Welcome back! Sorry for the delay, guys! Been busy with things. But... things are going okay, right now.

And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! They mean so much to me!

Now, I know you guys are anxious! So, no intro today! Get to reading! IT'S TIME FOR CHAPTER 4!

Chapter 4: Path of Revelations

"You're gonna what?!" Max pulled Terry inside her apartment, thankful her sister nor her mother were home because she was about to yell at McGinnis. All of the possible recourses to deal with Dana, this was the absolute last thing to do. This was a terrible idea. She had to talk some sense into him. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"Maybe," Terry admitted.

She couldn't believe he was trying to joke right now. "Not funny, McGinnis!"

He wasn't joking. "I'm not trying to be…" he said, somberly.

He was taking this seriously. Very seriously. That was a good start, at least. She sighed. "Fine. Just tell me why."

He stared at her, choosing the words he needed to convey what he was feeling. The problem was none were coming out of his mind clearly and it sounded even worse in his speech. "I'm tired of this. I mean… she's just… and if she knew… maybe… but…" He had to stop talking, dragging his palm over his face. He thought about this, he thought. Why was it so hard to explain it to Max without sounding like a babbling idiot?

Max looked at him, puzzled. He was all over the place, not making any sense. He couldn't even get his thoughts together and out his mouth clearly. This wasn't Terry. Not the Terry Max had gotten to know. Despite what he may believe about himself or whatever he may have been in the past, Max knew that when Terry had his mind focused on something, he thought it through.

He clearly hadn't thought this all the way through.

If he had… he wouldn't be sounding like this.

The same train of thought occurred to Terry as well. He eventually sighed. He was stumbling too much and not making any sense, not even to himself. He shoved his hands in his pockets. "So much going on…"

"And you think this is the way to deal with it?" she asked.

He groaned, "Max…"

"No, Terry! Listen! Dana's mad at you! And I mean… way mad!" She winced at her own observation. "And, okay, yeah, it sucks. But… telling her… this?"

"You said I should, once."

"Yeah! When guys were having a rough patch here and there! Not when she was looking at you like she wanted to choke you to death! Not now! I mean, come on! What would telling her now really… seriously do?!"

"It's the only way she'll listen."

She wanted to slap him. In fact, she had to keep herself from doing so. "And is that all you want?! For her to listen?! What's that really gonna do? It won't change anything! You're still gonna be Batman! You're still gonna put it all on the line for this city! Her knowing that won't change anything!"

Terry paused. He scratched the back of his head. Once more and again, Max was right. He might as well have that tattooed on his arm for moments like this. But she was. He didn't know this would work. He wasn't sure if this would even solve everything. He wasn't sure she would listen or if it would make things between him and Dana any better.

He wasn't even entirely sure he wanted to do this.

And she could easily see that. "You're not even sure if this is what you want to do."

He wasn't.

There was a problem.

He threw his head back and exhaled, closing his eyes.

He did know Dana might not react well to the fact he was the Dark Knight, even if it would explain his absence in his life. It seemed reasonable that it might make her freak out even more. She might even want to permanently end things because of it. He didn't have a safe or easy job. This wasn't the kind of life that most people would understand. Outside of other heroes, only a select few ever got it.

But, at that moment, one thought did randomly enter his mind. One he hadn't considered until this very instant.

He looked at Max, "It worked for us after you found out…"

"It…" Max stopped. For a long time, she was silent. That was a comeback she didn't expect… nor was it one she was prepared for. Because Terry had a point: there was no way they would have ever been this close if she hadn't found out about his superhero life. She managed to get her vocabulary back, "That… th-that's not the same."

"Why?"

"I mean… it just isn't…"

"Why?"

His question was simple. The answer… was far more complicated than Max thought it was. She thought it was going to be a simple answer but when she opened her mouth to speak… no words came out. And some words she thought of… were words that she thought were ridiculous… but the longer she thought it over… the more they seemed to make sense.

"Why?" he asked again. This time… he was trying to figure out an answer. And it was more complex than he thought.

They both paused. No answer was coming to Terry's question. At least… not one that either could actually admit to. For ever since she found about his secret, Terry and Max grew closer and closer every time they talked about his insane nights or had to study late due to them. While Max could not help but feel special that she was the only one Terry shared it with, she was far more worried about the ramifications would be from him telling Dana his secret.

But now she was worried about if Dana knew he was Batman, he would stop trusting her as much. He'd stop relying on her as much.

…He'd stop coming around as much…

And that was really bothering her. She enjoyed his company, getting to talk to him, hearing about his adventures. She loved hearing about it, even. It meant the world to her. With her family gone 95% of the time, any time Terry was around… the fact that he was in her life, period, made the loneliness Max felt go away and stay away.

If that was lost… what would she have? Would she even have him as a best friend anymore? Would they even be friends?

Max finally spoke up, "Terry… I'm begging you not to do this. It's a mistake."

He looked at her. "Maybe… but… I gotta at least try…"

"This won't change anything." She rubbed her arm, "Nothing will change and you know that."

"No… I don't… and I have to try…"

He turned to leave when Max instinctively grabbed hold his arm. "Don't…" she breathed before she could stop herself.

It surprised her. It surprised Terry. Max looked at her hand, wondering how it even got on Terry's arm in the first place. Terry looked at her hand, as well. They looked at each other and their eyes locked, some part buried deep in both of them silently begging for one or the other to say something.

When neither of them did, Max let her hand fall and Terry went on, bound for Dana's.

After he was out of the door, Max just leaned against it, worrying about him… worrying about his state of mind… worrying what the outcome of his decision would be… and wondering if things between them were indeed changing… or had it always been different.

Terry went to the home of his current ex-girlfriend Dana Tan. As he stood in front of her door, his mind was racing; he had no idea if he was about to do the right thing.

Then again… what he went through with his best friend… made him wonder if he was standing on the right doorstep.

A part of him was thinking all the way over to Dana's that telling her the truth would come with more consequences than previously realized: while letting Dana in on his secret would more than likely fix them, it would put a strain on his friendship with Max. He relied on the pink haired teen a lot, far more than he realized at times, and, if Dana knew the truth, that would definitely take Max out of his life significantly.

But did she deserve that? Did Max deserve to be put on the back burner now after everything she'd helped him through? It was because of her, and only because of her, that his relationship with Dana didn't crash and burn a long time ago.

And was that relationship worth sacrificing to repair things with Dana? The raven haired girl means so much to Terry… but as much as he didn't think Max deserved to have a reduced role in his life… he didn't want her to have a reduced role in his life.

She is way too good a friend for that.

So the question came to him again… was he doing the right thing?

It was all too much jumbling around in his head at once and it was starting to drive him crazy.

He decided to stick with his initial decision. And let the chips fall where they may.

He sighed and knocked on the door. He waited a few minutes, putting his hands in his pockets. He was going to knock again when the door opened. When he saw it was Dana answering, it didn't make him any happier… particularly because she didn't look happy. Not that he expected her to.

She groaned. "What do you want?"

"To talk," he answered. "Please."

She stared at him for a few seconds. She thought about going back inside but changed her mind, against her better judgment. She rolled her eyes and sighed in disgust. She walked outside and folded her arms. "What?"

Terry exhaled and decided to go for it. "I know you're mad… and I know you're going to be that way for a long time… but there are things I need to say… I probably should've said a long time ago."

She sucked her teeth and shook her head. "So, why say them now?"

Interesting question. "Because… you deserve to know…"

She paused and stared at him for a few seconds in absolute silence.

Terry couldn't read her face so he wasn't sure if he should even go on until he found out what she was thinking.

Then… the most expected thing happened, the very last thing he expected her to do…

She laughed.

She actually laughed.

He was so confused.

"It's funny," the black haired girl said, after slowing her laughter. Her anger shined through again. "Suddenly, I deserve to know? All of a sudden, huh?"

"Dana…"

"You always think that'll do, huh? What's so different now? What's changed between now and week ago? Than two months ago? Than a year ago?"

He couldn't believe it. Even him trying to explain his life was going horribly. He stumbled to find an answer. "I-I just want to…"

"You just want to! You just want to! Funny how things are wrong, you do what you always do: you do what you want to! Not what's good for us! For me! No! It's what you want to!"

He stopped. He didn't how to respond to any of that.

"You always do this! You wait until the 11th hour to try and fix everything! It doesn't work that way, McGinnis! You can't keep doing this over and over and expect me to keep waiting for you!"

"Dana, if you just…"

"No!"

"Just give me a chance…"

She put her hands up, "No! Okay?! NO! I'm not giving you a chance! I've given you a chance and another and another and another and I'm not doing it anymore! Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it! I don't even care! Why don't you go tell it to your actual girlfriend! MAX!"

That implication came out of left field. At least, to Terry. Sort of. "What are you even talking about?"

"She knows all about your life! I know next to nothing! She gets to know and not me!"

"And I'm trying to…"

"Too little! Too late! I'm through with you, McGinnis. And this time? FOR GOOD!" She went back inside and slammed the door.

In more ways than one.

Terry stood there for about thirty seconds, taking in all that just happened. He closed his eyes and exhaled.

It was done.

It was over.

She just said so.

And nothing he could say… or evidently do… was going to fix it.

And he had to accept that.

He had no choice.

He couldn't force her to listen and was never going to make her do anything.

All he could do… was let it go.

He couldn't help but wonder if this is what Bruce went through in his life. And how in the heck that old man didn't go crazy… er than he already was.

With nothing else to do, he went on home.

He had already had a very long day… and it wasn't even 11 AM yet. He needed some sleep.

The night was coming and Tai Ji was still lurking in the shadows of Gotham.

Later, Max was sitting at home, going over homework and getting everything ready for when she met with the Harvey Industry execs tomorrow. She found it hard to focus, what with Terry going through her mind over and over again.

She was so nervous about what was going to happen to him. And between him and Dana… and between him and her.

There was a knock at the door.

Immediately, Max jumped up, very anxious, hoping it was Terry. Hoping he changed his mind and not go through with his suicidal plan. She ran for the door and threw it open. "Ter…"

She stopped when she saw Dana standing there with her arms folded.

"Expecting someone else?" she asked.

'Oh, slag…' Max thought. Outwardly, she had no answer. Dana's words were charged with anger, if not overt. It was like a power transformer; you didn't need to see lightning crackle to know there was a massive amount of power surging through.

Dana walked in. Max let her. She had no idea if she was supposed to stop her or if she even could. The black haired girl never seemed so upset before.

"I need to say something to you," Dana said.

Max closed the door, slowly, but left it partially open. She was afraid she might have to make break for it if Ms. Tan flipped out. Besides, she had something to get off her chest, as well. And that might not go well, either.

"Okay…" the pink haired said, uneasily. She gathered her courage up. "I actually wanna talk to you, too."

Dana raised an eyebrow. "And what about?"

Max folded her arms under her chest. She sighed and decided not to let her anger come up. That was just going to make things worse. "Why do you think Terry has gone back to his old life?"

She sighed in disgust. "He didn't waste any time telling you."

"I'm just asking…"

"Look," she stopped her. "I don't actually think that."

"You said it."

Dana's anger was rising even higher. Max's audacity was really working her nerves. "Oh! And you have NEVER been wrong about Terry, right?"

Max rolled her eyes. Before becoming friends with Terry, she was as wary of McGinnis as everyone else until she could see him turning his life around. Of course, what Dana didn't know was it was the incident of mistaken identity which led Max to learning Terry's true secret all along. Max's cover for her and Terry getting closer was, after getting to know what Terry was really about, she found him to just be a great guy.

Whenever Max thought about it… it was actually the absolute truth. Batman or not.

"Yes… I have…" Max admitted. "And I'm sorry I ever was. Because he's not that way."

"You didn't know him like I do… when he was."

"I get that… but you've got to see he's changed."

The black haired girl scoffed. "How would I see that? WHEN would I see that?!"

"Dana…" Max exhaled.

"Look," Dana held her hand up, then lowered it. "I didn't come here for this. I came here to tell you it's over. Me and Terry are done… for good."

Oh, that wasn't a good sign. "Say what?"

"I broke up with him. For good. We're done. So… you don't have to worry about sharing Terry with me anymore. He's all yours."

This wasn't good. This isn't what Max wanted. Not at all. "Dana, it's not like that."

Dana cocked her head to the side. "Max, gimme a break, will ya?"

"Huh?"

"You can't tell me it's not like that when ALL of the signs are there!"

"Signs?" Max was really perplexed.

Dana got angrier. "I gotta spell it out for you? Fine! Let's go down the list!"

The dark skinned teen was really worried now. Close to petrified. She was thankful she left the door cracked. She was now hoping Terry was there… in full costume in case Dana decided to try and kill her.

"You see him more than I do! You talk to him more than I do! You are just around him more than I think I ever have been! Especially lately! I mean… you even ARGUE with him more than I do!"

It was nearly impossible to deny any of that but Max had to try, "Oh, come on, Dana…"

Dana quickly cut her off. "You probably kiss him more than I do."

Max's cheeks burned immediately. A few seconds passed before she could ever respond. "We have NEVER done that!"

"And you're telling me you've never wanted to? Never even thought about it?"

"He's my best friend!"

"That's not a 'no'."

Max opened her mouth to speak but no words were coming out.

The fair skinned teen sighed and shook her head. She found a small piece of calm from somewhere. She looked the pink haired girl in the eyes. "Face it, Max: I'm not Terry's girlfriend. I haven't been in months. You are. You two just don't know it… or do you?"

"There's nothing to know!" Max said, desperately.

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Dana!"

"Max…" She put her hands up. She just wanted this to end. "…just…" She took a few breaths. "…do… whatever you want. Like I said, I'm done with Terry, so, we don't have to share him. He's all yours." Dana walked out of the door.

Max just sat down on her couch. Was Dana serious just now? It was insane… her and Terry. They're best friends. Not boyfriend and girlfriend. They never could be. It was just crazy.

…right?

That night, Terry was in the Batmobile, patrolling the city. Before going out as Gotham's guardian, he spent the rest of the afternoon asleep in his room. He thought that would take his mind off of everything before going out that night but it didn't work. His argument with Dana… or her completely shutting him down and out… was still on his mind. But there was something else has his attention now.

Max.

And, as much as he wanted to worry about what was happening with him and Dana, Max kept coming into his mind over and over again.

Dana couldn't have been serious, right? Max, his actual girlfriend. That didn't make any sense.

…Was the story he kept telling himself over and over, eventually hoping it would be true.

Problem was, logically, yeah, he could see that.

"Terry," the first Batman's voice came over the comlink.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"Tai Ji just made another move."

"Where?"

"A few hours ago, he kidnapped Henry Young, a retired corporate lawyer. The police just found his car abandoned near Crime Alley. They found a black tiger and a message."

"What'd the message say?"

"'Beacons of hope never die.'"

Terry narrowed his eyes in confusion. He hated it when criminals did things like that. Just say what you want, for crying out loud. "What does that even mean?"

"It's an old slogan used for the old Gotham Life building. It's a promo they used when it was first opened. That's where he is."

"On my way."

"Terry… only a few people would even remember that slogan. Me and Barbara are on that list. He left it obscure on purpose. He left it for you. He's challenging you."

That made sense. After all of Tai Ji's ranting about justice, it made sense that he'd want a one-on-one confrontation. "Fine. Maybe I can take him down and save anybody else from dying."

"I just sent you the address. Good luck."

"Thanks." Terry cut the comlink and sped toward the Gotham Life building.

Wow. Dana's mad. Max and Terry are confused. And Tai Ji has a challenge set. Yeah, this is happening.

Also, I know some of you are worried about the love triangle and how it's going, just bear with me people. It may not end how some of you want it to but, I promise, I'll make it worthwhile. After all, when things like this happen in relationships, are they ever simple? Stick with me, people. I got you.

And... Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the fight you've been waiting for... is about to arrive.

Next Path: Path of Justice

Batman VS. Tai Ji...

Need I say more?

You can't miss this!