Becoming Nightshade

Over the weekend after the Scarecrow encounter. Connor went back home begruntle via Clark Kent request. The following Monday, after school, Jason and Roy found themselves in one of the training rooms at Wayne Manor, preparing for a sparring session.

"Alright, Jaybird, show me what you've got," Roy said, grinning as he settled into a stance. His red hair was tied back, and there was a spark of competitive mischief in his eyes.

Jason smirked, dropping into a stance of his own. "You've been in Star City too long, Roy. Let me remind you what Gotham fighting is like."

They started with light punches and quick footwork, feeling each other out. Jason could tell that Roy hadn't been slacking on his training—his movements were sharp, each strike carrying precision and confidence. As they exchanged blows, Jason couldn't help but notice how much Roy had changed since he'd last seen him.

"So," Jason said, blocking one of Roy's punches, "Star City's been treating you well?"

Roy shrugged, circling around him. "Well enough. Different vibe than Gotham, that's for sure. Fewer psychos in clown makeup. Plus, Ollie's got his whole… 'protecting the city from corruption' thing."

Jason dodged a quick jab, countering with a low kick that Roy easily sidestepped. "Sounds like you're doing alright, though. I mean, considering everything you went through."

Roy's face softened, his guard momentarily dropping. "Yeah… it's been hard, but I'm making it work. Keeps me moving forward, you know?" He threw a series of quick punches, which Jason blocked, though one managed to slip through, catching him on the shoulder.

Jason shook off the hit, returning with a quick jab. "I get it. Gotham's kind of the same for me. It's like… once you go through some stuff, you can't just sit around anymore."

Roy nodded, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Yeah, I feel that." They paused for a moment, catching their breath, then reset.

"You know," Roy continued, his tone shifting slightly, "I kept hearing things about Gotham while I was away—mostly from Maggie, when we still talked. Sounded like things got rough for you too."

Jason tensed slightly but nodded. "Yeah… things got real after you left. I'm… not exactly the same."

Roy smirked, stepping back to get some distance. "I noticed. You're a lot better at throwing a punch."

Jason chuckled, launching into a flurry of quick strikes, which Roy deftly countered. "You're not so bad yourself, 'Speedy.'"

Roy laughed, they continued sparring, their strikes slowing as the conversation became more honest. Roy looked down briefly, his stance faltering. "Yeah. It's something I try not to let eat me up… but sometimes, it just hits, you know? Coming back here, it kind of brings it all up again."

Jason nodded, throwing a punch that Roy deflected. "I get that, man. Gotham has a way of… reminding you of the things you'd rather forget." He hesitated before adding, "And if it makes you feel any better, Maggie… she missed you after you left."

Roy's gaze softened, a hint of regret flashing across his face. "Yeah, I… I still think about her a lot. We've both changed, though. Not sure we're the same people we were when we started… whatever it was we had."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the rhythm of their sparring settling back into place. Jason threw a kick, which Roy blocked, and Roy followed with a swift punch that Jason barely dodged.

"Still," Jason said, breathing heavily, "it's good to see you again, Roy. I missed having my best friend around."

Roy grinned, brushing a hand through his red hair as they reset once more. "Same here, Jay. And hey, you ever need someone to have your back, you know where to find me. Star City's not that far."

Jason gave him a small smile, one that held more warmth than he usually allowed himself to show. "Same goes for you, Roy."

They finished their sparring, both of them a little bruised but smiling. It was good to have Roy back, even if only for a little while. Maggie walked into the training room, her backpack slung over one shoulder and a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She'd just finished her homework and figured she'd check to see if anyone still had the energy for a sparring match. Her gaze landed on Jason and Roy, both of whom looked slightly winded but energized from their recent bout.

"Hey," she said, grinning as she approached them. "Either of you have another round left in you. I could use a little break from calculus."

Jason glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, though a smile tugged at his lips. "You sure? Roy here gave me a pretty solid workout already."

Roy's face lit up, a playful glint in his eye as he nudged Jason. "Actually, I'd love to see you two spar. I always wondered who'd come out on top between you and Maggie."

Maggie rolled her eyes, but there was a spark of competitive excitement there. "Oh, really? You want to see me take Jason down?"

Jason scoffed, giving Roy a mock glare. "You think she could beat me?"

Roy smirked, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. "Oh, I'm not saying she will… but I'm definitely saying I want to find out."

Maggie grinned, dropping her bag on the side and stepping onto the mat, already sliding into a fighting stance. "Alright, Jaybird. Let's see what you've got."

Jason shook his head, chuckling as he mirrored her stance. "You're in for it now, Princess."

They began circling each other, each one sizing up the other with a mix of respect and determination. Maggie made the first move, a quick jab that Jason dodged, his reflexes sharp. He countered with a low kick, which she blocked effortlessly, her eyes never leaving his.

"Not bad," Jason muttered, impressed. "You've definitely stepped up your game."

"Oh, I've had a pretty good teacher," Maggie replied, throwing a swift kick that Jason narrowly dodged.

Roy watched intently, his eyes darting between them, clearly enjoying the display of skill. "You two are like a mirror image. I love it."

The match intensified as they moved faster, exchanging blows and blocks with precision. Maggie feinted left, then quickly spun to the right, catching Jason off-guard and nearly landing a hit. But he recovered, twisting around and catching her wrist, pulling her toward him just enough to destabilize her.

"Oh, come on, Jason," she said, laughing as she wriggled free. "Is that all you've got?"

Jason grinned, enjoying the challenge. "You're going to regret that, Mags."

They broke apart, resetting for the next exchange. Maggie went in with a combination of punches, and Jason countered, sidestepping one of her swings and slipping behind her. She anticipated his move, twisting and catching his arm, locking him in a hold for a split second before he broke free.

"Not bad," Roy said, applauding from the sidelines. "I'm telling ya; this is like watching an action movie."

The match reached a fever pitch as they both upped their speed, pushing each other to the limit. Maggie's footwork was flawless, her movements quick and unpredictable. Jason's defense was solid, each of her strikes met with a block or dodge, though the competitive glint in his eye showed he was working harder than he let on. Finally, Maggie saw an opening. She faked a high kick, then ducked low, sweeping Jason's legs out from under him. He hit the mat with a thud but quickly recovered, springing back to his feet with a grin. Roy burst out laughing, clipping his hands.

"Let's Go Maggie!" Roy cheered.

Grinning at Roy's cheers, Maggie allowed herself a moment to bask in the small victory. But Jason, always quick to seize an opportunity, took advantage of her distraction. He moved in fast, faking a jab before grabbing her wrist, twisting her off balance. Maggie tried to recover, but she'd left an opening. Jason swept her leg and pinned her to the mat, his weight pressing her down just enough to hold her firmly in place. She struggled briefly, but Jason's grip was solid, his reflexes quick.

"Gotcha," he whispered, his voice low, a playful smirk on his face.

Her breath caught as she realized just how close they were. Jason's face hovered inches above hers, his breath warm against her skin. There was a different kind of tension in the air now, one that made her heartbeat quicken and her mind race. The playfulness in his eyes softened, replaced by something else, something unspoken yet unmistakable. Jason's gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, it seemed like he might close the distance between them. His face moved even closer, his expression a mix of uncertainty and something Maggie couldn't quite read. But then, Roy let out a fake cough reminding them of his presence. Jason's face flushed as he snapped back to reality, quickly rolling off Maggie and getting to his feet, clearing his throat and avoiding her gaze.

"Uh, yeah… good match," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Maggie sat up, brushing herself off as she tried to shake off the lingering feeling of that almost-moment. She forced a grin, giving Jason a playful nudge. "Guess I'll give you this one."

Jason chuckled, though he still looked flustered. "Yeah, just… don't let your guard down next time."

Roy grinned, clearly amused by the whole scene. "You two really know how to keep things interesting."

Maggie shot him a look but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. Whatever that moment had been, she wasn't quite ready to unpack it just yet. Barbara Gordon steps into the training room with an update.

"Bruce and Ollie got a lead. They want all of us in the Batcave. " Barbara said

Maggie run up to follow her. Jason and Roy do as well from a distance. As Maggie followed Barbara down the hallway toward the Batcave, Jason and Roy trailed a few paces behind, their footsteps echoing softly. Jason kept his gaze focused ahead, but Roy's amused grin didn't go unnoticed. Roy nudged him with an elbow, a teasing glint in his eye.

"So, Jaybird," he said, his voice low enough that Maggie wouldn't hear, "remember back when I was dating Maggie? You swore up and down you didn't like her like that. 'Just friends,' you kept saying."

Jason's face turned red, and he shot Roy a quick glare. "Nothing's changed," he muttered, clearly flustered. "We're still just… you know, close friends."

Roy smirked, glancing ahead at Maggie, then back to Jason. "Yeah, right. Sure, looked like 'just friends' back there. Face all close to hers, looking like you were about to kiss her."

Jason looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's… it was the sparring. Adrenaline and all that."

"Uh-huh." Roy's tone was laced with skepticism. "So, the fact that you're acting like a lovesick kid right now has nothing to do with her?"

Jason shot him another look, his face still flushed. "It's not like that," he insisted, though his voice lacked conviction. "You know how it is with Maggie. She's… different. She's Maggie."

Roy chuckled, shaking his head. "I get it, man. She's got that effect. But just saying—you might want to figure out what's going on in your head before she figures it out first."

Jason clenched his jaw, glancing up ahead at Maggie, who was laughing with Barbara, clearly oblivious to their conversation. "Yeah," he muttered. "Guess I'll have to."

But even as he said it, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe Roy was right—maybe, somewhere along the way, his feelings for Maggie had changed.

In the Batcave, Bruce and Oliver stood around the central console, going over the latest intel on Onyx and Scarecrow's movements. Barbara, Jason, and Roy joined them, listening closely as Bruce laid out the details.

"We've managed to track down a location Scarecrow's been using as a makeshift lab," Bruce said, bringing up a map on the Bat computer's screen. "It's deep in the Narrows, hidden beneath an old factory. We have reason to believe Onyx has been helping him secure the area and possibly recruiting a network of enforcers to protect the operation."

Ollie crossed his arms, studying the layout. "Sounds like they're preparing for something big. If we're going to take them down, we'll need to get in and out fast before they realize we're there."

Bruce nodded. "Agreed. We'll split into teams. Barbara, Jason, you'll go in first, through the northeast entrance. Scout the area, make sure we're not walking into any traps. Oliver and Roy, you'll provide cover from the west side and back up Barbara and Jason as needed."

Barbara gave a quick nod, her expression serious. "Sounds like a plan. What about Maggie?"

Bruce turned to Maggie, his expression stern but softened by a hint of concern. "Maggie, I know you want to be out there, but I need you here, monitoring from the Bat computer. You'll have access to their comms, cameras, and all intel. You can track their positions and keep us updated on anything that changes."

Maggie opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Bruce silenced her. She knew he was only trying to protect her, even if it stung a little. She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Got it, Dad. I'll keep a close eye on everything."

"Good." Bruce's tone was firm but approving. "This will be a team effort. We all need to be sharp out there."

With the plan set, they each turned to the storage area, where their suits and gear were waiting. Barbara was the first to suit up, donning her Batgirl gear with practiced ease. Jason followed, slipping into his Robin uniform, the familiar weight of his escrima sticks in his hands. Oliver and Roy adjusted their quivers, checking each arrow and piece of equipment as they prepped for the mission. Maggie watched them suit up, a mixture of pride and frustration simmering within her. She wanted to be out there with them, but she knew her role tonight was just as important. As the others finished suiting up and made their way back toward the Bat computer, she stepped forward, her gaze steady.

"Alright, everyone," she said, trying to keep her voice light but unable to hide the worry in her eyes. "Be careful out there. Scarecrow and Onyx aren't exactly small-time."

Jason gave her a reassuring smile, lightly tapping her shoulder. "Don't worry, Mags. We've got this."

Barbara nodded, giving Maggie a thumbs-up. "We'll keep you in the loop every step of the way."

Roy gave her a playful salute.

Oliver, adjusting his bow, met Maggie's gaze with a confident nod. "Thanks for keeping an eye on us. We'll see you soon."

Maggie returned their smiles, her voice soft but full of determination. "Alright… just don't make me regret not sneaking out there to watch your backs."

With one last look, the team headed toward the Batmobile and Bikes taking their exit, leaving Maggie alone at the console. She took a deep breath, then settled into her chair, fingers poised over the keys as she watched each of their signal's light up on the screen. As they disappeared into the Gotham night. Maggie sat at the Bat computer; her eyes focused on the multiple monitors displaying live feeds from each of the team's cameras. She watched as Batgirl and Robin moved through the shadows, carefully making their way toward the northeast entrance of the factory. On another screen, she could see Green Arrow and Speedy positioning themselves on the west side, bows ready, scanning the area for any sign of movement.

"Alright, you're all in position," Maggie's voice came through their earpieces. "Everything's clear so far."

Jason's camera feed showed him nodding slightly, his posture relaxed but alert. "Copy that, Moving in."

As they crept forward, Maggie continued to monitor the surroundings, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, ready to alert them to any change. Suddenly, Jason's camera feed showed a subtle movement in the distance—just a glint in the darkness, barely noticeable. Maggie leaned forward, squinting at the screen, but before she could say anything, Jason's camera jolted.

A dart had hit him in the neck.

Maggie's heart skipped a beat as she watched Jason reach up, his fingers brushing against the dart, a look of surprise flickering over his face before he staggered back. "Robin?" she said urgently, her voice sharp. "Robin, what happened?"

Jason's camera feed became shaky, his breaths growing rapid as his vision blurred. The toxin from the dart was spreading quickly—a new, high-concentration variant of Scarecrow's fear toxin, designed to take effect almost instantly.

"Robin!" Maggie's voice grew more frantic as she watched the screen, helpless, knowing only that he was slipping into the depths of his worst nightmares.

Maggie's fingers flew across the keyboard as she quickly activated her comms, her voice tight with urgency. "Batman, Robin's been hit—a dart to the neck. It's fear toxin, but something new. He's already disoriented."

There was a brief pause, and then Bruce's voice came through, steady but tense. "Understood. Batgirl, get Robin to the Batmobile, now. Activate self-driving mode and send him back to the cave. He needs medical attention immediately."

On the screen, Maggie watched as Barbara moved swiftly, reaching Jason and supporting him as he struggled to stay on his feet, his breathing shallow and uneven.

"Hang in there, Jay," Barbara murmured, guiding him toward the Batmobile. She opened the door, carefully helping him inside before securing him in the passenger seat. With a quick command, she engaged the self-driving mode, sending the vehicle into action, heading directly back to the Batcave.

"Batgirl, keep me updated," Batman's voice directed, cool and focused. "Green Arrow, Speedy—adjust positions. We'll proceed with the mission but stay alert. Scarecrow might have more traps laid out."

The Batmobile pulled into the Batcave, its engine humming as it came to a halt. The moment the door unlocked, Maggie and Alfred were there, moving quickly to pull Jason from the seat. He was thrashing, his face contorted in terror, his eyes wide but unfocused as he screamed, lost in whatever nightmare the toxin had pulled him into.

"No… please… Maggie! Don't—" Jason's voice was hoarse, frantic, and its broke Maggie's heart to hear him like this. She tightened her grip on his arm, trying to reassure him, though she knew he couldn't hear her through the haze.

"Shh, Jay, we've got you," she whispered, guiding him with Alfred toward the med bay. "You're safe now."

They carefully laid him on the examination table, Alfred immediately working to secure him gently, attaching monitors to track his vitals. Jason struggled against the restraints, his body tense, still crying out in fear, his hands shaking as if trying to push away something only he could see.

"Alfred," Maggie said, her voice tight but steady as she focused on her next task, "keep an eye on his vitals. I'm going to analyze that dart."

She grabbed the dart from where it had been lodged in Jason's neck, turning and hurrying to the Bat computer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she loaded the dart into the analysis chamber, her gaze fixed on the screen as data started to appear. The computer began its analysis, scanning for components, concentrations, anything that could help them understand this new strain of fear toxin. As she waited for the results, she glanced back at Jason, her heart aching as his screams echoed through the med bay. Whatever this toxin was, it was stronger than anything they'd seen before, and she was determined to find a way to help him. The analysis results flashed across the Bat computer screen, revealing a complex new formula in the fear toxin—a highly concentrated version with additional compounds that amplified its effects, designed to penetrate deeper into the psyche and resist existing antidotes. Maggie's brow furrowed as she studied the breakdown, her mind racing through potential counteragents. She took a deep breath, pulling up the lab software as she began formulating a new antidote, her knowledge of biology and chemistry driving each decision. She set up the chemical synthesizer to mix the necessary compounds, carefully monitoring each stage. Every few minutes, she glanced back at Jason, who lay trembling, his breathing shallow and uneven as the toxin continued its assault on his mind. Her heart ached, but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand, determined to pull him back from the nightmare. Suddenly, a voice crackled through her earpiece. It was Batman, his tone urgent.

"Batcave, this is Batman. Onyx and Scarecrow have reached the main chamber. They're attempting to set off a device—likely to disperse the fear toxin throughout the city. We're moving to stop them."

The sound of combat reached Maggie's ears—grunts, metal clanging, and blasts echoing over the comms. Barbara's voice came through next, breathless but steady. "We're engaging them now."

Maggie clenched her fists, torn between her worry for her friends & family on the field and the desperation to complete the antidote for Jason. She took a calming breath, her focus sharpening. Right now, her role was here. Maggie pressed her earpiece, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

"Be advised—this is a new formula of Scarecrow's fear toxin. I'm working on an antidote right now, but it's complicated. Hopefully, I'll have it ready soon. Just… be careful. One hit, and you're in deep."

No sooner had she spoken than a new alert flashed across the Bat computer, tracking the team's vitals in real time. Green Arrow's heart rate spiked suddenly, his blood pressure skyrocketing. Maggie's eyes widened as she saw his vitals mirroring Jason's from earlier.

"Team," she said quickly. "Green Arrow's been hit with the same dart as Robin. His vitals are unstable."

Speedy's voice came through, his usual confidence laced with alarm. " He's… he's not responding!"

Maggie clenched her fists, her heart racing as she redoubled her efforts on the antidote. "I'm on it, Speedy. I'll get this antidote done as fast as I can. Just… try to keep him stable."

She glanced at Jason, still caught in his own nightmare, then refocused on the formula, her fingers moving swiftly, driven by a new sense of urgency. Maggie's heart pounded as Batman's voice came over the comm, a steely command cutting through the chaos.

"Team, masks on now," he ordered, the muffled sound indicating he'd already secured his gas mask. "The device is active—the toxin's spreading, initiate citywide protocols."

Maggie didn't hesitate. She activated the emergency systems from the Bat computer, triggering a loud alarm across Gotham's emergency network. An alert blared through every available channel, directing all law enforcement, rescue teams, and citizens to seek shelter immediately, advising them to seal off buildings and avoid outdoor exposure until further notice. Red warning lights pulsed across the Batcave as she watched her message ripple across Gotham. Just as she finished, the computer chimed, and Maggie's eyes flew to the screen. The antidote formula had finally been synthesized, complete and stable. She exhaled in relief, her voice shaking as she relayed the update to the team.

"Antidote's ready. I'll get more made as fast as possible."

With the formula in hand, she prepared to administer it to Jason, determined to pull him back from the nightmare gripping him—and to save Gotham from Scarecrow's newest nightmare unleashed. Maggie hurried over to Jason's side, the antidote in hand, her heart racing as she leaned over him. While Alfred takes over the bat computer, overseeing making more of the antidote. Jason was still thrashing, his face pale, his breaths coming in rapid, uneven gasps. She carefully administered the antidote, watching as the tension slowly eased from his body. His breathing steadied, his face relaxing, the nightmare retreating as the antidote began to work its magic. After a few moments, Jason's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused but gradually locking onto her face. She offered a small, relieved smile, loosening the restraints that had kept him secure.

"Jason, you're alright," she murmured, brushing a hand over his shoulder.

Before she could say another word, his hand shot up, catching hers, and before she realized what was happening, his lips were on hers—deep, passionate, and intense. Lost in the moment, Maggie kissed him back, her arms wrapping around him as tightly as his held her. The worries, the fear, the adrenaline—all of it faded as she sank into the warmth of his embrace, letting herself feel the weight of the connection between them. Jason's hands moved gently to her back, anchoring her as their kiss deepened, the world around them disappearing entirely. For the first time, neither of them held back, each kiss a silent confession. As their kiss finally ended, Maggie felt her heart pounding as their foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling in the quiet med bay. She closed her eyes, still savoring the warmth of the moment, feeling the intensity between them settle into something softer but no less powerful. Jason broke the silence, his voice low and almost apologetic.

"I know I… I shouldn't have done that."

Maggie pulled back just slightly to look at him, her gaze soft yet steady. "Then why did you?"

Jason swallowed; his expression conflicted but sincere. "Because… I've wanted to for a while," he admitted, barely above a whisper.

As Jason's words hung in the air—*"I've wanted to for a while"*—the hum of the Bat mobile's engine filled the Batcave, signaling its return. Maggie snapped out of the moment, eyes widening as reality came crashing back. She clumsily pulled away from Jason, nearly tripping over her own feet as she spun around and hurried over to the vehicle. Her heart was still pounding, but now there was a surge of urgency as she focused on what lay ahead. The Bat mobile's door opened, and Roy stepped out, guiding Green Arrow, who was still under the effects of the fear toxin. Oliver's face was pale, his expression stricken, eyes unfocused as he mumbled under his breath, clearly trapped in his own worst fears.

"Roy, over here!" Maggie called, already moving to help him get Green Arrow toward the med bay. She threw a quick, flustered glance over her shoulder at Jason, whose gaze lingered on her with a mixture of warmth and concern, but she forced herself to focus on Oliver.

"Let's get him stabilized," she said to Roy, her voice steady. "I've got an antidote that should help."

Maggie moved swiftly with Roy, supporting Green Arrow as they guided him to the med bay. Oliver's eyes were wide, darting around the room, his breathing fast and shallow as he muttered incomprehensible fragments of his nightmares. The fear toxin's grip on him was intense, and he struggled against them, his muscles tense as he tried to fight whatever horrors were playing out in his mind.

"Hold him steady," Maggie directed, grabbing Oliver's other arm and glancing at Jason, who had joined them. Together, the three of them managed to secure Oliver to the med bed as Alfred prepared the antidote.

Alfred moved with practiced calm, carefully administering the antidote as he murmured reassuring words to Oliver, even though he knew the man couldn't hear him. Jason and Roy held Oliver's arms firmly, keeping him from thrashing as the antidote began to take effect. After a few tense moments, Oliver's breathing began to slow, his face relaxing as the antidote did its job. His vitals gradually stabilized, and the glazed look in his eyes softened, his grip on reality returning. Maggie sighed in relief, exchanging a look with Jason and Roy.

"Looks like he's coming back," she said softly, a hint of a smile breaking through her worried expression.

Oliver blinked, focusing on the faces around him, his voice weak but steady. "Guess… that toxin still has a punch," he muttered, managing a faint, appreciative smile.

"You're safe now, Mr. Queen," Alfred assured him with a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Just take it easy."

As they all eased back, Maggie felt a deep sense of relief wash over her. They'd brought both Jason and Oliver back from Scarecrow's nightmare, and for now, that was more than enough. Before Jason could say anything, Maggie darted over to the Bat computer, her fingers moving quickly across the keys as she connected to Batman and Batgirl's comms for an update. A surge of relief filled her as she heard Batman's steady voice come through the speakers.

"Batcave, this is Batman. Scarecrow has been apprehended," he reported.

Batgirl's voice followed, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. "And Onyx is in custody. We've got both of them."

Maggie let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Good work, both of you," she replied, her voice steady but with a hint of relief. "That's a win."

"It is," Batman said, but his tone was still grave. "Unfortunately, the city is already in chaos. People are flooding emergency rooms, and many are still wandering the streets, trapped in their fears. We need a way to get the antidote to them on a large scale—and fast."

Maggie thought for a moment, her mind racing as she scanned the Bat computer for any systems that could help. "What if we use the water purification plant? If we can introduce the antidote into the city's water supply, we might be able to reach a majority of the infected quickly."

Batman's voice was thoughtful as he considered the plan. "It's risky. The concentration would have to be exact to work safely. But given the situation, it's our best option."

Batgirl added, "I can head over to the plant and start setting it up, but I'll need help calibrating the formula."

"I'm on it," Maggie replied, already working on adjusting the antidote's concentration to fit the water system. "I'll send over the calculations as soon as I have them. This could work."

Jason, who had come up beside her, placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her an encouraging nod. "You've got this, Mags."

After several intense minutes of calculations, Maggie finally locked in the correct dosage for the antidote to be safely introduced into Gotham's water supply. She turned to Jason and Oliver, who were still recovering but looking more focused now that the effects of the fear toxin were wearing off.

"Alright," Maggie said, a determined glint in her eye. "I've got the dosage figured out. Batgirl's already on her way to the water plant, but we need to get this antidote to her as soon as possible. Are you both up for it?"

Jason, still a little pale but steady, nodded without hesitation. "I'm in."

Oliver took a deep breath, testing his strength. He gave her a reassuring nod, managing a faint smile. "Count me in, too. Gotham doesn't get to face this alone, not while we're here."

Maggie gave them both an appreciative smile, her gaze flickering to Roy. "Speedy, you're on board to lead this?"

Roy gave her a confident nod, already gathering the antidote containers. "Let's make it happen."

With the antidote securely packed, Jason, Oliver, and Roy headed out together, determination in their eyes as they prepared to bring Gotham the cure it desperately needed. Maggie watched them go, a sense of pride and relief settling over her as they disappeared into the shadows. Maggie sat at the Bat computer, her gaze fixed on the monitors as she tracked Jason, Oliver, and Roy's progress through Gotham's chaotic streets. She monitored their comms, listening as they exchanged updates with each other, her fingers poised over the keyboard, ready to alert them of any sudden dangers.

"Almost there," Roy's voice crackled over the comms, calm but focused.

"Good," Maggie replied, her tone steady. "Just one more block, and you'll meet up with Batgirl at the plant. She's already set up on the intake platform, waiting for the antidote."

She watched their icons on the map inch closer, her eyes darting between the screens as they arrived safely. The cameras switched to Batgirl's feed, showing her standing by the main control valve at the water plant.

"We've got the package," Jason's voice came through, and Maggie saw him, along with Oliver and Roy, passing the containers of antidote to Batgirl.

"Alright," Batgirl said, securing the containers and moving to the control panel. "Beginning distribution now."

Maggie watched as Batgirl carefully poured the antidote into the intake valve, the liquid filtering through the plant's purification system. The antidote would spread through Gotham's water supply within minutes, giving the city a chance to fight off the effects of Scarecrow's new toxin. Maggie exhaled, feeling a swell of relief. Just then, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Bruce, his cape still draped over his shoulders as he entered the Batcave, a question already in his eyes.

"Status report, Maggie," he asked, his voice calm but urgent.

"They made it to Batgirl safely," Maggie replied, giving him a brief but detailed rundown. "The antidote's being dispersed into the water supply as we speak. It'll take a few minutes to reach the entire city, but we should start seeing the effects soon."

Bruce gave a small nod of approval, his usual stoic expression softening slightly as he looked at her. "Good work, Maggie. You helped make this possible."

Maggie allowed herself a small smile, feeling the weight of the night's efforts lifting. Now, all they could do was wait and watch as the antidote worked to bring Gotham back from the edge. As the Batmobile and bikes returned to the Batcave, Maggie watched each of her friends step out, looking exhausted but relieved. The crisis had been contained, and the city was slowly returning to normal. Batman and Green Arrow exchanged a respectful nod, each recognizing the other's role in bringing Gotham back from the edge.

"Thank you, Bruce," Oliver said, extending a hand to Batman. "Couldn't have done this without you and your team."

Batman clasped his hand in a firm shake. "The feeling's mutual, Oliver. You're welcome here anytime."

Maggie stood beside Jason, watching as Roy and Oliver prepared to leave. She exchanged a small smile with Roy, who looked at her with that familiar, easy grin. Despite the chaos, it was good to have him back, even for a short while.

"Guess this is goodbye again," Roy said, offering her a small, warm smile.

Maggie nodded, trying to keep her voice light. "Until next time, Roy. Don't go getting yourself into too much trouble in Star City, alright?"

Roy laughed, glancing between her and Jason. "Can't make any promises, but I'll try. You two take care of each other, alright?"

Jason gave him a grin, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You know it, Roy. "

They shared a quick hug, the kind that showed the bond forged through the trials they'd faced together. Oliver gestured to the exit, and Roy gave one last wave before turning to follow. As they left, Maggie and Jason stood side by side, watching the two archers disappear into the shadows. As Batman approached, his stern gaze softened just slightly as he looked between Maggie and Jason.

"You two should get to bed," he reminded them, his voice taking on that familiar mix of fatherly authority. "You still have school in the morning."

Maggie and Jason nodded, exchanging a quick glance before heading toward the stairs leading back up to the Manor. They walked side by side in silence, each of them lost in their thoughts. The events of the night had been intense, but now, as the adrenaline faded, something else hung between them—a question they both knew couldn't be left unanswered. Once they were out of earshot and the cavernous hum of the Batcave was replaced by the quiet hallways of Wayne Manor, Maggie took a deep breath and broke the silence.

"Jason," she began, her voice softer than usual, "about… about that kiss. Was it just a heat-of-the-moment thing? Or was it… something else?"

Jason paused, his gaze drifting downward as if the question caught him off guard. His fingers brushed the back of his neck, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he turned on his heel and headed down the hall, disappearing into his room without so much as a glance back. Maggie stared after him, feeling her frustration bubble up. *He is impossible, * she thought, clenching her fists as she fought the urge to march down the hall and demand an answer. Instead, she huffed, muttering under her breath as she headed into her own room. Exhausted from all of the excitement of today.