Oliver followed Bruce back to Gotham City, while Bart and Clark were in charge of speeding the teens to the bat cave. Bart carried Dinah and Clark carried the Deathstroke and Parasite. Bart beat him to the cave but Clark argued it was because he was only carrying one tiny girl while he had two. Either way he was panting, his chest hurt and he was sweating. His body was far from normal and it concerned him.
I'm not me anymore. Damn Tex and his minions.
Bart showed Clark to the holding cells that Bruce had installed. They placed each unconscious body in the tubes and Bart activated the code. The door sealed itself with some electric force wall.
"It neutralizes abilities. Doesn't stop them from using them but it keeps them from getting out," Bart explained at Clark's confused look.
"What do you know about her?" Clark asked nodding towards Dinah.
Bart dug his hands into his pockets, "Tex kidnapped her when she was barely two. She doesn't know anything other than the life she lives."
"She was the one who discovered my weakness and told Tex," Clark explained.
"What?" Bart asked.
"She started dating Oliver and one night the lights went out, she screamed, I got hurt and a few days later I'm a lab rat," Clark gave Bart the cliff notes as he went to stare at Dinah. She looked so fragile lying in the cell. She had played them all for fools and he couldn't imagine how Oliver was handling it. If Lana had done anything like that…. Shit Lana!
Clark pulled out his cell and dialed Lex's number. The phone rang twice, "Hello?"
"Hey, Lex, its Clark," He said.
"Clark? I didn't recognize the number," Lex said.
"Bruce gave me this phone, which has really great reception," Clark said realizing he was underground using a cell phone.
"Huh? Where are you?" Lex asked.
"I'm in Gotham with Impulse. I'm going to speed Oliver back and explain everything but it'll still be a bit. Can you keep Lana entertained?" He asked.
"Shouldn't be to hard. We don't have school tomorrow and Lana seems hell bent on cooking you a welcome back dinner," Lex said.
Clark couldn't help his smile; "I look forward to it. I'll try not to be too long."
"Is Oliver okay?" Lex asked.
"Did you know about his green leather fetish?" Clark asked.
"Shit, what was he up too?" Lex asked.
"He thought Impulse was part of the kids he was hunting," Clark answered.
"Dude?" Bart asked tossing his hands up. Bruce and Oliver were finally speeding into the batcave. Bruce parked his car among his other sport cars and Oliver parked his bike on a platform near the batmobile.
"I'll have to explain the rest later but Oliver's fine. We'll be back soon," Clark said.
"Alright, see you soon," Lex said.
Clark hung up as Oliver walked over. His hood was tossed back and his glasses were swung up into his hair. Oliver noticed the cells but didn't mind them any attention after. "I'm sure you've got questions," Oliver said stopping next to him.
"Not really questions, so much as confused," He replied.
"I just couldn't sit around and hang flyers. Law enforcement wasn't getting anywhere. Lex and I knew something was wrong, I mean nothing can stop you,"
Clark could hear his concern in his voice, "So you took to the outfit and bow and arrow?" Clark didn't want to avoid his feelings; he just wasn't good at dealing with them.
"I just couldn't sit around and wait for you body to show up," Oliver answered.
Clark didn't know what to say but Oliver was one of the greatest guys to have as his friend. He reached out and pulled Oliver into a tight hug, not knowing what to say or do. Oliver wrapped his arms around him in return.
"Touching," Bruce said walking up and tossing the car keys onto one of the nearby tables. They broke apart and Oliver folded his arms over his chest.
"You said you had something to ask us," Oliver said not pleased with Bruce or the situation.
"Impulse and I have been hunting down the kids Tex used. Some have been complicated to deal with and others have wanted help. We've been doing our best in either situation. But aside from that, crime is up in both Gotham and Metropolis. Impulse and I can handle Gotham and you seem to be doing a good job in Metropolis," Bruce said.
"You should probably get to the point," Bart said noticing how impatient both Oliver and Clark looked, but for different reasons.
"Perhaps we can join forces," Bruce said taking Bart's advice.
"How?" Clark asked.
"You both have skills and abilities that can help people, keep them safe from the dangers they don't know they face," Bruce said.
"Be superheroes," Bart interrupted.
"And what about this Society?" Oliver asked.
"Their part of the reason crime is up in both cities," Bruce answered.
"We live in Smallville, we can't just pop up in Metropolis," Oliver shot back.
"Clark can with his speed. Besides, you've been doing great so far," Bruce parried.
"I've had good reason," Oliver replied.
"And isn't just as good a reason to protect those who can't?" Bruce shot back.
"Okay, okay," Clark said tossing his hands up. "I don't have all day for this. Bruce, we're not superheroes but we'll think about your offer. We'll let you know when we come back for his bike."
"Huh?" Oliver asked.
"Sounds fair. It's not an easy life I'm asking you to join," Bruce replied to Clark.
"Don't worry about these three. We'll call ya and update ya," Bart said more to Clark since Bart was somewhat aware of their history.
"Come back?" Oliver asked turning to Clark. Clark nodded before grabbing Oliver and speeding them to Smallville. He was hungry, had a headache, and really wanted to see a raven haired beauty who was cooking him dinner.