Chloe sat on the rooftop of the Daily Planet gazing at the Metropolis skyline. She smiled and let out a slight chuckle when she thought about how peaceful the city looked.

"What's so funny?" Clark asked causing Chloe to jump and turn around.

"For a moment, I thought everything was going to be okay. That I wouldn't have to leave." Chloe responded, her eyes growing sadder with every syllable.

Clark sighed, "I know. I've been racking my brain trying to think of anything I can do. But in the end, I think I'm just being selfish since I don't want my best friend to leave." Clark smiled at the last line. "Oliver has everything set up. You'll be moving to Gotham City tomorrow." Clark said sadly.

Chloe's face grew skeptical. "I still can't believe I'm moving to Gotham. I still havn't solved all the mysteries of Metropolis and now I'm expected to figure out what's going on in a city whose name invokes darkness?"

Clark laughed, "I know. It's hard for me to let you move out there. But I'm always just a phone call away. Or a really loud shout," Clak paused, "in fact, I doubt you'll even miss me. I'll probably continue showing up at your door begging you for help."

The two friends continued watching the sunset and talking about old times and Chloe's impending move.

"What'd you tell Lois?" Clark asked.

"Part of the truth - I itched a few people the wrong way a few too many times and now I can't do anything without being scared out of my mind. I left out the part where the government is trying to use me to get to Green Arrow and his gang and Lex as usual is salivating at the thought of getting his hands on my healing ability." Chloe responded, downplaying the actual threat.

"Speaking of Lois..." Clark sighed.

"So there you two are - I thought you were afraid of heights Smallville." Lois stated authoritatively. Clark simply glared at her attempting to relay it wasn't the time. She got the message and quickly chirped in, "So anyways what are we talking about?"

"Just talking about old times. Before life got so crazy," Chloe said with a mixture of sadness and regret. Lois sat thoughtfully, thinking about her cousin who was her closest family member. Both Chloe and Lois' eyes started to well and Chloe finally said "Ya know? I'm really going to miss it here." Lois grabbed her cousin into a bear hug, afraid to let go.

"Hey. Me and Clark here aren't just going to sit on our hands while you're gone. We're going to figure out whose bugging you and put it to a stop so you can come home. Okay? So...think of this as a healthy vacation. You need to meet more people anyways." Chloe smiled at Lois' words and appreciated the optimism in her voice.

The three continued to talk about both the past and the future. Finally, the sun was completely down and it was time for the trio to head their seperate ways home.

Chloe walked up to her apartment unsurprised to find Clark standing outside waiting for her. Ever since the government had connected Chloe to the Green Arrow, Clark had acted as her personal bodyguard whenever possible. As much as Chloe appreciated the concern, it was one of the reasons she was leaving. Clark was meant for more in this world than protecting her.

They entered the house to find a packet of information left by Oliver. It was the keys to her new identity – a passport, birth certificate, the works. Chloe thumbed the material over sadly.

"So I guess from now on you're going to have to call me Laura Smith. Could he have chose a more generic name?" Chloe joked. Clark tried to smile but was having trouble dealing with the fact his best friend and side kick was moving away.

"I think he tried to choose the most common name in existence. I don't know way, something about easing government suspicion…" Clark started to explain.

Also included in the packet was a resume she was expected to use. All of the references were people Oliver could trust and her "past" would allow her to pursue a career in journalism.

"So do you want to help me dye my hair?" Chloe asked. Clark chuckled and nodded his head no before giving her a hug and heading out.

Chloe had trouble sleeping that night. She was plagued with dreams that didn't make sense and the fear of leaving home. When her alarm went off at six in the morning, she was grateful.

Chloe stared at her apartment that was more or less covered in boxes. The plan was to move her and then all her stuff. She didn't get a lot of why Oliver had planned this the way he did but trusted that he was doing it for the right reasons.

At about 8, Clark showed up at her place, ready to take her to Gotham. He gave her a smile of approval for her new hair before taking her up to the daily planet. After a few minutes of gazing the city she hoped she would live in forever, she was ready to go.

Once they reached Gotham, the pair felt the atmosphere darken. Or maybe it was them allowing their own low expectations dictate appearances. They entered the apartment Oliver had set up and were impressed with its size and location. On the table next to the door was a vase with flowers and a note saying "Watchtower – hope you like the new place – Olie". Chloe felt touched and greatful she had so many friends.

The first thing Chloe did was find the computer room that Oliver promised. It wasn't quite Isis but it would allow her to perform her watchtower duties nonetheless. For Chloe, it was important to know she would still be connected to everyone even if she was 1000 miles away. After getting settled in and sending Clark away, Chloe lay back on her bed and absorbed the beginning of her new life.

5 Years Later

"Laura! Where's my piece on the new school district?" Editor in Chief of the Gotham Gazette Larry Stein barked.

"Where do you think it is? Check your office desk. Now what do you really want?" Laura Smith, now star editor at the gazette asked her long time boss.

"You caught me. I came to make sure you were alright. I know you've been hitting the streets trying to get the story on Falcone, but it's dangerous. I'm sorry, but I don't think you can get this story without being killed." Larry responded thoughtfully.

Laura chuckled slightly to herself, "Look, these streets have gotten worst and worst and everyone's too afraid to do anything. That leaves me. I'll write everything you assign me, just let me try. And think about it, if I do get the story-"

"If you get the story, we'll all be dead before it hits print." Stein cut her off. Laura's face sobered as she drilled herself for a response.

"Okay let's look at it like this. What if this place does get cleaned up and one day it's plausible that I can print this story? At least we'll have the story. Better than the other papers who seem to be too afraid to even say Falcone's name." Smith smiled triumphantly.

"Very well, but be discreet and be careful, please, this paper needs you!" Larry informed her with raised eyes. Laura looked like she was about to respond when they heard "Turn it up!" and simultaneously, editor and reporter turned to the tv.

"In breaking news, Bruce Wayne, who was declared dead over a year ago, has returned to Gotham. The billionaire refuses to comment on his whereabouts since he went missing about seven years ago and just says 'it's nice to be back!'." Pretty much the entire news room at this point was either staring at the TV or at Larry for instructions on what to do.

"Laura!" Larry barked, despite that fact they were about 2 feet away from one another.

"Yes boss?" She responded relatively nonchalantly.

"I want you on this! And take someone for entertainment with you."

"Got it." Laura said before stomping off to entertainment to grab Brad.

"So Brad. You want to help me uncover the mystery of Bruce Wayne?" Laura asked Brad playfully.

"Sure. Although I doubt it's that great a mystery. He probably just forgot to phone home." Brad responded.

"Regardless, it could turn interesting and this beats the fluff pieces the Gazette usually calls journalism."

"Point taken." Brad said. The two left the building and headed for the press conference that would be held at Wayne enterprises.

Laura had met Brad about three years ago when he came on board at the Gazette. She always found it funny that this attractive, seemingly straight guy would choose to work in the Arts and Entertainment section (which was also often gossip). Laura's inquisitive nature led her to befriending Brad and eventually she learned that he just liked people and was a big art buff. He also confessed that by being calm and not an in your face girl, he could often uncover secrets others could only dream of.

The two pulled up to Wayne Enterprises with only minutes to spare. They rushed in, flashing their press passes and settled down at the seats marked "Gotham Gazette" in the 2nd row towards the right of the stage. Almost immediately after sitting down, Bruce Wayne stepped up to the podium leading to a whirlwind of questions by the media. Wayne calmly lowered his hands, asking the impatient audience to quiet down.

"I want to thank you all for coming here today. I will answer as many questions as I can. Miss, from the times?"

"Tina Sites, Gotham Times, Where have you been for the last seven years and why didn't you tell anyone where you were?"

"Thank you Miss Sites. Unfortunately, when I left Gotham, I wasn't in my right state. It took me seven years to get my act together and come home. I am extremely sorry for any grief or inconvenience I inadvertently caused. Yes, sir from the gazette?"

"Brad Thomson, Gotham Gazette. If you won't say where you've been the last seven years, can you at least tell the public what you were doing?"

"Of course Mr. Thomson. I was…figuring things out. Soul searching if you will. It's hard to do that in mansions walls." Bruce Wayne chuckled leading to many snorts and laughs from the crowd. The rest of the press conference went on in a similar manner, with the media asking questions to which Wayne responded with vague and incomplete answers.

As they were walking out of the building, Laura confessed, "There was something quite off about him. I mean, if he was really doing some soul searching, why be so vague? I mean, he didn't fully answer a single question!"

"Maybe the guy just likes his privacy. I mean, would you wan't the media to know every detail of your past?" Brad rebuttled. Laura had to admit he had a good point. For the last five years, she has done the same thing – lied and responded vaguely to any inquiries to her past. However, this realization only made her more curious about the billionaire.

"You're probably right. This is going to be one boring headline…" Laura sighed and Brad chuckled.

Laura arrived home to her cozy Gotham apartment at around 6 pm and immediately headed to her computers. About three years ago, Clark decided to leave Metropolis and start his training and travel the world. While his decision to leave was encouraged by all (save for Lois who thought it was ridiculous that he needed to see the world), they all still missed him and wanted him back. So everyday for what seems like forever, Laura would check the Watchtower database and check for any sign of Clark.

Like every other day for the last 3 years, Laura sighed as she realized Clark had not yet returned. She settled back into her chair with a cup of coffee and checked to see if there was any Justice League work for her to do. She found an email in her secure inbox from Oliver:

"Hey Chloe! It's been about a week since we talked, I just wanted to make sure that you were doing alright. I don't know if it's reached the media yet but Bruce Wayne is throwing a little get together in honor of his return from the dead. I know, as star reporter, you're just dying to go so will you be my date? – Oliver."

Chloe smiled and called Oliver immediately, "Oliver, you know I can't show up to you to some fancy party, it will look suspicious!"

"Ah – actually, I already thought of that. See, according to your resume, you used to work for me. So, we say we're old friends. I mean, as long as we're not all over each other the hounds won't really pay attention." Oliver argued.

Chloe took a moment to contemplate the suggestion, "Y'know, I'll do it. But only because I have a funny feeling about this Wayne character."

Oliver laughed causing Chloe to roll her eyes, "Chloe, I know Bruce from way back, what you see is what you get. He's just the kind of guy that can get drunk for seven years."

"Alright if you insist. Cya." Chloe quickly said before hanging up.

Chloe looked at her reflection and then suddenly remembered she was now Laura Smith. Yeah, she still had some of the connections of her former life but she needed to remember who she was. After five years, her face had significantly grown up and her hair was now dyed red and flowed half way down her back. She figured there wasn't too much to worry about.