Title: The Same Old Heartbeat
Chapter Completed: February 2, 2004
It was days before Gotham's favourite ward was set to marry the spunky Metropolis reporter. And as best as he could, Bruce Wayne had kept the event from the news. But to maintain airs the simple wedding needed to be a social event of the season, spanning two cities.
For that reason Metropolis was lit up with an engagement party worthy of royalty, in hopes of avoiding a circus on the big day. The groom and his benefactor clung to their privacy with a death grip, but there were social rules that even superheroes couldn't avoid – no matter how badly they wanted to.
So Bruce had set up a grand ball for the lovebirds, a taste of what the wedding was to be. Hundreds of people neither party had met were all present to publicly daunt on the couple.
"Anyone ever tell you you're incredibly sexy when you're frustrated?" A playful voice carried over the growing crowd, grabbing Chloe's attention.
Through the haze of white and gold the owner of the voice materialised along with a beaming smile on the bride-to-be's face.
"No," she replied with a great smile on her face.
"Good, cause if they did I may have to hurt them," a gentle smirk played on the boyish face.
She laughed, playfully hitting his shoulder, "Dick Grayson!"
The to be groom wrapped his arms around her, crushing her body against his chest and giving her an appropriate kiss for lovers long separated.
Pulling back only to breath, Chloe looked up at him with dazed eyes and playful grin, "Miss me?"
"Of course," he leaned in to touch her lips gently with his again, but his mouth didn't know the meaning of chaste.
Their second go at a lip-locked reunion was cut off by someone clearing their throat, obviously wanting the pair's attention.
"Maybe I should just some back?" Anna could barely hold back her laughter.
"Oh," Chloe giggled, reluctantly pulling away from Dick. "Sorry," the apology was for show, judging from the pleased smile on her face.
Anna just smiled back, amused by her friend's happiness. "You must be the hot bartender," she smirked at the suited man, who still had his arms around the petite blonde.
"And you must be the one from all those emails," he extended a hand to her.
"Nice to finally meet the elusive Dick Grayson," the lawyer shook hands with him, evaluating the man that had wooed her friend. Pleased at what she saw and the reaction he was giving. For a moment the happy-couple syndrome strung the former handmaid. It hurts when you see what you can't have.
"Much nicer than words on a screen," he winked at her. It was the classic way in which Dick teased and flirted – all friendly and open. It came from years spent with a witty British butler.
"Hey! That's a matter of opinion," Chloe took defence of her medium, and received a quick kiss on her nose for her outburst.
He smiled at her but was caught by another presence in the room, "Bruce actually made it!" He pushed back from the girls, "Nice to meet you Anna," he called off before bounding off to meet up with the millionaire.
Chloe sighed in contentment, "So, what do you think?" She didn't turn back to her friend; her eyes were still locked on the man across the room.
"Very nice," Anna leaned in to share his line of vision. Enjoying the view.
"And he doesn't own one flannel shirt," the bride gave a coy look to her friend, causing them both to break into a laugh.
"And just what is so amusing ladies?" Lois pushed herself into their little group. Having just arrived in the hall. To most people the idea of an exuberant party the week before a wedding was in excess, but Lois seemed to thrive on it. Something about class, she'd say.
"Oh nothing all that interesting," Chloe smiled tightly at the brunette.
"Well, good," she seemed to push Anna out of the inner circle, "that means I haven't missed anything."
"Oh I doubt that you could miss anything," Anna muttered under her breath, trying her best to endure the woman.
Lois flashed a fake smile, making sure the other women know she had heard. "Why don't you go introduce me to Bruce?" she pushed at Chloe's shoulder.
"You've met Bruce before…"she reminded with a smug look over the shoulder to her cousin.
"But one never wishes to look over eager," Lois almost growled, pushing her cousin in the direction of the two men.
Chloe glanced over her shoulder at the other blonde, a silent offer to do her the same service. But really Anna didn't have the stomach to meet another millionaire at the moment, so she carefully declined the offer. Giving a shrug of apology she allowed herself to be pushed away. Not that there was much room for negotiation.
Anna stood alone for a moment, not really noticing the fact that she was standing alone in the middle of a sea of people; her stark red dress in perfect contrast to the muted colours and classic black that surrounded her. She really didn't fit into this social circle anymore, and it wasn't that she had been thrown out of the sect, even if her shaded past would be cause for it. It was that she didn't feel the excitement for her love struck friend that she should, instead she was jealous, angry and sad.
Out of reflex her fingers trailed up to her neck, lightly caressing the gold chain. It was her only companion this night.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Clark played with his tie again. He hated dressing up, with all its false pretences and fake images. Which was ironic considering his whole adult life was a game of dress up and pretend. Everyday he pretended while dressing up as clumsy reporter Clark Kent and the brave Superman. It had gone as far as no longer seeing himself as the one person. But he had reasons to be here now, all dressed up. Two actually. Three if you were counting people. The obvious was Chloe, who had disappeared into the crowd of people along with his 'date' Lois; the others were Anna and Lex. And he was yet to spot either of them.
It had been three years since he had said anything civil to the millionaire, longer since Clark had. It seemed that Superman had more to say to the dubious millionaire than Clark had for his former friend over the last spanning of time. But he was going to break that silence. He had finally found something to say. For Anna. For destiny.
He just needed to find the man first, assuming he was going to attend.
XxXxXxXxXxX
"Tell me again, why I've been dragged here?" Lex grumbled as he entered the festive hall. The white and gold reminded him of the inside of a Champaign bottle, only more forcibly bubbly.
"Well," Lucas grabbed a flute from the passing tray of a waiter, "One, you've convinced yourself that you're friends with Sullivan." A grumble of profanities was the reply to that. "Two, it improves the image of LuthorCorp to have you out among the civilised." He punctuated the statement by finishing the glass in two solid swallows.
Lex would never get used to how Lucas had turned out – so much more the Luthor than he was. "So, tell me why I brought you?" Mindlessly he searched through the crowd with his eyes.
"So you didn't have to ditch a date when you found Anna," Lucas replied bluntly, not even watching the surprised expression registering on his brother's face. "Why don't you go find your tragic princess and let me mingle," he nudged the older Luthor toward the mass of people as he made his own way in.
"Remember, civilised," Lex warned.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Chloe could never get over how shamelessly Lois would latch herself on to Bruce whenever the millionaire was in town.
Not that Gotham's playboy seemed to have a problem with this.
"Oh Bruce, you have to let me interview you," she batted her eyelashes, locking arms with him.
"That's the worst excuse for a date I've ever heard Lois," he smiled at her. That type of smile that made hundred's of women fall to his feet. "Especially when all you need to do is ask."
But it was always amusing to see Lois stumble over her words for a moment and blush.
"There you are."
Chloe found herself being turned to face someone else. Something she was realising that she had to get used to.
"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find you," it was the smiling face of Gab Sullivan.
"Dad," she laughed warmly at the flustered, aged man, pulling him into an embrace.
"There certainly are a lot of people here," absent-mindedly he began pulling at his tie, feeling out of place in this new grand world.
Chloe smiled shyly and blushed slightly, "I'm glad you're here."
"You're already going far enough away from me, so I couldn't miss seeing you as much as possible now," his smile was one of happy-sadness. Teasing her, but never meaning guilt. He quickly cleared up his emotions to continue, "I hope you don't mind I brought someone along…"
Her eyes lit up with surprise. Everyone received an invitation for them and a guest, but the idea of her father being able to fill that role was a shock.
"I just thought you two needed to reconnect…" he went on, side stepping to pull the mystery guest forward.
"Hey Chloe," Lana was much more reserved and far less perky. Her head hung down, but the long brown hair ever present.
"ah…Lana," she sputtered around her words and emotions. There was so much left hanging between them that she didn't know how to react to seeing her. "Um…where's Pete?" she forced a smile and jumped into the major issue that plagued her.
The big brown eyes looked up sadly, but she shrugged, "We're separated."
The corner of Chloe's mouth twitched to smirk, but she fought it, giving a sympathetic nod.
"Either way," Lana gave one of her bright smiles, dimmed by time, "I just wanted to congratulate you Chloe. I'm really happy for you."
She let herself smile now, "thanks."
Nodding the brunette moved to leave, as if she had been dismissed.
"Wait," Chloe reached for the retreating arm, "Why don't you come to the wedding." She wasn't sure why she felt the impulse, maybe because she was finally above the fairy princess or she was finished with the juvenile way she felt threatened by her.
Lana looked at her with wet eyes, "Really?"
Chloe gave her a genuine smile, "Yes, really."
Letting out a happy sigh, the Smallville native pulled the Metropolis reporter into a long awaited hug. They had been almost sisters once, so acquaintances now was something.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Having super sensitive hearing always had its benefits and drawbacks. The drawback was overhearing Lois flirt with Bruce Wayne. The benefit was being able to find Lex in the massive crowd.
With no actual plan Clark approached the Metropolis Prince.
"Lex," he announced himself.
The millionaire turned around slowly, "Clark?"
"Ah, hi," he ran his hand nervously through his hair, the questioning gaze he was under was making him even more nervous. He never really noticed the confidence he received from the spandex suit.
"Did you really some over to exchange pleasantries with me Clark?" Lex was apprehensive with their meeting.
"Well, um, no," Clark straightened his stance, "I wanted…ah…Anna," he couldn't find a way to begin.
Lex raised an eyebrow at him. Unsure whether or not that was what the news reporter had wanted to say.
"Lex, we used to talk all the time," he tried another approach, "and I have one last piece of advice." His brow knotted.
"I thought you were done with me a long time ago," a bemused smirk appeared on his smooth face.
"It's for Anna," a sense of duty ringing in Clark's voice.
"Want me to stay away from her?" again he raised an eyebrow along with the flute to his lips, effectively hiding the sneer.
With a registered sigh Clark replied, "No, actually. I want you to go to her." He really didn't feel comfortable with this.
The shocked expression on his face was of disbelief, "Why?" and suspicion.
"I've become a fan of destiny," Clark replied with a cool shrug.
Lex continued to stare at him like he was a puzzle, which really was how he viewed Clark Kent.
"You've always deserved to be happy," Clark couldn't help but remember the close bond they had shared back in Smallville. "Both of you."
"Thank you Clark."
He smiled sadly, almost sheepishly, "I should go...back to…" he was excusing himself clumsily.
"Destiny?" Lex raised his glass almost mocking the man in front of him.
"Right," he muttered as he walked away, suddenly wondering if he had made his own destiny harder by pushing theirs' along.
