AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long. No, I did not forget this story. I've actually just been on vacation and I caught up doing a lot of stuff. I stayed up till three o'clock in the morning typing so I could give you guys a chapter. I haven't been writing a lot lately and my schedule got thrown off. Thankfully I already had half of chapter ten already typed up so it was mostly just finishing it.

I've also been very tired lately. I've been staying up till nearly three o'clock in the morning when I know I shouldn't be. I'm getting back into the daily grind of things however, and to be honest I'll be quite happy to return to work on Monday. It keeps me productive and focused about what I'm truly working towards. Anyway, hoping everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring weather! Where I'm at it's gorgeous, but we're supposed to get rain all week. Yippee.

Guess that gives me a reason to stay inside and just type more, right?

Chapter 10

Tapping his fingers along the table Dark watched the two men enter the museum. In front of him a cup of coffee sat steaming completely untouched. He had called Slade to let him know he was getting ready to move in. It bothered him for his quarry to be so close yet so far away from him. Letting out an irritated sigh he glanced again at his coffee considering if he should not drink some or not. After a second he pulled the mug closer to him to take a cautious sip. He wrinkled his nose at the bitter taste. Reaching over he grabbed the sugar and began to spoon some into the coffee as he waited.

Across the street Alfred had gone up the steps after the two young men. Taking out his hat he pulled it low over his face as he bought a ticket from the young lady at the front desk. Going through the turnstile he kept the two in sight as he quickened his pace after them. The school children provided a good cover for him. Who would think to question an old man? Alfred could be mistaken for a grandfather who had simply decided to accompany his grandchild to the museum.

Connor kept an arm hooked around Bruce's as they made their way through the press of people. Every couple of feet children stopped to pet Krypto who wagged his tail at all the attention. There was little he could do to get them to stop short of yelling at them. Bruce, to his benefit, smiled benignly as if he could see the eager smiles of the small children. Answering their questions about what the dog was doing inside before moving on. More than a couple of teachers and parents gazed at the two men unsure of what to make of them. Most of them relaxing when they realized there was no immediate danger to their young charges.

"Why do these people act like they've never seen a dog before?" Connor muttered loud enough for his servant to hear. Bruce smiled letting out a soft laugh at the boy's annoyed tone.

"They're just happy to see Krypto. Not a lot of these people probably keep a dog at home. Which is a crying shame I think. A pet can teach a child so much responsibility. Even if it's nothing more than a simple gold fish." Bruce answered calmly. Connor shook his head looking away from his servant to the exhibits on display.

There was a variety of ancient creatures for him to behold. From lumbering Neanderthals to ferocious Saber tooth tigers flashing their fangs. Fascinated, Connor stopped to read the plaques on these beings. Bruce remained patient for the most part. In no hurry to reach the Egyptian exhibit as he brushed his fingers over the brail. When he sensed the boy straighten up Bruce began to talk to him. Telling Connor how the ice caps had moved, how the ice age had come about, and for the most part what it was like back in those old times.

Superboy listened intently from time to time asking questions. His fascination grew to include mammoths in particular which he began to ask Bruce in earnest. Which led to the former CEO telling him about a project to clone the ancient creature in Japan. This entire time both of them completely unaware they were being followed.

Alfred had to force himself to slow down. He managed to slip into another room, circle around, and come out ahead of the duo. He was almost certain now the older man was no one other than young master Bruce. Stepping behind an exhibit displaying exotic birds Alfred peered through the glass as the two men came around the corner. From where he was at he could pick up the older man's voice as he walked. His hand gripping a harness of a service dog which managed to keep him from running into anyone.

The former butler felt his heart stop when he finally saw Bruce turn his head. His hair was unkempt as he had only just ran a hand through it recently. His former master's frame was thin, much to thin for a man his age. A lot of the muscle Alfred had known Bruce to have seemed to have disappeared. His cheekbones were thin, but not gaunt.

"Oh, master Bruce." Alfred said without meaning too. He felt his voice crack when he caught sight of Bruce's eyes. They were a milky blue, reflecting the light as the man turned his head. When Alfred spoke the former CEO's face turned completely pale.

Bruce felt his heart stop when he heard the voice. He grabbed onto Connor's arm who frowned touching Bruce's hand with his own. Without thinking the blind man began to tug at the clone's arm trying to draw him in the opposite direction. Confused, Superboy relented following after his servant. Krypto had begun to whine nuzzling Bruce's leg as the blind man began to run.

"Bruce, what's wrong? Why are we leaving?" Connor asked. Bruce panted swiveling his head from side to side as he tried to listen to the world around him. Damning himself for not having his sight as he tried to figure out a way to get lost in the noise around him.

"Call a cab."

"Why?"

"Please, Connor, call a cab!" Bruce yelled at the boy. Connor's face flushed at being yelled at in the middle of the sidewalk. People paused to gaze at them wondering what in the world was going on.

"Okay, okay! I'll get us one." Connor promised. He put an arm around his panicking servant's shoulders to hold him close. From the corner of his eye he saw the old man from the museum coming after them. Heedless of the crowd of people around him as the old man tried to reach them.

Connor's lips went into a thin line as he turned on his heel and began to lead Bruce away. Using his greater strength to shove people out of his way. Protests rose up from those he knocked aside, but the boy could care less. Krypto ran after them barking happily as he kept up with his two masters. From time to time wondering when he licked Bruce's unresponsive hand which had balled up into a fist.

Bruce had begun to shake uncontrollably much to Connor's alarm. Keeping an even tighter grip on the older man Connor hailed a cabbie. Barely managing to get the cab to stop so he could yank the door open. Connor helped Bruce get in first, then got inside as Krypto got in beside them. Closing and locking the door the cab took off from the curb into the street just as the man who been pursuing them before stopped at the curb. Staring forlornly as the cab drove away, turned around a corner, and disappeared from sight.

"Where to, sonny?" The cabbie asked from the front seat. Connor glanced at Bruce who still continued to shake. From the way his servant's heart was pounding it was a miracle Bruce had not suffered cardiac arrest.

"The park, please." Connor answered calmly. Bruce nodded his head weakly, but hardly seemed to be aware of his surroundings.

They drove in silence for a few minutes before the cabbie dropped them off. Connor paid the man before stepping out. Helping Bruce and Krypto out from the back of the car. When he laid his hands on his servant he felt the older man shaking violently as if he had caught a sudden chill. Concerned, he held the man close as he took the leash from Bruce's limp hand. Leading both away deeper into the park as he chose a random path. Keeping an eye out for the strange white haired man who seemed to have thrown his servant into a panic.

Neither of them said a word for a long time. After about twenty minutes Bruce was still shaky, but he managed to accept the leash from Connor. However, the young man kept a firm grip on his upper arm. As if to prevent the blind man from running off in a flight of panic a second time. His shallow breathing had regulated itself to a normal expansion of the lungs, but the former billionaire still felt as if he had had a heart attack. For the longest time Connor said not a word. Though beneath the surface he could sense the teen brimming with questions.

"Before you ask…no, that man is not a threat to us. I would prefer to not meet with him though. Neither do I want to speak to him at all." Bruce said painfully aware of his condition. How could he have not predicted this ever happening? Of course Alfred would have returned to London! Having nowhere else to go he could hardly expect his former butler to remain within the Wayne Manor on the off chance another billionaire took it upon himself to move in.

"If he's not a threat, why did you run away? Did he hurt you?" Connor asked. Bruce closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. At his side Krypto had begun to whine pawing at his leg for attention. He laid a hand on the animal's muzzle reassuring him as he tried to find the best way to explain himself.

"The man you saw is simply…he's from a dead era of my life. Let me just leave it at that." Bruce admitted tiredly. He felt as if a great weight had been placed upon his shoulders. Rather than accept his explanation, however, Superboy's next words struck him to the core.

"You're a coward."

At first Bruce did not know if he had heard right. For a second his mind came up blank as to what to say. To gently persuade the younger man into kinder territory. When he opened his mouth to reply all that came out was a hollow breath. As if all of Bruce's words had been sucked out of him to be thrown to the wind. Superboy pressed his advantage continuing his diatribe despite his servant's silence.

"Why haven't you told what Superman did? Each time I listen to the airwaves people are insisting he be released. He hurt you, Bruce, but all you do is hide out at the farm. Pretending it never happened and never confronting your fears." Connor accused him. The thoughts had long been in the back of his mind. Finally boiling over so he found himself disgusted with the man he was faced with.

"Connor, listen I…" Bruce found himself trailing off. Unable to find a way to defend himself as the boy continued.

"I think it's all a lie too! You being…Batman before it all happened. I bet it's some fantasy you came up with and mom just plays along with it because she feels sorry for you." Connor spat angrily. When Bruce reached out a shaking hand to him he slapped it away. Upset as he glared at the older man as Krypto began to whine. He felt bad for making Krypto sad, but he just could not stand for the injustice.

"I'm going for a walk." Connor said harshly. Turning his back on Bruce as he stuck his hands deep in his pockets and stormed off. Not wanting to hear the excuses his servant would feed him about hiding away from his tormentor.

Bruce felt his mouth go dry at the accusations unsure of what to say. He began to follow the sound of the boy's footsteps. By his side Krypto guided him, but within ten minutes the dog stopped. Refusing to move another inch as he began to whine and press himself against his master's leg. Slowly, the blind man knelt on one knee. Putting an arm around the canine as he tried to calm him.

"It's okay, boy, it's okay. Be quiet now, understand?" Bruce whispered quietly. He felt his heartbeat begin to pick up as he forced himself to focus. To steady his breathing as he tried to make heads or tails of his situation. They had to get back to the hotel. He had to give Mercy a call and let her know what had happened. He had to keep the boy safe despite how he felt. He had to prevent Connor from turning out like Clark.

"Do you think it's true? I'm a coward?" Bruce asked the dog in a low whisper. A wind picked up chilling him to the bone. While he could not see them he heard people passing by. He felt goose bumps rise up on his arms as he tried to decide what to do next.

Perhaps Superboy was right. He was a coward. How could he explain the way he had fled eight months ago? Not telling Dick where he had gone off too. Rejecting the help of his former ward and the rest of the Justice League. Were there even any original members left? Bruce rarely listened to the radio, but he had heard there were additions to the team which grew daily. Green Arrow had joined, along with Black Canary, the Huntress, and it was even rumored the Question had taken up residence within the Watchtower which must have been expanded at some point.

What would the team say if he came to them now? Broken, alone, and relying on Superman's clone of all people to keep him sane? Perhaps there was no reason for him to remain here in the outside world. At each turn Bruce found himself inadequate to deal with daily life. Even the simplest of tasks required a special precision on his part to complete. Granted, when Bruce memorized his surroundings his daily life went along much smoother. However, when it came to going outside he was all but loss.

"C'mon, Krypto, why don't we enjoy the fresh air while we can?" Bruce murmured to the dog. He could only imagine Connor must have headed back to the hotel to sulk. There would be no helping the matter to go back now. Despite the chill in the air Bruce stood up and allowed the canine to take the lead.

Bruce found himself dwelling on the words more and more. Of course he was aware of the present state of affairs concerning Superman. He knew people in every country were continually advocating for Superman's release. They wanted their hero back. The assurance the kryptonian had their best interests at heart. Bruce shuddered at the memory of the alien unable to help himself. Despite the time which had passed there was still the real threat the alien would decide to come after him again.

When it boiled down to it, if Superman did get his release and was restored to his former position, no one could stop the alien from snatching Bruce up again. Unlike before however Clark would no doubt have revenge in mind. He would keep the entire affair quiet and deep in the new fortress Bruce knew the alien had told him about. Or probably build himself a new one within a matter of minutes in order to keep anyone from finding his hideout.

"I can't go back to that. I can't." Bruce murmured to himself. Those endless days spent in terror as he wondered if Kal-El would be in a good mood. If he would receive a meal that day or be screamed at for his efforts.

Bruce touched his head feeling a headache setting in as he fought back the onslaught of bad memories. Did anyone but him know the true terror when a person turned on you? Knowing you had absolutely no control over your own fate. Subjected to the whims of an individual who decided if you were worthy of being alive simply based on their mood for the day. There had been times during his captivity Bruce seriously considered inciting Kal-El's rage. Pushing him to the point of where the alien would end it all. What stopped him each time was the fear he would be dying alone though. Lost and forgotten in an icy wasteland never to be heard from again.

The terror of a lonely death spurred Bruce on to survive through the next day. Driving himself as hard as he could. Promising himself one day he would be able to walk a free man. Even now, though, was he still not living a form of captivity? This time willingly for fear of venturing out to far. Ashamed of his condition as he tried to decide what to do with his life.

Sadly, Bruce did not know where to go with his life at this point. Even with Connor as his main reason eventually the clone would move on. He would go on to live his own life. Perhaps Superboy would even fall in love and marry a woman he fell in love with. Mercy had assured Bruce she would not turn him out. Even offering to write up a contract to insure he was kept in the best accommodations money could afford. He had declined the offer unable to accept it.

What was he now? A homeless man living by the kindness of others? Bruce took a deep breath to steady himself, but it came out in a gasp instead. What was his worth as a man now? Nothing? Did he even mean anything to anyone anymore? No, he was wasting time. He had to move now before Alfred caught up to him. Before one of the only people who perhaps truly knew him from his time as a child to adulthood to being Batman caught up to him.

"Master Bruce?" A hesitant voice asked.