Chapter Three
Bruce walked into the cafeteria of the Watchtower to get a hot cup of coffee. Most of the food was the kind you find on airplanes which can easily be heated up, which meant he avoided unless he needed the calorie intake to stay awake. It had been two weeks since Superman resigned, two weeks of the press wanting interviews and the US government wanting the proof about Cadmus. He supplied the information on Cadmus, but refused all interviews. Batman didn't do one on one interviews, especially to talk about his feelings. Three days ago they finalized the sale of the Kent Farm, including Wayne Industries paying all back taxes on the land. As far as he knew Clark was resigning today from the Daily Planet.
Somewhere along the way in Clark finding himself, Bruce had become his touchstone. It would have been Diana, but Hera and the Greek Gods had interfered with that. Part of Bruce thought of idea of Superman leaving earth for another planet as comforting. That was the Batman part of his personality. Clark was a magnet for trouble. Darkseid was still out there wanting to add Clark to his troop of warriors. There was also the crazed queen of Almerac, Maxima, who wanted Clark as her lover and father of her children. Yet, there was another part of Bruce, the Bruce Wayne part and close friend part, that would have nothing but regrets if Clark chose to leave. It would be like losing a brother and he had lost enough people he cared about in his life. Walking over to the coffee thermos, he grabbed a mug and poured himself a steaming cup. As he turned to find a seat by himself, he saw Diana come storming into the cafeteria.
Bruce knew she was there looking for him, so he tried to make a getaway but there were no shadows for him to sink into, so it failed.
"Bruce, I need to talk to you," Diana called out.
Everyone in the cafeteria from Zatanna to Steel to Cyborg everyone attempted to pretend not to notice Batman and Wonder Woman.
"Can we handle this in private, Diana?" he asked then pointed to an empty corner table.
They walked over to the table and sat down. Bruce took a sip of his coffee then he placed the mug down.
"How is opening the embassy going, Diana?" Bruce asked.
"It's going fine, Bruce. I already have a staff which is doing most of the work," she said.
"If you need any advice with anything then let me know. I have contacts in DC," said Bruce.
"Thank you, Bruce," said Diana. "Now can we talk about Kal? Where is he? What is happening with him, Bruce?"
"I'll tell you everything I know. Clark has decided to go into seclusion for a while. I just finished buying his family farm, so that he has the money. I believe today he is resigning from his job then he is headed to his backup Fortress of Solitude along with Kara," stated Bruce.
"Backup Fortress of Solitude?" said Diana.
"Yeah, I didn't know he had one until recently. It seems Clark thought too many people knew about his place in the arctic, so he setup a backup somewhere with a backup of his Kryptonian database. And no, Diana, I have no idea if it is in space or hidden somewhere in Kansas," Bruce told her.
"Hades, why is he being so stubborn and refusing to talk to me?" she growled.
"Diana, he doesn't want to talk to you because he is trying to decide whether he wants to even stay on this planet or not," said Bruce. "You have a way of confusing his thinking. He still loves you."
Diana closed her eyes for a moment. He still loved her; she still loved him. It sounded simple, but it wasn't. Hera would probably return her mother to stone and sisters to snakes if she and Kal were together again. And Zeus deserted his throne and would do nothing to help Hippolyta or his daughter. Yet, still she needed to talk to him. She didn't want him leaving the planet and the chance that she'd never see him again.
"He talks to you Bruce," she said, "please, tell him that I need to talk to him."
"No punches, no temper?" said Bruce.
"NO punches and no temper. I just need to talk to him."
"I expect to talk to him soon, Diana. I'll let him know," said Bruce.
She stood up and looked at Bruce with sad blue eyes.
"Thank you, Bruce."
She strode away leaving Bruce with his coffee. He brought it up to his lips but didn't drink. Suddenly, his stomach felt knotted and his mood sour. It was time to go home.
Ceremony of Innocence
Clark waited as Lois read his resignation letter. When she was done he saw regret in her violet eyes. It was funny that there was a time he wished Lois cared for him, but now that he was still in love with Diana, she didn't have the same power over him.
"How will you be able to live?" she asked.
"I sold the Smallville farm finally. I have money to take even up to a year or more before I have to think about working again," he told her.
"Are you leaving Metropolis?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I thought I might travel. I like to take my time to see the world," he said.
She leaned back in her chair and contemplated confronting him with her theory that he was Superman. Now that he had resigned and was taking time off just as Superman wanted to recede from society just proved to her that she was right.
"Odd that you and Superman take time off to discover yourselves at the same time," she tested the water.
"Maybe I'm just looking for a place where I fit in and where I can find some happiness just like Superman is. You've accused me in the past of being difficult to get to know, so maybe I want to get to know myself better first before I let others get to know me," he countered.
Lois was about to accuse him of being Superman, when he stood up to leave.
"You have Jonathan, a job you appear to love, and a lot of good friends and family. I'd appreciate that, Lois, if I was you. Some of us have to accept that we don't easily fit in. In my eyes you've got the perfect life," he told her then he started to leave.
As if he read her mind, he stopped at the door and turned around to look at her.
"I have a feeling that we'll see each other again, Lois," he said. "When I'm in town, I'm pretty hard to miss."
He offered her a full smile, the kind of smile he reserved for when he was in his Superman mode. Lois' mouth fell open. Clark turned and left.
Ceremony of Innocence
Sometimes the best way to patrol Gotham City was from the rooftops looking down on the city. Batman used his grapple gun to swing from one office building to an older building. He landed on the roof of the Wayne Memorial Library near a statute of a gargoyle. Looking down on the city, he contemplated turning on the police scanner in his cowl in order to find some action for the night. All the open cases he was working on had gone cold lately.
"Hello handsome," purred Selina Kyle.
Batman turned to see the sultry Catwoman slinking towards him. Against his better judgment he'd been having a torrid sexual affair with her. He kept telling himself it was just sex, and he even started to believe it. She was a jewel thief, who swore she was going straight. Wearing her Catwoman costume, Bruce stared at Selina, as she approached him. Wonder Woman for all her beauty and a costume that caused most male Justice Leaguers to sweat and have to excuse themselves didn't have the same effect on him as Selina in her costume did. Bruce realized long ago he was attracted to bad girls.
"Selina," he growled.
"Mister Grumpy is out to play tonight," she teased him. "I've missed you."
"I'm on patrol."
"I'm on the prowl," she countered.
She moved closer to him until she was able to place her right hand on his chest. Roughly, she felt his armor and then she smiled at him like a predator playing with her prey.
"I need to get you out of this armor," she smiled.
"Selina, not tonight," Bruce growled.
"Why not?"
"The City needs me," he replied.
"I need you," she purred then she reached up and her arms around his neck and drew him down for a long, passionate kiss.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Clark said.
Clark floated just above the rooftop. He was watching Bruce with Selina and decided that it was best to interrupt now then wait until later.
"Oh, goodie, Superman," sighed Selina then she looked at Batman. "He's handsome, too, but he's not my type. No dark side."
Selina moved away from Batman. She pulled the whip off her hip and then moved to the edge of the building.
"See you handsome," she said to Batman then looked at Superman. "Too bad I don't like Boy Scouts."
"Selina," Bruce said in a warning voice.
"See you around, Batman," she smiled then she took the whip off the side of her hip, walked over to the edge of the roof, and jumped off it.
Both Bruce and Clark heard her laugh as she made her getaway. Clark slowly landed on the rooftop. He had a smile on his face that annoyed Bruce.
"Is that a new interrogation method, Bruce?" he asked him.
"Stow it, Kent," growled Bruce.
"I thought Batman intimidated and scared criminals. I guess you have a thing for cats," teased Clark.
"I don't need to take abuse about my relationships from you Kent. Your ex-girlfriend won't leave me alone until she talks to you. Amazons don't like to take no for an answer," said Bruce.
Clark sighed. He knew he owed her at least a good by before he took the time off.
"Tell Diana I'll be at the Fortress of Solitude all day tomorrow, if she wants to talk," he said. "I'll reinstate her in the security log so that she'll be able to enter this time. Security measures won't keep her out."
"One of these days I have to get a look at technology at that Fortress of yours," said Bruce.
Superman grinned.
"It can be arranged, Bruce," said Clark. "Remember, though, you can look, but you can't touch."
"Why am I honored by your presence tonight, Kent?"
"I only wanted to say goodbye, Bruce, for now. Tomorrow Superman begins his leave of absence," said Clark.
"What if Darkseid was to attack tomorrow, would you join us in battling him?" asked "If Kara and I are on the planet, we'll show up," said Clark.
Batman shook his head. This was what he was afraid of – if Kara and I are on the planet. Without Superman they were vulnerable. They needed an edge.
"Leave some of the Kryptonian weapons technology that you have with the League," said Bruce.
"No, Bruce, earth isn't ready for Kryptonian tech. I can't allow that," said Clark.
"If we are attacked by the Khund and you aren't on the planet, we will fall," argued Bruce.
"This planet has four Green Lanterns, J'onn, Diana, and many more who can more than handle themselves," said Clark. "You don't need Kryptonian weapons to defend this planet."
"You were the difference each time we pushed an invasion back, Clark. Diana and J'onn are are your equal when you are calm and holding back, but when you decide to let it go, you are able to hurt Darkseid. Hell, I bet you could kick Diana's brother Ares ass. We lose you we lose an edge," said Bruce.
"You also lose the reason for some of these invasion. If Darkseid comes back here, it for me. Almerac has no reason to bother earth if I'm gone. Sorry, Bruce, no weapons."
"It's selfish of you, Kent," growled Bruce.
"It's the right thing to do. The people of earth, including the Justice League, aren't ready for these weapons. The people of Krypton were one of the oldest most advanced races. If humanity got its hands on the technology, it would destroy itself," Clark stated in a tone leaving no room for any further argument.
For a moment the two men stood glaring at each other. If it was anyone else other than Superman standing across from him, Bruce knew his glare would be intimidating them, but Clark didn't intimidate easily. Finally, Clark exhaled deeply ridding himself of his frustration.
"I don't want to fight, Bruce," said Clark.
"Neither do I," said Bruce.
"You might end up using the Kryptonite you keep in your belt," smiled Clark, as he teased his friend again.
Bruce stiffened. How did he know about that?
"What Kryptonite?" growled Bruce.
Clark had listened to Bruce's heart and breathing. He was always impressed with his control. There was no sign of fear or anger.
"Lead lined container on the right side of your utility belt," Bruce. You know what Kryptonite I'm talking about," explained Clark. "I don't blame you for having it. It's in your nature to be prepared for all contingencies. Best way to deal with a rogue Superman is Kryptonite. How do you intend on stopping a rogue Wonder Woman?" he asked with a grin.
Bruce relaxed. This was what made Clark who he was. He wanted a man he thought of as a brother to have a weapon that could stop him. Clark was a good man.
"A weapon made by Hephaestus," he answered.
Clark could help but be surprised by this, but then again Bruce specialized in surprising those who came up against him.
"How did you get that?"
"It cost quite a bit," answered Bruce, "but I have the money."
Clark laughed. Bruce never failed to entertain.
"I'm off," said Clark. "Take care, Bruce."
"Clark," Bruce stopped him. "If you need anything, call me."
He reached into his utility belt, took a cellphone out, and tossed it to him.
"Speed dial number one. If you need anything, even if it is just to talk, call me," said Bruce.
Clark smiled then he propelled into the air. Bruce watched him to into a red and blue blur then disappear. He then turned his attention back to his city. Selina was out there somewhere. He should go find her. She was probably getting into trouble. It was in her best interest that she stayed out of trouble.
He took his grapple gun off his belt and fired a line to a nearby building that swung away.
Ceremony of Innocence
Clark was dressed in sweat pants and tee shirt. He had several robots programmed to give him a good workout in his gym. Flying through the air, he easily dodged heat rays coming from the robots. He flew straight at one of the robots, letting the robot hit him with a blast of heat ray, and then he hit the robot with a right hook sending the training robot into pieces.
Next he attacked one of the robots while the other came up behind him. Blocking the strikes from one robot, he did a savant kick taking out the other one. Now one on one with the remaining robot, he methodically took it apart stopping when it crumpled to the floor. Standing over his handiwork, Clark grinned.
"Our years of sparring with each other has improved your technique, Kal," said Diana.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She must have let herself into the Fortress now that he put her back on the security log as a friendly, non-risk. Bruce was on the log as a friendly, risk. He didn't trust Bruce, so he wanted to make sure he wasn't going to break in and steal the weapons he wanted. Opening his eyes and releasing his breath, he turned to face Diana.
"Hello Princess," he said.
"Kal, I hate when you call me princess," she said.
"I know," he smiled.
They stood staring at each other for a few moments then Diana finally spoke.
"Why are you doing this, Kal? Why did you quit the Justice League? Why are you removing yourself from the public?" she asked him.
The question why are you leaving me remained unasked, though. She knew that she couldn't asked that one.
"Diana...I'm tired of being Superman. I'm tired of proving myself to this world so that they know I'm not a threat. I'm tired of … being alone," he admitted.
Diana felt the sting of tears at her eyes. She was tired of being lonely, too. When she was with Kal, she felt as if she had finally found someone who not only understood her, but deal with the way she was. He could feel her touch and she could feel his. They were meant for each other.
"I know," Diana said softly.
"I'll probably take a month or two off and be myself again. I just need to take some time," he said.
"Are you leaving this planet during your absence?" she asked.
"I might. Kara wants to and I think she deserves a chance to see if there is somewhere out there that is more inviting to her. The only reason she is staying on here is because of me," he explained.
"Please, Kal, don't leave for long," she said. "I prefer to live in a world with Superman than in a world without him."
She was thought about walking to him and giving him a farewell hung, but she hesitated. If she touched him the temptation was too great. She started to leave.
"Diana," Clark stopped her.
She had her back turned to him. Clark stared at her shoulders which were strong, yet so feminine.
"You know that I'll always love you," he said.
"Yes, Kal, I know," she said then left before she started crying in front of him. Amazons didn't cry.