Epilogue

After a thorough inspection of the Mech, Krieg barked some new orders: "Okay you mugs! Fall in! As long as you're in this man's Army, playtime is over!" The troops scattered after quick goodbyes to the girls. Amid a flurry of 'Aye Sirs' and 'Yes Sir', the soldiers headed back to their respective vehicles. Krieg stood alone with Corinne.

"Major Krieg, here's a WorthingtonCo business card if you have any further questions about the Mech." She beamed as the grumpy commander reluctantly took the card. He saluted everyone, without apologizing to Clark and Kara for disrupting the party.

The soldiers rapidly evacuated the area. Lana began to release the straps from the Mech after she walked it to the WorthingtonCo helicopter. She glanced around to make sure that Clark and Kara were at a safe distance, and climbed out. Jenna helped the pilot load the Mech into the chopper's cargo bay. Lana gazed longingly at Clark over her shoulder.

He waved at her with his left hand, while the other arm wrapped around Lois's shoulders. Kara closed in on Lana until the nausea set in. She backed away and waved at Lana as well. Chloe hugged her good friend, reassuring her that it was all for the best.

Lana climbed the stairs into the helicopter as her stomach turned and her heart wrenched. She took one last look at Clark, he seemed happy, she mused. Lana swallowed hard and fought back tears as she entered the chopper.

Next week, she'd concentrate on her new job with WorthingtonCo. Her life was truly her own. Lana hoped that would eventually lead her to happiness. In a couple of years she'd be free of the kryptonite poisoning, and perhaps at that point, settle down and have a family.

Lana would still be helping Marcus Worthington, and tangentially continue to help Clark save the world from whatever menace Jor El was expecting. There was still so much to do, she reasoned, shaking her head. One thing was certain, Lois wouldn't be getting a Christmas card from her, Lana thought bitterly. She soon put those negative feelings aside and longed for her new home.

The WorthingtonCo helicopter departed for Arizona, and the party finally began to break up. Bruce Wayne had called Alfred back and cancelled the emergency flight of the bat jet. He'd said his goodbyes to Oliver, and the others, stopping briefly to talk to Clark, Lois, and Kara.

"Well, Clark, I'd have to say that this was one of the more interesting parties I've been to." Bruce began as his mouth curled in a lopsided grin. "I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, we hardly got a chance to talk." Clark apologized as glassy eyed Lois looked on with hazy interest.

"Bruce." The Batman corrected him. "Will you be staying in Metropolis long?" Kara inquired, facing Bruce. "Not really, Kara. We've completed our business investigation here. Dick, Barbara and I will be returning to Gotham City tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for your hospitality."

They all shook hands, as Chloe approached them, grinning sheepishly. "At least no one got injured this time." She began, cynically. "Any large gathering in Smallville usually ends in one type of catastrophe or another. Mr. Wayne, do you have a moment?"
Chloe grabbed Bruce by the elbow, startling him. She walked him away from Lois, knowing that Clark and Kara would overhear their discussion anyway.

"Is my little cousin hitting on a billionaire?" Lois yawned as she watched them leave. "What about Jimbo? I know they've been on the outs, but it isn't like Chlo' to try and pick up a guy while her beau is still around."

Clark was puzzled by Chloe's actions as well, but offered no further comment. He trusted that whatever Bruce and Chloe were discussing was likely important. He vowed not to listen in, if it concerned them, Chloe would certainly bring it up later, or would she? He wondered.

"Mr. Wayne…" Chloe began nervously. "Bruce." He corrected. Chloe handed him two small, bat shaped microphones, and a bat shaped miniature camera. "Are these yours?" She accused. "I…uh…" Bruce stammered. It wasn't easy to catch the Batman off guard, but Chloe succeeded.

"Before you hit me with the plausible deniability stick…" Chloe started. "I'm not particularly concerned about why you and your friends are monitoring Clark and Kara, but I would appreciate it if you would be honest with me. If you have any questions, you can contact me at Watchtower." She handed him a disc of information.

"This explains our collection of meteor freaks, and in depth details of dirty deals that LuthorCorp, and then LexCorp have made." Chloe continued as they walked toward Bruce's black Sterling sports car. "Some of it is already public knowledge. I've created a number of secured websites that we gather information from."

"I don't quite know what to say." Bruce scowled. "Just be assured that Oliver and the rest of us have the best intentions for what we do." Chloe countered. "Maybe you'd like to join up with us at some point…" She glanced around to make sure that they were alone. "Batman."

Bruce gulped. "I trust that you'll keep this in the utmost confidence. People's lives are at stake, starting with my own." He scolded. "How'd you figure it out?" Chloe smirked. "I'm the queen of secrets, Bruce. My high awareness of duplicity keeps me on my toes."

"We have a lot of work to do in Gotham." Bruce said calmly as he beeped the alarm on his car. "I'll take your offer under advisement." He forced a thin grin. "Do the others know?" Chloe shook her head. "No. I'll keep it to myself…for now. I, more than anyone else, understand people with trust issues." Bruce nodded. "Meaning Clark?" He jabbed. "Among others." Chloe agreed.

"Chloe Sullivan, you are one of a kind." Bruce praised. "You can count on that." She smiled as she said goodbye. Bruce was distracted briefly by Lois, who switched positions, wrapping her arms around Clark's midsection while leaning heavily against his broad back.

Bruce sat in his car, waiting for Barb and Dick to say their goodbyes. "Alfred, this was well worth the effort." He'd flipped on his secured car phone line. "We've learned so much, yet there are still tons of questions yet to be answered." He set the disc in his bat computer and copied it.

"Are they mostly positive questions, sir?" Alfred retorted playfully. "Yes, I believe so. For the first time, I see that we're not alone in our quest." Bruce sounded philosophical. "Which quest was that sir?" Alfred toyed with him. "The fight against evil, what else?" Bruce added.

"What else indeed, Master Bruce?" Alfred chuckled as he continued to monitor the youngsters. Dick and Barbara were still chatting with Laura, Tim, and Kara. Laura was still unsure about following up with Dick, and she didn't yet know how Kara felt about him either. Tim also felt awkward, placed in between the three attractive women.

Laura took advantage of the awkward silence to get things started. "Richard, it was a pleasure meeting you and Barbara." She said elegantly as she shook their hands. "Aww! Kiss him! Give the kid a thrill!" AC heckled as he crossed the room. Laura chuckled. "Fine."

Laura took Dick by the hands and kissed him goodnight. Barbara hooted with laughter. Nightwing was in all his glory. Kara shifted uncomfortably, settling for a hug from Tim. Laura was aware that Kara might have had feelings for him so she took a lighthearted approach.

"Now you have to kiss Kara." Laura instructed. "What?" The alien beauty was shocked. Barb got a kick out of the blank expression on Kara's face. "I don't know, I mean…" Kara stuttered. "Just do it!" Laura encouraged. Dick's ego was on overdrive, so he aggressively kissed Kara.

Kara's eyes briefly flared yellow. The teen found it enjoyable, but wondered what it would really mean to either of them. "See, methinks thou protest too much!" Laura needled after they unclenched. Dick smirked lustily, glancing at Barb. "Don't even think about it!" She quipped.

"C'mon, Bruce's waiting." Barb urged after saying goodbye and exchanging cell phone numbers and E Mail addresses. The young crime-fighters shook hands with Oliver, Bart and the rest. Finally, Barb and Dick worked their way to Clark and Lois. The couple had lingered outside for a while until Bruce and Chloe parted ways.

"So, I saw you kissing my little cousin." Clark pretended to give Dick a stern look. "Oh chill out, Smallville." Lois playfully chastised him. "The kids are just having fun." Clark nodded. "I know, Lois." He rolled his eyes at her. "It's been nice meeting you, thanks for the invite." Dick said cordially, shaking Clark's hand.

"Lois? How're things going?" Bart butted in. "Okay, the night proved not to be a total disaster." She winked flirtatiously at Clark who grinned. "Say, about your newspaper." Bart guided Lois towards the makeshift bar. Barbara glanced up at Clark nervously.

Dick folded his arms, daring Barb to say what was on her mind. "I, uh, thanks for having us, Clark." Barb reddened. "My pleasure. Why don't you guys keep in touch?" He offered. Barb steeled her resolve, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Clark on the cheek. "Thanks, we will." She flushed, as did Clark. Lois had missed that little move, now involved in a discussion with Jimmy.

"See ya." Barbara's bright reddish blonde hair flipped in her face. "If you're ever in Gotham, look us up." She offered as Dick guided her outside. Clark shook his head, smirking. Human relationships are always confusing, he mused as Lois had tracked him down again.

Barbara glowed as Dick whistled. "That's five bucks you owe me, sport." Barb chuckled. "Here you go." Dick handed her the bill. "I told you that I'd kiss the Blur before the night's over." She boasted proudly. "If you call that a kiss." Dick argued playfully.

The young folks hopped on their motorcycles and revved them up. "Uh, might I remind Master Dick and Mistress Barbara that they are still in costume?" Alfred cut in on their bat communicators. "Yikes! You're right Alfred." Dick stripped off his mask, placing it behind him in the small luggage rack. Barb did the same, folding their capes as they packed.

The visitors from Gotham roared away back to Metropolis. Tomorrow night they'd be back on patrol, knowing that they weren't the only ones out there. The future, though unsettled, suddenly looked brighter to the young crime-fighters. The adventures would continue.

Oliver signaled Chloe for a quick meeting. She walked over to Lois, Jimmy, and Clark. "Hey Lo' can you and Jimmy run up to the house and grab some clean up equipment, like paper towels, trash bags, rags, and brooms? We'll join you in a moment."

At first Lois's buzz allowed her to protest, but she resisted, kissing Clark on the cheek before excusing herself. She started for the doors, but glanced back over her shoulder at the boys. Bart, Oliver, AC, Victor, and Clark gathered near the center of the barn.

Wait a minute… Lois's reporter sense fought off the alcohol haze. Of course…it's so obvious…she continued to muse. Jimmy was saying something to her. A moment later, Dinah, Chloe, Amari, Laura, Kara, Abby, Sara, Mia, Maddie, and Lori joined the boys.

"Lois? Can you hear me?" Jimmy grumbled as they walked through the doors to the outside. "I know we had all that loud music, and the choppers didn't help…" He was complaining. "What?" Lois's neck snapped around, she glared at him.

That was no ordinary clique issue. Lois silently fumed. These are Oliver's band of merry men, and women, of which she wasn't truly a part. Clark was working with Oliver for the last few years since we first met. Boy, is he gonna get lip from me. She thought sourly.

They dutifully gathered Chloe's request list items. Lois was completely quiet, never a good sign. Jimmy was even wondering about her. "Lois, are you and Clark alright?" Jimmy prodded. "I guess so. I'm just tired of him keeping secrets. He must've driven Lana nuts!" She replied.

"Preaching to the choir, Lo'" Jimmy sighed in disgust. "Chloe's the same way. It all has something to do with Oliver and whatever mess he constantly gets into." Lois nodded absently. "Are you two gonna talk it out?" He probed. "Maybe, but not now when I have a good buzz going. Not tomorrow either when my head is pounding. I may say something that I'll regret."

Jimmy had already resigned himself to the end of his relationship with Chloe, but maybe he could at least help Lois and Clark, he wondered, after all we'll be on the same team at the Daily Planet. "Nope Jimbo, I already blew it with AC and Oliver." Lois vowed. "I'm not giving Clark up so easily. I'll get the truth from him one way or another."

next: the Uninvited