Party Life

"That man of loneliness and mystery,
Scarce seen to smile, and seldom heard to sigh.

He knew himself a villain—but he deem'd
The rest no better than the thing he seem'd;
And scorn'd the best as hypocrites who hid
Those deeds the bolder spirit plainly did.
He knew himself detested, but he knew
The hearts that loath'd him, crouch'd and dreaded too.
Lone, wild, and strange, he stood alike exempt
From all affection and from all contempt."

- Lord Byron –the Corsair -

New York

The sleek black limousine moved silently across the bridge into Manhattan. Karen sipped her glass of champagne. It wasn't her skyline, yet she had to admit it was still spectacular. She glanced over and Helena and smiled. Helena still wasn't talking to her. The cause was very simple; Karen had waited until the very last minute before confirming their attendance to the trade show. She'd done this deliberately. Karen wasn't a fool so when Helena showed interested in attending she knew something was up. The whole ruse of going to Metropolis to thank Clark had been just to get Karen's goat. It worked, but later Karen realized it was all a ploy on her friend's part. A quick scan of invited guests informed her of Helena's real reason for wanting to attend, Bruce Wayne.

Karen figured there wasn't any use pointing out how dangerous it was. Helena would first deny that was the reason and when that failed; she would say something to the effect that he didn't know who she was, so there was no real risk. It was a game, as simple as that. She just wanted to see him in the flesh one time to satisfy her curiosity. It was one night and then she would be gone back into the shadows. The temptation was just too irresistible. Somehow Helena would get her way so there was no point in arguing with her. That didn't mean Karen couldn't enjoy letting her twist in the wind a bit though.

Karen certainly understood the temptation. Back home, Helena's parents Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle were dead. This was as close as she was ever going to get to seeing either of them again, unless Karen could figure out how to get the quantum tunneler to work. The destruction in Japan had set all of that back who knows how long. Who wouldn't want to be able to see what their parents were like when they were young? While that wasn't a possibility for Karen on either world it was for Helena. Krypton was gone on both worlds, so there was no chance of seeing her real parents every again. What wouldn't Karen give for that opportunity? It would be like getting a glimpse into the past. Karen just hoped Helena always remembered this wasn't her father, this wasn't her Bruce Wayne.

"So have you decided on which last name you're going to use?" Karen ventured.

Helena turned from looking out the window. She was still a little pissed that her friend tortured her that way, but they were here now.

"Helena Bertinelli."

"I thought you burned that name already?"

"I did," Helena replied. "It's only one night, I didn't want to just waste another."

"And if he checks?" Karen asked.

"Why would he check as a trade show?"

"He's Batman, you know better than anyone if he's anything like your Batman he'll check."

"Maybe, but that's where the fun part comes in,' Helena said with a smile. "Besides, I've already got a back up plan that should keep him busy in that event."

"It better be a damn good one,' Karen stated.

"Oh, it is, trust me, it is."

There was something about the way Helena smiled that worried Karen, but she knew it was pointless to ask. Helena liked her secrets as much as everyone else in her family.

New York

The Wayne Enterprises jet taxied to a stop and the ground crew rushed out to meet it. A limo was waiting. The door opened just as the rolling staircase moved into position. Two gorgeous models emerged from the plane, both carrying champagne glasses. They giggled and laughed at something someone behind them said. A moment passed and then Bruce Wayne emerged. He was smiling as he ushered the women down the staircase and into the waiting car. It sped off a moment later.

In the back of the limo Bruce popped open another bottle of champagne and filled their glasses. They toasted to New York. Neither really noticed that Bruce hadn't been drinking more than a sip now and then. This was one of those increasingly rare events where he played the part of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. There was sure to be lots of press and his name would make all the headlines. The star power of the others attending the trade show would just amplify the attention.

The other reason he was here was the trade show. When he'd gone over the guest list and the exhibits, there were several new technologies he wanted to see. His own company was showing off some of its latest designed and the chance to see if any of his competition was working on similar projects wasn't to be missed. Corporate espionage never got the headlines murders or sex scandals did, but the money involved made it a global problem that was growing every year. China alone accounted for a large segment of it. To do business in the country you had to show they all you designs specs and the technology used in making the product. Knock-offs usually appeared within months. Once the intellectual property was out, it was damn difficult to reign it back in.

Bruce hated being away from Gotham, but this trip would pay for itself in the long term. Now he just had to play the part and soon enough this would all be over.

New York

Clark had transferred from the M60 LaGuardia bus onto the subway. He stood in the cramped car, holding a strap and trying not to let the smells overwhelm him. While he had learned to control his abilities, in a close, confined space like this some slipped through. Even to an average human it was a little rough. He silently cursed again getting stuck with this assignment. The paper had booked him a coach seat here and there were several stops on the way. He was to cover the trade show opening and get some quotes from the top people then catch the redeye back. His own boss, Morgan Edge would be in attendance. The television arm of his empire would certainly be covering his every move.

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center – Later

Clark moved through the hall grabbing quotes here and there. A podium had been set up for the official press conference, but that held little interest for him. It was all stagecraft for the cameras. It made it seem as if those answering questions were actually fielding questions from all comers. The truth was their staff had already briefed them on who was sitting where and which friendly reporters to call on. If by some wild chance Clark actually got to ask a question, it would be deflected with a non-answer and then the next question from a friendly reporter would be sought. He figured he had a better chance of actually get something real by mingling through the crowd.

His press pass got him into the areas the general public wasn't allow, but he never made the mistake of thinking he belong here. This was a club and he wasn't in it. He was just like the general public only he got to step over the velvet rope. If he needed a reminder of this fact, all he had to do what try and have a conversation with any of these titans of industry. It would be all smiles as they waited for their people to usher Clark away. This was their world and the best he could hope for was to be an observer. That he was one of the top reporters for the Daily Planet meant nothing. Television had long ago replaced the print media as the dominant force in news. The strange synergy of huge corporations owning the very media that was supposed to report on them barely registered with the public anymore.

Info-tainment was a cheap way of looking at it. Once the news divisions of the networks were separate entities, but now they were integrated into the overall structure. They were for profit arms of the whole, just like sports and sitcoms. The 24 hours news channels just accelerated this. On all of these supposed 'news' channels the opinion show became the biggest ratings winner. Where actually news shows needed facts, opinion shows didn't. Talking heads could give their own personal take on why such and such was happening, regardless if they had any facts to back it up or not. If called on it, they fell back on it was just an opinion show and open to all points of view.

Back in 1983, approximately 50 corporations controlled the vast majority of all news media in the United States. Today, ownership of the news media has been concentrated in the hands of just 6 incredibly powerful media corporations. The six corporations that collectively control U.S. media today are Time Warner, Walt Disney, Viacom, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., CBS Corporation and NBC Universal. Together, the "big six" absolutely dominate news and entertainment in the United States. But even those areas of the media that the "big six" do not completely control are becoming increasingly concentrated. For example, Clear Channel now owns over 1000 radio stations across the United States. Companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are increasingly dominating the Internet. Most people wouldn't even know that Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners own Clear Channel Communications and their 1000 stations.

Clark had no illusions about who really ran things. In some ways he knew he was on borrowed time. Morgan Edge now owned the Planet and while so far he was allowing is some free reign, it was only a matter of time before the compromises started. Hadn't he already bought and run with a story about Superman's secret identity? Some poor innocent guy almost got killed because the sensationalism was ratings gold, even if it wasn't true. They could always print a retraction, but the damage was already done. It was a matter of time before the type of stories Clark wrote would run up against one of Morgan Edge's interests. That would be the moment they'd all find out how much of a free press they still had.

Clark stayed on the edges, always the observer. The chances of getting anything real or honest out of this were minimal. He would stick to the facts. Mentioning who was here would satisfy Perry and the Morgan Edge suits that were looking over his shoulder. Turning his attention away from the people, Clark moved over to the actual productions and designs that were on display. He listened as the representative of the manufacturer explained each of them. Prototype and just a mock-up seemed to be thrown around quite a bit. This either meant they were rushing it to the market or they hadn't finished it yet. Either way, he would keep an eye on those companies for future articles. It was while he was checking out the products and designs he first heard it.

"I still think Superman is a menace, to tell the truth."

"His an alien."

"Damn vigilante, he's worse than that one in Gotham."

"Superman will turn on us, you mark my words. The government should take him down now."

"Alien or now, clearly the man has issues. I mean prancing around in that outfit with a cape? It couldn't be any worse if he wore his underwear on the outside."

Clark turned at the last voice, which was familiar to him. Bruce gave him a quick look and then went back to the discussion with those crowded around him. A little dig from Bruce Wayne, who would have imagined, Clark thought. It almost made up for the other comments to see Bruce actually had a sense of humor. As for the other comments, Clark was used to them by now. Yes, he'd won over many but a large majority still feared him. It wasn't even Superman really, it was both sides of him. Those that wanted to get close like Heather Kelley always seemed to end up in danger just by being close to him. She believed he wasn't interested because he had someone else he was in love with. The truth, which he couldn't tell her, was he feared getting close and the harm it might put her in.

That fear isolated him from just about everyone. They all believed he was a loner by choice, but that wasn't it. Clark felt he had to be by necessity. He didn't want to live with the idea that someone might be in danger because they were close to him. That he called it a Fortress of Solitude took on another meaning when seen in that light.

So here he was, always the outsider, the observer looking in at the rest of life. His eyes moved over to Bruce Wayne and watched him for a few moments. The mask was so good, the mysterious, billionaire playboy that it seemed to obscure the fact that he was rarely seen much anymore. The Batman was his real life now.

And then he saw her.

Clark hadn't known she was going to be here, so it surprised him when Karen Starr walked into the room. He noticed she was with her friend, Helena, but his focus was on Karen. Part of him wanted to go over to her, but their last meeting was still fresh in his mind. She made her wishes very apparently and he had promised to honor them. He couldn't do anything about being in the same room with her, but he could keep his distance. He would do his job and get back on the redeye.

Across the hall, Karen and Helena scanned the crowd. They would have made their way here sooner, but Karen's last minute arrival meant the organizers wanted her to do a small press conference. She fielded some questions from the right reporters and then thanked them all before leaving the podium. She could feel Helena's excitement rising as they moved through the crowd. Neither had seen Bruce Wayne yet, but the organizer had informed them he was definitely here. Karen found she was a little curious about him too. Would he be anything like the man she knew back home?

They stepped into the private room and accepted glasses of champagne. Several people came over to talk to her immediately and she put on her best smile. She chatted for a few minutes, discreetly scanned the crowd just as she knew Helena was doing.

"He's over there." Helena whispered.

Karen followed her friend's eyes and saw Bruce Wayne at the center of a large group. They were all laughing and having a grand time it seemed. Her eyes shifted passed Bruce and then she saw him, Clark. The glass in her hand shattered and for a moment she wasn't sure what to do.

"Are you all right, Miss Starr?"

"Did you cut yourself? I'll call the paramedics if you want?"

"No, no, just a clumsy mistake,' Karen offered. She accepted a towel from one of the waiters and quickly dried her hand and arm off. "I guess I don't know my own strength some times."

She gave a little fake laugh and the others jointed her.

"Will you excuse me for a moment?"

She kept smiling as she took Helena by the arm and moved away.

"He's here!" Karen whispered.

"I know, I already told you that,' Helena replied.

"Not him, Clark."

"Clark? Where?'

"Over there,' Karen said, tipping her head towards where she'd seen Clark.

"No he's not." Helena replied. Karen turned and didn't see Clark. For a second she wondered if she was just imagining it, but then did a quick scan of the room. She spotted him talking to one of the spokesmen at an exhibit.

"Over there,' she said, pointing this time.

"Oh, now I see him,' Helena replied. "Well, maybe he's working. He is a reporter, you know."

"At a tech trade show? That's not his area,' Karen countered. "I thought I could take him at his word and he would leave me alone. Damn it, I knew that was too good to be true."

"Hold on, I think you're jumping the gun a bit,' Helena offered. "You seemed to be forgetting something."

"Oh really? What?"

"You weren't expected to be here, remember? You wanted me to twist in the wind till the last minute for getting you to agree to come to this,' Helena pointed out. "Oh, don't deny it, I know that's what you were doing. You knew Bruce Wayne was going to be here, so you thought it would be funny to screw with me."

"That was just payback for screwing with me,' Karen countered.

"Either way,' Helena said. "He wouldn't have known you were coming, so he's probably just as shocked at seeing you as you are of seeing him."

"Well, when you put it that way,' Karen reluctantly admitted.

"Just ignore him and I'm sure he'll get the message."

"He better,' Karen muttered under her breath.

Bruce leaned his head back and laughed at some stupid joke. He put his hand on the man's shoulder and pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. He figured he'd go all out at this thing and then he wouldn't have to do another for a long time.

"And the midget said 'that's not a cannoli' oh, my god, that's rich, just rich,' he laughed. "You're a pistol, chum, a pistol!"

He used his laugh to move passed the man and away from the group. The joke was lame, but it gave him an excuse to get away. While he was pretending to listen to the man, out of the corner of his eye he saw Clark react to something. It was almost as if he were seeing a ghost and that peaked Bruce's interest. He followed Clark's line of sight and saw the two women near the entrance. One he knew from the trades was Karen Starr of Starr Industries, but the other one was mystery. He couldn't quite place it, but something about her reminded him of someone. It was a strange feeling that he knew her, even though she was a stranger. That Clark had reacted so strongly to them, only added to his interest. Bruce knew he was going to have to meet both of them before he left.

Clark continued checking out the booths, gathering information for his story. It wasn't his fault she was here, he told himself. He'd checked the confirmed guests just before he left and she wasn't on the list. He was doing his job, that's all. There were almost 500 people in this part of the hall, so it shouldn't be too hard to steer clear of her. After all, she was in the club and he was just an outsider.

The evening continued.

Karen chatted with several of the corporate leaders, but she always kept one eye on Clark. It had been two hours since she'd first spotted him, but he'd kept his distance. He seemed to be going out of his way not to notice her. While this should have pleased her, it sort of irritated her. Yes, they'd agreed to leave each other alone, but they were in the same room now. It was one thing to keep his distance, but he was completely ignoring her. Good manners would at least cause him to say hello, she thought. Not that she wanted to talk to him again, she didn't, but he could at least say hello and acknowledge she was here.

Clark had finished with all the booths and had enough for his story. He still had time to make his flight, so he lingered a bit longer. Occasionally he would glance over at Karen, but she seemed bound and determined not to acknowledge him. When she'd told him point blank she wanted nothing to do with him, he had been hurt, but accepted it. Now that they were in the same room, he found he was a little pissed about the whole thing. It wasn't bad enough she'd implied he was a stalker and called the cops on him, now she wasn't even acknowledging him. Frankly, she seemed like a bit of a bitch, if he was being honest. Well, the hell with her, he thought, she wants to pretend I'm not here; well two can play that game. Really mature, Clark, really mature, he thought, is it any wonder you're still single?

Bruce had taken his time working his way through the crowd. He kept an eye on the two young women, but continued to make sure everyone knew he was there. Finally he disengaged himself from a rather dull conversation and walked towards Karen and Helena. He put his best smile on as he reached them.

"Excuse me, I don't believe we've been introduce,' he said. "I'm …"

"Bruce Wayne.' Helena said cut him off.

"Um, yes, that's right,' he replied.

"Karen Starr, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce took her hand and kissed it.

'My pleasure, Miss Starr, and who is your lovely friend?"

"Helena Bertinelli."

Helena extended her hand and smiled widely as he kissed it. She could barely contain herself. He was doing it, the 'playboy thing' and it was just as her mother described it. Oh, she thought, it was worth coming just for this.

"Again, a pleasure, Miss Bertinelli,' Bruce said. "Have we met before?"

"I don't believe so,' Helena replied. "I'm sure I'd remember meeting the world famous playboy, Bruce Wayne."

"Don't believe everything you hear,' Bruce offered.

"Didn't you come in with those two models over there?" Helena asked.

"Well, um, yes, they're friends."

"Friends?" Helena questioned.

"Yes, friends,' Bruce replied.

"So you three have a lot to talk about do you?" Helena couldn't help teasing him.

"We share some interests, yes,' Bruce offered. Now that he was closer to her, he definitely felt like he knew her. She reminded him of someone, but he still couldn't figure out whom.

Karen could see Helena was enjoying this just a little too much. She needed to pull it back a notch.

"So Mr. Wayne, what do you think of the trade show so far?" Karen asked.

Bruce had almost forgotten Karen was still standing there, as his mind tried to place Helena. He turned to Karen and smiled.

"I guess it's okay, for what it is,' he nonchalantly offered. "I bit dull if you want to know the truth."

"I would think someone with a company as large as yours would take a keen interest in what's begin offered here, Mr. Wayne,' Helena interjected. "I noticed you looking at that particular display earlier."

She pointed to one of the competitors that Bruce was sure was stealing designs from Wayne Industries.

"Yes, I was,' he admitted.

"Those designs seemed familiar, don't they?" She asked.

"I hadn't noticed." He replied. "What about them seem familiar to you, Miss Bertinelli?"

Karen sensed they were on dangerous ground. Helena was having so much fun with him, she had just implied that she knew those designs were from Wayne Industries. He was sure to become curious about them now. That was no good. They needed to get away from him and fast.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, would you excuse us?" Karen said, taking Helena by the arm. "Ladies room, you understand."

"Of course.

"Nice meeting you, Mr. Wayne,' Helena called to him as Karen escorted her away.

"Interesting meeting you too, Miss Bertinelli,' Bruce softly replied.

Karen practically dragged Helena into the restroom.

"Have you lost your mind?" She immediately asked.

"What? I was just having some fun with him,' Helena countered.

"You basically told him you know what his company's newest designs are and that those are copies,' Karen stated. "You don't think that's going to get his interest? You want to get caught, don't you?"

"No, of course not,' Helena replied. "It's obvious to anyone with a brain those are copies. Just looking at the design and comparing them to the Wayne Industries display and you can see it. I just wanted to see if he'd admit it, that's all."

"Well, if he wasn't interested in who you were before, he is now,' Karen fired back. "He's probably checking out Helena Bertinelli as we speak."

"Okay, sorry,' Helena offered. "It's just when he went all playboy, it was exactly like mom said it was. She did an impression and it was dead on."

"Helena, he's not your dad, remember?"

"I know."

"I'm sorry, but maybe you should stay away from him for awhile,' Karen suggested. "Just to be safe, okay?"

"You take all the fun out of it,' Helena replied. "I've got this covered remember? I'm five steps ahead of him so don't worry."

"That's what worries me, you underestimating him."

"Trust me, I got this,' Helena said as she headed back towards the party. Karen sighed and followed her, hoping her friend knew what she was doing.

Bruce had already moved on by the time they came back. It was something of a relief to Karen and she tried to relax and enjoy herself. The only problem was that now the crisis had been averted she couldn't help noticing Clark was still ignoring her. It was as if he were deliberately moving as far away as he could from her. She tried not letting it bother her, but as she talked with some people, she couldn't help looking over to where he was. She was so distracted she didn't realize Helena wasn't standing next to her until she saw her moving towards Clark. No, no, no, Karen thought, leave him alone!

Bruce was engaged in conversation with some of his largest supplies. He kept it at the chitchat level, but his eyes were moving over the crowd. Something about that Bertinelli women intrigued him. He was damned if he could place who she reminded him off. He was still trying to figure out who it was, when he saw her moving toward Clark Kent of all people. Well that was interesting, he thought.

Clark of course had seen Bruce talking to Karen and Helena. He didn't eavesdropping, but really didn't have to. Just by Bruce's body language he could tell he was putting on the charm offensive. He found he didn't particularly care for Bruce talking to Karen, but it was none of his business who she talked to or didn't. Just do your job Clark, that's what you're here for.

"Mr. Kent?"

Clark turned to see Helena standing next to him.

"Hello."

"Hi, I'm Helena, Karen's friend,' she offered.

"Yes, I know,' he replied.

"I just wanted to come over and thank you personally for what you did for us. I know you didn't have to, but I wanted you to know I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, um, I don't know your last name tonight,' he admitted.

"I'm going with Bertinelli, but please, call me Helena."

"Only if you'll call me Clark, Helena."

"Deal."

Karen was watching all of this and she didn't like it. First he ignores her and then he gets all chummy with Helena. Okay, she admitted to herself, she wasn't exactly friendly to him the last time they talked, but that didn't mean he had to hit on her friend, either. Look at them both smiling like they're best friends already. It's not right, Karen grumbled to herself. Leave him alone, Helena!

Bruce had been watching as well. He found himself having the strangest reaction to seeing Clark with Helena. He didn't like it, at all. It wasn't as if he was attracted to her himself. Yes, she was a very beautiful young woman, but that wasn't it. It was something else, an almost protective feeling. That was ridiculous, he knew, but that's what it felt like. He definitely did not like Clark talking to her.

Clark and Helena chatted for a short while and then she thanked him again and moved away. He smiled and then moved back to one of the booths to recheck some figures. Out of the corner of his eye he could swear Karen was staring at him. She didn't look happy. Well, he thought, I'm keeping my part of the bargain, so it must be something else.

Helena stole a glance at Karen and smiled as she saw her reaction. This trade show was turning out to be wonderful fun. She moved towards the bar and just as she reached it, Bruce Wayne was standing next to her. Warning bells went off in Helena's head.

"I didn't know you were so friendly with the press, Miss Bertinelli?"

"I'm not really, I just like his articles and wanted to tell him so,' she offered.

"His articles?"

"Yes."

"Well, you're full of surprises, aren't you,' Bruce observed.

"Yes, I am,' Helena replied.

"Like you last name, Bertinelli,' Bruce said. "Very interesting last name, very interesting."

The warning bells were at full volume now. Helena knew she'd pushed things too far.

"You know, Interpol has some interest in someone named Helena Bertinelli,' Bruce offered.

"Really? Small world."

"Very small."

Helena took a sip of her champagne as she tried to figure out her next move. Fortunately she had planned ahead and at that moment her plan materialized.

"Interesting people that attend these trade shows, wouldn't you say, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce started to answer, but then glanced at the door. Just walking in was Selina Kyle. What was she doing here? He turned back towards Helena, but she was already gone.

"Well, this is going to be an interesting night,' he muttered to himself.