AN: The hardest thing about writing right now is reminding myself these are chapters and I need to cut them off at some point before they go way too long, or make too many plot advancements without checking in on what's going on a few states away 😅

I do want to note that a lot of my employee choices for Wayne Enterprise is solely whoever I google that has had the role at some point, and picking my fave.

Life was hectic, just as it usually was for Bruce Wayne. Juggling the double life he leads was stress enough, but adding on top of it the Amity Park set, made it just a bit harder. Bruce found himself being reminded by Alfred more often to take a break. It went as far as his kids off-handedly mentioning it to him when they visit. Yet, Bruce's mind was too preoccupied with two specific names.

Danny Fenton and Vlad Masters.

With Vlad, things were complicated. Tim's research had uncovered a plethora of hidden clues. Pieces of a puzzle that made everything fit almost seamlessly together. Of course Bruce was still missing specific details, the more specific got, the harder it was to find. Bruce was certain that Vlad was a metahuman. The accident had to have changed him.

Something about the man's new abilities was likely the reason he managed to become rich over night. Paired with his impeccable ability to sniff out the weaknesses of his competition. It still left Masters shrouded in mystery, but it was a mystery Bruce was pulling into the light. There was more, a lot more in the information Tim gave him.

Things that had Bruce's skin crawling at just the implications of it alone. He didn't have the time to pull apart every wrong thing Vlad has under his belt. Not yet. He needed to get enough evidence, enough solid proof. Something that Masters wouldn't be able to just wave away with a simple excuse. Taking down Masters was going to take some time and thorough planning.

As much as Bruce would love to handle it with a swiftness, nip it in the bud, he knew he couldn't. Vlad was much too smart, much to meticulous to make it that easy. Much less with the influence and fear he had throughout the business world, things just couldn't be easy. In the end, it didn't matter. Bruce was going to do everything he could to save the world from Vlad Masters.

As much as Bruce would love to be holed up in the cave, working on things day and night, he knew better. He's gone a long way the way he used to handle things, and he wasn't going to slip back. Not now. Not after all the work his kids, Alfred, and himself put into this family. It's truly the only reason Bruce was eating his breakfast in the dining room, still in his pajamas, and still half-asleep.

"Hey B, you got a sec?"

Which also left Bruce open for any kids currently in the manor to find him. He barely had to look up, recognizing the voice and step patterns instantly. Still in the middle of a bite, Bruce made a confirming noise, motioning to the seat across from him. Despite knowing that Jason was going to stay standing. It was clear it was a quick chat, especially once Bruce actually looked up and saw the phone pressed to Jason's ear.

"Any open internships at Wayne Enterprise? Manson has been asking around, but no one seems open."

It takes Bruce's still sluggish mind a moment to piece together who Jason was talking about. Manson... that was the family with the old money. They usually pop up during galas or auctions. Usually keeping a low profile, but still being a well enough name in the community. Bruce needed to get better at remembering with kids of rich people his kids had befriended.

If Bruce was remembering right, Samantha Manson was their daughter. Their rebellious goth daughter, which seemed right up Jason's alley. Bruce nodded, wiping his face with a napkin as he turned to face Jason.

"Yea, I'm sure Lucius could find an opening somewhere. Does Sam have much experience?"

She really didn't need to be all that experienced, if she was willing to learn than Bruce was more than happy to give her an internship. It was no problem, and if Jason was asking, it had to be somewhat important. Bruce couldn't quite remember where the Manson family was located, they always seemed to be traveling, and Bruce only ever reached out to them for fundraising auctions.

"Nah, not for her. She's got this friend she's trying to help. Apparently his great at mechanical engineering. Can he get a spot, or not?"

"Okay. Just tell her to have him call me or the company, mention Manson, and we'll find something."

And with that, Jason was off to do whatever it is he was doing. Bruce didn't really pay attention to what it was Jason said into the phone as he walked away. It had been a struggle, but Bruce was getting better at letting his kids have their privacy. He didn't need to know absolutely everything about their lives, not when it only caused turmoil in the past. Bruce made a mental note to speak with Lucius once he got back to the office.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Wayne. But the security is having a bit of an issue with the new system, and it doesn't seem like they can get it themselves..."

Another problem, like any other day. Bruce had barely even settled down when the nervous assistant knocked on his door. He would say he was a scary person, but Bruce couldn't but feel like all his employees were always so hesitant to speak to him. He could understand it, he had all the power, do anything to piss him off and Bruce could fire you in an instant.

Except, Bruce has never really done it. Not without it being massively warranted. He figured by now his track record would have put his employees at ease. He wasn't exactly a fan of them always speaking to him like he was holding the string to a guillotine they were trapped in. Maybe he should give them all a raise, or a bonus? That was a thought conversation for another time, Bruce would just have to reach out to a few people, maybe they'll have some good ideas. Maybe Oliver would.

As for the problem, it seemed pretty simple. A security keycard hadn't been activated prior to usage, which sent the system a red alert when it was attempted to be use. Bruce really does need to get everyone up to date on this system. He didn't think it would have been much of an issue, a lot of the new adjustments were more internal than external. He hadn't expected it to make his employees lives more complicate.

So Bruce took a little trip down to the security office, it seemed like Bruce was going to visiting the family today at this route. It went smoothly, just as it does whenever Bruce had to speak to one of the Fox family members. A quick chat with Luke, and Bruce had the retraining session in the schedule. If this doesn't fix the problem, than Bruce might as well just redo the system all together.

As annoying as that would be, it was much better than hearing about another security issue so often. The system was supposed to take care of itself, only alert when the problem was immediate or legit. Bruce figured tonight, when he was back at the cave, he would run his own diagnostic. Make sure the issue was user error and nothing else.

With Vlad breathing down his neck, Bruce couldn't be too careful. Bruce still needed to pinpoint Masters exact abilities, and figure out how he used them to bring down full empires. Wayne Enterprise is as solid of a company as it could be, but Bruce also knew that in the world of business those odds can change very quickly if you aren't paying attention enough.

The drop down to Lucius went just as smoothly. Bruce hadn't realized it, with everything going on, but a good bit of their interns have left to pursue other job options, having spent as long as they needed under Wayne Enterprise. That didn't bother Bruce at all, the most he ever really wants for his employees is to find something they'd enjoy.

With Wayne Enterprise's competitive pay and benefits, applications weren't an uncommon thing. It's not exactly hard to fill in emptied positions, and Bruce knew that simply by how often he can see a new face wondering the halls of the company. His hiring department never had many issues. However, when it came to interns, Bruce liked to get the opinion of the person who would likely work closely with the interns.

"Well, how good is this kid?"

Bruce probably should have asked more questions when Jason approached him. But Bruce also knew that Lucius was just as good at judging characters as his own family. After all, Lucius didn't just work for Bruce Wayne, he worked for Batman too. Lucius was a big stepping stone it getting Batman to where he was today, and Bruce will always feel grateful for the man.

"Not sure, but he's supposedly got a knack for mechanical engineering... trial period?"

It really didn't take much for Lucius to agree to a new intern. Especially these days with less help needed with the Batman tech. Of course, Lucius did scold him slightly for not being more thorough. After all, how was he supposed to find out if this new intern is a plant if Bruce doesn't vet them first. It was all in good nature, Bruce and Lucius had more than enough of an understanding.

Besides, Bruce would be surprised if Vlad had any hands in the Manson family. They were largely out of the realm of Vlad's usual choices by the seems of it. He went after families that had a stake in something, and the Manson's were the epitome of a stake free, risk free, carefree rich family. Too many investments, royalties that kept them up float with little to no fear whatsoever.

There was only one thing that Bruce was making a point to try an ignore as he went through his normal routine. Danny. His mind still couldn't help drifting off to thinking about the teen. Wondering all the same questions and concerns that always filled his mind. But also, the way Danny only seemed to grow more intertwined in Vlad's life the more that Bruce unlocks.

It would be so easy for Bruce to set up an alert system, to get updates anytime something changes or comes up under Danny's name. If this had been years ago, Bruce might have done that. He wouldn't have thought twice about it. But now, Bruce knew he can't overstep. It's not his place to. That didn't make the concern and care he felt any easier to deal with.

Bruce still couldn't tell how he felt that the communicator had yet to be used. It was complicated, a good and bad thing all at once. Bruce couldn't know how Danny was doing now. If the presentation went well, if his parents were doing alright, if Jazz got into any colleges, or if bullies were still a massive issue. Bruce felt like he knew so much about Danny, but he also knew he barely knew anything.

As the days ticked by with no word from Danny, Bruce found himself thinking about the teen more. Settling down for the night, and always looking towards the communicator. Bruce could reach out. It was a two-way communicator after all. He could try to ring Danny on it.

But what if Danny threw it away? What if Danny never found it? Or if Danny kept it buried deep and far, and there was no way for Bruce to actually get into contact with him?

Those questions... Bruce didn't want to find out the answer for. As smart and observant as Bruce can be, he wasn't perfect. The park meetings might not have been much for Danny as it had been for Bruce. The man hadn't realized how much he actually needed it until it was over. For Danny, Bruce could have just been something the teen put up with.

But that wasn't a thought line that Bruce wanted to get into. He wanted to keep thinking, believing, that those night time chats helped the both of them in ways they hadn't expected. Bruce focused on the moments where it was clear that it help Danny. Bruce thought back to the last time he had spoken with the teen. The night ending in a hug, something that hadn't happened any other night.

Bruce pointedly didn't think about why Danny hadn't shown up the following night, on Batman's last night in Amity. Didn't think about what he had seen between Vlad and Danny that night. A thought did cross Bruce's mind though, he could reach out to Danny as Bruce Wayne. Offer the teen an internship at Wayne Enterprise, chalk it up to how much Bruce liked the little bit of Danny's work he had seen.

It was logical, it made sense. But it might also still be overreaching. Bruce knew he probably needed another opinion before he did anything. If anyone, he might talk to Alfred, the older man was never afraid to tell Bruce outright if he was being stupid. Especially if Bruce asks him for the honest opinion.

It didn't matter either way. All of it was for another day, Bruce will deal with it tomorrow. Instead, he slipped the communicator back into his nightstand. Settling down for bed, and trying not to think about the million and one things he had to deal with in the following days and months.