Nov. 15, 2011 - Readers, I have not forgotten about this story. In fact, it plagues me quite a bit. I have the ending written, but getting there is what I've been stuck on for so long. I've tried many times to do just that, and none of it works (at least, not for me). So, my apologies for the "update" to these chapters not being an actual update. I've recently come back to the site, and noticed that some of the previous editing for scene changes had been completely removed. It made these chapters look like a long, random spew of storytelling without any real logic. So, I've corrected that. Thank you for all of your comments, reviews and patience. I desperately hope to finish this story as well as I was able to start it. :)

A/N: This story is my submission for Sakura123's latest Batman Begins challenge. My option for the challenge was to write about how Superman (as portrayed in Superman Returns) would react to Batman's methods. At the moment, this is unfinished, but that should change quickly. I am currently out of town as well, so the final pieces may not be up until after this weekend. My internet access is a little restricted at the moment. :) A few notes before we begin: this story takes place roughly 4 to 5 months after Superman Returns, and about a year-and-a-half after Batman Begins. I'm using the movie release-dates for my time reference, so Batman would have shown up for the first time while Superman was gone. This story is almost entirely set in the movie-verse for these two characters, so keep that in mind if/when you're tempted to compare it to the comicbooks... although I have referenced Frank Miller's Batman: YearOne graphic novel for some of the details.

This is not a fluff piece. I have purposely kept it dark, since Batman is a dark character and operates that way. There is a little bit of language, and some violence, although none of it is particularly graphic. Please just remember that this was the most appropriate and character-accurate way I could think of to write this. Thanks in advance for understanding. Now, on to part one...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Batman Begins or Superman Returns in any way (except for DVDs). :) I can't even afford to have delusions of owning them. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just having fun playing with the characters.

The Justice Dichotomy

"What… uh… what exactly is going on in Gotham?"

Lois looked up to see her newly reassigned partner holding a printed copy of an article, and an extremely puzzled look on his face. "What isn't going on in Gotham, Clark?" she replied, looking back to her own notes lying scattered around her desk.

"No, I mean…" Clark faltered, sighed, and set the article in front of her. It was from The Gotham Register, dated nearly a year-and-a-half previously, and the picture accompanying the article was of former mob-boss Carmine Falcone strapped ruthlessly to a giant spotlight, his suit-coat hanging from him in shreds. The caption underneath read "Crime boss mysteriously apprehended by unknown source. Witnesses report seeing a giant bat-like figure."

"Oh," Lois answered. "Oh yeah. Well, it's not really news anymore, but I guess you've been out of the loop for a while."

She didn't look up from the article to see Clark's expression flicker from curious to annoyed. "Yeah. Some—something like that," he muttered. "So, uh, fill me in?"

Lois blew out an exasperated sigh, and picked up the article. Clark, who had seated himself on the corner of her desk, fixed her with a curiosity-filled stare and a dash of puppy-dog eyes thrown in for good measure. She decided to humor him for a few minutes. "Well…" she began, thinking through what little she knew or had paid attention to. "Apparently someone in Gotham has decided to become a vigilante for justice… or so the story goes. Apparently he—is that right? He?—well, whoever, dresses up in a black bat costume and gallivants through Gotham at night picking off criminals and would-be rapists." She paused, chewing on the end of her pen while her mind searched for more information.

"Really?" Clark's eyebrows climbed his forehead.

"Yeah. It's actually kind of interesting. Once in a while he brings down someone big, or busts up a drug-ring. But, at first, when this happened," she waved the article for emphasis, "everyone thought that the witnesses were all just stoned out of their minds."

"Because they were bringing in a drug shipment," Clark added.

"Right. But while tests showed that some of them were on drugs, others who were there that night were completely clean. And all of them had corroborating details about this guy. So he kind of became an instant urban legend."

Clark sat silent for a moment, digesting the information Lois had given him. Much of the same had been mentioned in the article, with only a few minor exceptions. "So, then, is he still just an urban legend?" he finally asked.

Lois looked back up from her notes, which she had just started reading through again. "Um… no, actually. Not long after that he brought down some huge crime syndicate there, some photojournalist actually managed to get photos of him. I think the Planet ran a blurb on it."

"Who?"

Lois shifted, clearly becoming annoyed. "I don't remember her name. She's based out of Gotham, but she's one of those free-lancers who has work published all over the place. I'm sure you could find out in the Planet archives… or even by searching the internet for the Batman."

"Uh, Bat… man?" Clark grinned.

Lois smirked in return. "Yeah. Nice, huh? Kind of appropriate for a city named 'Gotham,' I suppose. Now, I hate to cut this short, but I have some research to finish."

"Sure. Thanks," Clark grinned, picking up the article from her desk. He laughed softly to himself as he walked back to his own desk, causing Lois to glance his direction.

She smiled in spite of herself, and shook her head. "Well, stranger things have happened in this crazy world," she muttered softly. "Metropolis has a guy that flies around in blue tights and red boots, for god's sake." She chuckled and shrugged off the thoughts as she refocused on her notes. She zoned back into her research allowing one last fleeting thought to pass through her mind. I wonder if Superman knows about him.

"No."

"Alfred…"

"I'm sorry sir, but I will not give another ill-conceived excuse for your lack of appearance. This is one function that I'm quite certain you will survive. And this one doesn't require body armor."

Bruce shot a glare at his long-time friend. "It probably should," he grumbled.

"I highly doubt that anyone will be sporting rapid-fire hypodermic needles at the Cancer Institute benefit," Alfred countered.

"Great," Bruce groaned, rolling his eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

"If you've thought of that, it means someone else has too," he answered, running a hand roughly through his hair.

Alfred blanched. "Surely you don't think—"

"No," Bruce cut him off. "You're right. Not at the Institute benefit. But it's probably only a matter of time before somebody decides to try lethal acupuncture on the Bat."

Alfred pressed his lips into a thin line. "Which we will deal with at that time, I'm sure. But for now, there is a tuxedo ready in the master bedroom, and I've requested the Quattroporte be made ready."

"It came in?" Bruce lifted an eyebrow in faint interest.

"Just yesterday, sir," the butler answered.

He sighed. "There's no way I'm getting out of this, is there?"

"Not tonight," Alfred proffered a tight grin as he watched the reluctant younger man walk toward the cave's elevator – a much newer and more stable installation than the previous one. "Besides, it never hurts to show your support for hospitals or the Institute. Your father would be proud."

Bruce stopped and glanced back at the man following him, but didn't reply.

"Bruce Wayne."

Bruce turned at the sound of the female voice behind him, forcing down his annoyance at being distinguished from the drapes next to the window. He'd already made the requisite rounds with the Cancer Institute's founders and the shallow socialites decorating the event, and was using the view from the window to overlook the heart of the city. The niceties were done with, so he was really just biding his time to make it look like he wasn't in a rush to be anywhere else. Which, he wasn't, at the moment. But these events, no matter how good the cause, always made him feel like he should be. Instead, he smiled pleasantly at the simply pretty red-head standing there. "Yes?" he answered.

"Victoria Vale," she held out her hand, and offered a genuine smile in return.

He paused briefly, remembering why he knew her name. "The photojournalist," Bruce finally replied, shaking her offered hand gently.

She blushed slightly. "You know my work?"

"I've followed your war pieces. You've been through some, ah, harrowing ordeals."

The woman, who looked to be about his same age, nodded in agreement. "A few," she answered, closing her eyes for a brief second. Bruce was certain he'd seen a flash of memory in them, but any emotion about those experiences was gone when she reopened them. "Which is why I'm back home for a while," she continued.

"But, ah, didn't you get pictures of that bat… fellow not too long ago?"

She smiled again and looked down, another blush hinting on her cheeks. "That wasn't exactly a war piece," she replied.

"In Gotham? Are you sure?" he quipped lightly.

"Point taken," she laughed.

"Well, welcome back," Bruce nodded.

"Thank you. Actually, I came over to ask if you'd be available for a photo-op with Dr. Grant and the other Institute founders in a little while."

Bruce glanced around the room, and noticed that a few of the known gossipers in the crowd had spotted the two of them talking. "I don't see why not," he agreed.

"Excellent," she smiled again. "Shall we say a half-hour from now?"

"Sounds good."

"Oh, and…" she trailed off, suddenly looking self-conscious. "I'm not sure why I would feel awkward asking you this."

Bruce raised an eyebrow out of genuine curiosity, and waited for her to continue.

"Would you mind if I took some candid photos of you tonight?"

He paused. "Here?"

Victoria tilted her head, smiled, and wrinkled her brow. "Of course." She noted his hesitation at her question, and decided to smooth the tension professionally. "I've actually asked several others here tonight if I might do the same. It would be for a small project I'm considering."

Bruce glanced around again. "Only if I can see the pictures, and have approval over which ones get published… if any."

She looked like she would laugh again, but didn't. "I wouldn't dream of trying to publish them without your approval, Mr. Wayne," she countered. "I know my limits. I also know exactly what I'm worth."

Bruce was taken aback for a moment. "I'm sorry," he started. "I didn't mean to imply—"

"No apology necessary, Mr. Wayne. I understand how important it is to maintain an image."

"Well, then," he shrugged, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "You have my permission."

"Great." Victoria's eyes lit up like he'd just made her entire day, but her facial expression remained professional. "I appreciate it."
"I'll see you in half-an-hour with Dr. Grant?" Bruce asked, knowing she was dying to get to her camera.

"Yes. See you then."

Bruce watched as she made her way back through the crowd, and then looked pointedly at the gossips whispering and staring in his direction. Every one of them stopped and turned a different direction when his gaze met theirs. He allowed himself a quiet, cynical laugh before turning back to the window, and hoped that the gesture would discourage any would-be arm-candy from approaching him during the next half-hour. The last thing he needed any photojournalist to capture was an insincere smile on his face, combined with dull disinterest in his eyes. That would be disastrous. And would probably win her a Pulitzer. No, best to avoid the arm-candy.

"Vicky Vale," Lois murmured to herself, as she gazed out over the rooftops of Metropolis. "That was her name." She hugged her arms around herself, despite the trench coat she was wearing. The breeze on the roof of The Daily Planet was stiff, and held a mid-autumn chill, but it hadn't prevented her from escaping the office for some fresh air. The evening was late, and Richard had taken Jason home several hours before, leaving her mostly alone in the office. Clark had also called it quits about an hour ago, and had nagged her into a promise that she wouldn't be there for much longer. Which was probably a good thing, since she'd run out of steam shortly thereafter. But she hadn't wanted to leave just yet.

And now here she was.

She leaned her elbows onto the ledge and inhaled the brisk air deeply, willing it to clear her mind of the muddled and noisy thoughts crowding through it. It helped a little, but it was also quiet enough that the thoughts just kept sneaking back. Needing a distraction, she purposely scuffed the soles of her shoes on the cement while she turned around, intending to circle the roof of the building, beneath the iconic globe. But she didn't get far before a blue-and-red figure caught her attention. She looked to her right just in time to see Superman step onto the ledge of the building.

"Hey, Kal," she offered, watching as he paused before gliding down toward her.

"Good evening, Lois," he answered, touching the ground next to her. "Were you headed back inside?"

"Oh. No, not yet," she looked toward the door, and then up at the globe above them. "I was actually just going to walk around the roof before heading home."

Superman nodded. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," Lois shrugged, and started walking. "Something on your mind?"

The tall man next to her smiled briefly to himself as he thought about how to approach the subject he'd pinpointed with her earlier. "Actually, yes."

She looked up at him. "Is this something I can help with? Is it Jason?"

"No, it's not Jason. And… I'm not sure if you can help." Lois stayed quiet as the two of them continued to walk side-by-side close to the outer edge. Clark finally decided to just plunge ahead. "I need to go to Gotham."

Lois' head jerked back at the city's name, and she threw a sharp glance at her companion. "You talked to Clark, didn't you?" she accused.

He suppressed a grin. "I have talked to Clark – I was the one that told him to check out the happenings in Gotham. The Batman is someone I just learned about myself."

"So, you're thinking of going over there and seeing the guy? You actually want to meet him?" she questioned.

"You sound like you don't think it's a good idea."

Lois shrugged, her expression changing to one of blameless innocence. "I don't think anything about the idea." She let out an amused puff of air. "And I'm pretty sure you can take care of yourself, no matter how crazy the guy might be."

Clark let himself laugh a little at her statement. "Well, I hope so," he answered. "I actually wanted to ask you… do you know, or have you heard anything about how to contact this… Batman?"

She thought through the vague details in her head for a moment. "No. I guess he's kind of like you… he's just there when you need him. Well, ideally. Hopefully. Of course, I wouldn't go jumping off a cliff to get his attention, either."

It was Clark's turn to shoot a glance at Lois. "I would hope that you wouldn't do that to get my attention."

Lois laughed. "I get into enough crazy situations without purposely throwing myself off of anything." Clark cleared his throat and looked away from her after she'd met his amused gaze. "Don't start, bluebird," she threatened, with more laughter in her voice.

"I didn't say a thing," he protested.

"You thought it."

Clark grinned again, knowing full well that he wasn't about to win this kind of argument with Lois Lane. The woman could argue her way out of a parking ticket… and right back into it just as fast. Not to mention that her "discussions" with Perry White were the stuff of legend around the Planet offices.

"So then, you're saying that I should… what, rob a bank, or something?" he continued, reverting back to the original topic.

Lois stopped mid-stride and gaped at the man who was now a pace in front of her. "You wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't," he replied. "You know me better than that." He watched as she visibly relaxed in front of him, and resumed walking. "But I'm coming up short of ideas."

"Well, maybe you should just look for him," she offered. "I mean, hell, it's not like you can't hover above the city."

"Gotham is a big place, Lois."

"So is Metropolis."

"But I know Metropolis."

"So?" she shot back at him. "You haven't always known it. You had to start at some point, right? Besides, what about your exceptional hearing?" Lois held up both hands and mimed quotation marks at the word "exceptional." "You know, cries for help, gunshots, fist fights… good grief, Kal, I'm starting to feel like I'm talking to Clark Kent, here."

This time, the laugh escaped him before he had a chance to stop it, and he realized that he had slipped back into his pry-Lois-for-information mindset that he normally reserved for work. The truth was, he knew exactly what it was that he could do to search out the Batman. But given the information that he'd been able to find, which wasn't much beyond urban legend-style fascination, and that the guy had his own spotlight, he wasn't exactly sure how to go about just doing it. The Batman sounded more like a ghost than an actual man.

"Okay. What about this spotlight that the Gotham P.D. supposedly has on their rooftop?"

"Gotham P.D. has a spotlight on their roof?" Lois questioned, confusion etched across her features. "I thought spotlights were for helicopters."

"So did I," Clark agreed. "But apparently they have an event-sized spotlight on their roof that has a stylized bat silhouette bonded to it."

"Are you serious?"

"There's pictures of it on the internet."

"You surf the internet?"

"Lois." He allowed his voice to take on a slightly exasperated tone. "Can we keep this to the current topic, please?"

"Yeah, well, you know more than I do at this point," Lois conceded, once again wrapping her arms around herself as the wind gusted across the roof.

Clark stepped in closer, shielding her a little more from the wind, and adding the aura of his own body-heat to her personal space. She didn't say a word.

"Well, I guess there's nothing to do but try," he finally said, after the two of them had walked in silence across the final length of the building.

"I'm sure you'll find him," Lois assured, turning to face him. "You're Superman."

Clark tilted his head and shot her a look. "But I'm not infallible."

"Then maybe he'll find you," she offered. "Either way, I claim rights to the exclusive. And I want ALL the details."

He chuckled. "You never quit, do you?"

"It's why I'm the best," Lois replied, with a self-satisfied grin. "Now get out of here."

"Yes, dear," Clark dead-panned. Lois rewarded him with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "Good night, Lois," he grinned, as he lifted himself beyond the Planet'sglobe.

"Good night, Kal." Lois watched until his brightly-clad figure faded into the night sky, and then pulled herself together before she headed toward the elevator. On the way down, she felt herself grinning like an idiot. The prospect of such an article thrilled her down to her toes. He'd better give her one hell of a story.