Disclaimer: I do not own TJL

A/N: Hey, guys!an UPDATE! Good grief have I been absent. No point with endless explanations, on with the story. Like always enjoy!

Rite of Passage-8

Bruce silently watched as Clark stood there as if conflicted. Finally, when Clark did speak, it was the first time Bruce heard the sternness in the kryptonian's voice.

"What is your plan Bruce? Now that you know who I am just know that you expose my identity I will be subjected to dangers you can't even imagine. I can fight you on it but.."

"I have no intention to do anything that would jeopardize you. I thought you would know that by now." Bruce answered his voice calm.

Clark furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why else would you stalk me if you didn't-"

"You are a threat whether you like it or not. I needed to know the extent of your-abilities. Something tells me that I have only minimal evidence."

Clark met Bruce's stare. "Evidence."

Bruce took note of the accusing glare. He did not deny his actions. "Clark it is what I do. If you can't deal with it then that is on you."

Clark sighed stepping away from his childhood friend. After a moment he glanced over at Bruce seeing him now in the open. He didn't realize how much Bruce had changed. He had a coldness to him as if he has seen his fair of trauma his body strong yet endearing, as far as men go he was handsome the pictures in the papers did him no justice. However, Bruce, the Bruce he knew back then was there he sensed it underneath the darkness he portrayed.

"I...where did it go wrong? Clark stated quietly loosing 'superman' becoming Clark. "Bruce, I was gone..I mean, I had to go far away. To find answers."

"We went our separate ways Clark. That is how life goes. I did not shed tears for your absence, I don't waste my time on trivial things. The things you did was something you had to go through just as I had to do my own soul searching. You and I are shadows of what we once were. I'll stay out of your way and I trust you will do the same."

Clark turned back to the billionaire, he had to care to some degree...somewhere inside. Surely, Bruce wasn't that nonchalant somewhere inside he cared. He stepped closer to his friend.

"I always...you have my word." Clark stated before he moved to leave but he halted at Bruce's words.

"You better keep your mouth shut." Bruce bluntly said.

Clark blinked taking in Bruce's glare. "Do you honestly think I would do something like that?"

"I wouldn't put it passed you. It would be front page news billionaire fighting crime in a bat suit."

"I would never expose you're secrets Bruce. I know I haven't been perfect...at the very least I would expect you to think better of me."

Bruce watched as Clark launched himself in the air and flew out of sight. Running a hand through his hair Bruce knew he was too hard on Clark he knew from the moment he met Clark he always lead with his heart. It was not that he didn't trust Clark it was his fear that Clark would be responsible for loss of life if anything did go wrong. It would cripple him and Bruce could not let that go.

A phone rang somewhere in the room it wasn't until someone ended the persistent ringing did Clark snapped out of his thoughts his eyes leading him to the beautiful woman before him. Her face a mixture of concern and slight annoyance.

"You know smallville when one's phone rings you pick it up."

Clark straightened clearing his throat. "Sorry Lois just preoccupied I guess."

"You guess? You've been distant for the last couple days. What's up?"

Clark shook his head giving a slight smirk. "It's nothing really. I don't want to bore you with the details."

"Lois!"

The reporter turned her head to see Jimmy Olson tapping at his watch. Earning a roll of her eyes.

"Photographers. Listen, Clark if you need a couple days off just ask Perry. Sure he can give up a couple a days for his second best reporter."

Clark gave a simply as took note of the cheekiness from the woman. She gave a final wave before making her way through the room.

"Alright,alright. Hold your horses."

Taking Lois's advice Clark asked for a couple days off maybe then he can concentrate on what he was born to do. And to forget personal relationships.

A few hours later he took to the sky simply enjoying the breeze that greeted him. Closing his eyes he surrendered to the elements just being in the moment but once more the conversation he had with Bruce slid into his mind

when did he become someone to fear? He always put others before him. Earth was his home he only cared and protected those in it. Perhaps he was naive. Opening his eyes he couldn't shake how Bruce had changed in a way it scared him. His worries were halted as he heard the sudden screech of wheels and terrifying screams. Hovered he used his e-ray vision to see a car hanging precariously over a bridge.

In a instant he was there he grabbed hold of the small sedan carrying it to the safety found on the side of the road. Opening the door he bent down to talk to the driver but was taken a back at the age he saw before him.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he helped the girl out.

Shaking her head from the daze she was in she looked at superman. "You came!"

Surprised by the remark he was startled by the sudden hug around his waist.

"I knew you would! The others said I couldn't make you do it but I-"

Frowning superman gently pulled the girl away from him. "Hold on, are you saying all this. Was based on a dare?"

"Can I get a selfie? So the other's know I'm not joking?" the girl jumped up and down.

Clark shook his head. "Young lady, trashing a car is no way to get any good attention."

"But I..I can't go back to my house with nothing my friends are all waiting not to mention. My mom is not going to be thrilled to know what I did."

"Actions do have consequences...come on I'll take you home."

The girl blinked. "Aw...must you?"

Clark gave a knowing smile. "Well I think in person is better than a picture right?"

The girl's smile widened taking superman's hand. "Right."

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Batman slammed a man against the hood of a car. Dazed the thief staggered to his feet looking at what stood between him and the woman behind him the thief dropped the bag and turned in ran. However, he did not make it far as his feet was swiftly bond.

The vigilante bent down and picked up the purse along with it's contents. Turning he walked up to the woman handing it to her.

"I suggest you don't walk alone at night. The streets aren't safe." He took out his grappling hook and shot it above him.

The young woman dashed to the spot where her rescuer once stood. As police cars drove up to the scene she managed a..

"Thank you."

A/N: I ran out of creative flow near the end. Thanks for reading!

KS