Linger

New York

10 years and the experience that came with it had shaped and changed who Diana was. Like everyone else, she was a combination of many traits and facets. What she chose to show the world had been learned the hard way. Early on she understood that if she didn't set boundaries her privacy would be a thing of the past. Because of this at times she appeared to the public and even some of her teammates as a calm, somewhat cool, regal and ethereal Demi-Goddess and warrior.

That isn't to say she didn't have other qualities, as she most certainly did. They just weren't on display for the masses. In fact it usually took someone she knew quite well to bring them out. One of those people was standing right behind her as she gave her brief remarks at the UN ceremony. The facet he seemed to be able to bring out more than just about anyone was playfulness.

So as Diana finished and introduced Superman, she turned her back on the audience and looked at him. She smiled and then uncharacteristically let her eyes wander over his entire body. He noticed but didn't say anything. Just as they were passing each other, shoulder-to-shoulder, Diana leaned ever so slightly towards him.

"You're right, Kal, it does help,' she whispered. "And because I courted you I don't have to imagine either."

He gave a stutter step, caught off guard by this, but quickly composed himself. She saw him try and hide a smile behind a cough, but knew he'd heard her even as he continued to the podium. Diana moved back into place with the others, her most radiant smile flashing for all to see. Today was going to be an interesting day, Diana thought.


The Watchtower

The usual activity confronted all of them as they returned from the ceremony. Diana had briefly thought of speaking to Kal about earlier, but an opportunity never presented itself. Meetings and reports, along with long term plans and projects pulled them both into different directions. Hours passed before everything was finished. Usually Diana headed straight back to the Embassy or London, but for some reason she didn't this evening.

Tonight, she lingered.

She still had a room on the tower, even though she rarely used it anymore. The door opened silently and then closed after her. The room was immaculate, but it was obvious no one had been in it for some time. Diana took off her tiara and set it on the desk. She wasn't sure why she decided to come in here, but since she was, Diana decided a quick shower would be nice before heading home.

The water was always hot enough on the station. She'd almost forgotten how much she enjoyed it. As she let the water cascade over her, her mind returned to the events from earlier. She had to smile as she realized that even after all this time he could get her to take the bait just by gently teasing her. It had felt so natural responding in kind.

As she washed her hair, Diana began to hum softly to herself. The tune was familiar and seemed to just pop into her mind. It took a moment to remember where she'd heard it. On the beach in Avalon, Kal had played it on the guitar and sung to her. It had been the first night they made love. The song seemed to always be attached to that memory for her.

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do, madly
Because you held me tight
And stole a kiss in the night

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored
Lost control, and tumbled overboard, gladly
That magic night we kissed
There in the moon mist

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling
Never before were mine so strangely willing

But now I see, what one embrace can do
Look at me, it's got me loving you madly
That little kiss you stole
Held all my heart and soul.

She had never heard him play the guitar or sing again. Diana didn't think anyone had. Few people probably even knew he could, but she did.

Finishing her shower, Diana toweled off and slipped into her robe. As she emerged from the bathroom, she saw her armor lying on the bed, but her eyes shifted over to the desk where her private terminal was. She moved over and turned it on, finishing drying her hair as it warmed up. She sat down in front of it and opened the connection to the Internet.

It had been a long time since she'd done this particular search, but Diana found she wanted to hear someone singing the song just like Kal had done all those years ago. She of course went to YouTube. There were probably hundreds of versions of the song as it had been covered by a wide range of artists and even used in the movie Big. She had listened to them all at one time, but she wanted the simple version tonight. She typed in Emily Covers Heart and Soul and clicked on the first video.

It was just a homemade video of a young woman and her guitar. Diana sat back with a smile and just listened. In her mind she was back on the beach in Avalon. The video ended, but the memories – lingered.

Getting dressed, Diana started for the transporter room, but stopped and changed directions. She didn't know if he was still on the station or not. She couldn't have easily used the computers to locate him, but decided against it. Diana would just take a quick look around to satisfy her curiosity before heading back home.


The Observation Lounge.

The tower slowly turned as it orbited the Earth. Clark stood at the windows just taking in the view. Because of the position of the tower in relationship with the Sun and Earth he could watch night turn into day all across the surface. He'd been to many planets and seen similar views, but something about watching the light advance and the darkness recede revealing the swirling blues and whites of Earth had always captivated him like no other.

Perhaps it was because he'd grown up here or that he was raised on a farm, but those first few rays of light in the morning evoked so many good memories. He remembered being young and waking up just before dawn. His powers were just starting to manifest themselves. He quietly slipped out of the house and moved out the fields. He felt alone and away from prying eyes, so he was able to test his abilities without fear of anyone finding out what he could do.

One-foot forward and then the next, he was running towards the light. Faster and faster, the golden strands of wheat become just a blur in his peripheral vision. He pushed himself harder, trying to see just how fast he could go. He was miles away went he finally stopped on a small hill. He just stood there with his arms opened wide and a huge grin on his face as the sun burst over the horizon flooding everything in its warm light.

Standing at the windows of the observation lounge watching that moment recreated over and over below the memory was so vivid. It was something he'd never shared with anyone. At first because he believe there wasn't anyone like him. How could he make anyone understand the sheer joy of that moment from his point of view? The speed and then the sunlight energizing him till anything seemed possible. He'd been in such a rush to embrace that new day; he couldn't wait for it to arrive.

That had been his youth and the rush he felt to reach that future had slowed a bit. Experience had taught him that sometimes you don't need to rush. Sometimes the moment is all there is and you need to savory it in case it never comes again.

You need to linger to appreciate just how special those moments are.

That was a lesson he'd learned the hard way. He'd tried to rush things once, before he was really ready for them. The disappointment and hurt feelings had cost him so much time before he fully came to understand that neither of them had been ready. Diana had been right, but a young man's pride doesn't always allow him to admit something like that.

Diana, Clark smiled as he thought about her. He'd gotten a brief glimpse of the young woman he'd met 10 years ago earlier today. It had been a spur of the moment thing, teasing her but she hadn't missed a beat. She could always give as well as she got. It had been hard not to laugh out loud at her last comment, but he'd managed to make it through his short speech.

He missed seeing that side of her, the one she shared with so few people. He understood why she couldn't be that open all the time, as she was under the constant glare of the media and the world. It was good to know that side of her was still there and he could still bring it out.

Watching the line of light push back the night and thinking of Diana stirred other memories. Growing up with older than average parents, Clark had been exposed to more music than just the popular tunes of the day. Jazz had been a part of his childhood, as Jonathan and Martha Kent had a small record collection that included many of the greats.

Jazz has such a warmth that isn't found in most modern music. Years had gone into the musicians learning their craft and they in turn could express so many emotions in that music. Joy, sadness, regret, hope and so many other emotions were conveyed through those instruments and voices. These were people that had lived and loved, lost and come through hard times, yet had never lost their love of the music.

Thinking about Diana, Clark remembered one of Jonathan Kent's favorites. It was a beautiful song, Stardust Memories by Louis Armstrong. When he'd first heard it the melody and rhythm had been what he noticed. It had taken years before he understood what the lyrics were saying. It was a beautiful lament to lost love and the memory that lingers on.

There was a terminal next to Clark and he suddenly had the urge to hear Stardust Memories again.


Diana found Kal in the observation lounge. She wanted to talk to him about what happened earlier, but as she stepped into the room two things stopped her, the breathtaking view of Earth in front of her and the beginning of the song playing. She moved up silently next to him as the trumpet soared in the opening.

He turned and looked at her with a smile.

"Hi."

"Hi.'

Questions and answers suddenly seemed like they could wait. Diana stood next to him, shoulder to shoulder looking out the window as the music filled the room. She decided just to linger in this moment.

Sometimes I wonder why I spend
The lonely nights
Dreaming of a song.
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you.
When our love was new, and each kiss an inspiration.
But that was long ago, and now my consolation
Is in the stardust of a song.
Beside the garden wall, when stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale tells his fairy tale
Of paradise where roses grew.
Though I dream in vain, in my heart you will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of loves refrain.