It was the last straw for Max. The fifth day since he had come home and nothing had changed. His distant self-pity act was beginning to affect her too now. His constant refusal of any comfort or help she tried to offer had gotten her feeling so sorry for herself that she wanted to cry enough for both of them. Tears began to well in the corners of her eyes as she picked up the untouched tray of food she had spent hours preparing. Saying nothing she headed to the door then stopped and half turned towards Terry's brooding form.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. Going back to work. At least there all my efforts won't be wasted."
He looked up at her, met her glistening gaze for a moment then lowered his head without a word. Maxine left the room, a bitter thread to her thoughts, thinking it was hell with or without him. There was no way she could win any peace of mind.
A soft knock on her room door startled Maxine where she lay reading on the bed by lamplight. Terry's muffled voice came through from the other side. "Max? I'd like to talk to you."
She was reluctant to respond, resentful that he would expect her to jump just because he decided to act human for a change. "About what?" she offered loudly from her supine position.
"About what a jerk I am." He responded readily.
"Got that right." She replied with conviction. "Any other old news you want to discuss?"
"Not with a door between us."
"Then it can wait."
Silence for so long she thought he had left. She was ashamed to find herself smiling when he spoke again. "Come on Max."
Sliding from the bed she padded soundless to the door. Her hand hesitated by the knob. She heard the weariness in his tone now. "Please?"
With one hand braced against the doorframe and the other palmed against the door itself, Terry was unprepared to compensate for Max's sudden door opening. Body canting abruptly to the change, he literally fell into Max's reflexive outreaching of arms. She fell backwards, his weight adding momentum, the floor rushing up to meet them.
Ingrained rescuers training had Terry twisting his body to take the brunt of the fall on himself. He heard Max's gasp of protest as she felt him muscle her around and gasped himself when fresh pain ripped through his middle. A split second later they were sprawled on the floor.
Maxine rolled off of Terry who lay still, a grimace etched across his features.
"Smart move McGinnis," she chastised while her anxious gaze scanned him worridly. "Of all the stupid--"
"I was just trying to protect you." He muttered through gritted teeth.
"From what? My pride?"
Terry flashed her a harried look. "More than that would be hurting right now if I had landed on you."
He knew he outweighed her by at least forty pounds.
"I appreciate your consideration, but if you managed to mess up your insides because of me I will be very angry."
"Nothing's messed up. The muscles around there are sore, that's all." Terry dismissed her concern and rolled to sit up slowly, not objecting to Max's help when he struggled to a stand. Sudden dizziness assaulted his senses and he swayed, grabbing at her for support. She was ready this time, steadying and urging him towards the nearby bed where they both settled on its edge. He muttered, disgust in his tone,
"I had wanted you to come back, but not like this. Not just so you could baby me some more."
"I'm not babying you." Max resented the meaning he put to the word. Baby, was not a word she would use to describe him or how she felt towards him right now. "I'm your friend. I care about you. I want to help you through this. You'd do the same for me."
"You're too smart to end up like this. You've got it all figured out."
"Got what figured out?"
"Life."
Disbelief raised her eyebrows and compelled a snort of amusement. "Sorry to disillusion you Terr, but using commonsense does not give me any special insight into the meaning of life."
Terry lowered his downcast expression, hands idly fingering the flaps of his robe. Max sighed.
"Terry, you were abducted - kidnapped - taken against your will and beaten within an inch of your life. It wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"It shouldn't have happened Max. It wouldn't have happened to him. He would have found a way out. Damn it to hell!" His fist slammed hard onto the bed, making it bounce, mattress springs twanging loudly. "I shouldn't have let it happen!"
Jaw and neck muscles tensed and became pronounced as the anger coursed through him. His mind kept projecting the smug female face of his torturer along with the sickening knowledge of who it really was. The mind of Ra's Al Ghul inside his own daughter's body, controlling it against her will.
Max's soft words cut through the turmoil.
"What could you have done differently?"
A deep, gravelly voice sounded from the doorway. "There was nothing he could have done Max. Ra's Al Ghul is a meticulous planner of any operation he undertakes. He's had hundreds of years of experience to know exactly what needs to be done. Only a rare bit of unforseen circumstance or a miracle could have left Terry with an out."
"You're just saying tha--" Terry began, but Bruce did not let him finish.
"To make you feel better?" Bruce's mirthless chuckle was shortened by growled words. "Since when."
Terry grimaced, body straining in Bruce's direction. "You would have found a way!"
Bruce closed his eyes as vibrations of the young man's rage washed against him. He drew in a slow breath before replying. "Tell me what happened. Every detail. Then I'll tell you what I could have done."
The men stared hard at each other, tension so thick between them that Maxine squirmed in discomfort.
Terry's jaw muscles flexed as he ground out, "It doesn't matter. Telling you isn't going to change anything.
It's all in the past now."
"A past that will haunt you the rest of your life if you let it."
"And you're an authority on that aren't you."
"Yes." Bruce replied quietly, casting a benevolent look on Terry. "I probably am." With that said he moved away and headed down the hallway to his own room.
Max and Terry sat on the bed in motionless silence for a time.
Terry shifted, gingerly lifting himself from the bed. Max remained unmoved while watching his stiff gait towards the door. He paused and turned, a steadying hand on the knob.
"I just wanted to apologize to you for my behaviour before you left. I know you're only trying to help ."
"Did you really think I'd leave so soon?"
"Why not." he replied monotone, that bland set to his face. "There's no reason for you to stay."
Though he displayed no accusation in voice or body language, Maxine felt it smack against her. Hard. Breath left her for a moment as if she had been physically punched. She heard what he would not say,
'You left me once Max. No reason why you wouldn't do it again. I can't trust you anymore.'
'But I came back.' she heard the plantive voice inside her head protest. 'I didn't abandon you. Not really. I never stopped thinking about you.' She swallowed, throat constricting with emotion, making her words tight. "Are we still friends?"
His dark brows furrowed. "What kind of question is that?"
"One that deserves an honest answer."
Eyelids dropped, head bowed and she heard his almost inaudible sigh. When he did not speak she did.
"You know I just realized only a moment ago how angry you are with me for leaving. You are, aren't you. That's what this is all about. That's why you keep pushing me away."
The eternity of a full minute seemed to pass before his reluctant response came. The intense blue of his eyes was bright in the pale, wound mottled face when he looked at her. "You've always been there for me Max-- from the very beginning. I don't know what I did to deserve that kind of loyalty from you, but I came to depend on it. No matter what crazy things happened in my life I knew you'd be there helping me keep my head on straight, helping me find my focus again. Then that one day you left. You just walked away." Disbelief shook his voice. There was accusation in his eyes now, pointed directly at her. "I kept trying to convince myself that you had good reasons, that I didn't want you to lose your sanity either, that you weren't necessarily leaving me- just the job. But it didn't work. It all kept coming back to one thought. That after all this time you've- finally- given up on me."
Her head moved back and forth in objection. "Never. I would never do that. You can't really believe that."
"I don't know what I believe anymore." His harsh mutter was filled with confusion. Head dipped and came up. "I'm sorry Max. Sorry that it had to end this way."
"End?"
"You should know, that as far as I'm concerned -- " The look of finality in his eyes underscored his solemn words. "--Batman is no more."
Max's mouth opened in astonishment. It was a long while before she found her voice.
"You..." You're not serious, she wanted to say. You're still too much in shock to make that kind of decision. Batman is too much a part of you to let it go. You'll be lost without him. She rose unconsciously from the bed. "I-- I don't know what to say."
"Since you're leaving tomorrow, maybe this is a good time to say..." he shrugged. "..so long."
She searched his face for a sign that he did not really mean what he was saying, but found nothing except resolute assent. With a sad grin she remarked softly. "Touche."
Terry's head cocked slightly in question.
"Now I think I know how you felt when I left. It hurts no matter what side you're on doesn't it."
His expression did not change, yet a profound weariness suddenly emanated from him. Max decided to bring the uncomfortable interlude to an end.
"Well." She somehow produced a warm smile. "You should get some rest and I need to do some packing so I guess I'll say goodnight and -- goodbye."
Terry met her gaze for a tentative moment, before nodding and gradually pulling the door shut behind him as he silently left her presence.
Maxine stared dazed at the the surface of the ornate wooden door, her thoughts a jumble of regret, sadness and simmering anger. All three emotions, fighting for prominence inside her, twisted her face into an odd expression and compelled an anguished whisper.
"Damn you McGinnis. This isn't over. I know this isn't over." Even with the words spoken outloud she was not sure what they meant. Was she thinking of their friendship or his being Batman or something her thoughts were alluding to without becoming clear?
****************
Terry stood by the undraped, floor to ceiling window and watched until the sight of Max's car was lost behind the thick woods that bordered the winding driveway. He continued staring into the distance, trying to block the fresh sense of loss that came unsolicited. The sound of Bruce speaking was a welcome distraction, but the old man's words were not.
"The first time she left I stopped you from going after her. This time I strongly encourage you to do so. You need her."
Terry turned away from the window and walked to the center of the room where Bruce reclined, his ever available cane hooked on the cushioned chair arm. Terry's response was cool, without anger.
"I don't need anyone. Least of all her. And who are you to talk about needing someone. You - the epitome of aloneness."
"If that is true, then I should be an authority on knowing what type of personality is capable of surviving it and I'm sure you don't fit the mold." He watched as Terry settled himself stiffly onto a hardbacked chair, a flicker of pain crossing his face. The young man relaxed after a few seconds, but he made no effort to take up the thread of conversation. After a long silence Bruce tried again. "Do you know what your plans for the future are yet?"
"As a matter-of-fact I have been thinking about it." His calm reply was accompanied by a direct look at Bruce and the settling of folded hands on his lap. "You've spent a lot of effort, time and money working with me, trying to mold me into something that might benefit you and this city. Even though part of your investment didn't pan out I'd like to believe the other part could amount to something you might be proud of someday."
"Stop selling yourself short Terry." Bruce made an effort to keep the anger from his words. This continual self-doubting of his ability was frustrating to witness. If Terry could only see himself in the proper perspective he would know how effective his efforts these past years have been. "Even if you sat the rest of your life on that chair doing nothing, I could not be more proud of you than I am right now."
"Let's stop pretending Bruce. We both know what I am."
"And what is that?"
Mouth going taut, dark brows lowering, Terry gave his head a dismissive jerk. "Anyway- I was hoping you'd let me stay on as your associate. I'll understand if you say no to that. If you do, know that I'll refuse to leave the manor regardless. The least I can do to repay you is by making sure you're all right and the easiest way to do that is if I make this home base. I'll even pay rent if you want."
Bruce closed his eyes and sighed. "That won't be necessary. As far as I'm concerned this is your home for as long as you live. As for your position at WayneTech, it never crossed my mind to deny it to you. No matter what you think, you've been making a positive impact there just like you have in my life and in every life that calls Gotham home."
"Sure I have." Terry scowled with the sardonic reply. He met the censure in his mentor's piercing gaze for a moment before lowering his face.
Bruce stared at the bowed head, a single word repeating over and over in his mind. 'Patience.'
Standing by and witnessing Terry wallowing in a pit of self-doubt so deep that he could not find a way to reach him, he had to mentally shout the word. 'Patience.' When thoughts of Ra's; being near, of what he had done to Terry, of the evil he was planning; bubbled incessantly to the fore of his mind he shoved them ruthlessly back with that single word. 'Patience.' When he realized the toll Maxine was inflicting on herself by stubbornly denying her true feelings he reverently murmured the unspoken word. 'Patience.' When he doggedly continued to monitor criminal activities happening within Gotham and saw a sharp increase in occurrences after less than a two week absence of Batman's presence he growled the thought word. 'Patience.' When he realized the driving force of his own impatience was impairing his judgement, he inhaled a deep breath, let it out slowly and said the silent word. 'Patience.' Wisdom of a long lifetime told him that seeds of patience always bore an ample harvest of accomplishment. Bruce uttered the word softly.
"Patience."
Terry raised his head. "What?"
"I was telling myself that I should be more patient."
"Ah... " Terry frowned. He had never encountered anyone even remotely close to the degree of patience
Bruce was capable of enduring. "Right."
A minute grin turning up the corners of his old mentor's mouth, left Terry wondering what was so amusing.
************************
"Come here child."
Tamara emerged from the shadowed corner to stand beside the female human body that held the essence of her evil master.
The four scientists that sat around the far end of the table watched in tense silence as she approached. They knew why she was here. The innocent appearance of this pre-teen youngster hid the truth of what she really was. A freak. An enigma. A type of human their limited knowledge of existence told them was not supposed to exist.
"Tell me if they speak the truth."
The four fidgeted, avoiding the girl's unfathomable eyes as they rested on each of them for a single count. Her eyes closed, long black lashes fanning the upper edge of her cheeks. A child's voice answered.
"They are.. uncertain of the truth."
Ra's/Talia leaned forward, placing thin-skinned, bony hands flat on the table in front of her. The scientists shifted some more beneath her pointed gaze. This woman was even more frightening than the girl.
There was nothing remotely soft or giving about her that indicated the gentleness most women were capable of. Her voice held a cold, cruel edge that belied her feminine appearance.
"You have one week to dispel the uncertainties you feel about this matter. If the device is not ready by then your lives will be forfeit and I will resume my search for others to succeed where you have failed."
The lone female physicist lifted her eyes to send an uncertain gaze towards Ra's/Talia, her voice subdued as she spoke. "Permission to speak Master Ra's?" She continued at sight of the affirming nod. "The device is operational, but we are concerned about the secondary effects it seems to be causing." Master Ra's expectant stare bade her to go on. "All of the instruments we've set up to measure the surrounding different dynamic energies show massive fluctuations whenever the device is activated. We're not sure what it all means-- how dangerous it is disrupting the physical nature of life's energy. We've planned a series of experiments tha-- "
"One week. That is all. You may leave." Ra's/Talia's bored orders were accompanied by an unhurried shift back in her chair. The woman and three men eagerly rose and scurried nervously past their seated captor and the solemn girl who stood beside her. The acoustics in the dimly lit conference room muffled their hurried steps. In moments the muted swish of the door was finished and the room held complete silence.
"What are you thinking child?"
"That I wish to be gone from your presence." Tamara replied dully.
"What else?"
"That I hate you." Her tone remained emotionless, but deep inside the emotion seethed nonstop.
A spontaneous guffaw erupted from Ra's. He continued to express high-pitched amusement, his laughter reaching hysterical proportions.
Tamara closed her eyes tight, forcing herself to remain unmoved where she stood by his side. Her slim hands clutched convulsively on the material of her pant legs. Each time the mad laughter took hold of him a small amount of her own sanity slipped away with it. She called on the tears to come, the only sign she had to tell her there was still some innocence left within her. The taste of salty wetness on her lips gave her small comfort along with the silent plea she lifted to any who would hear and help.
Did she deserve any rescue after all she had done? There was one who had rescued her in the past that she had hoped desperately would do so again. But after what she had helped Ra's do to him she knew that that certain hope was gone.
No. There was no hope left for her, but she would not give up until she found a way to save her parents.
They were all that mattered. They had sacrificed so much for their genetically flawed daughter. Continuing to love her despite the strange, frightening abilities she had begun to manifest at a very young age.
Tamara's resolve strengthened as the maniacal laughter went on and on.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The End of Part One
I'm dedicating this story to one of my wonderful sisters, who has been steadfast in reassuring me that my writing is worth reading. She, of course, is prejudiced.
Many thanks to all the fanfiction writers out there who have given me hours and hours of reading enjoyment.
There is so much talent 'brewing' at so many different levels out there. It's exciting to be a part of it!
Thank you to all who have read, enjoyed and took the time to review this story. I hope I haven't disappointed too much.
I've been writing for my own pleasure and therapy for a couple of decades, but I never knew that 'fanfiction' exisited until our family purchased its first computer a few years ago. What a pleasant surprise to find there are others with the same kind of obsession I have! I'm no longer alone!
Since I've never really written for anything but my own satisfaction I've never felt a need to complete a story. Knowing I have a possible audience will compel me to finish this one and I hope when it's finished you won't be sorry you had to wait.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. Going back to work. At least there all my efforts won't be wasted."
He looked up at her, met her glistening gaze for a moment then lowered his head without a word. Maxine left the room, a bitter thread to her thoughts, thinking it was hell with or without him. There was no way she could win any peace of mind.
A soft knock on her room door startled Maxine where she lay reading on the bed by lamplight. Terry's muffled voice came through from the other side. "Max? I'd like to talk to you."
She was reluctant to respond, resentful that he would expect her to jump just because he decided to act human for a change. "About what?" she offered loudly from her supine position.
"About what a jerk I am." He responded readily.
"Got that right." She replied with conviction. "Any other old news you want to discuss?"
"Not with a door between us."
"Then it can wait."
Silence for so long she thought he had left. She was ashamed to find herself smiling when he spoke again. "Come on Max."
Sliding from the bed she padded soundless to the door. Her hand hesitated by the knob. She heard the weariness in his tone now. "Please?"
With one hand braced against the doorframe and the other palmed against the door itself, Terry was unprepared to compensate for Max's sudden door opening. Body canting abruptly to the change, he literally fell into Max's reflexive outreaching of arms. She fell backwards, his weight adding momentum, the floor rushing up to meet them.
Ingrained rescuers training had Terry twisting his body to take the brunt of the fall on himself. He heard Max's gasp of protest as she felt him muscle her around and gasped himself when fresh pain ripped through his middle. A split second later they were sprawled on the floor.
Maxine rolled off of Terry who lay still, a grimace etched across his features.
"Smart move McGinnis," she chastised while her anxious gaze scanned him worridly. "Of all the stupid--"
"I was just trying to protect you." He muttered through gritted teeth.
"From what? My pride?"
Terry flashed her a harried look. "More than that would be hurting right now if I had landed on you."
He knew he outweighed her by at least forty pounds.
"I appreciate your consideration, but if you managed to mess up your insides because of me I will be very angry."
"Nothing's messed up. The muscles around there are sore, that's all." Terry dismissed her concern and rolled to sit up slowly, not objecting to Max's help when he struggled to a stand. Sudden dizziness assaulted his senses and he swayed, grabbing at her for support. She was ready this time, steadying and urging him towards the nearby bed where they both settled on its edge. He muttered, disgust in his tone,
"I had wanted you to come back, but not like this. Not just so you could baby me some more."
"I'm not babying you." Max resented the meaning he put to the word. Baby, was not a word she would use to describe him or how she felt towards him right now. "I'm your friend. I care about you. I want to help you through this. You'd do the same for me."
"You're too smart to end up like this. You've got it all figured out."
"Got what figured out?"
"Life."
Disbelief raised her eyebrows and compelled a snort of amusement. "Sorry to disillusion you Terr, but using commonsense does not give me any special insight into the meaning of life."
Terry lowered his downcast expression, hands idly fingering the flaps of his robe. Max sighed.
"Terry, you were abducted - kidnapped - taken against your will and beaten within an inch of your life. It wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"It shouldn't have happened Max. It wouldn't have happened to him. He would have found a way out. Damn it to hell!" His fist slammed hard onto the bed, making it bounce, mattress springs twanging loudly. "I shouldn't have let it happen!"
Jaw and neck muscles tensed and became pronounced as the anger coursed through him. His mind kept projecting the smug female face of his torturer along with the sickening knowledge of who it really was. The mind of Ra's Al Ghul inside his own daughter's body, controlling it against her will.
Max's soft words cut through the turmoil.
"What could you have done differently?"
A deep, gravelly voice sounded from the doorway. "There was nothing he could have done Max. Ra's Al Ghul is a meticulous planner of any operation he undertakes. He's had hundreds of years of experience to know exactly what needs to be done. Only a rare bit of unforseen circumstance or a miracle could have left Terry with an out."
"You're just saying tha--" Terry began, but Bruce did not let him finish.
"To make you feel better?" Bruce's mirthless chuckle was shortened by growled words. "Since when."
Terry grimaced, body straining in Bruce's direction. "You would have found a way!"
Bruce closed his eyes as vibrations of the young man's rage washed against him. He drew in a slow breath before replying. "Tell me what happened. Every detail. Then I'll tell you what I could have done."
The men stared hard at each other, tension so thick between them that Maxine squirmed in discomfort.
Terry's jaw muscles flexed as he ground out, "It doesn't matter. Telling you isn't going to change anything.
It's all in the past now."
"A past that will haunt you the rest of your life if you let it."
"And you're an authority on that aren't you."
"Yes." Bruce replied quietly, casting a benevolent look on Terry. "I probably am." With that said he moved away and headed down the hallway to his own room.
Max and Terry sat on the bed in motionless silence for a time.
Terry shifted, gingerly lifting himself from the bed. Max remained unmoved while watching his stiff gait towards the door. He paused and turned, a steadying hand on the knob.
"I just wanted to apologize to you for my behaviour before you left. I know you're only trying to help ."
"Did you really think I'd leave so soon?"
"Why not." he replied monotone, that bland set to his face. "There's no reason for you to stay."
Though he displayed no accusation in voice or body language, Maxine felt it smack against her. Hard. Breath left her for a moment as if she had been physically punched. She heard what he would not say,
'You left me once Max. No reason why you wouldn't do it again. I can't trust you anymore.'
'But I came back.' she heard the plantive voice inside her head protest. 'I didn't abandon you. Not really. I never stopped thinking about you.' She swallowed, throat constricting with emotion, making her words tight. "Are we still friends?"
His dark brows furrowed. "What kind of question is that?"
"One that deserves an honest answer."
Eyelids dropped, head bowed and she heard his almost inaudible sigh. When he did not speak she did.
"You know I just realized only a moment ago how angry you are with me for leaving. You are, aren't you. That's what this is all about. That's why you keep pushing me away."
The eternity of a full minute seemed to pass before his reluctant response came. The intense blue of his eyes was bright in the pale, wound mottled face when he looked at her. "You've always been there for me Max-- from the very beginning. I don't know what I did to deserve that kind of loyalty from you, but I came to depend on it. No matter what crazy things happened in my life I knew you'd be there helping me keep my head on straight, helping me find my focus again. Then that one day you left. You just walked away." Disbelief shook his voice. There was accusation in his eyes now, pointed directly at her. "I kept trying to convince myself that you had good reasons, that I didn't want you to lose your sanity either, that you weren't necessarily leaving me- just the job. But it didn't work. It all kept coming back to one thought. That after all this time you've- finally- given up on me."
Her head moved back and forth in objection. "Never. I would never do that. You can't really believe that."
"I don't know what I believe anymore." His harsh mutter was filled with confusion. Head dipped and came up. "I'm sorry Max. Sorry that it had to end this way."
"End?"
"You should know, that as far as I'm concerned -- " The look of finality in his eyes underscored his solemn words. "--Batman is no more."
Max's mouth opened in astonishment. It was a long while before she found her voice.
"You..." You're not serious, she wanted to say. You're still too much in shock to make that kind of decision. Batman is too much a part of you to let it go. You'll be lost without him. She rose unconsciously from the bed. "I-- I don't know what to say."
"Since you're leaving tomorrow, maybe this is a good time to say..." he shrugged. "..so long."
She searched his face for a sign that he did not really mean what he was saying, but found nothing except resolute assent. With a sad grin she remarked softly. "Touche."
Terry's head cocked slightly in question.
"Now I think I know how you felt when I left. It hurts no matter what side you're on doesn't it."
His expression did not change, yet a profound weariness suddenly emanated from him. Max decided to bring the uncomfortable interlude to an end.
"Well." She somehow produced a warm smile. "You should get some rest and I need to do some packing so I guess I'll say goodnight and -- goodbye."
Terry met her gaze for a tentative moment, before nodding and gradually pulling the door shut behind him as he silently left her presence.
Maxine stared dazed at the the surface of the ornate wooden door, her thoughts a jumble of regret, sadness and simmering anger. All three emotions, fighting for prominence inside her, twisted her face into an odd expression and compelled an anguished whisper.
"Damn you McGinnis. This isn't over. I know this isn't over." Even with the words spoken outloud she was not sure what they meant. Was she thinking of their friendship or his being Batman or something her thoughts were alluding to without becoming clear?
****************
Terry stood by the undraped, floor to ceiling window and watched until the sight of Max's car was lost behind the thick woods that bordered the winding driveway. He continued staring into the distance, trying to block the fresh sense of loss that came unsolicited. The sound of Bruce speaking was a welcome distraction, but the old man's words were not.
"The first time she left I stopped you from going after her. This time I strongly encourage you to do so. You need her."
Terry turned away from the window and walked to the center of the room where Bruce reclined, his ever available cane hooked on the cushioned chair arm. Terry's response was cool, without anger.
"I don't need anyone. Least of all her. And who are you to talk about needing someone. You - the epitome of aloneness."
"If that is true, then I should be an authority on knowing what type of personality is capable of surviving it and I'm sure you don't fit the mold." He watched as Terry settled himself stiffly onto a hardbacked chair, a flicker of pain crossing his face. The young man relaxed after a few seconds, but he made no effort to take up the thread of conversation. After a long silence Bruce tried again. "Do you know what your plans for the future are yet?"
"As a matter-of-fact I have been thinking about it." His calm reply was accompanied by a direct look at Bruce and the settling of folded hands on his lap. "You've spent a lot of effort, time and money working with me, trying to mold me into something that might benefit you and this city. Even though part of your investment didn't pan out I'd like to believe the other part could amount to something you might be proud of someday."
"Stop selling yourself short Terry." Bruce made an effort to keep the anger from his words. This continual self-doubting of his ability was frustrating to witness. If Terry could only see himself in the proper perspective he would know how effective his efforts these past years have been. "Even if you sat the rest of your life on that chair doing nothing, I could not be more proud of you than I am right now."
"Let's stop pretending Bruce. We both know what I am."
"And what is that?"
Mouth going taut, dark brows lowering, Terry gave his head a dismissive jerk. "Anyway- I was hoping you'd let me stay on as your associate. I'll understand if you say no to that. If you do, know that I'll refuse to leave the manor regardless. The least I can do to repay you is by making sure you're all right and the easiest way to do that is if I make this home base. I'll even pay rent if you want."
Bruce closed his eyes and sighed. "That won't be necessary. As far as I'm concerned this is your home for as long as you live. As for your position at WayneTech, it never crossed my mind to deny it to you. No matter what you think, you've been making a positive impact there just like you have in my life and in every life that calls Gotham home."
"Sure I have." Terry scowled with the sardonic reply. He met the censure in his mentor's piercing gaze for a moment before lowering his face.
Bruce stared at the bowed head, a single word repeating over and over in his mind. 'Patience.'
Standing by and witnessing Terry wallowing in a pit of self-doubt so deep that he could not find a way to reach him, he had to mentally shout the word. 'Patience.' When thoughts of Ra's; being near, of what he had done to Terry, of the evil he was planning; bubbled incessantly to the fore of his mind he shoved them ruthlessly back with that single word. 'Patience.' When he realized the toll Maxine was inflicting on herself by stubbornly denying her true feelings he reverently murmured the unspoken word. 'Patience.' When he doggedly continued to monitor criminal activities happening within Gotham and saw a sharp increase in occurrences after less than a two week absence of Batman's presence he growled the thought word. 'Patience.' When he realized the driving force of his own impatience was impairing his judgement, he inhaled a deep breath, let it out slowly and said the silent word. 'Patience.' Wisdom of a long lifetime told him that seeds of patience always bore an ample harvest of accomplishment. Bruce uttered the word softly.
"Patience."
Terry raised his head. "What?"
"I was telling myself that I should be more patient."
"Ah... " Terry frowned. He had never encountered anyone even remotely close to the degree of patience
Bruce was capable of enduring. "Right."
A minute grin turning up the corners of his old mentor's mouth, left Terry wondering what was so amusing.
************************
"Come here child."
Tamara emerged from the shadowed corner to stand beside the female human body that held the essence of her evil master.
The four scientists that sat around the far end of the table watched in tense silence as she approached. They knew why she was here. The innocent appearance of this pre-teen youngster hid the truth of what she really was. A freak. An enigma. A type of human their limited knowledge of existence told them was not supposed to exist.
"Tell me if they speak the truth."
The four fidgeted, avoiding the girl's unfathomable eyes as they rested on each of them for a single count. Her eyes closed, long black lashes fanning the upper edge of her cheeks. A child's voice answered.
"They are.. uncertain of the truth."
Ra's/Talia leaned forward, placing thin-skinned, bony hands flat on the table in front of her. The scientists shifted some more beneath her pointed gaze. This woman was even more frightening than the girl.
There was nothing remotely soft or giving about her that indicated the gentleness most women were capable of. Her voice held a cold, cruel edge that belied her feminine appearance.
"You have one week to dispel the uncertainties you feel about this matter. If the device is not ready by then your lives will be forfeit and I will resume my search for others to succeed where you have failed."
The lone female physicist lifted her eyes to send an uncertain gaze towards Ra's/Talia, her voice subdued as she spoke. "Permission to speak Master Ra's?" She continued at sight of the affirming nod. "The device is operational, but we are concerned about the secondary effects it seems to be causing." Master Ra's expectant stare bade her to go on. "All of the instruments we've set up to measure the surrounding different dynamic energies show massive fluctuations whenever the device is activated. We're not sure what it all means-- how dangerous it is disrupting the physical nature of life's energy. We've planned a series of experiments tha-- "
"One week. That is all. You may leave." Ra's/Talia's bored orders were accompanied by an unhurried shift back in her chair. The woman and three men eagerly rose and scurried nervously past their seated captor and the solemn girl who stood beside her. The acoustics in the dimly lit conference room muffled their hurried steps. In moments the muted swish of the door was finished and the room held complete silence.
"What are you thinking child?"
"That I wish to be gone from your presence." Tamara replied dully.
"What else?"
"That I hate you." Her tone remained emotionless, but deep inside the emotion seethed nonstop.
A spontaneous guffaw erupted from Ra's. He continued to express high-pitched amusement, his laughter reaching hysterical proportions.
Tamara closed her eyes tight, forcing herself to remain unmoved where she stood by his side. Her slim hands clutched convulsively on the material of her pant legs. Each time the mad laughter took hold of him a small amount of her own sanity slipped away with it. She called on the tears to come, the only sign she had to tell her there was still some innocence left within her. The taste of salty wetness on her lips gave her small comfort along with the silent plea she lifted to any who would hear and help.
Did she deserve any rescue after all she had done? There was one who had rescued her in the past that she had hoped desperately would do so again. But after what she had helped Ra's do to him she knew that that certain hope was gone.
No. There was no hope left for her, but she would not give up until she found a way to save her parents.
They were all that mattered. They had sacrificed so much for their genetically flawed daughter. Continuing to love her despite the strange, frightening abilities she had begun to manifest at a very young age.
Tamara's resolve strengthened as the maniacal laughter went on and on.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The End of Part One
I'm dedicating this story to one of my wonderful sisters, who has been steadfast in reassuring me that my writing is worth reading. She, of course, is prejudiced.
Many thanks to all the fanfiction writers out there who have given me hours and hours of reading enjoyment.
There is so much talent 'brewing' at so many different levels out there. It's exciting to be a part of it!
Thank you to all who have read, enjoyed and took the time to review this story. I hope I haven't disappointed too much.
I've been writing for my own pleasure and therapy for a couple of decades, but I never knew that 'fanfiction' exisited until our family purchased its first computer a few years ago. What a pleasant surprise to find there are others with the same kind of obsession I have! I'm no longer alone!
Since I've never really written for anything but my own satisfaction I've never felt a need to complete a story. Knowing I have a possible audience will compel me to finish this one and I hope when it's finished you won't be sorry you had to wait.