Author's Note: Hey guys, I had this in my head the other day, so I thought I'd write about it more. I'll update Average Night in a few days' time. But I hope you enjoy, as always flames welcome and reviews encouraged. Thank you in advance to the readers that read this, you guys make this fun for me! :)
Mr. Wayne walked the floors of Wayne Enterprises, ignoring the stares he received he pushed the button for the elevator. While waiting he turned to view the lobby one last time before heading up to the boardroom. The lobby was adorned with many different pictures of Gotham in the early 1900's when the company first launched. The building was constantly being renovated, much to his chagrin, but the look had to be modern and attract the attention of other investors. Straightening his jacket and readjusting his tie, the bell of the elevator snapped him out of his garment check. The elevator doors opened to reveal an unhappy young woman, she had various documents piled in her hands and looked exhausted. Mr. Wayne recognized her as one of the late night workers, they were regarded as the corporate soldiers. They were mostly interns that had bitten off too much they could chew, yet Mr. Wayne held them in very high regard. They were admirable young men and women that worked to better the company. Nodding pointedly, Mr. Wayne stepped in the elevator while she smiled warmly and left.
The elevator doors closed and he pushed the button for the top floor. Placing an access key card for the express line, it would allow him the very privilege of having a faster route to the top floor without stopping for any other. Smirking to himself he looked over both shoulders. The elevator was sparsely furnished, with a small bench that had chips in the wood, he would send a message to the interns to furnish the elevators.
The doors slid open with a ding and Mr. Wayne stepped out of the elevator flashing a smile to Mr. Fox.
Lucius Fox, the business manager of Wayne Enterprises, looked upon Mr. Wayne with curious eyes.
"Sir, you aren't scheduled in for this meeting, may I ask what you need? Is the order I sent to Lexcorp satisfactory?"
"Yes Lucius, thank you for ensuring the matter was discrete. However, I've noticed lower stocks in the international field of Wayne Aerodynamics. Lexcorp has the advantage," Mr. Wayne stated pulling a document from his briefcase, "I took the liberty of creating a plan to encourage a comparative advantage in China. I assume the meeting is still taking place today, at least for the aerodynamics division?"
Lucius nodded, "Yes Sir, the meeting is about to begin, I suggest you make an entrance now before they start."
"Understood."
Mr. Wayne sauntered over to the open doors that led to the meeting room. Nodding at the officials he poured himself some coffee before taking a seat at the head of the table.
Six men and two women were seated at the business table, most were reclining in chairs. When Mr. Wayne took a seat, many of them sat up straight in shock.
"Good morning everyone, I am afraid I have never meet any one of you, allow me to introduce myself my name is Damian Wayne, the only biological son of Bruce Wayne. Now, I would like to get to business straight away. It appears the stocks in the Germany and Sweden have declined over the past few months-" Damian began, but was rudely cut off.
"Is this a damn joke?" one of the men asked shaking his head.
The man was short, possibly just over Damian's height, and he sported a beard. He was squinting, almost like he had bad eyesight.
Damian refused to be treated with such disrespect.
"I can assure you," Damian took a look at his credentials in front of him, "Mr. Avlara, this is most certainly not a joke."
"You're just a kid!" Mr. Avlara exclaimed standing up.
"Yes, I am aware of my age. Now, would you be so kind and sit down? The meeting breaks in half an hour and my debriefing is just as long. I would hate to inform your superior as to why Ferris Aircraft could not broker a deal with Wayne Aerodynamic. Is that understood?" Damian threatened carefully, using a glare Bruce himself would be proud of.
Mr. Avlara fidgeted nervously and cleared his throat, "My apologies, Mr. Wayne."
"Apologies accepted, now some of you are aware of the formation of new merges with Lexcorp, I am here to refute those claims. Lexcorp has been…associated with other nefarious companies, and I for one, would not like to tarnish the Wayne name. Now, could anyone tell me, who is in charge of the sector for Norway?"
…
The meeting concluded on time, thankfully, and Damian stepped outside in Gotham Square awaiting the limo scheduled to drive him back to the manor.
Within a few moments, right on schedule was Alfred, their faithful butler.
Opening the door and escaping from the rain, Damian settled down in the backseat and placed his briefcase next to him.
"Good morning, Master Damian." Alfred's greeting came from the front.
"Pennyworth," Damian nodded, turning his attention to a few beggars in the street. The crowded sidewalk was festering with people trying to get to work and travel. Yet, these people seemed to be avoided at all costs. Damian witnessed an interaction between the young women he witnessed coming from the elevator of Wayne Enterprises. She had an umbrella and was crouching down talking to one of the homeless men. She handed him a few small articles of clothing in bags and some stemming take-out food. She smiled to him and waved goodbye.
Damian was shocked at the interaction. Before he could think any further, thunder clapped in the distance and Alfred drove from the front of the building.
The light changed green and Alfred drove on the desolate streets to avoid excess traffic. Soon they were back at the manor.
Damian emerged from the limo and straightened his jacket once more before stepping over the threshold into the Manor.
He looked at his home in wonder. It had never seemed so big. Before he knew exactly what he was doing he stalked the halls, and lurked in the doorframes of the numerous rooms.
He lived a life of extravagance, yet most people could not even afford to feed themselves in the city he lived in.
Shaking his head, he walked slowly back towards the large kitchen. Alfred was near the stove taking something out of the oven.
"Alfred," Damian started in a quiet voice, "how long have you worked for my father?"
Alfred stroked his chin, "It has been many years indeed, now hasn't it? I started four years before your father was born."
"My grandparents-" Damian was about to ask.
Alfred was way ahead of him, "Bruce's mother and father. Martha and Thomas were good people. The city adored them, they were the most influential socialites around the city."
"That will be all, Pennyworth. Thank you." Damian stated.
"Very good Sir." Alfred responded turning to the younger child.
Alfred remembered Bruce when he was younger, Damian certainly looked like him. But the two were polar opposite. Damian had matured beyond even Master Richard's years. Damian was the more serious vigilante, and the more focused of the family. He was studious, intellectual, and secretly longing for approval. He came off as arrogant, but that can only be expected due to his upbringing.
Before Alfred could ponder about Bruce's youngest son, Dick bounded down the stairs.
Alfred sighed theatrically, "Good afternoon Master Richard."
Dick Grayson smiled at Alfred and said a brief good-morning before cabinet surfing for cereal. Dick gasped at the thought of eating Raisin Bran; that is all he could find. Before he could formally complain to Alfred he turned to the older gentleman.
Dick opened his mouth to speak but Alfred cut him off.
"Second cupboard to the left Master Richard." Alfred nodded gesturing to the small wooden cubby.
Dick opened the cabinet carefully and couldn't contain his smirk. Inside were boxes of Dick's favourite cereals. Boxes of Count Chocula, Fruit Loops, Cap'n Crunch, and various other boxes were in his stash.
Dick looked at Alfred carefully, "Alfred, you are irreplaceable."
"You're welcome Master Richard, now please eat your candy someplace that is not in my eyesight. I can only take so much insult to food." Alfred chided.
Dick laughed and turned to go to the Cave, he would check on Damian anyway.
Grabbing a rather large bowl, Dick mixed his favorite cereals and proceeded to walk to the Cave entrance.
Damian was hunched over Bruce's master chair and looking up Wayne Enterprises' Interns. He pulled up the file he had seen for the young woman in the elevator. Avery Williams was her name, she was rather young for working in Wayne Enterprises; she was only 15 when first interviewed. She had been working herself through high-school entering university with a scholarship Wayne Tech had provided.
Dick made his presence known.
"Isn't she a little old for you?" Dick asked smiling.
Damian spun around quickly turning to his older brother.
"Grayson, everything is so juvenile about you." Damian smirked, pointing to the cereal.
"Bite me," Dick laughed, placing his hands protectively around his precious bowl.
"I'd rather not." Damian stared blankly, turning back to the computer.
Damian heard Dick come around to his right side, "Who's she?"
"She is one of father's corporate soldiers." Damian replied.
Dick looked confused, "What?"
Damian shrugged, "It's a rather derogatory term for the most efficient of workers. She has by far placed the most hours and produces results. She is part of the security team working for Lucius. She is by far the most capable of those intern idiots."
Dick smirked, "Do I sense you crushing on her, Damian?"
Damian turned to Dick with a serious stare on his face, "Grayson, does it look like I am having romantic feelings for a girl four years older than myself?"
Dick looked at Damian carefully and ruffled his hair, which promptly earned him a smack on the hand by Damian.
Dick shrugged it off, "I figured you could be a normal child; that was a mistake I will not be making again."
"Good," Damian commented dryly, "I have scanned and configured the DNA sample found at the last crime scene. Tonight, Father is coming back to town, I assume you will be going back to Bludhaven?"
Dick shrugged, "I don't know, maybe."
Damian looked back at Dick, "What do you mean you don't know?"
Dick was taken aback, sporting a hurt look, "Damian, do you want me to leave?"
"It makes no difference to me, I just figured you'd stop crime in your own little cesspool."
"I'm on vacation, D." Dick exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air.
"And that requires you to sleep in until 12 in the afternoon and mope about the mansion feeling nostalgic?" Damian said being snarky.
"It requires that I relax, something you don't know. I heard your meeting went well today, how did you like making all of the adults in the room cringe?"
Damian fought to keep the smile off of his face, "It's more than I can say for any of you; none of you take matters into your own hands. You allow Lucius to run the company."
"D, he is capable of managing Wayne Enterprises, you know."
"I know that, but that doesn't negate the fact that none of my Father's previous wards have ever taken the weight off of Father's shoulders. Even in one division." Damian pointed out.
Dick looked at Damian carefully, "So that's what this is about."
Damian looked confused for a brief moment, "Care to explain your ramblings, Grayson?"
Dick smiled a genuine smile, "You want to help him. You want to help Bruce, don't you?"
Damian did not respond.
"Well we can easily agree you were the first one to ever help Bruce so extensively, at least in regards to Wayne Enterprises. He would be very proud of you, you know. When he comes back from his flight you should mention it to him. Alfred and I are very happy with the progress you've made, especially at school."
Damian remained silent and continued to click on separate files.
Dick smiled at the back of Damian's head, he left the Cave and returned upstairs for a while, deciding to give Damian some time alone.
Damian had to admit, the decision for him to go to Wayne Enterprises was an unplanned one, but he figured he could make himself known to his Father's employees. Yet, he seemed to seek approval. Maybe Grayson was right. That's on the list of things never to mention again.
Ensuring no one was around, he pulled up Avery's file once more. She had clocked in for 15 hours and worked throughout the night. She was one of the most dedicated individuals, he noted. The files on hand were not enough to assuage Damian's lingering curiosity.
Pulling up other records including school records, medical records, among other documents, he realized Avery's mother was not American. Her mother was in fact a German working to get her green card. Avery was an American citizen because she had come with her father when she was just a young child. Her father, now who was he? Damian searched until he found a mugshot of Avery's father, Nikalv Dimitrov, a member of the Russian mob. He had been imprisoned at Blackgate Penitentiary for assault and fraud charges years prior. She had changed her name to protect her identity in case the mob tried to find her. Smart move on her part, Damian thought.
As much as he tried he couldn't get her out of his head. She seemed like a good person, she openly helped the homeless on the street, buying him a meal and giving him clothes. For that reason, she had unknowingly left Damian questioning his life of luxury.
…
Later on in the evening, Dick suited up as Nightwing to patrol Gotham; while Damian and Alfred went to pick Bruce up from the airport. Damian was happy to see his Father back from his business trip. He hoped he had done well by trying to help the company.
When Bruce's flight landed they all walked to the car silently, Alfred was the only one that managed to make anything resembling a conversation.
"Sir, how was the business trip." Alfred asked carefully, eyeing the two in the backseat of the car.
"New York was very crowded to say the least, I'm glad I'm home." Bruce stated turning to Damian, "I heard of your little stunt at the office today. Lucius sent me the files in the form of a fax, I never saw the opportunity in China. Commendable work, Damian."
Damian hide a smile and nodded to his father curtly.
Bruce kept his eyes on Damian for a lingering moment, "I brought you something back from New York."
"Oh?" Damian asked, his curiosity contained.
Bruce pulled a package he had been holding, "I figured since you like the classics, you could read one of these-American classics rather than European."
Bruce smiled one of his rare smiles as Damian tore open the packaging, letting it fall to the floor.
The gift was a first edition of the book The Catcher in the Rye. Damian had to admit, he had not read this American staple of literature before.
"Thank you, Father." Damian managed to say before delving into the book.
The ride home was silent, Damian had to admit, he loved being in his father's presence, even if it was only in silence. As soon as Bruce got home, he was heading out, Nightwing's request. It seemed as though there was a breakout at Arkham Asylum. Damian knew he should let Dick and Bruce catch up, as they had not seen each other in some months. Feigning drowsiness, he allowed himself to become side-benched.
He would still patrol the areas no matter what, but stay away from the public eye. He would remain stealthy for the night.
He reached Gotham and was surprised to see it relatively quiet, of course when he thought about Gotham being quiet, something bad was bound to happen.
A struggle caught his attention, close to the bowery. A young woman dressed very formally in a pencil skirt and a trench coat was fighting a group of men.
"You don't want to mess with us, Dimitrov! Your father ruined us!"
Damian recognized the young woman as Avery Williams.
Avery held her ground, "He may be my Father, but he is certainly dead to me." Avery replied as she struck the man in the face.
Robin decided it would be a good time to intervene, he took one of them on when he dropped down. Leaving Avery with the other two, yet it startled them for just the perfect time when Avery managed to land in another kick.
Together, Avery and Robin knocked the men out and inspected the damage.
Robin turned to Avery, "Are you alright?"
Avery turned and gave Robin her hand to shake, "I'm fine, I'm Avery Williams."
Robin shook back, "Robin." He stated plainly.
Avery nodded, "I know."
"Those men are part of Maroni's gang, they know who you are. You'll be in danger." Robin stated.
Avery's eyes widened for a moment, but she tried to remain stoic.
"I uhm, I don't know how they know me, probably my father's doing. I was the one who made the tip-off." Avery admitted sheepishly.
Robin was shocked, "You turned in your own Father?"
Avery looked discouraged, "He was planning to get involved in human trafficking. I sent all of his files to the GCPD. Commissioner Gordon knew it was me, but never told anyone anything. I asked to be placed in protective custody. I took a different name, instead of Anastasia Dimitrov, I'm now Avery Williams."
Damian felt bad for accusing her before hearing why.
"Anyway, I just got off work. I'm heading into my apartment, uh….I've never encountered Batman, but doesn't he leave after he saves an individual?" Avery asked turning red.
"We do, but I should make sure no one is going to follow you back." Robin stated carefully.
Avery nodded, "Thank you, and trust me, I'll be careful to keep my head down."
Robin nodded, "That would be wise."
Robin watched as Avery headed into her small apartment. He would ensure no one harmed her there. Later when he returned home he couldn't figure out why he did this, but he wired thousands of dollars into her account to help bring her mother over, and hopefully get into a better apartment, in a safer neighbourhood. He never told anyone what he had done that night. It would be his secret.