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Rain poured relentlessly over Gotham, with lightning flashes illuminating the city. In an alleyway of his territory, Red Hood’s fists slammed into a group of goons like the thunder that crashed overhead.
As the others crumpled, he grabbed the last one by his collar to bring his face closer. “Where. Is. She,” he growled.
“I-I don’t know who you’re talking about, I swear!” He whimpered with shaking hands.
Hood stared at him a little longer before throwing the low-level thug to the ground with a grunt. He’d been at this for weeks, sacrificing his sleep to pour all his time and energy into his search. Yet no one seemed to have any information regarding Marinette’s whereabouts.
“Rough night, Hood?” Nightwing’s voice carried through the storm, laced with concern.
He looked up to see the vigilante illuminated by a street lamp, and grunted in response as he wiped the blood off his knuckles.
Nightwing leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. “You’ve been rougher on them lately,” he commented.
A low growl escaped Hood’s lips as he turned to face him. “You think?” He scoffed, his voice rough. “Anyone know anything about where she is?”
Nightwing’s face softened as he shook his head. “We’re all still looking. But… I hate to say this, but we have to be prepared for the worst. Everyone knew the risks. Being the Guardian…” His voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
Red Hood punched the wall, sending pieces of cement and brick flying. “I should have been there. I could have protected her.”
The vigilante moved closer, placing a comforting hand on his brother’s shoulder. “None of us could have predicted this. We’re doing everything we can. Oracle and Red Robin are even expanding the search beyond Gotham.”
His eyes flashed through his helmet with a toxic green glow, remnants of the Lazarus Pit. “They can sit on their asses and scour the internet. I know she’s here somewhere. We said we would stick together until death did us part, I’m going to find her.”
With that, Jason turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Nightwing alone in the relentless downpour.
Days passed, and Jason found himself stumbling into a bakery that had just opened in town. Maybe he was desperate for anything that linked back to her, but he missed his wife’s baked goods in the morning.
The scent of bread wafted around him as he waited in the long line. He looked around, noting pink accents and distinctly Parisian decor. With a sigh Jason pulled his phone out and opened his photo gallery.
He scrolled through pictures of Marinette, until he stopped on one. The two of them had their faces squished together, covered in flour from the first time she tried to teach him how to bake. His heart clenched at the memory as her laugh echoed in his head.
“Next customer, please!” A voice at the counter called out, snapping him from his thoughts. Jason looked up to apologize, and froze.
There, with a professional smile, stood Marinette. His missing wife.
His mind reeled. She was alive, she was right there . But something was off. There was no recognition behind her eyes, like she was looking at a stranger. He stood there, unable to move, as her polite smile turned to concern. "Sir, are you alright?"
He shook his head and forced himself to speak. "Yeah, sorry. You just... look familiar."
A soft sigh escaped her lips. "I've heard that a lot lately."
There was his confirmation. She relinquished Guardianship. She didn’t remember him. His throat tightened as he ordered, the taste of the pastries suddenly irrelevant. He quickly paid and left, dialing Dick as soon as he was out the door.
"I found her," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
“I can’t believe I let you drag me back here,” Jason frowned. He ran a hand through his hair, nervous of what could come out of this visit.
Dick flashed him a reassuring smile. “Just be glad I didn’t tell the others yet. You know Steph would cause a scene. Besides, don’t you want to see her again?”
“I do, I do. I just…” He trailed off, unsure what to say.
“Hey don’t worry, I got your back,” Dick wrapped an arm around his shoulders to steer him inside. “I just want to see if it's her. Or if you’re hallucinating,” he teased.
Jason rolled his eyes. “Very funny, Dickface.”
The two walked in and strolled up to the counter, most of the morning rush already gone. The Marinette look alike looked up as the bell above the door rang, and she smiled when Jason met her eyes.
“Welcome back! I take it you liked my croissants?”
Jason opened his mouth to respond, only for Dick to interrupt. “He called me as soon as he walked out, so I just had to come try something,” He grinned.
“That’s good to hear,” she laughed. “Well, what can I get you guys?”
“A dozen of whatever you recommend, and a coffee for him,” Dick ordered, nodding in Jason’s direction.
She nodded and unknowingly filled a box with his favorites. “Of course! Can I get a name?” She asked, grabbing a cup and a sharpie.
“Jason.”
Marinette paused, eyes glossing over for a second as she registered his name. “Jason…” she muttered, before snapping out of it.
“Sorry, I… that sounds familiar.”
“Are you alright?” Dick asked, while Jason’s heart started pounding with hope.
She sighed and grabbed a couple of pastries, passing them to the duo before she got started on the drink. “Yeah, I’ve just been having some issues with my memory. One day I’m in my apartment, next thing I know I’m laying on a warehouse floor.”
Jason grimaced at the thought, thankful to the Kwami or whoever was looking out for her that she at least got out of there alive. “That sounds horrible, I’m sorry.”
Marinette waved him off. “Don’t be, it’s not your fault. At least, I don’t think it is,” she laughed. “I remember most things, there’s just a lot of missing chunks. The hardest part was learning I hadn’t had an apartment for a while. Luckily a friend let me crash at her place until I got a job.”
He passed her his card to pay for the food and drink. “Have you gone to a doctor yet? Amnesia is a pretty serious thing, especially in Gotham,” he said, concerned.
“They couldn’t find anything wrong with my head, so I just have to wait and see,” she sighed.
“Well, I hope your memory comes back. I’m sure there’s some things you’d rather remember.” Jason said as he forced a smile, earning a glance from Dick as he voiced his agreement.
“Thank you! Sorry to talk your ears off there, I’m not usually so open about that…” she trailed off looking confused with herself. The coffee machine clicked, and she spun back into work mode.
As she passed over the drink, Jason noticed her necklace. It was her wedding ring, strung around her neck on a simple chain.
It caught Dick’s eye too, his eyes widening slightly. “Wow, beautiful ring,” he whistled. “How come it’s not on your finger?” He asked innocently.
“Oh, I… I woke up with it,” she answered, picking it up to fiddle with. “But I barely remember anything about it. Just how happy I was. I’m hoping that keeping it around will help me remember.”
The bell rang and another group of customers entered Marinette flashing an apologetic smile as she got back to her job. The two thanked her as they walked out, Jason feeling more hopeful than he’d been in a long time.
He quickly became a regular at the bakery. Jason kept it together on the outside, but each visit felt like torture, watching Marinette laugh and interact with others. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to stay away.
One morning, as he was leaving with pastries, he paused in the doorway and blurted out, "Dinner, tomorrow night?" He asked, the words stumbling out of his mouth.
Marinette's eyes widened in surprise, then a soft blush crept up her cheeks. "Yes, I... I'd like that."
“Where do you want me to pick you up?” He grinned.
She grabbed a sticky note and scribbled her address on it, then walked over to stick it to my chest. “Six o’clock?”
“It’s a date,” he winked, and slipped out the door on cloud nine.
The night of the date he was filled with nervous anticipation. As he pulled up to the apartment complex to pick her up, his breath caught in his throat. She was breathtaking, wearing a red and black dress that accentuated her figure and brought all his attention to her.
The ride was uneventful, filled with pleasant conversation. Dinner was the same pleasant torture as every visit to the bakery had been. Every shared glance, every laugh, it was like a piece of him was coming back together. Yet there were moments when Marinette seemed lost in thought, her eyes distant like the day Jason gave her his name.
After they finished their dessert, Jason made sure to order her favorite, he paid and reached for her hand to help her out of her seat.
As she went to take his hand, she noticed his wedding band and froze in shock. Her eyes widened and quickly watered. Tears began streaming down her face as her shoulders started shaking.
“Marinette?” Jason asked worriedly.
She gripped his hand tightly and bowed her head as it started pounding in time with her heart.
"Hey, hey, what’s wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle as he knelt down in front of her to look into her eyes.
Seeing him down on his knees like a proposal, something in her snapped. Her eyes locked onto his, and she wiped her tears with a smile. “It’s you. Oh my God it's you. The rings, I- when did this happen?"
He broke into a wide grin, his eyes watering in relief. "We got married last fall," he answered, his voice cracking.
"Oh," she choked out a laugh, crying tears of joy. "That- That's great."
Jason pulled Marinette into a tight hug, picking her up and spinning her around.
"God, I missed you so much Pixie," he whispered into her shoulder.
“I missed you too, Jay,” she whispered back, almost afraid to let go.
And in that moment, as he held his wife in his arms, the world seemed to fall back into place.