If Souls Return (Then Tell Them I Say Hi) - Tony Stark's Daughter in Gotham

Chapter 20: Don't Meet Your Heroes

Bruce tapped his fingers on the table, desperate for the Wayne Enterprises board meeting to end. Lucius picked up on his impatience from where he sat at the end of the table and sighed while one of the board members continued to rant.

"I'm sure we can work on sending you over the numbers if you have any concerns," Lucius Fox told the other man trying to wrap up the meeting. He stood up quietly motioning for Bruce to do the same.

Though the board member didn't look pleased, with one of Bruce's infamous Batglares, they backed off from arguing further. "I guess that will have to do."

Lucius thanked everyone for attending before leaving with Bruce close behind. "You didn't have to do that," he said to Bruce when they were out of ear shot.

Bruce feigned obliviousness, even if it was obvious he was trying to get out of the conference room sooner rather than later. "Do what?"

"I had it handled. Jacobs is always like that when we introduce new initiatives. What's gotten under your skin anyways?"

Bruce groaned tired. Lucius knew him too well to hide much, having played a big part in keeping WE running since Bruce was young. "Lex Luthor was at the gala. I'm worried he's looking for a way to cause trouble for WE." He hadn't been able to uncover any other reason for the man to be in Gotham, which meant that Luthor looked like he was going to be a problem for Bruce Wayne instead of Batman.

"I did hear that actually. A few friends of mine say he's searching for a woman. Something about employment contracts. I doubt he'll be much of a bother with a project to keep him occupied."

They stopped in front of Bruce's office door. He was planning on finishing up a few things before heading home for the night. Ideally, he wouldn't have been at the office on the weekend, but the meeting had to be rescheduled at the last minute due to upcoming deadlines.

"That's interesting," Bruce said thinking on Lucius's words.

The older man shook his head. "I know it's not going to do any good saying this but try not to overanalyze things. I'm sure this is nothing that will involve the other guy," he said referring to Batman. With a promise that he would take care of things with Jacobs, Lucius left Bruce to his thoughts.

Bruce entered his office and sat down at the desk. He leaned in his chair popping his back and getting comfortable when someone knocked at the door.

It creaked open, and Tim poked his head in. Bruce hadn't even known the teen was in the building but wasn't surprised. Tim was worse at taking a break from work than he was.

"Am I interrupting?" Tim asked.

"Not at all, come in. Close the door." A part of Bruce hoped Tim was at his office for any reason other than work. It was unlikely, but Bruce could dream. "Something on your mind?"

"Just wanted to give you the latest quarterly earnings report." Tim dropped a file on his desk and looked like he was turning around to head right back out.

With his hopes washed away, Bruce spoke quickly to stop him from leaving. "I heard you went to visit the Teen Titans. How are they?" It was the first thing he could think of to say, remembering the odd alert from the Zeta Tube in Gotham. He had wondered why Tim didn't just use the one in the Batcave. He didn't think Tim would feel the need to hide that he was visiting his friends, but things had been so complicated recently that maybe Bruce had messed up more than he thought.

"They're good. You know, the usual," Tim said brushing him off.

"I'm happy you're taking some time to see your friends. You work too hard." Bruce meant it to be a lighthearted comment, but Tim sighed and flopped down in one of the chairs across from his desk.