It wasn't long before they arrived at what Darcy concluded in her mind was the biggest building she had ever seen. As she stared gapingly at the massive building with millions of windows for the first time in her life she knew just how rich and powerful her father was, which only increased her secret admiration for him that only went up as they were escorted by a secretary to the conference room. This whole place seemed unreal to a girl that has never seen the real world especially the huge well furnished rooms and the fact that everyone that passed her father greeted him warmly to the point that Darcy thought that a few might actually start bowing and worship the floor her father had walked upon. When they entered the press conference room it was like the chattering of the reporters along with co-workers stopped dead with a dwindling silence, which shocked Darcy for a split second she never knew that one person could have so much control over the atmosphere of a room, so much power over people; because those people were definitely not gaping at her new attire. Bruce took hold of Darcy's hand as he walked slowly through the crowd that created a road to pass through towards a huge stage with a podium in the middle of it. Not knowing what was going on Darcy plastered on one of her best smiles as she freaked out about being on stage, she had thought that she just had to listen to the press conference not be a part of it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is lovely to see so many of you here today. I have called for this press conference because there has been a lot of talk and confusion about who was going to succeed me. Over the years I have been evaluating many people within the Wayne Corporation to make this very important decision that I'm going to announce today. My search will come to an end today, which means the person I have chosen will not be up for debate or discussion. So with further a due the special person I have chosen is a person I have known for a long time, a person who I think will display remarkable leadership, a person truly trust worth to succeed me, which is why this person was not chosen within the Wayne Corporation. This mystery person is my blood related sixteen year old daughter, Darcy Wayne." Bruce announced to have everyone in the room including Darcy herself stunned as if a bus was about to hit all of them smack in the face. It took a while before clapping began, which worried Bruce after all it shouldn't be all that of a surprise he didn't trust any employee of his in the room enough to entrust them with his precious company. His daughter was the only one who could possibly continue to lead his company into greatness good and well after he passed on. Despite his disappointment he made a mental note on the person who started the ripple of applause, a loyal worker under Wayne tech, Mr. McGinnis if anything he deserved raise at least for saving this press conference. Bruce could feel his daughter's questioning glare, but that was the least of his problems for now was the time for the reporters part in the press conference the dreaded Q&A. Many of them asked questions like if Darcy was really Bruce's blood related daughter, who was her mother, did he get married in secret or had Darcy out of wedlock. To all these questions Bruce more or less answered truthfully except for the questions asking about her mother, if he married her or not, and why they never seen Darcy. He answered that Darcy's mother was a dear friend that he attended high school with, named Ann Fin, she had died in child birth, and they were never married. For the reason he answered for why no one has ever seen her is that he kept her at home for the soul purpose to train her to become his successor. This baffled many people especially reporters and Darcy, who was told the same story however her father had never mentioned the name of her mother with the excuse that it was too painful to say. It puzzled how her father could say her name so effortlessly in front of the millions inside the room. But the more important question that was on Darcy's mind was why in the world had her father chosen her over the millions of experience and cable hands in the room. After a few minutes with a mischievous smile spread across his face he announced that the press conference was over and everyone can enjoy the refreshment table at the back of the room.

"Did those new blood pressure pills mess with your brain or something?" Darcy whispered to her father as they descended the stage to greet and socialize with Bruce's guests.

"Obviously you didn't read the side effects on the bottle; anyway don't you trust that I already have everything under control?" Bruce replied with a slight smile that showed both fake pride and joy to better help the situation. Darcy rolled her eyes as she wondered why no one could see through her father's act. But she still couldn't understand why her father, out everyone in the room he could have chosen, didn't choose his most experienced worker, but her that has never dreamt of being introduced into her father's world of the daytime. At that moment it hit her that he was probably slowly introducing her into his world of Bruce Wayne first before letting her into his world of Batman. For the first time in a long time as they weaved through the crowd greeting countless people Darcy could actually feel that her smile was genuine.

"So how do you like my birthday surprise?" Bruce asked a little louder than a whisper so Darcy knew that she had to be careful with the answer that she gave her father.

"Well I'm very surprised, and over whelmed," Darcy answered with a cool and calm voice that made her father squeeze her hand slightly, which told Darcy that he was satisfied with her response. As they walked around meeting people that she probably will met again so she made mental notes to remember faces along with names, Darcy couldn't help wonder why her father that was so kin on keeping her a secret decide to waste all his effort on a birthday present even if he was truly sorry for all the missed birthdays in her life. She didn't get her chance to ask her question for something caught her gaze to the point that it brought Bruce's attention to it as well. She was staring at Mr. McGinnis, but the more alarming part to Bruce was that she was fixated on the tall young man beside him who Bruce could only guess was his eighteen year old son. He wanted to avoid them completely, but once Mr. McGinnis caught Darcy staring in their direction he found that as an invitation to come and greet the Wayne family, while bring his son as well to Bruce's dismay.

"Good afternoon Bruce."

"And to you as well McGinnis, Darcy this is Warren McGinnis an employee of Wayne Tech, and this I presume is?"

"Oh this is my son Terry, I just brought him to show him what could be in store for him if he stays in school that is," Warren responded with an amused tone as he pat his son on the head that left Terry slightly irritated.

"It's an honor to meet someone of your caliber, sir," Terry greeted bowing slightly towards Bruce while smiling towards Darcy, which lit her face on fire. She couldn't believe that she was blushing all because this one boy smiled at her, but then again he was the first one she's ever been up close to before. Plus he looked exactly like the type of guy, girls on television describe as the prefect boy or a 'hottie.' For the reasons because he was tall, built to the right size, a spotless face, deep brown eyes, and raven black hair that was combed back. However, to Darcy just looking at him didn't bring words like hunk or stud to mind, but heart breaker, player, and clueless.

"Speaking of honors, I hope you except my request to show Darcy around," Bruce asked with a slight bow that was received by Warren McGinnis by agreeing to take on the job without knowing the true challenge of Bruce's request. Bruce was about to thank him when a snake gently took hold of Bruce's should to help let his presents be known.

"Brucy, it's so nice that you got up from your walker to grace us with your presents," a men in his mid-forties who had white hair and a tall frame greeted. Darcy didn't even need to look at her dad's reaction to the man before she could tell that this guy was a rat with a big ego. The type of person she hated the most and judging by the scowl that appeared on her dad's face he was thinking the same as well.

"Hello Derek, state your business."

"I came here to congratulate your stunning daughter," the man answered just to take hold of Darcy's hand to kiss it as a greeting, one which Bruce stopped by putting his hand over Darcy's in Derek's hands with a glare that made a smirk appear upon Derek's face. "You got me, Bruce can I have a moment with you?" he asked just to have Bruce grudgingly follow him to a secluded part of the press conference room.

"Who let the snake out?" Darcy asked with a snicker as she watched the direction that her dad had followed the Slime ball to talk to her dad about God knows what, but whatever it was Darcy could only guess it wasn't good.

"That's Derek Powers, and to put it lightly he's not exactly in Wayne's good books, so to say, not ever since he started to make advances to take over Wayne's corporation, but seriously apart from all that he's actually somewhat of a nice fellow."

"Yeah, and monkeys look harmless until they rip your face off, anyway isn't that the guy who fought for your position, but lost?" Terry questioned as both him and his father stared off into the direction of where they watched the heated debate of both Bruce and Derek as Bruce's face was over taken by a furious glare as Derek's arms were waving around in desperation to get whatever he wanted to get across to Bruce only to be argued in vain.

"Yeah-"

"Then I suggest you watch your back Mr. McGinnis," Darcy warned with a grave voice as she began to walk towards where her dad thinking of different excesses to save her dad from the clutches of Derek.

"Bruce you've got to listen to me my branch has created the ultimate weapon that could change the very foundation of modern warfare. This very technology could put the Wayne Corporation on the map, if only you give me the position of the executive of Wayne Tech."

"Fat chance Derek, you won't ever get to see a glimpse of that job, at least not unless Warren steps down from his position, and even then it'll be a bad decision to let you into an office of such power," Bruce declared with a dismissive tone that left Derek outraged, but he backed down knowing that it was going to be a waste of his breath to continue to persuade the stubborn old mule, but what was worse he knew that he had to get to the bottom of Bruce's plan in announce his daughter as the future head of his company.

"What did he want?"

"To make the Wayne Corporation into weapon dealers catering to the highest bidder," Bruce answered with an exasperated tone that made it clear to Darcy that this was a touchy subject for her dad, so for the rest of the party she smiled and acted as if all this really interested her. She hated acting fake but what else could she be when she was in an unfamiliar territory where the rich and snobby ruled over it, plus just being outside and seeing what the world on the other side of her room gave her a sense that she was an alien being out there interacting with people she has never met before. All the wonder for her ended once both her and her dad exist the corporation that she will one day sit head of, because she knew that her joy ride outside was over and now she was going to go back to her room to swim in the despair of yet another birthday without Alfred, a man who always found some way to put a smile on her face and make every day a memorable one. Bruce sensed the growing turmoil that was swirling around in his daughter. So he did something that he never thought he would ever see himself doing, but if it was to make his daughter's sixteen birthday an amazing one and make up for the others he was will doing anything. That anything included getting the driver to switch courses to taking them to Gotham's amusement park. To Darcy when she got out of the car and was graced with a sight other than the mansion especially one filled with carnival music, colorful daring rides, and greasy fatty food made her heart sore with emotion that she couldn't explain, but it was okay because deep down Bruce knew seeing Darcy relieving a childhood that she really deserved not being locked up in her own home was the only thing she deserved on a special day like this. When Darcy had tried every ride, game, and all the treats the carnival had to offer her father decided to end the day with taking her to a fancy restaurant. The very idea that her dad was pulling out all the stops for her filled Darcy's heart with a feeling she only ever felt with Alfred the feeling that she was being shown genuine love. Her dad may never be the crime fighting hero she used to fantasize about one day being again but she felt like there were no words to describe what she was feeling on the inside or no way to thank her dad for giving her a memorable birthday in place of Alfred. By the time they pulled up in the driveway of the mansion from dining at one of the fanciest restaurants in Gotham City, Darcy knew what she could do to thank her dad, which was a gesture she only ever gave to Alfred, but today her dad more than earned it, she thought as she wrapped her father in a huge hug. This gesture not only surprised Bruce but it also sparked a part in his heart that he thought would remain dead for the rest of his life, which was the part that gave you a sense of family, a sense he had never gotten from his daughter. As they walked into the house Bruce knew this moment of bonding will be gone by tomorrow, but just knowing that his daughter didn't completely hate him and that he hasn't failed as bad as he had thought with the whole fathering thing left a smile on his face.