Chapter 12: Aftershock

Terry walked through downtown alone, taking note of all of the damage and destruction from the riots brought on by the panic of Shriek and King's threat. Still, Gotham's resilience shined through as the city quickly started to rebuild itself. Interesting since everything happened not even a full 12 hours ago but the crews were already out en masse. The teen hero knew the city reconstruction was well in hand. It was the status of his relationship that left him worried; hopefully, that wasn't a ruined shambles after these events.

Of course, Max came to help him and ended up helping save the city. But it was the fear that Shriek brought into her that made him very worried, not to mention her reaction to the villains' declaration for the city. This life could be too much for him at times but, to see that fear in Max's eyes when the madman had his claws on her, it made him wonder if she wanted to keep putting herself in these situations. That was almost too much for him. He knew for a fact that his own heart stopped more than once when he saw Max in so much danger. He could hope she would never get in a situation like that again but, this was Max, he knew better.

Terry wanted to stay with Max. He loves her but he wasn't sure if she was ready to deal with kind of emotional toll. Even it wasn't every night, once a year of a night like that could be too much. It was just one more reason he never told Dana about his life. But he knew Max could take it.

Right?

He really hoped so but decided to leave this decision up to her. And, whatever he decided, he would honor it and respect it. And he could handle it. He hoped.

Terry went to Max's apartment. He stopped at the door, recalling all they had to deal with and mentally preparing himself for everything that had to be said and for what could be said in response. When he was ready, he knocked on Max's door. She opened it and saw him standing there.

"Hey, Ma-mmm!"

He was interrupted by Max kissing him, immediately. She pulled him inside, kissing him all the while, even closing the door. They broke the kiss when they needed to catch their breath.

Max stared at Terry, really wanting to kiss him some more. But she thought it better to talk. "Sorry."

"Don't be!" Terry said, "I just… wow! Where'd that come from?"

"I thought you were gonna die last night…" Her eyes fell down to his chest as she whispered, "that we both might…" She looked back at him, "Can ya blame me?"

"I guess not."

She could tell from his tone and body language something was bothering him. You'd think he'd able to relax since the city was still standing. "Something wrong?"

"I don't know… but… we need to talk."

She saw a red flag immediately. "That's never good."

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"What about?"

"Sit down."

Max did so and Terry started pacing. He didn't pace unless he didn't know what to do, she knew him well enough to know that. That left her worried immediately.

He paused and stopped. "I know… all of this… brought up a lot… as far as you and me go. And this life."

So, that was it. She couldn't lie; her mind had been dwelling on that little, as well. She shrugged, "Yeah, I guess it did."

"It's just…" He sighed, whispering, "…boy, this is hard…" He took another deep breath and voice came back to an audible volume, "I just… get it… if this is too much. Too hard to handle."

"What do you mean?"

"This life. Being involved in it." He stopped. "…being involved with me."

She knew what he was alluding to. But she didn't want him to think that it was necessary. "Terry…"

"I'm just being honest, Max. I don't wanna hurt you or bring any more pain on you. That's why I'm saying this. I get if you don't want to do this anymore. I do love you, Max… but I'm Batman, too. And that is who I need and want to be. I chose this life… no matter how hard it gets, I'm staying in it." He sighed. "But… I know for you… that'll be a lot of sleepless nights, worry, and headaches. I get it if you don't want to be with me because of it. Honestly, I won't blame you. I love you and I'm always going to. I'll always care for you and I will always be there for you. But, if you wanna end this now… I understand."

The heart inside this man was amazing, she thought. Just one more thing about him she found so appealing and attractive.

She let his words sink in… but only for a few seconds. She had already been thinking about all of this since last night and had already made her choice. It was why she kissed him when she opened the door. She got up, walked up to him, and kissed him again. She broke the kiss then looked him in the eye. "You're not getting off that easy."

Terry was relieved. While being completely sincere about it, he really didn't want to lose her.

"Get this straight, McGinnis: I don't tell anyone, not even you, I love them unless I mean it and plan on sticking with it no matter what." She paused. "You mean too much to me. And I knew the risks of being Batman's girlfriend when this started. Some things… some people are worth the risk. Worth the difficulty. But what you and the old man don't seem to get? Is that you two aren't the only ones who know that." She stared at him and smiled, "You've always been worth the risk, Terry. Always."

He appreciated her words more than he could ever express. But he did think of a few. "I love you, Max."

She couldn't speak right away; hearing him say was going to have that effect for a while, she figured. "Why are so sexy when you say that?"

"I'm always sexy. That just makes me more so."

She giggled. "Jerk." She paused. "I love you, too."

Bruce wanted to get out of bed so badly this it was starting to drive him crazy. Curse his body for being so weak and frail. What happened to the days when he got his butt kicked three nights a week, lay down for an hour, and get right back up? Then again, years and years of those days were probably the exact reason for his current state.

Even though he hated being laid up, lying in his bed did give him a chance to reflect on everything tied to this particular case. Just like so many times before and perhaps even more so in the case, Terry proved himself a worthy Batman, a worthy heir, and an all-around good person. He let his mind go to how far he went to help his protégé, how far Max went to help them both, and how, in his time, he had people who went that far for him.

This led him to picking up the phone and dialing a number he honestly thought he would never dial again.

The following day, Terry and Max sat in the study of Wayne Manor, waiting for Bruce to come down. When he did, he saw Terry's backpack lying on the desk. Bruce looked at his protégé. "Problem?"

"I need to restock on batarangs. Ran out last night and it made for a long two hours. Plus, got into a few scrapes that left more than a few dents."

"You went on patrol last night?"

"You make me do it when you're not here," Terry reminded. "Besides… city is still a bit of a mess. Everyone thought it was still open season on every single store in downtown."

"He was at my place when, like, thirty robberies happened at once," Max explained. "I told him to suit up and get out there." She looked at her boyfriend, "Gotham still needs its hero."

Terry couldn't help but smile. Every time Max called him a hero, it meant something. It was just further proof that he was doing the right thing.

Bruce looked at the girl. "I thought you would talk him out of it."

"Out of what?"

"Doing this anymore."

Terry stopped and looked at his mentor, his mouth going slightly ajar. If his approval of Max was a shock, Bruce thinking that Terry would quit was a Nova Burst from Static.

"And what? Not have my boyfriend be Batman?" Max smiled. "Not a chance."

Bruce just scoffed. "Hmph! Kids."

Terry stared at his mentor in silence for a few more seconds before speaking again. "Bruce, did you really think I was walking away from all this?"

The old hero gave him a few moments of contemplation. "Honestly?"

The young man nodded.

Bruce sat down in his easy chair. "I wouldn't have blamed you."

Terry stared at him for a while. "Alright, who are you and what have you done with Bruce Wayne?"

"Clever."

"I'm halfway serious." Terry folded his arms, "Since when am I allowed to quit?"

"This life isn't for everyone, Terry. You know I've learned that the hard way."

"And I've told you before…"

"I know, I know."

"So, why?"

He looked at Max.

Terry looked at her then back at Bruce. It took him a second but he caught his meaning. "Oh, come on!"

"It's not often you get a girl who understands what you do. But that makes it all the harder. Having a good woman can make you want to quit this."

"All the more reason for me to keep going. To keep her safe."

"She could want you safe. This isn't exactly a clerical job." He looked at her, "Right?"

Max took a few seconds to think before she shrugged, "Yeah, I mean… you have a point. Knowing that my boyfriend spends his nights dodging gun fire, if he's that lucky, makes it a little difficult. That got proven like I never thought it would." She stopped. "But… I can't help but think about all the lives he saved last night. You both saved."

"We saved," Terry smirked, including her.

"Only 'cause I did what both of you told me not to."

"Tracking the Batmobile was an impressive move, by the way," Bruce pointed out. "Do not make a habit of that."

"Scout's honor."

"You were never a scout," Terry said.

"Shut up!"

"You were about to make a point," Bruce said to Max, stopping any possible cutesy couple moments.

The pink haired teen smiled. "My point is… I do care about Terry." She looked at him, "He means the world to me."

Terry smiled.

She looked back at the first Batman, "But I get why he has to do this. He's a hero. The city would've been wrecked if it wasn't for him. I may have helped out but he would've found a way. He always does." She shrugged, "Yes, I'm gonna worry. I get that. But… he has to do this. Live this life. I get that. I always did but… I get it even more now. And I'm gonna stick with him, no matter what."

Bruce just stared at her, surprise not showing on his face. "What kind of girl are you?"

Terry moved toward her and put his arm around her waist, "One of a kind. And mine."

Bruce rolled his eyes.

"Besides," Max said, "he needs to keep being a hero for the next time I do something stupid."

Bruce stared at her, dryly. "Please, don't make a habit of that, either."

She smiled. "I only promise to try."

"That does not make me feel better."

"Ditto," Terry agreed.

Max swatted his chest.

The doorbell rang.

"Who could that be?" Terry asked.

Bruce paused. He arrived earlier than he thought he would. "The person it should be."

"Huh?"

"Should I go get it?" Max asked.

"No. He did that as a formality. He knows where the hidden key is."

Terry stared at Bruce, confused. "There's a hidden key?"

Bruce scowled at him.

"What?"

A few seconds later, in walked a tall man who had greying long hair tied into a ponytail. Still, as old as this man seemed, early-to-mid 60s, he seemed to be in amazing shape. But it was his eyes… his eyes told Terry and Max that this was someone strong.

"I love how all of Gotham needs to nearly fall apart for you to call me," the man greeted.

"But I did call," Bruce pointed out. "You got here faster than I thought you would."

"Traffic in from Blüdhaven was light," the man replied. "Looking at the city, that wasn't a surprise. Besides, you called. I never thought the ID from this place would appear on my phone ever again. I hurried in case you changed your mind about wanting to talk." He looked around, "Place looks exactly the same."

"Why change what isn't broken?"

The man paused. "And you?" He looked at Bruce. "Have you changed?"

A pertinent question if Bruce ever heard one but he smirked, "I called."

His guest smiled. "Yes, you did." He looked at Terry, "This the kid?"

"Yep."

He looked the McGinnis lad over, "Not bad. You work him hard, I see." He looked at Max. "Barb's replacement?"

"She wishes but no. His girlfriend."

He looked at the first Batman surprised. "You were always against that."

"I did mention things changing. Besides… she's proven herself."

He looked back at Max then at Bruce again. "She knows?"

"She knows."

"She must have proven herself for you to let her in… and stay." He looked at the confused teens. "Oh, I'm sorry. Very rude of me. Alfred would've smacked me for being so discourteous."

'Alfred?' Terry thought.

'This guy knew Alfred?' Max thought.

The man gave a warm smile, extended his hand, and spoke his name, "Richard Grayson. But you can call me Dick."

Terry's eyes went wide. He looked at Bruce who nodded, confirming that he was, indeed, who he said he was.

The young Batman became star struck as he shook hands with the first Robin, "T… Terry… Terry McGinnis…"

"It's an honor, Terry." He looked at Max and held his hand out, "And you are?"

Max was just as thunderstruck as her boyfriend. She knew this was the first Robin and Nightwing. She looked at his hand and grabbed hold of it. "I'm… I'm…" She looked at her boyfriend, "Terry, what the heck is my name?"

"How should I know? I'm lucky I remembered mine!"

"Maxine," Bruce said.

"Right!" Max shouted. "Max! I'm Max Gibson!"

Dick laughed. "Delighted to meet you, as well." He looked at the couple, "I like them."

"You would."

Terry looked at the two. He couldn't even begin to imagine how this conversation would go but he knew that it needed to happen and he and his girlfriend didn't need to be here. "Well… we'll leave you two to talk."

"Leave the suit," Bruce instructed. "I'll work on it. Get some rest."

"Thanks…" The young man looked at the first Robin, "It's an honor to meet you."

"Same to you, Terry," Dick said. "I have feeling we will be seeing more of each other in the future."

"Here's hoping."

Dick looked at Max and nodded, "Nice meeting you, too."

"Thanks," Max said. "Same to you."

Terry and Max waved goodbye to Bruce then left while the first Dark Knight grabbed the suit and headed toward the door to the cave.

Dick watched them leave with an approving smile on his face. He looked at Bruce and complimented, "You picked a good one."

"He does everything right that I didn't…" Bruce shook his head, "like it's nothing at all."

Dick scoffed. "You could've done it, too. You just didn't let yourself."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I got set in my ways so long I got into a bit of a rut."

"For thirty-plus years?"

"It was a good rut."

"It'd have to be. Seems like you got yourself out of the mud a little."

"Maybe I did. I still might need a little bit more pushing to get out me out completely, though."

"Is that even possible for you?"

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't." He opened the door to the cave, looked at his former sidekick, and smiled, "Care to come talk about it?"

"You are really serious about this, aren't you?"

"I am."

Dick smiled. "I guess it's about time." The original dynamic duo descended down into the Batcave for a long overdue meeting.

A/N: Oh, to be a fly on that wall, right?

Well, guys, we are almost to the end. Just the Epilogue is left. I hope you guys are enjoying everything!

Final Chapter: Epilogue

Who has funerals for their former enemies? Clearly, Bruce and Terry do. The Batmen hold a private ceremony to honor Tai Ji and discuss the possibilities of the future.