Clark rubbed a tired hand across his face. It was not an act. He was beginning to feel tired, not physically, but emotionally. He wanted to get back to Metropolis, to his empty apartment and sleep. But the thought of the empty apartment just depressed him. He wondered where Lois was, when she was planning to come home. She was onto something, and Lois on the scent of a story was more tenacious than a bloodhound. She wasn't likely to be back home anytime soon.

He stepped out of the GCPD building, feeling weary. Commissioner Gordon seemed like a good man. Clark had heard that most of the cops in GCPD were corrupt, but the Commissioner seemed like an honest man. And Clark could see how rare that was in Gotham.

He descended the steps and frowned as he saw a car waiting for him. A man was standing next to it, an old man.

"Mr. Kent?" The clipped English accent and the voice was vaguely familiar.

"Yes?" Clark could not figure out where he had heard the voice before.

"Mr. Wayne has arranged for transportation to your hotel, in light of what happened."

Clark's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. So, this was Alfred, the voice he'd heard through the comm link used by Bruce Wayne and Batman.

Clark wondered if he should decline, but shrugged, "Thank you," he said as he got into the car through the door that Alfred held open for him. It felt uncomfortable to have someone open a car door for him, but he also knew these were things that people like Bruce Wayne took for granted.

He relaxed into the cushions and tried to think of the day. He still had to transcribe the recording of the interview and upload it in his drop box for Perry. He wanted to finish that before leaving Gotham. He gazed outside and became aware that the car was leaving the city.

"Where are we going?" he asked. He was not worried, somehow, but was curious.

"Mr. Wayne's house, sir," replied Alfred. "He felt you would not respond positively to an invitation."

Clark chuckled. "Abducted twice in one day. I must be having an off day."

He caught the slight twitch of Alfred's lips but the man's face remained impassive.

"What does Mr. Wayne want with me?" asked Clark.

"I am not privy to Mr. Wayne's reasons, sir."

"But you are privy to the Batman's identity."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," came the dispassionate reply.

"I've heard you over the comm links of both Bruce Wayne and Batman," said Clark calmly. "But I understand if you do not wish to tell me anything. Keeping nosy reporters off him might be part of your job."

Alfred gave him a sharp glance through the rear-view mirror and Clark grinned.

"I do not think you pose a threat to Master Bruce," said Alfred, breaking the silence.

Master Bruce, noted Clark, not Mr. Wayne. Obviously Alfred was more than an assistant or a driver.

"Have you worked for him long?" Clark asked, just to break the silence.

There was no reply and Clark shrugged and kept quiet. He could sate his curiosity when he met Bruce Wayne. Again.

He wondered if he would be meeting the billionaire or the vigilante.