(24 Hours Later)
.
Lara opens her eyes and is greeted with a pair of eyes that look like her own. Clark smiles as he
stands up and approaches the bed. "How are you feeling?"
.
Lara moves her hands, legs and head. "Everything seems to be working."
.
Clark looks up at the ceiling and addresses the computer. "Please deactivate the solar lamps."
.
The room dims slightly as the computer carries out the command. Clark looks down at the bed
and his eyes glow electric blue. "Everything seems to be intact. I do show an old break in your
right arm. How did that happen?"
.
Lara smiles and waits until her father has completed his scan of her skeleton. Once his
gaze returns to her face she speaks with a great deal of humor in her voice.
.
"I was six years old. Climbing one of the apple trees on Themyscira. Grandmother told me to
mind my footing, but I was a little too full of my own importance and lost my grip. I fell and broke
my arm. Mother wasn't too concerned, but you were a different matter. We both spent nearly
two hours keeping you calm and thereby saving every tree in your line of sight from being set
aflame."
.
Clark frowns slightly "You're not invulnerable to physical harm?"
.
Lara shakes her head slightly and replies "Not completely. I can withstand most physical
damage, but I do not come close to matching your resistance. Doctor Sarah Klein from
Star Labs once determined that because I am only partly Kryptonian and mother was
created with magic, I have abilities from both of you but nothing that rivals what you both
possess."
.
"So being here right now is a greater risk to your well being then you initially stated."
.
Lara sits up straighter and frowns herself. At this moment if someone were to see them
together, there would be no denying that this young woman was her father's daughter.
.
"I am far from helpless father. While I can be harmed by some things, these forces are usually
only found off world. One advantage is that Kryptonite exposure only gives me a headache at
close exposure. So that has served me well when some of our enemies found out I was
Superman's Daughter."
.
Both look up as the door to the chamber opens. Wonder Woman steps into the room and waits
a moment. Seeing Clark already present, she walks further forward. "I hope I am not disturbing
you Lara. Would you prefer that I paid you a visit later?"
.
"I am always pleased to see you moth..I'm sorry, the word comes to my lips much too easily and
we haven't even really spoken together privately."
.
Diana smiles warmly at this statement. "Unlike Clark, I am content to let you rest safe in your
room while I go and try to determine the truth of your words."
.
Clark smiles sheepishly at Diana's gentle dig and stands "I heard the truth in her words Diana
from the very beginning. But you could have just as easily placed your lasso on her if you
needed confirmation." Diana moves towards Clark and then they both sit down together in the
chairs provided for visitors. Lara relishes the easy way they banter back and forth between one
another and how close they sit when together. It's easy for her to see how her mother looks at
him and how much she cares.
.
Diana meets Lara's gaze and speaks with sincerity "Lara, I did not doubt you believed what you
told us in the conference room. And my lasso does compel someone wrapped in its coils to
speak only the truth. However, if you were raised to believe I was indeed your mother and Clark
your father, then the lasso would only confirm this."
.
Diana pauses and then continues.
.
"Instead, I had to tap other resources to confirm your identity. However keep this in mind,
regardless of the outcome of my inquiry, the League takes your warning of Brainiac very
seriously and was prepared to assist you regardless."
.
Clark places a hand on Diana's own. Lara does not miss the look of concern in his eyes
as he waits for whatever information she has discovered.
.
"I went to the Oracle Of Delphi. Although original temple dedicated to Apollo on Mount
Parnassus is now in ruins, Themyscira does host an Oracle as well. Although she was
cryptic with her response, Lord Apollo appears to have given her permission to at least
confirm that you are indeed telling the truth. The Oracle knows more then she's telling
of course, but it is all the confirmation I required."
.
Rising from her seat, she approaches her daughter and carefully embraces her from the
hospital bed.