Chapter Three- Birthday
Rachel's birthday was approaching. She repeatedly told Terry she didn't need anything, but he told her he'd gotten something really great and as soon as she saw it, she'd forget about not wanting anything. Bruce, she knew, would write her a check, something she also didn't want.
'At least they try,' she thought.
Something else had occurred to her, something that made her sad. Her parents were now both gone. Rachel had grown somewhat used to not having her Daddy, but her mother had always been there.
'At least I have Terry.'
Later that night, Batman and Firewing heard from Deathstroke again.
He stood outside a jeweler's, necklaces and bracelets encrusted with heavy jewels hanging from his arms.
"Stooped so low as to the level of a common thief, Slade?" Rachel asked calmly as she and Terry arrived on the scene.
"No better at insults than your father, my dear Firewing. Pity."
Tired of being compared to Richard Grayson, she attacked, double teaming with Terry. They performed a tricky maneuver which ended with Slade being knocked down.
"What do you want, Deathstroke?" Terry growled, placing a foot on Slade's throat.
Slade, however, wasn't going to reveal his reasons just yet. He rolled out from under Terry and knocked him down.
Rachel shot up into the air and sent several starbolts towards him. Deathstroke collapsed.
As the two teen heroes approached him, he got up and ran off, darting between buildings.
Rachel tried to run after him, but Terry wrapped her in his strong arms and held her tightly.
"Let me go," Rachel told him quietly.
"No."
"What is wrong with you? Why wouldn't you let me go after him? He killed my father. I won't let him get away with that. Not this time."
"It would have been stupid to go after him this late at night, Rachel," Terry said wearily. "What if he hurt you? What if you died? I couldn't live with myself if I let you get hurt."
Rachel sighed. "I'm sorry, Terry. I wasn't thinking. But next time…"
"Next time," Terry assured her.
September 30 dawned a perfect autumn day, the air crisp and refreshing.
The first thing Rachel remembered was that it was her birthday.
'I'm seventeen today. Wow. And to think I've lived over half my life without my Daddy.'
Belle, to, seemed to know it was Rachel's birthday.
"Mew."
Rachel picked the kitten up and buried her face in Belle's silky fur. "Mommy loves her pretty kitty," she cooed.
"And Terry loves his Rachel."
"Well, Rachel loves her Terry," Rachel replied as he sat down on her bed.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."
"Thanks," Rachel said, blushing.
"You'll have to wait until tonight to get your present, though."
"Then what's in your hand?" she asked, pointing to the envelope in his hand.
"My mom got you a card.:
"I thought she didn't like me," Rachel pointed out.
"She thinks you're a nice person, but that we're practically married and that to her is bad or something. Oh, and she thinks you'll dump me because you have money and I don't."
"Like I'm that shallow. Bruce had money, not me."
"That's what I told her. Let's not talk about it; today is your day."
He followed her eyes over to the picture of her and her parents that was sitting on her desk.
"It's the only picture we saved from the fire. I don't know how my mom saved it, but she did. It was taken on my eighth birthday, exactly a month before my Daddy died."
Terry gathered her in his arms, stroking her ebony hair. "I know it sucks to lose your dad."
"You have a mom, Terry," Rachel reminded him quietly. "Even if she thinks I'm a shallow gold-digger."
"I love you, Rachel. Happy birthday."
"McGinnis," Bruce said coolly when Terry arrived to pick up Rachel for their date.
"Is Rachel ready yet?" Terry asked, returning Bruce's icy tone.
Rachel answered for herself by coming down the grand staircase. (Not that it's a special staircase or something; it's just big.) She was wearing a black dress with black heels.
"You look beautiful."
Rachel blushed. "Thanks," she mumbled.
"Let's go, OK?"
"I want her home at eleven."
They ate dinner at a quiet Italian place. Max's boyfriend Kevin Waters had recommended it, and both were glad they'd chosen to come.
"You miss your parents," Terry said gently after a period of silence.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yeah.
"I'm sorry Terry. Here you are, trying to do something nice for me and well-"
"I know how you feel, and I understand. You can talk to me about it; you know you can."
Rachel smiled. "I promise I will enjoy myself for the rest of the evening."
"Good. You are allowed to be happy, Rach. Think about it: you're smart, pretty, you have me as a boyfriend…"
"Mr. Modest, are we?"
"You bet. Ready to go?"
"Sure…where are we going?"
"Somewhere else so I can give you your present."
They sat in the grassy field of Gotham Park, Rachel cradled in his arms.
Terry simply handed Rachel a flat black box.
She opened it and gasped.
Rachel found a silver charm bracelet. The charms lay flat against the velvet of the box, catching the moon's light.
There were five charms: a star, a robin, a kitty, a tiara and a heart.
"Oh, Terry," was all she could say.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it."
Go me! Two chapters in one day! #Victory Dance# R&R!
-iluvrobbie