Metropolis Nights By Sneaker_Master@yahoo.com
Disclaimer:
I don't own or know anything about the Characters in this story; Batman and all other characters form the DC universe are Property of DC Comics and Time Warner. I am merely writing this fan fic for others to enjoy.
Note form the Author:
I know that I am not following the story lines as they are set out by the comics/movies, this is my interpretation so though I really do appreciate feedback, I don't want anyone writing me telling me how this or that can't or won't happen. Other than that, I love to hear from people about my stories.
Chapter Two: New Job and New Distractions
Monday dawned clear and bright, Richard was excited about his new job. He scanned the busy newsroom floor, the hustle and bustle made him feel like he was rearing to go. Richard made his way to the glass enclosed office of the editor-in-chief. Perry White was written on the door in three inch high letters. Richard knocked on the door and was waved in by a white haired gentleman.
"You must be Richard Grayson." The man said as he stood up to extending his hand.
"Yes sir, Mr. White." Richard said as he crossed the room to shake his hand.
"None of that Mr. White stuff, here its either Chief or Perry." Perry said.
"Yes Chief." Richard responded.
"Please have a seat." Perry said, and both he and Richard sat down. "Now I was very impressed with your grades and the body of work you did while interning at the Gotham Gazette."
"Thank you Chief." Richard said.
"So welcome aboard, I have you working with a partner to start out with; he should be here any minute. He will show you the ropes and such." Perry said.
"Yes Chief."
"Ah there he is now." Perry rose and walked to the door, pushing it open he shouted. "HEY KENT, GET IN HERE!"
Richard twisted in his seat to see who it was and his breath caught in his chest. The young man, and he was young probably right around Richard's own age. Somehow Richard had figured he would be paired with someone older, more experienced. However this man was a sight to behold, his hair was sandy blond and wavy. As he grew closer Richard could make out his baby blue eyes from behind the tasteful lenses of his glasses. And from what Richard could discern about his body was that he was a Greek god. Richard worked his face into an interested, but not too interested face. He knew he had to keep his sexuality to himself, though he hated that fact. The young man entered the office as Perry returned to his desk.
"You called Chief?" The youth's voice was deep and velvety.
"Yes I did, Richard Grayson meet Jason Kent. Kent Grayson is your new partner."
"Hello Richard."
"Hi Jason."
"Good, good now Jason show Richard about and where he will be working." Perry said as Richard rose and fallowed Jason out. The two guys walked across the news room to a small quieter corner set up with two desks.
"Here we are home sweet home." Jason said with a flourish. Richard laughed as he took the empty desk. "So is it always Richard?"
"Yeah for now anyway, I use to go by Dick but decided to drop that one."
"Good call, but you still don't seem like a Richard to me, to formal. You should think about maybe something like Rick." Jason suggested.
"Rick Grayson." Richard muttered out loud trying the name.
"Yeah that sounds much better."
"Rick Grayson, Daily Planet, Mr. Mayor a question please?" Rick said.
"Nice, not sure when you will be interviewing the mayor though." Jason said.
"Very well say hello to Rick Grayson, reporter for the Daily Planet." Rick said. "So what is on the agenda?"
"Well as you can guess as the JUNIOR reporter we won't be covering the big stuff." Jason said. "Basically we cover the stories that aren't good enough to be on the front page." He added.
"I figured as much." Rick said.
"Also we do some prep work on the big things. For example I don't suppose you saw the article about the fundraiser for the restoration of the observatory? Jason asked.
"Yeah actually I did happen to see that." Rick responded.
"Well guess who was on the phone half the day to get a quote from the head of the fundraiser?"
"Hmmm let me think...Lois Lane?" Rick said with a wink.
"Close her son actually." Jason replied.
"Wait you're her son?"
"Yup, and Clark Kent is my dad." He responded.
"Wow talk about a legacy to have to live up too." Rick said. "Glad I am not in your shoes."
"What about your parents? What do they do?" Jason asked.
"They died about ten years ago." Rick responded quietly.
"Oh man, I am so sorry." Jason said quickly.
"It's okay we were part of a circus troupe." Rick said.
"Really that is so cool. When I was little I wanted to run away and join the circus." Jason said.
"It was a fun life, but living with Bruce was nice too."
"Bruce?"
"Bruce Wayne, I was or still am his ward, not totally sure which anymore, but after a while we became family." Rick said.
"Wow The Bruce Wayne, imagine living in that stately mansion," Jason said in awe.
"I don't have to imagine it." Rick said with a laugh.
"Oh man sorry to drift off like that." Jason said. "Just a little start struck I guess."
"It's no prob, I am use to it when someone says Bruce Wayne, and everyone goes nuts." Rick said.
Rick and Jason spent the morning getting to know each other better, the usual stuff, high schools, colleges ect. Jason showed Rick all the various goings on in the newsroom. Around noon Rick was starving.
"Hey man lets go to lunch or something." Rick suggested.
"Sure, I know just the place to go, we can take my car." Jason suggested.
"Great, but I got to stop by the bank first." Rick said.
"No problem, which bank?"
"First Metropolis." Rick said.
"Cool there is a branch just down the street." Jason said leading the way to the elevator.
"What if anyone needs us?" Rick asked.
"They have our cells, besides even hard journalists have to eat." Jason said.
The elevator arrived and the two guys stepped in, and Jason pushed the button for the parking garage. The ride was swift and quiet with the elevator making no other stops. Jason led the way to his car.
"Wow a Corvette." Rick exclaimed.
"Yeah it's a '08 it was a graduation gift from my parents." Jason said smiling broadly. "What are you driving?"
"A gift from Bruce." Rick said as he pointed.
"Holy Cow, what is that?" Jason exclaimed, walking over to the cobalt blue machine.
"It's a '10 BMW M Supercar." Rick said with pride.
"Wow, I have never seen anything like it before." Jason said.
"I doubt you ever will, it's a concept car, as far as I know it's a one of a kind." Rick said.
"Must be nice to have all his money." Jason remarked with a smile.
"Yeah I guess so, but I am here to earn my own way." Rick said.
"I didn't mean anything like that." Jason said.
"No prob, Jason, hey you want to take my car? You can drive." Ricks said holding up the keys.
"Hell yeah." Jason said, Rick tossed him the keys.
Jason popped the keys to open the doors and climbed in. Rick slid into the leather seats, Jason started the car, and it instantly came to life with a roar. The ride to the bank was swift and relaxed.
"Man that car handles like a dream." Jason remarked as he got out of the car.
"Just don't forget to lock it." Rick said laughing.
"Yeah, yeah." Jason responded. "Man I got to take a leak." Jason said, "I will be right back."
"Sure man while you take care of your business," Rick said with a wink. "I will take care of mine." Rick said. He went to stand in line there were only five others in line. When all of a sudden the man in front pulled a gun. Rick Thought about what he could do to take out the gun man, when three others also pulled out weapons.
"EVERYONE DOWN ON THE FLOOR NOW!" The lead gun man yelled, people all around the bank were doing just that. Rick wanted to do something, but without his Nightwing suit, there was nothing he could do. Rick only hoped Jas was smart and wouldn't try anything either. The head gun man was demanding the money from behind the counters. The nearest was pacing only a foot or so in front of Rick. Rick was a low crouch not flat on the floor. One of the other robbers was near the doors, presumably watching the escape route. The last gun man had gone with the manager towards the safe; Rick was worried as that was also the way to the bathrooms. Jason had yet to immerge. Rick could only hope that he had heard the lead gun man yelling and was staying safe in the bathroom.
"STOP RIGHT THERE." A voice yelled out. A blue and red blur streaked across the room, it stopped in front of the lead gun man. The blur turned out to be a man, his back was to rick and he only had a second to observe him. The man had brown hair that was slicked back to his head, he wore a tight fitting body suit, black across the shoulders giving way to a cobalt blue top a red belt over red tights and red boots. Richard knew this had to be a superhero, but still four to one was a bit tight. All eyes were on the hero, Rick shifted his weight to one leg, and the gun man nearest him was only a foot or so away.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?" The lead gun man shouted.
"I am the embodiment of Truth and Justice." The man said. He reached out with super human speed and ripped the gun out of the leader's hands. He then crushed the gun into a ball of twisted metal. The gun man closed to Rick was bringing his gun to bear on the costumed hero. Rick reacted almost without thinking with a sweeping kick he tripped the gun man. The robber hit the floor landing on his back, the gun clattered out of his hand sliding across the polished floor. All eyes quickly turned to Rick who immediately dived away from the spot he was in. A split second later the gun man by the door pulled the trigger firing upon the spot where Rick had been. The hero streaked across the room to destroy the gun and knock out the man.
"There is one more in the vault with the manager." Rick yelled.
"No I took care of him first the manager is safe and calling the police, who should be here any minute." The hero said. He quickly tied the three bank robbers together. Then stood hovering off the ground in front of Rick. Rick saw an `S' on his chest, it was very similar to the shield of Superman. However this one had a black background as opposed to the yellow. Rick reached into his briefcase and pulled out his digital recorder.
"Rick Grayson, Daily Planet junior reporter can I ask you a few questions?" Rick said.
"I really don't have time for an interview." The hero said.
"Oh come on just a few questions for my readers? What's your name?"
"Superboy." He replied.
"How did you know about the robbery?"
"Just happened to be nearby." Superboy said. The sounds of sirens could be heard and were getting louder. "Sorry but I can't answer any more questions at this time."
"One last thing, please?" Rick said pulling out a digital camera. "A photo?" He asked. Superboy stood in the typical superman pose, fist balled on top of his hips, chest thrown out, and a gorgeous smile. Superboy's blue eyes sparkled as Rick took the photo.
"If you happen to be on top of the Daily Planet building around 4 pm, I might fly by and answer some more questions." Superboy said softly so only Rick could hear it, before flying out the door. Rick quickly snapped a few more pics of the bank and the would-be-robbers.
"Wow, some excitement for our first day of work." Jason said form behind Rick, who whirled around at the sound of his voice.
"Jason thank goodness you are safe."
"I heard someone shout so I hid in the bathroom, but I guess it's too close to the safe or something, I couldn't get a cell signal to call for help."
"It's okay Superboy saved the day, and I got a bit of an interview and some pics." Rick said. Soon the bank was packed with people, cops, medical personal, etc.
"Jason? Honey what are you doing here?" an older woman asked. She was very nicely dressed, and Rick thought she was probably in her early forties.
"Mom?" Jason said. Rick was stunned, just for a second, thinking why was Jason's mother here. However he quickly remembered who Jason's mom was.
"Lois Lane." Rick said.
"That's right and you are?" Lois said turning to him with a smile.
"Rick Grayson junior reporter, Daily Planet." He responded.
"Oh yes Perry did mention you, from Gotham City right"
"Yes ma'am."
"Please call me Lois. Although Clark and I don't actually work for the Planet anymore, we do like to keep in touch with old friends." She said.
"You don't work for there anymore?" Rick said astonished.
"No Clark, my husband, and I work as the anchor the channel 12 KROM News." She said with pride. It was then that Rick noticed the camera crew setting up on the other side of the room.
"But if you're the anchor what are you doing here?" Rick asked.
"I like to get out of the studio every now and then, just like old times." She said with a slight laugh.
"Nice. So you are here to cover the robbery?" Jason asked.
"I am."
"Great you should interview Rick; he got the exclusive about Superboy."
"Really? He a friend of yours?" Lois asked.
"No he said he was in the neighborhood when the robbery happened." Rick said.
"Well I would normally try to out scoop anyone, but since you are working with my son, I think I will read about this in the paper." Lois said. Walking over to the guys still setting up her equipment she said. "Okay guys' false alarm, wrap it up."
"Really you are going to pass on a story?" Rick asked surprised.
"Consider it a freebie, just this one time." Lois said as walked out the bank.
"Wow you mom is pretty cool." Rick said to Jason.
"Yeah she is the best." Jason said. "So do we eat or head back to the newsroom?" Jason asked.
Rick pulled a notepad out of his briefcase, "I can write it all up as we eat." Rick said.
"Great let's go." Jason said jingling the keys.