Start Over
The next morning...
Diana's eyes shot open. She gasped sitting up abruptly.
"Hey."
She gasped again as she looked up toward her bedroom doorway to see Kal. She glanced off to the side and frowned. As she was just about to reach for her sword, Kal dashed for it, getting it before her.
"There is no need for this."
"What the hell are you doing here? Put my damn sword down, now, you-"
"And let you start swinging it at me? No. There's no need for name calling either."
Diana glared at him. "I said put my-" As she jumped out of bed, she felt dizzy and was about to fall over.
"Hey! Hey! No, don't do that again..." Kal dropped the sword and caught her.
However, this time Diana jerked away from and fell back on the bed. She realized she was half naked only in her strapless bra and underwear.
"Don't touch me!"
"Fine. But you need to lay back down."
Diana begrudgingly laid back down covering herself with the quilt.
"Why the hell are you still in my presences? Why am I without clothes?"
"You passed out last night. It was raining. I brought you home and you needed to be looked after."
"You didn't have to stay."
"You just almost passed out again. So yes, I did have to stay. I needed and wanted to. I don't care if you don't like it. You don't have to say thank you, I'm not looking for that. I just want you safe," he said sternly. "It's not like I haven't seen you completely naked before either."
Diana was silent and stared at him angrily but she was at a loss of words.
It was true. At the moment, Diana might not remember but she and Kal has had moments of almost giving completely into their feelings. Though, they stopped, feeling as though the timing was not right and might have been moving too fast.
There was even a time Kal came over to visit and caught Diana getting out the shower, it seemed as though she didn't mind at all. She was open with him and he with her. But now, Diana was so distant and cold. Kal couldn't let her put up a wall between them. He couldn't let Eros and Strife win.
"Are you hungry?"
"No."
"I made your favorite breakfast anyway and coffee."
Diana couldn't believe this man had nerve to continue challenging her and not only that but he was still being nice.
"If you want anything come in the kitchen after you get ready. If you don't, that's fine too but I'm not going anywhere and you'll just have to stay in bed all day."
Kal walked over to pick up her sword again. "This is staying with me." He scanned the room for anymore weapons and walked over to her dresser picking up a dagger behind it. "This too."
He left the room halfway slamming the door. He sighed, calming down. Talking to Diana like that broke his heart even more but he had to be stern with her.
Diana sighed and got out of bed. She didn't understand what was happening to her, physically and emotionally but she knew something was all wrong.
After about 45 minutes, Diana finally came out of her room and walked to the kitchen. Clark was sitting at the table seemingly waiting for her. He gave her a small smile but she didn't react nor say anything, just sat down.
Clark got up to reheat her plate and make her a cup of coffee.
"Here you go. Spinach omelete with extra cheese and mushrooms side of bacon...coffee with extra cream and sugar. And a cup of water."
Diana stared down at the food. It smelled and looked so delightful. And he did know exactly what she liked.
"Thank you..." she said lowly.
Diana was hesitant eating slowly. It was so good but she wasn't going to tell him that. It was awkwardly silent and Clark just watched her.
Diana glanced up at him and rolled her eyes annoyed.
"You don't have to watch over me like a child," she snapped.
"No. But you are starting to act like one."
Diana gasped and took the water, dashing it on him.
He didn't deserved that...or maybe he did.
Diana stormed off going back to her room.
"Diana wait! Wait a min-" His communicator started going off. "Dammit!"
Diana slammed the door and Clark sighed dramatically.
"What Bruce?! I'm busy!" Clark said finally answering.
"Meet me in Gotham."
"I just said I am busy."
"Take Diana to the Tower."
"And lock her up like a prisoner? Not going to happen."
"Clark."
"Let me handle this. I'll be there when I get there."
Clark turned his communicator back off. He knocked on Diana's bedroom door.
"Diana, open the door."
"Leave me alone."
He sighed. "Can we start over?"
"We never had a start in the first place."
"You don't mean that and you know that's not true. In a day or so things have changed for the worse. But I'm trying to make things better, Diana. I know you are frustrated. I am too. But please just...don't push me away."
"I just want to be left alone."
"That's fine. I...I need to head out anyway but I'll be back."
"Don't bother."
He sighed again. "Be careful while I am gone."
He walked away to change into his suit.
Diana sat in the middle of her bed staring blankly at nothing. When she heard the patio door shut she jumped.
"Kal?" She got up quickly opening her door. "Kal?"
She ran to the balcony but she was too late. He was already gone.
"I'm sorry."
Her heart sunk and tears started welling up in her eyes. She goes back inside and closes the door. She leaned against it breaking down. She knew she was losing herself slowly...painfully but didn't understand why. She didn't understand why she was being so cruel and cold to Kal, her best friend, the one person she trusted the most.
"Can you really trust him? Or is he just playing the pity card to take advantage of you?"
"What?" Diana stood up looking around.
"He doesn't love you and he isn't worthy of your love. You two are too different."
"That's not true! Whoever you are? Show yourself!"
"I am you...Diana."
"No!"
"What kind of Amazon are you?"
Her heart started beating fast and her eyes started changing again.
"No...no...not again...I won't."
She started having flashbacks of her fight with Kal.
"Yes...you almost killed him. You did that."
"Stop it."
"This is who you truly are...the daughter of Zeus, the Amazon Princess. This love nonsense is pathetic."
"No...I said stop it!" Diana picked up a vase throwing it at the wall. "Stay out of my head!
Hessia's Dojo
Clark Kent walked in nervously. He stood waiting for Hessia, Diana's Amazonian mentor and friend to finish her class. Hessia was also like a mother to Diana. Diana had so much respect for her, Clark knew Hessia could possibly be able to help with her and Diana would at least listen.
Hessia glanced up then did a double take seeing him. From his facial expression she could already tell something wasn't right.
"Alright, children, you did great today. Remember to practice your techniques at home, but please be careful not to break anything."
The girls giggled. "Yes, Master Hessia."
Hessia bowed to her students and walked over to Clark. "We can talk privately in my office."
Clark followed her. Once in her office, Clark spotted a picture of Diana holding a trophy. He picked it up and smiled.
"She didn't want to enter that tournament. She felt she had too much of an advantage. I told her not to worry about it and have fun. After this picture she gave her first place trophy to the second place winner."
"Diana is...she is very special. She-"
"What's wrong, Clark? Is Diana in trouble?"
Clark sighed and sat down in a chair.
"I need you to watch over her. I need to go to Gotham. Diana doesn't need to be alone. I'm the only one that can help get Diana back."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"It's the Gods."
"The Gods?! What do they want from her now?"
"No, it's me. I have to...prove myself or Diana...she'll be lost forever. I can't let that happen. I can't lose her, Hessia."
Hessia was so surprised and overwhelmed not only at the situation but to see first hand and realize how much he truly cared and loved Diana. She never saw a man so sad because of a woman in her life.
"I will do all that I can to help you."
"Thank you."
Diana's Condominium
Diana poured her another cup of coffee but jumped and dropped it breaking the cup and spilling the coffee all over the floor when she heard a knock on her door.
She deep breathed and flew over the mess to the door. She looked out the peephole to see Hessia.
Diana unlocked and opened the door.
"I don't want any company right now, Hessia."
Hessia raised her brow and walked in. "Good afternoon to you too, Diana."
Diana frown and closed the door. "What are you doing here, Hessia? Don't you have classes?"
"I do but I came to come get you. Clark was right. You-"
"Clark?!" Diana questioned getting angry. "He sent you? I told him to leave me alone!"
"You are going to calm that tone down, right now!" Hessia warned. "You know I am not the one to tolerate this behavior...especially from you! I am here to help you just as Clark is. You are not pushing either of us away! You understand?"
Diana was reluctant but slowly nodded.
"Come on, let's get this mess cleaned up then I'm taking you to the dojo and the outlet."
Gotham
When Superman landed in Gotham, near Wayne Tower, he quickly changed into his Clark Kent attire.
Walking in, he adjusted his glasses.
"May I help you, Sir?" The receptionist asked.
"Yes, I have a meeting with Mr. Wayne."
She looked at Clark a bit curious.
"Uh..." Clark reached into his jacket pocket. "I'm Clark Kent, Reporter for the Daily Planet."
"Ah, one moment Mr. Kent."
"Clark Kent."
Clark turned to see Bruce Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne." Clark walked over to him and shook his hand.
They walked to the elevators.
"Where is she?" Bruce asked.
Clark glanced at him and sighed. "She's still at home."
"I assume not alone."
"Of course not. I had a close friend of hers watch over her."
They walked silently to Bruce's office.
"Why am I here?"
"You wouldn't come to the Tower so I had to improvise. I have an important meeting I about 20 minutes. Within this time I expect you to tell me what the hell is going on."
Clark sighed. "Dammit, Bruce! I said I can handle this."
"Vic showed the mall surveillance. Right after you caught Diana when she fainted, you looked up as if you saw someone but the cameras shut off. Who was that?"
"Diana's cousin and sister."
"The Olympians?"
"Who else, Bruce? That's why I don't need anyone getting involved unless I ask."
"You are walking a dangerous line, Clark."
"Don't you think I know that?! But I don't give a damn because Diana is in danger! I could lose her and I won't let that happen." Clark put his head down. "The look she gave me before she passed out...Diana is still there. I can see her...the real her. I just...I know what I'm doing. Stay out of the way. Do not get the League involved."
Without letting Bruce say another word, Clark walked out of Bruce's office.
London: Hessia's Dojo
"Miss. Diana is here!"
The girls crowded around Diana. Hessia immediately noticed how distant Diana was.
"Girls, Miss Diana isn't feeling too well but she still wanted to come and watch you all," Hessia smiled.
Metropolis: Daily Planet
"Yo, Clark, where have you been? I stopped by your place last night and this morning."
"Sorry, Jim. Got a lot on my mind. I'm going to be out the office for a couple of days."
"Where ya headed?"
"London."
"London? Why?"
"I'm going to be staying with a friend, needs help with some personal things."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Not quite sure. I'll still be running my blog and column though."
"Well hope everything's alright! Catch you when you
get back! Oh and maybe you'll meet a cute girl there."
Clark laughed slightly and shook his head.
Back with Diana and Hessia
After her classes, Hessia took Diana to the outlet. However, Diana was still so distant and quiet. After walking around a while, Hessia got a text from Clark saying he was on his way back and would pick up dinner.
Hessia couldn't help but smile amazed at Clark for caring for Diana so much. She had had her share of relationships: good, bad, down right awful, but she had never truly experienced what she saw between Clark and Diana.
Hessia opened the door.
"Come on in, Clark."
"Thanks."
Clark went to the kitchen and set the bags down.
"I'll get that. You can go try to talk to her."
"Where is she?"
"The patio. She been there for about 2 hours. Quiet all day."
Clark sighed and nodded.
"Diana?"
She glanced at him and deep breathed rolling her eyes.
"I brought something for you to eat."
"I don't want anything from you."
"It's your favorite and I got ice cream too."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you doing this. Why won't you leave me alone? What do you want from me?"
"Diana, you aren't yourself. I know you know that. I'm just trying to help."
"I don't need help from you!" She yelled. "I told you not to come back! I don't ever want to see you again!"
"What is it, Diana?! What did I do to you to make you so angry? Do you even know?!"
"Stop it! Both of you!"
Clark sighed. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not."
"Diana!"
"It's okay, Hessia. I'll-"
Clark could hear the WatchTower alert: Breaking- Emergency on the East Coast
Knowing exactly what the look on his face meant, Diana was just about to take off.
"No! You are staying here," he said getting in front of her.
"The hell I am!"
"Look, Diana, we can finish this fight of ours later, but please, I need you to stay here."
"Stop talking to me like I'm a child or a dog!"
"No, that's not...that's not what I'm trying to do. I don't want anyone to get hurt. I don't want you to get hurt and right now...just...please..."
She knew what he was trying to say. The incident at the mall kept replaying in her head, taunting her and it could happen again if she couldn't keep control.
Diana flew back inside without saying a word. Clark sighed hearing her bedroom door slam.
"Go, Clark. I'll watch her."
"Thanks, Hessia. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Hessia watched him fly off.
When she couldn't see him anymore, Hessia sighed walking back inside. She went to Diana's room and knocked on the door.
"He is gone now."
"You can leave now too."
"What did I say earlier?! I am not having it! Now open this door or I will kick it down!"
No more than a minute, Diana slowly opened the door, tears falling uncontrollably down her face.
"Diana?" Hessia questioned shocked.
She had never seen Diana cry. Even when Diana was just a child on Themyscira before Hessia left, Diana never cried and would fight to hold her tears back even if she wanted to.
"I'm trying to control it, Hessia. Whatever is happening to me...controlling me...I can't hurt him. I can't hurt Clark."
Mount Olympus
"Oh, this is so good!" Strife clapped having maybe a bit too much fun with this. "Don't you feel all the tension, Eros?"
Eros was quiet, staring down into the scrying pool. He hadn't said much since the encounter with Clark.
"What are you two up to?"
Strife and Eros turned around.
"Ah, Apollo! Hermes! Would you like to watch as well? It's like a...what does the humans call it? A soap opera!"
"This is not a game or fake dramatics, Strife," Eros snapped.
Apollo and Hermes was confused.
"We are having a little challenge against the Kryptionian Kal-El."
"The second rate Sun God?" Apollo questioned with disdain.
"Eros, being the oh so lovable cousin wanted to test him. See if he is worthy of Diana's love." Strife smiled. "I decided to help a bit give a little more to this challenge."
"With you involved...this is not good," Hermes said. "Eros? What were you thinking? If Aphrodite or Hera finds out..."
"I know," Eros said cutting him off. "Hopefully it will all be over before then..."
