Disclaimer: I do not own The Justice League

A/N: Hi, guys I have the next chapter. In honest truth I was pretty close to just deleting the story, because I thought no one was really all that interested. However, after the last two reviews and the amount of alerts I received my mind was changed. So, like always enjoy.

P.S: This chapter is kind of a personal foundation of how Clark and Bruce's friendship begins.

The Last Crusade -2

Three days earlier.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Clark, Happy Birthday to you!"

The mild mannered reporter smiled sheepishly as his colleagues and friends lifted their glasses to him. Lois approached him in a slim mauve dress her brunette hair held in place by a butterfly clip.

"Ok, birthday boy make a wish so I can have some cake… she leaned closer… "Just don't blow too hard." she whispered.

Clark gave a smile than blew the candles out with one breath cueing everyone to clap. Later into the evening as everyone mingled with each other, Clark scanned the room for the one individual that didn't show up. He had pretty much given up hope when he saw the man he was searching for out in the foyer.

"Excuse me, Jimmy." he said as he left the photographer he had been talking too for the last half hour.

"They won't bite you know." Clark said as he stood in the door way of the dimly lit foyer.

The black haired man wore a black blazer with a grey turtle neck underneath, his pants were a softer grey and black loafers fit perfectly at the bottom. His one hand rested in his pocket while the other held a golden box with a red ribbon around it.

"I hate crowds." he bluntly said as he finally turned to face the reporter.

Clark furrowed his brow, to this day he has never understood the way this man operated. Perhaps he never would. He eyed the gold box that was gripped in the strong hand, he smirked.

"Is that for me?"

The billionaire tossed it to him glad to free himself from the thing, birthdays were a waste of time and by the look of the big crowd inside the hotel he was the only one who thought that. He rolled his eyes as Clark purposely undid the ribbon meticulously than carefully lined up each end to fold it neatly.

"For heaven's sake man it's a present, not a bomb." the man snapped

Clark smirked than just opened the lid to reveal a pair of plain dice. He gave an intrigued look at his new friend.

"Any meaning behind this?"

The man turned his back. "Happy Birthday Mr. Kent."

"Thanks." he called to the disappearing figure.

"Was that the notorious Bruce Wayne that walked out that door?" a shocked filled voice asked from behind Clark.

Clark turned to his girlfriend. "Yep."

"What did he give you?" she asked as she snaked her arm through his peering over at the gold box.

Clark lifted the lid showing it too her, she gave an incredulous look. "Dice? Is he serious?"

The reporter shrugged giving a smile he lead his partner back to the party where they enjoyed the rest of the evening.

"Are you sure that you don't want to stay, Master Wayne?"

Bruce leaned his head against the back seat his eyes staring up at the ceiling of the car. "Yes."

The older man glanced worriedly in his rear view mirror as he drove down the streets of Metropolis City.

"Alfred, do you think joining this 'Justice League' is a mistake?"

"I know that it will take a load off your mind, Master Wayne after all Batman can't fight off all the criminals that run ramped in the streets." the butler confessed

"Batman has Gotham City, I protect my home well. I work alone Alfred for years I have been fighting crime, and now." he sighed "I just don't see it working."

"I understand sir, that you are out of your comfort zone but change is a good thing and with some extra help you could live a normal life."

Bruce raised his head. "Alfred, I'm not normal."

"Right you are sir, just take it one step at a time sir. You'll see that change is for the better."

The next day Hawkman, Green Arrow, Wonderwoman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Superman sat in the meeting room of watch tower looking over the police footage of the psychotic behaviour of The Joker. He had successfully robbed a bank and hijacked an armed car full of jewellery.

"See, that's why I hate clowns." Green Arrow said as the footage ended.

"The Joker has been criminalizing Gotham City for years but I have my suspicions that Lex Luthor has been helping Joker in these heists. All these buildings are heavily guarded there is no way that one man can get through that kind of man power." Superman noted.

"Obviously you don't know the Joker."

Everyone turned their attention to the Cape crusader who walked in the room, silently taking the seat at the opposite end of the table where Superman sat.

"Nice of you to join us perhaps you would like to share your take on the situation." Superman said with a note of coldness.

Batman stared at the man of steal. "Joker is a sick master mind who isn't afraid to go beyond the line that says impossible. He finds enjoyment in every twisted crime he commits. He is The Joker what other information do you need other than that?"

"Huh. How about a hint on how to stop him." the Flash offered.

Silence filled the room making the atmosphere a bit tense. The dark knight wasn't the most easy individual to get along with, it took nearly a month of just convincing him to see Watch Tower another month to get him to actually join and it was pretty much a lost cause with casual relationships. To have him actually sit down at the table for more than two minutes was nothing short of a miracle.

Clark looked at the vigilante across from him. He may be the man of steel but Bruce was a lot like granite, hard, cold, and nice to look at. Not one to be warm and fuzzy. However, he shows amazing amount compassion in pressing times enough that make you second guess your first thought about him. Than between yesterday night and right now it all comes flooding back to why he thought the latter in the first place.

"The Joker is my priority." Batman bluntly stated

"Not anymore." Superman flatly replied.

Bruce clenched his jaw. "I am not in your custody. Touch Joker and you'll will regret it."

Clark sighed. "Bruce I do not want to have a lengthily debate about this. We have to work together here as a team."

Batman gave an impassive look before he rose from the table and walked towards the exit. Stopping at the door, without turning he spoke.

"The Joker is my arch enemy. If you think for once that he wouldn't care, think again."

As if that was some sort of a cue everyone left the table leaving Superman and Wonder woman alone. Clark ground his chair back taking a few deep breaths to calm his anger. The Amazon leaned back in her seat looking at her friend.

"Well, that went well."

"That man is infuriating."

"Do you regret having him in the league?" she asked quietly.

Clark turned to her. "No, he is very talented and can contribute hugely in this operation."

"I'm afraid that Bruce sees this as a Mickey Mouse situation that it is more of an office atmosphere than actual crime fighting." Diana confessed.

"I understand he is out of his comfort zone, but I don't understand why he has to be so difficult."

Dian rose from her chair. "The thing is Clark he isn't one to open himself up. If you want to get along one of you has to back down and find some common understanding. If not we are going to lose him."

She gently touched his arm before leaving the room.

Bruce removed his cowl shaking his head. What had he got himself into? He shouldn't be so defensive after all these people are wanting to protect the world just as much as he does. However, they don't realize the twisted relationship he has with the Joker, for six years he has been at odds with the criminal it's his obsession.

"Are you always a jerk?"

The billionaire turned to face the man of steel arms crossed along his chest.

"Are you always a boy scout?" Batman shot back without looking at him.

Clark walked into the room. "Listen, Bruce I'll make the first step but you got to meet me have way."

Bruce locked his brown eyes on the blue staring back at him. "How long did it take you to come up with that little beauty?"

Clark glared at the dark knight. "Bruce will you just shut up!"

"If I don't are going to heat vision me through the building."

"Don't tempt me." Clark said through clenched teeth.

Bruce straightened at the remark. "I honestly don't know what Lois sees in you. If you get past the super human exterior you are a cheap excuse for a human and a coward."

In a flash Bruce found himself pinned against the far wall, the blue orbs that glared him swirled with anger and hurt. Batman didn't budge but a slight smirk graced across his face, placing a gloved hand on the muscular forearm that held him in place.

"There it is." he stated quietly

Clark furrowed his brow at the words stepping back he looked at the billionaire in curiosity.

"I'll meet you half way Clark, but there is no telling what I'll do when I get there." Bruce said as he put on his cowl once more.

The man of steel watched as the man walked out of watch tower knowing the next he'll see him is at night. He still hasn't changed his mind about the caped crusader he will never understand him; he would forever remain a mystery that would never be solved.

A/N: So this story is going to be a long one. Understand I am going by my understanding of Batman and Superman relationship. I hope you don't mind, I am not going to act like I've read the comic's because I haven't picked one up in my life. So I'm winging it with much careful motions, just to make things clear.

Review if you think it's worth it and thanks for reading!

Kindred Spirit.