Disclaimer: It's me again, and I finally managed to get a new chapter out. I do apologize for the long wait; work was a massive bi… uh, pain in the… never mind.

I own nothing from Marvel or DC Comics.

Chapter XI

The Daily Planet was a very busy place when Lois Lane arrived and she was among the many reporters and journalist trying to squeeze into the conference room for another of Perry White's rousing speeches. Those speeches were more like rants in Lois's not-so-humble opinion. She made it to the conference room where a small group of her coworkers were all huddle like a disjointed High School football team. It was a struggle to make it to the front where Lois knew Perry was waiting to speak out. When Lois made it to the frontlines, so to speak, Perry was pacing to and fro slowly with his hands behind his head. He stopped and stood straight so as to address the room.

"Alright, settle down, people. Settle down, we've got some work to do here. We've got some new players in the world. We all know the story about that giant green monster that Superman knocked into next July, but what do we really know?" Perry asked loudly so the whole room could hear.

"We know the Army got its ass kicked by that green monster thing." said one of the reporters, earning him a series of scowls from the others. The Army brat Lois bored a particularly menacing stare at the guy.

"Watch your mouth, Wallace, or you're going back to the mailroom," Perry replied and then continued, "It's not just the green monster that hit the city last night. There've been reports from Gotham about a star-spangled man with a metal Frisbee and some super mega high-tech robot. All that's just the tip of the iceberg."

"Perry, that green monster could talk; it called itself the Hulk. As far I could tell from my personal experience last night, it didn't seem to want to fight." Lois stated to Perry.

"What're you getting at, Lane?" Perry asked.

"I'm just saying that this Hulk was provoked into a fight by the military when they arrived. If Superman hadn't intervened, me and all those soldiers would probably to mashed into paste right now." Lois stated.

"You should be used to life or death experiences by now, Lois," Perry claimed before he looked up and spotted the awkward man in the back of the crowd. "Kent, you're late again. Get in here."

Lois looked back and saw Clark Kent standing very awkwardly in the far corner. She smirked at the image knowing full well that it was all an act by Clark. It was his way of keeping everyone from finding out that he was Superman, but Lois figured it out years ago. To her credit, she never tried to expose him. That, and the fact that her relationship with Superman was public knowledge gave her more incentive to keep her knowledge of Clark's true identity to herself. It was still amusing to watch Clark stumble, or pretend to stumble, through the other reporters. He almost tripped a couple of times and had to readjust his glasses each time.

"You're late again, Kent." Perry snapped.

"I'm sorry for running late, Perry. I was held up in traffic." Clark claimed, but Perry merely rolled his eyes.

"Would that traffic have something to do with that giant crater in the middle of town? Don't answer that and listen; I want to find more about these super powered people. I want details; who they really, where they come from, if there's more of them. I want to know if they're married or related. How did they get their powers and their gear? Above all else, I want to know if they're friend of foe. If they work for the government or if they're mercenaries for Lex Luthor, I want know about it. Now, get on it, people." Perry said and motioned his employees to the door.

Like cows being herded into a slaughterhouse, every reporter and journalist filed out of the conference room and then dispersed in multiple directions. Keeping up his clumsy, Smallville manner of appearance, Clark left the conference room with Lois already hot on his heels. Clark's super hearing immediately picked up Lois's approach and he slowed his walking so Lois could catch up to him. Lois made to Clark's side as they continued walking, being careful not to draw attention to themselves in any way.

"So, you learn anything about our new visitors?" Lois whispered to Clark.

"Plenty actually. We learned that they're all superheroes from another universe and they're searching for a missing friend they call Thor." Clark whispered back.

"Thor?! Like the Norse God of Mischief?" Lois said and unknowingly mixed up her Norse mythology.

"That's Loki. Thor's the Norse God of Thunder and apparently, he's very real in their universe."

"So do these people have their own versions of Lady Sif and the Warriors Three?" Lois wondered.

"Most likely," Clark replied as he reached his desk and found someone sitting in his chair reading the latest Daily Planet newspaper. "Excuse me, sir. You're in my chair."

"Huh, MAN OF STEEL BATTLE GREEN BEHEMOTH. EXCLUSIVE DAILY PLANET IMAGES." the man read out loud, while Clark used his X-Ray vision. He immediately knew the man.

"Hey pal, in case you hadn't noticed, you intruding on Smallville's personal space." Lois said.

"It's okay, Lois. I don't think we have anything to worry about with him." Clark said, trying to be as courteous as possible.

The man folded the newspaper and slapped it down onto Clark's desk. There was an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He wore what was quite possibly the most expensive suit Clark or Lois had ever seen and the most stylish sunglasses to go with it. Looking directly at Clark, the man smirked at him. Clark knew it was one of the new arrivals; the man in the iron suit. He just sat there with his hands clasped together, and Clark knew he hadn't taken his eyes off of him from the moment he put down the paper.

"So, this is what you look like when you're not wearing a big red S on your chest. I like the civilian attire. The glasses are a bit much in my opinion."

"Wait, who are you?" Lois asked, and the man rose up from Clark's chair and removed the sunglasses.

"Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist," Tony said before taking Lois's hand in his own. "And… you must be Lois Lane. It's a pleasure." Tony then kissed Lois's hand, much to Clark's dismay.

"I'm sure it is." Lois said and snatched her hand back.

"I've read a few of your Pulitzer Prize winning articles; some of the best stuff I've read that's not about me. I especially like the articles about that big boy scout in the red cape and blue pajamas." Tony claimed while he gave a telling look at Clark.

"Right, well it's been nice meeting, Mr. Stalk, but I think you need to leave. You're not exactly authorized to be here." Clark claimed, secretly wanting to throw Tony through a window.

"First of all, Mr. Stark was my father. Secondly, I'm not sure I'm the only one who's not authorized to be here… in this building… or on this planet." Tony said as if challenging Clark.

Clark was already annoyed by Tony Stark's unannounced visit to the Daily Planet, but now his anger was boiling. Lois could see it in his eyes… literally. Clark's eyes were glowing red and that was enough of an indication that Clark was about blast Tony clear across the office. Either that, or Clark was going to vaporize him right there. Lois knew that would not only expose Clark as Superman, it was also expose Superman as an unchecked killer. Lois knew Clark well enough to know he was no killer. She stepped in between Clark and Tony but looked directly at Clark, meeting him eye to eye. Clark's eyes trained on Lois and his heat vision dissipated. Tony simply smirked at Clark as if he was still daring him to waste him. But, a timely intervene came from an unlikely source.

"Lane, Kent, what's going on here," Perry bellowed on his approach, then stopped short of Tony. "And who the hell are you? Another one of Luthor's high-priced lawyers?"

"Oh no, I don't exactly get along well with lawyers. Tony Stark," Tony reached his hand out to Perry. "I'm sure you've probably never heard of me, but hey, first time for everything."

This guy's a bigger motor mouth that Flash. Clark thought.

"You're right, I've never heard of you and I don't care to find out. Lane, see this guy out before I call in security," Perry snapped and then walked away. He then bellowed, "And get me some dirt on these new super people, whatever you can get. I don't care if you have dig through Lex Luthor's trash. Just get it."

"Will do, Perry." Lois said with a wave.

Tony watched Perry disappear into his office before he said, "I have to say that you Editor-in-Chief is a vast improvement over the one we have back home."

"Speaking of home, I think now would be a really good time for you to leave, Stark." Clark said.

"I'll take off when I'm ready. Either that or we can take this to the roof and hash it out there. What do you say… Smallville?" Tony taunted Clark.

Clark inched forward but Lois stopped him. "Not here, Clark."

Tony simply smirked before he turned to leave. "That'd be my cue to skidoo. I've got more to see in Metropolis and I don't want to waste time standing around. I'll see you real soon, Kent. Oh, and you might want to tell your boss that he should hire better security."

Clark sighed in annoyance, while Lois muttered, "What a total dick."

Clark replied, "Tell me about it."

Steve Rogers had long become somewhat accustomed to living in a mansion with his fellow Avengers. After that, the team took indefinite residence in Avengers Tower. But this was a very different environment; Batman, who was sitting at the Batcomputer and hadn't moved since they arrived, brought him to the Batcave. Steve took to touring the cave and studying the various trophies that Batman had acquired over years of crime fighting. Some of the trophies surprised Steve, not the least of which was the giant penny. The mere sight of it made Steve wonder how Batman could afford to keep it or anything else in the Batcave.

His gaze turned toward the numerous glass cases all containing different suits, and none of them appearing like they'd fit Batman at all. As Steve studied the suits, Alfred approached him. Steve didn't turn around but he knew it was Alfred that was coming and only gave the butler a passing glance, still intently studying the suits. Alfred glanced at the one particular suit that Steve studied.

"Master Bruce had more than one ally in his war against crime in Gotham, though he usually preferred to work alone." Alfred claimed, to which Steve merely nodded.

"That sounds a lot like Tony, or maybe Clint. So who were these people who worked with Wayne?"

"Believe or not, most of them were in their adolescence when Master Bruce began training them. The eldest was Richard Grayson; when he started, we knew his as Robin. Now he patrol Bludhaven under the guise of Nightwing." Alfred explained.

Steve looked at the glass container with a suit similar to Batman's, but design to fit a woman's body. "What about that one?"

"That suit belonged to Barbara Gordon. We knew her as Batgirl and she worked with Batman and Robin for some years before…" Alfred trailed off for a moment.

"Before what?" Steve asked.

"Miss Gordon's crime fighting career was cut short. I'll put it that way, although she still provides valuable assistance whenever Batman is on patrol of Gotham."

"Were there other who worked with Batman?" Steve asked, and Alfred seemed distant once again.

"There were two other young men who had taken the Robin mantle. One currently leads a group of younger heroes called the Teen Titans, of which Raven and Cyborg are members. The other to have taken the Robin mantle was a young man named Jason Todd."

Steve sensed something in Alfred's voice that made the mention of this Jason Todd hard on him. "Did something happen to him?"

"He died... in a way." Alfred replied before leaving Steve behind.

Listening to Alfred's words compelled Steve to think about the numerous young heroes of his universe, not the least of which were Peter Parker, Ava Ayala and Kamala Khan. Steve wasn't all that surprised that this universe was similar to his own. He inwardly doubted that any members of the Justice League were displaced heroes from an earlier time like him. He wouldn't have been surprised if he ever met a time-displaced hero. Steve moved on to the Batcomputer where Batman was still working and Alfred had only just left. Batman wasn't wearing his mask. Neither was Steve for that matter. Secret identities seemed less than prudent since the two teams met, dubious circumstances notwithstanding.

"You have quite the collection down here. I wonder how many authority figures turned a blind eye to you claiming these items." Steve said to Bruce, who didn't even acknowledge him. Steve then asked, "What're you doing?"

"I'm coordinating with Cyborg for the planned jump to Apokolips. Being that his technology is based on that of the Mother Boxes, it won't be too much of an issue to get there and save your friend." Bruce explained.

"And what then?" Steve asked.

"Then you go back to your own world and you don't come back to ours." Bruce coldly replied.

Although he took some offense to Bruce's dismissive reply, Steve maintained his composer. "I get the feeling you're not exactly fond of my team being in your universe."

"None of you belong here." Bruce said.

"Agreed, but if we're going to work together, we're going to have to trust each other." Steve explained.

Bruce stopped his work and stood up to face Steve. "Do you trust your team?"

"Yes, with my life. We've had our issues before in the past but we've always managed to pull through in the clutch. That's what makes the Avengers a team and not a group of enhanced people with big egos or issues." Steve explained.

"Then you're a damn fool." Bruce coldly claimed and started to return to his work.

This time, Steve took offence and grabbed Bruce's arm. "Do you trust your own team, Bruce? Or do you sit in this cave alone except for Alfred, waiting for one of them to eventually snap?"

Bruce looked at Steve for approximately one second. Then he grabbed hold of Steve's arm and Judo threw him directly over his head. Steve went flying across the long space between the Batcomputer and a workbench. He crashed just below the bench. A few pieces of equipment dropped from the bench onto and around Steve, but he had a completely surprised look on his face. Bruce approached him with intent and having never for even a moment taken his eyes of the Avenger.

Steve immediately rose up and tackled Bruce to the ground, but Bruce just as quickly flipped Steve up and over him. Steve dropped near the Batcomputer and righted himself just as Bruce rushed him and kicked the star of his suit, knocking him back but not dropping him. Bruce immediately went on the offensive against Steve with a barrage of Martial Arts strikes. Steve was able to defend against Bruce's attacks… most of them. He wasn't able to stop Bruce from targeting several pressure points. Steve still managed to get behind Bruce but he was once again tossed to the floor.

Steve rose up again and took a defensive stance, allowing Bruce to approach him. They traded blows parries and counters but neither of them could land a decisive strike. Bruce sensed it; Steve was holding back. Steve was a super soldier thanks to the Dr. Erkstein's serum and he was the leader of the Avengers. But he was holding back, not wanting to potentially break Bruce in half. Bruce seemed to know this but he continued to spar with Steve. Bruce kicked Steve back and the reached a stalemate, but Steve was ready to go. Bruce dropped him guard, only to toss threw to four Baterangs at Steve.

Bringing his shield out front, Steve was able to deflect the projectiles before he quickly tossed his shield at Bruce. Bruce dropped down and tossed a boa line around Steve's ankles, snagging only one but one was all he needed. Bruce pulled on the line and tripped Steve, but Steve's shield came back and hit Bruce in the back to knock him down. Steve ripped the line from his ankle and retrieved his shield, while Bruce recovered and rushed him. Bruce landed a duel kick onto the shield and knocked Steve back.

Bruce leapt into the air and brought his feet down onto the shield, and Steve pushed back to send Bruce flying back to where he stood. Landing on the floor, Bruce fired his grapple gun and Steve's free arm. The line wrapped around the arm and Bruce pulled on the line, but Steve proved stronger than Bruce expected. Steve won the Tug o' War, yanking Bruce straight toward him and finally connecting with a roundhouse kick. Bruce flew across the space and landed right where Steve previously landed. He started to rise up slowly and noticed that Steve wasn't coming for him.

"Are we finished here?" Steve asked as he set his shield onto his back.

Bruce was upright now and walked back to the Batcomputer as if nothing happened between himself and Steve. "You asked me if I trust my own team. I trust them to do the right thing when it matters most. But that doesn't mean I trust them completely."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Steve asked, and Bruce stood up to face him.

"It means, Captain, that when it comes time to travel to Apokolips, you'd damn well better be prepared for the worst." Bruce explained with cold intent.

"If you're implying that one of my people may turn against yours, then…" Steve started to reply.

Bruce cut him off by saying, "I'm simply stating that you need to expect the unexpected. The potential for disaster is far too great when two superhero teams from different world attempt to coexist, and if you can't see that then it's as I said before… you're a damn fool."

Steve was tempted to knock Bruce on his backside, but that would've only served to prove the point he'd made. "I can see this debate's not getting us anywhere. Sorry for taking up too much of your time, Bruce. I'll see myself out."

Bruce barely batted an eye when Steve stormed away and walked passed Alfred as he went. Alfred, for his part, remained calm and professional. Once Steve left the cave, Alfred approached Bruce. Bruce was still at the Batcomputer and still working diligently, as if neither the argument nor the physical scuffle ever took place at all. Alfred heard the scuffle from afar but stayed out of it. At his age, he wouldn't have been any good to Bruce. But through it all, Alfred remained as calm, cool and collected as a steady rock just as he'd always been for Bruce since that one, fateful night.

"Do you have something you want to say, Alfred?" Bruce asked to break the silence.

"Sir, I don't believe that this Captain America or any of his allies mean to sew more conflict between themselves and the Justice League. I've spoken with him myself as I'm certain you're aware, he seems an honorable sort that is worthy of trust."

"It takes more than a red, white and blue motif and a shield to prove any degree of trust." Bruce claimed.

"You had the same ideology with regards not just to Superman or Wonder Woman, but also with young Master's Grayson and Drake and Miss Gordon." Alfred stated and he noticed a slight twitch in Bruce's eyes.

"Do you plan on bringing up Jason as well, Alfred?" he asked with a hint of annoyance.

"The point I'm trying to make, Master Bruce, is that sooner or later, you'll have to eventually place at least some of your in these new heroes. They might prove to be valuable allies in the future." Alfred stated, drawing a gaze from Bruce.

Saying nothing more, Alfred departed and left Bruce alone with his thoughts. He returned to his work on the Batcomputer, but the words of Alfred stayed with him as he worked. He knew Alfred was right. There were more than a handful of times where Alfred wasn't wrong. Bruce stopped his work and continued thinking about the prospect of trusting a team of superheroes about whom he actually knew nothing. He prided himself on knowing everything little detail about the people, super-powered or otherwise, with whom he interacted. It was why and how he'd managed to work with the Justice League for so long.

But the Avengers were all so different yet still similar in certain ways. Captain America had about the same moral compass as Superman. the Flash and Hawkeye seemed like the group conscience for each team. Cyborg and Vision were technically machines with human emotions and Green Lantern and Captain Marvel both had some form of military background. Even Raven was similar to the Hulk in that they were technically creatures of instinct, struggling with keeping their emotions in check.

Bruce had to assume that the Avenger's missing ally, Thor, was similar to Wonder Woman. Both were warriors and both were technically royalty. Aquaman and Black Widow seemed as close to wildcards as they could get. Finally, Bruce weighed his own similarities with Iron Man and they were too numerous to count. It almost made him crack a smile if only he found it amusing.

But the differences outweighed the similarities, and that was what concerned Bruce the most. That was why he didn't trust the Avengers and that was why, as far as he was concerned, they wouldn't be close to prepared for whatever Darkseid would have in store for them. Bruce decided that the Avengers had better be prepared and maybe then, maybe he'd start to trust them. But as Superman once told him a long time ago…. Bruce Wayne wasn't always right.

Author's Note: Well, I knew how to start this chapter but Writer's Block just had to rear its ugly head. At least I finished it.

Now, I'm positive that there're those of us that are eager to get into the big fights to come. I am too. But a good storyteller must never rush things and that's why I taking my time.

There wasn't a lot of action aside from the "glorified sparring match" between the Bruce and Steve. I wanted to acclimate the heroes; I just HAD to have Clark Kent and Tony Stark interact because I thought it'd be funny. And yes, Lois knows that Clark is Superman.

Meanwhile, Steve and Bruce debate the trust issues between the two teams and I even reference some of Batman's sidekicks… including Jason Todd.

Like I said, I'm taking my time with the heroes' interaction. I'll probably get heat for doing so but… yeah. Give me a shout out and I'll be back soon with more. Peace out.