Meow
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything except Serenity Anderson
A/N: Hello my lovelies! OH MAN! I hit 100 reviews. I don't know what to say…I just started this story one day and I didn't even think anybody would read it. I'm just so grateful that all of you are reading this and enjoying it. SO, I just wanted to say Thank You!
Anime-Ronin, LOL, keeping all your parts and pieces in tact? I love it! I'm glad you liked that chap, and I hope you like this one!
CATgrl, Awe, I hope your head doesn't hurt too much. You're right he's going to have to step up cause he IS playing with the big cats! ;)
Daylight dancer, THANKS! Here's the next update!
Galaxya, I love that you're loving it. ;) Wait no more, here's the next chapter!
Ratdogtwo, thanks, glad that you're liking it!
Phil Urich, I like mixing up the serious and the playful moments, you know what they say, All work and no play…;) Here's the next chap for you…
alias245, You check every night? Wow, thanks! Well, I hope you got a nice surprise tonight ;)
cherrybunny, Thanks for loving it! Here's your update, enjoy!
Kyoko Kasshu Minamino, I did enjoy my present! A LOT! What did I get you? Hmm…well what do you want ;) Wait I got an idea:hands over a box with a black pair of pants, a black bowtie, and white cuffs: Tell you-know-who to put THOSE on while serving you ;) Good?
Lyger 0, Oh, I know what you mean…lol I had forgotten about that quote. But don't worry I have a few good ones in store still.
Maidof the MEr, here's my update! What flavor muffin doI get? ;)
Anyway! I hope you all enjoy this, sit back and relax! Here you go, the next chapter! Let me know what you think and Have A Nice Day!
§§
"Are you sure you're okay?" Max questioned Terry the next day at school. It was lunchtime and Dana and Chelsea were getting food, conveniently leaving Max and Terry alone at the table. When she had asked him about patrol he had changed subjects and avoided answering best he could. After some prodding she finally got the general gist of what happened, but he was still tight lipped about it.
"Fine," Terry grumbled back absently rubbing his bandaged forearm. The wounds hadn't been too bad, meaning no stitches, but they had broken skin and had been deep. Well, deeper then he thought she'd actually cut him.
That was the mistake he kept making, he kept underestimating her. Well, that was not going to happen again.
And not only that but he had trouble sleeping because Matt was having some nightmares about, that's right, vampires. He knew he shouldn't have let Matt watch that stupid vampire movie.
"Well maybe you should-" Max trailed off abruptly and Terry turned halfway to see what the cause was, Serenity had just walked into the cafeteria.
Max watched Terry as he watched Serenity out of the corner of his eye. Her hair was pulled back into a simply ponytail, her long hair trailing down her back. She was wearing a simple pair of jeans and a black sweatshirt. Max couldn't tell if Terry was watching her only because he thought she was Catwoman, of if he was starting to feel attracted to her…and that made her nervous.
What was that really old saying, something about mixing business with pleasure?
Serenity looked up at them and smiled brightly. Max smiled back but realized the Serenity was focusing, and smiling more at Terry than her. She began walking over and Max tried to keep her face neutral. Terry on the other hand had an impassive look on his face.
"Hey," she greeted looking at Terry then Max. "Hey," Max greeted back and Terry only nodded.
After a couple seconds of silence Max decided to take the initiate.
"So, I heard about what happened at the movies the other day," she started off and watched Serenity's facial expression. The young woman only smiled slightly before looking down sheepishly.
"I didn't want to make a scene, but that guy…" Serenity shook her head before smirking at Max, "He's lucky he's pretty."
They girls laughed but Terry tapped his foot under the table.
"Oh Terry, I have something I think Matt would enjoy, a movie about Frankenstein," she said turning to him with a smile.
Silence.
The girls quickly caught on to his bad mood.
"Something wrong?" Serenity asked Terry with a mirroring frown.
"Couldn't sleep-" he started off before meeting her gaze. His expression was slightly annoyed, and she had to admit she never really that expression on him before.
"Matt was having nightmares, about vampires."
Serenity frowned and looked down at the ground. Now she felt bad. Little Matt was having problems sleeping? Maybe she could talk with him…
"You want me to stop by later and talk to him?" She questioned quietly and was shocked by his snappy retort.
"No thanks, you've done enough for a while."
Max raised her eyebrows. Terry wasn't really a snappy person and this was…well, new. Her eyes flicked over to Serenity and she saw the girl looking at the floor with downcast eyes, or she was at least. A flash of hurt swept across her features before they iced over.
"Hey," Serenity spoke up making her eyes meet his, "I made the compromise, you ultimately made the decision in the end, so don't go pointing fingers. I'll admit it was partly my fault for suggesting the idea but he really wanted to see it, and when it comes down to it you said it was okay. I left the decision up to you."
"But-"
"And, I don't appreciate you taking this out on me when you're just feeling pissed off at yourself because you made a bad call. Face it, it didn't work out the way you wanted it. Get over it." With that she turned around only to bump into Chelsea and Dana.
Serenity rolled her eyes at the two girls. Right now they were on her nerves. She eyed them both quickly with a raised eyebrow.
"Nice skirts," Serenity stated sarcastically, "maybe next time they can actually cover your asses."
Both girls were shocked for a second as Serenity pushed past them.
"Hey, what's her problem?" Dana asked recovering first as she watched Serenity walk away form the table with a frown and narrowed eyes. Serenity's posture was tense but her steps were smooth and fluid as she exited the cafeteria.
"Nothing," Terry muttered looking in the other direction than Serenity's. He now felt like dirt. She was right; he shouldn't have taken it out on her. It hadn't been just her, but it was easier to blame her. He avoided Max's gaze.
His arm throbbed lightly and he put a hand over the wounds.
"Nothing."
§§
-Later That Day After School-
"Like I'm the one at fault, jerk," Serenity mumbled to herself as she poured milk into the cats dishes. After school had ended she had immediately came home, and she was still in a foul mood. What was with the world recently? First Batman gets in her face, then Terry. If she didn't know any better…
She looked down at one of the cats curled around her feet,
"Can you believe he had the gall to blame me!"
The cat continued to stare at her before turning and focusing on the creamy milk in the dish.
Serenity flexed her hand and imaged her gloves on with her claws. Sometimes things were so difficult!
Blaming HER! What nerve!
So maybe she shouldn't have stepped in, but still. If he had made a promise he should stick to it. Although he was only protesting in Matt's best interest…
A small amount of guilt began to creep up her spine-
NO!
She would not feel guilty for yelling at him. He yelled at her first.
Serenity put her face in her hands at that last thought. What was she five? He started it so it was okay to yell back? She straightened up and looked at the clock. She would not apologize!
…
She wouldn't.
…
Serenity bit her lip and tapped her fingers on the tabletop absently. The sounds of her tapping were the only noise in the room beside the soft lapping sounds coming from the feeding cats.
…
She wouldn't, she refused.
…
He had blamed her completely!
…
Okay, so maybe he had a right to be angry. It was his brother and he didn't get a lot of sleep, but was that still a reason to take it out on her? She was just trying to make them all get along.
She wouldn't go down and apologize…
…
…
But maybe she'd go down and talk to Matt…
A smile suddenly came over her features. She'd go talk to Matt, and if Terry happened to be their then…so what, whatever would happen would happen.
Nodding to herself, she looked over the kitchen quickly to make sure everything was away before calling out,
"I'll be back Selina, I'm going to the McGinnis's for a second."
"Alright."
Satisfied she turned and went down to their apartment.
§§
It wasn't as easy to see Matt as she thought it was going to be. His mom looked tired and a little bit stressed out and she didn't actually look pleased to see Serenity there.
"Hi," Serenity said with a weak smile, "I was…um-I was wondering if I could, maybe, if it was okay with you of course, talk to Matt?"
Mary let out a stressed sigh.
"Serenity dear, I don't want to come off sounding rude but-"
"Just give me five minutes, please?" She begged with pleading eyes. Mary studied the girl standing ahead of her before nodding slowly in defeat. What could five minutes hurt? And if it got Matt to sleep, all the better.
Mary opened the door wider and Serenity thanked her before entering.
"He's in his room," Mary told her quietly making her way back to the kitchen to clean up.
Serenity walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the room she assumed was his. There were two doors on the left side, one on the right side and one room, which she assumed was the master bedroom, at the end of the hall. She could tell it was one of the rooms on the left side because the one on the right was a bathroom…the door was open…
Both doors on the left side were closed but only one room was making sounds. Slowly she raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"Hey Matt, it's Serenity, can I come in?" As soon as she spoke she heard him rush up to the door and open it. She almost frowned openly but caught herself in time. His eyes were a light shade of red that she guessed was from the lack of sleep. Wow, Terry wasn't kidding…
She felt a pang in her gut that she soon recognized as guilt. She didn't think the movie would have bothered him that much…
"Hey Serena!" He stated and his voice was not as light as it usually was.
"Hey little man," she said softly following him inside and shutting the door softly behind her, "How are you?"
"Okay," He shrugged his shoulders but didn't look at her. His dark head was bowed slightly and he fumbled with a toy in his hand. It didn't seem like he was going to talk to her about this. He didn't speak anymore and quietly sat down on the edge of his bed.
She waited another few seconds before deciding to do something. He wasn't going to speak. How would she get him to tell her what was wrong?
She squatted down in front of him so she was looking up at him; make him feel like the bigger person between the two of them.
"We're friends, right little man?" That got him to look at her and he nodded his head 'yes.'
"If I had a problem I could talk to you couldn't I?"
"Un huh. You could tell me anything Serena."
"And you wouldn't laugh at me?" He shook his head vigorously.
"No, you're my friend. I wouldn't do that!" Serenity smiled softly at him, gently put her finger under his chin and lifted it tenderly,
"Good, cause I'm your friend too," she said quietly and he bit his lip. She dropped her hand back into her lap.
"If you ever want to talk little man I'll be here to listen, but I won't make you, okay? … alright, so I'm going to let you go," she said and she rose from her squatting position. She turned to go but was stopped when something grabbed her hand. She looked down and saw that it was his little hand.
Bingo.
"Don't go," he said softly before looking up at her with his dark sad eyes. How could anybody refuse those eyes? They were eerily similar to Terry's, well duh, she chided herself, they are brothers… Pushing her thoughts aside she sat down next to him on the bed.
"I'm having nightmares," he admitted and she was shocked that he actually did it…he confided in her.
"About the movie?" she asked and he reluctantly nodded his head.
"I don't know how to make them stop," he said in a pained voice and her heart broke for him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder and he hugged her stomach.
"I keep thinking that I'm going-going to see him-if I get up to go to the bathroom-or the closet." She heard him sniffle slightly against her and knew that he didn't want to admit that he was scared.
Serenity gnarled on her lip as she regarded the clinging boy. What could she do to make him feel better and ease his fears? Telling him that vampires didn't exist wouldn't make him feel better, only worse and childish.
Coming to a decision she stroked his raven locks, pulled away from him slightly and lowered her face to his level.
"I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise to not tell anybody else okay?" She was glad she had started speaking because a small tear spilled over his cheek and distracted her. He looked at her curiously, but nodded taking a swipe at his cheek to catch his tear.
"I'm serious Matt," she stated using his name and he immediately sat a little straight. She had used his name, he realized and that meant she was being really serious. He felt a small amount of pride swell up in him; she was going to tell HIM a secret.
"I promise Serena," he stated solemnly and crossed his heart with his finger. She crooked her finger in a 'come closer' gesture and he scooted even closer to her.
"I have a special friend," she stared off and noted with satisfaction that he was hanging on her every word.
"And this special friend of mine is a pretty touch cookie, nobody wants to make him mad."
"Who is it!" Matt blurted out curiously.
"If you ever run into," she made two ridiculous large fangs with her two pointer fingers, Matt nodded for her to continue, "tell him that he better not make you mad because if he does you'll tell me, and then I'll tell Batman."
As soon as he knew whom her 'special friend' was his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open
"Your special friend is BATMAN!" he cried to which Serenity made a shushing gesture to him and he immediately lowered his voice.
"YOU KNOW BATMAN?" he stated again, quieter and Serenity nodded her head at him.
"Yup," she stated with a semi-forced grin, "helped me out a couple times."
"SHWAY!" he breathed in awe. He tugged her hand suddenly,
"Did I tell you that Batman saved me once!" he said enthusiastically.
He had actually, in very vivid detail. Three times.
"Yeah, little man you have, but you have to promise not to say anything to anybody…promise?"
"Ohhhhh Mannnnn," he whined. This was a big secret and he couldn't tell anybody! But he had said he wouldn't and he'd keep his word. He would prove he could be a big boy.
"Yeah, okay Serena, I promise I won't tell anybody," he mumbled unhappily.
"Thanks little man," she said ruffling his hair.
"When was the last time you saw Batman?" he asked out of the blue and she forced an easy smile onto her face.
"Couple nights ago actually," she trailed off remembering his little shower-time visit…not one of his brightest moves…
"Cool," he said with a big smile. Serenity smiled genuinely this time, pleased with herself. It seemed he forgot all about his little nightmares.
"So, when ever you're feeling scared or you run into that vampire, you tell him he better watch out because you've got some special friends on your side."
The little boys smile widened immensely at the thought that he had Batman on his side. There, now she felt better. She grinned when Matt yawned.
"Why don't you take a nap? I have to head back anyway." He looked like he was about to protest but another yawn interrupted him and he reluctantly nodded.
"M'kay, thanks Serena." He said and hugged her. That one hug she felt to her soul. She had done something nice for somebody else and he appreciated it. Appreciated her…
She kissed him on the forehead as she helped him get into bed before slowly rising and exiting the room. She let out a deep breath and bit her lip. That went better than she thought it would, but now her bladder was screaming and calling. She spotted the bathroom a couple feet away and decided what the heck. She opened the door to the bathroom not even bothering to knock on the door first.
"TWERP!" Terry called looking up from the sink only to have his mouth drop open at the site of Serenity. She spluttered, flustered,
"Oh, I'm so sorry…I didn't know you…were in here…"
Serenity felt a blush stain her cheeks when she saw that she had walked in on Terry in front of the mirror in the bathroom…without a shirt on. Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts! Get your mind out of the gutter!
She began to back away but stopped.
Her body froze when she saw it, every thought in her head evaporated, and whatever she was going to say died on her lips. What she saw changed everything…
There on his left forearm were five long scratches.
Five long finger-looking scratches.
Five long finger-looking cat scratches.
Her five long finger-looking cat scratches.
She looked up at him and something in her brain clicked back on, the long hours and sleeping in class, the 'commitment problems,' the not spending enough time with Matt…it all made sense now.
Terry was Batman.
That's what all those errands for Mr. Wayne were…
Her face remained blank but her mind began turning a mile a minute…
That meant that Bruce Wayne, the billionaire was the original Batman…
Now what was she going to do with this new information?
§§
Serenity all but skipped back into the apartment. She ignored the fact, or she had tried to, when he had attempted to put his head through one of his arm sleeves and got momentarily stuck. That image would forever be burned into her memory. After a few awkward moments of Terry attempting to putt his shirt back on, much to her disappointment, they were finally face to face. She apologized over and over even though she was NOT sorry about what she walked in on. She killed two birds with one stone…saw Terry shirtless and found out who Batman was. Well, and the old one…so maybe- three birds with one stone?
Anyway, Terry himself ended up apologizing for what had happened early at school and she waved him off. They both had been a little angry but no real harm had been done. After both parties had apologized Serenity's mind kept wandering over the fact that here, right in front of her, was Batman. Terry. She then, less than suavely, blurted out that she had to go and made her way back up to Selina.
Selina eyed the girl for a few moments just silently watching. Something had happened in that few moments when she was at the McGinnis's apartment, of that she was certain.
Selina waited. If Serenity wanted to say something she would say it. Four excruciatingly long minutes passed before Serenity finally spoke.
"SO...Bruce Wayne was The Batman huh?" she drawled before casually looking at Selina. If Selina was surprised she didn't show it, something that Serenity always loved about her. You could never surprise her. A thought randomly came to her, did she look as good doing it as Selina did?
Selina looked at her for a long moment before answering.
"How'd you find out?"
Something else she loved about Selina, she didn't beat around the bush. She didn't pretend. If she knew something, she told you. If you knew something she didn't play you for a fool.
"Saw my handiwork on Terry's forearm, and if he's the new Batman that makes the old one Bruce Wayne." Selina raised an eyebrow as if saying that didn't really explain anything at all.
"He's Mr. Wayne's new gopher," and Serenity saw the light go on in Selina's eyes, "and I'm guessing he does more for him than just pick up his dry cleaning."
"Smart girl," Selina said with a proud grin. She was pleased that Serenity had figured out the Bat secret all by herself. She hadn't needed Selina's help at all, and that impressed her. Unmasking a Batman was always challenging.
"You know," Serenity started taking a seat on the sofa to which Selina followed suite, "It makes sense you know? Who else has all the money to make all those nifty Bat toys? The car, the suit, everything! When you know who it was it seems so obvious!"
"But," Selina cut in with a raised eyebrow and pointer finger, "What better way to hide, then in plain site?"
Of course Selina would say something with such wisdom. There wasn't a better way to hide than right in front of somebody's face. Selina was the prime example of that.
The pair was quiet for a moment before Serenity spoke up,
"I just can't believe that Terry is Batman."
"The boy from downstairs, in this building…what are the chances?" Selina mused with a grin. She looked over at Serenity and saw that her mind was turning. She had the look on her face that she was plotting something.
"What are you thinking Serena?"
Serenity turned to her with a small smile,
"I want to send a message to Bat- Terry, I want to mess with his head." Bastet crawled into her lap and Serenity stroked her head absently.
"He seemed so hell bent of finding out who I was, now that I know who he is, I want to have some fun with it...but I want to do something interesting and unique."
"Darling, you just walked up my ally and I think I have the most perfect thing in mind for you…"
The two women looked at each other and smiled. Selina crooked her finger and Serenity scooted closer to her mentor, similar to how she had done with Matt only moments earlier.
"This is what I was thinking…"