"Bruce. Thomas. Wayne. Wake. Up!" Carly gave Bruce's shoulder another forceful shove. She'd been trying to wake him for a handful of minutes with poor results. He had never liked mornings, but he wasn't usually this difficult to arouse.

"BRUCE!" She shouted in his ear. That seemed to do the trick. He rolled over slowly and yawned.

"Why are you yelling at me, Car?" He took in her crossed arms and concerned expression. "Did something happen?" He tossed off his covers and sprung to his feet. "Where are Alfred and Dick?"

"Nothing's happened, yet." She assured. "The social worker is here. She wants to talk to you."

Downstairs, Dick was politely nibbling on a stack of double chocolate pancakes with a side of bacon. He looked up excitedly when Carly and Bruce stepped into the dining room. Alfred was standing dutifully by the doorway to the kitchen with his hands resting at his side. It felt formal and unfamiliar to the two adults who'd been raised by the man. Mrs. Clarke was sitting at the table, riffling through the paperwork she had brought with her. She looked up at the couple with poorly veiled criticism.

Carly, who was wearing the same sweatshirt she had the night before and a pair of grey sweatpants, decided that if she could meet the entire Justice League in her pajamas she could certainly face the disapproving gaze of Mrs. Clarke. Bruce didn't seem bothered at all by the situation. If he wanted to get up at ten am and have breakfast in his pajamas on a Sunday morning, that was his right. He walked over to the table and poured himself a cup of coffee. He offered Dick a smile over the brim of his mug before turning to the social worker.

"Good morning, Mrs. Clarke, was it? What brings you all the way out here?" He asked, selecting a piece of toast from the pile on the center of the table.

"It was not my intention to interrupt your breakfast, Mr. Wayne and if these delicate matters could wait, I would have. Is there somewhere private we can go at talk?" Bruce finished chewing his bite of toast before answering.

"I have a study down the hall. I'm sure you won't mind if Carly joins us? She's my legal counsel both privately and at work." He explained.

"You're not being arrested Mr. Wayne. There's no need for an attorney, but it is your house. Please lead the way to your study." Mrs. Clarke gathered her things and followed the couple out of the room. Bruce sat behind the desk in the study. It was the same desk his father had sat at before him and most likely his grandfather before that. Carly and Mrs. Clarke each sat in a leather chair across from the billionaire.

"I'm afraid things progressed so quickly last night that steps were skipped. Several in fact. And while social services is thankful for your interest in Mr. Greyson, there are many things we have to cover before he can be left in your care."

"I only want to give Dick a safe place to live until a permanent home can be found for him." Bruce knit his hands together and placed them on the desk.

"Do you know much about the Foster Care system, Mr. Wayne?" Bruce smirked.

"I'm afraid not, just as I expect you know nothing about running a technological empire."

"Bruce!" Carly scolded him. "I apologize, Mrs. Clarke. I think everyone in this room has Dick's best interests at heart. Please understand that both mine and Mr. Wayne's parents died when we were very young. He was lucky enough to be placed kinship care with Mr. Pennyworth."

"I'm very aware of the Wayne family's recent history, that doesn't make him fit to be the guardian of a ten-year-old boy."

"You didn't allow me to finish." Carly said with all calmness of a practiced Pennyworth. "I was going to add that I myself spent some time in the Foster Care system. I also did a large share of research work in college on the matter . I know that the process is difficult, but I think I speak for both of us when I say that we will do everything we can to work with the city and make sure Dick gets the care that he needs."

"The first stage is getting background checks for any adults who would be living here at this residence. That includes the pair of you and Mr. Pennyworth I assume?" Mrs. Clarke began shuffling through her paperwork for the background check forms.

"Carly doesn't live here in the manor." Bruce frowned.

"Oh, I just assumed…" The social worker looked up from her files.

"He means I don't live here yet." Carly jumped in. "I'm in the process of moving in, we haven't exactly finalized the details."

"Well, in that case," She cast her eyes back down. "You can either fill out the form now or after you've officially moved in. But the process can take up two weeks. During which time I'm afraid Mr. Greyson will not be able to reside in the home. Then there are the home inspections, an official application of intent, six-week long training process, request to foster a specific child, it is a lengthy process."

"One which we are fully prepare to take on." Carly was confident. She knew the worst thing they could do for Dick was give him a false sense of hope, only to give up when things got too difficult.

"Then you'll each need to take one of these and one for Mr. Pennyworth. This is the first stage in the process. Now, As I've said." Mrs. Clarke handed Bruce three copies of a background check form. "I'm very sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid Richard is going to have to come with me."

"Why in the world…" She held her hand up effectively silencing Bruce.

"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne but this is not negotiable. We are extremely grateful that you were able to provide Richard with a place to stay last night. But there is a way of doing things I cannot, will not, bend or break the rules just because you have more money than anyone else in this town."

"We understand. If it's alright, I'd like to tell him myself." Carly asked, getting to her feet. "He's a very shy kid, I think he would understand best if it came from me." The social worker pursed her lips together in disapproval. It was obvious she didn't want to afford Carly this liberty, but for some reason she agreed anyway.

"Very well. If you like I could conduct a preliminary inspection of the home with Mr. Wayne while you talk. Just a short list of what we are usually looking for and a few small things to change while we get the process started." Mrs. Clarke gathered her paperwork and waited for Bruce to escort her from the room. At in the entrance hall, Dick's head was poking out from the dining room doorway.

"Carly, is everything alright?" He questioned in a small voice. Carly felt her chest muscles tighten as his blue eyes looked up at her with worry.


wolfmus prime, IDK about real life social workers, but Mrs. Clarke is certainly not the friendliest. She's good at her job but personality wise she is the worst.

Maple Sparks, in my mind Dick is small for his age too! We'll probably get to see some of Alfred's perspective in the situation next chapter. I hope your math went well.

Thank you to wolfmus prime and Maple Sparks for your reviews of Chapter 18. There will be new chapters soon everyone! :D