The city looked the same as it did all those years ago as a taxi pulled up to the Gotham City Hotel. A young, pink-haired woman stepped out of the cab with her luggage, gave a tip to the driver, and entered the lobby, decorated for valentine's day.

Making her way to the front desk, she rang the bell. An overly eager staff member greets her. "Good morning. How can I help you today?"

"I was wondering if you had any rooms available?"

"Yes. We have one room left."

"Great."

"What name will you be using?"

"Maxine Gibson."

Spreading the curtains, she could see it start to snow outside. She smiled. The weather seemed to fit Gotham, and Max began to unpack her things. She didn't know how long she would be here, but she had unfinished business. She couldn't move on with her life without closure.

Pulling the covers over her body, she sighed, staring at the ceiling. She hoped she wouldn't lose her nerve. She had to tell him, and she needed to know how he felt. She had moved from Gotham to forget him, but the college had turned to graduation, and graduation had turned into a successful career with a nice place to live. She still couldn't get him out of her mind and heart.

The next morning had come too soon as she left her hotel and made her way to Wayne Enterprises. She had done her research, finding out her best friend ran the place. Standing in front of the building, she felt nervous. She knew this wasn't the place to talk to him, but she had to see him, just a glimpse.

She could feel her heart racing as the elevator took her to the top floor. She was starting to have second thoughts about seeing him, but she couldn't back down. The elevator stopped, interrupting her thoughts as the doors opened. Stepping out of the elevator, she could see the cubicles of employees and another door at the end.

When the door opened, she couldn't move. It was Terry McGinnis in a white shirt, dark blue blazer, pants, and tie to match. Time had been good to him. His build had broadened, and his hair had grown out. His eyes seemed the same to her.

"Max!"

She felt something warm against her body, holding her close. It felt familiar but different at the same time. Looking up, she met blue eyes immediately. There was warmth, happiness, and excitement to see her.

"Hey, McGinnis." She smiled.

"You here. I can't believe it, Max. I thought I'd never see you again."

"I was going through something personal, and I had to leave. I'm here to tell you why. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you."

"It's been years, Max! I wouldn't call that avoiding me. You were running from something."

"I promise I'll explain everything, Terry."

"I have some things to tell you, Max, but now is not the time."

"I understand. You have a business to run. I'm staying at the Gotham Hotel."

"See you later, Max."

Max needed air as she made her way out of the building to a cafe across the street. She took her breakfast outside and tried to relax. The silence was killing her. She needed someone to talk to, so she took out her phone and dialed.

"Hey, sis, what's up?"

"I'm back in Gotham."

"Did you tell him yet?"

"We're going to talk tonight, but I saw him at work."

"And?"

"I'm not shallow, but I didn't think Terry could be hotter than he already was. Ok, shallow moment over."

"That's what you get for doing your research but not looking at his picture."

"It feels wrong to think of him this way when he's with Dana."

"You do know they are not together anymore."

"What!"

"I guess Terry will have to explain what happened, but you don't have to feel guilty about your feelings Max."

"I don't want to lose him as a friend, Alyssa. I couldn't bear it, but this is something I must do. He deserves to know, so we can go on with our lives."

"Now, why do you automatically think he will reject you? You're a smart, amazing woman. Any man would be lucky to have you."

"I don't know. Thanks, Alyssa. I appreciate the encouragement."

"So, what happens if he rejects you? Are you coming back home?"

"I have to, Alyssa. It would be too painful to stay, knowing nothing could ever happen between us."

"You're his friend too, Max. How do you think Terry's going to feel when you leave again?"

"He wasn't happy when I left the first time. He said I was running away."

Alyssa smiled. "The boy does know you, Max."

"Thanks for the talk, sis. I got to go."

"All right, Max, let me know how it goes. I'm rooting for you two crazy kids."

"Thanks, Alyssa."

Leaving the cafe, she decided to visit Bruce. Pulling up to the gate, she watched it open and smiled. Parking by the door, she got out and watched the door open to see Bruce in a wheelchair.

"Mr. Wayne."

"Miss. Gibson, come in."

"You don't seem surprised to see me," she said as Bruce closed the door.

"I've been keeping an eye on you. I must say you're doing quite well for yourself."

"Gee, I don't know if I should be flattered or creeped out." She smirked.

"I know why you're here, Max."

"How could you know? I didn't tell-

"It was apparent the closer it came to high school graduation. You were distancing yourself from Terry, from Batman."

"I'm planning to tell him tonight."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"He deserves to know why I ghosted him all those years ago. I can tell how hurt he is, and I don't want him to hurt anymore. He's a good man, Bruce."

"It's good to see you, Max. He's missed you around here."

"And you?" she smiled.

"I'll never tell." He smiled back at her.

"I missed you too, believe it or not. You're as sharp as ever."

"I hope everything works out."

Max left Wayne Manor and drove back to the hotel. Making her way to her room, she saw a figure leaning beside her door. Her heart started to race once again. Letting him inside her room, she closed the door behind her.

"Why were you running away from me?"

"You get right to the point."

"Max!"

"I love you."

"You left because you love me."

"Graduation was over, and I saw my way out. I applied to colleges outside of Gotham. I left as soon as I got accepted. You had Dana, your family, and Bruce. You didn't need me, and I thought getting as far from you as I can help me get over you. It didn't work, so I'm here to tell you how I feel because it's the only way I can move on."

"I'm glad you got out of Gotham and have a good life. As your friend, I wanted to be a part of it, even from a distance. I told Dana I was a Batman. She couldn't handle it, and I couldn't let go. It was doomed to fail once I became Batman, but I wouldn't trade it for anything, Max. I had everything I could ever want, but I didn't have you in my life. You were always in my heart, Max. There wasn't one day in my life I didn't think about you. Eventually, I thought about more than I thought I should. I was angry that you left. I wish I could have realized my feelings for your sooner. You were always there for me and always had my back. You accepted Terry and Batman. You're everything I could ever want in a woman, and I let you go when I should have fought for you."

"Terry."

"I love you, Maxine."

"I don't usually do this."

"Do what?" he asked as she threw herself into his arms, kissing him on the lips.

"Whoa," he said before kissing her back, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist.

They separated to breathe, but their arms never left each other. Terry leaned into her and kissed her once again as they made their way to the bed. Max ended up flat on her back as Terry's lips moved down her neck.

"You sure know how to kiss McGinnis," said Max, trying to catch her breath.

"You're not so bad yourself, Gibson," he said as he lay beside her, holding her close.

"I missed you, Terry."

"I missed you too, Max.

"So, where does this leave us? Are you going to stay in Gotham? Should we make this a long-distance relationship?"

"I'm not going anywhere, Ter. The good thing about my job is I can work remotely. Of course, I'll have to go to the office two days a week. Gotham is my home."

"You think of everything, do you?"

"It's one of my many gifts."

"What other gifts do you have? I wonder," he smirked.

"You'll have to find out another time, batboy. You're phone's ringing."

"Oh, slag," Terry groaned. "It's Bruce."

"You have to go, Terry."

"Yeah," he sighed. "You make it hard for me to leave."

"Come back when you're finished. I'll be awake."

Terry leaned into her, kissed her, and was off to fight crime, leaving Max to relax, order room service, and watch TV. During a commercial, she opened her laptop to check on the progress of her work. She was all caught up, but that was nothing new. Closing her laptop, she lay down on her bed and sighed.

She couldn't believe everything that had transpired in one day. She was with the man she loved more than anything. She would be living her life with him in Gotham. In her wildest dreams, she never could've imagined that this was her life. A tap on the window broke her from her thoughts. A sense of Deja Vu came over her as she made her way to the window, opened it, and let Batman inside.

Removing his cowl, he smiled at her. "You were thinking Deja Vu, right?"

"I forgot how much I missed you coming through my window."

"I'm sure cleaning my wounds and patching me up was the highlight."

"I didn't mind it so much," she smiled. "I'm glad you always came back in one piece every time. Your mom would have never forgiven me."

"Tonight, was so slow, so we both dodged a bullet."

"I have to say you fill out the suit more than before," she smirked.

"I can take it off if you want to see more," he smirked right back at her.

"I-

"Relax, I was messing with you. You're too tense, Max. You need to relax."

"I was before you got here."

"Ouch. Sorry, Max, I didn't mean to upset you," he said as she sat beside her on the bed.

"This is all new to me, McGinnis. I've never been in a serious relationship like you have."

"I understand, Max but all you need to do is talk to me about it. Honesty is key."

"I've never had sex before."

"Well, that is honest," he said as he took her hand. "I don't care about that. There's no need to rush into anything."

"I know. You should shower and change into fresh clothes," she said after his lips kissed her cheek.

"I'll be right out."

Max lay down once again, staring at the ceiling. She knew he would be understanding. It was one of the things she loved about him, and it was one of the reasons she wanted him. It scared her how much. She needed a distraction when her phone rang.

"This is Max. Mrs. McGinnis, how are you?"

"Great. Your sister let me know you were in the city."

"Well, I'm planning on moving back."

"That's great! So, you and my son finally got together?"

"How did you know?"

"I've been talking to your sister. I had a feeling it would work out. I'm very happy for you two. Oh, call me Mary."

"Thank you, Mary."

"Don't be afraid to love, Max. It's the most amazing feeling in the world."

When the call ended, she felt more at ease. Getting up from the bed, she stood at the bathroom door and knocked.

"Come in, Max."

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't mean it."

Max walked into the bathroom to see Terry wrapped in a towel. She tried to look anywhere but his bare cheat, so she met his eyes.

"I forgot to bring my clothes into the bathroom."

"Sure," she smiled.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Max," he said as he held her hands. "I'm harmless. I promise."

"Like I believe that for a second, McGinnis," she said as her face moved closer to his.

"I love you, Max, with all my heart," he said, his hands moving from hers to her face.

"I love you too, Terry."

Their lips met, and their hands were all over each other. When Terry backed her up against the wall, she moaned, feeling the need to be closer as she lifted her leg, wrapping it around his waist. She gasped in surprise as Terry wrapped her other leg around him, carrying her into the living room.

"Terry?"

"Too much?"

"No, just surprised," she smiled. "So, what do you want to do next?"

"That could prove to be a dangerous question, Miss. Gibson," he smirked.

"Try me," she challenged.

A tray of sweets and hours of TV later, the couple had fallen asleep in each other's arms. Terry woke up to see the woman of his dreams asleep against his body. He smiled at the look of contentment and relaxation on her face.

Shutting the TV off, the room filled with darkness. The only light was coming in from the window. He couldn't help but think of all the memories he and Max would make together.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Max," he whispered in her ear.