A/N: 03.02.2022
FASTEST! TURNAROUND! EVER! I literally started these two stories this afternoon! THAT IS FAST FOR ME! So, I decided to call these two stories "The Path Taken" duology, with this story being part 1. Here's the thing: originally, I was never going to write the breakup scene of Terry and Dana, leaving to all of your imagination. But after the last three parts, I felt compelled to do so. And I very much enjoy how these turned out. RyokoMist said I write like Alexander Hamilton and I take that as the HIGHEST of compliments. The title for this story is inspired by the Fort Atlantic song of the same name. I first heard the song on an episode of "How I Met Your Mother." Enjoy!
SYNOPSIS: Dana comes to a decision about her relationship with Terry. A final decision. Pre-"Count On Me".
Let Your Heart Hold Fast
For some reason, Terry expected this text.
From Dana: We need to talk.
The words everyone in a relationship dreads to hear.
But Terry exhaled. This needed to happen. And he would face it head-on. He considered telling Max about the text but decided against it. This was between him and Dana. Whatever was about to happen.
Terry met Dana the following day at the diner when Charlie Bigelow first happened back into their lives. Dana was already there, an uncertain look on her face. That told Terry plenty from the start. Dana looked up, saw him, and smiled; he smiled back.
Terry walked over and stood at the edge of the booth. "Hi," he greeted.
"Hi," she replied, somewhat solemnly.
Terry sat down and they sat in silence for a minute.
"So…" Dana said. "…you're probably wondering why I called this meeting."
Terry chuckled. "I can guess."
Dana was about to dive right into the heart of the matter but thought of something a bit more important. "Did your mom make it to Keystone?"
"Yeah. She loves the new place. Apparently, Matty is already making new friends."
"Not surprising," Dana replied. "He's always been outgoing kid."
"In a good way," Terry added.
"Yeah." Dana exhaled. She couldn't figure out any other way to stall. It was time. "How direct do you want me to be?"
"Extremely. I deserve it."
"You sure do," Dana said. "Fine. I'll be blunt. Terry McGinnis…"
Terry braced himself for the worst.
But Dana smiled. "You are one of the most amazing people ever."
Terry blinked. "I am?"
"Yeah. You have… turned your life completely around. You've done some amazing things, and you should be so proud of how far you've come."
Terry sat in complete shock. He blinked. "Wow," he whispered. He cleared his throat, "Wow, Dana. Thanks. I… I don't know what to say."
"I just wanted to say that…" Dana paused. "…so you wouldn't… misunderstand what else I have to tell you."
At that, Terry pretty much figured out what she was going to say.
"My dad got a job in Coast City," Dana explained. "And… one of the schools I applied to is out there. I got accepted."
Terry nodded, slowly, as the implications were made amazingly clear to him. "When do you leave?"
"Probably in a week or two." Dana took a deep breath and exhaled. "Which… brings me to the subject of… of us."
"I figured it would."
Dana tucked her lips in and closed her eyes. Tears formed right away. She opened her eyes and gazed at Terry, who was giving her a comforting smile. Dana swore he already knew what she was going to say. But she had to say it. That was only the way to make it clear.
To make it real.
"I think…" Dana began, "I think… we should breakup."
Terry let out a slow exhale. Exactly as he thought.
"I just… feel like we've… gone a lot further than most people thought we would, but… this… this is probably… it."
Terry let out another exhale, this one slightly more resigned than that the last. "Yeah. Yeah, I get that."
"What do you think?" Dana asked.
"I don't want that," Terry admitted. "And I can tell you don't either."
"No, I don't."
"But…"
"But…" Dana repeated.
"I… think you're right. I wish I didn't. I wish it wasn't the case, but… I think you're right. Honestly… I know you're right."
"Yeah. Seriously, I think it's for the best." Dana sighed. "I know… it's for the best."
Terry nodded, understandingly.
"You have a life that's rooted here, Terry. And I thought I would be, too. But… something about my dad's job offer… the school… it… felt like a sign."
"I want you to be happy, Dana," Terry insisted. "I wish I could be the reason you were."
"You were," Dana reassured. "For a long time. But… life's still happening."
"I just feel guilty for everything I've done to you."
Dana looked around, confused, then focused back on Terry. "What did you do to me?"
"Disappearing on you so much. You… probably thought I didn't care."
"Okay, on the list of things you're not gonna do, that's at the top. Stop."
Terry chuckled a bit.
"Terry, you never treated me, badly," Dana reminded. "Never! Do you get that? You got a job with Bruce Wayne. After your dad passed away. Any time I was… misunderstanding… about your job, I just got caught up in my own feelings. I took it personally. And I shouldn't have."
"Yes, you should. Just… things…"
"Terry, I mean it. Stop. It's okay."
"Really?" Terry asked, sincerely.
"Yes," Dana replied, sympathetically. "I told Max once… that you probably saw Bruce as a father figure. And… I don't blame you. He's… had your back, looked out for you and your mom and Matty. He's… proven to be pretty schway for an old guy."
"And he has the coolest cars."
"Right?!"
They laughed. Dana studied Terry, then she leaned forward and took hold of Terry's hands. "I'm really sorry I dropped all this on you at once," Dana declared.
"Don't be," Terry replied. "I get it. Seriously."
"I'm glad. It's why I started the conversation the way I did. I didn't want you to think… I hated you or something. This is just…"
"What you feel is best," Terry completed. He looked off and nodded, "I get it. I really do."
"You're going to be okay, Terry," Dana reassured.
"Yeah, I guess," Terry shrugged.
"Terry…"
"I'm just… just so sorry… about us. This job… it really is worth it, I just…"
"Stop." Dana smiled. "You needed that job. Your mom did. It helped you and everyone around you. Me, included. You're… so important to Bruce. I can tell. Every time he's on television or something talking about his company… you're not far behind, looking out for him. He's a great man… but he's… so alone. You're probably the closest thing he has to family."
"Yeah, sad but true," Terry mused.
"Terry. You're gonna be okay."
"I know." Terry smiled. "And I'm happy for you. I really am. You're gonna do awesome things in Coast City. I know it."
She smiled.
"It's just… gonna be… tough without you."
"For me, too," Dana admitted. "But… I know you're going to be fine."
"Part of me does, too. And I know you're going to be absolutely fine."
"I don't know about 'absolutely'," Dana replied.
"I do." Terry exhaled. "I just… God, Dana, I'm so sorry! You never deserved ever feeling bad because of me."
"You didn't do anything to hurt me, Terry. Believe me, I'd be the first tell you if you did. If this was happening because I thought you were a dreg or anything, trust me, this conversation wouldn't be this pleasant."
Terry laughed.
"Listen to me," Dana insisted, "you're a great guy. You're going to find someone and make her the happiest woman on this planet."
"You're gonna find a guy… and he better know how damn lucky he is to have you."
"He better!"
They laughed.
"Thank you, Dana," Terry said. "For… everything."
"Thank you," Dana replied. "You… are… an amazing person."
"Right back at you."
Dana got up. "I better get going. My dad wanted to talk to me about the move."
"Probably to talk about breaking up with me," Terry pointed out.
"Yeah, most likely." Dana studied him then kissed him on the cheek. "You're a great guy, Terry McGinnis. You're going to be fine."
"Thanks, Dana. You're an amazing woman. You're gonna be even more amazing in the future."
"That's the plan. Take care of yourself."
"You, too."
Dana headed for the door and stopped once she got there. She took one more look at Terry, who smiled back at her. Dana returned the smile and headed out.
Terry thought about leaving, as well, but decided he had nowhere to go. He stayed sitting in the booth for about an hour, staring at the plate of food he ordered but barely touched. He exhaled and rubbed his face. He looked at his phone and was surprised to not get a call from Bruce yet.
When his phone did ring, he looked and saw Max's number and face on the screen. He smiled a bit and answered, "Hey, Max."
"Did I just hear from Chelsea what I think I just heard?!" Max said, urgently.
"About Dana?"
"Yeah!"
Terry paused. "Yeah. You heard."
Max stopped. "It's true? She's moving? You guys are… are over?"
"Yeah," Terry confirmed.
Max was silent for a while. "You… wanna talk about it?"
"Maybe later. Just… processing right now."
"Are you okay?"
Terry thought it over. "Actually? I think I am. It's gonna take some adjusting, but… I think I'm okay."
"I get it," Max replied. "Terry, I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, Max. It's not your fault." Terry checked the time. Just after 8:00 PM. "I'm gonna eat then get ready."
"Wanna come by after your patrol?"
"Not tonight," Terry answered. "I'll be okay, Max. I mean it."
"Okay. Tomorrow, we're hanging out. This is not negotiable."
Terry chuckled. "You got it."
"I'm really sorry, Terry," Max said, solemnly.
"Yeah," Terry said, matching her tone. "Me, too." He shrugged, "But… I really do think it's for the best. For me and her."
"That's really mature of you, Terry. I'm really proud of how you're handling this."
"Thanks, Max."
"Be safe out there," Max insisted.
"I'll do my best," Terry replied.
"And I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Terry ended the call. He ate a bit of food, then ordered more, leaving about an hour after Max called. Once outside, Terry looked up and down the road. He thought about Dana and how he really did feel like this was best for both of them. She could make her own life without worrying about him, and his guilt for lying to her so long would finally begin to subside.
Terry exhaled and headed for his car. Perhaps all of this would turn out for the best. After all, tomorrow was full of endless possibilities.
Late that night, Dana sat in her bed, staring at pictures on her tablet. She came across one from the graduation of herself, Terry, Chelsea, and Max.
She focused on Terry's face. "You're gonna be fine."
She scrolled to the next picture.
Of Terry and Max.
"You both will be," Dana whispered, smiling. "One day. I know it."
