{Okay I know it's been forever since I updated but I was really suffering from writer's block when it came to this couple. I'm hoping I'll be able to jump back into this story as well as my others on this site. Here's to hoping… and can I just say how disappointed I am for Season Nine?!! I will not be watching Smallville...which really sucks!}

Chapter Four: The Invitation

She was angry… so damn angry. How dare he bring up Jimmy? How dare he go there with her? What right did he have? What right did anyone have? She knew what she had done. She knew exactly what it had cost her by trying to be a hero… by trying to protect Clark. She lived with the knowledge everyday and she didn't need anyone reminding her of it. Reaching up she fingered the ring between her index finger and thumb. The cool metal was a constant reminder of all that she had lost… all that she had sacrificed for the world… for Clark. And if she had to do it all again, well she would like to think that she would do things differently but in her heart she knew it would always be the same. Some things were worth the sacrifice; and it was that thought alone that hurt more than anything… Jimmy's life had been worth the sacrifice.

Before she could even allow the tears to fall onto her cheeks her Watchtower phone was ringing. "Watchtower." She announced already falling back into the role that perhaps she really was born to play…

Meanwhile…

He arrived at Wayne Manor in less than seven minutes. He knocked on the door, feeling more than a little weird and out of place.

Alfred stood on the threshold staring at him with an expression that was hard to read. In fact he was finding that most human expressions were hard to read these days. He wasn't sure that should mean to him.

"Mr. Kent… do come in. Mr. Wayne has been expecting you." His tone was light, laced in a British accent that offered a slight comfort to him. He wasn't sure why… but he felt his shoulders lose some of the tension he had been carrying around. Stepping over the threshold he allowed his eyes to take in the vastness that was Wayne Manor. Portraits lined the walls of the great hall. Podiums seated with great works of art in every corner. Tall glass windows going from floor to ceiling decorated the walls. He always expected something a little darker, perhaps like the cave he had visited the night before but this was not like that at all. Even with the curtains drawn he could still see the sunlight illuminating the rooms as he was led past them. Christmas lights of white were strung up throughout the halls. Wreathes hung from the fronts of the plethora or doors leading to the unknown were set off by red bows. There was the scent of pine and sugar cookies in the air and there was the faint sound of a Silver Bells playing somewhere in the distance. This was like a home. He stopped for a moment the Christmas tree catching his eye. He was drawn to it, dazzled by the tinsel of silver, the twinkling lights now and at the very top… His breath caught slightly at what he saw.

"Ms. Sullivan did a wonderful job with our tree. I say I think if she didn't work for the Gotham Gazette that she should take up the art of decorating. She seems to have a natural eye does she not?" Alfred remarked.

He nodded still staring at the top of the tree. It was the Kent Christmas Star. So many years growing up on the farm putting that very star at the top of their tree. His father holding him on his shoulders as they wobbled and teetered trying to get it on just right. The sound of his mother warning them not to tip over, the laughter from his dad's throat as it bubbled inside him, shaking his shoulders and throwing father and son off balance. It seemed like a lifetime ago… and in many ways it was. It was Clark Kent's life and he was no longer Clark Kent.

"Mr. Kent… I wish I could say it was a surprise but I had a feeling that you and I would be meeting again." Bruce remarked stepping into the room. "Chloe called, said that you would be on your way."

Clark turned his eyes on him and felt something bristle right beneath the surface of his emotionless façade. The way he referred to Chloe; the way he said her name with such familiarity; he wasn't sure why it bothered him only that it did. Crossing his arms over his chest he stared at the slightly shorter man. He watched as he went to the bar pouring himself a tall glass of what had to be water. "Can I offer you anything?" He asked.

"I'm fine." His tone was harsh even to his own ears. "I came here to talk."

"So I was told." He remarked with a smile.

"About last night…"

"I must express my gratitude for coming to my aid. If you hadn't come in when you did…"

"Who was it that shot you last night?" He asked. He was tired of gratitude. He wanted answers… and if he could just get them and move on perhaps he could stop the insistent questions that were starting to wrack his brain.

"I wish I knew. I have a few people trying to put together a profile on him. From what I've heard he likes to go by the name 'The Penguin'. Other than that I'm as lost as you are." There was a moment of silence that hung between them and finally Bruce chuckled softly. "What is it that you really want, Clark?"

"I want you to stay away from Chloe." There was no point in beating around the bush. Bruce stared him down, and Clark couldn't tell what he was thinking. "She shouldn't be anywhere near you. You're dangerous… the life that you lead, the things that you're doing…"

"More dangerous than you, you mean?"

"I never went looking for trouble; you're out there being a vigilante for Gotham City."

"I'm not sure if you know this or not but it was Chloe who found me; not the other way around Clark… or do you prefer Super Stealth?" He asked off-handedly. "Chloe's a big girl… she is more than capable of taking care of herself."

"So now you're the expert on Chloe?" He challenged. "I'm telling you to stay away."

"And I'm telling you I don't take orders from you!" He shot back icily before taking a moment to exhale a deep breath. "I don't want to fight with you. I understand that Chloe means something to you… or at least she meant something to the Clark Kent from her past… she cared for him very deeply." He remarked and Clark tried to be unaffected by the use of the past tense. "She would break any rule for him; she would go to any length for him."

"What's your point?" He asked.

"My point is that she was loyal to him… and in many ways, still is. My point is that she's now loyal to me and contrary to what you might think or what it might look like I do not take that loyalty for granted… so even if I wanted to stay away from Chloe… the fact still remains that she wouldn't stay away from me and therein lies the dilemma Clark. I could no more tell Chloe what to do than you could." He remarked. "And you and I both know that the moment I tell her to back off, she's going to fight that much harder to do what she believes is right… damn the consequences." He smiled somewhat wistfully causing Clark to pause if just slightly seeing all that Bruce didn't say. There was more to Bruce's affections even if he failed to realize it. He debated if only for a moment on whether or not to say something. To call out Bruce's true feelings but he let the moment pass. Now was not the time or place. "Look, Clark I'm not your enemy. You and I…we're on the same side. I think we could be of help to one another if we joined forces." He proposed.

Clark sighed. It would be easy to take on a partner. In truth he had missed the days when he could run to the Daily Planet and seek her out. The days when he could lay out his fears of what was to come and how he may not be strong enough to handle it. He longed for her comforting words and hugs of encouragement. He missed the feel of her by his side making him believe that together they could face down all the darkness of the world as long as they fought together. It was different now. Everything had changed since that night. Darkness wasn't just what lye around them but sometimes what lay in their own ranks.

"I work alone." He stated turning his back on the black crusader and beginning to leave.

Bruce didn't bother to stop him on his way out.

It wasn't until he got to the door where Alfred seemed to be waiting for his exit that he stopped. "Leaving so soon Mr. Kent?" He asked softly.

"Yeah."

"And your business with Mr. Wayne has been concluded to your satisfaction?" He asked.

Clark hesitated not sure how to answer him. For some reason he couldn't bring himself to lie to Alfred. It was as if he had some kind of power over… compelling him to be honest.

"If you would be so kind as to indulge an old man for a moment perhaps I may offer some words of wisdom, however old… they seem to still ring true." He remarked and Clark nodded.

"If at first you don't succeed… try, try again." He smiled as he placed a golden invitation within his hand. "Perhaps tomorrow evening at the Wayne Christmas Party shall bring you better luck." He remarked as he gave Clark a fatherly pat on the arm. "Should you decide to attend I'm sure that your name will be found on the guest list."