Ch 13

Max woke up to the light shinning in her eyes. Sitting up, she looked around the room to realize she was in her sister's house. Looking beside her, she smiled to see her boyfriend sleeping peacefully. Thinking about last night, she was glad she was still here to enjoy the people in her life that meant so much to her.

Lying back down, she settled on her side as she felt a pair of strong, warm hands encircle her waist, pulling her close. "All right how long have you been awake McGinnis?"

"It was the minute you moved," Terry said as Max shifted in his arms to face him.

"Or maybe you were just waiting for me to wake up?"

"To do what exactly?" smirked Terry.

"This," she said as she kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Terry responded with passion as he moved their positions, so he was on top of her. They held each other close as they made out in her sister's guest bedroom. Max loved the warmth his body offered her. It was so comforting as she held on tighter to him.

They broke away to breathe, but their eyes were still on each other and Terry could see the want in her eyes for him. He wanted her to, but he knew it wasn't right in the moment. "You have no idea how much I want you right now Max."

"Why don't you take me then?" she asked as she caressed his face.

"I want to respect you and not rush into this too fast. I really care about you Max."

"I know your right which is hard for me to admit, but it only makes me want you more," she smiled as she leaned up and kissed him. "We should really get out of this bed before my sister decides to walk in on us."

"I need to get back home anyway."

"I have to get back to the university."

"Max, are you sure your all right? You know with everything that's happen."

Max smiled. "I'll be fine Terry. You worry too much."

"Well it comes with being Batman."

"And Terry McGinnis."

"I love you Max."

"I love you to Ter," she said as his arms were around her once again.

"You know I'm starting to think you really like hugs," said Max as her arms went around him.

"You love them to, admit it," he smiled as their lips met in soft and innocent kiss but they couldn't end it there as their kisses became more passionate.

Getting back to her dorm room, she was happy to see it again. Knowing she had come so close to losing it all had truly frightened her, and she was grateful to Batman, to Terry for finding her. She remembered his reasons for not wanting to be intimate sexually, but she felt there was something else. She would get to the bottom of it but for now she would get on with her day.

The library was where she liked to get her assignments done because of the peace and quiet. Hours later she got her head out of her last book, closed it, stood up to stretch, and walked out with her backpack. When she got outside, her phone started to ring. "Hello."

"Hey Max."

"Chelsea, what's up?"

"I'm throwing a halloween party tomorrow night at 10pm. Are you coming or what?"

"You're back in Gotham?"

"Today and tomorrow and then I have to get back. You're coming, right?"

"I—

"Oh come on Gibson you might not see me for months. Plus you know how schway my parties are and I know you love to dance. You can even bring McGinnis with you if it makes you more comfortable. God knows that guy needs a night out, especially since Dana and him aren't together anymore."

"I heard he's moved on from her," said Max.

"Good thing to because Dana hasn't wasted anytime getting back on the dating scene. I always thought he was too good for her. Do you know if he's seeing anyone?"

"Yeah," Max smiled, "he's seeing me."

"What! No way, are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Interesting. i always wondered what you two would be like as a couple. I don't have to imagine anymore. Now you both have to come to my party. You'll both have to dress up. I'm so excited!"

"I'll see you tomorrow night chels."

"I'm really happy for you Max."

"Thanks Chels."

Max hung up the phone, knowing she would have to let Terry know about the party. 'Hopefully he'll be able to show up if Batman doesn't have to fight crime.' It was then that she realized she needed to go shopping for a costume. She sighed. 'I hate shopping, slaggit!' she exclaimed as she came back to her dorm room, dropped off her stuff, and left for the closest costume store to campus.

Taking a walk, her eyes came across a costume store, and she made her way over. Looking through the aisles, she wasn't so sure she wanted to go to Chelsea's party anymore. Each costume was worse then the last. They just weren't her style, either they were too cheesy or too slutty. Max sighed and then her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey Max."

"Hey Ter," she smiled and then mentally scolded herself for being so girly.

"Where are you?"

"Gotham Halloween store near my campus. Chels called and invited us to a party she's throwing tonight at her house. I promised her I'd be there."

"I'll try and be there if I can."

"I know duty calls."

"So, having any luck with picking out a costume?"

Max sighed. "At this point I may have to make my own."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yep and I don't intend to show up as a slutty vampire, witch, pirate, or pumpkin?"

"Pumpkin?"

"Don't ask. Anyway, what are you up to right now?"

"Homework."

"By yourself?"

"Ha ha Max very funny."

"Anyway I told Chelsea about us. She was wondering if you were seeing anyone."

"I'm sure she's told everyone by now," he smiled.

"Yep that's Chelsea for you," said Max as her eyes finally found an interesting costume. Walking up to it, she found it was a modest but beautiful angel costume. It wasn't really her thing but something about it drew her to it.

"Hello, Max, you still there?"

"Yeah," Max smiled. "I think I found my costume."

"You sound happy."

"Ecstatic."

"I'll see you tonight Max. I love you."

"I love you to Ter."

Opening the door Max's eyes met Chelsea's and smiled as she let her inside her house. Closing the door Chelsea got a good look at her friend's costume. It was a light flowing white dress with beautifully detailed angel wings on the back.

"You look great Max."

"Thanks Chels," said Max. "Slutty pumpkin, really?"

"I have to attract the guys somehow."

"You don't need to dress this way to get a guy. You're better then that."

"I just thought I'd try something different for once Max. You don't have to get all serious on me," Chelsea smiled. "You need to relax and enjoy the party. Where's McGinnis anyway?"

"He's helping old man Wayne."

"Terry is still working for him?"

"Yes, he really likes his job. Wayne's become a good influence in Terry's life after his father passed. Anyway I'm sure he'll come by if he can make it."

"I hope so but for now let's party!" she exclaimed as the rest of her guests cheered.

The music was blasting as everyone moved to the beat with their bodies. Max felt lost in the music as she swayed back and forth to the beat. She smiled, feeling this was just what she needed to unwind and destress. When she felt a a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist from behind, her first instinct was to take them down but then she heard his voice.

"It looks like you made it," Max smiled as she turned around to see Terry in his costume. "Phantom of the Opera, interesting choice. It looks good on you."

"You look pretty angelic yourself," said Terry as Max wrapped her arms around his neck.

Max smiled. "I do look good, don't I?"

"Beautiful," he said as their lips met on the dance floor when a slow song filled the room.

"Well look at the happy couple," said Nelson as he came over with his date.

"Leave them alone Nelson," said Chelsea. "Don't you think about ruining my party."

"Hey I'm just being honest," said Nelson.

"Thank you Nelson," said Max.

"I just want to say what I hear from Dana, McGinnis wasn't exactly perfect boyfriend material," said Nelson. "I mean how many times has he flaked out on her."

"Their relationship is none of your business Nelson," said Max.

"Hey I'm just trying to save you from yourself," said Nelson.

Max dragged Terry out of the house before he could deck him.