RESURGENCE PG-13

It was in the early pre-dawn hours that Terry sprung it on the old man.  After having changed his clothes and stowing the batsuit in his knapsack, he walked upstairs where Bruce had gone to get something to eat. 

            Coming out of the kitchen he spotted Terry and said, "I thought you'd left already."

            "I've got a favor to ask you."

            "No."

            "I haven't even asked it yet."

            "Whatever it is the answer is no."

            "At least hear me out."  Bruce simply glared at him.  "Ok, remember the girl from last night, Kendra?"

            "I don't like it already."

            "Well, when I was dropping my brother off at his friend's house this morning she was there, the kid's sister.  But it was really funny, because she figured out who I was."  Terry gave a half-hearted laugh to show how funny the situation was.

            "How?"

            "She smelled my shampoo."

            "I was wondering why you had started smelling like a flower bouquet."

            "It's my mother's.  I haven't had a chance to get anymore.  But that's not important."

            "She's very perceptive.  I don't suppose you attempted to deny it."

            "I did, but she was persistent."

            "What's the favor?"

            "She attends Gotham University and she has an assignment to interview a businessman.  She'd really like to meet with you."

            "No."

            "Please, it would mean a lot to her.  What would it hurt?  She doesn't know a thing about your extracurricular activities; I told her you don't know anything about me being Batman.  Just talk to her about the good old days, you know, when you were still the billionaire playboy."

            Bruce stood silently staring at Terry until the boy started to fidget.  He must really feel it important to risk asking for the favor.  Against his better judgment he said, "Ten minutes."

            "Great!  I'll bring her by tomorrow after school."

            After going home and getting a few hours sleep, Terry went back out to the suburbs to pick up his little brother.  He rang the bell and smiled openly as Kendra opened the door.  She on the other hand looked anything but happy.  "Oh, hi Terry."

            "Anything wrong?" he asked, but suddenly there were loud voices coming from the interior of the house.

            "No, no, nothing," she said with a glance over her shoulder.  "My dad just has some business associates over.  I'll go get Matt.  Can you just wait out here for a sec?"

            "Uh yeah, no problem.  But hey, I wanted to tell you that Bruce, uh Mr. Wayne agreed to see you.  We'll go tomorrow afternoon, ok?"

            She broke out in a brilliant, if momentary smile.  "That's fantastic.  Thank you so much.  Can I pick you up after school?"

            He nodded.  "Sure that's fine.  You have a car?"

            "No, it's my dad's, he just lets me borrow it."  An angry shout came from within.  "I'll go get Matt now."  She quickly shut the door.  Terry stood alone on the front porch, wondering why she seemed so distressed.  It undoubtedly had something to do with her father's associates.  He wondered briefly what kind of business they were involved with.  Then he shook his head.  Being Batman had made him paranoid.  The door opened again then and Kendra stood with the two boys.  "Here you go kiddo, end of the line."

            "Thanks for having me Sam," Matt said to his friend, before grabbing his bag and stepping out the door.  "Hey Terry."

            "Hey twip.  Have a good time?"

            "Yeah."

            "Thanks a lot Kendra.  I'll see you tomorrow, around 3:30?"

            "I'll be there.  Bye squirt."

            "Bye Matt!" the little boy next to her waved enthusiastically.  "We'll do it again sometime, huh?"

            "Sure, bye."

            The bell ending the last class of the day rang and students filled the halls of Hamilton High.  Dana and Max walked down the hall towards their lockers.

            "You didn't hear from him all weekend?" Max asked sympathetically.

            "No.  And after that fight we had on Friday I would have expected at least a call, but I guess he was just too busy."  Dana tried to sound sarcastic, but it came out as mostly hurt.

            "Hey ladies."  They both turned to the voice coming from behind.  "How are my two favorite girls?" Terry asked.

            "Well, I'm fine, but you can drop dead for all I care," Dana spat and turned to her locker.

            "Hey, hey," he called and walked to her side.  "I'm really sorry I didn't call, but-"

            "You were busy.  I know."

            "Hey Terry," Blade called out as she strode passed the group on the arm of Nelson Nash.  "I saw you at that party at GU Saturday night.  Pretty shway festivities, huh?  And who was that blonde you were with?  Didn't know you had it in you.  Later."

            "Party?  You went to a party but you couldn't call me?  And with another girl!"  Dana's hands were on her hips and her voice had become shrill.

            Terry's heart sank.  He hadn't seen Blade, hadn't considered anyone he knew would even be there.  "Look Dana, it wasn't like that.  Kendra's just a friend.  I only stopped by for a few minutes.  I didn't even have fun.  I was thinking of you the whole time."

            "I'm sure."  She turned and walked down the hall and out the door.

            "Good going Ter," Max commented.

            He didn't even acknowledge her, but ran towards the door to catch up with Dana.  He caught her on the steps and grabbed her arm.  "Dana please.  You've gotta listen to me.  Nothing happened. I just wanted a little time to know for sure before we tried again and now I do.  Please."

            Before she could respond a horn honked from the street below.  They looked up to see a girl leaning out the window of a red sports car and waving.  "Terry!  Let's go!"

            Terry groaned and Dana said, "Who's that?"

            "That's Kendra.  I'm sorry I've got to go."

            "With her?!"

            "Yes.  I'm taking her to see Mr. Wayne."

            "Goodbye Terry."  She walked down the set of steps and started towards home.

            "Is everything ok?" Kendra called from her car.

            He walked over and got in the passenger seat.  "Not really."

            "That was the girlfriend, huh?

            "'Was' being the operative word.  I don't think I'm going to talk myself out of this one."

            "I'm sorry.  I don't want to cause problems.  Why don't you go on and catch up to her.  We can do this another time."

            "No, it's alright.  Let's just go."

            Terry was silent as Kendra drove out towards the cliffs.  When they reached the gates that blocked the entrance to Wayne Manor, Terry got out and entered the proper security code to open them.  She drove up to the immense house and they both went inside.  In an open room filled with a fireplace, bookcases and several overstuffed chairs Terry said, "Wait here."  She sat patiently as he left the room.  In the hallway, Terry saw the large grandfather clock was moved and the secret entrance open.  With a sigh he descended into the batcave.  "Hey," he said to Bruce, who was sitting in front of the large computer as expected.  "You have company, remember?"

            "Is it that time already?"

            "Yeah it is.  Now let's get up there before she starts getting nosey."

            They went back up stairs and entered the library, where Kendra was now looking at the book titles.  She turned at their entrance.  "Great collection, sir!"

            Bruce walked over to a stuffed chair and sat down without a word.  Terry cleared his throat.  "Ok, um, Kendra, this is Mr. Bruce Wayne.  Mr. Wayne, this is Kendra Baker." 

            She walked over with a huge smile and stuck out her hand.  He reached up and shook it.  "Your father Bertram Baker?"

            "Ah, no.  Actually that was my grandfather.  Did you know him?"

            "More or less.  He was my banker for many years.  How is he?"

            "Dead sir."

            "Unfortunate.  What does your father do?"

            She took a deep breath and Terry seemed to notice a shadow cross her features before she answered the question.  "Investments."  Then her face lit up in another smile and she said as she took the seat opposite Wayne, "But this isn't about me is it?  We're here to talk about you."  He made a motion with his hand for her to continue.  For a moment she almost looked at a loss for words.  Then, "So what do you attribute your good fortune to?"

            "I was born to it."

            "Right, of course, silly question.  Is there anything, perhaps in your childhood, that you would say has molded you to the person you are today?"

            "What do you mean?" 

            "Well you know, sometimes one can point to a certain instance that just defines who we are, something traumatic maybe."

            "You're referring to the death of my parents," he said with narrowed eyes.

            She nodded sympathetically.  "That must have been truly awful for you."

            "What does that have to do with me being a businessman?"

            "Nothing, really."  She shrugged and sat back in the large chair.  "But perhaps if something like that happened it could transform a person.  Like for instance they might try to go into law enforcement.  And if that didn't work out, maybe find another way, using all available resources, to exact justice in a world that seemed to have so little."  Her voice was nonchalant, showing no sign of the emotional swell within.

            Bruce was looking at the girl, but he could see Terry, whose mouth was hanging open, quite clearly out of the corner of his eye.  He thought that the boy would never be a good poker player.  "Terrance, why don't you go into the kitchen and get us something to drink."

            "But…"

            "Now."  The boy grumbled unintelligibly as he left the room.  Wayne never took his eyes of the girl.  "What are you insinuating?" he asked quietly when he was gone.

            "Nothing sir."  Then she grinned.  "But I'm right aren't I?"

            "I don't know what you're talking about."

            "That's just what Terry said.  And I'll tell you the same thing I told him.  I don't want anything; I'm not a threat to you.  It's just so fascinating.  I mean it made total sense once I found out Terry worked for you.  Your age, your money, and of course a little digging into your background gave me the key to it all."  She leaned forward on her knees.  "I think you are incredible sir."

            At that moment Terry returned with a tray with three glasses on it.  "You know there's almost nothing in your kitchen.  So you'll just have to be happy with water."  He looked from one to the other.  "So what did I miss?"

            "Miss Baker thinks I was Batman."

            "Wha-?  That's ridiculous!"

            "It's about as preposterous as you being Batman, Terry."  Wayne rose from his chair.  "I believe our time is up."  He regarded her, and Kendra felt in that momentary look that he was impressed.

            She stood and smiled.  "Thank you for your time sir."  Without reply he turned and walked out of the room, cane tapping its staccato rhythm.

            When he was gone Terry exclaimed, "What were you thinking!"

            "Just proving a theory.  Loosen up, it's not like he was mad or anything."  Terry just groaned and put a hand to his head.  Kendra was looking around the room.  "So he lives here all by himself?  It's so gloomy."

            "Yeah, except for me he never has any other visitors.  But I don't think he minds.  He's not an overly social person."  Kendra just nodded thoughtfully.  "It's really time for you to be going."

            "I know."  She walked to the door.  "Later alligator."  He watched from the window as she drove away, then went downstairs to face the old man.

            One afternoon, two days after their meeting, Kendra found herself standing outside of the entrance gate to Wayne Manor.  Steeling herself, she pressed the intercom.

            "Who is it?"

            "It's Kendra Baker sir, from the other day, remember?"

            "Of course I remember; I'm not senile.  What do you want?"

            "I'd like to come in."

            "Why?"

            "To visit, you know have a chat."

            "Chat?  About what?"

            "Well, for starters there's Leticia Waverly's wedding this Sunday.  It's the talk of all of Gotham; it's going to be huge.  I knew her from grade school, but then her mother decided that the only good education comes from Europe, so she was shipped off years ago.  I never really like her anyway.  Tish that is, not her mother.  She was always a little stuck-up.  Actually both of them were.  But I still got an invitation.  I think they must have invited everyone in Gotham and I figured you would certainly be on their list.  The Waverly's are notorious suck-ups.  I can't wait to see the groom.  Tish met him on a trip down south, in New Orleans.  Rumor has it that she stole him away from another woman, just a week before their wedding.  Isn't that something?" 

            "Don't you ever shut up?" he asked when she had finally paused for breath.

            Grinning she replied, "My mother always said my mouth would get me into trouble."

            "Why are you here?"

            She became totally serious.  "I thought you could use a little company."

            "I don't."

            "But…"

            "Miss Baker, I'm not some shut-in who needs a charity visit.  Goodbye."

            "So you just go on living that mausoleum waiting to die all alone?"

            "Suits me fine."  The intercom went dead.

            Kendra felt anger burn deep within her and shouted into the box, "I don't know why you bother to help people, you obviously don't care about them!"  She turned and was about to get back into her car when she heard a click behind her.  Looking back she saw the gate was slowly opening.  Not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, she drove up the long driveway and stopped outside the Manor.  She went through the door calling out, "Hello?"  There was no answer, so she began looking around.  Wandering through the rooms she noticed that a grandfather clock was angled oddly away from the wall.  Investigating, she saw it uncovered a door.  She walked into the darkness, descending the stairs until she emerged into the cave.  "Wow!"

            Wayne looked up at her briefly then back to the huge computer he was working on.  There was apparently only one chair in the entire place, so Kendra walked over and dropped to the floor seated Indian style beside him.  A large dog ambled over and sniffed at her face.  "Hey pup," she cried and started scratching his ears.  He lay down with a satisfied whine and allowed her to rub his chest.  "What a good doggy."

            "His name is Ace," Wayne mumbled, peevish that the Great Dane had taken an immediate like to the annoying girl.  Kendra continued bestowing her affections on her new furry friend, occasionally murmuring things to him, but doing her best not to interrupt Wayne.  After 15 minutes he turned in his chair and watched her.  Interlacing his fingers on his lap he asked, "Does everyone become immediately infatuated with you?"

            "Pretty much.  Haven't you?"

            "No."

            "Why not?"

            "You're meddlesome and you talk too much."

            "You're probably right, only there must be something about me you like, or I wouldn't be down here.  Do you know what I see when I look at you Mr. Wayne?"

            "Someone who wants to be left alone I hope."

            "No, someone who is lonely.  You've spent to much time underground."  She stood up and walked to the other side of the chair.  "You need to get out more, make some friends, enjoy life a little."  She proceeded to bend over backward until her hands touched the floor, then brought her feet into the air in a perfect handstand.  Staying that way for a few seconds, she launched into the air, twisted, and then landed both feet together perfectly.  "Ten years of gymnastics.  Plus Tae Kwon Do," she executed a roundhouse kick followed by a punch.  "And ballet."  Rising to her toes she performed a pirouette.

            "This isn't an audition and the answer is no."

            "I don't recall asking a question."

            "You are not getting a suit and going out there."  His face was stern.

            "Whoa, down boy.  Lycra on these hips?  I think not.  And masks are strictly for the kinky.  I don't want to join your little masquerade ball.  I don't want to have anything to do with down here," she spread her arms.  "Too cold, too dark, and too many bats.  Ewww, can you say guano?  What I want is upstairs," she pointed to the top of the cavern.

            "What are you talking about?"

            "Getting you to rejoin the human race."

            "Why do you care?"

            "Why do you help people, total strangers, every night?"

            Bruce was just about at the end of his patience.  "What do I have to do to get you to leave?" he growled.

            "But I just got here," she said softly, with a sly grin on her lips.  Then she said, "You could agree to take me to the wedding."

            "Why would you want to be seen with an old man like me?"

            "You make it sound so dirty.  We could bring Terry as a chaperone.  Could you call him from here?  To ask him? "

            "No."

            "Come on, it will do you good to get out into the world again, remind you that you are still a living breathing human being.  Please?  I'll leave you alone then.  It will be totally painless, I promise."

            "I doubt it."  With a sigh he dialed the cell phone number, "Terry?"

            "I'm here, what's up?"

            "What are you doing on Sunday?"

            "Ah, working I guess."

            "Hi Terry!"

            "Kendra?  What are you doing there?"

            "Bruce and I were just chatting.  He thought it would be a good idea if we went to Leticia Waverly's wedding, the three of us.  What do you think?"

            "Well, as exciting as that sounds, the thing is that Dana and I have just patched things up.  I'm not sure she'd like that very much."

            She was momentarily stunned.  Then, "Oh, ok."  She turned to Wayne.  "Well since we have two invitations, why don't we just double date then?"  Terry made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a gag.  Wayne just looked at her.  "It'll be fun."

            Into the phone he said, "Terry?"

            "Uh, yeah, sure Boss, if you want to.  Dana would love to go to that wedding.  She's been talking about it for weeks."

            "Great, why don't we all meet here around 11:00?  See you then."  She patted Wayne on the shoulder.  "I'll see myself out.  Bye."

            "Is she gone?"

            "Yes."

            "What's gotten into you?"

            "She's your friend."

            "Sounds like she's yours now too."