Chapter Four

"Right Up To The Edge"

Metropolis – Two weeks later

"So how about that one?"

"The one with the walker?"

"If you're going to be picky, Clark, we're never going to find you a girlfriend," Kara said.

"That lady must be seventy, Kara, come on," Clark protested.

"I thought maybe some Cougar action would get you started."

"I'm sure she's a nice lady, but I really don't like to think of the elderly that way," Clark replied. "Besides, I think her Cougaring days are long behind her. Could you give the matchmaking a rest, please?"

"Fine."

The two of them had been sitting at the sidewalk café for the last hour having lunch. Since her arrival, Kara had been making the most of her time in the city. She was out exploring every day and night. This had worked out well for Clark, as he'd been seeing Karen more frequently.

They'd kept it a secret, both a little nervous about how people would react. Clark felt a little guilty not telling Kara, but cringed when he thought of what her reaction might be. Kara and Karen had never been exactly friendly. Clark wasn't sure, but he thought they might have actually gotten into a fistfight shortly after Kara had arrived on Earth.

Things were going really well between him and Karen and Clark didn't want to take a chance of messing it up. They'd been out four or five times since learning they weren't related and each date got better and better. They hadn't taken the final step yet, but Clark had to admit it had been on his mind a lot. The more time he spent with her, the more attracted to Karen he became.

It was so intoxicating to be with someone where he didn't have to hide who he really was all the time. He didn't have to hold back as she was in so many ways his equal. The more he got to know her as a person, her quirky sense of humor, her playfulness, her sharp mind and her unique individuality, the more his desire for her grew. When he was really honest with himself, he had to admit he wanted Karen. It sounded coarse, but he physically wanted her. She was a damn sexy woman and he found himself responding to her on a very basic level.

"Earth to Clark," Kara's voice cut through these thoughts. Clark shook himself; trying to cool the reactions he was having just thinking about Karen.

"Ah, yeah, what is it, Kara?"

"What's with you lately? You seem to check out and have this far away look and weird smile."

"Just, um, ah, a lot on my mind lately," he offered.

"Don't freak out and act all older brother, but I think you really need a girlfriend, Clark,' Kara said. "You need to get laid."

"I'll keep that in mind, Kara, thanks," Clark replied. He gave her a sarcastic look and she just smiled and stuck out her tongue. Clark shook his head and chuckled at her suggestion. He was actually thinking the same thing, but wasn't about to tell his younger cousin.

"How about her," Kara suggested, pointing to a woman on the street. Clark turned and looked at whom she was suggesting.

"She must be sixty, Kara. She's with her grandkids! How old do you think I am?"

New York

The employees of the small company were happy because their boss was very happy. There were rumors she had starting dating someone, but none of them had met him. Frankly, they didn't care. She was practically beaming most days, especially the mornings after she saw him. Whoever this guy was, if he could put Karen into this good a mood, they would just say thank you and move on.

For her part, Karen was in such a good mood, she didn't even care what her employees might be saying about her. The last two weeks had been wonderful, better than she could have imagined. Smitten, that's the word for it, she thought. She was smitten with Clark Kent. It wasn't just his handsome looks, although, just thinking about them sent a quiver up her spine. No, it was so much more than that. He was funny and adorable, self-deprecating and even awkward at times, yet under all of it there was an astonishing masculine confidence. It wasn't the showy, boastful kind that so many put on, but a quiet self-knowledge in who he was.

When she was in his arms, she felt more like a woman than she could ever remember with any other man. It was intoxicating to be with someone that saw all of her, not just the surface appearance. He seemed to appreciate her as a woman and that only intensified her desire for him.

He was a gentleman, taking things slow, probably a little slower than she expected, but that had its charms too. The fact that he hadn't tried to rush her into bed and wanted to get to know her first was flattering more than she could put into words. She knew from experience, the way she looked and was built that most men she'd dated wanted to rush things along and get her into the sack as quickly as possible.

That Clark took the time, the extra time to find out who she really was meant so much. If that was what people meant when they called him a Boy Scout, she was fine with that. It just added to how special he made her feel.

It wasn't as if she hadn't been thinking about sleeping with him, she had, a lot. The possibilities of making love to someone she wouldn't have to worry about staying in control around seemed to multiple through her mind as the days passed. The very thought of how unique it would be to be completely herself for once with someone else sent chills through her. As she moved into her office and started looking through her mail, Karen had to admit to herself, she wanted Clark. She physically wanted him. He was a devastatingly handsome man and she found herself responding to him on a very basic level.

As thoughts of taking the next step danced in her head, Karen opened a rather official looking envelop and saw it was an invitation to the industry's annual ball. It had completely slipped her that it was coming up. Usually she dreaded going, even though she had to for the company. It wasn't so much the ball really, as it was an elegant, formal affair, but that most times she attended alone. In her industry, males still dominated so the event meant she would be hit on the whole night.

Maybe this year will be different, she thought with a smile. Maybe this year she would have a date and it might turn out to be a really special night for both of them.

Metropolis – 3:02 A.M.

Clark Kent quietly made his way up the stairs to his apartment. He was smiling from ear to ear, as he'd had another date with Karen this evening. They had lingered in each other's arms at the end of the date, not wanting it to end. They made special plans for Saturday night. It was a banquet or something for her business. Clark wasn't really concerned with that part; it was just another opportunity to spend more time with her.

As he reached his front door, he eased the key in and unlocked it as quietly as he could. It was later than he'd expected and he didn't want to wake Kara up. He slipped off his shoes and gingerly opened the door and stepped inside. Taking extra care, he closed the door and locked it. Made it, he thought.

"It's three o'clock in the morning, Clark! Where have you been?"

Kara.

It was probably just wishful thinking that he could sneak in on someone with her hearing. The living room light came on as he turned. She stood in her pajamas and robe, her arms crossed in front of her. She did not look happy.

"Hey, Kara, what-what are you still doing up," Clark said.

"I've been waiting for you to get home, Clark," she angrily replied. "Do you know how worried I was? You could have been in a car accident and been injured or something! I've been frantic!"

"A car accident? Really? Kara, I don't even own a car. Besides, I think I've survived much worse than that."

"That's not the point, Clark!"

"Look, I'm sorry if I made you worry," Clark said. "I apologize, okay? Weren't you going out with Courtney tonight, anyway?"

"Yes, but I came home early to spend some time with you, but you're nowhere around. Where were you?"

"I went out for awhile," Clark replied. He headed into the kitchen to get a glass of water and Kara was right behind him.

"Out where," she asked, her hands on her hips.

"I, ah, had a date," Clark reluctantly said.

"What? With who?"

"Just someone I've been seeing lately."

"So you've been dating all this time and didn't tell me? Is it one of the ones I tried to fix you up with?"

"No, definitely not," Clark replied. "I actually decided to date someone in my same age demo."

"How old is she?"

"In her early twenties."

"Early twenties? I'm almost in my early twenties Clark! What are you robbing the cradle with one of my classmates?"

"Kara, I'm in my twenties, remember? Besides, you're not in your twenties you're eighteen. For the record, she's out of school, okay?"

"Who is this girl?"

"Woman."

"Excuse me?"

"She's a woman, Kara," Clark said. There was something about the way he said it that bothered Kara.

"Okay, woman, whatever, what's her name?"

"Why so curious," Clark replied, deflecting her question. "I'd think you'd be happy for me. Maybe some of your coolness actually rubbed off on me. Aren't you the one that said I needed a girlfriend?"

"Well, yes, but why won't you tell me her name? Why haven't I met her? Is it some sort of secret?"

"Yes, sort of I guess," he said. He pulled himself up and sat on the counter, smiling at her. It was such an odd experience to be grilled by his teenage cousin.

"Do I need to remind you, we don't keep secrets in this family," Kara fired back.

"Oh really?"

"Yes!"

"So when you said you and Courtney were going to a movie the other night and then ended up sneaking into half the nightclubs in Metropolis it just slipped your mind to tell me?"

"What? Well that, the thing, um, that's different," she stumbled to say. She was shocked that he knew about that. "That was a spur of the moment thing."

"So the fact that you had a change of clothes in your bag was just a coincidence?"

"I, well, you-you shouldn't be using your vision like that and should trust me. Now stop trying to change the subject, Clark," Kara replied. Smiling, he rinsed the glass and put it away and walked over to her.

"I've got to get up for work in a few hours, so I'm going to turn in. I'm really sorry if I worried you, I swear. Next time I'll let you know, okay?"

"You better."

"Well, since we're on this, Saturday I'm probably not going to be in town, so would you mind keeping an eye on things for me? I'll talk to Steel tomorrow, just in case."

"What do you have another date?"

"Yes."

"What time will you be back," she asked.

"Probably Sunday morning."

"What? You're sleeping with this girl, woman, already? Are you sure you're okay, Clark? This isn't like you, at all," Kara protested.

"Kara, as a gentleman, I don't discuss things like that," Clark replied. "I'm sure in a similar situation you'd appreciate the same courtesy."

"You're not sleeping with me," she snidely replied.

"Well, besides being your cousin, I'm a thousand years old, remember, so that's a really good thing."

"I don't like it," she lamented.

"I can see that. Look, do this for me Saturday and I'll make it up to you on Sunday, okay? Anything you want," he offered.

"Oh, all right, but I'm going to hold you to that, Clark," she replied glumly.

"Thanks Kara, I appreciate it. Good night."

Clark gave her a quick hug and then headed off to bed. Reluctantly, Kara went back to the guest room. She didn't like the whole situation and it really bothered her. As much as she cared for Mrs. And Mr. Kent, Clark was really her only family, real family. She felt protective of him and didn't like this mysterious girl, woman, suddenly in his life.

When she'd started picking out women for him, it had been a joke. She knew he wasn't really that old. It was just a way to tease him. She'd been out with guys his age before. She hadn't told him or the Kents about them, of course. She wasn't crazy, after all.

Somehow this felt different. Kara had seen him with Lois, but since he hadn't told her who he really was, she hadn't thought it was that serious. It always annoyed her when she heard some of the older female members of League gossiping about how they found him rather handsome but Kara pretended not to notice. The fact that he was spending the night with this new girl meant they were already sleeping together. The more she thought about that, the less and less she liked the whole thing. She had only been on Earth a short time really and in many ways was still adjusting. Clark had always been the one person who was always there for her. Deep down, Kara didn't like the idea of Clark with anyone, really. She just wanted things to be like they used to be.

New York – Saturday Night

Karen took special care to finish her hair and make up, and slipped into a tight deep sapphire blue dress. The sales clerks had assured her that the blue would go well with her figure and coloring, and as she stood in front of the mirror she had to admit that she was going to make quite an impression. It had been a long time since she'd worn something this daring, as the dress showed off her spectacular figure to its fullest extent. The dress was strapless, and very low cut. It had a long slit up one side, which showed off her silk stocking clad legs. Karen had questioned how the dress was going to stay up. The sales clerks giggled to themselves and then simply replied, "will-power". Karen turned from side to side, her long platinum earrings brushing against her neck, trying to gauge just how revealing the dress was. It was definite going to turn heads. She was only really interested in turning one head tonight, Clark's. To complete her outfit, she slipped on a pair of stiletto heels.

The doorbell rang and Karen felt her nerves kick in. Taking a breath, she couldn't take a deep breath, as the dress was so tight, she walked towards the front door. Calming herself, she opened the door with a smile. Clark turned and looked at her.

"Wow."

"You like?"

"I knew you were beautiful, but you look just, wow. Yes, I like," he said.

Karen blushed.

"You clean up nice yourself," she replied. She let her eyes gaze of him in his tux and felt a thrill go down her body. He did look very, very good. He was fumbling with something and she glanced down at what he had in his hands.

"Is that a corsage?"

"Um, yeah" Clark admitted. "Last time I wore a tux it was sort of required to buy one, so I thought it might be tonight."

"You haven't worn a tux since the prom," she laughed.

"Pretty much."

"It's sweet, Clark, do you want to pin it on me," she asked. Clark took in her dress again and shook his head.

"It's a wrist corsage. I don't think I trust myself trying to pin it on that dress."

"Oh, so you like it," she teased.

"Yes, very much. You look amazing in it, Karen.'

She smiled and liked how he was reacting.

"Let me just grab my coat and we can go, okay?"

"Sure, fine," Clark replied. As she turned and went to get her coat, Clark couldn't help mouthing the word Wow one more time.

New York City – Uptown

Wonder Woman and Batman stood on a rooftop across from a museum. There was a report that a heist was going down tonight. Batman would have preferred to be here alone, but since it wasn't Gotham, Jonn and Dinah had assigned Diana to go with him, just in case. Diana didn't mind this at all, hoping it might give them a chance to talk. So far Bruce was being his very silent Batman self.

Diana looked at the museum and then scanned the rest of the neighborhood. That was some sort of nightclub down the street and she could see couples lining up to enter. It reminded her of the time her and Bruce had danced. It was one of the first times she'd started to think about Batman in a different light. She found him a fascinating man, but very complicated. He could be very charming on the one hand, yet cold and distant on the other. She knew there was tragedy in his past, but she was just starting to realize how deep it had affected him. He seemed to keep everyone at arms distance, never letting anyone get too close.

There was a darkness about him that she found troubling. At times it seemed with each passing day he was drawn deeper into it. That path, Diana knew, leads to ruin, but underneath it she sensed Bruce was a good and decent man. It was that part that attracted her to him. She still wasn't sure if it was a relationship she wanted with him, but she would like to get to know him better.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it," she said, breaking the silence.

"Yes."

"That club down the block seems rather popular," she offered. "Dancing seems very interesting to some."

"Diana, let's focus on the mission."

"I've seen you dance, Bruce, I know you can do it," she teased.

"We've been over this," He grumbled. "You're an Amazon Princess and I'm a…"

"Yes, I know, rich with issues." She cut him off. "It's just dancing, Bruce."

"It's never just dancing, Diana. It wouldn't work, let's just leave it at that."

"No," Diana replied. "I've been honest with you, Bruce. I think the least you could be is honest with me. I deserve that. If you're not attracted to me, just say so. I maybe new to this world, but I'm an adult, I can take it."

Batman turned and gave her a grim stare. She didn't flinch or shy away from it. His expression softened for a moment.

"Yes, I'm very attracted to you, Diana, but it changes nothing."

"Why, Bruce?"

"It's dangerous, Diana, it makes you lose focus. It…" He started to say more, but out of the corner of his eye he saw something at the side of the museum. "Damn it, the heist is going down! I think that proves my point, Princess!"

Firing a line, he was off the rooftop and into action. Diana rose into the air and followed close behind.

The thieves were dealt with quickly. They had been going after some rather ancient and mystical scrolls and artifacts that would fetch a hefty price in the right circles. As the police arrived, Batman launched another line and left. Diana caught up with him on the rooftop again.

"Well, that was a successful outing," she smiled. "Should we transport back to the station? I was hoping we might continue our discussion from earlier?""

"You go ahead, there's something else I need to check out here in New York."

"Do you want some help," she offered.

"No, it's a private matter, for now," he replied

"Oh, well, then I guess I'll see you later."

He didn't reply, just fired another line and headed downtown. Diana stood on the rooftop for a moment, disappointed, but more determined to get answers to her questions than ever. She signaled the tower and beamed up.

Downtown

A line of limos idled in front of a rather posh hotel dropping off guests for the ball. Clark had mildly protested about the limo, offering to pay for it, but Karen had told him it was a write off for the company. There was a sense of excitement in the air. This ball was the big social event of the industry and all the heavy hitters and corporate bigwigs turned out. Each tried to outdo the other in making an appearance.

As the limo pulled up to the roped off front, the doormen rushed over to open the door. As a rather spectacular silk stocking clad leg stretched seemingly forever out of the limo, everyone stopped and turned. Karen emerged from the limo and was instantly the center of attention. She could feel every eye on her, but for once she didn't care. A smile lit up her face as she felt Clark emerge behind her. She saw disappointment flash across many of the men's faces and her smile only got brighter.

"Are you ready," Clark asked, gently putting his arm around her waist.

"Oh, yes," she replied, linking her arm around him. They headed into the hotel. Clark hesitated for a moment, glancing up at the building across the street.

"Is everything okay, Clark," Karen asked.

"Yes, everything's fine. How could it not be? I'm with the most beautiful woman here."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and they went inside.

Across the street

High up Batman was perched on one of the Gothic ornaments at the top of the building. He watched everything, his expression growing grimmer and cold.

The Ball – Several Hours Later

The night had gone very well. Karen had done the minimal amount of socializing, networking and schmoozing when they first arrived, owing at least that to her business. There was an excellent dinner served and then a few speeches. After that a band played and there was dancing.

Several overconfident souls even attempted to hit on Karen, but quickly did the walk of shame back to their tables being thoroughly rebuffed. It was apparent to anyone with eyes, that Karen and Clark were really only seeing one other person at the ball. For the last hour they had been slow dancing, oblivious to everyone else. They each received their share of admiring glances from men and women or both. If they noticed, it wasn't apparent.

As one song ended and another was about to begin, a rather pompous young man strode up to them and tapped Clark on the shoulder.

"Why don't you give someone else a shot, big guy? How about me cutting in?"

Karen and Clark turned and looked at him.

"No," they both said and then turned back to each other and continued to dance.

As the band started the old classic rock song, "Crimson and Clover' they held each other close, staring deep into each other's eyes. The heat between them had been growing all night. They both seem to sense this was going to be the night and that only seemed to inflame their desire. They really hadn't spoken much, mostly communicating with their eyes, touch and kisses. Beams of light from the mirror ball skimmed over the darkened dance floor. Clark leaned in and kissed Karen's neck, sending a shiver through her system.

"You know, this is a hotel, Clark," she whispered, kissing along his earlobe.

"Really?'

"Yeah, lots of rooms right above us, just waiting."

He pulled back just a bit and looked at her. The desire was plain in both their eyes.

"I guess they shouldn't have to wait any longer, should they?"

"No."