Ch 1
He was inside her, and she didn't like it. Her struggle was in vain as her cries became louder but no one could save her. She fought as hard as her 4 year old body could, but it was no use. He had power over her, and he took from her something she could never get back. She screamed nonetheless. She screamed until her throat went raw. "GET OFF OF ME!" she said repeatedly but his laughter was all she could hear as he moved inside of her.
"No, No! NO!" 17 year old Max screamed as she sat up in bed, sweat running down her body. Catching her breath eventually, she was still not comforted even though her nightmare wasn't a reality anymore. Before she could dwell more about her situation, she heard a knock on her window, which made her jump. She sighed. 'Get a hold of her Gibson it was just a nightmare,' she thought as she opened it to let none other then Batman in her room.
"Max."
"What do you need McGinnis?" asked Max as she looked him over and her eyes widened. "You look terrible Terry," she said as he sat down on his bed and pulled off his mask to reveal two piercing baby blue eyes.
"Lousy Jokerz," he grimaced as he removed the top half of his suit to reveal some bruises and a large gash on his back.
Max got the first aid kit. "Yeah that looks pretty bad," she said, "now lie on your back.
Terry smiled as he complied with Max's orders. "I really appreciate this Max. I know it's late."
"It's all right I needed the distraction anyway," she said as she started to perform first aid on her best friend.
"Oh yeah. From what Ow!" he winced.
"Sorry," Max smiled. "Anyway it was just a nightmare."
His face looked to Max's who was concentrating on patching him up. He could tell something was wrong. "Are you sure you look kind of shook up?"
"That's why it's called a nightmare McGinnis. Anyway it wasn't real so that's all that matters," said Max as she finished and put away the first aid kit. "You might want to take a shower before you go back home. You still have some clothes you left over here from the last time you came over."
Terry stood up from the bed and walked over to Max. His hands rested on her shoulders. "Max, you know you can tell me anything. It stays between us I promise."
"I'm fine McGinnis really. You should shower and head home. I'm sure your mom will be worried if you don't show up."
When the door closed to her bathroom, she sighed as she sat on her bed. Tucking her knees into her chest, she held her body. 'No. No one can ever know. I just want it to go away. It's in the past, and that is where it will stay,' she said with determination as she went into her own closet to change out of her sweaty pajamas and into some clean ones. Getting back into her bed, she sighed, wondering if the rest of the night would bring her peaceful dreams. She could only hope.
Max woke up to her alarm clock and groaned as she turned it off and sat up in bed. It was time for school. Looking at the floor, she noticed a body lying on it. She rushed to her best friend who had passed out on her floor, thankfully wearing sweatpants.
"Terry," said Max as she held him against her body, putting her hand on his cheek. "Terry!" she yelled.
His baby blues faced her dark eyes, and he was confused. "Max, what am I doing on your floor?"
"You must have overexerted yourself and passed out on my floor. Are you ok?" she asked as she helped him up the best she could and got him to her bed. "Do you think you're up to school today?"
"I'll live," he sighed. "I can't afford to miss any more days of school."
"Yeah," smiled Max. "It would be pretty embarrassing to be the only one not graduating from our class."
"Ha ha very funny Gibson," he said as he stood up. "How much time do we have?"
"15 minutes. We have to get you home, you have to get dressed, and get your books for school."
"Sure no problem."
"Anyway I let your mom know you were staying here last night, so she's not worried.'
Terry smiled. "I owe you so much Max."
"I know. Let's get going McGinnis. I don't want to be late."
Terry didn't even know she could drive so fast and not get a ticket. They had a few close calls on the way to his house.
"Max, are you trying to kill us?"
"I have never been late to school, and I'm not about to start now McGinnis so don't test me."
"Fine," said Terry.
The rest of the drive was quiet but Terry could still tell that whatever she dreamt last night was still bothering her. He could tell she was trying to hide it, and he couldn't let it go. He didn't want her to push him away, but he could tell she was in pain. He didn't like it.
"Terry," Max sighed. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."
"Don't worry about it Max. We'll get to school on time. You just need to relax."
Terry and Max made it to school with five minutes to spare. They both sighed in relief as they made their way inside the building. Getting the books they needed from their lockers, they closed them and headed towards homeroom. After the announcements they were off to class.
"Hey Max," said Chelsea as she walked up to her friend. "You know class is over right?" she asked as she saw Max still working.
"Oh uh sorry Chels I was caught up in what I was doing."
"Well graduation is going to be soon and you are valedictorian. How's the speech going anyway?"
"Oh it's going," said Max as she stood up and walked with Chelsea into the hall.
"Well how about we let loose tonight. Blake is throwing a party at her house. You're coming, right?"
"I—I don't know."
"You look so tense and on edge Max. You need to relax tonight. Please!" she begged.
Max sighed. "All right fine," she said as she followed Chelsea to the cafeteria.
Sitting with her group friends, Max felt more relaxed hearing about their plans for after graduation and college.
"So Max I heard you got accepted to all the schools you applied for?" said Dana. "Have you chosen a school yet?"
"I—it's been a hard decision, but I've narrowed down my choices to NYU or Gotham University."
"Gotham University. Girl you have to get out of this city. That's what I'm doing," said Blake.
"Yeah you'd be crazy to stay here Max," said Chelsea. "You're so smart and have so much potential to be great. You should definitely pick NYU."
"Chels, it's not that simple," said Max.
"It is that simple Max," said Dana. "Chelsea's right. You could go to any school you want, and you chose to stay here. I don't understand."
"I'm not choosing to stay here Dana, and it's none of your business what I do," said Max as she got up from the table and left the cafeteria.
Stopping in the main lobby of the school, she looked up at the TV to see the news and felt pure panic run through her body at the words at the bottom of the screen. George Gibson released from jail. 'Oh no,' she thought as all she could hear was his menacing laughter in her head. She felt her body tremble before she felt the warmth of another body behind her.
"Max."
She knew that voice, but she could only say his name. "Terry?" she said before she felt her body give out as she slipped into unconsciousness. "MAX!" screamed Terry as he caught her in his arms and carried her outside for some air. Taking out his phone, he dialed 911.
Max opened her eyes to see she was in a hospital bed and dressed in a hospital gown.
She sighed. 'I must have fainted, but this can't be happening. He can't be coming back?'
"Max!" exclaimed a familiar voice.
"Alyssa, what, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"I saw the news about uncle George and came as soon as I could."
"How long have I been out?"
"Well according to the doctor you've been out a day. Are you all right little sis?" she asked as she came to her bed side.
"How did he get out? He was never suppose to get out Alyssa," said Max as he body began to tremble.
Alyssa held her sister close, trying to calm her. "Good behavior apparently."
"Good behavior! The guy killed a whole family."
"I'm sorry you had to see that Max, especially at 13 years old. You know I never did tell you how proud I was of you calling the cops on him. It took guts girl."
"Well it seems all for nothing now," said Max as she hugged her knees to her chest.
"I guess this isn't the best time to say that I called mom and dad. "
"You, what?" yelled Max. "Why would you do that?"
"I was concerned about you, and i thought they might want to be here for you."
"So, what did they say?"
"They'll be here next week with their significant others."
"Great! Anything else you want to share with me?"
"Well now that you mention it. My husband is out in the hall, and I wanted him to meet you. I know it's not the most appropriate time, so we can wait on that."
"You're married!"
"It was a spur of the moment thing. I'm sorry Max."
"I—she sighed. "It's ok," she smiled, "as long as you're happy."
"I am. We met at college, and we're moving back here to Gotham. It turns out his family is from here," she said as Max smiled. "I've missed you Maxine."
"I've missed you to Alyssa," said Max as she held her sister.
"Oh and that guy out there with the baby blues and raven hair, is that Terry McGinnis?" she asked as Max nodded. "Wow he grew into a real cutie," she said as Max shook her head in embarrassment. "I think I'm going to say hello. You rest up little sister."Alyssa came into the hall to see her husband and all of Max's friends, including Terry. She could see the worry in all of their eyes, and she smiled.
"Don't worry Max is fine," said Alyssa. "She's a tough girl. I'm Alyssa, her sister. It's nice to meet all her friends at last. She's told me so much about you." She looked to the shorter male and then the blue eyed boy. "You must be Terry McGinnis."
"Yeah, it's nice to meet you finally. Max talks about you sometimes."
"That sounds about right," smiled Alyssa. "This is my husband Derek."
"It's nice to meet you Derek," said Terry as he shook his hand.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" asked Alyssa.
"Alyssa!" exclaimed Derek.
"What? A good looking guy like you I'm sure doesn't stay single for long."
"Uh um actually I was dumped recently," said Terry.
"It was amicable," said Dana. "We're still friends."
The doctor came by to break up the tension in the hallway. "Friends are now aloud to see her," said the doctor as Dana, Blake, Chelsea, and Howard went into see Max.
Terry faced Alyssa and Derek. "You were in there with Max for a while. What's going on? I know you know why she fainted in my arms?"
"You should talk to Max," said Alyssa as she looked closer at him and smiled. "Do you care about my sister?"
"She's my best friend," said Terry as he left the married couple in the hall and walked into Max's room.
"So what does the doctor say?" asked Chelsea.
"I've been overworking myself, and that's why I fainted. The doctor said I can go home today. I should just take it easy and relax," said Max.
"Well that's good news," said Howard.
"We're glad you're ok Max," smiled Dana. "You really freaked Terry out when you fainted on him."
"Hey! I was not freaked out, just concerned."
"Well," Max smiled, "thanks for catching me McGinnis."
"Anytime Max. You really need to take the doctor's advice. It's not a suggestion you know."
"He's right. It's almost graduation day. What else could you possibly working on that would cause you so much stress?" asked Blake. "I mean I know you're valedictorian, but you need a break. I know you're coming to my part tonight. It's the perfect place to let go and unwind."
"All right Blake I get the message," said Max. You know I'll be there." She felt the piercing eyes of her best friend on her. It was making her nervous. He knew there was more to the story.
Max had to get some air as she hung out on Chelsea's balcony. She smiled. Dancing had felt good to her. She really needed it after the day she had, and she had wished that Terry could be here but duty called the bat.
"Whew," said Nelson Nash as he made his way out to the balcony with a drink in his hand. Looking towards Max, he smiled. "Nice moves out there Gibson."
"You're drunk."
"Well yeah it's almost the end of high school. I'm celebrating," he said as he moved closer to Max. "You want to celebrate with me in one of the empty rooms."
"When pigs fly," said Max as she moved away from him. Her intent was to go back inside, but he grabbed her wrist, pulling her body towards him.
"I don't think so," he said.
"Let go!" she yelled as she kicked him in the balls, causing him to let go as she walked back inside the house. Grabbing her jacket on the hanger, she put it on, letting Chelsea know she was leaving, and took off home.
Walking up to her door, she unlocked it and walked in to see her sister cooking in the kitchen while her husband Derek was all his computer. It was weird to see her family at her home besides Terry.
"Oh hey sis, how was the party?" asked Alyssa.
"Well I was having fun dancing until Nelson Nash tried to get me to sleep with him. Luckily I kicked him in the balls and ran," said Max as she leaned against the kitchen counter. "I'm starting to think all guys are dogs."
"Not all guys," said Alyssa as she smiled at Derek. "My man's a gentlemen."
"You got lucky," said Max as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I did, but what about McGinnis? He doesn't seem like a dog to me."
"Just what are you getting at?"
"Well I think he'd be good for you Max, a good boyfriend. He seems loyal and caring, and he's smoking hot for one thing."
"Alyssa!"
"All right sweetie I think Max has had enough embarrassment for one day."
Max smiled at him. "Thank you Derek. Well I think I'm going to change and—
"Eat dinner with us," said Alyssa. "You know I won't take no for an answer."
"All right," said Max before she disappeared into her room to come face to face with a shirtless Terry. Turning away, she blushed as she closed the door. 'Why can't I still get use that? I've seen him shirtless so many times. Get it together Gibson,' she thought as she calmed herself and turned to Terry. "Are you crazy McGinnis my sister and her husband are out there?"
"Relax Max I know. I was careful," said Terry as a knock came to Max's door.
"I know there's a boy in there Max. I wasn't born yesterday. You can join us for dinner McGinnis," said Alyssa before she left to go check on dinner.
"Wow, she's good," said Terry.
"How does she always know?" wondered Max.
"I guess genius runs in the family," said Terry. Max couldn't help but smile at that. "So, how was Chelsea's party?"
"Great," Max smiled, "I had the time of my life dancing."
"And you left early because…?"
"You're getting too smart for your own good McGinnis. Someone always gets drunk and ruins the party. Anyway, how was patrol? You look like you came out unscathed."
"Yeah today was one of those days."
"Well I guess we should go eat. My sister's a good cook you know. You're in for treat and who knows maybe she won't embarrass me with blackmail you can use later on."
Terry smiled. "I'm counting on it."
They were all having a good time, and Terry was learning some new and interesting things about his best friend and her family.
"So your folks are coming next week?" asked Terry.
"Yeah I haven't seen them for so long," said Max. "I just don't know how to feel."
"I know Max," said Alyssa, "and we're going to meet mom's husband and dad's wife. It's a lot to take in. I had to hear about it last month. I would have picked up the phone and told you, but i was so mad. I thought they'd be together forever and then they just move on with other people. They moved on without us Max."
Max grabbed her hand. "It's going to be ok Alyssa. We'll get through it, and you have support from your husband," she said as Derek squeezed his wife's hand. "Hey does mom and dad know about your marriage?"
"Nope. At the time I just wanted it to be me and him. Of course his parents were pissed but we didn't care," she said as she smiled at her husband.
Max could see her sister was really in love and then the boy next to her popped up in her head. She shook the thought just as soon as it entered her head. 'That's it I'm going crazy. Me and McGinnis? My sister is crazy,' she thought.
"Max?"
"Huh?" she said as she looked at Terry and suddenly the butterflies entered her stomach. 'Oh no this is not happening!' she thought. "I'm fine Terry, just a lot on my mind is all. I think I'm going to crash. I'm wiped," she said as she left for her room.