A/N: 2022.12.04

Last full chapter! Let's go!

Chapter 41

The following morning, Terry and Max met with Mel at her house to tell her the plan to take some time away from Gotham. Eddy was at work, and Lisa and Joe had taken the kids out for the day to spend time with them and let the kids have some fun.

After hearing Terry and Max's plan, Mel sat back and exhaled, "That's a relief! You guys need so much time off!"

"Feels like everyone has that opinion," Terry smiled.

"Any idea where you guys will go?"

"Not yet," Max answered. "But… we wanted to ask a favor."

"Of course, I'll watch Grace and Warren," Mel smiled. "As long as you need."

Max laughed. "Thank, Sis. We'll get them soon but…"

"You two… need… to be alone!"

Terry and Max laughed.

Mel studied Terry a minute. "I was… really proud of you, yesterday, Terry. You really handled yourself like the champ you've always been."

"Thanks, Mel," Terry replied.

Mel tapped her finger on the table. She looked at Max. Max smiled, slightly, and gave a small nod.

Mel looked back at Terry, "And, uh, Terry?"

"What's up?" Terry replied.

"I… have to tell you something."

Terry smiled, "It's okay, Mel. I know you know I'm Batman."

Mel's and Max's eyes widened at the exact same time.

Mel looked directly at Max.

"I swear to God I never told him!" Max defended.

"She didn't," Terry confirmed, getting their attention. "I figured you've known for a while."

Mel blinked, rapidly, "But… but-but-but how?! I made it a point to never bring it up!"

"That was my first clue. All in how you avoided it. You always volunteer to babysit after the news covers something really dangerous Batman was involved in. Plus, whenever the subject of Batman comes up, you don't really talk about it, and you do your best to avoid eye contact with me. The clincher was when you barely protested me and Max staying in Gotham during Bane's attack."

Mel sat in disbelief then turned to Max.

"Yeah, he really is that smart," Max shrugged. "Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't know he figured it out already."

Mel exhaled and rubbed her face. She dropped her hand, "Terry, I…"

"Are you about to apologize?" Terry chuckled.

Mel stopped, looking off momentarily. "Maybe."

"Mel. Why are you trying to apologize? For looking after the kids? For being, like, the best sister-in-law ever? For keeping my secret? Or for ever pushing me and Max to be together in the first place? Honestly, you need an award."

Mel giggled a bit. "Thanks, Terry."

"That's my line to you," Terry smiled.

"Now, that this is out in the open, I can finally say… how proud I am of you." Mel looked at Max, "And you too. Batwoman."

"Crap!" Max hissed.

"Oh, like I couldn't figure that out! I saw the news! I'd know your figure anywhere, Jessica Rabbit!"

"I agree with everything Mel just said," Terry smiled.

"Shut up!" Max ordered Terry. Though Max was smiling.

Mel laughed. She thought for a moment. "I admit… it is scary… knowing you guys do this stuff… but… to put yourselves in danger for others… I am so proud of you. Just… be as careful as possible, will you?"

"We promise," Max replied.

"Mel." Terry leaned forward. "Thanks. For everything. I really meant what I said about you helping me and Max get together. And… everything since then. After my dad… was killed by the Jokerz… trusting people was hard. It had been me, Mom, Dad, and Matty for so long. I mean, even with Dana, it was still a small circle. Then… my life turned into what it is. It really became just me and Bruce." He smiled at Max, "Then, me, him, and Max."

Max smiled, lovingly, taking hold of Terry's hand.

Terry looked back at Mel and smiled. "Then… things changed in a good way. And that circle… really grew into something I've needed ever since. I never thought I'd have this many people I could trust and count on. But it's so freakin' schway how you've always been one of them."

Mel smiled and wiped a tear away. "Always, Terry. Always." She took a deep breath and exhaled, "So… any idea where you guys wanna go first?"

"Actually… I did have one."

"Really?" Max asked.

"Yeah." Terry looked at Max. "We never did get to Paris."

Max smiled, brightly. "That sounds fun."

"To think, you used to be scared of what would happen if you dated him, Max," Mel grinned, victoriously.

"Yeah. Thanks for not letting me be stupid."

"It was the only time I've ever had to. You're welcome."

Three Days Later.

Barbara stood at the window of her office at GCPD headquarters, looking out over the city. A knock came to her door. "Come in," she invited.

Valerie opened the door and saw her, "You wanted to see me, Commissioner?"

"Yeah." Barbara motioned toward the chair in front her desk, "Have a seat."

"Yes, ma'am." Valerie sat down in the chair.

Barbara looked back out of the window.

"Commissioner?"

"You heard about Bruce Wayne?"

Valerie paused. "Uhh… yes, ma'am. You went to the funeral, right? The rumor was… you used to be friends with him."

"Used to be." Barbara looked down, sorrowfully. "And were again. Before he passed."

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Commissioner."

Barbara nodded. "Thank you."

Valerie looked around, nervously. "Did… I do something wrong?"

Barbara turned around, revealing a smile on her face. "No. Just the opposite. You've been… exceptional at your job, Valerie, especially during Bane's attack. You do your whole family, the department, and yourself proud."

Valerie sighed in relief. "Thank you, Commissioner."

"And I hope… you'll keep it up."

"Of course, ma'am."

"Good." Barbara walked over to her desk but stopped by the chair, patting it. "I'm gonna miss this chair." She looked at the window. "And that view."

Valerie's eyes widened. "You're retiring?"

"It's time. It's… it's time."

Valerie, quickly, rose to her feet. "But… but-but who's gonna replace you?!"

Barbara looked at Valerie. "You are."

"I beg your pardon!" Valerie said, immediately.

"I've already talked with the mayor. And other interested parties. I'll be around for the next few months to help with the transition but… it's your job now, Valerie."

Valerie stood, completely stunned. "Commissioner… Barbara, I…"

"It's your time, Valerie. People like me… we had our time. Our era. Now… the next set of heroes has to take over. And you already learned the key thing about this job."

"What's that?"

"Batman's usually right, as frustrating as that is."

Valerie laughed a bit. She sobered as she considered everything. "Barbara, I can never replace you. I can never be you."

"Dear God, don't be me!" Barbara pleaded. "Be you. Take care of the force, the department. The city."

Valerie stared at the chair. "I'll do my best." She looked at Barbara. "I swear it."

"I know. Like I said, I'll be around for a while, for whatever you need. This will be a big change. And I know better than anyone…" she looked off, "sometimes… even when we're ready… we still need help."

Hayate and Michelle were cleaning up around the loft, just trying to relax and keep their minds occupied. The bell rang to their elevator, getting their attention.

Michelle walked over and opened the elevator doors, finding Terry and Helena standing in the elevator carriage.

"Hey!" Michelle said, surprised. "I… thought you guys were getting ready to leave."

"We are," Helena smiled.

"But…" Terry had a smile as well, "we… wanted to give you something."

"Me?" Michelle asked.

Terry and Helena moved out of the way, revealing Ace behind them.

Michelle gasped as her eyes began to fill with tears. "Ace?"

"He'll always have a home at the Manor," Terry explained. "But… while we're gone and with Diana going to visit her mother for a while… he needs someone looking out for him."

Helena smiled. "And after we get back."

Michelle sniffed. "Guys… I… I can't…"

Ace walked forward and licked Michelle's hand. She knelt down and hugged him.

"Yeah, you can," Terry said. "Besides… he actually likes you."

Michelle looked up at Terry and Helena. "Just… he really belongs to you guys."

"He's one of us," Helena reminded. "We all care about him. We just know you'll do the best job of taking care of him, Shell."

Terry smirked a bit. "I mean, it was just an idea. But, hey! If you don't want him…"

"No! My puppy!" Michelle hugged Ace tighter, causing Terry and Helena to laugh. Michelle blinked and blushed, "Uhhh… sorry."

"It's cool!" Helena replied. "Terry's being a jerk." She knelt down and scratched Ace's ears. "We're gonna miss you while we're gone, buddy. But Shell's gonna take great care of you."

"Count on it!"

"Be a good bad dog," Terry patted Ace's head, causing him to bark.

Michelle blinked. "Uhh… as much as I really wanna do this… I need to talk to Hayate. Make sure he even wants Ace here."

"Yeah, we did that already," Terry smiled.

"What?!" Michelle turned to see Hayate leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. "You knew?"

"Mmhmm," Hayate nodded.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"It was a surprise. I know how much you love Ace. And he needs to be taken care of. We can do that. It would be an honor for me, and I knew you'd love the idea."

"You really do know me," Michelle smiled.

"I do my best. Along with that, I get along very well with Ace. I've always related well to animals. More so than people, at times."

"Considering people, I don't blame you," Helena joked.

"But you knew?" Michelle asked Hayate. "You got one over on me."

Hayate just held his smile.

"You are so jumped when they leave. I mean that in the best way possible."

Terry and Helena laughed.

"Will you two need anything else?" Hayate asked.

"Nope," Terry replied. "You?"

"We're fine."

"Please, be safe," Michelle stood up. "I don't need any more heart attacks. And call if you need us."

"We will," Helena smiled.

In their yacht, Alfred and Kailyn were eating before getting ready to go on patrol in Gotham. They were staying a while longer and were giving Basem, Hayate, and Michelle the night off. As they ate, they heard a knock at the door. Alfred got up and opened the door, finding Dick and Selina standing there.

Alfred blinked. "Since when do you knock?"

"Since you actually started showing respect," Dick answered with a sly smile.

Alfred groaned and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, okay. C'mon in."

Dick and Selina entered the living room and Kailyn smiled, "Hey!"

"Hey, kitty cat," Selina greeted.

"You guys okay?" Dick asked.

"Yeah," Alfred answered. "Just eating before we head out."

"We thought you guys would be back in National, already," Kailyn noted.

"We're about to leave," Selina answered. "We just saw Helena, Terry, and Max off."

"But, before we go…" Dick smiled. "I wanna tell you both how proud of you we are."

Kailyn smiled.

Alfred shrugged, "I don't know if you should be yet, Grandpa. I really messed this up."

"And then you made it right," Dick reassured. "You're still learning, Al. And that's good. So is everyone."

"Speak for yourself," Selina joked.

While Kailyn and Alfred held back their laughter, Dick became stone faced, "Ignore your other grandmother. She's a terrible influence."

"I resemble that remark!"

"Exactly! Anyway…" Dick put his hand on Alfred's shoulder. "I'm proud of you. For the respect you've shown and the heart I always knew you had. Bea would be proud of you."

Alfred smiled, "Thanks, Gramps."

Dick patted his shoulder. "And if he becomes the half the warrior you are, Kay…" He turned to Kailyn, who laughed immediately, while Alfred rolled his eyes again. "…I'll be a proud grandpa indeed."

"I mean, that's a high-mark to shoot for," Kailyn giggled, "but I think he can do it. In time."

"In about ten years, maybe," Selina added.

"You're all sooooo encouraging," Alfred replied, drolly.

Dick chuckled. "Well. I'm proud of you. Both of you. Love you guys, too."

"Thanks, Gramps. For the record… love you, too."

Dick smiled.

"And…" Kailyn stood up. "…sorry you guys lost Mr. Wayne. He… was pretty cool."

Selina smiled and exhaled. "Yes, he was."

"The best," Dick mused. "He was the best."

That night, Basem, Sally, Hayate, Michelle, and Chelsea were all eating dinner at Basem and Sally's house. Terry, Max, and Helena had already left Gotham. The group ate dinner in silence, as the events of the past few months just replayed in their minds.

Chelsea observed everyone and just couldn't help herself any longer. "Okay!" she said, breaking the silence. "Can I just say how amazing it is how all of you handled this nightmare?"

Basem laughed. "Thanks, Chelsea."

"She's right, baby," Sally agreed. "You guys fought through all this like champs."

Chelsea blinked. "Uhh, Sal? I was including you on that list, too."

"I didn't do too much."

Hayate looked at Sally, "If I may, Sally…" he smiled, "…bullshit."

"Hayate swore," Michelle pointed. "You know it's serious. I mean, he's right. You kicked ass during this, Sal!"

"Everyone's right, chérie," Basem confirmed. "You're a hero, too. For all of us."

Sally blushed. "You guys… you're too sweet."

"It's a fact, Sal," Michelle agreed. "I mean… you've always been cool. But how you stepped up in all this… no wonder you're such a great mom."

Sally paused. Her eyes began to mist. "Why do you guys always do this?! You know I'm an emo! Stop it!"

The table had a laugh and continued the meal. After they finished eating and sat around to talk a bit more, Michelle observed everyone. She remembered how, for most of her life, she felt like an outcast and everyone around her was out to get her. That there was no one she could trust. That no one cared about her.

She realized she hadn't felt that way in three years.

And one of the main reasons for that was because of the man who had her heart.

It led Michelle to one conclusion.

She looked at Hayate, tapping his arm once. "Hey."

Hayate looked at her.

"Let's get married."

Hayate straightened up a bit, his eyebrows raising slightly.

Basem choked on his water, having to spit it out.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Sally shouted.

"Married," Michelle repeated, never breaking her gaze on Hayate.

"You said you believed getting married wasn't for you," Hayate reminded.

"I also never believed there were genuinely good people in the world that weren't nice without getting something out of it." Michelle looked around, "And every single person here proved how much bullshit I was full of." She focused on Chelsea. "You even took a risk staying in town. Bane probably knew about you and could've killed you, too."

"I could've died in high school, thanks to that stupid cult," Chelsea said. "Call me biased but I'm a firm believer in Terry's skills. I'd do anything for him and Max 'cause they'd do anything for me. Plus, Terry had all you guys fighting with him. Bane never stood a chance."

Michelle held her smile and looked back at Hayate, "You can say 'no'. I won't get mad."

"It's not that at all," Hayate said, sincerely. "You just made your stance on that clear. I never wanted to pressure you."

"I know. So… pressure me."

"Heyyyy," Chelsea and Sally said, simultaneously.

Hayate looked at Basem.

Basem smiled, "Hell, yeah, man! If I had a spare ring, I'd totally give it to you."

"Don't need one," Michelle countered.

Hayate looked back at Michelle. He moved from his chair and got down on one knee.

"Oh, my God!" Chelsea and Sally squealed simultaneously. Basem smiled wider.

"Michelle Belladonna Prince," Hayate began, "I have never known anyone like you in my life. For there is no one like you on this planet. You are the strongest, most beautiful person I have ever known and every day with you is a gift I didn't deserve. Please, will you grant me the honor having your hand in marriage?"

Michelle smiled, tears forming in her eyes. "Hayate Kisaragi… you bet your sexy ass, I will!"

Hayate smiled and they stood up, embracing each other.

"Oh, dammit!" Sally grabbed napkins, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.

"Right?!" Chelsea took some napkins, as well.

"You did not just make that up just now!" Basem said to Hayate.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, my brother," Hayate smiled. "But I did."

"Showoff."

"Hater," Michelle countered.

Basem just sat back and smiled. He couldn't help but think that, somewhere, Bruce was smiling, too.

Helena was in the skies, in her private jet, bound for India. While in flight, she was on a vidcall with Lincoln.

"Is it bad I miss you already?" Helena smiled.

Lincoln grinned, "Not at all. I miss you, too."

Helena giggled a bit.

"Are you certain you wanna start there?"

"Yeah," Helena looked out of the window. "Starting in Nanda Parbat… just makes the most sense."

"I never thought a place like that existed," Lincoln admitted. "Then again… a lot of stuff about the world has been revealed to me, lately."

"It's amazing how much I can relate to that sentence."

Lincoln chuckled. "After what Mr. Grayson said about how strict they are about admission, are you sure they'll let you in?"

"Nope," Helena replied. "But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna try."

"That same attitude always made me wonder why you weren't promoted more."

"This same attitude is why I knew I wouldn't be promoted as much."

Lincoln chuckled. He studied her. "Come home soon."

"I will," Helena replied. "I promise." She stared into Lincoln's eyes. "Linc… I can't thank you enough for all of your support. I know it… hasn't been easy, dealing with me."

"It was only hard when you were hurting, and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Other than that, it's nowhere near as hard as you think it is. Given all you've been through… I was starting to think you didn't need me."

"Wrong. Very wrong. I need you." Helena's eyes began to mist. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Lincoln replied.

"Stay on the line for a while longer?"

"As long as you need."

In their private plane, bound for Paris, Terry looked at the clouds as they passed underneath, as Max was reading a book.

Terry's mind drifted back to Gotham and their lives there. He didn't mean to already plan for when they returned, considering they were trying to take a long sabbatical, but that was where his mind drifted. With one thought repeating itself.

One that had been on his mind for a while.

He looked over at his wife, "Hey, Max?"

Max looked up, "Yeah?"

"After we get back… how would you feel about… moving into the Manor?"

Max stared at him and smiled. "I would feel… just fantastic about it since I'd been wanting to ask if you wanted to."

"I really do. Bruce left it to us. I know he'd probably want us to live somewhere nicer but…"

"It's home. It always will be. Gotham always will be."

Terry stared at her. "You've stuck by me… from the day we became friends and you found out about this crazy thing I call my life. I can't… I'll never be able to thank you enough, Max. I love you so much."

Max set the book down, they leaned forward, and took hold of each other's hands. She smiled. "You never have to thank me. I've wanted to do it. And I'd do it all over again. I love you, too."

Terry smiled. He looked at the clouds. "The world's different now. The future, too."

"Yep."

He looked back at her. Then put on a dangerous smile. "Wanna see where it takes us? And how much trouble we can get into?"

Max matched his grin. "Oh, God, yes!"

A/N: Before the Epilogue and all, let me take this time to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all. No matter what you celebrate, celebrate it! I hope you have a safe, happy, and joy-filled holiday season! Be blessed!