Disclaimer

The characters used in this story are NOT owned by me. They are the property of DC comics and Warner Brothers. I have used those characters to put up this story which is ENTIRELY A PRODUCT OF MY IMAGINATION.

Chap 09

The last time we saw, Alfred was asking Bruce to warn Superman. Continuing from there, the Door bell rings

Bruce: Who can it be at this time of the night?

Alfred answers the door

Alfred: Miss Lane!

Lois: Is Bruce home?

Bruce: Lois! At this time...

Lois: Does it make a difference? Do I need your appointment?

Bruce: No, it's not that. I thought we were meeting tomorrow.

Lois: I want to get this over with you, Bruce, once and for all. You just cannot
call someone in the middle of the night and ask her come over for a breakfast date. I admit, I was into you for some time, and...and I still can't deny (closes her eyes), but I love one man, and only one man, and that is Superman. So, if you ever call me or try to talk to me again, I'll..I'll report to the police.

Bruce: (After having heard everything) Tim, go to your bed. Alfred, I can use some privacy.

Alfred: Very well, sir. Let's go, Master Tim.

They Leave

Bruce: (Going to the dining table and pouring himself a glass of water) So, you were saying...

Lois: (With her eyes red and moist) Leave me alone. Superman is the one for me.

Bruce: Drink some water.(Handing the glass to her) Sit down, and relax, catch your breath first.

Lois sits down in the sofa, exhausted. She gulps down the water, hands the glass to Bruce and closes her eyes

Bruce: Now, what were you saying?

Lois: I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. It's just that, at the very mention of your name I am forced to reconsider my decision. In fact, the way the things are going these days, everything seems to force me to reconsider my decision. It hasn't been very well and...and I have no one to tell. (tears begin to roll out of her eyes, but she controls herself) I thought I could tell you, but, I know you won't be of any help to me. You are partly the reason...

Bruce: (Taking her hand into his. She doesn't resist) Lois, whatever we had, it's all over. And I didn't call you here to rekindle those emotions. There is something I need to tell you, something which is very important. But now that I see you, I don't think you'll be ready to take it. You were my last hope, Lois.

Lois: I'm sorry, Bruce. I've been so disturbed these days, by Superman and Clarke.

Bruce: Clarke? You mean Clarke Kent!

Lois: Needless to say, he's been flirting with me since the day he arrived. I did warn him on several occasions, but he wouldn't listen. I heard from Jimmy that he's even thinking to propose me.

Bruce: That's simple, reject him, once and for all. Why are so bothered about it so much?

Lois: (remains silent)

Bruce: Lois!

Lois: Superman! He's been behaving very strangely these days. It's like, he's become too possessive. He whacked a man who teased me on the road, the other day.

Bruce: I don't think that is out of ordinary. Anyone would do that.

Lois: The man is fighting death.

Bruce: (in utter disbelief) What?

Lois: He is admitted to Gotham general. He has a perforated lung, one of his ribs pierced into his lung, and that's just one part of it. I think Superman broke every bone on his body. I wanted to tell Superman to warn Clarke. But seeing the fate of that man, I don't think he'd leave Clarke alive.

Bruce: Wait, Wait! Let me get this straight! Superman beat a man to death, I mean, almost to death, just because he teased you. What did he tease you?

Lois: Alien's girlfriend!

Bruce: Oh no! (Draws his hand back and begins to think)

Lois: Great! Now you are afraid that he'd whack you.

Bruce: No, no Lois, it's not that. I am beginning to think Superman didn't whack him because he teased you, but because he teased him, calling him an alien.

Lois: What difference does it make?

Bruce: It makes a lot of difference, Lois. When did this happen?

Lois: Um...

Bruce: Let me guess, last Monday!

Lois: Yes! How did you...

Bruce: Tell me Lois, how is Clarke behaving, since last Monday.

Lois: (angered) You think I care? I am frustrated with that man...

Bruce: Lois...answer to the point. Did you notice any change in Clarke's behaviour?

Lois: (irritated) No! He is cranky, irritating and careless as he always was. I thought he was a good friend. How could he...by the way, why are you worried about Clarke all of a sudden?

Bruce: Lois, Clarke Kent is the Superman.

Lois: (completely shocked) What?

Bruce: And I'm afraid that if things are as serious as you describe, he's in grave danger.

Lois: Bruce, what are you talking about? What danger?

Bruce: Darkseid has got him again!

Lois: It can't be. It just can't be...(collapses into the sofa and breaks into tears)

Bruce: Lois! It need not be true. Perhaps I'm only thinking too much.

Lois: But Bruce...

Bruce: (trying to assuage her) I'll go and check it out myself. I tell you, I may be wrong. For once, I wish I'm wrong. Don't worry, I won't let any harm come to him. I promise!

Lois buries herself into his chest, crying. Bruce tries to pacify her, stroking her
hair

Bruce: Don't worry about it, Lois. And come what may, don't tell this to anyone. Try to be normal with Clarke, as if you don't know his secret. Report his every move to me. You are the only one I can count on for this. If the things are not out of our hands yet, we can prevent it from happening. If they have slipped already...

Lois: (sits back and looks into his eyes)Then? Everyone will be against him, Bruce. Everyone who loved him will begin to hate him now. They'll hunt him down...

Bruce: Lois, as long as I can draw a breath, I'll let no harm come to him. I promise. You'll just have to believe me and be with me in what I do.

Lois: You won't stand a chance against him!

Bruce: Then even if I can't draw a breath, I'll make sure no harm comes to him. And this is final (smiles)

Lois laughs through her tears at that last remark. She doesn't know, that Bruce is and will be a man of his word