Disclaimer: I own nothing, you should know this by now, yada yada yada.

Rating: Pretty much the same.

GothamCity6:30 PM

It caused a media sensation the next evening when Bruce Wayne attended the Gotham City ballet.

As a superhero, Batman was always reluctant to use his Bruce Wayne persona to solve his Batman cases, but in this situation, it was the perfect cover.

Late in the previous evening, after Batman, the Flash and the Green Lantern had arrived back at the Watchtower from Katya's apartment, Superman had received a call on his Clark Kent cell phone. It was the Daily, informing him that Metropolis billionaire Lex Luthor was attending the ballet in Gotham City, ironically in the very same theatre owned by Bruce Wayne. He was assigned a piece on it…a public relations gold mine, claimed his editor.

Batman was instantly suspicious. Why would Luthor travel all the way to Gotham to see a mere ballet performance- one that simply happened to feature Katya Fedorcenko? Business, his reps had said.

Indeed.

Batman knew better.

Bruce reached up and tied his cravat with a slightly unsteady hand, wondering why he felt so…uneasy. Anticipation seemed to fill the air- as if something was about to happen. Alfred entered the room silently, as was his trademark, holding his jacket. "Your smoking jacket, Master Bruce."

Bruce smiled inwardly. Alfred had to be the only man still alive who would still use the phrase "smoking jacket" in the year 2004. He held out his arms, and his butler carefully eased it on.

Batman walked out to his sleek, ice-blue Bentley and cranked it up. For the ten-minute ride to the theatre, he usually didn't require a driver. It looked more bachelor swinging-ish to arrive in his own car, anyway, and he did so, tires squealing as he sped into the VIP parking space he almost never used.

He stepped out of the car, tossing his keys to a nearby valet just in time to see a black stretch limo pull up to the curb and stop, a large-shouldered figure emerging from the backseat, attired similarly in a black tux, Armani no doubt. A tall, leggy, buxom blonde emerged directly behind him, clinging to his arm, and Bruce saw light from a lit streetlamp momentarily glint off the man's bald pate.

Lex Luthor.

Bruce hurried forward, hoping to catch him before he went inside, but he was ambushed by a set of reporters. "Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne!"

He blinked off the initial flashbulb blindness and gave them all his famous megawatt smile, ignoring the white spots that now danced before his eyes. "How goes it?"

"What are you going to see tonight, Mr. Wayne?"

"Romeo and Juliet." Thank God, he had done at least that piece of research. Had he even stepped into this place since he'd had it built?

"You don't have a date, Mr. Wayne. Anyone in particular you've come to see?" a female reporter asked coyly.

Certainly not you. Bruce smirked. "Guess we'll have to find out yes?"

"Mr. Wayne, I take that this means that you are a patron of the arts."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. The reporter's voice sounded so familiar…he glanced over in time to see a broad-shouldered, dark-haired, bespectacled reporter in shirtsleeves and glasses. Clark Kent. He held back a smile.

"Yes, I am a patron of the arts. In fact, I plan to give a donation to this fine institution tonight." He smiled and waved, then began to move towards the front. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to get inside, guys."

He managed to make his way over to Lex, who was flanked by his own set of reporters. The crowd parted as he shoved his way through, the reporters eager to get the shot of America's two biggest billionaires talking and shaking hands.

"Mr. Luthor?" Bruce reached his side in seconds.

Lex turned, surprised; then recognition crossed his face. "Mr. Wayne," he said, slowly.

Bruce, smiled, nodded an extended his hand to Lex, who took it and shook it firmly. "Just wanted to say welcome to Gotham, and introduce myself personally. I don't believe we've ever met."

Luthor smiled amiably and nodded. "No, we haven't. I know you quite well by reputation, however." All good reports let me assure you!"

Bruce laughed. "I certainly hope so." He gestured to Luthor to walk into the hall ahead of him, smirking inwardly as a doorman nearly tangled himself up in knots in his efforts to open the door for the two business moguls. Hope he doesn't split his pants bowing and scraping…Lex looked amused as well. "I'd be honored if you would join me in my box," Bruce added. "Best seat in the house. And the lady as well, of course." He glanced at the blonde.

Luthor turned his attention to the girl suddenly, as if he'd forgotten her. "Oh, yes, how rude of me. This is Lola."

Bruce's eyes raked over her, and he shot her his most charming smile. "Pleased to meet you."

She smiled, a fake little smile. "Ditto, honey."

Bruce extended his arm, but she ignored it, walking ahead of the two men, heading for the box. Bruce shrugged and set off after her, Lex not far behind, and in seconds all three were settled comfortably. Drinks were served almost immediately- a slightly chilled sherry for Bruce, Chablis for Luthor, a whisky sour for Lola- and they all sat together, sipping slowly, waiting for the curtain to rise.

Bruce finally broke the silence. "Mr. Luthor-"

"Lex, please."

"Lex- and you must call me Bruce, by the way- I must confess, I am quite curious about some property that you own downtown."

Luthor looked surprised; then he laughed. "I forgot, you practically own this town. I assume you are referring to the apartment building?"

Bruce nodded. "A great deal of the dancers in the Gotham Ballet live there."

"Do they?" a predatory flash appeared in Lex's eyes, one that was quickly veiled. 'I am afraid that I am quite lax in acquainting myself with my tenants."

Bruce nodded. "I know the feeling." He took a sip of his sherry, the tart liquid cooling his throat. "The property seems a bit…neglected, if you don't mind my saying so."

Lex shrugged. "It happens. My agents can be quite lazy, I'm sorry to say."

"I understand." Bruce nodded and put his glass down leaning forward. "I'll be straight with you, Lex. Would you consider selling?"

For a moment Lex seemed taken aback, and he got that look in his eyes again. He recovered quickly, though. "Why, may I ask, are you interested in the property?"

"As you know," Bruce said smoothly, "I already own much of downtown. Taking that piece of property off you hands certainly can't…"

Lex cut him off with a round of hearty laughter, choking on his wine. "He wants to keep his Gotham monopoly! Bruce," he said when he was finally able to speak, "You remind me so much of myself when I was your age. Very ambitious, son. You'll go far. But please, no more about selling."

Bruce nodded, deciding not to push the issue- his curiosity had been satisfied. He gestured towards the silent man standing in the wings, and he silently moved to refill their glasses. "Let's enjoy the ballet, shall we?"

The house lights went off just as he spoke, and the theatre grew dark. The ballet was beginning.

When Katya entered the stage, dressed in a soft, clinging white gown for the part of Juliet, Bruce drew his breath in surprise. There was no mistaking her- her slight frame and long, dark hair gave her away immediately. Her name was written in the program as an alternate, not a principal- the main Juliet must have been off for some reason.

Although Bruce knew nothing concrete about ballet, he couldn't imagine any other girl dancing in the title role. She was both slender and light, skimming across the stage in a manner not unlike that of a bird, skimming across water. Her small feet, shod in their slippers, barely touched the floor.

Bruce watched her dance with a growing sense of awe. On the streets of Gotham and in the Watchtower the night before, she seemed too delicate, too small, to thin to withstand much of anything. On stage, it seemed as if she'd been transported into some ethereal dream world, like a dancer on top of a gilded music box.

Katya's Romeo was tall, dark and broad-shouldered, complimenting and contrasting greatly with her delicate paleness. He was not nearly as light of foot, but Katya made him look strong, unyielding, supporting, and not clumsy. A soft, serene smile on her face was clear even from the stage; her love of dance showed clearly with every step she took.

Bruce turned to Lex, whose eyes were fixed immovably on the stage. "You seem rather taken with Juliet," he remarked.

Luthor started, and then managed a reply. "Of course. Her technique is nearly perfect."

Bruce leaned back and smiled, wryly. "I wish I could be as great a patron of the ballet as you are."

"Mmm." Lex's eyes were still fixed on Katya, much to his date's (what was her name again? Lola?) annoyance.

After the performance, Lex slipped out quickly. "I'd like to get backstage and meet her before I leave, if I can." Lex turned to Bruce and smiled. "Thank you for the lovely evening, Bruce. It was a pleasure to meet you." He took out Bruce's proffered hand and shook it. "I'll be sure to leave a bit of a donation," he said with a wink. "Lola-!" he called to her and took her arm, and they exited. Quickly.

Bruce waited for a heartbeat before exiting the theatre through a side entrance that he rarely used- and only a few people knew existed. Ducking behind a strip of bushes, he activated his commlink.

"This is the Watchtower."

"J'onn," he said, coolly, "this is Batman. I need backup, stat."

"What's happening?" He was instantly on alert.

"There may be a possible abduction from the theatre in Gotham tonight. Lex Luthor may be involved."

"How do you know that-"

"I don't have time to explain. Just hurry. Batman out." The connection fizzled and died.

Bruce got up, silently made his way to the parking lot, and pulled out in his Bentley. Returning home and pulling on his Batman costume only took minutes, and as he crossed town once again, he saw the shadow of the Javelin come in over the city. Good. J'onn had done his work well.

Batman activated his commlink once again. "J'onn. Bring her down on the west side of the building, stealth mode." The west side housed the dressing rooms, a well as the exit that the dancers used. "Make sure you're well hidden. I'll meet you there." If Lex made the move that he thought he would….it would be confirmed. He was after Katya for some reason, some reason related to her powers…

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When Katya Fedorcenko emerged from her dressing room, it was already quite late into the night.

She stretched her arms over her head, thinking back over the night's performance. Courtney, a tall, athletic girl from New York who usually danced the part of Juliet, had come down with the stomach flu the night before, giving her the chance to perform, and although she felt sorry for her fellow dancer, she was glad of the opportunity. Understudies worked just as hard as the principals, but were rarely as recognized- and she knew that she had been flying tonight. Jared, her Romeo, had even mentioned it.

"It's like you got superpowers or something," he had said afterwards, with a laugh.

And she had been dancing in front of quite an audience! Two of the ushers had informed her that billionaire business tycoons Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne had been in attendance, and had been quite impressed, according to what had been heard. They both had left hefty donations before leaving, and Mr. Wayne, who owned the building, had announced that he would be happy to pay for any renovations the Gotham Dance Company needed.

Katya raked one hand through her hair, tucking it under a baseball cap as she pushed the door of her dressing room open, emerging out into the hall, heading for the exit. Her costume had been safely hung in her wardrobe, and she was dressed in her usual post-dance getup of loose sweatpants and a sweatshirt, her hair tucked underneath a blue bandanna. I must look like a boy, she thought ruefully, picking a piece of lint off the sweatshirt.

Her hand froze as she took in the decal on the front.

Ironically, it happened to be the same red sweatshirt she'd wore the night before…the night she'd come back from the Watchtower with Batman, the Green Lantern, and the Flash. She must have stuffed it in her bag by mistake….

"So it's still real," she murmured, stroking the bright cotton with her small hands. On the stage earlier, dancing, she'd somehow managed to convince herself that it had all been a dream, that all she was… was only a dancer….that the events of the night before had never took place….but seeing the red sweatshirt that Batman had given her to wear made it all come back with a sickening rush.

"I killed a man," she said, aloud.

Granted, it hadn't been her fault. And Batman had promised to keep an eye on her, to find out what had caused her to get these….strange powers. Until then, she had to act normal.

Was that even possible? She drew in a shaky breath and shouldered her pack on her thin shoulders, continuing the walk to her apartment. Her head was aching from all the thoughts that were running through it…she needed a hot bath, and sleep, if possible…she quickened her steps.

Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the bushes at the side of the road.

Katya froze. Granted, the route she took to get home wasn't the safest, but she usually got home without any trouble. "Who's there?" she called, her voice trembling slightly.

No one answered.

Katya re-shouldered her pack and headed out again, far more apprehensive than before. She quickened her steps, hoping to get to the more populated main road before long. When she heard another rustle, she began to run.

She was stopped when a hand, a long, bony hand with thin, frighteningly strong fingers, gripped her by the shoulder. She felt something hard and cold press into her left temple.

"Not so fast, sweetheart," a woman's voice said, coolly.

Katya froze, then swallowed. "What…what do you want with me?" she heard her voice shaking with fear, and her heart began to pound. "Who are you?"

"Never mind that." She felt the pressure move from her left temple, then jab abruptly into her ribs. "Move it. And if you scream, your brains will carpet this place."

Katya turned slightly and began to walk in the direction that the woman was prodding her, seeing a flash of blonde hair and large blue eyes before the woman's face was hidden in shadow once again. She heard a faint buzz, as if the woman had activated a walkie-talkie.

"Lex, I've got her."

A man's voice replied.

"Good. Bring her to the rendezvous point. Darkseid will be very pleased."

Katya felt a shiver run through her at the name. Where had she heard it before, and why was it having such an effect on her?

"He'll be very pleased to know we've found her….."

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