*************************************************
Bruce sat in the Bat-cave, continuing his brooding. He was wondering if he should shut it down- just temporarily, of course. After all, even the most optimistic prognosis meant that it would be months before Terry would be able to return to work. It would be more sensible to shut it down. On the other hand, shutting it down just felt wrong. It was as if he were saying that Terry would never return. Not to mention the fact that getting everything up and running after a long period of down-time was a royal pain.
An alarm sounded on the computer, disrupting his train of thought. He glanced at the pop-up, knowing there would be nothing he could do about it. Then he read it again. And a third time.
Seconds later, the cave was empty. The computer still glowed, but nobody was reading the pop-up anymore.
#Max Gibson- arrested for disturbing the peace and indecent exposure. 17th Precinct.#
************************************************
Barbara was pacing in her office. She'd gotten the news that McGinnis was waking up, but hadn't heard anything since. Bruce was still uncommunicative, even if he was trying harder, so his silence wasn't worrying. What did worry her was that Mary hadn't called. Mary liked to talk, and the two women had struck up something that wasn't quite a friendship but was close to it. Every time there had been news, Mary had called. Until now.
Her computer pinged at her, drawing her back to work. Unlike Bruce, she only took one look at it before barrelling out the door.
*************************************************
Max sat in the holding cell, hoping Dana or Chelsea got there before it was too late. She had already reversed her position on praying- generally she had no use for religion- and was in the process of trying to plea-bargain any and all gods that might be listening.
Her cell-mate was sitting looking insufferably pleased with herself. CJ had been arrested for the same thing as Max, but was confident of getting out quickly since she had been the attacked rather than the attacker. She had only been brought in because the only witness had passed out and they had to wait until he came to in order to prove her story. Max couldn't believe that the woman had taken out one more of the dregs than she had; CJ just didn't look the type. In fact, she looked like a hippie- old-fashioned blue jeans, blue-grey sweatshirt, hiking shoes, a waist-length braid... She looked like she should be on a farm in New England instead of a Gotham jail cell. But here she was, leaning against the wall and whistling.
"How can you be so cheerful?" Max finally blurted.
"Well, I've never been in a real fight before. I always kinda thought I'd freak out, y'know? So finding out that I can actually- well- prod buttock, anyway, that's a happy all it's own. And besides, I helped get a few Jokerz off the streets for a while. So did you. Maybe we didn't choose the most legal way of doing it, but they had it coming. Even back home we used to hear about what these smegheads got up to and I always wondered why nobody but Batman ever did anything about them. Then I got here and heard about that kid who made a habit of trying to take them down and got half-killed because of it and I guess it was the last straw. A lot of people I've been talking to feel the same. They're not forming lynch-mobs, but they're not going to just sit back and let the Jokerz get away with their crap, either. But then, I guess I don't need to tell you that, do I?"
Max almost smiled.
"Guess not. But it's personal for me- that kid they half-killed is my best friend."
"Ohmygoddess." CJ looked stricken, her blue-grey eyes radiating sympathy. "Oh, hon, I'm so sorry. Is he going to be okay?"
"I hope so. He woke up today."
CJ watched her, waiting for more. When it didn't come, she spoke.
"I get the feeling that it was a case of 'modified rapture'."
"He didn't recognize anybody." Max bit her lip, trying not to cry. CJ sat beside her and put her arm around Max's shoulders.
"Oh, hon, that's awful. But hey, it's not like what you see in the vids, you know. He'll probably get most of it back eventually."
"I know, it's just-"
"It's just that it hurts now. And you're wondering if he'll ever be the guy you knew again even when he gets his memories back. I haven't been there myself, but I- well, I read a lot and I always wonder how I'd react in similar situations. But you never know until it happens, do you? No matter how much research you do, it just isn't the same as actually being there and living it."
"No, it isn't." Max sighed. "When this first happened, I went into heavy research mode and read everything I could find. I really thought I had a handle on it. But then Mrs. McGinnis walked in the door and said he didn't have any memories of us at all and... And then I had to tell his girlfriend... and then I ran into the Jokerz..."
"And then you went house." CJ smiled sadly. "I can't say as I blame you. When they tried to jump me, I thought about that kid in the hospital and wondered how I'd feel if it was my brother in there. I didn't exactly stay calm and rational myself. Of course, I was also carrying a Big Stick..."
Max giggled, surprising herself.
"A big stick?"
"My walking stick. My knees give me trouble sometimes, especially when it's cold and damp and I've been doing a lot of walking, so I use a walking stick. And I can now say with some certainty that it makes a good quarterstaff. Maybe even a buck-and-a-quarter staff."
Max laughed. CJ grinned and brought her arm back down.
"That's better. Now, what had you so worried? -I mean, other than the obvious."
"Well, it's just- when the Old Man finds out I've been arrested..." Max grimaced. CJ's eyes flashed and her chin snapped up. Now Max could see her taking on four Jokerz; now she looked like a fighter.
"And just what would he do? Does he hit you? If he does-"
"NO! No, Mr. Wayne wouldn't hit me. He just... glares."
"He glares."
"Yeah."
CJ leaned back, the fire fading from her eyes.
"That's it?"
"You've never seen him glare."
"Ah."
"And if there is a god of any sort, my friends will be here to bail me out before he finds out I was even arrested."
They exchanged a look.
"I'm doomed."
"You're doomed."
Right on cue, the door opened. A policewoman stood in the door, trying not to grin.
"Maxine Gibson and Chastity Carlisle?"
CJ moaned as Max stifled a laugh.
"There's a reason I go by CJ, you know."
"Well, your bail has been paid by none other than Bruce Wayne, so let's get you two out of here."
"Wait a minute," CJ squawked. "Whose bail did he pay?"
"Both of yours."
Max and CJ exchanged another Look.
"Why?" they chorused.
"Hey, I just work here."
The two followed the officer. Now both were worried, and with good reason. The officer led them to a room and left them there to wait.
"Am I going to be glared at too?" CJ asked, clearly bewildered.
"Probably. No offense, but why would he pay your bail? You aren't some long-lost daughter come back to haunt him or something wierd like that, are you?"
"Uh- no. Trust me, I know who my father was. And I look like a heavier female version of him. I've heard of Bruce Wayne, of course, but as far as I know I don't have any connections to him. ...Well, one, but I don't think he bailed me out because his father and my grandfather were frat buddies."
"Probably not," Max agreed. Then- "Heavier?"
CJ grinned.
"Dad was about my height and weight. You want scary? My brother's six inches taller than me and weighs less than I do. I'm 5'7" and weigh 145. You do the math."
"Whoa. That is scary." Max winced as they heard voices in the hall outside. "And that's even scarier."
To Max's horror, both Bruce and Barbara entered the room. Both looked ready to explode. CJ gulped audibly, but didn't move from Max's side.
"And just what the hell did you think you were doing?" Bruce seethed, ignoring CJ.
"Uhhhh, well, I... kinda lost my temper."
"You lost your temper."
"Kinda like you're doing now," CJ piped up. Bruce switched his glare to her. "Shutting up now."
"Didn't what happened to McGinnis teach you anything?" Barbara snarled. "If you hadn't gotten lucky you could have ended up in worse shape than him, even if they didn't kill you. Do I really have to tell you what they'd have done to a girl they caught?"
"They didn't catch me!"
"You were lucky." Bruce spoke this time. "Taking on the Jokerz- even if was only a few of them- was an incredibly stupid thing to do. They've got experience in fighting dirty; you don't."
"And did you even once stop to think about how Terry would feel if something happened to you?" Barbara again. " Maybe he doesn't remember right now, but he will, and I'm not going to be the one to tell him his best friend got herself killed pulling idiotic stunts like this!"
"But-"
"Max, did you really start the fight?"
"...Sort of."
Bruce's glare kicked up a notch.
"That was a yes or no question."
"Okay, so I threw the first punch! But they said-"
"Max."
The single word, combined with what Max and Terry had secretly named the Dark Knight Death Glare, was enough to shut her up.
"You've wondered why I never let you help Terry with his work? This is exactly the sort of thing that keeps you out of it. You were careless, impulsive, you didn't stop to think about the consequences of your actions- you just jumped into the situation with no plans or preparation. As Barbara said, you could have been badly injured, even killed. You don't have that kind of luxury. Right now there are people relying on you for information that Terry's mother wouldn't think to give them, and if something happens to you I highly doubt they'd come to me. You don't have the right to deprive them of that information."
Max hung her head. Seeing that she had started thinking again, Bruce turned to CJ.
"As for you, Miss Carlisle-"
"They attacked me. What was I supposed to do? I'm not exactly the meek and mild type at the best of times, and I never let their kind just walk all over me!"
"Maybe so, but the witness said you didn't call for help."
"Well, first, he wouldn't have been any use, and second, I didn't want to waste my breath."
Bruce continued glaring.
"No, I mean literally. I've got asthma and I was trying to make sure I didn't have an attack at the worst possible moment. So why did you bail me out anyway?"
The non-sequitur didn't phase Bruce in the least.
"Your grandfather was a good man. So was your father. I couldn't help but recognise your name when I heard it."
CJ blushed.
"Yeah, well, it wasn't my idea. Any of it."
Bruce glared for a second longer, then turned back to Max.
"It will take some work, but we can keep this from going on your permanent record. But if it happens again..."
"If it happens again, I'll lock you up myself," Barbara growled. "And I'll freeze up your computer so badly you won't even be able to hack into a Qwik-E-Mart."
Max believed the second threat. Terry had hinted that the former Batgirl could hack rings around the Old Man, and still did on occasion, just to annoy him.
"Okay, I get the message. It was a dumb thing to do. Believe me, I do know. It's just- I saw Mrs. McGinnis face when she got home, I was there when she tried explaining to Matt, and I was the one to tell Dana. It's been a pretty sucky night and I just... ah, slaggit."
Barbara softened a bit and Bruce's glare eased a notch.
"All right," Barbara said. "But I'm serious- don't let this happen again."
"It won't. I promise."
"And no putting yourself in situations where it would become a question of self-defense, either."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now go home. Straight home. And stay out of trouble. Oh, and by the way, we cleared up the little misunderstanding with the indecent exposure charge." Barbara hid a grin at Max's outraged squawk and CJ's stifled giggle, continuing as though nothing had happened. "Computer error. Now go home.
She opened the door. Max and CJ left quickly. As they left they heard Max say to CJ, "I thought you said it was your grandfather who knew his father."
"That's what I thought- indecent exposure?" CJ's chuckle almost covered Max's moan as they passed out of earshot.
"So, do you think Max will stay out of trouble?" Barbara asked.
"For a few days. I should have realized she'd been too quiet lately. That girl has too much energy."
"Remind of you of someone?"
"You had an excuse. She just looks at this as a game. Even now, she just doesn't seem to realise that people get hurt doing this. I can understand why she did what she did tonight, but I can't let her keep acting the way she does. For Terry's sake, if nothing else."
"Maybe we should get Foley back in town. Get those two working on a project and she won't have time to get in trouble."
"Yes, but then we'd have Rich and Max in the same room."
"...Nevermind. By the way, did you really know that woman's father and grandfather?"
"Yes. They moved to Vermont and eventually we lost touch, but I do remember getting the birth announcement. It's not a name that's easy to forget. Chastity Joy Carlisle. Her mother always was a bit..." Bruce couldn't think of a word that truly described the woman.
"Any woman who would name a kid Chastity Joy is definitely a bit... But is that really why you paid her bail?"
"No. I wanted to make sure Max didn't mention anything she shouldn't. We both know these rooms aren't secure, but she might not think of that. Having an outsider around would keep her quiet. The connection just made a reasonable if slightly coincidental excuse."
"Quiet being a relative term, I guess." Barbara's grin faded. "Bruce, how is Terry? I want a bit more than you had time to tell me."
"It's not complete amnesia. He knew that his mother and I had some connection to him, he just didn't know what. He thought I was his grandfather."
"Ouch. But understandable. You do know that half of Gotham thinks that's what you are, don't you? You don't want to know what the other half thinks."
"I already do. There were the same rumors about me and Dick, and me and Tim, and even me and Alfred. It's annoying, but not worth responding to. At least the grandfather rumors are understandable; there are some vague similarities. But for God's sake, he's young enough to be my great-grandson! And even if I was that type, I'm not exactly much of a danger to anyone at my age."
"Tell that to somebody who hasn't seen you fight in the last year. But I know what you mean. And you say Terry at least can recognise people who are important to him, even if he doesn't know why he knows them? That is a good sign, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'd hoped for better."
"Well, Tim will be happy to hear that he's awake at least. I have to admit, even with Foley's little machine, I was worried. McGinnis is a good kid; he deserves better than- well, it didn't happen, so I was worrying over nothing. So what are we going to do now?"
"Wait."
"I was hoping for better."
**************************************************
Standard continuation comment goes here.
Bruce sat in the Bat-cave, continuing his brooding. He was wondering if he should shut it down- just temporarily, of course. After all, even the most optimistic prognosis meant that it would be months before Terry would be able to return to work. It would be more sensible to shut it down. On the other hand, shutting it down just felt wrong. It was as if he were saying that Terry would never return. Not to mention the fact that getting everything up and running after a long period of down-time was a royal pain.
An alarm sounded on the computer, disrupting his train of thought. He glanced at the pop-up, knowing there would be nothing he could do about it. Then he read it again. And a third time.
Seconds later, the cave was empty. The computer still glowed, but nobody was reading the pop-up anymore.
#Max Gibson- arrested for disturbing the peace and indecent exposure. 17th Precinct.#
************************************************
Barbara was pacing in her office. She'd gotten the news that McGinnis was waking up, but hadn't heard anything since. Bruce was still uncommunicative, even if he was trying harder, so his silence wasn't worrying. What did worry her was that Mary hadn't called. Mary liked to talk, and the two women had struck up something that wasn't quite a friendship but was close to it. Every time there had been news, Mary had called. Until now.
Her computer pinged at her, drawing her back to work. Unlike Bruce, she only took one look at it before barrelling out the door.
*************************************************
Max sat in the holding cell, hoping Dana or Chelsea got there before it was too late. She had already reversed her position on praying- generally she had no use for religion- and was in the process of trying to plea-bargain any and all gods that might be listening.
Her cell-mate was sitting looking insufferably pleased with herself. CJ had been arrested for the same thing as Max, but was confident of getting out quickly since she had been the attacked rather than the attacker. She had only been brought in because the only witness had passed out and they had to wait until he came to in order to prove her story. Max couldn't believe that the woman had taken out one more of the dregs than she had; CJ just didn't look the type. In fact, she looked like a hippie- old-fashioned blue jeans, blue-grey sweatshirt, hiking shoes, a waist-length braid... She looked like she should be on a farm in New England instead of a Gotham jail cell. But here she was, leaning against the wall and whistling.
"How can you be so cheerful?" Max finally blurted.
"Well, I've never been in a real fight before. I always kinda thought I'd freak out, y'know? So finding out that I can actually- well- prod buttock, anyway, that's a happy all it's own. And besides, I helped get a few Jokerz off the streets for a while. So did you. Maybe we didn't choose the most legal way of doing it, but they had it coming. Even back home we used to hear about what these smegheads got up to and I always wondered why nobody but Batman ever did anything about them. Then I got here and heard about that kid who made a habit of trying to take them down and got half-killed because of it and I guess it was the last straw. A lot of people I've been talking to feel the same. They're not forming lynch-mobs, but they're not going to just sit back and let the Jokerz get away with their crap, either. But then, I guess I don't need to tell you that, do I?"
Max almost smiled.
"Guess not. But it's personal for me- that kid they half-killed is my best friend."
"Ohmygoddess." CJ looked stricken, her blue-grey eyes radiating sympathy. "Oh, hon, I'm so sorry. Is he going to be okay?"
"I hope so. He woke up today."
CJ watched her, waiting for more. When it didn't come, she spoke.
"I get the feeling that it was a case of 'modified rapture'."
"He didn't recognize anybody." Max bit her lip, trying not to cry. CJ sat beside her and put her arm around Max's shoulders.
"Oh, hon, that's awful. But hey, it's not like what you see in the vids, you know. He'll probably get most of it back eventually."
"I know, it's just-"
"It's just that it hurts now. And you're wondering if he'll ever be the guy you knew again even when he gets his memories back. I haven't been there myself, but I- well, I read a lot and I always wonder how I'd react in similar situations. But you never know until it happens, do you? No matter how much research you do, it just isn't the same as actually being there and living it."
"No, it isn't." Max sighed. "When this first happened, I went into heavy research mode and read everything I could find. I really thought I had a handle on it. But then Mrs. McGinnis walked in the door and said he didn't have any memories of us at all and... And then I had to tell his girlfriend... and then I ran into the Jokerz..."
"And then you went house." CJ smiled sadly. "I can't say as I blame you. When they tried to jump me, I thought about that kid in the hospital and wondered how I'd feel if it was my brother in there. I didn't exactly stay calm and rational myself. Of course, I was also carrying a Big Stick..."
Max giggled, surprising herself.
"A big stick?"
"My walking stick. My knees give me trouble sometimes, especially when it's cold and damp and I've been doing a lot of walking, so I use a walking stick. And I can now say with some certainty that it makes a good quarterstaff. Maybe even a buck-and-a-quarter staff."
Max laughed. CJ grinned and brought her arm back down.
"That's better. Now, what had you so worried? -I mean, other than the obvious."
"Well, it's just- when the Old Man finds out I've been arrested..." Max grimaced. CJ's eyes flashed and her chin snapped up. Now Max could see her taking on four Jokerz; now she looked like a fighter.
"And just what would he do? Does he hit you? If he does-"
"NO! No, Mr. Wayne wouldn't hit me. He just... glares."
"He glares."
"Yeah."
CJ leaned back, the fire fading from her eyes.
"That's it?"
"You've never seen him glare."
"Ah."
"And if there is a god of any sort, my friends will be here to bail me out before he finds out I was even arrested."
They exchanged a look.
"I'm doomed."
"You're doomed."
Right on cue, the door opened. A policewoman stood in the door, trying not to grin.
"Maxine Gibson and Chastity Carlisle?"
CJ moaned as Max stifled a laugh.
"There's a reason I go by CJ, you know."
"Well, your bail has been paid by none other than Bruce Wayne, so let's get you two out of here."
"Wait a minute," CJ squawked. "Whose bail did he pay?"
"Both of yours."
Max and CJ exchanged another Look.
"Why?" they chorused.
"Hey, I just work here."
The two followed the officer. Now both were worried, and with good reason. The officer led them to a room and left them there to wait.
"Am I going to be glared at too?" CJ asked, clearly bewildered.
"Probably. No offense, but why would he pay your bail? You aren't some long-lost daughter come back to haunt him or something wierd like that, are you?"
"Uh- no. Trust me, I know who my father was. And I look like a heavier female version of him. I've heard of Bruce Wayne, of course, but as far as I know I don't have any connections to him. ...Well, one, but I don't think he bailed me out because his father and my grandfather were frat buddies."
"Probably not," Max agreed. Then- "Heavier?"
CJ grinned.
"Dad was about my height and weight. You want scary? My brother's six inches taller than me and weighs less than I do. I'm 5'7" and weigh 145. You do the math."
"Whoa. That is scary." Max winced as they heard voices in the hall outside. "And that's even scarier."
To Max's horror, both Bruce and Barbara entered the room. Both looked ready to explode. CJ gulped audibly, but didn't move from Max's side.
"And just what the hell did you think you were doing?" Bruce seethed, ignoring CJ.
"Uhhhh, well, I... kinda lost my temper."
"You lost your temper."
"Kinda like you're doing now," CJ piped up. Bruce switched his glare to her. "Shutting up now."
"Didn't what happened to McGinnis teach you anything?" Barbara snarled. "If you hadn't gotten lucky you could have ended up in worse shape than him, even if they didn't kill you. Do I really have to tell you what they'd have done to a girl they caught?"
"They didn't catch me!"
"You were lucky." Bruce spoke this time. "Taking on the Jokerz- even if was only a few of them- was an incredibly stupid thing to do. They've got experience in fighting dirty; you don't."
"And did you even once stop to think about how Terry would feel if something happened to you?" Barbara again. " Maybe he doesn't remember right now, but he will, and I'm not going to be the one to tell him his best friend got herself killed pulling idiotic stunts like this!"
"But-"
"Max, did you really start the fight?"
"...Sort of."
Bruce's glare kicked up a notch.
"That was a yes or no question."
"Okay, so I threw the first punch! But they said-"
"Max."
The single word, combined with what Max and Terry had secretly named the Dark Knight Death Glare, was enough to shut her up.
"You've wondered why I never let you help Terry with his work? This is exactly the sort of thing that keeps you out of it. You were careless, impulsive, you didn't stop to think about the consequences of your actions- you just jumped into the situation with no plans or preparation. As Barbara said, you could have been badly injured, even killed. You don't have that kind of luxury. Right now there are people relying on you for information that Terry's mother wouldn't think to give them, and if something happens to you I highly doubt they'd come to me. You don't have the right to deprive them of that information."
Max hung her head. Seeing that she had started thinking again, Bruce turned to CJ.
"As for you, Miss Carlisle-"
"They attacked me. What was I supposed to do? I'm not exactly the meek and mild type at the best of times, and I never let their kind just walk all over me!"
"Maybe so, but the witness said you didn't call for help."
"Well, first, he wouldn't have been any use, and second, I didn't want to waste my breath."
Bruce continued glaring.
"No, I mean literally. I've got asthma and I was trying to make sure I didn't have an attack at the worst possible moment. So why did you bail me out anyway?"
The non-sequitur didn't phase Bruce in the least.
"Your grandfather was a good man. So was your father. I couldn't help but recognise your name when I heard it."
CJ blushed.
"Yeah, well, it wasn't my idea. Any of it."
Bruce glared for a second longer, then turned back to Max.
"It will take some work, but we can keep this from going on your permanent record. But if it happens again..."
"If it happens again, I'll lock you up myself," Barbara growled. "And I'll freeze up your computer so badly you won't even be able to hack into a Qwik-E-Mart."
Max believed the second threat. Terry had hinted that the former Batgirl could hack rings around the Old Man, and still did on occasion, just to annoy him.
"Okay, I get the message. It was a dumb thing to do. Believe me, I do know. It's just- I saw Mrs. McGinnis face when she got home, I was there when she tried explaining to Matt, and I was the one to tell Dana. It's been a pretty sucky night and I just... ah, slaggit."
Barbara softened a bit and Bruce's glare eased a notch.
"All right," Barbara said. "But I'm serious- don't let this happen again."
"It won't. I promise."
"And no putting yourself in situations where it would become a question of self-defense, either."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now go home. Straight home. And stay out of trouble. Oh, and by the way, we cleared up the little misunderstanding with the indecent exposure charge." Barbara hid a grin at Max's outraged squawk and CJ's stifled giggle, continuing as though nothing had happened. "Computer error. Now go home.
She opened the door. Max and CJ left quickly. As they left they heard Max say to CJ, "I thought you said it was your grandfather who knew his father."
"That's what I thought- indecent exposure?" CJ's chuckle almost covered Max's moan as they passed out of earshot.
"So, do you think Max will stay out of trouble?" Barbara asked.
"For a few days. I should have realized she'd been too quiet lately. That girl has too much energy."
"Remind of you of someone?"
"You had an excuse. She just looks at this as a game. Even now, she just doesn't seem to realise that people get hurt doing this. I can understand why she did what she did tonight, but I can't let her keep acting the way she does. For Terry's sake, if nothing else."
"Maybe we should get Foley back in town. Get those two working on a project and she won't have time to get in trouble."
"Yes, but then we'd have Rich and Max in the same room."
"...Nevermind. By the way, did you really know that woman's father and grandfather?"
"Yes. They moved to Vermont and eventually we lost touch, but I do remember getting the birth announcement. It's not a name that's easy to forget. Chastity Joy Carlisle. Her mother always was a bit..." Bruce couldn't think of a word that truly described the woman.
"Any woman who would name a kid Chastity Joy is definitely a bit... But is that really why you paid her bail?"
"No. I wanted to make sure Max didn't mention anything she shouldn't. We both know these rooms aren't secure, but she might not think of that. Having an outsider around would keep her quiet. The connection just made a reasonable if slightly coincidental excuse."
"Quiet being a relative term, I guess." Barbara's grin faded. "Bruce, how is Terry? I want a bit more than you had time to tell me."
"It's not complete amnesia. He knew that his mother and I had some connection to him, he just didn't know what. He thought I was his grandfather."
"Ouch. But understandable. You do know that half of Gotham thinks that's what you are, don't you? You don't want to know what the other half thinks."
"I already do. There were the same rumors about me and Dick, and me and Tim, and even me and Alfred. It's annoying, but not worth responding to. At least the grandfather rumors are understandable; there are some vague similarities. But for God's sake, he's young enough to be my great-grandson! And even if I was that type, I'm not exactly much of a danger to anyone at my age."
"Tell that to somebody who hasn't seen you fight in the last year. But I know what you mean. And you say Terry at least can recognise people who are important to him, even if he doesn't know why he knows them? That is a good sign, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'd hoped for better."
"Well, Tim will be happy to hear that he's awake at least. I have to admit, even with Foley's little machine, I was worried. McGinnis is a good kid; he deserves better than- well, it didn't happen, so I was worrying over nothing. So what are we going to do now?"
"Wait."
"I was hoping for better."
**************************************************
Standard continuation comment goes here.