Chloe looked at him, and tried hard to suppress a smirk.

"So…. how'd lunch go?" asked Clark slyly. She turned away from him and began to research her newest story. "Fine." She said simply. No way, am I going to tell him Bruce kissed me. He wants to keep secrets from me fine, so will I. Chloe knew this was childish but she didn't care, he had promised no more lies. "Fine, he took me to my favorite café" she said, her voice taking on a dreamy sigh. All she could think about was Bruce. It was taking all her effort to concentrate in talking to Clark.

His eyes flickered with annoyance and jealousy, something he rarely (up until today) wore on his face.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked. Chloe felt an involuntary blush blossom on her cheeks. "Oh-um I'm err- busy" she answered vaguely. Clark put his hand over hers, "Liar" he said sadly. I'm the lair? I'm the lair? Excuse you but at least you know who I like Clark and I don't try to hide it. She was sick of him.

As if on cue Lois walked up to her desk. Her cousin's blue eyes flickered over their hands. Clark pulled away immediately. "Hey Lois" he said. She smiled at him, "Hey Smallville." Chloe rolled her eyes. Oh please it's so obvious. And just like that Chloe was pushed to the side. So she turned to her computer and typed away, trying hard to ignore the dull ache in her heart.

Half of her was still in love with Clark and the other half was in love with Bruce. What's a girl suppose to do?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruce sat in front of his laptop, researching Clark. Alfred came in and eyed the screen amused. "I'm sure that's not the young woman you bumped into yesterday," he said smoothly.

Bruce half smiled, his gaze was icy and full of suspicion.

"No. This is Clark Kent her best friend" he said a bit amused. "Master Bruce what are you doing exactly?" he asked. He turned to the old man. Alfred had served in his family ever since he could remember, the man had been raised him. "I don't like Clark he's selfish and arrogant" he said a little to bitterly. Alfred raised an eyebrow, "Jealous? Master Bruce you surprise me." He paused "What have you dug up on him so far?" Alfred asked curiously.

Bruce smiled, and turned to the computer. "Well he has no birth records. Apparently he was adopted and the agency that he was adopted from doesn't exist. Also he was on the Smallville football team for a while. He has no medical records, no dental records, nothing. It's almost as if he…he has never been sick in his life."

Alfred frowned, "That's not right. Can't you find anything on him?" Bruce scrolled through the screen, "No. I have to ask Chloe about him tomorrow night." Too much info. Damn.

His butler chuckled, "Tomorrow night?" Bruce shrugged trying to act casual. "It's only dinner" Alfred left with a big grin on his face. In an hour Bruce was in a meeting, then he had dinner with the mayor to talk about the charity. He got to the hotel hours later. Finally he could lie down and sleep. His mind circling around Chloe's beautiful face.

He woke up later in the night, and dressed in his Bat costume. It was time that Metropolis got a taste of the Dark Knight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chloe sipped her drink and watched the dance floor where Lana, Lex, Lois, and Clark were dancing in couples. She felt unwanted, so here she was in a black mini and white tube top, with boots that went up to her knees. She shifted in her seat, and waved Lana over.

Her friend's face was flushed, and she smiled. "Hey. Come on Clark was asking for you," she said. Chloe felt her heart skip a beat. Clark asked for me? "I can't. I have to go, it's been a long day and I don't feel good" she lied. Lana frowned, as Chloe got up. "Well I hope you feel better babe. Here don't forget your coat." Chloe slipped on Bruce's coat, and smiled.

"OK bye Lana. Tell everybody goodbye for me ok?"

"Wait don't you want a ride? Lex'll give you one." She said a little worried.

"No, Lana its fine. I'll grab a taxi." With one last hug she made her way outside.

The cold wind brushed against her face, and neck. She shivered, glad for the long coat that fell past her knees. She waved her arm for a taxi, and none stopped. The yellow cars drove by her. Chloe felt her patience snap. Angry she clenched her hands and walked home.

After a couple of blocks she started to regret not taking Lana's offer. Weird people hung out in the streets. Men whistled at her, and she ignored them. Crunching footsteps made her aware that someone was walking behind her. She forced her heartbeat to slow down. It was just someone heading home like her. To prove herself she crossed the street several times. Still the person followed her.


Ok now I'm officially freaked. All of a sudden the person was right behind her. She felt something hard at her side. "Give me your money now." She jumped, "What"

"Give me your money now" said the man again roughly. Shakily she opened her purse. I am not going to get mugged in the middle of the street without a fight. Calmly, she reached into her purse. The man raised his head and squinted around them suspiciously. With him distracted, she shoved her elbow into his stomach. He groaned and dropped the gun. She kicked it away, and it landed under a car. Chloe ran as fast as she could. But the man grabbed her leg. She fell on her back knocking the air out of her lungs.

She gasped the man greedily reaching for her skirt. She pushed him away, then curled her hands into fists and punched his jaw. Fury and adrenaline giving her strength. "Bitch" he let out furious. She tried to get up, but he grabbed her and pulled her down.

With her options running out, she opened her mouth and let out the scream of her life.

"HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!" she screamed. The man slapped her, knocking her head back. Chloe groaned and spit in his face. "HELP!!!!" she screamed again. With all her strength she kicked him on his shin. And then she punched him again. The man backed away a little. Chloe got up, the world spinning around her. She didn't care she had to get away so she ran.

The man was running after her, "HELP!! Help!! HELP!!" she screamed.

The man grabbed her from behind, and then he pulled her into the nearest alley. Suddenly she was slammed against the wall. Hands wrapped around her neck. The man was choking her. "Help" she screamed hoarsely but the only thing that replied was the man who squeezed her neck harder. Chloe kicked and struggled agianst the man. Just as the edges of her vision were blurring into black, a harsh voice yelled "Hey" The man dropped her and she crumpled onto the ground. She breathed in the air her head pounding and her body bruised.

All she heard was the man whimper, punches and a harsh voice that demanded power. The voice was strangely familiar. Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her. She pushed the arms away weakly. But they grabbed her hands in a firm grip. "Stop. Your safe" he told her. The hands let go, and cupped her chin. She opened her eyes and her eyes grew wide.

Oh my god. She was face to face with Batman.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------