A/N: 10/29/2021

This story involves me finally bringing an OC creation based on one of my favorite Batman-mythos characters. Lucius Fox is a favorite of mine, it doesn't hurt that Morgan Freeman portrayed him in the Nolan franchise, but I also loved how the character was done in Batman: Arkham Knight. But he was a constant friend to Bruce and supporter of Batman and, like Alfred, was often his voice of reason. Like Bruce has admitted in several ways in SEVERAL Batman stories, Lucius kept Wayne Enterprises going. Also, there are a couple of lines in here inspired by two source: Batman: Hush (one of my favorite Batman stories) and Yu Yu Hakusho (one of my favorite animes). Enjoy!

SYNOPSIS: Bruce makes a decision to bring in Tiana Fox as an extra set of eyes for the team. Terry asks Bruce for the reasons behind these new decisions. Bruce and Tiana discuss the decision and Foxes family relationship with Bruce and Batman. Post-"Iridescent."

New Guard – Tiana Fox

Four months had passed since the defeat of the Moirai; Ember's addition to the team was going even better than Bruce imagined it would. Bruce was astonished at how well Ember followed orders; Bruce honestly found himself realizing his initial assessment of Ember to be a mistake. Ember genuinely was making every effort to put the identity and life of Blaze behind her and become a true hero. She had a good heart; she just needed a reason to show it. Bruce could see it, clearly, now. Michelle wasn't that much different from Terry in that way, and she was proving it every single night. It was giving Bruce more hope and faith in another plan of action he felt he was ready to take.

One night, after patrol, Terry flew the Batmobile into the cave and landed it on the landing pad. Basem arrived a moment later, landing the Nightbike next to the Batmobile with Hayate arriving seconds later on his skyboard. The three heroes fist bumped and removed their masks.

"I love quiet nights!" Basem exclaimed.

"They are very reassuring," Hayate agreed.

"Yeah," Terry agreed. "Works for me. Since Grace will probably be awake by the time I get home. Or Max with some weird food cravings."

"I need to get home, as well. Michelle is making a meal for us."

"Is that why she flew straight home?" Basem asked.

"Indeed," Hayate nodded.

"She can cook?" Terry asked. "Doesn't she just set everything on fire?"

"Actually, you'd be amazed how delicious her Caesar salad is."

"Oh, there is a dirty joke there!" Terry chuckled.

"Terry!" Basem chided.

"What?! He said it!"

"She's actually attempting her aunt's enchilada recipe," Hayate explained.

"If she gets it right, I'm so in," Terry said. "The ones you guys brought back from Indiana were unbelievably amazing!"

"Before all of you go," Bruce spoke up. "A moment."

"Sure. What's up?" They walked over to the computer.

"I have a proposal. And it's a risky endeavor."

"As we stand here in our high-tech suits that we wear to fight crime on a nightly basis?" Terry asked.

"Point," Bruce admitted. "I'm considering… bringing in some extra help."

"I'm sorry, I think I missed that," Terry said, immediately. "You wanna repeat that?"

"I think we could use an extra set of eyes out there. The Moirai incident taught me that."

"Is this part of what you mentioned to Max and us a few months ago?"

"Exactly," Bruce nodded. "With the addition of Ember as well, extra eyes on the city might not be such a bad idea."

"Who'd you have in mind?" Basem asked.

Bruce typed on the computer for a second and pulled up an image of…

"Tiana Fox?"

"You want Tia in on this?" Terry asked.

Bruce looked at the boys, "Well, since we seem to be telling everyone our secret these days, I suppose she wouldn't hurt."

"Oh, I just wanted to tell Chelsea!"

"And Sally?" Bruce asked.

Terry stared at Bruce for a few seconds. "That was years, two separate marriages, and two kids ago. And as much I hate to repeat myself, but, what the hell, I'll go ahead and do it anyway, SALLY FIGURED IT OUT HERSELF!"

"I'm sure you made it so difficult for her."

Terry slapped his hand over his eyes.

"Still, Bruce," Basem said, "why tell Tiana? Like… what brought this on?"

Bruce leaned back in his chair. "Her grandfather, Lucius. I couldn't have maintained Wayne Enterprises without him. With Foxteca being back under the Wayne Enterprises umbrella and Tiana being an EVP, I firmly believe she can be trusted. Plus… I suspect she already knows. She's like her father and her grandfather. She sees things normal people miss."

"Dad always said the Foxes were brilliant," Basem shrugged.

"Very much so."

"Okay," Terry said, suspiciously. "But… what is this really about? Like, why this decision? Not just her. But Max and Michelle, too. Even trusting Sally and Chelsea with the truth. What's all this about? Seriously, Bruce. What's going on?"

Bruce studied them for a moment. "Among other things, I'm learning trust isn't a bad thing. But… the truest reason… is depressingly simple." He looked at his hand. "I'm getting old, boys. None of us can beat time. It always wins, sooner or later. If it got Ra's and even Freeze, it can and will get me, too. I need to start thinking about the future. And making sure all of you are taken care of."

While Basem and Hayate looked at each other, concernedly, Terry, solemnly, gazed Bruce. "All kidding aside, I don't like the idea of you dying, Bruce."

"No one lives forever." Bruce sighed. "I was relieved when Basem came here, Terry." He looked at Hayate, "Then you joined the team, Hayate. And Ember is proving herself decidedly trustworthy. She didn't even pressure you about coming to the Cave before I gave the okay."

"She was extremely curious, beforehand," Hayate admitted.

"Who wouldn't be? When it comes to Tiana… I think Lucius always suspected I was Batman. He was too smart not to figure it out. And he protected me anyway, despite not knowing the full truth."

"You said the same about Jim Gordon," Terry reminded.

"Perhaps I had more people I could trust in my life than I realized." Bruce stared at Terry, "That's another lesson… that you learned flawlessly."

"So far," Terry shrugged.

"Anyway, sooner or later, Tiana will figure it out as well. She ran Foxteca alongside Lucius Jr. without any problem. Since he retired and when we brought Foxteca back to Wayne Enterprises, she handled it all on her own. I believe she can do it again."

Terry folded his arms. "Bruce. More than anyone… we worry about you with all this. All of us… we pretty much have our backup plans in case secrets get out."

"The one where you move to Japan under assumed names?" Bruce asked.

Terry shot his eyes over to Basem.

"I swear I didn't tell him!" Basem put his hands up in defense.

Terry looked at Hayate.

Hayate just smiled. "We were speaking about the beauty of Mt. Fuji and it slipped out."

"Great!" Terry groaned. "Hayate said it! The one person I can't get mad at!"

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't figure it out?" Bruce asked.

"Anyway!" Terry shouted. "We're only worried about you. All of us… starting over will be hard but not impossible."

"I have a series of plans for all of you, if you need them. But you don't need to worry. Honestly… I think this is the right call."

Terry stared at Bruce then looked at Basem and Hayate, who both nodded. Terry looked back at Bruce, "Alright, Bruce. Whatever you want. We got your back."

The following night, Bruce arranged a meeting with Tiana at the Manor. Around 8 PM, Tiana came to the Manor, meeting with Bruce in the study. After they made small talk for a while, complete with Bruce serving tea, Tiana's curiosity piqued.

"Not that I don't appreciate the invitation," Tiana began, "I've always wanted to see the inside of this house. But… why did you want to see me at your home, Mr. Wayne?"

"I had a bit of business to discuss," Bruce answered. "One of a personal… and secretive nature."

"Okay," Tiana set her tea down. "Is anything wrong?"

"Not at all. It's just business that would be better conducted here. Where I know we can talk freely."

"Alright. What can I do for you?"

Bruce smiled and set his tea down. He leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers. "First… how much did your grandfather tell you?"

Tiana looked at Bruce a bit perplexed. "Tell me, sir?"

"About me. And who I am. Who I really am."

Tiana held her stare but soon smiled a bit. She exhaled. "Just his suspicions. He said you never told him anything, so he'd have plausible deniability."

Bruce chuckled, softly. "I never wanted him to have to deal with any possible fallout but I always suspected he knew. Does your father know?"

"He's convinced you were Batman. That was even before Granddad told him. My brother, Linc, thinks it's possible. But he doesn't wanna talk about it for fear you're bugging us all."

"I trusted Lucius too much to ever bug him."

"I guess that's my next question," Tiana said. "Why trust me?"

"Because…" Bruce exhaled, "I should've trusted your grandfather more. If I had, your father wouldn't have been fired by Derek Powers."

"Given that Derek Powers ended up becoming a radioactive supervillain, I think we can let that one slide."

"It still never should've got that far. I was so relieved when your family recovered from that."

"It sounds like you blame yourself for Powers' actions," Tiana noted. "You had no control over that. And we don't hold any grudges against you. You're not being fair to yourself, Bruce."

"A habit of mine," Bruce admitted.

"I hope that isn't the only reason for this talk."

"No, it's not. I wanted to offer you… another job. One that… is admittedly more dangerous and time consuming."

"I'm listening."

"I trained and still monitor the current Batman," Bruce declared. "Along with his partners. I wanted to begin… to train you in the task of monitoring and aiding them."

Tiana sat frozen in place. "Mr. Wayne. I hope you understand that this is something I would absolutely want to do, and I hope you realize how serious I'm taking this."

"I do. And I'm serious, as well. I admit… it won't be easy. You'll have to do things you're not entirely comfortable with, bordering on and absolutely crossing the line of illegal a good amount of times. And you'll be working with some real troublemakers."

"I like the sound of this already."

Bruce chuckled a bit. "Tia. If you're serious… it'll be dangerous, I can't overstate that enough. I'll make every preparation to make sure you, your ex-husband, and your children are protected. But…"

"Mr. Wayne," Tiana interrupted, "if I may?"

Bruce stopped and nodded.

"My family has always believed in Batman. Because of you… and even just because we've seen the affect Batman has had on Gotham. I can pretty much guess who's under the mask now, but… if you need more help… if you need me… I am more than happy to help. Because… because our family… has always loved the Waynes. And… my grandfather and my father… always trusted you. And to be perfectly honest… I'm starting to get there, myself."

"I see your conviction."

Tiana smiled.

"Are you truly prepared for this?"

"Yes. I… Granddad always said he would've done more if he could've have. Dad wanted to help the current Batman, even when Foxteca was a separate company, but he knew it wasn't his place. I want to help. And, honestly, I'm probably your safest choice. The kids are off at college, and I do nothing but work, anyway. Helping Batman and the others make Gotham safer… I can't think of a more noble cause."

Bruce could hear and feel her sincerity. It reminded him of Lucius, Sr. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely positive," Tiana answered.

Bruce stood up. "Follow me."

Bruce walked toward the grandfather clock and Tiana followed after him. Bruce opened the clock and led Tiana down to the cave; as they reached the final step, the lights in the Cave began to come on in stages. Tiana stared at in wonder as the wonders of the Cave were illuminated. She looked over to where the Batmobile was parked to see Terry, Basem, Hayate, and Michelle relaxing on the launch pad. Terry even gave Tiana a wave.

Tiana returned the wave. "Wow," she whispered.

Bruce turned to Tiana. "Welcome to our world, Tia." He extended his hand to her.

Tiana looked at Bruce, smiled, and shook his hand, "It's an honor, Mr. Wayne."

"You call me 'Bruce' from now on."

"Understood… Bruce."