MOVING ON
CHAPTER 9
Lois Lane was packing. It was the morning of Boxing day and she was scheduled to spend this day with Sam and Ella Lane. Clark was waiting downstairs to discreetly fly her out. After the revelation of the previous night,Lois could not help but feel relieved to leave Smallville and go to her own hometown in Cleaveland,Ohio. Sure the Amazon had been gracious and apologetic,but it did not mean that Lois had bought into the whole charade. It had taken all her self control to not give Diana a piece of her mind!
It was even more difficult to be angry with Clark. What did he do other than protect a friend's identity?
If only that friend had not been Wonder Woman!
If it had been Batman or the Flash,she'd not feel any qualms. Those two men didn't look like Venus rising!Nor did they have that annoying habit that Superman and Wonder Woman had of searching each other's eyes out or touching almost imperceptibly in public in the early days of the League. It had irked Lois for years,before she and Clark had become an item.
Five years had passed and she found herself still wondering whether Clark really only looked upon the princess as a friend. It would have seemed petty if she had even started anything with Clark with his friends and parents present. So she had held her peace and pretended for his sake that she understood. But she had slept poorly,and now, at nine am, she felt irritable and heavy eyed. Even if she wanted to accuse him,what would she say and on what grounds?Part of Lois was tempted to rail at him on the way to Ohio;but the other part was aware that Clark Kent was not the kind of man one stumbled upon everyday,and she'd be a fool to let him slip through her fingers.
She straightened up and looked at herself in the mirror on the wall. She took in a deep breath. She was not going to let what she had dreamed of for years fall apart because some beauty queen-super heroine had decided to come back into the picture. She would fight for her man.
"All's fair in love and war," she said aloud and flipped her dark shoulder length hair back.
Lois Lane never gave up nor bowed in defeat. Her very bravado and tenacity was what had gotten Superman's attention in the first place. She walked to the door and opened it.
She called."Clark?"
"Yes?"
"Could you send Diana up here for me?"
It took less than a minute for Diana to come up. She was back in her Diana Prince persona. This irked Lois even more when she saw her but she smiled at the spectacled woman brightly.
"Hey,Diana,could you give me a hand with these straighteners?''
Diana looked at the flat-irons and said ruefully,"I'm afraid I don't know what that is for."
Lois demonstrated."It's to give one's hair a sleek look. I always get trouble with the back. Don't look so daunted,if you can handle an invisible plane you can handle this. See how it's done?"
Diana watched her take a section of hair at the front and run the straightener over it. She remarked, "Well, that's clever. But there was nothing wrong with your hair. It was lovely in its natural state."
"Says the Wonder Woman who looks as if she wears large rollers in her hair overnight." Lois handed over the straighteners.
"But I don't put..," she protested,taking them obligingly.
"I know. Just like you don't have to put on an inch of makeup or worry about the third helping of Ma's pecan pie. I'm not normally a slave to fashion,but one has to keep up with the competition as they say. Star reporters too can appear on the worst dressed list if they aren't up to scratch."
"The trends in your womens' fashion is so confusing at times. I'm glad as Miss Prince I don't really have to worry about that."
Lois commented,"Oh, I understand about having an alter ego. Clark has explained how important it is to not stand out. And the more dull you are, the less likely people will notice you. I'll sit down and you can help me with the back."
Diana had done two sections successfully,when Lois began casually,"So,you and Clark been hiding this secret a long time?"
"Not very long. I came back some months ago but really haven't had much to do with the League since the day at the museum. I am so busy with school and adapting to life as a normal woman."
"That must be very hard. Because you aren't a normal woman. You're a princess. A cover girl. An icon in the making. Can you hide behind glasses forever?"
Diana began,"I had hoped if Clark could do it..."
Lois turned to look at her in the mirror."But Clark isn't living a false identity. He IS Clark Kent. He didn't adopt the idea of growing up on a farm or turning a reporter. It's who he is. He just happens to also have these powers he uses for mankind's benefit. To say you are like him is a misnomer. You may not consider yourself so,but you were born with a gold spoon in your mouth,Princess."
This was what Lois Lane was good at. She always asked the hard questions. Diana look troubled but she said earnestly,"But a person should not be above learning nor sharing any experience that would make one understand the world and people one is trying to help."
"You think by coming down to ordinary people's level,it makes the royal in you go away somehow?That's a bit naive."
"I have no intention of making the royal go away,Lois. It is my heritage. I won't apologize for it. And a good royal's duty is to serve. Kal maybe a farmer's son,and a reporter,but just being who he is,has made him into a leader. He may not consciously know it or want it,but he is seen much in the light of a king as I am a princess. Do you know how many souls look up to him?How many star systems respect the League because of him?His word is law in Metropolis. People would die for him. As he would die for his adopted planet. I may be different from him,but we have the same purpose of the heart."
Lois' brows rose at that. She turned and looked her in the eye."Yes,that's what I'm afraid of."
Diana let Lois' hair fall. She looked bemused and said,"I don't know what you are implying. Here, maybe you can finish the front. The back looks good."She put the straighteners carefully on the side table and turned to leave.
Lois decided to go for the jugular."Are you in love with him,Princess?"
Diana's back was to her. She halted and turned to look at Lois incredulously."Why would you even say that?"
Lois stood up."Oh,I don't know. It seems you and my boyfriend are very friendly."
Diana's blue eyes clouded over."Is this an example of human jealousy?It is indeed a misplaced emotion. For your information,he was my friend before he was your boyfriend."
Lois folded her arms."Don't avoid the question."
Diana looked her in the eye and said,"I admire and respect Kal. He is a source of inspiration to me. If I could be half of what he is,I'd consider my mission successful in this world. And if you have to question me to assure yourself of his commitment to you,then you really do not know the man."
"Oh,I think I know Clark. It's your motives I'm unsure about."
"But I have no motive," Diana returned with real bewilderment. "What is it that you want of me,Lois?Why did you call me up here?It was not to dress your hair,of that I'm certain."
"I want you to respect my relationship with Clark."
"But I do. I would never..."
Lois cut her off."Look,Princess,this is how real,ordinary women feel and think. Do you think we can be ecstatic that a woman, who looks like she was created to fulfill male fantasies,is prancing around one's man in a swimsuit miles up in space?It is enough he has to work with that person;I mean,one can't quibble with who ought to be saving the world;but to be meeting up outside of duty is a lot for any sane woman to swallow!"
Diana began,"Kal is my best friend..."
"Well,he is my boyfriend and it's Clark,not Kal!"
Diana said sincerely,"Lois, I will try to honour your request. It has never been my intention to usurp any of Ka...Clark's attention, thereby making you feel distress. He has always been kind and supporting of me;as he has been of all his colleagues and I know he is man that would never do anything dishonourable. If he is yours then yours he will be. You have little to fear of me."She inclined her head politely and left her.
Lois' triumph was tainted;Diana's very magnanimity and gentility made her feel a bit ashamed of herself. Whilst she was glad she spoke out,she felt a bit ruffled that the Amazon had taken it so graciously. Why couldn't she be like any other woman and given as good as she got in this instance?The woman was unreal!There was something not human about her!
That kind of flawlessness in manner and person grated Lois.
She didn't have much time to wonder at it,as Clark came up to see if she was ready.
Lois smiled,"Yes,how do I look?"
"Very nice."
She went up to him and put her arms around his neck and kissed him long and lingeringly. He said,half amused,"You're in a good mood."
"I am. Let's go then,Smallville. Sam Lane is a stickler for time."
Lois went down and bade good-bye to the Kents. Ma had packed her a basket of goodies."Take care,dear. We'll see you again?"
"Oh most definitely. Good-bye Mr Jones."Lois waved to the cop who was sitting in an armchair. She turned to Diana,who stood near the fireplace."Nice to see you again."
Pa called from the pick-up."Come on you two." For the sake of appearances,Pa would drive them out and then they would be dropped off at an isolated location,where Superman could fly out unseen.
No sooner had they gone,Diana turned to Ma and announced,"Mrs Kent,I have to go."
Ma looked at her, taken aback."Go?Where?You 're spending the day with us..."
"No. No, I can't."
J'onn looked up."Diana,you said we'd play Scrabble."
She smiled wanly,"I'm sorry,J'onn.I can't."She hurried up the staircase to the guest room and began to throw her clothes and toiletries in her travel bag.
Martha Kent followed and came about to look at her in some bewilderment.
"Diana,why are you running out on us?I don't understand. Have we done something to offend you?I know we not aware of all the rituals of your people but if we have in
someway...forgive us..."
Diana stopped and caught the elder woman's hand."No. No. You have not. Once again,you and Mr Kent have treated me as your own. I could not have wished for better hospitality. It's just...I must go..."She let her go to reach for her shoes.
Ma watched her closely."You sure have a mysterious way of dashing out of here. First time was your own Ma. But somehow by the look in your eyes,I'm feeling it's got nothing to do with your island."
Diana shoved her Christmas gifts into the bag. She said hurriedly,"It's school business..."
"Can't it wait until Clark gets back?You could at least say good bye to him."
"No...I ...must leave now."
Mrs Kent's plump fingers grasped the slender fingers on the zipper."Hold it there,young lady. You may be able to throw a tank or broker peace accords but you're not a woman of the world yet that you can fool me. Look at me."
Diana obeyed. There was something very compelling and compassionate about Martha Kent. One could not lie to her if one tried. She demanded."Has this anything to do with my son?"
Diana looked at her wanly." It is not a good idea for me to be around Clark."
There was a brief silence. Both women sat upon the edge of the bed.
"Have you feelings for him?" Ma asked gently.
"Gods,I don't even know what I feel! I am so mixed up! Mrs Kent,I don't understand any of this. There was a time when I think Clark cared for me,more than a friend...but I was so blind and preoccupied with another. I never saw Clark then,other than as a friend. I was so fascinated by what I couldn't have and it was almost a challenge to pique Bruce's interest..."Diana held her cheeks in some exasperation.
Ma's brows rose."So,you had the hots for Batman?"
Diana flushed guiltily."I had just come from Themyscira.I knew nothing of men. Bruce's moodiness and Clark's laid back ways was as night is different from day."
Ma said wryly,"I know,my child. We gals are suckers for the bad boy play. It makes us feel as if we've won a contest of sorts if we are successful."
Diana sighed."But Bruce was wiser and knew that attraction does not always make for an enduring passion. I don't know what happened but something began to slowly change in me,but what I began to feel was so different from what I felt for Bruce. It made little sense and it ached a lot more. Before I knew it I was called home,and well, the rest as they say is history. Clark is now in a relationship and I am truly happy for him...but I...it would be better if I keep away."
Mrs Kent took her hand once more."If Lois is the woman for him,your staying away will make no difference."
"No,but it will help me."
"Ah,I see."She reached up and cupped Diana's face."You are only a baby in the world, my dear,as brave and strong and gifted as you are. This confusion you feel is just your heart's way of teaching you to sort the deeper emotion from the frivolous ones. And believe me,sometimes we must experience those before we recognize when we have truly found the one. I am sorry that you must leave,but I understand." She enveloped her in a motherly embrace that threatened to bring tears to Diana's eyes."I will tell Pa and Clark you had a school emergency."
"Thank you,Mrs Kent."
She tapped her cheek and corrected her."Ma."
Diana smiled."Ma."
J'onn saw Diana off before she left. They parted on the porch. He was ,strangely enough,understanding. He only reminded of her of the next League meeting and accepted her kiss on his cheek before she took to the skies.
When Clark flew in as Superman an hour later,he found his parents and J'onn in the living room. There was no sign of Diana. When he asked after her,his mother informed him of the school emergency.
"Oh. I wonder if there's anything I can do to help..."
Mrs Kent interrupted."No,this is confidential student stuff. She will cope well enough."
He frowned."You seemed sure."
"I am sure. For pity's sakes,Clark,you can't go swooping in every time to try to rescue everyone. Give the gal some room to breathe."
Clark looked taken aback."Good grief,I never implied she couldn't handle herself..."
"No,but too often you feel you need to act the knight in shining armor. Now don't forget we have to box up the leftovers and take them to the homeless..."She pottered away muttering to herself.
Clark turned to look at J'onn and his father."What's up with her?"
The Martian and farmer could only shrug.
Clark sensed it right away. He knew something had changed the moment he attended the next League meeting. Wonder Woman was as friendly as ever but he knew a barrier when he came across one. Especially that of a close friend. It was in the simplest of things. The way she'd seek him out when he arrived at the satellite. The sharing of grins should there be some farcical incident. Her waiting for him to finish a report instead of porting out and them flying together just to let off steam or share thoughts and relax. Her volunteering to go with him when there were team-ups.
Now she did none of these things. She spent a lot of time doing Monitor duty and seemed to avoid working with him solely on select missions. He knew it when,he had chaired a meeting and was selecting teams and, out of force of habit, said,"Diana, you and I will go to Mexico to investigate that meteorite..."
She had blurted out."No..."
"No?"
She said casually,"I think Wally would be better at that...I'll go with Shyera..."
Superman was tempted to ask why but with the rest of the League watching them,he just shrugged."Sure. Wally will come with me."
They had all returned from their various missions hours later,some more successful than others. Superman opted to stay back to do the report in order for Wally to go home to his wife. He found Diana already there,finishing off her own. Lantern was doing Monitor duty.
"Hey,you want to grab something to eat after this?"
Diana looked up."Oh. I'm sorry. I ate already. There is still some pasta left back in the galley. It was delicious."
He stood behind his station and his fingers sped over the keys."Well,are you leaving soon? I'd not mind the company to fly out..."
Diana stood up."Sorry,Clark. I promised my Amazon sisters to visit the Embassy later. I'm teleporting out. I've no time to fly..."
"Right. You coming to the JLA/JSA dinner on New Year's eve?"
She shrugged."We'll see. I have papers to grade. John,see you. Good night,Clark."
Green Lantern waved."Later Diana."
Superman watched her leave,a frown crinkling his brow
.John Stewart's voice said behind him, "We can't have it both ways,Clark."
Superman turned and looked at him at a loss."What?"
"Sometimes it's fate,not the heart that dictates who one ends up with..."
"I'm not sure what you're driving at,John."
"No?Look,man,take it from me,one who knows what it feels like to caught between a rock and a hard place."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning Mari and Shyera."
"Ah,that...how is that working out by the way?"
"I'm with Mari and have little intention of leaving her."
"And Shyera?"
"To this day I'm not sure if that would have worked. But we're passed that and are friends and respect each other's decisions. You are with Lois Lane now, aren't you?Well,Diana's making it easy for you..."
Superman folded his arms and mused ironically,"Is that what she's doing?"
"Yes,and you should be sagging with relief. I certainly didn't get that option. I was forced to choose."
He gave Lantern a sympathetic smile. Till this moment,he had never really spoken about how he felt about Diana. Not with his parents. Not with J'onn. Least of all Bruce.J ohn's sharing of his most personal thoughts for his sake moved him to be honest.
He said,"I care about Lois,and I would do nothing to hurt her. What I feel for Diana is..." He left the sentence hanging and walked towards the nearby portal and gazed out upon the earth. "I mean, it's not like I hope anything can happen for us. I don't. She's a princess,heir to the throne of Themyscira. She's a valued friend as well as a trusted colleague..."
Lantern rubbed his chin."Hmm, where did I hear this before?Ah yes ,it was the same excuse Bruce gave years ago."
Superman said gravely,"Bruce had the wisdom to keep it professional,because he understood. But even then he had more than I to offer."
"How do you figure that?"
"How can a farmboy reporter compare to a world renown billionaire? "
Lantern tutted."You sure have put that woman on a pedestal,Clark. I don't think she even sees herself that way. But it's like I said,one has to keep those two feelings separated and get on with his life .Else it'll just mess what you do have and you'll realize you're just being a selfish jerk,by wanting to have your cake and eating it too."
Superman grimaced."You certainly have a way of putting things,John."
He clapped his hand on his shoulder."Look,bro,you survived her absence for five years. And to be honest,the League was relieved that you rejoined after she left..."
"I came back because Bruce asked..." he interrupted crossly.
"Come on,Clark,we all knew why you left in the first place. In fact, Wally was taking bets to see whether you would get Diana to rejoin."
" I'll choke Wally when I see him...It seems my love life or lack thereof is of great amusement to others."
"Oh, don't take it personally. The word on the street is that Bruce is finding his path proverbially rough with a certain cat."
Superman's lips twitched."No wonder he's so moody these days."
"Yeah,he's an easy book to read. He gets more grumpy when he's ,er, having chick trouble. At least you never lose your sense of humor. Let's go to the galley. The pasta is good and I can do with a caffeine fix."
The New Year came and went without major incident for the League. Clark Kent and Diana Prince went back to their respectful cities and work.
It was a cold January day,and Clark had arrived late at the Planet .Perry was in a bad mood and grumbling. He had no front page and none of his star reporters was delivering!
He barked."You're late again!"
"Perry it's snowing blizzard-like!"Clark stamped the snow off his feet and hung his coat up.
"You think a few icicles could stop the Herald?They broke the story on the Bond scandal. Their reporters got the first interview of Black Adam last week...You know what that is?Getting the leader of Khandaq on record?And on film?..."Perry glared at a sheepish Jimmy."What do my people get?Nothing!Lois here can't pin nothing on Luthor. Jimmy thinks pictures of snowploughs will do the trick,and you ,Clark,your head is buried in humanitarian causes...How will this paper keep up with the competition?"
Lois looked up from her desk."Oh come on ,Perry,I'm sure before the day is out something will surface. This is Metropolis. Home to Superman. Some crazed villain always appears sooner or later."
Clark took his seat. Perry grunted,"Thank god for him,else this paper would be bought up so fast...But I tell you,I'm not printing pictures of the snow again."
Clark said,"You know,Perry,there are a lot of heart-warming, positive stories that make for uplifting reading. People don't always want sensationalism or scandal."
"You tell that to the Herald!They were sold out by ten am yesterday,whilst we remained with unsold copies."
Clark pulled out a folder,with pictures and a few notes."How about a follow-up on that orphanage story?There are still dozens of kids that need a good home."
"Kent,we did that before Christmas for a reason. It's January and with all due respect,it isn't headline stuff. If nothing comes along by midday,we'll just go with the business headline,on the falling of oil prices following that assassination in the middle-east."
Lois Lane was perusing her e-mails. She had contacts from various sources. People sent her information and pictures on what they considered food for a meatier story. A Boston colleague had sent her several pictures off their society pages showing Lex Luthor at a large charity fund raiser for Cancer Research. Lois frowned and zoomed in on one of the pictures.
"Well,well,what have we here?"
Clark looked up."What's up?"
"Would you look at that?Yes,that's Adam Butler. And would you look at who he has on his arm!"
Clark swiveled his chair and Lois turned her laptop. With his vision,he didn't need to go closer. It was a photo of Luthor walking up the red carpet with a blond on his arm. And behind them,in the background,was the architect with Diana Prince at his side.
Lois looked impressed."He's very handsome and single from what I gather. Self-made millionaire ,you know. Doesn't he have a daughter that goes to the school that Diana teaches?"
Clark's eyes were still fixed on the picture. Whilst Diana Prince couldn't compare with the blond on Luthor's arm,in her simple black dress,she looked quietly conservative and confident. "I wouldn't know," he replied.
Lois continued,"I saw them the night of Bruce Wayne's gala. They looked particularly cosy. Well,it's about time she has some fun. Good for her!"
Clark nodded."Yes,it's about time."He turned back, opened up his own laptop and set to work.
Diana Prince had stayed back at St Theresa's to finish working on some lesson plans,when she heard a knock on her classroom door. She looked up to see Adam Butler poking his head around the door."Hey,you. Sophy told me I'd find you here."
She looked up at him with a look of surprise. After their date of a week ago,he had been very charming and persistent. She had enjoyed his company but time had been limited on her part,with school,and League business,making it impossible to have a follow-up date. It had been with great hesitation that she had even accepted him in the first place,but meeting him and his daughter up in a mall,being invited for a coffee led to Sophy revealing her dad had no date and asking Diana outright to go with him. Diana had wondered if Mr Butler had used Sophy to get her to go out with him,but she could only feel more flattered than annoyed that one of Boston's most eligible bachelors would want to go out with a plain school
teacher.
As a man accustomed to getting his own way he was doing the only thing to get an audience with her. He decided to come into her territory.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
He had a box and latte in his hand."I brought pastries. I thought you might need a break."
Diana's face broke into a smile of pleasure as she took the latte."Thank you. It feels like an age since anyone has ever done this for me."
He sat on the edge of a desk top."What? Surprise you?""
"No. Bring me sustenance."
He smiled. She did have a knack for saying the oddest things. He said flirtatiously,"I find it hard to believe no one would want to do that."
"Oh,there was one person,who always thought of me..."She suddenly pulled herself short."It was a long time ago."
He teased."An old flame?"
She looked distant."No. An old friend." She put on a bright face and asked,"But tell me,why are you here?Is it just because you felt sorry for me,slaving over these papers?"
Adam smiled."No,I felt sorry for myself. Tell me,Diana,when are you going to let me take you out again?"
She looked uncertain."I'm not sure."
"What?Was our date so awful that you can't let me down gently?"
"Oh no!I enjoyed myself immensely."
"Then how long am I going to have to beg?"
His frankness,after Bruce's elusiveness and Clark's ambivalence, was refreshing. She conceded."Well,I guess I am free this weekend."
"Excellent. How about I take you to my favourite restaurant?"
"Very well."
"It's a date. I know I can't stay too long;the guard gave me a mean look and your principal,a disapproving one. So,I'll take myself off. I'll call you to finalize the details."He took her hand and gallantly kissed the back of it. He said,"Until then. Don't work too hard,Diana."
Diana leaned back and found herself smiling after he had least one knew where one stood with Adam Butler. She was actually looking forward to their second date.
