Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.

A/N: no comment.

CHAPTER 14: Heroes

Bruce Wayne's Mansion

" Clark, can I have a word with you ? " asked Bruce when his guests were leaving the dining-room for their bedrooms.

" Sure, " answered a puzzled Clark.

" Come to my study. We'll be more comfortable there, " said the billionaire, leading the way to his private quarters.

" What was it that you wanted to talk about, Bruce ? "

" I know who you are, Clark. "

" I'm not following you, Bruce, " he answered with a frown.

" I saw you in Metropolis during a late night mugging. It's OK, I won't spill the beans. All of us have got secrets, Clark, as I know only too well. There's something I want to show you, " he said, pressing a hidden button inside a sculpture.

" What's this ? "

" Don't fear ! I won't lock you up in a dungeon. I just want you to see we're more alike than you think. Come, please, " stated Bruce, leading him into the batcave.

" So... you're Batman ? " asked a wide-eyed Clark five minutes later.

" Gotham's capecrusader, Superman, " responded Bruce with a smile.

" Who knows about it ? "

" Alfred has always known and then ... Vicki. "

" Vicki knows ? " asked a surprised Clark. " Did you tell her ? "

" No, she found it out on her own. But let me tell you, it's a relief. "

"Aren't you afraid she might get hurt because of it ? "

" All the time, my friend. Still, it's nice to be able to be myself around someone I love. You should think about it, Clark. Lois is a terrific girl. "

" Lois ? " asked a flustered Clark.

" Come on, Kent. I'm a bat but I'm not blind. I've seen the way you look at her when you think she's not watching. You're a man in love ! " he said, laughing under his breath.

" I'm not ! "

" Your blushing tells a different story. You should go for it. "

" I can't. Besides, she's in love with Superman. "

" And aren't you him ? "

" It's too complicated, Bruce. "

" You´ve let two women pass you by, Clark. Don't let this one run away, " Bruce advised him.

" Two women ? "

"Chloe Sullivan and Lex's bride-to-be. "

" What do you know about that ? "

" Ah.. the privileges of having a reporter girlfriend who's friends with your best friend, Clark. Now... the question I was going to ask you was this: are you willing to do something to help the two women in your past ? What do you think of a partnership ? ' Batman and Superman unravelling the mystery behind the Luthors' tragedy. ' That'd make a great headline. "

This isn't over folks. There's more Chloe ahead.