World's Finest in Ghost City

CHP 26: Photographed

With their arms interlocked they followed behind the waiter escorting them to an open table. Both took a seat grabbing hold of a menu, "Is there anything I can get you to start off?" He asked looking back and forth. His Goosebumps had not yet passed unable to believe his eyes that Meila Layce was sitting in front of him, "I'll take a martini," She gazed over at Bruce, "What about you Kei San?"

"I'm not much of a drinker. An ice glass of water will do just fine."

Writing the small bit of information over a pad he left the two customers entering through a back door. At once each of them tried speaking going silent subsequently. Cheeks red and all Meila looked away for several moments. It was something she was incapable of explaining or had an answer to. When around him she was unable to hold herself together the way she knew how, but it was in a good way, "I had no idea you di…" Click after click coupled with flashes from outside the window disrupted her train of thought. The rolling of her eyes brought a smirk to his face; she was cute and adorable when agitated! Becoming conscious of his thoughts Bruce brushed them away. It was like dealing with Selina Kyle, except Meila was different in looks, personality etc. It was the attraction and willingness to open up that remained the same.

"I take it you aren't fond of the celebrity life," Outside the window gathered the paparazzi and journalists acquiring as many shots of her as they could. From her expression alone it was tough to say if she enjoyed all the attention or not. In a way she was living a life similar to Bruce Wayne. That being the life he left behind temporarily in his home world. A successful businessman running a large corporation inherited from his deceased parents, but fortunately the cameras weren't on him twenty four seven. Such actions would interfere with his otherwise obscured way of living; one moment Gotham's golden boy and the next its knight of justice.

"I don't mind…just as long as they don't snap shots of me getting out of the shower."

Meticulously looking her in the eyes neither was able to hold back their laughter. She reached across the table taking his left hand into her own, "What is it you did before joining us at Gegato Tech? I've wanted to know since earlier this afternoon, but I'm not the only one."

"Not the only one," He became more interested resting his elbows over the table. He had an idea of who the others might be, but didn't care to ask, "Where to begin. I did what I could after the death of my parents in a car accident. I became a foster from that point on, finishing school and gaining experience with the business world through all opportunities that came my way. The details would only bore you."

"Please do tell, I'm easily amused," She pulled her gloved hand from his wrist resting her chin in the palm of her hand, "I'm a really good listener."

Another couple flashes disrupted the flow between them, "A little privacy would be lovely. Girl like me can't go anywhere without a circus following, guess that's the price of being the daughter of a well known billionaire." Exasperation and lack of content were evident within her tone. With a tray in hand the waiter returned with their drinks, "Are we ready to order yet." He set both glasses over the table. Each selected a separate dish not too picky on what to eat. He returned to the kitchen with the written order. Other couples and groups were seated throughout the large space whereas some surrounded themselves near the pool tables and others playing cards. The setup of the restaurant was similar to that of a casino but not entirely.

"I'd actually like to know a little bit more about you. I'm certain you're a lot more interesting than me."

"Two things you should know about me…the first is I don't kiss on the first date and second I don't like sharing information about myself to others. Don't think of me as a…"

"Didn't we agree this wasn't a date?" He took a sip of the iced water whilst she bit down on her tongue. Sharp as an arrow and a good memory to boot, "Aren't you the one that suggested we use this meet as a way to learn more about one another? No need to feel cornered or trapped, if you don't want to talk about yourself I've got no problem with that."

The longer she talked with and was around him she felt something special blossoming between them. Pretending to distance herself began to seem unnecessary. In fact Meila didn't mind sharing any and everything about her to him, but until she was certain of who he was as a person it just couldn't happen. Past experiences and failed relationships made sure of that, "Sorry if I'm coming off as a jerk cause I'm not like that at all. I don't really believe in love at first sight, but you did manage to imprison my curiosity."

"Stick around long enough and you'll realize I've got a lot more going for me than just looks."

Beside them approached two women tapping at Meila from behind, "My friend and I got to talking and I told her it was you! But oh no Meila San wouldn't be caught dead in a public place like this she said. Anyway can we please get a quick picture?!" She asked jumping up a bit.

"Sure but only a couple." Meila replied with a small smirk standing.

They found a free space off to the side; each taking two pictures a piece with the star, "Thanks a lot and by the way…your boyfriend is really cute." One of them whispered getting her to blush. Bruce noticed but didn't think much of it. She returned to the table taking a seat across from him. Another couple shots were taken of them from outside the window, and luckily the camera crew began their departure following that.

"Would that sort of lifestyle disturb you, I mean with the cameras following wherever you went? Some days it's difficult to tolerate and others I don't even notice them."

The question required critical thinking; he was no longer Bruce Wayne but instead Kei Madoka, and needed to answer accordingly in the way Kei would. On paper Wayne and Madoka had similarities but weren't the same person by any stretch. His biggest concern was not to say something he might contradict later. Both worlds and persons were completely different from the other.

"Living like a celebrity I'm sure has its ups and downs but that is with life in general. Choices and things we do will have good as well as bad outcomes. To answer your question living as a celebrity wouldn't bother me much. I've got my ways of eluding the press if need be." He said jokingly.

Both laughed together, "Good answer." Meila replied taking a sip from her glass.

XXX

So much to do and not enough help; all he wanted was to concentrate on the bigger problem. Instead he was given a side task to bring to justice a small fry. In comparison with the organization labeling themselves Specters of the Shadows his side mission felt wasteful. He pulled up in front of a smalltime bar stepping out his vehicle and entering. Finding a place to sit over a stool he gazed around the remainder of the room guessing there couldn't have been more than twenty five, "I'll take a light beer." He spoke to the bar tender.

His gaze journeyed to a mirror plastered over the wall staring back at his blood red prosthetic eyes, "Here you go sir," The bar tender spoke sliding the glass across the countertop. He didn't understand why Batou or one of the others hadn't been selected for the task; most of them had more experience with assignments that involved working away from the team facility. Aside from his complaints, the bar was the last place Roy and Yuvia Westbring were seen alive! It was also the last time Gauo and Rin Ucak were reported as being alive. All which turned up dead in their own homes. The thing they had in common was newlyweds. Each couple had just gotten married in the last month.

Evidence discovered in each crime scene was examined carefully with each separate unit coming to the same conclusion. Whoever was responsible for the first set of murders looked to have committed the following as well. Upon further examination each unit linked the murders to one singular suspect. That being Aoi Sanhall! Given the two couples were last seen partying at the bar on different occasions Borma got the idea their suspect might use the location for selecting victims.

He looked for anyone showing signs of suspicious activity or strangely dressed. He took a slurp of beer checking for anything that looked even the slightest bit off. From behind someone took a seat next to him entering through the front entrance, "Looks like you could use some company. How goes the investigation?"

"Togusa!" He twirled with on the stool looking into the face of his friend and teammate.

"Can I get you something to drink?" The bar tender asked the other gentleman with light brown hair that reached near his shoulders.

"I'll be fine, but thanks for asking." He replied looking to Borma. His overall body posture and demeanor were anything but energetic. Togusa knew by looking at his teammate he wasn't even partially enthusiastic about the job assigned to him, "You should really try and cheer up, there are already enough of us working the Daunting Phantom case."

"Isn't that the same with Aoi Sanhall? I overheard the major's conversation with the Chief a few days ago; turns out the police already have a division of their own going after this serial killer."

Halted for a few moments Togusa placed his hands over the wooden surface, "You see anyone that might be him?" Togusa inquired speaking low with his eyes out in front of him, "He could be in disguise, look for anyone covering their features with a hood or anything of that nature."

For over an hour Togusa hung around with both he and Borma carefully looking around from their seats, making certain not to draw any attention to themselves. During that time they engaged in different conversations with some evolved around work. No secret to either was the added stress each felt since the coming out party of the new group, "Guess it's time I get going, if I stay out any later my wife will start worrying." Togusa quickly patted him over the shoulder heading for the exit, "Don't stay too late we've got an early start tomorrow."

Borma nodded his head ordering what was his fourth drink of the night. Drinking wasn't something he did on regular bases; only in the particular situation so not to gain wariness from the bar tender or anyone else. Out front Togusa stepped inside his vehicle, the first thing he did was turn on his phone, "Damn it!" In total were eight missed calls, all from home. She was worried about him and he'd likely not hear the end of it for not having his cell on him and not switched on.

Sometime later Bruce returned to the apartment building. Everything was dark except for a small lamp over a desk in a far corner of the room, "Never imagined you'd still be awake this hour." Bruce looked to the clock that read a little after two o'clock in the morning and then at Clark.

"You're all smiles how'd things go?"

"Very well actually. We had something to eat, talked for awhile and then ended things with a dance. She's really quite pleasant." Bruce couldn't believe the words came out of his mouth. Even Kal was a bit stunned looking up from the paper that occupied much of his time.

"You feeling ok Bruce?"

Before anything else he set his jacket over the coat rack leaning against the wall, "She's a coworker, but there is nothing more between us than friendship and I intend not to let it become anything else other than that. First it would make things more awkward between us in the work environment and second I don't plan on being in this world forever. Avoiding intimate relationships is a good idea because of that. She feels the same way about it as well."

A small chuckle escaped Kal El's lips, "Serious relationship…whenever was that your style to begin with. Your commitment to the mission is going to leave you alone in the end if you don't open your heart to anyone. Not saying it has to be with this girl in particular but you should give yourself a chance at love. You've already declared your other half nonexistent in this world so why not?"

"And what of you? Given any tho…"

"This isn't about me Bruce; just like you my focus is to get home. In the meantime however I've come across a few job openings," He looked back over the paper, "I plan on sending out a couple applications tomorrow. For however long we're here, I won't be sitting on my butt doing nothing."

It was something he noticed upon entry through the front door but didn't comment on. Clark had been wearing a pair of glasses and new set of PJ's; no doubt purchased by the money he'd given him, "Why the glasses?" The specific item interested him most, "Unless you plan on flying around in the red boots and cape I see no point."

"I guess you could say the whole thing has grown on to me. What's the girl's name?" He asked referring to his date.

"Goodnight Clark." Bruce moved away from the wall entering his bedroom closing the door.

Bruce slept soundlessly through the night without waking once. When he awoke the next morning a letter had been left on the coffee table reading, "Gone out for a walk, be back soon." It wasn't long till his shift began giving him no time to await his return, "He shouldn't be out doing things. We still have yet to print up his ID and other forms of identification." Bruce uttered.

Of all people Clark was one of the few he trusted, and didn't see any reason to worry about him getting into mischief. When it came to that, he trusted the Boy Scout more than he did himself. Without a single worry he exited the building heading to work going through the same process he'd been doing for the last month, "Good morning Kei."

"Good morning to you as well Cara." He replied with a strange feeling inside him. The way she spoke and creepy expression over her face made him feel uneasy. Bruce quickly walked across the tiled surface; her eyes on him all the way till the doors closed. He re adjusted his tie telling himself everything was ok. Things seemed normal exiting the elevator traveling down the long hallway. The instant he reached for the doorknob to the main work area someone pulled at his shirt from behind forcing him into a nearby storage room.

"Meila!" He called out almost surprised, "Is everything ok?"

"Depends," She handed him a newspaper, "Turn to page three."

He did as she asked clutching the paper upon seeing the main photo, "Bachelorette Layce parties with unnamed boyfriend." He read the main headline aloud, staring at the main photo of him and her sitting at the table with her hand over his, "Everyone has seen it. How are we going to explain this?" She asked.

"By telling the truth. Just two friends going out to have a little fun, it'll all turn out fine."

"Hope you're right."

Together they entered the main work space receiving stares, chuckles and various side comments, "Damn Paparazzi!" Bruce thought to himself. The whole thing didn't bother him; more worried about Meila than himself.

To Be Continued