For Shejams.

Chapter Eight: Coming Clean

After Terry's chance encounter with Warhawk on the pier, Terry found himself teleported to the Justice League Watchtower. Barda, Aquagirl, and Green Lantern were already there waiting for him.

"Nice of you to join us," Barda commented dryly. The seven foot tall New God glared at Terry with an intensity that the younger man would have sworn could melt lead. Batsuit or no Batsuit, Terry was certain that Barda could tear him in two without breaking a sweat. But if there was one thing Bats were good at, it was bluffing.

Terry folded his arms and smirked. "If I'd known how much you missed me, Barda, I would've stopped by earlier."

Only a timely intervention from Kai-Ro prevented Barda from physically attacking Terry. A glowing green hand grabbed Barda's shoulder firmly. Barda growled and made a single attempt to break the construct's hold before turning to the team's youngest member.

"Barda, remember what Superman told us. Batman, do you swear that the dome surrounding Gotham is completely unrelated to the nanite event and that you had no foreknowledge of said event?" Kai-Ro asked solemnly, looking Terry squarely in the eye.

"Yes."

"Well I suppose that makes everything okay then," Warhawk snarled. "Tell me something," Warhawk marched forward to invade Terry's personal space. "If you've been outside the dome all this time, why didn't you talk to us sooner?"

Terry refused to back down; he looked Warhawk squarely in the eyes as he answered. "I don't remember joining your little club. And I certainly don't have to answer to you."

There were a few tense seconds where the rest of the League was unsure whether or not Warhawk would attack, before Kai-Ro stepped in once again. He used a plow-like construct to gently push Warhawk back. The winged hero didn't resist. He simply snarled, "You're right GL. This punk ain't worth it."

Kai-Ro frowned and addressed Terry, "Regardless of your affiliations, you still should have notified the League. We may have been able to help."

"It's called 'professional courtesy'," Barda interjected and Marrina nodded.

Terry snorted, biting back a laugh. There were many words that could be used to describe Barda, but generally 'courteous' wasn't among them. "I left Gotham intent on finding a cure. Last time I checked, none of the League's present members are scientists. If I'd come to you guys first, you'd probably have me fighting some interstellar war half a galaxy away."

"We were only on Rann for a week," Barda argued.

"Yes, and last month you were on Xenomorph Prime and before that it was Oa," Terry retorted. "The reason why the Batman has never joined the League is that Gotham will always be our first priority."

"You do have a point Terry. But in the future, the rest of the team and I would appreciate it if you would keep us informed," Kai-Ro said softly. "After hearing about your encounter with Superman, I took the liberty of contacting one of the JLU's reserve members. I think you will find Dr. Foley's help very useful in your search for a cure."

Terry frowned, "Foley? That's not a name I'm familiar with."

"I'm not surprised," Marinna answered. She typed the name into the nearest computer console and a file came up on screen. "Dr. Richard Foley, aka Gear, retired shortly after high school, although he continues to work on projects for the League to this day."

Terry moved to stand over Marinna's shoulder and skimmed the file. "Doctorate in applied mathematics from CalSci. Another from MIT in robotics…" he mumbled.

"Dr. Foley has expressed a great deal of interest in your vaccine. Leave us with your contact information and you'll hear from him by the end of the week," Kai-Ro suggested.

~Boomshakalaka~

Bruce left Ace in the Cave. This was one threat that his faithful companion couldn't protect him from. Without a word he buzzed Mary McGinnis through the front gate and climbed the long staircase back into the mansion.

He had a few minutes to choose his battlefield. It would take Mary a while to make it up the long drive and park. Bruce unlocked the front door and chose a large armchair in the parlor and turned it to face the entry hall. He sat down placing both hands on the head of his cane and leaned forward in the chair.

Bruce waited until he could see Mary through the windows in the front door. "It's not locked," he called out before Mary could knock.

Mary's heels clicked on the marble as she entered the mansion. Bruce waited until he heard the front door latch before calling again. "In the parlor."

Mary followed Bruce's voice to the parlor. The old man offered Mary a seat, but she refused; she wouldn't give up the high ground unless she had to.

"Have you come to return my…What did you call it again? Oh yes, 'guilt money'," the old man smirked. "Have you come to return my 'guilt money' in person this time?"

The intensity of Bruce's stare caused Mary to take an involuntary step backward. Mary studied the older man again. On the surface, Wayne appeared weak and frail, but there was a fire in his eyes that made Mary reconsider her analysis. It was like those eyes were seeing right through hers and staring straight at her soul.

Mary gathered her courage and tried to meet Bruce's gaze. "Look Wayne, I think it's about time I got some answers. Terry was only supposed to be your personal assistant. Well PA's don't get called in at two in the morning!" The volume of Mary's voice grew steadily louder. She was literally screaming at Wayne now, but the old man didn't even flinch. "I don't know what kind of business you're running Mr. Wayne and normally I wouldn't even care. But whatever scheme you're running got my son killed!" Mary's mascara ran leaving streaks as angry tears flowed from her eyes. "I can't even bury my son. You didn't even have the decency to give me his body!"

Bruce seemed oblivious to Mary's waterworks display. He kept his voice remained calm and steady as he answered Mary's accusations. "Ms. McGinnis, please calm yourself. First, the last time I saw your son, he was still very much alive."

Mary's mouth hung open in shock as she stared wide-eyed at Bruce. "Why don't you have a seat?" Bruce offered and the shocked woman seemed to stumble into another armchair opposite Bruce. "I understand you've had quite a day."

Mary nodded numbly. "I don't understand. If Terry's alive like you claim, why hasn't he returned home?"

"He's been trapped outside the dome," Bruce answered. "You came here tonight seeking answers. Perhaps it's best if we start at the beginning. What do you know about Terry's work for Wayne Enterprises?"

"Terry mentioned that he drove you around, took notes at meetings, and ran errands for you," Mary answered hotly.

Mary jumped as a new voice answered. "Bruce was grooming him to take over his company."

Bruce turned to greet his new guests. "Nice of you to join us Barbra. Can I assume that Sam and Ms. Black are downstairs?" Barbra nodded in response.

"What are you doing here?" Mary asked blatantly as she got over her initial shock. "I passed three police checkpoints on the way here. News of your escape is all they're talking about on the radio."

Barbra snorted, "Don't believe everything you hear. My husband and I were set up. And now, thanks to Bruce, Sam and I are now fugitives."

"You're welcome," Bruce answered sarcastically. "Better a fugitive than dead."

"That remains to be seen. Don't think this gets you off the hook," Barbra threatened. "Now stop dragging your feet. Show Ms. McGinnis downstairs or I will."

Barbra's demand earned her an annoyed glare from Bruce. "Ms. McGinnis, I want you to think back to the first time we met," Mary nodded. "I told you that Terry saved me from a bunch of thugs, but that wasn't the whole truth."

Mary sighed, "I had my suspicions. Terry was into some dangerous stuff when he was younger." She looked Bruce in the eye and asked, "The gang was after Terry, right?"

Bruce nodded. "A group of Jokerz chased Terry to the edge of my property. I stumbled across them and chose to help." The old man smiled as he reminisced. "The kid didn't stand a chance, but he refused to back down. I admired his spirit, and I can't stand bullies. So, I helped him. Together, we were able to send the Jokerz running."

Mary looked shocked. "But you're—"

"Don't let his age fool you," Barbra interrupted. "He can still hold his own."

Bruce nodded to Barbra. "After the fight, Terry helped me inside and fetched my medications. In the end, I fell asleep before I could show Terry out. And somehow during that time Terry managed to stumble upon the entrance to the cave."

"Cave?" Mary asked and looked around the parlor and adjoining rooms.

Bruce stood up slowly leaning heavily on his cane. "What I show you next must remain a secret for Terry's sake as well as mine," Bruce warned. Mary looked doubtful but nodded. "Follow me."

Bruce led the ladies to the library and showed Mary the hidden doorway behind an antique clock. Mary hesitated at the top of the stairs and Barbra had to give her a reassuring nod. "Believe me Ms. McGinnis, the answers you seek are down there. I'll be right there with you."

Mary descended the stairs slowly. She wasn't sure what to make of it at first. The first things she noticed were the artifacts. A giant penny and a tyrannosaur dominated the exhibit. It was odd, but it really didn't provide her with the insight the former commissioner promised. She was about to say exactly that, when she got a better view of the rest of the cave. She stopped dead in her tracks as she spotted the Batmobile. Her eyes wondered to the costume display cases and suddenly it all clicked. She ran the rest of the way down the stairs to get a better look.

Bruce and Barbra descended the stairs at a more sedate pace. "I'm sure you have questions—"

Mary shook her head and interrupted Bruce. "He tried to tell me," the mother stifled a sob as she stared at the costumes. "Inside Peek was going to expose Batman's identity and Terry told Matt and me," Mary paused to wipe away more tears. "Matt and I just laughed at him. The idea just seemed so ridiculous at the time."

As Mary tried to compose herself, Danica and Sam joined the group. "Mr. Wayne?" Danica asked quietly and Bruce simply nodded. "So this means you were the original Batman?"

All eyes turned to Bruce. "Yes," Bruce answered simply.

"But how do you fit into all this?" Sam asked his wife. Barbra just grinned and nodded towards the Batgirl costume.

"Why don't we continue this conversation upstairs," Bruce suggested. "I know a great Italian place that delivers."

Mary wiped away her tears and nodded.

~Boomshakalaka~

In the end, the Justice League agreed to teleport Rex to a small town about five miles from Providence Headquarters. Terry immediately called the Keep to arrange transport back to HQ. As he emerged from the secluded alley the League had dumped him in, he found a small shop still open despite the late hour. Terry figured he had just enough time before his ride arrives.

Captain Callan was waiting for Terry when he returned to the Keep. Terry didn't make it five feet across the hanger before the captain grabbed his arm and guided him to a service stair. "Come on," Callan all but growled.

The two men went down two flights of stairs before Callan pulled Terry to a nondescript door. Callan opened it, pushed Terry through, and swiftly closed the door behind them. A quick glance revealed Agent Six, Dr. Holiday, and Rex waiting for them. The room itself appeared to be an unused laboratory. Lab equipment in pristine condition was strategically placed around the room.

"Delivered, as requested," Captain Callan smirked. The captain then leant against the door, effectively blocking the only visible exit.

"Um, hi guys." Terry tried to look nonchalant as he deposited four large pizza boxes on a vacant lab table. "Where are Bobo and Max?"

The boxes had barely left Terry's hands before Rex dived for them. "Um, Hmmm…Bobo's a little singed but he'll be okay in a few days." Dr. Holiday glared at the teen and Rex paused to swallow a large bite of pizza. "What? I'm hungry. Can't help it, growing boy and all."

Holiday sighed loudly and answered the rest of Terry's question while Rex continued to scarf pizza. "Max had to leave with the NCIS investigators. We've gotten word that she's on her way back now." Holiday then wrestled one of the pizza boxes from Rex and offered slices to Callan and Six before grabbing one for herself.

Terry snatched the last slice of sausage pizza out from under Rex's nose. "Doctor, are you familiar with a scientist by the name of Richard Foley?" Terry asked between bites.

Holiday nodded, "He's one of the foremost experts in the robotics field. I heard he was working on a cure with Dakota Tech, a small subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises."

"Apparently, he's done work for the JLU in the past and wanted to offer up his services to help find a cure," Terry said.

Six glared at Terry and it was obvious to everyone watching that the older agent didn't accept Terry's excuse. Apparently, neither did Holiday. "It doesn't make any sense. If he wanted to help with the nanite situation, why would he contact you? I'm Providence's chief science advisor. And he certainly wouldn't need the Justice League to do it."

Rex put down the pizza he was holding and wiped his hands on his pantlegs. "This whole thing is seriously whack. I was there when Birdboy took you away. He recognized you. And what's more, he was majorly pissed. What'd you do; spit in his birdseed?"

"What's your connection to the Justice League?" Six demanded in a strictly no-nonsense tone. "Whatever you're not telling us, you're making it worse by trying to hide it."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Terry replied and looked at Six. "Besides, we really shouldn't be talking about secrets. I think we all have something that we'd rather remain quiet."

"Six and I have been with Providence since its inception," Holiday defended. "He has nothing to prove to me or this team."

"Thank you," Six told Holiday before questioning Terry again. "I talked to my former associates. We couldn't find anything on Terry McGinnis in One's old files." Six paused for dramatic flair and pulled a thick manila folder. "Bruce Wayne was another story." Six tossed the file onto the table near Terry so that it would fall open.

Rex snatched up the folder before Terry could react. "No way! Your boss was the Batman?" Terry groaned, Holiday's eyebrows shot up to her hairline, and Callan actually swore.

"You're the new Batman," Six said and it was a statement, not a question.

"Yes," Terry answered. "I would prefer that White Knight not find out about this."

~Boomshakalaka~

I won last week's Darwin Award. I sprained my back lifting four pound bags of sugar. I didn't even know you could sprain your back! So next time someone tells you to "lift with your knees" don't laugh. Wish me luck; I'm going to need it. XP

As always, thank you for reading and please review.