As the light of the city receded into the darkness that same day, long time friends were in each other's arms, resting after another wonderful day at high school, as well as their long-awaited private make out sessions. Contrary to popular views amongst their peers, the two haven't made the "big jump" yet, and don't plan to until they're both 100% ready. Time would tell if they were, but their minds were more focused on less trivial matters.
"Seven Million Dollar Hero."
"No way, the final Devastator movie."
"Max, that was pretty...well, I dunno..."
"Look, just because you cried at the end doesn't mean you have to knock the movie."
"I thought you weren't gonna' bring that up again."
"I though you knew me better, McGuiness."
"Yeah, I know, but I have one that beats them all."
"Oh really? What?"
"Terry and Max's Make-Out Adventure."
"Mmm, my favorite. I hope there's many sequels."
The two kissed each other deeply, ending their light-hearted argument over the best classic action movies. It was moments like these that they knew couldn't be shared with anyone but each other, and had promised time and again that it would be kept that way, considering his nightly escapades of saving the city, if not the world. Once they regretfully pulled away from each others' lips, Max sighed as she lied on Terry's chest, rubbing it softly and feeling what muscles he's built over the time he's been the media-dubbed Cyber Crusader.
Closing her eyes, she turned her hear to Terry and asked, "So is it gonna' be another night with Mister Wayne?" Terry groaned loudly, "Oh man, you had to say the 'W' word, didn't you?" "Well it's not like you weren't expecting it either," Max replied, "but you know I love you too much to be mad about it. The more you do it, the better off our future together will be. Too bad Dana couldn't deal with that." "I can't complain, considering what happened," he reminisced. "It's okay, Ter," she comforted, "not everyone can do what you do, and even those that do have those moments. More importantly, you can't be everywhere at once. Just as long as once you're out that suit, you're with me." "Promise," Terry swore, before they kissed a bit more before he pulled out and finished, "for the fifth time this month, I promise." They shared a brief laugh before kissing one more time, when a series of beeps came from his dresser drawer. Max reached over to get the phone before Terry could, as his hands rested on her waist and didn't want their moment to end.
"Wrong number," she answered. "Max? Where's Terry," asked the familiar voice of seniority. "He's in the little bat's room, can you call back in five," she lied, just so they can have one more moment together. It was a few seconds after he heard a slight noise on their end to reply ill-amused, "Give him the phone." As she lied on Terry surprise, Max looked at him with concerned eyes. "He's good," she said. "Tell about it," he agreed, just as he sat up to regrettably take the call. "What's up?" "It's more of the case of what's down," Bruce replied, "I'll tell you more once you're here. It's the only way." "Got it." Once Terry hung up, he kissed Max before putting his forehead on hers, sighing before he spoke.
"Looks like another night in the fire for me," he started, "but are you sure this doesn't put a strain on our relationship?" "Do Jokers smell," Max asked. They laughed lightly, before starting to kiss deeply and lovingly as always, but as they began to lie back on the bed, Terry's cell rang once more. They shared an audible groan, as Terry picked up this time. "Yeah." He answered. "Come now." Wayne hung up, just as Terry did the same while looking at Max, repeating her previous words. "Yeah, he's good."

It took a little longer than usual, but Terry walked into the Bat Cave, where Bruce was in his usual spot, resting in the chair and possibly analyzing something linked to tonight's escapade. As his eyes started to adjust to the darkness of the second home, Terry called to Bruce to notify his arrival. "So what's up," he said, before he got a good look at the sickening image on the screen.
It was a man's arm floating in the sewer water, freshly torn from the body that it came from that was attached on the ceiling, with bent poles in his remaining appendages to assure his failed descent. The face was distorted with signs of inhuman pressure to twist its skin in the spiral formations the pictures revealed. Blood ran from his opened eyes, but at this point it was already dried to his face, and whatever came from his mouth was also dried on his chin, running into his thin beard and moustache. He appeared to be a civilian by his clothing marks, but at the same time he may have been a homeless individual. It made no difference to Bruce and Terry, as they knew that life was life, and whatever lied beneath the pavement saw life in a different perspective.
"This was the only real picture of a victim taken with a camera pod, after numerous photographers rejected taking any shots first hand," Bruce explained. "Can you blame them," Terry asked. Bruce continued, "This was the first of a few occurrences just yesterday before and during your engagement with Mad Stand, and just this evening, two officers and a convict they chased down into the area were reported missing in that same area of your fight. A strong search party is being planned for others that have disappeared underground, but I hope and pray that they know what they're dealing with."
"Do you?"
"Not until you find it."
"Then what? Expect it to comply with his arresting development," Terry wondered.
"No," Bruce answered, "just investigate and be careful. Bring it in if you can."
"You know me," Terry assured, as he went to put on the Bat suit. He then stopped and looked back towards Bruce. "By the way," he began, "how'd you know I was there with Max?" "Let's just say I've taken care of my ears very well over my lifetime," Wayne answered with a smirk. "Cheater," he said, knowing that the computer had a play in it somehow as well. He shook it off before he placed the suit on, and readied himself to enter the watery grave of what he hoped to be no more than the man in the picture, but with the way he felt, Terry knew he'd be proven wrong. Dead wrong.