"Not too shabby." Lois commented as she bowed into the limousine that had picked her and Clark up from The Talon. "A girl could use to this." She stuck her tongue out a bit as she popped open the champagne bottle, pouring Clark and her a glass.
Clark watched her with a grin while she had struggled with the bottle, "I'm fine, Lois." He said, declining the glass she held out for him.
"Fine, Buzzkill." She teased, taking a nice swig of champagne. She smacked her lips, closing her eyes as it trickled down her throat. Clark fidgeted uncomfortably as Lois titled her head back in utter relaxation, exposing her long neck to Clark vision. Before he could stop himself, his gazed lowered to her deep cut blouse, his hands clenching a bit as he wondered-
"CLARK! Really?!" Chloe shouted as she stepped into the limousine. Clark jumped in shame at her outburst while Lois tilted her head up lazily.
"What he do now?" She asked, taking another sip. "Care for some bubbly, cuz?" She said, offering up Clark's discarded glass.
"I'm fine. Really. While I could stand me being tipsy, I don't think I could handle both of us." Chloe said, sitting herself beside Lois, who had to scoot over to make room. Her body pushed into Clark's and she couldn't help as her body reacted to his muscles, which she could feel even through his shirt and jacket. Chloe looked up suddenly, her eyes flickering to between the two sexual heated people before her.
With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes, "You know what? I think I will take that champagne." She held her hand out to Lois who happily offered the glass. "No. Being in the car with you two, I'll need the bottle." She grabbed it and took a long swig.
Lois and Clark watched Chloe gulp down almost half the bottle with shock before Lois softly snatched it from her.
"Hold on there, sailor. All in good time." She said, shocked at how light it was.
"Are you sure you're okay coming to Gotham with us, Chloe?" Clark asked with a weary look.
"Hey, beside the occasional random mood swings, I'm getting a sure handle of this."
"Tell that to the lady you almost punched in The Talon." Lois remarked with a cheeky grin.
Before they had left The Talon, Chloe had been hit with a powerful urge to smack a customer who had been acting difficult with the waiters. Channeling the waiter's anger, Chloe had almost pounced on the lady, screaming at her before Clark pulled her away all while apologizing profusely. Lois had taken it in good stride, laughing before paying for the lady's coffee.
Chloe pursed her lips, trying to hold back the little grin that was sure to appear as the hilarity of the moment filled her.
"Slight set back but I have you two to help out with that."
"Oh joy." Clark said, giving Chloe a encouraging smile.
"All right!" Lois spoke out, taking another sip of her champagne, "Let's get this show on the road!"
**************
"You really should figure out how to do this, Clark." Chloe said as she tied Clark's bow tie. He glanced down to watch, scrunching his face to better see the rapid movements of her hands as they tied the tangled mess of Clark's many attempts.
"I get by."
Chloe finished up, leaning back to admire her work, "You mean, you ask Lois."
Clark blushed beneath her knowing glare.
"You don't half bad, Clark Kent." She said, admiring him.
"Might I saw you look exceptionally gorgeous, Chloe."
Chloe brightened. She hadn't felt gorgeous. Her emotions being on the fritz, it left her feeling very discombobulated to point her self esteem was breaking beneath the pressure. Yet, when she had gotten a moment to herself, she admired herself in the mirror, feeling that what she had chosen was right. Lois had helped her rifle through the many racks of clothes she had in her closet before they both settled on a emerald green, heart shaped bodice dress that flowed down to just below her knees. She liked the way it flowed out when she spun around and had taken a few quiet moments to do just that. Her hair, she did herself, curling it to soft tendrils that fell around her face. But what really made the outfit feel special was the pair of tear drop earrings, the very same she had been admiring that fateful night, that had appeared on her doorstep the night before she left, a small rose place next to it. Chloe had practically squealed like a girl as she bent down to inhale the soft fragrance of the rose, the very same rose she had pinned into her hair, thankful it hadn't died yet.
"So, where's Lois?" Clark asked awkwardly, glancing around the hotel lobby.
Chloe rolled her eyes, reaching up to pull Clark's view around to the lobby stairs where Lois was descending. Clark's eyes widened as he saw her, his breath catching and his heart twisting as he drank up the sight of her.
"I told her that was a good dress." Chloe said to herself as she watched Clark's enamored expression.
Lois had opted for a softer look, choosing to wear a floor length champagne colored dress that trailed behind her. It dipped in the back, exposing enough skin to be elegant but not trashy. The gently creamy of color of the dress sat beautifully against her skin and the dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair laid in a soft loose bun, small chocolate strands falling around to outline her face. She came up to Clark and Chloe, her eyes lingering for a moment too long on Clark before she turned to her cousin.
"You look beautiful, Chloe."
"As do you. Doesn't she look beautiful, Clark?" Chloe teased, nudging Clark from his Lois induced stupor.
He blinked rapidly for a moment, giving Chloe a look of confusion before answering.
"Oh? Yeah. Lois, you look very beautiful." He said sincerely.
Lois tried to hold back the blush that rushed through her as she smiled at Clark through her eyelashes.
"You clean up quite well, Smallville." She said. His smile grew which just compelled her to smile even more. Chloe happily stood in the background, her eyes shining as she watched their intense golden auras, with it's collection of blues and reds that blazed brighter and brighter. She could the feathery strands of light that shot out of their bodies, connecting between them. It was better then a Fourth of July show.
They have no idea.
The thought pained her but gave her a sudden idea. Hadn't Lois been the one to suggest using her abilities for good? Wasn't showing them the strong connection they shared help enough? It wasn't hard to see that Lois and Clark were destined for each other even though they couldn't see it for themselves.
Maybe these abilities could help...
"You know what? I left my coat up in my room. I'll go get it and be right back!" She ran over to the stairs, glancing back only to see that they hadn't heard her.
As Clark had done to her, Lois drank up Clark. He stood dashing his suit, his hair slicked back with a coil up front that Lois couldn't help but think was cute.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked, hesitating for a moment before offering his arm out to her.
Smiling softly, she gladly took it, her heart thumping so loudly she was afraid he could hear it but it didn't matter because Clark's heart was beating just as loudly.
"Wow."
"Whoa."
"Geez, this guy's loaded."
All three of them titled their heads back but it still wasn't enough to get the entire view of Wayne Manor where the party was being hosted. Tinkling glasses, rapid conversations and the strong melody of an orchestra could be heard through the the massive doorway they headed for. Countless people meandered into the doorway, a wave of chiffon dresses and blacks suits. The foyer they entered was lit with a dazzling chandelier that hung over the crowd.
"How are we supposed to find anyone, let alone Bruce Wayne, in this mess of people?" Lois asked, her head turning from side to side. "Chloe!" She spoke out suddenly.
"What?!"
"You could find Bruce." Lois said, itching with excitement.
"What do you me-Oh no! I'm not a bloodhound!" Chloe said with a glare though the idea was very tempting indeed.
"Then don't think of it like that. Think of it as a way to expand your powers. If you can sense people's emotions around you, why not pick out a certain emotion and hold on to it."
"But I don't know what he's feeling?"
"You know of him! That's good enough."
"Yeah!" Clark chipped in, "Just think, if you were a billionaire hosting a major party, what would you be feeling."
Chloe scrunched her face, throwing her eyes around the room at the many faces that clouded her vision. Her body and mind was already tired from keeping out all the emotions that bombarded her but if she attempted this, it meant letting all those emotions back in.
"Okay...I'll try.:" She said, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes, letting the shield she had set up to fall down. She hissed as a crashing wave of emotions pummeled her, her body thrown back just a bit. In her head, voices and faces turned to feelings and colors, jealousy a hard green, the soft pale blue of sadness and the rich yellow of laughter. She slowly sifted throw them, letting her mind weave about until she grew more comfortable with the feeling. She let her mind think of only Bruce and suddenly as bright signal shined in the darkness, blasting out all other emotions until only the soft greyish hue of a deep secret laid in Chloe's mind. Whoever Bruce Wayne was, he was a man with many secrets and he hid them well. She slowly opened her eyes to the expectant faces of Lois and Clark.
"He's...by the back door." She said slowly, her body shaking with fatigue.
Lois scrunched her face in worry, "Oh Chloe! I didn't mean for this. I shouldn't have asked you to do that."
Chloe shook her head in reassurance, "Lois, it's fine. I'm glad you asked me. It's means a lot that you that I had it in me."
"Yeah, well not at the expense of hurting you." She said solemnly.
"Hey! I've discovered a new attachment to my ability. And you...and Clark have an interview with Mr. Wayne." She said, grabbing them both and heading through the crowd to wear the brilliant billionaire himself, stood against a gray haired butler. Lois stopped short, watching the billionaire for a moment before she walked over and stood in front of him, holding out her hand.
"Lois Lane. You must be Bruce Wayne." She said.
Chloe and Clark walked up behind her, Clark slightly perturbed.
Bruce's eyes lingered on the hand before he reached out and shook it, his head lifting to look at her.
"Yes, I am. And you must be Lois Lane. Daily Planet reporter." He said, his voice slipping from his lips softly. It caused Lois to be slightly caught off guard and it made Clark roll his eyes in the background, something he hardly ever did.
"Don't be alarmed but I've read some of your work. Interesting stuff." His eyes trailed over to Clark, who stood a bit straighter, puffing his chest out just a bit.
"And this must be Clark Kent." He said. Clark's eyes narrowed as he felt some underlying meaning in the way that Bruce said his name. Like...maybe he knew something.
"Hello." He said slowly, giving Bruce a handshake, impressed with how tight the grip was.
"And this beautiful lady is?" Bruce said to Chloe, who almost sputtered on the wine she had been sipping.
"Chloe Sullivan."
"Nice to meet you all. Are you enjoying yourselves? Care for some champagne?"
Before they could answer he turned to the old looking gentleman standing next to him, giving him a warm smile and a gentle tap on his arm.
"Alfred...." The old man turned to him with a try of champagne and a "got-you-covered" smile.
"So, Miss. Lane, something tells me you didn't just come for champagne and cheese balls."
She smiled, then with a roll of her eyes, pulled Clark up next to her.
"You're right. We're here to get an interview." She said, very straight to the point.
"Well, you don't hold back, do you?"
"I wasn't brought up that way."
"So, I've heard. I've done some work with General Lane and I can definitely see some family resemblance."
"They only resemblance I have concerning my father is the ability to tell the difference between a Swiss rifle and a BB gun." Lois said sternly.
Clark glanced back at Chloe, who shrugged her shoulders.
"Mr. Kent," Clark turned back to the voice, "I also remember your father, I'm sorry to hear of his passing. He was good man."
Clark hung his head, the familiar pain of his father's passing stinging his heart.
"Thank you."
"Well, I've have a party to host." He said, turning away. Lois jumped forward.
"Well, we only have a few questions."
Bruce stared hard at her. Chloe could feel a clashing of emotions and pushed Clark forward to intervene.
"Mr. Wayne, if you know General Lane well then you know that stubbornness is a family trait."
Bruce smiled softly, his gaze still on Lois. Clark could feel the seconds roll by slowly before Bruce finally shook his head in surrender.
"Fine. You win. Let me entertain some guests first and you can meet me in my office." He said, "Alfred will show you."
Lois smiled in triumph, turning to Clark with a smile that said she was the one who changed his mind. Clark could only give into her and smiled.
"Chloe, did you want to come?" He asked, turning to Chloe who was staring off into the crowd, her eyes searching. "Chloe, you okay?" Clark asked, following her gaze out into the crowd.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Um...No. You and Lois go. It's your story plus I thought I would just relax." She said hurriedly.
"Are you sure you-"
"I'm fine, Clark." She rushed.
He narrowed his eyes at her before following Lois. Chloe watched them leave before she rushed into the crowd, her eyes scanning the many faces until she sought the one she had seen briefly in the crowd.
"Why am I not surprised to see you here?"
Oliver Queen turned around from the bar, a drink leaving his lips as he smiled at her.
"I happen to not be a surprising guy." He pulled up beside her, leaning his head down until his breath tickled her skin sending soft goosebumps to ripple down her arms. "Plus I have Watchtower business to discuss."
Chloe scrunched her face in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Let's dance." He said, placing his drink down on a random surface and pulling her into his arms. She stiffened slightly as his arms wound around her waist but she softened into his body, relaxing in the way it seemed to so easily fit.
"Clark and Lois aren't here just for an interview with Bruce Wayne. It's a cover I needed to produce so Clark could talk to Bruce."
Chloe shifted her eyes around the crowd, lowering her voice. "So why is Clark here?"
"I think it has something to do with Lex." Oliver said slowly into her hair. Her head flew up, her eyes connecting with his. He nodded his head.
"But I thought..." She started then stopped. It wasn't hard to guess this was weighing down on him.
He nodded his head to her. "So many times I wished I could have taken back what I did..." He stopped and his voiced changed as he changed the subject, twirling her around the dance floor.
"Bruce's company have created synthetic suits similar to the Lex was trying to get his hands on, and recently some prototypes have gone missing, not to mention a hefty amount of Kryptonite was stolen from Metropolis Museum."
Chloe stared at aghast, "How come no one told me?"
"Well, I just didn't want too..."
"God, I wish people would stop tip toeing around me like I'm fine china. This Lex! We all know what he's capable of."
Oliver stopped them, his face full of frustration. "We don't even know if it is Lex." But the way he said made Chloe believe that he was trying hard to make himself believe that. He glanced over at the window, his eyes widening.
"What?"
"Batman..."
Lois and Clark had followed Alfred into a very impressive office filled with plush chairs and a shining mahogany floor that Clark felt he was likely to destroy in his black shoes.
"I hope he doesn't plan on leaving us high and dry over here while he sucks face with some blonde chick." Lois whispered to Clark, who glanced over to Alfred before giving Lois a hard look.
"No worries, Miss. Lane. Master Wayne will be here shortly." Alfred said to a rather embarrassed Lois. With a small nod, he closed the door, leaving Lois and Clark alone.
"So, what shall we ask him first?" Lois said, throwing herself on one of the soft chairs. "I was going to ask about his weapon manufacturing or if you want to a soft piece, we could ask about his hefty donation to the children of Malaysia?"
Clark glanced at Lois, forgetting that he wasn't here for a story but for information concerning the suits. He wondered how bringing Lois along for a story was such a good idea on Oliver's part but as he watched her lounge against the chair, her head titled to him and the soft glow of the moonlight hitting her skin, he couldn't help but not care. He was with Lois.
"Stop staring at me like that, Smallville. You're creeping me out." Lois said, turning her head to hide the small smile and rather bright blush that was filling her cheeks at his strong stare.
"Sorry."
"No worries but really we have to find-What the?!" Lois cried as a bright light filled the room. Clark covered his eyes as he tried to focus his vision. He could hear a small gasp from Lois as he finally took in what was now shining so brightly on the night sky.
"What's with these heroes and their calling cards though I do have to say this is slightly less hazardous then The Blur." Lois said beside him.
"I have to go." Clark spoke out suddenly.
"What?! Where could you possibly be going?"
Clark fished around in his head, "The bathroom?"
Lois stared at him for a moment, her eyes tinging with sadness before being glazed over by a coolness that made Clark's heart constrict.
"Fine." That one word cut through Clark like a knife but before he could think he grabbed Lois and pulled her in, his lips crushing her's in a kiss. Lois' stiffened in surprise as his lips moved softly over hers, sending tiny heated prickles through her body. She grabbed his face, pulling him in harder until his massive arms wrapped around her. Clark inhaled her sweet smell, his body reacting to her soft touches in ways he had never felt. As much as he hated to let her go, he gave her one last hard kiss before pulling free, the soft pop as their lips broke free. She stared up at him, her lips red. Her eyes were still mad but he could see the soft smile that laid on the lips he wished to touch again with his.
"Will you ever tell me?" Her voice was small, a sound so unfamiliar to Clark.
He gave her one last look, kissing her forehead before leaving.
By the time he arrived, the bodies laid sprawled in a massive heap. The sirens flared in the distance. Clark let his gaze trail the dark alleyway where his super-hearing at picked up on the scuffle.
"I'm not surprised how fast I got here. I do have a car. I'm more surprised at how fast you got here."
Clark stared into the darkest part of the alleyway, the on place untouched by the silvery glow of the moonlight. The voice, while familiar, was darkened. A voice that was meant to strike fear into the hearts of those who enjoyed placing it there. Slowly, as if part of the darkness, a black figure flowed forth.
"Hello, Clark." Said Batman.