Protector Plus
Chapter 13 A serving of crow
6 weeks later
Lana comes home after a busy day, exhausted but happy. She basks in the aroma of supper in the oven; she knows that her husband has been at work for her, for them. Being Mrs. Lana Kent definitely has advantages! A waiting supper is only one of them.
"Something smells delicious in here," she voices.
"Baked chicken and red potatoes, just as you like it," comes from somewhere back in the apartment.
She hangs her coat up, toes off her boots, drops her valise and goes looking for Clark. She finds him in the bathroom with only a towel around his waist. His hair is still quite wet and he is looking in the mirror.
"Do you see any gray hairs, hon?"
"Let me look," she turns his head so she can see better. In the process his towel slips off, she giggles. "Not very secure there, was it?"
"Shall I put it back on?" He grins.
"Yes, I'm famished! Towel off later." She turns back toward the kitchen. "I'll set the table, don't be late. I have something to show you."
"What?"
She doesn't answer.
He comes to the table dressed as usual in jeans and a blue t-shirt, barefoot. She loves his casual look; after a full day of high fashion, it settles her like nothing else can. 'How did I ever live without this?' She can't think of an answer.
Clark offers the blessing for their food, and HER! Always for his beautiful, talented wife! 'How did I ever live without her?' No answer comes.
They fill their plates and begin to eat. She moans in delight. He needs his towel back.
"What do you have to show me?"
"This." She hands him an envelope, similar to the one he left with Victor a while back, only larger. Lifetimes ago. He opens it, and reads:
JO\IN ME FOR DINNER
WAYNE MANOR
DATE OF YOUR CHOICE, 7 PM
A PLUS ONE ACCEPTABLE
RSVP Please
BRUCE WAYNE
"Interesting! You going?" he asks.
"Are you coming along?" She cocks her head.
"Am I your plus one?"
"Always, and forever!" She shyly smiles. She knows he can't resist that smile.
"Always and forever!" He stretches across the table to give her a kiss. They RSVP.
1 WEEK LATER – WAYNE MANOR
Alfred answers the door and shows them to the small, private dining room.
"Mr. Wayne will join you shortly. May I get you a beverage?"
"Cabernet sauvignon for both of us, if you have it." Clark responds.
"But of course, I will return shortly."
Alfred is back within a minute, a bottle of wine and two glasses on a tray. He serves them and departs.
Bruce enters a minute later. "Lana, it's great to see you again," he gives her a warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek. "And Clark, nice to meet you finally." The two men greet each other with a firm handshake.
He motions to their seats and they all are seated at the table. They place napkins in their laps and wait.
"Is this an anniversary dinner, Bruce," Lana starts.
"Anniversary?" Bruce tries to look puzzled.
"This is close to the month and day that you tossed me to the curb. Remember now?" She smirks.
Clark truly is puzzled; Bruce can only feign ignorance.
"Well, when we parted ways, I threw you a large, very juicy bone my dear." He frowns.
"As I recall it was sink or swim, sir." She huffs.
"Anyway, you have done quite nicely since," he grudgingly admits.
Clark jumps in, "Yes, she has. And I am mighty proud of her!"
"What's your role in her success, Mr. Kent?"
"He's my most trusted 'advisor, my chief of security, and my husband." She beams. "I couldn't do all this without him," she leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Clark sees a twinge of something on Bruce's face, it quickly disappears.
"Is this just a happy reunion, or what," Clark wonders.
Alfred enters and serves dinner. They eat in mostly silence; bits and pieces of light conversation. After dessert, the talk resumes.
"I was wondering if some collaboration might be in order. Are you open to discussing that, Lana?"
"It depends on what you have in mind. Anything specific you can enlighten us on?"
"Well, I was thinking that you and I might have a strategy session, look at some designs & numbers? I'm sure Clark would be bored, or busy."
Clark's radar lights up, Lana speaks before he can respond. "I'm sure he would be neither bored nor busy. My design center here in Metropolis has a nice conference room, as you well know. If you would suggest a date, I'll see if he and I are available."
Clark again sees Bruce's jaw twitch. He hears Alfred mutter; he will tell Lana later.
"Well, can I get back to you on that?"
" Certainly, we will look forward to your call." She hands Bruce her business card and Clark's JL card. "We must be on our way, thanks for the lovely dinner. Please pass our compliments on to Alfred."
"I will, thanks for coming."
Alfred appears and shows them out.
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AT HOME
"I heard Alfred mutter 'Bruce, Bruce, don't be so obvious. You are not dealing with the Lana of years ago!' I don't know what the score is, but please be careful, sweetheart!"
"I will. I don't intend to meet with him without you there, or nearby."
"That's good strategy."
"I'm going to do some digging and see how his fashion branch is doing."
"Maybe ask Chloe to dig?"
"Good idea!"
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2 WEEKS LATER, WATCHTOWER
Lana and Clark are meeting with Chloe and Oliver.
"Lana, Wayne Enterprises Fashions is in trouble! The Chicago and NYC operations are hemorrhaging money."
"The ones they picked up, then let me go?"
"Yup! Bruce is steaming mad."
"I saw micro-expressions on his face twice while you and he were talking. He hid them rapidly," Clark adds.
"No wonder he wants to talk with me. He needs my help, the little girl he kicked to the curb!" Ha! Dream on! "Any idea what's going on?"
"No, but neither city stores ever met projections."
"Overly optimistic?" Oliver wonders.
"Probably, but I also looked at some of their fashions. Really duds; I can tell that they let their top designer go!"
"That's my girl," Clark boasted. "Why not have a meeting and watch him squirm?"
"He won't, not in front of me." Lana is sure.
"I know, have him over for dinner, covered dish; serve crow!" Chloe and everyone break out into laughter.
"I wonder," Clark thinks.
"Hey, did you see the coverage in Japan's papers of your formal attire at the gala," Ollie asks.
"No, was it good?" Lana smiles, she knows the answer.
"Stupendous! I can get copies. You could send 2-3 papers to Bruce, rub his nose in it!"
"I like that," Lana grins.
Clark gives her a big, wet one!
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WAYNE MANOR
Alfred responds to the door chime.
A delivery boy hands him a package - "For Mr. Wayne. Sign here please."
Alfred does, and takes the package to the library.
"Package for you, Master Wayne."
"What is it, Alfred?"
"I don't know; it doesn't seem dangerous, sir."
Bruce takes the package and pulls out his penknife. He opens it and 3 Japanese newspapers fall onto the desk in front of him.
As he slowly peruses them, his face reddens. "What the hell!" He throws the papers to the floor, scattering paper everywhere. Alfred scurries to collect the mess; as he does, he finds an envelope with a card inside. He opens it and reads:
I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THIS
THE PICTURES & REVIEWS
OF THE ATTIRE WE DESIGNED
FOR A RECENT GALA IN LOS ANGELES
THE JAPANESE PAPERS ATE IT UP
CROW – SERVED COLD
LANA'S FASHIONS, LANA LANG
FROM THE CURB TO YOUR MANOR!
Alfred doesn't know if he should show Master Bruce. Too late, he's seen it. "Bring that here!" Alfred complies.
Bruce reads it, then rips it into the smallest pieces that he can. More mess for Alfred to clean up; Bruce stalks out. He stomps to the Bat Cave, dresses as Batman, calls Robin with an address and drives to Metropolis. To Lana and Clark's penthouse apartment.
The JL is waiting.
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LL/CK PENTHOUSE
Lana answers the door chime. Video has shown her that Batman is at the door. Superman and the Green Arrow are in the suite with her, but out of sight. Other JL members are stationed nearby.
"Batman, what a surprise. Come in, I'll call Clark. He will be delighted to meet you!"
Lana steps aside and Batman enters. Lana motions to a seating area where they both make themselves comfy.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" She smiles sweetly.
"What was the idea with the papers?" He snorts in his best gravelly voice.
"Papers? I don't understand, enlighten me." She frowns.
"Don't play me for a fool, woman!" He roars.
"Why not, you are acting like one!" She retorts.
Superman tenses; Green Arrow draws his bow, focusing on the uncovered neck with a stun arrow. The JL troops are alert, hearing the goings on over comms.
Batman takes 2 steps towards Lana; the arrow flies & hits its target. Batman collapses at Lana's feet. Superman and Green Arrow come out into the open. Oliver calls "All Clear" to the JL troops.
"What do we do with him now?" Lana asks.
"How long will he be out?" Clark asks.
"30 minutes," Oliver replies. "Let's bind him hands and feet and set him in a comfy chair."
"Good idea, I'll wait with Lana," Clark says.
"I'll stay too," Oliver adds.
They wait.
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25 MINUTES LATER
Batman slowly emerges from his forced slumber. He looks around and is startled by his restraints. He looks at Lana, then Clark, then the Green Arrow (still in costume).
"This is illegal, you know. Restraining someone against their will."
Clark responded, "You attempted to assault Lana."
"You can't prove that."
"We can, we have video," Clark assured him.
"That was a pretty stupid move," Green Arrow accused him. "What are you trying to prove?"
"Let me free and maybe I'll tell you."
Lana steps over to his chair and snips his ties. He gets up, stretches and leaves.
"I wonder if he learned a lesson," Lana wonders.
"Doubtful," Oliver opines.
Clark just shrugs. "Thanks Ollie and guys."
"Yes, thanks," Lana expresses.
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TBC