Batman v Superwoman
Dawn of Justice
(Note: Hello everybody, I'm back with another update just in time for Justice League. Just so you know I won't do a Justice League fanfic until I'm done with this and until Justice League comes out on Blu-ray in what will probably be an extended cut. But I hope you enjoy this chapter, and as an extra bonus check my page in a few minutes I'll be releasing a special one-shot in celebration of the movie.) :)
Chapter 9
Gotham City, The Next day
Claire sat at a table with her laptop out typing away at her newest story. She appeared to be in a small kitchen of an even smaller apartment. Just then an elderly woman entered the kitchen and examined Claire.
"I thought I got up early just to get the right bus to work, it's four o' clock" the elderly woman said surprised
"Heh, I have a lot of work to finish up. I like to get things out of the way so I can have more personal time to myself." Claire replied with a smile
"I just hope you got a good enough sleep, sorry you had to lay on the couch" The elderly woman said
"Don't worry about it Ms. Selby, I just want to thank you for having me on such short notice" Claire replied
"Oh a friend of Jimmy Olsen is a friend of ours, he talked about you when he visited about how you talked to Langston" Ms. Selby said solemnly
"Ms. Selby- I am so sorry…." Claire said apologetically
"Enough Apologizing Ms. Kent, I had enough apologizing. Mr. Olsen did it, the government did it, and you did it all night. You're made of some soft stuff for a country girl." Ms. Selby said jokingly
"Oh right sorry, I hope I didn't disturb you or your daughter last night" Claire said
"Nah, you didn't. To be honest this is one of the quieter nights around these parts, guess you were lucky to get a good night's rest." Ms. Selby said as Claire nodded in agreement
"Oh also I remember Langston saying something about a brother, I didn't get a chance to meet him. Does he have an overnight job?" Claire asked, but noticed the question visibly saddened Ms. Selby
"I think Robert, got himself mixed up with a bad crowd. He comes home late or not at all, it started a few months after Langston's death, it hurt him the most. He said he got a job one that pays well, though he never explained what it was just said he had to move stuff around. In Gotham that can mean a million things. I mean he's not coming back hurt or covered in blood, but I can't help but worry. He doesn't talk about work, he just says he's gonna take care of me and Lola" Ms. Selby said worried
Claire noticed the Ms. Selby's hand was shaking and she gently held it looking into Ms. Selby's brown eyes
"I'm sure that he's fine Ms. Selby, but if it will help I can look into it to make sure he's safe" Claire said kindly making Ms. Selby smile
"That would be lovely Ms. Kent" Ms. Selby replied
"Alright then, what do you know about this new job?" Claire asked closing her laptop
Gotham Café, Evening
Claire sat alone at the diner looking over her notes and playing with a spoon between her fingers. Earlier in the day she received a call from Alfred telling her where the next interview would be. He told her that casual wear would be good enough for where they were going, and sent someone else to drive her to the spot. The chosen area was to Claire's surprise a small street side diner. Claire was expecting herself to be sent to some kind of fancy restaurant, but this caught her by surprise. The driver told her to wait inside at a specific table, so she did as she was told and has been waiting for 8 minutes now. She hadn't ordered anything not that the owners seemed to mind really. Her bag laid on the floor under the table by her feet as she stared out the window bored.
"Excuse me Miss, is this seat taken" a male voice said from behind
"Oh well sir you see…." Claire said as she turned to face the man
She turned to see Bruce Wayne standing before her wearing a raggedy brown long coat with a black dress shirt under it, a pair of worn jeans, a pair of black boots, and a pair of tinted sunglasses.
"Mister….?" Claire said confused and surprised
"Malone-Matches Malone, may I miss…?" Bruce said extending his hand for her to shake
Claire stared at him quizzically for a few seconds then smiled
"Of course….. Mr. Malone" Claire said shaking his hand
Bruce smiled and took his seat across from Claire. Just then the waitress walked up with her pen a clipboard.
"Nice to see ya again Matches, may I ask who your lady friend is. She seems a lot cleaner than the usual girls you walk in with." The Waitress said, the last statement making Claire raise an eyebrow
"Oh she's a girl I met during a party. I'm just helping her out with some work." Bruce said putting on a bit of a west side accent
"Yeah I bet you are. So the usual?" the Waitress asked
"Two Usual's please" Bruce said holding up two fingers and smiling, the waitress smiled and walked away leaving the two alone.
"Okay, seriously just…. What?" Claire said with a small laugh
"Sometimes I like to be….. Not Bruce Wayne. I managed to make a good rep as this guy and I like to go around Gotham as him. See the city from the ground instead of my penthouse" Bruce said
"How Disney of you" Claire said realizing the irony in this situation
"So what happens if you take of those glasses?" Claire joked
"This" Bruce said simply as he moved glasses to atop his head and turned to one of the patrons behind them reading a paper
"Hey pal mind telling me the scores from last night's game" Bruce asked
"Oh sure 12-20" the man said looking at Bruce
"Hey you know you kinda look like Bruce Wayne." The man said looking at Bruce
"Maybe I am him" Bruce said playfully
"Yeah right bub, why would Bruce Wayne be hanging around a place like this" the man said with a laugh as he turned back around and Bruce shrugged
"Heh, guess I'm not the only one who uses that Trick" Claire thought to herself
"So will Matches Malone be paying for this meal?" Claire asked
"I would highly advise against eating the food here, it's pretty terrible honestly" Bruce said simply
"Then what is the 'Usual'" Claire asked just as the waitress returned with two cups of coffee
"The coffee here is amazing, Thanks" Bruce said as he thanked the waitress and took the two cups placing one in front of Claire
Claire took thee cup and took a sip, her eyes brightening a bit as she began to drink more Bruce looking at her and smiling as he drank to.
"Yeah I'd put on a disguise for this" Claire said happily putting the cup down
"Yeah this is one of the reasons" Bruce said
"So shall we continue the interview Mr. Malone?" Claire said jokingly pulling out a pen and paper
"Of course Ms. Kent" Bruce said
"If I may ask, what exactly was your appointment last night?" Claire asked
"I had to go to an auction, they had something I was very interested in" Bruce replied Claire simply nodded and began the interview
The interview went by smoothly with the two talking about various things with Wayne Industries and their efforts in helping Metropolis and Gotham. And with each exchange in the conversation, Bruce masterfully made himself friendlier with Claire. He had planned out everything for this conversation, he knew when to play up the sympathy and when to pull back, when to be funny and when to be serious. Each play made Claire a lot more at ease around Bruce and be more relaxed with him.
"The interview is almost over and everything is going as planned. Soon I'll be able to get a little more personal with her and get closer to Ms. Lane. Yesterday's interaction certainly helped with pushing this along. I did not expect her to open up that way….. She is very strong to push through that experience. And she is quite wise" Bruce thought as she looked at Claire as she drank her coffee
"Well that's all the questions I had for you. I believe that concludes our interview." Claire said as she looked over her notes
"Does that mean you'll be leaving Ms. Kent" Bruce said
"Oh-well-yeah I guess I will be heading back to Metropolis" Claire said in realization
"Well if you want I can pay for your ferry back home" Bruce said
"Oh, how kind. No that won't be necessary" Claire said with a wave of her hand
"Very well, but do you mind if I ask you a question?" Bruce asked with folded hands
"Oh Sure, what is it." Claire asked happily
"Alright so I'll just begin a simple friendly conversation ask her about her work, people at the Daily Planet, stories she covered, and I slowly make my way up to talking about Lois and…." Bruce thought to himself, but his train of thought was derailed when his eyes wandered to the window
The world around him turned silent as outside the window he saw a family of three walking on the sidewalk across from the dinner. A mother and father happily holding hands while they're son ran around them playing out some kind a scene with a smile on his face. They were all in total bliss without a single care in the world. Bruce's eyes quickly went down the street and saw that the family was going to pass a dark alleyway and in that alleyway a man stood in the shadows watching them. Bruce's fist balled as the family got closer and closer to the alley, while the shadow figure put his hand into his jacket as if reaching for something. Memories filled Bruce's mind with each step the family took getting closer to the alley
Bruce nearly shot out of his seat and wanted to run out of the dinner, when suddenly a siren filled the air. A police car rolled down the street and the shadowy figure retreated back into the alley, allowing the family to pass with no idea that he was even there. Bruce felt relief, but his hand remained clenched.
"Are you alright?" Claire asked concerned putting her hand on his
Bruce flinched a bit from the touch snapping him out of his stupor, but he did not recoil as he looked at Claire. He noted two things immediately first Claire's hands as expected were soft and delicate, but they were also calmingly warm as if she was emitting some kind of energy. Second was when Bruce looked at Claire he once again noticed her cuteness, but now that he was up close it was in full force. That and he could see the genuine worry on her face as she looked at him.
"I-I-" Bruce stammered out, through Claire's contact and the close call with family everything he had thought of had completely shattered in his mind he couldn't remember what he was trying to do
"Bruce, what's wrong?" Claire asked again more worried
Bruce raced through his mind trying to salvage any kind of response to her. And then his mind went back to what she told him yesterday.
"W-what you said yesterday, was that your own words or somebody else's?" Bruce asked, it was the only thing his brain could come up with at the moment
"Excuse me?" Claire asked confused
"I-I'm sorry-I just-lost myself for a second there. I wanted to ask that thing you said yesterday, did you come up with it" Bruce said collecting himself
"Oh well, okay. Well I actually got it from my mother" Claire said as she rested in her seat
"Dang that wasn't supposed to happen, I'll have to play along and bring it back around to Ms. Lane" Bruce thought to himself
"Your mother?" Bruce said
"Yeah, like I said I was in a pretty bad place after the Kryptonian attack, but my mom always knew how to get me off my butt. She told me what I told you and it really helped me move forward." Claire said
"Is she still living in Smallville?" Bruce asked
"Yeah, our house is pretty far from town, but it got a little wrecked during the battle. Nothing serious, it was easily fixable. But that little town had been our home for years it was just me, Ma, and…." Claire started but stopped near the end, Bruce noticed this
"Did your father die during the attack?" Bruce asked sympathetically
"Oh, oh no it's nothing like that. I mean he is….. No longer with us, but it was earlier in my life. I don't really want to talk about it." Claire said as she fiddled with her hair
"Oh well, May I ask what he was like?" Bruce asked
"Heh, you know he was like any farmer, small town, dad you've seen. Stern but fair, throwing out old country advice every three seconds, was painfully behind with the time in regards to pop culture, and painfully embarrassing around my friends the very little I had" Claire mused
"Was it that bad?" Bruce said with a small smile
"Yeah it was, and I loved every second of it" Claire said with a smile
"I remember when I was four and he would work the field, he would let me sit on his lap and pretend to drive the tractor through the fields. Or when he got me a puppy when I was five, he said he got it for me to teach me responsibility and because he thought I looked lonely" Claire mused again
"Lonely you, you catch me as a girl who had her locker filled with secret admirer letters" Bruce said with a smile as he drank from his cup
"That's not funny" Claire said deadpanned
"I wasn't trying to be. I really mean it Claire, you seem like you were a cute kid" Bruce said putting on the charm, but there was honesty in is words as he noted how Claire's cuteness caught him off twice now
"Well I wasn't always the woman you see before you. As you can guess I was kinda tall for my age and pretty lanky, that and my glasses was enough appearance-wise for me to be picked on. That and I was a bit distant from my classmates, didn't have any friends for much of elementary school I was an easy target" Claire said
"How bad did it get?" Bruce asked concerned
"The usual stuff hurtful notes, bathroom talk, sitting alone at lunch, no one to play with during recess, you know usual bully stuff" Claire said as she swirled the liquid in her cup
"Did they ever do anything physical" Bruce asked seriously
"….. A few times they'd push me, tease me, and throw things at me. They were always trying to get a rise out of me trying to get me to fight back" Claire said solemnly
"Did you?" Bruce asked
"No never, my dad always told me not to. They'd call me a coward, it got to me. Dad always told me to be the bigger person, but it's hard to be sometimes" Claire said
"When did it stop?" Bruce asked
"During the 3rd grade, one of my bullies Pete Ross became my best friend and in a funny way he also became my protector. Then there was a new girl that year Lana Lang, we gravitated towards each other almost instantly. I had my own little group and we stayed together through high school. And during then I slowly grew into what I am now and I became a semi-attractive nerd. I left Smallville and them behind after high school, but I still keep in contact with them" Claire said
"Looks like things got better for you" Bruce said
"Yeah, something Pa would always tell me is that Things are always darkest just before the dawn so you just gotta hold on…. And do your best. Heh, I guess Pa was the one who said it, it was so long ago I forgot" Claire said with a laugh
"So you had a pretty good childhood?" Bruce said
"Yeah I guess it…. Was" Claire said hearing the hint of sadness coming from him.
Claire then remembered his parents and thee tragedy that befell them. He lost his childhood in the alley and at such a young age. Hearing about her childhood, must not be the best way to spend his afternoon. So in a bid of changing the subject, making him feel better, and satisfying her own curiosity she decided to ask her own questions.
"Excuse me, do you mind…if I ask you a question?" Claire asked sympathetically
"Of course, you can" Bruce said simply
"What was life like before….. You know? Y-you don't have to answer if you don't want to, th-this isn't a part of the interview. I-was just-curious" Claire said meekly not sure if this was the right thing to do right now
Bruce looked at Claire passively going over this scenario in his head. Many people have asked him this question and very few have gotten a straight answer from him. Most of the time he would deflect the question with his wit or some clever evasion to move to something else. "Answering her would strength the bond I'm trying to make. I would certainly help with future interactions" Bruce reasoned to himself. Though there was something in him telling him that Claire could be trusted, that the things he was about to say would be safe with her, something inside him telling him to open up to her. Though he quickly brushed those thoughts aside and told himself it was for the sake of the mission.
"Back then I was like any kid who came from money, I never knew how blessed I was until it was gone." Bruce said, Claire knew he wasn't talking about the money
"But, before then life was good. As you would expect I had my every need attended to, the best clothes, toys, education, and etc. I went to the best schools Gotham had to offer and had many friends, though they were only there because of me being Gotham's first son, when things got bad they weren't there. I did have one true friend Thomas Elliot though I haven't heard from him in a while, I believe he became a doctor" Bruce mused
"Quite the pampered life you lived" Claire said
"To an extent, my father didn't want me to be too coddled and was sure to teach me the value of hard work. He would always bring me to work with him and sometimes he would bring me to the gym and work out with him, at the time I was not a fan. I would whine and ask why we were doing this, he said it was to remember the feeling of exertion and working for something. I thought my father was a taskmaster torturing me, but then he would always turn and give me some kind of fatherly advice or congratulations after it was all done. I got it a lot when I was little from my friends, teacher, and others, but when It came from him and I saw that proud smile it made me feel like I could fly" Bruce said
"He was your idol" Claire said with a smile remembering her father
"Yeah, where my father was stern, my mother was always dotting. She was always fussing over me and always wanting the best for me. There are times when I wanted something and my dad would say no, but she would override him. I swear my mom had two faces, the sweet kind one, and the serious don't push me one." Bruce said with a laugh
"Let me guess you learned how to play to mom, to get what you want. It works until you get halfway to middle school, but until then I had it down to perfection. I would give mom the sweet voice and the wide eyes, and next thing you know Dads giving me $10 for the arcade." Claire said with a laugh
"Money was never a problem, but I did do that to go to places I wanted go. I used a bit of a whine with my voice, but I would ask if we could go to the park, the beach, the…. Movies" Bruce said the last part coming as a whisper
Claire wanted to add something, but then Bruce's phone started ringing. He brought it out and then checked it.
"Who is it?" Claire asked
"Alfred, he just updating me on a project. I'm going to have to leave soon" Bruce said looking at the message on his phone
Broke through the wall, decoding the information now
"Hmm, you two are really close. How long has he been working for you?" Claire asked
"Since I was a baby" Bruce said simply
"Oh wow, then he….." Claire said surprised
"He was with my father during the war, and he has been with the family for years. He practically raised me, wherever my parents were he was right behind them. And….. After they passed he was like a father to me." Bruce said solemnly
"During their funeral, I couldn't take it I ran away. I ran into the woods hoping that this was all nightmare, trying to run from the truth. Then I fell into a hole and hit my head, when I woke up I was at home with Alfred at my bedside where my mother and father would usually be. And I knew that they were still gone and I was alone, at the verge of tears Alfred said something my dad used to say" Bruce said
"Master Bruce sometimes life hits us and it hits us hard, so hard that we fall, so hard we think it will be better if we just stay down. But do you know why we fall Bruce, so we can learn to pick ourselves up. Your gonna fall a lot in life, but I want you to know-I will be there to help you up" Alfred said in memory
Claire could tell the two had some kind of connection based on her earlier interactions with the two, but now she could see. Alfred was so much more than a butler, he was Bruce's family.
"Sounds like a very good man has your back" Claire said with a smile
"He is" Bruce said when he checked his watch
"Well, I believe that concludes our conversation Ms. Kent. But before I go, may I ask one more question?" Bruce asked as he stood up, Claire simply nodded
"Would you like to attend Dinner with me tomorrow night?" Bruce said as Claire had a surprised look on her face
"A-are you asking me out?" Claire said
"Oh no, no, no. I just wanted a chance to get to know you better, I was supposed to tell you about my life. But, you have been so nice, talking to me about your life, and trying to comfort me when you didn't have to. I would like to know more about this kind reporter." Bruce said with a smile
Claire still looked surprise as she stared at Bruce
"Of course this is optional, if you don't want to…." Bruce continued
"No, I'll be honest you are a walking contradiction. You give so much to this city, yet you appear as selfish as anybody born with a silver spoon in their mouth. You probably have slept with multiple women, yet here you are treating with respect. There's the Bruce Wayne that stands in front of the camera, but then there's another Bruce Wayne. One that's hiding in the shadows, out of the public eye and I want to meet him. So yes I will take you up on that offer, to learn more about you" Claire said
"Heh, well if we're being honest you're a bit of a contradiction yourself. You put on this front of meekness and insecurity, yet you are very proud and gung-ho about your work. You demand respect and give it to those you deem worthy, of which I am proud to receive. That and I noticed you are intentionally slouching, you're trying to hide yourself" Bruce said with a sly smile
Claire returned the smile with her own as she leaned in "Well let's see who can get the answers first" she said confidently
"Then I will see you tomorrow night, do you need help getting back to Metropolis?" Bruce asked
"Don't worry just tell me where you can pick me up and I will be there" Claire replied
Bruce smiled as he put money down on the table and then walked away "Till then Ms. Kent" Bruce said with a wave
"Till then, Matches" Claire said with a laugh as he exited the diner
Claire rested her head on her hand as she sighed, after a few seconds of processing Claire's eyes shot open in realization.
"Am I going on a date with him?" Claire thought to herself
Before she could question her own decision Claire's eyes wandered towards the diner's television. There was a news report about a ship full of people up north being stuck in the ice, emergency services were having trouble reaching them. Claire's job was done here now it was time for her other job. Claire picked up her things and left the diner crossing the street, she passed the same alley where the criminal was hiding as he peaked out of the shadows.
"Alright keep quiet and…." The man in shadow whispered as he reached into his coat
Without stopping her stride Claire simply blew a quick gust of wind at the man sending him flying down the alley where he hit the wall knocking him out. Claire smiled as she continued down the street to find a place to change. A man sat on a bench not too far from Claire as he secretly watched her, once she was out of sight the man pulled out his phone and dialed a number
"Yes it's me, she just left….. They said they were going to meet again tomorrow night… Yes it will be done sir….. Yes the delivery will arrive on schedule….. Yes we got him on the pickup team, it will be in your possession tonight….. Thank you sir" the man said as he hung up and put away his phone
Bruce in the meanwhile had walked away from the diner and into another alley where Alfred was waiting in the car. Bruce relaxed as he sat in the car.
"I'll watch over the decoding Alfred, you can take a break when we get back" Bruce said
"Thank you, Master Bruce" Alfred said simply
"But, before you do can you setup a reservation for two at the Grand, I'll be bringing Claire there tomorrow night" Bruce said without any
"Oh…. So you're taking her to the Grand. I thought you were going to bring her to that party being held at the bank?" Alfred asked surprised
"I needed to adapt with the moment, why is there something wrong?" Bruce asked
"No…. it's just that, this seems a little intimate" Alfred said
"What are you insinuating Alfred" Bruce groaned annoyed
"I'm just saying you have been taking every chance to be alone with her, you are actually acting like a person instead of an over-sexualized caricature of high class society, and now you've asked her on a date. I have not seen you try this hard for a woman in a very long time, it actually reminds that you are a person" Alfred said simply
"This isn't a date Alfred, we simply have worked up a rapport and want to learn more about each other" Bruce said
"Right, that is definitely not a date" Alfred said deadpanned
"Let's just go home" Bruce said with a groan
"Right away Master Wayne" Alfred said hiding his smile
(Note: Yeah I know it's shorter than the rest, but I really wanted to give this to you all. You all have been so supportive of this story and more people keep following every day. I am so happy, and you all push me to continue writing, because I don't want to let you down. So this is all for now leave a review I will answer ASAP. Next chapter the Woman of Steel and the Dark Knight finally meet. Till next time) :)