Note: This drabble takes place after the Batman Beyond episode Out of the Past. Otherwise known as Bruce Wayne and the Late Life Crisis Brought On By an Old Enemy Masquerading as an Ex-Girlfriend. With Singing.
Batman: (growls)
Batman (Terry): Hey, this isn't your era!
Batman: (looming) What of it?
Batman (Terry): (sticks tongue out and flies off)
AQ: ... And we all thought the Addams family was weird.
36. Silence
The Cave is quiet after he pushes Terry out to patrol.
He stares at the picture of Talia and whispers a final goodbye. Bruce had intended to leave then, but looks through the other pictures. Zatanna, Lois, Selina, and Barbara.
Some might say there's another picture missing, but Bruce knows better. He needs no picture of Diana. She's embedded in him. He recalls her with perfect clarity, from that teasing smile to her flashing, angry eyes. He's never forgotten her hands, her lips, or her silence when he sent her away.
Bruce suddenly wishes he hadn't chased Terry out so quickly.