Evelyn's class at Gotham Institute had just ended and she was about to leave the studio when a student approached her and told her that there was someone waiting for her in the lounge. Surprised, she followed the girl to the waiting lounge who left soon afterwards. 

Eve made her way to the couches placed on the corner but she didn't have to walk further as she felt a hand clasp her own. A smile spread on her face recognizing the person immediately, "Jason?"

"I came to pick you up, I hope the class has ended by now."

"Yes, it just ended," she replied, her smile widening as he interlaced their fingers together, leading her out of the building and to his car that was parked not far off, "but you didn't have to. Stella had said she would drop me home on her way back."

"Let's just say I have to take you somewhere."

"Oh," surprise crossed her features at that remark, "and where exactly?"

"I'll tell you when we get there."

She didn't ask further however began to tell him about her day as per usual routine until he stopped the car at last. His hand gently cupped her cheek and she leaned against the touch, wide eyes turned towards him but her irises were as usual devoid of any image.

"Eve, from the past few weeks I had been researching into your condition," he spoke up choosing his words carefully, "I visited all the eye clinics we have in this city and discussed it with them. There is a great chance that you would be able to see again."

Her lips parted in shock, "what?"

He brought her closer towards him and her hand closed on to his wrist but there was a very confused look on her face, almost as if she could not believe when she was hearing.

"I know it's a little overwhelming as of now," he resumed in a soft reassuring tone, "but I am going to be with you every step of the way. Today, they had asked me to bring you for a topography test in which they will examine your eyes and judge whether the operation can be performed on you or not. And if all goes well, very soon you will be able to see. Just like you used to before."

She seemed at a loss of words letting everything sink in. Then at last she spoke up, "but it's going to be very expensive. I can't..."

Jason leaned forward and captured her lips with his own, drowning the rest of her feeble protest against the idea. He felt slight wetness on her cheek and pulled apart to see a streak of tears run down her face so he gently wiped it away, holding her close as he kissed her again as tenderly as he could.

Evelyn was going through a range of emotions at the moment as her grip tightened on him and she kissed back, her eyes falling shut but the tears escaping nevertheless. No one had ever cared for her to that extent and to think that Jason had not let her know about it earlier but kept researching for her made her feel overwhelmed.

"Evelyn," he breathed as he broke off the moment at last, his fingers still caressing her cheek, "I love you. If I am not going to care for you, who else else will?"

"It will cost a lot..."

"Nothing is worth more than you," he stated in a decisive but loving tone and she flung her arms round his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. 

Jay wrapped his arms around her soothingly, still comforting her and reassuring her that everything was going to be okay and she did not have to worry about the test nor the expenses; he would take care of it.

"I lost you once Eve," he mumbled, "and I made the mistake of almost losing you once again. I have caused you so much pain and sorrow due to both those instances, so let me make it up for that even though what I am doing for you is not even a fraction of what you deserve."

Her head nestled against his neck as she tightened her grip on him slightly, still in a state of disbelief for she had never expected so much from him and yet finding out that he genuinely cared and held her in such a close place in his heart made her feel both overjoyed and rather overwhelmed.

"Jason... What you do is more than enough. All I needed was your love but you have given me so much more."

"You deserve much more," he kissed her cheek as he pulled apart glancing at his wrist watch, "it's almost time for the appointment I had taken. We should go in. And don't worry at all, I will be right beside you and nothing will go wrong."

She nodded getting out of the car at last and accompanied him to the eye clinic. They were given a token number according to which they would be called to the examination room and later ushered to the consultant clinic as well. A lot of people were there in the waiting room and Jason told her that it was the best ophthalmology hospital in Gotham hence people came from far and wide to get treated.

When their turn came they were ushered to the examination room first where different machines were kept for testing. Eve was slightly nervous and Jason could notice that as her grip on his hand tightened. But he squeezed her palm reassuringly, not letting go of her hand throughout the test.

The topography test was performed on a total of three machines in order to judge the strength of the optic membrane, the lens number and quality as well as the internal working of the eyes. Laser beams were passed to scan the cornea and the reports were generated automatically which the attendant clipped to her file.

Since she could still judge between light and dark, each time the laser beam was passed, her grip on Jay's hand would tighten for she could feel the heat in her eyes and it was a bit uncomfortable though not painful.

After the test, she was given some eyedrops and then asked to close her eyes until the doctor would tell her to open. A slight soothing sensation spread in her eyes shortly after and Jason helped her out of the seat, bringing her to the consultant clinic as advised by the attendant in the examination room.

"You okay?" Jason asked, concern lacing his voice as he sat beside her in the consultant clinic waiting for the doctor to show up.

She nodded her head yet her eyes were still closed, "yeah. It was a bit tiring though, my eyes are not accustomed to heavy glares."

"They use that beam to scan the internal eye," he explained, "and I am sure the discomfort would go away in a while."

"Yeah, it's much better now though it did sting earlier."

The door opened and the doctor, a woman with slightly greying hair and a very professional but charming appearance, stepped in already examining the reports. Eve had tensed slightly as she was nervous of what the doctor was going to say so Jason held her close reassuringly, trying to get her to relax.

"Miss Nichols, you may open your eyes now. And please relax, there is nothing to worry about," the doctor spoke up in a calm tone, "your reports are all affirmative for surgery. However, we will give you some time for the medication beforehand to prepare your eyes for the surgery, I will be noting that down for you."

Jason squeezed her hand gently and she tilted her head towards him still a little unsure, she could still not believe it.

"And if the surgery goes well, I will be able to see again?" Her tone was filled with wonder showing just how absurd the thought seemed to her because she had long overruled the possibility of regaining her vision.

"Of course," she smiled softly and handed Jason the list of prescribed medication, "you are still able to differentiate between light and dark, your retina works to a certain extent even now. All we are going to do through that surgery is to realign your lens and clear the fogginess from your iris. Fortunately, your optic nerves are not blocked permanently so we will definitely be able to restore your vision to a seventy to eighty percent range."

"And will she be needing spectacles to help see her clearly after that?" Jason asked because that range still meant she might require optic aid.

"That's a given. But she will only be needing specs just for watching television, screens, reading and other fine work which may require her to focus. But other than that, she will be able to see just like any other person."

Then the doctor turned to face Evelyn, her hand resting on top of hers as if to reassure her, "Miss Nichols, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The procedure will be painless and though it will take some time adjust and might be a bit difficult for you to get used to the light and seeing again in the early days, with time you will find out that you have taken the right decision."

"I still can't believe it," she mumbled in a low tone but the doctor heard her and patted her hand gently.

"All we want you to do for now is to take these medicines regularly. The eyedrops must be used thrice daily and these will help in clearing your eyes from dust and also give a soothing effect. I have given the whole prescription to your friend and I am sure he will take care of that."

At last, a smile spread on Eve's face and her eyes had welled up with tears as she turned towards Jason, "thank you."

Jason's usually tough and emotionless features broke into a soft smile as well as he held her close, looking at her lovingly, "there's nothing to thank me about, Eve. I did what I had to."

The doctor dipped her head in a parting nod as the two stepped out of the clinic and she too had a smile on her face. It was very seldom that she got to see such loving and caring couples and the hope that had spread on Eve's face and the way Jay had stood by her through it all made her feel better about the work she did too.

***