Batman Beyond characters are copyright DC Comics and Time/Warner. I'm just borrowing them.

My love to Knightshade for alpha reading and to elfin, who drops her own fics to beta at a moment's notice.

Reclamation
by Tomy



Barbara Gordon knelt down beside the prone figure on the sidewalk. She lifted the blanket that had been placed over the dead teenage boy until the coroner arrived. Shaking her head she slowly replaced the material.

"Knife wounds to the stomach, face, throat and the one that killed him was to the chest." The officer looked over at the commissioner and frowned. "You know him?"

"In a manner of speaking. He's Dale Phillips."

"Leader of the...."

"The one and only."

"Geez, never thought we'd see him go down. I wonder if this means the gang will disperse?"

"We couldn't be so lucky." Barbara stood, backing away as the van pulled up alongside the curb.


*


Walking across the extensive patio terrace, Terry felt a sense of pride like he had never known before. In all honesty, this was another boring old Wayne Enterprises party. But this one was very different. This time he had Dana on his arm. When he had asked Bruce the week before if he could invite Dana to the elegant party, he had been sure Bruce would flatly refuse. Instead, shocking the hell out of Terry, the old man had smiled and nodded his approval.

Dana's reaction had been more than worth it. He had waited until after school before telling her. Though she had known straight off that he had something up his sleeve. She'd prodded all day, but Terry had refused to give in. He had caught up with her after last class just outside the main doors. Dragging her slightly away from Chelsea and Blade, he had formally asked her to accompany him to the extravaganza. Dana had stood dumbfounded, just looking at him for a moment as Chelsea and Blade, who were still in earshot watched in amazement. When it sunk in, she jumped into his arms.

"I take it that's a 'yes'." He joked, to receive a playful punch in return.

"Took you long enough to ask, McGinnis!"


Dana had refused to let him know what she was planning on wearing, until he picked her up. Mr Tan had opened the door, inviting Terry in, possibly beginning to accept him for the first time. Dana walked into the living room and Terry's jaw hit the floor. She had chosen a dark green velvet, off the shoulder gown. It showed off her body, but carried an extreme air of elegance.

"Whoa. You look incredible." Terry found himself tripping over his words.

"No drinking." Mr Tan warned. Terry had turned to the man with a sheepish grin.

"Don't drink. The old man would have my hide. I have to drive him back to the Manor tonight as well." Mr Tan laughed and nodded. "I'm not sure what time we'll be back." Terry continued.

Dana's father waved it off, "As long as she's safe, I'm not concerned." Terry's jaw hit the ground for the second time that night.


"Where is Bruce?" Dana had asked as he held the car door for her.

Dropping into the driver's seat and hitting the ignition a minute later, "Dropped him off right after school, did a quick patrol, then got ready."

"Do you ever have a normal night?"

Terry cast a sideways glance at her. "Hmm, normal night...... what's that??"

Dana just shook her head. "What's tonight all about anyway?"

"Bruce is presenting an number of achievement awards to members and teams within Wayne Enterprises."

"Sounds pretty intriguing."

"You mean boring." Terry corrected.

"That too."

"There is a dinner and dance afterwards."

"That sounds better."


As Terry had predicted, the awards were fairly boring, though he and Dana kept a small conversation going throughout, as Terry pointed out people he knew and other tidbits of company and school news and gossip.

The dinner and dance made their night. Bruce knew how to organize, that was for sure. The Dinner was served inside, buffet style while on the terrace a string quartet entertained the guests.

Sipping ice water a few hours later, Dana watched Terry and Bruce interact. Bruce had asked Terry to help him with something or other a few minutes before. Dana hadn't honestly been paying attention at the time. The two men stood in the far corner, speaking with an older woman - Bruce's secretary she assumed. Terry stood, reading over the paper Bruce had handed him, nodding on occasion, pointing out something.

It was funny how things had turned out since the accident in the alleyway. She was certainly more involved in Terry's life. She was now included in the conversations with Max, the three of them were more relaxed, able to cover for one another. In an odd way, it had eased a burden for Terry. Mrs McGinnis was more inclined to be understanding if Terry was with Dana, or at his job.

'A boy Terry's age should be interested in making money for his girl.' She had said to Dana one evening as Dana dropped Matt off. Dana had worked hard not to laugh.

This was certainly a different side of him she was beginning to know. He was learning the business aspects as well as learning to be Batman. His grades had risen again as his fitness compensated for his lack of sleep. He stood, consulting with Wayne with pride and presence, similar to the one the old man possessed. She smiled to spite herself.

"So you're Dana?" A tall, well proportioned blond woman took a seat next to her. "It's nice to finally meet you. Terry can't say enough about you." There was a quality in the woman's tone that immediately put Dana on edge.

"I'm sorry, you are?" Dana asked innocently.

"Margaret. I work in the Sales Department." She motioned with her head towards where the men were talking. "You're very lucky."

Dana held the smirk to herself, feeling oddly possessive. "I know. Though he can be quite the handful."

"I know. I've heard Terry and Mr Wayne exchange words."

This time Dana laughed legitimately. "I've heard them go at it too. Terry is not one to hold back punches."

"Probably why Mr Wayne respects him as much as he does." Dana nodded into her glass, catching Terry's eye as he protectively glanced over at her, rolling his eyes as he noticed who had joined his girlfriend.

A few more words and Terry excused himself from Bruce, who just chuckled, knowing exactly what Terry was up to.

"Margaret," he greeted as he dropped down into a chair overlooking the concrete terrace wall.

"Hi, Terry." Her voice had taken on a shy quality, causing Dana to almost choke on her water.

"What did Bruce want?" Dana recovered quickly.

"Just some security matters. He'll be staying late, so I'm all yours." He purposely smiled at Dana.

"Will you excuse me?" Margaret stood before either of them could answer.

"Thank you." Dana accepted as Terry reached across the table to take her hand.

"Do I want to know what she said to you?"

"It wasn't what she said, that part was totally harmless, it was how she said it."

Terry sighed, "I hate to say it, but you're going to run into a fair amount of that."

"Wanted man are you?" Dana teased with a glint.

Returning the glint, lacing his fingers with hers, "do you really think any of those girls could handle.... you know?"

"I dunno, she might."

Terry just looked at her. "There's no way, Dane." He had recognized the look on Dana's face when Margaret sat down. "How many times have we criticized others for the whole shallow thing? I have noticed her, I'm not blind, nor am I stupid. We have been through so much, you stuck by me." He tightened his grasp on her fingers. "I can't - won't - jeopardize that."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's not like I don't trust you..."

"Dane," he softly interrupted her. "There is no need for apologies. There have been a number of the girls on staff that have tried hitting on me. I told all of them about you. I plan on inviting you to more of these. It's a lot more enjoyable having you here."

"I'd like that."

"Shall I take you home?"

"Are you sure?"

Terry nodded again. "I need to get out there."

"I should have known." Standing, Terry draped her shawl across her shoulders.


In the car, a short distance from her house, she turned to face him in the dark. "Are you okay out there when Bruce is elsewhere?"

Terry glanced at her. "Yeah, I've done this a number of times - why?"

"Call it girlfriend paranoia."

Stopping at the curb, he climbed out of the car, striding over to help her out. "You have nothing..." Dana tipped her head with an 'oh yeah?' look on her face. Trying to hide his smile, he continued. "Okay, almost nothing to worry about. I've been doing this for almost a year now."

Realization dawned on her face as they paused on her doorstep. The house was dark, other than the outside light, and the hallway just inside the doorway. "Ter, I hadn't..."

He held up a hand, shaking his head. "I didn't expect you to." He reached into his suit pocket. "But tonight also marks another anniversary." He handed her the small white box.

She took it with shaking hands. Glancing up at him with astonishment, she slowly took the top off. Jaw open, tears welling in her eyes; "It's beautiful."

He reached in, drawing out the delicate gold chain. At the end of it was a small, gold, floating heart with a single diamond set in the centre. Stepping behind her, he lowered it to her chest. She moved her hair aside for him to clasp it. As he let it settle against her neck, she reached up, touching it where it lay against her.

"Happy anniversary." He turned her to face him. More than happy with the way she was looking at him, with the way it looked on her.

"Thank you." She whispered, hugging him tightly. He leaned back just far enough to kiss her, slowly deepening the kiss.

"Goodnight," he whispered against her cheek a moment later. Holding both her hands, he backed away, memorizing the happy, adoring look on her face.