Part IX

Lois calls Chloe as she finishes stuffing her clothes into her travel worn suitcase. She doesn't want to give Chloe too much warning, so Chloe won't be able to avoid her. Lois hadn't realized how little she and Chloe had talked since her move to Gotham. She feels a far amount of guilt for letting herself get so wrapped up in her work that she didn't keep in touch. Chloe had called her when she first moved to Gotham, but Lois wasn't very good about calling her back. For once, the story will take a back seat as Lois is determined to repair her relationship with Chloe. Batman will just have to wait.

Chloe is surprised to see Lois had called her. She hadn't looked at her cell phone in a long time. Since she had her bat communicator, which is disguised as an ordinary cell phone, she didn't even bother to carry her own cell much anymore. She feels a pang of guilt that she had let everyone in her life before Gotham slip away. First, she needed space and then the whole Batman thing happened. She has spent the last several months just playing catch up. At least, she honored her promise to call Clark. Neither mentioned the awkward moments at the manor and he even made her feel better because he is convinced she will be just fine. While Bruce's support is wonderful, there is just something about Clark's that convinces her she will be fine. She makes a mental list of people to touch base with. She needs to learn from Bruce how he manages to maintain all his relationships while being Batman.

"Hey Oliver, its Chloe. I know it has been too long but I have been, well, busy. (listens to reply) Actually, yes saving the world or at least Gotham busy. That is part of the reason I am calling. Batman implied you gave me a good reference. Did you? (listens to Ollie's reply) Oh you don't know who Batman is. Well, he knows who you are and all about your little club. He used that to rope me into helping him. (listens to reply) No, I don't mind. As much as I hate to admit it, I love this world we live in. He isn't as much fun as you though. (Oliver interrupts her) No, I won't tell you who he is. I will ask him to meet with you. I think if you guys combined your efforts the world would be a much better place. You could use a lot of the tech he has developed. His body armor alone would save you many trips to the ER. (Oliver replies) Ok, I will call you if I can get something set up." Chloe finishes and hangs up. She knows Oliver will be looking very closely at Batman, but she isn't concerned. For one thing, Bruce is much better at hiding his identity than Oliver is.

Lois finds a limo waiting for her when she gets off the plane. The driver has a note for Lois from Chloe which reads "Sorry I can't meet you. Work project going to hell. Get settled in the mansion and I will meet up with you as soon as possible." Snorting Lois climbs into the car. Even her cynical nature is challenged by the impressive sight of Wayne Manor. The butler who opens the door introduces himself as Jason Bard. He is a handsome twenty something but he lacks the airs of dignity traditional butlers are known for. Still, he helps her with her bags and does a wonderful job of making her at ease in her spacious guest room.

To whittle the hours till Chloe arrives, she opens her laptop and starts researching Batman. She is intrigued to find that recently he has been seen with a partner. The rumors she manages to track down from online blogs can't decide if this partner is a new Robin or the return of Batgirl. Either way, the whole city is a buzz with the news that Batman has killed. Apparently, he has been implicated in deaths before, but this is the first time there is official confirmation. One Detective Bullock leaked that the police have evidence that Batman was involved in the death of Bane. Commissioner Gordon has firmly refused to comment, but many take the fact that Bullock has been suspend as proof that what he said was true. This has divided the city with some claiming that thugs like Bane deserve to die and others saying this makes Batman no better than the scum he is fighting. "Don't worry Gotham. I will find the truth. You will just have to read about it in the Planet." she thinks as she smiles to herself.

So wrapped in her research that she doesn't even hear Chloe enter her room until Chloe says "Hey Lois." which causes her to jump.

"Sorry Lois I didn't mean to startle you." while smirking to herself, Chloe is pleased her stealth skills are up to sneaking up on Lois. She owes Lois for more than one scare from when they were kids. Lois used the military training her dad passed on to her to make Chloe's life very jumpy which Lois found all too amusing. "Sorry again for not being able to met you, but you know how work can take over your life." Chloe tells Lois.

"Ouch. She must be sore at me to jab out like that." Out loud, she says "No big, cous. You just have to show me around town to make it up to me."

Chloe catches Lois' wince at her comment and realizes that Lois thinks she is mad at her. She wonders if she would have caught that look before all her training. She doesn't remember being able to read Lois this easily. "Sure. I know some great places to go shopping." she says in way of a peace offering.

Chloe volunteering to go shopping confuses Lois for a moment. "Does Chloe think I am mad at her?" "Ok. Let's roll." she answers.

After several hours of shopping at some of Gotham's most exclusive stores, they find themselves enjoying coffee after a very satisfying meal at a little dive place downtown. The limo outside stands out in this neighborhood, but Chloe doesn't seem to even notice. She has changed a lot, Lois realizes.

"The good life agrees with you cous." She banters while leaning back in her side of the booth.

Chloe smiles. Today has been nice. She and Lois seem to have slipped back into their old pattern fairly easy. However, she knows that Lois didn't come to Gotham just to see her so she gets to the point "Look Lois it has been great catching up and I promise to be better about staying in touch but we both know Perry didn't let you come all this way for just little old me."

Lois weighs Chloe's comment for a moment. Deciding her cousin is not mad at her and is saying it is ok to get onto her story, she leans forward as she replies "I came here because I regret not talking to you more. I know I haven't been the best cousin lately. I do get too wrapped up in my stories, as I drag poor Clark all around Metropolis. I promise to try and be better. Having said that, you are right Perry has been on me for awhile now to look into the Batman. I don't suppose you know who he is? He did rescue that one time after all. Any clues you can pass on to your dear cousin?"

She prepared herself to address the Batman issue but Lois asking out right catches her off guard. Her slip cause her to pause for just a fraction of a second before replying "Nope, sorry." She hopes Lois didn't notice.

"Did Chloe just lie to me?" Lois wonders. "No, she must just be mad because she thinks I only hung out with her to pump her for information. Wow, I am becoming so jaded I think everyone is holding out on me. Maybe it is time for a vacation." "Hey, Chloe. I really did come to see you. The Batman story is just a way to get Perry to pay for the trip." Lois tries to reassure her.

Chloe is touched that Lois held off on her story to spend time with her. For Lois not to be chasing a story is like an addict not wanting their drugs. "It is ok, Lois. I used to be a reporter too, remember. You can't help it. It is in your blood." Chloe replies. "By the way, I put this together when I got your message. I bent the rules a bit by using Wayne Technologies databases, but I know the owner so I am sure he will forgive me." she says with her trademark smirk as she slides a fat folder across to Lois.

Lois opens it to see detailed information on all the reports on Batman. She is so relieved because this means Chloe really does forgive her. "This is awesome. Thanks." Lois replies as she digs though the file. Chloe found way more than her own research had revealed. She even included the names and contact information of some of the people Batman saved.

"So what was he like it?" Lois just has to ask.

This time Chloe doesn't pause as she answers "I don't really know what to say. While he did save my life, he said nothing to me. He just lowered me to the sidewalk like a well dressed side of beef and then swung away. Penguin was surprisingly charming."

Feeling a bit guilty for not even knowing about that situation till she started her research into Batman she changes the subject. "It is not entirely my fault I was in the Middle East when it happened". "Well, what do you want to do now?" she asks. Still, she wishes Chloe had called her. She makes a mental note to smack Smallville for not telling her when she gets back to the Planet.

Stretching dramatically, Chloe suggests "If you don't mind, I was thinking of going back to the mansion. It has been a long day." "And it will be a long night" she knows Lois is dying to go through the folder she provided so this is a win, win for them. Chloe can "go to bed" and Lois can start her research.

Giving her patented raised eyebrow Lois comments "Something tells me it is the billionaire in the bed more than the bed itself you are eager to get back too."

Chloe blushes slightly as she replies "Well, it is a very good bed." They share a laugh.

"You are not getting off that easy cousin. I will get you to spill the beans on Mr. Wayne." Lois remarks.

"Well, Bruce should be back from his trip tomorrow night so you can join us for dinner. Sound like a good plan?" she suggests.

On the ride back to the mansion, Lois tries to make small talk even though she would prefer to be going over the file in her bag. "So what do you do at Wayne Technologies anyway?" Lois asks as she just realized she has no idea.

"Well, most of it is top secret, but generally it is just research. I really like it. I am still hunting down clues and putting pieces together. Lucius is a great boss. I have learned a lot from him." Chloe cheerfully replies.

Later that night, Chloe watches on her monitors as Lois sneaks out of the mansion. She knew Lois couldn't resist a bit of leg work. Too bad for her, Batman is out of town. She checks the signal from the tracking device she planted on Lois making sure the signal is still strong. Sighing because she knows her cousin always manages to find trouble; she dons her armor and climbs into the mobile command center. She orders the autopilot to take them out.

Lois feels a bit guilty at sneaking out but she does have a story to get. Chloe made it clear at dinner she understands. The cab she ordered is waiting down the street right where it is supposed to be. She climbs in and gives the driver an address.

"Look lady, I don't go there during the day. There is no way I am going there at this time of night. I can take you to the bridge leading to the Narrows if you really are that crazy but it will cost extra." the driver tells her.

"Fine." Lois grumbles as she hands him another $20.

As she makes her way across the bridge she starts to reconsider her course of action. I mean doing the whole damsel in distress thing seemed like a good idea but now that she is actually here witnessing the desperation in the eyes around her she is reconsidering.

"Well, well. What do we have here boys." Lois hears come from an alley she just walked past. She looks over her shoulder to see a half dozen thugs exiting the alley and closing with her. She tries to pretend she doesn't see them while increasing her walking speed. She knows if she flat out runs they will attack her so she is trying to bluff them into thinking she belongs her.

Just as one of the thugs is about to grab her, she spins around. "You really don't want to get in my way. You don't think someone like me is out here at this time of night if I did not take precautions. My boss will make you beg for your death long before he lets you die so just step back." She then turns back around and continues on her way. Much to her relief the thugs have stopped following her. She pats herself on her back for her clever bluff and never notices the shadowy figure that really scared the goons away.

Chloe chuckles to herself at Lois' bravado. She must have poor Clark running all over Metropolis trying to keep her out of trouble. She fires her batarang and swings ahead of Lois to make sure there is no real trouble waiting.

Lois is getting increasingly frustrated. She has been wandering around the Narrows for over two hours now and not one hint of Batman. She suspects he is near because she has not seen anyone since those goons. She just has to figure out how to make him show himself.

Chloe is having great fun playing guardian to Lois. She has witnessed Lois getting more and more frustrated. It is nice that Bruce has such a reputation that simply exposing herself scares the small fish away. She does wish Lois would call it a night because she is missing her bed at the moment. She will have to make Bruce tell her how he functions on as little sleep as he does.

Chloe is relieved when Lois makes her way out of the Narrows. Lois looks as tired as she feels. As Lois is standing on the curb trying to flag a cab, Chloe sees her trip and fall into the road. "There is no way that truck will be able to stop in time" she realizes as she swings down and grabs Lois.

Lois is really annoyed that tonight has been such a bust. She doesn't even want to look at the mess she made of her favorite low pumps. As she reluctantly lifts one leg to scrap some of Gotham's underbelly off her shoe, she loses her balance and falls forward. She lands hard on the road while watching the contents of her purse roll around. She feels the headlights before she really sees them.

Suddenly, she finds herself being lifted into the air with a strong but surprisingly small arm wrapped around her. "Not the best way to ask for an interview, Ms. Lane." the figure holding her says.

Looking at her rescuer she can see Batman is actually a woman. So is there two of them or has Batman always been Batwoman? "Thanks for the save. Ruined my favorite pumps looking to talk to you so the least you can do is give me an exclusive." she snarks with her trademark full face smile.

Chloe knows Bruce will be mad at her damaging the Dark Knight image but she just has to laugh at that comment. "Leave it to Lois to try and guilt the superhero who just saved her life into an interview. I guess that is why she is such a great reporter." Chloe swings them onto a nearby hotel rooftop. Deciding to have some fun with her and throw her for a loop, Chloe replies "I think we should get to know each other a bit more before I let in you in the mask." in an flirty tone.

Lois misses a step. Did she just flirt with me? Lois' brain scrambles on how to answer. Focus on getting the story. "Well, what do you do to pass the time when you are not saving reporters?" she asks.

Chloe decides she is not done messing with Lois yet so she replies "I didn't know you were a reporter. I just saw a beautiful lady who needed a lift." as she adds a very friendly grin to the mix. She places her arm on Lois'. She is dying to laugh at seeing how uncomfortable Lois is.

"She is flirting. What do I do now? I mean people should do what makes them happy. It is just not my thing. Still, imagine the story you could get. (mentally slaps herself) Don't ever think of using someone like that just to get the story again. You are better than that." To Batwoman, she replies "My boyfriend, Clark, told me you were just an urban legend. Any comment?"

Chloe smiles impressed at Lois' maneuvering. Although she is momentarily thrown when Lois names Clark as her boyfriend. She will have to look into that because she is surprised it stings a bit. She decides she has earned a sound bite so she replies "The criminals of Gotham know I am real and that is all that matters. Now, Ms. Lane I have more reporters to save so try to stay out of trouble. The elevator will take you to the lobby where you can safely hail a cab. Good night." She then runs and dramatically dives off the roof. Her cape opens into its glider mode and she floats away. There is a small flash behind as Lois must have snapped a picture. Boy she will be pissed when she sees how blurred the picture turns out. That energy field Lucius devised to prevent video cameras from catching them is true genius. Any picture or video taken of them comes out so blurred that you can't make out any details. This adds to the Batman mystery while helping to protect their identities.

Chloe finishes her sweep of the Gotham and heads home. She showers in the truck to save time. She is looking forward to crawling into her bed but she has the feeling Lois will want to talk to her about her adventure. In the cave, she puts on a robe and ruffles her hair to look like she had been sleeping. She then makes her way to Den to pretend she has been her reading the whole time.

Sure enough Lois pokes her head in the room a few minutes later. "There you are. This place is a maze. I could have sworn I checked here earlier." she says as she comes in and sits next to Chloe.

"What is up, Lois?" Chloe inquires knowing full well the answer.

"Well, I met him or I mean her. There is definitely a Batwoman. I don't know if she has a partner. She didn't mention one. Oh, I think she is gay because she was definitely flirting with me." Lois excitedly babbles.

"Why is it every superhero you meet flirts with you? Are you sure you are not just reading things that aren't there?" Chloe teases.

"Hey, I can't help it if the tights have a weakness for the great Lois Lane." Lois snarks back.

Laughing Chloe replies "You are one of a kind. No doubt about that."

Chloe's big grin makes Lois suspicious of her sincerity so she quips back "You are just jealous." She puts on her pretend pout face.

"Oh, you got me. I am just settling for my billionaire boyfriend till Batman or Batwoman comes to their senses and sweeps me off my feet." she snarks back. God she missed these exchanges with Lois even if it is 4 AM.

"It is good to hang out again." Lois says suddenly serious.

"It is but I would prefer we do it more during the daylight hours." Chloe replies as she squeezes her cousin's hand.

"Oh I am sorry. I am so used to the late nights. I don't even notice them anymore. Perry doesn't bother to look for me till afternoon so it works well." Lois explains. "But why are you up?" she asks.

"The trouble with billionaire boyfriends is they keep all sort of strange hours which has played havoc with my sleep schedule. If he wasn't so wonderful, I would've killed him. You no how much I treasure my sleep." Chloe replies.

"I do remember. Hopefully, Bruce keeps the coffee well stocked because you are just plain evil till your second cup." Lois playfully quips.

"He has coffee I have never even heard of. Can you believe it? Coffee the queen of coffee has never heard of." Chloe quips back with a small laugh.

"Well, why don't we both try to get some sleep and finish our talk in the morning?" Lois suggests.

Yawning, Chloe agrees "Great idea." and they both head to bed.

Chloe is the only one who sleeps as Lois spends her time typing up her notes on her encounter with Batwoman. Analyzing what she has learned, Lois realizes she is no closer to even having a description of Batwoman much less a clue who she is. The picture she snapped with her digital camera is so blurry it could be Bigfoot. Batwoman must use some sort of voice scrambler like Oliver did because there is no way her voice could be that masculine and gravely naturally so no help there. Also, her costume could easily change her height by a few inches. Frustrated Lois takes what little she does know and tries to turn it into a story but there are just not enough facts to make a legit story. Her days of writing tabloid headlines are long behind her. Her stories are all firmly based on facts. The question is how to get some more.