Guardian Angel - NC17 - Chloe/Bruce - Chapter Eight
Title: Guardian Angel
Category: Smallville/Batman Crossover
Rating: NC17
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Pairing: Chloe/Bruce Wayne
Word Count: 1,324
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, Chapter Seven,
dhfreak
VIII.
"Miss Sullivan?"
She turned abruptly, lifting her head from her laptop to see Bruce Wayne standing across from her. He handed her a cup of coffee, which she took mostly out of surprise. "Mr. Wayne," she said, cocking a brow. "To what do I owe the sudden intrusion?"
He smiled, taking a seat in the chair across from her. "Candid, as always." He cleared his throat. "I had an open slot in my schedule and I remembered how inexcusably late I was for our interview."
She stared at him a moment. "To be honest, I really think Julie might be better for this."
He smiled. "Julie's still sick." He leaned forward. "Did you get the sandwiches?"
She grinned, relaxing into her chair. "Yes, and give my regards to your caterer, they were little pieces of heaven."
He chuckled lowly, nodding. "Only the best."
She licked her lips, wondering if she still had any left. Her stomach growled and she found herself glancing at the clock. No wonder he had an open slot, it was lunch time already.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
Her brows lifted, ready to decline. That was verging on getting cozy with him and she really shouldn't. "I'm..." Her stomach growled once more. Traitorous stomach! She couldn't exactly lie to his incredibly good looking face, now could she? "I could go for something," she admitted at his amused half-smile.
He stood up. "Let me take you to lunch. You can interview me then and this will all be behind us." He stared at her, his eyes an intense shade of dark blue. "And I'll finally stop disturbing you and your work."
She grabbed her jacket from the back of her seat and lifted a shoulder. "Well, if you insist."
The restaurant wasn't the most expensive place in the city, which she appreciated. It was, however, more romantic than she expected. The dark lighting inside gave everything a more enticing feel and she found herself watching all of his movements with eyes that couldn't help but take in every inch of him. Lois hadn't been embellishing and she'd only seen a picture of him on her computer. Up close and personal, Bruce Wayne screamed dangerously attractive.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the table. Whenever he stared at her like this she felt like she was on trial, like he was looking right into her and learning her most hidden secrets. She'd met him, what, three times? How was it had this effect on her?
"How's Gotham been treating you so far, Miss Sullivan?"
"Chloe," she told him. "And it's been... interesting, to say the least. A constant mystery, I guess."
"Mystery... And here I thought the city was an open book. You can't walk down the street without seeing first hand how bad it's gotten."
"True." She nodded. "But then it has its upsides too. The city itself is beautiful, it's just been overrun by those taking far too many liberties. Instead of fighting crime, the politicians and police look more toward getting a cut." She shook her head, lip curled with disgust. "From what I can tell it's more you and Wayne Enterprise doing something to help the city get back on its feet."
"I've done what I can."
"You've done more than most," she complimented. Arrogant billionaire or not, he obviously cared a lot for Gotham and the people who lived there.
"I grew up here." He shook his head. "It's not the same city it was when I was a child. I'd like to see it restored to its former glory."
She nodded. "I'd like to walk the streets at night."
He stared at her evenly. "I'd like to know the cops and politicians are in it for the people."
She stared right back. "That the mobsters going into jail actually stay there."
"For the city to finally see its due justice."
"For somebody to stand up and say ‘No More'."
He smiled genuinely. "I think we have the same ideals, Chloe."
She grinned. "I guess in just a week and a half Gotham's grown on me."
He tipped his head. "We need more people like you here then."
"I'm sure they're out there, hiding in their apartments, waiting for the right time."
"You're not afraid, are you?"
You're not afraid of me.
"Should I be?" she asked, brow furrowing.
"It'd be safer."
"Easier, too," she murmured. Her lips pursed thoughtfully; she wasn't one to ignore instinct, but Bruce Wayne? As Batman? Her eyes took in his form; he had the build, even the eyes, and that mouth that she'd immediately noticed. But him? She shook her head. She wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet, but the suspicion was starting. "The world doesn't change because we want it to. We have to make it." She lifted a shoulder. "I won't hide and wait for someone else to step up. I'm here, I have something to say and a paper willing to write it. Why not show everyone that something can be done? That the wrong can be served justice?"
He nodded slowly. "Making a declaration like that could prove dangerous."
She smiled. "Danger and I go hand in hand. Why break tradition?"
His brows rose, a smile gracing his mouth. "Well... I can't say I'm opposed to Gotham getting a taste of reality."
"Good to know. Not that it would've stopped me if you had been." She grinned.
Lunch was placed down in front of them and again, she was pleased to have a real meal. She desperately needed to unpack her pots and pans and then get to a grocery store. Given how late she often left the Gazette though, she was starting to wonder how anybody managed work and regular day-to-day errands. Her fettuccini was delicious and she found Bruce wasn't such the overconfident billionaire as she'd thought he'd be. In fact, he was quite warm. There was something about him; something in how he carried himself and looked at her that made her feel embraced. As if he knew her and accepted her as is. It was an unusual feeling, not one she was all that used to. More often than not, people didn't appreciate her curious and brash nature. Even her friends had been known to get irritated with her reporter's love for mysteries; but then, Clark was an alien hiding a big secret, so he had due reason to worry.
"Have you seen any of the sights?" he wondered.
"Besides dark alleys and the hall your gala was held in?" She smiled good-naturedly. "Not really."
"Gotham houses a few of the most incredible museums," he told her, lifting a brow. "When you have the time, you should definitely check them out. They're no Louvre, but certainly breathtaking."
She smiled, nodding. "I'll be sure to put it on my list of things to do."
He lowered his voice. "And what else might be on your list?"
She bit her lip momentarily. "What would you suggest?" Dangerous territory, flirting. She should stop.
"Dinner. Friday night. I'll pick you up at eight."
Her brows rose with surprise. "What happened to you no longer disturbing me and my work?"
His lips curved at the corners. "It's been a long time since a woman intrigued me, Chloe." He leaned forward. "I can't make any promises or assumptions about where this might go. But I'd like to take you out... Show you that a night in Gotham can be more beautiful than you expect."
She felt her heart race and in the back of her mind, she swore she could hear someone yelling, ‘Say yes, you idiot! Why are you even thinking this over?' It sounded a lot like Lois, too. Licking her lips, she glanced away and then back. "One dinner... Show me the sights and the city and we take it from there. No strings attached."
He half-smiled, nodding.
It was a date.
[ Next: Chapter Nine.]