Thanks to all for your reviews especially Shall-Iin, I agree that I was was rushing things. So after taking a break, I'm back with a new chapter 15 and a new direction for this story. (sorry to those that wanted Robin, I decided not to introduce him...for now)
Let me know what you think!
Chapter 15 - Anger
Superman flew into the cave with a loud whoosh and landed with a thump right behind Bruce who was sitting unmasked in front of the huge Batcomputer.
"What the hell is wrong with you Bruce? You could have killed the Joker tonight!"
Bruce just sat in the large Batcomputer chair with his back turned to his young partner.
"You never loose control, what happened?"
"Harvey was a close friend." Bruce said quietly almost in a monotone, not turning around.
"OH well THAT explains it! Come on Bruce, does that give you the freaking right to beat the shit out of him?" Clark angrily spun the chair around to see Bruce's pained filled face.
"I should have been able to stop him…I should have been able to save Harvey." Bruce said quietly.
Clark's anger drained from him quickly as Bruce stood and walked past, down the stairs towards the little river dock. Clark watched him go, not quite sure what to think of what had just happened. He had never seen Bruce act this way.
He walked into the costume vault and slowly changed into his street clothes. He made his way up to the kitchen and was met by Alfred.
"Master Clark, if I may have a word." Alfred said handing him a Dr. Pepper and a bowl of hot popcorn.
Clark sat down at the kitchen table and began to eat his snack.
"There was a time not too long ago that Master Bruce was ready to tell Mr. Dent his secret, this is no small thing as you know. Very few people are allowed in his small circle of trust; those fortunate few are the ones that he actually allows himself to become somewhat attached to." Alfred moved back to finish washing the dishes.
"But Alfred, he lost control…"
"Yes, that's what scared him even more than Mr. Dent getting hurt."
By nightfall Bruce finally emerged from the cave, walking slowly from the secret entrance of the cave. Clark ran into him as he came down from his room.
"I'm sorry Clark." Alfred who was dusting a table, dropped his dust rag in shock, it was very rare when his employer apologized sincerely to anyone.
"It's ok Bruce, We are all just human…well you are…" Clark smirked.
Bruce actually cracked a small smile, "We should go see Harvey."
The drive to the hospital was passed in relative silence. Bruce, although doing better was keeping to himself and his thoughts. They pulled around the back of the hospital to dodge the media and made their way to the nurse's station.
"Excuse me miss, could you tell me what room Harvey Dent is in?" Bruce asked one of the nurses.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, Mr. Dent…is um…gone." The nurse said.
"What do you mean gone? He just got here several hours ago; it's too soon for him to be going home?" Bruce said as lightly as he could.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, I can't tell you any more than he is not here, because we don't know where he is." The nurse replied in a slightlyflustered tone.
Bruce turned and walked back to where Clark was standing in the waiting room.
"Problem?" Clark asked.
"Harvey is gone." Bruce said through his teeth. "I'm sure Gordon will be calling us soon."
The duo made their way as fast as possible to the downtown office building's secret closet and quickly changed into their suits.
"I'm heading to the south side; Dent had a favorite bar down that way. You head to police headquarters and talk to Jim." Batman said as he dropped off the side of the building to the waiting Batmobile below.
Superman leapt into the air and flew to police headquarters.
"Commissioner." Superman greeted the older man.
"Superman where's Batman?"
"Batman is already looking for Dent, he's heading south. I'll be checking out the north side of the city." Superman said.
"Figures…" Jim muttered to himself as Superman leapt from the roof and few towards the north end of Gotham and hit the com button.
"Heading north."
Batman didn't respond but that wasn't unusual so Superman kept flying.
Superman x-rayed every building he flew by as he made his way north, he flew low over two of Gotham's malls. He stopped a couple muggings and purse snatchers as he looped through one of the parks. When he reached the north end of Gotham he landed on one of the water front buildings and clicked on his radio.
"Find anything B?" Superman called over the link and waited for a response.
"Batman?" Superman called again.
Again no response. Superman pushed down a feeling of panic; Batman wasn't even returning the 'quiet' signal. It was one of the first things that Batman had taught him. If you couldn't talk, then tap the com microphone twice lightly. This would let who ever was listening know you were ok.
Superman detached his belt buckle computer and turned on the coded GPS locator for the Batmobile. It was parked by the waterfront on the south side of Gotham. Superman pushed himself off the side of the building and leaving a small sonic boom in his wake as he rushed to its location. He arrived at the Batmobile a couple of seconds later.
Landing next to the Batmobile, he scanned the surrounding buildings but saw no sign of Batman. He pushed a button on his belt to open the roof. The roof began to slide back when the Batmobile suddenly exploded into a massive fireball throwing him across the street into the water.
Several seconds later Superman broke the surface coughing; he hadn't had a chance to catch a breath before going under water. He caught his breath and jumped into the swooping around to the now burning Batmobile, to his relief Batman was not in the Batmobile. Where could he be?
Gordon and his men pulled up as Superman put out the fire.
"He wasn't in there was he?"
"No he wasn't."
"What do you think happened?"
"I'm not sure…if you'll excuse me Jim." Superman leapt into the air.
"Alfred, meet me in the cave. We have a problem."