Author Notes: Sorry this took so long, real life is a witch needing to be slain! Any who, I can not promise when the next update will be, because real life is a witch needing to be slain. Enjoy.

Chapter Four: Investigative Reporter

Over the last few days Clark had become increasingly suspicious of Bruce's desire to have Wally at the mansion. Clark had known Bruce long enough to realize that the dark detective of Gotham was a master at manipulating the people and elements around him. Clark was starting to wonder if all of this was some elaborate Batman-controlled set up to get his hands on Wally, but it was the why behind such a plot that was scarring the shit out Clark more than the fact that Bruce would actually do this. If he was, that is.

Clark was a grown man, with incredible powers, raised with heartland values and possessed a deep understanding self. Having said all of that, he had felt overwhelmed and entrapped by Bruce's obsession with him. Until he finally found the strength to break free of it, that is. He feared what would happen to someone has affection starved and emotionally fragile as Wally if Bruce turned his obsessive eyes towards him.

Still, he knew he couldn't just level accusations about Bruce's motives without proof. What proof he had involved himself, and events best left to history, and a gut feelings. John and the others may believe Superman's concerns were founded but Wally wouldn't. He sees the best in people, including overgrown white villainous monkeys. So, for Clark to convince Wally that someone he saw as a force for good could be a threat to his safety and sanity, the man of steel was going to need hardcore proof. Or, at least, a voice of reason so powerful that Wally would have no choice but to listen.

Hence Superman's visit to Bludhaven.

No one knew Bruce Wayne like Dick Grayson, no one, not even Alfred. Plus, Dick and Wally where very close friends. Not so much now as during their Teen Titans days, but if Dick thought Wally was in danger he would move Heaven, Earth and Hades to save him. If Dick harbored any concerns about Bruce caring for Wally while he was ill, Dick would voice them and Wally would listen.

Wally almost always listened to John, except when it came to issues like this. John, all of them really, had been livid with Shayera over her betrayal but Wally refused to listen to them about her. He saw the situation for what it was, not what his betrayed emotions, and friends, were telling him to see.

During their discussion over Hawkgirl's fate, Wally had swayed several of their opinions about her, pointing out how hopeless of a situation she was in, still was in. The fate of her entire race versus her sort of friends and a planet of strangers.

Normally, Superman would see such a trait as honorable. Now, he was concerned that Wally's forgiving and hopeful nature would end up blinding him to the truth, instead of helping him see it. Thus getting him into something he'd never be able to get out of.

Dick's warehouse home was empty. Clark knew it would be. It was only four AM, Dick's patrol would be ending soon but Clark wanted to be there before Dick returned.

Ten minutes passed before Dick Grayson, as his alter-ego Nightwing, gracefully dropped down through the sky light. He straightened, for a moment unaware of Clark's presence, then… "What do I owe the honor of a visit from Superman? Slow night in Metropolis?"

Snarky bastard. Dick may not have been Bruce's biological child but Dick was Bruce's offspring nonetheless.

Opting to keep this conversation spandex-professional, Clark decided to do without any small talk, getting straight to the point. "Any reason Flash shouldn't be recuperating in the Cave?"

The younger man's body went rigid. White eyes became razor slim, "Excuse me?"

"Flash was hurt a week or so ago…"

"So, why is he staying with Batman?" Clark knew the tone Dick was using. It was the same one Bruce used whenever Clark had plucked his last nerve.

Clark squared his shoulders.

"About a week ago, Flash was injured during a Justice League mission," Clark explained, "his injuries were worse than originally diagnosed. He almost died because of poor treatment by our medical staff."

Every muscle in Dick's body twitched. Clark knew Dick was already formulating plans of vengeance against the doctors involved. As Dick drew breath, Clark cut him off, "Batman dismissed them. And I assure you, Justice League beneficiary, Wayne Enterprises, will not be giving them good references." Dick relaxed, a bit. "Anyway. After dismissing the staff Batman contacted a friend and he has been relocated to the …cave."

"Flash didn't have much choice in this."

"No, he didn't."

"And that Green Lantern is okay with this."

Clark smiled, "Lantern was more upset about the situation than Batman was. Batman man have earned a few... points with Lantern by terminating the doctors and offering to take Flash in."

"Understandable," Dick replied. Suddenly, the younger man became disturbingly still. Clearly he was milling something over.

"Back to my original …"

Dick snorted a laugh, "Bats doesn't jump in the sack with every avenging, spandex clad freak he runs across," Dick cut in, answering the question Superman hadn't asked, "that privileged was yours, and mine, alone."

Clark wanted to be surprised by the fact that Dick knew about his and Bruce's very brief affair but, for some reason, he wasn't. "Then why was he so adamant about Flash staying with him?"

Dick's smile was pure venom, "Because he's a control freak. That, and he has a soft spot in his heart for orphans," the smile became darker. "He's never touched Robin or Batgirl. I forced his hand…"

Now it was Clark's turn to cut in, "You know better than that."

Dick smiled, "Unlike you, Superman, I know Batman. I know what he will and won't do. I know how to push his buttons, I know how to twist him into knots. If I still wanted him I would still have him."

Clark was stunned. "If you believe that than you are more naïve than I thought possible, Nightwing. Had it ever crossed your mind that Batman realized what he had done and he pushed you away?"

Dick laughed. "Had it ever crossed your mind that he knew what you were going to do and took what he wanted while he could?"

"Yes," Clark replied calmly, "not only had it crossed my mind but it is the truth behind what happened. We are both at peace with it."

Dick's laughter echoed throughout the warehouse. "Oh C'mon, you aren't okay with it and Batman sure as hell isn't. That is why you are here, isn't it? Worried that Flash might be the new light for Batman's psychotic fire?"

"Yes, but not for the reasons you think. You know Flash better than anyone, except for John maybe. Do you really think he could survive a relationship with Batman?"

Dick snorted, "One problem."

"That would be?"

"Flash isn't gay or even bi. And Batman isn't a rapist. If Batman wants him, he wants him for some reason other than sex."

Superman smiled, yes Wing was naïve, amazing. "Had you even considered another man before him. I know I hadn't. You know damn well Batman can supercede an opponent's instinct and desires. He can turn weakness into strength while turning your strengths into weakness. Physical or psychological. Regardless of the reasons Batman may want Flash under his wing, Flash has too many kinks in his barely there armor to be left to overwhelming will and prowess of a man like Batman. "

Dick approached Clark, his eyes locked with the older man's, "Why are you here? Why aren't you telling this to Lantern? You know he'd buy it. He has no great love for Batman. If he even thought Flash was in danger he would jump all over Batman?"

"Because as much as Flash loves and admires Lantern, he knows the man doesn't trust Batman. Flash would write off all of our voiced concerns as overprotective nonsense. He'd dig himself in closer to Batman instead of pulling away in some misguided attempt to prove us wrong and protect him at the same time."

"Damn, you are smart," Dick sneered, "But you are forgetting one thing, Flash knows Batman and I had a falling out years ago. He knows I don't trust him either."

"But he doesn't know why," Superman added.

Livid, Nightwing exploded. "Oh, I get it. You want me to tell Flash I let Batman fuck me when I wasn't much older than he is now? You want me to tell him that there is a pattern and that he is Batman's next victim? Well fuck you, because if I honestly believed that I would have never let Robin stay with him. You know that."

"For crying out loud," Dick continued, "Instead of dealing with your own sexuality you are trying to depict him as some kind serial homosexual-izer bent on turning every man in spandex, queer. "

"This isn't about me…"

"Yes. It. Is. Yes, Batman can be a manipulative son of a bitch, but what went down with you and him was real. Or at least it could have been. Instead dealing, you went running back to Lois. Now, what, you are having second thoughts? You can't let yourself have Batman, but you don't want him with anyone else either. Now, you've pegged Flash as a threat and want me to neutralize it without compromising your manhood to poor, innocent, hero-worshiping Flash! Figure I'd do it too if you made it look like you were more concerned about the kid, when your just being selfish."

With herculean effort, Superman kept his building rage in check, "This is NOT about me. The only fear I have is for Flash. I don't want, nor have I ever really wanted, to be with Batman. Maybe you are the one superimposing your own fears and disappointments…"

"This is a pointless conversation," Dick cut in, "Get out before I throw you out."

Superman came up short. Dick wasn't Bruce, but underestimating Nightwing could yield the same results as underestimating his former mentor. "Fine, but you know as well as I do Flash is in danger. Maybe not physically, but most certainly emotionally. Batman was not responsible for what the Joker did to Robin, but…"

"GET THE HELL OUT!" Nightwing roared as a Batarang, or some redesigned version of it, whizzed by Superman's ear. He had just barely realized Dick was about to throw it before the younger man launched it at him.

Without another word Clark took to the air and sailed through the open sky light. Though he hadn't gained Dick's help, Clark had his answer, Wally was in definite trouble.

In the darkness of his home, Dick sank into his sofa. Breathing exercises and attempts at deep mediation followed but did little to quell his rage… or his concern.