Explanations
By KnightRogue
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Batman, Batman Beyond and all related characters and concepts are owned by Warner Brothers and DC Comics. No profit is being made from this work and no infringement is in anyway intended.
Author's notes: Yes. To all of those who have written me, this will eventually be a Terry/Max deal. But it's a ways in coming. I plan on finishing this segment up with one more chapter. The next story, tentatively called "Implications" will deal more with the Terry/Max relationship. Again, thanks for all the wonderful feedback. This was one of the hardest chapters to write and it's those little words of praise that you write that keeps me at it.
Chapter 4
Max could understand Terry's frustration with Mr. Wayne sometimes. Questions were practically bubbling out of her and she was tired of being ignored. Gordan was obviously not going to rehash the past and Wayne was too busy scanning through computer screen after computer screen to answer. Sick of standing on the sidelines, Max decided she'd be better off back tracking down friends in Gotham for the search. Terry may be trying to hide from the rest of the world, but he had sought her out this morning and she could only hope he would do so again.
Clearing her throat, she tried to inject a "'Later!" into the ongoing discussion. Whatever the other two were up to, they never acknowledged her ascent up the stairs. Making her way to the garage, Max borrowed the hoverbike that Wayne had lent Terry from time to time and headed back into town.
Clouds had sealed over the sky and a light drizzle had started to fall. Evaporation of the rain hitting the hot ground caused tendrils of mist to gather up and rise; giving the graveyard an eerie look. One persistent tendril did not dissipate like the others, but thickened and swirled around the prone figure lying there. The light rain had failed to awaken the teen, but as the mist crept over him, he blinked his eyes open and whispered. "Dad?"
The mist slowly enveloped Terry, and then gradually fell apart as it rose up into the sky. He felt groggy and tired. Rolling over, he tried to sit up, but the ache in his head wouldn't let him without serious warning signs from his stomach.
He stared at the darkening sky; evening was coming on. Any other night, any other time, he'd be at the Batcave right now; getting briefed on the night's mission. That singular feeling of relief; of one night to himself was buried under the weight of guilt. That tonight, there wouldn't be a Batman patrolling the streets, preventing the tragedy that had occurred over a year ago to his family. Accompanying those feelings was a deep, penetrating sadness; a sense of failure and even anger. He'd tried until he was tired of trying. For him, it had proved impossible to play two roles; not with family and friends close by. For the first time, he understood the distance Wayne had kept himself from the world. It was the only safe alternative. He regretted leaving the Cave. Regretted that Batman wouldn't be out there to save the day. Without Batman, Terry had to face returning and picking back up the shattered pieces of his life. There would be no superhero to save the day for him.
For just one moment, when he'd awakened, he thought he'd heard his father's voice. Now in the silence, he closed his eyes and tried to bring back the feeling. Unfortunately, the aches in his body dissipated the sensation like the mist into the sky. Try as he might, the voice did not return and Terry drifted back to sleep.
Barbara had left the Cave to initiate her own search for Terry. Steepling his fingers, he sat staring at the computer for a moment. Reaching an internal decision, he picked up the phone and began dialing the beginning of a series of calls; the results of which would not be completed for several hours. After the last final conversation, Bruce Wayne was content. Whatever Terry decided to do in the future, he would now have a new home at Wayne Manor with all allegations against him dropped. Given a strong authority figure, Terry's mother had been almost relieved to release custody to him. Trying one last time, he dialed the number to the teen's cell phone. Not surprisingly, there was no answer. Setting one last search up on the computer, Bruce prepared to wait.
Frustrated, it was all Max could do not to slam the door shut and kick it behind her. She'd tried all the places she could think of, and probably a few she shouldn't have, without any success. Wherever McGinnis was, he well and truly did not want to be found. After taking a quick shower and gathering her school downloads, she barely made it to the apartment on time. Mary McGinnis had left for work earlier, leaving a neighbor to watch Matt until Max arrived. Throwing down her stuff in a corner, she pried Matt off the vidphone. Eager to talk, Matt was full of the gory details of Terry's disappearance. Or what little he knew of it anyway. With the usual snide comments about his older brother, Matt rehashed with a relish the argument Terry had with his mom. Speaking to an unusually attentive audience, he gloated over the details. Finally winding down, he was quiet and went to fetch the little homework he'd been assigned.
Working side by side on the various school assignments, Max noticed the lack of questions that were normally forthcoming from the small boy. Deciding not to press the issue, she continued to work on her computer and let Matt be.
"Mom was really mad at Terry today."
"Uh hmmm." Her voice was non-committal.
"I mean, really mad."
"I'm sure she was more worried than mad. Moms are like that."
"She was really, really mad. She told Terry to go away."
"I thought you liked being an only child."
"I do. But Max, what happens if mom doesn't want me either?"
"What?"
"I heard mom talking to Mr. Wayne before you got here. She said that Terry should live with him now."
"Matt. Your mom loves your brother. She's just really worried right now. Terry's over helping Mr. Wayne with his job so much, that they decided that Terry should live over at his house. It doesn't mean he's not your brother anymore."
"But what if she gets mad at me? I mean, like if I spill cereal on the carpet or something? I don't want to go! I want Terry to come back!" The last was almost a wail, and Max gathered the boy in her arms.
"Listen to me. You aren't going anywhere. Your mom loves you too much. Terry's just going to live with Mr. Wayne so he can help him out with his job. It doesn't mean you won't see him again, and it definitely doesn't mean your mom is getting rid of you. Terry will tell you that too as soon as he comes back."
"Mom said he ran away."
"I'm sure he'll be back soon. He enjoys picking on you too much." Max tried to inject a tone of confidence into her voice.
"Yeah." Reassured, Matt climbed back into his seat and began working again. "He'll be back soon. He goes there every time he gets mad at mom."
Trying to sound super casual, Max asked him "You know where Terry is?"
"Yeah. He's even taken me there sometimes. He made me promise not to tell."
"Matt. I promise not to tell your mom, but I'm trying to find him. Where is he?"
"Why?"
"He's my friend. My best friend."
"I dunno…"
"Matt, please?"
"He went to go talk with dad."
To be Continued
By KnightRogue
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Batman, Batman Beyond and all related characters and concepts are owned by Warner Brothers and DC Comics. No profit is being made from this work and no infringement is in anyway intended.
Author's notes: Yes. To all of those who have written me, this will eventually be a Terry/Max deal. But it's a ways in coming. I plan on finishing this segment up with one more chapter. The next story, tentatively called "Implications" will deal more with the Terry/Max relationship. Again, thanks for all the wonderful feedback. This was one of the hardest chapters to write and it's those little words of praise that you write that keeps me at it.
Chapter 4
Max could understand Terry's frustration with Mr. Wayne sometimes. Questions were practically bubbling out of her and she was tired of being ignored. Gordan was obviously not going to rehash the past and Wayne was too busy scanning through computer screen after computer screen to answer. Sick of standing on the sidelines, Max decided she'd be better off back tracking down friends in Gotham for the search. Terry may be trying to hide from the rest of the world, but he had sought her out this morning and she could only hope he would do so again.
Clearing her throat, she tried to inject a "'Later!" into the ongoing discussion. Whatever the other two were up to, they never acknowledged her ascent up the stairs. Making her way to the garage, Max borrowed the hoverbike that Wayne had lent Terry from time to time and headed back into town.
Clouds had sealed over the sky and a light drizzle had started to fall. Evaporation of the rain hitting the hot ground caused tendrils of mist to gather up and rise; giving the graveyard an eerie look. One persistent tendril did not dissipate like the others, but thickened and swirled around the prone figure lying there. The light rain had failed to awaken the teen, but as the mist crept over him, he blinked his eyes open and whispered. "Dad?"
The mist slowly enveloped Terry, and then gradually fell apart as it rose up into the sky. He felt groggy and tired. Rolling over, he tried to sit up, but the ache in his head wouldn't let him without serious warning signs from his stomach.
He stared at the darkening sky; evening was coming on. Any other night, any other time, he'd be at the Batcave right now; getting briefed on the night's mission. That singular feeling of relief; of one night to himself was buried under the weight of guilt. That tonight, there wouldn't be a Batman patrolling the streets, preventing the tragedy that had occurred over a year ago to his family. Accompanying those feelings was a deep, penetrating sadness; a sense of failure and even anger. He'd tried until he was tired of trying. For him, it had proved impossible to play two roles; not with family and friends close by. For the first time, he understood the distance Wayne had kept himself from the world. It was the only safe alternative. He regretted leaving the Cave. Regretted that Batman wouldn't be out there to save the day. Without Batman, Terry had to face returning and picking back up the shattered pieces of his life. There would be no superhero to save the day for him.
For just one moment, when he'd awakened, he thought he'd heard his father's voice. Now in the silence, he closed his eyes and tried to bring back the feeling. Unfortunately, the aches in his body dissipated the sensation like the mist into the sky. Try as he might, the voice did not return and Terry drifted back to sleep.
Barbara had left the Cave to initiate her own search for Terry. Steepling his fingers, he sat staring at the computer for a moment. Reaching an internal decision, he picked up the phone and began dialing the beginning of a series of calls; the results of which would not be completed for several hours. After the last final conversation, Bruce Wayne was content. Whatever Terry decided to do in the future, he would now have a new home at Wayne Manor with all allegations against him dropped. Given a strong authority figure, Terry's mother had been almost relieved to release custody to him. Trying one last time, he dialed the number to the teen's cell phone. Not surprisingly, there was no answer. Setting one last search up on the computer, Bruce prepared to wait.
Frustrated, it was all Max could do not to slam the door shut and kick it behind her. She'd tried all the places she could think of, and probably a few she shouldn't have, without any success. Wherever McGinnis was, he well and truly did not want to be found. After taking a quick shower and gathering her school downloads, she barely made it to the apartment on time. Mary McGinnis had left for work earlier, leaving a neighbor to watch Matt until Max arrived. Throwing down her stuff in a corner, she pried Matt off the vidphone. Eager to talk, Matt was full of the gory details of Terry's disappearance. Or what little he knew of it anyway. With the usual snide comments about his older brother, Matt rehashed with a relish the argument Terry had with his mom. Speaking to an unusually attentive audience, he gloated over the details. Finally winding down, he was quiet and went to fetch the little homework he'd been assigned.
Working side by side on the various school assignments, Max noticed the lack of questions that were normally forthcoming from the small boy. Deciding not to press the issue, she continued to work on her computer and let Matt be.
"Mom was really mad at Terry today."
"Uh hmmm." Her voice was non-committal.
"I mean, really mad."
"I'm sure she was more worried than mad. Moms are like that."
"She was really, really mad. She told Terry to go away."
"I thought you liked being an only child."
"I do. But Max, what happens if mom doesn't want me either?"
"What?"
"I heard mom talking to Mr. Wayne before you got here. She said that Terry should live with him now."
"Matt. Your mom loves your brother. She's just really worried right now. Terry's over helping Mr. Wayne with his job so much, that they decided that Terry should live over at his house. It doesn't mean he's not your brother anymore."
"But what if she gets mad at me? I mean, like if I spill cereal on the carpet or something? I don't want to go! I want Terry to come back!" The last was almost a wail, and Max gathered the boy in her arms.
"Listen to me. You aren't going anywhere. Your mom loves you too much. Terry's just going to live with Mr. Wayne so he can help him out with his job. It doesn't mean you won't see him again, and it definitely doesn't mean your mom is getting rid of you. Terry will tell you that too as soon as he comes back."
"Mom said he ran away."
"I'm sure he'll be back soon. He enjoys picking on you too much." Max tried to inject a tone of confidence into her voice.
"Yeah." Reassured, Matt climbed back into his seat and began working again. "He'll be back soon. He goes there every time he gets mad at mom."
Trying to sound super casual, Max asked him "You know where Terry is?"
"Yeah. He's even taken me there sometimes. He made me promise not to tell."
"Matt. I promise not to tell your mom, but I'm trying to find him. Where is he?"
"Why?"
"He's my friend. My best friend."
"I dunno…"
"Matt, please?"
"He went to go talk with dad."
To be Continued