A/N: All characters (except those of my own making) are owned by DC, and Warner Brothers. If I owned them I would not be writing fan fiction.
Family Strife
By: NightWatcher666
Chapter 1
"Mcginnis", came the gruff voice from the small speaker in his cowl, "Get your head in the game."
"Sorry", he said as he watched the scene that was taking place below him. Somehow the Jokerz had managed to get their hands on some Venom and were now in the middle of a negotiation to sell it off to Kobra.
"I know you have a lot going on, but when you're distracted is when people die", Bruce calmly told him.
"I know", Terry responded, "I'm just worried."
"Your mother is a smart woman", Bruce countered, "She knows what she's doing."
Terry found himself distracted from Bruce's words of wisdom by the sound of a crash followed by several guns cocking, "Looks like things are about to get messy", he told his employer, mentor, and father figure, "Guess I should drop in and say hi."
"Be careful", Bruce said as Terry uncloaked and dove from the rooftop.
The roof of the lead Joker's car collapsed as Batman landed feet first on it, "Sorry to spoil the party", he said with a smug grin, "But I was in the neighborhood and figured I'd just drop in."
"Drop in on this", one of the Kobras yelled as he threw something at Batman. Terry dodged easily and the car erupted into flames as the grenade went off.
"MY CAR!", the lead Joker screamed. He pulled out a large pop gun and fired an exploding cork at Batman who dodged it effortlessly.
Terry pulled out a batarang and threw it disarming the Joker, "Why is it that the bad guys can never aim?" he asked smugly before being knocked to the ground.
"Looks like you need more poultry in your diet", A large Joker said as he swung a large rubber chicken towards Batman's head. Again Terry dodged as he sprung up from the ground and drove a knee into the gut of the offending Joker. He doubled over and the the chicken made a loud clang as it hit the ground. Terry quickly ducked out of the way as one of the Kobras came at him and a quick elbow to the back of the head caused the cultist to drop to the ground.
"Enough of this", the leader of the group of Kobras said as he threw a smoke bomb into the fight. Immediately the alley was filled with smoke. Terry started coughing as the smoke filled his lungs. Once the air cleared the Kobras where nowhere to be found and the Jokerz were already bolting passed the next block.
"Great", Terry muttered as he looked around the empty alley.
"Mcginnis what's going on?" Bruce asked.
"They got away", Terry answered as a metal cylinder caught his eye, "But they left me a present."
"Get it back here", his mentor said, "Maybe we can trace it back to its source."
"On my way", he replied as he summoned the Batmobile.
Terry groaned as his mother knocked at his door. At this moment he didn't care that he had promised that he would be up and at em by eight so he could meet his mother's fiance and his daughter for breakfast. He didn't make it to bed until almost six, and he really wasn't in the mood to deal with this on less than two hours of sleep.
"I don't know why I have to go", he said from under his pillow.
"Because David's daughter is new to Gotham and needs someone to be her friend, and since you're going to be her brother in a week."
"Step brother", Terry interrupted.
"Since you're going to be her brother in a week, that means you're the best man for the job", his mother finished ignoring his interruption, "I expect you up and dressed in ten minutes."
Terry groaned as he sat up and rubbed his eyes, "Looks like another sleepless day during summer vacation", he said to himself, "Oh well plenty of time to sleep during class once College life starts."
"Come on Terry", Matt said as he burst unto his room.
"Beat it Twip", Terry said as he pushed him out and closed the door.
The ride to the restaurant was pleasantly silent since he had elected to take his own car instead of riding with his mother and brother. He missed his motorcycle, but the needs of the current day and age pushed him to get a more practical vehicle, so being the person he was settled on a black sports car with leather interior. He rounded the final turn and parked as he saw his mother give his soon to be step father a kiss. Silently he got out of his vehicle and walked over to his mother that was Gesturing to him. He firmly shook David Miles hand as he noticed a shy looking girl with strawberry blonde hair watching the scene. David motioned for her to come over which she did reluctantly.
"This is my daughter Megan", he said proudly, "She's come to live with me since she got a scholarship to GSU."
"Hi", she said meekly.
"Hi Megan", Terry's mother said, "I'm Mary and these are my boys Terry and Matt."
She waved slightly as she seemed to sink back into background trying hard to not be noticed. Terry was sure that she didn't want to be here just the same as he really didn't. He made his way to where she was standing and in a quiet voice asked ,"What do you say we ditch the parentals and I'll show you some sights?" She nodded slightly as Terry tapped him mother on the shoulder.
"Mom", Terry said, "I'm going to take Megan out and show her some sights."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea dear", she replied as David nodded approvingly.
"Well then", Terry said as he motioned for Megan to follow him, "We'll be off then."
"Nice car", Megan said as Terry opened the door for her.
"Yeah it's pretty shway, but honestly I miss my bike", Terry responded as she got settled in the seat.
Terry got in the car and noticed her admiring the interior, "How did you afford something like this?" she asked.
"My job pay's pretty well", Terry replied.
"Who do you work for, Bruce Wayne?" she asked jokingly.
"Yes actually", Terry responded, "I'm his personal assistant."
"Sorry", she said meekly, "I didn't mean to pry."
"No big", Terry responded, "Plus now that he's taken the his company back, I get to learn a ton about business."
"That is so cool", she said.
Terry backed the car out of the parking spot and turned out onto the street. "So what are you into?", he asked.
"Don't tell my dad, but I've been into martial arts since I was little", Megan replied, "My mom put me in them to help me get over being shy, and I took a liking to it, but my dad would have a conniption if he knew his little girl was into something so psychical."
"Martial arts huh", Terry said, "Ever do any sparring?"
"Oh all the time", she said, "My instructor was gearing me up for the tournament circuit."
"Awesome", Terry responded.
"Do you do any?" Megan asked curiously, "Martial arts I mean."
"I've done some", Terry replied, "Mostly defense training so I can protect Mr. Wayne if the situation calls for it."
"Mr. Wayne must pay pretty well for you to go through all that", Megan said as Terry pulled into the parking lot of a popular teen restaurant.
Terry awoke with a start as his phone started ringing. He sighed as he looked at the caller id and saw Wayne Manor on the screen.
"No rest for the weary", Terry said as he flipped his phone open.
"Yes Mr. Wayne", Terry said sleepily.
"I need you", came the reply, "Suit's not necessary tonight."
"On my way", Terry said with a yawn. He grabbed his backpack just in case and left to help Bruce Wayne with whatever he needed.
As he drove through the streets of Gotham he saw Megan entering a gym and made a mental to swing by later on and see what she could do at some point, but for now his job was top priority.
After the customary drive he pulled up the the gate of Wayne Manor which opened obediently after it's scan picked up the entry chip stored in the bumper. Terry parked the car behind his employers and entered the house. Knowing exactly where he would be, he opened the secret panel behind the grandfather clock and descended into the Batcave. Bruce of course was sitting in front of his computer waiting.
"You're late", he said in his normal gruff tone.
"Cut me some slack", Terry responded, "I was trying to get a little sleep in."
"I see", Bruce said, "Maybe some time off is needed."
"Bruce, I've been doing this for a while and I'm fine", Terry responded.
"Up until recently you've done an exemplary job, but as of late you've been distracted. I have one last job for you, and then you're off duty until after your mothers wedding."
"I can't just step back while the city tears itself apart", Terry countered.
"Don't be foolish", Bruce said harshly, "You'll still be on call for emergencies, but even in my day a few days off here and there helped in the long run."
"So what's the job?" Terry asked.
Bruce handed him a vial, "It's a sample of the venom", he said, Take this to Barbara in the morning."
"Whoa", Terry said, "Last time I held on to drugs overnight I got busted, remember?"
Bruce grunted as he turned the vial around and Terry saw a phony prescription label, "If anyone says anything, it's a prescription that I have you pick up for me. I will corroborate the story."
"Fine", Terry said as he put the vial in his coat pocket, "As long as I don't get grounded again."
"I did say I would corroborate, did I not?" Bruce asked.
"Fine", Terry said as he put the vial in his bag, "I'll make sure she gets it."
Terry drove back by the gym and saw Megan working with a kicking bag through the large window. Deciding to see what she was made of he pulled into the parking lot and stepped inside.
"Might hit harder if you turned your foot a little more", Terry said from behind her causing Megan to jump.
"Jesus you scared me", she said as she realized who had spoken to her.
"Sorry", Terry said.
"No worries", Megan replied, "And as far as your theory goes... You try it."
Terry lines up and the bag and let loose a seemingly perfect roundhouse kick before landing on his back from Megan pushing him.
"While turning your foot does give you more power, it also takes you off balance", She said smugly.
"Point taken", he said as he picked himself up off the ground.
"Come to the ring with me", she said, "I'll give you some pointers."
A couple of Jokerz made their way into an abandoned warehouse by the harbor. Still nursing bruises from the encounter with the bat one moved a bit sluggishly as he held his ribs. They entered the office to find their employer working at a table combining chemicals.
"How did the drop go?" he asked without turning to look at them.
"Batman showed up", the smaller of the two said.
"And?" came the reply.
"He took the product", The larger one added.
The man turned to look at them, his red and black swirled suit showing from the moonlight entering the skylight. "That is unfortunate", he said, "Once he knows what's in it he'll be investigating."
"Want us to try and get it back?" the smaller Joker asked nervously.
"Not necessary", he replied as he thrust out his hand, captivating the Jokerz with the hypnotic eye in his palm, "Your services are no longer needed."
The Jokerz fell to the ground with an empty look in their eyes, "Pity", he said, "Looks like I will need a new employee." He went over to a monitor and started flipping through cameras he had setup throughout the city, "One that the Batman will have no reason to suspect."
Terry walked into Barbara Gordon's Office around 9am to find the commissioner sitting quietly behind her desk looking at the contents of a folder.
"Morning Commish", Terry said cheerfully as he walked in and sat in a chair.
"What do you want McGinnis?" She asked in an unenthusiastic voice.
"Busted a drug deal the other night", he answered, "The old man thought you might want to have a look at what we found." Terry pulled out the vial and removed the fake prescription sticker.
Barbara took the vial and walked over to look out the window, "I'll have the boys in that lab have a look. McGinnis, what are you doing?"
Terry was going through the folder that she had left open on her desk, "That's a police file", Barbara said harshly.
"I know those two", Terry said as he looked at the photo of two jokerz laying in an alley with spaced out eyes and drooling all over themselves, "They were part of the drug deal I broke up. The one that sample came from."
"Go home Mcginnis", Barbara said curtly, "We'll handle this."
"I thought we, you know buried the hatchet", Terry said defensively, "Maybe I can help."
"I don't need you interfering in a police investigation", she replied sternly, "If I need your help I'll ask for it, otherwise butt out."
"You have my number if you need me", Terry said as he left the commissioner to her thoughts.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I'll post updates as often as I can. Please read and review.
