Guardian Angel - NC17 - Chloe/Bruce - Chapter Seven
Title: Guardian Angel
Category: Smallville/Batman Crossover
Rating: NC17
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Pairing: Chloe/Bruce Wayne
Word Count: 1,775
Summary: Her guardian angel was a dark man with a fetish for rodents. Figures.
Previous: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six,
dhfreak
VII.
"She's a very intriguing woman," Alfred commented, serving dinner calmly as Bruce sat back in his chair, frowning.
"Intriguing and stubborn." He reached for his wine and took a sip. "Did she mention her constant run in's with Batman?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I believe she referred to you as her guardian angel." He smiled as Bruce choked on his wine.
"You can't be serious, Alfred." He shook his head, staring up at his oldest friend.
"Quite, sir. Although I don't believe she meant to say it aloud." He shook his head before taking a seat. "She did seem quite reluctant to spend any time with you though."
He frowned. "She doesn't care for the frivolity of excess," he quoted.
"Sir?"
He glanced up at him, brows furrowed. "I asked for the interview... I wanted to know her better. The other night, when I found out she was a reporter, I saw an opening."
"And why does Miss Sullivan peak your interest?"
His lips pursed. "She's merely a distraction, Alfred. The sooner I can convince her to stop wandering the streets at night, the sooner I can end any interest."
Alfred looked rather amused. "So your interest lies only in keeping her safe?"
"Of course." He steepled his fingers, resting his hands against his chin. "What other reason would there be?"
Alfred was silent for a long moment before carefully replying, "It's been some time since Miss Dawes, Master Wayne. I understand it was very tragic... But one cannot live on tragedy alone."
Bruce looked over to him, eyes dark before he looked away. "I've come this far, I don't see any reason to stop."
"One might suggest a certain reporter could be the start of a reason." He rose from his seat and left, leaving Bruce to his thoughts.
True, she had peaked his interest. That first night, hearing her confident tone as she told the boy she wasn't giving in, it reminded him of when so many others had been that strong. And seeing them try to put the fear into her like the rest of the city angered him. He didn't want her to change, even if he didn't know her. Seeing her again only reminded him why that confidence was bad. While he believed that one day, the streets of Gotham should be free for all to roam without fear or prosecution, he knew that time had not yet come. And having her out there meant he had to keep an eye out, had to make sure she hadn't gotten into trouble once more. But she seemed to have a love for danger and was always poking her head into things that were likely to get her killed sooner or later.
That night, seeing her there across the gala, dressed in a gown that made her look like an elegant temptress out to do him in, he couldn't stop himself before he was standing next to her. Before interrupting her thorough inspection of the fruit plate, he inhaled the soft, sweet scent that lingered around her. She was just as quick talking to him as she was with Batman, which he found refreshing. He couldn't begin to imagine what made him ask her to dance, but having her in his arms reminded him of days long past; of a man who had long ago been pushed aside. She was soft and curvy and absolutely beautiful. In ways he hadn't noticed in many woman; not for a long time.
Before he knew it, he was calling the Gazette and requesting an interview. He wanted to see her again, even just to have her throw a sharp quip in his face. But he had to meet with Lucius that morning about a suit modification and before he knew it a plan had formed. There was nobody who could read people better than Alfred and it wouldn't hurt for his butler to make a new acquaintance. Coming home to find that she and Alfred had gotten along well and she was out the door before he could even ask her to stay, left him in deep thought and a world of confusion.
What was he doing? Tempting fate like this.
She wasn't an heiress or a woman who just wanted to be seen on his arm. In fact, she didn't want to be seen with him, period. She was more interested in getting her career off the ground and making sure it was turned in the right direction rather than interviews with the rich and roguishly handsome like her colleagues. He should stop pursuing whatever it was he wanted from her and get back to business. His focus had to remain on Gotham and Batman, not an intrepid reporter whose eyes alone had him dreaming of her.
He shook his head.
Whatever this was, it had to end.
OooO
She was fairly certain Batman had a tracking device planted on her somewhere. No matter where she went, he was there. She was only slightly worried he might blow her cover. So she was tracking a mob that wouldn't even flinch before lobbing her head off, it wasn't the first time. But did he really have to stalk her every movement? It made her feel like she wasn't quite as stealthy as she thought she was. If he could find her, did that mean others were able to as well?
But here she was, hidden in the darkness behind shoulder high crates. She was gathering all she could on the mobsters inside the harbor warehouse, but hearing them was a little hard from her vantage point. Since they didn't seem to know the meaning of variety, she thought about possibly planting a bug inside that way she could hear better and from a farther distance. But getting inside the warehouse during the day without being seen was going to be hard.
"You're going to get caught," came his deep voice from behind her.
"If you don't duck, yeah, I am," she told him, yanking him by his utility belt until he was kneeling next to her.
"Do you have a death wish?" he growled.
"Quick and painless, but not for a long time." She lifted a brow. "Are you going to go in and break that up or do I still have a little while to figure out what they're up to?"
He pursed his lips. "Breaking them up now accomplishes nothing."
She nodded, half-smiling. "Good. ‘Cause it was just getting juicy."
He shook his head and then suddenly, he had his arm wrapped around her and she was flying through the air. She kept waiting to fall out of his grip or for somebody to start shooting them, but they then they landed on the top of the warehouse. Taking her hand, he kept walking, bringing them somewhere she couldn't figure out; it was too dark and she didn't know the warehouse all that well, not from this view. "Where are we going?" she whispered.
He didn't reply.
When he stopped, they were crouched high above on a landing, giving them a bird's eye view of the mobsters. Now, she could hear them loud and clear.
"Did you guys get the cards?" one asked.
"Yesterday."
"Then he's back."
They all nodded.
"You know what this means?"
"All hell will break loose and the Batman won't know who to go after first!"
"To the Joker's return!"
They cheered.
Chloe's mouth dropped open and her head turned, eyes wide as she stared at the man glaring darkly from beside her. Without warning, he took her hand once more and pulled her away. Silently, she followed after him as they left the warehouse. She held on tight as they swooped through the air from the roof to land easily on the ground. His hand found hers and without a word, he pulled her down alleyways and away from the harbor. She heard an engine revving and a large black car that looked like a military dream pulled up in front of them. "Get in," he ordered.
For once, she did as she was told. He climbed in front of her and the car raced forward at a speed that had her wrapping her arms around his waist for stability. "Holy crap," she muttered, watching the scenery whiz by. As soon as she got comfortable with the speed, she reached out to touch the various buttons around her, careful not to actually push them. "Did you build this yourself?" She shook her head. "My uncle would give his right arm for one of these."
"Your uncle?"
"General Sam Lane of the US Army," she muttered, eyes still looking around at all the gadgets. "You must have a whole artillery in here."
"Just about," he replied.
The car came to an abrupt stop where she found herself plastered to him. She felt incredibly tiny in that moment, pressed against his large expansive back, her hands gripping his broad shoulders. She cleared her throat. "Sorry."
He nodded slightly. The top of the car opened abruptly for her to climb out. With a little maneuvering she managed to get out without kicking anything.
She stared at him, sitting inside the car, eyes ahead and fierce glower on his mouth.
"So... About the Joker," she said, lifting a brow. "Any comments?"
"Thinking of quoting me in tomorrow's Gazette?" His lips twitched with a smile.
"How'd you..." She shook her head. "In any case, this is completely off the record... If the Joker is really back, that spells all kinds of trouble."
He frowned. "I'll take care of it."
She rolled her eyes. "Just like every other hero I know." She crossed her arms. "I get the Lone Ranger act, but you might want to call in some back up if this is happening. I know people... Heroes, just like you. And if you ever need the help-"
"I don't," he interrupted.
She sighed. "Of course not." She glanced at her apartment building behind her. "You know where to find me." She turned and started walking.
She heard the engine rev and knew he was gone without having to turn around. When she locked the door behind her, she leaned her back against it, staring out at her apartment. The Joker was back... She shook her head, swallowing tightly. Whether Batman wanted her help or not, this was big. She hurried toward her laptop and the stacks of information she had on him. She was in research mode and she needed to know everything she could. She wouldn't walk out into Gotham with blinders on, especially if war was going to break out.
[ Next: Chapter Eight.]