A/N: 2022.10.27

I am just marching down the field with this, huh? Wow.

Well, like I said, the "War with Bane" arc is over. Now... it's time to deal with the Bruce Wayne dilemma.

I hope you're ready.

Here we go.

Chapter 35

Three days following the end of the war with Bane, Gotham saw a significant reduction in crime. The city's workforce was focused on recovering from the damage of Bane's ship. Bruce was moved back to the hospital and Diana was by his side, as always, with Helena staying in the hospital as often as possible.

It was night, and Terry and Max were sitting at home on the couch. The kids were asleep, and Max was leaning against Terry as they stared at the blank television screen. Runner, Koutetsu, Ember, Ghost-Wing, and Jaguar were handling patrol for the night.

"You know, for such a big TV, we never watch it," Max noted.

"We do plenty with the kids," Terry reminded.

Max fell tensely silent. Her eyes began to mist. "Now… that all the other stuff is done… I need to talk about Bruce. Please."

"Of course."

Max started to shake, whispering, "What the hell is wrong with him?!"

Terry stared at her.

"I mean… he's dying! And he won't… do anything to stop it! That's… that's not fair!" Max jumped to her feet, "That's not fair to us! I mean… he's solved every conceivable puzzle on the planet! But this?! He won't even try to fix this?! Why?! What's so wrong with fixing this?!"

Terry knew better than to try to answer. Max needed to vent and he wanted her to.

"I just don't know why he won't let us do something!" Max paced. "Why doesn't he let anyone doing something to save him?! Why doesn't he… let Diana take him to her island?! Why not let Zee magic away the tumor? Let Superman give him some Kryptonian DNA?! We know like every single superhero in the history of the world and he won't let anyone do anything! WHY WON'T HE LET US DO MORE?!"

Terry just sat in silence.

"He wants penance! He wants to embrace the end! Well, WHAT ABOUT US?! What about what we want?! We love him and want him around! Doesn't that matter?! Don't you and Helena matter?! Doesn't Diana matter?! What about the kids?! Is he even thinking about them?! No! He's only thinking about himself! Why is he being such a SELFISH BASTARD?!" Max pressed her hands to face, gasping as tears fell. She knew her argument had absolutely no logic, but she just needed to scream and be irrational, if only for a moment. It was the only thing she could do that made sense.

Terry stared at Max. "You're one of the best people ever."

Max looked at him, confusedly. "Terry?"

"You care so much about him. Max, I… me and him did nothing to deserve you caring so much."

Max walked over, sat next to him, and hugged him. "He's… he's my dad, too. I just… I'm so scared."

"Yeah." Terry's mind flashed to his conversation with Static. "Me, too."

Max embraced him closer.

"Max, I'm really… finding it hard to hold it together."

"I know. Whenever you need to let it out… I'm here."

"Thanks. I love you."

She kissed his cheek. "I love you, too."

Helena was staring at a chess board she set up, absentmindedly moving a few pieces around. She had no idea why she even bothered setting it up. She didn't even really like chess, despite knowing how to play. Even being considered an expert at it by some. It just wasn't her favorite way to pass the time. But she needed some kind of distraction and nothing else was working. She hadn't even really been able to sleep, peacefully, save for the first couple of nights after fighting Bane and the Scourge.

Helena heard her phone ring and saw Lincoln's face on the screen. She answered, immediately, "Lincoln?"

"I…" Lincoln said, "…this is gonna sound really wrong. But I'm outside and I wasn't sure…"

"I'm opening the door!" Helena rushed to the door and opened it to see Lincoln stepping out of his car. She ran toward him and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and Lincoln hugged her back right away.

"Thank you," Helena whispered.

"What for?" Lincoln asked.

"For…" Helena looked at him. "…everything. Everything you've done for me, Tia, Terry. Just… thank you, Lincoln."

"What do you need?"

"This." Helena fought back a bit of fear creeping up. "You. I need… you."

Lincoln fought his own fear down. "You've got me. Whenever you need."

The following morning, Bruce was lying in his bed with Diana sitting in a nearby chair, reading, when a knock came to the door.

Diana looked up, "Come in."

The door opened and Max came in, holding Grace's hand.

Diana smiled at them, "If it isn't the little one!"

"Hi, Ms. Diana!" Grace waved.

"Hello, little Grace."

"Hey, Diana," Max greeted.

"Hello, Max," Diana replied.

Max looked at Bruce, nervously, then back at Diana. "Grace wanted to see Bruce. Is he…"

"Oh." Diana looked at Bruce. "I don't know. Ummm…"

"I'm always well enough," Bruce said, opening his eyes, "to see Grace."

Grace walked up to the side of the bed, "Hi, Grandpa Bruce."

"Hello, Grace."

Grace was practically a tiny version of Max with a lighter skin tone. She had Max's eyes and smile, one which immediately brought joy to whatever room Grace was in.

"Have you been a good girl?" Bruce asked Grace.

"Yes, sir!" Grace replied. "I can name so many dinosaurs now!"

"That's very good. You'll be smarter than your father in no time."

"Bruce!" Diana chided with a giggle.

Grace laughed then her smile slowly fell away. "Grandpa Bruce?"

"Yes?" Bruce asked.

"Are you… going away?"

Bruce froze for a moment, then nodded, slowly. "Yes, Grace. I am."

"Are you… gonna come back?"

Bruce had always been as honest as he could be, obvious instances notwithstanding. Straightforward was the best policy, in his mind. But for the first time in his life, it was hurting Bruce to tell the truth. "No, Grace," Bruce said, solemnly. "I… I won't be coming back."

"Because you're… gonna die, right?"

Diana gasped.

"Grace!" Max's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"

"I heard Ma'Dear and Auntie Mel talking," Grace answered. "They said Grandpa Bruce was sick."

Max covered her mouth. "Grace…"

"It's okay, Mama. It just made me sad. It's why I wanted to see Grandpa Bruce." Grace looked at Bruce, "I just wanted to say… I wish you weren't going away, Grandpa Bruce."

"I wish that, too."

"I love you, Grandpa."

Bruce stared into her eyes. He found enough strength to sit up, lean down, pick her up, and sat her on the bed.

Max and Diana almost couldn't believe he was able to do that.

Bruce engulfed Grace in a tender hug, "I love you, too, Grace. Always remember that. You, your brother. I'll always love you. Promise you'll always remember."

"I promise." Grace snuggled against him. "I love you, too."

That night, while Bruce was lying in bed, Diana was holding his hand, staring at his sleeping form. Bruce opened his eyes and looked toward the window.

"You've gotten better," Bruce whispered.

Diana looked up, surprised, and turned toward the window.

Andrea's face was revealed by illumination of a passing car. "Hello, Bruce," Andrea said, sadly.

"Hello, Andrea," Bruce greeted.

"Andrea." Diana's eyes widened. "Beaumont?"

"Yes," Andrea stepped forward. "Hello, Wonder Woman. I'm sorry this is our first meeting. And for the intrusion."

"You… came to see him."

"Yes."

Diana studied her. "When did you…"

"When the nurses left after checking his vitals," Andrea answered.

Bruce thought for a moment then clarity struck. "You saw Terry. That's where he got the info about Ra's's other son and granddaughter."

"He didn't tell you?" Andrea slowly smiled. "He… was protecting you. You… have one hell of a son, Bruce."

"Yes, I do."

Diana looked between them. "I… can leave…"

"No," Andrea held her hand up. "Please. You've been a comfort to him. Something I failed at."

"Yes. But… I know about the history here. And it's one that should be settled without me. After all, it's a history before me." Diana looked at Bruce, "I'll be right outside."

"Are you sure?" Bruce asked.

"Very. Trust me. I understand." Diana walked to the door and opened it.

"Wonder Woman," Andrea said, regrettably.

Diana stopped and looked at Andrea.

"Thank you."

Diana nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Bruce and Andrea stared at each other. Decades of feelings passed between them without a word being said. More pain than they expected with only a flash of happiness by comparison.

Andrea shook her head, her voice breaking, "If you only knew how…" She stopped and exhaled. "I rehearsed an apology a million times. A billion. I knew everything I would say, how I would say it, and how I would tell you that I hope your life was better without me." She felt a tear forming. "And I know… none of that makes a difference now."

"It makes all the difference, Andrea," Bruce replied. "I'm sorry. I could've found you. I could've walked away from this life… and helped you through your pain but…"

"But, that's just it, Bruce," Andrea interrupted. "You couldn't. My pain… it wasn't something you could ever fix. There are two ways you can take vengeance. I chose the wrong way. You… you chose the right way." She looked down then back at him. "And… the life you lived… saved so many. I'm… grateful you never came after me." She stared at him. "I am so sorry… for how I hurt you. How I betrayed you…"

"Andrea… it's alright."

"I'm sorry, Bruce. Maybe… you could've found peace… if I could have."

"I found peace." Bruce smiled. "It just took a while."

Andrea let out a bitter laugh. "I noticed. But, point in your favor, you could've done a lot worse than the actual Wonder Woman."

Bruce laughed. He studied her body language. "You didn't plan on staying long."

"I can't. You have others who are there for you. I'm… just a ghost from your past."

"A phantasm."

Andrea exhaled. "I just wanted to tell you… I had to tell you… I'm sorry."

"All is forgiven."

"And I have to tell you… you have an amazing family."

Bruce smiled. "I really do."

Andrea walked over. She touched his cheek and stared into his eyes, then whispered, "I never stopped loving you."

"Nor I, you," Bruce replied.

She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Goodbye, Bruce. And thank you."

"Goodbye, Andrea."

Andrea turned and walked toward the door. She opened it and stopped. She took one last look at Bruce.

He smiled.

She smiled back.

She left, closing the door behind her.

After closing the door, Andrea stared at Diana and she at her. Andrea walked up to Diana and offered her hand. Diana smiled and shook Andrea's hand. After the handshake, Andrea walked down the hallway and turned the corner. Diana couldn't but think how Andrea lived up to her Phantasm moniker: slipping in and out with barely a sound, leaving only her ethereal presence behind.

Two more days passed, and all evidence pointed to Bruce's condition was only getting worse. The end was now a matter how soon, instead of how long.

Terry had been avoiding the hospital. He knew it. And he wasn't the only one who knew it.

One night, after patrol, the team, along with Ghost-Wing and Jaguar, met back at the Machine Shop.

"Good job tonight, everyone," Terry said, removing his mask.

Michelle scoffed as she took off her mask, "We haven't done anything in the past week. This is the most boring it's been since I moved here."

"Given the days that proceeded these nights, my love, I'll take the quiet," Hayate countered.

"Alright, fair."

Terry typed on the Shop computer, "We should be able to move back to the Manor and the Cave now. No sign of any Scourge stragglers, so we should be safe."

"Your call, Terry," Basem said.

As Terry kept typing, Basem looked at Hayate, Michelle, Alfred, and Kailyn. Michelle kept giving subtle, yet belligerent, signals for Basem to talk to Terry, leading to a silent, aggressive, hand-gestured argument between the two.

"You guys gonna tell me what you wanna talk about?" Terry asked, still typing.

They let out a collective, quite groan. "Yeah," Basem exhaled. "Terry… you haven't seen Bruce yet."

"I know."

"We just think… you should. Nothing's… gonna change. And… you need to see him."

Terry stopped. "I know. I just…" He turned to them. "Guys, I'm trying to hold it together… and I don't know how much longer I can do that."

Michelle chuckled, ruefully. "Are you kidding me? Ter, you've been holding it together since we knew he was sick. You're like the toughest guy I know! But you're more than allowed to not hold it together right now."

"But you guys need me."

"And that will always be true," Hayate replied. "But… whenever you need us, we're here. You need us now. You handled so much during our war with Bane. Now, allow us to help you. We firmly believe you need to be near Bruce."

Terry looked down, sadly.

"When my grandma, Bea, died…" Alfred spoke up, "…I pushed a lot of people away. And I kept pushing. And I didn't stop until Bane nearly caved my chest in. For the love of God, Terry, pull a me." He smiled a bit.

Terry chuckled a bit.

"We just want you to…" Kailyn shrugged, "…be okay with not being okay."

"And let's be clear," Basem spoke up, "no one's telling you what to do or how to do it. We just want you to know… if you're worried about how we'll see you if you need to… breakdown or just stay around Bruce until this is…" He sighed, not able to complete the thought. "The point is don't worry about us. You have the respect of everyone in this room. And more. But… brother, Bruce needs you. And… I think you need to be there for him."

Terry studied them all. "I can't believe… I thought you guys would… not be there for me when that's all you've done. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Hayate reassured. "None of us could imagine being in your shoes."

"No matter how sure we were could walk in them," Alfred joked.

Terry smiled then frowned. "Basem."

"I've got it," Basem confirmed. "However long you need."

"Thanks. 'Cause… I'll be busy for a while."

"Understood."

"And call us," Michelle insisted. "You and Max. Whenever you need."

Terry smiled. "Right."

Terry stood in front of the hospital for a long time, staring up at the façade. He took a deep breath and entered the building, starting his journey to Bruce's room. It felt like the longest journey of Terry's life.

When Terry came to Bruce's room, Diana was just walking out.

Diana smiled at him.

Terry nodded at her.

Diana walked up and hugged Terry, kissing his cheek.

After Diana walked away, Terry stood at the door, staring blankly at it. He sighed and opened the door, finding Bruce lying in bed with his eyes closed.

Terry walked into the room, quietly closing the door behind him. He stared at Bruce for a while, not sure if he was awake or not.

"You're being too considerate." Bruce opened his eyes, gazing at Terry. "I would've woken you up."

Terry chuckled a bit. "Yeah, you would've, but… you've earned some rest." He walked over and pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. "With… everything going on… I realized… we've barely gotten to talk. Just the two of us. When it wasn't business related."

"I know. I'm sorry, Terry."

"That's my line."

"No. You've been busy trying to keep everyone alive and the city safe."

"With the success of that severely in question," Terry grumbled.

"Comes with the job," Bruce responded. "But you did amazingly for all you had to deal with."

"I tried." Terry looked off. "And… I guess I was just… holding this off as long as I could. Avoiding the hospital and all."

"I understand your reasoning. And I'm still sorry."

Terry jerked his head back, "I've been avoiding you and you're sorry? What for?"

Bruce studied his biological son. "Everything. Just… Terry, I wish you could have had a normal life. A better life. Just…"

"'Better'?" Terry asked. "Better? What's better? Better than… being married to Max? Better than having Grace and Warren? Better than being friends… family with B, Hayate, Michelle? Better than having Helena for a sister? Than having Chelsea, Tiana, and so many others in my life? There's something better than that? I honestly think that's impossible."

Bruce sighed. "I meant…"

"I know what you meant, Bruce. But… I get to be Batman. That's pretty schway."

"I never fully understood how that word gained so much traction," Bruce admitted.

"That's 'cause you're old," Terry joked.

They laughed for a moment.

Bruce swallowed, nervously. "Are you… truly happy, Terry?"

Terry shrugged, "I mean… with… this?" He motioned toward Bruce, "Of course not. But… with my life in general? You're damn right I am. I've got more than I deserve, Bruce."

"You deserve all of this. And more."

Terry scoffed.

"If only… I could've been a better man… and father to you."

"You were exactly the father I needed. And more. From the moment we met, and you always will be. I had Warren and Mary McGinnis and I had Bruce Wayne. Between three of you, I just might get this parenting thing right."

"You're doing better than you realize," Bruce declared.

Terry studied him. "I feel like everyone has said this, but… I just wish we had more time, Bruce."

"So do I. Sometimes… I think I should… just do something drastic. Something… unnatural. To… keep myself going."

"But…"

"But… I remember when I tried that before… and I need to accept this." Bruce groaned. "No matter how much it hurts."

Terry looked down. "I'm running out of strength, Bruce. I'm trying to keep it together for everyone. But… you're dying. How do I stay strong during this? How do I stay strong after you're gone? When you're not there anymore?"

"You never needed me to be strong," Bruce insisted. "At most… I just pointed you in the right direction. But you've been strong since you were sixteen."

"It's running out…"

"Listen to me, Terry."

Terry stared into Bruce's eyes. And found himself at a loss for words.

How could he not be when he saw tears forming in Bruce's eyes?

"You don't have to be strong all the time," Bruce declared. "I tried to be. And I was this close to dying alone. In the name of all that's left to believe in, I never, ever want you to end up like me! Be weak when you need to! Max is strong enough to be there for you, just like you're there for her whenever she needs it! I want you to live a long life, surrounded by loved ones! Decades of memories for you and Max! I want you to see your children grow up and see them have children. Even see your own great-grandchildren!"

Terry chuckled.

"I want you… to continue to be the Batman… I failed to be. Not one who stands alone because he feels like he has to. But stands alone only when all other avenues have been exhausted and you have to. You learned everything I didn't. Every lesson I failed… you passed with flying colors. You have so much now. Basem, Hayate, Michelle, Tiana. Even Max, Helena, Lincoln! The League knows they can trust you! You've… surpassed me… in every way that matters."

"Not true, Bruce. I'm nowhere near as smart as you. I couldn't beat Bane alone. I let you down that way."

"Don't you ever say you let me down, ever again!" Bruce commanded. "Don't you dare ever think that again! You were smart enough to realize Bane was capable of outsmarting you and you took command of that situation… by knowing when to give up command. Terry McGinnis… you are a much better man than me. And I am… so… fiercely proud of you!"

Terry held back crying. It wasn't easy. He sniffed. "You changed my life for the better, Bruce. And I can't thank you enough for that."

"I should be saying 'thank you'. And I am. Thank you, Terry."

Terry smiled. A couple of tears escaping.

Bruce couldn't believe it but he was fighting not to cry himself. "I really do wish we had more time."

Terry thought that over. "Another fifty years… still wouldn't be enough."

Terry and Bruce sat in silence.

"I…" Bruce stopped. "I wanted to ask you… something I have no right to ask."

"Anything," Terry replied.

Bruce considered his request. "When… when it's time… will you… sit with me? Until… until the end?"

"That's funny. You think you had to ask that. As much as possible, I'll be here, Bruce. I swear."

Terry got up and Bruce managed to sit up. They didn't speak again but, instead, embraced in a fierce hug. They couldn't stop themselves from crying silent tears.

It was a hurt unlike any either had experienced in a very long time. But, at least, this time, they could say good-bye.

Heroes.

The Dark Knights of Gotham.

Batman. Batmen.

Father and son.

A/N: Easily, one of the most difficult scenes I've ever written was this last one between Terry and Bruce. And the next chapter is going to be, emotionally, worse. See you there, everyone.