Chapter 11
Two weeks had passed since the capture in the office.
At the moment, Matt was amused, since Terry had become a frequent customer of the Pour House ever since he and Neil had brought him there. Mr. S had commented quite a few times that Terry didn't have a usual order. Apparently, his brother had decided he would try everything on the menu at least once.
The red tape and paperwork for the merge with Foxtech would take some time, but the beginning of the work was being done. Matt looked at the various things on his desk and shook his head. Terry hated paperwork. Matt could remember his older brother's loud complaints about homework, and even now the few things of paperwork he was expected to do to cover up his job at Wayne Enterprises made him have complaints and rants that made Matt laugh and Bruce whap Terry on the back of the head.
He had seen a lot more of Tim and Barbara too, plus heard more from Dick, which made Matt a bit glad. Bruce wasn't getting any younger. Those old wounds were quite deep ones, but the fact that they were trying made Matt have hope for the future.
He looked at the clock. It was a few minutes before his next appointment. He waved his hand, sending the holograms of all of the work he had been doing away. The other person in the office moved then, startling the soon-to-be CEO of Wayne Enterprises. "Ah!"
"Sorry," Superman said, giving Matt an apologetic smile. "I came a bit early and saw you working, so I thought it would be better to let you finish."
"It's okay," Matt said, calming his racing heart. "I'm sorry, you must think I'm rude-"
"I should have spoken up," Superman said easily, smiling. "Don't apologize."
Matt gave a weak grin and said, "Well... would you like anything to drink? The coffee's freshly brewed, and I was going to get some for myself."
"Well, I'll just follow your lead." Superman flashed a grin that reminded Matt of every picture of a Boy Scout he had seen as he sat in a chair. Matt put in the order for the two of them, and it soon arrived. He thanked the secretary and served both himself and the famous hero in his office.
"Thank you," Superman said, sipping the coffee. "Very tasty and well made."
"Thanks," Matt said, a bit embarrassed. "You're probably wondering why I called you."
"I didn't even know you knew my phone number," Superman admitted. "But I am curious about why you wanted a professional meeting. Especially when you specified that it would just be us two."
"Well, our company has had a known philanthropist as the CEO for a long time," Matt explained quietly. "Bruce really helped out the charitable and non-profit organizations a lot more than people knew. But I looked through the records and everything myself. Even though some things were private donations, he never really donated to the rest of you, the other heroes."
"He always said his city came first. And Gotham really isn't the best of places," Superman admitted with a sigh.
"I know that better than anyone," Matt said, sipping his coffee. "But your group, the Justice League, is about the world at large. I'm a Gothamite, I don't always trust cops, but heroes? I know personally you guys always try your best despite your flaws and disagreements. Any time heroes show up, we know the day will be saved, even if there is collateral damage done. We know that you guys will help us."
Superman blushed; it was funny. This young man had said things that many famous mayors and presidents and other world leaders had, but for some reason, it felt different to hear those words coming from Matthew McGinnis.
"So I thought it would be best that our company begins to give back to those that have always given to others and never asked anything in return. I'd like to let you know that if you need financial assistance with the League, we will help you. Any technology we develop, even if it's simple, we will inform you of in case someone steals it. Basically, we'll be an open book to you, to show that we are honest."
Superman was surprised, "Well, I won't say no to that, but deals do usually have a condition. I know we've always helped, but for some reason I think you might want something else for this."
"Am I that obvious?" Matt blushed a bit and then said quietly, "I admire all of you. I always have. But... heroes are so distant. I will fund the League the best I can, but I'd like you guys to help a bit. There are so many in this country, not to mention the world, in need for basic things like shelter and food and water. Maybe your powers can help them make better houses, help with developments... I mean, it's because of you people are alive, but..." Matt trailed off. Superman was looking at him intently, as if studying him. Matt looked at the desk, feeling like a fool.
Who did he think he was? Asking one of the most powerful people in the universe to build houses and other things. He really was a fool...
"I think it's brilliant," Superman said quietly, startling Matt and making him look at the hero. "All of this time we've been fighting for humanity for our own personal reasons... but now instead of just doing that, we can help people in real ways and give ourselves another real reason to fight." Superman wasn't smiling or kidding in any way, shape or form. He looked serious and that convinced Matt more than anything that the hero wasn't trying to make him feel better. "I'll tell the rest of the League, but I can guarantee that this will pass our end with flying colors." Superman stood, his coffee finished. "In fact, I'll tell them now. I'll be back to finalize everything tomorrow, if that's okay?"
"That fast?" Matt was surprised.
"Of course. It's a good idea. I think it's best we implement it as fast as we can," Superman said, serious. When Matt nodded, the hero flew off, top speed, some things in Matt's offices falling due to the after-effect.
The young man picked them up and almost jumped at the voice that said, "Well done." He turned-Bruce was there.
"How long have you been here?" Matt asked, eyes wide in surprise.
"For a while," Bruce said simply. "A deal with the Justice League?"
"I was going to tell you, but I wanted to get their okay first-" Matt began, worried that Bruce was going to take offense.
"I have said you'll be taking over," Bruce said it simply. "What kind of leader are you going to be if you need to check in with me for everything?"
"Nobody could ever replace you," Matt said softly, knowing it was impossible for him to fill Bruce Wayne's shoes. Terry was better than him-everyone had accepted him as the Dark Knight, as the Batman. He was just going to be some kid, always compared to Bruce Wayne. He knew this, but for his brother, he would take the comparisons and scoffs.
Bruce just whapped Matt with his cane, making the younger man wince, and looked over the various things himself, nodding. Later that day, Matt left and went to the Pour House, where Neil was waiting.
"You look down," Neil said simply, giving his friend a look of concern. "Still worrying about them?"
Matt thought about it. He knew Neil meant the Carroll Gang. After a few seconds he said, "Well, I guess they'll always be a worry, but right now... I'm just worrying about the future."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not Bruce Wayne," Matt said with a sad sigh. "I'm not as smart or anything. Taking over his company... I'm always going to be in his shadow. And my brother... he's married and everything. I mean, it sounds stupid, but I think I'll always feel inadequate.
"They are big footsteps to follow," Neil said softly, causing Matt to nod in agreement. "But you're right. You're not Bruce Wayne or Terrance McGinnis. You're Matt McGinnis. And personally, that's more than enough for me. You're my friend, not Wayne or anyone else. Besides, I didn't see anyone else think of a way to catch those creeps. You don't need to be them, you've got enough crap being you."
Matt's lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. Neil was right. "I guess that being plain old Matt McGinnis will have to be enough, won't it?"
"Exactly." Neil smiled and looked over at the counter, "Hey, Mr. S, can we get something to eat?"
"Yeah, yeah, impatient brat," Mr. S said good-naturedly, making Neil and Matt grin. "Hold your horses." A few moments later, Mr. S laid the stuff down on the table and sat with the boys, "Your brother should be here soon, and someone else called too. Said his name was Lucius?"
"Yeah, Lucius Fox, he's a friend," Matt said.
"He's a schway dude," Neil agreed.
"Well, they're coming here. Keep this up and I might have to expand my business," Mr. S said with a grin. The others arrived, and then Tim and still more people arrived as well, and soon, Matt was at a table, mixing up conversations about friends, family and business and Mr. S was running around serving and contributing to the conversations and laughter.
Matt's thoughts moved away from the conversations for a brief moment.
It was true. He wasn't Bruce. He wasn't Terry.
He wasn't really anyone different, yet somehow he had found his own niche, had found people that respected and liked him for who he was, odd history, issues and all.
And right now, and he was sure in the future, that would be all that mattered. Though a few other thoughts nagged at him, though he knew he couldn't do much about them. He had to trust others for this, despite not liking it much.
And those thoughts were: Who exactly was in charge of the Carroll Gang? And where are the ones that weren't caught two weeks ago?
Worrying would do nothing. He would let the police and the heroes do their duty, and he would do his best to give them a people worth fighting for.
He was a businessman, a brother, a friend and associate... he was a plain, ordinary human.
He was just Matt McGinnis. And that was enough.
