Title: The Suit (pt 5)
Genre: fanfic (Batman Beyond)
Setting: sometime early on in the series
Rating: Dick wanted to swear but I made him behave.
Notes: Batman is still not mine, I'm still not making any money, and I'd still prefer not to be sued. Also, to those of you who are reading and even possibly reviewing: Thanks so much! You really make my day.
V.
I'm scared, Terry thinks. Scared, terrified, embarrassed to have left my employer in danger while I ran like the yellow little twip I am. I've got nothing to do with explosions and would like to run home to mommy now, thanks. That's my statement and I'm sticking to it.
It doesn't help, of course, that while Terry giving this stellar performance to the bored-looking Gotham PD drone in front of him, he can see Grayson out of the corner of his eye sending him surreptitious looks that are no doubt designed to floor whatever dregs Grayson usually finds himself up against. Terry's not sure whether he should be flattered or annoyed to be on that list.
Really he'd rather just call it a night – his ribs are still aching from Stan's unceremonious throw and Terry already knows he's going to fall asleep during the chem test tomorrow – but it looks like Wayne is going to be tied up in red tape for a little while longer, if the hoard of people around him are any indication. Wayne looks really pleased about that: he keeps trying to catch the Commissioner's eye, but Gordon isn't giving him the time of day, busy as she is directing her troops, reassuring civilians, and staying very clear of Grayson.
Grayson, however, must have a very severe death wish, because he heads Terry's way as soon as the GPD idiot is done getting Terry's statement.
"Nice performance," he says. "I almost believed you for less than a second."
"Gotham's not full of the same stunning intellect as Blüdhaven," Terry replies. "A little misdirection goes a long way." He supposes Grayson would know about that, being from Blüdhaven and all. Terry's heard the corruption in the ranks there puts Gotham lowlifes to shame. He wonders, not for the first time tonight, how Wayne knows this loser. And more importantly, just how much this loser knows about Wayne.
Grayson shrugs. "Just thought you might want to work on your alibi. The running, ducking, and covering one only goes so far before even the dumbest cop starts to get a clue."
"Well I guess you'd know."
Grayson gets a weird look on his face like he's trying to swallow a bug, or maybe just a laugh. Terry didn't think he could like this guy any less, but he's just been proven wrong.
"I wasn't going to shoot him, you know," Grayson says in a low voice.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Terry says automatically. Because, of course, he wasn't there. Batman was.
"Right." Grayson gives him a hard look. "Listen, kid, we've got to talk."
"Funny, I thought that was what we were doing."
"You're going to get yourself killed."
"You gonna to do it?"
The look on Grayson's face is one Terry's seen before. His mom often gets that way when she's debating strangling him, but that whole familial tie thing is getting in the way. All in all, it's definitely not the way Terry wants some loony police officer looking at him. Like he knows something Terry doesn't. Like he's pitying him. Like Terry is some little kid who needs to have his nose wiped and his hand held and his decisions made for him.
One thing Terry's mom doesn't do in this sort of situation, however, is grab him by the front of his shirt and slam him against a wall. Terry's rib cage is now screaming bloody murder, but Grayson doesn't seem to care. Terry might be surprised at Grayson's vehemence if he weren't so busy trying to wriggle free and punch the jerk in the face.
"Listen," says Grayson through clenched teeth. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. Trust me on this. Get out while you still can."
"Why?" Terry demands. "Because you'll bash my face in if I don't?"
"Enough," says Wayne, who has somehow appeared between them and has what looks like an excruciatingly painful grip on Grayson's arm. "You're making a scene."
Terry realizes that a few cops and socialites have paused to stare at them. Even Gordon is looking their way, and Terry is a little surprised that she's not the one breaking them up. But no, she seems fine with letting Wayne handle it, although her lips are pressed together in that firm way that means business. Terry thinks it's probably just as well she hasn't gotten involved, since he likes his head still attached to the rest of his body.
"Bruce," Grayson begins in a dangerous voice.
"Let go of him," says Wayne. "Now."
Grayson does so. Terry doesn't rub his aching chest because he won't give Grayson the satisfaction.
"Terry, get the car," Wayne continues. He sounds tired.
"Bruce…" Grayson tries again.
"No, Dick. Another time."
Terry turns on his heel and heads for the door.