Chapter 21

Rose Wilson stared at Terry McGinnis and Terry stared back at her.

Terry woke up with Rose already standing in front of him.

But Terry noticed something else.

There was a dagger placed on Rose's throat. He traced the arm holding the weapon and found Alfred.

It's easy to understand what had happened before he woke up.

"It's okay, Alfred. I'm already awake. Plus, I don't think she wants to kill me." Terry said as he looked straight into Rose's eyes.

Alfred withdrew the dagger that was sitting on Rose Wilson's neck.

"You were at that party last night." Rose said as he scanned Terry from top to bottom.

"Is that why you were examining me while I was asleep?"

"I recognized you from last night when I was observing d... Deathstroke... So, you're the new Batman."

"I am. Are you still going to be in my way from getting to your father?" Rose Wilson widened her eyes then looked away. Guilt and shame was all over her face.

But then she closed her eyes and resolutely faced Terry again and said...

"Yes."

"Then we seem to have a problem." Terry said calmly.

The atmosphere was tense between the two. Alfred just watched over them without a word.

"Morning." Suddenly, Barbara appeared. It was a hologram projection.

"Morning, Commissioner." Terry greeted.

"Good morning, Barbara." Alfred greeted.

Rose Wilson was the only one that didn't greet her. They weren't acquainted yet with each other.

Barbara looked at her. The big computer behind Terry suddenly turned on. Everyone turned their heads and examined it. The screen projected information about Rose Wilson.

"Rose Wilson aka Ravager. Female. Age twenty-nine. Born in Cambodia. Trained in martial arts since she was six. Travelled to the US to find her father when she was fifteen but found the Titans instead and became a member herself. Regenerative ability. Enhanced strength and agility. Heightened senses..." Barbara recited the information that was displayed on the computer's screen like she had memorized it. "But the information missing here about you is that you are the daughter of a mercenary named Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke."

Rose Wilson took off her mask and revealed her face. There's no point in hiding her identity anymore. Her hair color is Silver. Her face showed distinctly asian features mixed with caucasian features.

"Why is that?" Barbara asked.

-I'll answer that question.

The computer projected someone. It was Dick Grayson. His video feed showed his bare face up until his chest and shoulders.

"Well, if it isn't Dickhead."

-I know. I apologize for notifying you so late. Hello, Alfred and nice to finally meet you, Terry.

"Care to explain what is this situation right now?" Barbara said as she pointed towards everyone in the room.

-Ehem. The reason that I withheld this information from Bruce was to protect Rose.

Rose Wilson looked down on the floor.

-As you now know, Deathstroke is her father and Deathstroke has made many enemies that can use her to get to him. I didn't tell Bruce not because I didn't trust him. I just didn't want him to have that option when he clashes with Deathstroke. I didn't want his burden to get heavier. He already has enough demons to fight with inside of him.

Barbara looked at Terry who must be having that burden on him now. He must be struggling to resist his urges to kill her right now to get even with Deathstroke.

"So, what do you want us to do with her?" Barbara asked.

-I'll talk to her.

Dick Grayson said.

-Please come home, Rose.

"Not until my father is safe." Rose replied

Terry who was sitting in front of her closed his eyes and furrowed his brows.

-Rose. You know yourself that your father is a manipulative bastard. No one there is going to kill your father.

"I could feel his intent to kill last night." Rose pointed at Terry

All eyes went to Terry and Terry just glanced back at Rose behind him.

"I do want to kill him." Terry replied nonchalantly.

"You see-" Rose was trying to prove a point but Terry didn't let her finish and stood up as he glared at her. Rose flinch backwards.

"I want to make him bleed." Terry walked towards her as he glared at Rose and Rose backed up "I want to see him suffer. Even now I'm struggling to resist killing you just to hurt him."

Every time he moved, Rose took a step back.

"Terry-" Alfred tried to calm him down but Terry pushed his hand away.

"But I can't! I've thought about it so many times! Do you know why?!" Terry's face drew near to Rose who had no room left to back up to as she reached the couch that she laid in earlier.

"Because I wouldn't wish this feeling upon others." Terry said with anguish on his face and his eyes were watery. Rose fell on the couch.

Everyone in the room was silent.

"I'm tired. I'm going home for now." Terry said as he pinched the bridge of his nose and stealthily wiped his tears with his fingers before they drop.

Terry left.

Everyone in the room looked downcast. Terry's agonizing face was stuck in Rose's head as she pondered what exactly could her father have done to that man to make him suffer like that.

"Terry..." Barbara took the courage to speak. "He saw his father murdered in front of him."

Rose's eyes widened then she frowned. She finally understood what her father, Slade Wilson, did.

-That should be enough for you to understand, Rose. Come home and don't interfere with them anymore.

Rose closed her eyes and furrowed her brows. Terry's sorrowful image still lingered in her mind.

"...No." She uttered.

-Do you still not understand?

"It's because I do understand!" Rose shouted at Dick with watery eyes. "I perfectly understand. That's why I have to stay here." She said downcast. Then she looked at the remaining people in the batcave with determined eyes. "Slade Wilson is my responsibility. I will do my best to help you capture him."

----

Terry got off his motorbike. He arrived at his house.

"I'm home~"

"Terry! You didn't come home last night. You didn't even call." Mary McGinnis said as she prepared breakfast.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I decided to crash at Alfred's last night so I could finish my work early morning and take the rest of the day off today." Terry made an impromptu alibi. He is very much adept at it because he has been doing it since he was in his teens.

"Really? Or was it a girl?"

"I wouldn't tell you that even if there was one." Terry chuckled as he plopped down on their living room sofa.

"Why? Hypothetically speaking, if there was one, you should let your mother meet her."

"I just told you there isn't"

Clink clank. Something dropped from the kitchen. Terry widened his eyes and quickly tried to stand up and go to his mother's aid. But then, he saw his mother's head peek from the kitchen through the passthrough window.

"Is it another man?" Mary McGinnis asked with a straight face.

Terry plopped down again on the sofa and massaged his temples.

"No, Mom. You would have known something like that ages ago from me personally."

"Really? Because sometimes, it doesn't happen that early, you know."

"Ugh. Could you please stop. I am so tired." Terry replied to his mother teasing.

Mary McGinnis chuckled. "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"No. Not yet."

"Call your brother upstairs. I'm almost finished cooking."

"Okay~"

Terry pushed himself off the sofa and trudged up the stairs.

"Hey, Terry!" His little brother that was all dressed up passed by him on the stairs.

"Hey, Matt- Hey! Where are you going?" Terry was so spaced out, he was late to notice. He followed him downstairs.

"I'm going to Stacy's." Little Matt replied.

"You're not going to eat breakfast?" Mary McGinnis said from the kitchen.

"No, Stacy said we'll order something."

"Okay. Just don't eat too much junk food."

"Who's Stacy? Your little girlfriend~?" Terry, now standing at the foot of the stairs, teased his little brother.

"Yeahp. Bye, Terry! Bye, mom!" Matt said as he exited the house.

"Take care, honey!" His mother replied before the door closed.

"Huh?" Terry was dumbfounded. His mouth agape as he stared at the door.

Terry quickly ran towards the kitchen.

"Did you know about this?" Terry asked his mother.

"For a while now." Mary nonchalantly replied.

"But he's only eleven!" Terry objected.

"What's the worst thing that could happen? They're not even teens yet."

"How does that make it okay?"

"Just trust me. I've met the girl and her parents. They're a good family."

"That's not the point."

"Haah" Mary McGinnis sighed. "Just leave your brother to me. At least one of you has a girlfriend. It's probably because I was too strict with you growing up. That's why I'm changing it up with him."

"Ugh. My headache is getting worse." Terry's headache couldn't have been physical because he took the batpi-...he took the wonder drug earlier. The only reason could only be accumulated psychological damage.

"You're probably just hungry. Come here and help me get this to the table." Mary said as she removed her apron.

Terry helped out putting the food on the table then, him and his mom started eating.

He looked at the food on his plate. It was his and his dad's favorites. Scrambled eggs and bacon.

"Hey, mom."

"Yes, honey?" Mary McGinnis put her coffee down and turned the newspaper she was holding.

"Have you moved on from dad?"

His mother put the newspaper down and looked at him with a worried expression. "Why all of a sudden?"

"It's just... no, it's nothing. Forget I mentioned it."

"No. I haven't." Mary said "Are you worried that I might be dating someone new?"

"No. It's not that." Terry chuckled. "Let's just say that you had the power to kill someone. Would you kill dad's murderer?"

"Terry!"

"It's just a hypothetical."

"...Then, no." Mary pondered for a while before answering. "I would probably want to but I'd ultimately stop myself."

"I am glad to hear that."

Terry smiled. All the things that he has been through had changed him. He knew that he was on the wrong path before and had reformed himself. Terry was doubting himself if he had really changed and that's why he asked the most pure person he knows. His mother validated his feelings.

"Terry. Did you get into trouble again?" Mary asked him with a worried expression.

"Don't worry, mom. Those days are over for me." Terry smiled peacefully.