Hello dear reader. I hope you're doing well. It's been another rough week, so spare a prayer if you're inclined for Nice, France.

Challenge King: Thanks and I hope you like this chapter.

Fanfic-Reader-88: No rest for the wicked or the good.

Freddie is caught between two worlds, the one he was raised in yet knowing he never fit into it and the one that is for the most part gone. It's the dichotomy that has and will continue to shape him.

ActualTurtle3: Thank you. It was intended to be a fusion fic – TVTropes – where they would take the roles up of these characters, but the spin is that they are as true as possible to their original counterparts as much as possible. It's a delicate balance. I hope you like this chapter.

PD31 has wrapped up his final chapter for 'Something Better Comes Along', so you should check that out.

Rating: T, Language

Chapter 20: A Quiet Evening

West Family Library
West Residence
Bristol Township, NJ

The time was early evening as Freddie was sitting behind the office desk, typing away on his PearBook after the pair had relaxed the afternoon away—though he had literally taken off for just over two hours in the late afternoon to fly some of the drug for analysis to his secret hideout—and were now waiting for dinner.

Jade was lying with a light sheet over her legs and midsection on the couch with a pillow against the armrest propping up her head while she rested her eyes and relaxed to the soft music filling the library. She didn't realize how she missed the simple pleasure of surrendering to the music and relaxing. She had put aside a possible career of being a singer or actress after high school to focus on taking over the family business and begin her crusade against crime and at times, she had wondered what her life would be like if she had let go of her obsession and pursued that dream. Tori had certainly coaxed her several times since the end of high school to join her in Hollywood and pursue such a career.

Any further thoughts were interrupted by her hearing the faintest of sounds of Freddie typing away under the classical music and her curiosity was peeked. She opened her eyes and glanced past her feet as the desk was a few feet away from the end of the couch. She curiously asked, "What are you writing?"

Freddie didn't take his eyes off the screen as he continued to type and answered, "Several stories: Carson's robbery of the police benefit and linking Mason to his 'suicide', Mister Shapiro's kidnapping and how Mrs. Lee was linked to it, and Tori's kidnapping and rescue—I did get an interview with her after all. It might take up the whole front page if the boss decides to publish them."

"He can't complain that you haven't been busy these last few days, but you're going to break news on what we found out about Mason?"

Freddie shrugged a shoulder. "You wanted to go after him, so it's time we hit him too. Two down, one to go."

Jade returned with a smile, grateful for his support, "But what do you have to link him? We only have a potentially illegally obtained tape."

"It is your system. You did some remote technical support and recovered the video. It accidentally gets leaked and they'll be force to investigate him to answer some very hard questions."

Jade gave him a contemplated gaze then wondered out loud, "It might not be enough. We never got Carl to flip to say that he looked the other way."

"But it might kick over the hornets' nest. He'll have to answer questions as to why he allowed Mason to go see Carson. He'll be doing more than scrambling to save his pension. They'll be a big spotlight on Mason and Mister Shapiro will have the leverage he needs to really go after him. The Mob in Gotham will be broken."

Jade shrugged her right shoulder and glanced over the top of the backrest. "You make it sound easy."

"It won't be easy, but it'll be his and the police job to put him behind bars."

The lovely dark haired young woman crossed her arms over her chest and slightly squinted. "You really want me to hang up the cowl?"

Freddie stopped typing and sighed, relaxing back in the chair. "I'm just pointing out that you've almost accomplished on what you've set out to do with your crime fighting persona. It's up to you whether you would want to just keep going after low level crime."

"I'm going to see Mason behind bars before I even think of giving up the Bat."

Freddie cracked a smile. "So you are considering it?"

Jade frowned and gave him a tired expression. "Don't get giddy on me. I'm just pointing out that I'm not stopping until Mason is behind bars with Quincy."

"Okay… I'll take that as a step."

Jade squinted, perhaps pouting in a way that he thought he had won some minor victory getting her to admit such a thing. "Anyway, onto things more productive like your stories. Send everything else to Howard, but could you hold off on Mason? I don't want to blindside Robbie. We need to let him know we have the video to see what he could do to maybe flip Carl or how he wants to pursue Mason."

"Avoid the media circus with the news breaking on him so he doesn't see what's coming?"

"That's one way to look at it."

"That's fine, absolutely. The point is to get them, not make a name for myself in the paper."

"How do you expect to get ahead as a reporter with that attitude?"

"The point of being a reporter is a just a means for me to poke my nose in places and stay on top of trouble. I don't really see this as a career."

"Then what do you want?"

"I'm sorry?"

Jade sat up and pulled her knees up under her chin and clarified, "Superman is what you do, it's not you, but you're orienting your life as Freddie to be Superman. Is that your life goal? To just be Superman? Is Freddie really just a disguise for Superman instead of the other way around?"

Freddie thought about it for a few moments, glancing down at the screen then looked up and answered, "I'm helping people two ways: as Superman and as me with my articles exposing the corruption and informing the people of the truth. The point is that I'm helping people. That's what I want. I find purpose in that and then… maybe one day go back and be a farmer."

The lovely young woman rolled her eyes and muttered, "Wow, great ambitions there."

The reporter flicked an eyebrow and answered with a staunch defense of his family profession, "Farming is a noble profession and you wouldn't be eating without us farmers."

She had to backtrack, "True…"

"And what were your ambitions? Did you want to grow up and run a multi-million dollar company? Have you thought about getting in that costume all your life? Did you not want something more?"

Jade wrapped her arms around her shins and glanced down at her feet under the sheet. "I wanted… I went to a performing arts high school with my friends. We went our separate ways to pursue other things except for Tori, but I was pretty good. I probably could have gone far if I had tried instead of going on to business school… I couldn't just let the family business wither and die. How could I let a legacy like that fail?"

"We're ultimately responsible for our family legacy… but that doesn't mean you were fated just to be chained to it. "

"Like you didn't stay in Kansas and be a farmer?"

"I liked being on a farm. I would have been a good farmer if I stayed, but… greater things came calling… and it doesn't mean I won't go back one day."

Jade nodded her head then quietly asked, "What made you put on the suit and cape? What made you leave your farm?"

Freddie took a deep breath then leaned forward, crossing and resting his forearms on the desk's surface. His facial expression told her that he was struggling for an answer, but he finally answered, "As I told Miss Valentine… my father died… it was a heart attack and I wasn't fast enough to get him to the hospital. After his death, it got me thinking of what he had told me… that I was put here for something more… more than playing football or something else… so I left… and found where I came from and decided that I should listen to him… I needed to find what that something 'more' was in surviving while every else died."

"So you're driven by your guilt too…"

"No, not entirely. I simply saw what he meant that I couldn't sit on the sidelines because of what I can do. Do I feel guilty about my father? Yes, even if my mom says that I shouldn't, but unlike you, I don't let my guilt weigh me down. It doesn't prevent me from having a life and being happy."

"I have a life and I'm happy."

Freddie stared back at her, letting the silence hang between them for a few seconds before answering, "It doesn't reach your eyes… they're very sad."

Jade's frown deepened and she answered, "I'm content enough."

"But is it enough? Are you Jade or are you acting as Jade to the world and really are becoming the mask?"

The dark haired millionaire remained quiet to the question as in her mind, she had been accidentally referring to herself as 'The Bat' more and more often.

Freddie pressed on, "You could still have that life. I remember Tori saying that she wanted you to play in a sequel to 'Oz', so it's not too late. Go out there and enjoy what you want. The family business will still be there. I'm sure you have plenty of smart people that can run it."

The secret vigilante thought about it for a moment, a little too deeply than she wanted, then lazily shrugged a shoulder and muttered, "I don't think I'd look good in green."

"I don't know… Jade… I would think the color would be you."

Jade raised a finger and nearly growled, "Don't you ever use my name as a pun again flyboy."

Freddie turned a boyish grin onto her and replied, "Flyboy? I can show you a flyboy one day… I assume you aren't afraid of heights."

They had a brief staring contest, but Jade's fierce expression soon faltered and broke into a soft laughter with him, forgetting her usually morbid and cold exterior when not having to play the role of kind businesswoman and philanthropist. She took several calming breaths and grinned, feeling genuinely content in his presence. She thought for a few moments then quietly asked, "You really want me to stop?"

"For your safety, yes," he quietly answered with a nod of his head.

"If I told you unequivocally no, would you try to stop me? Would you tell the world? Would you physically try to stop me?"

Freddie didn't hesitate, "No. It's your life and I'll respect your wishes… just never go too far… don't become like Mister Oliver and Sam."

Jade frowned while her eyes flickered with anger and pain with the knowledge of how far they had fallen. She nodded and added, "If I ever did… I expect you to stop me."

The young man from Metropolis returned with a soft smile to lighten things up, "That would be easier said than done… I figured you'd be prepared… plenty of tricks and gadgets up your sleeve."

The morbid mood lightened off her shoulders and she coyly answered, "Oh you bet I would Flyboy… it'd be a gladiatorial match… that greatest match of all time… Son of Krypton verses the Bat of Gotham…"

Freddie snorted out a laugh and replied, "I'd buy tickets to that…"

Jade followed up with a gentle laugh of her own before they relaxed into shared awkward smiles, knowing despite them joking, it wasn't something that either wanted to happen outside a silly hypothetical.

The reporter broke the silence before it got too awkward and continued, "About Mason, do you want to get together what we have and talk to Mister Shapiro tomorrow?"

"If he's up to it. I haven't heard about what treatments they are going to begin. My medical department is pushing to find something useful right now, but as I told them, it could still be a while."

"Hopefully they'll be a breakthrough on our end with the drug."

Jade glanced down at her lap and tiredly muttered, "I don't know how much hope I have left."

"I have enough for both of us."

As much as she may have instinctively felt his words were presumptuous and sanctimonious, she couldn't help but feel comforted by his words. He did seem a good balance to her darker and pessimistic qualities.

The doorbell rang in the distance, too faint for Jade to hear it, but easy for Freddie to hear. He casually remarked, "Were you expecting any visitors?"

"No, why?" Jade sat up and swung her legs out to the plant her feet on the floor. She looked to the entrance of the library and asked, "Is someone here?"

"I heard the doorbell ring," he commented as he got up from the couch and took a step between her and the door.

Jade rolled her eyes and passively aggressively remarked, "I don't need you to protect me."

He leaned down and smiled, his face inches from her near pouty face, and answered, "You're not in your batsuit ready for a fight."

Jade attempted to point out, "You're not in your 'costume' either."

"But I'm always bulletproof," he answered with a confident smile as he stood up.

She frowned and knotted her brow, almost to the point of a pout.

Freddie was correct when he heard the doorbell to the front door sounding, causing Sikowitz to scurry out of the kitchen to the door. He took a quick look through the peephole then opened it to reveal André. The butler welcomed the young man with a bright smile, "Ah, André, it's good to see you."

"Hey Sikowitz. How's Jade? She didn't come in today and I heard from Cat about Jade's little 'sparring' match with you… I assumed it wasn't you sparring."

The butler tightened his smile and stepped aside and allowed the former songsmith to enter the residence. He shut the door behind him as he answered, "Sorry, with everything happened I never got around to calling you."

The nervous businessman turned to face the butler and hastily asked, "Is she alright though? What happened? The news is reporting that the Bat saved Tori."

"She's okay… but she's a little banged up and I'm trying to make her have some bed rest, but you know how stubborn she can be."

The dreadlock wearing young man laughed, "That's the understatement of the century. So I take it that she hasn't seen a doctor?"

"No, she hasn't, but…"

Sikowitz trailed off as André spotted Mrs. Benson walking from the living room, curious as to the new arrival. He politely made introductions, "Mrs. Benson, this is André Harris. He's runs West Enterprises for Jade. André, this is Mrs. Benson, Mister Benson's mother."

André offered his hand to the older woman. "Nice to meet you ma'am."

The nurse was hesitant to take the hand, but shook it nevertheless.

The CEO didn't comment on the older woman's hesitation, but was curious about it.

Sikowitz picked up before any awkwardness could creep up, "Since Jade refused to see a doctor, Freddie suggested that we call his mother to take a look at her since she's a nurse."

André threw an almost panicked expression to Sikowitz.

Mrs. Benson threw an equally worried look to the butler, hoping that any explanation he would gave the former songsmith wouldn't involve revealing Freddie's secret.

Sikowitz darted his eyes between them and pointed out, "She couldn't exactly hide it from him after what happened with that Gibson fellow."

André didn't bother hiding his concern in front of Mrs. Benson with his quick tongue, "So now he knows her secret? He's a reporter Sikowitz, he's going to report it."

Mrs. Benson was quick to defend her son, "He's not going to say anything."

The handsome former musician turned a doubtful look to her and asked, "And you're sure about that?"

The nurse fiercely answered, "My son is a good and honorable man. He's not going to betray her trust."

André looked doubtful towards the stranger while she definitely stared back, daring him to call into question her son's integrity.

Sikowitz offered before the tension could rise any further, "I'll take you to Jade. I'm sure she'll be eager to see you."

He turned and escorted André to the stairs and to the library, leaving Mrs. Benson to turn a disapproving look onto the back of the former songsmith's head.

André quietly asked the butler, "You trust them to keep Jade's secret?"

Sikowitz smile and answered with a tired breath, "I'm not worried about them telling anyone."

"But Freddie is a reporter. This could be career making revealing that she's the Bat. 'The heir to the West Empire is a vigilante at night'."

"He could, but he won't."

"Why?"

"Because…" he trailed off as they reached the door. He knocked, calling out to the mistress of the home, "Madam West, André is here to see you."

"Come in," Jade's voice could be heard from the other side.

Sikowitz opened the door and allowed André to take the lead. He looked a little surprised with Freddie and Jade's casual appearance, the reporter standing slightly in front of her while she sat on the couch with a sheet over her legs. He forced a smile and called out to the reporter with a struggling politeness, "Hi Mister Benson."

Freddie politely smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, "Mister Harris."

André looked to Jade and explained, "I just wanted to stop by and check on you. You didn't come to work today and I hadn't heard anything from you."

Jade passed a glance up to Freddie then to Sikowitz then back to André. She casually answered, "Yeah… something came up today, sorry for leaving you in the lurch."

"It's okay. Things… happen…" he reluctantly answered while darting a cautious look to Freddie.

The tension rose in the room with the unspoken concern André was hiding under the friendly disposition.

Jade glanced up at Freddie and asked, "Freddie, would you give us a few minutes?"

Freddie passed down a glance and easily answered, "Of course."

He politely smiled and walked past the former songwriter and joined Sikowitz waiting outside of the library. He closed the door behind him to give the pair some privacy.

André forced a smile and questioned, deciding to ease into his concerns, "Cat told me that you got hurt 'sparring' with Sikowitz?"

Jade frowned, annoyed that Tori had spoken about what happened to her. She didn't bother denying what he was obviously thinking. "Yeah… Gibson was a fight alright. He was doped up on some kind of drug—Sikowitz is having it analyzed in the cave right now and I need you to look at it too. It made him super-strong. He tossed me around without a problem."

She subconsciously reached over her stomach and patted over her left side.

He took a seat next to her on the couch and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

She avoided eye contact and muttered, "I'm a little banged up… nothing's broken though."

He worriedly glanced at her covered side and replied, "Sikowitz told me that you wouldn't have a doctor look at you."

"No, it would raise too many questions." She glanced past him to the door of the library and finished, "It's why Freddie's mom is here—I assume you met her downstairs. She's a nurse and Sikowitz had her come out here to take a look at me. I'm supposed to be on bed rest."

"He said that you're being stubborn in not having anyone seeing you…" He licked his lips and reluctantly asked, "…and that Freddie knows you're the Bat?"

Jade took a deep breath and reluctantly answered, "Yes…"

André rubbed his forehead and sighed, "Sikowitz told me you really couldn't hide it from him."

She cautiously asked, hoping not to give away her worry that Freddie's secret was revealed, "What did he tell you?"

"Just that you couldn't hide it from him. What happened? He showed up this morning and saw what happened to you and put it together or did you just outright tell him?"

Jade sighed, relieved that he hadn't revealed Freddie's secret, but she figured it wasn't something that could be hidden for long. She tried to skirt the truth, "Something like that…"

"Just 'something like that'?"

The dark haired woman was hesitant as she didn't want to lie to him. She had her secrets, but consciously lying to her friend was getting right close to a line she didn't want to cross. "He swung by this morning so we could continue our investigation and… he wasn't going to buy another excuse from Sikowitz that I was still recovering from the police benefit." She pointed to the bruise on her cheek. "I can only hide this so well with makeup."

He eyed her cheek, seeing that the makeup for the most part had been washed away and the yellow discoloration showing through.

"And there's this when just walking around…" She grabbed the hem of her shirt and lifted up the left side, revealing her black and blue splotched side from her bra to her hip. "He couldn't have bought the 'sparring' explanation."

"Chizz Jade…"

She dropped her shirt and muttered, "I'll be fine."

André didn't listen to her and slipped his right around her and pulled her into a side hug. "Jade, he looks like he could have killed you…"

She took a deep breath and rested her head on his shoulder. She had been trying to block out the possibility of actually dying, keeping up what Freddie thought was a tough façade, but even she had her limits. Freddie saw through it and she knew that André could see through it even after all the years of carefully crafted intimidation. She muttered with a bit of self-loathing in her tone, "…yeah, he could have… but there was Superman… to come rushing in to save the day…"

"Bitter about that?"

Jade lifted her head off his shoulder and replied, "No, just… I'm kicking myself for not being prepared for that and… I should have been willing to…"

"To what?"

She glanced to her lap and breathed out, "Kill him… jam a bat-a-rang in his throat and that would have stopped him."

"Yeah, but Jade… you're not a killer. You don't kill when you go out. You just beat the bad guys and leave them for the cops."

"And the cops aren't willing to be lambs led to the slaughter."

"So one day you might cross that line?"

Jade shook her head, looking away from him and sadly answered, "I don't want to, but I won't let this happen again."

André nodded in approval. "Good."

Jade raised her former pierced eyebrow and replied slightly startled, "Good? You were just arguing that I shouldn't go that far."

"It lets me know that you really don't have a death wish. I don't ever want you to have to make that choice, but if it came to it, it's assuring that you could do it."

She frowned and gave him a cold stare.

The former songwriter smiled and continued, "I'll figure out something to add to your arsenal to give you a few more options so you don't have to worry about that. I'm working on this kind of glue that doesn't entirely dry, so it could be used to glue the crooks up in the middle of a fight."

Jade knotted her brow and rhetorically question, "Glue? I'm going to catch the bad guys with glue?"

André returned with a good natured smile and jovial tone, "Hey, don't knock it until I finish it and see how it works. I could try to make a compact stungun for you and give it some kind of bat theme… hey, maybe workout some kind of sonic device like a bat's echo location. It lets out a high pitch scream and disables the guy."

She raised an eyebrow and challenged, "Without bursting his eardrums?"

"Nah, but it could disorient them enough and maybe throw up on themselves," he laughed with a playful shoulder bump.

She rolled her eyes and slightly shook her head. "Alright, alright, make your toys… should be fun whether they work or not."

André readily smirked at being pleased that she was giving him a free pass on trying some of his more unconventional ideas.

However, the more upbeat mood soon faded and he had to backtrack and asked with a serious tone, "So you said Sikowitz is analyzing some kind of drug your recovered? So the guy that kidnapped Tori was some kind of drug addict?" He shook his head and regretfully commented, "That's how he was able to trade punches with Superman?"

Jade raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Rumors are circulating that there was a real fight… the guy left a dent in the metal doors and there are busted freight crates."

"More like the athletes at school getting doped up, but this one's different. It let him heal broken bones and flesh wounds in front of our eyes. We're hoping we can use it to help Robbie."

"So that's why you broke into the police station last night."

Jade tiredly smiled and clarified, "I'm not the one that broke into the police station."

The former songsmith looked back with an incredulous expression. "You didn't? Then who broke in?"

She partially glanced away and reluctantly answered, "The one that broke into Mason's place and stole his paperwork broke into the police station."

"How do you know?"

"Because Fr—Superman told me."

"He told you? How does he know? And why would he tell you?"

"Because I lost a bat-a-rang during my fight with Gibson and the police had it. She wanted to return it to me and got in touch with Superman to get it back to me and got the rest of the drug."

André looked momentarily dumbfounded then answered, "Whoa, wait, some burglar that decided to hit Mason found a way to contact Superman so she could give back to you one of your gadgets? How and why would she do that?"

Jade looked hesitant for a second, wondering if she should place the burden of him knowing the truth about Tori on his shoulders.

The former songsmith instantly picked up the look of hesitation on his friend's face and answered, "What?"

"Because… she's Tori. Tori's the cat burglar."

André gave her a dumbfounded look for a fraction of a second then burst out laughing.

Jade knotted her brow and frowned, not expecting such a reaction. "What?"

André patted her knee and calmed his laughter enough to be understood, "That's a good one Jade."

She answered with a stern voice, "I'm not joking. She's Tori. She's the one Superman got my bat-a-rang and drug from. She admitted it to him."

He ceased his laughing and a look of astonishment replaced it before he uttered, "You're serious."

"Yes I am."

He glanced away, trying to process the revelation. He sharply turned to look at her and pointed out, "Wait, she can't be the burglar; Tori was at the banquet, she couldn't have broken into his place."

"She arrived late to the banquet. She had the time to go there then come here for an alibi… as if anyone would really suspect her in the first place."

André rubbed his chin and shook his head with a look of disbelief. "I'm still finding that hard to believe."

"Superman isn't going to lie about it."

He thought on point since what was known so far about Superman was that he was a noble local hero, so it was assumed he was a pretty honorable and honest guy. He sighed in defeat in feeling the mixed bag of emotions about his friend turning out to be a potential vigilante… then felt the irony of feeling such a way since he was helping his other friend do the exact same thing. He shook his head to clear the befuddling thoughts and feelings and realized another ramification of news. He lulled his head to the side and reluctantly asked, "Wait, if Superman brought your bat-a-rang back and told you about Tori, does that mean that Superman knows who you are too?"

Jade paused then sighed out, "Yes. He wanted to make sure I was alright, so he followed me back here after the fight"

André shook his head and muttered, "So you have three people know who you are?"

The beautiful millionaire slightly pursed her lips and knotted her brow as she confidently answered, "Yes and I trust them not to say anything…"

The business operator laughed and incredulously asked, "You trust them? You, Jade West trust them? You're suspicious of everyone, but it's okay that they know? One a reporter that could make a name for himself in reporting you and another that could literally pick you up and drop you off at the police station for being a vigilante."

Jade sighed, feeling a little emotionally tired and seeing his point as her statement was against her character. "I didn't have much of a choice. I couldn't exactly keep it secret from Freddie when he showed up. He couldn't have not noticed and Superman… he has X-ray vision and the cowl isn't lead lined… and… frankly they're like Tori… you can't help but trust them."

André dubiously looked at her, feeling that there was something missing, but didn't push it. He focused on the more practical matters and asked, "Should we expect him to show up at some point to take you in? Reveal to the world who you are?"

The millionaire knotted her brow and dismissively answered, almost as if she was offended by his question, "Of course not. He's not going to do that. He wouldn't have bothered giving me the bat-a-rang back if he was just going to take me in?"

"Why doesn't he? You're just a vigilante and he's the golden boy hero so far in Metropolis."

Jade bit her tongue to prevent accidentally giving away anything, buying herself some time in thinking how she would answer him without giving anything away. After several seconds, she managed to answer, "He just… understands what I'm doing and sees we're on the same side, but… he does wish that I would stop. He doesn't want to see me get killed."

The former songsmith rolled his eyes and muttered, "I can't blame him for feeling that way."

"Oh, not you too," she practically spat out.

"Hey, I'm with you until the end. The Mob has to be stopped, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about what could happen to you…" He motioned with a hand at her side. "…as you just found out."

Jade crossed her arms and shook her head, rolling her eyes up at the ceiling.

André snorted out with a grin and remarked, "Never expected this did you?"

"What?"

"Us caring about you so much. You always pushed us away or thought you were too cool for friends."

Jade glanced at her knees and muttered, "I had good reason… people were stupid or they just wanted money out of me. I would have been a fool not to be suspicious."

"You could have always gone to a prep-school and been around people just as rich as you. You wouldn't have had to worry about stuff like that."

"No, I just would have just had to deal with snotty rich kids and join the stupid rich people's club that rules the world behind the scenes."

He snorted out, "There is one?"

Jade sourly answered, "Unfortunately, yes there is…"

He sarcastically spoke, "Great… that's something to feel better about…"

She rubbed a hand up and down his right bicep, trying to assure him that it was okay anyway and fighting back her own smile.

André waved it off then asked on another pressing matter, "Okay, what are you going to do about Tori?"

Jade answered him a nearly flippant remark, "Do? I wasn't planning on doing anything. What do you expect me to do? Call the cops on her?"

"Point, but are you going to tell her we know?"

"No and we really couldn't without letting her know who I am. We'll just keep her secret and besides… we don't have any proof other that Superman's word even if for some reason we wanted to emotionally blackmail her to stop."

"That you believe?"

"Yes, I believe him. He's not going to simply make it up to mess with me. We're just going to keep quiet and focus on getting Mason and trying to help Robbie. The faster we do that, the less likely that Tori will trying to play cat burglar to try to help."

"Okay… any idea how we're going to do that?"

"We're going to turn over the video you recovered from the hospital over to Robbie and put pressure on the cops that let Mason slip into Steven's room. Robbie can make a case against him for that then they can just keep digging with all his other crimes."

André nodded along and added, "With the Bat and Superman helping along the way?"

"If they need it…" she answered with a teasing smile.

"And Robbie?"

Jade held a bit a hope in her voice as she answered, "Fingers crossed that drug downstairs and what you're working on will be enough."

"Okay, sounds like a plan, but why don't I just take some to have analyzed? You may have your little lab down there, but it's not the same as the labs back in West Tower."

"Because we're not supposed to have it. Superman grabbed some after his fight with him and what he got from Tori…"

Jade bowed her head, not eager to get him implicated any further than he already was involved. "…it turns out that it either belongs to the military or they want it, so we could have the Feds after us. I don't want to implicate you or the company."

"Damn, but it'll just make things harder," he pointed out with a sideways nod of his head.

"Maybe, but I can't let you go to jail if things blow up in my face. I have to protect you from this."

André confidently smile and assured her, "Hey, I went into this with my eyes open and helped you, so it's not all your responsibility. We get out of this together or we go down together."

Jade studied his expression, seeing his loyalty and genuine care in his eyes for her. She cleared her throat and tried to push her emotions down as the gesture did touch her. "Yeah… right… we're a team in this. It's going to be okay."

He wrapped his arm around her opposite side and pulled her into a sideways hug. "Yes it is—"

"Oww," she hissed, interrupting him with the pressure of his side against her bruised side.

He loosened his grip and pulled back, apologizing in the process, "Sorry… I guess I should be going and let you rest. Are you going to rest?"

Jade nodded and tiredly admitted, "Yes… I can't argue with Sikowitz and Freddie's mom. They make a good tag team."

André stood up and continued, "Okay. In the meantime, I'll work on a few of those gadgets and come up with some new ideas for a suit that can take a greater pounding… material science department is always working on something."

The beautiful vigilante lazily smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah… you go do that and don't worry. I'll be fine here, safe and sound."

"I'm always going to worry about you and you can spare a few days going out on the streets."

As much as it had become touching over the years, their concern for her was wearing a little thin, so her voice was a little strained when she answered, "I get it… I'm staying put."

The former songsmith picked up the irritation in her voice like a screaming siren, so he smiled and leaned back down and lightly hugged her one more time. "You better… or I'm calling Superman to babysit you."

Jade rolled her eyes and returned the hug, giving him a soft pat on his back and trying not to laugh about how correct he was in his joke.

On the first floor of the mansion, Sikowitz brought a tray with some tea and cookies from the kitchen to Mrs. Benson as she sat comfortably on the couch and watched some television. She was still a bit taken aback by the splendor of the home. She had seen such homes only in the movies when she occasionally went to the cinema, but to be in such a house was still a little overwhelming.

The butler sat the tray down in front of her on the coffee table. "Dinner will be a few minutes, but until then, I thought you'd enjoy some tea. It's unsweetened, so we have sugar and honey for whichever you prefer."

"Thank you Mister Sikowitz," she politely answered with a smile and picked up the honey canister.

"You're welcome. I've prepare a room for you."

The nurse poured the drop of honey into her tea then stirred it. "You don't have to do that Mister Sikowitz. I wouldn't want to impose."

"You're not imposing. I've been the one to impose on you. You're the one that had to travel half across the country to see Jade because she was too stubborn to see anyone. I'm not just doing it out of kindness, but in case something happens and I have a medical professional at hand."

"It's a prudent choice," she casually laughed, taking his words as a gesture to lightened the mood then brought the rim of the cup to her lips. She took a brief sip, enjoy the warm and sweet beverage.

"In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your stay. Once things calm down, I hope you'll take advantage of being in Gotham. There are many attractions for the tourists from the parks to the museums to the theater."

"Thank you Mister Sikowitz. I haven't been out of Kansas in a long time. We have theater productions in Kansas, but I've always wanted to see a Broadway show."

"We have the finest theaters that could put New York to shame. I'm sure Madam West would love to take you to a show. She's a performer at heart and it would do her some good too to get out and enjoy her true passion."

Mrs. Benson nodded the sipped more on her tea, thinking that she would enjoy such a show, but her mind was quickly dominated by André's arrival and what that meant about her son secret.

Sikowitz picked up on her withdrawn demeanor and asked, "Is there something wrong ma'am?"

The nurse forced a smile and politely answered, "I'm just a little concern about Mister André… will she tell him about my son?"

The butler wore an assuring smile and answered, "I'm quite sure that Madam Jade will avoid revealing Mister Benson's secret. It isn't hers to tell, however, if André happens to find out, I'm beyond confident that he will keep the secret. He's a trusted friend and well aware of Jade's secret and understands the importance of amenity."

The Kansas nurse tried to take his words as an assurance, but after the last twenty years or so, she couldn't help but be concerned about her child's secret being revealed to the world. She gave him a troubling look as her mind went to how the butler must feel about his charge going out at night and asked, "How do you let her go out and do that? Dress up as a giant bat and go out there fight the Mob?"

The long trusted butler took a seat next to her and deeply sighed, wondering the same question over and over again since his charge had set out on her crusade. "I wish she didn't go. Every time she goes out, I'm afraid she won't come back, but I can't really stop her. It's the pain of losing her parents that drives her to prevent other children from having to go through what she went through and despite all that I could to help her growing up, she couldn't let go of the pain. I think it's not only about saving others, but maybe saving herself… I don't think that's how it's going to end."

Mrs. Benson gave him a sympathetic expression and answered, "I think it's the same for my son… he blames himself for not being able to save his father, so… he doesn't want his gifts to go to waste in not trying to make a difference… I'm just afraid… of what the world will do if they ever find out the truth. Are they doomed to a tragic end?"

Sikowitz didn't have an answer for her, the fear turning in his heart for too long and believing it would be for his Jade. He brushed the thought aside, not wanting to torture himself. He tightened his smile then looked down to the tray and helping himself to a cup of tea. He poured himself a cup then picked up the small cup of milk and offered, "Milk?"

Mrs. Benson laughed, "Thank you, but I don't drink any milk that I don't know personally know the cow it came from."

He needed a moment to understand the joke about being a farmwoman then answered, "Oh, it's not dairy milk; it's coconut milk."

Mrs. Benson cocked a curious eyebrow then held her cup to the cup of milk and asked, "Why not?"

The balding teacher smiled and poured the white liquid into the cup.

André smiled as he exited the room and saw Freddie patiently waiting at the end of the corridor.

Freddie awkwardly returned a smile as the CEO approached then politely commented once he was close enough for casual conversation, "Thanks for being there for her."

The reporter hesitated in answering, wondering how much she had told him. He could have easily listened in on their conversation, but that would have been rude to eavesdrop. "You're welcome. Just glad I was there for her."

André dipped his chin and tightened his smile then looked up with a more easygoing expression and asked, "You're not going to report about her being the Bat are you?"

The former farm boy took a deep breath then answered, "No, I'm not writing that."

André carefully probed, yet nearly taunting him, "Why? It could be a big break for your career. There could be a shakeup at the paper with her arrest, but you could get a job anywhere else after the dust settled."

"I don't want to see her go to prison. I don't want anything to happen to her."

"What would you care? You've known her for a few days."

Freddie easily answered, "It doesn't matter. I know enough."

André raised an eyebrow and asked, "Really? You know enough about her to risk accessory after the fact? How do I know you're just keeping your mouth shut until you get a chance to blackmail her? Maybe a raise? A promotion?"

The reporter slightly tilted his head and visibly wore a look of deep thought then answered, "I do want something from her."

The dreadlock wearing young man shifted his gaze, slightly surprised that he'd be so direct about potentially blackmailing her. "What exactly would it cost for your silence?"

Freddie sadly shook his head and answered, "Something she can't pay."

André's curiosity grew and inquired, "And what's that?"

"Stopping… I'd like her to stop, but I know she's not going to. It's personal for her and not just because of Mister Shapiro. The only chance she's going to stop is when Mason is behind bars."

André's eyes opened wide, certainly not expecting that answer from him. He let out a soft chuckle then added, "Jade's a stubborn girl. She's not going to quit."

"I know… it would be endearing if it wasn't so dangerous. I don't want to bury her."

André took a deep breath, always in the back of his mind fearing such a thing would happen to his friend. "I don't want to either, but as you said and what she just told me… she was going to bring Mason down."

Freddie cocked his head to the side and replied, "So… the only thing we can do is put him away and hope she'll stop once it's done."

"She's told me what she has in mind. I hope it's enough."

"I hope it's enough for her to let Mister Shapiro and Detective Vega see it through…"

"If not… maybe we can get Superman to wrap up the job…" The former musician followed up with a laugh, "Heck, maybe we can get him to fly her off to a tropical island for a vacation and by the time she gets a flight back, we'll have everything cleaned up. She might want to try to kill us with toilet paper afterwards, but I think he'd be okay."

Freddie began to chuckle with the 'Superman' suggestion, but turned a confused look on the CEO. "Toilet paper?"

"It's something that happened in high school… long story…" He glanced up at the ceiling then muttered, "Actually, not really. After Jade and Beck broke up, he was concerned about moving on, so Tori and I hired a guy to ask her out so he wouldn't feel guilty about asking someone else out if she was moving on too."

"And I take it she didn't take it well and… tried to 'kill' you with toilet paper?"

"Yep."

Freddie couldn't help but chuckle as he attempted to imagine Jade trying to injury them with toilet paper. "Right… anyway, I don't think she'd appreciate him doing such a thing."

"You're right, but he could do it for her safety and take her wrath."

They shared a laugh then Freddie offered, "Well, I'm going to check to see if Jade needs anything… and make sure she's remembering to rest."

André hissed through his teeth and remarked, "I saw the bruises… good luck with that."

"Thanks, have a good night Mister Harris."

"Thank you, you too," the former musician answered then continued down the corridor.

Freddie passed him on last gaze then walked back to library, slipping past the partially opened door. He closed it behind him and gave Jade a curious gaze and asked, "Is there something you need to tell me? Besides letting him know that I knew you're the Bat?"

Jade took a breath and let her shoulders slump. "Yes, I told him that you know I'm the Bat, but he doesn't know that you're Superman. I figured that he didn't absolutely have to know, but it's not going to be hard for him to figure out you're him if he hasn't already put the pieces together."

Freddie took a seat to her left and answered with a supportive smile, "Thank you, but if he figures it out, he figures it out. I'll just trust that he won't spread it around."

"He's not going to tell anyone… he better not tell anyone," she added at the end with a bit of threat in her voice.

"That sounds ominous."

Jade wickedly smiled as she answered, "Oh, he knows not to get on my bad side. I still have a reputation to maintain."

"You'll kill him with toilet paper?"

She knotted her beautiful brow and answered, "Huh?"

Freddie lazily rolled his eyes and started off with a soft laugh, "He told me about he and Tori trying to set you up with a guy and you got upset with them… threatened to kill them with toilet paper."

Jade's brow show up as the memory of their 'help' raced to the forefront of her mind. She tightened a grin and answered, "Oh… yeah… they were trying to be 'helpful'. Why would he tell you that?"

"He suggested asking Superman to fly you to some tropical vacation to recuperate while we tried to get Mason."

She crossed her arms over her chest and pointedly asked, "What did you tell him?"

"I told him that you wouldn't appreciate Superman doing such a thing, but that he could take it."

"No, I certainly wouldn't appreciate such a thing and you just referred to yourself as third person."

"It's a nice habit so I don't slip and accidentally reveal that I get into a blue suit and red cape to say the day."

Jade rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. "Good idea, but… would you try that? Try to fly me away?"

Freddie lulled his head to rest on his right shoulder and half-jokingly answered, "I already told you that I wouldn't try to stop you. I'm not going to throw you over my shoulder and fly us away. I just hope that your plan to let Mister Shapiro and Detective Vega finish up works so you don't have to go out anymore… at least until you're healed up."

Jade softly blew out and nodded, tiredly smiling at his care for her and answered, "I guess we'll see."

He grinned and added, teasing her a bit, "Though I wouldn't mind a tropical vacation after all this…"

She braced her left hand on his right knee and slightly leaned towards him. She cocked an eyebrow and challenged with an alluring tone, "Why Mister Benson, are you asking me out on a date?"

Freddie parted his lips, but stopped when he realized he really didn't have an answer and caught in her verbal trap.

Fortunately, he was rescued by a knock on the partially opened door interrupted the pair. They looked to the door and saw Sikowitz drop his hand away from the door and informed them, "Madam Jade, dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

Jade passed another glance to Freddie then tiredly smiled and answered, "Thank you Erwin."

"We'll go ahead and head down…" Freddie followed up and slipped his arm around her lower back and ducked his other one behind the back of her knees then picked her up bridal style.

Jade wrapped her arm behind his neck and placed the other one on his chest. She gave him a questioning, but not a disapproving gaze.

He casually answered, "You should stay off your feet."

"So carrying me is the answer?"

"Unless you want to eat dinner up here, but I think that would disappoint Mister Sikowitz and my mother."

Sikowitz followed up with a confident, almost taunting smile, "He's right Madam Jade. I think it would be rude for you to stay stuck up here while you have guests."

Jade sighed, not having much of a further argument in her. "You're right Erwin. We'll be right down."

The butler half smirked, seeing that he won then turned and led them out of the bedroom.

Mrs. Benson was finishing her tea on the couch when she noticed from the corner of her eye Freddie carrying the young woman down the stairs as if he was carrying his bride. She stood up and watched them with a near unreadable expression.

Freddie directed a smile to his mother and Jade looked to her with an awkward smile, not sure how she should react, as he walked past her and into the dinning room.

The nurse reached out and grabbed Sikowitz's left arm by the elbow as he was walking past them and pulled him to a stop. She didn't have to speak to get her question across with a quick eye gaze.

The faithful butler shrugged a shoulder and answered, "She needs to stay off her feet…"

Mrs. Benson sighed and let his arm go, allowing him to catch up with the pair in the dinning room.

Sikowitz found Freddie had stopped at the end of the table waiting for him, presumably for him to pull out the chair for Jade. He pulled the end chair for Jade, grinning almost like a mad man, and Freddie sat her down in the seat then pulled his arms out from behind her and under her legs.

Jade settled in her seat then looked up to him with a coy look, but refrained from making any kind of comment.

Mrs. Benson joined them in the dinning room and Freddie immediately pulled a chair out for his mother to Jade's cattycorner left then walked behind Jade to take a seat to her cattycorner right.

The glasses and silverware were already sat out in front of the places and Sikowitz went about pouring them drinks then scurried back to the kitchen to retrieve the dinner.

As the butler placed the plates of sauteéd chicken breasts with mushrooms and buttered egg noodles in front of the diners, the millionaire passed glances to the mother and son, feeling an odd tingling in her soul. She usually ate by herself or sometimes with Sikowitz, but she wasn't unaccustomed with dinning with others, on the contrary. Her friends were not shy in coming over for dinner and she had any number of occasions when she wined and dined some other executives or government officials, but this… this seemed odd… She was sitting around with a family in her own home, something she had only experienced when Tori or Cat would insist on coming over to their place for Thanksgiving. She uncomfortably smiled to them then turned her attention to her meal as if she was particularly bashful child.

Freddie and Mrs. Benson shared concerned gazes then looked to Sikowitz, but he gave them a weak smile before taking a seat next to Mrs. Benson.

Sikowitz forced a larger smile as he suggested with a raised hand pinching the tip of his middle finger to the tip of his thumb, "I hope you enjoy the chicken. I think the spices give it that extra zing… unless you don't eat chicken you don't personally know where he comes from…"

Mrs. Benson snorted out a laugh from the inside joke between the nurse and butler, causing the younger pair to look away from their plates to look at them.

Jade and Freddie shared confused expressions at their parent/guardian's reactions, ignorant of the joke they were sharing. They decided to leave it and turn back to their respective meals and eventually slip into casual conversation.

Over the next pleasant half hour of dinning, Mrs. Benson took over the majority of the conversation with sharing embarrassing childhood stories about Freddie with Jade and Sikowitz, almost going so far as trying to show baby pictures of the Kansas farm boy that that drew a few soft laughs and smiles from the lovely businesswoman.

Freddie hid his embarrassed expression several times behind the rim of his glass, sharing a few looks with Jade.

Sikowitz wasn't to be left out with a few of his own stories about Jade's childhood and teenage years, including the time he attempted to teach her how to ride a horse that left him covered in mud and the time she accidentally had her eyebrows waxed off by Cat.

As the meal wound down, Jade took the final sip of her drink, feeling satisfied by the meal and privately hated to admit it, enjoyed the company.

Sikowitz always bound by his duty, saw that everyone was done with their meals and asked as he was getting up and picking up his plate, "Was the meal to your liking Madam West?"

She thankfully smiled to her faithful butler and answered, "It was fantastic Erwin, thank you very much."

"You're welcome…" He passed a look to Mrs. Benson, seeing that they had the same idea in mind, then continued, "Then I hope you'll really thank me by relaxing for the rest of the evening after such a fine meal?"

Mrs. Benson smiled with that motherly expression and quickly followed up, "Mister Sikowitz is right. It's time for you to have a full night's rest… and stay off your feet."

Jade reluctantly sighed, seeing that she was doubled teamed once again for her health and knowing that Freddie would voice his support any second if she disagreed, "Fine, I'll go ahead and call it a night."

Mrs. Benson interrupted, "It's not good for digestion to head right for bed, but I would insist on you relaxing for the rest of the evening. Nothing stressful…"

"What she means is that set aside the investigation and just relax," Sikowitz clarified with a firm voice.

Jade looked for Freddie for support, but he bashfully smiled to show that he agreed with them, but hope she wouldn't be mad with him. She unexpectedly found the expression cute and unable to get mad at him, an oddly similar expression Tori had given her any number of times over the years. She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine, no more investigation for tonight… you're just lucky we've come up with a plan to deal with Mason."

The nurse followed up, "Good, it's settled. I think it will do you good for a warm bath to relax your muscles then you can do something relaxing… whatever multimillionaire young women do for relaxation…"

Jade wanted to instinctively argue with the woman just because she didn't like someone telling her what to do, but she couldn't honestly disagree with the suggestion as it certainly relaxed her muscles and allowed her some better sleep.

"Alright, good idea…"

Sikowitz followed up, "You could do some writing. It's something that's always relaxed you and you've neglected over the last few months."

The dark haired young woman eyed her faithful butler, seeing his ulterior motive of him not just pursuing what she enjoyed in high school.

Sikowitz looked to the Benson family and proudly bragged, "Jade is quite the creative person… I'd wish she'd pursue that hobby a little more… make a real career out of it since I don't think her heart's really into the family business."

Jade licked her lips and turned a barely patient look to him. She strained to keep her voice pleasant as she replied, "I have responsibilities Erwin…"

"…yes to do… to yourself and what makes you happy…"

The dark haired young woman outright frowned this time, not appreciating his blunt assessment of her current choices with her life.

However, before she could mount any kind of argument, Freddie got up from his seat and slipped beside her, appearing to be ready to pick her up again.

Jade cocked an eyebrow in his direction, giving him a softly challenging expression about his next move. "I don't need you to carry me up the stairs."

"You should keep as much pressure off your back as you can."

Jade crossed her arms over her chest and giving him a sterner expression.

Freddie let out a soft sigh and relented, "Fine, I will not carry you up the stairs…"

"Thank you," Jade answered with a victorious smile. She stood up from her seat, but in nearly a flash, Freddie dipped down and scooped up her legs with his arm wrapping behind her back to pick her up.

Jade cried out with a surprised high pitched shriek and wrapped an arm around his neck and arm over his chest. She narrowed her gaze on the reporter, trying to figure out what he had in mind before complaining.

"I'm not going to carry you up the stairs… I'm going to do something else," he coyly answered with a devilish look in his eyes.

She felt like she was moving forward, but she didn't feel the slight bumps of his footsteps that would shoot mild pain up her spine. She glanced down and realized that Freddie's feet weren't touching the floor and that he was hovering above it as he moved forward. She tightened her arm around behind his neck and over her shoulder as she saw him lift higher off the floor and glided over the stairs. She looked to him with a concerned expression, perhaps a little fear in her eyes from what should have been an impossible act. He smiled in return, trying to ease any apprehension.

Sikowitz looked on in mild astonishment at seeing Freddie float out of the kitchen, cut through living room and above the stairs while Mrs. Benson frowned with what she felt like her son was simply showing off for the young woman.

Freddie continued his floating through the house and through the open door of her bedroom until he arrived beside her bed and brought his feet down to the floor. He leaned forward and gently sat her down in a seated position onto the bed with her pillows supporting her back.

Jade attempted to remain nonchalant about just being flown to her room, the second time he had flown her, but she bashfully looked at her knees and muttered, "I told you that you didn't have to carry me up the stairs."

"And I didn't, I carried you above the stairs."

She slightly squinted and remarked, "You can be a real smartass at times, can't you?"

"I just want you to get better Jade. Have a good night," he finished with a smile and turned to head out of the bedroom.

Jade reached out and grabbed his wrist, bringing him to a stop and turning him to face her.

"Yes?"

She tugged on his wrist and he took a seat on the edge of the bed. She glanced down for a moment then gave him a peck on the corner of his mouth. She looked down again and cleared her throat before uttering, "Thanks."

Freddie returned with a bashful smile and tone, "You're welcome."

He stood up then headed for the door. He paused at the threshold where Sikowitz and his mother had caught up at the door. He quietly spoke to the pair, "If you need me, just call and I'll fly out here to get her to the hospital if necessary."

The butler nodded his head with a polite smile.

Freddie looked to his mother and hugged her, softly patting her on the back and whispering, "I'll see you in the morning."

Mrs. Benson returned the hug and nodded in acknowledgement before letting him slip past her on his way to the front door.

Sikowitz shut the door behind him then looked to his houseguest.

Mrs. Benson commented before he could speak, "I'm going to check on Jade and make sure she's going to bed then heading there myself."

"Thank you Mrs. Benson. I'll double check your room. Once again, feel free to go about the house. The living room and the kitchen are yours."

Mrs. Benson smiled then headed up the stairs and towards the master bedroom.

A minute later, still amazed on the size of the home just to get from one place to the other, the nurse knocked on the door then opened it enough to look around the edge to see the young woman sitting up in her bed. Seeing that Jade was decent and focusing on watching the television on the other end of the room, she stepped inside and offered, "I'll get your bath ready then get you a fresh set of clothes then get anything else you might need. Pen, paper… I suggest avoiding the computer as to not strain your eyes and make it easier for you to go to sleep later tonight."

Jade returned with a soft smile, something that had realized she had done a lot often with a Benson around. She politely replied, "You don't have to do that Mrs. Benson. I think I've troubled you enough."

"No I don't, but I'm going to anyway," she answered with a motherly smile then turned to head for the master bathroom.

Jade watched the country nurse turn and disappear into the bathroom, wearing a bittersweet smile in thinking that her mother if she was still living would behave the same way.

Author's Note: Well, the heroes finally get a quiet evening and have a plan to save the day. Let's hope they can pull it off. Thanks, OneHorseShay.