Clark woke up the next day and was just about to leave his room at the mansion when he lost his balance and fell flat on his back. He wondered what was going on; after all, he never lost his balance. He found himself looking not at the wall that was next to his door, but through it, to the bathroom beyond where Tess was showering. He didn't know how, but he had gained a sort of x-ray vision. Clark smiled; sometimes gaining new powers could be fun. Or at least he thought so, until he saw Tess standing in the kitchen ten minutes later. He wondered how he could tell her that however unintentional it had been, he'd seen her showering without her getting angry. He supposed he'd just have to come out and say it.
"Morning Clark", Tess said, smiling as she walked over and kissed him. Clark kissed her back until she broke for air, but as she resumed kissing him, he pulled away.
"What's wrong Clark? Did I do something wrong?"
"No you didn't do anything wrong, but I kind of feel like I did"
He explained how he had lost his balance and that he had seen through the wall and into the bathroom while Tess had been showering. He finished talking and looked at the floor feeling guilty. He expected Tess to yell at him, or throw him out but he didn't expect her to come over and hug him.
"Clark, you got a new power, there's nothing wrong with that. You just need to work on controlling it, that's all"
"So, you're not mad?"
"Not in the least, although I have to know… did you see anything you liked?" she said, smiling.
Clark just smiled and kissed her again, giving her all the answer she needed.
"Clark, there's someone I want you to meet. He can help you with your powers"
"Tess, I'm not really sure why I need anyone to help me with my powers except you, but if you want me to meet this person I will"
"Thank you Clark, meet me at this address right after school", Tess said, handing him a notecard.
"I could or I could go with you and just call in sick to school", he said, kissing her again, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss, and soon their tongues were battling for dominance.
"You could, and nothing would make me happier. However, I've got a business meeting that I can't reschedule", Tess said, as she finally let Clark go.
"All right then, I'll see you at lunch, hmm?"
"I'd love that, I'll see you then", Tess said, giving him one last quick peck on the lips before walking out to her car and driving off. Two hours later, she pulled up into a skyscraper in Metropolis she had nicknamed "Watchtower", since she could see it from anywhere in the entire city.
She walked inside to find Bruce sitting behind a desk working on a computer.
"What's all this?" she asked, looking at all the monitor's arrayed along the wall.
"You can see every camera in the from here, and as soon as I finish updating security, I don't even think I could get in here without being caught"
"My friend's going to join us this afternoon", Tess said.
"Clark, isn't it? Don't look surprised, I make it my business to know exactly who I'm dealing with", he said, replying to the shocked look on Tess's face.
"Now, in order to suppress his powers I built a watch. If he wears it he's as normal as you or I", Bruce said, throwing it to her.
"Thank you for your help Bruce, now get the hell out of my building"
"Excuse me? I thought you wanted my help training Clark"
"I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself, and I don't like being spied on", Tess said, her voice a mask of deadly calm as she pulled out a video camera no larger than a pin.
"I found this in the lining of my jacket last night. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am surprised that it was so easy to find. I expected better from Batman"
Bruce smiled and got up to leave. He was impressed; no one had found his bugs before.
"I'll keep your secret Bruce, but if anything happens to Clark, I won't hesitate to expose you"
"All right Miss Mercer, I understand. Oh, and Clark's a lucky man to have someone like you looking out for him"
Clark met Tess at Watchtower, surprised to see her dressed in workout clothes.
He kissed her and asked her how her meeting went.
"It didn't work out; that person who was supposed to help us was just spying on us, so I kicked him out"
"Nice work, but who's going to train me now?"
"I will", Tess said and she showed Clark the watch, which he put on and stood across from Tess, raising his fists. However, when Tess signaled for them to begin, Clark couldn't throw a punch. Tess swept his legs out from under him, and he landed flat on his back.
She helped him up, and asked him what was wrong.
"Tess, I can't fight you, it'd be like fighting myself", he explained, and she smiled as she realized what the problem was.
"I know it's hard, but how else are you going to learn to control your powers? If it helps, I don't like this either. Just forget that I'm me and imagine I'm someone that was trying to kill you"
Clark looked unconvinced, but resumed his stance across from Tess. She ran at him and aimed a punch at his face, which he blocked, and grabbing her wrist, he threw her across the room. She landed on her feet and came at him again, this time aiming a kick at his midsection. Dodging the kick, he got in close, and punched her in the jaw, knocking her to the floor. She got up, and Clark was shocked to see her wiping blood off her lip.
"Tess, I am so sorry… I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine Clark, it's just a scratch, and I've had worse. Besides, you did what you were supposed to. Out of curiosity, how did you make yourself attack me?"
"I thought about what I'd do if someone ever tried to hurt you", Clark replied truthfully.
"How's the lip?" he asked as he walked over to her.
"A bit swollen", she said as she kissed him.
"Well, we can't have that now can we?" he said, kissing her over and over again.
They stayed there kissing for a few minutes before going to dinner, and Clark couldn't help but think how much fun he was going to have with Tess training him.
Author's Note: I got your reviews and they were just what I was hoping for! I didn't like Bruce training Clark either; however I wanted to give Tess a reason to be the protective person that she is. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I promise I'll update soon! Please review as your reviews help me keep writing and know what you guys want to have happen next!