Chapter 14- It All Comes Out

It was a bright morning in Metropolis. Clark had slept well considering the chaotic day before. The sun's rays warmed his face as he turned his eyes toward the window. Another long day was ahead of him. At least he now had some answers. Brighton would help him, and he was getting closer to knowing if Lois was back. Sighing to himself, Clark got up and began to make some coffee. Suddenly the phone began to ring.
"Hello."
"Kal, have you seen the newspaper today?" Diana said in a frenzied voice.
"No. Diana what's wrong? You sound awful."
"The front page of The Daily Planet has a picture of us...kissing!"
"Wait, there has to be a mistake. We've been so careful."
"We weren't careful yesterday. It was of us in the park. You were holding me...Someone was there, Kal."
"I didn't hear anyone...how could they..."
"Kal, everyone knows about us. Shayera and Z, have left dozens of messages on my machine. Oh, God! We have League business today. The gossip mill will be on overdrive...and Bruce found out from a newspaper instead of his best friends..."she said trying to catch her breath.
"Honey, calm down. We're in this together. We'll go into the Watch Tower with our heads held high. They'll get used to us...and we'll be able to tell Bruce our side of things. He knows we would never mean to hurt him like this...'
"Yes, but it will still hurt him. Everything has become such a mess," she said breaking into tears.
"Di, don't cry. I promise you, we will get through this. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Look, I'll be by your place to pick you up. We don't need to show up separately anymore... Diana, I love you."
"I love you too. Hurry. I really need you."
"I'm already there," he said as he hung up the phone and super sped into his clothes.
Clark felt just as anxious as Diana but he wouldn't let her know it. He had to be strong for her. He also felt guilty. His super hearing should've been able to pick up someone in the park. It was his entire fault. He had pushed for the kiss, and now the whole world knew that Superman and Wonder Woman were together. This was going to be a long day.

Clark flew to Diana's balcony. She was waiting for him in a patio chair. Her face was red with tears. As he landed, she ran up to him and the two embraced.
"It's alright. Please don't cry anymore," he said as stroked her back.
"I feel so violated, Kal."
"I know. I can't believe someone from the Planet would resort to Inquisitor like ethics. I mean, how could someone..."
"Kal, people have been wondering about us for years. Even the best photo journalist would be tempted," she said as she handed him the paper.
Clark looked down at the picture. In bold type the headline was, "Super Love Revealed!" As Clark looked to see who took the picture he was surprised to find no name.
"That's strange there is no name listed."
"What's even stranger is that you heard no one around us," she said sitting back down.
"I'm sorry Diana. I honestly didn't hear anyone, no heart beat or breathing. Nothing."
"I'm not mad at you, Kal. The truth always has a way of coming out...We should've told the League a long time ago."
Clark walked behind her and began massaging her shoulders. She relaxed into his touch.
"Don't worry about Bruce. I'll talk to him...He's like my brother. Hell, if he needs to hit me he can. But I'll work it out with him. The most we'll have to face is a few stares and some laughs at our expense...I'm sure whoever had the running bet on us will be happy to collect their winnings," he said with a laugh.
Diana remained silent. Clark sat down next to her and pulled her chair even closer.
"Kal, I want to feel as certain of things as you do, but I'm scared. I mean, everything will be different. How will the world treat us?"
"It will be different for a while. At first, reporters will want to know everything about us and then they won't care anymore. The League members will gossip, and then eventually they'll talk about some other new couple...Things will die down. We didn't want it to happen this way, but it has. It will work out. J'onn told us things would be okay and I believe him."
"You're right, Kal... I'm still nervous though."
"Me too," he said as he got up and held his hand out for her.
Diana took his hand into her own.
"J'onn, take us up," Clark said into his communicator.

Clark and Diana arrived on the Watch Tower to find more members aboard than usual. Clark could already hear his name and Diana's being mixed into various scenarios. However, the moment the two appeared, many conversations came to a halt. They were met with the knowing stares of many of their teammates. Some of their friends pretended to talk about something else. It was very clear that everyone had found out.

Diana was surprisingly very stoic. She had been so flustered earlier, but now she was the strong Amazonian princess he knew her to be. Her head was high and her posture straight. She even wore a smile when she passed by a colleague.
Clark followed her example and tried to appear as unfazed as possible. It was clear that although everyone was dying to talk about them, no one had the audacity to actually ask them directly about their relationship. He was sometimes grateful for the intimidation that original members could still pose on the rest of the League.
Clark and Diana made their way to the meeting room, where they found all the original members waiting for them. Shayera looked curious, John looked uncomfortable, Bart had a "You Lucky Bastard" type of smile on his face, and J'onn seemed to be surveying the whole scene. Bruce was unreadable as usual. Clark wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
"Diana and Clark, please take your seats," J'onn said.
The two found their seats. Diana's hand was trembling in her lap. Clark held her palm within his.
"Now, everyone has discovered that two of our most valued members are romantically involved. I have known for some time. I find no harm in this union, and I'm sure that this will only help the League's image..."
"Di, why didn't you tell me? I mean we are best friends," Shayera asked slightly annoyed.
"We wanted to tell you, but we wanted to find the right time. We didn't mean for anyone to find out like this," she said as she stared at Batman.
"Wow. You're already using 'we' when you talk about your relationship decisions," John said abruptly.
Diana smiled nervously in Clark's direction.
"How long have you guys been...you know... together?" Bart asked.
"It started on Dysia," Clark replied.
There was a resounding, "Oh" at his answer. Everyone had deduced as much, and now they knew for sure. Bruce remained silent.
"We will act professional on League missions and keep the reporters at bay in terms of our relationship. We didn't mean for the public to know, but we'll make the best out of a bad situation, "Clark said with a new confidence.
"Look, I don't have a problem with you guys together...I always thought it would happen," Shayera said with a softness she never usually let out.
"I'm happy for you guys," Bart said.
"Yeah, it's a good thing. At least Shayera and I aren't the only couple with drama," John said with a chuckle.
Clark and Diana both laughed at his comment. The others joined in as well. Suddenly there was a groan from the other end of the table. All eyes were on Batman.
"This is a League meeting. We should start on League business," Bruce said in a flat tone.
The tension was back. Diana looked nervously at her hands.
"Bruce, I want you to know..."
"Superman, if I wanted to be privy to a soap opera I'd be watching All My Children. Now, can we get on with things?"
Clark took in a deep sigh. Bruce was angrier than he thought he would be. He noticed that Bruce hadn't really looked at either of them since they sat down. His best friend felt betrayed, and he couldn't blame him. Clark had felt the same way in his youth when Lana was with Lex. He just hoped that this situation would have better results.
"Of course, let's start the meeting," Clark said.