Oops! Sorry, realized I forgot completely about the disclaimer: I don't own any DC characters. Is this enough?

Anyway, I thought I should give a few explanations on the story… For example, in DC's timeline, I see it somewhere after the "Hush" arc (you can see lots of elements based in this particular story, written by the great Jeph Loeb), and before War Games, Identity Crises, and the fall of Lex Luthor as President.

I'm a big Batman fan, but my knowledge of Superman is not that great. You may see a few inaccurate facts concerning the Big Blue, but I ask for patience. After all, this is not a DC story, but my story. I ask you to point me anything you see that don't fit Super's background, and I see if I can correct it without changing the story that much. Okay?

Finally, I apologize for any grammar mistakes. You see, English is a foreign language to me. I try my best, and I guess its not so bad, but a few mistakes will always pass…:( If you want to write me a message pointing the mistakes you saw, please feel free to do it. I'll appreciate.

Thank you for reading my story, I hope you like it. Review if you can, it's always nice to hear your opinion. Enjoy!

"I should call him!"

"Clark, please, that's enough." Lois saw herself using her "wife authority", something she usually considered abusive, but realize she had no choice. After all, Clark was clearly anxious and upset, and was insisting on calling Wayne for the tenth time. An hour ago, while Lois was taking a quick shower, Clark even had the time to go (flying) visit Bruce in his hotel, and came back with COM links and, Lois deduced from his humor, had heard harsh words from Wayne.

She couldn't avoid feeling sorry for her husband, since she knew him well enough to know what was going on inside his mind. For once he was aware that a crime was being planned, but could do nothing about it. A crime in Metropolis, his town, and the one in charge was Batman, while he couldn't do much but watch from a distance. Lois was sure all that was bothering him, even though he would never say it out loud. Just like he would never admit that the fact she was going alone to this Museum party was making him a little jealous…

Already wearing his Superman outfit, Clark was standing – or, more accurately, floating - in their apartment's living room, watching Lois as she prepared to leave.

"Baby, have you seen my cell phone?" She asked while looking inside her handbag.

"In our bedroom, over the bed, under the wet towel you left there…"

"Oh, right… under the towel…" Differently from most couples, Lois knew she was the one that was always making a mess, while Clark was much more into the "housekeeping" thing. No surprise, since it took him less than five seconds to clean the whole place…

She returned with the phone on her hand. "Baby, are you using the COM link thing Bruce gave us…"

"Off course." He slightly moved his shoulder, a sign Lois learned it meant he was not happy. "I don't know why all that. I can perfectly see and hear inside the Museum…"

"But we can't, honey. It's not for us to talk to you, but for you to talk to us…"

"Yes…", he agreed with a serious and annoyed expression. "Are you sure you don't want me to come? I don't like the idea of you down there, with a possible crime going on…"

"Don't worry." She approached him, and held his hand on hers. Funny how her hand looked so small when compared to his. "It will be fine…! And Bruce is there, so…"

"Something that just makes me dislike the idea even more."

Lois smirked: "You are not jealous, are you, Mr. Kent?"

He took her hand closer to his face, and kissed it lightly. "I envy him, to be able to spend time with you when I can't."

"So romantic…" She wrapped her arms around his neck, and, taking her shoes off, stood over his feet.

"Are you sure you need to leave right now…?"

"Well… I guess I could be fifteen minutes late…"

"Make it twenty… I can fly you to the Museum…" He kissed her deeply. "This should give us at least half an hour…"

Bruce Wayne turned off his COM link.

"I was wondering when you would do that, Master Bruce. The situation was a little… awkward."

"It's not my fault Clark didn't realize the COM link he gave Lois was on."

"It's you fault when you hear something you know you shouldn't."

Bruce Wayne took a deep breath, knowing Alfred was right. He hadn't listened anything other than a husband and wife dialogue – turned off when it seemed to go in another direction -, but even that wasn't right. Lois and Clark were his friends, and he should know better than enter their privacy. However, he learned a few interesting things, like that Lois would be late.

"We should be going, Alfred." He examined himself in the mirror of his hotel suite, seeing Bruce Wayne as Bruce Wayne should look: a millionaire playboy, wearing an Armani suit, and posing for photographers. "The Prince of Gotham", someone once called him.

"You look fine, sir."

"I'm just checking to make sure the communicator is well hidden…"

"It's fine, sir."

Bruce sighed. Parties were not his favorite thing, but at least it was also work. He hoped things could be solved quickly, so he could leave the party as soon as possible. It would be a true nightmare if he had to wait until the end, pretending to drink champagne and listening to "business" conversation. Freedom, to him, meant a black bat outfit, and a criminal screaming in fear.

Jack Terrence checked his watch for the tenth time in exactly three minutes and fifty four seconds.

Where are you, Miss Lane? He had asked himself that a dozen times. Lois Lane was already ten minutes late, and they were missing the party. He was standing outside the Museum for at least half an hour, and saw every guest that had already arrived. Celebrities, politicians, millionaires… like Bruce Wayne, one of the people he was supposed to get declarations from. The man arrived in his black limousine, and talked to no one. It puzzled Jack how a guy who has more money than you could spend in a life time, and looks that made him more popular with girls than a movie star, how could a guy like him be in such a bad mood all the time? Really, some people just don't appreciate their luck…

To his relief, Jack recognized Lois Lane across the street, coming from the Park. She waslooking beautiful, with a long red gala dress, her dark hair loose, and high heels that made her a few inches taller than himself. As she approached, he held his tongue, or a "wow" would escape. No, he reminded himself, she is married to Mr. Clark! He should always watch his words, because Clark Kent was one of the coolest guys he had ever met, and the single person that was always friendly to him in the Daily Planet. Too bad he got such a bad cold he couldn't come to the party tonight… Well, he would make sure no one would try anything funny with Ms. Lane – Mrs. Kent -, specially that Bruce Wayne guy, he had quite a fame as a lady's man…

"Good evening, Jack!" Lois had a reddish coloration on her face, but an open and radiant smile.

"Are you okay, Miss Lane? Please, don't tell me you walked this late through the Park!"

She did look a little embarrassed: "Hm… yes… yes, I did…"

"Oh, my… really, Miss Lane, did Mr. Kent know about it? You shouldn't, it's dangerous!"

"Ah, don't worry… I got here safe, didn't I?"

Jack wasn't convinced by that argument. He made a mental note that he should walk Lois Lane home after the party, or at least get her a cab. She was a great reporter, but a little naïve when it comes to the harsh side of life…

"Should we go inside?" Lois asked.

"Yes, yes, let's go!" He took two envelopes from the inside pocket of his jacket: "Here, here is your invitation."

Showing their press cards and their personal invitations, they went pass the isolation ropes and the security guards outside, and reached the front door of the Museum. There, people were waiting in a small line; apparently, there was a metal detector in the entrance, and all the handbags were being opened and searched by security guards.

"Tight security, isn't it, Miss Lane?"

"Indeed."

Jack turned to face the woman that answered his rhetorical question, because it sure wasn't Lois Lane. Standing behind them in the line, an astonishing beautiful woman smiled. She had dark hair, and amazing green eyes. Her dress was a long black, but with generous openings in the side. He could see perfect legs, ending in shoes that had the highest heels he had ever seen. She was wearing silk gloves, but Jack could no doubt deduce she had long nails, which fit perfectly her delicate fingers; long eyelashes that were no doubt natural, and a mouth that spoke of sensuality even when closed. She was staring at them with alook that Jack could only define as… feline.

"Selina Kyle…" Lois said, an expression that undeniably showed her suspicions printed on her face.

"Lois Lane." She simply answered. "And who is this boy?"

"Ah… I'm Jack Terrence, from the Daily Planet. Pleasure to meet you." He offered his hand.

"Oh… so cute!" Selina put her gloved hand on his: "Now is when you should kiss it."

Jack was somewhat hypnotized by her half-smile: "Sorry, did you say something?"

"The hand…!" She was now laughing, but it was a complacent and amused laugh. "You should kiss the lady's hand… Well, it's too late now."

"I'm sorry…", mumbled the young man, as Selina gave a step behind, her hand leaving his grasp as easily and fast as it had came.

"Pay no attention to her, Jack!" Lois was saying this close to his ear, but a lot louder than the tone that a distance like this would require. "She uses men, and you would be a perfect toy in her… claws!"

"Hm… Always heard Lois Lane hated competition…" She moved her shoulders up and down as a sign of indifference. "But didn't know I was this famous here in Metropolis…"

"Neither did I." Lois quickly added. "Who could imagine you would be invited…!"

"Well, we all have our influent friends." Again she smiled, a gesture that Jack seemed to always be obligated to return.

Lois shook her head, thinking of how men could be so easily manipulated… She knew Selina Kyle was a dangerous woman, once a famous thief in Gotham – the Catwoman. But her crimes were not the thing Lois considered more dangerous about her, nor were her acrobatic skills. What really intrigued and scared her was the fact that Selina had an unique power…

Batman had feelings for her.

Rumor said they had even dated for a while, a couple months ago – if people like Selina and Bruce actually date. But Lois could easily remember Bruce's previous visit to Metropolis, and guess who was with him? Yes, the Catwoman. Lois wondered if Selina knew that Bruce was Batman, since no doubt Bruce knew about the Catwoman's identity – hell, even Lois knew that! She didn't seem like a fool, no, that feline look was anything but the look of a fool…

Clark had mentioned once that the Catwoman was now on the right side of the law, no longer stealing, and, actually, helping protect Gotham. Could it be? Lois knew that men – specially Bruce – tended to believe in Selina redeeming herself. Maybe it was true, and she wouldn't say anything against, well, not until now. Because now, one had to admit, it was really suspicious that Gotham's most famous and skilled thief was there, in that party… If you were to think like a criminal, who could be more perfect for the job? Who could be more perfect than an agile, fast, experienced thief… that could fool Batman himself? Oh, that was priceless!

And she hoped with all her heart Bruce could see that too.

Bruce Wayne brought his glass to his mouth, again letting the wine touch his lips, but never swelling. The Metropolis mayor, man with a white mustache who was just in front of him, asked with a pretentious smile:

"Enjoying the wine, Mr. Wayne? It's a fine French Merlot, a present sent by our President, our own Lex Luthor…!"

"Wow, now I wouldn't drink it if my life depended on it…!" He knew Lex Luthor too well to just trust he had been generous, even more given the situation. However, Bruce Wayne showed no signs of his thoughts; playing the role of the millionaire playboy, did what was expected from him… he just smiled blankly and answered:

"I'll buy a few of these bottles myself, mayor!"

Around him, the laughs were noticeably forced and unnatural. Wayne hated when that happened… Hated the act he was obligated to play, hated that he had to endure that futile and fake conversation, with people pretending to like him because of all the money. He glanced around, but saw no easy escape. After all, not only the mayor, but the Museum's curator, the Kansas Governor, and a couple young women he didn't knew, all were surrounding him, making the situation even more uncomfortable than a meeting with the Joker – at least he could punch the Joker every once in a while.

"How much Luthor mentioned a bottle of this wine cost…?", the Governor asked vaguely.

"I believe it was not less than six hundred a bottle…", the mayor answered.

"Dear God…!" That was pure torture. Wayne allowed his mind to leave that uninteresting conversation, and focused himself in the real reason he was there: to stop a possible crime. He had to admit that nothing – other than the wine – seemed strange, so far. Security was doing their job, and Bruce had made sure all the man in the front entrance were trustable and well trained employees of WayneTech Security. He had also arranged reinforcements for after the party, and his technical advisor assured him the security system would be ready in the next day. All that could only lead to one conclusion: if someone was going to try anything, it would be tonight. And if the master-mind of this crime had as much information as he did, well, he would make his move during that party.

Bruce, however, was intrigued by the fact that everything seemed alright. No obvious signs – there was the wine, but this only was not enough. Maybe it was just wine… After all, not even Lex Luthor was around; his duties as President, unfortunately, made his presence in Washington necessary (a perfect alibi, yes, but would Luthor risk his comfortable position just for a few shards of kryptonite?). This was not an easy job, true, not something that could be done by anyone. The question was: who could afford an expensive operation like that, and would gain something by stealing kryptonite?

"How is the party, Bruce?", a playful voice asked, sound coming from the hidden COM link in his ear, and loud enough to make his skull tremble.

"Are you okay, Mr. Wayne?" It was one of the women speaking to him, looking curiously as he pressed his fingers on his temple.

"Ah, it's nothing… I have a chronicle headache, nothing a pill couldn't take care of…" He gave his glass of wine to the woman staring at him. "Would you hold that for me, please? I'll see about that pill…"

He walked away before anyone could stop him, and took his cell phone out of his pocket. Pretending he was talking in his cell, he said:

"Are you crazy? Why are you speaking so loud at the communicator?"

He heard Clark laughing in the other side of the line:

"I didn't realize it was loud… sorry. Just testing, making sure it works."

"It works." He sighed. "Trust me on that."

"Well, how is the party, anyway?"

The question made Bruce smile to himself, even though he didn't make a sound. Only Clark, making small talk in such situation.

"A regular party for the high society, I guess. So, it's boring and tedious."

"I had the feeling you would say something like that…"

Bruce could hear the characteristic noise of Clark's flight, as he cut through air in high speed.

"Clark, slow down, I can't hear you clearly. You are too fast, and too close of a… helicopter?"

"Really? I'm not so close, actually… I'm at least fifty feet above…"

"The microphone is too sensible… maybe you should low the volume? And what helicopter are we talking about?"

"How do I adjust the volume…?"

Wayne was feeling a little restless. He didn't remember anything about a helicopter flying over the museum.

"Clark, what helicopter is that?" The communicator suddenly went mute, and no sound could be heard. "Clark? Clark?"

This was reason enough for Bruce to start walking towards the restrooms, where he had an escape planned. Fortunately, he had all figured out: he could enter one of the ventilations exit, and that would take him to one of the deposits of the Museum. There he had hidden a suit, and once he was dressed, he could use the window to go outside, and climb…

"… lume alright? It's not too loud, I hope."

Clark's voice. Irritated - but also glad, what he wouldn't easily admit -, Bruce couldn't contain a brief burst of anger, and said in his coldest tone of voice:

"Don't you ever do something like that again."

A moment of silence. And then:

"Fine… I'm sorry."

A good thing about Superman, Wayne knew, is that he had no problems with saying he was sorry. Bruce, on the other hand, was not so good in letting go.

"About that helicopter…"

"It left." The sound of flapping wings could be heard, maybe of a small bird. "Looks like it was dropping someone at the Museum."

"Did you check on the…"

"I did. It was from LuthorCorp."

Bruce sighed. Pieces were finally falling into place. Was that something that made him worries or excited? He couldn't tell.

"Be prepared, Clark. It may be time for action."

"I don't know, Bruce. Maybe you could confront her without the mask… you know, talk to her."

"What are you talking about? And who is 'she'?"

"Like I said, the helicopter dropped a few people… a women and three bodyguards. I checked with my x-ray vision, and it seems like she is heading directly at you."

"At me…?"

"Behind you, Bruce!"

He turned just in time to receive a tender hug, a feminine body pressing against his. Before he could react to that, there were already soft lips touching his own, and he could hardly resist the sweet tongue that made way into his mouth.

"Well, that was not quite what I had in mind when spoke of confrontation, Bruce…" It was Clark in his ears, almost in his mind, and that returned Wayne to his senses, at least enough to lightly push back the woman that was all over him.

"Beloved…! What a wonderful surprise!"

She sounded truly surprised, but Bruce knew better than just blindly believe her:

"Wish I could say the same… Talia."