Chapter 2

Three days couldn't seem to pass quickly enough for Kel-El. Once they did, however, he still had to wait for Phantom Girl's return. That third day, they received word of Cosmic Boy and Phantom Girl's safe arrival on Tartus, which meant it would be at least five more days before they returned. He trained excessively in that time, both with and without his powers, getting used to the sensation of his ring. He also volunteered for every small task that came up. It was partially to use up all his pent up energy but mostly to avoid thinking about Tinya. He was certain if he thought too long about her dark eye lashes, which she batted in that particularly alluring way, he would fly to Tartus himself and seize her and that wouldn't do anything for his credibility on the team.

When H.Q. didn't here back from them within the next few days, he began to worry. Every few hours he would ask Braniac if a new wave had come in from the cruiser yet. Quickly, the green boy's patience wore thin.

"Same as last time," he replied curtly.

"So, no wave?"

"No."

By the seventh time Kel-El asked, Querel started getting suspicious.

"Why are you so anxious about this? Are you so eager for them to be back?"

"Aren't you?"

"Well, I'd feel more comfortable if we'd received word from them, but you're freaking out. Plus you evaded my question with a question, meaning you are eager for them to get back, only you don't want anyone to know. The question is why."

Kel-El began to walk away when Querel suddenly leaped out of his seat.

"You had me alter your ring so you could screw around with Tinya!" the Caluen shouted in shock and aggravation. In an instant, the Superman clone had silenced him with a hand over his mouth.

"How did you figure it out?" Kel-El asked.

Querel simply gave him a look that seemed to say Are you serious?

"You're a twelfth level intellect. Right. Sorry. Stupid question. If I take my hand away, do you promise not to yell like you did before?"

Rolling his eyes, Brainiac 6 nodded. Once his mouth was free, he took a deep breath. "I'm going to kill you," he growled.

"You don't mean that!" Kel-El playfully retorted. He did his best to make light of the situation since, as a twelfth level intellect, Braniac probably had figured out a way to kill him.

"Yes I do. You made me waste Legion resources and, more importantly, you made me waste my time and energy, all just for some booty call!"

"No! Not true! It is useful for me to know how to fight without my powers."

"But that wasn't your primary motive." Kel-El's silence only angered him more. Querel let out a frustrated sound before resting his head on his arms, "I can't believe you."

"Brainy, I'm sorry. You weren't supposed to find out."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"I didn't know what else to do."

"Urgh! Don't they have masturbation in the 41st century?!"

Just then the monitors signaled an incoming wave. Braniac sighed heavily. "Something tells me you want to answer this one," he said to Kel-El.

Practically shoving Braniac 6 to the side, Kel-El sprung to the computer's screen to acknowledge the wave.

"Legion Headquarters; proceed with transmission," he said into the com-link. Tinya's face appeared on the vid-screen.

"This is Legion Cruiser One. Acknowledge," she said with a crooked smile.

Kel-El felt his groin tighten just at the sound of her voice.

"Acknowledged," he replied, his voice a near pant.

"I'm taking my fifteen minute break now," Braniac announced, his words laden with disgust. Kel-El couldn't care less, though. This was what he'd been waiting for all week. Well, it wasn't exactly what he'd been waiting for, but it was good enough until she got back. He suddenly realized he was leaning closer and closer to the screen. Quickly, he regained his posture.

"We were expecting a report from you two a few days ago."

"Got worried, did you?" she asked from beneath her eye lashes. He almost lost it.

"Never."

"Lier."

"Anything interesting happen?"

"We ran into trouble off world with some marauders upon departure. I won't get into it now. You can read all about it in the report."

"You're okay, though, right?"

He hadn't meant for his question to sound as desperate as he knew it had.

"I'm fine. Rokk's fine, too, not that you'd care."

He knew she was bating him, but he couldn't help replying when she wore that devilish smirk.

"Cosmic Boy is an esteemed teammate. Of course I care about him."

"Only because he's here alone with me."

He did his best not to laugh. Crossing his arms helped. She's right.

"Think the rest of your trip will be on schedule?"

"That's the plan. We'll try to send a wave at least once per day-cycle from here on."

"It'd be much appreciated."

"And I'll try to send them while you're on duty." At that, her gaze turned sultry.

"Tinya, you know these waves are recorded, right?"

"I don't know what you're implying with that question."

"I'm not implying anything." Try as he might, he couldn't wipe off the smile that had formed on his face. She was clearly having fun with this.

"So, did you miss me?"

"It has been pretty boring around here without you. Quiet, but boring."

"Cam's not creating enough trouble for you?"

"Well, yeah, but..." He decided to have a little fun, too. "You tend to create a very distinct sort trouble."

She smiled wolfishly at him. "Just wait 'till I get back."

He actually felt himself grow a little hard at her threat.

"See you in five days. H.Q. signing off."

She waved good-bye. "Five days, Stud. Legion Cruiser One signing off."

After that, the screen turned to black. With a heavy sigh, Kel-El fell into the chair behind him and ran his hands through his hair. He stared down at his lap with frustration. It was going to be a long four days.

Tinya signed off from the wave link with H.Q. with a delighted sigh. The past four days had been more difficult to deal with than the whole mission, including when they had been attacked by marauders. She had thought that seeing Kel-El's face every day might make it all a bit easier but all it did was make her more eager to get back to Earth.

"Having a nice thought?" Cosmic Boy asked from the controls.

"Huh?"

"You've got a look on your face."

"What look?"

"Like you were dreaming about pie."

"Pie is pretty good."

"Is it Superman?"

"Kansas? He's been gone for nearly two years."

"No. I meant the Legion's current Superman. The one from the other direction in time."

"Oh. Why would you think that?"

"Nothing. It's just... the way he looks at you."

"What way?"

"Have you not noticed?"

Tinya thought this was sounding strangely familiar. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on! He gets all moon-eyed and even more awkward whenever you're in the room."

A silly smile spread to her face. "Yeah..."

"I knew it. What's with keeping it a secret?"

"It's not a secret, it's just none of your business. How long before we hit atmo?"

"Fifty seconds."

She began the landing sequence while Rokk continued steering. About thirty seconds passed before he asked, "So... are you guys...?"

"You sound like my mom. Shut up and drive."

For the next fifteen seconds he remained silent. Anyway, it was too loud to talk over the roar of the ship at it breached Earth's atmosphere. The moment they were planet side though, he started up again.

"I'm not trying to poke into your business, I'm just noticing and telling you to be careful with him."

"Is that an order?"

"I'm serious, Tinya. That guy's a loose cannon; he's entirely unpredictable and is constantly swayed by his passions."

"You have yet to list anything bad about him."

"I'm serious..."

"That's your problem. You're too serious. Lighten up." With a frustrated sigh, she turned to watch the city skyline come into view. "I'm a big girl, Rokk. I can handle myself."

Ahead she could see they were approaching Legion Headquarters.

"I'm just saying, he's creepy."

She gave him a look that seemed to say, You've got to be kidding me.

"He doesn't know how to deal with people in any sort of normal way. I can't imagine holding a conversation with him about anything other than a mission let alone be in a relationship with the guy."

"That's 'cause you're a straight male." Without skipping a beat, she switched on the connection to Headquarters. "This is Legion Cruiser One coming in for landing."

She heard Kel-El's voice over the com-link, stern and official. "This is H.Q.. You're clear for landing."

"Landing sequence is a go in 5...4...3...2...1."

As the air craft lowered to the ground, Tinya looked out through the window and straight into the control room. Serendipitously, she caught Kel-El's eye. They were both surprised by this and did their best to not act surprised and remain concentrated on the landing. It was the most difficult landing she ever made.