Author's Note: This may be a little offbeat from the typical Gotham. I took a little inspiration from a city close to where I live. I had heard for years that downtown was just NOT a place you went...EVER. And now, it's the best place in town to go. Beautiful riverwalk, lots of landscaped greenery, shops, places to eat, clubs, cafes, aquariums, walking bridges, parks, etc. They revamped the whole thing. I thought Gotham deserved at least that much.

Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville, DC comics, etc.

oOo

Dusk was settling and Chloe Sullivan was in such a hurry that she decided to forego the elevator and take the stairs.

Tonight was the night.

Her hand lightly grazing the railing, Chloe was bubbling with such a sense of anticipation that she felt that she could've floated down the steps.

In a matter of a few hours, she was to meet with a contact with a wealth of information; the price untold.

But Chloe couldn't quite make herself care about the consequences. She had seemingly taken up the torch, so to speak, for a worthy cause: to show the citizens of Gotham that they could take back their once beautiful city from the ruthless criminal underworld intent on keeping Gotham City mired in obscurity. She'd finally rediscovered her inspiration and all she could see was the light that she knew was at the end of the tunnel.

Practically bursting through the double doors, not even the chilling wind could sober her elation. Absently wrapping her coat tighter about her middle and pulling her wool scarf high around her neck, Chloe began to the walk to her newest caffeine dispensing paradise: JavaScript, an internet café that had opened in the newly remodeled area of downtown Gotham.

Thanks to Clark, she'd found her veritable Mecca the first night she moved to Gotham. Thrusting her hands into her pockets, Chloe gazed around the downtown area with a huge smile. While most of the city was still rather rough in places, it seemed that officials had managed to spruce up the downtown area into such a beautiful place with classic tastes that the streets were near to overflowing with people.

Certainly, no longer an abandoned shadow left to breed the worst sort of criminals and house only the most desperate of souls.

Despite Clark's warnings, hell, even despite what she had currently written herself into, Chloe felt that she'd made the right decision.

'I could live here,' she thought with wonder and her entire being was beginning to tingle with excitement at the thought of something fresh and new. 'I think I could actually make a life here.'

There was no looming competition from Lois while at The Planet. She wouldn't have to worry about Perry pitting them against each other just to reap the best stories. There would be no ghosts to remind of her of her past, her regrets… her mistakes.

For only a sliver of a moment, she began to feel that Lex just may have done her a favor: an opportunity at a fresh start.

Chloe had become so engrossed in her thoughts that she wouldn't have noticed the black town car slowly tailing her through Gotham's rush hour wind-down.

A peculiar young billionaire eyed her with scrutiny, while completely ignoring the woman sitting next to him. Tonight was the night of his obligation to take the "winning bid" on a date. Clad in a very short, but very flowing coral number that offset her out-of-season tan to even the most scrupulous glance, sat his Bruce's date from the gala auction.

Her long, outstretched legs crossed suggestively in his direction, the young lady was yammering on and on about a recent gathering at some fashion designer's penthouse.

He could barely remember her name.

It was Ms. Mortimer… or something like that? There was a distant memory of a well-established wealthy socialite with that last name. Maybe her daughter?

Whatever the case, she hadn't shut up since they got in the car.

"Ohmigod," she had proclaimed ecstatically. "ThisisjustlikeDaddy's…"

While she chattered on incessantly, Bruce's dark gaze zeroed in on Chloe's bouncing form as she deftly weaved in and out of the people crowding the street until the prattling noise from his left finally cut through his concentration.

He simply turned and looked to the overly saucy brunette that sat next to him.

"I know! Right?" she replied giddily with full, clueless open smile to match.

All he could do was smile and nod as she resumed her rap session in full swing.

For only a second, he allowed himself to glance about the old downtown area. Seeing all the people, unafraid to peruse the streets gave Bruce a sense of hope. Just since this year, the mayor decided to make an attempt to encourage the city by dolling out funds in an attempt to improve downtown Gotham.

New black antique streetlamps graced up and down the city's sidewalks. The Bradford pears that were once filled with green leaves in the spring were now decorated with LED lights that twinkled beautifully along with clean, landscaped medians.

There were a few new shops with intricate, quirky signs that intrigued and beckoned to potential customers. He'd even heard talk of possible carriage rides that would be offered around downtown and through the park.

Thus far, they were merely lofty goals and obviously just talk. But it gave rise to believe; to believe that Gotham could rise above the depths of its foul reputation.

Eventually, all the city's efforts had slowly begun to help breathe life into the once avoided part of town.

"So, as one of the more prominent citizens in Gotham, do you have any plans for the city?" was the sudden unwelcome recollection from the other night. Another quick glance around the downtown area, and Bruce suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

Perhaps Bruce Wayne should've lent more time and effort towards rebuilding the city he wanted so much to protect.

If truth be told, he couldn't help feeling that he already had. Were it not for his alter-persona then downtown Gotham would still be a breeding ground of each sort of degenerate.

He quickly noted that the young woman had entered into one of the newer Internet cafes, JavaScript. It looked to be a little slice of heaven for those who simply wished to drink coffee and plunk around on their laptops.

"I believe, sir, that you requested a stop here for a moment?" Alfred suddenly informed.

Bruce looked into the rearview mirror at Alfred's hinting glance.

"Yeah," he muttered. It was then he felt the familiar feeling of eyes burning into him. He turned to see Ms. Mortimer glaring a hole through him as the car began to come to a slow stop. Obviously, she didn't care to share her date that had generously been paid for with any possible interruption.

"I'm sorry, I didn't sleep very well last night," Bruce informed with nonchalance and merely gave her a sure smile. "You want anything?" he gestured to the café.

Arms tightly crossed and eyes certainly unblinking, Ms. Mortimer replied with a very stiff, "I'm fine, thanks."

Alfred rolled down his window just as Bruce exited the vehicle. "Uh, shall I just drive around or park?" he quipped politely.

Bruce leaned down with a grin. "Surprise me," he whispered with a smirk and shut the door.

oOo

Chloe was just sitting down in a quiet corner of the café when her phone began to buzz. The café seemed to be typically quiet and out of consideration, she had set her cell on 'vibrate'.

Looking down, she quickly noted it was Clark.

"Hm, hello," she answered as quietly as possible.

"Hey listen, I talked to Oliver," Clark informed immediately.

Taking a sip of her almond mocha, Chloe listened carefully. "Great, what'd you find out?"

Clark took a deep, ominous breath. "Well, his people did discover that someone had attempted to hack your phone, several times in fact, but they intercepted and the hack was unsuccessful,"

"W-well," Chloe nearly heaved a sigh of relief "that's great—"

"Yeah, but you need to be more careful, Chloe," Clark interrupted quickly, his best lecture tone in place. "You might not get so lucky next time."

"True," Chloe nodded absently. "Of course, I'll be careful."

"Well, just so you know, we haven't seen any movement from Lex, so far," Clark added. "He seems to have been rather reclusive lately."

"Uh-oh," Chloe began, leaning her elbow onto the table and closer to her phone. "You know what that means—"

"Trust me, we're watching him more closely now than ever," Clark informed confidently and Chloe could practically hear his pearly white grin. "So at least do us a favor and try to watch your own ass."

"Hmmm," Chloe hummed with a grin. "Everybody and their concern for my ass. Hallmark seems to be missing out on a new market."

"C'mon, Chlo," Clark warned in his stern tone.

"Clark, it's okay," Chloe couldn't help saying. "I don't think I can take much more smothering," she chuckled lightly. "Here, let me call you back later, all right. I got a lot of work to do."

It was only as Chloe clipped her phone shut that she realized that the usually quiet café had become almost dead silent. Before she could even raise her head, a shadow fell across the table and she slowly looked up.

"Forgive me. I hope I'm not intruding."

She turned to meet dark eyes with dark brows that were just ever-so slightly lifted in question.

Chloe's own nearly did a split second bug-out; however she quickly recovered herself by immediately throwing up a mask of cynicism.

"Not at all," she replied with a single shake of her head. "Just talking to a friend," she added, her eyes clearly focused on the screen in front of her. "So, what are you doing here? Slumming?"

Not that she noticed, but Bruce managed a one-sided grin and simply waved her quip away. "Just getting a cup of coffee," he replied innocently.

"Counter's over there," she jerked a thumb behind her, never taking her eyes from the screen as she continued to plunk away on her keypad.

"Uh, excuse me," Chloe heard a feather light voice trill nervously.

To Chloe's utter disgust, she noticed that one of the girls behind the counter had decided to make a special trip. The girl seemed to have appeared from nowhere. She stared up at Bruce Wayne with great huge eyes and a gleaming smile.

"Can I get you anything, Mr. Wayne?" the young girl asked with a ridiculously humble tone.

Chloe rolled her eyes. No need to ask where the syrup was coming from.

He plucked carefully at his black leather gloves and once his hands were free of them, he simply gripped them in one hand and turned towards her.

"Grande Espresso, please," he replied smoothly. "And…what'll you have?" he directed at Chloe, effectively taking her off guard for a moment.

"Oh, no more for me," she said as she held up her own almond mocha…extra whip.

Bruce only turned and nodded.

"Right away," the girl trilled in a manner that Chloe found gut-churning. For a moment, she thought the girl just might curtsy like some milkmaid serf too gracious to be in the "lord's "presence.

Bruce quickly took a seat and allowed himself the time to take in the sight of the young lady before him.

She wore a dark suit with matching slacks, a creamy lace bodice beneath her jacket. Her medium blonde hair half pulled up into a loose twist, with a few escaping wisps. Her jewelry was rather modest with a simple silver chain around her neck and pearl stud earrings. Not completely unlike her appearance at the gala.

'Simple style with personality', he noted through his quick assessment. 'Very lovely', was a sudden follow-up appraisal.

Her eyes were trained on her laptop screen with a strained focus. She was typing furiously, taking a quick sip of her preferred drink every now and then.

She nearly caught him off guard when she suddenly glanced up. "You're still here?"

He couldn't help managing a smirk. "Disappointed?"

Chloe directed her gaze back to her screen. "It's a free country, Mr. Wayne. I imagine you can come and go as you please," she replied, her tone a bit overly blasé.

"Just taking in the scenery," his voice low and full of insinuation. He obviously had an appointment to keep and time was of the essence, so better to lay it on extra thick.

No dice though.

Chloe paused for a moment with a quick, skeptical glance. "I know your reputation for enthusiastically playing the field, but now you're beginning to sound like a dirty old man," she remarked casually.

Bruce pretended to find her comment amusing with a quick chuckle. "No harm in appreciating the sight of a beautiful woman," he replied as he leaned forward onto his forearms.

Chloe looked up then and pinned him with an obvious look of doubt."Mr. Wayne, by seven o'clock everyone knows what it means to be appreciated by you," she tossed back with a casual reference to the Entertainment news hour. "By the way, aren't the paparazzi practically salivating in anticipation of your rendezvous with the winner of 'Dinner date with Bruce Wayne'?"

Bruce instantly lost his carefree appearance. He hated that expression.

Alfred had been using it incessantly thanks to her.

"So do you regularly pimp yourself out for charity?" Chloe added with inflection as she continued to type.

"Why? Interested?" he tossed back.

Chloe looked up and smiled. "Not in the slightest," she replied sweetly as she closed her laptop. "Besides, I'm sure I couldn't afford your services," she added as she rose and slid her laptop into her case.

Bruce quickly rose, staring down at her with a heavy gaze. "Oh, the price is always negotiable," Bruce replied with heavy innuendo.

Chloe gazed up at him in almost amazed wonder. His body language, his tone, nearly his entire demeanor said that he was every bit the glamorous philandering rake that he was portrayed by in the tabloids.

Yet her intuition wasn't picking up that vibe. Her internal warnings weren't going off in alarm. In the past, she'd been pretty good at sizing up someone just from an intuitive glance. But with this self-proclaimed playboy, she simply wasn't detecting any of that nonsense, no matter how hard he seemed to try.

Intrigued, Chloe cocked her head to the side with a smirk. "What do you want from me, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce ignored the question and took one step closer to her with suggestive intent. "Well, I know this great little Italian—"

Almost immediately, Chloe threw up a halting hand. "Sorry I asked," she replied, unable to stifle a giggle. A few bright flashes caught her eye and she couldn't seem to help glancing past him and through the window.

"Somehow, I think you already have your hands full with contestant number three," she commented with a slight snicker.

Bruce turned quickly and immediately caught sight of what appeared to be a very upset Ms. Mortimer who simply stood, arms crossed and leaning sharply into her right hip with the occasional flash bulb going off from behind her. She was practically glaring a hole through the glass.

"Good-bye, Mr. Wayne," Chloe giggled as she maneuvered around him. "And good luck."

Bruce could only watch as Chloe quickly exited and not without catching a scathing look from Ms. Mortimer as she passed.

He could see that Alfred was parked illegally and obviously quite occupied with something other than what was currently happening.

Putting on his best face, he quickly strode out of the café fully ready to do some obvious damage control, leaving his Grande Espresso behind.

oOo

Author's Note: Please, let me know what you think of their interaction. If I need to do more or less of...anything. Just let me know something. :-)