XYK
Chapter 10 – "High Voltage."
Clark lay on his back staring up at the ceiling fan. He hadn't bothered to turn the light on, take off his glasses or shoes. Instead he slowly appraised the note he held in his hand. Thanks Lois he muttered in defeat .Finally exasperated, he crushed both hands together, balling up the small piece of paper and tossed it across the room.
He hadn't been aware that he'd dozed off but suddenly the smell of smoke and burning roused him from his heavy dreamless sleep. He sat up slowly, slightly disorientated .He stood up and inhaled deeply...burning, something was definitely burning. He walked over to the window and surveyed the Sprawling Skyline of Metropolis, but still there was nothing. No screams, panicked commotion and no wailing of sirens.
With Lois AWOL and nothing holding him to the apartment, Clark took off his glasses, which surprisingly hadn't fallen off during sleep and quickly undressed. He walked out onto the balcony of their apartment and surveyed the horizon. He stepped onto the railings, easily keeping his balance and quickly shot off into the midnight sky, following the scent of fire.
'Blüdhaven', the sign read. Clark knew it to be a former whaling town just South of Gotham City. Clark continued to follow his far reaching senses until he came to a rundown apartment block on the edge of downtown. Black smoke surrounded the building and huge flames licked the inside, giving the building an unearthly glow, from inside he could hear a chorus of muffled moans and screams.
Straightaway Clark landed on one of the tiny rusty balconies and ripped the metal window casings from the walls, He couldn't help but shake his head in disgust, as they resembled the bars on prison windows. He hadn't even felt the heat penetrating his skin from the hot metal, but he could hear the sizzle of his burning flesh. It didn't slow him down; he knew he would heal within seconds. He kicked through the remaining glass and landed on what appeared to be a hallway, he blew carefully, clearing the way so he could see through the dark smoke. He mentally rationalised a game plan in order to start saving lives but it Seemed that someone had already beaten him to it.
As he blew harder and the smoke shifted it revealed a familiar female figure. Clark adjusted his sight to get a better look. "Wonder Woman?" He asked.
"Superman." Was all she replied before lunging at him, her own strength sent him reeling back through an apartment wall, both of them landing with a hard thump in bricks and rubble .The space that they had previously been standing gave in and fell through to create a huge hole.
"Thanks." Clark said, looking up at his long time acquaintance Diana Prince whose heavy breathing was hitting his face.
Diana acutely aware that she had landed on top of him immediately stood up "You're welcome. Now C'MON!"
The pair raced down the halls, checking each apartment ,him using his laser vision and her easily busting down doors. Between them they managed to round up 15 residents and get them to safety.
Outside the charred remains of the building stood a small crowd, some fire trucks, and a few reporters. The crowd erupted into a round of ceremonious applause, and shouts of 'Good Job!'Diana smiled at Clark and Clark couldn't help but smile back.
Only after they'd lapped up the applause and made sure the situation was under control did Clark and Wonder Woman take to the sky. Once they were both within Metropolis City Limits, without exchanging a word they flew to the highest peak of the Bell Tower and landed "I think we both deserve a drink." Diana smiled at Clark "Whaddya say?"
"Joe's Bar. It's on 24th Street, Just Down Town. Do you know it?"Clark asked.
"Of Course I know it." Diana smiled at him mischievously "Race you!" Before he had the chance to reply, she dived off of the Tower and zoomed off into the horizon.
In a whirlwind of speed Clark flew home, creating a mini whirlwind as he changed into a shirt and jeans, whilst slipping on his glasses and picking up his wallet, propelling himself in Tornadoe- like fashion, he left his apartment ,all without breaking speed or a sweat.
Diana, who was perched on a bar stool, and dressed in a casual blue dress and ballet bumps, exaggeratingly looked down at her watch "15 seconds. Impressive." She smiled and handed him one of the beers she had already ordered.
Clark Laughed and shook his head "Not as impressive as you, apparently."He sat down next to her on the bar stool and took a long sip of the beer. "It's been a while..."
"4 years,7 months."Diana smiled reaching for a bowl of nuts. "So what's new with you?"
Clark slowly lifted his hand to display the platinum wedding band on his finger.
"Oh, you got married?" Her voice giving way to the tiniest detection of disappointment. "So, who's the lucky girl?"
"Her name's Lois Lane."
Diana was sure she'd heard the name before, she raked over her memory "Lois Lane...Lois Lane..Lois Lane, Lo-is Lane...Hmm...The reporter? That Lois Lane?"
Clark nodded."Bingo."
"Congratulations." Diana smiled down into her beer. "How's married Life treating you?"
Clark exhaled heavily. "Not so great." He twirled the silver band around "...It's hard."
Diana paused so unsure of what to say. She couldn't recall Clark ever being anything less than chipper. She had been hit by his honesty, and secondly, the resounding sadness in his voice. She sensed not to ask him about his problems; after all they were acquaintances not friends as such, and he didn't seem in the mood to lay his burdens down.
"Well..." Diana turned to Clark "...Have you been in touch with the other guys. I saw Bart and Victor not too long ago, and Oliver's invited me to his wedding next year..."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Outside of the Pub the pair strolled easily, still glossing over shared memories and anecdotes of their days as part of the Infamous 'Justice League.' As they neared the end of the block, they stopped walking.
"I should get a cab" Diana said straddling the curb and raising her arm hoping to summons a Taxi cab.
Clark smiled, slightly bemused "Since when have you ever needed a cab?"
Diana laughed good-naturedly and put her raised arm down "When in Rome, do as the Romans do..." She shrugged "Besides, I've had a few drinks and y'know we don't have cars on Paradise Island, this is the equivalent of a roller coaster at the fairground for me."
Clark gently moved her to the side and stepped off of the curb; he put his fingers to his lips and whistled, within seconds a cab sat in front of them. Smooth Diana mouthed to Clark.
Clark winked back. He leant forward and opened the passenger door for her. Diana made a movement as if to step in but stopped and turned to face Clark, she put her hand on his arm "It was really nice seeing you again." Clark was at first struck by how gorgeous her light aqua blue eyes were, in all the time they had worked together in the Justice League he couldn't remember ever really looking at her properly. The second thing he was struck by was her warmth, and then by the sincerity of her voice, it had been a while since anyone had been happy to see him.
"It was nice seeing you too."
Diana got into the taxi; Clark closed the door for her and watched as she rolled the window down "Call me." She tucked some hair behind her ear "I mean, if you ever wanna talk or hang out for old time sake, don't hesitate." The cab started to back away from the curb. The acquaintances smiled at each other one final time.
Clark stood on the sidewalk, hands in the pockets of his jeans watching the cab until it turned right into another road and far out of sight.
TBC.