Ch 25

A bright light, that's all Max saw before she entered the time machine. She was back in the old factory but the only difference was that she was alone. Bruce, Terry, and Ace had been there to see her off.

Remembering what she had to do once she got back, she looked towards the time machine. 'Nothing like this should ever be made,' she thought. Taking something out of her pocket, she connected it to the machine. It was a device to destroy the machine for good. As she activated the device, she knew there was no going back.

Knowing this was her cue to leave, she smelled something that concerned her. 'Gas,' she thought as she looked at the timer. Her eyes widened as she rushed towards the exit as fast as she possibly could. Suddenly she felt her body being pushed by the force of the explosion.

Bruce's car drove up to the old factory with Terry behind the wheel. They were going to check on the process of the time machine project. As the car shook, the factory exploded, pushing the car away. When Terry got a hold of the car, he turned it off and got out of the car along with Bruce.

Looking towards the burnt building, Terry started to realize what this meant and his heart began to break. She was gone. She was never coming back. "Max," he said in despair as he looked away from the burning building.

"Terry!"

Terry couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was Max running out of the factory towards him. "Max!" he yelled as he ran towards her as fast as he could, only thinking he had to get to her to make sure she was here, that she was real. She felt solid and warm in his arms, and he swore he would never let her go again.

"I—I made it," she smiled, happy to feel Terry's arms around him.

"God I missed you Max," he said into her ear.

"I missed you to McGinnis," she said as her lips touched his in a passionate kiss.

The couple was oblivious to Bruce and the fire fighters who came to put out the fire. Once the police sirens sounded, the couple separated, embarrassed for being oblivious to the world around them.

"Do you mind explaining what went on here?" asked the commissioner as she walked towards the couple.

"It's a long story," said Max.

"That's why we're going to the police station," said Barbara.

"Maybe we should stop by the hospital first commish," said Terry, "make sure she's ok."

"All right I'll meet you at the hospital instead for questioning," said Barbara.

Getting in Bruce's car, Terry headed to Gotham hospital, relieved that the worst was over and that Max was safe and sound.

After commissioner Gordon took Max's statement, Max was able to relax in her hospital bed. She didn't much like hospitals, but she was glad that everything was back to normal, well as normal as it could be in Gotham City. A knock interrupted her thoughts as she looked to the open door to see Terry come in.

"Hey, how you feeling?" he asked as he sat beside her bed side.

"I'm fine and glad to be back," Max smiled as Terry's hand reached for hers, and she took it.

"For a minute there I thought—

"There was no chance in me coming back. I wasn't going to let that happen Ter."

"It was that bad, huh?" he asked as he squeezed her hand.

"I—I can't imagine never being your friend McGinnis, or your girlfriend for that matter."

"What happened Max?" he asked as Max explained everything that happened when James altered time. "I can't imagine what that was like for you."

"It's not something I want to go through again," she said as she hugged her knees to her chest. Feeling Terry's arm around her, she leaned into him.

"He put you through a lot Max, but he can't hurt you anymore. I'm here, and I'm always going to be here for you Max." Max buried her face in his chest, trying not to cry as she gripped him around his waist. "It's all right Max. I know how strong you are. You don't need to prove that to me or anyone else."

"I—I love you Terry," she said as she felt the tears coming down her face.

"I love you to Max," he said as he brought her out of his embrace to look at her. He smiled as he wiped her tears away.

"You are too charming for your own good McGinnis."

He smiled. "You think you're up to a few visitors?"

"Yeah, I could use some serious cheering up."

"We can do that later," he smirked.

"Very funny Ter," she said before opening the door.

"Maxine!"

"Alyssa," said Max as her sister hugged her.

"We were so worried about you sis," said Alyssa as Max looked passed her to see Derek, Bruce, Mary, and Matt.

"I'm fine, just a few bruises and scratches. I'll live," she said as she looked around the room. This was her family. She smiled.

"Well we're just glad you're all right," said Marry.