Chapter 11-Metropolis
"Say bye to Daddy," Rachel told Robin. Terry was getting ready to leave for work.
"Bye Daddy."
"Bye Robin." He kneeled to kiss and hug her. Terry then turned to Rachel and did the same.
"I'll see you later."
She nodded. "Later."
Terry left after hugging Robin one more time.
Robin went off to play. Rachel put the finishing touches on her article and made sure she hadn't forgotten to pack anything.
Robin had fallen asleep when Rachel checked on her. Rachel carried the sleeping child to her car and buckled her into the car seat. She reentered the mansion to find Bruce.
"I'm gonna go home now. Take care of yourself, Bruce."
"Rachel-" he began.
"I have my reasons," she said firmly. "Bye."
"He's going to come looking for you, you know."
"I know. Give him this." Rachel handed Bruce a scrap of paper.
"I know you've been told this, but your father would be proud of you. Your mother, too."
"Thanks."
She turned and left the manor.
Two days later, Rachel was watching the news. Robin had gone to Rachel's friend Katrina's apartment for the weekend.
Frustrated that no one was reporting Corpus's capture, Rachel turned off the TV.
It was raining heavily. Rachel thought her position cozy: curled up with a warm blanketand listening to the downpour.
'I think I'll take a nap,' she thought.
Rachel was just drifting off to sleep when there was a knock at the door.
"I'm coming," she called grumpily.
It would either be Katrina, her other friend Amy, or Terry. They were the only ones who knew the pin number for her apartment. (A/N If you know the pin number, you can get in the apartment.)
Rachel gasped as she opened the door. Standing outside was Terry.
He was soaked to the bone and shivering. He looked as if he hadn't slept since the last night Rachel had been in Gotham, three nights before. Worst of all was Terry's expression. He wore a look of desperation and hope that mixed into something Rachel pitied, like a lost puppy.
"Terry," Rachel said softly. "Get in here; you'll get sick and freeze to death," she added more sharply.
He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Rachel bustled off to get him a towel.
"Here," she said, thrusting it into his hands. "Let's see if I can find you something to wear."
Terry looked around the rom. The apartment was very spacious, and had a good solid feeling of home.
The living room was decorated in blue. The couches, throw pillows, armchairs, and rug were all blue. In front of the biggest couch was a 36'' TV.
Most of the kitchen, he noted, was decorated in red. At least the refrigerator and towels he could see were.
Off of the living room were three rooms. They were Rachel's room, Robin's room, and Robin's bathroom.
Rachel came out of her room holding a long black terry cloth robe.
"It's all that will fit," she said apologetically.
"It's fine," Terry replied. "I'll go change."
Rachel pointed out the bathroom and he left.
She flopped down on her couch, hugging a couch pillow to her chest.
'Why wasn't I expecting this?' she asked herself.
He came back a moment late, looking considerably drier. Rachel's robe fell a little past his knees and Rachel gad a hard time trying not to blush.
"Where's Robin?"
"At Katrina's. She and Amy watch her, sometimes, when I need a weekend to myself," Rachel answered.
"Oh," Terry said mildly. "It's a nice apartment. Mine isn't this cozy."
"I do what I can," Rachel replied. "Karen has my mom's store and she sends me a quarter of the shop's profits every month. I don't want her to, it's her store now, but she does and I appreciate it."
"It's really kind of her," Terry said. "And then there's the Daily Planet in sight, too," he added, looking out the window.
"Yeah," Rachel said fondly. "It is."
A period of silence fell over the two, magnified by the rain.
"Why did you leave me again?" Terry asked finally.
"I had to," Rachel answered, begging him with her eyes not to make it harder than it already was. "We promised Robin we wouldn't let anyone hurt her and someone almost did. She was kidnapped. We promised our baby. It's safer here."
"But I need you," Terry said quietly.
"I need you too."
"Then why did you leave again?"
"I'm only trying to do what's best for us."
"What's best for us is being together," Terry said firmly. "Please, baby, what did I do this time?"
"It wasn't you, Terry. It was just the idea of that…klorbag taking Robin."
"Klorbag?" Terry asked, eyes widening.
"It's Tamaranian," Rachel said shortly. "Look, Robin was unexpected but I love her dearly and I intend on raising her properly and safely."
"She'll be OK. You know I'd never let anyone hurt my girls," he said gently.
"But something almost did," Rachel said fearfully. "Our child was kidnapped because of who her parents are. What if we lost her, Terry? What would we do then?" She started sobbing.
Terry tenderly drew her into his arms. "Shh, baby. I'm here now. Shh."
"I just don't know what to do anymore," she admitted. "I love you, and I always will. But if something happened to Robin I'd never forgive myself. And Gotham-"
"Crime percentages have decreased rapidly. Robin will be OK growing up in Gotham. I'll make sure of it."
"I want what's best for her."
"I know. But what about what's best for you?"
"The Daily Planet and Robin are my life," Rachel said quietly.
"I see…"
"I love you," she continued uncertainly.
"Then come home…and marry me."