She is distressed.” Eddie said like he was an idiot.
“You will be next you pencil-necked…”
“Do you know what caused her distress, Mr Eddie.” Bruce said through tight teeth. Both from frustration and the kick to the stomach he grabbed. He and Jason tried to wrestle Harley to the floor.
“No. but you are obviously making it worse.” Eddie huffed. “Leave her to her property damage. Just keep others like yourself away from the impact zone.”
“Oh for the love of, Eddie get them out of here.” Selina seethed at the sight of Bruce and Jason trying to wrestle Harley to the ground.
“I’ve been trying. You know better than anyone how little of listening they do to anyone.” Eddie snarked at her before turning his glare and crossed arms on Bruce.
“Do you know…”
“It’s none of your business. Leave. All of you.” she shoved Bruce knocking loose his hold so a screaming crying Harley could get her feet on the ground, keeping clear of the kick sent at Bruce. “Jay, make yourself useful and keep the hall clear.” she wrapped an arm around Harley in a hug while shoving at Jay to let her go.
“How do you…”
“Because she’s my partner Bruce.” Selina threw back at the man not letting him get a word in. “make sure O clears the camera’s.” was the last order she gave pulling a wailing Harley’s face to her chest. Ignoring the fist hitting at her arms, before one switches to clutching at her with sobs. Selina slowly lowered them to the floor allowing Harley to kick at the lockers. Whispering soft words into Harley’s hair. Jason did his best not to listen to them.
“You heard her go.” Eddie said once again trying to push Bruce. Looking like the pencil necked nerd he was against the more muscular wayne.
“You look more pathetic than usual doing that.” Jay snipped at him, straightening his vest and tie. Bruce timed it to catch Eddie off guard with his move before locking elbows with the rogue and dragging him around the corner of the thankfully still empty hallway. Probably due to gothamites knowing to keep their distance from an unstable rogue. Jay stayed close to them.
Once a few feet from the hallway they left the ladies in Bruce turned on Eddie who seemed very startled with his close proximity to Bruce arm locked to the man as he was. “Is this normal behavior for Harley? Why is Selina sure she’s fine?”
“Did Talia do something?” Jason asked, catching on to Bruce’s checklist.
“I have no idea. But it looks to be lady business from how Selina handled it.” Eddie pulled his arm free catching himself from falling and straightening back out his glasses. Bruce was giving him a skeptical look. Jay was staring at him barely holding back laughter from the way his shoulders shook. “What’s so funny?”
“Please, I'm beggin ya. Say that in front of any of them. I’d love to see Ivy string you up for that.” Jason could just picture their fury too.
“Excuse you. That’s not what I was implying. But it is obviously something the ladies are privy to. Harley has had angry break downs around me but that.” he pointed back to the hallway where they could still hear Harley sobbing. “That is something else. But Selina automatically understood what was wrong and Harley was willing to be consoled. Therefore it is easy to deduce it is ladies' business.” Eddie corrected him with a finger wag to the face. “And I personally do not wish to hazard either, we should give them space. And you need an ice pack.”
“Someone should stay nearby in case they need help.” Bruce stated definitely but did try to take a closer look at Jason who did have several bruises. Jason smacked his hand away when he tried to touch him.
“Hands to yourself oldman. And they don’t want your help, anymore than I do.”
“I will stay to divert unwanted passersby. You two should leave though. If you are worried about your past lover being a danger.” Eddie cut them both off.
“Who are you going to stop mr. rogers?” Jason snarked at Riddler.
“You can insult my attire all you want. I don’t look like the discount modern dark shadows meets addams family reboot over here like you two.”
“Excuse me?!” Jason said, moving to get in Eddie’s face. Bruce got between his son and the riddler. But Jason was doing a double take of his dark attire and Bruce’s, his scowl growing.
“Jaylad now is not the time.” Bruce raised a hand to try and calm his son only to have Eddie grab his elbow and pull it down.
“How are you such a brilliant idiot?” Eddie asked incredulously. “I feel I've just been challenging you on the subjects.”
“A dog has more emotional intelligence than him. You ain’t special Eddie.” Jason snapped.
Bruce let out a tired sigh. “Now is not the time or place for this.”
“We are in agreeance. Go then. They will be announcing the winners shortly. It is bad enough to have their mother miss it . Having all the parents suddenly disappear is going to harm whatever goodwill you are trying gain. Danny was already under duress from his aunt’s, and whatever turmoil you caused. We do not need more because you miss this important moment for all three of your participating children.” Eddie turned on Jason since he was looking to comment on Bruce screwing up. “Or their closest family. Don’t think you should get off. Harley is out. You have to stop your unending prowl of the grounds and step up in her place.”
Bruce’s frown grew but he could see the rationale of Eddie's words. He also didn’t want to leave Talia with just Damian and cass. His kids were skilled, but Talia was cunning and ruthless. “You are correct Eddie. Can I expect you to inform us if Harley becomes a danger to herself or others or is in danger from the source of her sudden mood swing.”
Eddie looked at him like he was the delusional one. “No.”
Bruce looked unimpressed with that answer. “Let’s go. You need to handle talia at least. He can handle the ladies.” Jason smacked his dad’s bicep with a fist. Then pointed at Eddie. “Don’t disappoint me.” Eddie just rolled his eyes as the two larger men left him in the hall. Bruce kept a distrustful eye on Eddie till they were out of sight.