MarkMark: Sorry about the Lucius Fox thing, I had killed him off in chapter 2 or 3 originally but I rewrote those two chapters so many times I forgot that I took that part out. I killed him off to specifically bring Pete back into my story.

Sorry all for the delay in posting, I just finished up finals so I was a little fried. Hopefully you all will enjoy this and forgive me.

If you haven't seen the new Batman movie, you have to go see it, they did an awesome job!

Chapter 5 – Allies: Part 2

Clark reached over to his friend and clapped him on the shoulder and grabbed Chloe's free hand. "Congrats you two!"

"Thanks Clark." Chloe said giving his hand a squeeze.

"Details!" Lois almost yelled.

The girls spent most of lunch discussing on the details of the up and coming wedding. Pete added a few additional things to their conversation when asked but mostly the two guys just smiled and let the girls talk.

Clark spoke up when there was a lull in the conversation, "I guess you guys will be living in Gotham then. It will be nice to have friends close." Clark smiled, "So Chloe what will you be doing?"

"I've already transferred to the Gotham Herald, which you may know is owned by the Daily Planet. Perry White had no trouble getting me a spot on their staff."

"Good deal, now we may have some good news reporting here." Clark joked as Lois smacked his head, she had only recently also gotten a job at the Gotham Herald.

"Whatever Smallville, you wouldn't know a good article if it bit you in the butt."

Clark started to make a rebuttal when his cell phone rang.

"Yes Alfred."

"Sorry to interrupt sir, but THE computer has finished my search. I thought you might like to see the results."

"Thank you Alfred, I would like that. Bring the limo around." Clark flipped close his phone. "Sorry guys I need to run."

"That's alright Clark, Pete and I had to run anyway. Wedding plans you know." Chloe said with a huge smile.

"We'll have to do something again soon. Pete I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Clark paid the bill and walked Lois to the waiting car.

"When are you heading out of town Clark?" Lois asked as the car pulled away from the restaurant.

"I'm leaving tonight as it will be morning in Rome soon. I don't want to waste anymore time when Bruce could still be alive."

"I hear the shopping is good in Rome…" Lois said with dollar signs in her eyes.

"Lois…" Clark tried to say no.

"Kent, don't even start, I am coming. Wild horses nor a Superman could keep me from coming."

"Fine, you can come over with Alfred." Realizing he was loosing the argument, he almost always lost the argument.

"Don't worry Clark, I'll stay out of trouble. I'll be shopping."

That's not what I'm worried about; I'm worried about trouble staying away from you.

Later in the Batcave Lois and Clark helped Alfred pack the mobile equipment that they would need for their trip. Thankfully Bruce had invested in simpler, mobile equipment for these types of trips. All the conveniences of the Batcave in several big suitcases, classic Bruce planning.

Clark was pouring over his maps of Rome when Lois brought him over a glass of Lemonade that Alfred somehow had found time to freshly squeeze.

"You're worried?" She asked as she looked into his serious face.

When Clark didn't reply she continued, "If anyone can find him, you can Clark."

She softly took hold of his chin and pulled his lips down to meet hers. Clark returned the kiss and pulled Lois into his arms as he deepened the kiss. Alfred started to come over with some dinner but quickly turned back into the shadows. He smiled to himself as he peeked back into the main area of the cave to see the young couple floating five feet off the floor.

That night Clark took off from Wayne Manor and headed east over the ocean with a huge smile on his face. He thought over his memories of Lois as he flew. Yeah they had gotten off to a rough start back in Smallville but he had always loved being with her…

He picked up speed the further he got from the city and quickly broke the sound barrier. The Sun rose quickly in the sky, wrapping his speeding body in its warmth. He quickly spotted the cost of Europe and was soon flying over Rome. He took the buckle from his belt and loaded up his GPS map program and found the Museum a few seconds later. Landing on the steps of the building he walked up the remaining steps and made his way inside. Superman walked to the information counter and asked to see the manager.

"Of course Superman." The woman replied as she hastily picked up a phone to call upstairs.

A few minutes later a plump little man walked up to the Man of Steel.

"Superman, how may I be of service?" The heavily accented man asked.

"I wanted to speak to you about a Jade Cat that was in Gotham and now I believe is on its way back here."

"Ah yes, the one that was almost stolen."

"Yes, I'm trying to find out where it came from. I have reason to believe it may have come from China from possibly the Himalayas."

"Come with me upstairs we will look through the records and I might be able to point you in the right direction."

The shorter man led the way with Superman following close behind. A young boy ran up to him.

"Superman, can I have your autograph?" He said with big eyes.

This was the one thing that Clark hadn't gotten used to, kids looked up to him. He wasn't scary like Batman, parents saw him as a good role model for kids. So they would run up to him just like he was a movie star.

Clark knelt down and signed the boy's notebook with a smile.

"Thanks Superman!" The boy said before running back to his mother, she smiled a thank you smile at Superman before guiding her son towards another exhibit.

Superman caught up to the waiting manager who showed him into a small office.

The office was piled with documents and books. Some that looked like they hadn't been touched in years. The manager went over to a large stack and quickly shuffled through them, finally finding the one he was looking for he brought it to the half covered desk.

"Here we go, before coming here the Jade Cat came from France, South Africa and I think originally Tibet. Sounds like your information was close, from what this says I would check out Himachal."

Superman pulled out his belt buckle computer and typed Himachal into the computer's GPS system.

"Got it, thanks for the help."

"My pleasure."

Superman walked out of the building with a growing frown on his face, that was too easy he thought to himself. He looked around but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He jumped into the air and flew towards the hotel that Alfred had made reservations at. He still couldn't get rid of the feeling that there was something wrong, like someone was watching him. He found a deserted alley a couple of blocks away and changed into his street clothes.

He walked the rest of the way to the hotel; Alfred had chosen nicely, it was nice to not have to worry about money. The manager came over to meet him at the front desk.

"Mr. Kent, I thought you were coming in later tonight."

"I decided to hop on an earlier flight." Clark said with a smile. "My luggage will be coming later. I just had to get out of Gotham." Clark had adopted a bit of Bruce's playboy image, people didn't look too deep when they thought you were shallow.

"Very good sir, if you will wait for just a moment, let me make sure your rooms are ready." The manager said as he walked around the counter and picked up a phone.

Clark looked around the lobby area, it was tastefully decorated. No wonder Alfred picked it, these guys pay attention to detail. There wasn't a spot of dust anywhere.

"Mr. Kent, your room is ready if you will follow me." The manager began to lead the way.

Clark followed him into an elevator and watched the numbers change as they went up. He assumed that Alfred had gotten the penthouse and was soon pleasantly surprised when the doors opened revealing a beautiful suite of rooms. The manager showed him the highlights and then left Clark alone.

Clark walked into the master bedroom and opened the curtains. It was a beautiful morning here in Rome, Lois and Alfred should be halfway over the ocean by now and would be arriving in a few hours. Clark quickly changed back into his suit and leapt out the window in the direction of Tibet.