Sparks | (nolanverse AU)

ONE - LATE BIRD

The blaring alarm clock jolted me awake, my heart racing as I glanced at the time—7:00 AM. Panic surged through me. We had exactly thirty minutes to get Helena to Gotham Academy. I scrambled out of bed, pulling on jeans and a sweatshirt over my pajamas, hardly the image of a meticulous planner.

"Helena!" I called as I raced into the kitchen. Helena was already dressed in her Gotham Academy uniform—a blue and gold outfit now splattered with milk. She sat at the table, looking forlornly at the mess of soggy cereal and spilled milk.

"Mommy, my breakfast is everywhere," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

I tried to stay calm. "It's okay, sweetheart. We'll clean it up later. Right now, we need to get you to school."

I wiped up the worst of the spill with a dishcloth, tossing Helena's backpack into the car, along with some snacks and a water bottle. The Toyota Prius, our old reliable, was parked outside, looking as tired as I felt.

I started the engine, but the car sputtered and stalled.

"Seriously?" I muttered, gripping the steering wheel. Helena, already in the passenger seat, looked at me with a mix of impatience and annoyance.

"This stupid car," Helena grumbled. "And now my bag is all wet. My books are going to be ruined!"

I sighed, trying to maintain my composure. "Helena, we don't call things 'stupid.' It's just having a rough day. And I'm sure we can find a way to get your books dry."

She crossed her arms, visibly frustrated. "At least the milk stain is gone, but now everything else is soaked."

I nodded, keeping my voice steady. "I know it's not ideal. Let's focus on getting the car fixed first, and then we'll deal with your bag and books. We'll get it sorted, promise."

As I stepped out into the pouring rain, the realization hit me: no one would think twice about me being a former FBI agent in this state. Here I was, drenched in a worn-out sweatshirt, my hair a mess, and my jeans splattered with mud. To the outside world, I was just a harried mom struggling with a busted car and a wet bag.

It was almost perfect. The drab, ordinary appearance served as the best cover I could ask for. I might have once navigated high-stakes operations and intricate investigations, but right now, I was just another frazzled parent in the middle of a rainy morning fiasco.

I popped the hood of the Prius and peered inside, trying to spot the issue. Helena watched from the car, her frustration slowly melting away as she started splashing around in the puddles.

Just then, a tow truck rolled up beside us. The driver rolled down his window, offering a friendly wave.

"Need a hand?" he called out over the rain.

I waved back, relief washing over me. "Yes, please! We're running late and could really use some help."

As the driver worked on the car, I joined Helena outside. We danced and splashed in the puddles, the rain soaking us both but lifting our spirits. It wasn't the morning I had planned, but seeing Helena's smile made it worth it.

When the car was finally fixed, I thanked the tow truck driver with a grateful smile. "Thanks so much for your help."

"No problem," he said with a chuckle. "Just keep that rain dance going; it's good for the soul."

With Helena's laughter filling the car and the rain still coming down, we headed toward Gotham Academy.

***

The drive home was uneventful, and as I pulled into the driveway, I felt a wave of relief. It had been a long day, and the chaos of the morning was finally behind me. I was looking forward to a quiet evening with Helena.

Once inside, I immediately headed for the shower. The warm water was a welcome relief, washing away the stress and the lingering traces of the day's adventures. After a quick but thorough shower, I dressed in a modest, demure outfit that was perfect for my role as an archivist. I chose a soft beige blouse and a knee-length skirt, adding a pair of prescription glasses that completed the look. It was my way of blending into the background, a quiet testament to the ordinary life I led.

I took the monorail this time around to work, clocking in right on time. The Archives were a quiet sanctuary, and I was immersed in organizing a set of old blueprints when the door opened with a soft whoosh. I looked up to see Mr. Fox stepping in, his crisp attire and confident stride unmistakable.

"Evening, Andrea," he greeted with a warm smile. "I was on my way to the Applied Sciences lab and thought I'd stop by."

"Mr. Fox," I said, standing and smoothing down my skirt. "What brings you here?"

"I heard about the car trouble you had earlier. Everything sorted out?" he inquired, his concern genuine.

I gave a small, weary smile. "The Prius had a bit of a meltdown, but it's fine now."

"That's good to hear. If you're ever in a bind, you can borrow the Tumbler in Applied Sciences," he offered.

I raised an eyebrow, a light laugh escaping me. "That's very generous, but I think fitting a car seat in that beast would be a bit of a challenge."

Mr. Fox chuckled, shaking his head. "I suppose that's a fair point. Well, I'll let you get back to it. I've got a meeting in Applied Sciences that I can't be late for."

"Of course," I replied, nodding. "Thanks for stopping by, Mr. Fox."

He gave a courteous nod and headed out, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he made his way to the basement levels where the Applied Sciences Department was located.

Little did I know, a storm was headed my way.