Author: Teriah Luz

Rating: G – general

Title: Road Trip (Tentative Title)

Series: Smallville

Crossover: Pre-Batman Bruce Wayne, Pre-Green Arrow Oliver Queen

Couples: Clark/Lois, Clark/Lana, Chloe/Clark, Bruce/Lana, Ollie/Lois, Lex/Lana (Somehow this will all work out XD)

Summary: Two years since Season four, Chloe plans a reunion among the Smallville trio and Lois to ultimately plan a Road Trip back to New York. Along the way, the come across Gotham City and Gotham's most eligible and rich bachelor. When will Clark embrace his destiny? Why is he seeing Lois and Lana differently? And who the hell is Oliver Queen? It's a massive case of who'll end up with whom so grab a life jacket and dive right in.

Genre: General/Romance

Note: Just so it's understood, first bit is the ending to the flashback in last chapter, the rest of the fic continues from the end of this chapter XD.

Chapter 6: Bruce's Choice In Friends

Clark crumbled into his seat. He stared blankly ahead of himself. It wasn't their fault, they didn't know… that even though he was quite a distance and sound scape away, he could hear them… every word.

Every painful confession.

He sits numbly, feeling stupid and… betrayed. Though he and Lex had already long ended their friendship… he still couldn't have seen him more capable of taking the love of his life then he was of hurting him directly.

Clark knew something was changing Lex, especially since his father's death… Lois kept pointing out strangely corrupt and power hungry moves on his behalf but Clark was always in denial. Not his friend Lex, whom he saved so many years ago.

Now Clark didn't want to believe that his broken heart made him see Lex differently. But it did. He just never saw it coming.

Lois stomped up, her cheek a flare. He looked at her… and must have been seeing her for the first time. Because he never thought her capable of caring for him, not even in a form of protective affection.

Lana stalked behind her, glancing at Clark. Both eyes tore away. She felt that he … somehow knew. He always had these… clear vivid eyes… that saw right through to you. Did he see? Could he see the ring she wore on her chain, hidden beneath her blouse and worn close to her heart?

Clark sighed.

Chloe slammed her hands then winced. "This bill is outrageous! All you did was put Neosporin and a bandage! I refuse to pay for this! I could have just gone to the pharmacy and done it myself!" Chloe argued, oblivious to the severe tension.

"I'll take care of it. Relax, you've been through a lot." A dark voice offered. Chloe wheeled around, flushed. He nods. "It's nothing for me."

"Wow, um… I don't, I'm not, I can…" Chloe stuttered. Lois smirked a bit, seeing that Chloe was a bit star struck, swept in to the rescue.

"Thanks." Lois added in, smiling. "That's what it means in Chloe Sullivan land." She nods. Bruce chuckles and nods.

Chloe glared a bit at Lois and wondered off to sit next to Clark. "Wow, we're just magnets for millionaires to take care of us, huh Clark? Clark?" Chloe frowned and turned to Clark in concern.

He toyed with what used to be a nice metal pen. Now was a twisted… piece of nothing. "Clark…" Chloe whispers.

Clark shrugs her off. "I'm fine. I'm done. I'm going home." He stands.

Bruce turns. "And do you plan on walking back?"

Clark glares at Bruce. "Why not?" he blurted without really thinking. Chloe bit her lip. Lois frowned and Lana knew it. He had to know.

"Clark I-" she begins but he shakes his head.

"I need fresh air." And he walks off. Lana sighs and is about to follow after him.

"Stop it princess, you've done enough." Lois growled. Chloe saw the tension between Lana and Lois build.

Did she miss something?

Bruce blinked. "Uh…" Weirdos.

But then again, not many normal people in Gotham.

- - -

Bruce places his hand on his bandaged stomach as he lay on his back. His other hand held a glass of some alcohol. "Bruce, that was careless and reckless." Alfred pointed out. Bruce smirked a bit but said nothing more.

"Master Bruce… you worry me more and more. There's something changing in you and I … can't trace it. There's… darkness."

Bruce sits up. "Alfred, I couldn't… I couldn't let those men hurt them, this city… it sickens me how criminals can just… " He scoffed glaring into the glowing fire. "Not that what I did made any difference, I wish I could… "

"Enough Master Bruce." Warm hands, the only hands Bruce ocudl ever call the hands of a father, rested on his shoulder. "Relax, your guests will arrive soon."

"I forgot…" Bruce sighed and placed his untasted glass on the table. "They are… an emotionally inclined bunch."

"Though I encouraged you to make friends, Master Bruce, I did mean friends within your circle."

Bruce chuckled as he slipped on his shirt, wincing a bit. "You know the snakes in my kind of circle, Alfred. These people may be crazy… but I like 'em. They're… somewhat honest." If not to each other.

Alfred chuckled. "I see… well, beggars can't be choosers now can they?" Bruce sighed, rolling his eyes. Alfred bowed. "I'll go prepare for their arrival."

"Set up rooms for them. They have no whereto stays and…"

"Yes Master Bruce, on my way."

"And Alfred…." The butler stopped and turned a silent inquiry. "Thanks."

"Of course Master Bruce." After all, the future dark knight was never alone. He always had Alfred.

Bruce sighed as Alfred left. It would be nice to have other people in this big… lonely place. Place full… of haunting memories, of a time...

A time behind him now. "What was I thinking inviting them…."

They're all crazy…

- - -

Woo Hoo, six! I'm doing good XD I tried a bit with Bruce here, as well as Clark's puppy dog face pout pout Lois and Lana are still catty to each other, Chloe is confused and Alfred questions Bruce's choice of guests after hearing the whole story.

Whats next XD Review, ples! I love reviews, they keep me going!