"Are you sure you don't need any more help from me?"
Shane looked at Jason in surprise. After emerging from the Batcave and telling him about the situation with Joker, Jason had actually said he needed to go "investigate" alone.
He had expected Jason to offer excuses like, "Joker and I have some personal business to settle," or, "From here on out, this is strictly Gotham business."
Instead, Jason had seriously explained why he didn't want Shane involved.
"You're too impulsive."
"Are you serious?"
Shane's folded arms twitched against his chest, nearly coming uncrossed.
"Yes. The Amazo Virus cured the madness the Lazarus Pit left in my brain, and that's made me confront some of my past mistakes over the last few days."
Perhaps because this wasn't Jason's own universe, or perhaps because Batman had disappeared, this Jason wasn't as cold and unapproachable in ordinary conversation as his original comic-book counterpart.
"The worst thing you can do when dealing with someone like Joker is rush. I don't know why you aren't carrying any of the Lazarus madness, but your personality just isn't suited to this kind of work. It's a Gotham specialty."
"I doubt you can take Joker seriously. If you come with me, you'll charge in and kill her the moment you see her."
Shane raised an eyebrow, freed one of his crossed arms, and lifted his open palm outward. "And shouldn't I? Don't tell me you don't want to kill her."
"Of course she deserves to die!"
Jason's voice rose noticeably, but soon softened again.
"But at least wait until we've confirmed Wilson is safe-and I mean safe in every sense."
Shane had thought he understood that part.
"You mean whether the Dark Ritual is still affecting Wilson?"
Jason glanced at Shane, seeming to hesitate briefly, but finally