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100promptsChapter 10: Your Days are Numbered
Storyline: Man of Steel: A New Hope
Characters: Clark Kent (Kal-El) & Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Lucius Fox
Prompt: #010 Midnight100prompts
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3355
Fandom: Superman/DC/DCEU
Summary:“Your days are numbered.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Consider it a promise,” Clark said before flying off into the night.
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Story is mine.
“Clark!” Lois called out as soon as she heard him land on the patio. The redhead flew into her boyfriend’s arms and pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “I was so worried. The news with the plane and then you didn’t come home.” Her words were muffled as she spoke.
Clark held her against him. He hated that she worried about him so much. He was going to be fine. Jor-El had given him a clean bill of health before he left the fortress. “I’m fine, Lo. I had a…” He paused as he struggled to come up with a less alarming explanation for his absence. “incident today.”
Lois looked up at him with wide eyes. “What do you mean? And what happened to your suit?” she asked running delicate fingers along the curve of the “S” on his chest.
Clark clasped her hand and led her inside. Her apartment was pretty secure, but he didn’t want to expose her. There were people who were out to harm him. Actually, people was too broad, he thought. There was one person who was out to harm him. And he was willing to take down an entire plane of innocent people to accomplish his goals.
“The suit is a cell regeneration suit.” He began with the easiest explanation first. “It accelerates the healing process by absorbing solar energy.”
Lois looked confused as she touched the black material again. “What happened?”
Clark led them to the sofa. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get changed?
“But—”
“I’m fine, Lois. Really. And I promise I’ll explain.” Lois nodded her head and allowed him to slip into the bedroom, so he could change.
Earlier that day he had felt so weak and vulnerable. He hated that feeling and he hated that it was all on the account of Lex Luthor. Part of him wanted to fly over to the business mogul’s penthouse suite and—Clark sighed. And what exactly? He couldn’t barge in and challenge him to a fight. This wasn’t a situation that he could punch his way out of. He needed to be strategic about how he handled Lex going forward. The man was out for blood.
Lois was pacing the living room again. Worry masked her features. Clark wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be fine. He was going to fix things. “Do you want me to make some tea?” he asked. Tea always seemed to relax her.
“No, I’m fine. What I really want to hear about is you.”
Clark sighed heavily. "I was poisoned,” he jumped right in. Today while I was saving those people, I felt…” his eyes darted away from Lois and locked on one of the paintings on her wall. “Weak,” he finished. “I could barely hold the plane up. Those people. All those people…”
“But you did save them, Clark!” Lois rushed. “They all made it alive. The news reports said no one was injured.”
“By pure luck. I could barely stop the crash.”
“How do you know you were poisoned?” She asked putting on her reporter hat. Clark noticed the subtle change in her demeanor and knew her inner reporter was driving.
“It started after I got the coffee for the office this morning. I started feeling weak then, but I ignored it. Before I left, I drank it down and that’s when I started feeling the effects of the meteorite.”
“So, you think it was the Kryptonite?”
“What?”
Lois waved her hand impatiently. “Just with me on this one. It’s easier to say.”
Kryptonite. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “Yes. I ingested it. It was in the coffee.”
“Then let’s go down there and—”
Clark shook his head. “No. I don’t think the person who served me works there. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. Dark hair cut into a bob, thin, glasses. I know I’ve seen her around.”
Lois' eyes narrowed as Clark gave her the description of the woman who served him earlier. As he spoke, she dug around in one of her files before producing a photo of Lex and the woman from the coffee shop. “Is this her?”
Clark took the photo. He didn’t have to study it for very long. The woman standing beside Lex was definitely the woman from the coffee shop. He’d been so distracted by everything going on in his life that he hadn’t recognized Lex’s personal assistant. “Yeah. She’s the one.”
Lois’ face darkened with anger. “Her name is Mercy Graves. She’s Lex’s assistant. Dammit.”
Clark bit back a smile. “Have I ever told you that you look beautiful when you’re pissed?
“Clark… be serious.”
He gathered her in his arms. “I am serious. You get this look in your eyes, and I feel bad for anyone who’s on the receiving end of anger.”
“Well, Billy Blanks taught me well.”
Clark chuckled before planting a soft kiss on her lips. For a moment he wanted to forget all his troubles with Lex Luthor and sink into her embrace. “Hmmm, I could use a workout.”
Lois placed a hand on his chest and gave Clark a light push. “I know your workouts, Mr. Kent,” she teased. “You’re still in recovery. And we have an evil businessman to worry about. I wonder if Talia knows about the Kryptonite,” she mused.
“Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend?”
“Yes. She’s head of his science department. What if she’s in on this? What if this is connected to Bruce Wayne in some way?”
Now that was a thought. As his scientist, Talia Head would have access to the Kryptonite. Lex probably had chunks of it in the city right under their noses. “Hmmm, that could be. But why would this concern Bruce Wayne?”
“You’re right,” she shook her head. “There’s no connection with Bruce other than his girlfriend working for LexCorp. Still… I wonder if I could get some information from her. See how much she knows. I can pretend to be writing a story on—Ugh!” Lois exclaimed suddenly.
“What, what is it?”
“I’m on desk duty,” Lois said with chagrin.
“That’s right,” Clack said remembering Perry had angrily called Lois into his office before he took off. “What happened with you and Perry today?”
Lois sighed, letting out a gust of frustrated air. “Long story short… I’ll be riding the desk indefinitely. He put me on suspension.”
Clark sat on the edge of the sofa and crossed his arms over his broad chest. Again. Why? Whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad.”
“It was. I switched the copy on the Luthor piece right before it went to print.”
“Lois…”
The redhead huffed before plopping down on the sofa. “I know, I know. It’s so frustrating! I don’t understand how people are fooled by Lex Luthor. He’s so obvious.”
“That’s because they aren’t looking. Not like we are. And they don’t know what to look for. All they see is an upstanding guy and a pillar to the community. He’s Metropolis’ version of Bruce Wayne.”
“Except Bruce Wayne is the real deal. Lex is no better than a common criminal.”
Clark agreed with her on everything, especially the part about Lex Luthor being nothing more than a criminal. How he wasn’t in jail by now was beyond him. “So, tell me how you managed to get that copy by Perry White.”
“I sent up the fluff piece. Right before it went to print, I tricked Gary into switching it out. And I’d do it again,” she said without a trace of remorse.
That’s my girl. Lois Lane was a fighter. He hated that she was suspended, but he was proud that she went with her instinct. She never let anyone intimidate her. Not Perry White or Lex Luthor. He just worried that her gumption would get her seriously hurt one of these days.
“I’ll use these next two weeks to work on my book or catch up on my reading or take down a megalomaniac,” she said nonchalantly.
Clark placed his hands on both her shoulders. “Lo, as much as I would love to take Luthor down, I don’t want you to do anything that could get you hurt. If he ever lays a finger on you, I don’t know what I’d do.” Clark ran that scenario in his mind more often than he liked. What was the extent he would go to keep Lois safe? She was his world. He’d do anything within his power to keep her protected.
Lois wrapped her arms around Clark’s waist and pulled him close to her. “I’ll be careful. My story has already gone viral. I’m sure Lex is going to be tied up for a while explaining how he managed to get around government sanctions. You know they’ll start probing into everything he’s got his hands in.”
Clark took Lois hand in his. “I’m going to have to keep my eyes on you. Lex doesn’t strike me as the type of man that will take this lying down. He might come after you.”
“Let him. I know for a fact my boyfriend can kick his butt.”
Clark tried not to laugh. He was going for serious. “I’m serious, Lo.”
“So am I. I’m a big girl, Clark. I promise I’ll be alright. In the meantime, you write up a knockout story for Perry.”
++++
Clark couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t shake the incident with the plane. He turned his head toward Lois. She was sleeping soundly beside him. Clark ran a hand over her arm while she slept. Lois stirred beneath his touch and snuggled deeper into her pillow. The news cycle was consumed with the Lex Luthor story. They watched the news reports while eating takeout. Lois was right. Lex was going to be tied up legally for a few weeks. That could give them time to expose him for his real crimes. Still, Clark wasn’t sure he could wait that long. Lex Luthor had Kryptonite. He could strike at any time and the next time he may not be so lucky. Clark slipped from between the sheets. He dressed quietly and slipped out of the apartment before Lois realized he was gone.
There were few stars out that night. The dark night gave him the cover he needed to fly undercover. Clark flew above the city toward Lex Luthor’s high rise. The anger bubbled inside of him the closer he got to Lex’s apartment. He didn’t have a plan. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. But he wanted Lex to know that he was on to him.
“Luthor,” Clark’s voice boomed as he hovered outside of Luthor’s window. He knew the businessman was home. There was a soft glow of light coming from inside of the apartment. He waited patiently, hovering outside the building. Clark's cape flapped loudly in the wind. behind him. A few minutes later Luthor’s window slid open. The businessman walked fearlessly to the ledge and stood proudly in front of Clark.
“Superman,” he answered with a smirk. “Or should I call you Kal-El. Or Do you prefer Clark Kent?”
“I’m on to you Lex. I know you were the one behind the train attack. You’re going to spend the rest of your life behind bars.”
Luthor barked out a hearty laugh. His robe flapped out behind him, making him look like a mad man as he laughed. “With what proof?”
“So, you admit it?”
Luthor laughed again. “Do you really think anyone is going to believe the words of some reporter over mine? That stunt your little girlfriend pulled was cute. But my lawyer’s have already taken care of the trouble she caused me.”
“That may be true, but you will go down, Luthor. And I’m going to make sure you do.”
“Ha! You think you’re so good. This figure who inspires people. Gives them hope. What do they say? You represent truth and justice? What do you know about any of that? An alien. This is my home. My planet. You’re just an invader.”
“I may not be from here, Luthor. But unlike you, I care about these people. And this is my home. I’m not going to allow you to do any more harm to it. Your days are numbered.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Consider it a promise,” Clark said before flying off into the night.
Lex watched the sky until Superman was only a dot in the distance. With a press of a button, the ceiling to floor windows slid closed. His blood ran hot beneath his skin. How dare that- that alien come to my home and threaten me? He thought to himself. No one threatened Lex Luthor. He glanced at the digital clock over his mantelpiece. It was barely after midnight. He had work to do.
++++
Clark looked around the massive reception room outside of Bruce Wayne’s office. The two had finally managed a meeting time that worked best for both of them. Between his secret identity, work at The Planet, and his issues with Lex Luthor it felt good to be back to work. Clark checked his watch again. He was early. The ferry ride from Metropolis to Gotham City left him with plenty of time to navigate Gotham traffic.
“Mr. Kent. Mr. Wayne is ready to see you now. Please, this way,” the secretary said before showing him into Bruce Wayne’s office.
“Mr. Kent,” Bruce greeted him with an easy smile. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
Clark shook the businessman’s hand before taking the seat in front of his desk. “No. I was early.”
“Good. I know time is money.” Bruce sat on the edge of his desk. His shirtsleeves were rolled up indicating that he’d been working hard on something.
Clark observed the paperwork on his desk and made a mental note of it. So, he’s more than a name on a plaque. Maybe the rumors about him being a philandering playboy weren’t all true. “Thanks for seeing me, Mr. Wayne.”
“Please, call me Bruce. And it’s my pleasure. Like I mentioned before, my father’s work and his legacy are important to me. I want to make sure this is handled by the right people.”
Clark dug out his tape recorder and motioned with his head for permission to turn it on. “Tell me more about your father’s vision,” he began.
Bruce crossed his arms over his chest. “Where do I begin? My father, Thomas Wayne, was always a visionary. A man before his time. He took his oath as a doctor seriously. He knew the value and the importance of healthcare as an inalienable right, rather than the privilege people think it is.”
“Careful, that sounds a lot like socialism,” Clark joked causing Bruce to smile.
“We live in a country built on socialist principles, Clark. The sad thing is that while the rich get richer, the poor get crushed.”
“You say that as if you aren’t part of the 1% getting richer by the minute. I saw the numbers by the closing of the Dow yesterday.”
“I like money,” Bruce admitted. “Money allows me to do the things that I like and be who I need to be.”
Clark’s pen paused over his notepad. That was a very enigmatic statement. He started to question him further about it.
“And Gotham needs someone who is going to look out for her. Protect her.”
“Sounds like a job for Batman.” Clark joked again.
“Well, Batman can handle the kingpins and the drug lords. Criminals. I rather fight with the law on my side.”
“So, you have a problem with vigilante justice?” Clark probed.
A smile twitched at Bruce’s lips. “Shouldn’t we all have a problem with people taking the law into their own hands? I know Metropolis treats Superman like its very own mascot. And while he does a lot of good, what is he doing for the mother who is barely making ends meet with a sick child on her hand?”
“Well—”
“But,” Bruce said clapping his hands together. “That’s not to undermine the good he does. We just need people with their boots on the ground while he’s leaping tall buildings with a single bound.”
Clark shifted in his seat. He hadn’t thought about it that way. Sure, as Superman he saved people from immediate danger, but what about everyone else?
“But enough about men playing dress up in capes,” Bruce continued. “I thought we were here to discuss the Wayne Foundation’s Medical Plaza.”
“You’re right. Gotham and Batman have become synonymous these days. But that’s a story for a different time. What do you hope the Wayne Medical Plaza will hope to accomplish?”
“Ultimately? I want it to serve as a model for other centers like it. I think it’s something my father would have wanted.”
“Are there any plans to open more centers nationwide? Or even internationally?”
“Hopefully. It’s something that I am considering for the future.”
Clark tapped his pen against his notepad thoughtfully. “You know, Mr. Wayne, there are a lot of stories out there about you. Many of them aren’t very flattering.”
Bruce snickered and shook his head. “I read page six. And a few years ago, I didn’t do much to change that perception of me. In many ways, I was exactly what the tabloids presented me as.”
“What changed?”
A deep brown creased the other man’s brow. “Life,” he answered after a pregnant pause. “We all have to grow up eventually, Clark.”
“Yeah, we do…. The ribbon cutting is in just a few weeks. Do you mind if I do a follow-up story with you then?”
“Not at all. The more publicity this project gets, the better. I want people to know that it’s available to them.”
“I do have one more question,” Clark said. “It’s a little unrelated.”
Bruce lifted a brow. “Go ahead,” he said cautiously.
Clark thought about his next question for a moment. He wanted to ask him about Talia’s involvement with LexCorp. But he also didn’t want to raise any suspicions. He didn’t think Bruce Wayne was involved with Lex, the two seemed to dislike each other. But he couldn’t be too sure. “You know what?” he said finally. “It’s not important.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.” Clark stood to his feet and grasped Bruce’s hand again. “Thanks again for meeting with me.”
“It was my pleasure.” Bruce clasped Clark’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “And if you need anything else, just give my office a call.”
“Will do,” Clark said as he strolled through the office door.
He was feeling good. The story Perry was looking for would be on his desk ready to go to print in a few days and all would be right at The Planet. Clark shot Lois a quick text before slipping his cellphone into his jacket pocket. He had one more pit stop back at the fortress before heading home.
++++
Bruce waved Clark off one last time before closing the office door behind him. He liked the reporter. He was one of the few journalists that seemed to act with integrity. That still didn’t erase the fact that there was something off about him. Bruce noticed his odd behavior the first time they met at Lex Luthor’s charity event. He was hiding something. As a man who hid a lot from the outside world, he recognized someone else who was almost as good as he was at keeping secrets.
“Lucius,” he spoke into the speakerphone.
“Yes, Mr. Wayne.” Lucius Fox’s deep voice filled the room.
“I’ve put one of my trackers on Clark Kent.”
“The reporter?”
“Yes. I want him linked to traffic and street cams.”
“Is there a reason why you’re spying on a journalist, Mr. Wayne?”
Bruce smiled. Lucius was one of the few people in his life aside from Alfred who ever questioned his actions. “Curiosity for now,” he lied.
“Do I have to remind you this is a violation of privacy and it’s against the law?”
“No. I’m aware.”
“Very well, Mr. Wayne. I’ll let you know when he’s ready to feed.”
“Thanks, Lucius.”
Storyline: Man of Steel: A New Hope
Characters: Clark Kent (Kal-El) & Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Lucius Fox
Prompt: #010 Midnight
100promptsRating: PG
Word Count: 3355
Fandom: Superman/DC/DCEU
Summary:“Your days are numbered.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Consider it a promise,” Clark said before flying off into the night.
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Story is mine.
“Clark!” Lois called out as soon as she heard him land on the patio. The redhead flew into her boyfriend’s arms and pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “I was so worried. The news with the plane and then you didn’t come home.” Her words were muffled as she spoke.
Clark held her against him. He hated that she worried about him so much. He was going to be fine. Jor-El had given him a clean bill of health before he left the fortress. “I’m fine, Lo. I had a…” He paused as he struggled to come up with a less alarming explanation for his absence. “incident today.”
Lois looked up at him with wide eyes. “What do you mean? And what happened to your suit?” she asked running delicate fingers along the curve of the “S” on his chest.
Clark clasped her hand and led her inside. Her apartment was pretty secure, but he didn’t want to expose her. There were people who were out to harm him. Actually, people was too broad, he thought. There was one person who was out to harm him. And he was willing to take down an entire plane of innocent people to accomplish his goals.
“The suit is a cell regeneration suit.” He began with the easiest explanation first. “It accelerates the healing process by absorbing solar energy.”
Lois looked confused as she touched the black material again. “What happened?”
Clark led them to the sofa. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get changed?
“But—”
“I’m fine, Lois. Really. And I promise I’ll explain.” Lois nodded her head and allowed him to slip into the bedroom, so he could change.
Earlier that day he had felt so weak and vulnerable. He hated that feeling and he hated that it was all on the account of Lex Luthor. Part of him wanted to fly over to the business mogul’s penthouse suite and—Clark sighed. And what exactly? He couldn’t barge in and challenge him to a fight. This wasn’t a situation that he could punch his way out of. He needed to be strategic about how he handled Lex going forward. The man was out for blood.
Lois was pacing the living room again. Worry masked her features. Clark wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be fine. He was going to fix things. “Do you want me to make some tea?” he asked. Tea always seemed to relax her.
“No, I’m fine. What I really want to hear about is you.”
Clark sighed heavily. "I was poisoned,” he jumped right in. Today while I was saving those people, I felt…” his eyes darted away from Lois and locked on one of the paintings on her wall. “Weak,” he finished. “I could barely hold the plane up. Those people. All those people…”
“But you did save them, Clark!” Lois rushed. “They all made it alive. The news reports said no one was injured.”
“By pure luck. I could barely stop the crash.”
“How do you know you were poisoned?” She asked putting on her reporter hat. Clark noticed the subtle change in her demeanor and knew her inner reporter was driving.
“It started after I got the coffee for the office this morning. I started feeling weak then, but I ignored it. Before I left, I drank it down and that’s when I started feeling the effects of the meteorite.”
“So, you think it was the Kryptonite?”
“What?”
Lois waved her hand impatiently. “Just with me on this one. It’s easier to say.”
Kryptonite. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “Yes. I ingested it. It was in the coffee.”
“Then let’s go down there and—”
Clark shook his head. “No. I don’t think the person who served me works there. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. Dark hair cut into a bob, thin, glasses. I know I’ve seen her around.”
Lois' eyes narrowed as Clark gave her the description of the woman who served him earlier. As he spoke, she dug around in one of her files before producing a photo of Lex and the woman from the coffee shop. “Is this her?”
Clark took the photo. He didn’t have to study it for very long. The woman standing beside Lex was definitely the woman from the coffee shop. He’d been so distracted by everything going on in his life that he hadn’t recognized Lex’s personal assistant. “Yeah. She’s the one.”
Lois’ face darkened with anger. “Her name is Mercy Graves. She’s Lex’s assistant. Dammit.”
Clark bit back a smile. “Have I ever told you that you look beautiful when you’re pissed?
“Clark… be serious.”
He gathered her in his arms. “I am serious. You get this look in your eyes, and I feel bad for anyone who’s on the receiving end of anger.”
“Well, Billy Blanks taught me well.”
Clark chuckled before planting a soft kiss on her lips. For a moment he wanted to forget all his troubles with Lex Luthor and sink into her embrace. “Hmmm, I could use a workout.”
Lois placed a hand on his chest and gave Clark a light push. “I know your workouts, Mr. Kent,” she teased. “You’re still in recovery. And we have an evil businessman to worry about. I wonder if Talia knows about the Kryptonite,” she mused.
“Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend?”
“Yes. She’s head of his science department. What if she’s in on this? What if this is connected to Bruce Wayne in some way?”
Now that was a thought. As his scientist, Talia Head would have access to the Kryptonite. Lex probably had chunks of it in the city right under their noses. “Hmmm, that could be. But why would this concern Bruce Wayne?”
“You’re right,” she shook her head. “There’s no connection with Bruce other than his girlfriend working for LexCorp. Still… I wonder if I could get some information from her. See how much she knows. I can pretend to be writing a story on—Ugh!” Lois exclaimed suddenly.
“What, what is it?”
“I’m on desk duty,” Lois said with chagrin.
“That’s right,” Clack said remembering Perry had angrily called Lois into his office before he took off. “What happened with you and Perry today?”
Lois sighed, letting out a gust of frustrated air. “Long story short… I’ll be riding the desk indefinitely. He put me on suspension.”
Clark sat on the edge of the sofa and crossed his arms over his broad chest. Again. Why? Whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad.”
“It was. I switched the copy on the Luthor piece right before it went to print.”
“Lois…”
The redhead huffed before plopping down on the sofa. “I know, I know. It’s so frustrating! I don’t understand how people are fooled by Lex Luthor. He’s so obvious.”
“That’s because they aren’t looking. Not like we are. And they don’t know what to look for. All they see is an upstanding guy and a pillar to the community. He’s Metropolis’ version of Bruce Wayne.”
“Except Bruce Wayne is the real deal. Lex is no better than a common criminal.”
Clark agreed with her on everything, especially the part about Lex Luthor being nothing more than a criminal. How he wasn’t in jail by now was beyond him. “So, tell me how you managed to get that copy by Perry White.”
“I sent up the fluff piece. Right before it went to print, I tricked Gary into switching it out. And I’d do it again,” she said without a trace of remorse.
That’s my girl. Lois Lane was a fighter. He hated that she was suspended, but he was proud that she went with her instinct. She never let anyone intimidate her. Not Perry White or Lex Luthor. He just worried that her gumption would get her seriously hurt one of these days.
“I’ll use these next two weeks to work on my book or catch up on my reading or take down a megalomaniac,” she said nonchalantly.
Clark placed his hands on both her shoulders. “Lo, as much as I would love to take Luthor down, I don’t want you to do anything that could get you hurt. If he ever lays a finger on you, I don’t know what I’d do.” Clark ran that scenario in his mind more often than he liked. What was the extent he would go to keep Lois safe? She was his world. He’d do anything within his power to keep her protected.
Lois wrapped her arms around Clark’s waist and pulled him close to her. “I’ll be careful. My story has already gone viral. I’m sure Lex is going to be tied up for a while explaining how he managed to get around government sanctions. You know they’ll start probing into everything he’s got his hands in.”
Clark took Lois hand in his. “I’m going to have to keep my eyes on you. Lex doesn’t strike me as the type of man that will take this lying down. He might come after you.”
“Let him. I know for a fact my boyfriend can kick his butt.”
Clark tried not to laugh. He was going for serious. “I’m serious, Lo.”
“So am I. I’m a big girl, Clark. I promise I’ll be alright. In the meantime, you write up a knockout story for Perry.”
++++
Clark couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t shake the incident with the plane. He turned his head toward Lois. She was sleeping soundly beside him. Clark ran a hand over her arm while she slept. Lois stirred beneath his touch and snuggled deeper into her pillow. The news cycle was consumed with the Lex Luthor story. They watched the news reports while eating takeout. Lois was right. Lex was going to be tied up legally for a few weeks. That could give them time to expose him for his real crimes. Still, Clark wasn’t sure he could wait that long. Lex Luthor had Kryptonite. He could strike at any time and the next time he may not be so lucky. Clark slipped from between the sheets. He dressed quietly and slipped out of the apartment before Lois realized he was gone.
There were few stars out that night. The dark night gave him the cover he needed to fly undercover. Clark flew above the city toward Lex Luthor’s high rise. The anger bubbled inside of him the closer he got to Lex’s apartment. He didn’t have a plan. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. But he wanted Lex to know that he was on to him.
“Luthor,” Clark’s voice boomed as he hovered outside of Luthor’s window. He knew the businessman was home. There was a soft glow of light coming from inside of the apartment. He waited patiently, hovering outside the building. Clark's cape flapped loudly in the wind. behind him. A few minutes later Luthor’s window slid open. The businessman walked fearlessly to the ledge and stood proudly in front of Clark.
“Superman,” he answered with a smirk. “Or should I call you Kal-El. Or Do you prefer Clark Kent?”
“I’m on to you Lex. I know you were the one behind the train attack. You’re going to spend the rest of your life behind bars.”
Luthor barked out a hearty laugh. His robe flapped out behind him, making him look like a mad man as he laughed. “With what proof?”
“So, you admit it?”
Luthor laughed again. “Do you really think anyone is going to believe the words of some reporter over mine? That stunt your little girlfriend pulled was cute. But my lawyer’s have already taken care of the trouble she caused me.”
“That may be true, but you will go down, Luthor. And I’m going to make sure you do.”
“Ha! You think you’re so good. This figure who inspires people. Gives them hope. What do they say? You represent truth and justice? What do you know about any of that? An alien. This is my home. My planet. You’re just an invader.”
“I may not be from here, Luthor. But unlike you, I care about these people. And this is my home. I’m not going to allow you to do any more harm to it. Your days are numbered.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Consider it a promise,” Clark said before flying off into the night.
Lex watched the sky until Superman was only a dot in the distance. With a press of a button, the ceiling to floor windows slid closed. His blood ran hot beneath his skin. How dare that- that alien come to my home and threaten me? He thought to himself. No one threatened Lex Luthor. He glanced at the digital clock over his mantelpiece. It was barely after midnight. He had work to do.
++++
Clark looked around the massive reception room outside of Bruce Wayne’s office. The two had finally managed a meeting time that worked best for both of them. Between his secret identity, work at The Planet, and his issues with Lex Luthor it felt good to be back to work. Clark checked his watch again. He was early. The ferry ride from Metropolis to Gotham City left him with plenty of time to navigate Gotham traffic.
“Mr. Kent. Mr. Wayne is ready to see you now. Please, this way,” the secretary said before showing him into Bruce Wayne’s office.
“Mr. Kent,” Bruce greeted him with an easy smile. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
Clark shook the businessman’s hand before taking the seat in front of his desk. “No. I was early.”
“Good. I know time is money.” Bruce sat on the edge of his desk. His shirtsleeves were rolled up indicating that he’d been working hard on something.
Clark observed the paperwork on his desk and made a mental note of it. So, he’s more than a name on a plaque. Maybe the rumors about him being a philandering playboy weren’t all true. “Thanks for seeing me, Mr. Wayne.”
“Please, call me Bruce. And it’s my pleasure. Like I mentioned before, my father’s work and his legacy are important to me. I want to make sure this is handled by the right people.”
Clark dug out his tape recorder and motioned with his head for permission to turn it on. “Tell me more about your father’s vision,” he began.
Bruce crossed his arms over his chest. “Where do I begin? My father, Thomas Wayne, was always a visionary. A man before his time. He took his oath as a doctor seriously. He knew the value and the importance of healthcare as an inalienable right, rather than the privilege people think it is.”
“Careful, that sounds a lot like socialism,” Clark joked causing Bruce to smile.
“We live in a country built on socialist principles, Clark. The sad thing is that while the rich get richer, the poor get crushed.”
“You say that as if you aren’t part of the 1% getting richer by the minute. I saw the numbers by the closing of the Dow yesterday.”
“I like money,” Bruce admitted. “Money allows me to do the things that I like and be who I need to be.”
Clark’s pen paused over his notepad. That was a very enigmatic statement. He started to question him further about it.
“And Gotham needs someone who is going to look out for her. Protect her.”
“Sounds like a job for Batman.” Clark joked again.
“Well, Batman can handle the kingpins and the drug lords. Criminals. I rather fight with the law on my side.”
“So, you have a problem with vigilante justice?” Clark probed.
A smile twitched at Bruce’s lips. “Shouldn’t we all have a problem with people taking the law into their own hands? I know Metropolis treats Superman like its very own mascot. And while he does a lot of good, what is he doing for the mother who is barely making ends meet with a sick child on her hand?”
“Well—”
“But,” Bruce said clapping his hands together. “That’s not to undermine the good he does. We just need people with their boots on the ground while he’s leaping tall buildings with a single bound.”
Clark shifted in his seat. He hadn’t thought about it that way. Sure, as Superman he saved people from immediate danger, but what about everyone else?
“But enough about men playing dress up in capes,” Bruce continued. “I thought we were here to discuss the Wayne Foundation’s Medical Plaza.”
“You’re right. Gotham and Batman have become synonymous these days. But that’s a story for a different time. What do you hope the Wayne Medical Plaza will hope to accomplish?”
“Ultimately? I want it to serve as a model for other centers like it. I think it’s something my father would have wanted.”
“Are there any plans to open more centers nationwide? Or even internationally?”
“Hopefully. It’s something that I am considering for the future.”
Clark tapped his pen against his notepad thoughtfully. “You know, Mr. Wayne, there are a lot of stories out there about you. Many of them aren’t very flattering.”
Bruce snickered and shook his head. “I read page six. And a few years ago, I didn’t do much to change that perception of me. In many ways, I was exactly what the tabloids presented me as.”
“What changed?”
A deep brown creased the other man’s brow. “Life,” he answered after a pregnant pause. “We all have to grow up eventually, Clark.”
“Yeah, we do…. The ribbon cutting is in just a few weeks. Do you mind if I do a follow-up story with you then?”
“Not at all. The more publicity this project gets, the better. I want people to know that it’s available to them.”
“I do have one more question,” Clark said. “It’s a little unrelated.”
Bruce lifted a brow. “Go ahead,” he said cautiously.
Clark thought about his next question for a moment. He wanted to ask him about Talia’s involvement with LexCorp. But he also didn’t want to raise any suspicions. He didn’t think Bruce Wayne was involved with Lex, the two seemed to dislike each other. But he couldn’t be too sure. “You know what?” he said finally. “It’s not important.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.” Clark stood to his feet and grasped Bruce’s hand again. “Thanks again for meeting with me.”
“It was my pleasure.” Bruce clasped Clark’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “And if you need anything else, just give my office a call.”
“Will do,” Clark said as he strolled through the office door.
He was feeling good. The story Perry was looking for would be on his desk ready to go to print in a few days and all would be right at The Planet. Clark shot Lois a quick text before slipping his cellphone into his jacket pocket. He had one more pit stop back at the fortress before heading home.
++++
Bruce waved Clark off one last time before closing the office door behind him. He liked the reporter. He was one of the few journalists that seemed to act with integrity. That still didn’t erase the fact that there was something off about him. Bruce noticed his odd behavior the first time they met at Lex Luthor’s charity event. He was hiding something. As a man who hid a lot from the outside world, he recognized someone else who was almost as good as he was at keeping secrets.
“Lucius,” he spoke into the speakerphone.
“Yes, Mr. Wayne.” Lucius Fox’s deep voice filled the room.
“I’ve put one of my trackers on Clark Kent.”
“The reporter?”
“Yes. I want him linked to traffic and street cams.”
“Is there a reason why you’re spying on a journalist, Mr. Wayne?”
Bruce smiled. Lucius was one of the few people in his life aside from Alfred who ever questioned his actions. “Curiosity for now,” he lied.
“Do I have to remind you this is a violation of privacy and it’s against the law?”
“No. I’m aware.”
“Very well, Mr. Wayne. I’ll let you know when he’s ready to feed.”
“Thanks, Lucius.”
