A/N: 2022.08.14

My schedule might get crazy again soon. So, I'm trying to put as much of this out as I can, as quickly as I can. We really are close to the end to the final battle. Just a bit more. Enjoy!

Chapter 22

The rest of the afternoon came with team going about making their plans. Batman's message had already played all over Gotham; while most of the city was still evacuating, there was seemingly more hope spreading online with overwhelming support showing for Batman.

At Basem and Sally's, Basem was pacing in the living room as he was talking on the phone with Sally studying him.

"Okay," Basem said. "I'll try to signal you when you can come in." He paused. "Alright. Thanks. See you later. Hopefully."

After ending the call, Basem and Sally stared at each other. They smiled.

"That was a good idea, babe," Sally commended.

"I just hope it works," Basem exhaled.

"It will. The only problem is more the 'when'."

"Bane's probably got long-range sensors on that ship. If we can blind those and disable his bomb…" Basem shrugged, "it… could work."

Sally walked over to him, "It's going to work." She wrapped her arms around him, "You guys are going to win. I know it."

Basem gazed into Sally's eyes. "You've always believed in me… haven't you?"

"From the day we met," Sally grinned, lovingly. "I always will. Basem and Nightrunner."

"I… know I wanted you to stay in Kane County. But… I'm really glad you're here."

"Me, too."

Despite what she said before, Michelle did come up with one idea that could help takedown Bane. She just needed to make a phone call. She put on her jacket and was headed for the elevator. She saw Hayate, sitting on the couch and staring at his phone as it sat on the coffee table.

Michelle studied him. "Whatever idea you have…"

Hayate looked up at her.

"…I support you." Michelle got on the elevator, and it descended.

Hayate exhaled then stared at the phone again. He picked up the phone, selected a number, and pressed the call button.

"Yeah, Hayate?" Dick answered.

"Dick," Hayate began, "I have a request. One I… wish I didn't have to make."

Dick laughed. "No worries, man. If you're about to ask what I think you're about to ask, it was a request we already had plans on fulfilling."

"Only if you're sure…"

"I am. In fact… we're already headed for Gotham. I have a grandson to deal with."

"I didn't want to say anything."

"Don't worry," Dick reassured. "I need to handle that before all this starts."

"Thank you," Hayate replied.

"No problem. So… what's the plan?"

A Few Minutes Later.

Michelle walked into the Gotham Public Library, finding it to be a near ghost town due to the evacuation, and headed for a back room where they held public-use phones. She attached a device Max gave her to phone and dialed.

"Hello?" Bennett answered.

"Bennett," Michelle began, "it's Blaze. I need a favor…"

At Gotham Enterprises, Tiana was typing away at her computer, taking care of some company business. As she typed, Lincoln opened the door and came in.

Tiana blinked and looked up at him, a bit surprised. "Linc?"

"Hey," Lincoln smiled.

"How'd you…"

"Your security guard, Mike, let me in."

Tiana sighed and remembered, "Stephen left Gotham, that's right. Sorry. I forgot all about that."

"Speaking of which…" Lincoln sat down. "…why are you still here?"

Tiana stared at her brother. "I think you know why."

Lincoln gazed back at her, blankly.

"You talked to Helena?"

"She said she's not leaving," Lincoln sat down in the chair in front of Tiana's desk. "She said… she has to stay. But she wouldn't tell me why."

"Lots of reasons for that," Tiana said, quietly.

"Tiana," Lincoln said, contemplatively. "Something… is going on. I mean, besides Bane. I'm guessing… it has to do with… the stuff we can't talk about."

"We can talk about it. It's the biggest secret ever but we can talk about it. But… if we do… you have to know… there's no going back. No ignoring it. And, let me make it clear, Lincoln… no matter how you feel about what I'm doing… I'm damn proud of it and I don't regret it."

Lincoln blinked. "I haven't heard you call me 'Lincoln' in a minute."

"It's that serious."

"Tia. I get it. Like you said… I pretty much know what's going on. And, yeah, it is dangerous. But I… I think I understand why you do it. You're right. This… this isn't the military. I know that. Whole different set of rules. This is… dangerous. This…" Lincoln stared at her. "I'm in."

"Do you mean that?" Tiana asked, immediately. "Because… Linc, this is bad. If I tell you what's up… if I tell you the idea I have… there's no going back. Life… it will never be the same after this."

"What do you want me to do?" Lincoln asked.

Tiana sighed then looked Lincoln over. "You asked… if you could help."

"What do you need, big sis?"

"I… I'm really scared to ask but… I need you."

"I'm here, Tiana. Whatever you need."

"It's dangerous."

"I don't care."

"And honestly…" Tiana smiled a bit, "…it'll help Helena, too."

Lincoln fought a grin. "Do you have to keep doing that?"

"You two are just so cute together!"

"Tia…"

"Alright, alright!" Tiana's smile fell away. "Linc. I'm serious."

"So am I," Lincoln replied, just as seriously. "Tell me what you need."

Tiana studied her little brother for another moment then conceded that this was happening. She exhaled then hit a few keys on her computer. A 3-D holographic image appeared on her desk.

Lincoln stared at the image in shock. "Whoa…"

Tiana focused back on Lincoln. "I need you… to suit up."

At Mel and Eddy's house, Max was helping Mel, Eddy, her parents, and the kids get ready to leave Gotham. Terry and Max set up another safe house for them, just in case Bane wanted to use Max's family to get to Terry. Perhaps an unnecessary maneuver but, given everything that had already happened, Terry and Max found it to be extremely necessary.

"I really wish you and Terry'd come with us, Max," Lisa said, worriedly.

"I told you, Mom," Max reiterated. "We gotta watch out for all of our employees. Can't abandon ship just yet."

"I know, I know!"

"How's Mr. Wayne, Max?" Joe asked.

"Hanging in there," Max answered, dejectedly.

"Guy's tough," Eddy said, "but I can't figure this is all good for him."

"Not at all. It's why he passed out the other day."

"And Terry?" Lisa asked.

Max paused for a moment. She shrugged, "He's making it. As best he can."

Max's body language didn't go unnoticed by Mel.

"Poor Terry," Lisa mused.

"He's tough, Lisa," Joe reminded. "He can make it. After all…" he smiled and looked at Max, "he's got you."

"Doing my best, Dad," Max smiled back.

"I get why you're staying, Max," Joe continued. "But I'm with your mother. I wish you would leave."

"I'll third that," Eddy spoke up. "It feels like Bane is serious."

"The second we get things at the company straightened out, we'll meet you guys." Max felt bad. She hadn't had to blatantly lie to her family before; not at this level, anyway.

Mel looked at her family before focusing on her baby sister. "Hey, Max. I need to get something out of the house. Can you come with me a sec?"

"Sure."

Mel led Max back into the house and into the kitchen, finding a toy of Lita's that gratefully became Mel's excuse.

"You got everything?" Max asked.

"Uhh…" Mel replied, "almost. I need to talk to you."

"What about?"

Mel studied her sister. She looked back to make sure they were alone, then focused on Max again. "Is Terry okay?"

Max exhaled. "He's dealing with a lot. It's why…"

"No, Max. Look at me."

Max stared into Mel's eyes.

"Is…" Mel took another deep breath and exhaled. "Is Terry… okay?"

Silence passed between the Gibson sisters for a minute. Slowly but surely, Max completely understood Mel's tone and implications.

Max's eyes gradually widened. "Oh, my God. Mel…"

"I know. I've known for… for a little while. Like… maybe a year or two? But just me. I haven't told Eddy or Mom or Dad. No one else knows but me." Mel smiled a bit, "I mean… it's just one more reason I offer to babysit so much."

Max sighed. She rubbed her eyes then looked at Mel again, "Mel, I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you. I just couldn't."

"Are you nuts?" Mel giggled, softly. "Don't be sorry! I mean it. When it hit me… I almost couldn't believe it. Even then… it was only a suspicion. All of this… just sealed it." She looked Max over. "Terry's having a really hard time, isn't he?"

Max nodded. "He's staying strong. But yeah. He's… he's going through it like you wouldn't believe."

"You let him know we're here for him. No matter how you have to tell him."

Max nodded again. "How'd you figure it out?"

"Just a feeling. He doesn't give himself away, like ever, but… when stuff like this happens in the city? Terry's attention is like… up to 11. He notices everything. It's only noticeable when something big happens in Gotham. Those Grave guys? Or those ninja lookin' folks a couple of years ago." Mel shrugged, "It was always just a feeling. But… I only worry because… I love you both so much. If you believe he can handle it, though… I understand."

Max looked down a for a moment. "This is probably the hardest it's ever been. Or ever will be." She looked back at Mel. "Yeah, he can handle it. But… for how much longer… I don't know. It's been tough."

"He's stronger than almost anyone I know, Max. I always knew how strong he was but now… now I really get it." Mel put her hands on Max's shoulders. "But he needs you, baby sister. You keep him going. Even though you've been going through it, too."

Max's jerked her head back a bit.

"Oh, please!" Mel smiled. "I know you, Max, and I know this is hard for you, too." She engulfed Max into a hug. "But you can do this. You're the only one person I know stronger than Terry. You can fight through this, Max. I believe in you. Always have. Always will."

Max smiled as she leaned against her sister and tears fell. "Oh, my God, you're the best big sister ever!"

"Hey! When you're good, you're good!"

Kailyn went back to the yacht and saw Alfred lying across the couch. She noted he still seemed to be in pain. Whether it was more physical or emotional, Kailyn couldn't tell. Nor did she particularly care.

Kailyn opened the door, getting Alfred's attention.

Alfred looked at her in surprise. He quickly sat up, "Kay…"

"Stop!" Kailyn held her hand up.

Alfred paused.

"I'm only here because we're going after Bane tomorrow night. You better be there."

"Kay…"

"This doesn't change anything," Kailyn declared. "But if you even want a hope of fixing things between us… you'll be there tomorrow."

Alfred considered everything. "What time and where?"

"I'll let you know." Kailyn headed for the door. "You better be ready. Hurt or not."

A couple of hours later, Max and Helena were at Helena's, looking at the schematics on Max's laptop of a filed called "Bat Armor Mark II".

"You think you can make this in time?" Helena asked.

"Oh, for sure," Max reassured. "With Bane's strength, Terry's gonna need it."

"No kidding."

Max leaned back and sighed. "I just wish we could… do more, ya know?"

"More how?" Helena asked.

"Armor or not, and even if Jaguar can get Ghost-Wing to man up, they're still gonna be spread thin. I just wish we could… get them some more backup. See what I mean?"

Helena scoffed. "Yeah, it would. I mean… Terry with the Mark II can take Bane but there's still those Elites Bane has."

"And Scourge."

"Right." Helena threw her head back. "You're right. It would be great if there more heroes out there Bane wouldn't expect."

"Yeah." Max sighed. "Like if I could get my old suit ideas to work and you could maybe wear one and we'd…" She stopped.

Max's eyes slowly widened.

As did Helena's.

Max and Helena slowly turned toward and stared at each other.

"Ohhhhh, this is a bad thing we're both thinking!" Max declared.

"And, yet, we're both thinking it," Helena replied.

"And we're gonna do it."

Helena smiled, "Yeah, we are!"

Max smiled back.

"They're gonna kill us."

"Bane's gonna kill us, anyway," Max shrugged. "And, I'd rather go down fighting. Besides, that asshole let that asshole Ket out of jail to come after me. To my home! Where my husband and my babies sleep! I'm gonna rip his arms off."

"You're so great, Max!"

"I do what I can. So, you're in?"

"Hell, yeah."

Max started typing on her laptop, pulling up a couple of more files, "I'll put together everything I need to at the company. I have a few updated ideas I can incorporate there."

Helena exhaled. "Okay. But there's one place where we can put everything together. Where we can add the coding and update the systems. Where… where we should put it all together, anyway."

Max stopped and looked at her, "You got that right."

They then declared, simultaneously, "We need to get into the Cave."

That night, Batman sent a message to Barbara to meet him on the rooftop of the GCPD headquarters. After arriving on the roof, Barbara and Valerie emerged from the roof access door.

"Evening, Commissioner," Batman greeted. "Captain."

"Hey, Bats," Valerie nodded.

"Saw the message," Barbara replied. "Nice work."

"Figured it couldn't hurt," Batman shrugged.

"Not at all."

"He's already targeting you," Valerie declared, "but Bane's absolutely gonna come after you now."

"That's the idea," Batman smiled.

"What's next?" Barbara asked.

"When that ship launches tomorrow night, we go after him. Until then… we help however we can."

"City's been between panicked and absolutely silent," Valerie informed. "I almost miss the constant chaos."

"How sad is that," Barbara mused.

"We're gonna handle Bane," Batman declared. "But if you guys need anything, let us know. We're not too busy to help you out."

"Worry about Bane. Leave the rest to us."

Batman nodded. "Well, I better get goin'. Got a few things to do before tomorrow night."

"Don't we all?" Valerie asked.

"Good night, Commissioner, Captain." Batman walked toward the Batmobile.

"Batman," Barbara called out.

Batman stopped and looked at her.

"You're not alone. You're strong. But it's fine to be strong with others. I… I know you know that but…"

"Don't worry, Commissioner," Batman interrupted. "I'm not the only one working. And I don't just mean the schway GCPD."

"Don't you dare do that!" Barbara smiled while Valerie laughed.

Batman smiled. "Trust me, Commish. We got this."

A/N: Looks like plans are shaping up! And Max and Helena... yeah, more about that soon.

Thank you all for staying with this and see you soon!