AUTHOR'S NOTE: I think, at best, this story is a bit haphazard. I'm not very proud of it since the work is kind of lazy. I maybe have to start putting a few projects on hold. Each morning I have to wake up early just to have an hour or two to work on these fics which is why the chapters aren't as long as they usually either. I don't think anyone really notices, but my chapters are usually around 3,000 words long. Lately I've barely been squeaking by 2,000 for each chapter.

Still, thanks for reading so far. ^_^

Chapter 4

"Have you been doing your training excercises?"

"Yes."

"You must be bored. That's why you're hearing things. Perhaps you need…hm…I'll have to look into getting you a training droid. Amazo would do, but he may be to strong for you. Something simplistic."

"Father, I don't need more training. I know what I saw."

"You mind is making this up to entertain you. Superman is dead. Batman is dead, and my son is going insane. Save for the first two, my life is fucking fantastic and you're ruining it."

"I'm sorry. I probably am just bored. I'll train like you said. Clear my head a bit."

"Good boy. I have a few politicians to talk to. Did you get the package?"

"Yes, thanks for the clothes. Will you talk to me later?"

"Superboy, call Sarah or one of your friends if you want to talk. Goodbye."

"Bye." Superboy said forlornly into the phone. His father hung up on him before he could say his farewell. He sighed, setting his phone down on the table as he considered his situation.

"I know what I heard. He's here." Superboy insisted to his reflection. His other self-had nothing to say except to copy his every move. The crease in his brow as he worked at his predicament like a dog with a bone.

"I'm going to find him. Father will know I'm telling the truth. I saw something yesterday. A flicker of white, but it was there." Superboy explained.

Finding himself bad company he sighed getting up from the chair. He had settled for blackberries for breakfast in cream. The thorns had been no problem; they had not even pierced his skin. He had torn a hole in his shirt though from his picking. Finishing off the last of his meal he rinsed the bowl and set it back on the shelf.

He had slept fitfully last night. He heard the heartbeat again moving about the fortress in the middle of the night. Alarmed, Superboy found he listened intently to it. Following its movements as it went from room to room. This morning it was strangely silent. Yet, in the distance, he could make it out just faintly. Barely a pulse among this abandoned place.

Superboy placed his notebook down in his room his mind made up. He would confront Superman's ghost today. Tell him he was dead, declare he was the hero Earth needed, and send him on his way. Taking a deep breath he left his bedroom walking purposely but silently towards the heartbeat. Unlike last time he had not snuck up on the ghost.

After ten minutes he heard the heartbeat begin to go on the move again. Moving through the walls to elude the young man. Superboy found it increasingly frustrating as he walked around the corner only to find another useless room, or a dead end. Twice he had to backtrack, and three times he got lost only to miraculously come full circle to a part of the fortress he knew.

It wasn't until his stomach began to growl for a noontime meal he heard the heartbeat growing louder. Excited he waited until it came closer coming at a sedate pace. He heard the click of the claws as well which accompanied the ghost. Taking a deep breath he prepared himself to meet this spirit. Cracking his knuckles in anticipation he was prepared to beat it if necessary.

All of a sudden the heartbeat stopped moving in his direction. It was a calm, steady beat. Smirking to himself Superboy moved even slower. Peering around the corner all he caught was a glimpse of a fast moving white object coming straight towards him. It streaked past him claws clicking as it dashed down the hall.

"Krypto! Krypto, no, bring that back!" A voice called after the retreating figure. Superboy tensed read to fight his adversary then froze.

Soft raven locks, high cheekbones, and dressed in black slacks, shoes, and a white dress shirt the figure walked forward. Taking sure steps as he walked a hand held out in front of him as he continued to call. What Superboy noticed first was the man's eyes. They were a milky blue, completely unfocused as the man called.

With a jolt Superboy realized the man was blind. Studying the face he wondered who this man was. It seemed familiar, but at the same time he could not place name to this person.

"Who are you?" Superboy asked aloud. The man froze, going completely still at the sound of his voice. A look of apprehension passed over the stranger's face.

"I should be asking you that."

"You're intruding on private property."

"Says the person breaking, entering, and stole the berries I've been tending to." The strange accused right back. Tensed, the blind man's tone grew louder as he spoke as he took a step back.

"Who are you? You don't sound like Clark. You're voices are similar, but you're not him. His tone isn't that high pitched." The blind man continued. Frowning Superboy rolled his eyes as if it weren't obvious. Then realized the man could not see the movement.

"Clark Kent, the one you know as Superman, is dead. Has been for the last few weeks. His fortress is mine now. So, I'm going to ask you again. Who are you and what are you doing here?" Superboy demanded.

He saw the stranger pause at the news. His soft lips forming into a thin line as the man absorbed this new information. Superboy waited wondering what to do next. Father had not said anything about this place being inhabited. Or had he? No, he was positive Father had said it was completely empty. So maybe this man was….a servant?

"Oh." The stranger said. His voice had grown softer at the news. He seemed at a lost as he stood there as if waiting for something. Or someone.

"Are you sure?" The man asked again. Superboy frowned wondering if the man were deaf as well as blind. Up close he could tell the other was human. Strange, he never thought Superman would share this place with just a normal human being. Perhaps he had taken this man in out of sympathy for his condition.

Other than his blindness, the man was handsome. He had a pale complexion which complimented his dark locks. The stranger's skin was unblemished and smooth without any scars to speak of. He had to be at least in his mid-twenties by his youthful features.

"Yes. He died. Now, are you going to tell me who you are? And what the hell is a Krypto?" Superboy snapped. At this the man paused as he considered the questions. After a moment seeming to make up his mind as he spoke.

"Krypto is my aide and friend. He helps me, most of the time, to find my way around this place. My name is Bruce. I'm…was, I should say, Superman's pet." The man said quietly.

Superboy could only stare at him in shock. A pet?

"How are you his pet? I thought Superman cared about humans."

"He does. Deeply. He's a boyscout. Always was and always will be. When he brought me here his reason was he did everything for humanity. Saved countless lives every day. So why shouldn't he take one of them for himself?" The blind man answered almost whispering the words. Superboy could sense the other's heartbeat beginning to pick up. Even see the cold sweat which had broken out on the other's brow.

"Well, I'm taking his place. Father said everything Superman once had is mine now. Which includes you and Krypto, I guess." Superboy told him. The man nodded not denying him. Somehow this made Superboy angrier. The way this person accepted without a question the new owner of his life.

"Do you serve any purpose here?" Superboy shot at him. The man's blank, unseeing eyes seem to gaze right into his soul. It was unnerving to stare at them and he found himself looking away despite himself.

"I cook, clean, and do laundry. I also entertained Superman whenever he wished it."

"Entertain?"

"Listening to him talk, mostly." He explained.

Superboy frowned but considered this idea. Well, okay, so maybe the man wasn't really a pet. Perhaps he had been brought here against his will for some reason known only to Superman. Father had said in later years Superman had grown more silent. Still fulfilling his role as protector of Metropolis but with less enthusiasm. He no longer smiled when people cheered when he flew past. Nor made any public appearances except on rare occasions, and even then only if it was a matter where he met with the world leaders. In his remaining years his father had even commented the superhero seemed to brood most of the time. Probably due to the sudden disappearance of his best friend and ally, Batman. No leads had been found on the Gotham Knight yet.

"Do you have a name?" Superboy asked for what felt like the fourth time.

"Bruce."

"What were you doing, Bruce?"

"Folding laundry until Krypto stole a shirt I was folding." Bruce answered calmly. Something about the name sounded familiar to Superboy, but he still could not put his finger on it. He shook his head trying to make sense of this new development.

"Will you listen to me like you did Superman?" Superboy asked.

"Yes." Bruce answered without hesitation.

Superboy was stumped now. He didn't know what to do with this man. Yet at the same time he felt a bit of relief. He had not been crazy. In fact, he had been right. Sort of. Another presence had been in the fortress as he suspected. But now what?

"When you're done with laundry make me some lunch." Superboy said, hoping his tone sounded commanding. Bruce blinked slowly his only indication he had heard the young man.

"What would you like?"

"What?"

"What would you like to eat?" Bruce asked him. His tone had become neutral as he waited for Superboy to give him an order. Superboy hesitated unsure of what to say. He had never been picky about what he ate. He rarely if ever met his Father for a meal. He had eaten with Sarah, his father's assistant on a few occasions but that had been when she had been ordered to watch him.

"Can you make Mac & Cheese? With salt and pepper in it?" Superboy asked. He saw surprise flicker over Bruce's face. Then a serene smile passed over his face an amused expression on him.

"Of course. I believe I can do that. Do you want anything else? Dessert, perhaps?" Bruce asked him. His tone had become a tad friendlier. Superboy frowned wondering if he was being mocked. Then he hesitated again wondering about that. Dessert?

"Strawberries?"

"Do you want them in a pie?"

"You can make them into a pie?"

"I'll pick some and make a small one for you. See if you like it or not." Bruce decided for the both of them. With that he walked around Superboy continuing down the hall after Krypto. Leaving the young man to stand there wondering what had just transpired.

He had never seen another person smile at him before except his Father. And that had only been when he had demonstrated his improvement in training. Bruce did not seem to expect anything from him but orders. Yet, as the man had stated, he was nothing more than a pet for Superman.

As he walked back to his room his mind reeling Superboy still could not place where he had seen the man's face. The name Bruce rang a bell in the back of his mind as well. Made him itch as his thoughts chased themselves in circles. He walked off to explore more of the endless corridors. Maybe if he didn't think about it he would remember where he had seen Bruce's face. Besides, he needed to have something to show his father when it came to his map.