Chapter Twenty-One

"Priorities"

Gotham

The weakness in most criminal plans is the getaway. Countless hours and clocklike precision go into the setup and execution of some daring heist, but not the getaway. The very word, getaway, has a vague, childlike quality to it. If the criminals would just put as much time and energy into what happens after the crime as they do in planning it, they might actually, get away.

Gotham's East End has long been known as a haven for some of its less than upstanding citizens. Currently three of its lesser lights are running for their lives. Running away, that was their getaway plan.

In Batman's city, you have to do better.

The first of the three went down only a few blocks from the jewelry store they'd robbed. Bolos around his legs sent his face crashing into the pavement. He didn't get back up.

The second received a boot to his back that altered his coarse into a brick wall. He managed to stay conscious long enough to feel the blinding pain of his broken nose and cheekbone. The sight of his own blood splattered on the wall and his hands was the last thing he saw before the lights went out.

The third robbery was the alpha of this admittedly third rate outfit. He was the 'brains' behind the heist. Since running away wasn't working, he came up with another getaway plan on the fly, take a hostage.

The young woman was just a worker in the local McDonalds. It had been a long day and her black uniform smelled of grease and French fries. Her shift had finally ended and she made it to her used car. She was only thinking of going home.

The knife to her throat pushed all those thoughts aside. Silently she cursed the manager that transferred her to this part of town.

"Let her go." A cold, gravelly voice said out of the darkness. The man behind her turned so she was in front of him, the knife shaking in his hand. She got her first look at the Batman. He seemed to be half shadow, part of the darkness.

"Stay back! I'll cut her, I swear," the criminal shouted.

"No, you won't," Batman replied.

"I said stay back! I'll cut her heart out if you come any closer!"

The young woman gave a terrified scream that pierced through the night. Batman stepped back, so he was almost completely in the shadows. To all outward appearances he was deathly calm.

Bruce had been pushing himself harder and harder lately. Functioning on minimal sleep, his body was being taxed to the limit. This situation should have been routine for him, but something else happened.

His vision blurred for a moment and suddenly the woman in the black McDonald's uniform appeared to be Selina. Bruce blinked, trying to clear his head, even as he felt his pulse race. There was tightness in his chest and he was having trouble breathing. He could feel a cold sweat cover his body under his armor. The criminal's words,' I'll cut her heart out' reverberate around in Bruce's mind. Chest pains only made it harder to catch his breath.

A rage seemed to well up inside of him and he wasn't going to let anything stop him. A Batarang came out of nowhere, hitting the criminal in the face. In the next moment, Batman was holding the robber's wrist in his vice-like grip. Fear and panic filled the criminal as Batman pulled the young woman away from him.

"You'll hurt no one! I won't allow it to happen again!"

The sound of the criminal's wrist snapping was followed by his high-pitched scream. It was cut off by Batman's fist repeatedly striking him. It was over in a matter of moments. The criminal lay on the ground unconscious, his face a bloody mess. The sound of police sirens finally stopped Batman.

He turned to see the young McDonald's employee shaking in fear. He wasn't sure if it was the criminal or him she was afraid of. Summoning all his will power, Bruce forced himself to calm down. Slowly his heart rate eased and his breathing became less labored.

"It's all right, you're safe now," he managed to say. "The police will be here in about a minute."

The young woman could only nodded, too afraid to move. The flickering red lights of the police car finally made her look away. When she turned back, Batman was gone.

New York

Clark and Karen were under the sheets of her bed trying to catch their breath. Tonight had started out as a date, just like millions of other couples. They'd gone to dinner, followed by a long leisurely walk in the park. They held hands and talked about small things, filling in details about their lives for the other. Several hours ago, they'd ended up back here at Karen's apartment. There was a natural progression after that. Being together was glorious, amazing beyond anything they had experienced before.

It was late now and soon they would have to part. Tomorrow was the beginning of the workweek and both had jobs they had to go to. They lingered in each other's arms, not wanting this to end.

Karen had been putting off talking about her concerns and what happened on the station, not wanting to spoil their time together. She knew she was being a little selfish, but their time together was precious to her.

"Clark?"

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk."

"Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good," Clark smiled. "You're not dumping me, are you?"

"I'm serious, Clark."

"Okay, let's talk."

He leaned down and started kissing her all over.

"That's not talking, Clark," she moaned. His caresses sent shivers through her.

"It's a new form of talking," he whispered, moving leisurely around her body.

"Stop," Karen gasped. As much as she was enjoying what he was doing, she knew she couldn't put this off any longer. Pushing him back on the bed, Karen straddled his chest so he couldn't move. Clark looked up at her with a wide smile.

"Clark?"

"Yes?"

"Is this, us, only about sex for you?"

"Um, Karen, you're sitting naked on top of me and now you asked that?"

"Be serious, Clark," She protested, slapping him on the chest. Clark heard the hint of vulnerability in her voice.

"All right, I'm sorry," he started. "No, it isn't just about the sex. I hope you know it isn't. Although, I'll let you in on a secret, Karen, I'm a guy. With guys, all guys, sex always has something to do with it. It doesn't matter what planet they come from, if they're guys, they're thinking about it."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, but that isn't what this is all about. I like you, Karen, a lot. I like all sorts of little things about you. I like that you whisper back at the characters on the screen during horror movies. I like that you have this weird sense of humor that you don't let everyone know about. I like that you're a confidant woman, yet there's a shy side underneath that you let me see. I like watching you get dressed in front of the mirror and a million other reasons. I like the feeling that the more I see you, the more I want to see you. So no, Karen, this isn't all about sex for me."

Karen blushed and smiled at him.

"Good answer."

"I even like that you're blushing right now." Clark smiled in return. This only made her blush more.

"So-So you're not worried about everyone knowing about us," she tentatively asked.

"Not really."

"But with that picture everywhere, it's bound to make some people uncomfortable, even in the League. It already has," she said softly.

"Hey, look at me," Clark said. He managed to get one of his arms loose and reached up and gently stroked her cheek. "I want to be with you, Karen. Do you want to be with me?"

"Yes, of course," she replied. "It's just that it's going to create problems, especially for you."

"Now you sound like Batman."

"I'm serious, Clark," Karen protested. "You may not notice, but your life is dangerous enough, without adding anything else to it."

"No, being Superman is one of my jobs," Clark replied. "This, this is my life, Karen. There has to be more than just being Superman for me. There's always going to be dangers, but I can't let that stop me from living."

"Still."

"No, you see, you've given me something I never expected," said Clark. "When I'm with you I feel normal for the first time."

"I make you feel normal," Karen questioned. "That's supposed to be a good thing, right?"

'I never knew Krypton like you and Kara did. That's something you share."

"I'm nothing like her!" Karen protested immediately. Clark just smiled and continued.

"You both have memories of Krypton was all I was trying to point out. You grew up being the same as everyone else, I didn't. I've never been like everyone else. I grew up here, Karen. I spent most of my life learning how to control these gifts I've been given. Where most teenage guys are only worried about being turned down for a date, I also had to worry about one slight mistake might hurt her. With you, I don't have to worry. I can squeeze your hand and know I'm not going to crush it. By the way, it's not just your hand," Clark playfully said.

Karen squealed at his touch and slapped his hand away.

"Pretty sneaky, Clark," she smiled. "Lull me in with all those sweet words, while your mind is only on one thing."

"Well you are naked and gorgeous, it's hard not to think about it," Clark replied.

"You do have a way with words, Clark," Karen whispered. She leaned down and kissed him passionately.

"Don't let what others think or say worry you. Maybe I'm being greedy, but I care for you, Karen and don't care what anyone else thinks."

"I think I'm falling in love with you, Clark," she whispered.

"That makes two of us," he smiled.

The Watchtower

Bruce had finished his patrol and rather than call it a night, he continued on. Sleep was difficult for him. He needed to keep his mind occupied or troubling thoughts would overwhelm him. What he was hearing around the station only added to his concerns. With the news about Superman and Power Girl being together, the speculation had already started. Dividing lines were already starting to form.

Bruce had tried to head this off by going to see Power Girl, but apparently that hadn't succeeded. He was going to have to talk to Clark. Bruce wasn't looking forward to it. Clark was a friend, probably Bruce's best friend in the League, but things would have to be said. This affair was dangerous, so hard; even cruel things would have to be said, by Bruce.

He would take no joy in it, but it had to be done. Superman was the face of the Justice League and he was putting all its good work in jeopardy. Bruce would have to make him see that. The work was too important to let personal feelings get in the way.

Personal feelings made you sloppy. They made you take your eye off the mission. That's when people get hurt. There were more than a few people waiting for a chance to hurt Superman. They would take advantage of his lack of focus and strike at him through the ones he cared for, just as they'd done to Bruce.

Selina.

The guilt washed over him. He could still see her lying in the hospital, her heart carved out of her chest because of him. Bruce wouldn't let that happen again.

The tightness in his chest came again, along with the sweats and dizziness. It took all his training and discipline to weather the storm.

"Burning the midnight oil, Batman," Diana said. Bruce quickly wiped the sweat off his face and then turned towards her. She stood close by, smiling. She looked ravishing, Bruce thought. She was a ray of light in a grim world. Regaining his control, Bruce replied in a flat even voice.

"The work has to be done."

'You're pushing yourself too hard, Bruce," Diana said. She moved closer to him. "You need to take some time off to relax.'

"And I suppose you have a suggestion," Bruce said.

"As a matter of fact, I do," she smiled. "Dinner with a friend."

"I don't think so, Princess."

Diana stood looking at him. He was such a confusing and complicated man. She knew he was constantly wrestling with his demons, but underneath he was a good man. It's probably what attracted her to him in the first place. He was so mercurial; she never knew quite where she stood with him. Diana believed he was attracted to her, yet something always held her at arms length.

"I was only talking about dinner, Bruce."

"It's never just dinner, Diana."

"What is it, Bruce, tell me," she asked. "I'm constantly getting mixed signals from you. You tell me you're attracted to me, yet when I try and pursue it, you push me away. I realized I'm new at this, but I need to know. I need you to tell me what is going on?"

He didn't want to have this conversation with her.

"Yes, I'm attracted to you, Diana, but I also know it wouldn't work."

"Why? Explain it to me, Bruce, so I can understand," she replied.

Bruce looked at her and knew he couldn't tell her the whole truth. How could he explain a lifetime of pain and loss in some neat little back cover of a paperback book version for her? How could he explain that his heart was wounded and filled with guilt? What words could he used to tell her that he'd given his heart to someone once and it nearly destroyed him? How could he make her understand that he couldn't take the risk of opening his heart to her like he wanted to? What combination of sentences could sum that all up?

In the end, he felt back on the tried and true.

"We're different people, Diana, too different," he began. "How do you see this working? We have dinner and then start dating, is that how it goes? What then? Are you going to move to Gotham? Do you see us fighting crime together? What about the reasons you're came to this world, Diana? Are you just going to throw them away? Face it, Princess, we live it two different worlds and always will."

It had come out harder then he intended. He could see the hurt plain on her face. She quickly regained her composure. It was just one more of the things that attracted him to her.

"So that's it," she replied. Her voice was calm and even. "We're different people from different worlds, that's your reasoning. You've plotted it all out for both of us and closed off every possible avenue. How can you know, Bruce? I'm not asking for some lifetime commitment from you, just a date. Maybe it wouldn't work, but how can we know until we try? Others seemed to be making it work. If Kal can do it, why is it so impossible for us?"

Her mention of Superman brought all the concerns Bruce had about that relationship rushing back.

"Clark is making a mistake," Bruce said flatly.

"How can you say that?"

"Look around, Diana, people are already nervous about him dating Power Girl. Two Kryptonians together gets everyone's attention. Since the Darkseid incident, Earth's governments have always been nervous about how powerful he is. This little fling of his only brings those fears back. Earth's not the only interested party. The longer it goes on the more damage it does.'

"Doesn't Kal have a right to find love just like everyone else, Bruce? Ollie and Dinah are dating and I don't see anyone protesting against them."

"We both know he's not just any ordinary hero, Diana. Ollie and Dinah don't have the power to conquer the entire planet, Clark does. Whether we liked to admit it or not, Superman has greater responsibilities than the rest of us. If he refuses to see that, it doesn't just affect him, but all of us. He's the public face of the League, Diana. His tryst with Power Girl puts the League and it's mission in jeopardy."

"I think you're exaggerating, Bruce," Diana countered. "All of us represent the League. That's the very reason for its creation. Why this sudden concern for the League, anyway? You aren't even a full-time member, Bruce."

"Do you know why, Diana?"

"Gotham is your focus," she replied.

"Yes, that's true, but there's another reason. For this to work, we have to have the trust of the citizens of Earth. I'm a man in a mask and viewed with suspicion. I can't be seen as one of the leaders for this to work. Clark can, you can, Diana, not me."

"Still, he's just dating Power Girl," Diana said. "For all we know it's just a harmless romance."

"And what if it isn't," Bruce countered. "What if despite all the signs, Clark continues it? What then, Diana?"

"Kal is my friend, I'll support him, " she answered.

"Even if it's a mistake? You've heard the whispers here on the station, haven't you?"

"Yes," Diana admitted.

"As long as they continue on this road they're traveling, those whispers aren't going to stop. They'll grow and spread. I know Clark is your friend, Diana, he's my friend too, but as his friends should we just stand back and let the League suffer for his mistake?"

"Kal would never do anything to hurt the League, Bruce," Diana said firmly.

"Not intentionally, but by his actions he already is."

"I don't agree."

"Let me ask you, Diana, the reason you were sent out to the Man's world was to spread the Amazon way of peace and understand, true?"

"Yes."

"Is that still your primary mission or have you forgotten it?"

"No, Bruce, I haven't forgotten my mission," Diana replied. A hint of anger came through her words.

"So it's still your first priority?"

"Yes, of course."

"Is the League part of that mission? Does what happens up here aid the goals you're trying to achieve?"

"Yes, the League is another symbol of peace and cooperation for the world."

"Then can you honestly say you would stand by and do nothing while the League is split and undermined by a friend's mistake? That's too high a price for friendship to me, Diana."

Bruce let his words sink in, before walking away.