Masks

The elevator opened silently on the sixth floor. Dick stepped out, and followed raised voices to a conference room.
The door was only slightly ajar. He peered in. Rogers was there, as was a bored-looking Romanoff, talking to a young woman in a lab coat.

"But Stark must have given you some means of reaching him in an emergency," Rogers was arguing. He had the young woman cornered against a table

She looked nervous, but snapped, "What emergency? And if there is one, why don't you just tell JARVIS to contact him?"

"Good questions," Dick agreed as he entered the room. He waved the lab technician over. "Go on. It's okay, I got this. JARVIS, seal the floor once she's safely out, please."

"Yes, sir."

She fled. The two Avengers stared at the dark-haired, masked man. "Who the hell are you?" Romanoff asked.

He saluted mockingly. "Oh, I'm a custodian, Agent Romanoff. Here to take out the trash, that's all."

* * *

Tony and the O'Keefes had talked Bruce out of a visit to the would-be snoop, pointing out that he'd likely bring down more unwanted attention if Batman was seen in the area.

He'd been angry as well as concerned; not the best mindset for planning. It wasn't just the imposition on his daughter's birthday. These visits were among the few rare, peaceful times they had as a family. Catrin wasn't the only one who needed this sanctuary...

They'd talked, and agreed that while her identity shouldn't be revealed yet, the O'Keefes would relocate nonetheless. Tony had contacted Pepper to work out a cover story for his and Bruce's visit to their neighborhood. It wouldn't be the first time they'd done something of the sort. She was talented at laying a false trail for nosy reporters to follow without actually lying, a skill Bruce respected.

Catrin was studying the contents of a box Tony had given her. He'd dared her to see if she could figure out what the devices it held actually did, on her own. One item appeared to be an ordinary silver bracelet, with four stones set into it. She held it up to the light, gaze sharpening. "There's circuitry embedded in the band...Hm." She slid it up onto her wrist, unafraid. When it touched her skin, one of the 'garnets' lit up

"A biometric sensor?" she guessed. Tony nodded. Catrin traced the filigree of the bracelet, and then tugged at one of the strands.
The metal expanded, covering the back of her hand and three of her fingers in a gauntlet. A panel wrapped around her wrist.

"Not quite a repulsor, or not a full-powered one," Bruce told her. "There are two options. One is a concussive weapon, meant to disable only."

Catrin pondered. And if they were designing this with escape or rescue in mind..."Distress signal?"

Tony smirked in confirmation. "Combined with a GPS that will let us know immediately where you are. And no one else can use this, even if they get it away from you."

"It's awesome!" Catrin was delighted. "I love it--Thanks so much!"

"The other is a low-tech option," Bruce told her. "Actually, it was your mother's suggestion." He inclined his head to Alexandra. "Along with some lessons in how to use it."

Catrin picked up the second gift item. It was an old-style lady's fan, she thought, painted in lovely blues and golds, silk held together by narrow strips of wood.

When she snapped it open, she hissed as a sharp edge nicked the tip of her finger. She looked more closely, seeing the glint of razor-sharp metal beneath the paint.

She held the fan gingerly by the bottom. "I see...Yes, I definitely want the user's manual before I try to do anything with these." She put it back for the moment.

Bruce looked her in the eyes. "I hope you never have to fight, but if you do, we're going to make sure you have the tools to handle it."

All four adults nodded in agreement.

"Then it doesn't...disappoint you?" Catrin asked hesitantly. "You know if you or Pa really ever need me to help you, too, I would--it's not that."

"Sweetheart, you couldn't disappoint us if you tried." Bruce took both of her hands in his, squeezing gently.