Ch 20

Max woke up to feel strong arms wrapped around her waist. Moving her eyes, she took in the sleeping, clothed form of her boyfriend. She smiled, remembering last night as he took her in his arms and into her room. He lied her down on the bed, holding her close throughout the night.

Trying to stealthy get out of Terry's embrace without waking him up, she felt his arms tighten around her waist. "Nice try Gibson."

"It was worth a shot," she smiled as she turned her whole body to face him. "Thank you for staying with me."

"Nowhere else I'd rather be Max. Besides I covered all our bases last night. Everyone's safe just in case he tries anything."

"Well that's a relief."

"So, how are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here," she said as she moved closer to his body.

"I know yesterday couldn't have been easy for you."

"Whatever I can do to put that monster away, I'll do it."

"Always a fighter," he smiled.

"Damn right!" she smiled back at him.

"So—He was interrupted by his phone. "Slaggit!" he groaned as he hesitantly came out of his girlfriend's arms to answer the phone. "Yeah."

"I assume you're at Max's."

"Yes Bruce. I'm guessing duty calls."

"I'll fill you in on the way to your location."

"Got it," said Terry as he hung up and looked at Max.

"It's all right Terry," said Max. "I'll be fine."

"I'm not leaving you by yourself Max. He could come back."

"All right I'll get dressed and you can drop me off at my sister's house."

"Wait a minute, you're not going to out up a fight?"

"We'd end up at this solution anyway McGinnis," she smiled. "I'm just thinking one step ahead."

Terry kissed her briefly on the lips. "Get dressed brainiac," he smiled as she grabbed some clothes and disappeared into her bathroom.

Max knocked on her sister's door as she saw the bat mobile take off. When the door opened, she saw the relief and sadness in her sister's eyes.

"You know, don't you Alyssa," said Max.

"Terry caught us up on everything," said Alyssa as she hugged Max. "I'm glad you're ok."

"What does 'us' mean exactly?" asked Max.

"Well mom and dad are coming over. Terry called us before you left the house, and I figured you needed all the support you can get. You're not alone anymore Max. It's time that you really knew that."

"I love you," said Max as she hugged her sister back.

"I love you to Maxine," she said as she felt Max's tears on her shirt. "Let's go inside I'm sure I can whip you up something to eat."

"Um, shouldn't you take it easy? You're carrying twins you know."

"I'm not an invalid sis. Some days are better than others. Today I'm feeling good. Besides it's nice not to have Derek hovering over me."

Max sat down at the table and watch her sister cook. "I bet."

"So, why did you never tell me about James? You know I—

"I wasn't in a good place Alyssa. Everyone was gone, and I had no one. He came into my life, ruined my life, and the rest will hopefully be history once he's caught."

"I'm sorry about what happened, especially with what happened with you and uncle George before that. I just—how did you get through all of that?" she asked as she turned around to face Max. "I mean it has to take someone really strong. You're strong Max, lord knows where you got it from."

"I'm not sure I really got over it. I think I just pushed it all down and moved on with my life. What could I do?"

Is that why your hair's short and pink? I've always wondered about that. I remember when I asked you about it, you said you wanted something that best reflects who you are."

"I lied about that. At first I did it to forget all the bad that happened to me, a clean slate. Then it became a sign of strength. I was kind of reborn in a way. I felt strong, and I wasn't going to take crap from anyone. I was tough as nails Max, and I wasn't about to let anyone passed my walls."

"And then there was Terry," Alyssa smiled.

"You just had to bring him up, didn't you?"

"Why wouldn't I Max? I think he's a big part of who you are today."

"I guess I can't argue with that," said Max as Alyssa placed a plate and drink in front her, sat beside her sister, and started to eat, enjoying their time together before their parents came.