Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk will not say she is the most normal person out there. She is a South African, Afrikaanse boere meisie (boer is a culture, it basically means white farmer in this context, meisie means girl) through and through. To be fair her grandparents as well as their friend were questioning her on her choices when she decided that moving to Gotham for work well she is still studying online was a good choice. Plus Gotham had some resources on the field of counselling that might help with that side of her studies.

She has taken the job as an art teacher at the fancy school in the city. And she is going to start in a week. Apparently the kids were still on vacation and this is the perfect time to settle in. Maybe I can build a place to make biltong. Wait is it illegal to have meat in your apartment that you want to let dry out, hmmmm. Questions to be asked.

She looks at the boxes that need to go to her apartment and then the stares that she will need to climb. Well maybe this would have been better if she had let her Grandparents’ friend know (she called him her grand-friend) that she was moving in today. But no, she wanted to settle in and then surprise him. What do you have to say to yourself now Jovie?

She had no idea how she got all her boxes up, she was just happy she had other people bring her bed and other heavy things. Now it was time for the worse part unpacking. The best way she can fix this is by putting on some music as she unpacks.

“I need some music…” opening her phone looking at options she sees her theater music, her Pink Floyd Brick in the wall, Carmen Gospel singer, hmmm I need to find a church. Well there is Mercy Me, no she needs something Afrikaans. Okay maybe missing home on the first day is not a good thing.

Baby tsjoklits by Gerhard Steyn will have to work. By the time the song was done she has danced in all over the apartment with just her socks on, moving the boxes to their rooms. The living room was at least more or less done, just some art of hers that need to go no the wall.

The next song to come on was Soos Bloed by Theuns Jordaan. She wanted to cry yes, but the song was good, by the time it was done she was in her bedroom arranging things.
Before she could see the next song someone called her. Jovial should have known that she would know something was up. “Hallo, Kara, what’s up?” she answered putting her phone on speaker.

“Hello, is that what I get, not a sorry that I didn’t tell you I’m moving, sorry that I didn’t call for help. At least a Kara I’m moving to Gotham please talk me out of it. No all I get is a ‘Hallo Kara, what’s up’ in your stupid cute accent.” She could feel her friend’s smile through the phone.

“Just say you love me and missed me, my dear darling sister Kara.” She say teasing a smirk on my lips as she finished her task. South Africans are natural flirts, this is just the way they talk, it means you are dear to them, nothing more. Same with bullying (teasing) btw, if they choose to start bulling (teasing) you after you became friends, it means you are fully excepted.

“Well right now I don’t feel like a sister, because I wasn’t informed, I thought because you adopting me as a friend and later kidnapping me as a sort of sister last year that would make that I was told things” Kara huffed.

“I know you don’t know all human costumes, but when you surprise someone you don’t tell them the surprise,” smiling as she knew that is going to trigger her friend.
“Says the human that doesn’t know how to human.” There was a beat as Jovial laughed, “Do you want me to came and help, Sociopath?”

“Hey, I squished that rumors, I’m just an intellectual with sociopathic tendencies, aka not a sociopath. I did get tested” she faked offence as Kara laughed.
“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Ja-nee(Yes no, but in the no way), I’m fine for now, I’m almost done, plus, you know who, doesn’t know I’m in town yet, he thinks I’m only coming next week.”
“You are in so much trouble when he finds out you didn’t ask for help.” Kara says snickering.

“This is going to be worse than the tea war, I still prefer Rooibos”

“Just please don’t drag me into this war, I almost didn’t survive the last one. He made me try ten different teas that I didn’t want to try Jovie.”

This is how the conversation continued for almost four hours when Jovial finally finished, “huh, en ek is klaar(and I am done). Thank you, you really helped me finish.” She said into the phone as she could practically hear Kara’s eye roll.

“I could have helped if I was there too you know, maybe we would have been faster.” She commented with a sigh.

“Yes, but then you would have speed ran it and I would be trying to fix it because we do not have the same way of thinking, Kara.” Jovial says with a knowing voice of someone who has played this game before.

“Well sorry, I just find it strange that the kitchen, living room and bathroom need to look perfect but your art desk looks like a art bomb went of on it. That is not even mentioning that your bed looks like a dragon tried to build a nest.” That statement was said with very little judgement, and more amusement.

“I am an artist, let me art.” Said with fake offence and a chuckle.

“Jovie I need to leave, talk again soon.”

“Ja-nee (this time it means yes), of course, see ya.” And the call ended.

Chapter Text

The week went by fast, she had found a system that she is sort of sticking too. It really did help that the school named Gotham academy had explained how her classes would work. She had also requested them that they would allow some of the students who are working on an art project to drop by anytime.

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Chapter Text

Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk tries to be as normal as she can be, but she fails at that sometimes. She had a strange encounter with a clown that morning. She was on her way to school when there was an attack. The guy that caused the attack had green hair and a white face. This guy caused her food, her bobotie with the white souse to spilled out. Now she is mad, and on a path for war. She can clearly say she is not proud of her actions.

She had marched up to this man in the middle of his rampage, no one had the guts to stop her. You could feel the anger dripping from her. She had a bottle of tobacco in her hand. And the Joker did not understand what happened. One minute he is laughing the next there is a young lady that grabbed his neck and forced the red liquid into his mouth. And when she let go she flung her shoe into her hand, how the Joker has no idea and she stared to hit him in a language he doesn’t comprehend.

With her plakkie (slipper/flip-flop) in her hand she was hitting the green head. “Jy het veroorsaak dat ek my bobotie mors. Vandag is die dag wat ek vir jou lettergrepe gaan leer met maniere.” (You are the cause for the waste of my food. Today is the day that you will learn syllables and manners.)

“I don’t understand, ow…how..ow…are…ow…you hitting so hard…ow” why is his goons not helping, simple they were scared. She said a lot of other things in Afrikaans that can not be translated into English. But the time she switched back to English the goons were helping the Joker clean up what they damaged.

The Bat and cops came, and Joker ran from her to them. Begging to be taken, then adding a polite please when looking at her, she nodded in approval. Batman was confused before looking at her, then understood when her green eyes met his white. Oh no she is in so much trouble, grand-friend will be informed no later than this afternoon won’t he? She mouthed an, oops to him.

She was then allowed to get go to school, to bad she couldn’t stop for coffee. That is a shame. Unbeknownst to her Oracle had the camera footage, and it was so on the group. Jason has a new gif as a screen saver of the Joker being hit over the head with a flip-flop.

The first week has given away and now it is Friday. Jovial brought melktert (it is a milk tart) to class with permission and the kids seem to enjoy it. Damian at least went to the rest of his classes till Friday. Just like Monday he was in her class before she even arrived with a letter on her desk. Sighing knowing she is not winning this battle.

It is Friday which means two days until dooms day. She got the message that afternoon like she predicted. She is being polite threatened to come to Sunday’s dinner. This is going to be great, grand-friend is so not going to kill her.

But it is Friday, she is planning to go to one of the dancing clubs and then she want to mark her kids homework when she comes back. Maybe she can trick someone into a sokkie (South African dance) with her.

Chapter Text

Dick was at the dancing club on a stake out. He was watching for any strange activity. Then she walked in, her clothes did not look like she fit in, well not in Gotham that is for sure. She was wearing a loos black dress with turquoise coloring and words on that were definitely not English. She looked lost, but not at the same time. And then she spotted him, staring at her, like she knew she was being observed

She looked so familiar, but he can’t pin point who she is, as she walked over to him. “Hi,” her voice was cheerful,swith a strange accent, “You look like someone who will learn how to dance very quickly.” She said as if it was a fact as she took his hand and lead him to dance.

He should have said no, but for some reason she had an atmosphere where you can’t, so he said all he could, “Okay, do I follow you or…”

“Yes, no don’t lift your feet you will drag them, when I go back you go forward, and then you spin me, but you will know what to do when we get there.” The conference in her voice left no place for questions.

She was right he had no idea how he knew how to dance this way, yes he struggled the first few steps, but he got it after a while. The smile that came from her was electric, he couldn’t help but smile as well.

They danced a few songs then left for the bar where she said she needs to go, “Wait, don’t you want a drink.”

Smiling she looked him in the eyes, he can’t tell what her eyes color is in this light, “No thank you, I don’t drink and I need to go home.”

“I can walk you, Gotham is not safe this time of night.” Now he was concerned.

“Yes, I know, that is why I’m leaving now. Plus I’ll be okay I know how to hit with a plakkie, I can hit with the wooden spoon I have hidden on my person as well if it comes to it.” she said like it was a challenge, then she walked away.

Wait now he knew who she was, but before could look back she was gone. Dam, he wanted to get an autograph for Jay from her. Wait how did she just disappear like that, from him. He needs to inform the other now.

Chapter Text

It was a weeks ago at 3 am that it started. Jason had a new neighbor. He has no idea how she moved in that fast but she was definitely not from Gotham. She was on the phone with who he assumed was her mother since she switched from the language she was speaking to English to reassure her mom she is safe in Gotham. Liar, but it is not his mother, so not his business.

Then she complained in English first about a neighbor that broke into his house at 3am in the morning. Wait there is a neighbor that does that? …. Oh she is complaining about him. Then she switched languages again, he will have to find out what it is.

He did not know anything about his neighbor except that she is definitely not from Gotham and definitely not normal. He stood one night on the roof across his apartment, it was slow so he used that time to look trough her window with showed into her living room. There was a lot of art on the walls and she looked like she was rearranging her book case, that is a lot of books.

When she realized he was looking she took out a strange object that he later learned was called a ketty (it is a well known thing in South Africa) and shot him with it. He was surprised that it hit him, but even more surprised that it was a glass blue weird stone. Then she said something in victory (she said laduma, it is a reference that you wouldn’t understand, trust me).

He got the message when she gave him a death stare that could rival the Bat and the demon brat. Did this mean he is going to stop stalking, no. What was she doing up this time of night anyway, waiting for her mom to call? The answer was yes.

Alfred was very unhelpful when he complained that he was hit in the chess with a blue stone thing. There is something up with Alfred for this week now, ever since the girl moved into Gotham. He doesn’t know why he is pinning it on her, but now he is. He was blessed one Friday with a new gif though.

Then it happened a Friday he sneaked into his apartment, but this time he didn’t hear his neighbor on the phone. What he heard instead was angry footsteps coming to his door. No doubt who that was, he removed quickly his helmet and armor, grabbing a normal as could be grey shirt and putting it on then he ran to switch pants as he heard a angry knock.

“Give me a minute.” He said as he walked to the door, pants on. He opened the door and saw this 5’6 girl that was not aware that her size didn’t match her anger. She had a fire in her green/blue, is it shifting between the two, color eye that made the pit look week. Her nose and cheeks had small freckles, so she does see the sun, her skin is just light. Her hair is dark golden brown and pinned up in what looked like a sword hair pin.

“Goed jy is wakker dit beteken jy mannetjie gaan my now help.”(Good you are awake, this means you are going to help me.) He was so confused the only word he understood was help, and for some reason he couldn't say no. He didn’t remember following her, locking his door, or even sitting down.

Now he is sitting with a red pen in his hand and coffee he doesn’t know the brand off. Not to mention he was given something she calls rusks to him, it is like a very hard cookie. She was marking her own pile and he took that as his sign to start as well.

The first paper in front of him has a name that made his blood freeze over. Damian, this is the demon brat’s new teacher, the one he can’t read apparently. The one he strangely respects for being able to read him. He is so writing a message for his brother…

“Don’t even think about it!” her voice was not loud but it was clear, even with her accent. As she looked him in the eyes.

“Okay, sorry…” she has way to much control over him.

“It is fine. Is the coffee good?” she asks as she continued marking.

“Yes, it really is, if I may ask who are you…” she stops, tilts her head and she looks him in the eyes with a questioning look, no he didn't blush. “It is just you haven’t introduced yourself and…”

She picked up an amused smile, oh my she is going to blind him with how bright it is, “Okay that was my fault, oops, My name is Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk, but my friends and family call me Jovie. It is nice to finally meet you.”

“Nice to need to too, I’m Jason Todd.” He answered with a smirk. The smirk did not have an effect, she just raised an eye brow and then gave him a smirk of her own. No that did not make his cheeks go red, you are wrong, “So I see you like reading and art?”

“Oh yes, you could say that,” she laughed, this girl is going to kill him, that accent.

“What do you read?”

“Well lots of things, but I usually stick to either Young Adult fiction, fiction for kids as you can see my Narnia collection or some Christian inspired story, for example books by Frank Peretti, T. Davis Bunn or Ted Dekker.” There was a spark in her eyes as she spoke about the thing she likes reading.

“No Jane Austin?” he hated the hopefulness coming from his voice.

Now she was blushing with what looked like shame, “Don’t judge, but no, not really, I’m more a C.S. Lewis fan. Plus I only started wanting to read when I turned 16 and it takes a while for me to get into a book.”

“Oh, I won’t judge, but you should read it, it is good.” Maybe she will.

“I’ll think about it, I’m currently rereading Never split the difference, and thinking of reading Animal farm as well again,”

“I’m going to reread my copy of Pride a prejudice when I fetch it from my Father’s house this Sunday.” Wait he has an idea, “what if you read Pride and prejudice and I will read a book of your choosing.”

“Hmm, huh, hmmm,” She seem to take a moment of consideration, then she choosing. “Okay, you can read…The chronicles of Narnia, book two because it was the first book written, it is called the Lion the Witch and the wardrobe. It is one of my favorite books.”

“Fair,”

The conversation flowed on as they marked. When they finished it was 5 am and they both needed sleep. So with good byes he left. She is so getting stalked , why would she not recommend Never split the difference?

Chapter Text

It was a Saturday, Duke has noticed Tim, Bruce, Dick and even Alfred acting strangely all week. It was not only him that noticed, but Cass and Steph have noticed as well. They believe it has to do with the girl that traumatize the Joker yesterday, but they are not sure.

Alfred has called an emergency family dinner Sunday that is strangely starting at 4 pm, and they were told to wear as casual clothes as they have. They assumed there was a guest coming, but why casual clothes, isn’t this the time they would wear the “fancy” clothing.

But anyway the three of them needed to get out, because even Jason agreed to come, knowing the Supers will be attending as well. They need to go to a place without bugs. So they went to Batburger.

It was going well the theories were flowing, but then Cass looked at the booth behind them. She looked concerned, so Duke turned around to see what was up. There before him was a girl near Jason’s age with different types of chocolate drinks, and a notebook book. From were he sat he can see small sketches and some notes.

She took as sip of what looked like Hot chocolate, then wrote something down. Before they could stop her, Stephanie was next to the girl. She didn’t look startled, more amused at the look on Steph’s face.

“Can I help you?” she asked with a smirk.

“I don’t know, would you mind if we join you?” Really Steph.

The girl scooted in and with a smile that could power the sun said, “Not at all, please.” And they did, what has his life become. “I’m Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk, but you can call me Jovie.”

“Stephanie Brown, people call me Steph, that is Cassandra, we call her Cass and that is Duke.”

He didn’t think her smile could get brighter, but it did, “It is so nice to meet you guys.”

“Jovie…” trying the name it was strange to Duke, “what are you doing?”

“oh, ummm, I’m testing different chocolate drinks to find one that tastes close to home, and making notes about it.” Saying it like it is the most logical thing on the planet.

“Why?” Cass asked softly, she is speaking, meaning she trust her? He looks at Cass, she just nodded. Okay then.

“Oh, well if I miss home there will be a place to go and get something that tastes at least close to home.”

“Where is ‘home’ if I may ask” Steph asked, Jovie is now looking and just like that he feels like she is psychoanalyzing them, one for one.

Then she smiles, satisfied with what she found, “You guys are suspicious of me, it’s fine I get it I would have done the same,” she said it with a bright smile once again. “I’m from South African, I’m a little far from home.”

He didn’t know he needed that relief till she answered. “Why move?” Cass enquires.

“Work mostly, but before you ask why Gotham, it was here or Brakpan, and here is safer. Plus I had a friend of the family recommend me for the school.”

“What school?” Steph asked this time.

“Gotham academy, art class.”

“Ohhhh.” All three say at once

Now Duke understands Damian’s frustration this week. She knew how to read people, but she was hard to read except for Cass.

She started asking questions about them, ignoring the “ohhh” of realization all three of them had. By the time they left she had her notes and had deducted that the milkshake with a little salt (what) was the closest she is going to get to something from home.

She is definitely not a meta, that he is sure of. But he can’t shake this feeling that sometimes is up with her.

Chapter Text

It is D-day, Jason had left a while ago, something about his family calling a family meeting and now she has to finish to get ready to go as well. She is just glad that she got to watch the rugby match before going. She is so going to rub it in Grand-friend’s face that The Red Rosses (English team) lost against the Springbokke (South African team).

She was wearing a not too short jean and a long black shirt. That with a silver protea necklace and a sword hair stick, with her hair half up and half down. She was ready for war, with her melktert and malva poeding.

Oh my word the house was huge, well Bruce was always dramatic. Well takes one to know one, she guesses. She gets to the door and it opens. An old butler stood at the door, serious and calm. There was a hint of mischief in his eyes.

She was very smug as she smirked, “So seeing that they have lost, does that mean we get to braai...did you remember the spices this time.”

In the most dignified and professional voice, “For your information, it was by one point, and it was just one time I forgot it.” He replies with his own look almost like he is holding himself back. She took that as her sign putting the bag down and giving the man a hug.

“How are you, you old bag of salt.” He hugged her as well, letting go a moment later and taking a good look at her.

“I am doing as good as ever, how are you as a Sociopath doing miss Chris-Marie.” He replied smugly. She is starting to think he started the rumor.

“First off, I am not a sociopath, and secondly, it is only you that will ever call me by my second name. Let’s go meet the family, wait is Kara coming?” She looks at him hopeful. He doesn’t answer just smiles and walks to a room.

They come to the door he goes in first as she follows looking at him with a mock irritation as he introduced her, “Miss Chris-Marie is here sir.”

Still looking at him as she enters the room, “Grand-friend Alfie, it is Jovie to you, you are practically family.”

“Of course miss Chris-Marie.” He replies smugly. Then all at once everyone except Bruce, Alfred and her react.

“Jovie!”

“Miss de Klerk!”

“Joker’s trauma!”

“Coffee girl!”

She smiles sheepish, “Oh dear, it is everyone I traumatized this week.” She let’s out an awkward laugh. Then she looked at Bruce, “You never did introduced me to your kids B-B.”

Smugly smiling as he looked her in the eyes, “Well you did tackle and stab me once when you were younger.”

There was a gasp through the entire room, then she answered, “I was eight Bruce, and it is not like I pulled blood, it was a plastic knife.”

“Yes, but you knew exactly where to stab to make the most damage if it was a real knife.” The kids were to stunned to speak, as she smiled in a way that lit up the room.

“To be fair, I was bored, and you all left me unsupervised with a 'do you want to be a doctor' book and we didn’t know at the time that it may cause me to retain information, from reading yet. Aren’t we all glad I found chess and art eventually, and only got interested in reading when I was wiser.” Don't you dare say anything about the shooting Bruce please. Her eyes met his, and he understood and she smiled again in satisfaction.

Damian was the first to recover, “Were you trained to kill is this why I can’t read you, Miss de Klerk.” He looked at the flood ashamed that he had to mention a failure of his.

“Not in the way you think kid, but it’s okay, I make it difficult to read me, plus I’m Afrikaans and we are difficult to read in general.” She says as she messes with his hair.

“Yea, until you see her art,” Jason said smugly at the demon brat. She gives him a look, he just smirks and she rolls her eyes and smiles again. No that also didn't make him a little red.

“Anyway, let me get food started, we are outside right?” she looks at Alfred and he nods, “awesome this is going to be so fun.” She said as she follows Alfred and the rest follow her.

The kids look concerned, Alfred is allowing her to make food? Really and outside.

“Nou gaan ons braai.” (Now we are going to braai) She says as she sees, what they assumed is a grill. As they all hear Alfred's heavy sigh, “You did loos the bet, it is just fair Grand-friend.”

“Of course, miss Chris-Marie.” He says as he gives her space.

Jason can smell trouble coming, and it seems they all can smell the same. But strangely Bruce is just slightly smiling, seems his neighbor’s smile can truly effect everyone.

He really wished Oracle was there, why did she have to take of this weekend, when he needs information. He is still not smirking or blushing when he looks at her and her green eyes shine as they meet his eyes. No sir that did not happen. He just needs information.

Chapter Text

Jason has no idea how they all got into this situation. Someone that has only been his neighbor for two weeks was cooking meat on a open grill, that she called a weber. Now the rest of them, except for Damian who was at Jovial side as she explained about a new art technique she wants to try, were sent to the kitchen with Alfred to make sandwiches?

There was for some unknown reason rules and instructions to make these sandwiches, she called it something else saying, “It is called braaibroodtjie.” Then she proceeded to throw a lot of spices on the meat. Apparently there is a vegetarian meal she is also making for the demon brat.

Duke had questions, a lot of them, so did Tim. Their solution was to ask Alfred, because while they were going outside and getting instructions, Tim sneaked to the Bad-cave. He found some information about there guest but nothing that was not public knowledge, apparently she did sniper shooting as a sport. What was strange is she had a 99.8% accuracy with a g*n. Then he saw there was a file on her on the computer it self.

He opened it and it was password protected, that is fair. But what was strange is one the name of the file which is Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk: code: Protea. And two the password he filled in was wrong and then a message came up.

Dear Tim

This file is unavailable to you, if it is a case of you meeting Jovie it is better to ask her directly. Let her decide what she wants to share her self.

Oracle.

Oracle knows who she is, what is going on. Well that is not stopping him. He tries bypassing the system, then he gets completely thrown out of the system with a new message.

Master Timothy

I would suggest you give up on this endeavor. You will only get your answer if you ask directly.

Alfred.

So now he is in the kitchen wondering how he is going to ask Alfred. He is already looking at Tim like he knows what he did. Duke just wants to understand the connection between Alfred and Jovial.

“So Alfred…a kid with violent tendencies and light color eyes and darkish hair, she seems like adoption bait for Bruce, what gives?” Well that was one way to ask the question Duke. Bruce rolled his eyes as he shredded the cheese, that was the only thing he was allowed to do.

Alfred was making garlic bread to put on the flames as well as watching through the kitchen window. He can’t help but smile as he sees his two “grandchildren”. As Jovie shows how to make a South African s’more on the, open part of the grill that still had fire, to Damian. He proceeds to take it as a mission to make enough for everyone and extra. She then messes with his hair as he takes it too seriously, and he scowls at her and she just laughs and does it again. And he sighs knowing he is not going to win and allows her to mess with him, with a very small smile that he tried to hide.

“Actually, Master Bruce has tried to before, more than once.” Alfred says knowing Bruce is glaring at him now, “but all the attempts were unsuccessful.”

A loud “What!” could be heard through the entire group.

“Was that information necessary Alfred?”

“I believe it was, Master Bruce. They asked, I answered.” Alfred said with a slight rise of his lips.

Tim takes that as permission, “How do you know her Alfred?”

Alfred gives him a knowing look, he takes a second that is noted and then answers, “I knew her godfather. He was a business man who helped fund schools and helped find intelligent kids to sponsor for university. He introduced me to her grandparents, who are way too intelligent for their own good, at the high school that they taught. And we became friends that way.”

“I met Miss Chris-Marie when she had been four, one of the days I was visiting the school with her godfather. He was inspecting the science equipment, when she was roaming the halls of the school. She saw him made a horn noise and then yelled, ‘attack’ and she Tackled him at the legs.” Alfred smiled fondly. That caused the entire kitchen to have there yaw on the floor.

Though Alfred understand now why her godfather, Xavier(Thus is a note for the reader, this is not X-men) did what he did, he was extremely frustrated with him.

(Flashback)  “This little terror is Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk, she is Jacobus and Carol’s granddaughter,” Xavier said as he picks up the four year. She looked so innocent with her golden blond, that is definitely going to brown, hair and eyes blue eyes that have a little shade of green in them, well her eyes may change as well. Her eyes looked like they held the world's secrets with her emotions on full display. She had freckles on the cheeks and nose that would tempt Martha Kent to squish them.

“No, uncle X, ek is (I am) just Jovie, nee, wag wag (no, wait, wait) Chris-Marie, yes today I will be know as Chris-Marie.” She gives the man a small mocking glare.

“Very well, Chris-Marie. But please remember what your grandmother said, don’t mix your languages, remember My fair Lady.” The girl just nodded and smiled bright.

“Well it is nice to meet you, miss Chris-Marie, I am Alfred Pennyworth, I am friends with your grandparents and godfather.” He said it slight amusement, this child had an atmosphere that he can’t explain, when she is happy you can’t help but be happy as well.

“You talk funny, like just like Professor Higgins and uncle X, that means you are English.” She said it in a way, that she expected every four year old to make that connection, then she looked at her godfather, “I am going to call him Grand-friend Alfie, he is family now.” It was not a question.

“Very well, Miss Chris-Marie, I will except.” He answers knowing there is no arguing, as he takes her hand and she beamed. Alfred could not help it her smile was contagious.

“I have to gaan, sorry go,” she said as Xavier let her down, “Uncle X told me I am an experiment and I have to go get ready.” And then she sings as she skips, making sure not to touch the tile lines on the floor. “Jesus loves me yes I know, for the Bible told me so, little ones to Him belong, they are week but Jesus is strong.” All the way down the corridor.

Alfred’s face fell as he turned to Xavier, “You have 5 minutes to explain, before I make you remember why everyone was relieved that I was the medic.” He was fuming.

“Alfred, I understand your reaction, and you are right, but if I didn’t do something someone else would have. The child is beyond gifted, but normal schools will ruin her.”

“Tic Tock, your time is running, maybe you should join it.” Alfred says coldly.

“Okay, okay, wait, I’m doing this because she is starting to attract the wrong kind of attention, the kind that will take her away and train her in other ways that I can’t stop. Unless I do something now.”

“Alfred she manipulated the IQ test into telling me what she thought I wanted to see, and she can’t even read yet, I have tried and failed to test her. I was reading the questions and answers of an aptitude test a month ago to make sure it was up to par for one of the schools. And she answered me. Then she said what she would have answered if she wanted people to see her as a engineer type, even though she thinks she is more of a creative type. Of course not in those words she is still four.”

“That is not covering the rest of the things I have found out about her in the last month. Alfred she painted Starry night's sky on one of my walls when she was sleeping over, but she made it with her own color palette, darker and deeper colors, dark purples and blues with very little light colors like a light yellow.”

“When I asked her, she started crying that… that this is how she sees things around her move and change. She then looked me in the eyes and asked me what is wrong with her. Why do other kids avoid her and say she is strange and scary, why can’t she see the world like other kids do. Alfred I had to sooth a crying child that felt and saw to much, in a world that won’t ever truly understand her.”

“Please Alfred see that I’m going into this with good intentions. I don’t plan to take her childhood away, like mine was.”

Alfred was still furious, but he stared to see his friend’s point of view, sneering “Do you have the consent of the parents?”

“Yes, the father is doing the same to help her, because of what happened to him, all four adults are on board, they also asked help when the youngest, the brother, when he comes of age.” Xavier answered quickly.

By that night Alfred started to understand more and more Xavier’s point of view, though he didn’t want to admit it. Bruce was having dinner with them as he had came to visit with Alfred this time. The girl walked up to him and looked him in the eyes, already trying to read him.

“Good day, my name is Bruce, what is yours kid?” Bruce said as he came to eye level with the child.

She stared for one more minute, then with no hesitation, “You are Batman,” she gives a bright smile like it was a fact and continued, “I am Jovial, but I’m called Jovie, but for today…” then she stopped, “Look a butterfly, wait no uncle X said focus hmmm.... today I am Chris-Marie. And I will call you B-B.”

Bruce just shook the shake away and excepted it (End of flash back). 

Chapter Text

Violent Bob Ross (Damian): Miss de Klerk likes butterflies and Stars.

Spacegirl (Kara): Yes, she does, she also likes swords but she is very specific on what type.

Emo Superman (Conner): Same with her flowers, she likes the pink ice protea, or the queen protea, but she also likes a really, think blood red rose.

Caffeine patches don’t work (Tim): Ahhhh, what is it with the Protea, what is it?

Emo Superman (Conner): like it said, it is a flower.

Chapter Text

Driving home with Jason as quite nice if Jovie is choosing to be honest with herself. Bruce will tell his Kids soon enough that they are invited to a South African wedding in two months, and that they need to learn how to dance. Teaching Kara and Conner how was hard enough, John was easy he picked it up very quickly. She wondered though if Susana invited them as well.

Jovie did not at all notice that she was still humming, or that she was humming at all. Until Jason said something, “That is a sweet tune you are humming, what is it?”

Jovie was quite surprised that she was humming, she hasn’t done that this close to another human since... Does this mean you she trusted Jason? No she trusts her brother, but she doesn’t hum near him anymore, “Oh it is just a silly little song I used to sing when I was younger.”

Answering this she stops, which made Jason a little sad he’ll admit, “What song was it?”

“Oh, it was the kids song, Jesus loves me,” Trying to cut that conversation short, past experiences has taught her things.

“Really, that was nice, why that song?” Please don’t shut me out, Jason thinks to himself.

Jovie surprised, because people usually dropped the subject after they heard what she was humming. Which is fine they didn’t need to know Jovie still held her faith close to her heart, “Well, it was and still it is I guess one of my comfort songs, this song and old Christian ones just like it.”

“Really, which one is you favorite?” Yes, Jason thinks, she is opening up.

“The silly Afrikaans one, it is called, ‘Loof Hom (worship Him)’ it is a song that can and will go to other songs.” Jovie says as she thinks about her Dad praise and worship with the band.

“So you believe in God…”

“Yes, I believe in Yeshua, I have since I was four, if not younger. My aunt and parents told me about Him. Plus little hard to deny His existence when the entire reason you are still alive is because of Him.”

Jovie said it so fast that Jason had to think over her words before asking out of concern, “What do you mean by that?” Trying to keep his tone light as he asked.

Jovial looked at him, can she trust him with this? Like really, then she saw his eyes as they stopped in front of their building. There is no judgement, just interest, a choice was made in Jovie’s heart, fine, it is okay to trust, “I will tell you over coffee in my apartment, it is still early enough.” She says as she climbs out the car walks, then stops, and looks over her shoulder at him, “Coming?”

Why was she so dam hard to read, was this her trusting him? One way to find out. “Yea, as long as I can have some of that rusks from last time.”

That made her smile all the way up to her apartment. He did not blush, stop insisting he did. After she made the coffee, humming again, she gave one to Jason, brought out the rusks and sat in her chair.

“So where do I start…” she thinks, she could start at when she can remember meeting Yeshua, or when she had the operations or when she was kidnapped, “…well my godfather believe I should still have a normal childhood, even though I was an experiment since the age of four,” That almost made Jason chock on his Coffee.

“Sorry continue, I’m fine.” That was a bomb and Jovie doesn’t realize, how big it was. She was an experiment since the age of four.

“If you say so…” she took a moment then started again “…my aunt who is more normal than most thought my godfather was being foolish, because he talked to me like an equally but expected me to still blend in with normal kids. So she took me to church one Sunday that my uncle, was preaching at. There was no children’s church that day, but they made a setup in church that I could draw at, while the church was going on.”

“Other kids saw the table and joined me. But the message was good, I think I understood what was being said, well as far as four year old could, in my own understanding I gave my heart to Jesus.” Jovie said as her heart breaks for the child she used to be.

“Not to cut into your story but how does that explain you being alive because of Him?” Jason asked, as he contemplates whether her story is real or a movie.

“Oh, it was getting there.” She said laughing a little at his face, he was cute bewildered, “I was ten the first time it should have died, I had to go in for an operation after others did the wrong operation. All the test they did said that the operation that I needed was five in one, and that they don’t expect me to survive. Then the last doctor who was old, said because God told him and he believes it to be true, I will survive it. Taking it as far as being the one to operate, saying he is just a living servant for God.”

Jason was going to say something but decided against it, as she continued, “The next time was because I was kidnapped.” Now Jason is going to say something

“You were what?” She was what, when, how. Jason is going to kill who ever did this. And she said it so casually like it is just a normal day, maybe to her it is.

“If you want…” she was smiling behind her cup of coffee, yes she knew what she was doing.

“No, please continue.”

“Anyway so I got kidnapped at the age of 12, the guy I was dating at the time was an accomplice as well as a teacher who was suppose to be a friend of my godfather. He found my godfather’s research on me, and used it. He thought I was a Meta, and having proof I wasn’t made the case more intriguing to him. I was gone for a week, my nine year old brother at the time was even hacking the system to find me at that point. But superman found me because I was singing old Christian songs, because a voice in my heart told me too.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jason could not help it he feel bad.

“Don’t be, I’m okay now, I have been for a very long time.” Jovie answered smiling.

Jason didn’t understand, she should be angry, she should want to turn on the world. Turn against the one who allowed this to happen. Yet she didn’t, he needed to understand why? “What stopped you from turning your back against Him, blaming Him?"

“But I did blame Him for a time, for keeping me alive. But to answer your question, He made me understand that humans have free will and thus humans are responsible for their own choices. Though God doesn’t agree with their choices, it is still their choice, because of free will.”

“But they hurt you?”

“Ja (yes), but I have hurt others, and according to that logic I deserve pain just as much as they do. So I chose to forgive them, because I don’t want their actions to determine my life more than it already has.”

Jason was passing the living room now, Jovie let him. He couldn’t help the anger that was bubbling, then it slipped, “I’m Red Hood.”

“I know,” she said smirking now, that knocked Jason right out of his anger as she continued, “and I don’t care, you don’t kill anymore, you just injure, and though I have my opinions on that as well, that doesn’t change that you are still my friend and B-B’s son”

“What, how can you…”

“Have you read half of the Bible, God chose very interesting people to lead his mission. Not to mention the guy that is still alive in South Africa that is spreading the word, his name is Okie Forrie, he was a drug Lord too.” Then she stood up walked to Jason looked him in the eyes, “so when I say, I don’t care what you did, I mean it, I only care what you do now, and who you choose to be now.”

He sat back down in the chair that he claimed for himself. This is wild the anger had just gone away. All she is doing is sitting and looking at him like he is the most innocent person on the planet.

“Hey it is only 7:30 let’s watch a movie.” Jovie suggested with a bright smile.

“Yea, why not,” he says with a smirk, “What do you want to watch?”

“The princess bride,” she says with a smile as the movie is already loaded. She knew, how.

“That is a choice, I thought you are going to put on the Narnia movie or a South African Afrikaans movie,” Jason joked with a smirk as he took the coffee that was still left.

“Well, I watched Narnia the other day, when you were busy stalking me,” she smirks right back. Okay she is smug now. “Plus I don’t believe you will be able to handle an Afrikaans beloved movie.” And now she was challenging him, oh he is so going to play this game.

Jason turned fully to her smug cute little face, why are her eyes so aghh, “First off I was don’t stalking that is Tim's thing, secondly I can handle a ‘Afrikaans’ film.” That’s it challenge right back at her.

“Tst,” Jason has no idea how she made that sound, but it looks like she is having way to much fun now, “Okay, I’ll give you the options, because I don’t want to pull you in too deep yet.” She says as she logs into her another watching site, what?

There were only some movies on there that he recognized. But most of them had weird names. The one came on saying “Shucks”, and she just said no, claiming he is not South African enough for this. He wanted to argue, but he was not going to win this at all.

Then the other names that he is not sure how to pronounce namely “Bakgat” (I can’t translate this one sorry, lol) Karate Kallie, Molly & Wors and others. Then she decides three. As jy sing (If you sing), Hoofmeisie (head girl) and Strikdas (bow tie).

Then she got a call that, “I need to answer this, else he will panic, it just my brother.”

“Yea sure, I’ll quickly do research about these three and see which one we can watch.” She smiled at his answer, how he is going to melt. And then she answers and her demur changed.

“Wat soek jy kalkoen nek? (What do you want, turkey neck) she said in an almost accusing tone. “Nee, Jannie, ek het gesê nee. (No, Jannie, I said no.)” Another pause, “Zavier Jacobus de Klerk ek het gesê, nee ( his name, and I said no)”. There was a minute then, “Ja, ja, ek is ook lief vir jou, nou hou op agtervolg asseblief. (Yes, yes, I love you too, nou please stop stalking.)” then the call ended.

“Sorry about that, he doesn’t know where the boundary is sometimes.” She says as she comes back, looking if he chose yet.

“I understand,” Thinking how the bats ignored his boundaries about crime alley at first as well. “Is this one okay” he chose one, Strikdas (bow tie) well that is a choice, but is was the right choice. Not that there was a “right choice” no never.

“Okay that is a good choice, just a warning, it is an interesting movie. And a romance are you okay with that.” She asks with a raised eye brow challenging him Jason worried.

“Yes, absolutely. Like I said before, I read Jane Austin,” Oh no what did I get myself into now Jason thinks to himself as Jovie gets a smirk that he can’t help but blush at.

“Brave final words, it comes with subtitles, and I’m getting us some biltong.” She says as she walks to the kitchen and comes back with not only the dry and spiced meat but also coffee, how did she make it that quickly

Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk, one of these days I will figure you out, Jason says to himself. As she gives him the Biltong, that was way too good for dry meat and spice.

Chapter Text

(Flash back chapter)

Jovie remember the songs, she remembers the cold, the fear, the things she was forced to do, but she also remembered the warmth that she felt eveytime she sang to Yeshua during that time. She is going to be honest, she didn’t think she was going to be found at all.

She had a few new deep wounds on her arm that will definitely turn into scars. A needle in her arm with calming medicine in, that was just sending her brain into panic mode. Oh and a new special addition split lip curtesy of her singing that she is in the Lord’s army but in Afrikaans (soldaatjie). She wanted to switch off her emotions so badly, but a voice in her heart said not to do it now, but to sing.

She was singing this little light of mine in in Dutch, well what she could remember from the Dutch version her mother found. Superman found her, but Batman was the one that approached. He sang the English version, because she stopped singing, well coming closer to her. He carried her out and she fell asleep in his arms.

By the time they were home, she woke up and she was silent. This worried Bruce, she was never this quiet. It didn’t help that she sneaked into the meeting with her family and listened when they were arguing. Her face was blank as she sat there looking at everyone.

It seemed that only him, superman and Alfred saw her enter. She looked at him, her face still blank, and hard to read as a tear silently came from her eye. Bruce couldn’t help but think of Dick and how broken he was that night. Oh he missed his son, why did he have to move out? Her eyes were pleading at his to make the pain go away.

He opened the cape, and she didn’t even hesitant to run to him and hid in there as he closed the cape around her. She cried hugging him. He couldn’t help but pick her up allow her to cry into his shoulder softly.

“I will be taking Jovial to the manor for two weeks. Understand that two weeks are for you all to figure this out or I will keep her for longer. This is not up for discussion.” He says as he looks her father in the eyes.

Her father who Is actually intimidating, was letting his emotions show. He let a tear slip as he mouthed a ‘Thank you, Bruce’. Until he hid his emotions again.

“Alfred.” He says as he exits the room.

“Yes right away Master Bruce.” Alfred says as he death stares everyone in the room, being followed by Clark after.

Bruce was stopped as he walked to the door by a dark golden blond haired boy with striking Caribbean blue eyes. “You are not taking my sister away…”

“Zavier…”Bruce started but was interrupted.

“NEE! (no), It is my fault she was taken, I wasn’t strong or smart enough to stop them. She was taken away from me for a week. Please, please I’m not asking Batman and superman, I’m asking my uncles Bruce and Clark to take me with my. Please don’t separate me again from my big sister. Please.” The kid was crying now. This nine year old child was falling apart because he couldn’t protect his sister.

“Nothing we say is going to stop you is it?” Bruce asked as Bruce not as Batman. The kid just shook his head in a no, “Fine, but only if you confirm with your parents.”

That made the kid run to the meeting room, telling not asking but telling them he is going with. The family couldn’t stop him even if they tried.

Bruce got a message from Frederick (known as Frikkie, the father) saying thank you and to not forget Jovie’s stuffed elephant. While the kid was running to his room and hers after, getting everything they need including the stuffed elephant.

“Sissie, ek het vir Elsa gebring,(sister, I brought Elsa)” he says as he gives her the teddy, and she takes it. She held onto that stuff elephant like it was the only thing keeping her together.

For the first week she lived at the manor she would either give short small answers or be completely quiet. But at night she would be crying. Her lack of a smile made Gotham feel colder than it actually was.

Her brother tried everything to help, telling Alfred she likes butterflies, stars and crowns. Which is what was placed in her room as stickers and other toys and things. Then her brother tried to help by telling Alfred his grandmother’s secret recipes that Jovie liked. But yet Jovial walked through the manor in a dazed state, never letting the teddy go.

She started wearing long sleeves to cover her arms and the scares. She also stared to wear a large amount of black clothing instead of her bright pinks and blues that she loved so much. Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk, had done it, she had switched her emotions off during the day and would cry it all out at night.

She blamed God for saving her. Asking Him why didn’t He just let her die, so she wouldn’t feel this much pain. Why did He save her in the first place, she was no one special.

This is how she started reading the books of Psalms realizing that David would complain as well. The book of Ecclesiastes and the book of Job were a good help as well. No it didn’t make her 100% better, but it did give her perspective. She had an answer from God, choosing Psalm 22 as her favorite so far.

By the time she got back home she was put into a new school. She hid her emotions and her talents at school. Being known as the Gothic Christian girl in a South African school was not easy. Only sketching, no color, which devastated her godfather. He blamed himself even more, trying to find a way to help. That is how she was written up for shooting classes with her brother, her aim was accurate.

By the time Jason moved into the manor Jovie had more or less tried to get back to normal. Chess was a great escape for a time. But she realized she can make people want to do things for her, which made it worse, because is she not just as bad as the people who took her. They were right she can and will become a monster. She decided to close herself off more. It kind of worked till she turned 14.

It was a big year, her mother wrote het up for art classes at a university that her godfather was responsible for and that her godmother work at. They had confirmed that she was safe. Zavier had hacked the lecture’s phone in a way that would make Oracle proud. She was firm, but Jovie can see she was kind.

Mrs. Cristeen Smith’s students were so scared of her. For some reason her being intimidating is the very reason why Jovie trusted her. The first time she came to class, she had class alone, and the lecturer wanted to see her work. She seemed interested in the sketches but then closed the book and turned to the girl.

“In my class you will use color, understand.” Mrs. Smith said.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Jovie said with little fear and little show of her emotions.

“I also expect you to be yourself, in fact your first project is to make a mind map of who you are as a person and individual not as a human.” Jovie looked at her trying to figure out how to do what was instructed. Then the lecturer made her voice softer, but still stern, “I want you to make six blocks on your page and in every block you will add something that means something to you. Being family, home, a hobby you enjoy, something you love, a sport you enjoy. And in the final block you will add anything you missed.”

For some reason it worked, the next time she came to class, Mrs. mentioned that she heard Jovial enjoyed drawing buildings. Thus for that class she wanted her to pick out a building she likes and draw it, then do the research on the history of the building. And thus a pattern stared, getting Jovie to come out of her shell and using her art to speak for her.

Ever so slightly Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk started to get the light back in her eyes. She was smiling again, but making friends was still weird. University was not an option, neither was “normal” school that her aunt said she should go to be near kids her age. Chess kids can only take you so far, so she was quite at a loss.

Until she met Kara at age 16. By this time Jovie was trying to fit in, she had a boyfriend (she guess) and his friends. When Alfred and Clark came with the girl to her hometown, she was confused. Not about where Bruce was she knew he was grieving and dealing with a stalker turned Robin. But this girl was weird.

Jovie studied her, putting on her analytical look on before she went to great them. She was definitely 16 as well, and standing closer to Clark than to Alfie. Family of Clark then, seeing as the poor excuse for keep your identity secret, spectacles. Meaning also a super, the blond one, who is new. Okay got it, but why is she here? Maybe Oracle would know, she will ask her later.

When they finally reached her Jovial switch back to the smile she had trained herself to have. Alfie gave her a sympathy look, he knew it was not the old one from before… anyway, that didn’t matter now. Clark looked at her, and with a smirk, “Okay princess, how long did this one take, I know that look in your eyes.”

“Two minutes and 27 seconds. It was really not that hard, you all need to know how to keep a secret better. Like seriously how on earth has Luther not put two and two together?”

“Well you are a genius kid,” he says as he messes with her hair, that was for once in two Dutch braids, she is going out with her boyfriend (sort of) and maybe potential friends to go dance and watch a rugby match.

“I’m not, that is Jannie also known as Zavier Jacobus de Klerk,” she could practically hear her brother spying on her. Then her phone made a noise because Jannie knows he got caught.

“I am so confused,” the girl says as she turns to Alfred, “is this how normal humans act?”

“Fortunately not, this is just Miss Chris-Marie, being herself.” He said with a slight smile.

“Don’t let him lie to you, I’m Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk. Most call me Jovie.” Jovie said as she reached out a hand, “You are supergirl, but I would like to know your name.”

The girl looked surprised then ever so slightly reached for the hand that was offered, “My name is Kara, Kara Zor El or Danvers.”

For the first time what felt like years, Jovie gave a real smile. The kind that lit up the room. “Well Kara, we have to get you ready, I was invited to a bring-en-braai (bring and kook or cook out) and you are coming with me.” She said as she pulls Kara to the house.

Kara has no idea how this girl is this strong, but she can’t say no for some reason. She looked at Clark for help, who just have her a sympathetic look before he shook his head.

By the time they were ready to leave, Jovie had taught the basic of sokkie-ing to Kara, and had given her a Springbok shirt to help her fit in. Jovie had unbraided her hair and put a green bow in making it half up half down. She should have something green seeing that she is going wear the black long sleeve shirt with her a not too short pair of jeans and a jacket.

She and Kara had actually had fun at the braai, with everyone being very inviting. Then her boyfriend started to flirt with Kara in Afrikaans, in front of Jovie. Kara was confused of course, but she looked at Jovie who had a cold dead look in her eyes as she looked at her boyfriend.

The next think they new the boy was on the floor Jovie was staring into his soul with her eyes and Kara was looking at her in awe. The guy was bigger than her, but she didn’t care, the fear that came from him made the place colder as people looked. The boy was then told to leave, which shocked Jovie out of her anger.

Kara ran over to her as everyone started to cheer for Jovie, that startled he farther, what has just happened. Kara as now next to Jovie as she looked up a little embarrassed, “Are you okay?” Kara asked

“Ja, wag, wait wrong language, yes. I have no idea what just happened,” Jovie confessed.

A guy from the group came up to her, “You are now invited to every braai from now on, Andy is so out, bra you are so in, that was amazing.”

“Really?” Jovie asked still a little confused, was this expectance from university students that where two years older than her at least.

“Yes, we knew you were cool and special we were just waiting for you to be yourself around us. We have all seen your art, so duh, we were just waiting for you to be you.” He says as the rest of his friends confirmed. Oh right, she was a university student now, well kind of.

A girl came over leaning on the guy, “Ja man (yea man), you are now officially past of the group. I am Susanna and you are now my new favorite person, no drinking though.” She said with a mock smile.

“Wasn’t planning to.” Jovie answered with a laugh.

“You have to teach us that look, the South African Afrikaans look only gets you that far, but your look could put us over the edge.” Another guy said, as he then turned to Kara, “and you, we will teach you how to be Afrikaans, you are one of us now too, even if you might or might not be from around here.” He says with a wink as he walked away.

“Did he just…” Kara started horrified.

“Tst, that is just Kurtus, he is just like that, we really don’t care, you are one of us just like Jovie now is too.”

By the time they were home the two girls were in high spirit as they laughed and joked. Making Jovie feel that for once in her life she is truly, truly herself. With Kara still busy laughing as they entered the house, “No with the way you looked at him, you would think you were the one with heat vision.”

“Your saying that, as if not having it would have stopped me.” Jovie said with a smile that melted Alfred’s heart as he was waiting for them, “Hey, Grand-friend Alfie, we had an awesome time.” No fake smile, just pure Jovie being Jovie.

They told Alfred everything and they laugh through half the story, but he enjoyed their enthusiasm. They were sent of bed and they went gladly. Alfred let Bruce know and all of a sudden Susanna had someone funding her education

(Flash back chapter ending)

Chapter Text

It has been seven days since he had met Jovie and five since she told him a little bit about herself and had watched a movie with him. But something was up, she has been on edge for the last two days. He saw it on patrol with her not sleeping more than three hours at a time.

So he thought suggesting another movie to watch would help. He is a lot happier around her, maybe Dick and Cass were right. He is so not telling Wing that though.

So now he is trying to convince Jovie over the phone that he is ready for deeper Afrikaans movies as he goes to his apartment to wait for her to come home. “Oh come on Jovs, (new nickname, they are easy by her) I think I’m ready for Shucks.”

“Nee (no), Jay” aww the nickname is making his heart sway, “I really don’t think you are,” she says with a chuckle.

He was still walking up the stairs, “I think I am, come on, what about Karatie Kallie?”

“Nee (no) Jay, maybe Sevende laan or Molly en Wors might be more your speed.” He could hear the smirk in her voice.

“I’ll learn more Afrikaans words if it helps, please,” wow and now he is begging, with a smile.

“Fine, by the time you can understand Afrikaans words we can think about it. You can be lucky I’m not teaching it to you the way Zavier taught it to Conner.” She says still a smile in her voice.

“What did you do.” Starting to recognize her tells, this is going to be a fun story.

“Conner was taught the swore words first and told it was how you say hello, unfortunately it is a South African tradition to do that.” He can feel the evil smirk she has on now.

“Oh no,” Jason can not help but laugh.

“Yea, Conner did not think.... South African Boere boys were that strong and that fast naturally” she says not being able to hold back her laugh.

Jason was about to go into his apartment when he realized something strange at Jovie’s door, “I will call you back something is wrong by your door.”

“Okay, be safe,” she says slightly worried as the call ended.

Jason enters one hand already near one of his guns as he goes deeper in. The malva poeding was missing a piece and the custered was less than before. When he came closer, the window were all of a sudden dark and he didn’t know what attacked him but the next thing he knew, was that he was taped against the wall.

The windows were open again and before him stood a boy, maybe a man. He was well built with light golden brown hair and Caribbean blue eyes. The blue eyes were staring into his blue mostly green eyes. This looks like an older version of a photo in Jovial’s wallet. Ahh, so Jason decided quickly to be as nice as possible, even tough he is tapped to the wall.

“Oh, yes I knew it would be you, well now this is fun.” The boy says as he tapes Jason further to the wall. Jason in a panic, tried to move, but he couldn’t. “Oh yeah, don’t even try, it a South African brand, there is a very specific way to take them off.”

“Kid, why am I stuck to a wall? And how do you know who I am?” Jason asked, trying to smile but it comes as a nervous smile and concerned eyes.

“Oh that is to make sure I’m safe, plus it’s a nice gift for my sister, plus I have questions for you. If you would answer, oh please say yes, wait is it rude to ask when you duck tape someone to a wall, wait is…” the kid would not stop so Jason had to stop him.

“Kid please breath, if you are more comfortable like this, fine,” Is Jason really agreeing to this, “I have one question though, even though I have an idea on the answer, who are you?”

The boy sheepishly scratched the back of His neck as he sat down on a chair that faced the wall, “ I am Zavier Jacobus de Klerk but people call me Jannie, or Janne man.”

“Thought so, your Jovs baby brother.” Jason said, hoping that him staying calm makes a good first impression, as he shakes his head and smiles “I’m Jason Todd...”

“…Also known as the Red Hood, I know.” How does this kid know, “Btw you have a cool motorbike I might want to look at it later. I also want to see your helmet, maybe make it more difficult to hack…” did this kid ever breath.

“Kid you forgot to breath again.” Jason comments, Jovie would not be impressed if the kid past out because he forgot humans should breath.

“Oh, oops. I actually did have a question,” the kid stood up and came closer to Jason, looking him in the eyes, “What are your intentions with my sister.”

That was fair, honestly he was expecting this at some point. “At this very moment I just want to be her friend, maybe eventually something more, but not now.” It is better to be honest.

The kid, smirked and went to go sit again and then he spoke again, “Okay, I approve. But I’m a little offended I was not added in the group.” He says as he has Jason’s phone in his hand, unlocking it with no problem. “Relax I’m just giving you my number then adding myself to the group. Good Kara realized I have you phone. Jovie really needs to live a little and your not the worse choice, you should have seen the others. Oh my word they where so…”

“Kid, breath again. Is this normal for you,” this kid is going to be the death of him.

“Oh yeah” the kid says as he takes a deep breath. The kid is giving him anxiety now, “anyway I had more questions, like why was she okay with humming near you. Like I’m her brother and she hasn’t hummed near me in ages. Btw did you know she can sing, she is very good at it but she lacks the confidence for it. Like of course she can sing, you should hear Dad sing he is so good…” Here we go again, Jason thought to himself.

“Kid,” Jason says more tiredly this time, “Please you are giving me a heart attack. I don’t know why she hummed, but it was sweet.” Jason says wishing he could just get down. He hears familiar food steps come up the stairs and his heart feels so much lighter.

The kid either didn’t notice or didn’t care. “Oh, okay… sorry, anyway…” here we go again, Jason can not help but smile, he gets why the boy’s sister is so protected of him,“…I think she might like you too. The point that she hummed near you was proof enough. That is not even mentioning she lent you her Narnia book, do you know how important that book is to her. She almost threw me with a knife once for touching it…”

“…Yes because you are heavy dyslexic and don’t even like reading for school, kooringkop (corn head)” Jovie says as she finally enters the room, giving her brother a pointed look. She then turns to Jason not even looking surprised just sympathetic. “Let me help you down, are you okay Jay?” she says as she takes a weird pocket knife out of her pants, then helps him.

“Haibo, daai is my mess. (hey that is my knife)” her brother says accusingly.

“Nope, myne now, (nope, mine now.)” she says as Jason is finally back on solid ground. “Okay, back to business,” she says as she takes her shoes off that looked like sandals with a heel. And then she grabs one and now she is chasing her brother, “kom hier jou klein…(come here you little…)”

This is where her brother decided to hide behind Jason using him as a human shield. Jason looks over his shoulder at the kid, this kid had no shelf preservation skills, “That is a choice kid,” he says as the kid makes eye contact with him. The kid realized that that might not be the best choice, but decides to beg with his eyes.

“No, don’t fall for his puppy eyes, he deserves this, he ate my malva poeding.” Jovie said with an angry smile. Well that is tariffing, no wonder the kid thinks he is the lesser of the two evils.

Jason decided to stop her, putting his hands on her shoulders, “Jovs, it’s fine, we just had an interesting chat, and he gave me a heart attack, because he kept forgetting to breath.” Jovie looked him in the eyes, calming down and then let it go.

“Yay, Jason slayed the beast,” at that Jason looked Jovie back in the eyes, understanding then stepping out of the way. She tackled Zavier to the ground and now he was screaming, as she neologies a boy that is 6’0 at her 5’6 height. Well Jason just when to go make them all some coffee smirking what is happening.

“Zavier, how many sugars do you take?” Jason asked as he can still hear him screaming.

“He takes three, it’s bulking season.” Jovie answers for him.

Okay so the kid does gym. By the time they were done, Jason brought the coffee, Jovie was sitting on her seat, saying thank you for the coffee and Zavier was rubbing his hair where she had hurt him. Then he also said thank you for the coffee.

“Why are you here and not at school, Zav?” Jovie askes not in surprise but in disappointment, as she drank her Coffee. Jason also wanted to know.

"I run my own companies and mange yours for you, your welcome Miss "I want to stay out of the public eye' and I still have to go to school," Jovie just nodes, “ Fine, so... I got bored, so I hacked into the Bat-computer to get Babs attention…” that made Jason almost chock on the coffee, “… I needed information. Then I put in some new information in your file and looked if I could find uncle X’s old research, you should really have seen his old theories that he had on you and on me. Then I started to miss him, so I went to their old house that was left in the will for us, which is our office that runs our bass of operations. And seeing as it is your gallery as well I checked up on it and the manager, BTW you have a meeting over the phone tomorrow, the girl needs a raise. But anyway I started to miss you too and your dessert making so now I’m here.” Then the kid remembers to breath before Jason said something.

“This all started because you were bored?” Jason asked

“Ja, oops sorry, yes!” the kid gave a bright smile. Okay so now Jason is confused. Is the smile a South African thing or a de Klerk thing? “And then I heard we have a movie night, so I decided to stay for the weekend, my teachers already know I’m missing, they think I’m busy with a company. Well they are not wrong, I’m here also to scout a place for one of mine, and maybe a branch for yours. So I have a meeting tomorrow at 09:00 with B-B, and we both have one with him at 12:00…” this time the kid did actually almost forget he needs air, instead of before where he would take little breathes between some words.

“…Kid please breath,” Jason looks at Jovie who had a hand on her face, “Is this normal for him?”

“Yes, brain to fast words don’t keep up.” Jovie answers, very little concern, like she has done this a million times before. “okay you two decide the movie and I’ll get the snacks.”

“Yay!” Zavier shouts

“No, Shucks or Karate Kallie, choose between, as jy sing (if you sing), die van de Merwe movie or Hoofmeisie (head girl). And Jason needs to agree.” She says as she gives the controller to Jason. Okay, she trusts him a little.

“Hfmm, okay” then Zavier thinks, “You would enjoy Hoofmeisie or van de Merwe if you liked Strikdas from last time.” He was actually calm as he talked this time.

“Is a Fossie getting stolen again?” Jason asked, still not clear if that was normal for South Africans or not.

“Okay, you need to watch 'as jy sing' then, it is the safer option for now, we can see later.” Zavier said.

“Are you sure Zavier?” Jason asked, this is weird trusting the guy that duck tapped you to the wall.

“Yes, and it is Jannie to you, you are now my friend.” Jannie says already excepting Jason.

“Do I have a choice,” Jason asked with a smirk.

With a cute creepy smile, “No, but here is your phone BTW, someone named Tim tried to hack it. I made sure he can’t do that again.” Jannie says as he gives Jason the phone back.

“Thank you, your not half bad kid” Jason is impressed.

“Does this mean I can work on your helmet and bike?” the kid moves closer to Jason with a hopeful look in his eyes.

“Fat chance.” Jason smirks as he side eyes Zavier. And Zavier pouts. And that makes Jason laugh as Jovie comes back smiling and the movie starts. Zavier did fall asleep in the middle of the movie on Jason's shoulder as they were sitting next to each other at that point.

Jovie took a photo, “Black mail” Jason is Zavier's favorite Bat, the red bat helps, he loves red.

“For who, me or him” Jason whispers and Jovial just smiles and doesn’t answer as she watched the movie further. How did Jason get himself in this mess.

Chapter Text

Jason and Zavier were still asleep on the couch the next morning when Jovie came out of her room. Jovie said a silent thank you that she had a big couch that curved on both sides. The two's heads were next to each other.

Jason laying down in a L form, legs straight, arms in front of his chest, still covered in the pink blanket she draped over him the night before. Zavier on the other side seemed to be sleeping like a starfish and had stolen her fluffy blue blanket that was missing this morning from her bed. Even though the green blanket she gave him is discarded on the floor.

Jovial could not help it, she took a photo and sent it to the group the replies were always immediate.

...

Gotham/Metropolis parents, South African kids

Female Sherlock(Jovie): (photo) Your welcome.

Agent 007(Alfie): I see Mr Zavier has come to visit, is he here for the meeting and dinner as well?

Female Sherlock(Jovie): Threat or invitation?

Agent 007(Alfie): Which ever gets both of you here for dinner.

Fruit Bat(Bruce): What meeting?

Female Sherlock (Jovie): The one you have with Jannie at 09:00

Fruit Bat(Bruce): Is that why I feel a sense of dread. Oh no he is going to meet Tim. There goes my coffee supply.

 Cape wearing boy scout (Clark): Good luck Bruce, @Female Sherlock. Awwww, he is so going to get you back for this.

Female Sherlock (Jovie): Let's him try, I have the number of his old crush that turned crazy.

Lady of the green curdle (Talia): Why was I not informed that my daughter and other son are in Gotham @Female Sherlock?

Fruit Bat (Bruce): Not your kids Talia, what are you doing on the group?

Female Sherlock (Jovie): @Lady of the green curdle, I was a little occupied to inform everyone, plus Jannie and I are actively avoiding your father.

Boss of show and tell (Lois): The photo is absolutely adorable, @Female Sherlock and @Lady of the green curdle we should go for coffee at 09:00?

Female Sherlock (Jovie): Ja!!!!!(yes)

Lady of the green curdle(Talia): I can make time

Fruit Bat (Bruce): I have concerns

South African MacGyver (Zavier): so do I, like how does my sister keep getting photos of me.

....

Jovie puts her phone back in her gown's pocket and takes the cups of coffee she made to a grumpy brother and a sleeping Jason.

"Regtig, sussie(Really sister)?" Jannie complains, before he takes the coffee with a thank you.

"Jip, dit is vir jou, wat my kombers kom steel het (Yup, this is for stealing my blanket)". Jovie says as she goes to sit on her chair. Jay started to wake up with the smell of coffee.

"Môre, slaapkous (morning, sleeping sok)." Jannie says as Jason reaches for the coffee after sitting up.

"It is way to early for Afrikaans." Jason answers with a yawn, after taking a sip of the coffee, it was perfect as usual, he needs to find this brand. "Did I really fall asleep here?"

"Yes, I almost stole the blanket Jovie gave you." Jannie says with no guilt. He downs his coffee, stands up and goes to the bathroom with his bag, "Going to take a shower, and btw, Jovie took a photo of us sleeping." Jannie says smiling like a cat that found Biltong.

"Zavier!" Jovie almost shouts, horrified as Zavier snickers. She looks back at Jason a little guilty, blushing a little, looking him in eyes, "Sorry."

Jason’s heart does a weird flattery thing. How on earth did she get her eyes to sparkle and oh her bush is so cute. No focus, you are the Red Hood, not a love sick fool. Jason recovered his thoughts with a smirk, "Do I at least look good in the photo?"

Jovie just gave him her phone with the photo on it. After Jason looked and shifted his eyes back to her, "I thought you looked cute, plus I need blackmail against my brother for his 21st in a few years." Now looking him in the eyes, with sincerity, "Sorry, I probably should have asked."

"N-no" Jason's voice faltered there before he fixed it, trying to hid his blush behind a smirk now, she thought he looked cute, "No, it's okay, if you need help with blackmail, I won't mind helping, I have a feeling your brother will be breaking in a lot." Jason said the last bit with a laugh.

"It would not be Zavier if he didn't." She says smirking into her coffee again, blush gone.

Jason started to miss the blush, but he needs to go to his apartment anyway and get dressed for the day, "I need to go shower as well, see you later." Says as he looks at Jovie hopefully.

"Yes, I have a coffee date with two lovely ladies at 09:00 and a meeting at 12:00 with Bruce and my brother. Plus Alfred politely threatened us to come to dinner." Jovie says as she walks Jason to the door.

"Guess I'm going to dinner as well then." Jason says with a smirk trying to get Jovie’s blush back, didn't work. "See you two after your meeting?"

"Yes, you can help make peppermint crisp tart to take with." She says with a bright smile. Great now Jason is going to have to find a way to stop blushing.

"Ag shame man, nou daai is oulik (aww cute man, now that is adorable)," They both turn to see Zavier. He had a dusty blue button down with a professional black suite on. His hair was styled with a weird neat wild look.

Before Jason could ask, a slipper was thrown in Zavier's direction. He ducked and said, "Miss padda...(Miss frog...)" and then the other slipper hit him, "...vis (fish), eina, daai het seer gemaak. (Ouch, that hurt)."

"Goed, dit moes (good, it was sepoyse to.)" Jovie answered. Jason took this as his sign to leave quickly.

When he came back later the two siblings were leaving. Then Jason looked at Jovial, she looked breath-taking.

She had a teal green satin half-button shirt on. Long flowy black pants with slits up the the knees, black high heels and a black leather jacket in her arm with a black purse. The style should not fit together, but somehow it does. She was wearing a gold sword in her hair today, half up half down. A red and gold jeweled pomegranate necklace with a delicate gold chain with matching earrings. And gold laurel leaf necklace that was near to her collar bone.

Her lips were blood red, and her eyes. Oh her eyes enchanting as it shifted between a green and blue, it made Jason so grateful that Bruce could not adopt her.

"I didn't know you liked Greek mythology?" Jason comments as he looks at the pomegranate necklace.

"Oh, I do but I'm not wearing them because of Greek mythology. They are important to Christian theology as well as to the Hebrew tradition when it comes to their priest and prophets." Jovie says as she puts on her jacket, which had stars at the shoulders going down the sleeves and butterflies at the wrist going up the sleeves. She was tying to hide the scares on her arms so Jason doesn't see it, but he did.

Jason wanted to ask, to know how she got scars like that, to ask who would hurt her, but he knows the answer, or more the lack of an answer would cause the pit to rage. Jason choose not to push, instead asking about the pomegranate should be safer, "Really?"

"Yes, it is in the second book of the Bible, called Exodus," Jovial says with a knowing smile.

"Are you just saying that so that I read the Bible?" Jason asked with an eyebrow raised.

Jovial is walking away but turns her head to look him in the eyes, "Yes." She says with a wink and a smirk. That made Jason try and hide his blush with a smirk as he wanted to say something until...

"How op om jou geliefte 'n hartaanval te gee, ons is laat (Stop giving your love a heart attack, we are late.)" Zavier can be heard, as Jovie started to blush a little but walked away.

"Bye," she says with a sing song voice as she walks away.

When Jason came to, they were gone and he needs plans. Plan one how to get Jovie to blush more. Plan two how to stop himself from blushing that much, he is the Red Hood, feared crime boss, he should act like it. And plan three how is he going to get to the point where he can ask her out. But first he needs to check in with his goons.

Chapter Text

It was 08:45 when Zavier dropped her off at the coffee and book shop that Jovial and the ladies decided on. It was about two blocks from the Wayne Enterprise building, so she can just walk there afterwards. It was a quiet, cosy and cute shop that she will differently visit when she want to get away from her apartment.

She wondered if they would have books from Ted Decker here. The Cross and the Switch blade would be nice, or even though she doubted they had it. Devil on the run would be nice to have again.

"Hi auntie Talia, I believe aunty Lois is waiting for us inside." Jovie says as she turns around, with a smile that makes people stop and look at her for a second.

Jovial moves to the door to open it for Talia, "It is good to see your skills have not dulled over the years, my Belladonna." Talia comments as Jovie follows her into the shop.

They spot Lois in a corner booth near the young adults fantasy books. She hugs Lois before she sits, while Talia joins them. Lois takes Jovie’s hand and places a silver bracelet on her arm, with the S symbol and a bat within the curve of the S, in the middle of the bracelet. She gives Lois a questioning look, "In case you need help, just press it please, we all know how you struggle asking for help."

"Yes, not that you need protection, TT, I still believe you just need to have a weapon on you. You know how to use them." Talia complains like it is the most normal conversation they have ever had.

"Brave of you to assume I don't have three on me at all times." Jovial comments as she looks for a waiter to approach, as Talia smiles with pride and Lois is just concerned.

"Anyway, let gets our drinks and cakes." Lois starts as the waitress approach, she turns to her, "I'll have a cappuccino. and a piece of the apple pie with ice cream, please. Talia?"

"Green tea and I would like to try the red velvet cake." The waitress wrote that down and looked a Jovie.

"May I please have hot chocolate with the death by chocolate cake, thank you." Jovial says with a sweet smile, as the waitress writes it down and moves on.

"I see you still have the chocolate addiction that used to give Xavier a heart attack." Talia comments with slight amusement.

"Yea, I remember him calling Mom to ask if it was normal for a child to consume so much chocolate, while my godmother was laughing in the corner," Jovial remembers.

Lois and Talia shared a look, having there own experience with the chocoholic, "So Jason?" Lois askes with her eyes doing the journalist thing it usually does.

Talia understanding looked at Jovie more intently. It took a few moments of Jovial staring at them before the silence was enough, "I couldn't possibly know what you are referring to aunty Lois." Jovie says as she bats her eyes innocently.

"I thought you despised fibs, my Belladonna?" Talia comments with a menacing smirk of her own.

"Yes, little Protea, I thought you hated it when humans lie?" Lois enjoying the game a little to much.

"Look our order is here."

"You are deflecting." Talia

"Yes, what are you scared of?" Lois

"You two know what I'm scared of." Jovie says letting a little bit of her emotions show.

"Not every human of the male species will be like that," Talia states as she takes a sip of her tea.

"Do you trust Jason, Jovial Chris-Marie de Klerk?" Lois asked looking the girl in the eyes.

Jovie looks down at her hot chocolate to think then she looks up, "Yes, I believe I do."

For the next hour they kept on chatting, helping Jovie be okay with having and showing emotions, eating desserts and drinking. Then after they browsed the book section. There were a few books that she was looking for. She found ‘Devil on the run’ and ‘The Cross and the Switch blade’, plus a few other books.

By the time they were done it was 11:27. Talia left without a goodbye. Lois gave her a hug and left as well. This meant Jovie was walking with her new books in a cute book bag she bought and her leftover cake. For good measure she bought four cups of cappuccino, two with one extra shot of espresso each.

You might be wondering what happened at the meeting with Zavier and Tim. Well it is chaos and it will be in the next chapter.

Chapter Text

Bruce was already getting a headache when he walked into the building. Tim was not helping, he didn't understand how someone slipped themselves on the books for a meeting. Bruce knew who it was, because he knew the boy far to well. He is wondering though what to do about this sense of dread that is not leaving him alone. Tim realised someone hacked into the Bat-computer and that Barbra does not care about the hacker, because he gives her information.

"Bruce, please listen to me it is important, first there is someone that hacked the computer and now there is a mystery person that has a meeting. What if they came to threaten you?" Tim talks as they finally come to Bruce's office and open the door.

"Tim, it is not as big of a deal as you want to make it. Relax, plus our guests is already here." Bruce says as he looks at his chair that was facing window. Bruce sighs knowing that the kid just want to be dramatic, "Is it Zavier, Jannie or Zavier Jacobus de Klerk, or the Doringbos today?" Tim looks at him confused, until the chair does a slow deliberate turn.

"I'm coming to you as Zavier Jacobus de Klerk." The kid says as he stood up walked out from behind the desk and then, "think fast!" The kid yells and charges for him. Bruce moves Tim out of the way, because he will think it is a threat, when it is just a greeting. But Tim tried to stop him before Bruce gave him a look saying, let it just happen. The kid tackled hugged him, "I missed you B-B." Zavier says as Bruce raps him in a hug.

"I missed you too kiddo, but did you need to hack into the Bat-computer, you know the passwords and you have Babs' number." Bruce says laughing as he let go of the boy that is basically almost made out of muscle at this point.

"It was more fun my way, B-B, plus I had to update Jovie’s and my file." Zavier let's go and then looks at Tim, and stretched out his hand in greeting to him and Tim takes it, "You must be Timothy, Bruce and Babs brag about you a lot. I can see why, you are so cool. I followed you for a while. Like Jason is my favourite, but you are so cool in a different way. I also saw you tried to get to my sister's file, please don’t she doesn't like that unless she tells you it's okay. But I can't wait to work with you I have so many ideas..." by this point Tim's hand has been shaken so many times, he was wondering whether this kid breathes or not.

Bruce puts a hand on Zavier's shoulder and that caused the kid to stop and let go of the hand, "Zavier, you are human, you need oxygen, breath." And the kid did.

"Wait when did I look through your sister's file...oh wait, you are Jovial’s brother the one John warned us about. You hacked the Bat-computer, why?" Oh no now Bruce can never separate them.

"I was bored, and I needed information from Babs, it was the quickest way to get her attention. Plus John warned you about me, I'm impressed and flattered." Tim noticed that Zavier straightened himself up and looked less like the boy and more like a young gentleman, "But anyway, we have a meeting to start. Bruce is that okay?"

"Of course Zavier, Tim would you lead us in." Bruce says as they all take a seat.

"I will lead Bruce, where would you like to start Mr de Klerk?" Tim asks.

"I would like to start with prayer, if you don't mind?" Zavier answers. Tim looks at Bruce and he just nods. That makes Zavier smile as he closes his eyes, "Môre Hemelse Fader, dankie vir die mooi dag en dat ons bymekaar kan kom. Asseblief seen die dag en die ontmoeting dat ons net doen wat in U wil is, alles is in U hande. Amen." Bruce looks pleased and Tim is a little confused. The language is between a German and Dutch. "Okay let us begin, I would like to start with my plan to expand my Company to Gotham."

"Which one would this be Zavier?" Bruce asked

"That would be Doringbos Technology Incorporated, my Tech company." Zavier answered in a calm demeanor that would have shocked Tim, if he didn't see the kid literally forget to breath a few minutes ago.

"Why would you need Wayne Enterprise's help?" Tim asked.

"That is quite simple. Gotham is not safe, tech can be turned against humans and can harm people even though that was not the intended use of the tech." Zavier takes a moment for that to set in, but also to read there reaction, "Thus, I would appreciate Wayne Enterprise's assistance on my dilemma."

"What are you suggesting?" Tim asks leading the meeting now.

"A partnership between our companies, we help each other with tech and you show us how to gage the market without putting humans in danger, and both companies take credit. Plus you would have the best opinion on what building to buy to branch out my company to here." Zavier stats. This impressive Tim a little, even though he can feel like Zavier is holding out on them.

Even so the meeting went on, they came to an agreement and understanding. By the time they ended it was 11:37. "Well that meeting was eventful. Thank you, Bruce we have a new meeting in a few minutes correct?" Tim asks.

"Yes, the fourth members of the meeting should be here in a few minutes." Bruce comments as a sweet whistle call was heard from down the corridor.

Chapter Text

 A sweet whistle call was heard from down the corridor. Zavier shot his head up, looked at his watch, and answers with his own whistle. Then he looked at Bruce, "She is early, I wonder if she bought the books she was looking for." Zavier says as he stands up and opens the door.

Jovie stepped in with a book bag in one arm and four cups of what he assumed was coffee in her hands. Tim looked at Bruce with a questioning look. And Bruce whispered, "This is just how they are, you can be glad you didn't know them during their Morse code faze."

"Hey B-B, I brought cappuccinos for us, I hope you don't mind?" She says as she hands one to Zavier and then to the other two.

"Not at all, Jovial. Thank you." Bruce says as he takes the hot drink. Tim looked like he was going to cry as he takes the hot drink offered to him.

"I'm guessing it was a roughly patrol last night?" Jovie asks as she looks a Tim just excited for the cup, well Jannie looked like he was in second heaven, but that was Jannie being Jannie.

"Not worst than we have had in the past, Tim is just being Tim, I would sagest you hid your coffee supply when he visits." Bruce comments with a slight smirk.

"Brave of you to assume I haven't done that already when Jannie came yesterday." Jovie says as she sat down laughing, her smile made the room light up.

Jannie looked up from his cup to her, "Is it the Hogsback brew? Because I found that one already."

"No, it is the one from East London, Uncle Chris's gift." She comments as she drinks from her cup, "Anyway may we start please?"

"Of course, Tim." Bruce looks at the boy enjoying the cappuccino.

The meeting was started with a prayer once again. Jovie was bringing her Godfather's company as well as what they stood for to the seen. She was planning to help seek gifted kids and support them where ever they needed help. After that part of the meeting was done, then the thing happened where Zavier whistled.

Jovial answered with a whistle and a confused look. This caused Zavier to stop for a few seconds think then whistle a new thought. Which made Jovial role her eyes and make a "tst" sound. This made Zavier look at her with a pleading look, a whistle quieter than the ones before it. Her face goes from a serious to a tired look, before she whistle with a nod. Making Zavier grin in victory and pump his fist.

During this entire thing Tim became more and more confused as Bruce acted like it is the most normal thing in the world. Bruce was casually looking at the documents that Zavier had brought for the plans. When Jovie finally talked, "Fine, but you being the business man will do the talking."

"I have no problem talking, as you know." Then Zavier turns to Bruce with a smile. "Jovie would like to request your assistance with the art company, namely 'Protea in the Lord’s garden' if it is not a problem."

Tim was confused 'again with the Protea' then looked at Bruce who had a smile that scared the Bat kids and the JL. "Does this mean we can finally activate code 'creative spark'?"

Zavier put on a similar creepy smile, "Yes, and I will send you the details by tonight, B-B."

Jovie just rolled her eyes, and looked at Tim, "This means the meeting is done, we all can go home. I have a tart to make and a dinner to get ready for."

Tim looking away from Zavier and Bruce, "Wait we have a dinner tonight?"

"Yes, my brother and I were politely threatened to come, thus I'm making a tart to take with." Jovie says smiling as she stood up and then whistled to her brother.

"Hey wait, can Tim join us please?" This made Tim look at Zavier confused. How is he getting invited without getting invited.

"If I don't say yes, will you hack into my speakers at home to play koljander again?" Jovie asked, Bruce not even looking surprised and Tim, Tim is just concerned as Zavier smiles, "Fine, but only if he want to." She says as she starts walking to the door with Bruce, "See you for dinner B-B."

"Of course Jovie, please let me know if my sons are giving you trouble." Bruce says as Tim is still confused as Zavier swings his arm around his shoulder leading him out.

"Come Tim, I'll show you the video of me duck tapping Jason to the wall" Zavier says as Tim looks at him with aw.

"How did you get Jason not to kill you, Zavier?" Tim asked hoping he can get that video.

"No, to you, my friend it is Jannie, not Zavier. I think he knew I was Jovie’s brother, thus he made the mistake of standing still." Jannie says as he gives a menacing smile, yea Tim is going with.

He looks back at Bruce, and finds him with his the corner of his mouth lifted and a look that Tim can't quite place. Was Bruce calm? "Can I go?" He decides to ask, wanting verbal confirmation.

"Yes, just don't try and stalk Zavier, he will think it is a game and the challenge with leave more casualties, please don't challenge him." Bruce remembers, wanders and warns.

Chapter Text

They all got into the car as Zavier drives them (What?) to Jovies apartment. When they arrive Jason was coming out of his door with a few bags. Then he looked at Tim, raised his eyebrow in question. And Tim mouthed 'Zavier got me' which made Jason nod and mouth back 'tuff brake replacement, there is no escape' with a smile, making Tim uneasy.

They followed Jovie to her apartment when she locked it open and went in she stopped for a moment. She sighed and then looked at Zavier, whistled, making Zavier take out his phone. He laughed a whistle back. Tim and Jason looked at each other and decided they will be talking about this later.

"Are all the Bat kids in my apartment?" Jovie called out as she entered the living room, switching on the lights.

Damian stood there with his sword ready in case. When he saw that it was Jovie he lowered it, "Good afternoon Miss de Klerk."

She just shakes her head and walks to Damian, and ruffles his hair. He excepted it this time, almost leaning into it, "One, Damian, Bulletjie, when we are not at school it is Jovial, Jovie or if you want the Alfie treatment, Chris-Marie it is a sign of trust in my house. Two did you get something to eat out of the fridge, because you are aloud. Three it is then your tracker that I found last week. Four is John with you." She said the last part with a huge smile as she hear a squeak from behind the couch.

"Tt" Damian making a sound, and deciding that the name Chris-Marie is more respectful than Jovie, "As you wish Miss de Klerk, I will refer to you as Chris-Marie, as you explained it is a sign of trust. John and I took some of the Milk-tart out of the fridge with our names on them." He now understood why their names were on the plates in the fridge, she was expecting them.

"Wait, John is here," Zavier comes into view, making John come out from the couch and run to him. This made Zavier come down and rap the kid in a hug, "Oh ek het jou gemiss, jou klein sprinkaan (Oh I missed you, you small grasshopper)."

"Jannie, I didn't know you would be here, this means you can finally meet my best friend" John says as he takes Zavier closer to Damian, which made Damian look at him suspiciously. This is the second person he can't read easily, but he doesn't seem as bad as Chris-Marie. "Damian this is Zavier, but we call him Jannie, he is Jovie’s brother."

By this time Jason just went with it as he and Jovie went back to the kitchen to make the tart. Tim joined the rest in the living room. Making Damian question, "Drake, why are you here?"

"Zavi...I mean Jannie kidnapped me here, with the promise of blackmail against Jason." Tim says with a smile as Damian looked at him more questioning.

"Milo or coffee kids?" They hear Jovie ask as she pears out of the kitchen.

This made John smile even more, "Can I have Milo please, Damian you have to try it it is the best thing on this planet."

"TT, we will see about that. I would like to test that theory Miss de... Chris-Marie." Damian a little uncomfortable with the informal name.

"Selfde vir my sis, kan ek een lepel koffe saam kry? Miskien moet jy dit so offer vir Tim ook (Same for me Sister, can I have a spoon of coffee in mine as well? Maybe you should offer Tim the same)." Then he turned to Tim, "Do you want it the same way as mine, I'm getting coffee in mine?"

This did not sound unacceptable to Tim, just very interesting, "I won't say no to caffeine." He says satisfied.

"I don't know replacement, didn't you have enough coffee?" Jason teases and snickers as he makes the crust for the tart with melted butter and cookie crumbs.

"I'll make it anyway Tim, don't worry." Jovie says gigging. She made the Milo, gave the kids theirs and put one next to Jason. She took a sip of her own making a pleased humm noise. As Jason made sure not to look at her, before she gives him cuteness aggression, as he blushed.

Then he hears a camera go of next to him, "You know you are cute when you blush." He looks at her horrified, still blushing, but horrified as she burst out with a fit of laughter. She then puts a hand on her mouth trying to get herself to stop laughing, making her cheeks glow red and her eyes sparkle more.

Her brother came around the corner, "Tamaties behoort in die yskas (Tomatoes belong in the fridge)." Which made him duck and then run as Jovie threw him with both of her shoes as John, Tim and even Damian (though he tried to hide it) laugh.

This somehow was just perfect. Jason thought as he takes some of the butter and smears it on the tip of Jovie’s nose. She looks at him and a full on mini food fight breaks out. Tim and Zavier looked at each other and chose to be on Jason's side. And the other two looked happy to be on Jovs side.

Jason is not quite sure how they got the tart done. By the time it was time to leave John flew home, Jannie and Jovs were in more comfortable clothing. Jovie in a long sleeve burgundy shirt and jeans (hair and jewellery the same). Jannie just a normal also burgundy T-shirt and short jeans.

They were gathering everything to go then Jovie’s phone went off singing, "jy gee my butterflies, butter butter butterflies," she answered and a voice came through, "Hallo my darling, weet jy waar my bokkie is?(Hello my darling, do you know where my love is?)"

"Yoh Iss, my foon is nie eers op speaker nie, eina. Ek sal hom gou kry,(oh my Iss, my phone is not even on speaker, ow. Ill quickly get him.)" Jovie whistled for Jannie and he said he is on his way.

Now on speaker, "Jammer my doll, het jy die cute ou all uitgevra? My boka het vir my die foto's gestier en hy is adorable, perfect vir jou. Oh wag hier bell Jannie my, love you lotts baaiiiii...(Sorry my doll, did you ask the cute guy out yet? My love sent me a photo and he is adorable, he is perfect for you. Oh, Jannie is calling me, love you lots beyyyyy...) Jovial was so red in the cheeks that it spread to her ears as, Jannie continued the call.

The two bat kids looked at Jason and then at Jovie is she said something, "Give me a moment." Then she stepped away for a second, made a silent frustrated scream, then started passing and muttering in Afrikaans. Jason is more determined to learn Afrikaans now, just so he will know what triggered her to blush and understanding what she says when she is mad. Luckily he caught a few words, but they didn't make sense yet.

"All in favour to learn Afrikaans quicker?" Damian and Tim looked at each other nodded then looked at Jason and answers 'Ai'.

Zavier came back looked at his sister, and with a nervous laugh scratch the back of his neck, "Okay, she looks like she is calming down, we can grab the stuff, don't let her carry anything. Trust me, you don't want to be on the other side of that." They all looked at him with fear, as he seemed to experience a flash back. But they did as instructed.

He whistled, Jovie stopped and slipped back to her normal face, then gave Zavier a creepy smile with a look in her eyes, "Ek sal jou trug kry, Zavier Jacobus de Klerk, lig slaap, wakker slaap vanaand. (I will get you back, Zavier Jacobus de Klerk, sleep light, sleep awake tonight.)" That sent a chill through the group. She sighed happily and then put on a big bright smile, "Okay let's go." She says as she lead, and Jannie started to look for things to buy on his phone to say sorry with.

The three Bat kids looked at each other horrified. Then Damian whispered, "Your future spouse is terrifying, but never the less, she is perfect for you, don't mess this up Todd. I believe we will not find your body if you do." Jason has to agree with him.

"Yea, I agree with Damian, I'm going to help Jannie look for an apology gift. Good luck Jason." Tim says as he started helping Zavier as they walked to the car.

Funny enough, though she was scary just now, Jason didn't understand why he blushed. Her threat made her look more attractive, just like she had been the day she hit the Joker with her shoe. Yea, he is in trouble. He will start reading the Bible, maybe it has an explanation of some kind or tell him what he should do.

Chapter Text

Jason was driving this time, even though Zavier offered before Jovie gave him a death stare. And now he is sitting in the back seat with Tim and Damian, as they try and help get back in Jovie’s good graces. Jovie sat shot gun and was ignoring them.

Jason was not sure how he felt about this entire situation, but he can almost guarantee he saw her hiding smirk. So he decided that maybe he needs to break the tension, "So... who was that that called you?" He asks curiously.

This seemed to be the right thing to do since she looked at him with a smirk and a sweet look in her eyes, "It was one of my friends from home, and Zavier's girlfriend. Her name is Issy-Marie Janeke Koekemoer. She is a little intense."

"A little?" Jason says raising an eyebrow at her. That made her smile well she nods.

"She is Afrikaans, just the loud addiction, you should see when there is a dance. That is the day you will know intense." She said as she smiles at the memory.

Jason thinks, okay Pride and prejudice work the charm, "Well I think it would be nice to go with one day when you go to South Africa. Maybe I can see where you grew up?" Jason says with a smirk.

There was a flash of something in her eyes before it was covered again and then she smiled and him, "Don't worry, you and the rest were invited to a wedding in about two weeks."

Jason terrified looks at her, "Two weeks?."

"Oh, shibit," she laughs, Jason is now confused still having fear on his face. Then she continues, "I meant two months, I'm so sorry. That happened sometimes."

Zavier speaking from the back seat as the other two wore similar fearful looks on their faces that when to relief as Jason does, "Yea, that happens, brain too fast words to slow." Jason has heard this excuse before.

"You all should have seen it when we were younger. She used to mix two languages and random words from languages she has not learned. It was an interesting experience when she tried to explain a new art piece to our godfather when she got excited. She is the reason Grandma made a rule that we are only allowed to speak in one language at a time, not that Jovie ever followed it fully." Zavier took a breath he forgot he needed, "Huh Mengels?" He said slower.

Jovial's hand was on her face as she shook her head. Damian first looked at Zavier a little concerned and then looked at Tim, who didn't even look surprised. "Is it a common occurrence for Zavier to forget to breath?"

Everyone in the car answered, "Yes!"

And Zavier just looked sheepish, "Well, oops!"

"Janietjie, how op die mense trumatiseer. Jy maak dit klink asof ons mal mense is. (Janietjie, stop traumatising the people. You are making it sound like we are crazy)." Jovie says in a tired Mom/older sister voice that could rival Bruce's tired dad voice.

When they finally did arrive Cass and Steph stole Jovie and the rest except for Dick (back home) cornered Jason.

"Finally, you are here. But how did everyone go and not invite me?" Duke asks looking at Tim and Damian.

"I got kidnapped by Zavier." Tim answered

"I did not see a reason to leave, when my guest gave me a chocolate drink with marshmallows in it." Damian answered happily remembering the drink.

"Yea, that drink really was something else, Zavier got coffee to be thrown into mine."

Bruce looked at his two sons actually agreeing on something, "It was Milo wasn't it? I'll go tell Alfred that you found out what Milo is." Then he left for Alfred.

"Wait, who is Zavier?" Duke asks.

Zavier being mischievous smile was standing next to Duke, silently, "That would be me," Duke screamed, Jason laughed, "Didn't know my father's sneaking method would work that well, I ow him an apology. But his training was fun though, I really hope..." Tim placed a hand on Zavier's shoulder knowing if he is not stopped, he will forget to breath, again.

"How did you do that?" Duke asked a little afraid of Zavier now. Why does he act like a Bat.

"I'm Afrikaans, it is a survival tactic by now. It is sneak or get a ball thrown at you in bok in die hok (buck in a cage, yes it is a game)." Zavier says like it is the most normal explanation, "Anyway, I'm Zavier Jacobus de Klerk, but everyone calls me Jannie or Janne man." Stretching his hand to shake.

"Nice to meat you, my name is Duke Thomas," Duke says as he takes his hand.

"Thomas, we need to find a way to arrange a relationship between Todd and Chris-Marie" Damian comments. Making everyone look at Damian, "What? I am stating fact, he needs assistance else it will not happen in this century."

"Hey! I am not that hopeless." Jason scoffs, a little offended as everyone even Zavier looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "This is ridiculous." Jason says as he walks away, or least tries to.

They grab him and go to the game room as Jannie explained some South African Afrikaans costumes. Jannie also explains to Jason how to do the dance that they all will need to do in two months. This made everyone panic and want to learn how the dance.

The girls came back from their hangout. Steph with a new half up half down Afrikaans hairstyle and Cass with twin Dutch braids in her hair. They had asked her about her the type of guy she likes, she said someone like Boaz in the Bible would be cool. Then they entered the game room seeing the guys trying to learn how to sokkie.

"Do you guys need help?" Jovie asks smiling as they all jumped at their approach. "You actually need Afrikaans songs if you want to learn how to sokkie."

She then goes on to explain that to sokkie you don't take your feet of the ground and you go according to the music. She grabs her brother's hand do demonstrate a little, they seem to understand. It is between a slow dance that can go faster and a messy waltz with a lot of extra moves. She then looks for a song to play while they dance.

Zavier came to her side to help her look for a easy first song. As the Bat kids looked on at each other then at the Afrikaans siblings. Then a song was chosen, it a slow song that goes faster. Sal jy bly (Will you stay) by Theuns Jordaan, it was Zavier's suggestion.

Tim took Steph's hand, Zavier took Cassandra's hand, after he, Duke and Damian shoved Jason to ask Jovial. Jason held a hand out to her and she took it with a little bit of a blush as they danced.

Jason saw how Zavier twirled Cass around him, and he repeated it with Jovie. Then he started to hold her closer during the song as she started to sing with the song. The words felt to beautiful coming from her.

"Sal jy bly, vir 'n apple en 'n ei?

(Will you stay, for an apple and an onion?)

Al skuur die maan ons weg.

(Even if the moon burns us away.)

Bly my hart na jou toe trek.

(My heart still pulls towards you)

Sal jy bly...

(Will you stay…)"

By the end of the song Jason was still holding her. He was genuinely smiling and she was blushing, but not hiding it and smiling up at him. A camera went off besides them. And they turned to see Alfred, Bruce, Tim and Zavier with a either a phone, a camera or a Polaroid in their hands.

Before Jovie or Jason could say something as they realised were they were, Alfred spoke up. "Dinner is ready in the dinning hall." And he just walks away like he didn't just get a photo that he will add his collection in the scrape book.

They all just decide to follow Jovie running after her brother, as he takes Tim's hand and they both try to dodge her. The rest just shake their heads laughing.

Damian stops Jason looks at him, "You did better than what I thought your are capable, Todd." And then Damian just walks away with a smug look on his face.

Well the Red Hood would never have been able to live that down. It is a good thing he is Jason Peter Todd right now. And Jason can admit to himself when he is falling for someone. Plus now he can finally dance with her.