CHAPTER 3 - A CONVERSTAION ON A BALCONY

The sleek black Aston Martin pulled up towards the large, spectacular Luthor residence. The lights within the building shone through the long glass windows, brightening the area from the dark sky. Flashes from the photographers surrounded the red carpet leading towards the entrance. The valet opened the car doors, the press and photographer's attention was drawn to the Wayne siblings; even though Thea supports the citizens of Metropolis and Bruce's occasional meetings within the city, they never attended many parties.

The night air brought a chill to Thea as they crossed the blood-red carpet, the thick lace and sheer material of the golden dress covered her arms and upper half of her back. This kept her briefly safe from the cold but also conceals the damage to her right shoulder blade; a past memory forever marked on her skin.

Guests filled the large room whilst employees wandered the area offering drinks. Thea twisted the ring on her finger, a nervous tick she had when faced with large crowds. Bruce stood next to her in the room and notices his sibling's fidgety behaviour; he places his hand over hers and squeezes it. This ceases her movement and she offers a smile in return.

They look towards the end of the room where Ricky LeBlanc, the president of the Metropolis library stands centre stage. "I would like to thank you all for coming today, to support the library of Metropolis. It has been a part of the city for so many years and has grown in its importance to the citizens. By your help and support the Metropolis library can develop and grow even further and tonight I am especially thankful for our host. He is a socialite, philanthropist and a true friend of the library of Metropolis, Mr Lex Luthor." She exclaims clapping her hands whilst the guests join in. Standing behind most of the crowd, Thea searches for the man in question. Lex waves his hands whilst walking towards the stage with LeBlanc, he kisses her on the cheek and she walks away. The younger Wayne's eyes widen, Lex is younger than expected; a similar age to her. He reminds her of a young Bruce, his days as a young billionaire by taking over the business. Thea could see that Lex wasn't like Bruce, not one who flirts with women or dates models half way across the world. Luthor is the more intelligent type and only uses his money in an efficient way, to help his business or the city; that's what she has mostly read anyway. The young billionaire clears his throat whilst handling the microphone; his nervous ticks struggle to hide from his guests.

"The word philanthropist comes from the Greek meaning a lover of humanity..." Lex continued his recollection of Greek mythology as Bruce slipped away from the crowd, murmuring to Alfred "What now?" The older man sat in the cave with a mug of coffee, looking up at the multiple computer screens showing the layout of the Luthor residence, "I don't see anything, have I told you how this is uncomfortable for me?" Alfred responds, "I know you don't agree but I need to keep this from her, she wants me to spend tonight ignoring everything and enjoy myself" Bruce answers walking towards the back of the room, Thea distracted by Lex's speech. "But I can't just leave this, it's too important; if she knew then she would be disappointed" Alfred sips his coffee, "Maybe Master Wayne, If you told her the truth in the first place you wouldn't be in this mess now would you?" Bruce sighs and stands still, glancing at his sister. Before leaving to pick up his sister earlier in the evening, he and Alfred had a disagreement regarding the plan (using Thea's software installed on the cave's computers and stealing Luthor's files). His sister's particular skills would have helped in this situation considering Alfred's limited knowledge of hacking, but seeing how joyful she was by accepting the invitation – he couldn't do it. To use this charity event as a way of illegally stealing from another, Thea wouldn't accept it. The older Wayne tries to keep his sister out of most of the bat's cases, the things he has seen is not for her eyes; though her psyche has already been corrupted from the horrific past, seeing more of this would only make her worse.

"Hold on, to your left down the staircase" Alfred interrupts the Wayne's thoughts, Bruce heads towards the direction Alfred has sent him, unknowingly to him that eyes watch his movement. He follows the staircase leading below the balcony, "to your left again, opposite the kitchen" Bruce opens the smaller room to the left, planting the device on the base of the hardware. "Can I help you Mr Wayne?" A voice calls out, Lex's assistant opens the door and looks towards him, startling Bruce he recovers "I was just looking for the bathroom, had one too many martinis" He laughs and Mercy answers with a small smile, "The restroom is upstairs" Her hand pointing in the direction, an employee then approaches her, "Great, I like those shoes" He pointed towards her with a grin, then she walks away with the employee. "I like those shoes? I thought you knew how to impress a woman" Alfred distracts Bruce, the younger man rolls his eyes "I've had worse" He looks towards the device presenting a timer, "7 minutes? Alfred I can't stay here" Bruce looks towards where Luthor's assistant left, "I can only do my best with Thea's programme, if you wanted to get out of here more quickly then you should have included her in your little plan." Alfred sips his coffee, leaning back in the sleek chair, "Alfred." Bruce says in a stern voice, "You will have to be patient, Master Wayne. Go up stairs and socialise, a woman from Metropolis will make you honest." The Wayne walks towards the door, leading upstairs to the gala. Alfred grumbles, "In your dreams Alfred."


Thea sips her champagne looking towards Lex whilst listening to his speech, along with the other guests. She glances to her side briefly, expecting her older brother to be stood frowning. Thea's expectation is wrong as she looks around the room trying the find any appearance of her sibling; she shakes her head to clear her thoughts and focuses on Luthor's words. "Knowledge is power and I'm..." Lex drifts of placing a hand on his chest; he laughs slightly and bites his tongue. His thoughts are a drift as he utters the statement; he loses what he's saying and stutters. Looking around his audience, "No...I'm... wait a second" Lex stumbles over his words making incoherent noises, as Thea amongst the guests looks on in confusion. Looking down to his hand which starts twitching, he grasps his control by tapping his fingers against his leg. The subject of his speech has tumbled down a winding road, scrawling at his masked public persona "The bittersweet pain amongst men is having knowledge with no power..." Luthor's anger starts to rise in his voice, his words striking a personal nerve within him, "because that's paradoxical and erm, err..." Lex's angered tone slices the silence of the guests, he giggles and looks up to the audience seeming to forget they where there. The young billionaire looks around and discovers a pair of hazel eyes staring up at him from a distance, not filled with confusion but worry. He stares slightly and the young woman notices and looks away blushing, Lex shakes his head and looks away to the rest of the audience "thank you for coming" he says in a monotone voice as if nothing happened. A small, awkward applause began amongst the audience as the music played.

Thea finishes the rest of her drink, clearing her head of what just happened. The young billionaire was distracted and awkward on stage, he mumbled over his words. Was he nervous? But he seemed so confident when approaching the guests. The Wayne wonders what troubles the host, her thoughts drifted back to his sombre blue eyes; they stared at her for what felt like hours but only a few seconds. Whatever it was seemed to knock Luthor back to reality, she only wanted to know why.

"Miss Wayne?" A voice calls out beside her, a man approaches wearing glasses and simple tailored suit. "Clark Kent. Daily Planet." He says when Thea looks towards him; they shake each others hand. "What's your opinion on the bat vigilante in Gotham?" Clark asks, the young woman quickly swallows her voice by the unexpected question, when she doesn't answer he responds, "I'm sorry Miss Wayne, I am just researching into Gotham and it's famous vigilante. I don't believe that question is asked a lot anymore." Kent says with a small frown. "I'm sorry, I don't usually get asked questions about the vigilante, I'm more used to questions regarding the foundation." Thea waves her hand expressively, Clark apologies but the Wayne answers the question, "I believe this man wants to help civilians, make Gotham's streets safer and lock away criminals that pollute the city. It may be seen by most Mr Kent, that the caped crusader is a brutal and an unforgiving creature. However, I believe he is a man that has seen so many things over the years that his behaviour is understandable. Seeing such things can change you." Thea stares past Clark into the distance, drifting through her thoughts.

A hand grasps her elbow lightly as her brother makes his appearance. "Bruce! Mr Kent here was just asking about our vigilante back home." Thea looks up at Bruce with an innocent yet pained smile. "Mr Wayne, civil liberties are being trampled upon in your city. There are people living in fear." Clark asks the older Wayne who glances at him, "Don't believe everything you hear son" Bruce answered in a deep grumble causing Thea to elbow him subtly in the ribs. "But I've seen it Mr Wayne, he thinks he's above the law." The older man responds with a small smirk, "Daily Planet criticizing those who are above the law is a little hypocritical wouldn't you say? Considering every time your guy saves a cat out of a tree you write a puff piece editorial, about an alien who could bring the whole place down and we could do nothing to stop him" Clark looks down uncomfortable, "most of the world doesn't share your opinion Mr Wayne." He looks up to him again as jaw tightens; Thea stares at both men awkwardly and twists the ring on her finger. "It's probably just the Gotham City in me, we have a bad history with freaks dressed like clowns." Bruce responds whist looking at Clark, Thea grips Bruce's arm in a way to stop him. Both men stare at each other grudgingly as Thea stands by her brother's side uncomfortably.

Their intense stares were broken by a voice calling out, "Boys! Clark Kent meets Bruce Wayne. Hmmm, I love it Ha! I love bringing people together." Lex approaches the older man clapping with a grin, shaking both Bruce and Clark's hand. "Miss Wayne, what a pleasure to finally have you over to Metropolis" Lex exclaims, noticing her by the side of Bruce. Opening his hand to her, she accepts and he unexpectedly kisses it. Thea blushes and smiles slightly whilst her older brother gives Lex an angered look that could kill. "The pleasure is all mine Mr Luthor" the young woman responds as Lex stares at her eyes, shaking his head and clears his throat "Call me Lex, please" he utters, "after all your support over the two years, i'm surprised we have never worked together. Maybe we should sometime" Lex offers not realizing he is holding her hand still. Both older men look at the couple uncomfortably at they don't seem to look away from each other. Their gazes are broken as Lex's assistant approaches him regarding the governor, "Excuse me" he initially tells Thea and squeezes her hand slightly, then nods at the two men and walks away.

Alfred interrupts Bruce's angered thoughts, "That seven minute transfer is complete, did you enjoy yourself?" the older man asks sarcastically, Bruce walks away from Clark and Thea. The younger Wayne still lost is her thoughts looked towards her brother who leaves unexpectedly. "Excuse me Miss Wayne" Clark speaks and nods his head before following in the direction of her brother. Thea blinks, unsure what just happened and takes a breath. She walks away from the crowd and wanders the large room; two glass doors are open slightly which reveal a small, low balcony. The young woman enters and leans against the railing, staring at her hand and blushes slightly; she has never really been in a relationship. Thea would initially think that her brother would be too protective and not let her date, which he still does but that's not the case anymore. She finds it difficult to let people in after what happened, her scars are in a result of her stupidity and now she will forever feel insecure. Thea shakes her head to clear her thoughts, relationships? Lex kisses her hand, stared at her and made the young woman blush. They have only just met and she's thinking of such things, this makes her laugh and she places a hand against her cheek which is burning up; hopefully the cold air will help.


The sound of talking and laughing within the party silently lowered as she walked out to the balcony. It felt peaceful outside looking above at the night sky, beautiful - not like Gotham. Her home seems to be filled with darkness not because of the criminality within but even in daylight it seems to always be consumed by a fog or mist clouding the city. Metropolis is the light as Gotham is the dark. Thea grips the bars attached to the railing of the balcony and leans forward, still staring at the many bright stars lighting the darkness. "Out of the thousands of stars up there, only a few are as bright and significant to the sun" a voice behind her calls out in a curious tone. She recognises it from earlier; it belongs to Mr. Lex Luthor. Thea doesn't turn around but continually stares straight ahead towards the trees outside his residence. "You seem to be the epitome of knowledge Mr. Luthor, Greek mythology and now astronomy" she responds as he approaches her silently, leaning against the railing of the balcony. She glances to her right where he stands; his maroon shirt is prominent against his black suit. "It all depends on the genealogy, upbringing etcetera, excreta. My father was the Lex in front of the Corp. The man with all the power, now I take on the business and his traits of being a philanthropist, scientist, inventor…" Lex continued waving his hands around expressing the large impressive words to describe himself and the late Lex Luthor, whilst an angered tone slips through.

"...then there is you." Pointing his finger towards the young woman. He grinned and turned to the side, his hip and elbow leaning against the silver metal bar. "What about me, Mr Luthor" the woman speaks, copying Lex's actions as she turns to her side, her hip resting against the railing. She can't help but a let a smile draw upon her face. "The weight of a legacy been left on you and your brother's shoulders, mostly difficult for you I presume as you've never known them." He responds quickly, not thinking of his words. Thea becomes uncomfortable and twists the ring on her finger, Lex notices his mistake and begins to nervously tap his fingers against the bar whilst standing up straighter, "My apologies Miss Wayne, I can come across heartless when I forget my words" He says, unsure of what she will say. If he was alone he would kick himself for forgetting his manners, that's what his father would have done. "You are right, Mr Luthor. I guess I try my best to uphold the family name but a part of me sometimes wonders if I could just leave. What my life would be like if I didn't have to worry what Martha or Thomas Wayne would do." Thea responds gripping the bars to control herself, she is never usually that open; Lex's words have struck something within her. "And it's Thea, Mr Luthor" She speaks again looking up at him whilst not letting go of the railing. "Then please call me Lex."

He smiles towards her, his nervous tick stopped when she look towards him again. "Thea is short for Althea, in the Greek it means 'with healing power'. I would say that's appropriate due to your kind, caring nature and your foundation. I can guess those traits came from your mother." Lex smiles again when he sees the young woman blush slightly, he has never really had his way with women; impressed with himself that he could make a beautiful woman such as her blush. "Though Thea also means goddess." The young billionaire stated as Thea nervously twists her ring, clearing her throat slightly, "I believe that most men I have met throughout my life would agree with that Statement, Lex" She looks away from him and stares at the night sky, "Though I wouldn't believe that myself" Thea murmurs quietly thinking to the defects brutally places on her body. "Anyway, What does Alexander mean in Greek?" she moves on from the former statement, refusing to discuss it further. "The defender of man. Protecting the citizens of Metropolis from the callous gods that prey on the city." Lex answers whilst turning away and grips the bar, the white of his knuckles are visible under his pale skin. He lets go and walks to the side, not facing her; bowing his head slightly, Lex takes a breath to calm him. He would not let his angered thoughts of this devil pollute his conversation with the young woman. "I am the defender of man whilst you have healing power; according to the Greek our legacies seemed tied." He turns back to her, his anger completely disappearing, "Thea, as supporting Metropolis for the past two years I would like to invite you to Lexcorp sometime, maybe show you my research and a tour of the great city." He smiles excitedly though within him he is scared of the refusal. He needs to know more about the woman that intrigues him so much, he need answers to these feelings he doesn't understand. "Lex, It would be ridiculous of me to refuse" Thea answers returning his smile, he nods "great, I'll send you some dates and I can have the honour of showing you my city."

Thea becomes lost in her thoughts, briefly wondering what her brother would say. He doesn't need to know, right? She thinks, on the thoughts of her brother she responds quickly, "Forgive me Lex, but I must find my brother" She looks towards the party "of course Thea, It was lovely to meet you." Lex ends with a truthful statement and nods his head, "you too" She speaks whilst Lex reaches for her hand unexpectedly, pulling her slightly towards him before placing a kiss on her hand as he did before. The billionaire smiles and releases her as Thea continues to blush and smile in return. As she leaves Lex is left on the balcony, staring after the young woman; his thoughts are overwhelmed with her smile, eyes and her voice. He questions his actions, the plan may fail if he is distracted at such a crucial time. His thoughts wander to something more dangerous that twines with his bewitching thoughts of the young woman.

Thea discovers her brother entering the building, "where have you been?" she asks as he walks towards her with a grim facial expression. Bruce walked downstairs to collect the device with the Luthor's files but found it was stolen; the mysterious woman who spiked his interest earlier this evening seemed to be the culprit. His angered and annoyed tone seeped through his voice, "Chasing after a woman, and I could ask the same about you" he answers, glancing at his sister who still appeared with a slight tint to her cheeks. "I was just conversing with the guests" Thea responding while rolling her eyes to Bruce's answer. After being at the gala for at least two hours, Bruce offers his arm to his sister, "Ready to go?" She nods and hooks her own arm with his and walks towards the exit.