"Who did you see today?"

Clark looked up from his plate.

The couple had returned to Clark's apartment after making a small shopping trip to the farmer's market a few blocks east of his building. After finding the tiny bugs Bruce had placed in his apartment, he'd made quick work of disposing them along with all that had gone stale and sour in his absence, nearly everything was replaced with fresh food. Diana had been adamant that she learn to cook a meal, and so Clark had been happy to guide her through the process of boiling water on the stove for pasta, for using the oven to bake the chicken breasts and rolls.

Diana was an unnervingly quick study; before they'd finished half of the preparation for the meal she had declared her intention to make dinner the following night. He was no chauvinist, but Clark was able to admit how much the prospect of coming home to a woman cooking in his kitchen pleased him. It was domestically exotic, yet another first that Clark had yet to experience but now would, and all thanks to Diana.

Does she even understand how wonderful she is?

They had worked together on the meal and it had turned out delicious, despite the simplicity of the ingredients. Clark hummed with pleasure as he ate, letting his thoughts drift. It could be this way for all time, he thought. I don't want to share her with the world- can't I be selfish and keep her to myself?

But she had asked him a question and was waiting on his answer.

"Oh, sorry. I went to visit my mother, she still lives in the house where I grew up. I haven't seen her in years she was not happy with me when I visited- disappearing for a few months without a word doesn't exactly set a mother's mind at ease." Clark chuckled as he removed his costume glasses and set them aside. He hadn't even realized that he was still wearing them.

Diana nodded. "This I understand. Even with our power, our mothers will fear for us."

"I know. She's seen me lift an island, but you'd think I was still a kid with a skinned knee the way she acts sometimes."

"You could carry the world on your shoulders, as Atlas does, and still be but a child in her eyes." Diana smiled at him, "But I daresay that I had it worse, my friend, for before the Amazons were my sisters, they were mothers to me. The Queen alone remains my mother, as it was her spilled blood that forged my life."

When Diana spoke of her life on the island, she often confused Clark. He did not know the details of her birth, and though he had spent two months on Themyscira, he had only scratched the surface of the culture there. He would like to learn more of her life there, but if Diana was truly as old as she'd told hi she was, he doubted that he would live long enough to hear her whole story.

"Thousands of mothers...you win, definitely." Clark said, raising his glass.

Diana clinked her glass against his and nodded graciously. "Thank you."

"After Smallville I went to Gotham to see Bruce. He's...maybe not a close friend, but someone I trust. He's like me. Sort of."

Her eyes widened. "This Bruce is another son of the stars?"

"No, no, he's a man. But he also wears a disguise when he's helping people." Clark tried to explain.

"And does he also call himself the Superman?"

"Nope, he calls himself Batman." Clark took another bite. "I've seen the costume, he's full of all kinds of high-tech gadgets. I prefer the direct route, myself."

"How do you know of each other?" She asked him.

"We sort of bumped into each other. I saw who he was, then he tracked me and found out who I am. We're on good terms as long as we don't interfere with each other's work or reveal each other's identity. We don't see each other too often, which may be for the best. He doesn't trust anyone and apparently he doesn't hesitate to poke into the privacy of others." He explained, thinking of Bruce bugging his apartment. He shouldn't have been too surprised, but it was irritating all the same.

"Another like you, who hides behind a mask of humanity."

Clark almost dropped his fork. "He's not really hiding, and you may come to find that there are others like us who separate themselves, there are plenty of others out there who wear a mask in one way or another." He took a deep breath. "Diana, your need for honesty sort of puts you in the minority. Bruce is the only one I've met but, there have been reports of others like us, and I'm willing to bet they have civilian identities as well."

"Ah, more of the same. When my time comes, I will be different, Clark. All will know me." Diana said. Always, her thoughts were turned toward the day when she and her sisters would step forward to rejoin the world.

"That's fair enough. You'll be an original, that's for sure. Have you made plans for the rest of the week? I saw my boss and he wants me back on Monday."

"I have not made plans, no. More wandering, I suppose." Diana said as she twirled her fork into the noodles.

"Well, you can wander here and get some of that history you've been looking for." Clark blurred to his jacket hanging on the wall and returned to the table a moment later. He presented her with several different brochures.

The Metropolis Space Center, the City Museum of Natural History, the Winspear Opera House & Theater, the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra, the city zoos and aquariums, the 25th Annual Art Fest, University Row, Taste of Addison, city parks and arboretums, the Metropolis Grand Library. These places and more stood out to Diana's eyes, all calling after her attention. The technology, the history, the art and music of a new world was spread before her.

Everything of this world, so much to see, so much to show my sisters when they join us...

"Clark, these places- the bastions of your culture?" Diana gasped.

"Something like that." Clark shrugged. "I figure you could learn plenty during the days and we could just meet up after I'm done at the Planet. I'll give you money for admittance and lunch and of course if you want to buy anything for yourself, I'll get you a library card- oh, wait...nevermind, I won't be able to do that." He stopped himself, realizing.

"Why not?"

"Well, you don't have any form of I.D., you don't even have a last name! It's all right, you can borrow mine. You'll learn all you want during the day and at night, you're all mine." Clark reached across his small table and took Diana's hand, kissing the back of it.

"You seek to possess me?"

"I wouldn't take it that far, but it is nice to have someone to be with, someone to talk to."

"I think the same. You have changed Themyscira forever. The image of man has been altered in the hearts of all Amazons, even the Bana." Diana mused, recalling Artemis's softening attitude toward the man.

"Changed from what?" He asked.

"You are no villain with destruction as your intent. Even with your memory restored, you are gentle, kind and generous."

He smiled. "Why, thank you."

"Clark? I've waited so long..." Diana looked to the balcony, to the darkening sky beyond it, hinting her intent.

The woman was so curious about Superman, this savior of Metropolis, and she had not flown since following Clark to his apartment from Themyscira. She longed for the stars, for him to join her in reaching them. It was a strange thing to be having such thoughts, but Lady Aphrodite had told Diana to open her heart to new things and to this man; Diana trusted him and cared for him very much.

All she wanted at that moment was to fly away with Clark at her side.

He smiled at her and wondered if he would ever have the strength to deny her anything she wanted. Of course he would not; his infatuation with her was too great, and it was too wonderfully new a thing to be so honest with a woman. "All right, princess, all right. I promised. Follow me."

Clark lead her back through his bedroom, the first time Diana had ever crossed into his most private space.

The room was simple. Diana looked about the space, to the large bed with the simple green comforter, white sheets and large pillows. The bed looked...inviting. There was a large window that held the same view as the balcony. Beside the window was a dresser and a narrow table with framed photographs atop its surface. Diana would have gone in for a closer look, but Clark had moved ahead of her.

He moved to a sliding door and pushed his suits aside, withdrawing the garment, holding it out for her inspection. Diana absorbed the sight carefully. The striking crest, herald of the Superman. A cape of luxuriant crimson, so like the short capes of her queen's royal guard.

In a blur, Clark had shed his common clothing and, a moment later, he stood before her- Superman in the flesh.

Diana felt her eyes widen in something akin to awe; here her Clark stood in the last remaining garment of his dead heritage, transformed into Earth's first champion. What a sight he was!

"Clark, you are..."

"Yes, Diana?"

She took a deep breath. "I want to fly with you. Now."

Clark swallowed, certain he wasn't misreading the signs of feminine desire. Diana's cheeks were blooming with heat, and her pupils had all but engulfed the blue of her eyes. But this wasn't just another girl with an infatuation, this was Diana, perhaps the only woman that he would ever meet who could present him with a chance at something more. And he did want more with her, more than just the kisses they'd shared, more than the simple roommate situation they'd established.

He wanted...he wanted...

Clark followed Diana to the balcony, enjoying the view of her backside as she strode before him to the railing, feeling suddenly drunk on her presence.

She is so beautiful and strong...

Diana lifted into the air with great speed, launching herself high above Metropolis and she hovered there for a moment, waiting for him in silence.

Clark swallowed, watching her. This would change things between them, he could already feel it, and he wasn't wasting any more time. He jumped into the emptiness, lifting to Diana.

She was there waiting for him, a demi-goddess in a plain red dress, smiling as he rose higher to meet her. She held out her hand. Clark took it and drew her closer to him, claiming her lips in a deep, charged kiss.

He felt different. It wasn't the oddness of returning home to Metropolis after so long a time away, or even in wearing the cloak of Superman. It was Diana, she was changing him. There were responsibilities waiting for him, he knew, but in this moment everything else felt so far away. He was high above the city with a woman who wanted him and he was damned if he wasn't going to be selfish for once and enjoy himself.

"Clark, you look so like the tiny idol I bought today. Very heroic." Diana remarked as she caught the end of his cape and fingered the material. It was stronger than she'd expected, but then, it was not of the Earth but the world of his birth. They were alike in so many ways that their differences became far too easy to forget.

He felt his pulse quicken as Diana laid her hand flat over his chest. Had it been so long since a woman touched him?

"I- thank you, Diana. Would you like the overhead tour?"

"Of your city? You know I would like it very much."

Clark smiled and drifted a few feet away from her, marveling that this woman needed no help from him at all to stay in the air. She was magnificent.

He blinked, bringing himself back to the present. "Oh, right. Um, just follow me. We'll stay high above so no one sees us."

"I understand. I want more time to learn of your culture and history. What I have seen so far is fascinating."

"Diana, you haven't seen anything yet."


"This world is beyond what I imagined, and I imagined so much. It is glorious here!" Diana cried out as she twisted in the air. To Clark's eyes, she seemed to be dancing.

"Well, it can be. I've seen some amazing things. Sometimes I wonder where mankind is headed, though." He called to her as he paused in the air, hovering with her.

"What do you mean?"

"As glorious as this all is to look at, Diana, you really have no idea of the inner workings and all of the corruption that goes on here. Even with all I can see and hear, I know that I've barely scratched the surface." He said.

"Hmm. I will have to study more, then." Diana knew of Clark's meaning, that her journey ahead would not be so simple as she envisioned it. There would be trials set before her, obstacles and perhaps she would make enemies along the way. She knew this, but in that moment she was too happy to think long on it. She twisted in the air again, revelling in the wisps of cloud and wind that coursed over her body.

"That would be a good start."

"I knew that there would be bad things that come with all the good...I had only hoped that they would not present themselves so quickly." She remarked.

Clark didn't mean to put a damper on her excited plans, but he felt the need to explain himself. "I...since revealing what I can do, it's become my responsibility to protect people- but not you, Diana. You don't need my protection, so I won't protect you from the truth."

"No, I do not. It's not your protection I seek, merely your honesty and guidance." Diana drifted closer and pecked him quickly on the lips before flying away, playing with him.

"You have it. And you have me." Clark assured her as he followed her path through the clouds, all though of touring the city having left them already.

"Ah, the unexpected bonus in all of this." Diana called back to him.

Clark laughed and followed her as she flew in a strong arc through the air. "I think I'm the one who lucked out, princess."

"Not true- I've been lonely longer than you."

"Were you really so lonely on Themyscira?"

Diana shook her head and slowed her flight, thinking of home. "No, in all truth I've always been happy...I only became lonely in the still hours of the night, when I could not sleep for the questions that overtook my mind. Why did the gods bless me with so many gifts if I was only to remain on the island? That you came to us on my birthday was proof enough that I was meant to leave my people, that the time was upon us to rejoin the world."

"Are you afraid?"

"For myself? No. For my sisters, I fear that they will not be able to accept the changes that have abounded, or worse, that they will be hostile to the men who would welcome us. It is a difficult thing, but nothing will be accomplished without an attempt."

Diana shook her head, willing away her dreaded thoughts, welcoming the return of her more playful nature. Flying had been her truest freedom, and now she had the playmate she had longed for without even realizing it. Clark was here for her and she was for him; they were twin sides of the coin, and perhaps he had longed for a friend in the same way that she had longed for purpose.

"You're right about that." Clark scanned the city and felt his pulse jump as his eyes fell on the Planet, and the woman on the roof.

Lois...

He looked away from the skyline and Diana caught his gaze. She smiled at him and lunged through the air, shoving him hard in the chest before flying away.

Clark frowned in confusion until he realized what Diana had just done- she'd tagged him! He couldn't help laughing as he went after her, gathering speed and coursing through the clouds, chasing the woman.