Batman Beyond: More than a Family

- 5 -

Location: Gotham Hospital

Bruce waited on a seat beside the standing Barbara as the doctors worked on Terry inside the ICU.

Barbara rested her hand on Bruce's shoulder and he looked up at her. She gave him a small smile.

"He's a tough kid Bruce. He has always shown a promise. He'll pull through."

"You don't understand," Bruce replied bitterly, "He shows too much of a promise." Bruce got up from the seat and walked towards the glass window in front of them, "At first when he showed up at my manor and discovered my secret, he wanted to be Batman. He wanted to avenge his father's death. I gave him permission, because I thought he might end up like you or Grayson or the rest of my family. You all got fed up of a costumed life after a certain time. I expected him to grow tired of the suit too, and I'm still waiting for that day. But Terry's been... exactly what the Batman should be... never giving up. He has worked hard. And I've been taking him for granted. I scold him, give him a harder time than I gave to the Robins. Terry has school to finish, his family to care for and as well as the full Batman responsibility. The Robins always had a time off when they went to college and they never had to worry about any family."

Bruce's shoulders slumped as his own words made him realize that he was at fault there. Barbara stood still, not saying a word as she heard his confession.

"Terry once looked like a reckless person when he started as Batman. His decisions were poorly thought out and his combat training was weak. He never had the teaching which you all had. He was never under my wing at an early age. His grooming had been the worst compared to you people. Before being Batman, he was a thief and a punk who ran with rough crowds. But as I realize, he has behaved better. He improved in such a short time. He could have been ruder to me as I load him with missions, seeing how he was brought up. But he has bared me for more time than you all did. He has been faithful as he holds the Batman mantle. And admit it, he has achieved more than you all did. He has become a part of Justice League, a rank which you all could never earn during your time. The young Justice League was the closest you got to."

Bruce finally sighed, "That's what I'm afraid of. I've grown used to his presence because he is capable of many things. So yes, he has shown promise. But if anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself. I... I don't know what I'll do if he... he-"

"-Shh, it's ok Bruce. He knew what he was doing when he sacrificed himself back in the cave," she hugged him.

Just then, a doctor and two nurses came out. The doctor approached them both.

"The kid's tough. He fractured some bones yes but nothing's broken. I've stitched his wounds. But give him time to heal. He's awake so you can see him." He patted on Bruce's back lightly and went away.

Bruce and Barbara went inside. Terry was sitting on his bed, his eyes were swollen and his skin was purple in many places but despite all that, he tried to grin.

"Don't mind me if I talk too much. These pain-killers sure have killed my sanity too," Terry started but then noticed how grim Bruce looked. Terry shrugged his shoulders, "Sorry that I screwed up back there Mr. Wayne. I didn't know what else to do," he said with a weak voice.

"You did the right thing," Bruce replied.

"Is Ace ok?"

Bruce nodded. Barbara rested her hands on Terry's.

"How are you feeling?"

"Schway," he then coughed, "Throat's a bit dry though."

"I'll get you some water," she said kindly.

"Stay with him Barbara, I'll ring the nurse," Bruce said suddenly and went out.

There was silence. Terry bit his lower lip.

"I think he's mad at me," he said.

Barbara eyed Terry at first, then smiled. After all the confession Bruce did outside the room, she knew better.

"He's actually happy that you're ok. But I don't think he wants us to see him in that emotional state. You know how Bruce is when it comes to sentiments."

Terry raised his eyebrows, "For a moment there Commish, I almost believed you."

Barbara chuckled, "I'm not joking. He was afraid that the rocks which hit your head might have done some damage."

"Nah, you're just saying this to make me feel better. I know Bruce. He didn't even ask me how I got to the manor when my suit wasn't able to fly. Those twins did some serious damage," he then paused, "Speaking of which, what happened after I passed out? Because I just know that my suit wasn't exactly powered off but disabled by the twins. Their virus made it look like it. I'm glad I was in the Batcave when they switched the suit back on and used the hacked communication link installed in the suit's ears to teleport. Who knows what information they would have gotten their hands on if they had gained access to the bat-computer... they didn't extract any information right?"

"No. It seemed the siblings had escaped right after you were hit. But we don't know why. The power had come back when they left and Bruce called me to help him take you to hospital. While he waited for me, he managed to change the security and the communication system's numbers and addresses so the twins can't make their way back. The Bat-computer had managed to create an anti-virus software which my police force has now. They're installing it in the computers of power plants as we speak."

"Well that sucks," Terry pouted, "I missed out on half of the cool stuff."

"Terry," she sat beside him on the bed, "Don't take every responsibilities on your shoulders. As a commissioner, I would say I have my own work cut out for me and I don't want you to handle that as well. My men are capable as I handpick them myself. You can trust them."

The nurse had come back and she gave water to Terry. As Terry drank, he saw Bruce standing near the doorway.

"Two weeks," Bruce said, "Then back to work."

"Aww Cheez!" Terry groaned after he rubbed his dripping chin on his sleeve after drinking. He handed the glass back to the nurse who left. "That's too quick."

"Well," Bruce grinned slightly, "Seeing that your basic sense of humour is intact, you'll do fine." He then left.

Barbara Gordon also got up.

"See?" Terry pointed at the place where Bruce had stood a while ago, "He doesn't care for me."

"I've been there, Terry," Barbara started to leave. She paused on the doorway, "And don't judge him by what you see. There are many things he prefers to hide."

"Like what exactly?" Terry asked, disappointed.

"Like when Bruce called me to drop you to Wayne manor when you couldn't fly. He was worried your suit might not respond any more. I wouldn't have given you a ride otherwise. I only did it because Bruce asked me to. He does care for you Terry. For him, you're more than a family."

She left, leaving Terry baffled.

Terry grinned and looked around for his cell phone. Max's message appeared on the screen.

"Mr. Wayne told me to inform the principal you won't be coming for a while. You ok?"

Terry texted back, "No. Fell real bad."

Max instantly replied, "How badly did you fall?"

Terry shook his head as he knew his next answer was insane.

"Bad like real bad. Picking up where we left off, I was locked in the toilets and then made my way through the shafts of the school building as electric locks weren't working and then falling down twelve feet and into total darkness. Went hungry for a day, dragged my way out of the school's drainage systems, ended up in crime alley, was beaten up by Jokerz and was rescued by cops. That's how badly hurt I am."

"Enough, I get the picture. I'll make a better excuse."

The end