Just Being Polite
Undisclosed Location
Soldiers and agents seemed to be pouring out of every nook and cranny to confront them. Diana and Clark fought their way up the stairs, doing their best not to injury anyone too badly, but with all the bullets flying it wasn't an easy task. Diana moved fluidly, with incredible speed to deflect each round that came her way, while Clark took the more bulldozerish approach and just kept walking into them.
The klaxons mixed with the guns and shouts making the whole place a walla of sound. Diana wanted to talk to Clark, but now wasn't the time. He wasn't going the way she'd come in, but with all the confusion she couldn't tell him this. He seemed to know where he was going, so she reluctantly followed him. He stopped and looked at a cement wall and she had to wonder what he was looking at.
'This way,' he said to her.
"What? This way where?"
In answer he plowed through the wall and kept going. Not the most elegant solution, she thought, but it did seemed to be effective. He was already plowing through the next wall and the next and she had to quicken her pace to keep up with him. He broke through to another stairwell and then started moving up. Diana acted as the rear guard deflecting any bullets from the soldiers scrambling to follow them.
Up and up they went and Diana was starting to wonder if he really knew where he was going or just guessing, but then they broke through a door and were outside. It was in the city and from the looks of it, Metropolis. This certainly wasn't the way Diana had come in, but they had escaped so she wasn't in any position to complain. Clark slammed the door shut and then welded it closed with his heat vision. Once that was done, he took a quick look around him. They were in some part of the Suicide Slums.
His shirt was gone and what remained of his pants were about to give up the ghost any moment. Pulling his cape tighter around him for some cover, Clark started to sprint off down the street.
Diana was just about to ask him where they were, when he took off. She watched him for a second not believing what she was seeing, then took off after him. She had always considered herself fast, but he was moving at a surprising speed. She was just barely keeping up, but that was also do to the fact that he seemed to know where he was going and she didn't.
Weaving his way in and out of rundown side streets, he was trying to avoid any contact with police or civilians. His pants situation was his chief concern, but he didn't want any more confrontations. Clark could hear the sirens moving towards him, so he abruptly stopped at the corner of the street, staying close to the building. Diana had been so intent on keeping up she hadn't expected him to stop like that and she ended up running right into him. Clark had been so wrapped up in his immediate concerns, specifically getting back to his apartment and getting some clothes; Diana had sort of slipped his mind. When she ran into him, he suddenly remembered she was there. He turned and looked at her. He gave her an odd look.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"What am I doing?" she replied in surprise. "I just rescued you, remember? What are you doing is the question?"
Clark could feel his pants starting to unravel and he didn't fancy the idea of telling her in the middle of the street.
"I'm, well, um, I'm getting away,' he finally offered. "Oh, and thanks for the help."
The sirens had gone past and he was just about to take off again, when he felt her hand on his cape. Instinctively he pulled it tighter around his exposed body.
'That's how you thank someone?" Diana asked, a little annoyed by his nonchalant attitude. "I came here to rescue you and that's all you can say, thanks? That's barely even a thank you. Can't you even give me a proper thank you?"
Clark could feel his pants were on their last legs and calculated they weren't going to make it much further. His time was running out, so he just did the first thing that came into his head.
"Fine," he said. Clark turned and put his arms around Diana and pulled her to him. Her eyes went wide in shock as his lips moved towards hers. It all happened so fast she couldn't even say anything before he was kissing her.
There were probably many ways to describe the kiss, but the best way would be that Clark laid one on her, really laid one on her. When he finally stepped back, Diana gasped in shock. Clark could almost hear the threads of his pants starting to unravel. He had to get going or this could turn into a really embarrassing situation.
"Thank you for helping me, Diana. Bye."
He turned and was off like a bullet racing away from her. Diana wasn't sure what to do or say. Her mind was confused and flustered. He'd kissed me just like that! He hadn't asked or anything, just kissed me, she thought. Now he's running away again!
Later she would have a tough time explaining why she did what she did next, but in the moment it was the only thing that came to her mind. She took off after him.
Washington
Hippolyta was just finishing up a conversation with Phillipus back on the island when Steve came storming in. Her old friend had been updating her on what was happening in the Senate and the changes that were occurring on Themyscira. Hippolyta wasn't pleased to be interrupted.
"We have a problem with Diana,' Steve said.
"I'll talk to you soon, Phillipus,' Hippolyta immediately said.
"I understand, my queen."
Hippolyta smiled at her friend and then switched off the receiver and turned to Steve.
"What is the problem now, Mr. Trevor?"
"Less than two hours ago, Diana broke into a highly classified military installation and helped a prisoner escape,' Steve informed her. "As you can imagine the military and the government in general are not pleased with this. They're talking about putting her on the terrorist list and making her an enemy of the state. It's a disaster, Hippolyta. Diana's really done it this time!"
"Diana broke into a military installation?"
"Yes!"
"Who was it she helped escape?"
"That's what makes it even worse,' Steve replied. "She helped break out Superman!"
"Superman? Oh, yes, I saw something on the television about him earlier,' Hippolyta said. "He was rescuing some people from a train or something. Why was he arrested in the first place?"
"The government and more specifically, the military sees him as an alien and a threat,' Steve explained. "With his extraordinary powers they're extremely concerned over what he could potentially do."
"So basically because he's not from here and has special gifts, he's a threat?"
"Yes."
"You just described Diana, Mr. Trevor and myself, I would point out,' Hippolyta replied. "It's nice to know how your people really feel about us."
"That's not how they feel about you, Hippolyta and I've been doing my best to make sure it doesn't become how they see you,' Steve countered. "It's why I've been trying to get Diana to take it slow and wait until everyone gets to know you both better. I think they were starting to come around to your side, but this, this doesn't help. She aided a fugitive in his escape and a lot of people are going to want answers."
"Yes, I imagine they will,' she admitted. 'Just for the record, why is this man a fugitive? I saw him rescue a train full of people, yet they hauled him off in chains. Why?'
"Some of us don't believe he is a menace, but he scares people,' Steve offered. "Someone with his sort of powers seemingly could do anything he wants and it would be very difficult, if not impossible to stop him. As a ruler yourself, you must see how destabilizing that could be. Just as Hercules wrecked havoc on your society, the military and governments are worried this Superman will do the same to ours."
"Is that why he's being treated as a criminal?" Hippolyta asked. "Has he acted in the same way towards this society as Hercules did to ours?"
Just mentioning the name brought back painful memories for Hippolyta.
"No, but some would add 'not yet', "Steve replied.
"So they are pursuing him for what they think he might do?" She asked.
"In a manner, yes,' Steve admitted. "The rise of these Metas has made people very nervous and afraid. That he's an alien on top of it just adds to the concern. Some of us don't share those views and that's why we're trying to change them. This didn't help."
"So what will happen now?" Hippolyta asked. "Will they try and arrest Diana? I should warn you, I will not allow that and I think I can speak for the rest of the Amazons in saying we will not surrender Diana to your people."
"No, they won't arrest her, at least not now,' Steve replied. "She's a foreign national and that comes with certain privileges. They could deport her or the worst case would be they label her a terrorist. If they do that, then some laws probably won't apply. We need to make sure that doesn't happen."
"And this Superman she helped?" Hippolyta asked.
"He'll just have to take care of himself for the moment. Our focus has to be on Diana,' Steve replied. "If we can find her."
"Where is she?"
"I'm not sure,' Steve admitted.
Metropolis
Clark could see his apartment and breathed a sigh of relief that his pants had held out this long. Just a quick sprint the finish line and he could dodge a very embarrassing incident. He was just about to take off again, when a hand reached out and grabbed his cape. Defensively he pulled it tighter to his body, as he turned to see Diana standing right next to him.
"Do you mind?" He said, gesturing with his head towards her hand on his cape.
"Yes, I do,' she replied. "It seems the only way I can get you to stop is to grab onto your cape. I want to talk to you so I'm not letting go."
"This really isn't a good time, Diana.'
"Too bad,' she stated. She glanced at the way he was holding the cape around himself and then back into his eyes.
"What is it with you and this cape anyway?"
Clark could feel the stitching slowly starting to unravel down his left leg and the right leg stitching starting to give way joined it. He had to get out of here but she wouldn't let go. With a sigh, he knew he'd have to admit the truth if he wanted to save any of his dignity.
"If you must know, my pants are falling off, okay?" He said in exasperation.
"So?"
"I'm not wearing anything under them,' He grumbled. "Get the picture now, Diana?"
She couldn't help glancing down. He pulled the cape a little tighter around him. He wasn't sure what her reaction would be, but the laughing wasn't one he'd considered.
The entirety of the situation suddenly hit Diana and it tickled her. She tried not laughing, but the sides of her mouth stared to turn up, then her lips began to quiver and finally she couldn't hold it back any longer. She still didn't let go of his cape as she doubled over with laughter.
"That's why-why-why you-you-you-you were running to so fast-fast?' she barely managed to get out.
"Yes and I'm so glad you're enjoying this,' Clark snidely replied. "Now if you'll let go, I can save what's left of my dignity and modesty."
Diana was still laughing at the ridiculous situation. She couldn't help feeling a bit playful. When she finally managed to get her laughing under control, she smiled at him and winked, while giving the cape a little tug.
"I've seen a naked body before, Clark."
"I'm sure you have, but not mine,' he replied, snatching his cape away from her.
"We Amazons aren't ashamed of our bodies, you should try and follow our example,' Diana added, teasing him just a bit more.
"In that outfit I'm not surprised,' Clark sarcastically replied.
The smile slipped from Diana's lips.
"This is the armor of the Champion of the Amazons, I'll have you know,' she protested.
"And it's very nice, but some of us are a little more modest,' Clark replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm one of those people that are a little more modest."
He turned to leave, but she was right next to him.
"I said I wanted to talk to you and I'm not leaving till I do,' she stated.
He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"All right, you win, Diana,' he said. Clark circled his arm around her waist and in the next moment he leaped into the air carrying her with him. They landed on the roof of his building. Diana immediately pulled from his grasp.
"Would you stop doing that?" She complained. "That's the second time you've grabbed me and I don't like it!"
"Well, the first time I was just being polite and thanking you properly," he said with a big smile. "You did ask for it, remember?"
"Yes, I remember you kissed me,' Diana replied. She hauled off and slapped him across the face.
"Ow!"
"I don't like being kissed without being asked, Clark!'
He flexed his jaw and looked at her.
"Is that what you wanted to talk about? The kiss?"
"What? Well, um, no, no, that's not what I wanted to talk about at all,' She hastily replied.
"Well, then can it wait until I get some clothes on, please?" He asked.
She didn't want to wait, but given the situation she would.
"All right."
"Thank you, " he offered. "We're going to have to slip down the fire escape and into my apartment. I've seen how fast you can move, please keeping doing it until we're inside."
"Why?"
"Cause people might be a little curious what Wonder Woman is doing going into Clark Kent's apartment, okay?" He said. "Could you just work with me here, please?"
Diana nodded and then followed him rapidly down the fire escape and into his apartment. He headed straight for the bedroom. She was right behind him, but at the door he stopped her.
"I like to change my clothes in private, Diana,' He said. "I'll be out in just a moment, make yourself at home."
He closed the door and she turned to look at the apartment for the first time. It wasn't much to look at, barely a one bedroom efficiency. It was clean, but rather shabby.
"I think I'd rather not make myself at home here,' she whispered under her breath.
