THE SHIFTING TIDE.

CHAPTER 13

Lois Lane put up her feet on the couch and let out a sigh of pleasure. It was seven pm and she was at home,and Clark was cooking dinner for her as promised. He had come back from visiting Wonder Woman on Themyscira an hour before and to her secret relief appeared as normal and good-natured as he did before he left the newsroom. She picked up a magazine and called, "Hey,Clark,what's on the menu?"

"Lamb stew. I'll surprise you for dessert"

"Oh,okay. Let it not be too long eh?I'm starved. You think you can do me a Margarita as you 're there?"

"Sure."

"There's crushed ice in the fridge and fresh mint and lime on the ...''

He was holding out her drink before she could finish. She smiled,impressed,"Now that's why you're a keeper, Smallville. There's not many men who can save the world and make a good Margarita in seconds."

Clark shrugged."I'm a saint,what can I say?'

Lois sipped and purred."Maybe I ought to make a decent man out of you. What do you think?"

His brow rose."You proposing to me?"

She teased,"So if I was?"

"Well,it's um,a bit sudden isn't it,ma'am?"

She giggled."Don't take too long,Mr Kent,else I may take it elsewhere."

"Oh?'

"Yes. Don't you want the picket fence and 2.5 kids?"

Clark coughed."Er,I think I smell the lamb burning."

As he retreated,she laughed and shouted after him,"Coward!"

Jena Jones eyed Miss Prince with suspicious eyes over her book. The teacher had been very sweet since the incident with the crazy kid last week. Sweet to the point of being almost sickening .Whilst it was true Miss Prince was a great teacher,and a compassionate and kind person,this frothy, excessively nice creature,was certainly not recognizable to Jena.

When teachers thought Jena was sleeping in class or generally being delinquent,they didn't know she was listening and watching everything else except her lessons. She didn't miss also that Miss Prince's sense of humour seemed out of sync. Normally appreciative of a good joke,she was either not responsive or laughed when no one was laughing.

She also knew Miss Prince had been lying when she said she had been knocked unconscious last week. She,Jena,had sneaked back in to see the action,and had not seen the teacher anywhere in sight. What she did find was the lasso,and Miss Prince's clothes in the broom closet. It was her suspicion then that the teacher was the Amazon princess.

But that theory was put to rest when she saw Wonder Woman bleeding and unconscious in Superman's arms and being flown out;then Miss Prince appearing,unscratched.

Something did not add up.

She was going to get to the bottom of this mystery!

J'onn was in Diana's apartment. He had to follow on through with the charade. Clark had been able to report that Diana was better and would be back in two days. He was relieved to hear this as trying to behave like a human female was proving to be one the hardest jobs he had to do. It was not the physical form itself but the mannerisms of Diana that was hard to impersonate. Worse was trying to keep her male suitor at bay. The rest of the League found it hilarious. Even Batman.

J'onn sat in his true form,and did the only thing he could do. Eat Oreos and watch the Cartoon Network channel.

There was a knock on his door. He rose quickly and shape-shifted into Diana Prince's body. He opened the door. Standing outside was the goth girl called Jena Jones.

"Hey,Miss Prince."

"Miss Jones. What are you doing here?"

"You told me if I needed to talk, to call on you anytime."

Diana looked hesitant."Really?But it's late. Won't your parents..."

"My mom's off to her AA and Dad's still living in a hotel. So,it doesn't really matter. Besides,I can call a taxi to get home. So,this is your place?Cool."She walked straight in, leaving the teacher to say woodenly,"Come in by all means."

Jena looked around and plunked herself on the couch."Hey,Powerpuff Girls!I like them too."

Miss Prince cleared her throat."What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Oh,yes!Er, you think I should cut my hair and dye it blond?"

Miss Prince tried not to look as lost as she felt."Why ask me?"

"Oh,I value your opinion. I was hoping to have it feathered like Georgiana."

"Well,Miss Howard's hair is very...nice,and if that's what you want ,then do so."

Jena tried to stop herself from grimacing. She pulled out her cigarettes."Er, can I have one on the terrace?I'll go crazy if I don't."

J'onn was at a lost. Did Diana know this girl smoked?

"You really shouldn't smoke,you know."That was a safe response at least.

"I know. So you keep telling me and Kate. But you know how it is. I've been doing it since I was thirteen. I swear,I'll go get the patch next week."

"Well,I suppose it won't be ..."

"Thanks."

Jena got up and to the telepath's amazement,fished out a gun and pointed it at him."Alright,tell me what you have done with Miss Prince!"

J'onn began, alarmed,"Where did you get that?"

"It's my dad's...He's got loads..."

"You need to put that down,child. You will get hurt."

"I want to know what you have done with my teacher!"

"Jena,it is me..."

"Don't lie!I know Miss Prince!She would never tell me to follow the crowd or let me smoke!You lied about banging your head last week. I was there. I didn't see you."

"What will you do?Shoot me?"

"No,I'll call the police."She fished out her mobile and began to dial 911."Hello?I need help...I'm calling from..."

J'onn sighed and vanished before her and appeared behind her back. She screamed and tried to turn the gun on him;but he easily reached out and crushed it as if it were paper in his hands,along with her cell phone.

Jena's eyes widened. She backed away."I don't know who you are but stay away from me..."

She turned to run but found Miss Prince had appeared before her,blocking the door. Jena turned to run onto the terrace. The glass doors slammed shut. She turned to face the woman,her eyes lit with fearful defiance."You won't get away with this .Kate knew I was coming here. Kill me quick if you must!"

To her astonishment, Miss Prince turned into a tall, green-skinned Martian."I am not here to kill anyone,Miss Jones. And your bravery is as touching as it is very foolhardy."

Jena gasped."I know you!You're,you're the one from Mars. The Manhunter!"

He bowed his head."I am."

She frowned."What are you doing here?And where's Diana Prince?"

Jena Jones was sitting in her room,with her head on her pillow, staring at the ceiling. It was nearly midnight,but she couldn't sleep. The last week had been mind-boggling for a girl her age. Things she had never believed possible now existed in her reality. It was amazing. Her life,which she thought had sucked so much,was suddenly turning out to be unique .She wondered if anyone didn't envy her.

She was smiling to herself when she heard a gentle knock on her window. Perplexed,she wondered if it was Kate at this time of night. She drew the curtains and gasped.

Hovering outside was Wonder Woman.

"Hello Jena."

Jena gaped."You!"

She smiled."Yes."

"Are you back?"

"Yes,I'm back."

"And...and better?"

"Very much better. J'onn told me what you did. It was very..."

"I know. Foolish. He told me."

"You were very smart to figure out my secret also."

Jena shrugged."I guess."

"Can I count on you to keep it?"

"I am no snitch."

"It's very important. The less people that know of me the better. And those that do have to be very careful. I have many enemies who would like nothing better than hurting my friends."

She tossed her head."I'm not afraid. I'd go down fighting."

Diana smiled."Let's hope you won't have to. But thank you for bravely standing up to J'onn for me. It takes a special person to put their lives on the line for others. It takes a hero."

Jena blushed and said gruffly,"I wish. It was a one off...I mean,I don't have heat vision or fly."

Wonder Woman cocked her head at her."Would you like to?"

The girl looked circumspect."What?"

The Amazon reached out her hand."Come with me."

Jena looked uncertain. She looked at the ground below. Wonder Woman smiled."Trust me."

The girl stepped gingerly onto the window sill and gable. She gave her hand and let out a squeal,as Wonder Woman held her under the arms and flew up into the air with her.

She flew her over the large Jones' house and up into the sky. Jena clung to the hands holding her by the armpits and watched her feet dangle in the air. She gasped and squealed and

laughed,as Diana flew her over the harbour front. She let her hands trail in the water.

"Oh my God,it's so beautiful,"she sighed as they hovered over the city for a moment.

Wonder Woman returned her home fifteen minutes later. Jena climbed back in her room reluctantly. She looked at the heroine with shining eyes.

"Thank you,Wonder Woman."

"You're welcomed,Jena. Good night."

For the first time in years Jena Jones felt happy.

Adam Butler had a headache. He had taken painkillers for it and even laid down in a darkened room; but still, the pounding in his brain refused to go away. He had to, as a result, call his P.A. and inform her that he wasn't coming for dinner and to let his partner follow on through with the latest project proposal to build the new hotel for an oil magnate from Texas.

He took himself to the library and laid down on the couch.

Sophy interrupted ten minutes later."Dad!You said you'd help me with my science project."

He looked at her as she stood at the door,poking her head in."Sorry,kiddo. I've got a killer headache."

"You said that yesterday!"

"I know but I can't think."

She pouted,"So who'll help me with my volcano?"

"Maybe Max."

She sighed."Max only knows about butlering."She cocked her head at him and came into the room. It was dim. All the lights had been turned down low. She said kindly,"You want me to rub your head."

Her fingers reached out,touched his crown and he had a sudden vision of claws, choking a woman. He caught her wrist."NO!"

Sophy winced."Dad!You're hurting me!"

Adam let her go and sat up. He said wryly,"Sorry,hon...I guess I need to go take more Advil. Why don't you go on up,eh?""

Sophy rubbed her wrists."Sure,Dad.'

As she left the room,he held his head. He stood up and looked at his reflection in the mirror on the mantle piece. What was wrong with him?The woman in his vision was the face of the woman in a photo with him on the mantle. It was Jenny Butler.

The League had a wedding to go to.

Dinah Lance was marrying Oliver Queen.

The couple's closest friends were there for the church ceremony, but the reception would be more public and the couple would be able to invite League members, relatives and working acquaintances.

Bruce had volunteered Wayne mansion for the reception. It was his gift to the couple.

Most of the League showed up in their alter egos and with their spouses and significant others. Some, like John Jones,Zatanna,Ray Palmer,and Hal Jordan came alone. Others had their dates. John Stewart was there with Mari;John Henry was with a pretty doctor called Karla;Clark was with Lois;Wally with Linda;Shyera with Carter Hall;Mr Wayne with Lex Luthor's beautiful C.E.O. called Talia Head and Diana Prince with Adam Butler,to name a few.

The bride was blooming and the groom had actually cut his hair neatly and shaved off his twirling moustache. He had left the goatee though. The best man,Mr Wayne,gave a speech and toast before the partying could start. Then the big band on the podium got into swing of things with the first waltz.

Lois leaned her chin on her hands and looked at the Queens dancing to "Unchained Melody". "Aren't they a lovely couple?"

"Yes. Ollie and Dinah were made for each other," smiled Zatanna.

Sharing this table was Diana,Adam,Clark,John Stewart and Mari. Adam smiled and put his arm about Diana's shoulders."Makes you kind of want to do the deed your self."

Mari smiled."You are a romantic,Mr Butler?"

He smiled."I plead guilty."

Mari looked at John with mocking eyes."See,not all men are scared of it."

John said dryly,"If I were a millionaire,I'd marry me too."

Mari rolled her eyes. Lois inclined her head at Clark."Oh, don't think you're the only one,Mari. Clark here is one of those too. Aren't you Clark?"

Clark seemed more interested in the contents of his plate,said,"Eh?Who's a millionaire?"

Lois shook her head mollified."Never mind."

Adam got up,bowed and held his hand out to Diana."Can I have this first dance?"

As they walked off,John sniffed,"Talk about full of bull and some..."

Clark asked pensively,"You think they have more duck?"

Mari scowled."He's a gentleman. and you're an insensitive lout!"

Lois also looked irate."Clark Kent,will you stop thinking about your stomach?"

Mari got up and sniffed."I see Linda and Wally,let me go say hello."

Lois also rose."I'll come with you. I haven't seen them to congratulate them on the pregnancy."

Zatanna crossed her arms and looked at the unrepentant pair."When will men ever learn that women like to be romanced?"

John said impatiently,"Oh come on,Zee,Mari and I have been together for years. What does she think?I'm some lovelorn youth?"

"Well,you could have both followed Mr Butler's example."

Clark looked nonplussed."How did this even get around to me?"

Diana waltzed with her partner and looked over his shoulder to see John Jones. She waved. Adam asked,"Who are you waving at?"

She pointed to the cop. She felt Adam's hand tightened on hers and for a moment he seemed to be entranced.

"Adam?What is it?'' She touched his face solicitously.

"Nothing .I just had a feeling of deja-vu."He stopped."It's getting warm. You want to take a turn in the garden?"

As they went off,Clark decided to go for a stroll to say hello to his friends. He met up with some of the Titans and Outsiders. Donna Troy was very happy to see him,and even seemed to want to talk to him about her sister and Adam.

"He looks perfect,Clark."They were on the terrace,watching the pair down in the garden."And he's not only rich but a humanitarian. This could really work,don't you think?"

Clark advised shortly,"I think you should talk to her,Donna. She'll be able to tell you more about her feelings for Butler than I ever could."

Donna held her peace. She knew that things were not as they had been years ago. She waited for Diana to come back from her walk and pinned her down in the powder room.

"Come on,you have to tell me,have you two done it?"

Diana looked at her disapprovingly."Do you think now is the time to...?"

Donna sat upon the plush seat in the ante-room."No one is here. And when will I see you to ask again?"

Diana fixed her glasses and replied primly,"The answer is no."

"No?Well,he's hot. When will you?"

"Donna,he doesn't even know who I really am."

"Well,that is a problem,"she conceded,"You going to tell him though?"

She folded her arms,and walked the room."I don't know. Sometimes I want to,but then I chicken out. I feel he doesn't care for meta-humans very much."

"You won't know unless you tell him. Do you love him?"

"I...think I...don't know..."

Donna stood up and took her arm."Look,sis,you'll never know unless you take a chance. But don't compromise your heart okay?"

Clark met Bruce over the coffee table .He looked at Talia sitting across the room chatting with the bride."Very pretty."

Bruce stirred a sugar in his cup."I know."

"But I'm guessing that's not why you're dating her."

"You intrigue me,Clark."He sipped his coffee.

He was very grave."You're using her."

"If she's the way to track down his double dealings, then why not?"

"You might just regret it."

"Oh,you're one to talk!Playing Mr Ideal Boyfriend."

"I'm not playing."

He looked across as Donna Troy and Diana Prince re-entered the room."Really?Well more's the pity. Let me show you how I can play. Hey,girls,come here!"He waved at them to come over.

They came up and Bruce put his cup down and took Donna's arm."I've been asking Dick for you all night. How about a dance?Clark,why don't you take Diana out for old time's sake?"

He walked a smiling Donna out onto the floor to join the couples dancing to "Summer Time".

Clark said ruefully,"He can be such a bastard."

She tried not to look self-conscious."That's Bruce."

Clark looked at Diana inquiringly."Good manners compel me to ask rather than presume."

"Decorum dictate I ought to accept graciously."

He took her arm,and they stepped out onto the floor. His hand took hers in a light clasp,and the other rested on her waist. He drew her gently to him. She swallowed. Their bodies were close but barely touched .He said thoughtfully,"Do you know in all the years I've known you,I've never danced with you?"

Diana looked up at him surprised."Is that true?Have you and I never danced?I was certain...we had...but you're right. Isn't that strange though?"

Clark said ironically,"Stranger still I haven't torn your hems or crushed your toes."

He spun her."But you're light on your feet,"she complimented.

He held her waist again."It must be all that flying."

"Dinah looks radiant."

"And Ollie looks as if he just drank a saucer of cream."

"I am so happy for them. This will be one of those that will last."

He looked across at the bride leaning on her husband."There's no doubt is there?"

Diana smiled."They knew the instant they met. How happy are those that Aphrodite blesses with sight and sound of heart."

Clark looked at her gravely."Yes,they are fortunate."

Lois had returned from a chat with Linda and saw Clark with Diana Prince. Her cheeks flushed. She pretended to be listening to a joke being given by the groom and not staring at them. She was then gratified to see Alfred walk up to the pair and whisper something to Clark. Clark nodded,seemed to give Diana an apologetic look and follow the butler. Diana went to sit at her table. She was alone when Lois came up to sit beside her. Since that day on the farm,if they ever met, they had been cool and polite to each other.

"Lois,"Diana asked lightly,"enjoying the party?"

Lois shrugged."I guess."

"What a lovely night too. Not too warm."

"Well, June weddings are held in June for a reason."

Diana struggled to find something to say. She looked up at the newly weds' table."I wonder who did her dress?It is very chic."

Lois looked at her cynically."Really?That's a wonder. I'd have thought fashion must be the last thing on your mind."

Diana's fingers curled about a fork."Oh,you'd be surprised."

She gave her dress a scathing look."No,I won't be."

The fork was bent right over into itself. Lois suddenly saw Clark coming back to their table. He looked very pale. Diana saw his expression too. It was one of urgency and dismay.

Lois reached for his sleeve."Clark?What's wrong?"

He gestured almost distractedly,"I had a call from Ma. Pa's very sick."

Diana rose and held her cheeks."Oh,Kal!What happened?"

He shook his head."I don't know all the details. He's been taken by ambulance to the hospital. Diana, will you tell Bruce and Ollie we had to go?"

"Yes,certainly. If there is anything I can do..."Their eyes locked.

"I'll let you know..."he promised.

Lois took his arm and interrupted,"Stop jabbering,Smallville,and let's go."

Diana watched them hurry away. She sat down and found that she was biting her nail like a little girl. Something in her gut felt uneasy.

The guests had slowly begun to leave after the newlyweds went off in a limo to go to the airport to take a plane to The Maldives for their honeymoon. Diana was looking for her sister to let her know that she and Adam were leaving. She was searching the terrace for Donna when she heard a voice behind her."Diana. Wait."

It was Bruce. His face looked troubled.

She asked,"What is it?"

He drew her aside. His voice was low."Diana,Clark just rang."

Her heart was suddenly beating sickeningly. He said the words she didn't want to hear.

"Mr Kent passed away fifteen minutes ago."

Diana felt her throat tighten. Tears were blinding her eyes. Bruce's hands were on her arms. He was whispering,"I'm sorry."

She gently pushed him away and said,"I'll be fine. I think I need to go home. Will you call Adam for me?"

Adam Butler had the sense to not push her. Wayne had informed him that she had just gotten bad news,and to give her space. He kissed her as dropped her off .She closed the door and walked blindly into her bedroom. Her eyes went to the hand-carved box on the dressing table Pa had given to her on Christmas Day. Diana picked it up,sank upon her bed and caressed the top. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She lifted the box to her lips."Gaea bless and take him into your bosom and give him a peaceful rest."