Cycles

acethebatdog2039

Batman Beyond Alternate Universe

Chapter Two

Summary: In an alternate universe Terry McGinnis' parents are murdered leaving their son to live on the streets of Gotham City. Seven years later the teenager is found by none other than Bruce Wayne.


Bruce spent most of the next day on the phone, calls to his lawyer's office, Barbara, and even Tim. Tim was on his way with extra clothes that his oldest boy had grown out of. The kid needed someone else on his side. The dog that finally had a name was sleeping under Bruce's desk. Bruce hung up the phone after another long boring conversation with one of his lawyers. He looked down at the dog. "Guess you two are a group package, huh?" The dog's brown eyes opened his tail wagging a bit. "That's what I thought. It's a good thing I'm a dog person." Ace stood up laying his head on Bruce's lap.

Ace's head turned at the sound of the front door opening and shutting. Tim walked into the office with a bag on his shoulder. "Hey old man," he dropped the bag next to one of the chairs before sitting down. Ace came from under the desk heading over to Tim. "When did you get a dog?" There were wet marks on the tops of Tim's shoes from the dog's nose. "He's Terry's." Ace licked Tim's hand. "Well hello there, buddy. I brought some of Andy's old clothes for Terry. They may be a little big on him, but you said he's underweight, so he'll grow into them." Ace's head on Tim's knee whining softly wanting to be petted.

"Bruce," The two men turned to office doors. Terry stopped in the doorway spotting Tim. "…Oh. Sorry. I'll… I'll go." Terry turned to leave but called back by Bruce. "Terry, this Tim Drake." Tim stood up offering a hand to the teenager. "One of Bruce's adopted sons." Tim smiled shaking the teen's hand. "Got something for you kid," Tim reached down grabbing the bag. "Some of my son's old clothes, they'll be a little big on you, Andy's stuff is in better shape than Grayson's. Don't have to worry about washing anything. Jenny washed everything for you. When you feel up to it the boys want to meet you, give you some friends who are close to your age. Andy's a little older than you; don't think you want to hang out with a thirteen year old."


Terry took the bag up to the room that Tim gave him. Terry sat on the bed sorting the clothes that were given to him. New packages of socks and boxers were washed and folded neatly. He found a few shirts that he liked, like Tim said everything would be huge on him for awhile. There were some nice collared shirts he would save for the court date that Bruce said would be coming soon. Trying on a pair of jeans with a black tee Terry looked for a belt to keep his pants on his hips. He found the belt that Bruce gave him the other day. Looking in the bottom of the bag Terry smiled at the coat he found. A nice soft brown coat, it had a soft lining on the inside. Yes, he would have to thank the Drakes for this. Leaving the coat on the bed Terry headed downstairs.

Ace sniffed the hem of Terry's new pants when he came back into the office. "There he is." Tim smiled at the teenager. "Bruce, do you mind if I steal this young man for a bit," Tim asked standing up fixing his jacket. "Ask him, not me." There were crinkles around the old man's eyes he looked like he was trying to fight back the urge to smile.


With the brown coat on Terry looked a little uneasy sitting in the car with Tim. "I know you just met me, kid, but I've been where you are. Living on the streets and barely making it. That old man will take great care of you. He did for Dick and I. I know he seems kind of grumpy and everything…"

"Grumpy?" Terry shrugged "He hasn't been like that with me. I don't know." Terry looked out the window before looking back at Tim. "Why were you on the streets?"

"My mother was killed in a car accident when I was a kid. Dad didn't handle it very well after that. He started running around with some of the local gangs. One day he went missing, I think I was ten when he went missing. After that I was on the streets till Batman found me." Terry made a face. "You've heard of Batman right, kid?" Terry nodded. He's heard rumors like most people. Heard the old timers talk about Gotham's guardian angel. "What happened after that?"

Tim turned the car onto the highway. "Bruce found me somehow." They were heading out towards downtown. "Bruce adopted after that. Growing up in that house isn't bad. When Alfred was still alive Bruce wasn't so gruff. You'll be good for him." Tim smiled as he took the exit he wanted. "It's going to be alright, little brother."


Terry and Tim spent a good part of the day together. When Tim came to drop Terry off later that night Barbara was at the manor. "Well Bruce, you didn't have to call the cops. I would have brought him home if you wanted." Tim teased, Terry didn't understand the joke. Barbara and Bruce both gave him a glare.

"I came to talk to Terry." Barbara had a folder in her hands. "If you want, dear, Bruce can stay with us." Tim took off his coat putting it on the back of the chair as Terry thought about it. "Can they both stay?" Barbara nodded. She asked Terry to sit in one of the chairs in front of Bruce's desk; she dropped the file opening the folder picking up a picture of a little boy. "Terry do you know who this is," she asked. In the photo the little boy had a two missing front teeth. Terry nodded.

"That's me," he said softly. It was his last school photo before his parents had been killed. His third grade photo. Terry couldn't believe that was seven years ago. Barbara pulled out another one. He took the photo from her. There they were, he hadn't seen his parents' faces in seven years. He could still hear his mother's laugh and see his father's smile. "Can I keep it?" His voice was soft. She nodded unable to answer.


Terry took the photo that she gave him sticking it in the corner of the minor in his room. He put his clothes away in the dresser that he was sure was older than Bruce. Ace yawned laying on the floor. The pillow that was from Terry's bed was covered in black dog fur. Tomorrow was court. He was nervous. He picked out one of Andy's old dress shirts to go with the suit borrowed from Mister Wayne - well the suit was someone else's with the initials DG in the collar. He sat in the middle of the huge bed when there was a knock at the door.

The person paused - it had to be Bruce - Barbara and Tim left a few hours ago - before the door opened. "All set, kid?" Bruce asked gently. Terry went to nod in agreement before he stopped. "Nervous?" Bruce sat on the edge of the bed. Terry nodded to that. "It's going to be okay, kid. You, we have nothing to worry about." With his top team of lawyers and character witness that was going to be given by Tim, Bruce was confident. "But what if they make me leave? I don't want to go. I don't want to go back out there or into a group home. They'll just age me out and then nothing. At least here I stand a chance."

"What do you mean, Terry?" The teenager wouldn't look up. "I can be somebody here. You, Barbara, Tim, and the doctor lady all care about me. No one cared about me out there. No one gave me the time of day." The boy wiped at his eyes.

"I'm going to fight like hell to keep you, Terry. I want you to know that. Alright?" Bruce gently patted the boy's knee. "You are someone, Terry. No matter what happens after tomorrow, it doesn't change that. Good luck to them if they want to take you away from me." Bruce stood up from the bed patting the boy on the back. "Get some sleep Terry." The boy nodded. "And I mean on the bed tonight."


A/N: Thanks to the lovely Cookie. Thank God for her seeing as my grammar at five in the morning sucks.