Chapter 9

Earth-16

2027

Fortress of Solitude

"I know I heard something." Bruce looked over his shoulder and at his sleepy wife—beautiful even with bed ruffled hair and groggy eyes.

Selina rolled over in bed, her eyes going to the clock on the nightstand. "What could you have possibly heard so far out here and at this time of night . . . of morning?" Flopping one arm over her eyes, shielding them from the light he'd just turned on, Selina groaned. "I went to bed with Bruce Wayne and woke up next to Batman. Go away Dark Knight and bring back my husband."

Bruce Wayne had indeed given way to Batman, and Batman wanted answers. If he hadn't just returned to bed from the bathroom, Bruce would've chocked up what he heard to his imagination or a dream. But a couple of minutes ago, Bruce had heard what he swore were footsteps passing by his closed bedroom door. He supposed it could have been Krypto on nightly patrol, a security measure the Gotham crime fighter could respect. But it could have also been Athos, the thought of which disturbed Bruce to the point of propelling him from the bed.

Despite what everyone else thought, Bruce knew Athos was not the new and improved kid he'd convinced his parents and the Justice Leaguers that he was. He'd managed to wrap them all around his manipulative little fingers, including Selina who saw in Athos the child she and Bruce hadn't managed to have. And the little con artist played on Selina's emotions, being extra sweet and solicitous around her, a subtle reminder that, if not for her husband, she could be a mother.

Bruce and Selina rarely talked about their inability to conceive, or rather Bruce's inability to get his wife with child. He knew the medical reason behind his infertility, so there was really nothing to discuss. He supposed they could have went the way of thousands of other couples and adopted a child, but Bruce's late night lifestyle had put that possibility on hold for far too many years to count. Now, well now they were pretty much resigned to never raising a child together.

Yet each time Bruce regretted denying himself and Selina that experience, he was brought up short with an image of Athos. Having a child had not brought much happiness to Clark and Diana's lives. Sure, they loved Athos because he was theirs, and they worked hard to raise him with strong values and a sense of responsibility—the way they had been reared. Bruce knew his friends were good parents. But they were wholly incapable of transforming a monster into a man of worth.

And Athos, no matter how sweet his smiles, silver his tongue, or the number of humanitarian missions his father dragged him into, the boy was a time bomb yet to explode. It was a shame really, Bruce mused, pulling on pants, shirt, and shoes, because there was no denying how much Athos loved his parents, especially Diana. But the boy had a duplicitous mind and a conflicted heart—a lethal combination that didn't bode well for the world or his parents' hearts.

"I'm going to go check on the demon spawn."

None too surprisingly, Selina frowned at Bruce before scrambling out of bed. "How many times have I asked you to not refer to Athos that way?"

"You only asked me to not call the brat that in front of his parents. What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? Getting dressed."

"Well, that much is apparent. What I meant is that I don't need Catwoman on this mission."

Shimming into a pair of black leggings, that did wonderful things for Selina's tight, little ass, and a black-and-white long sleeve spandex shirt, she was ready to go before Bruce could finish his protest.

She met him at the door, her stubborn eyes daring him to tell her no.

"Well, too bad. If you get to play Batman then you'll simply have to contend with Catwoman."

He didn't like it. He never did when the woman got it into her mind to challenge him. Which she's done since the first time I met her. When will I ever learn? I should've crept from bed instead of waking her.

But hindsight was 20-20 and Selina had just run back to the nightstand for his JL communicator and cellphone.

"Just in case, "she said, handing him the items.

Shoving them both in his pants pocket, Bruce opened the door and led the way out of the bedroom and into the hallway. As he suspected, the hallway was quiet and clear.

"Lights at thirty percent."

Less than thirty seconds went by before Clark's security program recognized Bruce's voice and complied with his command, illuminating the hallway with a soft glow.

"Nice trick. Will the Fortress respond to my voice command?"

Selina was only joking. Clark liked and loved many people. But he had only ever trusted Diana and Bruce with access to the Fortress. Even Bruce, however, didn't have unfettered access. That level of absolute trust resided with Diana only, and Bruce couldn't begrudge Clark his caution. He was the same way about his Batcave, although Selina would say he was like that about most things in his life.

"Come on," she said, tugging his hand. "Let's check on Athos. I'm sure he's sound asleep. Once you see for yourself that he's safe and where he should be, we can go back to bed. Or" —she gave him a saucy smile and wink— "we could make love again then go back to sleep."

Bruce returned her smile, unable to give her his trademark scowl when she was being so naughty and looking so good in those leggings.

They rounded a corner, putting them in the part of the Fortress where the family bedrooms were located. Clark and Diana's room was at the end of the hall, while Athos's room was first, his private bathroom separating his room from that of his parents.

"You wait here, and I'll go check."

This time, Selina listened to Bruce. Walking softly to the closed door, Bruce first listened, pressing an ear up to the solid door. Hearing nothing within, he raised a hand to the knob, twisted, and then pushed. If Athos was sleeping the way Selina thought he would be and Bruce awakened the boy, he would just mumble something and leave—no harm, no foul.

But as Bruce entered the bedroom and examined his surroundings, he saw no sign of Athos. No longer caring about possibly waking a sleeping child, Bruce called out.

No answer.

He turned only to run smack into his wife.

"He's not here."

"So I gathered from the way you just yelled the boy's name, waking the dead I'm sure."

"He should be here. It's after one in the god damn morning."

No matter that Athos was a demon spawn, he was still the child of Bruce's best friends, and they had left their child in his care, entrusting his safety to him.

"This place is huge. I'm sure Athos is here somewhere. He's probably in the kitchen eating something unhealthy and delicious or in the living room watching a smutty movie his mother would die if she ever found out. He's thirteen and his parents are gone for the night. Give the kid a break."

Everything Selina said made perfect sense, if Athos was a normal thirteen-year old kid. But he wasn't, and Bruce's instincts told him more was going on here than a teen taking advantage of being parent-free for a night.

"I'm calling them." He reached into his pocket for his cellphone, but Selina grabbed his arm.

"Don't, Bruce. Let's at least search the Fortress first."

"But—"

"It's their anniversary, and they rarely go anywhere without Athos. He's a good kid, but he's also high maintenance. Let's just look for Athos first before calling his parents. Besides, we're already up, no need to wake Diana and Clark."

Wake them? Doubtful. The way Clark damn near floated out to the living room after he and Diana had taken way too long getting dressed, a goofy I-just-got-lucky grin on his face, no way did Bruce believe Clark and Diana were spending their rare night away from home sleeping. But yes, searching the Fortress for Athos wasn't a bad idea.

"That will be the first thing they'll ask us. I would hate to tell them that we didn't take the time to look for their son before calling and worrying them."

Again, Selina's logic was on target. Yet . . .

Bruce groaned, hating when he allowed his wife to talk him out of doing something he knew he should do. Many times she was right. But tonight won't be one of those times. I just know it.

"Fine, but let's make it quick. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Split up?"

That would be the fastest way. "Yes, but let's go back to the room and get your cellphone first. I don't like the idea of you wandering around this place without a means of contacting me."

He also didn't like the idea of Selina stumbling upon Athos without him. But he couldn't coddle his wife, no matter how much he often wanted to. She was a capable and intelligent woman. And, despite Bruce's justified wariness of Athos, the boy seemed to have genuine affection for Selina. Bruce didn't think Athos would hurt her. He was as sure of that as he was that, if provoked, Athos would rip Bruce in two.

With that sobering thought, Bruce led Selina back to their bedroom, then in search of the demon spawn.

Tahiti

Cold waves washed over their heated bodies, producing ripples of steam. They didn't notice, nor did they care.

Wet sand clung to them—gritty and thick. They didn't notice, nor did they care.

Passion and hunger had taken hold of Clark and Diana, blocking out all sight, sound, touch, and taste beyond each other, beyond their joined, enraptured bodies.

The moon was out, the beach private, and the couple entangled in limbs, lips, and raging hearts.

A desperate, breathless voice broke into the silence. "Not yet. Not yet, Clark."

Holding tightly to hips that slammed, gyrated, and sent him down a rabbit hole of immeasurable pleasure, Clark gritted his teeth and tried to hold on. Diana was killing him, and he was basking in every minute of her expert loving.

Clark opened closed eyes. Above him his wife shown like a sex goddess of myth. Long, dark hair spilled down her back, high, tight breasts swayed as she rode him, and the curve of her hips and ass had Clark raising his knees and slamming hard into her.

"Yes! Just like that."

He did it again, bringing them both gratifying pleasure. But it also pushed Clark closer to the edge. He was close, so damn close.

"Now, Diana?"

"Almost." She rocked harder, faster, rubbing her clit on his abs with vigor and intensity. "Almost. Almost."

Diana was leaning over him, hands in the sand and on either side of his head. She was close enough to kiss, so he did.

They'd made love three times since arriving at their beachfront home—once in the shower, once on the deck, and now under the moon and stars and in the sand.

"We should have another baby," he whispered against her lips. "I want to give you another baby."

Diana sat up, Clark still deep inside of her. "Do we dare?"

"Athos isn't how he was. You saw him today. He was angry as hell at me, but he maintained his control."

While Athos was still too possessive of his mother, Clark could see a remarkable change in his son. He was so proud of him. For once, Athos was becoming the kind of son Clark always wished him to be. Their relationship was nothing like the one Clark had with Pa, and he didn't think it ever would. But that didn't mean Clark and Athos couldn't have a solid father-son relationship. Clark so wanted to be able to connect and bond with his only child. Family was important to Clark, yet he had only ever been blessed with a small one.

Until recently, Clark had given up on the idea of having more children with Diana. But Athos had finally begun to show signs of maturity and true heroism. If he kept accompanying Clark on humanitarian missions, he was sure Athos would continue to see the value of not only self-restraint but how much good he could do when he used his powers for unselfish reasons—helping instead of harming.

"I would like that—very much." Her smile lit up the night sky in a way that would make the moon goddess envious. "It will take a few months for the contraceptive Hessia gives me to run its course before I'll be able conc—"

Clark began to move, unable to deny his body any longer.

Diana's eyes closed and she dropped down to his chest with a languid grace, covering his body with her sweaty, curvaceous form.

Then she began to move again, quickly building the pleasure with each rise and fall of her hips. "Practice," she purred in his ear. "Lots and lots of baby making practice."

He flipped them over, knowing if Diana remained on top, her preferred position, she would torture him by slow, sensual degrees before allowing him to have his release. He may have been a powerful Kryptonian, but when it came to sex Diana's stamina was unmatched.

"I love you."

"I know, and I love you."

"And we're going to have a baby, make Athos a big brother."

Diana arched toward him, brushing breasts against muscled chest. "Stop talking, Clark, and start practicing."

He laughed. "Yes, Wonder Woman. Whatever you say, Wonder Woman. I'm at your service, Wonder Woman."

She smacked his ass, and then rolled them back over with a, "Not yet, Clark. Not yet."

Fortress of Solitude

As Bruce suspected, Athos wasn't in the Fortress, unless the kid was doing a good imitation of a ghost soldier.

"Should we check outside?"

They should but . . .

"Tell you what, Selina, I'll wait here while you retrieve your shoes and our coats from the bedroom. If you go outside like that, you'll catch your death of a cold."

Bruce made sure his voice was sincere and gentle, nothing of the Batman coming through that would give her any reason to question his request. If Selina did, she would call him on his bullshit and dig her heels in. He didn't want that. What he wanted was his wife out of harm's way. And that wouldn't happen if she thought he was bossing her around, or worse, trying to manipulate her—which, of course, he was.

Feigning nonchalance, Bruce sat on a loveseat in the living room. "I doubt if Athos is outside playing in the snow with Krypto, but it's worth a look before we call Clark and Diana. But I'm not interested in going out into freezing weather without our coats." He stood. "You know what, it would probably be faster if I do it. You wait here."

Before he took one step, Selina was already heading out of the living room, her pride pricked at the suggestion that Catwoman couldn't do something as well as Batman.

When she was out of hearing and seeing range, Bruce dashed out of the living room, down two hallways and to the front door. Within seconds, he was standing in front of the Fortress, the arctic air chilling him to his bones. Shoulders hunched to rapidly reddening ears and hands shoved into pockets, Bruce began to trudge through the knee-high snow.

He'd walked only a few feet when his teary eyes made out two figures in the distance. He wished for his night vision goggles, though he could see well enough to know that he'd just located Athos and Krypto. And, dammit, they weren't playing in the snow.

They were fighting—trying to kill each other.

Dammit.

Stiff fingers made it difficult for Bruce to pull out his cellphone. It took several tries but he finally managed to get it out and up to his ear. Backtracking until his foot hit the side of the Fortress, Bruce huddled down, not wanting Athos to hear or see him. And no, Bruce wasn't so arrogant as to think himself capable of going up against a part Kryptonian, part demigod demon spawn with no weapons or kryptonite to protect himself.

Clark's phone rang five times before throwing Bruce into voicemail. He tried Diana's cell. No luck. Shit.

Digging into his pants pocket again, Bruce found his JL communicator. Putting it in his ear, he contacted the Watchtower.

Bruce had no idea what was going on just over the horizon between Athos and Krypto, but the sounds of battle that reached him did not sound good—for Krypto.

"Yes, Batman."

Martian Manhunter, good.

"J'onzz, I need you to contact Diana and Clark. They aren't answering their cellphones. It's an emergency."

"I can tell, just give me a minute."

A howl of agony shattered the night sky, reaching Bruce on blood curdling air currents that had him squinting into the darkness to see what had happened.

He saw nothing.

"Forget it, J'onzz, just get them here now. I'm outside the Fortress. Transport Clark and Diana about fifty feet due west of my position."

"But—"

"Do it now, dammit. Do it now!" Before it's too late.

But it was already too late, Bruce knew.

When he looked up, he saw Selina coming toward him, her winter coat and shoes on, his heavy coat in her arms.

Crouching beside him, she frowned. "What have you done?"

Shattered my best friends' world. "What needed doing, Selina. What needed doing."

One minute Clark and Diana were sitting at the kitchen table, feeding each other fruit, and the next he felt his body yanked from their getaway retreat. Warmth and florescent light had given way to cold and darkness.

Clark stood in wet, icy snow, and it took him a few seconds to adjust to the abrupt change in location.

"What in the hell just happened? Diana, are you—"

Clark glanced around for his wife and found . . .

Blood.

Krypto.

Athos.

Clark closed his eyes and shook his head. Surely he had to be dreaming or someone was playing a cruel, early Halloween trick on him. He opened his eyes. The image remained, worse than before. There, on the ground a mere twenty feet in front of him was Athos on top of a bleeding and still Krypto. They were both covered in blood, Krypto's fur and Athos's hands and face.

And in those clawed hands of Athos was . . . was . . . a heart? Krypto's heart?

No. No, No. It couldn't be. This couldn't be happening. Not Athos. Not Krypto. Athos was a good boy now. He wouldn't harm anyone, least of all the family dog—Clark's dog.

But the evidence was there, in all its gory red-and-white detail.

Without thinking, Clark flew toward his son and pushed him off Krypto with a force that sent the boy flying. Vaguely, he heard Athos land with a hard thud.

But Clark's attention was all for his dog, his first best friend and a companion unlike any other. The dog lay in his own blood, chest opened and heart gone. Even if the sun rose right this moment, it would be far too late to save Krypto. Just as Clark was too late.

Tears fell.

A lake.

A river.

An ocean.

Clark couldn't stop, didn't remember the wretched pain of losing Ma and Pa Kent until this very moment. Death hurt so damn much—too much. And Clark couldn't stop himself from retching at the gruesome sight, his hands going to the snow, head down and heart torn asunder.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Diana was beside him, rubbing his back and speaking soothing words in his ear. But he couldn't see her. All he could see was Krypto's ravaged body.

Diana pulled him to her. He buried his face in her neck and cried like the baby they been planning on having.

A baby? The memory brought him up short. They wouldn't. They couldn't.

Lifting his head, Clark saw his son standing only a few feet away. Claws were gone, as were the lightning white eyes. And the child wore no bracers on his wrists, which meant he'd used his full strength to kill Krypto.

Clark didn't understand. He didn't want to understand. Because with understanding came hard to live with decisions.

"I didn't mean to do it," Athos said, his own eyes as teary as Clark's. "I tried not to fight him, but he wouldn't get out of my way." Athos pointed to the felled dog. "He attacked me first. I swear. Krypto attacked me first. You must believe me."

Athos stepped closer but suddenly stopped, perhaps sensing that now was not a good time to put himself within arm's reach of Clark.

"Please, Father, you must believe me. I didn't mean to kill your dog."

Athos began to cry, silent tears that should've saddened Clark to see him shed. But all Clark felt for his son was a bleak numbness where pride and hope had once been.

"He ruined everything," Athos yelled, again pointing to Krypto's lifeless body. "That damn dog ruined everything. If only he had left me alone, none of this would've happened. Now you hate me. I can see it in your eyes."

Clark didn't have enough control over his emotions to know how he felt. He could hear the fear and guilt in his son's voice. And Clark had no doubt Athos meant all that he had said. But . . .

"Why are you outside instead of in your bed where you belong?" Clark got to his feet, anger and dread fueling his movements.

His son said nothing.

"Answer me, Athos. Why in the hell are you outside and without your bracers?"

The boy shifted his eyes to his mother, a silent plea for help. But Diana gave no quarter.

"You heard your father, Athos. Explain yourself."

"I . . . I . . . I came out for some air. That's it. I told Krypto to go inside and watch over Aunt Selina and Uncle Bruce."

"You're lying. If that's all there was to it, Krypto would've never attacked you. Tell me the truth."

"I can't. If I do, you'll hate me for sure. I don't want you to hate me. I want you to be proud me, like you were earlier."

The boy still cried, and a part of Clark wanted to reach out to his son, to hold and comfort him. But he couldn't. Not yet, perhaps never again. He turned away from the only child he would ever have.

Had it only been minutes ago that Clark and Diana had been enjoying their anniversary and talking of the future that included a well-adjusted Athos and a new baby girl or boy?

Ruined.

Athos was right. It was all ruined.

Clark walked around Diana, removed the blue robe he wore and placed it over his friend. Ten seconds later, Clark was in his Superman armor. Lifting Krypto into his arms, Clark elevated a few feet off of the ground.

"Will you be all right here while I'm gone?"

Diana nodded, her own eyes rimmed red and filled with tears.

"Jeez, I would never hurt her. I didn't mean to hurt him. I didn't . . . Please. Please."

Athos stared up at Clark, his mouth stained with what Clark knew was Krypto's blood. The sight sickened him.

He turned to Diana. "Thank Bruce and Selina, and then have J'onzz send them home. This Fortress is no longer safe for them."

Athos' shoulders slumped and his eyes fell to the cold, blood-soaked snow.

"What . . . what are you planning to do with me? Send me away? Kill me?"

Diana gasped, and Clark lifted further into the night sky, no longer able to look upon his son. The fact that the boy thought that killing him was an option Clark would actually consider showed how little Athos had learned from Clark and Diana.

Cradling his beloved Krypto to his chest, Clark flew, not yet ready to say goodbye. Hours later, when he buried his dog under an ancient sentry tree on the Smallville farm, Clark wept once more—for Krypto, for himself, for the second child he and Diana would never have, and for the boy who should have never been born.

TO BE CONTINUED