Ch 4

It was graduation day, and the butterflies were rattling around in Max's stomach for another reason other then Terry. She was giving her valedictorian speech in front of teachers, faculty, her graduating class and their friends and family in just a few minutes but that wasn't the only thing worrying her today. She wondered where her uncle was and when he would strike, and she hoped the authorities could find him before tomorrow came around.

"Max?"

Max turned to see Terry in his graduation gown, and she smiled. "Well who would have thought Terry McGinnis would graduate high school?"

"Ha ha Max very funny. It's all because of you, you know."

"Well as much as I would love to take all the credit, you worked hard to get to his point Terry. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks Max," he said as he looked to the podium and the seats where the teachers, faculty, and staff would sit. "So, you nervous about giving your speech?"

"Yeah among other things," she said as she felt Terry's hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry about that Max, concentrate on your speech and let the authorities worry about your uncle."

"You're right. Well I better get up there."

"You'll do great Max," said Terry.

"Thanks for the encouragement."

Everyone was seated as Max was announced, and she came up to the podium and smiled nervously. Taking a breath in and then out, she looked into the crowd and found Terry's gaze on her.

"Teachers, students, and faculty we are gathered here to celebrate that fact that this class made it though high school in one piece," she said as some people laughed. "This is only the beginning to the next step of the rest of our lives, and it is a frightening thought to leave the ones we love to grow up and become men and women. We can do it, we can become anyone we want to be. We can change the world," she said as her classed cheered.

She felt so moved and overwhelmed, and she smiled. "On personal note there is someone I want to acknowledge. My best friend Terry McGinnis. He's kept me grounded in my life, reminding me that there's a time for work and a time for play. He's always been there to lift my spirits and encourage me in my dreams. I don't think anyone realizes how hard he's worked to get to this point. I may be valedictorian, but he's a hero in my eyes. Thank you and congratulations everyone!" Max said as everyone clapped.

Stepping down from the podium, she couldn't look at Terry. It had taken her a lot to mention him in her speech, but she felt he deserved to be acknowledged. He protected this city.

When Terry McGinnis came on stage to accept his diploma, the crowd cheered and looked to his mom, brother, and Mr. Wayne. His eyes went to Max, and he smiled before leaving the stage. Everyone's names were called, the class all cheered, and graduation was over as the students interacted with friends and family.

"Oh Terry I'm so proud of you," said Mary as she hugged her son.

"Thanks mom."

"I think he just got lucky," said Matt.

"Whatever twip," Terry said as he messed with his brother's hair.

"Mr. Wayne, I'm glad you could come," said Marry.

"Well I wouldn't miss it. Your boy is a hard worker Mary."

Max walked up to her sister and Derek, realizing that her parents had missed her graduation and her speech.

"Don't worry Max I got it all on tape so mom and dad can watch," said Alyssa.

"What's the point? They didn't care enough to be here on time. Why would they care about some speech I made?"

"It was a great speech by the way," said Derek.

"Thanks Derek I appreciate the complement," said Max.

Alyssa smirked. "Well I couldn't help but hear you make a shout out to your boyfr—Max covered her mouth. "Alyssa! What did I say?"

Alyssa moved Max's hand from her mouth. "All right fine but it was a beautiful speech Maxine. I'm so proud of you," she said as she hugged Max.

"Thanks sis," Max said as she wiped a few tears from her eyes before she let her go.

"Maxine!"

Max knew the voice of her mother she turned around to see her mother with her husband and her father with his wife. When she felt her mother's arms around her, she didn't know how to feel. She hugged her back, but if felt empty. She felt the same when her father hugged her.

"Glad you could make it on time," said Max. "What's your excuse this time?"

"There's no excuse Maxine," said her mother Macy. "I'm sorry."

"I am to pumpkin. Time got away from us," said Allen.

"Why did you even bother?" yelled Max. "You don't care about me or Alyssa. You left us for the world and never looked back. I don't forgive, and there's nothing you can do or say to change that. I'm out of here," said Max as she walked away from her family. The tears in her eyes were coming down her face, and she didn't wipe them away. She just knew she had to get away, and she couldn't breathe and needed space.

Max ended up inside the school at the tech lab. Sitting down at one of the desks, she traced her hand over the keyboard. She was just starting to realize that high school was over and everything would change. It was good thing, but she was scared about what her future looked like. She knew she would go to college, graduate, and have a great career, but she knew it wouldn't be enough to keep her happy. She needed something more.

"Max, how did I know I'd find you here?" said Terry as he leaned against her desk.

"You know me to well McGinnis," she smiled.

"So, what brought you here Max?"

"High school is over Terry, and it just hit me so hard. Plus my parents missed graduation. I'm pretty sure I made a scene."

"You'll do great in life Max. I have no doubt about it, and I'm sorry about your parents. That's harsh, and I'm sorry you're hurting. This is your day Max, and you should be happy and proud of all you've accomplished. I know I am," he smiled.

Max wiped the tears from her eyes. "Boy McGinnis you pick now to make me emotional," she said as she stood up from her desk. When she felt Terry's arms around her, she couldn't but hug him back. "You'll be great to Terry."

"Well I don't know how great. I'm going to attempt to continue my education at Gotham Community College to find out what I want to do with my semi-normal life and be Batman."

"Wow, that is ambitious but you've balanced school and Batman before."

"Yeah, but that was because you were with me Max."

Max came out of his embrace to look at him. "You're selling yourself short McGinnis. You can do it, I know you can. Besides," she smiled. "I'm not going anywhere. I've been accepted to Gotham University with a full scholarship."

"I would never forgive myself if you went to a college in Gotham just for me Max. I'm sure you got accepted to all the schools you applied for, and you deserve to live a normal life without danger. I—

Max laughed and shook her head. "You think I did this for you McGinnis, don't flatter yourself. They offered the best program for my educational needs. I have no regrets. I'm happy with my choice and besides I still want to be a part of Batman's world. I feel I have a lot of good to do in this world."

"And you say I'm ambitious," he smiled. "I—I'm glad you're staying Max."

"There's nowhere else I rather be Terry."

"So, what were your plans after this?"

"Alyssa and Derek where going to take me, my parents, and their spouses out to dinner. Why?"

"Well your sister invited my family to dinner so looks like we'll be joining your family."

Max sighed. "Remind me to kill Alyssa later," said Max as Terry laughed.

It was late into the night, and Batman was having no luck finding George. He couldn't give up, but he could feel himself tiring. Max's life was on the line, and it pushed him forward as he continued to scour the city.

"Terry."

"I can't stop Bruce. I won't. Have you found anything?"

"No, Max is having no luck either. I do feel there is a missing piece to this puzzle. There's something Max isn't telling you."

"I've gotten that impression to, and I think Barbara has some idea what is going on with Max. I'm not sure it's her place to tell me but if Max is in danger because of it, then I feel like I have the right to know."

"That could be a slippery slope to go down Terry."

"I have to find this guy tonight Bruce. We don't know what he has planned if Max doesn't show her face to him."

"You're forgetting the obvious McGinnis. Once George contacts Max tomorrow, you follow her to him and then take care of George once and for all."

"It's a risky plan, but I have no other choice if I can't find him tonight."

"I have a feeling you won't Terry. Go home, get some rest, and prepare for tomorrow."

Terry hated to admit that the old man was right, but he followed orders anyway as he flew home, snuck into his room, put his suit away somewhere secure, and slipped under his blanket. He knew he needed sleep, but he couldn't stop thinking about Max when a knock came to his door. "Come in."

"Hi sweetie," said Mary McGinnis as she entered her room. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah just a lot on my mind."

"You look tired Terry, but you look worried as well. You can't fool me."

"Things are changing mom. I just hope I can deal with it."

Mary put her hand on her son's shoulder, and he looked at her. "You can sweetie, and I know it will be hard but there are people who believe you like me, Bruce, and Max. I thought it was very nice of her to mention you in her speech."

"Yeah," he smiled, "it was."

"So, are you going to tell her about your feelings for her?"

"What! Mom, it's not like that. I—we're just friends."

"Uh huh for now at least," said Marry as she stood up from his bed. "Goodnight Terry."

"Goodnight mom," he said as he pulled the covers over his body and heard his door close. Closing his eyes, tomorrow couldn't come soon enough. He would rest for Max's sake.