A/N: Sorry this took so long! Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Basem was out running across the city roof tops, getting an early jump on the night's vigilance. He sprinted across one roof, jumping over or sliding under any obstacle in his path. He just made a landing on another rooftop when his cell phone signaled to his mask. He answered, pressing his fingers to his ear.

"Basem," he answered.

"Hey, B," Sally replied.

"Hey, Sally! What's going on?"

"Why do you sound out of breath?"

"Taking a run before work."

"Oh, okay. I won't distract you too long."

"But you're such a pleasant distraction."

"Flatterer."

"I'm French, Sal. It's what we do."

She laughed. "Well, I just wanted to let you know we'll be pulling double time for a while."

"What makes you say that?"

"Big Daddy Joe swung into town."

Basem chuckled. "Yeah. Terry told me he was coming in. Things not go so well?"

"He all but demanded he see Terry as soon as we left the airport and I dunno what he said to Max and Mel after we dropped him off but they seemed really down afterward. Not that they were all that great to begin with."

Basem rubbed his head. "Oh, great…"

"They're gonna need their cavalry."

"I'll saddle up the horses."

Sally giggled. "Hey, and, in case I never say it, thanks."

"What for?"

"Talking to me and never making fun of me for my lame jokes."

"Lame? Poppycock! Your jokes are hilarious!"

She laughed. "Really?! 'Poppycock', Frenchie?!"

"Hey! Some of my best friends are British! And I love Doctor Who."

She laughed again, "Oh, God."

"As for that other thing… you don't have to thank me. My parents sent me to Gotham to learn how to be a better person. I'm just doing the best I can."

"You see? I can't believe that story."

"Why's that?"

"Because of who you are. You're already one of the best people I know."

He smiled, taking the compliment to heart. "Guess that means they were right."

"Or wrong."

"I don't know. It helps when you have people who make you want to be a better person."

"Flattering again."

"Sorry. Huh. I guess it really does slip out. I'll make an effort to tone it down."

"Oh. No. You don't have to do that. I… kind of enjoy it."

"Good to know."

After getting home from work, Eddy walked in to his and Mel's house and saw his wife sitting at the dining room table with her fingers interlocked and staring off into space. He figured how the day went from there.

He pulled another chair closer, sat down, and stared at her.

She looked over at him and gazed into his eyes.

"You can do this," Eddy declared.

She smiled and leaned on him, he wrapped his arms around her.

"I still wanna strangle him," she said.

"Yeah, I saw your text. Deleted it so it can't be used in the trail."

She scoffed. "I swear to God, babe, he better not ruin this for Max."

"Mel…"

"I'm serious. If he runs off Terry, I will beat the living hell out of him."

"First, Terry's tougher than most men. There's no way Joe's running him anywhere."

"And second?"

"Terry will take care of Max and himself. I'm worried about you. How are you doing?"

She exhaled and rolled her eyes. "I'm freakin' pissed. He called us his 'little girls'."

"Uh-oh."

"Max pulled me out of there before I went off."

He scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. Yeah, I can get why that angered you."

"We're not his little girls!" Mel released her hug and stood up, starting to pace. "He goes eight years without seeing us! We barely saw his sorry ass before then! He uses the divorce as an excuse to barely contact us because things were just 'so hard' with Mom!"

"He said that to you?" Eddy asked.

"Yeah! It was one of his bullshit excuses he used a long time ago!"

"Wow."

"He ignores us, treats us like stepchildren! But he just shows back up! He wasn't even at our wedding! He misses my baby sister's graduation! Then, wants to confront her fiancé like he's father-of-the-damn-year?!" She let out a roar. "He's so full of it!" She let out a few heaves.

Eddy stared at her. "C'mere." He patted the chair.

She walked back over and sat down.

He placed his hand on her cheek, causing her to look in his eyes. "He's going to be how he's going to be. What matters to me are you and Max and that you two get through it."

"I just don't know if we can."

"You can. You will. You're stronger than this, stronger than him. It's just one more reason I married you."

She smiled at him.

"I'm here for you, Mel. Better or worse. Whatever you need to get through this, let me know. Just tell me and I'll do it. I've got you."

She leaned forward and kissed him. "I just need you."

"You've got me."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Later that night, Max was sleeping in Terry's bed when she awakened by him coming in through the window. He saw her as she woke up and could see it in her face: she had a rough day. They hadn't spoken since she brought her father by earlier as Terry left Wayne Enterprises and immediately had to hit the streets.

He took off his mask, "Hey."

She gave a small smile then moved the sheets back. "Can you lay next to me?"

"Absolutely." He got in bed and laid down.

She put her arms around him. "I'm glad I have you."

He held her close. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Not yet. Let me just… stay here."

"Whatever you want, babe."

They didn't say anything more the rest of the night. When it came to issues with family, they knew how the other would feel; words were not needed and none were spoken. They had each other. That comfort was more than enough.

The following day, Max had just come home from Wayne Enterprises. She was enjoying her new job, learning the ins and outs of their computer systems, but her mind had been elsewhere all day. The dinner with Joe and Mel was in just a few hours and she wasn't sure if she was ready. She sat down on her bed, staring her closet, as she tried to figure out how things will go. She heard her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hey, baby," Lisa said.

Max had never been so relieved to hear her mother's voice. "Hey, Mom."

"So… your father get there?"

"Uh, yeah. How'd you know?"

"He called me."

Max took a second to let that sink in. "Didn't think you two were speaking."

"He called me after he got your message about the engagement. We kept it civil."

"I'm proud of you, Mom."

"Don't be too proud. I still have my issues with him."

"All the more reason to be proud."

"Maybe." Lisa took a breath. "I'm not thrilled with him but… he should be in your life. If he's going to try, I won't stop that. I can keep my personal feelings out of it. For you and Mel. Only for you and Mel."

"Thanks, Mom. Did you talk to her?"

"Just got off the phone with her. She's not happy."

"I don't blame her."

"How are you?"

Max sighed. "Confused."

"I don't blame you."

"I just don't get him, Mom. He's acting like nothing happened. You apologized but he's just, like, trying to… I don't know, trying to…"

"Glide over it all?"

"Good analogy."

"I'm sorry, Maxine. I have some news that might make you happy."

"Lay it on me."

"I talked with my job and they've given me the chance to take a position in Gotham, permanently."

Max smiled.

"And I'm taking it. I wanna come home and be near you and Melissa. I want to keep working on all of us. I want to keep on trying to make this better, make… make me better. I don't want to miss out on anymore of your life." Lisa held her breath, hoping that she just gave her youngest daughter good news.

Max had to wipe a tear threatening to fall. "That… just made my whole day."

Lisa exhaled in relief. "I'm glad."

"Me and Mel are going to dinner with Dad, tonight."

Lisa took a deep breath. "I understand. If you need anything…"

"You're coming out here, Mom. You're coming home. That's all I need."

"You have no idea how much that meant to hear that."

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you, Maxine. I am so proud of you. You're an amazing person."

Mel and Max went to dinner with Joe at the Olive Garden, of all places. Mel made the final decision with the excuse to her father that it was pretty inexpensive but the truth was she didn't want to mess up a more expensive restaurant's atmosphere if this dinner went south.

"This is nice, isn't it?" Joe asked.

"Sure," Max replied.

Mel forced her mouth to not respond.

Max saw slow rage simmering in her sister, "Uh… so, Dad… what are you doing these days?"

"I'm sitting on the board of McDohl Construction."

"Oh. They're a pretty decent company."

"Yes. They have a couple of projects happening in town and they need an overseer."

"Sounds like a good deal."

"It is." He looked at Mel, "Mel? Baby? You're pretty quiet tonight."

Mel looked at him, "Just… don't feel much like talking."

"Oh? What…"

"S-So!" Max stuttered. "Anything else going on?"

"One moment, Max," Joe looked back at Mel. "Did I do something?"

Mel stared at her plate as though it threatened her husband.

Max froze. 'Oh, shit…'

Mel let out an exasperated chuckle. "Did you do… something?"

"Mel…"

"No. No, Max. You're not stopping this."

Max looked up toward the ceiling, "God, please…"

"Yeah, call Him now. We may need Him to show up."

"What's the problem?" Joe asked.

"What's the problem?! What the problem?! You don't get to show up like nothing has happened, Dad!" Mel looked around, realizing that no one was paying attention to them. She leaned closer and lowered her voice, "You're waltzing back in here and you're just talking! You haven't been gone two days. Not two weeks, two months. Not even two years but eight! You're sitting here, making small talk, and Max, God bless her, is trying to keep the peace! You are not walking back after an argument! You're walking back after us barely talking to you! Stop pretending everything is fine! Would it kill you to admit that, just once, you're in the wrong?!"

Joe looked down, taking a minute. "Alright, alright. You're right about that."

Mel and Max looked at each other. The admission surprised them.

"Look, girls, I know that… I'm not the best father in the world. But… I just want a chance to make things right. I want a chance to be a better father. Just a chance. That's all I'm asking for. Okay?"

Max and Mel looked at each, passing silent words between them. Though she was silent, Max was agreed with every word Mel said. They knew that nothing would be easy but him saying that alone make things seem a little better.

Max nodded, "Okay."

Mel gave a hesitant nod, "We'll see."

"That's fair," Joe replied.

The following day, Max, Sally, and Basem all met at Terry's apartment for lunch. It had been a while since just the four of them had been together and they were missing their time as a core group. That and Basem and Sally really wanted to know the details of the dinner Max and Mel had with Joe. Terry, same as Eddy, had already heard the play by play.

After hearing most of the play by play, Sally and Basem stared at Max in shock.

"Holy shit," Sally breathed out.

"Zut," Basem shook his head.

"I know, right?" Terry agreed.

"All in all, though, it wasn't a bad night," Max replied.

"That is good to hear," Basem said.

"You know who you should talk to about all this?" Terry asked.

"Who?" Max asked.

"Chelsea."

Max smiled. "Hey! That's a good idea!"

Sally folded her arms, "What? Is she your best friend or something?"

"First, you're my best friend, moron. Second, you met Chelsea and even you, who thinks every girl besides me and Mel are messy, admitted that you like her. Third, she was there for me last time Dad attempted to show back up. Four, will you shut up, Sal?!"

Sally just smiled.

Basem thought back, "Chelsea? Blonde girl, right?"

"Yep," Terry answered.

"Did I meet her once?"

"In passing."

Basem shrugged, "Well, whatever you do, Max, just remember you're not alone in this."

"Can't forget it," Max smiled. "All of you are always there."

"Get used to it," Sally smiled. She thought for a second. "Your dad said that he's working for… McDohl Construction? Right?"

"Yeah, what about it?

"Nothing. Just… hope they don't have the Soul Eater. I mean, if they're trying to gather the 108 Stars that would be awesome but you gotta be careful with that stuff. It can get messy."

While Terry and Max looked at Sally confused, Basem started laughing.

Sally looked at Basem, surprised, "You got that joke?"

"She told a joke?" Max asked.

"It's a classic game," Basem replied. "I loved it!"

"It's a game?" Terry asked.

"Classic, original Sony PlayStation. Great game, beautiful music, captivating story. Highly underrated."

Sally smiled, "I think I'm in love."

"Careful. You might have to back that up."

"Ooh-la-la."

Terry leaned over to Max and whispered, "Were we that bad?"

"I think so," she whispered back.

"No wonder everyone called us out."

"Tell me about it."

Terry shook his head and spoke up to a normal tone, "So, what happens next?"

Max sighed, "Don't even know. I know he wants to have dinner with you."

"I'm game for that."

Basem stared at him, blankly. "So, the first degree burns he gave you when you first met him weren't enough for you?"

"I'm a masochist," Terry shrugged. "What can I say?"

Max giggled. "When do you think would be a good time?"

"Maybe tomorrow night."

"Need back up?" Basem asked.

"Isn't that dangerous? You being there might make things worse."

Basem narrowed his eyes at him. "I'd use some colorful language but there are ladies present."

"Aww, Basem, you're a sweetheart," Max smiled.

"I do my best."

Terry threw a hardened stare at Basem, "Step off my woman, jackass."

"I can use that colorful language, now, if you'd like, asshole."

"Girls, girl, you're both pretty," Sally said. She smiled. "Gorgeous, even."

Basem smiled at her and sat back, "I'm good with that."

Terry rolled his eyes, "Anyway…" he looked back at Max, "I knew he'd want to meet me. Let's do it."

"Alright," Max said. "I won't let him be too bad on you."

"I'm not worried. I can take anything he can dish out."

"Why do you wish that kind of hell on yourself?" Basem asked. "Mon Dieu, that's right up there next to 'what could possibly go wrong' on list things you should NEVER say!"

"Well, it wasn't meant that way until you brought it up, dumbass!"

"You know what?! This is the last time I try to watch your back, you tête vide!"

"What'd you call me?"

Sally was holding back a laugh, "Loosely translated, a 'dumb head'."

"Sally!" Max shouted.

"What? I wanna see where this goes!"

"It's gonna end with B in the hospital!" Terry shouted.

"You wish, you spoiled brat!" Basem shouted back.

"I'm sorry! Is that the pot calling the kettle black?!"

"Finally, an idiom you can pull off! Did it hurt finding it in that empty crawl space you call a brain?!"

"Someone, check the clock! I think it's go time!"

"Gentlemen," Max smiled, "there is no need for this overflow of testosterone."

"Speak for yourself," Sally declared. "Sally's not gettin' any! She needs all the stimulation she can get!"

"Oh, God, Sally!"

"What? Just being honest."

They all laughed.

Basem sat back, "Look, in all seriousness, no matter what happens with Joe, remember how you two got into this: not because of Joe. He had nothing to do this."

"Not a thing," Sally agreed.

"And he'll have nothing to do with where it goes."

"That's what we're here for."

"Damn right." They high fived.

"Thanks, guys," Max said. "I mean it. Thank you."

A/N: Zut: damn in French. Just a little guide there.

The part where Terry and Max meet up with Sally and Basem is very similar to my own life. I have so many good friends and they crazier life gets, it's harder to see them. Sometimes, you just need to get around your friends to relax and remember who's got your back. With that in mind, the next chapter will bring in the highly underutilized character of Chelsea. I'll go into more about my adoration for her in the next chapter. For now, thank you and REVIEWS!