devespertilio:
Barbara’s confusion couldn’t be missed and it had Bruce making a mental note to compose himself more. At least he could chalk these uncharacteristic urges up to be part of the persona, though it was odd when there was no-one else around. Once she’s in the elevator he follows and waits for the door to close before taking out his key-card to insert it through the slot, allowing access to the upper-level of the building.
“Don’t mistake this building as settling in, I need to give us an advantage if we’re going to survive this place with sanity intact that requires some form of revenue. This was the easiest thing to do, and it’s probably expected for those that might know Bruce Wayne.” They pass the fifth floor and continue upward, Bruce looks down at her with an unusual expression. Soft, sad, vulnerable. It’s gone within a second as his gaze firms.
“I was hoping to ask for your help in running Wayne Enterprises. Lucius obviously isn’t here, nor is Alfred or Dick. Tim will be able to help run a few things and I know Damian. You don’t have to say yes, but I would name you my PA, I can’t see anyone else at the job. I can’t trust anyone new.”
His reasoning was sound as it ever was, she’d have probably suggested the same thing: gathering resources and intel were at the top of her own list, if you didn’t count making sure everyone she knew was out of harm’s way.
Barbara happened to catch his eye when he looked down at her, the expression on his face being out of place for a number of reasons. It was the same look her dad gave her. Something was wrong, but it wasn’t as simple as someone pretending to be Bruce Wayne and it didn’t seem to be causing any harm. A strange predicament to be in for sure.
“Bruce, you know how I feel about directly working for you.” It wasn’t that she hated him or what he stood for --quite the opposite-- but she liked being no more than his eyes and ears. Anything more than that cut into her own work and independence as Oracle. Besides, the Birds of Prey always needed her more than Batman Inc. did. The redhead rubbed her chin thoughtfully before continuing. “But, considering the circumstances, I don’t think I have much of a choice. Though if you find someone else suitable, I’ll go back to my regular Oracle stuff. Deal?”















