Ch. 10- Catching Up…

Kent Farm, Smallville, Kansas

Diana touched down softly in the cornfield, located two acres behind the Kent Home. Clark always referred to the area as part of the back forty. She fussed with the hem of her simple red t-shirt as she walked, nervous over what she was about to do. All too soon, she reached the Kents' back door and froze. She was literally frozen in her spot. Diana could see through the screen door and it appeared the house was unoccupied.

Well, guess that is a sign from the Gods. I should just be on my way, she reasoned. Diana spun on her heels and prepared to take flight.

"Diana! What brings you around, darling?" Martha Kent's warm voice stunned her.

Where did she come from? She turned to see the matronly woman coming around the side of the house. She plastered a fake smile on her face and greeted the woman. Her words came out in a single breath. "Martha! So good to see you. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Seems you're doing well, so I guess I'll be off."

"Diana, really? I may be old, but I'm not stupid." Martha deadpanned. She embraced the young Amazon in a quick hug. "Now, come on in the kitchen and tell me what's got you so spooked. And what've I said about calling me Martha?" She made her way into the home without checking to see if she would follow.

Diana shrugged in resignation. How did this frail, mortal woman have the ability to make Superman and Wonder Woman feel like mere children? Shaking her head, she followed as the woman instructed. Martha was washing potatoes when Diana walked in. Diana was at her side immediately, intending to offer aid.

Martha smacked her hand away, "You go sit in that chair, young lady."

Diana did as she was told, waiting for the customary 'You look too thin' speech.

Martha didn't disappoint. "You look too thin, Diana. Clark told us you all were working around the clock, but you have got to start taking better care of yourself, hon." Martha took a break from the potatoes to place the cookie jar and a glass of milk in front of Diana. "Now, eat."

Diana knew protesting would get her nowhere, so she complied with the order. She ate the cookies slowly and took her time swallowing the fresh, cold milk. Martha resumed her earlier task.

"Is Pa Kent around?" she asked is a small voice.

"Nope. Gone into town to get some supplies and feed for the animals, which means we have plenty of time for you to tell me what's got you more nervous than a banana in a den full of monkeys."

"Is it that obvious?"

"I saw you land in the field and watched you walk up to the house. I knew something was up, with the way you worried your shirt. I'm surprised the poor thing wasn't torn to shreds with all that fussing." She turned to face Diana head-on. "What's troubling you, hon?"

Diana thought of brushing off the comment with some story about being stressed with all the League work. Not exactly a lie, yet not exactly the truth. In the end, as usual, honesty won. "I love him, Ma."

If she was surprised, Martha Kent gave no indication of such. She continued to give Diana the same warm smile she had from moments before. "Of course you do, honey." She turned her attention back to the potatoes.

Diana was awestruck. Maybe she needed to clarify for the woman. "Ma, I said I love him—Kal. And not just love him, but I'm in love with him." There! That should get a response.

Martha didn't even turn from her task at the sink. "I heard you the first time, honey. Now, eat some more cookies."

That's it? Diana just made the revelation of all revelations and this was the response she got?

"Ma-"

Martha halted her task and sat at the table before her. "Diana, do you honestly think we don't know? Jonathan and I called this about eight years ago. Of course you two are in love. I always said you would figure it out before Clark. He's always been a little slow on the up-take, you know? Although, I'd assumed you would make this declaration years ago. I'll have you know, you cost me a month's worth of driving that old tractor across the back forty. 'Oh, Jonathan, she's a goddess of truth. She'll have this figured out in no time! Sure, I'll bet you on it!' No offense, honey, but I think Clark is starting to rub off on you, and not in a good way." Her smile was warm as she playfully chided the awestruck Amazon.

Diana was speechless. Although she was unsure if it was from the nonchalant manner in which Martha handled her news or that fact that 'everyone' knew. Thinking back to what the woman said, "Wait. You said 'of course you two are in love'. Have you spoken to Kal?"

"Honey, I don't need to speak to that boy to know he's in love. You're all he talks about since you arrived. Your name always seems to find its way into any conversation Clark has." She said absentmindedly.

Confusion was evident on her beautiful face. "Maybe ten years ago. He was with Lois for some time after that."

Martha gave a knowing smile. "And obviously, that changed nothing. Musta' driven Lois crazy, I tell ya. Now, tell me what happened on this red kryptonite planet Kara told me about." Diana would swear she saw Martha Kent waggle her eyebrows as she made the last statement.