Author's note: This could be considered a prequel of Stumbling (my other story which I'm still completely blocked on). The title gives you a good idea what this story's about. It's ninety-five percent finished so it won't be forever between updates!
Max's Turn!
Like all human-beings, Maxine Gibson was unique. She could be defined with words, but it would take a lot of them. Among many other things she was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a citizen of Gotham, a college student and a free-spirit with the intelligence and capabilities to accomplish any goal she decided to set for herself.
She had succeeded at one particular goal that very few others could claim. She had become Batman's Back-up. Not a real catchy title, but it's not like she could put it on her resume or go around telling everyone about it. It had taken every bit of courage, persistence, smarts and downright conniving she possessed to get the job. Especially since the position was already filled by one of the most innately powerful men she had ever met.
Bruce Wayne. She had never known anyone so scary and at the same time, so fascinating.
When she had found out Terry was Batman, she was surprised by how much she wanted to be involved in his secret. It had become an obsession. Terry had caved in to her desire fairly easy, allowing her to help him from a distance on certain crimes. Bruce was the other extreme. He wanted her to have absolutely no part in the life of Batman and reprimanded Terry whenever she became involved.
A turning point in Bruce's attitude towards her came early in Terry's career as Batman. Shriek, one of Gotham's more vindictive bad guys had managed to trap Batman under tons of concrete. Unable to locate or communicate with his protégé from the batcave, Bruce went looking for him. Unwelcome, Max joined in the search. Turns out, in the events that followed, she was helpful and the old man subtly acknowledged the fact.
That didn't gain her access to the cave or into Bruce's good graces (not that he had any that weren't just show for the public). Nope. It couldn't happen so easily. It was a long agonizing time after that before she saw the batcave for the first time. But it was worth the wait and effort. That moment would always remain one of her most thrilling and vivid memories.
Unfortunately, working behind the scenes to aid Batman had not been her initial goal. It had been her strong desire to work alongside him. To wear her own artfully designed and powered suit and soar over the towering cityscape. To be his partner in the adventure of personally subduing the elements in Gotham's criminal world. To feel the satisfaction of kicking someone's butt herself instead of just watching Terry do it.
Thus far, neither man was willing to help her in that area. So, secretly, she had taken steps in that direction on her own. They included private martial arts lessons for the last six months. Two days ago, feeling confident in her growing abilities and from the praise of her instructors, she had shown Terry some of her moves.
Ignoring his skeptical amusement, which he made no effort to hide, she asked him to work through some moves with her. He complied reluctantly. Max knew he wasn't trying very hard because her hits connected easily. She smiled wicked delight at the surprised look on his face as he picked himself up from the floor.
Her smile had faded quickly when they met again and he, with apparent little effort, blocked her every move and had her on the ground so fast she wasn't sure how he had done it.
He stood over her grinning smugly and offered a hand, "Sorry Max. Just didn't want you getting any funny ideas about thinking you were ready to become Batman's sidekick."
Subduing disappointment and anger she had smiled and let him pull her up then used that moment to flow into another trained movement. Once again she was on her back staring up at him and wondering how she got there.
Okay. So maybe she wasn't ready yet. That didn't mean she was going to stop trying.
Max's Turn!
Like all human-beings, Maxine Gibson was unique. She could be defined with words, but it would take a lot of them. Among many other things she was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a citizen of Gotham, a college student and a free-spirit with the intelligence and capabilities to accomplish any goal she decided to set for herself.
She had succeeded at one particular goal that very few others could claim. She had become Batman's Back-up. Not a real catchy title, but it's not like she could put it on her resume or go around telling everyone about it. It had taken every bit of courage, persistence, smarts and downright conniving she possessed to get the job. Especially since the position was already filled by one of the most innately powerful men she had ever met.
Bruce Wayne. She had never known anyone so scary and at the same time, so fascinating.
When she had found out Terry was Batman, she was surprised by how much she wanted to be involved in his secret. It had become an obsession. Terry had caved in to her desire fairly easy, allowing her to help him from a distance on certain crimes. Bruce was the other extreme. He wanted her to have absolutely no part in the life of Batman and reprimanded Terry whenever she became involved.
A turning point in Bruce's attitude towards her came early in Terry's career as Batman. Shriek, one of Gotham's more vindictive bad guys had managed to trap Batman under tons of concrete. Unable to locate or communicate with his protégé from the batcave, Bruce went looking for him. Unwelcome, Max joined in the search. Turns out, in the events that followed, she was helpful and the old man subtly acknowledged the fact.
That didn't gain her access to the cave or into Bruce's good graces (not that he had any that weren't just show for the public). Nope. It couldn't happen so easily. It was a long agonizing time after that before she saw the batcave for the first time. But it was worth the wait and effort. That moment would always remain one of her most thrilling and vivid memories.
Unfortunately, working behind the scenes to aid Batman had not been her initial goal. It had been her strong desire to work alongside him. To wear her own artfully designed and powered suit and soar over the towering cityscape. To be his partner in the adventure of personally subduing the elements in Gotham's criminal world. To feel the satisfaction of kicking someone's butt herself instead of just watching Terry do it.
Thus far, neither man was willing to help her in that area. So, secretly, she had taken steps in that direction on her own. They included private martial arts lessons for the last six months. Two days ago, feeling confident in her growing abilities and from the praise of her instructors, she had shown Terry some of her moves.
Ignoring his skeptical amusement, which he made no effort to hide, she asked him to work through some moves with her. He complied reluctantly. Max knew he wasn't trying very hard because her hits connected easily. She smiled wicked delight at the surprised look on his face as he picked himself up from the floor.
Her smile had faded quickly when they met again and he, with apparent little effort, blocked her every move and had her on the ground so fast she wasn't sure how he had done it.
He stood over her grinning smugly and offered a hand, "Sorry Max. Just didn't want you getting any funny ideas about thinking you were ready to become Batman's sidekick."
Subduing disappointment and anger she had smiled and let him pull her up then used that moment to flow into another trained movement. Once again she was on her back staring up at him and wondering how she got there.
Okay. So maybe she wasn't ready yet. That didn't mean she was going to stop trying.