This Is My Future

Chapter 49

Tim's P.O.V

I sighed scooping the last of my cereal into my mouth.

"Morning Tim," Bruce said, greeting me with a gentle pop on the head with his rolled up news paper.

"Morning," I muttered into the bowl as I slurped up the milk.

Bruce sat down on the bench across from me and began reading his paper.

I layed my head on the table, hiding my phone under the table and watching the screen as I scrolled through the Blüdhaven News.

The accident was almost a month ago today, Bruce still doesn't know, and I haven't called Dick once, not even texted him. I feel terrible, but I don't know what to say.

Bruce's watch began beeping and I looked up. He killed the alarm and stood up with a groan. He got a cracked rib last night from a fight with Two Face that I wasn't there for.

"I got to get to work," he said.

I nodded faintly, looking at my phone when it dinged.

"Who texted?" He asked.

"No one," I lied. Though it was a text from Garfield; just like Dick, I gave my best friend my number, even though I wasn't supposed to. "Just a news buzz."

Bruce nodded and sighed, "Hey."

"Hm?" I hummed not looking up as I returned the text.

"Want to come with me today?"

I frowned and looked at him, "What?"

"You heard me. You've been sticking yourself here for the last month, only leaving for school and patrol."

"So?"

"So, you're coming with me. Get dressed," Bruce ordered.

I groaned, "Fine..."

I got dressed quickly and ran down the stairs, so Bruce wouldn't be late.

"Ready kiddo?" Bruce asked.

I nodded and followed him to the car.

I was distracted, texting Garfield the whole ride to the foundation.

"Who are you talking to?" Bruce asked.

"No one."

He sighed and pulled into the parking lot of the Wayne Foundation. I got out, still texting. Bruce grabbed my shoulder and led me inside. We were quickly bombarded by a bunch of secretaries and division workers.

Bruce pulled me against him, so I wouldn't get trampled. He pushed out of the crowd and got us to the elevator.

"If you can give me some time for a few meetings I can try and get you to the department I know you'll like," Bruce said, fixing his tie.

I nodded, still texting.

I followed Bruce to his office.

"Stay here for a few buddy," Bruce said opening the door. "I got a meeting in two minutes, down in Stock Management, then two more, one after another. I'll be a few hours. Then if we have time I'll take you to the department."

I nodded and sat in the big chair, "Go do your thing. I'll be here trying not to kill anyone."

Bruce chuckled, shaking his head. He closed the door and I heard his footsteps walk away.

After about ten minutes Gar stopped answering and I got bored; so, I decided to pass the time. I made a paper clip chain that measured up to thirty-seven point-six feet long. I started rolling the chair around the room, accidently hitting the wall and knocking down a picture of Bruce, Dick and I, when Bruce and Dick were on good terms. I decided to lay on the ground and shoot staples at the roof. Then, after pretending to be a crime boss for twenty minutes, I covered the ceiling to floor windows with sticky notes.

As I finished with the sticky note curtains, Bruce and Lucius walked in.

Bruce looked around. He looked at me and raised a brow.

Lucius began laughing, "I think your boy got bored."

"Obviously..." Bruce said looking at the staples in the ceiling.

I would've faked an innocent face, but Gar started texting me again.

Bruce chuckled, grabbed me by the shoulders, and led me out the door, following Lucius.

"Where are we going?" I asked, tucking my phone away.

"The Biotech Lab," Bruce said.

"Really?" I asked getting interested. Ever since I was little, biotechnology always peaked my interest, Bruce even said I'd make a good biotech engineer.

I followed Bruce and Lucius to the lab.

"So, what have you been working on?" I asked following them in.

"Mostly the usual," Bruce said.

Lucius nodded, "We have been working on something new to the company's lab, though."

"Yeah, what's that?" I muttered. "Nano-bots that recreate brain cells?"

"No...but you can bring that up when you enter the department."

I smiled faintly and nodded, "So...what's the product?"

Lucius stopped at a manufacturing table and picked something up off a protected stand.

I frowned at the small object, "A microchip? What's that supposed to do?"

"Not just a microchip, Tim," Bruce said.

"Then what?" I muttered.

Lucius held the small chip between two fingers and held it up to my eye. I noticed small wires protruding from the back of the chip, which told me, whatever it is needs to be implanted.

"What is it?" I asked again.

"A Spinal Cord Restoration Chip," Lucius said.

I froze, my eyes widening, "A what?"

"A Spinal Cord Restoration Chip," he repeated.

"Well, there's a smile I haven't seen in a month," Bruce chuckled.

It took me a second to realize he meant me, I was smiling and didn't realize it.

One of Bruce's secretaries walked in and took Bruce.

Lucius smiled at me, "Looks like you're happy about this."

"How could I not," I said, still smiling. "So many people can be helped."

Lucius nodded, putting the chip back on the stand.

I looked at the chip, "How long until it's ready for use?"

"Actually, we perfected it just last week."

I felt my heart skip a beat.

"So...let's say someone who was injured...I don't know...let's say five weeks ago, and would need the chip..."

"Could have one implanted into the break in the spinal cord, yes," Lucius nodded.

"And it will restore leg use!" I almost shouted.

Lucius flinched, but nodded, "That's what it's supposed to do, yes."

I bit my lips, excited.

"Are you okay, Tim?" He asked, "You look...drastically surprised."

I nodded, "I'm fine." I turned and ran away, "Bye Lucius! I'll see you later!"