"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." The calm voice continued with the opening paragraph of the book _A Tale of Two Cities_ by  Charles Dickens while Tim swung from one rooftop to the next. He had recently picked up the habit of audio books and had now committed to listening to a compilation of 'must reads' according to one of Gotham's head librarians. The fact that he brought this on had nothing to do with Stephanie posting something about how annoyed she was about having to read Dickens for a English course. The fact was it had everything to do with him searching for something to distract himself from what was inevitable tonight which was seeing the rest of the Bat family.

The Bat family was as dysfunctional as any reality show family. The unique thing about them isn't even the fact that all of us were masked crime fighters or that more than one had been scared by a tragedy. Instead the real thing that always stood out was that the family always felt better when they were all in the cave. Even the Adam's family had a house on Maple Drive. Tim's thoughts weren't just focused on the family reunion. His mind never worked that way. Instead it was focused on everything. The current attempt to acquire several key energy companies along with silent partnerships with Queen Incorporate. 

On top of that public appearances by Timothy Drake the CEO and President of WayneTech International was also biting at his calendars heels. His newest secretary was more bloodhound then desk jockey. Seemingly always knowing the worst time to bring up an "urgent issue". The last time she called Tim was half way around the world dealing with the Penguins weapon suppliers from Eastern Europe. Thankfully one first class ticket managed to deliver him to the meeting in Metropolis on time. The day ended with enough time for Tim to assist in stopping a League of Assassins job so Tim should give her credit. She helped save a life. 

The first chapter of the book ended just as Red Robin swung onto the roof of his home. It was the old theater next to the alley where Bruce's parents were shot. He had since bought the property and transformed the insides into what any 20 something with more money than some countries could dream about. Of course this was all for show. The real investment was what was under the property. An access tunnel into the subway system for his bike as well as enough space in the secret basement to classify as a remote Batcave. Entering from the roof the young professional removed his costume and sat at the massive screens and began filing a report. All security cameras were functioning and remote assistance centers in the south side of Gotham were fully functional. 

The program was a new one that was supplied and financed by Wayne Enterprises. Instead of making a call all a person had to do was hit a button on one of the hundreds of assistance centers in the area and a 911 call was made and police would be called to the scene. The added bonus was that it also called Tim at his Batcave. Several AI's categorized and logged every call completing a sort of crime triage which has now allowed the entire Bat family to shave nearly six minutes off their response time to crimes in progress. The system wasn't without its faults. Tim had incorporated a hack competition to see how easily the system was to bypass. The winner went by the screen name Oracle and has since begun to assist Tim in heightening all manner of classified systems. He would have to thank her when he saw her.

A ring chimed marking the time as Tim began to change into a suit for the dinner. He was about to walk out of his bedroom when he realized there was a very long batarang cut down the right side of the suit. A souvenir from the last time he had to watch over Damion. The little brat had not only ruined a date Tim had plans to attend, but also required him to say the cuts were from "A night I would rather forget" according to his twitter after a TMZ reporter caught sight of the ragged looking CEO. The night had mostly consisted in him struggling to keep Damion from going out on his own night patrol. It ended with both of them nearly exhausting their entire bat arsenal at each other and one of the manors staff lecturing Tim as though he was Damion's age. 

After trying on another suit, this one less red than his night gear and more presentable than the one between, he looked over at a photo of himself and Dick. It was a photo from when the two were both living in the Wayne Manor. It was during the summer which used to be the best time. Both could work by Bruce's side and the day saw the hallways alive with two overly energetic boys with way too cool toys. More than a few broken bones were earned along with plenty during their night activities. His attention was turned elsewhere when his TV turned on and began reporting on an arrest that happened earlier in the week. Poison Ivy had gone on another Greenpeace rampage only to be foiled by a strikingly blonde Batgirl. Stephanie Brown...

Drake watched the report show the after effects as it discussed what was going to happen with the damages. Drake already knew more then the report told, but it reminded him that he would need to 'accidentally' leave some bat gear around the cave for Steph to acquire. She still wasn't up for asking him for supplies. He couldn't blame her. If anything was a clear sign that seeing her had him on edge it was that he completely forgot how to tie a tie during the entire news story. When the news went over to sports he found his form and quick as he could was out the door and entering the limo that was prepared to take him to the Manor. _Batman and Catwoman_ he thought to himself. _If that isn't a sentence full of trouble I don't know what is_.

The ride to the manor was short thanks to the lack of traffic. He couldn't stop himself from playing with his tie. A habit that had manifested after he took over Wayne International. The dark purple tie matched his dress shirt while the classic black three button suit fit him like most Italian suits should. When he arrived and walked up to the front door he didn't even knock as William opened the door with a smile. While everyone in the world jokes and dreams of entering the Batcave. A true member of the Bat family knows the best and only way to enter the manor is by way of a greeting from William, the head of staff at Wayne Manor. "Master Drake. How good it is to see you. I hope you plan to leave the place better off than the last time you were here." His voice was the mix of humor and serious that only he could produce. The joking threat brought a smile to Tim's face as the two hugged. "Those that have arrived are gathering in the main room. Shall I take your jacket." 

Tim relinquished his jacket and walked through the grand entrance and into the main room. With a quick glace around the room gave him all the information he needed. He saw Dick and Barbra whom he smiled at. Raising his arms out and giving his older brother a big hug. Giving Barbara a hug as well he told the two they looked good which wasn't a lie. He then saw that his attire perfectly matched the dress Stephanie was currently wearing the ever loving heck out of. He silently elbowed himself. The same act he did when he clicked download on the Dickens novels earlier today. He shuffled slightly before giving Stephanie an honest hug and complemented her dress as well as congratulating her on the Poison Ivy take down. After hello's and good to see you's were tossed around Tim asked about where the happy couple was.