Hey everybody.
Decided to write a short AU for Batman Beyond season 1 episode 8 of Dead Man's Hand for what if Melanie didn't stay with her family.
I'll always take more Terry/Melanie.
Underground Cave
Angrily Terry starts heading for the staircase leading out of the house while leaving a frowning, well more than usual Bruce near the computers, only suddenly both hear an alarm. Bruce heads for the computers while Terry races down and gets there just to see the footage come alive on the main screen.
"What?" Terry asks in surprise.
"Trying to hack into the main security panel, won't work. I personally built that system; your girlfriend will never get through" Bruce says gruffly.
Frowning "I'm not sure she's trying" Terry replies.
Taping a few buttons, the screen focuses on Melanie Walker who is clearly injured given her wounded leg, blood running down her jaw, a few cuts on her forehead, and scrapes on Melanie's knuckles. Also, hard to tell, but both men notice for keeps touching her left side like injured. Which is difficult to tell given is wearing McGinnis's coat.
"Get her inside the manor, I'll put the medical equipment across the hall from the room you crash in," Bruce says.
"On it" Terry replies.
The younger Batman races out of the cave while Bruce heads for a different area.
Manor Gates
Terry followed by Ace rushes over with quickly opens from the opposite side moving to see Melanie, and rapidly grabs ahold as the younger blonde-haired woman begins losing the energy to walk.
"How bad are you hurt? What the hell happened?" Terry asks.
"My family… they didn't like me leaving, my parents," Melanie says spitting out blood "Had to see you, didn't know who to trust."
"It's going to be okay. Can you make it inside?" Terry inquiries.
"Yeah, I stole one of my parent's vehicles, I can just," Melanie says before falling unconscious.
Terry catches her in enough time and picks her up in his arms bridal style while heading back towards the house.
Inside a room
Laying on the bed Melanie bolts awake as sheer fear, and hyperawareness flow through her yet a voice gruff, but a level of warmth tells her to remain calm. Glancing over Melanie sees Bruce sitting there in a nearby chair before casting her gaze downwards sees Ace curled up by the bed.
"Where am I?" Melanie inquiries.
"At my house," Bruce says.
"My parents are," Melanie says only getting cut off.
"Just rest, the Dark Knight took down your parents and GCPD arrested them roughly an hour ago" Bruce explains.
"I guess you'll be turning me in to?" Melanie asks.
"What for? I'm just some recluse who had his aid bring in a frightened and badly hurt young girl who just discovered that her parents were dangerous criminals" Bruce says, in a certain joyful and oblivious tone.
"Uh… thank you," Melanie says warmly "Although not to press my luck but I am wondering why?"
"You remind me of somebody I knew once, well actually a few people. McGinnis seems to think you have a heart buried somewhere" Bruce says.
Glancing off "I'm not so sure," Melanie says doubtfully.
"Trust me coming from him that's high praise, and even Ace likes you," a familiar voice says.
Melanie looks over seeing Terry standing in the doorway, causally standing there holding his jacket back over his shoulder by two fingers, and a relieved expression. A light smile crosses Melanie's face.
"We do have a somewhat slight problem of Melanie under eighteen by a year and given her whole family ended up being arrested," Terry says.
"I can always disappear," Melanie says.
"Not an option, I'll talk to Barbara, and I still have some pull in the courts" Bruce replies gruffly.
"Hmm somehow I don't think the courts will let you take her in, old guy and young teenager just scream red flags," Terry says.
"Not what was I thinking," Bruce says.
"Well, I could try to talk to my mother for a house guest. Besides I spend most of my nights over here anyway" Terry says.
"Like I said I'll talk to Barbara, and her husband" Bruce replies getting up.
"Wait… you mean having her stay with the DA and Commissioner? Yeah, have fun on that conversation, she already doesn't like us" Terry says.
"Leave that to me. If… that's what you want?" Bruce says, turning to look at the Walker girl.
"Beats the alternatives, it's been a long while since I've actually quit running," Melanie says.
Giving a glance between them Bruce stands up exiting the room while Terry walks over sitting in the now vacant chair.
"How are you?" Terry asks.
"Well, I did get shot, leaving the only family I've ever known, but otherwise just peachy" Melanie replies dryly.
"Fair point. And… I'm sorry" Terry says.
"Eh don't be, they tried to convince me to dump you. I nearly did, but I wasn't going to throw away like the only good thing that's ever happened to me. Well, maybe my brother Jack" Melanie says, "My mom kept saying how I wasn't going to find my king, but I've seen my parent's relationship."
"Yeah… I can relate there. I remember my parent's divorce, sometimes I think marriage might be just a bit overrated" Terry says.
"Well, they loved power and money. Not each other" Melanie says.
"Now they can love the metal bracelets in Blackgate" Terry quips before wincing "Oh sorry, my big mouth."
"It's fine… we all have our own ways of dealing with stuff. Not every day you find out your girlfriend's family is a bunch of ruthless thieves" Melanie says.
"Girlfriend huh?" Terry asks lightly smiling.
"Well, I said I'm sticking around. Unless you don't Melanie says unsure but gently is cut off.
"No there's no place I'd rather be," Terry says caringly.
Hope you all enjoyed the story and let me know what you think.
Yeah, I so wished the episode went something like this instead.
Until next time.