Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, Superman, Justice League or its characters.

...

It was already dark by the time Kal-El headed back to the Palace. He hadn't meant to stay out so late, especially with Bruce waiting for him back home, but sometimes he focused so much on his work that he lost all sense of time. That happened tonight after he had a breakthrough in something he had been working on for months now.

Kal hoped his slave was more relaxed now because he deserved a reward for all his hard work and he planned to get it one way or another.

There was a smile on his face as he flew, enjoying the feel of the cold night air hitting his skin and tousling his hair.

It was unusual to see Kryptonians using their ability to fly as a method of transportation on their day to day basis, especially Kryptonians of the most prestigious Houses, but that was one of the very few things Kal refused to change, no matter how much his uncle tried to convince him.

He enjoyed flying every opportunity he had, be it just as a way to move from one place to another, or on some occasions traveling all over the planet, seeing the greens and blues of Earth, as well as many other natural wonders. Earth looked especially beautiful when seen far away from human savagery and their primitive behaviors.

The planet lacked the sophistication and grandeur of Krypton, but it was not the worst place they could have chosen to inhabit.

Kal didn't remember much of his home planet since he had been but a boy when it was destroyed, but the holographic programs and other technological devices were so advanced that using them feel almost like being back on Krypton.

Flying usually helped him relax and clear his head, but it wasn't working this time. He had been too busy with work to think about his new slave, and now he couldn't stop thinking about the human waiting for him.

He wondered if the collar and manacles had arrived yet. Seeing the slave wearing nothing but the pieces of silver engraved with the crest of the El House when he claimed him would make the moment even more enjoyable. He could imagine the feel of the cold metal adorning the slave's throat against his fingertips while he penetrated him and the thought alone made him shiver.

Kal wasn't surprised to realize he subconsciously accelerated his speed.

The Kryptonian was still a fair distance away when the movement of human and Kryptonian guards in the areas surrounding the Palace gave him pause. He descended before a startled guard outside the estate only a second later.

"What happened?"

The guard gave him a hasty bow. He looked almost scared. "We have a code black, my Lord."

A code black. There had never been a code black in the Palace before. Before Kal could ask another question, a familiar voice spoke behind him.

"Your slave escaped, Kal-El."

Kal turned to see his uncle floating toward him, a grave expression on his face. "What happened?"

"No one knows," Zor-El growled with a glare in the guard's direction. "We have dozens of slaves and guards working in the palace and not a single one saw anything."

He could not comprehend what he was being told. Bruce was gone. But, how? Why? Slaves did not just disappear. Perhaps he had been abducted or was simply missing.

"I don't understand."

Zor-El dismissed the guard with a wave of his hand and turned to his nephew. "Do not worry yourself with this matter, Kal-El. The human will be found just like before, and we will have no leniency this time."

Kal nodded numbly, unable to form words.

The older Kryptonian watched him carefully. "The Agency was called immediately after the slave's absence was noticed and the teams have already been deployed to conduct the search. The other slaves of the Palace are currently being interrogated to ensure they did not aid the slave in his escape."

How could this be happening? He should be coming back to find Bruce in his quarters ready to serve him, not officers hunting the missing slave around the city.

"I should go look for him."

"Absolutely not! The heir of the El House will not sully himself going out in the city searching for an unworthy slave." Zor-El visibly forced himself to calm down. "Why don't you go inside now and let the authorities do their work. I'm sure you will appreciate a moment of rest after a long day of work."

He wouldn't be able to rest knowing his slave was out there, but he knew his uncle wasn't going to accept a negative response. "Of course. Will you let me know as soon as they find anything?"

"I shall inform you as soon as they find him."

Kal nodded, watching his uncle float away just a second later. With one last look at the humans and Kryptonians moving around him, he floated toward the Palace's large doors.

"Kal-El!" The familiar voice made him turn around.

"General Zod." He greeted politely. Dru-Zod was a very good friend of his uncle, even if Kal's own relationship with the older Kryptonian wasn't the best.

"Your uncle told me the missing slave is yours."

"He is."

There was a minute twitch on Zod's lips, his blue eyes gleaming in the dark. He hadn't said a word and yet it was clear he was mocking him. To have a slave for the first time in his life only to find him missing a few hours after meeting him. Kal curled his hands into fists but remained silent.

"Do not worry, Kal-El. We will find your missing slave and put him back where he belongs."

"I would expect nothing less from you, General. You're in charge of keeping the slave population under control, after all, and my slave was deemed fit to serve." Kal had the satisfaction of seeing the smile slip from Zod's face before the Kryptonian excused himself with a thin, fleeting smile.

The satisfaction didn't last long, however, as he forced himself to continue his way to the Palace.

"Kal, dear," Alura called as soon as he stepped inside.

Kal turned to see her floating to meet him, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed and the edge of her white and pink robes billowing softly behind her.

"Hi, aunt Alura," He responded, forcing a smile.

"I cannot believe this is happening. Think of what everyone will say when this becomes public."

It wasn't hard at all to imagine what was going to happen. This little stunt was going to cost them. All of them.

The security in the Palace will be criticized, of course. The slave should not have been able to leave the Palace on his own. The Agency in charge of the slave training would be also brought into question, and the fact this wasn't the slave's first offense would only make things worse.

"But don't you worry about that now, dear," Alura said kindly. "And we will find you a proper slave."

It was in that moment that Kal realized Bruce no longer belonged to him. A slave would never be allowed to maintain his position after committing such crime. He shouldn't care about that, at least not beyond the affront this represented to the El House. Why should he care about needing to replace a slave in a world filled with them?

The human would be handed to the proper authorities to be punished severely and would never again serve as a personal slave. He may even face the death penalty given his past.

He didn't know what to think, what to feel. The only thing he knew was that he needed to leave now.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go." Kal ignored Alura's voice calling after him as he flew away.

He stopped before the doors of his quarters, hesitating a moment before turning the knob and floating inside. His eyes moved to the spot where the slave had stood demurely only hours ago, waiting for his next command.

The Kryptonian moved to touch the silky dark gown folded neatly over a chair and brought it to his face. He closed his eyes and let the human's lingering scent fill his nostrils. Kal let the cloth slip from his fingers as a silver box placed on the table caught his attention.

Kal moved to take it, finding inside resting on a velvety cushion the manacles and collar that should have belonged to his slave. He took out the collar with a shaky hand and thumbed the familiar crest engraved in the metal. With a snarl he threw the collar across the room, quickly followed by a shot of heat vision that melted it and left a large dark patch on the carpet.

Bruce was his. The slave belonged at his side and that was where he was going to be. Kal was going to find him and wasn't going to let anyone take him away.

The Kryptonian dropped the box and flew through the large windows, leaving shattered glass and bend metal on his wake. There was only one thing on his mind as he flew away.

Bruce. Mine.

...

a/n I'm pretty sure this wasn't the way most of you expected the story to go (especially after the ending of the previous chapter). I didn't, to be honest, but then this idea came along and I felt like this was a slightly better way to end this. It doesn't feel like a real ending even now, I know, but this is as far as I can go with this fic. Sorry!

So, now it's up to you to decide what happens next. Does Kal find him or not? And if he does, is Bruce alone and helpless or maybe he isn't and there's kryptonite involved? Who knows. ;)

Please don't hate me.