Ch 1

The footsteps making their way into Hamilton Hill High School Monday morning were defeated and dragging across the hall. His pale, blue eyes were sunken and surrounded by red cracks. It was just another day as Batman for Terry McGinnis but if anyone looked closely, they could see something else was wrong. His heart was broken into tiny pieces, and he knew deep down he couldn't fix it this time.

When he made his way to his locker, he felt as though everyone was looking at him, trying to come up with some lies about why he was so down, but the school would know soon enough. Secrets were hard to keep in a place like this. He let out a sigh as he opened his locker, took his books out, put them in his pack, and headed towards class.

Terry didn't understand how he had even the strength to get out of bed, dressed, and off to this place of torture and boredom. He then thought of his mother Mary and his brother Matt. 'Dad's not here anymore. I have to look out for them and make them proud of me.' He sighed again as he made his way inside the classroom.

The bell rang at the end of first period as Terry felt a hand on his shoulder. He sat up startled but not surprised that he slept through class, but he wondered why the teacher hadn't woken him up the moment he fell asleep. He got up and before he could get to the door, his teacher spoke. "Mr. McGinnis we need to talk." He turned away from the door and faced the teacher. Today he felt like whatever excuse came out of his mouth wouldn't be good enough. "Something has to change."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Wilkins. I—

"What is it this time Mr. McGinnis?"

"There's no excuse. I'll just have to do better." A smile came to his lips, and he wasn't sure why as he walked out of the classroom, surprising his teacher with a promise he hoped he could keep.

As soon as he made it into the middle of the hallway among the crowd of students, a sinking feeling entered him. Terry had never felt so alone in all his life. Looking through the crowd, he saw his long time girlfriend now ex-girlfriend Dana on the arm of some jock. She was smiling at the jock and laughing at something he said. When they passed him, Dana hadn't even looked back at him.

His heart-felt like it was breaking even further than it was before. Terry started remembering the day it happened. He had just gotten back from another mission for Bruce Wayne when he decided to stop by Dana's house and try to make her understand once again why he wasn't always there for her. He had knocked on the door and no one answered. He looked through the window to see Dana in the arms of another man. She was kissing him as they were both undressing. Terry rushed right out of there and broke up with Dana the next day.

Terry made his way down the hall in serious thought. 'It's my entire fault, none of this would have happened if I had always made time for her. It seems impossible these days being Batman.'

Next period would start soon but Terry felt there was no reason to go on anymore. The little light he had left inside him was fading. All of a sudden he heard his name being called through the sea of students. His eyes searched where the voice was coming from and his eyes came into contact with a pair of familiar brown eyes. Terry watched as she made her way through the crowd to get to him. As soon as they were standing face to face, she spoke again. "Hey McGinnis." She looked closer at him. "Are you all right?" asked his best friend and confidant in his deep, dark secret of the night.

"I'm fine Max." He was surprised when she grabbed onto his arm, looking closely at his face. 'What's she looking for?' Terry was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "Uh Max, what are you doing?"

"You look Terrible McGinnis. I can't believe I'm actually asking this but why aren't you crashing at home?" She could tell his eyes were guarded. "The way I see it, you gotta let me in sooner or later Terry."

"Oh," he said curiously, "why is that?" A smile was threatening to come to the surface of his face. Suddenly her face changed into sadness as seriousness covered her eyes.

"You'll end up alone. Trust me I know a thing or two about it." She crossed her arms over her chest as she turned to him. "I don't want you to end up like that Terry. She felt the warmth of his hands on both sides of her shoulders.

"I won't." He smiled. "I have you don't I?"

She smiled. "Yes you do Terry, always."

The bell rang as students rushed to get to their classes. Terry and Max did the same. What they didn't notice was Dana staring at the two best friends. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to her friends.

"He's not even worth thinking about Dana," said Blake. "You've moved on with Charlie, and he's a great guy who you'll know will always be there for you."

"Yeah I guess you're right Blake."

"You know this is one of the rare occasions that she's actually right," said Chelsea.

"Hey!" exclaimed Blake. "I happen to be an expert in the male species."

"Oh yeah you're right again. This boyfriend is what like your sixth guy?"

"It takes time to find the right guy Chelsea."

"Well how do you know when the right guy comes along?"

"He'll be able to spend more than a couple of minutes without disappearing on you," said Dana. "You're right Blake. I made the right choice." She smiled as her, Blake, and Chelsea made their way to class.

Max had forgotten her book for physics and heard the conversation. 'Poor Terry he tried so hard to make it with Dana. I wonder what happened between them this time.' She hugged her book to her chest and sighed before she went back inside, leaving the hallway deserted of any human life.

Terry's face was void of any emotion as he looked over the other side of the classroom to see Dana cuddling up to her new boyfriend. Suddenly a shooting pain entered his chest as he turned away from the couple. He heard Max sit down right beside him, but he couldn't concentrate on that now. Terry could only concentrate on the pain and how it was so hard to keep himself from screaming.

"TERRY!" that was all he heard before he hit the floor and fell into unconsciousness.

"Terry."

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Everything will be all right Terry. Just wake up and all will be revealed later."

"What will? I don't understand."

"Trust me."

"I do. I love you dad. By the way what's heaven like?" The darkness disappeared.

Terry's eyes opened to see the eyes of his worried mother staring back at him. She smiled as he came over to his bedside and hugged. "Oh Terry I was so worried. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine mom," he sat up and winced as he felt the pain in his chest, "nothing to worry about."

"Well clearly," she said with sarcasm. "The doctor should be here soon.

They ran some tests while you were asleep." He leaned back into the pillow behind him, looking out the window as the doctor came in the room.

"Miss. McGinnis, Terry, I'm Dr. Johnston."

"Is he all right doctor?"

"It's the strangest thing I've seen in all my years of medicine."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Well he's obviously overworked, exhausted, beaten and bruised all over his body."

"Terry," said his mother.

"Relax mom I've been going to a karate class after school." He watched as his mother took a sigh of relief.

"That's not the only peculiar thing about you son's condition Miss. McGinnis."

"What is it Dr. Johnston?" Mary asked.

"He's suffering from a broken heart."

The room was deathly silent for what seemed like forever until Terry broke through the silence. "What? That's impossible."

"Actually it's not Terry," said the doctor. "There are cases documented of this condition all over the world."

"So just out of curiosity, what happened to these patients?" asked Terry.

"More than half passed away and the other few lived happy, full lives with a new-found love so its treatable but only time can heal the wounds if you let them. The ones who died couldn't get over the pain and passed away. It's a real shame." His smile was sad before he faced the family.

"You can take him home Miss. McGinnis. There's nothing more we can do for him here."

"Thank you doctor," she said.

As Terry and his mother walked down the hall, they noticed Max trying to comfort Matt, who she turned towards his family to see her brother was all right. He ran up to his brother who took him in his arms and held him tight.

"It's ok Matt I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." His mother gave him a look and he felt bad, but he didn't want to worry Matt.

"Come on Matt let your brother breathe," said Marry. She took his hand. "Terry."

"I'll meet you at the car mom." When she and Matt were out of sight, he turned to Max. "Are you—? He felt Max's arms around him as she shook in his embrace. She surprised him, but he puts his arms around her.

"I was so scared Terry. You usually faint after I dress your wounds but not because of a broken heart."

He smiled. "You were listening in weren't you?"

"Of course," she smiled.

They let go of each other, but Terry noticed her sadness. "Max," he said softly.

"Terry, are you going to be ok?" Silence filled the hall as they walked out.

Terry didn't answer her as Marry dropped her off at her apartment. As she opened the door, loneliness covered her in silence and shadow. When she turned on the light, she looked around the place. 'Some days I can't stand being here.' She sighed as she closed the door behind her.

This feeling soon passed as worry swept over her about Terry's condition and then anger came in as she started throwing anything she could find.

Exhaustion took over and tears made their way down Max's face as she sat down on her couch, lied down. She didn't realize she had slept for a while as her phone rang. She sat up abruptly and grabbed the phone. "Hello."

"Hi Maxine, how are you?"

The voice on the other end sent chills down her spine and not the pleasant ones. 'No, no, no it can't be.' She tried calming herself down to get her words out. "Who gave you this number James?"

"I have my ways babe. Anyway I miss you, and I thought I'd come over."

"Tha—that's impossible you—you're in jail."

"Got out on good behavior so I'll see you later."

As soon as she hung up, she raced to her room, packed as many things as she could, grabbed her coat, and locked the door behind her. Before she could get to her car, Max saw James standing in front of his car with a smile on his face.

His eyes were still the same. The darkest black she swore she ever saw with nothing but hatred and evil in them. His brown skin had some scars from his time in jail, and he walked up to her. "Hey beautiful, miss me?"

Max couldn't move. She is paralyzed by fear. The only thing she could think of doing is talking. "Don't take another step towards me James or I swear—

"What? You'll scream Max. Why? What did I do that was so terrible?"

"You ruined my life. I loved you, but you turned into someone I didn't know anymore. You—you beat me until I was unconscious and became jealous and overly protective of me."

"You know no one will love you as much as I do and if anyone or anything comes in my way of you, then they will—

"What? They'll be killed. No! You can't do this to me anymore. I am my own person now. I'm stronger, and I won't let you take me down with you. I don't love you anymore, and you need serious help that I can't give you."

"Max, if I go away, then you'll be alone again. You don't want that, and I can change. I can be the man you love again."

"No, you can't James. You've all ready-made that promise when you left rehab and came back to my apartment and tried to—She wanted to cry, but she took a breath as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Max, you know you'll still end up alone without me with you. Just think about it. I'll see you tomorrow." He was about to kiss her, but she pushed him away.

She watched as he got into his car and speed off. Instead of going back inside her apartment she put her stuff into the passenger seat beside her, and sped off to anywhere that wasn't a reminder of her misery. Her high school came into view as she pulled into the parking lot.

Inside Max made her way to the computer lab, sat down, and got lost in the artificial world of technology. She did her research on James and what she found didn't surprise her.

Max took an early morning shower in the girl's locker room. When she was done rinsing her body, she heard a sound coming from inside the locker room, so she shut off the water, grabbed her robe, and put it on. She could feel her heart beating, but it wasn't the same as when she saw James last night.

She took her scrubbing-brush in her hand, pulled open the curtain and went down on the intruder like their was no tomorrow until she realized it was Gotham City's protector and hero. "Batman."

His eyes widened. "Max, what are you—Before he could finish his question, she pulled him into the shower with him, closing the curtain behind them. "What's going—She interrupted him with her finger on his lips.

Max whispered to him, "someone's out there. Do you want to get caught?"

They both stayed quiet until a voice spoke that brought fear into her heart. "Max I know you're in here. I knew you would run from me, but you can't hide forever."

Batman gave her a curious look, wondering who this guy was who had an interest in his best friend. He noticed how she avoided contact with him like she was ashamed of something. He put his hands on her shoulder and looked up at him. Batman could tell by her eyes that this guy scared her.

Suddenly the footsteps were gone and out the door and Max sighed in relief as she pulled back the shower curtain and stepped out followed by Batman. Max sat down on one of the benches with her hands on her lap.

He kneeled before her, taking her hands in his. "Max, what's going on? His voice was serious with hint of softness.

"Maybe now's not the right time Batman," she said as the bell rang. "See you later McGinnis."

"Fine, but we are going to talk about this." He took off out the back door of the locker room.

She couldn't help but let out a smile before she took a fresh pair of clothes from her backpack, went into the changing room, and closed the curtain. Fully dressed and clean Max headed into the hall towards her locker. Just as she was about to turn her lock to its combination, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Fear came back again, but Max turned around anyway to see a smiling James. "Maxine you should really know better."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." She opened her locker.

He slammed her locker closed, startling her. "I saw Batman with you in the locker room. You have no shame do you, you slut."

"You have not right to call me that James. You don't know anything about me."

"Of course I do Maxine," he tried to touch her cheek, but she pushed it away, "I love you."

"Leave ME alone. I won't ask you again."

"Aw that's sweet you're standing up to me. Since when did you grow a pair? That doesn't mater you'll coming back to me whether you want me or not."

"I believe she said not so back off."

Max had never been so relieved to see anyone in her life. He always seemed to be there when she needed him. 'It's just too bad he couldn't make it work with Dana.'

"Who are you?" asked James, "and why are you in my business?"

"Max is my friend, and now I'm making it my business."

Max felt the tension and took Terry with her away from the chaos. She knew he wouldn't let it go until she told him about James and her. "After school McGinnis."

Terry was waiting for Max to start talking but every time she was about to start a wall came up, trying to force her to keep her secrets hidden. Terry was her friend, and she knew he would never hurt her, but she was afraid to be so vulnerable with him. She had been so tough all her life with living alone and to break down felt like weakness to her.

"Max."

"How's your heart?" She tried to shift the conversation that hadn't even begun.

"That's not what we're here to talk about Max. You're stalling."

"You can't blame a girl for trying." She smiled sadly. "It's just not easy for me Terry."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to help you Max. What do you know about James?"

"He was my first boyfriend, and I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with him."

"What happened?"

"One day he just became this whole different person that I didn't know anymore. He'd come over to my place and one minute we'd be having a good time and then the next, he'd be hitting me. At first I thought he was having a hard time at his job but then it started happening every day. In the beginning I would defend myself but as time went on I just let him." Max was trying her best not to cry. "James had convinced me no one would ever love me like he did, and he said if I turned him over to the cops, then I'd be alone. I didn't want that I was afraid." She stood up and walked a few steps before she turned back to Terry.

"So what was the last straw?"

She sat back down beside Terry and faced him as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Just when I thought he couldn't hurt me any worse, he came to my place late one night. He was drunk. I tried helping him to my bed, but he stopped me. He threw me on the bed, beat me so bad I almost passed out." She gripped the bench she was sitting on and took a breath in and then out. "My eye site was blurry, but I felt my clothes being taken off. I struggled, but he was too strong. Somehow the police got there before he could—She couldn't continue that sentence. "To this day I don't know how the police could have known what was happening." She stood up again, keeping some distance between her and Terry.

The silence that filled the air was too long for her to take, so she turned around to risk a glance at her best friend. Max is surprised to see he was holding his chest, and she thought the worst. "Oh my god Terry! We need to get you to a hospital. Oh man I knew I shouldn't have laid this on you."

"No, no hospital Max."

"Are you out of your mind McGinnis? You could die."

"My chest doesn't hurt." He lifted his face from behind his bangs to show tears running down his face.

She was so surprised. It was rare that he cried in front of anyone. "Terry, why-?" She felt his body wrap around hers, holding her tight, shaking until Max's hands went around him. "I'm ok Terry. I put it behind me until he showed up back in the city that is." She sighed. "I'll figure out what to do with him."

"You're not doing this alone Max. He deserves to die for what he did to you, but I know you'd tell me that once I go there I couldn't come back from it. You'd be right about that."

"So you do listen to me sometimes?" She smiled at him as she let go from his embrace.

"You talk so much something has to stick." He smirked.

"Why you—She sighed. "You know what you're not even worth the argument." Max walked down the steps of the school along with Terry.

Their walk is cut short by Mr. Wayne's call. Terry was struggling with what to do. He knew he wouldn't feel right leaving Max by herself where James could get to her. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"I'm dropping you off at Wayne's. It's safer then you going home."

"Ohhh no McGinnis there is no way I'm staying at Mr. Wayne's."

Max had ended up in one of the many bedrooms Bruce had in his mansion. Her arms were crossed, and her annoyance showed up on her face. She sat down on the bed and sighed. "Stupid Terry always thinking he knows best."

Suddenly she felt a tickle on her hand. Max smiled as Ace, Bruce's dog, sniffed her hand before he licked it. "Hey Ace, how are you doing?" He jumped on the bed, made himself comfortable on the bed, and laid his head in her lap as Max pet smiled from the other side of the door and kept walking.

The rain was pouring down from the dark sky as Batman flew over Gotham in his bat mobile. He picked up a disturbance coming from Max's house as he rushed on over to the scene. He parked on the roof as he quietly entered his best friend's home. He watched as James went through everything in her room before he made his presence known.

"Breaking and entering. Looking for something."

"That's none of your concern Batman. Max is mine, and you can't stop me from being with her."

"Wanna bet?" A bat a rang came to his hand but before he could throw it, James started talking.

"I saw you with her in the locker room Batman. What were you two doing behind the curtain I wonder?"

Behind the mask Terry was blushing so hard. "That's none of your business." Batman smirked. "Now what are you doing here?"

"Where is she Batman? I know you know. Tell me where she is please."

'This guy's desperate.' He threw a punch at James, who managed to dodge him and fight back.

"I—I'll kill you to get to her Batman. Don't think I won't." He took out the gun his jacket pocket and aimed for the dark knight's heart.

Batman's eyes widened, but he managed to stay cool. Terry had no choice but to try to dodge the shots coming from his gun. He burst out out of Max's bedroom window with a bullet in his shoulder. He winced but ignored the pain as he swung back inside, knocking the gun out of his hand and knocking him out with a kick to the stomach.

He was able to bring James to the cops despite the excruciating pain in his shoulder. He took the bat mobile back to Wayne's in autopilot, made it to the cave and passed out before he realized Bruce and Max carrying him out.