Clark had a hard time staying on point when faced with a sleepy Bruce Wayne. His hair was everywhere and stuck up or hung down in places that looked adorable on the usually proper man. But Clark had to tell him. It was hard to get the words out and stick to his story. He hadn't wanted to worry Bruce or his family which was why he kept the first break in to his house a secret. But now? Faced with the pearls that were rightfully Bruce's he had no choice but to tell him everything he knew.

"I'm sorry but I don't think you're safe here. I'll leave immediately but I was wondering how much it would bother you if I kept an eye on the manor still. I don't know if he'll come back but I wouldn't like to make the assumption that he wouldn't," Clark shifted on the bedspread and set the pearls on Bruce's dresser, passing the still man as he went.

"Of course you have my permission," He finally muttered. His gaze was fixed on the pearls that were sitting complete next to him. "There's a house not far from here that could be useful to you. I don't know if it's still standing but it's as close to a neighbour that the manor ever had. Dick says the old Drake place has some rooms but that's as far as I know. You'll have to ask him to take you in the morning."

"The morning?" Clark questioned "I was going to leave now. It isn't safe for you."

"Nor you," The steely gaze was back on Clark "You seem to underestimate the true potential of Gotham. It makes me wonder how you're still alive." The floorboards creaked outside of Bruce's door and Clark listened in to find Cass breathing next to the wall.

"Luck and skill. Is everything alright Cass?" The door opened at the sounding of her name and the girl peered inside nervously. Her short hair hung low over her eyes as she conveyed some silent message to Bruce. He nodded and she left with a last look at where Clark was sitting "Is everything okay?" He asked instantly alert and listening around the manor.

"Fine," Bruce said getting up. His pants rode low on his hips making more of his pale skin come on show. "Cass said that Dick was restless. It happens," He waved away.

"Alright," Clark agreed and let Bruce go comfort Dick who Clark distantly heard muttering and pacing in his room. He was really distracted tonight. How could he have missed that.

He went back to his room with the distant sounds of Jason's breathing and Dick's sobs echoing in his ears. The smell was stale when he entered meaning that the Bat hadn't been back just yet. He crawled into his bed with the thought of his plan racing through his mind. He had to find out how the Bat was entering and exiting Gotham. Maybe it would shed some light on how he could capture him. He distantly wondered what Barry had planned tomorrow. He knew he was fast but with the help of the Flash he would be done faster.

Morning came all too soon for Clark's racing brain. Breakfast was a subdued affair. Bruce and Dick both looked tired after their late night while Cass and Jason, who were probably used to the changing atmosphere, didn't try and engage in conversation. All of his things were packed and he felt rather sad to be leaving their home so soon but knew that it would be for the best. He couldn't have them worrying about another psycho in this city breaking into their lives.

That night saw him waiting on the roof that Cold had pointed out. He had taken one side of the city and Flash the other. He used his x-ray for most of the work and only went into the places where his vision was blocked by lead.

A red streak slowed down becoming visible as Barry. "Anything?" He asked taking another sweep around for the 'Bat.'

"Nope. Sorry Kal but everything's secure. The way I see it he's either got a guard on the inside or some kind of air support. That or he's a meta. What kind of credentials did you say he had again?" Barry didn't usually talk a mile a minute unlike his nephew and the jittery way he was standing now really unnerved Clark.

"Normal I assume. But he has been known to sneak in and out the manor without my hearing detecting him. A meta might not be that far off," He indicated for them to start walking back to the Drake manor.

Flash had reluctantly decided to stay with Clark for which he was grateful. He never would have thought two nights ago that he would be scared to sleep alone but here he was. Flash also had his own reasons for staying. He had wanted to check out Gotham for himself. The place made everyone curious for a look but it was more than that for Barry. He was against the idea from the start and only now with the pull that Superman had was he able to cross the boundaries into this no man's land and check on the poor souls that were condemned here.

"Do you think they'll be alright?" Barry asked almost reading Clark's train of thought.

"Cold's survived this long and I'm sure the others are bunkered down somewhere. We can check in the morning though," He reassured making Barry look even more queasy.

"I can't believe people actually live like this. It's wrong!" He hissed jumping when a shadow streaked by from one of the buildings.

They took off faster and made it to the Drake manor in seconds. "I know but there's nothing I can do. Even if I ran an expose on this city people would just believe that this was what they deserve. You know better than anyone the effect it's had on the people outside of Gotham."

Barry kicked a pile of rubble and pulled his sleeping bag from his duffel "Crime's down and people can walk the streets safe again," He repeated what had become almost a slogan for Gotham. "But do they honestly not see the problem with it. Some of those people were one time offenders but since the prisons were full they were sent to their deaths in here. God knows how many have died! Not to mention the others. Those who actually need help, but where are they? Here, in a place where there are no doctors. They're humans but they're treated like animals," he spat tossing in his makeshift bed.

"I know," Clark sighed running his hands over his face. He had the same thoughts but it wouldn't do any good to voice them. The government believed Gotham to be a success and that was how it was staying. "We'll check on them tomorrow," He repeated more for himself than for Barry and settled down in his own sleeping bag.

The Drake manor was nothing more than ruins like Dick had said but there were a couple of rooms that were still standing. One of them had been the bedroom of a young boy. He wondered looking at the photo lying in the dust whether he got out. Whether he's still alive and living happily in the streets that Clark tries so hard to protect. Or whether he's lying on him right now. A boy cut down because of an earthquake and the lack of humanity from the government.

Sleep was hard to come by but he did eventually drift off. Waking when Barry zipped too and fro as he waited for Clark to wake up. True to his word they checked on everyone that day. Barry made it his mission to find all of the villains he had ever fought and make sure that they were alright. Some were and had only spiteful words for the hero but others like Captain Cold and Captain Boomerang were actually glad to see the speedster again.

"Your sister's doing better but I'm afraid that's all there is," He told Cold who looked elated just to hear the news that his sister was still breathing.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on her," He said and turned back to join the other ice villains in the harbour.

Mirror Master was nowhere to be found and Clark wondered briefly if he was hiding in his mirrors away from what was happening. Barry spoke into one on the off chance that he was and told him about his family. It seemed that the red streak had been prepared in his journey and looked up everything he could about his former villains.

"It's nice of you to tell them," Clark remarked as they made another tour of Gotham.

"They need to know," Barry insisted "They have families who still care for them and they need to know what's going on. Just because the rest of the world has abandoned them..."

"I know," Clark told him "I was thinking earlier, before you even came here actually, that we should form some kind of relief for them. The ones that want it anyway. Maybe send in some more supplies and provide meetings with loved ones."

"Yeah," Barry agreed looking closely at Clark "So what's Wayne like?"

The question was unexpected since he had only briefly mentioned bunkering down with Bruce for the past couple of days. "Quiet," He commented.

"Is that all? Ollie said that he was quite odd. I would have thought you'd have more to say," They passed the gardens where a red haired woman was glaring at them to keep away. Clark smiled and Barry waved as they passed to show they meant no harm.

"Oliver knows Bruce?" He had never thought of the billionaire having any contact with the recluse. But then again they both come from old money. They were bound to cross circles when they were younger.

"He visited a couple of times with his parents. Apparently Wayne would just sit there and read. He said it got worse after his parents died, before he shut himself from the world Oliver said he went to one of Bruce's functions that the company was throwing and I dunno what happened but you should see the face he pulled," Barry's words were light but there was an underlying note of concern.

"Scary?"

"Apparently. So he's never pulled anything weird on you has he?" There was a shooting taking place a couple of streets over so Clark rushed and took the guns before anyone got hurt. He realised too late that he should have taken the knives from them too when he heard someone scream.

"No. He was perfectly nice actually. He has three kids that were also nice. They were the reason I left, I didn't want to put them in more danger," The mob bosses had taken what they came for and made sure to dispose of their corpse.

"Hmm," Barry hummed toying with the cavern that dipped in one side of the road. "I wonder why he didn't leave. I know that place is his home and all but he's living with a bunch of psycho's now. Anything would be better than that."

"I know but something's keeping him there. I didn't want to pry since he barely spoke to me for the first day," Clark pulled Barry up just as his foot slipped down.

"Thanks."

They journeyed back to the Drake manor to get think on what to do next. There was no discernible exit apart from the three that Barry had thought up that would allow the Bat to escape into other cities. Not to mention there was something bugging Clark about why he came back to Gotham at all.

"Don't you think it's strange," He said relating his thoughts to Barry "He can escape any time he likes but he keeps coming back here. He hasn't been caught and can avoid detection so living in another city would be easy to him. Why does he keep coming back?"

"That's actually a good question," They thought on that whilst they moved some of the rubble out of the way. Clark only had two days left before his job required him to leave so he was going to have to take advantage of any new development that came his way. "Is there any place that he frequents? Maybe we could try and spring a trap of some sort." Barry seemed to like the idea of a trap "I mean, he's obviously a creature of pattern. Why else would he come back here like you said. Perhaps he was focusing on you more because you've upset his norm, gotten to close to something you shouldn't have."

"So he tried to scare me off," Clark agreed thinking back to the pearls. It had definitely worked "But he made contact months ago, I'm no closer to catching him then than now."

"But you're here now. Tell me when did things start to become more sinister?"

Clark thought back to when his apartment had been violated. He had done nothing different that day, just went to interview one of the guards about Bruce. Bruce! He had went to go see him that day.

"It's Bruce. He has some connection to this guy. Listen Barry, the cases that have been cropping up in relation to the Bat are all replica's of the Wayne murder. The day things started becoming more intrusive was the day that I met Bruce. Then again when I came to stay with him." He went and got the files out of his bag to show Barry. The policeman in the speedster had taken charge and was rifling through each one for connections and things that normal people miss.

"Maybe it's someone that Bruce knows. Did you ask him about the murders?" Clark shook his head negative. The man seemed so closed off that it was never a good time to bring it up. "Well I think you should. You need to go stay with him again- and don't argue! This time you'll be prepared. You need to ask Bruce about anyone from his childhood and make a list. I'm going to see if I can get some clearance to come back in since I need to go to the lab for some things. If the Bat shows up set a trap," He rattled gathering up his things in his excitement.

Clark watched as he zoomed off to the bridge before taking a breath. He could keep up with Barry no problem but sometimes he just went to fast for Clark to bother. Relaxing he gathered up his things like Barry had told him.

Dick lit up when he answered the door to Clark and dragged him inside whilst shouting for Jason and Cass to "Come greet out guest!" He happily filled him in on what he had missed in the manor. Telling Clark all about Jason's new recipe's and Cass's new flip that she had taught him. He was even more excited when Clark asked if he could stay again and ran off mid sentence to go get Bruce.

The man himself was surprised to see him and smiled pleasantly as he took Clark's bag off him "What made you change your mind?" he inquired with an arched brow.

"I figured that you lot were safer with me around rather than not. Also I enjoy your company," He complimented making Bruce's smile soften into something more intimate.

"Well that's good. Dick's been talking none stop since you left. He whined for me to call you back to the manor for three hours before sulking on top of Jason," He led Clark back to his room that he had two nights previous and placed his bag on his bed.

"On top?"

"Dick doesn't believe in personal boundaries," Bruce explained making Clark chuckle at the images that brought about. He couldn't imagine the other three occupants in the manor enjoying Dick's hands on approach. But he had been proven wrong before and Bruce didn't seem to mind talking about it. "Dinner was already served but if you ask nicely I'm sure Jason would be more than happy to make you something."

"No that's okay. If you don't mind I can actually cook a little myself," Bruce huffed happily and left Clark in his room.

The kitchen was spotless and Clark wondered how Bruce had imported all of these pots and cookers after the earthquake. There wasn't much to eat which reminded Clark of his mission to make sure that Gotham received more supplies and maybe make some house calls whilst he was at it.

"Can I help you?" He whipped around staring shocked at Jason lounging on the bench. He hadn't heard the boy come in which slightly unnerved him. Maybe he was loosing his hearing.

"I'm just making something to eat. Bruce said it was alright," He defended when Jason scowled in his direction.

"Did he now? Well too bad for you that this is my territory," He said and walked over to where Clark was rifling. He closed the cupboard before taking some ingredients out of the fridge.

"You don't have..." He stopped when an icy glare was directed at him.

"I'm not having you mess up the kitchen when I've just cleaned it." He sighed into the mixing bowl "Besides it's bad manners to neglect a guest."

Clark couldn't help a fond smile at the teen. Even after everything Bruce had made sure they knew etiquette. He wondered why Bruce thought it would be a good skill to have when they hadn't moved. Perhaps he was hoping that if the boys were nice enough the villains would leave them alone.

Jason was truly something he was tempted to kidnap. The boy could cook for Gods and even gave his Ma a run for her money. Clark was thinking up a list of ingredients he was going to bring next time he came, just so Jason could have more to experiment with.

"So why are you really back?" He asked spooning the ice cream in his own bowl.

"Make you you're all okay," Clark answered digging into his own.

"No. There's something else. What is it?" The boy had a knack for secrets.

"I think that Bruce might be the connection to what's been happening and I'm hoping that I can find out more," He told truthfully. Jason just scowled again.

"Isn't that why you came here in the first place? You said you thought there was something between Dad and the murderer before so what's changed?"

"I found a different connection. The first was just the similarities between the cases but now I think it's someone from Bruce's past that might hold some insight. I just need to talk to Bruce to make sure," He said and watched as the lines smoothed out on Jason's forehead.

He nodded to Clark "Okay then," and returned to his ice cream.

After dinner Jason followed him to his room telling about how annoying Dick was when Clark left. It was nice to hear some brotherly affection in his voice when he talked about Dick and made Clark admire just how amazing Bruce was. He had taken three orphans and made them a family, one that actually thought of each other like one despite them meeting at late stages in their childhood.

The smell was back in his room when he opened the door but this time Clark paid it no mind. He wasn't going to be intimidated away again. This time he was sticking to the plan and confronting Bruce about his connection. Clark changed into something less intimidating than his super suit before listening for Bruce's breathing and making his way into the parlour room where Bruce sat with Dick draped across him. The billionaire didn't seem to mind that a twenty year old was squashing him and seemed to be almost ignoring him if not for the random pats he would bestow on Dick's head.

"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked politely and took a seat opposite them when Bruce relented.

"Where's Jaybird?" Dick asked turning his head to Clark.

"In his room. He said something about catching up with his sleep," Clark laughed at the guilty face Dick pulled. It turned out that Dick had kept Jason up half the night with his sulking. "I was hoping to ask you about the murders. It's just we've never actually had a chance to talk about it."

Bruce grimaced and set his book down on Dick's face who huffed before putting the book to the side. "Do you really have to ask me about it?"

"I think so, sorry. There's been some developments and I need some facts that only you can provide," Clark offered watching as Bruce weighed up his chances of escape before relenting to Clark's questioning.

"What do you want to know?"

"Firstly, after it happened what happened to you? I mean I know that you were in police investigations but you remained in the manor for the rest of your life so how did that happen?"

"We had a butler, his name was Alfred and he looked after me after my parents died. It was thanks to him that I wasn't taken into some care home or passed on to another money grabbing relative," Bruce said lost in his own past.

"Was?"

"He died when I was nineteen," Was all he said on the matter.

"I'm sorry." Clark sighed and continued his questioning "Did you have any friends when you were younger. Before or after the incident?"

Bruce hummed looking pensive for a moment and Clark wondered how anyone had to think about whether they had friends when they were younger. He then remembered what Barry had said about Oliver calling him weird.

"There was Tommy. Thomas Elliot, he was my friend before and after it happened but we lost touch. Oliver Queen, I think I remember him coming over a couple of times. He wasn't strictly a friend more of a playmate, the same with Lex Luthor. Other than that I can't really think of anyone." Wonderful one of those was his colleague and the other on the brink of moving to Gotham. He supposed he couldn't rule out Lex entirely but it seemed unlikely. Thomas seemed like a good route to look into.

"Thank you," Bruce looked a little surprised.

"Is that all?"

He smiled at him "Yeah. Don't worry though, I'm sure I can think of some more for tomorrow." Hopefully Barry would be back with a clearer picture of what they should be asking about. He was certain now that the connection was hidden somewhere in Bruce's mind

Dick started demanding Bruce's attention once Clark had finished his mini interrogation and he couldn't help but huff a laugh at Bruce's resigned sigh before relaxing himself under the twenty year old and fluffing his hair. Dick gave Bruce his book back when he was content with Bruce's level of petting so Clark left them to it.

Strangely the smell hadn't grown any stronger when he was gone but that didn't deter Clark's thought that the Bat wouldn't return tonight. He knew that it was a matter of time before he would start toying with Clark again.

Clark took out his laptop and wrote up the story he was going to submit to The Planet. There was enough new evidence that would keep Perry happy and hopefully lead to a follow up story. An hour later and Clark was satisfied that his story would make front page news so he shut down and got ready for bed.

After spending the night in the Drake manor with nothing but sleeping bags that Barry had provided Clark was more than happy to luxuriate in Bruce's heavenly soft bed. He wondered if he asked nicely enough that Bruce would let him take it and then blushed when his mind went to places concerning taking Bruce in this bed, or even his own. It had looked softer than this one when he had briefly seen it, not to mention it was draped in darkness with the lack of light from the curtains. Perfect for lie ins or seclusion for romantic endeavours.

He was considering taking care of the noticeable problem that had made itself known when cursing Oliver Queen became the better choice. "What is it now Oliver?" He asked into his phone. It couldn't be an emergency otherwise the comm link would have been used.

"Barry told me you were at Wayne's," Even without the archer being there Clark could picture the pouted scowl on his face.

"Yeah, it's a lead for the murderer. Not to mention my editor wants an interview with him. I hope that's okay."

"No it isn't. You need to get out of there," he warned and Clark floated lazily over to the window to see if any immediate threat was there.

"And why's that?" There was nothing but trees and bushes for miles. No one but the five of them were on the grounds.

"Because Wayne-"

"Superman?" Clark turned to see Bruce at the entrance to his room. He was gazing at where Clark was floating with fascination.

"Gotta go," he hung up not really hearing the expletives thrown at him through the phone. "Was there something you needed. Is everything alright?" He asked, his mind going to panic mode immediately.

Bruce shook his head with a little smile "Everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you for a while. But if you're busy..." He trailed looking pointedly at where Clark had hung up on Oliver.

"No," He reassured "It's nothing that can't wait." He tossed his phone on the bed and stood back on the floor to walk towards Bruce. "So what's bugging you?"

Bruce sat on Clark's bed and indicated that he do the same. He shuffled around for a couple of minutes trying to formulate what he was going to say "The thing is, I never really thought about moving out of Gotham. All my life I've been here and I'm so used to it now that it doesn't really seem all that unusual. But when you came I realised that Gotham's a lost cause. It always has been and this is no place for me and my family." He seemed to be struggling with his thoughts but Clark couldn't help him for fear that he might close up again. "I was wondering if you could tell me what the other cities are like."

"Which ones?" He asked already thinking about all the things Metropolis had to offer. Number one being that he was there.

"Any really. I hear that there's hardly any crime anymore," Bruce prompted.

"Well I wouldn't say that," He rubbed the back of his head "There is still a lot of crime that happens but usually it's only minor offences. The people know better than to go toe to toe with us these days."

"But still, it's better than Gotham?"

"Yeah," Bruce nodded with his eyes cast far away from the room they were in. Clark wondered if he would actually go through with the move or stick to what he knew and stay in his manor.

He snapped out of it and smiled slightly at Clark. But then Bruce got really close to him and leaned slightly to the side, making his eyes connect to Clark's in a way that had Clark hooked. "Clark you're-"

"Hmm?" he hummed not wanting to spoil the atmosphere that had settled over them.

"I think you're-" He sighed and leaned in while Clark met him halfway in a kiss.