Batman Begins/Superman Returns
Pushy Reporters
By JadedofMara
Far above the crime-ridden streets of Gotham, the Gotham County Government Center raised her dark-veiled head higher than any of her sisters. Her shadow-shrouded apex was deserted; majestic in silence. Full-moonlight fell upon her, filtering through storm-black clouds and lacing the city's pinnacle with patches of blue-white illumination, and fields of velvet black
A flash of red and blue across the sky, and the darkness moved.
Metropolis' hero landed with a whisper of displaced air. He stared around, his blue eyes narrowed slightly.
Superman grinned. "Hello."
"You're late," the shadows rasped by way of greeting. The Batman materialized from the gloom. "My message said midnight. It's almost one."
The Last Son of Krypton sighed. "House fire," he explained. "Twins wanting autographs. And a pushy reporter."
The Dark Knight shook his head. "There's a reason I work nights. How do you put up with people like that?"
"You get used to it. And besides," Superman trailed off, his eyes twinkling. "That's payback for the method of your message. I almost broke a window, I was so startled. Only Luthor has ever contacted me that way before."
Batman scowled. "And here I thought I was being original."
The Man of Steele chuckled.
"I asked you here to talk about forming an alliance," Batman rumbled. "Neither of us is the 'leader', and we still operate separately. I call you when I need backup, and you bring me in when you've got a Kryptonite problem."
Superman raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought."
The corners of Batman's mouth twitched upward. "I had to justify it to myself somehow."
"Well, it sounds like a plan," Superman said, grinning. "So if you need me, you'll call me the way you did this morning, and if I need you, I come by and pick you up? That what you're thinking?"
Batman nodded.
Superman smiled and held out a hand. Batman took it.
"Great," Superman said. "See you around then, Bats."
Batman laughed—actually laughed—a single 'ha' of mirth.
"Bye, Kal."
Brother heroes of sister cities flew off into the night.