Lois and Clark settled into a routine for the next six months. They would work all hours of the day and night. Clark got his own place in the city, but he usually stayed over at Lois place. They quickly became one of the best teams in the country, breaking big story after big story. Lois had convinced Clark to keep the glasses, to keep Cat Grant at bay, if nothing else. She wasn't comfortable with rumors of an office romance, since Perry made the decision to team them up permanently. They agreed to work on smaller stories on their own. Clark had been on the waterfront, investigating a string of warehouse robberies. Lois finished typing their article on LuthorCorp's breakup and the unsolved murders tied to it. She saved her work and closed down the computer, looking forward to dinner. Clark had promised to cook her Martha's famous fried chicken. She went home.

She unlocked her front door to find the apartment dark. "Clark?" she called out, turning on the light. She started when she saw him standing still in the middle of the room, slumped and head slouched, staring at the floor. "Clark, what's wrong?" she said as she rushed to him. Clark's breathing was ragged, and he was sweating, of all things. Lois quickly scanned the apartment for the telltale glow of Kryptonite.

"Oh, Lois" said Clark, sobbing. "It was awful." Clark sat heavily on the floor. "I was at the waterfront, doing my story. I heard screaming coming from the pier. A little girl fell in the water, and the riptide pulled her under and out to sea."

Lois rubbed his back comfortingly. "Oh, baby. There was nothing you could do."

Clark got angry. "NO!" he shouted. "I could have saved her! I saw her go under, I followed her as she got sucked out to sea! I watched her heart stop beating…" Clark wailed so loud that the entire apartment shook. He fell forward, scraping at the carpet. "I was afraid, Lois" he sobbed. "I couldn't help, not as Clark Kent. I would've lost my whole life." Clark wept like a broken hearted child.

Lois cried with him. He was the strongest being on the planet. But, in many ways, he was the most fragile, too.

That night, Lois conference called Martha, Chloe and Lana. She told them what happened. They made plans for the next day.

Lois called in sick for her and Clark the next morning, before he woke up. She took him in a cup of coffee and gently woke him up. "Hey, Smallville. Get up and dressed. We're taking a trip" she said.

"Where to?" asked Clark, taking the hot cup.

"Home."

Clark was silent for the whole drive to the farmhouse. He sat looking out the window like a disaster victim, a thousand-yard stare on his face. Lois turned up the gravel and dirt drive leading to the farmhouse, and saw Lana's SUV parked in front. She smiled. At least she and Martha wouldn't be alone in trying to help Clark. She noticed a very nice sedan in the drive as well, and guessed who it could be. Chloe and her new boyfriend. Good. They were all here.

She looked over at Clark, who was still staring at nothing. "Hey, hon. We're here!" said Lois brightly. Clark shook his head and looked around. "So soon? How fast were you driving?" he said.

Lois shook her head and got out of the car. Martha was coming out, with Lana in tow. She gave her son a big hug, and Clark started to break down. Lana and Lois came around and added themselves to the hug. Clark looked up and saw Chloe Sullivan running out of the house. He smiled for the first time since the incident at the waterfront. Chloe added herself to the pile of women hanging on Clark.

"Come in, Clark" said Chloe. "There's someone I want you to meet."

Martha led the group inside, where a man dressed in a dark suit with no tie lounged sipping a glass of Martha's lemonade. He got up and held his hand out. "Hi, you must be Clark" he said with a friendly smile. "I'm Bruce Wayne."

Clark shook Bruce's hand. His grip was firm and dry. "Bruce Wayne, the philanthropist?" he asked.

Bruce gave Clark a curious look. "Yeah, but usually that's not the title people use. I mostly hear about 'Bruce Wayne the billionaire-socailite'".

Clark grinned. "Well, anyone can make some money, but it takes someone special to do something good with it. I respect that."

Bruce smiled. "It's refreshing to hear that. Chloe was right about you, you are unique."

Clark smiled back. "Thanks. But I'm just a farm-boy trying to make his way in the big city."

Clark and his friends spent the day reminiscing and getting to know Bruce. Bruce seemed to be kind of goofy and air-headed, but at times, Clark caught flashes of a brilliant mind. Knowing Chloe like he did, he thought that Bruce was putting on an act. She didn't like stupid men. But for who's benefit was the act?

Clark and Lois took a walk around the farm after supper. They made small talk, or just enjoyed comfortable silences. Clark was glad that Lois made him come home. He needed to heal from the trauma yesterday. "Hey, let's check out the loft" said Lois. She hated manipulating Clark this way, but she had to shock him into action.

They entered the dark loft. Clark held Lois by the window, staring into the night sky. Lois turned to Clark. "Look, Clark. I think that you are the most amazing man I have ever known. You do what you can to help everyone. You can't keep beating yourself up about the lives you can't save."

Clark looked down, "That's just it, Lois. I could have saved her, and that little girl would still be alive."

" But at what cost, Clark? The life you've built? Your mother, Chloe, me?" asked Lois. "Clark Kent may be a super man, but he can only do so much."

"So, I'm supposed to do nothing?" asked Clark.

"No" a deep voice answered out of the shadows. "You have to find a way to do all you can." The newcomer stepped out of the shadows. He was dressed in black, with a long flowing cape and an armored cowl. A stylized bat rode on his chest.

Clark stepped in front of Lois protectively. "You're the Batman, aren't you? You're a long way from Gotham City."

"Yes," replied Batman. "A friend asked me to speak with you. I see great confidence in you. You know without a doubt that you could have saved that child. Most men's confidence is born of ego or insecurity. Yours is an absolute knowledge that you can accomplish nearly anything, isn't it?"

Clark nodded. This mysterious dark stranger was reading him like a book. There was something familiar about him, though. Lois came around and stood next to Clark, holding his hand.

The Bat went on. "One man can make a difference in the fight against evil. But we all have our demons to conquer. This is how I choose to conquer mine, by becoming a symbol." He paused and reached up to his cowl, pulling it off. The face of Bruce Wayne looked back at them.

Clark grew angry. "What the hell is this, some kind of joke, Bruce?"

Chloe came up the steps. "It's no joke, Clark. Bruce really is the Batman." Clark was stunned speechless. One of the biggest mysteries in Gotham was answered to them.

Bruce continued. "I am trusting you both with this secret, because Chloe has vouched for you."

Clark replied. "We are all good at keeping secrets. What were you saying about symbols?"

Chloe went to stand next to Bruce as he explained. "As a child, my parents were murdered in front of me. I went through guilt, grief and finally rage. The rage almost consumed me entirely. I decided to make a difference. But, as Bruce Wayne, I could be destroyed, discredited and humiliated. Those I cared about could be hurt in order to hurt me. But as a symbol, I am incorruptible and everlasting. I have turned my rage into a weapon that strikes fear into the darkness. Rage is my demon, and this is how I fight it. What is your demon, Clark?"

Clark stared at Bruce. "Fear," he said. "I fear others, I fear what they will do to me or the ones I love. I fear rejection from the ones I love."

"Chloe tells me that you have the potential for greatness, Clark. You must ask yourself, will you let your demon win? Or will you rise above, as a light in the darkness." Bruce turned to Chloe. "I have to return to Gotham. People start noticing when the Batman is gone too long."

Chloe kissed him and nodded. Bruce turned to Clark. "If you ever need me, just call and I will be there. Good luck to all of you." He turned and left.

Chloe walked to Clark. "He's right, you know. You can't let your fear rule your life anymore."

Clark looked sad. "So, I have to make a choice between what I want out of life, and what would be best for everyone else?"

Chloe shook her head. "That's not what I'm saying. You have to decide what you can live with, that's all."

Clark sat down on the old couch heavily. Lois sat beside him. "No matter what, Clark, I'll always be next to you." She kissed his cheek gently. Chloe gave Clark and Lois a hug, then left for the house.

Clark woke in the loft the next morning. Lois had woken up earlier and slipped out. Clark stretched and put his boots on. He wandered over to the house and went into the kitchen, following the smells of breakfast.

The ladies were huddled at the table, pouring over several papers. They were having animated discussions about something. Lois looked up at Clark as he came in. "Finally," she said. "I thought you were going to sleep all day."

Clark walked over and kissed her good morning. "What are you guys doing?" he asked.

Chloe smiled. "We are just solving your problem, that's all!" she said brightly.

Clark gave her a confused look. Lana produced several of the papers. They were hand drawn pictures of men in tights, flying through the air. "You want me to take up ballet?" he asked.

Lana smacked his shoulder. "No, you big dumb alien. These are costume ideas!"

Clark looked at the pictures again, "No way am I running around in tights!" he said with panic.

Martha spoke up, "Actually, the tights were my idea" she said. "I remembered that when cloth was close to your skin, it seemed as invulnerable as you did. So, we started looking at more tight fitting costumes."

"I still don't see what for," said Clark. "I can't go to work in this stuff."

Lois sighed. "It's for your secret identity, stupid. Or maybe we'll call it your public identity. Once you start flying around Metropolis, you'll be way more famous than, well, you." Lois looked at Chloe, "Did that make sense?"

Chloe ignored her cousin. "Look, Clark. It works for Br…Batman. It could work for you." She turned to Lana, "I still think black is best. Clark has always looked hot in black."

Lana disagreed. "Look, Batman scares little kids and he wears black. I don't see Clark sitting on top of a building scowling."

Lois piped up, "Then you don't remember all the brooding sessions in high school that Clark had."

Clark stood stiffly, "I can leave if you ladies would like to talk about me in private."

"No, dear" said Martha. "But I want you to go to the Fortress and make some material. The kind that helps against Kryptonite radiation." She turned back to the girls. "Blue and red I think, right?"

They nodded and turned back to Clark, expectantly. He stared at them. "Let's go, Smallville! We don't have all day!"

Clark sighed. This would be a long day.

The Fortress was not much help. It made several yards of material in the thickness that he requested. When the computer found out what it was for, it suggested several designs based on old Kryptonian uniforms. Clark sighed and took the designs and material back to Smallville.

The ladies had almost decided, when Clark walked in. Lana saw what the computers had produced, and immediately began revising details on her favorite design. She showed the finished picture to the ladies, who oohed and aahed.

Lana turned to Clark. "Okay, we've decided on the design. But we'll be needing more red cloth. And red boots, almost calf length, thin soled."

Clark protested, "Don't I get a say? I will supposedly be wearing it."

Lois rolled her eyes, "Oh, sure. The suit will not be denim and plaid, Clark. Your fashion sense is stuck in 'redneck sensible'." She turned back to the paper that Lana held.

Clark winced. Sure he still had some plaid shirts, and was comfortable in jeans, but he could dress well.

Lois looked back up. "Well, what are you still doing here, Smallville? Get up north! CHOP CHOP!"

Clark muttered and whooshed out of the house.

Chloe, Lana and Martha stared at Lois, who was looking at the space formerly occupied by Clark. She had tears standing in her eyes. She headed off all conversation, "I know, I know. This is the only way I can think of to get him out of his depression, keep him so off balance that he can't remember why we are doing this." She sighed and closed her eyes, feeling two large tears roll down her cheeks. "If he keeps going on the way he is now, he will go crazy, or I'll lose him altogether" she whispered.

Martha hugged Lois. "Thank you, Lois. You might be the one person that can save my son from himself."

Clark came back with several more yards of red material. Lana took it from him.

"Okay, Clark" said Lois. "Strip."

Clark blushed. "Excuse me?"

Lois quirked an eyebrow, "What, super hearing fail? Get your clothes off, we need to take measurements."

Clark turned even redder. "Could everyone turn around?" he asked.

Lois sighed. "Clark, it's nothing that anyone here hasn't seen before, except maybe Chloe."

Chloe giggled. "Nah. I snuck through the air vents in junior year and checked him out in the showers. There were certain rumors that needed verification."

Clark thought that he was going to die from embarrassment. Lois walked up to him and began to unbutton his shirt. "Lois!" Clark said with a strangled whisper. "What are you doing!"

Lois smirked. "You look like you need help. Come on ladies!"

Lana and Chloe rushed over, laughing and tickling him, while Martha smiled tolerantly. The girls piled on Clark, who laughing, began to tickle back. "No, I give, I give. You win." He sped out of his clothes, leaving on only a set of boxers. Lana gave him a look, "You've buffed out, Clark!" she said.

"Hey!" said Lois, giving her a playful slap on the shoulder. "Head in the game, Lang!"

Lana and Martha took several detailed measurements of Clark. They then whisked the material away to the sewing room. Clark redressed and fixed lunch for everybody. Chloe went into the other room to call Bruce, leaving Clark and Lois alone in the kitchen. Lois looked at Clark apprehensively. "Clark? I'm sorry for the way I got on you this morning." She came over to him and hugged him. "I just want you to be happy, and be yourself, the man I love."

Clark hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "Thanks. I did need a kick in the ass. I know that I can't save everyone, but I HAVE to make a difference somehow." Clark realized how lucky he was. Most people don't get to love somebody as deeply as he loved Lois.

A few hours later, Martha and Lana came back in. "It's done!" shouted Lana. "Come on, Clark, try it on. I need to see if there are any adjustments to make."

Clark sighed. "Alright, Lana, but I'm going into the other room to change." Clark got up and went into the sewing room.

Chloe came back in. "I heard that it's ready?" she asked. Lois nodded.

Clark called in to the ladies. "Everyone turn around." They grumbled, but turned.

"Okay. Turn around" said Clark.

The four turned and collectively gasped. Clark was standing with his feet spread shoulder width apart, his arms crossed over his powerful chest. The blue and red suit was form fitting, distractingly so. On Clark's chest, there was a diamond with a red 'S' superimposed. Clark had slicked back his hair for some reason, except for an unruly lock tracing a lazy S over his forehead. "Where did you get the family crest, Mom?" asked Clark, indicating the 'S'.

"It was on the baby blanket in your ship. I kept it in my hope chest, thinking it must be significant" said Martha.

Lois was gaping. "What did you do to your hair?" she asked.

"Oh, well, since I don't want to wear a mask, I thought I should change it. Do you think it might keep people from recognizing me?"

Chloe laughed, "Clark, no one is going to be looking at your face, trust me!"

Lois tapped her chin in thought, "No, it might work. I mean, at work you still wear those glasses, and you act like a complete klutz. You can be yourself in the suit."

Clark smiled. Lois found his antics at work so amusing that he kept them up, just to see her laugh. He never thought they might come in useful. He cleared his throat. "Well, we'd better get going soon. I'm going to need to do some shopping tonight."

"What for?" asked Martha.

Clark blushed again. "Uh, briefs. Boxers don't work with this suit."

Chloe grinned wickedly, "Yes, ladies, by day he is Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet. By night, he is…COMMANDO MAN!"

Everyone collapsed in gales of laughter.