What Remains Important

Chapter One

"Ladies and gentlemen of this fine city, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Gotham's newest mayor, the honorable Dana Tan!"

A light round of applause filled the room before the clinging of glasses echoed across the open ballroom. One light green olive buoyantly floated in glass of the clear alcohol as the man towering above the solemn podium outreached his arm for the recent victor of the mayoral election.

With a fine cut, charcoal blazer outlining her petit shoulders and her hair pulled up and nestled behind her ears, the Mayor-elect Dana Tan made her way to the plinth. Her raven colored skirt cascaded down past her knees, her stilettos made the slightest of thuds as she walked while her earrings lightly jingled. She lifted up her hand and waved subtly but enthusiastically before positioning herself in front of the microphone.

"Thank you councilman," Tan said to the side as the introductory speaker descended the stairs. "And most importantly, thank you people of Gotham," her gaze was directed to the audience and her words formed clearly and yielded authority. "This race has been a long, tiring and at times, trying but you never once gave up on me and my ability and that became my catalyst. But this race isn't about me; it's about you, the people of Gotham."

An outburst of clapping hands erupted causing Tan's cheeks to slightly flush. "Your voice has been raised and it has been heard! No longer will this city, or its officials, accept or affiliate with scandals, crime or corruption. Your voice has ushered in a new agenda, an agenda of transparency, effectiveness and promises for a better future, for us and for our youth. The center of my administration will work diligently and fiercely to increase education funding and legislation that will return security and safety to this city!"

Another round of applause exploded followed by a few casual whistles. "Today is the celebration of a new idea, a new promise but it is tomorrow that brings the real work and I want the people of Gotham to know, whether you voted for me or my opponent, as mayor, I am going to do everything within my power to bring prosperity and tranquility to this city. May this be the new beginning of a new Gotham! Thank you, thank you and thank you!"

Her walk down the stairs was welcomed with the continuation of aural accolades and as she made her way throughout the crowd she gracious smiled and nodded to each of her constituents. She had become accustomed to resonating a politically appropriate public persona, warm but stern, strong but not threatening. The constant criticism of her young age from the enemy camp perpetually lingered in the back of her mind every time she made an appearance and especially when she was obligated to give a speech. Though tonight, she couldn't help but bask in the glow of victory, even if that shine was actually the flash of a myriad of cameras from various news sources.

When the final outburst of light died down, Dana caught sight of a tall figure muddled in the crowd. His cobalt eyes peered solemnly, contrasting with the amicable grin forming on his face. Dana acknowledged him with a restrained smile before turning her back and walking away to progress casual conversations with various local leaders and communal figures.

The night slowly dwindled down and several guests had made their exit from the event. In an attempt to sober up from the excitement, Dana walked out on the balcony of the building with the remnants of a glass of champagne.

"Congratulations Mayor," a deep voice called from behind.

She turned around and was greeted by a familiar face. "Thank you Mr. McGinnis."

He began to walk closer. "Please, call me Terry." Positioning his back against the railings of the balcony, he looked over at Dana. "You know, I always knew you'd do something grand with yourself."

"Having little distractions like boys out of the way makes it a little easier," a faint hint of sarcasms traced through her words. "But I appreciate the gesture."

"Oh, come on Dana. How many people can claim that straight out of grad school they ascended to elected head of a city, much less a city the size of Gotham?"

"Don't let my accomplishments dilute your recent achievements. Max informed me you recently graduated from Gotham University School of Law." She placed her glass down and crossed her arms. "And Mr. Wayne has appointed you to the head of his legal sector. I always knew you could do anything you attempted, you just rarely attempted."

"Believe it or not, I actually didn't come here tonight to get a verbal lashing." His slight chuckle was responded by a giggle. "Besides, the position is more of a formality. His own personal lawyer does the real legal work. It's not like I'm actually going to fight courtroom battles."

"That would require priority and showing up on time," her face broke into amusement, "I'm sorry, I promised transparency in my administration."

Terry rubbed his chin. "A politician who keeps their promises, you're already shaping up to be a more ethically mayor than your predecessor." He cleared his throat, "Mr. Wayne sends his best."

She arched an eyebrow and looked accusingly at him. "Is that why you're here? Running Mr. Wayne's errands, still? After all these years?"

Defensively, Terry replied, "You know it's not like that Dana. Mr. Wayne has done a lot for me. I don't appreciate your inconsideration."

"Please don't interpret my intentions as inconsideration Terry." Her tone and facial expression were protective but a poignant shadow loomed behind her eyes. "Look, I uh," her head fell for a moment, "I think what you're doing for Mr. Wayne is really great and I'm uh . . ."

As she pulled up her head she noticed Terry starring right at her, his eyes in a steel trap with hers. Her gut suddenly began gasping for air and she could feel the nerves in her fingers swirling.

He was a complete enigma to her. The dark hair, the steely blue eyes, the high cheekbones, these were attributes she had known for years and yet here she was, on a ceremonial night about her, and all she could do was stare at him and attempt to make the question mark that is him tangible.

She hadn't officially "been an item" (a term she believes belongs in the halls of Hamilton High) with Terry in five years. Despite her attempt to appear aloof toward the situation, in reality she was meticulously relentless in her method of staying up to date with Terry's whereabouts and activities, a fact that some of her close colleagues teased her about regularly.

Come on Dana! Why are you acting like this? It's only Terry, just a friend from the past here to congratulate you on your accomplishments. Why the need to get weird about it?

She kept her gaze on level with his and in a pleasant gesture completed her thought.

"I'm really proud of you."

"What me? I'm just some kid with a pointless law degree running around the city doing errands for some old man. You're the mayor."

"Don't try to fool yourself or me for that matter . . ."

Chill bumps formed on the back of her neck as the remnants of a zephyr drifted by. She knew there was something brewing behind his eyes. The faint trace of urge lingered in his pupils and the way he had his hand on the railing of the balcony suggested a deviant from his typical demeanor.

There was always something more, something she just couldn't put her finger on but she was certain that there was a piece of Terry that had never been unearthed. Why couldn't he just tell her? He had practically invited the question with his offhand comment. There's no formality with Mr. Wayne, there never was and the constant variables formulated to make Terry and Mr. Wayne's working relationship appear normal never appeared authentic to her. But she couldn't ask, she couldn't invade and intrude on Terry's personal life, a life she was once a fragment of.

Why did it even matter? It was irrelevant. She was now mayor of Gotham and that was inclusive of a plethora of responsibilities and Terry was still working for Mr. Wayne. That was the way things were years ago and it was the way they were now.

Sensing the uneasiness of the silence, Terry attempted to slice through it, "I better get going. I don't want the paparazzi to get a picture of you out on the balcony with some strange man." His lips curved up but Dana's gaze remained unaffected.

After a few seconds that transpired with the speed of a few hours, at least to Terry, Dana recollected herself and gave the faintest of chuckles. "Of course, I wouldn't want my first day to consist of me explaining myself to the press, especially the vehement press of Gotham."

"It was good to catch up with you," he extended his hand.

She examined his hand for a moment before greeting it with her own. His firm grip was once an aegis, protective and stern but now she perceived it differently. The remnants of the steely cold seemed intact but gone was the subtle familiarity.

She redacted her hand and placed it carefully beside her. "You too, Terry."

Terry, placing his hands pockets, began to walk away from the balcony. As his dark figure began to become encompassed by the remaining ballroom lights, he turned back one last time, "I'm sure I'll be seeing you around, Mayor."

Standing alone against the balcony, she wasn't sure how to interpret his departing message. Instead of replying vocally, she implicitly nodded her head and knew he would understand her intentions.

A few moments passed before Dana made her own formal departure from the event. The few remaining guest all politely clapped at her leaving and she graciously smiled and waved.

She entered the door that the taxi-driver had opened for and made a friendly remark before collapsing in the seat. She hadn't realized how much energy the event had depleted from her and after giving her desired location she looked out the window with fatigued eyes. Her view was of the city that she would soon be responsible for and an excitement she couldn't explain erupted over her.

Little did she know that while she was busy contemplating her newest responsibility, a lone vigilante was making habitual nightly watch around the same city. Their desires to protect Gotham had serendipitously become synonymous.


I'd like to first acknowledge that this is my first published fanfiction in a myriad of years, so please don't scrutinize me to the point of an orange pulp! Though I welcome and advocate constructive criticism. Now that that is over with, I'd like to explain my choice for Terry's law degree. I know, it seems out of character, but I would imagine Mr. Wayne would need some logical explanation as to why a 17 year old teenager would remain his "go-for" all the way into his mid-20s so I concluded that some fabricated bureaucratic position would suffice and a law degree seemed something tangible. Anyways, my intention is to keep this vignette-structured narrative in the continuity of the television series. This chapter is pre-"Epilogue," but the story will (hopefully) advance to "Epilogue" and go a few years beyond. Thanks for your time and please enjoy!