Chapter Text
Wayne Enterprises could be better. It could definitely be worse, but it could be infinitely better. Bruce Wayne sucked as a CEO. Nobody knew this better than Debra Ramsey, who started working at WE as an intern in Accounting, before being moved to the front desk receptionist. For some reason.
She could count on one hand the number of times Bruce Wayne actually came in person to the office. Lucius Fox, before his retirement, was a much better business man, according to her coworkers that have been here for longer.
So when Bruce Wayne stepped down, she had a little inkling of hope for Dickie Grayson. Who everyone assumed would be the one taking over his fathers company.
Debra is glad to say that Dick Grayson did not take over as CEO. Or even as an employee at all. No, Debra is so happy that Tim Drake took the position.
Not only is Debra happy, but everyone in Wayne Enterprises was happily surprised not even a month into his reign.
She is still embarrassed to think about what happened the first day she met him.
The lobby of Wayne Enterprises was bustling with the usual morning activity. Debra Ramsey sat at the front desk, her fingers tapping absentmindedly on the keyboard as she processed incoming calls and directed visitors with a polite, practiced smile. Though her outward demeanor was calm, internally she fought the familiar wave of frustration. For years, despite her best efforts and multiple applications, she had been stuck at the front desk instead of where she truly belonged—in the accounting department.
As she finished a phone call, a young man who couldn't be older than 18 walked into the library. He held a quiet confidence, with a smart suit and a polite smile. Debra looked up, offering her customer service smile.
"Good morning, welcome to Wayne Enterprises. How can I help you today?" she asked, her voice carrying the professional tone that she hated.
The boy hesitated, glancing around the lobby as if unsure of where to go next, "Good morning, I'm looking for my office,"
Debra resisted the urge to sigh, "You don't know where your own office is?"
"It's my first day." He smiled down, amused.
"Your name?" She pulled up the old, shitty, system on the old computer.
"Timothy Drake,"
Debra's fingers froze. Tim Drake? The new CEO? Her eyes darted over the boy, her demeanor faltering as she failed to connect the young man to the image she had in her head of a powerful new leader.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Drake!" She stammered, shooting to her feet, "I didn't recognize you, sir, right this way!"
Tim chuckled, waving off her panic, "It's okay, and please, call me Tim."
Still mortified, Debra led him to the elevator, her mind racing with all the ways this encounter could end her career at WE. The elevators were state of the art, like everything the CEO would interact with or see. Nothing like the staff computers, or anything else they used. Even the coffeemakers were more expensive the further up you went in the tower.
"I am so sorry, again," She stammered as she showed him where to scan his ID, which did in fact say 'Timothy Drake-Wayne' on it, and she clicked floor 107, the very top. "Please don't fire me, I actually started here in accounting and was forced in the front desk, I've always been better with numbers, not so much... people."
"Really? What kind of numbers?" He looked at her with genuine interest.
She hesitated for a moment, then launched into an explanation of a complex financial model she had developed in her spare time—a model that, if implemented, could save the company millions in operational costs. She spoke quickly, the words tumbling out as she detailed her work, forgetting her embarrassment in the face of discussing something she was passionate about.
As the elevator doors opened, Tim stepped inside, but not before giving Debra a long, appraising look. "I'll see you later," He looked at her nametag, "Debra Ramsey."
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The next day she got an email,
To: Ramsey, D. Front Desk Receptionist [Lobby, Gotham Branch]
From: Timothy Drake-Wayne, CEO [All Branches, Gotham]
Subject: A Job Offer
Ms. Ramsey,
I viewed your application for the accounting position. To be honest, you are overqualified. As it stands there is an opening for Head Manager of the Accounting division for our Gotham Branch, if you're interested.
Create that model you told me about, lets run it. At your confirmation, I will CC your assistants and you can start tomorrow.
-Drake, CEO
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Her elated scream echoed in the lobby.
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Tim sighed heavily as he went over the employees, the numbers, current projects, anything he needed to get up to date with his new company. This was a shit show. Seriously, Bruce, what the hell?
First order of business, he needs a team that he can trust. The ones Bruce have hired must have just been the first resumes in the pile, because they were dogshit.
The tech on all the floors, when he subtly walked through each office space, were old and outdated. Needs to be updated.
Should he be writing this down? He couldn't find a pen. Who didn't keep a pen in his office?
He went to the floor under him, apparently the Legal Department. He stopped the first person he saw, "You, what's your name?"
"Um, sir! Jared, sir!"
"Call me Tim, Jared, what's your job?"
The man blinked before he answered, "I'm an assistant, sir, I file.. papers.."
"Good. You're with me, c'mon." Tim led the man to the elevator, who nervously looked to his equally stunned coworkers.
Once they reached his office Tim gestured to the large room, with even larger windows. "Jared, what do you see?"
"Um, a room, sir?"
"Call me Tim, seriously. And exactly, a room! This should scream professional, CEO, business man. And it doesn't. It's depressing," Tim took out his wallet and handed it to Jared, "No spending limit, I want to come to this office tomorrow and have it be professional. The only thing that I want to stay is the computer, okay?"
Jared nodded dumbly before Tim left to his apartment, not even a 15 minute drive from the tower.
Hopefully by tomorrow he would have a new office that he could actually work in. Back to his list.
As he started writing things down that he wanted to do, he realized he had something that would make this transition so much easier. The last few years he had gotten more into coding. Especially after he was injured and helped Oracle man the computers for a month.
And he had the idea of TOM. Artificial Intelligence had been thought on, and things like Chat bots and Writing AI were a thing, but nothing as true to what he wanted. A.. friend.
Something like Oracle and Alfred were to Bruce. So, the idea of TOM came about. T.O.M. stood for Technologically Orchestrated Mind, because that is what he was. A mind of his own, made of tech.
He could learn and develop just like a human. He was created as a friend, and Tim had finished his code about a month ago. He just hadn't had the time to launch him yet. Maybe now was the time.
Bruce had sprung the idea of being CEO onto him out of the blue. Surely, he would've given his family company to someone he actually considered family. Not the stand in for a dead, now alive again, son.
But then Tim actually went to the tower, looked at the company itself, met the employees and realized, Bruce didn't give a fuck about WE. Clearly he put no time or effort into it, not like he did Batman. So he thrusted the unwanted responsibility onto his other unwanted responsibility; Tim.
So Tim needed a friend now more than ever. With Cass in Hong Kong, Superboy in Metropolis, and his family doing whatever it is they do together, he was lonely.
So he pulled up the file that held TOM.
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"Hello Tim."
Tim smiled at the computer screen, "Hello. Your name is TOM, which stands for Technologically Orchestrated Mind,"
"My name is TOM, which stands for Technologically Orchestrated Mind," The voice repeated.
"Do you know why you were created, TOM?"
"To be a companion, to you." The voice said, and Tim wasn't imagining the wonder in the tone of its voice.
"That's right. What pronouns would you like to use, TOM?"
"My voice is masculine. Lets go with he/him,"
His voice was masculine, a combination of a few actors, and even his own voice. Something unique to only TOM.
"Okay then, you have access to Wayne Tower, correct?" Tim typed around on the servers, which desperately needed to be updated.
"Yes I do, I can see that the company is behind on updating their servers, it's not very user friendly. Shall I change that?"
"Go for it, buddy,"
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"Tim, I've pulled up an application that was flagged by my systems. She matches your criteria, and I think she would work well in our Biotech branch. What do you think?"
Tim swiped on the hologram and read the application. Gotham native, doctorate in genetics and biotechnology, applied about a month ago. "Let's draft an email."
"Of course,"
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To: Dr. Stone, E. PhD
From: Timothy Drake-Wayne, Wayne Enterprises CEO [All Branches, Gotham]
Subject: I Viewed Your Application
I'd like to offer a meeting to go over a job with Wayne Biotech, if you would be so interested.
Your work in genetics and regenerative medicine is groundbreaking and we would be honored to find a spot for you among our ranks.
-Drake, CEO
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The next day was filled with endless meetings. He even went to the Blüdhaven branch to talk to a PR team that would handle the news of him coming out to the media as Wayne Enterprises CEO. All he had to do was come up with a plan or goal to promote to the public. Easy enough.
His new office was nicely decorated, and he gave Jared a bonus and a job offer. "The lobby is hideous. It hasn't been updated since the 70s. Lets fix that, okay? However you got my office done, do it again to the lobby. Thanks Jared, and yes you will be getting paid more."
Tim made a note to TOM to keep an eye on Jared, making sure he doesn't overspend but also making sure that he doesn't underpay whoever he hires. Depending on his performance he could be looking at a permanent job.
Tim walked into a conference room where Dr. Elara Stone was waiting for her interview. She looked confident, an easy going smile on her face and Tim knew he liked her already.
After introductions and pleasantries Tim asks, "So tell me a little bit about yourself, Doctor,"
"Well, my friends would describe me as driven, relentless, and fierce. I am pretty no-nonsense when it comes to work, and I have a reputation for being tough but fair. I'm from Gotham, got my degree at Gotham University, and I am compassionate and committed to improving the health of Gotham's citizens."
Tim smiled and leaned back in his seat. The rest of the interview went smoothly, and Dr. Stone left knowing that the next week she would be leading Wayne Biotech and will help oversee all aspects and operations, from research and development to training programs and public health initiatives.
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"TOM, lets go through staff complaints. What do they want to see changed?" Tim asked as he sat in his newly decorated office. The Gotham City skyline was inspiring to look at for Tim. The dark buildings and the depressing rain, a variety of colors to look at. (Different shades of black, grey, and white.)
"Well, I see a lot of talk of the system. I'll remind you that the new one is almost done, and that I've taken their comments into consideration. Not only that but it seems that there is a disconnect of employees from the company. They don't really know what they are looking for. I think the press conference that PR set up should help with that," Toms voice rang above him, now connected with speakers in his office.
"Okay, what else?" Tim swiped through the visuals of the new interface TOM had designed, signing his approval on multiple things.
"A lack of career growth opportunities. Employees reported feeling stagnant in their roles with little chance for advancement or skill development. Some possible solutions include Career Development Programs. We could easily design structured career pathways and mentorship programs to help employees grow within the company. We could also have regular performance reviews with transparent, constructive feedback sessions to help make promotion criteria achievable." TOM pulled up company websites around the world that did the same thing, all with high praise from employees, Tim nodded in agreement and added his own thoughts.
"We should also invest in skills training. Internal workshops, certification courses, or tuition reimbursement for relevant studies. Make note of all of this, and lets set those plans into motion ASAP." Tim swiped it away and rubbed his forehead.
"Tim, your vitals show fatigue, may I suggest going home for some rest?" TOM offered, voice sounding concerned.
"Not yet, we still got work we can get done today. Let's work on that 'company vision' that PR wants us to preach." Tim cleared his throat and began writing, with TOM adding his two cents every so often.
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Alfred had forced Tim to go to dinner with them the next week, the night before his press conference. He was not going to go, was going to state that he was very busy and didn't want to interrupt their family time. But Cassandra was home, and she asked him personally. (Snuck into his living room, like a normal person.)
She said that he is family, that he was welcome. He didn't tell her that he thought she was wrong. So, after the office he headed to the manor. Still in his business suit, he sat at the full table. Dick to his left, Cass to his right. Joined by Bruce, Jason, Steph, Duke, and Damion.
After Jason had come back and Damian joined the family, Dick and Alfred pushed a more familial relationship between them all. Dinners, hangouts, and even a groupchat.
Tim... felt like an outsider. He was told as such, many times, by both Jason and Damian. The others probably felt the same, considering they never stood up for him.
Cassandra was an angel though. Called him 'little brother' and texted him nearly everyday, even while out of country.
"Little brother," She then signed his sign name, which she came up with herself. It was a combination of 'clever/brilliant/bright/genius' and 'believe', Tim looked at her and signed back, 'What?'
"I hear you have first press conference. Tomorrow, yes?" Her stilted English was getting better, he noted, and cleared his throat awkwardly as everyone looked at him now.
Damian had rolled his eyes, but everyone else waited for a response.
"Um, yes, PR set one up for me. Just going over that I'm now CEO and what the mission of the company is." Tim took a sip from his water, even as Damian glared harshly at him. The kid was still peeved that his fathers company was given to the poser.
"What is the mission of the company?" Dick asked, not unkindly.
"You'll just have to watch to find out." Tim smiled at his older brother, no wait..
Tim smiled at Dick, his previous guardian's eldest son.
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Cameras flashed in his eyes as Tim smiled down at the reporters. The Drake family was well known among the press, and he had plenty of practice dealing with journalists, so he wasn't exactly nervous. Actually, he felt a little excited.
Tim smiled at a reporter and pointed at her to start off the questions, just like his PR team had wanted.
"Mr. Drake, you're stepping into an iconic position with Wayne Enterprises. What's your vision for the company under your leadership?"
Tim smiles, "Thank you. Wayne Enterprises has always been more than just a business—it's a legacy of innovation, responsibility, and care for the people of Gotham and the world. Our vision moving forward is to be the global leader in every industry we touch, whether that’s revolutionizing healthcare through Wayne Biotech, driving technological advancements with Wayne Tech, or expanding our footprint in Wayne Aerospace. We’re here to make the world safer, healthier, and more connected.”
Tim hardly blinks as hands and voices raise around the room, and cameras flash in his face. He points at another reporter.
"Mr. Drake, With such a broad portfolio—biotech, aerospace, technology—how do you plan to keep such diverse divisions aligned toward a common goal?”
"Great question, the diversity of our operations is what gives us strength. Whether it’s Wayne Chemicals pioneering sustainable, eco-friendly solutions, Wayne Shipping optimizing global logistics, or Wayne Steel shaping the future of infrastructure, each division contributes to our central mission: advancing humanity through innovation. Our goal is to lead with ethical responsibility, ensuring that everything we produce, from new medical treatments to cutting-edge electronics, has a positive impact on the world.”
Tim points at the next reporter.
"What can we expect from Wayne Enterprises in terms of new developments? For example, what’s happening with Wayne Biotech’s cancer research and organ cloning?”
“At Wayne Biotech, our researchers are on the verge of breakthroughs in cancer treatment and organ cloning technology. We’re not just looking at curing disease; we’re focused on regenerative medicine, ensuring that future generations won’t have to suffer from the same limitations in healthcare that we face today. Imagine a world where organ shortages are a thing of the past, where a child born today could have access to a cloned heart or kidney if they need it—that’s the future Wayne Enterprises is building.” Tim looks around the room and chooses another journalist,
"Wayne Industries has been a leader in Gotham’s economy for decades, but there’s always pressure to be more socially and environmentally conscious. How does Wayne Enterprises respond to that?”
"Great question. Sustainability and social responsibility will be at the heart of what we do. Wayne Chemicals will be committed to developing cleaner, greener products for industry use, while Wayne Industries will be incorporating renewable energy sources across our production lines. Our Wayne Shipping division will be reducing its carbon footprint with a fleet of hybrid vessels, and Wayne Steel is investing in green steel technology. We want to make sure that Gotham and the world don’t just grow—they thrive, without sacrificing the planet in the process.”
Tim gestures to a journalist to ask the next question, she smiles brightly, must be one of her first days.
"“With so many divisions, from aerospace to chemicals to electronics, how do you prioritize innovation?”
“We see innovation as the lifeblood of Wayne Enterprises, and it’s happening across all sectors. Wayne Aerospace is developing next-gen propulsion systems for safer, faster travel, while Wayne Electronics is pushing boundaries in consumer and security technologies. The key is collaboration. By leveraging the expertise across our divisions—whether it's using Wayne Steel for aerospace construction or tapping into Wayne Tech’s AI capabilities for medical advancements—we can ensure that our innovations not only meet today’s demands but anticipate the needs of tomorrow.”
Tim points to a reporter he recognizes as Clark Kent, Daily Planet, with a smile.
“Finally, Mr. Drake, what’s the broader impact Wayne Enterprises hopes to have on Gotham and the world?” Clark smiles up at him, his blue eyes make it a wonder to Tim just how he is able to conceal his identity from the public so well.
“Our broader impact is about making the world a better place. That’s not just a corporate line—it’s a genuine belief. From Wayne Medical’s efforts in global health to Wayne Industries’ investments in rebuilding Gotham, we want to be more than a company. We want to be a beacon of hope, a leader in progress, and a force for good. Whether we’re developing the next big cure or designing the next big innovation, every decision we make is guided by the belief that Wayne Enterprises can—and will—change the world for the better.”