Empathy
by PaBurke
Distribution: The Nook
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, no money made, no characters created.
Spoilers: Season Two of Batman Beyond.
Summary: It's all in how you define the terms.
Word Count: 300
"Willy, your visitor's here." The guard led Terry into the meeting room. Terry got the feeling that the guard was glad that Terry had come back, glad that someone was visiting Willy.
Willy Watt snarled half-heartedly. "I haven't done anything wrong, McGinnis. Not since they tied me up." He waved his metal-encased hands at the helmet that kept his powers in check.
"I know," Terry said.
"You know?" Willy hadn't expected that. "You know."
Terry nodded.
"Then why are you here?"
Terry shrugged. "Everyone should have visitors in Juvie."
"You didn't come before," the incarcerated teen reminded.
"I know," Terry admitted. "I heard your dad… when you got… caught say something. I thought that he would visit you. Then life got busy. School, you know. And then Mr. Wayne. He barely gives me enough time to take Dana out."
Willy finally offered an olive branch. "So you and Dana are still a couple?"
Terry grinned slightly. "We try but Mr. Wayne's…"
Willy nodded, but didn't really understand. He couldn't understand.
Terry tried to offer an olive branch of his own. "So you're still working out?"
"Nah," said Willy. "They can't figure out how to let me use the weights without giving me a chance to escape."
"Un-sway," Terry commiserated. "Boredom city. Any new datapad or game I could send you?"
"No, thanks. They keep us well supplied in here. Sometimes we get the new stuff before it hits the streets."
"Un-sway!" Terry teased.
"Willy," the guard interrupted. "Time's up."
Terry glanced at his watch. They had been given a couple extra. So Terry stood. "Bye, Willy."
Willy shook his head. "Seeya?" He was asking the question.
Terry remembered being on that side of Juvie. He remembered the little Willy Watt that had been his friend. "Try."
Willy nodded.
Terry left.
*
