Quip Pro Quo

Gotham

The ride down in the elevator seemed to take forever. It felt as if all her senses were at peak efficiency for the coming confrontation. Sights and smells seemed to be so distinct, like the young man next to her who was apparently overly fond of Axe body spray. Then there was the older man in the back of the elevator sucking down the Altoids to cover the smell of vodka from the three martinis. The younger woman next to him was obviously with him quietly reapplying the lipstick that he'd hastily smear in his inebriated over-eagerness to have sex with her. Them there was young mother clutching her child's hand as she nervously looked at the GPS on her phone, tripling checking the directions to the museum. It was obviously her first time in the city and she'd heard all the stories.

Details, details, details, you could tell so much about people just by noticing the details, Helena thought. She glanced ahead into the stainless steel doors of the elevator, rechecking her appearance. It was a carefully crafted study in neutral she wanted to present to Bruce Wayne. Helena knew he'd be looking for clues, signs, anything he could glean from her. She wanted there to be nothing on the surface for him to read. She'd carefully picked everything she was wearing, from her shoes to her suit, even her sunglasses so he would have no help in unraveling the mystery that was Helena – Fill in the last name.

The doors opened on the lobby and she let the young mother and child exit first. This was partly out of politeness and good manners, but it also allowed her some cover till she spotted him. It only took only a moment as he was still at the front desk. Helena doubted he'd given up on trying to get her room number from the clerk. He had more ways than just asking directly to get the information. She knew eventually he would find out, she just didn't want it to be too easy for him.

Helena followed the mother and child until she was much closer to Bruce.

"Mr. Wayne, should I be flattered or worried?" She asked with a hint of a smile.

He turned and looked at her for the first time. He was very smooth about it, but she knew he was taking in every detail.

"Flattered,' he finally replied. "Miss Pennyworth, is it now?"

"Yes, it's a nice name, don't you think?"

"Yes and familiar."

Helena smiled a little bigger and stepped closer.

"I'm head of Starr security, Mr. Wayne,' she said in a lower voice. "You said in New York you'd been looking into us. Did you really think I wouldn't do some checking on you too?"

Bruce smiled now.

"And so you have,' he said. "I doubt Alfred would appreciate you appropriating his name though."

"Than you could just call me Helena, Mr. Wayne,' she offered.

"Only if you call me Bruce, Helena."

"All right,' she agreed. "So you're here, was it just to get my room number or was there something else?"

He smiled a little more as she basically told him she knew exactly what his motivates were. It wouldn't be that easy, he thought, but he'd play the game.

"Well, that depends on you, Helena."

"How so?"

Bruce glanced around. The lobby of the hotel wasn't the place for this.

"Why don't we get some coffee and talk?" He said. 'I know a small place a couple of blocks from here."

"The hotel has a coffee shop/bistro, why don't we just go in there?" She countered.

He'd let her have location, he thought; perhaps it would make her overconfident.

"All right, after you,' he said.

Helena nodded and turned towards the left. She had checked everything out, trying to think like he might think. He'd given up location, but she reminded herself not to get overconfident. Remember whom you're dealing with, she thought.

They made their way across the lobby, passed the lounge and into the little coffee shop/bistro. It wasn't crowded at this time of day and they were shown to a table away from the other patrons. Bruce moved to hold one of the chairs out for her, but Helena had already picked out another. She wanted to sit facing the entrance and forcing him to have his back to it. It was a small thing, but she knew he wouldn't like it. With a silent sigh, Bruce took the seat, but managed to angle it so he could still see anyone coming in. The waitress came immediately and they both ordered. They were only having coffee so she filled both their cups. The waitress said if they wanted anything else just to give her a wave. As she moved away, Helena set her purse on the table next to her and leaned back.

"So, Bruce?"

It felt so weird calling him Bruce, she thought. If she'd tried that with her father, she wasn't sure how long it would have been before she could sit down. This isn't your father, she reminded herself.

"So why are you in Gotham, Helena?" Bruce asked.

"I could ask what concern of yours that is?" She replied.

Okay, now she's just being coy, he thought. He didn't mind playing this game with her, in fact he was enjoying it, but there were limits.

"You used my butler's last name, Helena, so obviously you wanted me to know you're here,' he stated. "So again, why are you here?"

Mentally she chastised herself, or more accurately her father's voice chastised her for being too cute with her answers. As she pondered just how she wanted to phrase her response she could help being struck by how much this Bruce Wayne resembled Bruce Wayne back home. It wasn't just the looks, but the whole demeanor. She saw the differences, but they weren't nearly as pronounced as the differences between Clark here and back home.

She couldn't help wondering if on every world where Bruce Wayne's parents and her grandparents were killed if he didn't turn into the Batman. It was the pivotal moment of his life it seemed, no matter what the world.

This made her think of Clark. Before meeting this one, she would have guessed the key moment in his life was his Kryptonian parents putting him in a rocket ship and saving him. Now that she had met this world's Superman she couldn't help thinking how the differences were much more striking than the differences between the two Batmen. Superman apparently had many different pivotal moments in his life, but Batman really came down to just one.

These were thoughts for later she knew, but they flashed through her brain anyway. Shifting slightly in her seat, she knew he was waiting for a reply.

"I'm here on business,' she offered. "You'll understand I can't go into the specifics but it involves organized crime and some of Starr Industries research."

"Starr Industries isn't in arms, Helena,' Bruce replied. "From what I've been led to understand, most of their work is theoretical. Hardly the sort of thing criminals would be interested in."

"Normally yes," she agreed. "I'm sure you're familiar with the term duel use, Bruce. While Star Industries technology is research minded, others believe they can use it for more practical, dangerous uses."

What she was saying was essential true. Organized crime elements in Europe and the Far East were looking for highly advanced technology for new weapons. Starr Industries had been targeted before, but hadn't been breached. Helena knew the best lie used as many of the facts as possible. It gave it an air of believability so it was easier to slip in the falsehood.

"Why Gotham?" Bruce asked.

"Gotham is the entry point for much of this new tech,' Helena replied. "Several arms dealers were caught and their organizations broken up in Europe recently, but new, more dangerous groups have stepped into the take their place."

"Huntress."

Bruce said it and stared at Helena watching for any reaction. She was expecting this and instead of denying it, she had already worked out her answer. She reached up and slowly took her sunglasses off and returned his gaze.

"Yes, she works for me."

Bruce was genuinely surprised by this answer. He was almost certain Helena and the Huntress was one and the same. He expected a denial, but not this answer.

"She works for you? Huntress?"

"Yes."

There was something about the way he said Huntress that Helena caught. It was the tone of his voice, almost a distain that caught her off guard.

"You don't approve of what the Huntress is doing?" Helena couldn't help asking.

"It's not what she's doing, it's how,' he replied. "Murder is never the answer."

"There is no evidence she committed murder." Helena said too quickly.

That was a mistake, and the both realized it. She'd let herself get caught up in the thought that he disapproved of her and tried justifying her actions. He's not your father the voice inside her head reminded her.

"They might not be able to prove it but people are dead because of her actions."

Bruce wanted to press his advantage, hoping the small slip would lead to bigger slips.

'Batman."

"Excuse me?" He replied.

"We're in Gotham, Bruce, home of Batman, remember?" Helena said. "Are you saying no one has ever died because of his actions?"

"I wouldn't know,' Bruce calmly stated. "He doesn't fill me in on all his activities."

"Of course, but I'm just saying he's well known for taking on organized crime here in Gotham, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"He takes out one crime family and the others move into to take their place,' Helena explained. "Criminal on criminal crime isn't unheard of."

"Even saying that's true, it's different from what the Huntress is doing,' he pointed out. "The deaths were a direct response to her actions. If you're working with her, I would think that would worry you."

"If she can stop them from bringing a bomb into Gotham, one that could be devastating to the public at large, isn't that more important that whether a few criminals hurt each other?"

"What sort of bomb?" He asked.

"I'm not sure, but from what I've heard a mutation bomb of some sort,' she replied.

"Mutation bomb?"

"Yes, does that sound like something anyone wants going off in Gotham?"

Bruce considered this. He'd heard reports of something similar from Batgirl, but no actual sale had gone down. Was it possible others were attempting the same thing, he wondered? Yes, of course it was, but that was a side issue for now. The young woman sitting in front of him was the focus of this meeting.

"If you are so worried, why not alert the authorities?"

"They like proof and I don't have any hard evidence just yet,' Helena replied. "I imagine they would have the same reaction you did if I told them I heard this from the Huntress."

So she's going to stick to that story, he thought. Okay, he had to admit it certainly fit the facts, but he wasn't buying it for one minute. She was good, but her story was leading somewhere.

"Well I guess that explains why you're here,' he offered. "I feel better already. It does make me wonder why you went to all the trouble to make me aware of your arrival and why you're telling me all this?"

Helena gave him a big smile.

"Batman."

"What about him?" Bruce replied.

"I imagine this is information he'd want to know."

"I guess,' Bruce said.

"I was hoping you would pass it along, Bruce,' Helena suggested.

"Me? Why me?" He asked. "I don't exactly run in the same circles as our resident crime fighter does."

"No, but you've met him haven't you?" Helena asked.

"Yes."

"Well, a leading, upstanding citizen like you must have ways of getting information to people like him. I'm sure you have friends on the police force and that sort of thing,' she suggested. "I don't know anyone in this city, so I wouldn't even know where to start, never mind trying to find someone as elusive as the Batman."

He had to wonder if she was implying anything, but knew there was no way she knew he was Batman. It wasn't possible. He just had to stick with his story.

"Well, I do know some fellows in the force, but as for the Batman, I doubt I could even find him,' Bruce said. "These vigilante types are unpredictable to say the least."

"Well, I'm sure you'd have better luck than I would,' Helena replied. "I mean you're rather famous as Gotham's first son and all. I'm going to continue to keep track of this from the Starr Industries angle, but I thought I'd better leave the big picture to those that know this city better."

"I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do,' Bruce said.

"Thank you."

"I haven't done anything yet.' Bruce insisted.

Helena smiled and picked up her purse. Her coffee sat untouched on the table. She figured he might try and get some prints off it, so she wasn't going to help him with that either. She had one more little nugget she wanted to leave him with.

"I have confidence in you, Bruce,' she said. "I'm sure the message will reach the right parties. Oh, you should probably warn them that the Huntress might show up here in Gotham too."

"That wouldn't be a good idea."

Bruce wasn't smiling as he said this. Helena shrugged as she started to stand up.

"What can I do?" She said. "Like you said, these vigilante types are so unpredictable. Thanks for the coffee."

With that she headed for the exit and towards the street. She thought she would take a little walk around and compare this Gotham to the one she grew up in. The meeting had gone almost how she thought it would. He might not believe her, but at least she'd offered an explanation. It was one that focused him on her, not Karen and that was all she really wanted in the first place.

Bruce watched her leave. A very interesting young woman he thought. Quite attractive too, but not his type, definitely not his type, but still interesting and intelligent. He had to smile as he thought how well prepared she was for this meeting. That was something he'd been trying to drill into Damien, but was still working on it. Whoever she really was, she must have had a good teacher, he thought. Who that teacher was, was just another question he would have to find the answer for. He would find it sooner or later and know everything about Miss Helena –Fill in the last name.

As Helena left the building and started down the sidewalk, Bruce wasn't the only person taking an interest in her. In fact two people were watching her at that very moment, Damien and Selina. They had different reasons for their interest in Helena, but both were bothered by her presence in Gotham. Although, Selina did have to admit there was something about the young woman's style she liked. Damien didn't like anything about her. Independently, they both decided they would have to keep an eye on Helena.

Metropolis

The movie was letting out and Clark and Jimmy moved with the crowd. They were talking about what they liked and disliked about the summer blockbuster they'd just seen.

"Puny God! Come on, Clark that was classic!" Jimmy enthusiastically said.

"Yeah, that was a good scene,' Clark replied.

It was Saturday night, date night for many at the theater. Clark found himself looking at the couples all around them. As Jimmy continued his praise of the movie Clark found his mind wandering back to Karen. She hadn't been in touch and he wasn't really sure she would be. They'd had sex, but beyond that he didn't know what their status was. Were they in a relationship? Did she want a relationship? Before the night at his apartment he would have said no, she wanted nothing to do with him, but now he didn't have any idea.

She was the most confusing woman he'd ever met.

"Earth to Clark!" Jimmy shouted.

"What? Oh, sorry, I must have drifted off there for a moment,' Clark replied.

"I know what this is about, Clark."

"I don't think you do, Jimmy."

"Hey, you're out with me on a Saturday night, that says a lot,' Jimmy offered. "We're surrounded by couples so it's not a huge leap to know you're thinking about women."

"And you're not?" Clark asked.

"Yeah!" Jimmy said with a roll of his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "The difference is I'm at least trying to do something to change it. You never ask anyone out."

"And yet we're both in the same situation," Clark replied.

"At least I'm asking women out,' Jimmy said in his defense. "I mean the last date you had Lois set you up with her sister. You went out once with her and that's it. You need to get in the game, buddy. Take a shot, ask someone out."

"Like who? Lois?" Clark said.

"Yeah, right, like that would happen,' Jimmy replied with a laugh. "You just went out with her sister, Clark, only a complete douche would ask her out now. Besides she's already got a boyfriend."

"It was just an example,' Clark offered.

"A bad one,' Jimmy replied. "You might as well say you're going to ask Karen Starr out. I mean you have about as much chance."

"Well, I have met her, remember?" Clark said. "She did come to the office awhile ago."

"And I believe you described it as her bitching you out and leaving in a huff."

"Well, it could have went better, yeah,' Clark admitted. "Still she's really attractive."

"Duh?" Jimmy said. "No kidding. She's also like way out of your league, buddy. She's a billionaire or something. She probably has rich guys falling all over themselves to take her out. Didn't I read she was going out with Michael Holt for a while? We're talking major bucks there. I don't think you could afford to compete with guys like that for someone like her. Why don't you set your sights a little lower, dude? Stop thinking about swinging for the fences and just get on base first. Why don't you ask out Nancy down in accounting?"

"Well, for one, she's already living with a guy and two she's pregnant,' Clark replied.

"What? She's pregnant? How do you even know that?" Jimmy asked. Clark suddenly realized he'd said too much. That he'd accidently overheard Nancy telling someone at the Planet he couldn't admit, especially since it was five floors down when he heard it.

"I'm a reporter, Jimmy, remember? Information, that's my stock and trade."

"Yeah, right,' Jimmy dismissively said. "Okay, so cross Nancy off the list, but she was just an example. Guys like us don't get women like Karen Starr. We'd probably go bankrupted trying. She lives a jet set life out of our price range, buddy."

"Well, maybe she'd like something different,' Clark suggested. "You know, ask her out on a date where it isn't about money, but something that shows you think she's special and unique."

"Good luck with that,' Jimmy replied. "It would have to be really unique to pull that off."

"You never know until you try,' Clark offered.

"Yeah, and I'm sure in that make believe world you're talking about fairy tales come true too,' Jimmy said. "Maybe you should think about giving Lois' sister another shot."