The next afternoon Bruce Wayne appeared in my life again, this time without his cape and ears. He was dressed primly, with a dark suit that accentuated his proud, strong stance. Ugh –would it kill the guy to wear jeans once in a while? Okay, maybe I was trying to make excuses to myself. This guy is a jerk. A gorgeous jerk, but a jerk nonetheless. STOP STARING.

I turned back to my work when I saw Lois get up from her desk and hang on the man. If Clark had not been seated so close in front of me I would have permitted myself a growl. I vaguely heard Lois tell Bruce she'd just have to go tell the boss she was leaving and then she was all his –and then her lithe form darted through the desks. She came to a stop at Clark's, barely acknowledging me.

"Keep and eye on Bruce for me," she teased, her eyes glimmering with school-girl exuberance.

I made a face at her when her (and Clark's) back was to me, and then turned back to my work as Lois escaped into the office. The faint sound of footsteps came from my left and when I peered up from the computer, I found Bruce standing by Clark's desk.

So predictable, within seconds they were talking about Lois. Sure, Clark asked about the Joker, and if Bruce had seen anything of him yet. But Clark was obviously a bit sore about Lois too, and spun the topic into her, noting how maybe it would be easier to find the Joker if Bruce wasn't splitting his work time and his time with Lois.

I put my face in my hands and then drew my palms down the length of my cheeks. "Oh boy," I said, under my breath of course. Neither of the men heard me, and they stared daggers at each other.

"I can balance my work and Lois fine," Bruce said airily, his face smug, "Besides, it seems like you've had plenty of chances."

I saw Clark stiffen, and I winced inwardly for him. That was pretty low of Bruce. So I stepped in, I had to say something.

"Caaat fight."

Both of their eyes snapped to me, and good god, if looks could kill. I held up my hands as if to surrender, but I didn't add anything. I just went back to typing. Thankfully, my little interjection silenced them until Lois came back into the room, hooking her arm with Bruce's.

"Ready to whisk me off my feet?" she purred.

I'm ready to knock you on your ass. I thought bitterly, and didn't look up until I was sure they had left. I finally looked up from the computer to the back of Clark's head. I wasn't sure if he was pissed off about the cat fight comment, so I decided not to speak until spoken to.

"That guy's really starting to get on my nerves," Clark growled suddenly.

I chuckled softly and reached over to ruffle his hair a bit, "Don't worry, you'll get her back. Bruce Wayne isn't all that great."

He just has piles of money, drool-worthy muscles and a really nice ass. No Clark...you have nothing to worry about.

Who the hell was I kidding? Sure, Clark was very handsome, and had his fair share of muscles. But Bruce was just...Bruce. He was a lady magnet. Clark was just a cute geek in glasses to Lois.

But Clark looked appeased at my comment and with a sigh, turned back to his work.

Later that night:

No, I wasn't trying to spy on Lois and Bruce.

I know it probably sounds pretty bad, that while keeping night watch over the city streets I decided to hover out by the fancy twentieth floor restaurant Bruce Wayne had treated Lois to. That's why I haven't told Clark that I was already out there when the Joker showed up.

My story is that I was a few streets away and heard gunshots so I ran over. I'm sticking to that story.

Okay, so maybe I was just going to peek at how the couple was fairing. I was bored out of my mind and daydreaming of how horrible their date could be going, how Lois could have farted or spilled wine all over Bruce's new suit. It was fun imagining, but I got bored of that quickly and decided just to go over there, unseen, and check up on them. It was only meant to be a peek; I wasn't going on a crazy spying spree.

Besides, my peeking paid off. The Joker showed up, showing his grotesque, insane face for the first time in four nights. I was quite proud of myself for getting there first and being suited up and in costume before the big Bat (who I always thought was 'on top of everything').

The only problem? I didn't have Superman, and we had no way of communication. I told him we should get walkie-talkies but he shot that idea down. He said he'd find me if I was in trouble. I trust Clark with most things…just not that.

But boldly I flew in from the open balcony to the wide ballroom of screaming rich snobs and big muscular hit men with guns. Not a particularly smart move, I'll admit. The only bright side (which is a really sick and horrible bright side on my part) was that I got there just in time to see Lois get electrocuted with Joker's little joy buzzer.

Alright, I'm not that evil. I was concerned when I saw her pass out after that into the Joker's grip, I wasn't smug. Afterwards I was, but I swear I wasn't at first. It was a pretty intense moment, seeing Bruce Wayne actually vulnerable, not able to do anything, Lois unconscious, guns everywhere. And little old me ran right into the middle of it.

The Joker started laughing hysterically, "Tonight must be my lucky night, boys! Superman's main squeeze," he shook Lois's limp body in his grasp and then pointed at me, "and his partner! Oh, choices, choices! Which one do I take?"

"Neither," I snarled. I thought it sounded pretty badass.

But I only had time to rip off one of my gloves before one of the big, ape guys had me in a choke hold. Thankfully he didn't bind my hands from me, and I reached one up to grab his wrist. "Let go," I groaned, and he did so immediately.

"Ah ah ah," the Joker scolded, wagging the finger of his free hand at me and giggling, "You're cheating."

A more intelligent looking goon then came up behind me before I had time to dart away and grabbed my arms from the back, twisting my hands together. It was just like those five times I'd gotten arrested, the feeling shoveled up some uncomfortable memories.

I tried to feel around for the goon's hands when I realized something –he was wearing gloves. Puzzled, I looked up toward the Joker. Bruce stood off to the side, eyes dark.

As if reading my mind, the Joker piped up, "I couldn't let Supy have all the attention! I researched you too so you wouldn't be left out."

He started cackling and the guy who had me held pretty much dragged me over toward the green haired monster. I tried kicking, I tried biting, I tried bucking my head into my captor's…he held me like I was a five year old in front of the Joker.

"Let her go!" Bruce barked, making a move to go forward. A parade of bullets popped in front of him and he hung back.

Then Joker slammed his hand across my shoulders. The electricity buzzed through my entire body, every single muscle tightened and my back arched in agony. My jaw felt welded shut, so the scream died in my chest. All that came out was a stupid grunt that churned inside my throat.

I was still awake though. My body screeched with pain, but I wasn't down yet. I permitted myself an inward smirk. Hah, I could take a hit better than Lois.

I didn't fair as well the second time around. I remember screaming, and hearing Bruce's voice, and then a bunch of gun shots. And as much as I hated the guy, the last thing I remember thinking before I passed out was I hope you're bullet proof, Bruce.