Chapter Twelve

Gotham

A light rain began as Bruce Wayne stood outside the Gotham jail. The door behind him opened and a somber Selina Kyle stepped out into the night air.

"Mr. Wayne, you're still here," she asked. Selina was more than a little surprised to see him.

"I thought you might want a ride home and its Bruce, remember?" He flashed his best playboy smile.

"Thank you, Bruce, but that's not necessary," she said softly. There was none of the usual playfulness about her tonight. He understood that jail was a sobering experience, but there was something else going on with her. She seemed worn down, somehow and Bruce couldn't help but want to know the reason behind that.

"Are you sure? It's no trouble, really."

"I'm flattered, Bruce, but I doubt I'd be very good company tonight."

"I was only offering a ride, Miss Kyle, that's all," Bruce said. He dropped some of the playboy charm, feeling it wasn't necessary.

"I know," she said, giving him a small smile. "And it's Selina, by the way. It's only fair for you to use my first name if I'm going to use yours. Thank you again, for posting bail, I appreciate it."

"If you're innocent, as you say, then I'm happy to do it."

"If I'm innocent? I suppose I deserve that. Either way, thank you again and good night," she said. She turned and starting off down the street. Something was still bothering Bruce and he had to know the answer.

"Miss Kyle, Selina, a moment please. I was just wondering why you called me tonight?"

Selina turned and seemed to think about it for a moment before answering. Bruce found himself taking a few steps closer to her.

"I guess you could say I found myself in an unusual situation tonight, Bruce," she offered.

"Unusual? How," he asked.

"I'm actually innocent this time, but with my reputation, when something gets stolen they point the finger at me. In the past I've never had to worry about proving my innocence, because usually I wasn't. This is new territory for me, and I guess I needed help. I figured the one person that could help prove I wasn't involved was Batman. I couldn't exactly call him so I needed someone to get a message to him. Given my past associations, I realized I don't know that many people on this side of the law. You were a shot in the dark, really."

Bruce found himself moved by her simple explanation. In reality, he had assumed she had something to do with the robbery as well. It was curiosity that brought him here tonight. He was glad now, that he had come. There was something different about the Selina in front of him.

"I apologize if I offended you earlier, Selina." He found himself saying, as he took another step towards her. She rewarded him with another small smile.

"Thank you, and thank you again for bail," she softly said. She leaned in and kissed him. At first he was caught off guard but then began to return it. Just as he did, she pulled back and looked at him. Some of the playfulness was back in her eye.

"Not bad, but hopefully you can do better next time."

"Is there going to be a next time," Bruce asked with a smile of his own.

"Who knows? Good night, Bruce." Selina flashed a warm smile and then turned and slowly walked away. Bruce stood there in front of the jail watching her for a minute or two, a broad smile on his face.

Paris

It had taken several weeks of debating and cajoling from the other original members before Jonn finally agreed to take some time off. A little more arm-twisting and Clark finally got him to join him in Paris. They stuck to common things, touristy things, visiting the museums and sampling the cuisine. It took awhile, but Jonn finally seemed to relax. Their night finished up sitting in a sidewalk café having coffee and enjoying the crisp Paris air.

"I wanted to thank you again for coming Jonn. I know you weren't keen on the idea, but I really think you needed this," Clark said.

"Apparently you were very convincing, since you got the other members to go along with your plan," Jonn pointed out.

"Everyone needs some time off, Jonn."

"Perhaps," the Martian admitted.

"If it makes you feel any better, think of it as doing me a favor."

"How so," Jonn asked.

"Well, it's a little depressing having to see all of this by myself. The last thing I wanted was to be the lonely guy sitting alone having dinner," Clark admitted with a sly smile.

"Somehow I don't believe that's the reason behind this," Jonn replied with a smile of his own.

"Maybe not, but you're here now, so why don't you try and enjoy yourself?"

"I-I don't feel like I belong here," Jonn hesitantly admitted.

"Jonn, I know it's difficult to move on after what happened to your planet and people, but Earth is your home now. You need to find a life for yourself, besides the League," Clark said to his friend.

"I will try," Jonn offered, but without much enthusiasm. Neither said anything for a few minutes, allowing the other to be alone with his thoughts. Clark didn't need to be a mind reader to sense the melancholy nature of his friend's mood. He had hoped getting him off the Watchtower might help him feel more connected with the world, but if today was any indication, he'd failed. While Jonn had diligently taken in the painting and sculptures, he seemed to be doing it out of obligation rather than interest. Well, Clark thought, this is a first step; maybe one of the others will have more luck.

The sound of a commotion behind them pulled Clark out of these thoughts. Jonn sensed it as well and the two of them turned to see what was going on. There was a rather large excited crowd moving down the sidewalk in their direction.

"Jonn, are you sensing anything?"

"Nothing hostile." Jonn stated, scanning the approaching group. "There is something unusual about the focus of the group. I'm not getting anything. It's as if there is a hole in the middle of it."

"That sounds strange…" Clark started but before he could finish his thought, the crowd parted and an extraordinary beautiful woman made her way through.

"She looks familiar somehow," Clark absently said.

"Perhaps she is some celebrity," Jonn offered. "Whoever she is, we should find out in a moment, as she is walking right towards us."

As Clark gazed at her, trying to place her face, the woman smiled and made a straight line towards him. Their eyes locked and in that instant, Clark realized who she was. Before he could speak or react, she walked directly up to him and embraced him in a rather passionate kiss. Clark was so flustered he didn't know what to do. When she finally broke the kiss, she took a step back and gave him her most devastating smile.

"I decided to take you up on your promise, Kal, whoops, Clark," Aphrodite said enchantingly.

"Clark, you know this woman," Jonn asked, baffled by what had just occurred.

"Oh, how cute! You brought your Martian friend. You may call me Thea!" Aphrodite said with a smile. She extended her hand towards a shocked Jonn. Jonn absently took her hand and shook it, too startled not to.

"Thea?" Clark asked.

"You get two names, so I thought I'd try it, too." Aphrodite replied, effortlessly slipping into the chair next to Clark.

"How did you know about me?" Jonn asked, completely thrown by this woman's appearance.

"Would you believe magic?"

Jonn tried to do a quick scan of her, but got nothing. Whoever she was, she was immune to his telepathy.

"You won't be able to read my mind, Martian, but don't worry, I don't mean you any harm."

Clark was rubbing his forehead now, as he felt a headache coming on.

"I'll ask again, who are you and how is it my abilities don't work on you," Jonn pressed. Aphrodite turned fully towards him and gave her most beguiling smile.

"I told you I'm Thea. As to why you can't read my mind and know everything about me, let's just say that some women like to keep their secrets more than others."

"That answers nothing, Thea," Jonn pointed out. He was unexpectedly finding himself warming to this strange, yet stunningly beautiful woman.

"I suppose it does, but doesn't a little mystery make it more exciting, Martian? For once you're like everyone else around you. Why not enjoy not knowing for a little while?"

Jonn found himself smiling as he took in the woman's words. There was something enticing about a mystery, he thought to himself. She was clearly throwing him a challenge and he found himself responding to it.

"Aphro…"Clark started, but was cut off.

"Thea, Clark." Aphrodite corrected him, putting a little emphasis on his name to make her point.

"All right, Thea," Clark acknowledged. "What-What are you doing here?"

"Taking you up on your promise," she said simply.

"What-What promise?"

"You promised to show me around this world, remember? You're not going to break your promise, are you, Clark," Aphrodite asked, giving him a slight pout.

"No-No, but right now isn't the best time, Aphr-I mean Thea," Clark started, trying to think of a way out of this situation.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why not now," Aphrodite asked, holding his gaze.

"Well, a little warning would have been nice, for one thing. Second, Jonn and I already have plans for the weekend."

"What plans," she asked.

"Well, Jonn is taking a break from work and we were going to see some museums, maybe a show," Clark weakly offered.

"A vacation! That's exactly what I'm doing," Aphrodite exclaimed She turning her attention to Jonn and seemed to study him for a moment before she spoke. "You don't seem to excited by the thought, Martian?"

"Please, call me Jonn, Thea, and I'm not really. The other members of my group thought I needed this time off from work to connect with people, humans," Jonn offered.

"Connect with humans, by going to museums and shows? That sounds dreary. I don't blame you for not wanting to come. What you need is some excitement, some fun and I know just the places to go."

"That might not be a good idea," Clark quickly interjected He was trying to steer them away from more contact. If Aphrodite heard him, she didn't acknowledge it, but continued to gaze at Jonn with a wicked smile.

"You seem like a man that likes a challenge, Jonn. Instead of seeing the same old things that everyone else does, why not just explore? The three of us can see what this city has to offer. I guarantee you'll connect more with humans than going to some old museum. You might even have a little fun."

Jonn found himself responding to the excitement in this woman's words and eyes.

"Mystery and adventure await, if you want it, Jonn," Aphrodite temptingly whispered to him.

"Let's explore." Jonn found himself saying, before he even realized it. Her enthusiasm seemed infectious and he had caught it. As Thea stood, he joined her. They linked arms and started off on their adventure.

"Are you coming, Clark," Aphrodite playfully called over her shoulder. Groaning, Clark quickly stood and caught up with them. This was a bad idea; Clark thought to himself, it's going to end in disaster.