Superman Meets Robin:

"I don't really care if Lex Luthor is in Gotham City and has his hands on a metric ton of kryptonite; you should have just called me on the JL comm. Link instead of coming here yourself. Gotham is none of your business."

It was probably one of the longest speeches Clark had ever heard from the Batman, but he wasn't going to step down just because Bruce was feeling talkative.

"It is my business Batman!" he seethed, "Luthor is dangerous and I've heard rumors that you have a new partner: a kid. If I'm here I can help you investigate and protect you both if need be."

Batman scoffed, "Your way of 'investigating' attracts large crowds and damages buildings. Do I want your help? No. Do I want your protection? Absolutely not! So get out of my city."

Superman noticed that Bats hadn't mentioned the kid, "Bruce," he said warningly, "I don't feel comfortable about your endangering a child."

"Did you come here to track down the Kryptonite or to be my conscience? Because you aren't doing a very good job of either." Batman's growl was low and dangerous. Clark was treading thin ice; at this rate Bruce would use the Kryptonite on him when he found it.

Superman was just about to speak when a small, caped figure landed lightly on the roof with the two other heroes.

"I finished patrolling the docks like you asked. You were right, they went to warehouse 9 with the…" the young voice trailed off as the small hero recognized the man beside his mentor. It was silent for a few seconds; Clark squinted into the shadows trying to see the famous Batman's kid.

"Robin," Batman growled (a little nicer this time), "This, as you might have noticed, is Superman."

The young boy took a step forward, analyzing the famous hero with masked eyes as Clark did the same. He saw a child, about the age of nine or ten, with black hair to match his cape. But to his surprise, the uniform was a heck of a lot more colorful than the Bats: a red tunic, yellow underside of the tapered cape, and green gloves. Clark's heart fell as he noticed how slight the boy was, he didn't look like he belonged swinging from rooftop to rooftop with the Batman. He didn't really care how smart the Bat was, partnering with a child is unacceptable.

Clark's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden interjection –

"Wow! Superman, in the flesh! SO COOL! You are the coolest Superman!" Robin jumped up and down with excitement (and if Clark's eyes weren't deceiving him, the boy did a flip ever so often). Superman cast his eyes to Batman, wondering if this was normal for the boy. Batman's expression remained unreadable, as usual.

Superman smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Robin."

The boy suddenly appeared right in front of the Man of Steel, holding out a pen and paper that just happened to have with him. How had that fit in his utility belt?

"Can I have your autograph?" Robin's masked eyes were wide with anticipation.

"Sure thing, champ." Clark said, taking the pen and paper while sending a smirk in Batman's direction. He didn't miss the disapproving glare the Bat was sending toward Robin. Bruce was just jealous that his protégé was paying more attention to the red and blue clad hero. But Clark, after all, was a more social hero; he was accustomed to the admiration. With a flourish, Superman signed the paper and handed it back to the giddy kid along with his pen.

"Wow, thanks Superman! You're the coolest." Robin grabbed the items before suddenly running to the edge of the roof, "Well, I gotta go finish up now. See you…"

The boy's abrupt exit was interrupted, "Robin," Batman's voice was cold, freezing the protégé in his tracks. Superman watched the two in confusion. What was the big deal? It was just an autograph.

"Give me the pen." Bruce commanded the boy, holding out his hand for the offending utensil. Superman didn't understand why the kid couldn't just keep his pen. Batman didn't need to be this offended.

Robin hung his head in shame, as if he had been caught robbing a bank, and handed his mentor the small fountain pen. Batman took his evidence forceps from his utility belt and carefully removed a slip of finger print paper from the barrel of the pen.

"Robin," Bruce sighed, "You need to stop trying to figure out the secret identities of the Justice League. They want to maintain as much anonymity as possible."

Robin pouted, a crinkle forming on his forehead beneath his domino mask. Superman was speechless. This innocent-looking boy was just as conniving as his mentor.

"Besides," Bats continued, "Superman uses a different handwriting style while in uniform (even he's not that stupid). You can't ID him by his signature."

The young protégé sighed in disappointment at his failed plan, yet he didn't seem overtly perturbed, especially by the Batman's scowl. Most people cowered in the face of the famous Bat-glare, but this kid just shrugged it off like it was nothing. Clark had to admit, the whole situation amazed him: the boy was like the Bat's happy-evil-twin.

"Here," Clark was brought to attention to the piece of paper he had signed being shoved in his face, "You can have this back."

Superman numbly took the sheet of paper. He was shocked to see that Robin, who only a moment ago had been an excited admirer, was now blatantly ignoring the Man of Steel. The boy didn't even give him a second glance.

"So we're tracking a shipment of Kryptonite now. Cool." The boy was serious, all-business now, "We gonna save the other case for later?"

"Yes. We'll start with Sector 3." Batman turned to Clark, "Head home Superman, we will handle this."

The two heroes pulled out their grappling guns and jumped off the building in unison. In seconds they disappeared into the distance, obscured by the ever present smog that covers Gotham City.

Clark stood stock still as Superman experienced something he rarely suffered from: shock. It was an oddity when the famous hero didn't get any attention, especially from children. He wasn't being petty; that's just how it happened. He was loved, adored, venerated (usually).

Curious, Clark extended his hearing range till he could make out the mechanical whirr of the grappling guns. It was silent for a moment before…

"You know I'll find out eventually," Robin's smug tone broke the silence.

"Yes, I know." The Bat's voice held a hint of a smirk.

"After all, I learned from the best."

Superman didn't have to be present to know that Bruce was smiling proudly. Clark realized he'd been completely duped. The bird was a bat after all.

A few weeks later:

"Wow, Green Arrow, you are the coolest! Your bow is so neat too! Can I see it?"

"Robin, you better not be dusting that for fingerprints!"

"Aw, Batman! You're such a killjoy!"