BACKGROUND: It's the end of summer. Clark is ready to return to high school. With a week to spare before the fall semester, Clark accepts Bruce Wayne's open invitation to visit Gotham City. A city full of sights, sounds and vitality. But danger lurks just around the corner. Lex recovers in Smallville, struggling to rein in his father's schemes. Clark, worried that his friendships with Bruce and Lex will expose his secret, must make a pivotal choice – or lose a valuable ally.
Kent farmhouse
Clark opened his email. He didn't have the opportunity to check since he spent the rest of August preparing for the fall harvest. August. He was still bothered by all the events earlier this month. A brewing arms scandal threatened to destroy Luthor Corp. The car explosion – a professional hit, according to the FBI – that nearly claimed Lex Luthor's life. Not to mention Bruce Wayne and Clark's own role in saving the billionnaire's life earlier this summer.
From: Lana
"... renovations are going well ... how's Lex ... let's go for a coffee sometime"
From: Lex
"... I'm sooo bored here at the estate ... dad called ... my lawyers are getting to the bottom of the arms trade problem ... come by to visit when you can ..."
Clark opened the next email. It's from Chloe:
"I'm the youngest intern here ... the other interns are in college ... so lonely ... Luthor Corp. putting up a fight in the courts ... I hope Lex is doing better ... can't wait to go home ..."
Poor Chloe, Clark thought. I didn't really get a chance to spend time with her. I had to leave for Kansas and she had to stay in Metropolis.
Then an email from Bruce Wayne, Clark's OTHER billionnaire friend.
"Come visit me in Gotham, if you can. We'll talk."
Well, I do have a week to go. The farm is ready for the fall harvest. And I'm just about finished with that last editing project Bruce gave me. Some speech for a Gotham Memorial gala event.
Clark ran downstairs. I think Mom and Dad won't mind.
Daily Planet offices, afternoon
Finally. Chloe heaved a sigh of relief. The Planet was short of extra hands, since some of the college-age ones had to return for fall registration. "Chloe, we're bumping you up to the day shift," the Planet's editor had told her only yesterday. Not that there was anything exciting to do.
The business reporters had taken the lead on the scandal. They had the experience, sources and weren't exactly going to give up such a hot story. Who would? This month would surely earn the Planet yet another Pulitzer. The FBI investigation hadn't stopped, but it was definitely slowing down. All the activity was in the Court of Appeal. Luthor Corp.'s lawyers (perhaps realizing the feeding troth would run out if the company collapsed) fought a pitched legal melee with state attorneys. Luthor's lawyers could not allow the injunction to be overturned or Luthor's dirty secrets would be aired in public. The state could smell blood and were putting on the pressure: leaning on Luthor's business partners and requesting help from Interpol.
Chloe did get a chance to write. Right now, she was doing a little blurb about WWF Summerslam's weekend visit to Metropolis. She didn't even like wrestling. Soap operas for boys, she concluded.
I'm bored, Clark, she pouted, why can't you, like, come over and visit me?
Kent farmhouse, dinner
"I don't know," Martha Kent was hesitant. Her son wanted to visit Bruce Wayne. The same Bruce Wayne who narrowly escaped assassination TWO times. Clark has special abilities, but why tempt fate?
"Why don't you go to Metropolis instead," Jonathan Kent pleaded, "It's safer."
"I'm not so sure about that," Clark replied. After all, Lex just escaped a professional hit. Who's to say if Lionel Luthor was next? And a week in the same city as Chloe is way too much to deal with right now.
"I promise to keep a low profile and NOT to talk to any reporters," Clark insisted.
His parents relented. He did work hard all summer. Clark dashed upstairs and called Wayne Manor.
"Guess who's coming to dinner, Alfred?" Clark asked.
"Lionel Luthor?" Alfred quipped.
"I am! My parents said it's ok."
"Bravo, sir. The Wayne Corp. jet will be in Smallville tomorrow morning."
"Oh no," Clark didn't want to be so much trouble. "I can take the train."
"Nonsense. Besides, Master Bruce has something planned. You'll be having lunch here."
Alfred hung up the phone and entered the oak-panel study room.
"Sir? Mr. Kent sends his regards. His parents said it's ok."
Bruce looked up from his papers. "Good." Alfred left. Bruce picked up a picture of his mother and father.
This week, he would leave some flowers at their gravesite. Their wedding anniversary. Soon, my life will make sense. My path will be clear. At last.
"Clark, you have good parents," Bruce said.