A/N: 2022.11.14

This probably would've been ready a couple of days ago. But my heart was too broken. The sorrowful irony that this is the chapter I was writing.

Rest in Peace, Kevin Conroy (November 30, 1955 – November 10, 2022)

Thank you for being our Batman

Chapter 36

Given the decline of Bruce's health, the doctors were positive there was nothing more they could do for him. With all options considered, Bruce made the decision to go back to Wayne Manor and face his final moments at home. Some medical equipment was sent to the Manor and Sally temporarily moved into the Manor to care for him.

After Bruce moved back to the Manor, the next three weeks blended together. A mixture of laughter and tears. So many saying their final farewells to Bruce. Many former Leaguers, some who had already paid Bruce a visit, came by, repeatedly. So many burned bridges rebuilt, so many hatchets buried at last.

And Terry was there for all of it.

True to his word, he never left Bruce's side.

Gotham was still low on criminal activity, and Nightrunner, Koutetsu, and Ember were keeping an eye on things. With Batwing even joining in some nights since he was still in Gotham to be near Helena. Max and Helena decided not to take part in patrol, either; Helena had barely left the Manor and Max spent almost as much time there as Helena. Ghost-Wing and Jaguar had spent the last week out of Gotham to take care of a few things but made it clear they would return soon.

Through it all, Bruce remained strong. He showed no fear. Only sorrow. Knowing soon, he would have to say goodbye to the people he loved the most.

Soon, the weeks ticked down to days. Then down to hours.

Until Bruce's body began to slowly fail.

Then the time came down to minutes. At best.

Bruce's bedroom was filled with the people he cared and who cared about him the most; Terry, Helena, Diana, Max, Barbara, Dick, Tim, Clark, Basem, Hayate, Michelle, Ace, and Sally, who was still performing her doctorly duties. Bruce's blood and surrogate grandchildren were staying with Chelsea and Mel, respectively. Terry, Max, Basem, and Sally decided the kids were too young for this scene. Tiana and Lincoln weren't present; though they knew everyone considered them family, the Foxes knew the Manor wasn't where they belonged right now. They would be there for everyone later.

Terry sat with his head bowed. He looked up at Bruce. Bruce looked at him.

In recent years, they made it a point of no longer lying to or keeping secrets from each other, easily telling the truth with just their eyes.

Terry could see the truth. Bruce knew it was almost time.

Sally kept checking Bruce's vitals every way she could as his breathing was getting more and more labored. After finishing her last check, the truth hit Sally harder than she was ready for it to. But there was no denying it any further. She lowered her stethoscope, sniffed, and stared at the ceiling. She slowly turned toward everyone. "I'm sorry. I've…" She let out a shuddered breath, "I-I can't… there's… there's nothing more…"

"It's okay, Sal," Max tried to reassure her. "You did your best."

"Wasn't enough."

"Don't…" Bruce breathed out, "be ridiculous. Sally." He opened his eyes. "You… did… everything… right."

Sally smiled, sadly.

"There isn't…" Tim stopped himself before he asked the question everyone wanted to.

"Bruce…" Clark whispered.

"It's alright, Clark," Bruce replied. "I mean it."

Basem stared at Bruce, their eyes briefly meeting. Almost the same with Terry, Bruce and Basem gave up keeping secrets from each other. Sadly, this was one of those cases where Basem knew Bruce's mind, immediately. Basem knew what was going to happen. More to the point.

No matter how much they didn't want it to happen.

Basem also knew what had to happen next. And it was going to painful. But it also had to be private. He looked around the room. "Terry, Helena, Diana. We'll…" he cleared his throat. "…we'll leave you guys alone with Bruce."

It was hard to agree to that, but everyone knew Basem was right. They all said their silent goodbyes to Bruce; Max and Sally hugged Bruce, as did Dick. Tim and Clark shook Bruce's hand. Selina held Bruce's hand, one last time. Barbara and Bruce just exchanged one final nod with each other.

Terry looked at Batman's original partners. "Don't you guys…"

"It's not about us, anymore, Terry," Tim interrupted.

Ace was about to leave when Terry called out, "Get back in here, Good Bad Dog."

Ace looked up at Terry, whined, and walked back over, sitting by the foot of Bruce's bed.

After everyone else somberly filed out of the room, Basem was the last to leave, slowly and quietly closing the door behind him. Terry and Helena stared at their father and Diana held Bruce's hand. The four of them remained silent, not having any idea what to say. Ace sat with his ears low and quiet squeals of sorrow escaping ever so often. Terry stood up and started to pace in front of the bed.

Helena covered her mouth, "This… this isn't fair!"

Terry bowed his head, rubbing his face. Diana let out a saddened exhale.

Helena took hold of Bruce's other hand, squeezing it. "None of this is fair! You're a superhero! We've… we've only had a few years together!" She looked at Terry, "You didn't even get that long with him!" She looked back at Bruce as tears streamed down her face, "It's not fair! We've been cheated out of this! Being with our father! We didn't get enough time! It's not fair! None of this is FAIR!" she screamed.

Terry took a deep breath while Diana tried not to cry.

Helena took a few breaths then looked at Terry and Diana, "Can you do something?! Anything! Terry, please! Diana…"

Diana shook her head. "I'm sorry. I… truly cannot."

Helena looked at Terry, desperately.

Terry stared at her, "I… I don't know." He looked at Bruce, "Can I?"

Bruce smiled, weakly. "Not this time."

Helena sniffed. "I'm so sorry. Daddy, I'm sorry!"

Bruce looked at her, confused, "You're sorry?"

"I didn't make Mom tell me about you. I didn't make her tell me who you are! I didn't pester her every day to tell me! I'm so sorry I was angry at you for something that wasn't your fault!"

Terry ran his hand over his face, still fighting back tears.

"It's alright, Helena." Bruce placed his hand on her cheek, "You had every right to be angry. I should've done better."

"Daddy…" Helena whispered.

"It was my fault. What I've done… to both of you."

Terry shook his head, "Bruce…"

"Terry." Diana motioned for Terry to come hold Bruce's hand.

"Diana, I…"

"Please."

Terry walked over and took hold of Bruce's hand. Diana rested her hand on Bruce's head, stroking his hair.

Bruce squeezed the hands of his children. "I have made… so many mistakes. Failed… so many times. But the one thing I did right was have two wonderful children, no matter how you both came to be." He looked at Terry, "I'm sorry for how Waller interfered with your life." He looked at Helena, "I'm sorry I didn't interfere with yours."

They all let out a bitter laugh at that.

"I don't care about what you didn't do," Helena said. "I care about all you've done. You loved me. You loved me with everything you had. And that means to me than you'll ever know. I love you too. So much." She kissed his knuckles. "Daddy."

"You're my dad," Terry said. "As much as Warren. I was really lucky… really blessed… to have two fathers, so I can know how to be one."

Bruce smiled. "You're an amazing father, Terry. Always know that." He looked at Helena and put his hand on her cheek again. "You have your grandmother's eyes."

Helena smiled.

"You're an amazing woman, Helena. You always have been. You never… had to be a hero… to be amazing. I'm proud to call you my daughter."

Helena closed her eyes and exhaled. She looked back at Bruce, kissing his hand.

Bruce looked at Terry. "I've… avoided using a lot of titles… because I didn't… I didn't want to… make you think… I was trying to replace… Warren." He had to fight back tears. "But… if only once… I hope you know… when I say this… I've always felt this way. You are one of the best men I've ever known. I've always believed in you. For how…" he let out a long breath, "for how you've kept your stride, balancing your life in and out of the mask, I couldn't be prouder of you. You've proven yourself as a better hero and man than me… every… single… day. I'm… so very proud of you… son."

Terry closed his eyes as tears streamed down and he fought the urge to cry. Diana rubbed Terry's shoulder.

Terry opened his eyes up, "Thanks, Bruce. I hope I'll always make you proud."

"You will." Bruce looked at Helena, smiling at her again.

Helena smiled. "Thank you for coming into my life, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you," Bruce said. He looked at Terry. "I love you, too, Terry."

Terry gasped. He'd never heard that from Bruce. "I love you. Dad."

Bruce smiled. He looked at Diana, "Diana…"

"It's alright, Bruce," Diana smiled. "I already know everything you want to say. And I love you, too."

Bruce nodded slowly and leaned his head back. "I… feel very tired. I think… I'll close my eyes."

Helena let out a stuttered breath.

"Just… need to rest."

Diana and Terry looked at each other. They knew the truth.

Terry sniffed. He looked back at Bruce and patted Bruce's hand, "That's okay. It's cool. Rest all you need, Bruce. You earned it."

Bruce looked at Terry, tiredly, "Do you need…"

"No, Bruce. We… we don't need anything. You get some sleep. We're all fine." Terry forced a warm smile to his face. "Everyone's fine. We're all fine. I promise. We're just fine. Because of you… we're all fine." He smiled wider. "Hey, Bruce! You did it! You saved everyone. You kept them safe."

Bruce smiled a bit. "I did?"

"Yeah. The promise to your parents? You kept it. You did it. They'd be proud of you. Alfred, too."

Bruce smiled. "Proud." His eyes trailed up to Diana as he leaned his head back. "I love you, Diana."

"I love you, too," Diana said, choking down a cry.

"Terry. H-Helena. Remember…" Bruce slowly closed his eyes, "never forget… to love… and take care… of the ones… who love… you." His eyes closed fully.

Terry's eyes widened the second he realized it.

Diana's voice caught.

Helena felt her whole body go rigid.

No heartbeat. Bruce's hands were growing cold almost immediately. His chest was not expanding anymore.

Bruce Wayne. Batman.

Gone.

Terry closed his eyes, exhaled, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Diana squeezed her eyes shut, touching her forehead to Bruce's temple, as she began to cry.

Ace whined as he rested his chin at the foot of Bruce's bed.

Helena reached up and touched Bruce's face. "Daddy?" She started to cry. "Daddy." She shook him a bit, "No, no, no, no, no, no! Dad, please! Dad, no, don't go! Don't go, please! Please, Daddy, don't go! Don't go! Daddy, NO! DADDY! DON'T GO!" She threw her arms around Bruce's body, crying into his shoulder. "PLEASE! WAKE UP! PLEASE! JUST WAKE UP!"

In the hallway, Clark looked up suddenly. Tears began falling from his eyes, immediately.

The rest of the group looked at the door when they heard Helena wailing and screaming.

"Oh, God," Basem whispered in despair.

A couple of minutes later, the door slowly opened and Terry, sluggishly and despondently, walked out. They looked inside to see Helena hugging Bruce as she wept and Diana having her head bowed against Bruce. Everyone looked at Terry as they felt sorrow rushing through their bodies.

Terry opened his mouth but couldn't say the words for a moment. "Uh…" He swallowed, "He's… he's gone."

Max tried her best to hold it together, but she couldn't. She fell to her knees, unable to stop herself from crying. Sally knelt down next to Max and wrapped her arms around Max, holding her close. Tim began crying, immediately. Dick just exhaled and pressed his back against the wall, before leaning his head back and letting the tears fall. Selina wanted to leave. She wanted to find somewhere to disappear to. But hearing Helena's cries kept Selina anchored where she was. She would go be with her daughter in a moment, but she knew Helena needed to grieve. But Selina would be there, swearing to never abandon Helena again. Clark walked toward the door, Terry stepping out of the way to let him in, but Clark stopped and put his hand on Terry's shoulder. Clark just silently stared at Bruce, tears falling. Barbara put her hand against the wall, bracing herself. She took off her glasses and pressed her hand to her face; the last time she cried like this was for her father. Seeing the scene, Basem and Hayate looked at each other, tears forming in their eyes as they silently acknowledged how painful this was. Michelle started to pace, grumble to herself, and throw an angry fist at the air, doing what she could to not burst into tears. Michelle kept pacing as she clenched her skull, gripping tight enough to almost leave bruises. Hayate walked over and hugged Michelle; she gritted her teeth and let her tears fall as she, silently, cried into his chest. Basem watched everyone's sorrow and felt guilty for not being able to do anything about it. Basem looked toward the room as it hit him again Bruce was gone. A tear escaped, then Basem ran his hand over his face and exhaled, then stared listlessly at the ceiling.

Terry was doing the best he could to hold it together. But he started shaking.

Clark felt it. He looked at him, "Terry?"

Terry's eyes suddenly became glassy.

Basem looked up at hearing Clark's question and Terry's silence. He saw the expression on Terry's face and became worried. "Terry?" Basem asked, concernedly, taking a step toward him.

A second failed response caused everyone to look at Terry, concernedly.

"Ter?" Michelle asked.

"Terry?" Hayate asked.

"Can you hear us?" Sally asked.

"Kid…" Barbara said, worriedly.

"Hey!" Dick called out to him. "Hey, Terry!"

"Terry," Tim walked toward him, cautiously.

"Kid, you're not the silent type," Selina said, worriedly. "We need you to talk! Please!"

Basem took another step toward Terry, "Terry. You okay?"

Max sniffed and stared at Terry. "Baby? Baby, say something!"

Out of nowhere, tears streamed from Terry's eyes. He couldn't hold it in anymore. He felt all of the strength he had against Bane, his elites, the Scourge, the jailbreak, and the other villains falter. His legs gave out as he went limp, and he almost crashed to the floor except Clark, Basem, and Hayate caught him.

"TERRY!" Max screamed.

"We got him, we got him!" Basem declared, as he, Clark, and Hayate eased Terry to the ground. Everyone else rushed to his side as Sally started taking Terry's vitals.

"H-Hey, is he okay?!" Michelle asked in a panic.

"Yeah, he just…" Sally shook her head, "he-he-he just passed out. It… it was just too much."

Max cradled his head, "Oh, baby. Terry." She kissed his forehead.

"Kept his strength up for too long," Basem mused. "Must be a family trait."

"I think it's a trait for all of you," Clark said.

"He did say family," Barbara reminded.

Clark smiled a bit. "Yeah." He looked at Bruce. "A family. In the end… you made a beautiful family after all, Bruce."