The Next Step (Superbat, Fly With Me sequel)

6 - Halloween (final pt)

It feels like everything stops. No one else notices but it feels like their in the center of a spotlight.
"You think no one notices the increased Superman sightings and flight patterns around the manor? That no one has put that together with Mr. Kent's arrival?"
She smiles, but it looks to Bruce more like the way an animal bares its teeth to its prey.
"No one has to know, I can keep it all quiet. But Father wants the best soldiers. After the failure," Bruce knows she means Damien and it enrages him. "he started seeking out better genetics. And what could be better than the unstoppable, unbeatable alien hero himself?"
Clark feels like all the blood has left his face, he looks like it too. Damien tenses up and signals Raven to alert the others of a potential issue.
Talia is still talking. "After all, his genetics are wasted in this relationship. Its not like you can pass on such an endangered set of genes. The last of his people, if you agree peacefully he can watch the next generation of his people take their rightful place in charge of the world."
Clark finally speaks, "uh don't I get a say in this?"
He is ignored.
Bruce gives Talia only one word in response. "Leave."
She must have felt the eyes on her because she turns slightly to casually survey the room.
"An alien, 3 men, 4 teenagers and a butler. I've got more men than that waiting on the roof alone."
Clark takes her wrist firmly and guides her to the door. "I think you know that no matter how many humans you have, I'll still win. So leave."
In a normal volume and with a cheery tone he speaks up. "I'm sorry you have to go so soon! Have a happy halloween!!"
She sniffs with contempt, "you'll regret turning me down." And then shes gone.

None of our heros relax, afraid that she might crash the party again. Dick and Jason direct their attention to the windows while Damien and Raven watch the doors. All while maintaining a pleasant party face.
Bruce pulls Clark into another room and Clark let's himself collapse against a wall. He offers a closed hand to Bruce, confused he accepts and finds the krpyontite ring in his palm.
He takes it, horrified that Clark was holding something so dangerous to him.
Clark groans, "slipped it off her hand. Picked up some tricks from you." He wobbles and Bruce picks him up in a bridal carry. "Clark, darling, you're going to be okay. I'm just going to take you to the batcave to check you out."
With impeccable timing Damien steps out of the ballroom and reaches out his hand. "Father, the ring, it needs to be secured quickly."
He manages to toss him the ring without dropping Clark. "Tell the guests what you want. You can just say we snuck off for alone time if you want." Damien nods, heading for the lead lined box in his closet first to hide the ring.

. . .

"Looks like you're fine." Bruce sighs in relief and strokes Clarks forehead.
"I told you." He mutters, pretending to pout.
"Couldn't be too careful. Shes a very skilled assassin, she could've tried to poison or drug you." Bruce seems very tense still, like he's got something on his mind. Although Clark assumes its just Talia.
Clark rolls his eyes and smiles, "I'm a little harder to hurt than that. Not to mention she can't get any usable uh genetics if I'm dead too long. So if she wanted me dead she'd do it without leaving." Bruce nods, studying a paper in his hands.
"Hey Bruce, do you think my genetics are wasted if I don't have kids? I mean I want kids but like would we get a surrogate or-" Bruce looks at him with such a confused and concerned expression that he stops.
"I don't think thats going to be an issue. This is a scan of your abdomen I did, checking for any traces of a kryptonite based injection. The ring was too obvious I thought it was a distraction for a more lethal attack. I didn't find any kryptonite but, well it looks like, how do I put this," he turns the paper around and points to an unusual blob on the scan, "this right here looks like a womb and a fetus."