Jason noticed that Laurie did not meet up with him as often as he used to earlier. Somehow each time he had gone to the boy's place, Laurie had either not been at home or just returned and quite tired.

He had a guess that his friend had found a new pastime and it was surprising that he hadn't told him about it.

But then Jay had also been a lot busy managing his job at the Gotham Theater as well as patrolling at night as Robin. So the two hadn't gotten time to catch up.

"Hey Laurie," he called out as he saw him step out the door, "where are you off to?"

Laurie turned to see him in surprise, "Jay? Did you not go to work today?"

"I got a little late," he had joined him, flinging his arm over his shoulders, "on purpose though."

Laurie smiled, "on purpose?"

"Yup. Figured I had to do something to see you. Or else you have been rather busy lately."

Laurie had indeed been quite busy as he often visited Vikander mansion to spend some time with Lucas. At first, Christopher had not been in favor of his grandson being there so often but Luke had talked to Lavina about his new friend and as the two saw how much Laurie's company brightened up Luke, Christopher had relented.

But he had mentioned to Lavina that Laurie's friendship with her ward in no way indicated that she would use him for any of her schemes and that she should value the deal she had made with him earlier. Lavina too had agreed because she did not wish to put the Hendricks family in any further trouble either.

So Laurie had kept spending time with Lucas and that was why Jason saw so little of him.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you," he spoke, turning to face his best friend, "but then I thought you were already busy so..."

"Forget all the sorrys, it doesn't matter," Jay shrugged it off as the two stopped at the bus stand, "what have you been up to though?"

"I made a new friend," he replied, hazel eyes twinkling slightly, "and I am sure he would like to meet you too."

A smile flickered on Jay's face, "so I'm guessing that you have already told him a lot about me."

"Indeed. How can I not?"

Laurie was quite a social person and for him, making new friends was an enjoyable task. And right then, he seemed quite enthusiastic to tell Jay about his new friend. But the bus had arrived and they had to part ways as Jay would be going to Gotham Theater.

"Hey, how about I bring him over to the Theater after your shift ends?" Laurie suggested, "and then we could all go to Supreme Cafe together."

"Okay then, my shift will end at half past four. Call me when you're coming."

"Sure."

Jason boarded the bus last and waved over to Laurie who was standing in wait for the bus that went to the suburbs. The boy waved back, thinking about how to ask permission from his grandfather to take Lucas out in the city.

It was not like they hadn't taken Luke out earlier but Lavina was extremely protective over him so Christopher had always accompanied the two. 

When he reached the Vikander Mansion and rang the bell, the door was opened by his grandfather as usual. However, it didn't take long for Luke to know about his arrival and the boy had come downstairs as well, overjoyed to see his friend.

"Hi Luke," Laurie smiled, seeing that he looked much better than when he had first met him.

Lucas never smiled but his delight in being with his newly made friend showed in his eyes. Laurie did not know what the boy had been through to be so detached and cautious but he had made it his task to bring him back to life.

And so far, it seemed that he was succeeding in his attempts.

"I met Jason today," Laurie had started talking with Luke who was attentively listening, "he wants to meet you too."

Christopher stopped what he was doing at that statement, visibly alarmed, "will he be coming here then?"

"Actually, no. I was thinking if I could take Laurie to the Theater..."

"No," he straight up refused, knowing that Lavina wouldn't want Luke to go in such a crowded place, "you can't. It's not safe."

Laurie glanced over at Lucas who mumbled, "I want to meet Jason though..."

He tried one more time to persuade Christopher, "but Grandpa, if not to the Theater then can I take him to the cafe?"

He was about to say no again because taking Luke anywhere without him supervising would result in Lavina getting angry at him. And he couldn't go with them that day as there was a lot he had to take care of at the Mansion.

"Grandpa, please? I promise I will look after him."

They were interrupted by the distinct sound of heels clicking against the mahogany floor and Laurie stood up from the couch he had taken a seat on immediately. He had met Lavina Vikander once before but for some reason, the woman struck him to be quite intimidating even though she had been cordial towards him and was very affectionate towards Luke.

"Laurence, dear, don't be so startled," she smiled at him, gesturing him to sit down, "I'm glad to see you came to visit."

He sat down as told but did not know how to ask Lavina about his plan of tanking luke out to the city that evening.

"Aunt Vinnie, can I go out with Laurie today?" Luke asked although neither Christopher nor Laurie were expecting him to.

Lavina looked at him closely then at Luke who evidently wanted to go, "of course. Is Mister Hendricks going with you two?"

"Um no," Laurie spoke up, "I wanted to take Luke to Supreme Cafe and Grandpa had a lot of work to do so he refused."

She considered the situation. Christopher truly couldn't accompany them because she had to send him to Vikander Associates and look after the distribution that was underway. As for herself, she too had other plans that could not be put off for later.

"Isn't this Supreme Cafe the place where Andrea's nephew works?" She remarked as if suddenly recalling it, "Alexander, right?"

"Yes..." Laurie looked surprised that she knew Alex.

"Alright then," she smiled, "you can go. Take care both of you and if anything goes wrong, call Mister Hendricks. Or better still, take my number, call me directly."

She wrote down her number and handed it to Laurie who was a bit taken aback at how quickly she had agreed because he was definitely not expecting that. "Thank you. I will make sure to take care of Luke. You don't have to worry about anything."

"Certainly," her eyes crinkled slightly as her smile widened, "you're definitely a very obedient boy. I trust you and I am sure you and Luke would have a lot of fun today. I have to go now so I will see you two at dinner, okay?"

She ruffled Luke's head gently before leaving.

"Thank you," Luke replied and though he hadn't smiled at all, there was a slightly relieved expression in his eyes.

Lavina was also relieved to see that slowly but steadily he was recovering and Laurie's company had done him a lot of good. That was precisely why she had agreed to let him take Lue to the city, despite being a little uncertain earlier.

At the gate before leaving, she turned to her butler. "Mister Hendricks, if anything goes wrong and Laurence calls you instead of me, just inform me directly. Though I am hoping the need for that won't arise."

Christopher had a bad feeling about it but couldn't go against her orders, "certainly. I will try to get free from my tasks earlier and go after them if you want me to."

"No need," she shook her head, "Luke wouldn't like that. I don't want him to get the feeling that I'm imprisoning him by being so cautious of him. Let him go with Laurence today on his own and if things go well, then I am sure it will help in Luke's recovery."

***