Max had been drifting in and out of sleep all night, and most of the time her dreams were the same. A dark figure looking down at her, muscular beneath his costume, handsome face beneath the mask.

And now she was awake, the only light coming from the moon outside her window. She looked around…and blinked.

Just like in her dreams, Batman stood by her window, watching her.

She just stared at him, not sure if it was real or not. He didn't move for a long time, just watching her. She smiled a little bit. She didn't care if this was a dream or not. She wanted him with her no matter what.

And just like her dreams, he walked over to her quietly, barely making a noise. She watched him approach, lean down, and kiss her on the mouth.

She was surprised, but glad as the kiss got deeper. When he finally pulled away, she reached up and pulled off his mask. Terry's handsome face looked down at her, black bangs in his hair, brown, deep eyes. She smiled up at him.

Then they were kissing again and she reached around his neck, holding him close. They stayed in this position for a long time, feeling his hands against her back, ruffling her fingers in his hair. She never wanted the feeling to end.

When they finally broke the kiss, they were breathing hard and smiling at each other. Terry put a hand on her forehead.

"You're still a little warm," he said.

"I know," she said. Then they were kissing again, and this time it lasted longer.

Terry felt wonderful. All his life he never felt better. Not even with Dana. He could feel her heartbeat beating wildly in her chest, and he knew she was feeling the same thing from his. And he knew he wanted to go farther now, he could tell Max did too but…

He couldn't. Not now. Not when Max was like this. It would almost be like taking advantage of her.

He pulled away again.

"Max…" he said.

She reached up and touched his hair. "I love being with you, you know that?"

He nodded. "I love being with you too."

"Yeah."

"That's why I should go."

Max frowned for a moment, staring into his eyes. Then she understood and nodded. "Okay."

They kissed again, and when they pulled apart for the last time, they both knew they didn't want to. But it was for the best.

Terry caressed her cheek with his hand as they smiled at each other. "Get better, okay?"

"I feel a lot better now."

"That's good."

She leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. A moment later, she was asleep.

Terry moved has hand away, watching her, then leaned down and softly kissed her on the forehead.

Reaching for his mask, he pulled it back on, then left through the window, making sure it was closed tightly before he left.

Terry expected another fight when he got back to the cave, but got none.

Bruce Wayne was still waiting for him, but this time didn't ask any opposing questions. He watched as Terry hopped out of the plane and take off his mask.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I think so," Terry replied, walking up to him. "Look, I'm sorry about everything I said earlier. I was angry and-"

"No, I understand," the older man interrupted, "I think I knew what was going on."

"You did?"

"Max."

Terry hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah."

The old man studied his face, and somehow he knew what had happened.

"So what are you going to do now?" he asked.

"I don't know."

Max smiled in her sleep. She was having the most wonderful dream, but now it was starting to fade away. Something about black knights and pointy ears and…

She opened her eyes to the bright morning sunlight streaming in through the window. She frowned and winced, trying to block it out.

That's when she saw Terry sitting at the edge of the bed, watching her, dressed in his regular clothes and same old brown jacket. He had his hand against her cheek.

"Hey," he greeted her, "the fever's broken. You're going to be okay."

Max smiled at him. "Thanks. I don't know what happened to me, but thanks for watching over me."

"Anytime. Are you…okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. The night has been so hazy for me though, I don't think I remember anything that happened. Kind of like a big blurry dream, you know?"

The smile on his face was starting to fade. "You mean…you don't remember anything?"

She frowned, trying to remember. "I remember how I was in the snow and you saved me, up to the time that you laid me on the bed. But that's it. I don't know how the clothes wound up on the chair, I figured I took them off sometime after you left."

Now he was frowning and looking a bit disappointed. "Oh."

She misread the look and put a hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry, I did it again. I poked my nose in places I shouldn't have put them, I know, I know, I did the wrong thing and I'm sorry. Forgive me? Please?"

He forced a smile. "Yeah, of course I forgive you, don't worry about it. I just want you to get better."

"You know, I do remember one thing." Max looked intently at Terry. "This is going to sound so ridiculous and kind of embarrassing, but I think I dreamed about you. Several times, actually. Sorry if I don't remember anything more. I did have a fever and when you're that sick…" She gave him an apologetic look. "I probably said a lot of things too, you know? Things that you're never meant to hear."

"Maybe it's for the best," Terry said, standing up. He couldn't help but look even more disappointed…and maybe a little hurt. "I'm just glad you're feeling better. I was afraid something terrible might happen to you when I found you in the snow."

"Yeah." She smiled. "Thank you so much."

"Well I'd better leave you to get ready, sleep, whatever you need to do," he said, heading for the doorway.

"Oh, and Terry?"

He turned around. "Yeah?"

"Thanks," she said, "about last night."

"No problem," he said, and was about to leave, when he realized that her voice sounded different, almost…meaningful. But when he turned to look back at her, she was already turning away to go back to sleep.

"I feel the same way too," he replied, turning and leaving Max behind with a small smile on her face.

THE END