Author's Note: I am so sorry for the wait, everyone! I haven't forgotten about it, I promise! I've just been working on other stories, working in general, and dealing with life. I am so happy to hear from everyone and I am excited for the new movie to come out. I saw Wonder Woman in theaters and I am amazed. I am in love! I can't wait for more! Sorry it's late coming out and not as long as I would have liked, but it was a good place to stop and I am exhausted after a long day of work. Thank you all for your support so far! I love hearing from you! Let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Warnings: Nothing, just language and OOCness.
Word Count: 4,200
There is a knock on the glass next to me. I jump, my heart leaping into my throat, looking over at the large window next to me to see Clark on the other side, smiling apologetically. He points at the open seat in front of me and I nod, waving for him to come on into the shop. He comes in and sits across from me, offering a charming smile.
"I'm sorry," he says.
I raise an eyebrow, closing the thesis I was reading and pushing it to the side so that we can talk. "For scaring the heavens out of me?" I guess, offering a coy smile.
Clark's smile is charming and boyish. "Well, that too."
"Oh," I stress the word, leaning forward on my elbow and smiling at him. "You mean like how you've been avoiding me like the plaque for the last week?" I rest my chin on my palm. I quirk my eyebrow at him, trying to put on a bit of an angry face, even though I'm not really angry. I know what it means to work and be an adult, because I've been one longer than most my age has been, so I know that working is important. He needs to work to survive. I'm not mad that he has to work and be busy.
It doesn't bother me.
Although, I do miss him a bit. Him and Lois have such erratic schedules when dealing with a story that any plans made days in advance are never guaranteed. But I've learned to roll with the punches. I'm still learning how to deal with people, and I think that Lois and Clark have come to really understand my awkwardness and accept it as an unfortunately large part of me.
Clark smiles with a touch of regret. "I'm sorry. I've just been so busy these last few days. I haven't been avoiding you, I promise."
It seems I've failed in trying to appear playfully mad. "It's okay!" I almost yell at him before quickly lowering my voice to a more human-acceptable level. "Sorry. But it's fine. I'm just playing. I know what it means to be an adult. Besides, I've been pretty busy too. One of my colleagues wanted to work with me on a project, that's kind of stretching my area of expertise, but he thinks that it would be an interesting comparison."
Clark tilts his head to the side. "Oh? Can I ask what you're working on?"
"It's comparison between one hero and their respective villain," I tell him.
Clark's dark eyebrows shoot to his hairline. He seems genuinely intrigued by that. "Oh? And how is that out of your expertise?"
I run my hands up and down my arms, feeling the air conditioning for the coffee shop kick on and blast me with cold air from the vent above me. Clark spares a glance up at the vent, then out the window before standing up and gesturing for me to take his chair.
"It's okay-" I start.
"Go ahead," Clark says, gesturing again.
Slowly, I stand and move over to his seat, immediately feeling the heat of the sun beating down on me. It was near a perfect place for the sun to shine through, it was only partially hidden by the building across the street, unlike my seat, which could have doubled as the rumored bat cave. I don't think I've ever met another human being so attuned with other people. It's crazy.
"Thank you," I say slowly, surprised.
Clark grins, lowering himself into my previous seat, pushing his dark rimmed glasses up his nose more securely. "It's not a problem."
"Aren't you cold?" I ask. Then realize what I said, "Or is that not a manly thing to admit to?"
Clark laughs, showing off twin rows of pearly white teeth. "I'm okay, I promise. I've been up and about for hours now. I'm not cold. In fact, if anything, I'm hot." Then he makes a show of pulling at his pressed light blue collar as if to solidify his point more.
"Well, sure," I say slowly, then cringe, hoping that didn't sound inappropriate. I quickly move on, hoping to cover it up, "And as for your question is my study won't be on the hero this time around, but the villain, which isn't what I'm usually looking for. Now I kind of have to see things on the flip side to how I usually do, and it's a bit hard."
Clark's smile doesn't fade, not giving me any idea of what he thought - if he heard - my small verbal slip up, as he asks, "But isn't that a good thing? Getting out of your comfort zone?"
He must not be hearing me when I talk, and that's usually while I'm in my comfort zone. That, or he is simply blinded to imperfections, which could also be the case too. Either way, I can appreciate his faith in me.
"Have you read any of my thesis?" I ask, grabbing my drink and bringing it over to my side and taking a sip.
"I have," Clark says, scratching the back of his head for a moment. "They are interesting, and very in-depth. Did you study psychology in college?"
I nod. "And I took classes in high school. Both psychology and sociology, I majored in. It was always something fascinating to me. I started studying it for fun as a little girl, and just kept to it as I grew older and made my career out of it, but how many would you say you've read?"
Clark rubs at the back of his neck. "I'm not sure. Four or five, maybe?"
I'm surprised. Honestly. I can't believe he actually took the time to read that many of my papers. I don't think I've even reread that many of my works. Once I proof read them and are sure that I've written what I like, I tend to never read them again. I don't know why, I just don't. It's like a chapter in my life, I spend so much time and effort on each and every one, that once I finish it, it's over in my life. I move on.
"Why did you read so many?" I ask, in honest shock.
Clark appears confused, like he didn't understand why I would be shocked. "I thought they were very interesting. You really are good at what you do. I could imagine it was a story of their lives, from their own lips. I'm not sure how much of it is spot on in accuracy, but it flowed nicely and made a lot of sense. It's no wonder you are so popular in your field."
I roll my eyes, embarrassed. "Thanks for that."
Clark's smile is both contagious and beautiful. "What? You are making it sound like you don't believe it. I can't believe how often you've been gifted awards and been mentioned in articles. I'm honestly impressed."
I feel like I can't breath. "Have you been researching me?" I ask, blushing so hard I'm sure I'm redder than a tomato.
"A bit," Clark admitted. "I was actually doing a story that lead me to a source that quoted something from one of your works. It sparked my interest and I couldn't help myself. I had to read some more of your stuff." He hesitates for a moment, trying to read my expression, passed my embarrassment. "Are you mad at me?"
I shake my head, trying to cool down my cheeks. I can't wait for him to stop. Seriously. I am so embarrassed having people talk about me like that. I'm not used to it. I want to move on quickly to something else. I don't know why I asked. "I'm not mad, I promise, just embarrassed. So what are you doing here? Chasing a story?"
Clark offers me a little smile, to show he realized I was trying to change the subject without any grace because my embarrassment is too much. He takes pity on me, though, and moves on. "No, I finished up a few days ago and have some time to myself. It was merely coincidence that I saw you through the window. I felt bad that we couldn't see each other for so long. I was thinking that maybe we should go out and do something sometime this week. The fair is in town and it's been a few years since I last went."
I tuck a loose strand of black hair behind my ear, feeling better that he allowed the subject to change. "That sounds great! Should I invite Lois?"
Clark's charming smile spreads wide as he looks away, raising his eyebrows high up toward his hairline. "If you want. But I was thinking that maybe just you and I could go." He looks up at me through long dark lashes and my heart didn't skip one beat, or two, or even three. It had to of just stopped beating all together, or perhaps it started beating so fast that I lost the ability to be able to feel it, either way, I'm breathless. I could never say no to that look, even if I was insane enough to want to!
"Just us..? Like, as in a date?" I ask softly, leaning close, worried that if I spoke too loud I would break the obvious hypnosis that I seem to have had on him to get him to willingly ask me out on a date. "A date between us? You and me?"
Clark lets out a little laugh, leaning close to so that our eyes lock together. I'm sure that I am completely red. "Yes. If that's okay with you, I mean." I can't believe it. I've had this little, tiny, minute baby crush on Clark since I met him a few months ago, I can't believe that he is actually asking me out right now.
See, I'm not ugly. I know that I'm not. But I'm not overly beautiful either. I've dated like, three people in my entire life. My first was in middle school - and that isn't even dating, especially since it was like two weeks - and my second time was in high school, with an older boy - obviously - for like two days, and then Justin after I graduated college. That was it. He was the boy I was with for the longest time and that kind of ended strangely. It's been a few months since then. Is it appropriate to start dating again?
I hope so.
"That is definitely okay with me," I whisper, eyes wide. "One hundred percent."
Clark pushes up his glasses a bit more to the bridge of his nose. His smile is both beautiful and adorable. He looks down at the table for a moment before looking back up at me. "Good. I'm glad."
I cringe, suddenly realizing how I sound. I lean in a little bit closer, trying to keep my mind off the fact that we were only a few inches apart from one another. "Be honest, that didn't sound completely desperate, did it?" I pull my eyebrows together, worried that he might take his invitation back. That he would realize that I was way too desperate for him.
Clark shakes his head, smiling at me still. "Not at all. It was very kind. I wasn't sure you were going to say yes."
I make a face at him, worried he might be crazy. "You didn't? How could you not? I thought I made my tiny crush completely obvious!"
Clark laughed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down at the gentle sound, crinkles forming around his eyes. "Tiny?"
His laughter intensifies as the horror plays across my face. I slap his hand on the table, trying hard to hide my deep embarrassment. "Clark! Okay, fine! But I'm not trying to make it weird, okay!"
Clark takes my hand and I'm honestly surprised by how large, hot and calloused it is. For a reporter, his hands are a lot stronger than I thought. Maybe it's from years of growing up on the farm, but I was honestly surprised. And I really didn't want him to let go. How very desperate of me.
"I don't think you're weird, Samantha. Don't worry about that. Trust me, in a place like Metropolis which is crawling with all sorts of goodies and badies, I know crazy and weird. You're okay, Samantha, I promise." He squeezes my hand, looking into my eyes reassuringly. "Besides, I think you are very endearing."
I close my hand around his, trying to contain my blush. "Thank you."
Clark doesn't release my hand, easily wrapping his larger one around my own. "Don't mention it."
"It's good news!"
Bailey doesn't respond right away, probably considering. "I don't know. I'm worried."
"Clark is a good, sweet man, Bailey. Trust me."
"I don't know," Bailey says again.
"So you don't trust me?" I sigh, looking through my closet again, my eyes running over all of my clothes, not seeing anything standing out to me as new, first date material. Most of my wardrobe consists of large t-shirts, jeans, leggings and tank tops. There is hardly anything within my closet or in my dresser that has any sort of... niceness to it. At all.
"No," Bailey says, "I do trust you. You've got a great head on your shoulders. It's everyone else that I don't trust. Other people will try and use and manipulate you into doing what you can for them and you receive nothing in return."
I shake my head, rubbing my shoulder a bit, still feeling the tenseness in it from when I body checked Batman. It's starting to finally lighten up, but it's still this dark, nasty purple mark against my otherwise pasty skin. Maybe I need to go out more to try and get a little bit of color to me. I've very pale.
It's suppose to be a really nice night out tonight. I want to wear something somewhat nice, but I definitely have to cover my shoulders. One, I'm so pasty, if someone shined a flashlight on my skin, it would refract stronger than the moon. And two, I'm just not the type of person that likes to show a lot of skin. I like to wear nice stuff whenever I have a reason too, but I don't know how some people wear some of the things that they do.
"Well, that's okay," I say, going through my clothes again, hoping that something will just magically appear in my closet that is acceptable to wear on a first date. "But isn't something done for the benefit of others not meant to have anything given in return to the person who was doing the good deed?"
"Ha, ha," Bailey says dryly. "You know what I mean. You let people walk all over you. You're bright and wonderful and yet you don't possess a backbone."
I gasp. "Wow! Tell me how you really feel!" I can't believe she just said that! I have a backbone! I wouldn't be able to stand upright if I didn't. Now, I know that's not what she meant but a little part of me wanted to say it because I knew it would make her mad. I'm not a pushover, I know I'm not. I'm just very logical. If something makes sense I go for it. She's wrong if she thinks that I won't fight for what I believe in.
I think.
"You know what I mean," Bailey sighs. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. You're my baby sister. I almost lost you once. I don't want to have to worry about that anymore. Just.. be careful with this guy, okay? If you get even the slightest inkling that something is off about him, run for the hills. I mean it. Don't let it get as bad as Justin."
"Justin was weird, not dangerous," I disagree, feeling the fight leave me despite my earlier words.
Bailey snorts on the other line. "That is up for debate, baby sister. You don't think that he would do anything bad, but I do. I think he's scum of the earth. He couldn't have gotten out of your life any faster, I'm telling you."
"Just help me, please," I sigh, tired of having this conversation every single time. "I want to make a good impression but my wardrobe is about ninety-eight percent lazy bum. I just need some help with this date, Bailey. I want to look nice. I really like Clark, okay? Please help me."
Bailey sighs. "Okay, fine. Um, do you still have that thin powder blue shirt that is kind of form fitting?"
I spin around, looking through the pile of clothes scattered around my room. I dig through one mound, two, before I locate the shirt that she's talking about. "Yes?"
"Awesome, now those cute white skinny jeans and that black jacket with sneakers or something. That'll be good for a date at the fair. Nothing open toed, though," Bailey warns. "Those places are pretty dirty. Oh, and a simple belt and tuck in the front of your shirt."
I can imagine that's going to look good on me. "And what about my hair?"
"Do you have a curling iron yet?"
"No."
"Okay. A straightener?"
"No."
"Um... a hair tie?"
I look down at my wrist. There's like, three there. I'm never on short supply of hair ties. "Yes!"
"Good girl, keep at least one on you in case you want to pull it up during the night."
"That's it?" I ask, trying to recall years ago when I had my first date with Justin. Did I put this much effort into my first date with him? Or is it just Clark? I don't even remember. I mean, it's good. I don't have to put too much more stress into this than I already have. I just really want to make a good impression on Clark, seeing as about ninety-five percent of the rest of the impressions haven't been all that good.
Maybe... maybe I just really like him is all. That, and maybe I died when he asked me out and this is all just could have beens in the afterlife. I don't really know. But what I do know is that I am very excited for tonight.
"Thanks, Bailey," I say. "And don't worry about Clark. He's a very nice man. You'll meet him at some point, even if this doesn't work out and it's just as friends. I know that you're going to like him. Trust me."
Bailey hums quietly for a moment on the other line. I think she's going to do the whole "yeah, okay. Whatever you say, sis" and dismiss it for now because she's stubborn like that and believes that the world is practically filled with only bad people. So I'm surprised when she says, softly, "Do you really think so? Are you sure he's going to be nice to you?"
"Bailey?"
"I just don't want anyone to hurt you, Sammy. I worry about you so much," Bailey says quickly. Then she lets out a long, drawn out sigh before continuing, "Just call me again tonight, okay? I don't care how late. Or send me a text or something when you get home, alright?"
"Bailey," I say softly, "there is no reason for you to worry about me to much. I'll be okay, I promise."
"I know. Please?"
"Okay, fine." I can't deny her. She's only asking me because she's so worried. I can't be angry at her for worrying about me. I know that she's my best friend. The one I tell everything to and she's not used to being away from me. I'm glad that we are so close and that she loves me so much, but it kills me that she is having such a hard time with this. She doesn't like me not being there for her to look after, seeing as she raised me once she got custody of me again after our parents died, and she's one of the few remaining pieces of my family left. Her, my brother, Bruce and her kids.
"Thank you," Bailey says, sounding less pensive now than before. "And have fun."
I hang up and lower onto my bed and sit in silence, thinking about my sister. I miss her. It's hard sometimes with her overprotectiveness, but I wouldn't trade her for the world. Maybe I should go back home for a bit to see her. Maybe that will make both of us feel better. It's been too long. That's it. The next chance I get, I'm going to go back and see my siblings.
With my mind made up, I push the thought of my siblings to the side for now and head for the bathroom to shower real quick before I get ready for my date. My date tonight. My date tonight with Clark.
If I could scream at the top of my lungs in glee and excitement without alarming my neighbors into thinking that I am being assaulted in my apartment and call the police. I just don't got the time for that. I can't be held up because my excitement is starting to get the best of me. I've had this baby crush on him since I met him months ago. I just haven't found anything about Clark that hasn't ended up being endearing to me. He's a gentle, sweet man and I greatly enjoy all of the time that we have spent together.
I just want tonight to be fun. Even if my crush fades or he realizes that I'm not the one for him, and we just end up being friends after all is said and done, I just want us to have fun. I won't ask for anything else.
Once I'm all dressed up and my hair and make-up is done - and simple because I don't really wear make-up unless it's for a special occasion - I pop my contact in and eagerly await for Clark to come pick me up.
"I'm sorry that I'm late," Clark says as soon as I open the door.
"Hello to you, too," I joke lamely.
Clark offers a thin smile, looking genuinely remorseful. "I'm sorry for being late," he says again.
I swing my now clean purse over my shoulder and step out into the hallway, closing the door and locking it with my keys before stuffing them into my purse again before turning to him. "Don't worry about it, Clark. I was watching the news. Bank robbers tearing up the town? Like they were doing the whole shebang. Robbed the bank, speeding down the interstate, shooting? That's heavy. It was a good thing that Superman was there to stop them before anyone got too seriously hurt." Then a thought occurred to me. "Were you caught up in that?" I look him up and down. "Are you hurt?"
"No," Clark says, holding his hands out for me to see. "I'm okay. I'm not hurt. It just held me up a bit, is all. I didn't want you to think that I was flaking out on you." His dark brows pull together, studying my face for any sign of anger.
I reach out and pat his arm, offering a smile that I hope is reassuring. "I'm not mad, Clark, trust me. I'm just glad that you weren't caught up in all of that and that you're okay. Let's go have fun."
Clark seems relieved, taking one last, close look at my expression before finally, fully, let it go. "It's a bit of a walk, is that okay? Or do you want to take a cab?"
"Walking is fine," I say, heading down the hall with him. "So, tell me about your day?"
For the Reviewers:
1. BlackDove WhiteDove: Thank you! I kind of love writing those moments. She has no idea who they are when not super heroes, so them being in on this secret together, it's all kind of fun. Sam doesn't know what they do. I don't know. I just like writing it. It makes the relationships feel deeper, I suppose. She doesn't gravitate toward them because they are superheroes. But because of who they are as people.
2. Melissa Fairy: I am! And after so long, yet again!
3. AndrianaWarrior7: I agree whole-heartedly. Alfred is the best. And we will be seeing more of him! I like the relationship between Bruce and Sam. They get each other and their personalities are kinda similar. Dick, oh my lord, I am going to have a lot of fun writing him. He's playful, serious, and cunning. This is going to be great! Oh yes, Lex will appear again soon.
4. .2017: Thanks!
5. Melissa: Thank you! I love Clark/Superman. I am glad that you like Sam! I would hate to make her too unbelievable or Mary Sue like. I want her to be as legitimate as possible. She's not perfect and she's not the center of the world. She's flawed and trying her best not to be. I hope that she stays in your favor!
6. Melissa (again?): Huh, I never thought of that. Henry Cavill is who I imagined as Superman, but I won't dispute you're own vision of him. Either works fine with me. :D
7. CrazyPhenom: Thank you! I couldn't have a story with Batman without Alfred, it just wouldn't be right. He's an integral part of Batman's story. And Clark will always be watching over the city. It's important to him. :D
8. stubs1101: Oh no, please don't worry! I'm glad that you came back to read it! I am so sorry about the wait! I liked writing that too. Dick is just too funny! I am so happy that you still like her, that means a lot to me!
9. Guest: Thanks, I think! :D
10. SoraMalfoySlytherin: Yep! Jason, huh? I never thought to bring Jason into the story. Barry Allen and Wally West, oh lordy. XD Ah yes, the hidden eye! That will be revealed soon enough!
