Disclaimer: I do not own Batman Beyond; it belongs to its creators. I gain nothing but a writing outlet and writing/editing experience.
Summary: Terry could have just as easily received Bruce's spliced X instead of Y; if so, would it have all started with Matt instead? But the world, particularly Gotham, needed a Batman again. The Jokerz overran the streets, business were destroying the world. Pride and avarice were destroying Gotham, and Gotham needed its symbol of hope and justice again.
A/N: So this has been a bonkers year. When I finally got back to writing and polishing this, I needed to reread what I had already posted, so sorry for the long wait. On the plus side, this was going to be one chapter but then it bordered on thirty without getting half way through what I intended, so it's being broken up. Thanks to those who have continued reading, especially the last several chapters which were really rough. Sorry about that. Hope you all like, ~ much love, depressedchildren
Chapter 37: Rats & Cobras part 1
When the last bell rang for the day, Dana quickly found Terri and Max. "Alright, shall we begin Operation Take down Terri's Stalker?" she asked as they exited the building.
Terri gave a heavy sigh. "I wish, but I have a meeting with my new instructor."
"How many more things are you supposed to do in a day?" Max exclaimed and Dana nodded her head in agreement. She was also concerned for her friend. Terri had bags under her eyes, but whether that was in regards to the attempted assault or her work schedule, Dana wasn't sure.
Terri sighed heavily, "I'm going to be working with him during the weekends, but he wants me to meet his other students and today's the best day for that."
Dana frowned as they began moving toward the parking lot. "Well, maybe Max and I can figure out who your stalker is while you're at your lesson?"
"I already got the name," Max boasted. "Might have hacked the enrollment database during study hall." She had a smirk and a cocky stance. "Jo Olson, and he just transferred here from some redacted school."
"Really?" Terri asked deadpanned. "His former school was redacted? How is that even possible?"
"Well, I was about to look into that when the system kicked me out." Max shrugged and added, "That's what I get for using school computers."
The three friends shared a laugh, Dana and Terri laughing because only Max would deem the free computers not being up snuff. They were the newest models, which went to show how much education was being prioritized in Gotham—likely an old initiative Bruce set up long ago that was finally seeing dividends.
Max sobered first, "Hey is your stalker watching us right now?" she asked.
"No, he left right away," Terri replied as they approached Dana's car.
"That's a relief," Max remarked, and Dana smiled a bit more.
"I'll get Chelsea to dish out any gossip on him. I'm sure Blade and her girls have already done recon," Dana stated as she made her way toward the driver's side.
"I'll see if I can find out the name of his previous school and how he got into all your classes, Terri," Max offered.
"Great, I'll see what I can find about his record and who he might be working for—after my lesson," Terri amended while looking down tiredly. "Woah, did Craig stop by during lunch?" Terri asked, and Dana followed her gaze.
On the driver's seat was a single white flower. Frowning, she tentatively picked up the flower. It looked almost like a rose but wasn't—it was more delicate and had a better fragrance. There was a note attached to the stem: "I'll appreciate you."
Dana was caught between feeling flattered and alarmed. Last she checked, Craig wasn't going to have anything to do with her, but maybe this was a sign of him reaching out.
"I wonder what kind of flower that is?" Max murmured, which made Terri frown for some reason.
"What are you thinking, Ter?" Dana asked as she pulled her gaze away from the flower.
"Just make sure Craig was the one who sent that, okay?"
"What?" Dana knew there was more to Terri's words and alarm bells were now going off in her own head.
Terri shook her head and smiled. "Nothing, I'm just—it's nothing." Terri waved her hand dismissively.
Dana narrowed her gaze and pressed her lips together in displeasure. "What aren't you saying Terri?" she challenged.
"It's probably from Craig, and I'm just being paranoid," Terri remarked and started to walk away.
"Oh no, you don't!" Max quickly caught Terri around the shoulder and Dana gave the pink-haired girl an appreciative look.
"No more keeping secrets, Ter!" Dana stressed with her arms crossed under her bust.
"It's just that girls have been going missing and white flowers are left at the scene. It's probably nothing and this just a white carnation or somethings." Terri shrugged after rushing the words.
"How would you know that?" Max asked the question Dana was thinking.
"Because I looked it up before talking to Vale, okay," Terri whispered while looking around her for eavesdroppers.
Dana furrowed her brow before recalling the excuse Terri made to that reporter about the Shreeve incident. "Okay, but I haven't been in any news stories, so I can't be a target, right?" Dana asked now regarding the flower like it was dangerous.
"Lord knows Terri's got enough stalkers to pass around," Max mumbled, and Dana jumped slightly.
"What?!" Dana nearly shrieked.
"Max, it's probably just a flower from Craig and I don't have that many stalkers!" Terri sounded annoyed but Dana was having an internal freak out about this. It would make sense that one of these dangerous people interested in Terri might shift their gaze to one of them. She held onto her harms and shook slightly.
"Dana!" Terri was suddenly in front of her. "It's probably nothing. Let me take the flower and run some tests, it's probably a completely different type of flower."
Dana wanted to lash out and accuse whatever double life Terri was leading for this hypothetical stalker. But then, Dana saw the utter terror Terri was holding back. If she said what she wanted to, it would only hurt Terri more. The girl was probably already blaming herself, and part of Dana felt vindictively good about that, but then her stomach twisted in a sickening way. "Fine," she said at last and handed the flower off to Terri.
"I gotta go, I'm already going to be late for my lesson," Terri said apologetically as she stowed the flower in her backpack. Dana just nodded and Max said a goodbye.
"Dana?" Max ventured after Terri left the parking lot. Likely Mr. Wayne was picking her up. "I'm sure it's just Craig—"
"What if this second life of hers is putting us in danger too?" Dana cut Max off. She was trembling slightly in both fear and anger.
"I doubt she's living some double life, Dana," Max said almost condescendingly.
"Then use your stupid algorithm. You're nearly done, right? Why don't run that through the whole Hamilton Hill High yearbook and tell me then if Terri isn't leading a double life" Dana was flushed in her anger and Max pulled back like she was struck.
"My stupid algorithm?" Max repeated, and it was Dana's tern to flinch.
"Max, I didn't mean it like that!" Dana started to move over to her friend but Max just shook her head.
"Terri's been doubting me enough, I don't want to hear it from you either." Max stormed off and Dana sighed in frustration. She threw her backpack onto the passenger seat and sat down heavily in the driver's seat. She then fished out her phone from her purse.
"Craig, can we please meet up? I miss you," she typed angrily before hitting send. She then looked down at her phone and frowned at the text from her mother. She had texted as soon as Dana got out of class.
Doug sent another letter, was her mother's text. Dana swallowed and felt a little nauseous. He only contacted them once a year, so why was he contacting them twice in a single month? Why was he doing this now?
Dana hurriedly started her car and forgot about the flower and her friends for the time being. She had to focus on what to say to her brother even though she really didn't want to respond. Perhaps this was part of his treatment? Maybe he was trying to reconcile with the family? Dana doubted that and felt her stomach twist again.
…
Terri scowled up at the computer monitor. There were two screens pulled up. One had a breakdown of the flower Dana got. The other screen had Jo Olson's police record. This was bad, all of this was bad!
The flower Dana received matched the flowers left at the other abductions. It was some sort of a hybrid between a carnation and a rose and had trace elements of some toxic waste. The computer was still breaking down those parts and comparing them to a database but no luck yet.
As for Terri's stalker… Well, he was waiting for her at Sifu Han's school. Bruce obviously picked up on her tension, and she had to explain her new classmate. The stalker then followed them back to the Manor, and they were both worried he might be trying to learn something about Batman. As such, Terri wasn't going to be going on patrol tonight.
Jo "the Fang" Olson, was a former foot solider of Kobra. He had recently gotten out on parole and was technically an adult but still qualified to attend high school. Granted, that might be because of some fishy deals done within Hamilton Hill High. How that was even possible? Well, Terri was still trying to figure that out. She lost the trail somewhere around the guidance office, but it was clear enough that someone had been bribed to let Olson attend the school and be in the same classes as Terri.
For all appearances, Olson had cut ties with Kobra since getting out, but it was entirely possible he was a sleeper agent of sorts. Terri swiveled around in the chair a few times as she pondered this. Why was a possible Kobra gang member following her? Terri froze and felt dread sink into her stomach. Did they see through Miguel's lie? Did they know she was Batman?!
"McGinnis," Bruce called her attention, and she numbly turned to regard him. He was frowning. "You should head home before Olson tries to break in." Of course Bruce had read the screen and connected the dots. "I'll let you know what the analysis finds on this flower too," he added as if knowing she wouldn't want to leave until she had that sorted out.
Terri nodded slowly and began to stand up. Bruce frowned more. "We'll figure out what Olson's doing," he assured her. Terri just nodded a little numbly.
"Make sure you take your meds and actually eat, okay?" Terri said in return.
Bruce made that displeased noise of his but nodded. "Until we sort out the intentions of your stalker, you should stay off patrol."
It was left unsaid that Grayson would need to know about this and that there was no way for her to sneak out and be Batman with both Grayson and Olson on her. For all she knew, leaving in the middle of the night might reveal she's Batman to Grayson and, well…it was clear he did not like Batman.
As Terri drove her bike back to Grayson's, she did her best to lose Olson. She was positive she had succeeded when she finally got home, but then she saw him hanging in an alley a few buildings away. Okay, how the hell did he know where she lived!? No one was supposed to know that!
Terri kept her head up high as she entered the gym/loft and quickly flagged Grayson down. He was working with Matt on his tumbling, but both stopped at her appearance.
"Terri, what's wrong?" Grayson immediately asked. They both moved over to her, and soon Matt was fidgeting by her side.
She cleared her throat. "Hey Mattie, can I talk with Grayson alone for a sec?" Her voice sounded steadier than she thought it would be. Matt looked caught between wanting to hug her and screaming at her. The kid was just angry and concerned, so the two emotions were hard for him to juggle.
"It's just about work stuff," she lied in an attempt to settle him down. Matt's face scrunched up and he began stomping away.
"Clearly, neither of us bought that," Grayson commented after the gym doors closed behind Matt.
"I don't want to worry him further. He's just a kid and—" Terri cut herself off and scrubbed at her face in frustration. She let some of that frustration be vocalized before she gave a heavy sigh and dropped her arms.
"I have a stalker. He's outside," Terri said as calmly as she could, but her body was shaking slightly.
"How did he…?" Grayson trailed off before both hands clenched into fists. "Has he tried contacting you?" Terri shook her head. "Did he follow you to work?" She nodded in affirmation this time, and Grayson scowled further. "Have you begun documenting incidents?"
"No, but I'll start a log. He's been in all my classes and even knew where Sifu Han's school was."
"Right, you started lessons today," Grayson began quietly before shaking his head. "No one should know that you're enrolled in his school, so how…" Grayson trailed off again and looked sick. Terri nodded.
"Exactly," Terri replied. "On top of that, I think Dana's being targeted too because of me!" The words choked Terri and she was the verge of breaking down. She tried to push back the anxiety and fear, but all she could think of was the Jokerz being so close to her home and now a Kobra member found her place. And Dana! She had a stalker who went after local celebs, Terri had been in the paper plenty of times and surely Dana had been in one or two of those pictures. What if everyone she knew was suddenly in danger?! How was she supposed to protect Matt or herself, or-or anyone!?
"Breathe with me, Terri," Grayson ordered as he set his hands against her shoulders. "Breathe with me," he repeated, and Terri did her best to calm down. "We'll figure this out. You're not alone."
Terri felt something in her crumple at those last words. She dropped her head against Grayson's chest and he enveloped her in a hug as she began to cry. She was spread thin and scared and angry and so damn frustrated!
"You're not alone, Terri. We'll get you through this," Grayson repeated as he just held her.
…
Terri was on edge the next day. Olson was in every class and he had moved to seats closer to her. Dana was tense and fidgeting in the morning classes they had together. In fact, the girl kept looking over at Terri almost concerned. Max, well she wasn't oblivious anymore, but she still didn't get what had Terri and Dana on edge. Then again, Terri wasn't sure even she knew what exactly was bothering Dana. She hoped it wasn't about her own stalker? Guilt twisted Terri's stomach into knots.
The last hour before lunch they had a substitute teacher who gave them all a work day. Terri, Max, and Dana all got up and moved to a different section of the room. Kids started playing music, socializing, and overall just being loud. Olson looked like he wanted to follow them but stayed where he was.
It was tense and Terri couldn't help but be confused. Max was fidgeting with her electronic tablet and Dana was moving her leg up and down anxiously while not looking at either of them.
"Did something happen?" Terri asked quietly. Max just glared at her tablet and shook her head.
Dana bit her lip before nodding. "My brother wrote again," she whispered as she pulled out a legit pen and paper letter. Her hands were shaking. She took in a shaky breath before continuing. "He wrote to warn me that I shouldn't…shouldn't hang around you," Dana's voice cracked. "S-some meta hired a bunch of Jokerz to-to—" Dana cut herself off and shook her head before shoving the letter over to Terri.
Little Dana, I'm only writing as a concerned big brother. You need to stay away from that McGinnis girl. Rumor is a glowing skeleton has put out a big reward for any Jokerz who can capture her "humiliation." I understand you might be too innocent for this, little Dana, but that means they're going to ra—
Terri shoved the letter back to Dana and tried to breathe past the sudden panic. She felt sick to her stomach. Dana looked Terri in the eye before reaching out for one of her hands. She squeezed Terri's hand and Terri had to blink back tears.
"I-I knew they were aiming for something but…" Terri trialed off and felt like throwing up.
"I wanted to show you this before I took it to the police," Dana whispered, sounding equally sick.
"What's going on?" Max asked as she looked between their horrified expressions.
Terri pressed her lips together and shook her head. She couldn't vocalize it. Dana looked down at the letter and then gestured over to Max. Terri nodded slightly, and Dana handed the letter off. Max grew paler as she read through it.
"I'm going to change my algorithm to root out Jokerz in the school so we know who to watch out for," Max stated when she handed the letter back to Dana.
"Good," Dana said before ducking her head. "I want to apologize for calling it stupid the other day. I didn't mean it that way, I was just frustrated."
"I get it," Max said quietly and the two friends gave each other wane smiles.
"How are you going to change the algorithm for Jokerz?" Terri asked quietly, and Max perked up a little.
"Well, it's a similar principle to looking for Batman. With an active night life, the person wouldn't have much time for socializing, would probably be failing some classes, and their presence has to coincide with incidents of Jokerz incidents instead of Batman incidents."
Max had a triumphant smile on her face that made Terri's stomach dropped. She didn't want to discourage her friend but she couldn't finish that algorithm because Batman and Jokerz incidents tended to happen at the same time.
"Oh my god, are you guys still on about Batman being a student here?!" Chelsea was suddenly at their group and loudly talking. Others nearby stopped their own conversations to look at the trio of girls with their eyebrows raised.
Terri closed her eyes and dropped her head forward. Dana gave a laugh and Max huffed. "What?! It's possible," Max exclaimed. Nearby students laughed and moved back to their own conversations, though there was an uptick in Batman talk.
"What do you want Chels?" Terri asked tiredly. The blonde grabbed a chair and brought it over.
"Just wanted to talk with my best girlfriends, duh!"
"Don't you have Nash to talk to?" Dana asked with a teasing smile.
Chelsea was fixing her bangs in her compact mirror and paused. "He's being a jock with his jock friends," she replied in distaste.
"That is what you get with one-dimensional guys," Terri remarked, and Chelsea snapped her compact shut as she made an affronted noise.
"Terri!" she tried to chastise.
"She has a point Chelsea," Max quipped.
"Oh my god, is this why you've been avoiding me? Because of Nash?" Chelsea sounded genuinely offended now.
"The guy thinks with only one head—" Terri began.
"The downstairs one," Max finished and the three friends chuckled while Chelsea glared slightly at them—it was more like a pout.
"Fine! Then I'm not going to dish out the latest gossip," Chelsea announced as she turned her body away from them with her head raised up. Max and Terri shrugged but Dana gave them both a look.
"They're just jealous Chelsea," Dana stated placating the blonde, "what with us having boyfriends and them not." Max mouthed "Really?" and Dana gave her another look.
Chelsea immediately perked up and swiveled back around. "Well, that might not be for long," she sing-sang. She leaned forward and began conspiratorially, "Apparently the new guy's been asking if Terri's seeing anyone, and Jared got mad jeal."
"Oh?" Dana pressed while Terri scrunched up her nose in distaste—great a Kobra foot soldier was into her. "What exactly has he said? He seems so…mysterious?" Dana prompted though the friends each knew she meant creepy rather than mysterious.
"Well," Chelsea began with a smile, "he keeps saying he has this friend who's interested in Terri but is too shy to approach her. I mean what a trope. He should have the balls to just say he's interested, ya know?"
"Okay, and what exactly has been asking for his 'friend'?" Terri asked this time with a sigh as she propped up her cheek on one hand.
"Well, he was asking if anyone knew what you liked. Like, he even asked Jared if you'd appreciate chocolates or flowers!" Chelsea exclaimed with a laugh in her voice. "I mean the new guy is totally clueless!"
"You'd think with the way he was stalking you, he'd know the answers," Max remarked dryly.
"Wait, what?" Chelsea asked suddenly sober and alarmed. "He's been stalking you?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah, he went everywhere I went, which should be impossible," Terri replied in an annoyed whisper.
"Wait, he followed you after school too?" Dana asked alarmed and Max was just staring at Terri with her mouth open.
"Yeah," Terri replied while looking to see if anyone was listening in.
"Ew!" Chelsea exclaimed before throwing a glare at the guy. "You should report him to admin."
"I've started a log so I can present a case to the police if necessary," Terri replied and the four girls all nodded.
"Well, I'll go do my civic duty and make sure New Guy learns stalking is not good," Chelsea announced as she stood up. The three friends knew the blonde wasn't going to address Olson but their peers and together they would begin a sort of group policing. Sometimes it worked well, sometimes the group policing turned into bullying, like with Willie Watt.
Once Chelsea was on the other side of the room, Max spoke up. "Speaking of the New Guy, he apparently was expelled from Alexander Privet Academy for Boys because of violence. It sounds like he got involved with a gang."
"Kobra," Terri corrected. Her friends jerked back in alarm.
"How do you know that?" Dana asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Bruce and Grayson have an in with the Commissioner and they insisted I tell her about Olson," Terri replied without missing a beat.
Max was frowning with her brow furrowed, "Still, that shouldn't be something they share."
Terri shrugged and hurried on, "Also, Olson bribed people to get in here. I lost the trail around the guidance office, but credits have definitely exchanged hands for him to be in all my classes."
Max frowned further and began to type away at her electronic tablet. Terri doubted the girl would get any further than she had on the bat computer, but she wasn't going to stop Max. Terri coughed slightly and turned toward Dana. "I also gave the police that flower you got, and it matches the ones left at the abductions," Terri whispered.
Dana froze and widened her eyes. Max gasped and stopped her hacking. "I'm so sorry, Dana. I—" Terri choked on her words again and just looked away. "I can never forgive myself if you two are put in danger because of me."
"Why because some crazies are after you? It's not like you're encouraging them, Terri," Max stated almost offended. Dana didn't say anything and just glared down at the table. "Dana, tell Terri she's being overly dramatic," Max pushed.
"I'm not so sure she is," Dana whispered and Terri winced. "You know, my dad and I thought there were shapes moving outside the house last night. I just thought maybe…I was jumpy because of the letter," Dana whispered.
"Dana, I'm sorry," Terri whispered.
"What is wrong with both of you?! Terri, you have nothing to apologize for. People make their own choices, and if they choose to stalk girls, that is not your fault!" Max was impassioned, and actually stood up as she said these last words. Terri just looked away.
"Uh…Max, was it?" The substitute teacher spoke up. "Is everything alright?" Dana and Terri both looked up at Max as if pleading with her.
"I need to go to the bathroom," she announced. It was nearly the end of the class period and the sub sighed.
"Fine, but leave your things here."
Max hurried out of the room. Half the class was glaring at Olson, and the other half were giving Max's retreating figure a confused look. Great, her last comments had been overheard.
"Chelsea works fast," Dana muttered as she dropped her head forward.
"Dana, if whoever's after you because of me, I should—"
"Should what? Stop them?" Dana asked tiredly. "You're not Batman, Ter." The bell rang then and Max was returning to retrieve her things while Dana and Terri left the room.
Mid-way to the quad and cafeteria, Olson stepped in front of them. "Ah, McGinnis," he addressed her with his head ducked down. She glared at him with her arms folded under her bust.
"What do you want?" she snapped.
Olson's jaw clenched slightly and he took a calming breath. "Look, my friend's interested in you but he has these…crazy strict parents, okay." That was a half-truth.
"So you decided to stalk me? What at his behest?" she drawled. They were beginning to gather a small crowd. Olson clenched his fists at his sides as his face flushed in anger.
"I messed up, alright! Will you give my bah-est-friend the benefit of the doubt? He'll do whatever he can to make up my blunder." Olson had been about to say boss, hadn't he?
"Maybe your best-friend should ask her on a date himself, and not send some stalking creep" Dana said as she moved in front of Terri and glared at Olson. He scowled at her and looked ready to retaliate but checked himself.
"Like I said, his parents are crazy strict."
"How am I supposed to even know this friend of yours?" Terri challenged next.
Olson practically growled and threw his arms up into the air. "I don't even get why he's interested in you!" He then pivoted on his heel and stomped away.
"So, he's really asking for a friend then," Max said having caught up with them and seen the last bit.
"I am so sick of creeps," Terri muttered and the three girls moved toward the cafeteria.
"If only Gotham wasn't crawling with them," Dana said with a sigh and Terri couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah. We're practically the birthplace of creeps," Terri lamented while laughing at the irony. Batman came into being because of the crime in Gotham, and then the Joker came into being because of Batman. Now there were Jokerz because there was the Joker, and just everyone was crazy here.
As the rest of the day progressed, Terri wondered if maybe she should confront whoever was stalking Dana and whoever this Kobra boss was. But how was she supposed to do that without putting Dana or herself in danger.
When the last bell rang, the three friends began to head for Dana's car. Since Terri was off of patrol while Olson was stalking her, she had the rare opportunity to go hang out with her friends. Granted, they were heading to the police station to turn the letter from Dana's brother over as evidence.
They all froze when they saw the flower waiting on Dana's car seat. The same note was tied to the stem. Terri looked around quickly for anyone who might be watching but the parking lot was pretty deserted—most students were staying after for the lacrosse game.
The three girls quickly got in the car and buckled up. Then Dana was hurrying toward the police station. "Okay, so you got another flower. Is this common?" Max asked Terri.
"If the previous girls had received flowers prior to their abduction, the police don't know."
Dana tightened her hold on the steering wheel. "Well, good thing we're headed their way already." Her voice wavered slightly.
The rest of the ride was silent. Once they entered the largest precinct, Terri asked to speak with the Commissioner. The desk sergeant laughed but after giving her name to the commissioner, he sobered. "She'll see you all in ten minutes. Go to the tenth floor."
Max and Dana both stared at her with their mouths open in shock as Terri led the way. She was a little nervous about meeting the commissioner, especially with her friends, but she needed to get the evidence to the police and ensure it didn't get erased. They waited in a sort of waiting room before a secretary gestured for them to enter the commissioner's office.
"Hello, McGinnis. I hope you realize I am a busy woman," she drawled from where she was working on paperwork. When she likely heard that there were three sets of feet, she looked up surprised.
"I realize that, Commissioner Gordon, but my friends and I would like to submit some evidence pertaining to the Jokerz incidents and the like."
"That could be filed with a detective," Gordon said unimpressed but she didn't send them away. Dana and Max were both ready to turn tail and leave the office but Terri spoke up.
"I believe Powers has a meta working for him," Terri then gestured for Dana to hand the letter over.
"Uh, my brother wrote this prior to the second Jokerz incident, and well…" Dana trailed off as the older woman began reading the letter. "H-he was a Jokerz member, so he has some connections."
"I'll have a detective follow up with him. Perhaps his sentence can be lessened," Gordon replied before frowning and glaring down at the paper. It was silent for a moment before Gordon looked up at Terri.
"You said you believe this 'glowing skeleton' works for Powers?" Terri nodded her head while tapping against her leg "is" in the code Bruce taught her. Gordon's eyes widened a fraction and she raised an eyebrow. Good, so it was probably a code he taught all Bats.
"Oh, and how do you know this?"
"Powers would have the most to gain from getting rid of me. I've publically accused him in association with my parents…with what happened. Plus I'm a threat to him." She said this while tapping out nerve gas treatment radiation.
Gordon nodded after a long moment. "Thank you, McGinnis. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, my friend received a flower yesterday and today. I gave the one from yesterday to one of your guys to analyze and it matches the ones found at several abduction cases. Since Dana has been getting them prior to any abduction, well—"
"It means the kidnappers are stalking their victims," Gordon interrupted with a sigh. "We'll take this new piece of evidence and we'll see if a protection detail can be spared." She then gestured for them to all leave. Max and Dana mumbled their thanks before quickly exiting. Terri lingered behind.
"Will they be able to protect her?" Terri asked quietly and Gordon sighed.
"These kidnappers have gone unnoticed thus far and a protection detail may only aggravate the stalkers more."
Terri nodded, she had suspected as much. She left immediately after and Dana and Max shared a confused look. "I was telling her about my new stalker," Terri lied, and the three friends began to head back toward the elevator.
Dana and Max seemed to be in deep thought. Their frowns suggested they might not have bought Terri's lie. It was once they were in the elevator that Max spoke up.
"Were you tapping Morse code to the commissioner?" she asked almost incredulously.
"Huh?"
"You were tapping against your leg in some kind of pattern."
"I was just nervous," Terri lied again and Max narrowed her eyes slightly before looking away. Dana was still thinking and so they quietly went back to Dana's car. Olson didn't seem to have followed her, which was a relief.
"Hey Max, Terri," Dana said after they were buckled in, "I feel like catching the rest of the game."
"No thanks!" Max exclaimed. "Being around jocks during school hours is enough for me. Besides, I gotta fix the algorithm to find Jokerz."
"Ter?" Dana asked and Terri shrugged.
"I have the night off so, why not?" she replied. She didn't want to leave Dana alone while she was a target.
Max's apartment wasn't far off and so they quickly dropped the girl off before making it back toward Hamilton Hill High. Once they were on the highway, Dana spoke up. "A protection detail won't do anything, will it?"
"Ah, of course it will," Terri tried to reassure her friend.
Dana scoffed, "You're a bad liar Terri. It would be too expensive and I'm such low priority, there's no way they'd waste tax payer dollars on a protection detail for me."
Terri grimaced and Dana nodded. "I knew you weren't going to tell her about your stalker. You're going to deal with him on your own, aren't you?"
Terri ran a hand through her hair and nodded. Dana nodded as well and glared at the road ahead. "I don't want these creeps following me either," Dana said with a cold and determined look.
"Dana, it's dangerous," Terri cautioned.
"So? You have an in with Batman," Dana snapped. "Besides, without knowing who exactly my stalker is, nothing can be done, so why not kill two birds with one stone."
"What do you mean?"
"We play bait for our respective stalkers," Dana announced with a conviction that startled Terri.
"Dana!" Terri began incredulously.
"I'm not going to wait around in fear because some creep is trying to kidnap me!"
"What if there is more than one kidnapper?!" Terri argued back.
"Then call Mr. Grayson or have Batman on standby."
"I don't know Batman!" Terri said in exasperation.
"But you have Grayson and he rips. So?" she asked
Terri wanted to confront these creeps, she really did but Dana could get hurt. "Do you even know how to fight? How to protect yourself?"
"I've taken some self-defense classes, Ter." Dana's rebuttal was unimpressed.
"That's not the same as having to fight for your life."
Dana was silent for a moment, "Doug taught me a few tricks," she whispered and Terri knew there was no way to change Dana's mind.
"If you get hurt, I'll never—"
"This is my choice, Ter, and I'm putting both of us at risk for this," she cut in.
"Fine, but we have to be strategic, and you need to listen to me."
Dana smiled almost triumphantly.
…
Dana and Terri made it for the last half of the match. It was crowded around the zoom tube and it looked like Hill was losing. Dana and Terri had to sit at the back but they could still see the game alright. Olson was there, but he was sitting up near the front and appeared to have been here for the full game. After a break, the Hill players came back in and one looked off. Terri leaned forward and narrowed her gaze—the guy's pupils were tiny and the veins on his neck were bulging. It was like he had roided out and was now in a rage. Most of the audience flinched when the Hill player cracked the glass. What the hell!?
Terri quickly stood up and stepped out into the hall. Dana gave her a curious look but she just waved her hand and gestured to her phone. Once out in the hall, Terri held the phone to her ear and dialed Bruce.
"You have the night off," was her greeting.
"Would it kill you to say a proper 'hello'?" she asked sarcastically. Bruce just made that back of the throat growl of his. "Look, I'm at a school game and noticed something strange." There was a silence in which Terri imagined he was glaring in a way to suggest she hurry to the point. "Well, one of the Hill players stepped out for a break and when he came back in his muscles were all…" Terri tried to think of an accurate description, "Swole, I guess? And his veins were protruding from his neck and it was just very sudden."
"He probably took a steroid," Bruce said tiredly.
"Steroid that would give him enough strength to crack a zoom tube? Those things are supposed to be bullet proof!" Bruce was silent so Terri hurried on. "Didn't you have a rogue who did steroids or something?"
"Bane had a serum called Venom, but that secret lies with him and him alone."
"So, maybe he's selling the formula for a quick buck? Maybe it's a new drug?" Terri pushed on.
"Bane would never share the formula."
"You're not even going to look into it? I thought you were all paranoid and assumed the worst!?"
Bruce made his annoyed noise before sighing. "I'll look into it, but you best get back to the game before Olson notices you're missing." Bruce then hung up, and Terri rolled her eyes.
When she got back into the gym, she saw Dana was talking to Olson near the zoom tube. Terri hurried over to her side. "Hey Ter!" Dana greeted before looping their arms together. "I was just telling Jo here that you'd be happy to meet with his friend." She sounded too chipper for this. "So long as it was a double date of course," Dana added. "Me and Craig, and you and this secret admirer."
Olson looked over to Terri with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah. Meeting some random guy alone sounds scary and this way you won't have to stalk me anymore," Terri joked, and Olson frowned.
"You sure? I mean Ba-est Friend will be pleased, but this is sort of sudden."
"She might be trying to make an ex jealous," Dana whispered as she leaned in. Terri sputtered and blushed but she hurried on. "But hey, it gives your best friend a chance to meet Terri and not be a creep!"
Olson looked conflicted and then the final buzzer rung. Hill eked out a victory and their side of the stands went crazy. Olson's attention was drawn away from them and Terri mouthed, "Are you insane!" and Dana just raised an eyebrow. Terri was quick to put back on a smile.
"Uh…when are you thinking of setting up this double date?" he asked but his words were drowned out.
"Why don't we talk outside?" Terri shouted as the whole gym started to feel claustrophobic. Olson nodded, and the three of them exited the building and went into the parking lot. The sun was starting to set and Terri had her eyes on every shadow. She even pushed Dana slightly behind her.
"So, when were you wanting to set this double date up?" Olson asked his question again.
"Why not tonight!?" Dana replied and Terri froze. Olson looked taken aback and blinked several times. "I mean, Terri might chicken out if we don't do this tonight."
"Excuse me?" Terri replied, but Dana just held up a hand.
"Ter, you seldom have a night off and we both know dating scares you."
"It does not scare me!" Dana gave her a look.
Olson scratched the back of his neck and coughed. "Uh, I mean that's really short notice. I'm not sure he can get away from his family."
"Well, tell your friend Terri will be wearing something that will make it worth the potential parental disappointment."
"Dana!" Terri exclaimed with her face flushed.
"I think you can fit into that black dress I got last year," she said while ignoring Terri's sputtering.
"Why do I have to wear one of your dresses?" Terri challenged. She hadn't exactly forgotten about Olson but Dana was being too much right now.
"Because if you tell your guardian you're going on a date, he won't let you leave the house unless the dress has sleeves and reaches your knees."
"Uh, I'll call him right now, what time and where?" Olson interjected. He already had his phone out. Terri closed her eyes as her face heated up more.
"How about 8 at Rhino's?" Dana suggested before Terri had even begun to compose herself. Olson nodded and stepped away. He came back within a minute and nodded. "Yeah, he'll meet you there at 8."
"Perfect!" Dana cheered and grabbed Terri's arm and began to push her toward her car. "We've got to get ready!"
Once they were buckled in, Terri hung her head forward and covered her face. "I can't believe you."
"Shut up and call Grayson, you'll thank me later."
Terri shook her head in disbelief but pulled out her phone.
"Hello Terri, are you going into work?"
"Hey Grayson, and no, I am going on a date." Dana hit Terri's arm for the lackluster announcement.
"You don't sound enthused," he remarked slowly. "Terri, if this is your attempt to…to tell yourself you're fine, there are better ways to cope with an attempted—"
"It's a double date!" Terri interjected. Her stomach sunk slightly at what Grayson had begun to say.
"Oh, so you and Jared are going to be with who?"
Terri winced. "Not Jared actually. I have a blind date." Terri swallowed back some of her nausea at the idea of dating someone she knew nothing about.
"Who set this up? Who's going with you?" Grayson sounded worried now.
"Dana and Craig. Dana thinks this will help me get over Jared or make him jealous," she lied.
"And what about your stalker?" he asked seriously.
Terri swallowed and looked over to Dana who just looked back at her confused.
"Terri, why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me your blind date is your stalker."
"It seems the stalking was a misunderstanding!" she rushed out.
"If someone is willing to follow you everywhere, they are dangerous Terri! Encouraging or interacting with a stalker can only make things worse."
"I know, Grayson, I know!"
"Then don't go through with this!" he practically shouted into the phone.
"And if I blip off on him that will make things worse."
"Suggest he chaperone," Dana said and Terri furrowed her brow. "Our date's at 8:30, so…"
Lie to Grayson…great. "Was that Dana? Did she set this up? Put her on the phone!" Okay, Grayson was legit freaking out about this.
"Yes it was Dana, and no, I thought of this." Grayson was about to interject so she hurried on. "Our date is at 8:30 at Rhino's, so why don't you chaperone. Okay? Will that make it better? You can sit in a far booth and watch the date with Matt even. If this guy starts creeping on me, you can go all, former cop routine on him."
Grayson made a noise at the back of his throat that suggested he was not happy. "Your brother will be fine for an hour because that's how long this date is going to go, am I clear?"
"Got it."
Grayson sighed and shook his head. "Are you coming home to change or get dinner?"
"No, this going to be a pretty casual date, so…" Terri trailed off with a shrug.
"You're missing out on meals with Matt, Terri" he stated disapprovingly.
"I'll make it up, promise."
Grayson made that noise again and sighed. "Be safe, kid."
"Always." They then said their goodbyes.
"Thanks for not throwing me under the bus," Dana commented once the phone was put away. They were approaching her apartment complex. There were three apartments that over looked this level's rock garden. There were more apartments below and above. Dana lived on the first level overlooking the rock garden.
Mr. Tan was working from home when they arrived and he eyed Terri warily. "Mr. Tan," she greeted before Dana tugged her up to her room.
Once they were in the room, Terri turned on Dana with her arms crossed under her bust. "You need to stop hijacking this mission and listen to me."
"Mission?" Dana replied incredulous with her arms crossed as well.
"You wanted to deal with the stalkers, right? Well no more making plans without me. Got it?"
She really needed her purse that could fit the suit—hell she needed the suit but it was still at the Manor. What did she even have on her that would work against a possible cabal of kidnappers? This was so bad.
"You couldn't have suggested tomorrow evening?" Terri asked exasperatedly. "What if there are twenty guys? What if they have guns or they lock us up or—" Terri cut herself off and took a deep breath before upending her back pack. Maybe there were some bat gadgets in there.
"Well excuse me if I don't want to spend another day worrying about these kidnappers." Dana moved over to her closet. "Besides, what could you possibly get to prepare for this?" she asked as she sifted through different dresses.
"Pepper spray, a lock pick, adrenaline, to name a few. Plus, we could micro-dose poison so certain drugs won't work," Terri rattled off.
"Micro-dose poison?! Jesus Ter!"
"Look, I've been kidnapped enough that I've started doing research. Okay?!" Terri tried to calm down but she was still freaking out. How was she supposed to keep Dana safe?
"Ter, I…" Dana trailed off and frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about what this might be like for you given everything that's happened recently."
"No…I'm sorry Dana, I shouldn't have lashed out like that."
"If it's any consolation, I have pepper spray?" Dana offered and Terri couldn't help but laugh a little.
"It helps."
Dana smiled and moved back to her closet. She began pulling out a few options as Terri sifted through the supplies available.
"Wait, Dana. Don't you need to call Craig?" Why hadn't the girl called her boyfriend yet?
"If we manage to deal with my would-be-kidnappers, I don't want Craig anywhere near some Kobra boss."
"You caught that slip up too?" Terri said with a proud sort of smile.
"It was kind of obvious," Dana said with roll of her eyes.
"But to clarify, you're perfectly fine with us being around a Kobra boss. Don't tell me you're going to ditch with Craig not coming?!" Terri looked almost horrified.
"Really Ter, would I ever do that?" she asked with a hand on her hip.
"You set me up on a date with a Kobra boss," Terri pointed out.
Dana dropped her head forward. "Yeah, that does sound bad, but I figured I'd be a third wheel and it would make him want to end the date sooner."
"Or it could get you killed," Terri argued.
"Same to you," Dana rebutted.
"I can handle it."
"And what? I can't?" she asked incredulously.
"We're not going to get anywhere like this," Terri said with a sigh.
"You were willing to risk your safety checking out Shreeve, so why is this any different?" She asked with both hands on her hips. Terri had a retort but Dana quickly added, "And don't say it's because you can 'handle it.' It's not like you're trained to take out bad guys. You're not a vigilante."
"No but I used to be a thug, I know how they operate."
Dana gave Terri a sad sort of smile and Terri sighed. "Let's stop arguing about this. Clearly, I can't change your mind."
"No you can't. Now, you need to try on these dresses—see if they fit you," Dana held out two black dresses that would likely only reach mid-thigh on her. She pulled out a white dress of her own with a white choker.
Terri quickly pulled off her shirt and began changing but Dana gasped. "What?" Terri asked as she was half way out of her pants.
"How did you get that scar?" Dana asked with her gaze fixed on one of the burns Terri had gotten from that lava guy wanna-be hero.
"Ah, Bruce has one of those stacked ovens, and I accidently burned myself," Terri lied. She hurriedly put on the black halter dress. She was definitely not wearing the right bra for these dresses. The halter dress was a little tight in the hips and thighs but baggier in the torso. Fortunately, it was one that could be adjusted. However, that also meant it was a halter that could be undone.
Dana fished around her top dresser drawer and came back with a strapless bra. "This might be a little big, but it's better than nothing," she offered. Terri nodded and quickly undid the halter and changed bras. She then retied the halter and examined herself in the mirror. It wasn't too bad.
"Let's stick with that one," Dana announced and moved over to her vanity. She put on some earrings and grabbed a shawl.
Terri pulled out her spare makeup kit from her upturned backpack and began to cover the various scars as best she could. Dana didn't comment.
Once finished, Terri picked up all the bobby-pins she could find and held them out to Dana. "You should hide these in your hair, just in case," Terri suggested. Dana nodded slowly and began to put her hair up into a high ponytail.
Terri looked down at her boots and frowned. They were heeled and more like booties but they were scuffed. Still, she had bigger feet then Dana and didn't want to borrow any shoes. Terri quickly slipped them on and looked at the full length mirror. It wasn't too bad—maybe a little jarring since they were gray and she was wearing black.
"I have a gray mid-drift coat you can borrow. It'll pull it all together," Dana commented over her shoulder, and Terri flashed her an appreciative smile. "Now get over her so we can do your makeup," Dana ordered with a playful smile.
Terri chuckled and brought her makeup kit with her to the vanity. Not ten minutes later, and they were both ready. Dana grabbed a clutch purse and put her phone and pepper spray inside it. She handed an extra pepper spray to Terri, who put it into the pocket of the barrowed coat along with her phone. It was barely a quarter past 7.
"So, are we just getting there early and going to look vulnerable?" Terri asked, and Dana nodded. Terri nodded as well and they began to move down stairs. Of course, that was when Terri noticed movement outside the window.
She was frowning as she followed Dana to the foyer. Mr. Tan was busy with his work and didn't pay them any mind until there was a clatter outside. Terri had seen another movement. It was large and close to the ground.
"What was that?" Mr. Tan asked as he stood up. Dana followed Terri's gaze and furrowed her brow.
"I saw something moving outside. Might be a stray cat," Terri replied. It would have been one hell of a big cat.
Mr. Tan frowned but sat back down. "Where are you two going then?" he asked as he regarded them.
"Double date with Craig and Jared," Dana lied with a bright smile. Mr. Tan sighed and shook his head.
"Fine, just be back before curfew, it's a school night."
"Of course, Dad!" Dana gave him a kiss on the cheek and then led Terri out of the house. Terri glanced over to where she had seen the movement and frowned. There was nothing there anymore. They took the A-track, hoping to draw the potential kidnappers' attention. Once they got off on the level of Rhino's, Terri was on high alert and could have sworn each alley they passed had movement in it.
"It's probably rats, Ter," Dana said dismissively. By 7:45 they were out front of Rhino's Chilli. It was a good location to catch their stalkers. Since Rhino's was low to the ground they could see the surrounding buildings well, plus it was on a corner and the streets were wide but busy. They'd see if a car was idling. There are also alleys that might encourage would-be kidnappers.
Having been batman for over half a year, Terri was prone to looking up at the ledges, outcroppings, and roofs around her. There didn't appear to be anyone crouching up there. Dana made a show of checking her watch while Terri cautiously surveyed the area around them. It was getting warm, so she removed the jacket and folded it over her arm.
"Oh my god, I can't believe he's standing me up again!" Dana exclaimed almost bitterly and looped her arm in Terri's. It was 7:55. Terri saw a young man coming around the corner, he was pale and had black hair, and she could have sworn she had seen him before. But before she could place his face, Dana was tugging her in the opposite direction.
"What a waste of time," Dana said loudly before pausing at the mouth of an alley. There was not one but two flowers in the alley. Terri went first and began looking around her. The notes said: I'll appreciate you, and I'll be there for you. Terri stooped down to pick one up when Dana gasped. Terri heard a movement behind her quickly spun around. Oh slow pulse! That was a big rat—like ROUS big. That was way more terrifying than Terri had imagined.
Terri blinked and looked around for something to bat it away, but another giant rat was coming up from the sewer! Oh god! That was so gross!
Dana shrieked and began to run. Terri followed suit; she didn't want to get separated from Dana. This could be a ploy to separate them, but then the two flowers would suggest they were both targets? A third giant rat came up from somewhere and Dana made an abrupt spin which cost her her balance. Terri tried to catch her but then Dana hit the edge of a building. Her body when slack and Terri knew she was unconscious.
Terri kicked one of the rats as it got closer but then another scurried behind her toward Dana. Terri spun, over compensating, and fell hard against the ground. She heard footsteps approaching, not the scurrying of rat feet. "Don't hurt them too much," someone said, and Terri had a sinking feeling this was the kidnapper.
Terri pretended to act dazed. Without gadgets and in such a confined space, she wasn't sure what she could do. She also refused to be separated from Dana. The kidnapper stepped closer and Terri tried to sweep his legs. He fell back and then a rat pounced on Terri. She felt its elongated front teeth dig into her shoulder. If she struggled too much it might catch an artery.
"Stop that, she was just startled." The rat immediately pulled back and Terri gasped in pain. She could see someone stooped over her. He wore baggy clothes and had a baseball cap. His front teeth were elongated and he looked like he had been spliced with a rat. "You're not gonna fight anymore. Are you?" he asked. There was another rat ready to pounce. Terri shook her head and he smiled. "Good."
"Let's get Dana up and go home?" he announced, and Terri felt her stomach drop. He was already picking Dana up. When Terri tried to reach out to stop him, one of the giant rats hissed. Terri had to follow.
She went to grab the fallen coat and Dana's purse but the ratboy glared at her. "Those stay," he ordered. So he knew they likely had phones in there. Terri kept her hands in front of her like when approaching a startled animal and began to follow after the spliced boy.
As they moved toward a sewer grate, Terri saw a young man crouched for cover near the alley mouth. Their eyes caught and his muscles tensed like he was ready to attack. Ratboy and Dana were already underground and the rats were hissing at her, so Terri shook her head and the boy frowned but nodded. Terri then went underground.
So much for taking out both their stalkers in one fell swoop.