Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

He gently stroked his son's hair back off his face even as the kid coughed wetly. He couldn't scold him for what he'd done, not when he'd saved them all, but his body hadn't needed the extra strain. He whimpered, and Jack gently gathered him into his arms. "It's alright Danno, I'm here," he murmured.

So far, the miracle with the elevator seemed to have been brushed off and the Wayne's hadn't mentioned his opening the doors. He'd had to use all his considerable strength to do so, not something he often had to do. He understood now what their lax safety measure had done to their whole family. It was only because the wore the hazmat suits all the time that the home defences hadn't targeted them as well but they'd been blind to it all…too obsessed.

Once, going Ghost had been as easy as breathing for Danny but now…it had been a week and he was still suffering. His son, the hero no one could ever know about.

,

"Hello Bruce," Barbara greeted the man with a smile. It was odd for him to seek her out like this and it had her concerned.

"Hello Babs," he leant down and kissed her cheek. "Busy day?"

"The busiest," she teased, waving a hand at the mostly empty library. "What brings you by?"

"I was hoping for help on an employee project."

"Okay, I'm curious." She leant back in her chair.

"A recent hire has a son the same age as Damian. He was recently left disabled to the point that it is all but impossible for him to leave their apartment," he explained and she winced, that could cover a lot of things, even just being permanently on crutches given the state of a lot of Gotham apartment buildings.

"And?" She had a feeling she might just know where this was going.

"I want to being working on affordable housing for those with disabilities. I was thinking of renovating an apartment building to start with."

"Start small, for you anyway, and see how it goes," she nodded. "So, you want my input on the changes I've had done, what works well and what needs better designs?"

He nodded.

"Sure thing."

"Thank you."

Honestly, she was surprised he hadn't done something like this before. He'd given money to help with her rehab and the fixing up of the Gordon home and then her apartment after all. And the Clocktower was all Wayne money too.

,

Danny smiled as his Dad presented him with a cake, sparklers on top of it. He'd done it! He'd finished high school. It wasn't how it was meant to be, no walking across the stage with his family cheering…no friends…nothing but him and Dad. Sometimes it felt like his Core would shatter under the weight of his grief, but he couldn't do that to him. His dad promised that even if he became a full ghost, he would still love him, that it wouldn't change anything. But a shattered Core? He would cease to exist; he would be Ended.

"I'm so proud of you," Dad grinned at him, ruffling his hair, and Danny leant into the touch.

"Thanks," he whispered, he only ever whispered anymore. "Cake now!" he demanded and his Dad laughed.

He loved seeing his Dad happy again. He'd wondered if he ever would be, after Mo… Maddie. Jazz would have known what to say, how to help, but she was gone now. Tucker and Val were protecting Amity, he was her guy in the chair now, though he'd fried her tech at first in warning apparently. He wondered how they were doing but they didn't dare look into Amity Park, it was too big a risk. As far as they knew, Vlad had bought the cover story but Danny would never really feel safe from the older halfa. Surely, he'd lose interest in him though if they ever met again. Sam…Sam made his Core ache in a similar way that Maddie did. He'd trusted her!

No! Not thinking about that. Tonight was a happy night.

,

Tim blinked and then popped his head into the other lab, seeing Jack Nightingale practically dancing on the spot as he worked away. "Good day?" he called curiously.

The man turned, flushing slightly in embarrassment. "Oh, Mr Wayne…I didn't see you there."

"I didn't mean to intrude," Tim shook his head.

"No intrusion. Are you feeling better now?" the man's gaze went to his head, and Tim found his fingers brushing over where the wound had been, thankful that his hair hid the scar.

"All healed," he promised. "Thanks for protecting Damian, he's a prickly little thing but he's my little brother."

That got a chuckle. "Siblings."

Tim just shrugged. "So…good day?"

"Uh, we had a little party last night. Danno has officially graduated!" he stated proudly.

"That's great!" Tim grinned at him, happy for the family. With all the tragedy they'd gone through, they deserved some happy news.

"He's already planning his application for Gotham University."

"They've got some really great programs," Tim told him, though he'd probably already looked into it. He'd considered going a few years back; to try something more normal but he just never had the time. "With him working with you on things, do you think he'd like to try something new?"

The look in Nightingale's eyes was wary now though most probably wouldn't notice. "Like?"

"Well, would he like to work on other projects as well? From home," Tim quickly assured him, even if the thought of someone so young stuck at home made him feel horrible. Did he have a counsellor of some type to help him? He had to be a huge risk for depression. "It could be an internship till he starts class then he could drop it if it's too much or keep going if he's comfortable."

,

Jack stared at the young man he worked for. A paid internship that he could work on from home. It…it sounded perfect. He understood why Danny refused to leave the apartment but he hated how cut off his son had become. But if he could connect with some of Jack's co-workers, at least it would be something, even if outside of the Wayne's, they were all considerably older than Danny.

"I'll talk to him," he finally answered.

"I'll write up an official offer so he can see what he'd be getting into. Have a good day."

Jack shook his head, it still felt strange to have such powerful people trying to help. He'd heard about the apartment building the elder Mr Wayne had bought and was having renovated for the disabled.

,

Danny stared at the official paperwork in shock. Tim Drake-Wayne himself had written the contract, Tucker would be so jealous if he knew! Did he want this? Could he do it? Helping Dad was one thing, but an official internship? Was it safe to have them both working for the Wayne's? They were meant to be laying low after all.

"It's your choice Danny, but this could be good for you. Start building a reputation, working with the people who could be your peers. Wayne Enterprises has an aerospace division after all."

"Yeah," he agreed and then coughed, rubbing his throat.

He read the contract again, no hidden clauses that he could spot…so he signed it and sent it back. He was now officially employed… Ancients! At least he didn't need a suit? Or did an internship count as actual employment.

,

Tim grinned as he went over the latest work coming from the other labs, seeing the name Danny Nightingale on several very interesting projects. Seemed he was just as talented as his work with his Dad had suggested. He was glad he'd thought of an at home internship for him. It would give the teen something to do while waiting to hear about his college admission and let him earn his own money too which most teens appreciated. Sure, his dad was making a very nice wage (even better than normal thanks to Bruce's meddling), but Tim knew from his siblings that most liked to have their own money. Money had never been a thing for him being the Drake heir and then taken in by B so he didn't see it the same way, the same as Damian since he'd never needed it in the League.

He was honestly surprised B hadn't done something like the apartment building remodel before. When Tim converted the Theatre, he'd made sure the apartments met all standards which included accessibility and earthquake but he hadn't thought of buying more buildings to do the same with. Maybe he should start, or should he leave that as a Brucie thing to be involved in?

,

Damian followed his father as they inspected the newly renovated building. It appeared to be good work but it was always best to check themselves. With the Wayne name involved, construction had mostly gone smoothly, for Gotham at least. The apartments were simple, clean and easy to maintain, secure as well.

"Will you be vetting applicants Father?" he asked, taking in the accessible bathroom.

"To a point, yes. We want to make sure these apartments go to those who truly need them."

Damian nodded, glad that they would be ensuring no one snuck in who didn't need this kind of help. They wandered into another apartment and Damian moved to the windows, taking in the view. "This one."

"Damian?"

"This is the one that should be allocated to the Nightingales. His son will surely appreciate the view," he explained. If he had not left the apartment they were currently in since they moved in then such a view of the Gotham skyscape would surely be something he would enjoy.

Father moved up to see what he had and then smiled at him. "Agreed."

,

Danny was wary, unsure, Vlad still a warning against the rich. But Bruce Wayne was known for doing this kind of thing. And it wasn't just for them, the whole building had been redone as housing for the disabled. He hated taking one of the places but it would let him be more independent.

He remained hidden in his room when the movers came, the apartments were furnished so they didn't need to pack anything except their personal belongings. He listened closely to the men as they worked, it didn't take long and then they were gone again. He slowly wheeled himself out into the main room and his Dad smiled at him.

"Ready?" Dad asked, and Danny nodded.

He got onto the couch and Dad collapsed the wheelchair, taking it down to the car. When he returned, Danny had his jacket on, the hood pulled up to conceal his face.

"Up we go," Dad grinned, and Danny rolled his eyes but let Dad lift him, curling into his chest.

He'd never gotten another growth spurt, never would now, and it made him feel like a kid when Dad picked him up and carried him around. The drive to the new building wasn't bad, even with Gotham's traffic, but it still felt strange being in a 'normal' car and not the GAV. Though, they had added some upgrades and extra security to it. The engine was completely green thanks to Danny, sadly it wasn't a workable option for the world at large since it required Ectoplasm. He knew that was part of what the GIW was after, or their backers anyway, 'green' energy, literally. But it couldn't happen, not without risking destabilising the Infinite Realms or taking Ghosts to drain theirs. But upgrading one car that Danny had access to? Piece of cake.

The new building had its own underground parking which was wonderful and soon he was being settled into his wheelchair. The elevator even played nice music! He was tired and Dad knew, pushing the chair for him.

Danny stared in shock at the apartment, everything was brand new and so clean…of course it was, this was all just finished but still…

"This is your room Danno," Dad cheerfully pushed him to the second bedroom and Danny took in the space, the bed designed with wheelchair users in mind, the large windows, study desk, tv….

"It's great," he whispered, smiling as Dad ruffled his hair.

"Get settled in and how about Pizza tonight?"

"Sounds good," he grinned.

,

"Jack," Bruce approached the other man who smiled at him.

"Mr Wayne."

"How's the new apartment, all settled in?"

"Yep, Danno loves it. I think his room is the biggest he's ever had. The new bed is a real help, gives him more independence."

Bruce nodded, that suggested the teen might be in a chair which would explain his issues at their old place. "That's good. Today's your first board presentation, ready for it?" he asked, he always checked in with people before their first presentation, made sure they knew they had someone in the room on their side. It helped eased nerves a bit.

"Got it all…fudge," the man grimaced, and then looked to the clock. "Uh…there's not enough time to get to the apartment and back, is there?"

"No," Bruce admitted after checking the time. "You left something at home? Is it vital?"

"Yeah," Jack grimaced.

Bruce frowned and pulled out his phone, checking the location of his children. "Damian is close to the building. He could grab it and make it here in time," he offered.

Jack hesitated but then grabbed his phone making a call. "Hey Danno. Yeah, everything's fine kiddo. Can you see the second bag anywhere? Yeah, no…Mr Wayne's son, Damian is going to come pick it up. No, you don't have to let him in, you can pass it through the door. It's okay," he soothed.

Bruce swallowed but called Damian.

,

Damian stood in the elevator, annoyed, but also curious. He knew Timothy wanted to meet Danny Nightingale due to the work he'd been submitting. Would Damian get to meet him? Father had said he likely wouldn't be admitted to the apartment. A fear of social situations, Anthropophobia, or was it simply that he did not wish people to see whatever the accident had done to him? This was Gotham, it was unlikely any scars would get a second look. But they weren't from Gotham so it would take time to realise and accept that.

The elevator arrived on the top floor and he stepped out, heading for the correct apartment where he knocked firmly. "Danny Nightingale? This is Damian Wayne, I am here to collect your father's bag," he announced at a volume he hoped would be heard through the door.

There was silence and then the sound of the door unlocking. It opened slightly and a pale hand appeared, the rest of the arm covered by a long sleeve. Damian reached out for the bag.

"Thank you. There is a very nice but not expensive Italian restaurant just down the block, would you like to join me for lunch?" he offered. He knew Father and Timothy were concerned for the boy and the fact he apparently never went out.

And then he heard a familiar soft sound, ah! A wheelchair. Was he perhaps still self-conscious about it? "Or perhaps I could bring you some take out from there once I deliver the bag?" he suggested instead. He wasn't sure why but the idea of someone his age, having been trapped in a car with his dead mother and dying sister…it was a nightmare.

He had grown a lot since coming to Gotham, he saw the worth in others and loved his family. If he lost any of them…compassion, that was what he felt for Danny.

"'Kay," came a soft whisper from the apartment.

Damian smirked, pleased to have gotten a response and soon he was on his way to hand over the bag.

,

What was he doing? Danny stared at the closed door. Had he really agreed to that? No, it would be fine. Why would Damian Wayne actually bring him food? It was silly, he'd forget all about it once at the office with his dad. He seemed very different to how the papers said, but those were old papers. It had been what, eight years? Of course he'd be different to how he seemed then, plus the press didn't always show people in the best light. He knew that well from all the horrible articles on Phantom.

He wheeled away from the door and got himself onto the couch, grimacing at the pain. Today was not a good day. He reached for the injection kit, the soft green glow reflecting off his face as he carefully measured a dose and then injected it. It was a stopgap measure at best. He knew what he actually needed, he just…had no way of getting it. Even gathering enough for the injections was difficult. A few days in the Realms would do a lot for his healing, time in the Far Frozen would be for the best. Why hadn't Clockwork intervened? Was this how it was meant to be? The best timeline? What could be wor…no, he knew what would be worse.

Danny relaxed back into the cushions as the filtered ectoplasm went to work, moving through his body, pushing his healing just a little further, dulling the pain.

,

He stared down into the lab where everyone was working diligently. They were making good progress. It was a pity they had lost Jack Fenton; he was the engineer of the two but Maddie thankfully had a good memory. She remembered a lot of the necessary schematics and she was determined to make it work. Ghosts had taken her family from her and she was very eager to make them pay. She was too fanatical even for them though. He wanted Phantom to study, she wanted it destroyed for her family. It was understandable but would not be allowed to happen. If she got in the way, then she would be removed, as simple as that.

TBC…