Sarah walked down the steps of the museum pulling up the front of her blue gown. It was all she could find at the last minute, but she was in love with it. The sweetheart neckline showed off her shoulders, while her hair was swept to the side and kept low and while the loose curls swayed down her shoulder.
The museum was filled with people; it didn't even feel like a museum Sarah thought. The tall tables set up around the middle of the room made it seem more like a nightclub than a museum. There was a band on one of the platforms while people danced below. And not to Sarah's surprise a blown up picture of Lex and LexCorp promotion all around.
"Well it's nice to see a familiar face" Sarah heard. She turned to find Clark next to her.
She smiled, "Hello again" she blushed. He looked dapper in his tux. She tried to hide her flushed expression. There was a certain charm to him, he was so mild-mannered, like he was innocent almost. He had the kindest eyes she'd ever seen.
He nodded; "You look beautiful, and just as out of place as I am" he smiled. It was the truth, the blue was a perfect match with her skin tone and it even brought out the brightness in her eyes. He couldn't help but smile as he stared at her.
Sarah laughed looking down at her feet, "That obvious huh"
Clark waved it off, "How bout a drink" He pointed to the servers, "It'll take the edge off"
Sarah headed for one of the tables trying to keep it cool. Clark grabbed two glasses off of the tray with a smile to the server and handed one to Sarah "Glad to see you could take the night off and have some fun" he started
"I never take a night off" she disagreed, "I've always got my ear to the ground" she said will taking a look around, it was more to avoid Clark's grin which made her blush more.
Clark laughed, he understood, but for different reasons, "How is your story coming along?"
Sarah nodded even though she's been more preoccupied on Lex Luther, "It'll come eventually"
Clark nodded hoping she was wrong. He no longer underestimated her, and didn't doubt her ability to uncover information. "I'm sorry about the news out of Gotham" he stated
Sarah wasn't surprised he knew, nor would he say anything, he was a reporter as well, "Yeah.." she said
Clark looked at her intently, "I meant about John Blake, not the Batman"
Sarah looked a little surprised, one would have to look into someone to know that information about her. Clark nodded cautiously, "Lois told me you two were together years ago"
Sarah chuckled "Oh, no wonder my biggest fan would share that info"
"Lois actually respects you and your work, you can't blame her for being defensive" Clark tried to smooth the tension.
Sarah nodded, "I know" she sighed, "Journalistic instinct, you can't ignore it sometimes" she said trailing off as Lex walked into the room.
A second later the band switched music as Lex made his entrance. Everyone began to applaud. "Case and point" Sarah mumbled
Clark heard her; "Lex isn't a bad guy" Clark kept up his appearance, "Just a little determined. He's a wealthy man trying to help the city"
Ignoring the fact that Clark heard her almost whisper, she paid attention to the front where Lex held the podium.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to welcome you to this special evening where tonight we mark the start of new beginnings. Where from this night forward Metropolis will see a new start"
Clark looked around trying to put aside the jarring memory of his fight with General Zod in the very room. He looked at Sarah and noticed her untrusting gaze. She was on to him as well.
"It's a shame the man himself who saved the city couldn't be here tonight" Lex smiled condescendingly
Clark looked down bashful; every time he mentioned Superman there was a change in his demeanor. Clark noticed it early on and has been watchful every since.
"So let's raise our glasses and make a toast in his absence, and mark tonight the start to Metropolis' beautiful future ahead" Lex finished
Everyone raised their glasses. Sarah looked to Clark to cheers and forced a smile. Lex made her uneasy, and Clark noticed.
"Quite the speech" They heard behind them
Sarah turned to see a man she thought looked oddly familiar. His grey hair streaked across his head, his eyes were a little worn but youthful.
"It was" Clark nodded, "But then again no one can doubt Lex Luther's ability to capture a room"
The stranger nodded. Sarah still stared baffled, but was interrupted by Lex, "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes" Lex said, "Now I would be heartbroken if you denied me a dance" Lex reached for Sarah's hand
Sarah didn't have time to argue and was whisked to the dance floor. Clark watched for a moment then looked at the stranger,
"Not much of a disguise" Bruce smiled
Clark took a moment and studied Bruce while he stood causally with his hands in his pockets and eyebrows raised, "I thought you wanted to talk" Bruce added
Clark held himself from stepping back in shock, "You" he looked at Bruce once more, "You're Bruce Wayne"
Bruce nodded, "It's Patrick Williams, listen I took a look at Luther's partners, and every construction company is backed and funded by people like Alberto Falcone. Just before Lex bought them all out, coincidently, Alberto bought the construction company Sarah went and saw. Alberto forced the previous owners out threatening their families"
Clark raised an eyebrow keeping an eye on Sarah, "She was definitely on to something, so what's their plan then with the projects"
Bruce looked around to make sure no one was watching, "As far as I can tell everything is up to code, although I'd keep a watch on the crime rates in the city because they might spike soon if these guys are running companies, they're going to start to get a little bored and look for some extracurricular activities soon"
Clark nodded listening, "What are you going to do"
Bruce looked back at Clark with a smile, "I'm going to eat some of these delicious appetizers and have myself a lovely evening" he grabbed a cocktail and a scallop. "I'll see you soon"
When Clark glanced back at the spot where Sarah and Lex were dancing they were gone. Clark managed to find Lex talking to a small group but Sarah was gone.
Sarah stared at herself in the mirror trying to gain her composure. While reapplying lipstick she tried to shake her gut feeling off and try and relax.
She thought she was alone in the ladies room, but the last stall door opened. She glanced out of the corner of her eye through the mirror and saw a suit step out. She looked more closely realizing he was wearing a black mask, it wasn't even a mask, it was as if his face had been ripped off completely, leaving just a black skull. But before Sarah could scream he pulled a black cover over her head knocking her down. The force caused her to hit her head on the counter. Sarah was out cold.
Clark looked around the party and couldn't find Sarah. He caught Bruce in the corner and shook his head, she wasn't at the party. Bruce nodded for upstairs and Clark headed outside.
Sarah came to feeling the wind against her shoulders. Everything was still dark until the cover was pulled off. Her capture was behind her grabbing her arms tightly. "Consider this a message, we don't take kindly to pretty little things blowing into town and asking questions" he said pushing her to the ledge of the building.
Sarah started to panic, "Please, I don't know anything"
"I find that hard to believe when you have a hotel room filled with information that could land more than a few people in a lot of trouble" he said
"Take it, it's yours" She said trying to bargain
The Black mask nodded, "That's kind of you, I think we might just do that" he said
Sarah blew a sigh of relief but he didn't let go. He pushed until her feet were at the ledge. "Please" she cried looking down into the traffic.
She couldn't breath; her arms were locked in his grip. "Too bad you had to waste such a good dress" he said with a final push
Sarah went over in a scream. Clark was already flying through as he saw her go over the ledge, Sarah felt herself land in something hard. She opened her eyes to see the man who caught her. Clark looked at her intensely and flew off with out a word. The rage he felt inside was powerful. He wanted to find who would throw someone over a building and make them pay.
She tried to catch her breath but her body was locked, her grip around him was so tight as the adrenaline was racing though her. She still stared at him amazing he knew where she was. "You saved me" she said pointing out the obvious
Clark sighed, "Well I could let you fall to your death now could I" he finally said
Sarah knew it was a stupid thing to say, "Where are we going"
"Someplace safe" he answered, "It was only a matter of time before Lex figured out you were on to him"
"My work, it's all back at the hotel" She said
Clark knew Bruce would be on it, "Don't worry, we'll get what's left of your stuff when it's safe"
Clark brought her to the roof of another building. As he stepped onto the ground he flet Sarah still clinging to him. Being on a rooftop was the last place she wanted to be.
"It's alright" Clark said softly, "You're safe"
Sarah finally let go, "Sorry"
Clark led her to the doorway and they headed downstairs. He led her to a boardroom where she sat down. Clark sneaked through the hallway and caught Lois' attention in the main office. She followed him out "What are you doing" she whispered
"Go to the conference room and keep your phone on you" he said, "And try to be nice" he said
Before Lois could ask or argue Clark went out the fire exit. She walked in and saw Sarah sitting in the chair looking like she had been to hell and back.
All her fears and nightmares from her childhood came back the moment she fell. She knew her number was up. All that kept running through her mind was watching Harvey point a gun at her brother, shooting Batman, and Bane holding her city hostage, having to live like a savage in hiding. She rubbed her head, it was throbbing.
Lois titled her head feeling her Sarah. She walked in shutting the door behind her. There was a water cooler by the end of the table, she picked up a glass and filled it still looking at Sarah compassionately. She also knew what Clark did. And seeing her in that dress made Lois wonder if Clark was going after whomever hurt her.
Lois handed the glass to Sarah silent. Sarah didn't even notice her presence until she looked up. "It's ok" Lois said
Sarah took the glass and tried to smile. Realizing, she looked around. "He's gone for now" Lois answered the silent question by sitting down in the chair next to Sarah.
"Why'd he bring me here?" Sarah asked
Lois shrugged wondering that herself. "Maybe because he thought this would be the last place anyone would look for you"
Sarah remembered, "Clark was at the party, I was with him before I danced with Lex"
Lois figured Clark was near by, "Then what happened" she asked
"I was in the bathroom and this man with a black skull mask came out and covered my head. Then I woke up on the roof" it pained Sarah to recount what happened. She felt like she was having a panic attack. "Then he pushed me off"
Lois titled her head, "Not making too many friends here are you" she couldn't help it
Sarah let out a sigh, "Guess not" she appreciated Lois' jab, "I guess I got too close to something someone didn't want met to find out"
Lois nodded, "You think Lex Luther was behind it?"
Sarah shrugged, but she knew he was. Lois' phone rang, "Hello?" She answered, "Yes she's here, he brought her here" she pretended
"Take her to the W hotel, room 1678" Clark said on the other line "But Lois, this one has to stay under wraps, I need you to walk her in and leave her there" he said
Lois tried to brush off the hurt. "You got it" she hung up
She sighed looking at Sarah, "Seems like there's a safer place for you to hide out in" she stared wondering what Clark was keeping from her, "Common" she helped her up