Trust works in funny ways; you can trust a stranger's directions when lost, but will second-guess whether to follow your mother's advice. It's said people have to know each other for trust to work. It's why the familiar faces of a mayor, governor, or even president are plastered everywhere during elections so that voters would feel comfortable with them. Yet during disasters, those same voters would rather put their lives in the hands of one man, whose true face is hidden from the world, instead of the politicians' whom they rely on to take care of their city, state, or country.
However, the question hanging in Jazz's mind is one that not many think of. We all know that citizens gladly trust this masked hero, but does Batman trust the people he saves as easily? She thought the obvious answer is no. Then why is she seated right behind the vigilante in his car on their way to some strange location?
"So," Jazz starts when the uncomfortable silence becomes unbearable, "where exactly are we going?"
"Friend's place," is the curt reply.
"You're not one of those guys who kidnap people and bring them to some secluded slaughter house in the woods, are you?"
"You watch too many horror flicks."
"Actually, last night's news report is to blame this time," she quips looking out the window. She realizes they've reached the other side of town. "So who's this friend?"
"Her name's Max; that's all you need to know."
"Hard to keep things a mystery when you're taking me to the source, Bats."
"Don't call me that, and it doesn't mean the source is going to spill, sweet cheeks."
"Don't call me that," she replies with a scowl as the car comes to a stop in front of an apartment building. "Hey, hang on a sec," Jazz starts when the canopy slides open. Batman turns his head to look at her. "Why are you doing this in the first place? I could have managed on my own."
The question confounds him since he doesn't have an answer to give. It takes him aback, but he expertly hides his confusion. The blank stare he gives her makes her feel awkward and shift in place stopping her from pursuing an explanation. Leaving her question unanswered, he turns to the window and knocks.
It takes a few moments for the curtains to pull back revealing a very irritated Max behind the window. "Why do bats have to be nocturnal?" She asks before noticing Jazz squished behind him with her head tilted in confusion. "Uh… I mean, Batman, what a surprise," she corrects herself with a horrible performance of acting shocked.
Batman shakes his head at her. "Relax, it's fine. She needs a place to stay for the night."
"Uh, okay…" Max hesitantly replies, confused by the unusual request.
"I'll explain later."
With a sigh Max steps aside to let Jazz in. "Make yourself at home." Jazz tosses her bag in first and, refusing Batman's help, climbs through.
"I owe you one," Batman calls out as he sits back in his seat strapping himself in.
"Yeah, Max to the rescue as always," she comments rolling her eyes before the canopy closes and the car flies off. She turns her attention to Jazz, who is standing in the middle of the room taking in her new environment.
"Sorry," Max starts after closing the window, "I didn't catch your name."
"Don't worry about it," Jazz replies picking up her bag and slinging it over her shoulders. "I'm not staying. I was just humoring the Bat."
"Okay, here's the thing," Max starts with a raised brow. "That Bat happens to be a friend of mine, and if he's trusting me with you, then I'm not going to let you or anyone else break my promise to him. So how 'bout you take that lone wolf attitude of yours, shove it in your bag with the rest of your stuff, and save it for another day, 'cause under my roof, you'll graciously take the help and like it. Got that?"
Jazz's brows rise with surprise before a smile stretches her lips revealing amusement. She didn't expect Max to be so head strong, but rather to be happy to get rid of an overnight stranger.
"Okay," she gives in raising her arms in surrender. "I'll stay the night."
"Glad to hear it," Max replies with satisfaction. "The bathroom's through there if you want to wash up; feel free to use the towels. I'll get you some sheets so you can crash on the couch."
"Thanks," Jazz says as she moves to the bathroom. "The name's Jazz by the way."
"Pleasure," she sighs looking out the window at where the Batmobile hovered, wondering why her best friend did something this irresponsible.
Jazz, meanwhile, finally has a chance to look at herself in the mirror. She cringes at her reflection covered in sweat and soot, so she takes a quick shower and changes into the spare clothes she saved from the inhabitable apartment.
"Hey," Max greets when she steps out of the bathroom. "You can raid the kitchen if you're hungry," she offers as she sets the sheets and pillow on the couch.
"Thanks," Jazz replies. "By the way, do you happen to know if there are any apartments leasing for cheap around here?"
"No, but I have a guide you can have. It's how I found this place."
"I appreciate it, thanks. Anyway, I'll be out of your hair early tomorrow morning."
"What happened?" Max asks, ignoring her last statement.
"Sorry?"
"What did he do to leave you homeless?"
"Uh, well, he didn't do anything. It was an accident. I wake up when I hear banging coming from my roommate's bedroom, and when I checked it out, there's Mad Stan and Batman having a fun tussle before Stan drops a timed bomb. Next thing I know, the place turns into an inferno that couldn't be saved. It took a few hours for the fire department to put it out."
"Hang on, you waited until the fire went out?"
"Yeah, I needed to get my stuff since I had nowhere else to go."
"When did Batman pick you up?"
"After I saved whatever I could carry. We met a few blocks away from the building."
"Hm," Max makes the curious sound when she realizes Terry must have waited the entire time until he could meet Jazz.
He's never done anything like this especially since Terry takes his identity very seriously. He would never risk it for anyone, not after what happened with the Kobras five years ago. She'll definitely need his side of the story.
"What?" Jazz asks when Max stays silent while looking at her feet in thought.
"Nothing," she replies snapping back to awareness. "Listen, you can stay here until you find a new place."
"That won't be necessary."
"You want me to give you the speech again?"
"Fine, but it'll only be a few days."
"Whatever. I'll leave you to get you beauty sleep. 'Night."
"Night," Jazz nods.
After Max disappears into her room, Jazz makes herself comfortable on the couch as she plays back the events of the night, one in particular stands out since she can't find a logical explanation. Why would Batman stop to pick her up hours after the fire? She flips to her side as she remembers the way he looked at her.
For that split second, she felt like they knew each other, like they were old friends who used to trade secrets when they were kids. The only reason it's hard to believe they might be friends is the fact that she never had a best friend growing up; she never shared her secrets with anyone. So who is Batman and why did she feel so attached to him? The thoughts continue to turn in her head robbing her from sleeping through whatever is left of the night.
"So, any idea where Stan went to this time?" Batman asks Bruce over the com-link in the Batmobile.
"Let's just call it a night; you've charged the city enough collateral damage."
"Oh hey! That wasn't my fault!" Batman retorts.
"I'm sure," Bruce sarcastically answers. Batman scowls at the comment as he speeds off into the night.
-continued-