Sparks | (nolanverse AU)

FOUR - NEW FRIEND

As I guided Bruce Wayne through the gleaming corridors of Wayne Enterprises, I couldn't help but admire the high-tech environment around us. The Applied Sciences Department was renowned for its cutting-edge innovations, and today, I was leading Bruce right to the heart of it all.

"Well, here we are," I said, stopping in front of a sleek glass door with the "Applied Sciences" logo. I glanced at Bruce, a small smile on my lips. "I wanted to thank you for your intervention last night. It was unexpected, but definitely appreciated."

Bruce's expression remained composed, but there was a subtle shift in his eyes, as if he was weighing how much to reveal. "It was nothing. Just doing what needed to be done."

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "For someone who's usually so low-profile, you have a knack for making an impact. Especially when it comes to fire escapes and unexpected rescues."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "I suppose I have a tendency to be in the right place at the right time."

"I'd say so," I agreed, nodding. "The Archives keep a comprehensive inventory of everything we have in Applied Sciences, so I'd recommend you ask Lucius Fox about the memory cloth. It makes for a more graceful landing and less crashing onto fire escapes, I'd reckon."

Bruce's eyes lit up with interest. "Memory cloth? That sounds intriguing."

"It is," I confirmed, opening the elevator door to the Applied Sciences Department. "Mr. Fox will be able to give you the details you need."

Twenty minutes later, the cabinets let out a violent shake, and I knew that Bruce Wayne was testing out the Tumbler. I leveled him a look as he came out of the elevator. "The bridging mechanism doesn't work. My cabinets felt the tremor of a tiny quake."

Bruce Wayne gave me a wry grin. "Nothing gets past you, does it?"

I gave him a smirk. "I have a five-year-old daughter. It's a prerequisite to have eyes in the back of my head."

Bruce chuckled softly. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip on the memory cloth."

"No problem," I replied. "If you need anything else, you know where to find me."

"Actually, I have something in mind. I'd like to discuss details on what's happening in Gotham and could use someone to bounce ideas off of. Perhaps over dinner at my place?" He suggested.

"I need to pick my daughter up from her piano lesson, would it be a problem to bring her over?"

"Not at all." Bruce shook his head.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Gotham, Helena and I arrived at Wayne Manor. Alfred greeted us at the door with his characteristic warmth, his presence a comforting reminder of the old world we had left behind.

"Good evening, Miss Carmichael, Miss Helena," Alfred said, ushering us into the grand foyer. "Master Bruce is expecting you."

We followed him into the dining room, where Bruce was already waiting. The room was elegant, with a large dining table set for three. Bruce greeted us with a genuine smile.

"Evening, Andrea. Helena," he said, guiding us to our seats. "I hope you're hungry."

Helena's eyes sparkled as she looked around the opulent dining room. "This place is amazing!"

Bruce chuckled. "Glad you think so. Let's get started with dinner."

The meal was delightful, with Alfred's culinary skills on full display. We enjoyed a rich array of dishes, from a perfectly cooked roast to a selection of fresh vegetables. Throughout dinner, Bruce and I made small talk with Helena piping in between.

After dinner, Bruce said he wanted to show me something work related, meanwhile Alfred kept Helena occupied with the grand piano in the foyer while he showed me around.

Bruce then led me to a study of sorts where he played three off tune keys to open a secret door, which housed an elevator. "This way. I want to show you the upgrades we've been working on."

We descended the elevator to a cave. Normal people had basements. Shady people had skeletons in their closet. Apparently that wasn't the case for certain folks. The cavernous space was filled with high-tech equipment and the soft hum of various devices. The air was cool, and the lights flickered on as we entered.

Bruce gestured to a central platform with several tables laid out with blueprints and various pieces of high-tech equipment. "This is the main workspace. We're in the process of upgrading the technology."

I walked over to one of the tables and examined the plans. "Suit upgrades, huh?"

Bruce leaned against a nearby table. "I could use some help if you aren't busy."

I glanced around the Batcave, taking in the scope of the operation. "I'm hardly busy. This is a much more interesting workload."

We began discussing the suit upgrades. Bruce's focus was sharp, and his clear explanations made it easy to understand the various technological enhancements. We worked together, refining the designs and discussing practical applications.

Occasionally, I could hear Helena's music, Clair de Lune drifting down from the foyer. Bruce's expression softened slightly as he listened to the melody. "It's nice to have some normalcy around here," he said.

I nodded, appreciating the contrast between the high-tech world of the Batcave and the soothing presence of Helena's music. "It really is."

As we continued working on the suit upgrades, Bruce's gratitude was evident. "Thanks for your help tonight, Andrea. It's been really productive."

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Glad I could contribute. And thanks again for having us over."

With that, Bruce and I returned to the foyer where Helena was finishing her piano piece. Her face was glowing with excitement.

"Can we come back and play again sometime?" Helena asked eagerly.

Bruce's smile widened. "Absolutely. You're always welcome here."

We said our goodbyes to Bruce and Alfred, and headed back to the car. The night was calm, and as I drove home with Helena, I reflected on the enjoyable turn the evening had taken.