Lois could not believe Bruce had done this to her.

Well, fine she had been looking for an excuse to get back to Gotham anyway, in that sense it was convenient but-

He wanted her to write a society fluff piece. About him. And the son he was apparently adopting, with virtually no warning.

There were several things that were frustrating about the situation. First, Lois Lane did not write fluff pieces if she could avoid it. They were, essentially, candy floss that anyone could write. Lois felt her talents were most needed elsewhere, writing actual news. News that could change peoples' lives. Second, Bruce was her brother in all but blood. The Wayne and Lane families had been friends for years and they had grown up together. She didn't think she was capable of writing an unbiased article about him. Lastly, Bruce had given no indication that he was at all interested in adopting a kid, until now. As his sister in all but blood Lois felt that she should have been informed that he was considering this.

The good news was she had been able to drag Clark into this with her. He was sitting next to her in the passenger seat going over what little they knew about this Richard Grayson kid they were about to meet.

Clark, who was pouting. Because the traffic between Metropolis and Gotham certainly hadn't gotten any better and they were essentially trapped in it. He winced at the sound of a horn and she grimaced in sympathy. Super senses had to suck when you were travelling incognito. But Bruce didn't know the secret so they had to arrive by car like a pair of normal people.

"Anyway," Clark continued once he had recovered. "After that no one had heard from Richard Grayson until Bruce Wayne's surprise announcement. He was missing for around five, six years in total."

"Question number one is where was he during those years," Lois sighed. "Though I suspect he got away and ran off to rejoin his circus. After his experience in Gotham I wouldn't blame them for not turning him back into social services."

"That doesn't explain why he has reappeared now."

"True. Bruce better have some answers. That and how Richard Grayson is mixed up with the Owls."

They pulled off the crowded highway and on to the much quieter roads of suburban Gotham. The tension left Clark's shoulders in a slump as they left the honking of horns behind them. Eventually the houses got larger and more spread out before they drove through a small cluster of trees. When they came out the other side, a large white three-storey house was visible on top of a hill surrounded by hedges and gardens. It struck an imposing silhouette against the clear blue sky, towering over the open fields around it.

"That's it, Wayne Manor." Lois turned to Clark. "Remember, you're here to keep me from being biased. It may be a fluff piece but we are going to try and take it seriously."

"Really," Clark arched an eyebrow. "I thought I was here to help you break into buildings after we were done here to look for evidence of a mysterious bird organization controlling things from the shadows so you had more sources than the word of a vigilante you met in a building you weren't supposed to be in."

"Clark!"

"Yes, I'm also here to keep you unbiased."

They pulled up in front of the massive house which managed to look even more impressive up close than it had from the distance. As he leaned back in his seat, Clark took a moment to admire the view just past the cast iron gates. Namely, the stately wooden double doors and the columns going around the edge of the house. Lois was completely unbothered by the splendor. She walked right up to the gates and rang the doorbell.

-.-.-.-

"You ready, kiddo?"

"Ready to basically scream at the world, 'Yo! I'm here! Come and get me!'?" Dick rolled his eyes at Bruce, "Yeah, so ready."

Bruce reached over to ruffle his hair, "Cheeky."

Dick grinned at him as Bruce opened the door and strode out into the driveway where a blue Smart EQ stopped. The driver's door opened, revealing a violet-eyed woman. Dick recognised her - Ms L. Lane, also known as the person he semi-rescued so she could go write an article to take out some Owls.

"Is this the kid?"

On the passenger side, Dick watched as something right out of his past occured. An absolutely ginormous man, 6 foot 2 at minimum, unfolded himself out of the miniscule car. The car swayed slightly as it righted its equilibrium.

"You know, when you said you were bringing Smallville along, I didn't think you were bringing all of Smallville along."

"Lois, your 'cousin' is kind of a prick." Clark shot back as he grinned at Bruce. "Clark Kent." He introduced himself as he shook Bruce's hand.

"Bruce Wayne. And this is…"

"Richard Wayne." Dick said as he joined in the introduction. He watched as his new dad and the male reporter seemed to size each other up before, suddenly,

"Were you at GC3? Final Doom Capture the Flag Nerf Battle?" Clark asked.

Bruce's eyes widened, "Oh my g-d. Rally the troops Clark."

"Grey Ghost Bruce!" The two men, to both Lois' and Dick's surprise, hugged.

Lois and Dick looked at each other confused.

"Um…"

"What just happened?"

"We've met!" Clark laughed. "Gotham City Comic Con, 1995. I think I got a byline from you."

"Yeah, we ended up on the same team for Capture the Flag. The assigned team captain was - crap. Clark here ended up rallying the team and leading us to victory."

"With a strategy that Bruce developed."

Lois groaned. "I'm going to regret letting the two of you meet again, aren't I?"

"What? Noooo…"

"I swear we'll be good cuz."

Lois sighed and turned to Dick. "Sorry, I'm Lois Lane. Your new dad over there called me in to write something about you joining the family."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am."

"Polite young man, aren't you?"

"I try."

Dick and Lois glanced at Clark and Bruce, who had clearly lost interest in the task at hand in favour of catching up. "Well," she said, "I guess they're going to be useless until they get to establish that interrupted bromance of theirs."

"I think Alfred said something about you being family so you'd know where the dining nook is?"

"He made lemon drizzles?"

"Yup?"

"Okay, let's go. While they attempt to fit in 13 years worth of friendship into however long they'd take, we're going to relax and keep Uncle Thomas away from my sweets."