Do The Evolution: Batman Beyond

By: Dionne

A/N: heya! I'm finally stepping out of my league! This is a Batman Beyond fic, as the title suggests, so bear with me. I penned Di into it [as usual, sorry, can't help myself] and other than that all the characters/ideas are original…kinda. ^__~,

Disclaimer: I OFFICIALLY DISCLAIM BATMAN BEYOND! I HAD NO HAND IN CREATING THE CHARACTERS, THE PLOT, THE SETTINGS, OR ANYTHING!!! I DO NOT OWN TERRY; I DO NOT OWN HIS LITTLE GIRLFRIEND, OR ANYONE ON THE SHOW! ::breathes:: now that's done, lets get down to business…



Chapter 1

Terry McGinnis jumped down off of a sixty-story building, and soared through the sky with his arms extended through the air. His radio went off in his ear, the static nearly disrupting his balance and fun…nearly.

"What are you doing down there, Terry?" came the spunky voice of Max Gibson, his best friend.

"Cruising," he said, flying straight for a building, and heading up at the last moment.

"Cruising is done in a car?" she suggested sarcastically.

"And waste the fun of the suit? As if," he said, in a joking manner.

"Dork," she grumbled.

"I heard that," Terry said, trying to sound threatening.

Max rolled her brown eyes, and finished typing up her Physics report for class.

"You know, I heard that trouble's coming to town,"

Max listened, but said nothing, urging Terry on.

"A man named DeLavega is heading in town. One of the richest men alive,"

"Family?" she asked, sitting up from her position on the floor of her room. She heard a dull thud against the wall, and she gasped a bit, but sighed in relief once she saw Terry coming into her window. He tapped the ear of his suit, and turned off the radio. Max turned off the radio in her laptop, and she sat Indian-style. He sat in front of her.

"He has a daughter—only a daughter. His wife died two years ago," he spoke lowly.

Max bit her lower lip, "Poor girl…but wait," she said, looking up at Terry again, "let me guess. She's coming to our school?"

Terry nodded, "Yep. But there's more,"

"Enlighten me," she said, looking more interested than ever.

"You see, her father's a notorious crime lord. There's never been enough evidence to convict him. It always manages to disappear. One time a detective got pretty close, but…" he said, looking Maxine directly in her eyes for his words to affect her more, "all they found was his body. The evidence was gone,"

Max rolled her eyes, "Ooh, I'm really scared," she said, leaning back, her chest heaving up.

"Yeah, I know. Sorry for being lame. But anyway, that's where you come in,"

Max arched a brow, "Come again?'

"I need your help…"

Max jumped up, "Yess!!! Ok, what do you need? A criminal file, what?"

Terry folded his hands, and slouched over, "Watch the girl,"

Max folded her arms, now scowling, "You're kidding, right?"

Terry shook his head, "Nope,"

She was going to strangle him, but there was a knocking on her door.

"Time for bed, Max!" her maid called in.

"Alright!" she called back. She turned to Terry, and he had on his infamous puppy…batty…whatever face.

"Fine, fine! I'll do it, but if she's a nuisance, you definitely owe me,"

He grinned, "Promise," he said, leaping out of her window.

"Showoff," she muttered, finishing her paper.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Carlos DeLavega arrived at his mansion, and his daughter popped her gum, standing behind him.

"Come here, Dionne," he ordered her smoothly.

She glared at him popping her gum.

He sighed, rolling his eyes, and flopping his hands down at her.

She snorted, and went to the chaeffeur, "Alright, Diaz. To the condo, please,"

"Right away ma'am," he said, opening the door for her, and slamming it softly. By the time Carlos came back downstairs, his daughter was long gone.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Dionne sighed, moving her hand over her face, and into her hair. She cracked her knuckles, and sniffled. She put her long cat-like legs on the back seat, her black Harley's smearing mud on the door, and she rested her head over her arms. She moved her arms closer together so her spiked bracelets wouldn't give her a headache. She moved her shoulders to become comfortable, and the black rag held together by safety pins shifted.

"We'll be there shortly, ma'am," Diaz reported, watching her in his rearview mirror.

She nodded, and reached for the champagne bottle. She clasped it, and chugged some.

"This is going to be a nice night, Diaz. A very nice night indeed," swigging more.

"Yes, ma'am," clearing his throat.

"You arranged for my motorcycle to be sent, right?"

"Yes, ma'am,"

"Very good. Now, keep driving," she said, putting the Merlot 1982 down at last.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning…

Maxine walked to school, keeping her eyes open. She didn't need to. A moment later, a motorcycle, probably blazing by at the speed of sound, rocketted past her into the parking lot.

She had the attention of a few of the students. The enigmatic girl locked her black and platinum bike at one of the panels, putting a locking card key in, and slipped it into her pocket. The rider removed her helmet, and a mane of long, jet-black, wavy hair fell out. A side bang fell straight into place, and she put the helmet next to the motorcycle. She took off her jacket, revealing a black bandana top over hip-hugging black pants with red flames up the sides. Maxine arched a brow, having no doubt that Miss Congeniality was probably the wench she had to babysit.

Jocks eyed her sleek frame, and she smiled at no one. She cracked her knuckles, and her spiked-bracelets clanked against each other. She walked, and her black Harley's were noiseless on the pavement.

"Oh heck no," Max muttered. Just then, a cheerful Dana Tan perked up.

"Heya, Max. What's up?"

Max faked a smile, "Oh nothing. Nothing really,"

"Who's the new girl?" Dana asked, sounding intruiged.

Max shrugged.

Terry strode over, "Good morning, ladies,"

Dana smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him quickly. Max rolled her eyes.

"Anyhow, Max, we've gotta get going. Remember, please…" he pleaded softly.

Max shooed him off with Dana, and headed to the new girl that no one dared to touch.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hey there," Maxine greeted the new girl.

She looked at her, almost in shock. She said nothing though, and then lowered her eyes to keep walking.

Max arched a brow, and walked up to follow her, "Hello?"

The girl looked up, "Uh hi," she said, her voice conveying nothing.

"So you're the new girl. My name's Max,"

She nodded, "I'm Dionne. Hi," she said, pulling her schedule from her pocket.

"You're lucky. After this week, we have a nice long break again. We go to school in intervals, but I guess you already know that. Where you from?"

"Miami," she said rubbing the back of her neck.

"Then you shouldn't have a problem fitting in. If you can fit in MIA, you can fit in anywhere," Max said, making Dionne smile.

"I can introduce you to a few people…"

* * * * * * * * * * *

By the end of the day, Maxine and Dionne were getting along as if they had always known each other. As they sauntered out of English together, they bumped into Terry.

"Terry!" Maxine said with an over exaggerated smile.

He smiled, and offered his hand to Dionne.

"Hi," she said, shaking his hand.

"You're Dionne?"

She nodded, "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"You're the only new girl that everyone can't stop talking about,"

She arched a brow, "Really?"

"Yeah. Well, gotta bail, ladies. Later…much," laughing at his own joke, and leaving.

"Trust me, Di. He's not always that goofy…he's worse most times,"

Dionne pouted playfully, "Girl, there goes those men for you,"

Maxine laughed, and then thought to herself…she knew she couldn't get too close to this girl. She looked at Dionne, forcing a generous smile, and continued to walk with her.

"So, Max. We have just about every class together. So, wanna get together sometimes after school and study?" Dionne asked, shrugging.

"Of course, Di. What are you doing this after noon?"

Dionne almost promised herself off, but then she remembered her…::ahem:: plans. She frowned, "I'm busy. I'm sorry. My dad…"

"Mr. DeLavega?" Maxine asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah. He needs some business help. You know that old saying; behind every good man, there's a better woman. Since my mom doesn't occupy that slot, and my dad's girlfriend is in the process of moving up here, I fill that spot,"

"Cool," Maxine said. She felt something jerk at her heart. Sympathy?

"Anyhow, thanks though. I've gotta go," she said, jogging off to her motorcycle before Maxine could protest. She pouted.

"Weird," she spoke softly, turning off her secret tape recorder.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Later that night…

Terry watched the tape Maxine gave him. The girls seemed to get along…Dionne seemed sweet. He shook off the thought. He couldn't be distracted, 'sweet' or not. She was the daughter of a crime lord, duh. He sighed, and slumped into Mr. Wayne's chair. He fast forwarded the tape a bit, and watched the end. As the last few words played, Bruce Wayne walked in.

"Terry. You seem…a bit uneasy. Everything alright?"

Terry put his hand up, signaling he was fine.

"That DeLavega. You're investigating her aren't you?" a hint of dry humor in his old creaking voice.

"Not funny, Mr. Wayne. I'm investigating her father," turning to face him.

He cleared his throat, motioning his head to the screen. Terry swallowed, and quickly erased the wide screen shot of when Maxine was looking at her from head to foot. Bruce laughed, and then became serious.

"Hey, just watch out,"

Terry nodded, "Yes sir,"

Bruce nodded, and turned to leave, his dog at his heels. Terry let a whoosh of air escape his lungs. He sighed, and rewinded the video.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hours later…

Carlos screamed into the receiver, "I don't give a damn! If the job's finished, he's finished. And besides, I need three more shipments by the end of the week. Do I make myself clear?"

The person on the other line cowered, and confirmed the shipments.

"Good," he snapped, hanging up. He sighed, and took off his shirt. For a man of 45, he was in great shape. His eyes were very much healthy, and he was slim and trim. He could have sworn he saw something flicker outside, but it was gone again after he did a double take. He sighed, and started to phone his daughter.

* * * * * *

Terry drifted about, trying to find Dionne's complex. All the while, he thought about what he had heard…shipments-- Of what? Did Dionne know? Finally, he hovered low over a building overlooking the water. He stopped, and put his fingers to the door. Sure enough, it was his luck that Dionne was on the phone with her dad.

"Daddy, you can't just expect me to…no, I don't care! I'm not working for you ever again!" she snapped finally, hanging up. Okay, apparently she had known about the shipments. They had to talk, then. He moved farther from the window as she opened it, and closer as she walked away. He looked in the complex, and saw a light coming from the inside of another room…most likely the bathroom. He slipped into her bedroom noiselessly, and sat in the shadows, narrowing his eyes. A moment or two later, Dionne walked in, turning off the bathroom light. She closed and locked her door, and her silky nightgown fluttered beneath her black mane. She moved the curtains from her white and black canopy bed, and snuggled into it. She pulled the curtain across again, and Terry decided it was a good time to talk now, before either one of them got too sleepy.

He stepped to the bed, and pulled the curtain across. She sat up, and looked him straight in the eyes. She didn't seem startled or anything.

"I heard about you," she said, monitoring him with dark, intrigued eyes.

"And I you, DeLavega," Terry retorted, "What's going on with daddy?"

She seemed neither intimidated, or worried, "Nothing you need to worry about, Bats,"

He glared, "Don't play cute,"

"Who has to play? I am cute," she retorted sarcastically.

Terry arched a brow. No argument there. "Alright, cutie, then tell me what your father has planned in the way of shipments?"

"Do you have a warrant?" she asked, sitting up. He acted quickly, and put his shins on either sides of her legs, locking her in, and he pinned her down by her wrists.

"I don't need one," he said, going in her face to smell her cinammon- vanilla scent, "I'm no cop,"

She swallowed, "What makes you think I'm going to cave into you?"

He moved his hand for a second, and traced a finger under her chin.

She arched a brow, "So you know about the shipments already. What more do you need to know?"

"You worked for him?"

"Yeah, so?" she retorted smartly.

"What ever happened to all the evidence that came out whenever he was tried in court?"

She shrugged.

He let go of her wrists, and moved his fingers through her hair.

"This is blackmail," she said.

He narrowed his eyes, "I call it getting results,"

She grunted, "Get off me. You've learned enough for one night,"

"Ah, so you won't mind if I come back?" he asked, getting up a bit, and falling on one knee.

She thought for a moment, "Alright, fair enough. Oh but tomorrow, don't forget the Mondavi?" she muttered sarcastically.

He chuckled, getting off her, and heading to the window.

"Will that be '82 or '83?"

"Goodnight, bats," she said, her tone hinting a type of edge he wasn't familiar with.

He leaped over the edge, wondering how to analyze the night.

* * * * *