Chapter 2: Invitations

Lois turned the key in their apartment door and pushed it open. She sighed as she kicked off her heels, then walked over to the couch and grabbed the remote off the coffee table.

"Wait," Clark said.

She looked at him curiously.

"Don't turn on the TV yet."

She smiled mischievously with her thumb hovering over the power button.

"I wanna see what happened."

"Well, I don't."

She looked at him seriously.

"Why are you still doubting yourself?"

"I'm not doubting myself, I just –" he hesitated, then smiled pleadingly at her and reached out a hand, "Later. C'mon, let's cook something."

Deciding to appease him, she dropped the remote on the couch, then took his hand and followed him into the kitchen. Lois wasn't much of a cook, but she liked helping him. While she was cutting up tomatoes, he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her neck. She reached up to pat his curly hair.

"You're such a big teddy bear."

"Because I'm hairy?" he mumbled.

She laughed.

"You know," she said, "I don't know why you don't just do all this yourself. It'd take three seconds."

"It's a bonding experience. And it's keeping you occupied."

"Keeping me away from the TV, you mean?"

He kissed her neck.

"As soon as we're done eating, I'm gonna watch it," she threatened jokingly.

Honestly, she didn't mind if they didn't watch the news at all today. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

To her surprise, however, he said, "Alright."

She looked over her shoulder at him to make sure he was as unaffected as he sounded. He smiled at her.

"Yeah," he said and kissed her again.

They ate dinner at the table, then moved to the couch. News 8 was covering the robbery. A reporter on site was talking about the incident.

" - watching in terror from outside. 62-year-old Margaret Pike was one of those people."

The station switched to an interview with an elderly woman.

"I was lucky enough to escape because the robbers ran to the back of the building, and everyone near the doors ran out. I ran as far as the other side of the street here, and people were calling 911. The police came, and the hostage negotiator. Some of us waited here and prayed for them to get out safely. The police were telling us it wasn't safe because there might be an altercation or something, but the whole situation only lasted about 15 minutes until Superman showed up."

The station cut back to the live report.

"The amount of time between Superman's arrival and the surrender of the criminals was 1 minute."

They played footage of the robbers and the hostages exiting the building.

"Albany police say that the perpetrators are charged with armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping. The police department told reporters that they could not provide information about the investigation at this time. I'm Carrie Wallis, reporting live from Albany, New York. Judy, back to you."

"Thank you, Carrie. In other news, Bruce Wayne, the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, announced today that his foundation will be hosting a gala next month to celebrate the trailblazers and activists of Gotham and Metropolis. Mr. Wayne publicly announced the event today on the Wayne Foundation's Facebook page. He stated, 'At this event, we will celebrate those from our sister cities who improve the lives of people, not just in this region, but all over the world, through their community spirit, progressive ideas, and practical applications -'"

"Why is he always hosting parties if he hates socializing so much?" Lois said.

Clark shrugged.

"He needs to keep up his billionaire playboy persona."

"I guess, sometimes, he likes to spend his cash on things other than batarangs and more machine guns to mount on his tank."

Clark grinned, but gave her a reproving look.

"He has some pretty cool stuff, y'know."

"I know. And we don't have that many friends, so I can't afford to be too cheeky. I'm glad we don't get invited to his parties, though."

High society gaggles weren't really their thing, although Lois didn't mind the free gourmet food and champagne. Clark's cell phone rang, and he pulled it out his pocket.

"Oh, it's Bruce," he said, mildly surprised.

"Speak of the bat."

"Not a good pun, Lois."

"I know; don't zap me."

He answered the phone and lifted it to his ear.

"Hey, Bruce! What's up?"

"Hey," Bruce said, "Are you busy?"

"No, we're just watchin' TV."

Lois watched him curiously.

"Well, I was wondering if, um, you and Lois would like to come -," he coughed, "- to an event I'm hosting. It's a gala, but it's not a big gala. I mean, it's relatively small…"

Clark looked at Lois with wide eyes. She sat up.

"Is it superhero business?" she whispered.

He shook his head.

"It's next month. On the 15th. Obviously, if you don't want to come, I'm not tryna coerce you or anything. I know this isn't exactly your kind of thing. I just thought I'd invite you…"

"Uh, do you mind holding on for a second, Bruce? Lemme ask Lois."

He lowered the phone.

"Bruce is inviting us to the gala."

"Us?"

"What?" he laughed, "We're not good enough?"

"Do you wanna go?"

He thought for a moment.

"Well, didn't you just say we don't have enough friends? I mean, I think he's inviting us because he wants to have some friends there."

"You're too good, Clark. You wanna do charity for Bruce Wayne."

"It's not charity, it's just being a good friend."

"I know, I know. That's what I mean, you're too good," she said, touching his arm, "You'd go to a party you're totally gonna hate just for a friend."

"You're not coming?"

"Of course I'm coming! I can't leave you all alone, and it'd be nice to meet your super-friends out of costume."

"Then I won't hate it."

She smiled, and Clark lifted the phone back up.

"Hey, Bruce?"

"Yeah?"

"We'd love to come."

"Ok. Great. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Thanks for inviting us. I'll see you…"

"Tonight," Lois suggested.

"Tonight."

"Alright. Bye."

"Bye."

He hung up and laughed, "He's so awkward!"

"Look who's talking."

"I'm not intrinsically awkward. I'm just a fish out of water sometimes."

"Like an alien, you mean?"

"I'm not that alien," he chuckled as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Since you're making me go out tonight," he continued, muttering close to her lips, "we should probably move the order of business a little earlier."

"What's the order of business?" she giggled before he pushed her down with his body.

'''''''''''''''''

Clark found Bruce – or rather, The Batman – on the edge of a tall building, one knee propped up on the ledge. He appeared to be talking to himself. Clark landed soundlessly behind him.

"The people of this city have lived so long in this shit heap, they don't even smell it anymore. There's so many roaches swarming, they feel like there's nothing they can do about it. We get by. We do the best we can –"

"Who are you talking to, Bruce?" Clark said cheerfully, making him jump and spin stiffly to face him.

"Uh, Alfred," he said gruffly.

"Really? Say hi to him for me," he said as he strode up to the ledge, "That's the first time I've managed to sneak up on you."

"I'm getting older."

Clark looked out over Gotham.

"Y'know, it's kinda beautiful here," he said before looking at Bruce and grinning, "In spite of all the…shit."

Bruce gave him a look that said he didn't appreciate the reference.

"Did you invite Diana, too?" Clark asked suddenly.

Bruce looked down at the street.

"I could give her a call."

"You should."

Bruce grunted in what Clark assumed was agreement.

"How're the kids doin'?" Clark asked.

"Good. I saw Victor last Sunday. He's a bright kid."

"They both are."

"Yup."

Clark looked at Bruce for a few seconds and smiled slightly.

"What?"

He shrugged.

"I just think you're good with them, is all."

"Go patrol your city, wonderboy," he grumbled.

Clark laughed and floated off the ledge.

"It's a compliment, Bruce."

"Sure. We don't have time to talk all night."

"But why would I go back to Metropolis when there's so many roaches here?"

"I still have that kryptonite spear in storage, you know."

Clark laughed again.

"Alright. See you around."

"See you."

'''''''''''''

"Diana!"

She looked up from her computer. Her co-worker Josephine was standing in the doorway.

"Claude is offering us a ride to lunch," she said in French, "Would you like to come?"

Diana smiled.

"Of course. Give me a moment."

Josephine disappeared from the doorway, and Diana heard the chatter of her co-workers in the hallway. She put her computer to sleep, stood up, and grabbed her coat. Her phone, which was sitting on the desk, rang, and she picked it up.

"Hello, Bruce?"

"Hi, Diana," he said and cleared his throat, "How are you?"

"Good," she said, "You?"

"I'm alright. Listen, um, next month, I'm having a party…Well, it's a gala, but…"

"Yes?"

"Sorry. Well, Clark and Lois are coming, so I wondered if – if you have time – if you'd like to come?"

Josephine popped her head in. Diana held up a hand apologetically.

"What day is it, Bruce?"

"The 15th."

"Alright, I'll check my calendar. If I have time, I'd love to come."

"Ok…Thanks…Enjoy your lunch."

"I will. Talk to you soon."

"'Kay. Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up, smiling fondly and shaking her head.