THE LION Chapter 4

Batman here in Metropolis! This was not good! Trica thought as she opened the door and looked at the caped man. She gave Clark a stern look and he looked as guilty and as nervous as she's ever seen him. This didn't bode well for her or him either. Just what was going on?

"Clark." She said sternly. "You have exactly twelve seconds to explain why Gotham's most celebrated superhero is doing in my apartment's entrance."

"Excuse me, Miss?" Batman asked politely.

"Mason. Trica Mason. Spelled T-r-i-c-a and pronounced Treeeka. Why on earth my parents would give me such a name, I wouldn't know. I've asked, but they would just shrugged and then ignore me. Being born a frail has both its advantages and disadvantages." Batman was starting to see why this woman had Clark's attention. Without any enhancements of any kind she was formidable.

"Actually, Miss Mason, it's because you're a frail I need to speak with you." Batman said. "May I come in?" Trica gave Clark a glance and nodded.

"Sure. I guess if you want information on the endangered specie known as a regular normal human, getting it from the horse's mouth is the best place to start." She smiled and waved him in. She had her suspicions about Clark and Batman walking into her apartment just confirmed them.

"I'd like to thank you for your help in advance. Clark has told me that you are rather familiar with fellow frails." Batman said.

"Well, we are on the endangered species list." She joked. Clark laughed nervously. "Be advised that I do not know every frail around."

"Of course, I understand." Batman nodded. He patiently waited for Trica to ask the question of why he wanted to know. But she just stood quietly. She lifted her eyebrows.

"This frail you want to know about, they have a name?" Trica asked.

"Jubilation Lee." Batman said simply.

"Oh god, what trouble has she gotten herself into now!" Trica said exasperatedly.

"You know her?" Clark asked. Trica looked at him astonished.

"You do too!" Trica said. "Honestly. Just what have you been doing lately anyway?" Trica asked Clark. She rolled her eyes. "She used to work at the same restaurant that I work at……" Trica said, trying to jar a memory. She sighed heavily. "Jubes…" She prompted. "You actually met her a time or two. That little Asian gal that likes to wear gold." Clark blinked.

"Oh, her! Now I remember." Clark was astonished that he hadn't recognized her voice from the office speakers. If he had been more attentive, they wouldn't have had to make a trip here.

"So what's she gotten herself into now? It doesn't have to do with that vile Lex Luther does it? You know, I did try to warn her about that boyfriend of hers. Weird that her so called boyfriend turned out to be him, though." Clark had perked up at Lex's name and was dropped mouth surprised.

"Jubilation Lee's boyfriend was Lex Luther?" Clark asked shocked.

"Yep, in disguise, and it was a flimsy one…..at that. But you know I did try to warn her, but she wouldn't listen….Of course I didn't tell her that he was Luther, but she found out anyway. Not that she had anything against him, but she just hated to be deceived. She packed up her belongings, hugged me good-bye and headed to the great white north. Why a California gal would go to Canada willing for any length of time is beyond me." Trica said. Batman and Clark were hanging on every word.

"Why would Lex Luther disguise himself and date a frail?" Clark asked himself out loud. Trica and Batman looked at him.

"Must be the reporter in him." Trica said, smiling. "This is not information to be selling to the tabloids, buster!" Trica said sternly.

"I was just curious…that's all." Clark said.

"UH HUH," Trica said. She sounded a bit skeptical. "That information is not to be made public…okay." She glared at him menacingly.

"Word of honor." Said Clark with his right hand raised. She raised an eyebrow and nodded.

"As long as it's understood." She turned to Batman. "So do you have everything you needed? What kind of trouble is she in?"

"I'm not at liberty to say." Batman said darkly and left the apartment quickly.

"I hope she's not in any trouble. But I'm not surprised….she can't…no matter how hard she tries…can't stay out of trouble." She looked up a Clark. He was frowning.

"You know, we are going to have to have a talk about your being Superman. Not that I have a problem with it or anything….but I really would like to be assured that I won't be getting kidnapped and such nonsense if we stay involved." Trica said nonchalantly. Clark felt as if he was being hit with kryptonite all over again. He stared at her with opened mouth. She reached up and closed it for him. "So, are you hungry?" She walked quickly into the kitchen.