Clark leaned against the bar, took a sip of his Coca Cola, and watched as the rich and famous entered the ballroom of the Governor�s mansion to ring in the New Year. He�d never felt comfortable at these highfalutin� parties. He�d have much preferred to be back home with his ma and pa, watching the event on TV like he�d done for most of his life. But there was no one else available to cover the governor�s speech here tonight--a speech that was sure to attract a virtual who�s who of high society from every major city.

Clark took another sip of his drink, looked back up at the entrance, and nearly choked when he saw Bruce enter the ballroom with his date. He sighed. He should�ve known Bruce would be here.

Bruce turned around, sweeping the room with his gaze, finally noticing Clark, who tried--and Clark had to admit unconvincingly--to blend in with the crowd. He knew he stood out like a sore thumb at these things.

Clark waved--a wave Bruce did not return. Bruce did, however, lean down and whisper something to his date, who giggled and didn�t seem to mind when Bruce walked away.

Clark couldn�t help but admire the finesse with which Bruce made his way through the crowd--a handshake here, a peck on the cheek there--hardly ever breaking his stride until he was standing in front of Clark .

�Clark . You here alone?�

�I�m on assignment.� Clark took a drink of his soda, his mouth suddenly dry.

Bruce grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a sip. �Couldn�t get a date, huh?�

Clark grinned. �I�m not in high demand these days.�

�Lois?� Bruce knew Clark had finally revealed his secret to Lois.

�She realized the mild-mannered reporter was the real me. She was disappointed.� That was an understatement. She would have been happier if Clark�s personality never existed--only Superman�s.

Bruce grimaced. �Sorry.�

�It�s probably for the best.�

�It usually is.�

Clark chuckled. �What? No relationship for the playboy?�

�Relationships require work. And I haven�t the time.�

Clark nodded. Lois had been hard work, that was for sure. But somehow he didn�t think he�d mind working hard for the right person.

Clark looked over at Bruce�s date. �You don�t work hard for her?�

�You have no idea.� Bruce grinned. �However, it looks like she�s found greener pastures.�

She was talking to a much older man. Old enough to be her grandfather, it seemed. �Him?�

�Movie producer. And she wants to be in the movies.�

�Ah.�

Bruce downed his drink and looked at Clark. It was an intense glare that made Clark nervous. �I guess we�ll both be leaving early tonight. Unless we find someone else to kiss at midnight.�

Clark shivered, felt the heat rise to his face, and took another sip of his soft drink to hide the physical response. He was becoming good at hiding his feelings from Bruce. �It�s a New Year�s Eve party, Bruce. How many women do you think come to these things without a date?�

Bruce�s smile was wicked. �It�s stuffy in here.� He turned to leave but not before looking back at Clark . �You coming?�

Bruce seemed to know the layout of the mansion, having been here before or from studying the blueprints before he�d arrived. Clark would bet the farm it was the latter. They ended up on a secluded balcony, no semblance of a party to be seen.

Bruce just watched him with that damned grin that kept Clark off balance. �Do I make you nervous, Clark?�

�Why would you ask that?�

Bruce shrugged. �Just a guess. You done holding that doorway up?�

�Hmm? Oh.� Clark moved out onto the balcony.

�Tell me, Clark . What did you ever see in Lois? She�s not exactly your type.�

�She was exciting, I guess. Challenging.�

Bruce laughed. �There was never a challenge. All you had to do was tell her you were Superman.�

Clark couldn�t argue the point.

�She was a poor substitute, at any rate.�

�Substitute?�

�Mm hmm. Because you were too afraid to go after the person you really wanted.�

Clark stiffened. Even Bruce couldn�t have figured it out. Clark had been careful. Hadn�t he? �You make a lot of assumptions.�

�Assumptions based on evidence.�

�Evidence?� Clark�s voice was low, guarded.

�You don�t hide your feelings very well, Clark. Not even when you�re trying to.�

Bruce knew, and Clark felt trapped. And angry. He didn�t like being toyed with. �I should take lessons from you, then. Or is your emotional stoicism the real thing?�

�You tell me.� Before Clark realized what was happening, he felt Bruce�s lips pressed to his. The kiss was long and hard and filled with everything Clark had ever imagined.

But Clark pushed him away. �This isn�t funny, Bruce.�

�Do I look like I�m laughing?� Bruce sighed. �How could you think I wouldn�t want you?�

�I need someone who wants to work for what I have to offer. You haven�t the time, remember?�

Bruce smirked. �Some things are worth working for.�

Clark stood still and looked into Bruce�s eyes, unsure whether he should believe him or not. Then Bruce did something that surprised Clark--he looked away. Clark had never known Bruce to break eye contact, especially with what looked like uncertainty. The small show of insecurity convinced Clark he was serious, otherwise the stoic mask would never have cracked. �I didn�t think you noticed.�

�I notice everything.�

Clark pulled Bruce to him. Cheers could be heard in the background. �Happy New Year�s, Bruce.�

***


Clark stood in the middle of the dark cave and shivered. He was impervious to the elements but he felt cold, had been cold since Bruce had died.

He fell to his knees and cried--just like he�d done for months now. Their relationship had spanned decades, and Clark wondered if it was fitting that it had ended on the anniversary of the day it began: New Year�s Eve.

�He wouldn�t want this for you.�

He should have known she�d be here. �What are you doing here, Diana?�

�Bruce asked that I come to you. He didn�t want you to be alone.�

�I am alone.�

�No. Just lonely.� She sounded like she understood. Then Clark remembered the loved ones Diana had outlived on Patriarch�s world. The lover who had grown old and died--just like Bruce.

�I don�t know how to do this. I don�t think I can do this.� But he�d promised Bruce he would. He promised.

�You can. And you will.�

He looked at the door leading to the Manor. He knew he couldn�t live here. Not with the ghosts that filled the place, taunting him with the past. But he didn�t know how to move forward, either.

Clark Kent had grown old and retired from The Daily Planet years ago--his cover would�ve been blown otherwise because he�d hardly aged. It hadn�t mattered, though, because his life had been with Bruce.

�I don�t know what to do.�

Clark felt Diana�s hand rest on his shoulder. �The world still needs Superman.�

�I know.� He did know. But it was too soon. It would always be too soon.

�Then come with me.� She took his hand, encouraging him to his feet.

�Does it get easier? Please tell me it gets easier.�

She hugged him. �You�re not alone. You will learn to live again with the help of your friends.�

He was tired, let Diana lead him to an opening in the cave.

�It�s what Bruce would want. Isn�t it?�

�He knew it was what you would need.�

There were ghosts on the Watchtower, too. Would it be any easier living there? At least he wouldn�t be alone.

Clark took one last look around the cave. He wasn�t immortal. He�d grow old and die, eventually. He�d be with Bruce again. He suddenly felt hopeful.

�Goodbye, Bruce. Until we�re together again.�