Chapter 7

"Professor Fine," Clark said approaching his teacher after class.

"Yes Clark," he said turning.

"What do you know about Wayne Enterprises?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well you know so much about Luthorcorp, I was wondering if you knew anything about a similar company."

"Does this have anything to do with the CEO of Wayne Enterprises paying a visit to your hometown," asked Fine with a smile.

"Well, yeah, I've gotten to know him and…"

"You were wondering if he was the real article."

"Right."

"From what I gather Wayne Enterprises was very much the opposite of Luthorcorp until Thomas Wayne died. Then they started getting into heavy arms manufacturing, a lot more shady dealings. I don't know what the Wayne kid's motives are. From what I've read he seems to want to turn things around. He's no where near the tyrant that Lex is though."

Clark pulled up to his house an noticed a black Mercedes parked in front of his house. It was Bruce's car but he wondered why he was here.

Clark entered the house to find his mother, Bruce, and Lois seated at the dinner table chatting and laughing. Clark was taken aback by the scene before him.

Bruce noticed Clark first.

"Clark, we were just talking about you, Your mom here could have my job if she wanted to. She's a business wiz."

"What are you doing here," asked a perplexed Clark.

"Just getting to know your family, your dad's a great guy too, he had to go to the hardware store."

"Bruce was just telling us how you helped him out the other night," said Martha sheepishly.

"Was he," said Clark, in a slightly perturbed voice.

"He was also sharing some of his stories from his trips to Europe, it turns out we've been to a lot of the same places," said Lois.

"Indeed," said Bruce shooting Lois a grin.

She blushed.

"Bruce can I talk to you outside," said Clark motioning to the door.

They made their way to the driveway. Bruce shot Lois another flirtatious look on the way out.

"You know that Lois is smoking hot, and she also has some rockin' boobs. If things don't work out with Lana man I'd…"

"What are you doing?"

"Take it easy, I'm just mingling. You have a great family. You're mom's name is Martha."

"So. What are you doing here, I thought you were leaving," asked an exasperated Clark.

"Hardly, I didn't expose Lex's little project. I'm giving it another shot tomorrow night."

"But…"

"But what, I don't like quitting."

"Hey Bruce, would you like to stay for dinner, Mrs. Kent wanted me to ask," Lois said as she came onto the porch and smiling sweetly.

"Oh man I would but I actually have a dinner appointment with your cousin tonight. She's interviewing me."

"That's too bad," said Lois, disappointed.

"I'm a huge hit with your family Clark."

"Your having dinner with Chloe," asked Clark suspiciously.

"Yeah, I ran into her this morning in Metropolis. It's strictly professional. Besides she's too young."

"How do you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Go from completely depressing, brooding, and introverted to this bright ray of sunshine."

" It's a gift I guess and I've had plenty of practice since I returned," Bruce opened his car door, "By the way, did you know that Chloe knows your little secret, she mentioned your impressive speed when we met this morning."

" Yeah I know."

Clark watched Bruce drive off then went back to the kitchen.

"You scared him off, didn't you," asked Lois accusingly.

"I did not."

"Bruce, it's our duty as the more privileged to help those who haven't been as fortunate as us. Never forget that," said his mother knowingly, looking down at Bruce as she passed out more soup.

Bruce returned roused from his nap. Meeting Martha had brought back memories of his own mother who shared the same name. Lucius had been calling him non stop wanting to know when he would be returning. He'd sent Alfred back to Gotham to settle him down.

Bruce rose from the chair began training. His parents kept entering his thoughts, he saw flashes of their murder. Of them playing with him. It never ended.

A knock at his door interrupted his training. He opened it and Lex was there.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Lex entered and scanned the room. He turned and smiled at Bruce.

"So Bruce, I thought you'd be home by now."

"Well you know I underestimated the drawing power of your hometown, thirsty," asked Bruce pulling out a bottled water.

"Really, because I spoke with Lucius and he was very concerned, said that you were needed back in Gotham."

"What do you care Lex?"

"I'm just concerned. Just because I turned you down, doesn't mean we cant be friends."

"Look Lex this is really touching, but I'm busy."

"Listen Bruce I don't know why you're still here but I do know you aren't here to enjoy the scenery."

"Like I said I'm busy," said Bruce opening the door.

"Just be careful Bruce, this is a rough city, I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry about me," said Bruce glaring as Lex exited.

Chloe waited patiently at the table. She glanced around the restaurant. It was very nice. She felt uncomfortable, but this is where Bruce had wanted to meet. It was 8:35, he was five minutes late. As she looked up from her watch, Bruce was sitting down.

"Sorry I'm late, business," he said pulling out his seat.

"It's fine," she said nervously.

"So Chloe you're a journalism major, how did you get into that?"

"I don't know, I guess knowing the truth is important to me. I am of the belief that people deserve to know the truth, no matter what."

"I couldn't agree more."

"So Bruce where did you go for eleven years," Chloe asked casually.

"Chloe I told you I wasn't going to answer any questions about my past. I'll answer questions about my future"

"Okay what does the future hold for Bruce Wayne?"
"I'm not sure, I guess I just want to make a difference. Show the people of Gotham that they can have hope, that there is still something worth fighting for."

"How are planning on doing that?"

"With my company of course. I have a lot of influence you know."

"I see. So do you think that you'll be successful?"

"I'll never stop fighting, I know that."

"Let's change gears. Is there any lover interests on the horizon. You've been linked to supermodels, actresses, but you always deny it."

"Right now I am totally focused on helping the citizens of Gotham and Wayne Enterprises. But you never know I guess, someone might come along."

Chloe blushed at this remark. She stared at Bruce for a moment. Trying to get a read on him. She could tell he was holding a lot of pain in. That the person he presented to her and to the public wasn't the real one.

"One more question. What scares you?"

Bruce considered this question for a moment. It was one that had haunted him his whole life. He sighed.

"Nothing. I over came my fears a long time ago," he said finally.

"Come on, everybody is afraid of something."

"Not me."

Outside Lex's men sat in a van, listening to every word of the conversation.

Clark sat in his loft, gazing at the stars. He was concerned about Chloe, mainly because he thought Bruce could get her in trouble. Lois came up behind him.

"Hey, hey, Smallville!"

Clark whipped around.

"Hey."

"So," she said sitting down, "What do you think of Bruce?"

"I don't know. He seems okay I guess."

"He is so mysterious, you know Chloe was researching him long before he came here. She was really fascinated with him. It was almost like she knew he was coming here."

"Yeah, you're right, oh know," Clark rose, "I gotta go."

"Whoa wait, Clark," but he was already out the barn door.