From our last episode: "Why don't you come home with me? I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind if you stayed for dinner."

Bruce considered the invitation with his usual thoroughness. Part of him wanted to say 'Yes! Why not the night?!'; the moral part of him recoiled yet could not help but put its two cents in 'Who do you think you're kidding? You'd probably die of a heart attack' He smiled to himself at that thought //Ah! What a way to go!//

"Bruce?"

The soft, concerned filled voice, brought him back to the matter at hand - Terry's invitation. He smiled almost sheepishly. <>
"Sorry. I'll accept on one condition."
"And that is?"
"I hear your mother say it's all right."

"Great!" Terry pulled out his vid-com and punched in his personal code.

"McGinnis residence", announced Mary McGinnis.
"Hi, mom. It's me."
"Hi, honey. What's wrong?"

Bruce and Terry chuckled. Bruce mouthed **What is it with mothers that every call suggests something is wrong?** Terry mouthed back. **Haven't a clue**

"Nothing's wrong, mom", he replied. "I wanted to invite Mr. Wayne over for dinner. He won't accept unless he hears you say it's okay", he explained. Mary McGinnis' beauty face lit with a delighted, but conspiratorial smile. "Of course, dear!", she replied. //Yes!// Terry enthused to himself. Oh, he'd have to put up with Matt but the presence of the elder Wayne would keep him in line. "Thanks! We'll be there in an hour."

"Fine. Love you."

"Love you and Matt, too, mom. 'Bye." Terry switched off the unit and smiled at the older man. "We're all set!", he announced, triumphantly.

Bruce nodded. "Excellent. Ready when you are", he replied and lead the way towards the stairs.

----------------------------

"Mom? Matt?", Terry called out as he cautiously opened the front door to his home.

Silence greeted him.

" Perhaps she's in the kitchen", Bruce suggested from behind.

Terry swallowed hard, his young body responding to the other man's nearness. "Yeah, perhaps", he whispered. "But where's the tiny terror - Matthew McGinnis?"

Senses on full alert they entered the house. Immediately Bruce stopped and pointed to a small device above the left doorway. Putting a finger to Terry's lips he walked over and stood in front of the mini-cam. "It is not polite to spy on people, Matthew", he lectured, then reached up and unhooked the device.

"Why that.....!!!!", Terry began, his anger rising.

"Don't worry about it, Terry. It is obvious they are not home for which, according to you, we should be grateful. Let's see what we can fix for dinner."

Without waiting for a reply, he headed for the kitchen. Terry followed. As they passed the dining room they both came to an abrupt halt and stared in awe at the sight: the large dining table was covered with a table cloth of the finest lace; each end was set with the best McGinnis china - with the family crest, the best silverware and crystal goblets. A silver candelabra, with white candles, graced the middle.

"What is all this!?", Terry cried out, clearly confused. Bruce chuckled and put an arm around his protege's shoulder. "It is called 'Beware when you mother keeps calling you 'honey' and 'dear'."