Chapter Twenty One

Clark came out the barn and glanced at the sky with a slightly dour look. It was an hour since they had left and everything seemed normal. Diana had actually been on the verge of refusing Nick when he had asked but Clark found himself, against his will, encouraging her to go. He had given his permission so to speak with a casual, "No. Go ahead. You've been sitting around for days. It's a nice drive."

His father now looked up from under the hood with a knowing twinkle in his eyes. "No sign of a mechanic falling out the sky, son? Nor a crater being carved out of the corn fields by a Mustang?"

"Funny, Pa." Clark folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the truck. "I guess Diana is enjoying her drive."

Jonathan smiled a little and ignored the dryness in his son's voice. "It is possible." He went back to fiddling under the hood.

Clark glanced down and scanned with his super vision. "Pa, it's not the carburetor."

"Is that so? Look, son, I know you could very well diagnose the problem and fix my truck. Save me time and money but …"

Clark finished his sentence, "You want to do it your self. I know."

Jonathan smiled. "I'm getting on and tinkering with my truck is one of the few things I still can do at my own pace. That I don't have to see you do in a blur. Hand me that spanner, will you?"

Clark obliged and he suddenly paused to listen and remark, "I hear the car!"

Jonathan took the tool and asked amused, "Is Nick sounding manly still or is his voice a little high pitched?"

Clark laughed wryly and held his father's gaze. "You think I'm worrying for nothing, don't you?"

"No. I know you feel responsible for her but your Ma is right. Some things Diana will have to do alone. This is one of them."

"Even with all that she went through on Apokolips?"

"You think that might affect how she deals with men?"

"I…don't know. It's too intrusive of me to ask her about Apokolips. I know what they do to females from Barda and Scott and what Grayven tried to do. I don't want her to be hurt."

"No one wants that. But I think if she felt threatened or uncomfortable she would have said no. Diana is nothing but honest. And dating is something she is going to have to wrap her head around. The lord alone knows what they would term as dating up on that hellhole but Diana I'm guessing isn't ignorant about what men might want from women. I think she can handle herself and you can rest easy."

But his son was already listening with his super hearing as the car approached.

Nick Ford was saying, "So I hope you enjoyed the drive, Miss Diana."

"I did. Thank you for taking me. The lake was indeed scenic."

"Maybe I can take you for another drive later this week?"

"Why?"

"Er, because I think you're a nice girl?"

"You barely know me."

"Well, I know more of you now and I'm hoping to get to know you better."

"Why do you want to get to know me better?"

"Wow, you don't beat about the bush, do you? Come on, you're new here and Clark is almost never around and I thought I could offer my time. You must be bored to death just sitting on the farm."

"Ka…Clark has a job to get to. A vital one, where he needs to be away. Of course he cannot be around all the time but he tries to come home on the weekend."

"Oh, I know Kent is ambitious. This town gets too small for people with big dreams. I'm not criticizing him but some of us have to stay in one's town. How else would it function? I know we are not fancy but Smallville is a good place. I'm proud of staying, unlike others who couldn't' wait to see the back of it."

Clark could hear the car stop and the ignition turned off.

Diana's voice sounded a little stiff. "I do not think Clark left his home with that attitude."

"Hey, I know he's your friend and I'm not here to bad mouth him…and it's cool. I'm offering my time to take you around the county because I know he can't."

"For no sexual favors in return, I hope? Because I am not prepared to do that."

Nick was speechless for a moment. Clark could hear him clearing his throat as if trying to work out what to say. He suddenly couldn't help but use his super vision to see them. Nick looked at her as if trying to work her out. Then he gave a charming smile. "And once again, you've stumped me, Miss Diana. Look, I'll be honest, I like what I see in you but no, I'm not here to do that. Mr and Mrs Kent are your hosts and I respect them."

There was a short pause. Clark saw Diana study Nick for a moment. He almost wished he was telepathic to know what she was thinking.

Diana was accustomed to being propositioned in the worst way by males on Apokolips and it had felt like a curse to be "beautiful". Her time on Earth had been different so far. People stared but no one treated her like a prized animal, or tried to take what she was not prepared to give. This Nick was an attractive male and he was open about his admiration for her. She appreciated this frankness. She said, "I will think about it, Mr Ford."

"Please, Miss Diana, it's Nick." He got out and opened the door for her.

"Very well, Nick."

"Bye now."

"Good-bye."

Clark heard the car start and drive away. His father was looking at him with a quirked brow.

"What?"

"Not going to see how she got on?"

He was saved replying when she walked around the side of the house and came towards them. There was a thoughtful look on her face.

Pa smiled warmly at her. "Had a nice outing, Diana?"

She nodded. "It was very interesting. I might consider going again. As your guest here I do not want to do anything that might meet with your disapproval."

Pa took up a rag and wiped his hands. "Ah, I see. Well, young Ford has a bit of a reputation as a ladies man but he's always been courteous to me and Ma. He's clearly taken a shine to you, which is no surprise. So if he wants to take you driving again, I think you should talk it over with Clark and Ma. I think I'm done here. Going in to clean up for dinner and see if Ma needs help." He closed his tool box and carried it inside.

She turned and looked at Clark expectantly. "So what is your opinion, Kal?"

"Does my opinion really matter here?" he mused.

"Well, yes, it does. I am here under your and the League's sanction."

He shrugged. "You're an intelligent and capable person. I'm not your parent and you are not a child. You led armies. I am sure you can decide what you want to do. This isn't about the League or what I expect. Besides, you're tagged. So it's not as if you cross county lines and I wouldn't know. I have some stuff in the barn to do. Can you tell Ma I'll be in as soon as I can? Excuse me."

"I…Certainly." She turned and walked back to the house. She stopped mid way and turned to call after him. "So you are saying to go ahead?"

Clark stopped at the barn door. No, he wasn't saying that at all. He replied firmly, "I'm saying it is your choice."

"It would be simpler for me if you advised me what to do, Kal."

"I'm sure it would but you're not a servant or prisoner anymore, Diana. Time to start making choices that are independent of the League and your family."

"I see. I think you might be right." She nodded to herself as if digesting his words and continued on to the house.

He rubbed his neck. Oh boy, he didn't think he would have to be dealing with this. That a woman who could kick his ass would be bringing out the most protective instincts in him.

Come on, Clark, stay focused on why she is here.

"So, he's actually keeping his hands to himself?"

Clark tried not to let his voice drip with sarcasm as he spoke to his mother on the phone from his desk at the Daily Planet.

Martha replied, "Yes. Seems he's being very kind and courteous and charming. Diana said he did not make any inappropriate moves. I'm a little surprised myself. But you know, Diana is a no nonsense type of girl, and Nick does respect your Pa and me, so I guess he's being a gentleman."

"Perhaps he knows which tree to climb."

"Well, son, he's only been around a couple of times this week and he took her to just have a coffee yesterday in town."

"And Diana's tolerating him?"

"Well, she did speak to me to ask my opinion and, to be honest, I feel Nick is right. The poor girl is cooped up on the farm and a simple outing seems harmless. I told Diana it was normal to accept an offer for coffee or a drive and she owes him nothing. Besides, you know if he did try anything she would put him in traction."

"Maybe he's just biding his time."

"You're sound so cynical, Clark. Nick is not the silly boy he was when you were teenagers…"

"He's the town's ram, Ma."

"Clark Kent!" Martha almost choked with laughter at her son's blunt assessment of the mechanic. She clicked her tongue, "So, Nick's had a few girl friends. Those women who want to throw themselves at him are not saints themselves. Least he never knocked up anyone and left them."

"Ma, why are you defending him?"

"I'm not defending him, honey. You really think after the type of horrible brutes Diana had to deal with on Apokolips, Nick Ford is some kind of really dangerous predator who will take advantage of her?"

"Leopards never change their spots…"

"Are you jealous, Clark?"

"I'm not jealous! Where would you get that silly idea?"

"Then why don't you think Diana cannot handle one man or decide if she wants to go out with him? You brought her here for sanctuary and to adapt to the outside world; well she can't accomplish all that with just me and Pa and the chickens," Martha said dryly.

"I am responsible for her welfare. The Queen put her faith in me as well as the JLA. I do not want other things complicating what we set out to do here."

"Well, she's fine. She is not naïve, you know. She observes everything around her. Soaks it all up like a sponge. She can handle herself. And it was a pity that situation in the Middle East called for Superman's intervention and you could not come home this weekend."

"Well, it gets worse. One of the editors has fallen sick and Perry's in a jam and needs my help and I have Monitor Duty on top of that."

"Oh, so you won't be coming home again this weekend?" Martha sighed. She was used to this. If it was not Superman, Clark's job demanded the extra time.

"No. I hope there isn't anything urgent at home for me to do?"

"Not at all, sweetheart. You concentrate on your job. And look on the bright side; you'll be home for the holidays for two whole weeks soon."

"Sure. Fine. Where is she now?"

"With Pa at the market. She's got a good eye for livestock and they seem to take to her. Okay, sweetheart, I've kept you long enough. You take care, okay? Love you."

"Yeah, Ma. Love you too. Bye."

He put down the receiver and leaned back with a kind of pensive frown.

"Bad news from home there, C.K?"

He looked up. Jimmy was sitting at his desk, feet up and playing a game on his Blackberry.

"What? Er, no."

"Oh, okay. Who's Diana?'

"Oh, errm, she's just a family friend."

"Yeah? Sounds as if you're kind of worried about her there."

Clark opened his laptop and pretended to pull up some work. "She's just staying with us at the moment. Her parents died. I was just seeing how my mother was doing."

Jimmy looked up and smiled. "You know, C.K. it's too bad you won't be here for the office Christmas lunch. But maybe you can bring this Diana over for the New Year's Eve party."

"It's not what you think, Jim," he replied swiftly.

"Oh. Really? Okay." Jimmy looked unconvinced but he added, "I just thought, you know, with Lane flaunting her new guy…"

Clark looked up in mild interest. "Lois has a new guy?"

"Yeah, she's dating Perry's nephew, Richard White."

"I know that name."

"He's senior editor at the Herald."

"Ah, she's dating the competition?"

"He's a nice guy. But, I thought, you know, if you had a new girl friend…you'd want to show her off…"

"New girlfriend? When did I have an old one?" Clark gave him a probing look.

Jimmy gave a meaningful look and dropped his voice, "Oh, come on, C.K. I know you and Lane and I know that when she stopped seeing you know who, she also started being cold as ice to you. It didn't take long for me to test my suspicions."

Clark closed his lap top. "How long have you known?"

"A few months. But my lips are sealed. I told no one."

"Jimmy, I would appreciate it if it stays that way."

"For sure, C.K." He leaned forward with an excited look. "So will you be going to a League meeting today?"

Clark gave him a chiding look.

"Sorry. It's just so darn exciting. To think you know the likes of Batman and Wonder Woman. Okay, I'll pipe down. But like I said, I'd bring this Diana for New Year's Eve. Show all of them, especially Lois, who frankly has been mean to you, that Clark Kent can get a date."

Clark smiled. "That's nice of you, Jimmy. But I'm glad Lois is dating again and maybe I might give it a miss. It might make things awkward."

"You miss it every year!" he protested. "And I got a girl too this year. I thought we could double date or something. Rent a limo even?"

Clark laughed. "Er, limos aren't my style, Jimmy. But who have you been dating?"

"Karen, the girl down in accounts."

"Really? That's great, Jim. She's a nice girl."

"I know. Everyone will come paired with someone. Look, I don't see why you have to do the avoiding so Lois could feel better. It's not fair."

"Jimmy, it was very complicated and I was a bit of a jerk to her for a while, keeping who I really was from her and then with the attacks and kidnappings…she's better and safer now."

Jimmy leaned back disappointed. "I guess. Well, if you change your mind, Karen and I will be glad to party with you and your girl, Diana."

Clark exclaimed, "She is not my girl!"

Jimmy gave a wink. "Sure, C.K."

Clark rolled his eyes.

Nick Ford was in his garage overseeing the painting of a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette when he heard his name called. He pushed his goggles back and saw his long time friend enter the workshop.

"Hey, Joe!"

Joe Wilson was an electrician and he too was a Smallville High graduate. He was married and had two kids and one on the way. It was his hope to see his friend settle down with a family. He had heard of the pretty new visitor to Smallville and because he had been out of town, he had missed seeing her. But his wife had told him about it and he was very curious to hear from Nick himself about her.

"How are you, buddy?"

Nick nodded to his apprentices to continue the painting and walked over to his friend. "Great. Good to have you back."

"Always glad to be home. Car looks great. I like that new paint. Is it purple or blue?"

"Both. Just changes with the light. So, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just wondered if you want to come over for dinner? Liz is cooking your favorite: meatloaf. That is, unless you have a hot date. I've been hearing about this pretty gal you've taken a shine to."

Nick grinned. "No. I can make it. As for Diana…well, let's say we are just getting to know each other."

"Ah, so nothing has happened yet, huh? Bit slow for you isn't it, lover boy?" he teased.

"Oh come on, Joe, what kind of guy do you think I am? Girl has only recently lost her folks and she's a guest of the Kents. I gotta watch my step there. Don't want folks thinking I'm a cad as well as a sleazebag."

Joe's brow rose. "So what's she like?"

"Unsual. Interesting. Even a little starchy. But I think foreigners tend to be that way. But boy, what a beauty. She's got it all and then some. At first everyone thought she was Kent's girlfriend but turned out she's not. Though I'm pretty sure he didn't look too pleased when I took her driving."

"Well, you know Clark and you always had a little tension since Lana."

"Yeah, can't for the life of me work out what Lang ever saw in him."

"Well, to be honest Clark Kent was always very quiet, polite and minded his own business."

He shrugged. "Guy has always been a bit of a bore but he's Diana's friend and she seems to respect him a lot. So, let's say I got to be on my best behavior cause can't have old Four-eyes getting all self righteous on me too."

Joe shook his head wryly. He would never understand why Nick never took to Clark. Lana Lang was years ago. Still, he was curious about this Diana and hoped to see her soon.

Superman landed gently in the farmyard. He made little or no noise as his red boots crunched the ground now covered with frost. The cool night air had a sharp bite to it and a pale moon was rising. He had finally left the Daily Planet for his two week long vacation and he admitted to feeling a deep sense of relief. Superman, JLAer, and Clark Kent, daily reporter, had been very busy. Normally he was inexhaustible but there were times he needed to be at home, and feel a sense of stillness and peace. He would never get that in Metropolis and the Fortress of Solitude, while it was quiet, it was sterile and isolated. Smallville offered relaxation and the emotional connection to others that most beings require to know that they were needed and loved. It was nice to know people missed him. That they thought of him and would be glad to see him come home.

It was already past one am and he could see from the farmhouse that everyone must have long retired. He had already called his mother and told her not to wait up for him because he had not been sure he would make it home. He carried a rucksack and satchel bag which contained extra clothes for his stay and his laptop and important documents. As he walked to the barn, he frowned. There was a pale glow coming from under the door.

He knew before he pushed the door. He could hear her heart and smell her.

She was sitting on the bottom of the steps that led up to the loft. There was a sleeping kitten between her feet and she was writing in a book. A lantern sat on the step above her. When she heard he door and felt the draft, she jerked to her feet, startling the kitten that skittered off the step to run behind some bales of hay. Her hand grabbed the nearest tool hanging from a post.

"Whoa. It's only me." He blurred and was already holding her wrist.

Their eyes locked onto each other and she breathed in some surprise, "Kal…"

Their eyes ran the length of her arm to her hand that was wrapped around the handle of a hay hook.

"I don't think Pa would be too happy if you broke that hay hook on my hide. It's kind of an antique."

She blushed as he gently disengaged his grasp from her wrist. "I am sorry. I suppose taking a hay hook to you of all people is foolish. But it was the closest thing I could reach for..."

He took the tool out of her hand and hung it up, and pulled on the light switch. He could see she was wearing jeans and a sweater. "You're a bit jumpy, aren't you?"

She picked up her book, and slotted the pen in its spine. "I did not expect anyone at this time."

"Why are you up so late?"

"I…could not sleep. I had some bad dreams and needed a place to think. The barn is quiet and comforting in a strange sort of way…and I had company…" She glanced ruefully where the kitten was hiding.

"I know what you mean. Dreaming of Apokolips still?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"If you need to talk…"

"J'onn has been helping me. But thank you for offering."

"Yes, J'onn mentioned that your last assessment was good and that you have made significant progress."

"The next one will be in six months and if that goes well, then he says I might have the tag removed."

"Diana, I'm sorry I haven't been available…"

She interrupted, "It is okay, Kal. I know you have been busy. But you're here now."

They smiled at each other. There was something comforting to both of them in her last sentence. He looked at the book and pen in her hand. "So are you practicing writing?"

"Your mother gave me this book. She said it is a journal. That I could practice as well as write my thoughts down. It has been very helpful to me. "

"Yes, writing is very cathartic." He went to pick up his bags and she said, "Well, I should leave you to rest. It is good to see you. Good night, Kal."

"Wait. I have something for you."

She stopped and turned, her brows creasing. His hand went into the rucksack. He produced a round, floral box tied with a pink ribbon.

"You bought me a gift?" She looked a little bemused. "Kal, I have nothing to reciprocate…"

"It's nothing much," he dismissed. "You don't have to reciprocate."

She tucked her journal under her arm and tugged on the ribbon and gingerly peeked under the lid. Her eyes gleamed in surprise. "Chocolates! Oh. They are so pretty…I…can I even eat them?"

"Yes, they're an assorted collection. That little paper on the top tells you what's in the individual ones." He did not admit that he had initially stopped to pick up a Hershey bar from the vending machine in the Planet lobby and then somehow that led to an hour visiting the finest chocolate shops in Metropolis, and then he ended up 40 miles west of Florence, Italy, to get the box. "You know, Billy sagely advised me how much you enjoyed chocolate, so I thought I could pick you up some."

She offered up the box to him. "Here. You first."

He teased, "What? Think I'm likely to poison you?"

She pouted. "Kal! I just want you to have the first one. It is only right that you should have first taste."

He quirked a brow. "Well, I might not be satisfied with one."

"Well, you can have two," she retorted, her eyes dancing.

He smiled and took one. "Thank you."

She covered the box and stated, "I shall see you in the morning."

He cocked his head at her in amusement. She was definitely more at ease since he last saw her. And clearly asserting that regalness that was so much a part of her overall demeanor. He gave a mock bow. "Yes, you shall, Princess."

She narrowed her eyes at him but saw the good natured twinkle and smiled, "Good night, Kal."

"Good night, Diana."

It was seven am and Clark was lounging on the sofa in a tee shirt, jogging bottoms and socks. He had risen since five am and had seen to the animals and made breakfast. His mother had come down at six am only to be turned back by him with a command for her and Pa to lie in for a while. She had protested but he was adamant. All the morning chores had been done and since they rarely got the chance, it was time for them to just relax. He would have no argument. He had followed it up by serving them breakfast in bed and the morning paper.

Now he relaxed watching TV, and eating a bowl of cereal. Diana was asleep and he had not woken her up but there was fresh yogurt, fruit, bagels, cream cheese, jam and coffee waiting for her.

He was putting his empty bowl down on a tray and picking up his glass of freshly squeezed orange juice when she appeared.

"Good morning, Kal."

He turned his head. She entered the living room and his lips twitched. Diana's hair was in a braid and a little rumpled from sleep. But what made him want to chuckle was what she was wearing. It was a thick, flannel night gown that clearly belonged to his mother.

It was long sleeved and because Diana was so tall, it reached just past the knees. But it was over sized and very old fashioned. All Diana needed was a cap on her head and a candle in her hand.

He grinned. "Good morning, Laura Ingalls."

She looked at him strangely. "What?"

"Nothing. Come, sit down and I'll get you some coffee."

She sat on the couch while it took him mere seconds to return to her with a steaming mug. "I've got breakfast laid out whenever you're ready."

"Thank you, Kal." She looked at the television. "What are you looking at?"

He sunk back on the sofa. "Saturday morning cartoons."

"Oh." She normally watched television when the Kents did and it usually consisted of the news, documentaries and classic movies and since they never watched cartoons, this was a first for her. She looked at the two dimensional cat chasing the mouse with a mallet.

"Who are they and why are they bent on murdering each other?"

"That's Tom and Jerry. Sometimes allies but mainly enemies trying to establish their own territory in the house. No one really dies but the fun is in the plots they hatch to get rid of each other."

She sat forward as if intrigued. "Oh."

She stared at the screen and suddenly burst out laughing when Tom slipped and the mallet flew in the air above him and then fell on his head. Her laughter grew as more mishaps occurred and loud bangs, and smacking noises filled the screen

Clark enjoyed the sight of her laughing freely. She had a lovely laugh. It was like a bell or chime. It tinkled and then pealed. There was a real innocence to her despite all the death she had witnessed and pain she had endured. He was relieved to see that it had not destroyed her ability to find enjoyment in life.

When it was over, she turned to him with beaming eyes. "That was funny. I enjoyed it very much. Poor Tom. The lady kicked him out."

"Oh, Tom will be back, don't you worry about him. And there are lots more of that type of thing on TV if you want to see it. I'll rent you some Chaplin. Makes sense you would like slap stick. Um, so, is that all you have to sleep in, Diana?"

She looked down at herself. "Your mother gave it to me. I have two others. It is warm and comfortable."

"Yeah, I suppose it is. But you really should have your own nightwear. We could go and do some shopping today if you like…because you do need more clothes…that is, unless, you have plans with Nick."

"I have no plans with Nick. Why should I have plans with him?" She looked genuinely puzzled.

"Well, he has been visiting you."

"Yes, but he is not visiting today," she returned, matter of fact. "Is there a problem, Kal?"

"Why would there be, Diana?"

She eyed him uncertainly for a second but since he looked his usual calm self, she asked, "Where would we go to shop?"

"I was thinking Metropolis."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I would like that."

"Great. I'll talk to Ma and Pa and I suggest you grab breakfast and we get ready. We'll be using the train, and there's one that leaves at nine am. Let's aim for that."

Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. Real life has been hectic plus my computer crashed and was down for 2 weeks. Anyway, promise you will not have long to wait for the next chap. It will be up before the weekend. Thanks for you patience.