Chapter 14
Diana took Batman's advice and went back to the Embassy. But clearing her head was not the easiest of tasks. She was still very angry with Clark and mad at herself for being blind and even more annoyed that she couldn't stop thinking about him.
"Get out of my head you stupid, reporter-man you!" she muttered to herself, as she tried going through her correspondence. She held up a letter from Star City's Men's Boxing Club and fan mail from a male fan and tossed them both in the bin.
She mocked, "Make an appearance at our club. You are the most beautiful and inspiring woman. You men! Silver tongued snakes under bushes. Pretending you care. You are not to be trusted!"
A picture of a group of young male and female teens in boxing gloves fell out of the envelope onto the floor. Diana put her hand to her cheek penitently. She went to the bin and picked the invite and letter back up with a guilty sigh. "Gaea, I sound like Aleka. Must not let my anger cloud my judgment."
But it was hard for her. An Amazon's pride was her shield. Her pride now smarted. He'd apologized and she had even found herself feeling sorry for him. He was very lonely. One could see that. She understood that. She often felt it too. She could even forgive him for wanting to protect her, as stupid as that was. If it was another person she'd have forgiven them right away. So why was it so hard with Clark?
Her hand touched her lasso and she winced. She had to accept the truth. It hurt more now because of the feelings that had been steadily growing for him these last few months. Which had been unexpected and complex and made her feel even more guilty because she was supposed to be committed to another man.
One thing was for sure: relationships were still baffling and she did not care for the trouble and heartache they caused.
Matters got a little more complex when she was reminded by Claire that the yearly charity dinner to raise money for victims who had developed cancer after the Apokoliptian Invasion at the Embassy on Friday required Steve Trevor's presence.
"He's hosting it, remember?"
Diana groaned inwardly. She'd forgotten that. Steve had volunteered to be master of ceremonies for it since last year. "Oh."
"Is he coming for rehearsal tomorrow? I have the individual singers and the band coming in at five."
"Let me call him, okay?'
Claire nodded and left her staring at the phone. Sighing, she picked it up and dialed his number.
"Hello?"
"Hi. It's me. Diana."
His voice sounded tired."Oh, Diana."
"Er, Steve...about Friday? The charity dinner?"
"Oh, it's on this Friday? I forgot about that."
"Can you make it? Claire was wondering if you need to come to rehearse with the performers. They're starting at five. Or do I have to find someone else?'
There was a brief silence. She offered, "I won't be here tomorrow so it shouldn't be too awkward if you're worried about that."
"Fine. I'll come. I did promise after all."
"Thank you, Steve."
" Okay. Diana, have you told anyone about us?"
"No."
"Can we leave it that way for now? I really don't need the media having a field day out of this."
"Sure, Steve."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
Diana put down the phone with a grimace. Awkward and painful. The man she knew so well for all this time was now suddenly like a stranger to her.
Thursday Morning
Clark was sitting at his desk at the Daily Planet.
He was staring at his cell phone.
He scrolled to her number. He'd gotten it off the Watchtower computer last night.
Call her. It wouldn't hurt to try to speak to her. What have you got to lose? She can't be madder than she already is. You can take her punches after all.
He dialed.
"Hello, Diana speaking."
"Hi, Diana? It's Clark."
The phone clicked off.
He tried again, this time using the Daily Planet's line.
"Hello, Diana, speaking."
"Diana, it's Clark...Listen, I was going to..."
The phone slammed down on him. He winched. There was no doubt that she had broken it on her end.
He put the receiver down. "Darn it."
"What's up, Smallville? You look a little frustrated. Can't make a deadline? Source bailed?"
Clark looked up to see Lois. She was looking at him with an amused expression as she delved into her handbag.
He opened his mouth to dismiss her inquiry as nothing then stopped. It had taken Clark the last few days to come to terms with how isolated he really was. Since losing his parents, he had not a soul he could really open up to, and he'd gotten himself so accustomed to it that he now realized Diana was right to some extent. He was a bit of a martyr. He had no real means of off-loading. He really had no one he could consider a best friend to talk to about his social life and secrets. Bruce was his closest friend but was not really interested in discussing anything pertaining to women or baring his personal life. Lana, the other person to know his secret, was in Paris and engaged. Jimmy was in the same bracket as Lois but Lois was a woman so maybe she might be able to shed some light on the matter and advise him.
"No. It's just a little problem with a friend."
"Yeah? Seeing you're not the most outgoing guy, who might this be? Olsen?"
"It's a girl."
She looked up. "As in girl who is a friend or girlfriend?"
"The former."
Lois narrowed her eyes and asked slyly, "But you wish it was the latter?"
He reddened and protested, "What? No."
"No? Why are you blushing then?"
"What? I'm not blushing."
She grinned but did not press him. "Who is it? Heather?"
"No. It's an old friend from college," he lied. "I upset her a bit."
"Why am I not shocked? I told you that brashness of yours would get you into trouble. You need to learn to ease down on the socialist soap boxing. What did you do?"
"It's not like that. I kinda lied to her about some personal stuff and she's miffed with me when she found out the truth. I tried apologizing but she's really peeved. Won't even give me a hearing. She feels I was amusing myself at her expense. I don't know what to do really."
"Well, you know it's not nice when the people you are closest to lie to you or keep important truths from you." She looked a little somber. "I should know. Jonathan did that and it did upset me."
"Oh. How are you two?"
She sighed and shrugged. "Long distance love is a challenge."
"I guess but you forgave him, right?"
"What choice did I have? Couldn't let him go off and stay mad. He's in a war zone, you know. He's also not really showing any signs of wanting to come home and allowing us try to see how we work as a real team. There were some plans to move in together last time and that fell through because of his work." She picked up her bag. "You want my advice, Smallville? If you care for this friendship, you grovel. Grovel like you have never groveled before."
"Grovel?" Clark looked at her doubtfully. "That's it?"
"Yeah. And if she keeps knocking you back, keep groveling. If she cares for your friendship, she'll take pity on your pathetic hide and forgive you."
Clark made a face. "Oh, pity as my motivator. Gee, thanks."
Lois smiled. "It's all I've got. Later."
Clark muttered to himself, "Grovel, huh?"
He flipped open his laptop and clicked onto a search engine. He typed in Princess Diana. Ambassador. Appearances.
He saw she was going to be at the book signing at 10 am. Maybe he could go as Clark and get her to sign whatever it was she was signing. No. She'd probably get him kicked out. He checked the itinerary again. A speech at the UN in New York at 1pm. That seemed a good opportunity for Superman to drop by. After his mission with Diana on the earthquake public opinion of him had been increasingly positive. The General Secretary has even called him personally to thank him. It had been a new but pleasant experience after being looked upon with suspicion by many agencies of authority.
He leaned back and smiled a little wryly. She wouldn't wallop him there, would she? Rao, look at what it had come to. Groveling! And the craziest thing was that he wasn't able to just shrug it off as he normally would have. It really bothered him not being able to have at least a rapport with her. Even when he kept her at arms length as Clark, Superman still could talk to her. He'd had it both ways for a long time. With Diana, he suddenly couldn't. It was going to be all or nothing with her and if he was honest it scared the hell out of him to bare himself this way. But he knew it had to be done.
Wonder Woman's appearance at the UN was of course not only of interest to the Man of Steel but as with anyone who had been in the public eye and acting as a fighter for truth and justice, she had made several enemies during her time out in the world; three such enemies were waiting for a chance to give her some payback.
Diana was half way through her speech when she heard a commotion outside the hall. The building seemed to vibrate. The audience began to buzz with confusion and panic.
She dropped her sheet and threw off her robe to reveal her battle armor. She shouted, "Everyone, down and stay down! I will handle this!"
Unsheathing her sword, she flew out of the room, and began to search for the source of the noise. She could see people running along the corridors and armed security heading towards the foyer.
When Diana emerged out into the foyer she was just in time to see six guards sail past her and smash into the wall.
She heard a laugh. "Well, I thought that would get your attention."
She turned to see a cybernetic woman lift the canon on her robotic arm. "Cyborg Girl."
Diana felt the force of the canon hit her and she went flying through the doors, smashing through them and landing heavily on the concrete concourse at the front of the main building.
"Hello, Wonder Woman, so nice to see you." Diana looked up and saw a giant female lifting her foot and bringing it down at her.
She rolled swiftly and avoided the giantess' foot that ended up smashing a large crater in the ground.
"Giganta?!" The Amazon was stunned. Last she saw the woman was two years ago when she had her incarcerated at Concord Federal Penitentiary.
"Remember me? Yes, you put me away in that stinking hole where I had to suffer. Time for some payback! This time I was careful to bring some friends!"
Diana heard something howling behind her and she turned to see a funnel of wind coming towards her. She could see a slender, bald, brown skinned woman she recognized as Jinx, an elemental sorceress, smiling at her. Before she knew it the funnel grabbed her up and flung her at the row of flagpoles. She could feel herself hit them, one by one and they drop like dominos as she landed heavily onto the street. Cars and buses honked their horns and screeched to a halt in an attempt not to roll over her and smash into each other.
Diana sat up shakily when all three women surrounded her.
Giganta had ripped out a large pillar, Cyborg Girl was aiming a large laser gun and Jinx was conjuring up orange flames. Diana's bracelets came up and she took on the flames and laser blasts.
Giganta was about to swing at her but when her arm tried to arc forward she felt a powerful force stop her. She turned in time to see Superman grab the pillar and with her still holding it he spun her around and send her flying into the East River.
Diana unfurled her lasso and got hold of Cyborg Girl's arm and she yanked her forwards and her fist connected with her jaw. She was sent flying meters away.
The ground beneath her shook as Jinx tried to create tremors. Diana took to the air and rammed into her with her fists. The sorceress went flying into the nearby fountain.
Diana spun around. She had seen the flutter of the red cape. Superman now hovered above her. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
His boots touched the ground. "Er, giving you a hand?"
"I don't need your help," she gritted and turned her back on him to deal with Jinx who was now trying to get a wall of water at them both. Clark blew on the water and it froze instantly.
"Sure but the faster we deal with them the less people get hurt and less damage to the place, right?"
Diana growled as Giganta was seen stomping towards them. She undid her lasso and hovered."Did the League send you?"
"No. I just happened to be around."
Diana looped the rope on Giganta's neck. "That's a likely story."
Clark turned to take a blast from Cyborg Girl on his chest. His heat vision pin pointed itself at her guns. Her gun barrels melted. "I happen to know the General Secretary here, you know."
She yanked hard and Giganta slumped to her knees. "So you didn't know I was going to be here?" She punched her in the jaw with a grunt and she toppled.
Superman hovered out of the way to allow Giganta to fall on the ground. "Well, to be honest, I did."
She turned to glare at him as he move to spar with Cyborg Girl, whose arms morphed into saws then long, metallic blades. When he ducked from the whirling blades, Diana came behind him and she sliced the blades off with her sword. Her elbow then jabbed at the half human half cybernetic's' nose.
"Still soft in some spots," announced Diana. The young woman groaned in pain as blood poured down her nostrils and she swayed woozily on her feet.
Diana gave Superman an irritated look. "I told you to stop following me. What is the matter with you?"
"Well, I was kind of hoping we could talk," he said and took the broken blades and used them to easily wrap them around Cyborg Girl to keep her from moving her arms.
"Talk?" She undid her tiara and let it fly at Jinx, who was about to try to get the earth beneath them to open and swallow them. The tiara hit Jinx in the head and she fell over. Diana caught the tiara and put it on. "Talk about what?
He said, "I need to apologize. Again."
She turned to see the security running towards them. She dragged Jinx to where Giganta lay. "You can't just think a few words will make me forget what you did?"
Superman picked up the now cursing Cyborg Girl and put down her near them. "I know you're really angry and I really don't expect you to just forget. I just would like you to know I'm really sorry for any hurt I caused. I was trying to keep myself from getting too close to anyone but after our stint off world and what we shared...I...whatever I did or said as Kal was genuine. It wasn't an act."
"Yes, but Clark also is Kal and you think I am naive and privileged! Has that changed? I'm going to say no."
"I'm not perfect, Diana. I don't expect other people to be either. Bruce can be uptight, humorless, suspicious, meticulous...and he knows it. It can drive one nuts but it makes him good at what he does too. Yes, I think you might me a little too open and trusting but I think your nature allows you to see the good, not bad in others and for that I admire you. I was like that until I came to the city and saw the corruption and the injustice. It's easy to become cynical and I battle to keep my sense of wonder and inspire trust everyday. With you...it's just there for you. I don't ever want to become like Bruce. It's why I use Clark as the mask, sacrificing letting anyone see the real me. I need people to trust me to be Superman. I don't want to use fear. But I am an alien and that scares them."
She looked now even more confused at his words. It would be so easy to forgive him when he spoke that way. "I don't know what you want from me!"
"It might be wishful thinking right now...but I was hoping we could put this past us...We seemed at some point on our way to being friends, "he answered.
"If wishes were whores beggars would ride," she replied stiffly, causing his lips to curve upwards.
She became irritated and accused, "You're laughing at me now!"
He coughed and said, trying not to chuckle, "I'm not laughing at you. But it's not whores, Diana. It's horses."
"Where?" She looked around for a sign of the equine species.
Clark studied her with a rueful shake of the head. Rao, why did she have to be so adorable? "No the saying is, "if wishes were horses"...not whores..."
Diana flushed.
The security finally reached them.
"Superman! Wonder Woman! Are you alright?"
"Fine." Diana gestured to the women. "We need to get them out of here."
"On it. We have back up coming in and I'll call in for some armored vehicles!"
Diana said quietly, for Superman's ears alone, "Now is not the time for this. These three need to be taken away."
"I can see them escorted back safely," he began. "You can go back and finish you speech."
"No. I will handle this. Please. Leave."
"Diana..."
"Please, Clark."
He conceded, "Fine."
He took to the air and headed for Metropolis. Well, she called him Clark. That couldn't be a bad thing. Some more groveling and maybe she would be moved to pity him.
Zatanna was readying to leave the Watchtower for her date with Superman. She had just finished up her report and was logging it into the system. Cyborg and Batman were standing on the observation deck above her, watching Green Lantern and Steel work on repairs to one of the docking ports.
"Well, that's me done for the day," she announced as she strolled up behind them.
Cyborg turned. "Youre going now?"
"I have a date, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. You and Supes. Have a good one."
"We'll be in Prague if we're needed," she said glancing at Batman's back. The Dark Knight had not said a word.
"We'll try not to interrupt you two," promised Cyborg.
"Thanks. Must admit I'm really excited for this," she said.
"He's a good guy. I wish you both luck."
She cleared her throat. "He's your friend, Bruce, any pointers for a gal?"
Batman turned and asked sarcastically, "You want my advice on dating Superman? Really?"
"Oh, what's wrong, Bruce? Not happy about it?" she teased.
"Zatanna, whatever games you're playing, leave me out of them. This is a friend of mine and it's not John Constantine. Superman is not an asshole, so there's that to consider."
She snapped, "John was not an asshole! You're the one who made matters worse. Lecturing and interfering."
"You were too young for him and it ended up exactly where it would. I could have told you that. But I suspect you did it all the more because you knew I did not approve."
Cyborg coughed and took a step away from them.
"I did not need your approval! I was twenty. Not some kid."
"I wouldn't have given a toss but I did promise Zatara I'd look out for you."
She retorted, "Well, you know your way of handling things, Bruce. Ask Nightwing or Robin. And let's not get around to Damien. John is a saint compared to Talia. So you were in no place to tell me who's right to date."
They both knew that his relationships with his wards were strained once they began to grow up and assert their independence to him. Damien was Bruce's son. He was a product of a union between him and Talia Al Ghul. Something that always rankled with Zatanna.
"But we know you like bad girls. How's Miss Kitty doing these days?"
They glared at each other. Zatanna was trying to bait him as usual. He could give her the answer she was looking for but instead he and walked off. "Like you said, I'm not your father."
She gritted. "Ugh, he gets me so angry!"
Cyborg gave her a sympathetic look. "Can you two even be in a room without fighting?"
She muttered, "There was a time...when he came to train with my father. I was sixteen. He was cool back then. He gradually got worse as time passed." She sighed. "I need to go."
Cyborg watched her head out and shook his head. Least there was one plus since becoming Cyborg. No women problems.
It was Friday and Superman's date with Zatanna had arrived. He wasn't going as Clark but as Kal-El. For once he could actually wear normal clothes to fit his physique but he still knew he had to be careful and not wear anything that could make him catch too much attention.
He had picked up a pair of jeans, a black, high neck, long sleeved t-shirt and a well cut jacket. His grabbed up some gel and slicked his hair back, taming the unruly waving locks. He looked at himself in the mirror. The severity of the flattened hair and the clothes made him looked a bit older but still trendy.
He grabbed up some money. No phone or keys or wallet with Clark's ID cards. Superman did not need those. He opened a window and took to the air.
Zatanna's place was in Manhattan. She'd recently moved from San Francisco when they got her to join the League. Being a performer she needed to be downtown itself but Zee loved the bright lights and bustle of the city.
When he landed on the terrace of her apartment, he knocked on the glass doors.
She appeared a minute later with a charming smile. "Hello, Good-looking." She was dressed in black fitted pants, boots, a white, chiffon blouse with slits on the shoulders and poet sleeves. "You certainly make that name come alive tonight."
He smiled. "Hi, Zee. You look lovely yourself. Are you ready?"
"I just need to put on my shoes and grab my purse."
He stood in her living room and looked around curiously. It was very modern with leather and glass furnishing. She had several things one could see that denoted her magical background. From the books she had on the shelf, the crystals and candles at intervals around the room, a collection of wands on a side board, the hand woven tapestry with all the astrological signs on the wall, rune stones lying in a glass bowl on the coffee table, to the pictures of her and her father and fellow performers on the mantle. There was the scent of incense around the room. He crinkled his nose. Magic always made him a bit uncomfortable and to be honest, the smell was a bit overpowering for his olfactory senses.
"Ready."
She had donned three inch heels to boost her five foot seven inch frame. She took his arm and stopped with him before the mirror on the wall to admire their reflection.
"Yep, you are a fine accessory, Kal-El."
He smiled and they headed out onto the terrace. He lifted her in his arms and took to the sky. Zatanna looked at him with a wink. "My favorite part."
Dinner was at a small but busy Italian style restaurant. No one really paid much attention to them other than thinking they were a good looking couple, much like many other couples around that night in Prague. The meal was good and their conversation went fairly well where they exchanged details about themselves. He kept it all about Krypton and his adventures when he first came to Metropolis and fought the Collector and the Multitude. He never mentioned Clark.
The movie was easier for him as they had to sit in the dark. There was no fear of anyone giving him a second look.
When they came out of the movie it was midnight. Zatanna gave him an amused look as they walked out with the rest of the crowd into the street. She had her arm hooked in his.
"I don't think you enjoyed that much," she observed.
He shrugged. "Chick flicks are not my thing."
"Yeah, what do you like?"
"I haven't been to the movies for a while. But the last thing I saw on DVD I liked a lot."
"Which was?"
"Rango?"
"Rango? What? The cartoon?"
"Yeah."
She burst out a peal of laughter. "Superman likes cartoons?"
"I do."
She shook her head in amusement. "How can you even be friends with Bruce? I don't get it. He likes dark, crime noir things."
"Well, we kind of do have opposite tastes but sometimes we lap over."
"You've known him a long time?"
"Met him when Darkseid was attacking five years ago. I'm afraid I did try to choke him."
She laughed. "Do tell!"
They spent the next twenty minutes strolling, him recounting to her the first battle the League ever fought together. It did not go past him that she was particularly eager to hear about Batman's part in all of it.
By the time one o'clock came around he was alighting with her at her apartment. She looked up at him with an inviting smile. "I had a nice time. Do you want to come in?"
He looked a little hesitant. "Zee, it's our first date...I..."
She put her hand on her hip. "Oh, lighten up. I'm not going to jump you. I don't put out on the first date, FYI. I might be 'a shameful flirt' as Bruce would say, but these goods don't come cheap. You want some coffee? I can do coffee. Unless you got someone waiting in that Fortress of yours for you?"
He smiled. "Okay. A coffee would be good."
They entered the apartment and she gestured to him to take a seat as she dropped her bag and kicked off her shoes. She picked up the remote. "Let's see if we missed anything. I know, I know. But ever since I joined the League, it's gotten to be a habit just to make sure nothing bad happened."
"Don't worry. I think we all do it."
She clicked on to the CCN news channel and gave him the remote. She then went to the kitchen and five minutes later came out with a tray, two steaming cups, milk and sugar.
"It's not filtered. Hope you don't mind. I had no time to top up this week."
"It's fine." He fixed his while she did her own.
"So anything happened?"
"Nothing too bad. Accidents, robberies...nothing the police couldn't handle."
"Good," she replied and sat on the sofa next to him and took a sip of the warm drink. "Hmm. Nice. You know, Kal-El, I heard you have a vulnerability to magic."
"That's true."
"So in a way you could be at my mercy?"
His lips curved wryly. "You're planning to hex me?"
She giggled. "No. I just think it's funny someone strong as you are could be weakened by magic."
"I'm not different to anyone when magic is used but I',m vulnerable to magical weaponry, barriers, forces and so on. For example a normal sword breaks on my skin. A magical one can cut me. But you'd have to catch me to cut me. So I'm not all that helpless. My super speed still will account for something.
"Wonder Woman must pose a problem for you in the sparring arena."
A reluctant smile tug at the corner of his mouth. "She's formidable. Magic or no."
"Speak of the devil. Look, there she is!"
He looked up to see Diana on the news with Steve Trevor at her side as they stood on a stage together at the Embassy. The report was on the fund raiser and how successful it had been.
"Aww, they so cute. You think they'll tie the knot?"
Superman's jaw twitched and he said with a shrug, "I didn't think Amazons were the marrying kind."
"Yeah, I heard about them not submitting to any man. Diana does seem a little private about her and Steve as well. She definitely doesn't like to talk a lot about her personal life."
"You can't blame her when it is under the lens of the media."
"Could you cope with a public relationship like that?"
His eyes were locked onto the screen. She looked beautiful dressed in a lilac gown and wearing her hair up. "I don't think it would be a good idea."
"You know I don't believe in hiding," she said, frowning at his profile. "I'm a performer. I've been performing with Dad since I was a teenager. I don't think I could handle hiding. It's not me."
He turned, his blue eyes grave. "Superman has a lot of dangerous enemies."
"Yes, I know. But I've had to cope with tough foes as well."
"Be that as it may...I don't want to be hounded by the media. Not like them. There are times I feel sorry for Diana. I can see how it puts a lot of pressure on her. I don't think she even realized how celebrity obsessed our society was. If she did, she might have thought twice about it all."
Zatanna put her mug down. "You know, I think we need to decide something right now. Are we going to see each other again?"
He admitted, "I enjoyed your company tonight, Zee."
"And I enjoyed yours. You're smart and funny. Such a difference from the other guys I dated. But you seem not sure if you want to do this publicly with me?"
He said honestly, "I'm not sure I want to do it with anyone."
"If it had potential would you at least try?"
"What exactly you mean by potential?"
Zatanna took his mug. She placed her hands on his chest when she saw him frown, she assured him with a roll of her eyes, "Not going to jump you, but I want to see what's between us. If it feels good then I think it's fair to try to give it a chance."
She leaned in to him and reached up to plant a kiss on his mouth. Superman closed his eyes. He allowed himself to relax but careful not to respond too ardently. Zatanna, like most human women, felt fragile under his fingers. He gently rested his hands on her shoulders while she pulled his head down in an attempt to get a better feel of him.
They drew back after a minute.
"Wow," she said as if in some surprise.
"I know."
"I wouldn't have guessed? Would you?"
"I've learned not to assume anything."
Zatanna grimaced and reached for her coffee. "You were kind of stiff there, Kal-El. You know the thing would be to let yourself relax and try to get into it."
He said candidly, "I did but that's as best as I can get into it unless you want me to leave holes in you. My finger nail can cut into steel, Zee."
"Well, that's a picture I can well do without. So how do you...? Eh, never mind. You're hot as hell and I like you but..."
"I know," he replied wryly.
She stated flatly, "No sizzle."
"I'm sorry, Zee."
"Me too. Boy, do I know how to pick them!" she sighed.
"You'll be fine, Zatanna. You're bright, funny and beautiful. I bet guys are tripping over themselves to date you."
"Yeah. They are. I just tend to go for the ones that aren't tripping over me."
For the first time since he met her, he saw a vulnerable side to her. The outgoing flirty Zatanna vanished and a wistful, frustrated one appeared.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You and Bruce..."
"What about me and Bruce?" she asked, a little defensively.
"Did you ask me out to annoy him?"
She protested, "What?! Why would you think...?"
"Hey, I see how you two act around each other. You also spoke about him a lot tonight."
"I just was curious. I'm don't care a hoot what he thinks! Goodness! Not every woman wants Batman!" she exclaimed and got up. "You done with your coffee?"
Superman stood up. "Not really but I think I should go. It was a nice night and I did appreciate having someone to chat with. Don't think I'll ever go see a chick flick again though."
She sighed. "Superman, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to shout... Bruce just really rubs me the wrong way sometimes."
He rested a hand on her shoulder. "He does that as a defense mechanism."
"Well, it gets old. I've had enough."
"Zatanna, Bruce doesn't have powers like us. He is flesh and blood. He's got to keep himself focus and disciplined to do what he does. For you, speak some words and something gets done. Me, I have my abilities. He has to work hard. Keep mind and body conditioned and train his ass off. Anyone who has to do all that is bound to be a bit anal. It's why he's still alive. You are the opposite of him in temperament so you're bound to clash sometimes but you share similarities too. I think having a friend like you who can enjoy life benefits someone like Bruce. Don't give up on him. I'll see you next week at the Watchtower. You'll be okay?"
She looked pensive at his words and nodded. "Yeah. I'll be fine."
"Ask him."
"No. You ask him."
"Dude, I'm not interested in Supe's love life."
"Neither am I but it's Zatanna he dated. Come on, who doesn't want to know? And it's a damn dead shift. I'm going to fall asleep here."
Superman was sitting in the Monitor Womb and he could hear the whispers of Green Lantern and Green Arrow from adjoining conference room. He rolled his eyes as he scanned the satellite feeds.
He could hear them debate for the next two minutes. Then their footsteps.
Without turning he said crisply, "The date was fine but we decided to leave it as just friends."
They blinked. "Oh."
Hal uttered, "Man, really? But why? She's so cute!"
"You either connect or you don't. Zee and I connected but on a just friends level."
Oliver said, "I guess she won't be up for dating anyone so soon?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Ask her."
They looked at each other.
Oliver began, "You don't want to really, do you?"
Hal said, "Well, I kinda do."
"So how...? Wait. I got an idea."Oliver produced a coin out of his pocket. "Call it."
Superman gave them a look of disbelief. "Are you two serious?"
"What's wrong with this? It's fair," began Hal.
"You're tossing for Zatanna? Really?"
"Who's tossing for Zatanna?" A voice sounded behind them.
They all spun around to see Batman come in.
Oliver said quickly, "No one really. Nothing you'd care about..."
Superman said, "Hal and Oliver."
Batman paused and gave them a grim glare that would normally send chills down anyone's spine. Hal stared back at the Dark Knight. Hal Jordan knew no fear and he was one of the few Batman could not intimidate. "It's a system, is all it is."
Batman turned to Superman to demand, "Aren't you dating her?"
"One date. That's it," he replied. "We're better off as friends and work colleagues."
If the Dark Knight was surprised he did not show it. "I could have told you that. Glad you showed some sense."
"Well, it needed for me to look down at the hole and take a step back."
Hal said briskly, "We wasting time. Come on, Queen."
Oliver began dubiously, "I don't know, Hal..."
Hal took the coin off him and threw it up. "I call heads."
A black gloved hand caught it.
"Hey!" began Hal. "What did you do that for?"
Batman stated, "No one is going to be tossing for Zee."
"What? Why?"
"She is not some filly to place a bet on and in any case I won't tolerate either of you dating her."
"You let the alien date her," began Oliver sourly.
"He's not like you two," he replied.
Hal began, "I resent that. I'd treat her with respect. What's the difference between him and us?"
"Hal, weren't you sneaking in two different women into your quarters a week ago?" asked Superman.
Batman scowled. "What?"
Hal gave the Kryptonian a look of surprise. "How the hell? Damn your super hearing!"
"It's against the rules to bring in civilians unauthorized here," warned Batman. He looked at Superman crossly, "Why didn't you say anything?"
He shrugged. "I'm not a tattle tale, Bruce."
Batman wagged a finger at the other two. "She's off limits to you two."
"You're not her father, Bruce," began Hal. "She's a big girl. She flirts with me all the time."
"Look, you idiot, Zee might flirt but she isn't a tart like you and Queen. If she wants to date you, she'll ask. She's not shy but she also got her own mind. The last thing she would want to know is that you two were tossing a coin over her. She isn't desperate," he said darkly. "When she's angry, she could turn you both into toads or give you some horrible boils or make your nose grow to here." His hand gestured to their groin. "At worst..."
Oliver took a step back. "Right. Message received loud and clear."
Hal folded his arms and gave Batman a shrewd look. "Okay. You win, Bruce. I get it. Come on, Ollie. Let's go. We might as well go do some sparring while we wait for a call out."
Batman said to Superman as they walked off, "Can you believe those two? I'm here to relieve you."
The Man of Steel got up. "Thanks."
Batman sat down. "Kent?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for not leading her on."
Superman's eyes softened. "You care a lot for her, don't you? Look, if it'll make it easier for you...it was mutual on both our parts. She's far from heartbroken over me. You know we ended up talking about you half the night?"
He was silent. Then said, "My life is a bit of a mess, Clark."
"Well, least you have one to mess up. I was told I was a martyr and a coward."
"Ouch. Who said that?'
"Diana."
He said wryly. "At least you don't have a kid with a half obsessive ex, and an on and off dalliance with a jewel thief."
"Hey, I had a crazed Queen try to get me into wedlock."
They both chuckled.
"Night, Bruce."
"Night, Kent."
Diana heard of the failed date through the communal grapevine in the galley when she came in for an early shift the next day. She was just about to put her empty plate and coffee mug on a sideboard when she heard Hal chatting with Victor as they helped themselves from the buffet.
"Yeah, seems they won't have a second one."
"Jordan, have you nothing better to do?"
"Hey, it's news."
"Gossip."
"And you're not interested in gossip?"
"Hal, I know everything that goes on in this satellite. Sometimes there are things I really don't want to know. Like the antics you get up to. "
"Oh yeah, I forget you're plugged into this place. Bruce was pissed when he found out about the girls. But they were hotties. Air hostesses. I stopped their plane from crashing. They wanted to thank me."
Diana put her tray down and hurried out. She smiled at them as she went pass.
"Leaving already?"asked Vic.
"Yes. I promised Steel I would do this week's inventory of the armory. I really need to get to it."
She walked out quickly, her face creased in thought.
They were not going on a second date? One could only wonder why...if one really cared of course. And one had other things to care about...like the Paparazzi for starters who were already noticing little things about her and Steve at the charity dinner. Like them not holding hands or dancing. Steve leaving early. And him not visiting the Embassy for a couple of days, even though he was in Washington DC. It was all typical stuff to stir curiosity and sell magazines but they were coming a little too close to the truth for her liking.
Right now she did not need to deal with a break up in the media. She'd not had William make any announcements as yet because she had not told anyone. Only Bruce had worked it out. She was hoping she could at least keep it that way for a while. Steve needed it to be kept quiet as well.
Diana turned the corner to head for the elevator. The doors slid open and the Man of Steel himself stepped out. She halted abruptly and they stared at each other.
He broke the silence."Good morning."
She muttered back the greeting and moved passed him to go into the elevator. Her hand hit the button and the door began to close. Decision made, his hand stopped the doors.
Diana scowled. "What are you doing?"
He stepped in and allowed the doors to shut. "Going up with you."
"You just came down."
"I think I should go up."
"If you think this is funny."
"I don't. Not at all. I need to speak to you," he said quietly. "Please."
"I don't want to speak to you, "she said, in a huff.
"Still?" he asked whimsically.
She glared. "You think you can just come and say sorry and smile sweetly I'll forgive you like that?"
"I don't think that at all, but I'm hoping you might consider it?"
"Why should I?"
"Because I am sorry." He reached out and got hold of the end of her lasso and wound it around his hand. His eyes were earnest. "You were right. I am a coward. And I was a jerk. I want to make amends. Diana, am I truly beyond forgiveness? If I am, then I wouldn't bother you again. I'll stay out of your way. I'll get Bruce to roster us on opposite shifts permanently."
She looked at him now feeling the conflict even more. Did she really want him to stay out of her way? The thought of not seeing him seemed almost painful.
She colored."No. I don't want that. But you humiliated me, Clark, and I'm still mad with you."
"You need to beat me up some more? If that helps, I'll let you."
Her lips turned up inadvertently. "Oh, very droll. But you won't have to let me. I can do it."
He chuckled.
Her eyes sparkled with some of their old fire.
The elevator stopped.
He asked gravely, "So?"
She sighed."I..."
It would be very easy to say yes. She looked up at him. They were standing closer now. The unruly curling locks over his brow fell forward and her fingers itched to brush them back.
His blue eyes had an intense look and he found himself saying, "I'm not dating Zatanna."
Her heart quickened. She whispered, "I know."
Her eyes fell on his lips and for the first time, she found herself thinking how beautifully they were shaped and what they might feel like again.
He saw her looking at his mouth and his breath seemed to shorten. He wasn't imagining it, was he? She had that openly vulnerable and enticing look of a woman who was willing him to kiss her. And suddenly it was all he wanted to do. To take this beautiful creature in his arms and see if it was as good as the memory he had of kissing her while they had been on the Preserver's ship.
He inched closer. The lasso linking them was making it hard to resist the impulse.
Diana blushed to the roots of her hair and the heat rushing up her neck made her panic a little. Her hand pulled the lasso off him and she tried to put some space between them.
Gaea, what was it about this man that drew her to him like this? And she had only just broken up with Steve! She tried to maintain her composure. He seemed to look startled as well once she'd pulled away.
All she could offer was, "It's not the best of time for me now, Clark."
He nodded with a rueful twist of his lips. Rao. What was the matter with him? She had Trevor and he was thinking of kissing her?!
He murmured, "Okay."
He watched her hurry away and rubbed his neck. Well, Bruce was wrong. He wasn't digging a hole for himself. He was beginning to realize, however, he was way in over his head.