IM Conversation
+++++++++++++
TMCGIN: Hey
MWALKE: You didn't come over last night.
TMCGIN: Sorry - shoulder was pretty bad. I couldn't get back out.
MWALKE: Oh ( Will you be OK?
TMCGIN: hurts like hell. but I'll live
MWALKE: that's good.
TMCGIN: We need to talk
MWALKE: I know.
TMCGIN: Why were you following me?
Long pause before MWALKE typed her response
MWALKE: I don't know. I need to repay Batman/ you for all you've done for me. It's my turn to do something good. The night before, I saw you going to Dana's. I took that as a sign. But why? - I guess I couldn't believe it was really you under the mask.
TMCGIN: I really wish I hadn't done that.
TMCGIN: BTW thanks for saving my butt - twice.
MWALKE: As I said, I needed to help. I believe in karma.
Another pause
TMCGIN: Um, so do you mean to help in an ongoing way, or just this once?
MWALKE: What are you asking me?
TMCGIN: I need to know your intentions.
TMCGIN: And I don't know if I can trust you enough to let you help me.
MWALKE: WTF Ter, or am I talking to Bats now? I just saved you're a$$ from getting blown up.
TMCGIN: Sorry for being harsh. But there are other people involved, and I won't jeopardize them
MWALKE: UGH - Can't I have a purpose? Do something good for once? Can't I repay society for my past - like you did?
MWALKE: I never lied to you, to Terry or Batman. You're the only person I can say that about. So you ask why you should trust me, well why shouldn't you?
Another long pause
TMCGIN: Sorry about that. I don't mean to hurt you. I just have a lot to think about.
MWALKE: Guess you do. Jack thinks I'm obsessed.
TMCGIN: lol. You're the prettiest stalker I've ever had.
MWALKE: lol. Don't get a restraining order, K?
TMCGIN: We'll see.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Terry, how are you going to let her join us, when you didn't even give me a chance?" Max's eyes blazed. "I've been with you almost every step of the way. EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, TERRY. Don't you at least owe that much to me?" Max was storming around the Batcave. She needed something to hit, punch, pulverize. Terry knew she would be upset about Melanie, but still, he felt helpless against her rage. Bruce remained conspicuously focused on repairing the Batsuit. Terry thought it was ridiculous.
"Max, it has nothing to do with owing chances to you. Do you deserve to be Batgirl? Absolutely, yes. But that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about what you would be best at, and also what's best for the team. That means being Oracle. I only trust you and Bruce at the console, I trust you guys with my life every night I go out there. So don't think for a minute that Oracle is a consolation prize." He had rehearsed all this by himself, and reinforced it with conversations with Bruce. He believed in this idea. He only hoped that Max would buy it, too.
"Fine, Terry, I'm the brain. Everyone knows it. So yeah, it makes sense to give me the brainy job. But jeez Ter, at any other job I'd get some say over what I want, too. And as much as I've done so far, you just shut me down. Do you think I might feel like dog crap after the first ten times? She leveled her gaze on Terry, who stopped himself from flinching. He made himself return her gaze.
"Max, in any other profession, death and dismemberment is not a concern," he replied evenly. "Here, it is. That's why I can't just fulfill your request for 'a chance', even though it sounds so simple. Do you understand that? Nothing to do with dog crap, I just don't want to send you to your death because you want to try something out."
"So," she snapped, hands on her hips," you got me all figured out, just what I can and can't do. And Melanie just pops in, and you're all, 'hey, let's get matching suits and save the city'? Is she really more qualified than me, or is it that she gave it up? What is it, who do I need to sleep with just to get a chance around here?" She regretted the words as soon as they passed her lips. Terry was furious.
"That's ENOUGH!" he roared. "You can be mad at me, but I won't hear you talk about her that way. And you would get THAT at any other job, too." She stared at him a moment longer, then turned on her heel and stormed up the stairs. Terry looked helplessly at his mentor. He thought he saw a shadow of a smile pass over the older man's face as he picked up his cane and went upstairs.
Max was standing with her back to the grandfather clock. She heard it slide open. "Save it, McGinnis. I can't take much more of your bullshit today."
"I'm not Terry, Maxine," Bruce replied quietly. "I know why you're upset. You want to prove your bravery. After that confrontation we had with the T's - it shook you up. You didn't like that, and you don't know if you've lost your nerve." He paused long enough to make her feel his point. "This isn't the place for that. If you want to prove your bravery, go on that show where you eat bugs and jump into nets. At least there you won't endanger the lives of others," Bruce ended, a little more harshly than he intended. Max looked as if he had slapped her, her eyes bright with tears. Bruce sighed and looked down for a moment before speaking.
"Let me show you something." He pulled his undershirt out, and proceeded to take his shirt off. Max drew back in uncertainty. Is the old man stripping for me? - She thought with alarm. Under a fine cover of white chest hair, she could see that Bruce Wayne, even at his advanced age, has never really let himself go. He looked fit, and the skin was softly creased. But she also saw he was covered by several hardened, ugly scars. "Many of these were from the Joker. He liked exploding shrapnel. Even though my cape was made of Kevlar, I couldn't block it all the time. These over here are from throwing knives - I was lucky they only grazed me." he turned and showed Max his back. "Sometimes, bad guys want revenge. When Bane broke my back, I needed multiple operations to repair the damage. It took me a year to recover - it's also the reason I use a cane today." The large, thick scar ran nearly the length of his spine. "Max, is this how you want to prove yourself? Because I guarantee, it will happen to you, just as it's happening to Terry." Max reached out tentatively, gingerly touching the thick welt on his shoulder.
"It's a young man's game, Max," Bruce continued. "You think it's hard for Terry now, but he's at the top of his game at age 22. What's going to happen when he's 30? Or 50? Going out every night, still sore from the night before. No one wants to get old, but in this business, you'll feel it sooner than you should. Of course," he looked sincerely into her brown eyes, "it is entirely your decision what will happen next." She remained silent for several seconds.
"It's that obvious, huh?" she asked softly. "You're going to think I'm so pathetic. You know my parents divorced when I was young. And you know they were away because of their careers when I was growing up. And you know that my sister and I don't talk anymore. So I should be used to being alone, right?" Max took a breath, as Bruce kept watching her patiently. "I have no friends at all, except for Terry, Dana, and - well - you. Not only that, but I have this job that I can't even talk about with other people. I live in a cave, for God's sake! You'd think I'd be used to being alone, but it's driving me crazy. How do you bear it?"
Bruce smiled softly. "Well if you want is to meet people, I can certainly help." He put his shirt back on and showed her a pile of invitations on his desk. "I get about a dozen of these each month. Benefit dinners, exhibit openings, hospital dedications. Take your pick - you can be my escort. And if you should meet someone, tell him you work for the CIA. I can make you a badge." She wanted to laugh - did young Bruce Wayne ever use his fake ID skills to buy beer? Ha, doubtful, she thought. She thumbed through the stack.
"Well, I haven't been to the museum in a while," she said quietly. "Thanks, Bruce," she smiled.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
It was like the prom, but so much cooler, Max thought. She splurged on the dark red velvet dress and matching heels - as she viewed herself in the mirror, she was glad she did. In true Bat form, they had a plan worked out, should Max meet someone and need more privacy. Bruce had one of his other cars parked in back of the gallery, so he could get back to the manor himself, if Max got lucky.
Bruce smiled a greeting to her as they met in the foyer. "I'll warn you now, you'll see a different side of me tonight, Max," he said.
"The side that likes people?" she joked. Bruce scowled. "OK, OK. I'm just kidding. I'll see the Billionaire. I'll see why women used to fall over each other, just to get with you." She smiled into his icy blue eyes. "Oh, Terry told me about your past, Don Juan. I'll be watching you."
"Let's get moving," he said gruffly.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AN: so many stories have a "prom scene", where the main characters get all dolled up and go out on the town. Well, I don't know if Max's dress was a Versace or Nicole Miller, or if her shoes were Prada - but I thought if a prom scene belonged anywhere, it would belong here. As fine as Max is, I'll bet she got some that night, and did bad, bad things to some lucky man.
TMCGIN: Hey
MWALKE: You didn't come over last night.
TMCGIN: Sorry - shoulder was pretty bad. I couldn't get back out.
MWALKE: Oh ( Will you be OK?
TMCGIN: hurts like hell. but I'll live
MWALKE: that's good.
TMCGIN: We need to talk
MWALKE: I know.
TMCGIN: Why were you following me?
Long pause before MWALKE typed her response
MWALKE: I don't know. I need to repay Batman/ you for all you've done for me. It's my turn to do something good. The night before, I saw you going to Dana's. I took that as a sign. But why? - I guess I couldn't believe it was really you under the mask.
TMCGIN: I really wish I hadn't done that.
TMCGIN: BTW thanks for saving my butt - twice.
MWALKE: As I said, I needed to help. I believe in karma.
Another pause
TMCGIN: Um, so do you mean to help in an ongoing way, or just this once?
MWALKE: What are you asking me?
TMCGIN: I need to know your intentions.
TMCGIN: And I don't know if I can trust you enough to let you help me.
MWALKE: WTF Ter, or am I talking to Bats now? I just saved you're a$$ from getting blown up.
TMCGIN: Sorry for being harsh. But there are other people involved, and I won't jeopardize them
MWALKE: UGH - Can't I have a purpose? Do something good for once? Can't I repay society for my past - like you did?
MWALKE: I never lied to you, to Terry or Batman. You're the only person I can say that about. So you ask why you should trust me, well why shouldn't you?
Another long pause
TMCGIN: Sorry about that. I don't mean to hurt you. I just have a lot to think about.
MWALKE: Guess you do. Jack thinks I'm obsessed.
TMCGIN: lol. You're the prettiest stalker I've ever had.
MWALKE: lol. Don't get a restraining order, K?
TMCGIN: We'll see.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Terry, how are you going to let her join us, when you didn't even give me a chance?" Max's eyes blazed. "I've been with you almost every step of the way. EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, TERRY. Don't you at least owe that much to me?" Max was storming around the Batcave. She needed something to hit, punch, pulverize. Terry knew she would be upset about Melanie, but still, he felt helpless against her rage. Bruce remained conspicuously focused on repairing the Batsuit. Terry thought it was ridiculous.
"Max, it has nothing to do with owing chances to you. Do you deserve to be Batgirl? Absolutely, yes. But that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about what you would be best at, and also what's best for the team. That means being Oracle. I only trust you and Bruce at the console, I trust you guys with my life every night I go out there. So don't think for a minute that Oracle is a consolation prize." He had rehearsed all this by himself, and reinforced it with conversations with Bruce. He believed in this idea. He only hoped that Max would buy it, too.
"Fine, Terry, I'm the brain. Everyone knows it. So yeah, it makes sense to give me the brainy job. But jeez Ter, at any other job I'd get some say over what I want, too. And as much as I've done so far, you just shut me down. Do you think I might feel like dog crap after the first ten times? She leveled her gaze on Terry, who stopped himself from flinching. He made himself return her gaze.
"Max, in any other profession, death and dismemberment is not a concern," he replied evenly. "Here, it is. That's why I can't just fulfill your request for 'a chance', even though it sounds so simple. Do you understand that? Nothing to do with dog crap, I just don't want to send you to your death because you want to try something out."
"So," she snapped, hands on her hips," you got me all figured out, just what I can and can't do. And Melanie just pops in, and you're all, 'hey, let's get matching suits and save the city'? Is she really more qualified than me, or is it that she gave it up? What is it, who do I need to sleep with just to get a chance around here?" She regretted the words as soon as they passed her lips. Terry was furious.
"That's ENOUGH!" he roared. "You can be mad at me, but I won't hear you talk about her that way. And you would get THAT at any other job, too." She stared at him a moment longer, then turned on her heel and stormed up the stairs. Terry looked helplessly at his mentor. He thought he saw a shadow of a smile pass over the older man's face as he picked up his cane and went upstairs.
Max was standing with her back to the grandfather clock. She heard it slide open. "Save it, McGinnis. I can't take much more of your bullshit today."
"I'm not Terry, Maxine," Bruce replied quietly. "I know why you're upset. You want to prove your bravery. After that confrontation we had with the T's - it shook you up. You didn't like that, and you don't know if you've lost your nerve." He paused long enough to make her feel his point. "This isn't the place for that. If you want to prove your bravery, go on that show where you eat bugs and jump into nets. At least there you won't endanger the lives of others," Bruce ended, a little more harshly than he intended. Max looked as if he had slapped her, her eyes bright with tears. Bruce sighed and looked down for a moment before speaking.
"Let me show you something." He pulled his undershirt out, and proceeded to take his shirt off. Max drew back in uncertainty. Is the old man stripping for me? - She thought with alarm. Under a fine cover of white chest hair, she could see that Bruce Wayne, even at his advanced age, has never really let himself go. He looked fit, and the skin was softly creased. But she also saw he was covered by several hardened, ugly scars. "Many of these were from the Joker. He liked exploding shrapnel. Even though my cape was made of Kevlar, I couldn't block it all the time. These over here are from throwing knives - I was lucky they only grazed me." he turned and showed Max his back. "Sometimes, bad guys want revenge. When Bane broke my back, I needed multiple operations to repair the damage. It took me a year to recover - it's also the reason I use a cane today." The large, thick scar ran nearly the length of his spine. "Max, is this how you want to prove yourself? Because I guarantee, it will happen to you, just as it's happening to Terry." Max reached out tentatively, gingerly touching the thick welt on his shoulder.
"It's a young man's game, Max," Bruce continued. "You think it's hard for Terry now, but he's at the top of his game at age 22. What's going to happen when he's 30? Or 50? Going out every night, still sore from the night before. No one wants to get old, but in this business, you'll feel it sooner than you should. Of course," he looked sincerely into her brown eyes, "it is entirely your decision what will happen next." She remained silent for several seconds.
"It's that obvious, huh?" she asked softly. "You're going to think I'm so pathetic. You know my parents divorced when I was young. And you know they were away because of their careers when I was growing up. And you know that my sister and I don't talk anymore. So I should be used to being alone, right?" Max took a breath, as Bruce kept watching her patiently. "I have no friends at all, except for Terry, Dana, and - well - you. Not only that, but I have this job that I can't even talk about with other people. I live in a cave, for God's sake! You'd think I'd be used to being alone, but it's driving me crazy. How do you bear it?"
Bruce smiled softly. "Well if you want is to meet people, I can certainly help." He put his shirt back on and showed her a pile of invitations on his desk. "I get about a dozen of these each month. Benefit dinners, exhibit openings, hospital dedications. Take your pick - you can be my escort. And if you should meet someone, tell him you work for the CIA. I can make you a badge." She wanted to laugh - did young Bruce Wayne ever use his fake ID skills to buy beer? Ha, doubtful, she thought. She thumbed through the stack.
"Well, I haven't been to the museum in a while," she said quietly. "Thanks, Bruce," she smiled.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
It was like the prom, but so much cooler, Max thought. She splurged on the dark red velvet dress and matching heels - as she viewed herself in the mirror, she was glad she did. In true Bat form, they had a plan worked out, should Max meet someone and need more privacy. Bruce had one of his other cars parked in back of the gallery, so he could get back to the manor himself, if Max got lucky.
Bruce smiled a greeting to her as they met in the foyer. "I'll warn you now, you'll see a different side of me tonight, Max," he said.
"The side that likes people?" she joked. Bruce scowled. "OK, OK. I'm just kidding. I'll see the Billionaire. I'll see why women used to fall over each other, just to get with you." She smiled into his icy blue eyes. "Oh, Terry told me about your past, Don Juan. I'll be watching you."
"Let's get moving," he said gruffly.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AN: so many stories have a "prom scene", where the main characters get all dolled up and go out on the town. Well, I don't know if Max's dress was a Versace or Nicole Miller, or if her shoes were Prada - but I thought if a prom scene belonged anywhere, it would belong here. As fine as Max is, I'll bet she got some that night, and did bad, bad things to some lucky man.