Hi! I hope readers can enjoy the next chapter. I'm trying to go as fast as I can with chapters, but, you know, I dont want to rush and end up delivering a bad chapter...

I apologize for any mistakes. Please, review if you can.

And tx so much for reading this.

Life as a journalist was no easy business, that Jack Terrence could say.

Not an hour had passed since he was in the party, and he was feeling more confused and lost than he did in his first day in Metropolis - and that was not a good thing to say, specially because he robbed in his first day in Metropolis, so…

In a second Lois Lane was introducing him to people like the mayor, the governor, a movie actress, a football star… and in another second she was gone, saying she had to go to the bathroom, and that was the last time he had spoken to her during the party. Oh, he could see her here and there, sometimes talking in her cell phone, and, sometimes – he was starting to think that Mr. Clark hadn't had much luck when choosing a wife -, she even seemed to be talking to herself. Not to mention, something did seem to exist between Lois and the playboy Bruce Wayne; oh, he had seen when they exchanged glances. It was not obvious, and Jack sure didn't understand what that glance was about, but, yes, some sort of communication happened…

And that Bruce Wayne? He was Jack's least favorite person in the entire party. Terrence didn't expect people to pay him much attention in a party like that – not even his press card seemed to impress anyone -, but Mr. Wayne was beyond rude… There he was, talking to a lady – another pretty lady for Bruce Wayne! -, and when Jack calmly approached, a couple of big guys grabbed his arms (yes, it did hurt!), and told him he shouldn't get closer. Seemed like bodyguards. So, he identified himself as a reporter from the Daily Planet, Mr. Wayne's newspaper, and, off course, said Mr. Wayne knew him…! Because, really, Jack just wanted to ask Bruce what was his opinion about the party. Well, what did Mr. Big Shot, Mr. "Prince of Gotham", Mr. Wonderful did? He told the bodyguards he didn't know him, and that he had never seen him in his life! Yes, in Jack's face he said all those lies!

The only thing that kept Jack from leaving the party, so far, was that Selina Kyle… Oh, he just couldn't believe he had actually spoken to a woman like that…! The way she walked, talked, laughed… Just a glimpse of her could make him feel his face hotter and hotter, and, the one time she caught him staring at her, he thought he was going to explode, that's how embarrassed he was! But, to his surprise, Ms. Kyle just smiled – smiled – at him, and blinked an eye. Truth to be said, he thought he was going to faint… or that his heart was going to jump outside his chest. He thought she was such a nice person, how could have Lois said something awful like "she uses men… you would be a perfect toy…"? He just wished he could be her toy…! It would be an honor, because, oh, yes, Selina Kyle looked like a great gal!

Except for the fact that – unbelievable! - Selina too seemed to have something going on with that hideous Bruce Wayne. What was his secret? Could it be that every woman in the world had been seduced by Bruce Wayne? Not only Lois Lane, a married woman, but also that brunette that was constantly by his side, and, amazingly, even Selina Kyle! Oh, Ms. Kyle was not talking to Mr. Wayne – it was like she was avoiding him -, but Jack could see how she was always looking at his direction, and Bruce Wayne was constantly checking her out when she was not looking. It would be fun, if it didn't involve such a sweet person like Ms. Kyle, and that dreadful Bruce Wayne.

Yes, life as a journalist wasn't an easy one… so far, Jack hadn't been able to get a single interview, not even one word from any of those important people… Mr. Perry would not be happy with him! A night like that could make a guy like him wonder if he really had what it takes to be a reporter… Maybe he was just too shy, or too polite. Yeah, he would ask Mr. Kent how he had managed, since Clark didn't look like one of those loud and annoying journalist one often sees around. Maybe he could give a few tips. Because, really, hanging around Lois Lane had taught him nothing but what kind of latte Ms. Lane preferred…

However, the night didn't have to be a total loss… He could at least go see the famous jewels. Who knows? He might even learn something…

"I couldn't help noticing you are constantly looking at other women…", Talia said, with a smile Bruce had learned it meant she was far from happy, "a very rude thing to do when you already have a date."

"I don't have a date."

"Well, that's arguable."

He sighed. Yes, that was Talia Head, Ra's Al Ghul's daughter. She was a beautiful and smart woman, and also a dangerous one. He knew her from years ago, when he first met her father… a father she claimed she despised and hated nowadays. However, even if true, Talia had other dangerous connections. She was presently the President of LuthorCorp, meaning, the one doing the dirty job of Lex Luthor's corporation – Lex had a different occupation now, still President, but of the United States…

However, that was not the only thing that made Talia dangerous; she was also obsessed about Bruce Wayne; long ago her father had chosen Wayne as his successor, and as a worthy husband for Talia. Ra's already knew, back then, that Wayne was Batman, and wanted him as the new leader of his League of Shadows, along with his daughter. Well, Batman had escaped Ra's then – and Talia, by the way -, but that didn't end the problems. Both still knew his secret identity, and even though Talia had said many times she loved him, and that she would gain nothing by telling this to anyone… well, it was something that had bothered Wayne ever since.

"That's Lois Lane, isn't she?" Talia was staring at the reporter with an evaluative look. "A journalist from your newspaper, right?"

"I guess."

"Oh, my love… Don't act like a fool…! I know you care about her." She had a triumphant smile on her lips. "Is she a friend? Maybe… a lover?"

Wayne couldn't help think how Clark was taking this conversation. Superman had been quiet for the past hour, maybe because he wanted to give Bruce some privacy, maybe because he didn't want Talia to suspect anything. Whatever the reason Clark was not talking, Wayne knew he was probably listening – if not using the COM link, at least with his super hearing.

"We have just a… professional relationship."

"Is that right? She seems quite anxious about our long conversation."

"She is a reporter. I'm sure she would do anything to know what we are talking about…"

"Oh, I don't doubt that."

This was true in many ways. Bruce knew Lois was probably sharing most of his thoughts. The journalist knew Talia's past, and also her present job. Talia's presence there was an answer to many of his questions. After all, she had the money, intelligence, and sufficient information to accomplish a robbery so complex. The only piece that didn't fit was this: why? Why would Talia do that? After all, as President of LuthorCorp, she probably had access to kryptonite. Rumor said that Luthor had managed to create even some kind of synthetic kryptonite… Why would Talia and Luthor risk so much by trying to steal shards of regular green kryptonite? They didn't need to…

"Isn't that Selina Kyle, from Gotham?" Talia interrupted Bruce's thoughts.

"Is she?" He dedicated to that just a vague glance, and Talia laughed.

"Oh, Mr. Wayne, don't pretend you are not interested…"

She was right. He was pretty interested. More than that, he was very worried.

Selina there, in the party, was the only miscalculation in his plans, and it was bothering him a lot. Catwoman… Why was she there? To steal? Could it be? It didn't make sense at all. Not only Selina had abandoned her life as a thief sometime ago, but this also wasn't her kind of crime. Kryptonite? Or could it be she was interested in the jewels? African jewels… there were some interesting pieces in the collection, but not a single one that would worth all the trouble of coming to Metropolis. Maybe a massive robbery? But she would know the Museum was going to be well guarded, and she always worked alone…

And she was no longer a thief!

No, he reminded himself, you should not let your feelings interfere…! Yes, he and Selina had something going on a few months ago… something serious. So serious he even revealed to her he was Batman. Or that Batman was Bruce Wayne, maybe that was a better way of putting. He didn't regret that, but, sometimes – times like this -, he would feel he had involved her too much in his business… For example, when they were together, he had asked her a favor…

"You didn't forget, did you, that once I was Miss Kyle's prisoner, or, should I say, your prisoner under her care…"

"I never forget, Talia."

A terrible mistake, that turned out to be. While watching Talia, Selina was attacked by Lady Shiva, and almost died…

"Ah, I see; you still resent me for that episode with Lady Shiva. I told you before, that was my father's doing, and I…"

"… had nothing to do with it, right?" For the first time in the night, Bruce Wayne actually drank from his glass of wine. "Or so you say."

"It's the truth. I just wished you could believe me, just like you blindly believe that petty thief…"

"Do you really want to go there? Do you want to discuss all the times you and your father tried to fool me?"

"You insist on talk about my father like I have any kind of bonds with him…" She gave him a sharp look, one in which he could read anger and disdain. "I'm living a life on my own, a life that has nothing to do with Ra's Al Ghul… or his League of Shadows. Don't you see?"

"A life in LuthorCorp… how noble…!"

"Yes, I work in one of the biggest corporations in this country… Does that make me a villain?" Her eyes were sparkling with a vivid light of fury. "You own the largest corporation in the country, Mr. Wayne. What does that make you?"

"It's not the same."

"And now you will tell me Wayne Enterprises is a 'good' corporation…?"

"LuthorCorp…"

"… do business, Bruce, just like Wayne Enterprises. Or are you in your office everyday, checking if every employee of your huge company and subsidiaries is fairly paid, and has a decent medical plan?" And as he remained in silence: "I didn't think so."

"Oh, she got you!" It was Clark's voice in the COM link.

Shut up!, Bruce wanted to yell, not only to Clark, but to Talia. Yes, she had a point. Batman and Bruce Wayne couldn't exist together, what meant his corporation was not his priority. He didn't have the time – or the patience, for that matter – to dedicate to the "family business". For as much as he hated to admit, sometimes he just had to turn a blind eye, and let other people handle his billionaire empire.

"I just wish you had a little more faith in me, my love." Talia was no longer looking at him, but her eyes wondered through the large crowd… and ended on Selina Kyle, turning into a cold and distant gaze. "Just a fraction of the faith you seem to have on her."

"I wonder…"

Lois Lane tapped her finger against her chin, while watching Bruce Wayne and Talia Head.

"What are you wondering about?" Clark's voice came through the COM link, along with the distinctive sound of a flying jet.

"Honey, you are too high again."

"Sorry, dear, but I didn't want anyone to see me… And the sky is clear, so I can't fly low, or I'll be recognized."

"Maybe you should stay on the ground… You could even stay home and watch TV, we can call you if there's trouble. You could probably be back here in…"

"Less than a second, yes, but, you know, Bruce asked me to keep an eye on the Museum."

"I see…" A waiter was just passing with an empty tray, and Lois last phrase caught his attention:

"I'm sorry; did you say something, madam?"

"Ah…no, no I didn't…" She picked up her cell phone. "Oh, excuse me, I have to take this one…" She turned her back on the confused man.

"Hm… I think this waiter is now trying to figure out who is the crazy one…", it was Clark on her ear again, "… you, talking to yourself, or him, listening to things…"

"Very funny…"

"This COM link thing is really complicated, isn't it?"

"Yeah… I'm always forgetting to pretend I'm on the phone." Lois had now reached one of the corners in the large salon, not far from where Bruce and Talia were talking – and neither of them seemed to be enjoying the conversation. "Tell me, Clark, can you hear what they are talking about?"

"Off course… can't you?"

"No. Looks like Bruce want to keep the conversation private… at least from me."

"You are a reporter…"

"So are you!"

She could hear Clark's clear laugh: "Well, maybe Bruce don't want to share his personal life…"

"Yes, that sounds like him." She shifted the cell phone from an ear to another; it was strange how much a cell phone could be uncomfortable when you had to hold it without actually using it. "Anyway, what are they talking about?"

"Really, Lois, you are impossible."

"I'm just wondering if Bruce is okay, Clark! Maybe he needs help!" She glanced at the pair, that was no more than forty feet away. "Talia's bodyguards look anything but friendly…"

"I'm sure he can manage, Lois."

"If you say so…"

It was true that Lois was pushing for information, even if she knew that Clark would tell her anything that would be important for her to know. However, she was also feeling uneasy about Talia and her bodyguards – three guys dressed exactly the same, all of them tall and obviously strong. She had seen when poor Jack Terrence approached Bruce, how he was held even before a word of protest could come out of his mouth. Those three guys were not mindless thugs, no, they were trained, fast, always observing. She saw how they didn't even need to talk to each other to act in a strategy: they used brief hand signs…

"I tell you, Smallville, there's something wrong here…"

"Well, that's why we are here, right? Bruce came to make sure…"

"That's what I'm talking about, Clark! Talia Head, Selina Kyle, Bruce…"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, it's almost a Gotham convention here in Metropolis! That's pretty weird."

"Actually, Talia is not from Gotham…"

"You get my point."

"No… I don't think I do…"

Lois rolled her eyes and breathed deeply. "You know! It's like they are setting him a trap!"

"Aren't you being a little paranoid?"

"Well…"

"Honey, relax, okay? We'll take care of everything…"

"Oh, I'm sorry…! I forgot you boys had all covered… you are the hot shots, right?"

Superman laughed, recognizing her sarcasm.

"I just don't want you to worry too much, okay?", he said in his kindest and most patient tone, the one he used when he sensed his wife was upset. "I'll keep a closer look in those folks from Gotham…"

"Thank you."

"You are welcome." He was smiling to himself, in the solitude of the night sky. His wife could be handful, but she was also a smart woman, and had a six sense for this kind of thing… If she thought there was something strange, it was always better believe her. Better safe then sorry, isn't that what they say?

He used his x-ray vision to look again inside the Museum. There was Lois, he could see her worried expression. "She is serious about this…", was his thought. Oh, Clark hated that he couldn't be down there with her… but Bruce was right, maybe even more than he thought. Earlier in the day, Superman had approached the Museum for a better look, to exam the place; however, just a few minutes after he had landed the roof, he felt the symptoms: dizziness, powers failing, his legs even trembled a bit… Yes, it seemed that the collection had not simple shards of kryptonite, but dense pieces. The Museum was now a dangerous place for him, and he wouldn't be able to do much if he was there.

Superman searched the room for Bruce Wayne, and found him still talking to Talia. However, he saw one of her bodyguards get closer to her and speak close to her ear. He used his super hearing:

"Miss Head, your speech is in four minutes." She nodded in agreement, and told Bruce:

"Something requires my attention, beloved…"

"And what would that be?"

She smiled in a mysterious way: "You'll see in a moment, my love."

Superman couldn't avoid an amused smile. Talia did know how to disturb Bruce… No wonder that, as she left, he heard Wayne's voice in the COM link:

"You wouldn't happen to know what she is talking about, would you?"

"Don't underestimate me… Off course I know." He was particularly glad that Lois had suggested him he should keep an eye on Bruce and all his ex-girlfriends.

"Well…"

"Don't worry. The bodyguard just reminded her she has a speech to make."

"I see…" Clark could see how Wayne suddenly looked absorbed in thoughts. "Looks like Talia has more to do with this event than we imagined. However, why was that kept a secret? Her name wasn't even in the invitation list… nor was Selina's."

"I agree it's unusual."

"Unusual? I would say it's quite disturbing."

Superman noticed Selina Kyle as she was walking towards the restrooms.

"Maybe Miss Kyle will have more answers than Talia."

"Yes, I'll go talk to her."

He saw that Bruce had no trouble finding her. Superman followed him with his glance until Wayne was a few feet from the Catwoman; that's when he heard Bruce's voice again:

"Hm… Clark?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think you could give me… some privacy?"

"Really? But I thought…"

"I'll get back to you."

Clark heard the COM link turning off. Yes, Bruce had done it. Sure, he could easily hear them anyway, if he wanted to. Bruce knew that. However, Wayne probably also knew he wouldn't do something like that, unless it was really necessary. "What is going on?", Clark asked himself.

But he knew the answer already:

"This Selina Kyle… He really likes her!"

It seemed to Superman that, tonight, both he and Batman would have to deal with their blind spots…

So, how was that? I must say that, next chapter, we will probably have more action...Also, Selina Kyle will be more present in the story. So, do you have any suggestions? Complains? Ideas? I would like to hear any of those, because it can help me with future chapters...

Anyway, tx for reading.