Disclaimer: Not mine
Bruce hadn't left the cave in almost two days. Clark's presence, again uninvited, was not a welcome recreational visit. "I have nothing for you, get out."
"This time I used the stairs. I was hoping for some courtesy."
"Next time I'll tell Alfred to ask you politely not to come inside."
Talking to Bruce was never easy, and whatever respect Clark gained from him, was always on a tightrope. He was losing it again.
"Bruce, I came to talk."
"I don't think there's a lot to talk about."
In spite of Bruce's reluctance, Clark talked.
"When Ollie told me Barbara was dead, the first thing crossing my mind was that I was responsible of her death. Have you ever felt that burden, Bruce?"
Bruce was silent for some seconds. "Yes."
"Still you manage to go on. You have never betrayed your principles, and all you are, you have worked to be. Most of the times I do not share your methods, your manners or your decisions. Neither you do with mine, but despite of what you think of me I respect you; more than I respect many people." Clark took a small box in his hand, placed in on Bruce's table and made a few steps back.
Bruce looked at it. "What is this?"
"It's a kryptonite ring, made by Lex. Oliver took it years ago." Clark paused. "You are right, Bruce. Lex has a personal agenda against me."
"Why not keep the ring with the archer?," asked Bruce, still not looking at him.
"Ollie already knows I trust him. I don't need to prove anything to him. You, on the other hand..."
"I don't like you, Clark, and I don't hide it either. Right now you're very low on my trusted people's list."
"But I trust you with my life, Bruce. Keep the ring. If I ever cross the line, you will know what to do."
When Bruce turned to finally look at Clark, he was already gone. He stood silent, staring at the box for a few seconds. Then took it and opened a drawer. The small box was carefully placed beside a tiny Batgirl doll. Bruce stared at both significant objects, Clark's last words echoing in his mind. "If I ever cross the line, you will know what to do."
Ella stepped out of Gotham's International airport. The night was chilly, but she thanked the cool breeze. Soon she saw a familiar face standing by a black old Opel. She went towards him.
"It's good to see you again, Miss Hunt."
"Call me Ella, Alfred," she said smiling as she shook the butler's hand.
"Very well, Miss Ella." Some things never changed. Alfred Pennyworth was one of them. "Step in, I will take you to your apartment."
"Thank you Alfred. I though Oliver would pick me up."
"He would have loved to, but I am afraid with all the recent turmoil, Miss Lance needed his presence by her side."
"Of course. I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Every once in a while we are stricken by tragedy. I guess you also know about that."
"Yeah, I do," she said looking distracted through the window. "We are all devastated by the loss of Miss Gordon. But let me say, you are very brave."
"Me?" asked Ella confused.
"For coming back, close to certain doors that may reopen, dare I say."
"I-- everything has happened so fast, Alfred, that I haven't had time to think that through."
"I hope you can ease that particular burden of yours."
"Me too, Alfred, me too." If I only knew how.
After a thirty-minute drive they finally arrived to her former apartment. Alfred helped her with her luggage and left.
Once she was alone, she went to her room. It had been a long flight, and she needed to get a few hours of sleep before resuming the search.
The house had blinds. God, after all those years in London she had almost forgotten about them. She went to open them so she could see Gotham's landscape. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance. A flying man wearing a red cape. Smiling, she went to the living room and she opened the door to the balcony.
Superman came in and stood standing there, frozen.
Ella smiled at him. "I told you the red cape would work." The hero didn't move. "Truth is I thought my first visit would be from a certain green someone."
"Ollie couldn't, he was--" Clark didn't know what to say.
Ella cocked an eyebrow. "Superman babbling? That's new." Then she shook her head amused at his reaction. "Actually no, it isn't."
Clark chuckled and gave her a sheepish smile. "No, it's not."
"I'm not wearing any green rock, you know? You can come near me."
Clark approached a few steps. "It's been years."
"And there's a lot to talk about, which will have to wait. But I could really use a hug right now."
Clark took the remaining steps separating them and embraced the woman. "I--"
"I know. Trust me, I know."
They both remained like that, but Ella was the one to break the silence.
"I guess that despite everything this is not a social call."
Clark reluctantly broke the embrace. "I'm afraid so," he said. "A reporter from the Daily Planet found a lead on Barbara's murder. It's pointing directly to Lex."
"If that's true, that means Lex had access to highly secure data. And he probably knew Barbara's secret identity. This is no joke."
"It never is when Lex is involved. And Lois is in the middle. She wants to dig here."
"You can't let her," Ella quickly said.
"I bought us some time, but you know her. She won't stop."
Ella sighed. "Yeah, don't I know Miss Lane."
"I have to leave now. See you soon." Clark smiled at her and turned to leave.
"Sup--" She stopped. And then whispered enough so only he could listen. "Clark." He turned. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Smiling, he flew out the window.
After he left, Ella started unpacking the suitcases she had brought with her. She cleaned the table in her room and placed the laptop there.
While taking out her clothes, her hands touched a smooth, hard and cold surface.
'I thought I was going to suffocate in there. Choking in between your panties is not my dream of dying, you know?'
"How about a bigger change for you, Feisty?"
--I imagine that Feisty is smiling, knowing what I'm implying with that. I also know its answer.
'I'd say it's about darn time. Take me out.'
Gotham streets saluted us. There were people walking around us. For the first time in my life, I felt more than content or satisfied. I felt cleared from the burden, and even with pressure closer than I would like it to be, I'm happy now.
Feisty moved inside my pocket, anxious to meet a new place to rest. After ambling the city, filling my head with memories of a new start all those years ago, I stopped at a spot, one of Gotham's main avenues. My hand grabbed the stone.
"How do you feel about this one?," I asked.
'Good enough. Drop me, come on, drop me.'
I left the stone on the ground, smiling. "Thanks for everything, Feisty."
'Now it's time for you to get to the real thing, girl.'
"Sure." I remained for a few seconds there. "Goodbye, beach stone."
'Goodbye, Chloe Sullivan.'
2nd June, 2020.
Gotham City.
Closing her journal, Chloe started typing codes to hack into Lex's phone company. She was alive again; she was back; she was ready.
"Let's get to work."
Author's notes: Ha, you knew it, right? Of course Ella was Chloe, and to celebrate, the nod to 'Hex' in her first words as officially Chloe. Ever since 'Legion', where it is implied that Chloe is not known in History, and her being a pseudo-Oracle in the show (infected by Brainiac, computer whiz for heroes...), the idea played in my mind. JUST THE EPILOGUES LEFT: THERE ARE TWO, AND I WILL POST THEM TOMORROW AT ONCE.
Music info:
Chloe's return: The Cloud Cult 'Everybody here is a cloud': Chloe has found her place.
