Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Wayne Legacy: Outtakes

By BetterInTexas

Outtake 07: The Canary’s Cry

Tommy & Laurel – Star City

TIMELINE: Knightmare, Ch. 34 – The day of the Metawave

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It was a normal day for Tommy Merlyn. He had purchased two new businesses upon his return to Star City and both were doing well. One was a washeteria that barely needed his attention. When he had found it, like Carmen’s, the owner wanted to retire. Unlike Carmen’s, no one else wanted the location and he got it for a nice discount. Walgreens was definitely not looking to put a store in the Glades. He had updated the machines, kept on the manager and allowed the business to continue to run at a small profit.

Carmen’s was continuing to do well, and he had just ended a call checking on it, proud that there had been no drop off since he had left Gotham City. No matter what businesses he would own over his life, Carmen’s would always be the business that held his heart.

This afternoon, he was spending his time in the local grocery store he had purchased. It was quite a bit different than Carmen’s in that it had bars on the windows and door, but the added deli serving sandwiches at lunch was becoming a hit and business was booming.

Not everyone in the Glades was a blood thirsty criminal. Most were people who were lower class, just trying to make a living day to day, paycheck to paycheck, raising their kids as best they could in a rough area the city hierarchy and most of the middle class didn’t give a damn about.

Tommy could understand. Running three small businesses did not make him rich by any means. Many months he had to put much of his own money into the ventures, barely having enough profit to pay his rent and have food to eat. His one-bedroom apartment was in the Glades and cheap, but he was making it. He took everything Bill Carmen had taught him and played things smart, not doing too much, but enough so his businesses were growing steadily and that was all that mattered to him. Since his breakup with Kara, he had nothing else to do so he threw himself into work.

His father had tried to convince him more than a few times to come to work for the family company and he had rebuffed the man, reminding him that nothing had changed between them just because he was back. He planned to eventually move on, once these businesses were set up and running smoothly, finding new cities to buy more businesses to improve in rundown areas. If a promising opportunity arose, he was open to buying other businesses in the Glades as well.

Being back in Star City without money had shown him who his true friends were and he wasn’t surprised to find he only had one… Laurel Lance. Laurel was the only one who had been there for him, supported him and believed in him. In addition to Laurel, her father, Detective Quentin Lance, was a supportive figure as well. The detective had not bothered to hide his disdain of Tommy in the past, so his change in attitude towards him was surprising.

The man had stopped by the grocery one day during lunch while Tommy was serving sandwiches behind the counter and curiously watched him during the rush hour. When the crowd died down, Tommy called him over and gave him a free sandwich.

Afterward, Detective Lance had told him he would have never believed Laurel when she told him Tommy Merlyn had a job if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. He then complimented Tommy on the sandwich, telling him he greatly enjoyed it. Since that day, Detective Lance and other cops became regular lunch time customers. Lance even helped him upgrade his security system in both businesses.

He missed Gotham, he missed Kara, he missed hearing her voice, seeing her beautiful eyes, but it was getting better. He still thought at times he would never love anyone the way he loved her but with Laurel’s support and understanding, he was beginning to realize he could move on eventually. If she could move on from Oliver screwing her little sister and inadvertently leading to both their deaths, he could move on as well.

He also missed the entire Wayne family. He missed hanging out with Dig and Steve, two guys who had become friends, the first male friends he ever had that weren’t spoiled trust fund babies like himself. The two men had taught him so much about life.

He missed Diana too… her witty and, at times, dry sarcasm, her advice, a playfulness he doubted many people saw, and the occasional meaningful look she gave him at his work that told him she was proud of him.

He hadn’t just left Kara, he had left a whole family that he had felt a part of.

He was deeply touched when Crane had started a night of terror in Gotham, beginning with an attempt on Kara’s life, and less than an hour later, a bodyguard showed up, John Diggle’s brother no less. He told him he had been hired by Diana Wayne to stay with and protect Tommy at all costs until the Crane situation had been resolved.

He had been moved to tears with Diana’s consideration of him. He hadn’t been forgotten and that meant the world to him.

He was almost ready for the lunch rush when his phone went off. It was set on silent so the fact that it was making a shrill sound, followed by what was some sort of emergency tone, made him jump.

He saw he had a personal text from the Wayne Enterprises’ alert system, an emergency system Diana made sure he was still a member of, and the words shook him.

Wayne Emergency Radiation Protocol active. Schools, Tower and Executive Suites have been locked down. If you are outside one of these locations, please find shelter as low as possible, in a building, preferably a basement until receiving word that all is clear.

“Roy, check the news on your phone.” Tommy said, doing the same.

Roy Harper was a kid who tried to steal Tommy’s wallet. Thanks to a move Dig had taught him, Tommy had taken him down easily. After asking the kid what was wrong with him and taking his ID, Tommy decided to give him a choice. The cops or working for him, provided he quit stealing. Harper promised he would show up the next day.

Unsurprisingly, he didn’t. That same day, Tommy was surprised when Detective Lance had called him saying Harper had been caught snatching a purse and had asked for Tommy Merlyn. Lance told Tommy he would let the kid off if he worked for Tommy. If the kid screwed up, or didn’t show up for work, Lance was coming after him personally.

Tommy agreed to the deal. Harper did report for duty, becoming one of his best employees and staying out of trouble.

“Boss, you said phones stay off during work hours.” Roy reminded him.

“I know. Stop pretending yours isn’t on silent and check the news.”

Tommy checked his and supposed Roy found out at the same time since he cursed.

An unknown storm of red energy was spreading across the planet and would soon be over Star City. It was spreading across the skies quickly, having begun over Europe and was picking up speed. No one knew what it was, if it was deadly, or if it was even a weapon.

“Roy, help me get people in off the streets. Annette, take the employees and all customers in the store to the basement. I’ll be sending more so keep the door open until I say to shut it.”

Roy and Tommy raced outside to find people running, not paying them any mind. In the distance, he could see the sky turning red, like a storm approaching.

The two men began grabbing people by their arms. Some jerked away and continued fleeing but some stopped and listened, rushing into the store toward the back as directed.

“How many can we take, boss?” Roy asked over the hysteria of the citizens.

“We will stack them on top of each other if we have to. Keep going!”

The street traffic was lessening as the storm was approaching. Tommy told Roy to go to the basement. He called Laurel who worked a few blocks away, hoping she could get to shelter.

“Tommy! What the hell is going on?!” she asked.

“Have you reached low ground?”

“I’ve sent everyone here to the old subway entrance. Are you okay? I’m coming to you! You are at the grocery store, right?”

Tommy looked up and saw the red skies were directly over him. “No, Laurel, go to the subway entrance now!”

“I’m two blocks away. I’m coming to you! Go to your basement and I will meet you there.”

She hung up and Tommy wanted to yell in frustration. Instead, he began running towards the direction he knew Laurel was. He saw her when she was a block away then she stopped and looked up. She screamed just before some blast of red energy from above bathed her in its light.

He continued running, determined to pull her out of the light. Laurel continued standing and screaming. When she turned towards him, he was swept off his feet and grabbed his ears, her scream so loud and painful, it stunned him. He looked up from the ground towards her and saw she was turning in circles. Everything in front of her shrieking cry was coming apart. The scream was becoming louder and cars were being dented, the sides of brick buildings were crumbling.

Laurel threw her hands in front of her mouth, finally realizing what was going on and then passed out.

Tommy ran quickly to her side, patting her on the cheek and getting no response. He was relieved to see she was still breathing. Picking her up, he cradled her in his arms and raced back to the store. Not wanting to expose those who had taken safe haven in his basement in case the two of them were radioactive, he carried her to the back of the store, into the cooler behind the milk and beer wall. He grabbed a bottle of cool water and began pouring small amounts into his palm then rubbing her cheek, hoping the liquid would waken her.

After a few minutes, she woke in his arms. “Tommy… what happened? Why is it so cold?”

“We were outside when the storm came over. You were hit by some red beam from the sky. I didn’t want to expose those in the basement to whatever this radiation might have done to us, so I brought you to the cooler. How are you feeling? You passed out.”

“I’m… okay. I saw the sky falling on me and screamed… then I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t control myself. Was I seeing things? Did I… what happened?” She asked, still a bit groggy, but becoming more coherent.

“I don’t know.” Tommy admitted.

“Can you call your ex maybe?”

Tommy shook his head. “If there is one person in the world who can stop whatever this is, it would be Kara. I’m sure she is busy working, saving our asses. Until this goes away, we stay here. Tell me how you feel.”

“Cold.” Laurel told him.

Tommy smiled at her. “No tingling, no warming, nothing beside… the loudest scream I have ever heard in my life?”

Laurel shook her head.

“Okay, I am moving you to the basement. You don’t have sores on you and I think radiation poisoning would do that. You can’t stay in this cold room.

He stood up with her in his arms.

“I can walk.” She complained.

“No doubt. I’ve seen you do it your entire life. For now, concentrate on only whispering.” He said with a chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood a little.

Tommy knocked on the door leading to the basement. Roy opened it and he put Laurel down, letting her stand on shaky legs and Roy assisted her down the stairs while Tommy stayed up top. Once she was secure, he walked to the shop windows and watched the sky and the streets for people still running.

He suspected that if it was some sort of radiation that could poison people, Laurel would have been killed by such a direct blast, or at least blistered. He was risking the lives of those in the basement on that belief but it was a surety in his mind. As for him, he had already been exposed and needed to watch what was happening. He checked his phone and was not surprised to see it dead.

Then, a bright, white light lit up the sky, high above the ground. The red skies began dissipating and then they were gone.

He had no idea what that bright light had been, but he knew who was responsible for it.

“Thank you, Kara.” He whispered with a small, grateful smile.

He waited another few minutes before opening the basement door and telling everyone the red skies were gone. He was surprised that his basement held so many. He counted thirty-two people plus his three employees and Laurel walking out from its depths.

Laurel was the last to leave.

“Cell phones are working. You should call your Dad.” Tommy whispered to her.

Laurel nodded, then grabbed Tommy’s arm. “I just checked my phone and it doesn’t work. It must have taken damage when I was… you know. And not a word about what happened to anyone, Tommy. Promise me. Not my father, not Kara.”

Tommy was doubtful. “Laurel, we don’t know what happened to you. You took a direct shot. We don’t know what that was but I know you had a scream loud enough to break bricks and dent cars. You blew me off my feet and my ears are still ringing.”

“Tommy, if anyone finds out, you know what is going to happen.”

“You can get help?” he suggested.

“No! I will be studied, forced to perform for scientists. This stays between us. Promise me!” She pleaded with him.

“Kara can help.” He told her.

“Kara is a scientist who works with the government. I know she would have good intentions, but she couldn’t keep them from finding out about me. As a scientist, it is her duty to find out what happened and she will need test subjects.

“Please, Tommy. I’m scared and the last thing I want is for anyone to know what happened.”

Tommy could understand her point of view. He was terrified of what may have happened to her but couldn’t argue with her logic.

“All right. We wait ‘til we find out more. Nothing will be said right now, but if you start to feel the least bit sick, we go to the hospital, tell the doctors and I will call Kara. She won’t let you be experimented on, Laurel. You have to promise to tell me if you start to feel strange at all.”

Laurel had a look of relief on her face. “You promise not to say anything?”

“I promise as long as you feel okay, I won’t say anything. We need to figure out what happened, just the two of us if you want.”

Laurel sighed in obvious relief. Tommy’s phone buzzed.

“It’s your Dad.”

“Not a word.” She told him in the same pleading voice she had been using.

Tommy nodded and answered the phone. “Detective Lance, she is with me.”

“Thank god. Where are you two?”

“At the grocery store. My cell phone just started working again. She ran here when the cloud began to cover the city and we hid in the basement. She seems okay. I’ll let you talk to her.”

Laurel took the phone and began crying, listening to her Dad’s voice. “I’m fine. Tommy took care of me and I’m safe with him. Just take care of yourself. You didn’t drive in under the red cloud, did you?”

Tommy could hear the frantic voice of Detective Lance informing her the roads were all blocked by people who had exited their cars and took off running for cover. Now that he knew she was okay, he was making his way to the precinct.

“Be safe, Dad, and don’t worry about me. I’ll stay with Tommy until we know what’s going on. I love you.”

Laurel ended the call and handed Tommy his phone back.

“I never thought I would live to see the day he was actually happy you were with me.” Tommy admitted.

“It’s because the Tommy Merlyn he hated died in Gotham City.” Laurel told him. “What happened while we were down in the basement and you stayed up here like a brave idiot?”

Tommy sighed. “I’m not sure. The sky stayed red and I saw other blasts of energy strike the ground in the distance, then there was this bright flash of light, brighter than the sun that lit up the skies and the red was gone.”

“Kara?” Laurel guessed.

Tommy nodded. “Must have been. I don’t know anyone else who could have lit up the skies over Earth and ended this so quickly.”

“Are you going to call her?”

Tommy shook his head. “Not right now. She is no doubt busy, continuing to save our asses.”

“Like you saved mine.” Laurel told him.

Tommy shook his head. “Why didn’t you go underground with the rest of your coworkers? You could have died.”

Laurel shrugged. “I had to make sure you were okay.”

The two smiled at each other and he hugged her tightly. “Dinah Laurel Lance, always wanting to save people.”

“You did a pretty good job yourself.” She told him. “You saved me.”

After television had been restored and newscasters reported the skies were irradiated with harmless radiation and it was safe to go outside, the relieved crowd dispersed. Tommy sent his employees home and closed up for the day. Laurel and Roy stayed with him, not wanting to leave the store undefended for fear of looters despite Tommy’s pleas for them to leave.

The next night, Laurel knocked on Tommy’s door.

“Have you been watching the news?” she asked, as if the answer wasn’t obvious. He didn’t bother to answer and she carried on.

“The government is asking anyone who was under one of those blasts of energy to report so they can be examined and assured no harm came to them. If it was harmless radiation why would the government want people like me to report? I’ve heard unconfirmed rumors that some people died, some are just missing and hardly anyone has stepped forward. Maybe no one has.”

Tommy sighed. “I texted Diana today. She asked if I had been under one of those blasts. I told her I hadn’t and she assured me the radiation clouds covering the sky were harmless. She said nothing about the direct blasts after I assured her I hadn’t been under one. Andy Diggle, my part time bodyguard and guardian angel, checked on me this morning too. Look, if those blasts killed people, maybe we should…”

Laurel raised her hand. “Absolutely not. If they want people to report, that means they need to study what happened. I won’t be a lab rat. I feel fine.”

“Have you had any trouble with… you know… your voice?” Tommy asked, still not convinced.

Laurel shook her head. “No, but I have kept quiet all day, talked as low as possible without seeming suspicious. Let’s go outside the city. There is a spot I know in the National Forest. It’s a camping spot but I doubt anyone is camping now. We should be alone.”

Tommy sighed.

“You want to find out what happens if you scream.” He guessed.

Laurel nodded. “I’m scared to do it alone but I will understand if you don’t want to go with me, Tommy.”

“You are not doing this alone.” He told her, pulling her close and kissing her forehead comfortingly. “We can take my car.”

An hour later, after finding a clearing then making sure no campers were around, they were ready for the first test. Tommy stood behind Laurel so he wouldn’t take the full blast. He also had earplugs in and covered his ears with his hands.

Laurel screamed and nothing happened.

“See? One time thing.” She told him, grinning, obviously pleased with herself.

“Put some effort into it.” He suggested. “That wasn’t a scream. I’ve heard bad actresses in cheap slasher movies do better. You want to find out what you are capable of, so don’t lie to yourself.”

Laurel shrugged and turned back around. She took a deep breath, straightened her arms and put one leg in front of the other, as if ready to run. She released her breath and screamed.

The four trees in front of her were blown back, ripped from the grounds by their roots and flying back. Trees behind those had large trunks that cracked and leaves were being blown off branches.

Laurel closed her mouth.

“Do you see, Tommy? They will never let me go.” She told him, shaking, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Tommy nodded. As much as he hated to admit it, not even Kara could save her from being studied. He had never heard rumors, even urban legends of people who could do what she just did.

“I know.” He admitted quietly. “You faked screamed and nothing happened. It didn’t happen until you put effort into it so you shouldn’t have to worry about random outbursts. How do you feel? How does your throat feel?”

Laurel swallowed a few times and shrugged. “Great. I feel fine, even a bit exhilarated.”

“Exhilarated is not a word I would use in this situation.” He told her.

“What if I could… what if I could control it, aim it… what if I practiced more? The more I master it, the less I would have to worry. What can I do? Can I shatter boulders? Could I direct it onto a smaller target?” She questioned.

Tommy closed his eyes. “Something tells me you are going to do this whether I am involved or not.”

Laurel said nothing, only pleaded with her eyes.

“Fine. I’m not going to let you do this alone. I’ll invest in some of those high-quality earmuffs and… we need to find a better place. This area looks like it got hit by a tornado.”

“I have a few places in mind.” Laurel told him.

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” He replied, chucking as she rolled her eyes. “As far as tonight, maybe we should go. We do both have day jobs.”

Laurel threw her arms around him. “Thank you. For being you.”

He returned her hug and pulled her towards his car. On the way back, the two stayed quiet until Tommy asked that they should call it.

“Call what?” She asked, confused.

“This super scream you have. Seems like such a force of destruction should have a cool name. What about Banshee Cry . Weren’t those some sort of noisy Irish demons or something?”

“So, I’m a demon, am I?” she asked him playfully.

“Of course not.”

Laurel smirked and gave it some thought. “Remember that bird Sara and I had when we were children? The canary? You hated that bird. You said you could never understand how a small bird made such a loud noise.”

“What about it?”

“Canary Cry .” Laurel decided.

“Canary Cry it is.” Tommy chuckled, remembering that annoying bird well. “We can work on this Canary Cry as much as you want. Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid or reckless with it. We are going to keep this a secret, right?”

Laurel smiled. “Of course. You know me, Tommy. Have I ever been stupid or reckless?”

Tommy sighed. “You are going to do something stupid or reckless, aren’t you?”

Laurel stayed silent.

Tommy raised an eyebrow at her non-answer. “When I was in Gotham, there was a rumor about a freak dressed like a bat, swinging around and starting fights with criminals in the Narrows. I swear, if you dress like a bat and fight crime, I’m telling your father so we can have an intervention.”

Laurel laughed at the idea of someone dressing like a bat. “A bat? Why would someone with a Canary Cry, dress like a bat?”

“Laurel…”

“I’m joking, Tommy. I’m glad you got rid of a lot of bad habits but don’t lose that Tommy Merlyn sense of humor. I would never do something as reckless as fighting criminals on the street. I’m a lawyer. I believe in the law.”

“Good.”

“Unless…”

“Laurel!”

“I’m joking… sort of. No worries, I would never do something so reckless… at least not without my partner.”

Tommy shook his head, laughing, wondering what the hell he had just started.