Chapter One

"So, what made you decide to apply for this job?" Ms. Kyle asked me.

I grinned at her. "Well, I've always been pretty passionate about being able to buy food." I paused as she laughed full-out. "In all honesty, I need a job, and I'm sick of working at the Iceberg Lounge, getting leered at by half the customers. The other half try to grope me, so it's really time for a change. And I found your ad first thing when I started looking, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try."

Ms. Kyle looked at me for a long moment, like, really looked at me. And for a long enough time to make me start to feel uncomfortable. Until she broke out into a grin. "I like you, Genevieve Thornton. You've got spunk, and you seem honest. Which means I need to be honest with you in return. You'll rarely have anything resembling normal hours. You'll always be on call, never have weekends truly off. Christmas Day is pretty much the only day you'll have to yourself. You'll help me with everything from everyday appointments to planning my wedding. I have six cats, and I'm always open to the possibility of adopting more. But, if you work hard for me, I'll be the most fiercely loyal employer you could ask for. Does that sound like something you'd be interested in?"

"I don't really have a social life, so that's not really a damper," I told her. "I can handle hard work, I've been doing it since I was a kid. And I even like cats. So, when can I start?"

She laughed again, seeming completely genuine. "We can sign the papers today, if you'd like. I'll give you a week as a trial, see if we mesh. If, after the week's over, either of us feel like it's not going to work, no hard feelings?"

"Sounds good."

"Perfect. And if you can survive Bruce's brood at the benefit this Saturday, I think you can handle anything. Sign here, and welcome to the Wayne Foundation."

…

After signing a whole tree's worth of papers, it was nearly six o'clock, so Selina ("I hate hearing Ms. Kyle. Makes me sound like some old spinster society lady.") gave me the rest of the night off. "Enjoy your last night of freedom," she told me, grin still firmly in place. "I'll see you at ten in the morning."

Having an evening to myself was a bit of a novelty. I had to call and quit at the Iceberg, of course, but after that, my night was my own to do with as I chose, a fun change. But, in the end, I celebrated my new job by simply buying myself some ice cream and going home to binge watch "Celebrity Spotlight". It was a bit weird to think that the incredibly elegant woman on my screen was now my boss, but I knew I would get used to it. I mean, I'd gotten used to the fact that my boss's boss was a supervillain, so this was probably easier, to be honest.

I woke up stupidly early Tuesday morning, for once actually excited to start a new job. It did mean that I had about four hours to kill after I did my hour of yoga and got ready, but it also meant I could squeeze in stopping by my favorite coffee shop. I also decided I could treat myself to a muffin along with my nonfat latte with extra whip. It's the little things in life that make me happy.

My security badge was waiting for me at the front desk, just like Ms. Ky- Selina had told me it would be. Taking the elevator to the penthouse was a bit of a trip, in more ways than one. I'd never been the kind of girl who goes to the penthouse before, but life changes, and I always change with it.

"Genevieve, you're early. I like that," Ms.- Selina said, smiling at me when I stepped out of the elevator. "Let's get started."

…

That week flew by in a blur of appointments, take-out, late nights, lots of planning, and laughter. So much laughter. I quickly discovered that Selina's humor was a lot like mine, dry and sarcastic, often snarky. In fact, I felt drawn to her in a way that I'd never felt before, like she was someone who was simply supposed to be in my life. And everywhere we went, people asked us if we were sisters.

"We don't really look like each other," she said Saturday afternoon, after the seventeenth time being asked that week. "We both have black hair and green eyes, but not even the same shade of green. And I'm paler than you, and taller."

"And you're curvier, and I've got freckles," I pointed out, shoving Thai food into my mouth. "I get asked if I'm over sixteen all the time because I still look like a kid."

"Only when you're wearing yoga pants and your glasses with no makeup," she teased. "When you're all dolled up for work, everyone thinks you're at least eighteen."

"That's terribly helpful, thanks, Sel," I scoffed.

"That's what big sisters are for," she grinned. "Now, I'm going to assume you don't have anything to wear to the benefit tonight, so we're going to look through my closet to see what we can find."

I gaped at her. "What? I can't wear one of your dresses!"

"Precious, you're adorable. I can't let you go with me in anything less than couture, you wouldn't let me buy you anything, and I know you can't afford it yet. And besides, it's too late now. I've made up my mind. So, up you get. It's show time," she told me, pulling me up from the couch and chivvying me toward her bedroom.

Half an hour later, the dress was chosen. It was a simple mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline, a peacock feather pattern along the bodice. It was almost the exact shade as my eyes, making them stand out. I definitely did not look like a teenager in it.

"It's perfect," Selina purred. "It's one of my older ones, so no one will know it's mine. And we don't even need to take it in, since my boobs were smaller then. You look amazing. Do you need shoes? You've got tiny feet, but we could always go shopping," she added with a grin, expecting my reaction.

I growled, though more amused than annoyed. "I hate shopping." As I'd told her many times already.

"But you've never had a billionaire's credit card at your disposal before," she countered.

"I've got shoes, Sel."

"I'm going to convince you yet."

My car arriving saved me from her assault. "I'm going to go home and get ready," I glared, but completely without heat. I changed back into my clothes and put the dress in a garment bag, her laughter following me the whole time and all the way to the elevator.

In anticipation of the long night ahead, I allowed myself to take a ridiculously long bath. Both of my roommates were still at work, so I didn't have to worry about anyone interrupting me for once. I took extreme care while shaving my legs, then slathered in the lotion Selena had gotten as a sample and didn't want. It was really nice, but one of her cats had turned up his nose at the smell of it. I thought it smelled good, so I didn't need any feline opinions.

Swaddled in my ratty old robe, I did my hair and makeup, paying far more attention than I normally did. Selina texted me that she was ten minutes away, so I scurried to shove lipstick, my ID, and my new phone (thanks, Selina!) into my clutch, before climbing into the dress. It took a bit to finagle the zipper on my own, but I managed it, then slipped into my strappy stilettos, just as my phone buzzed again. I didn't bother to reply to Sel, simply locked the door behind me and ran down the stairs. Well, I say ran, but it was more of a carefully orchestrated fall down three flights. The combination of tight dress, very high shoes, and a small stairwell was a challenge, but I came out the victor.

Selina gushed over my appearance, swearing I might even look twenty-one. I ruined it by sticking my tongue out at her.

As Bruce Wayne's fiancée, and the head of the Wayne Foundation, Selina was obligated to arrive early so that she could help greet the guests. But we arrived early enough that, after a quick introduction to the man who practically owned Gotham, she and her billionaire found a nearby closet to make out in. That left me awkwardly wandering around Wayne Tower without anything to do, other than not get in the caterers' way.

"Mom, you look amazing." An arm went around my waist, and I turned to meet very started blue eyes above lips poised to kiss me. "You're not Selina."

"And the prize for the most obvious statement goes to Dick Grayson," I retorted. "Is Selina okay with a grown man calling her mom?"

"Well, I've been doing it since I was nine, so it's not going to stop any time soon," he grinned.

"And are you going to take your arm from around my waist any time soon?"

His grin grew even bigger, but Selina interrupted. "Dick, I see you've met my new assistant!" She and Mr. Wayne were suddenly right in front of us, looking impeccable, except for the dark lipstick on his face.

"I have, and she's lovely. But Bruce, that's not really your shade," Grayson smirked at his adoptive father.

Who in turn looked to Selina with a sigh. She was completely unrepentant. "A few people might need a reminder that you're taken, Tiger."

"But I don't," he countered, pulling an actual handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe at the stain. "I know exactly who I'm going home with tonight."

"That's a good answer," Selina cooed.

Mr. Wayne simply smirked. "Dick, where's Damian? He was supposed to be here by now."

"Tim and Steph had a… an unexpected delay in leaving for Central, so Alfred's bringing Little D now," Grayson replied, after giving me the tiniest of side eyes.

Mr. Wayne nodded. "Please keep him from getting into too much trouble. And keep him away from Mrs. Haymore. I don't think she's recovered from the last time she… encountered him."

Grayson grinned, but Sel spoke before he could reply. "Now, Kitten, I'm leaving my utterly fabulous assistant in your capable hands. Keep her entertained. And Precious, if he does anything you don't like, feel free to break something. Preferably on him."

"Will do!" I chirped with a grin of my own.

Selina and Mr. Wayne headed to the entry to greet the richest people in the city. But I turned to Grayson. "You still haven't answered my question, Mr. Grayson."

"It's Dick, and which question might that be, Miss Thornton?" I was beginning to think his default expression was one of mischief.

"Are you going to remove your arm from my waist any time soon?"

"Probably not. I quite like it there, and besides, you heard my soon-to-be stepmother. I'm supposed to be keeping you entertained."

"I think you could do that without clinging to me. And how do you know my name? I never told you." I was a bit confused on that point.

Dick lowered his head to whisper, "Do you really think Bruce wouldn't do a background check on his fiancée's assistant? 'Cause I'm the one who did it."

AN: Yes, I have started another story. To be fair, I started this one a while ago, I just hadn't posted yet because I couldn't think of a suitable name. But don't worry, I'll still keep updating my other stories as my muse permits.

Now, a word of caution. I'm writing this for fun. I'm not all that fussed about accuracy or canon compliance. I'll be pulling from what I know from the comics, various cartoons, Young Justice, and both the Justice League cartoon and movies. So, if you're looking for perfectly accurate information, look elsewhere. I'm just having fun playing in the Batman sandbox. Characters may be a little out of character, relationships might be different, and I'll be pulling from basically every corner of the DC universe. That being said, if you don't mind a little inaccuracy here and there, I hope you'll stick with me and Genevieve! Thanks for reading!