Goodbye-39

Sarajevo

He silently closed the bathroom door as not to wake her. Flicking the light switch on, he winced against the harsh fluorescent lights. He made his way over to the toilet and lifted the seat. With a sigh, he relieved himself. He flushed, put the seat back down and moved over to wash his hands. As he lathering them with soap, he couldn't help looking at his face in the mirror. His reflection stopped him. He thought he saw fear in his eyes. Had he just made a colossal mistake? In the moment it hadn't felt like it, but now in the harsh bathroom light he wasn't sure.

He hadn't just had sex with Diana; he'd made love to her.

They had said they would worry about tomorrow when it came, but he knew she would want more. She deserved more. He just wasn't sure he could give any more. The truth was he wasn't sure he had any more to give anyone. He could manage to hold it all together for short spurts, but just barely. Yes, the worst was over, but he was nowhere near whole again. Most days it felt as if the world was made of razor blades. Anything could open a wound and he would start bleeding all over again.

He'd tried to tell her this, that he was only a man of moments now. He wasn't sure that was enough. She deserved more. He wished he could say he was being noble, but that wasn't the truth. He was haunted and frightened by so many things, most of all by her. Diana represented all the things he wasn't ready for.

As he looked into his eyes in the mirror, he knew he had to leave. He was holding the entire world at arm's length cause he wasn't strong enough to deal with it. Diana didn't accept that. Just like when they sparred, she kept slipping inside his defenses.

The sound of the shower running woke Diana. He hand instinctively reached to the other side of the bed, but he wasn't there. She didn't like that. Slowly she half opened her eyes and looked around. It was early, just before dawn. Rolling onto her back, Diana sighed. Last night had been … amazing.

Her hands slowly began to glide over her body as she replayed everything over in her mind. Her fingers mimicked his, trying to duplicate the heat that had burned through her. She felt the arousal slowly start to build. Her breaths came in short gasps. Small moans began to slip from her lips as her own hands stirred the fire within her. It felt so good, but now she knew there was something better. Her head turned to the side and her eyes gazed at the bathroom door. She could imagine him standing in the shower water splashing and flowing down his hard, muscular body. Diana licked her lips at the thought.

Swiveling her hips, Diana planted her feet on the floor. She felt flushed and excited. She knew he was leaving today. At this moment, she found she didn't care. She knew it was uncertain when she would see him again. She didn't care about that either. What she did care about was now. He was just a few feet away. In some primal way she wanted to claim him as her own, to mark him so he and everyone else would know he was hers. Diana blushed in surprise as this thought went through her head. The depth of the emotions as a little unnerving, but she didn't shy away from it.

After last night she knew she wouldn't be satisfied going back to how things were. Once you've tasted how good something can be, it's nearly impossible to settled for less. Was she in love with him? She didn't know. Her emotions seemed to be all over the map concerning him. Lust? Yes, she had to admit, lust was certainly in her thoughts. She wanted to feel his hands against her skin, his body pressed against her and his kisses. Slowly she stood up letting the sheet fall away from her. With each step she took towards the bathroom door, Diana could feel her excitement growing.

She opened the door and felt the hot steam slip over her body. The room was like a sauna, as she stepped inside and silently closed the door. She stood for a moment, just admiring him through the glass of the shower door. The anticipation was a seductive torture, but she lingered in it just a moment longer. As her eyes slowly ran over his body, Diana licked her lips again. She had waited long enough. Moving without a sound she opened the door and stepped in behind him.

The very hot water came from multiple directions. Clark let the water splash over his face, as he tried to clear his mind of all the doubts. A little gasp came from his lips as he felt her hands slip around his body. She pressed herself against his back, as her hands began to slowly stroke against his front.

"Diana."

It came as almost a hiss from his lips, as her touch sent tremors through his body.

"Do you still want to know what I'm wearing, Kal?" She teasingly whispered in his ear.

"I think I can guess,' he groaned. Her hands moved lower, brushing against his manhood. He could feel her full breasts gently moving back and forth against his shoulder blades.

"Diana."

Her name came out as a groan, as her fingers circled him and began to stroke his growing arousal.

"Don't you like it?' She teased, letting her lips start to kiss his earlobe and then move down his neck.

"Yes!"

He gasped, not able to deny the pleasure her touch was creating. Slowly he managed to turn and face her. His eyes swept over her loveliness, before returning to her eyes. The raw desire and lust he saw in them just seemed to magnify his arousal.

Their lips found each other's in a passionate kiss. Both could feel the urgency of their desires. He moved her backwards towards the shower wall, trailing kisses down her spectacular body. His tongue flicked at her navel, as he moved to his knees in front of her. His hands moved to her hips as he started to kiss lower and lower. Her breathing became more erratic as he seemed to move torturously slow, yet it felt so good. He skipped over the most obvious location and gently lifted one of her thighs and hooked it over his shoulder. Diana leaned back, groaning as his lips licked and kissed their way along her upper thighs.

"Kal!" She moaned, the need growing more urgent as the moments passed. His mouth finally advanced to her womanhood, but avoided the most sensitive spot. One of her hands came down, wrapping her fingers in her hair and pulling him tighter. Diana leaned back against the wall, arching her back and opening her thighs even wider for him.

"Kal! Don't tease me,' she whined in desperation.

"Don't you like it?" He asked, with a devilish smile as he looked up at her.

"Yes!"

It felt wonderful, but she wanted more. Reaching down she pulled him up from his knees and hungrily kissed him. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him closer, ravishing his lips with her own. In one swift move he picked her up and pressed her against the wall of the shower. Her long, muscular legs snaked around his waist and pulled him closer. His mouth descended to her chest, drawing little groans and whimpers from her. This maddening build up only last a short while, for they were both too eager to wait. As he entered her, Diana gasped and clung to him. He was so deep it took a moment to adjust. They seemed to linger like this for long minutes, but it was really a matter of seconds. Their eyes locked. Each began to move, slowly at first but as the moments passed more urgency overtook them. They held each other's gaze, wanting to see the other as the emotions swept through both of them.

His hips moved in and out, driving deeper and deeper into her. Her hips grounded back, meeting every thrust. Her back arched so only her shoulders were touching the wall, her body in a constant erotic motion against his. He held her as if she weighted next to nothing, leaning in to kiss and caress her body while never breaking the rhythm.

Pushing herself off the wall, Diana wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. She wanted to devour him with her kisses. Her fingers entwined in his hair as each kiss grew more passionate and intense. Her body felt alive as her hips jackknifed against him, welcoming his thrusts deeper inside of her.

"Kal!"

It was her voice that was filled with insistence as they continued. On and on it seemed to go, building towards a climax for both of them. Each wanted to hold on just a little bit longer, to make the moment last just a few more seconds. The sound of their pants, mixed with their kisses and the water splashing over them. She pressed her arms out against the two walls of the shower and leaned back. His lips followed her, overwhelming her senses as he lavished attention on her breasts. Her hips ground and bucked against him faster and faster. The loud wet smack of their bodies coming together over and over, filling her ears.

Words had no use. Groans, whimpers, gasps and screams conveyed all the meaning that was needed. Muscles flexed and spasmed, as they pushed each other higher and higher. She rode him with no thought of holding back. As she looked into his blue eyes, once again that primal thought came back to her. Mine.

Arching her back even more, she pushed herself closer to him. Her lips moved over his and then kissed their way down to his shoulder. She bit him, not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to leave a mark, her mark on him. MINE. A satisfied smile came as she moved back to kiss him hard. He moved slightly forwards pressing them against the shower wall. It seemed to increase his leverage and he began to rock his body even harder against her. A moan escaped her lips as her body started to writhe against his. Her hands were all over him, caressing him, urging him on, just wanting more.

Both knew this couldn't last much longer. The desperate need was overwhelming them. As each felt the final rush, their eyes locked. They watched the array of emotions sweep over the other and this only added to their own climax. Time seemed to stop as the world fell away. The dizzying madness of the moment overtook them. His gasps came out in a staccato rhythm, while her joyous scream seemed to echo forever in the small chamber.

"Forever is composed of nows."

Washington

Amanda Waller stood behind the one-way glass listening to Agent Frasier's debriefing. She was closer to 60 than 40 now and officially was just an adviser. Her face remained placid as she listened to Frasier relate how Tom Tresser attacked and killed one agent and wounded Frasier, before stealing all the files on the Council. Frasier went on to implicate Tresser in the Senator's son's murder. Whether he did it himself or in league with Kent, Frasier wasn't sure. He finished his testimony by reiterating how dangerous he thought Tresser was. The supervisors thanked him and he left to go back to Tokyo.

Amanda turned away from the debriefing room and slowly headed back to her unofficial office. The whole situation troubled her. She knew Tresser or more accurately, had worked with Nemesis. She knew of his obsession with the Council, but found it hard to believe he would cross the line like Frasier had said. The whole business with the Senator's son was disturbing and just added to her sense of unease.

As she reached the end of the hallway, she took out her key and opened the door. She was just sitting down and firing up her computer when he spoke.

"So do you believe Frasier?"

She was surprised, but managed to control herself and not scream. Her eyes quickly moved over the room and found him in the shadows. Batman.

"How did you get in here?"

"That isn't important," he replied. "Do you believe Frasier?"

"No."

"Good, cause he's lying,' Batman replied.

"How do you even know what he said?" She asked.

"Again, not important."

"All right, how do you know he's lying?"

"I know Tresser and so do you. Does any of it sound like him?"

"No." She had to admit.

"I've also met the other man, Kent,' he informed her. "A friend did a little investigating on site. The murders were staged. All three were drugged. If Kent beat them to death there would have been a lot more blood. Check with your contacts over there about the illegal fights that are staged. Kent was rather well known for his tremendous punch."

"I will,' she replied. "That doesn't prove he wasn't involved."

"I've seen him fight,' Batman stated. "If he beat them to death he would have done a lot more damage. Broken bones at the very least."

"So if Tresser and Kent are innocent, who did this?" She asked.

"Who benefits?"

The ping of e-mail arriving caused her to turn her head towards her computer. When she looked back to ask another question, he was already gone. She sat back and sighed. After a moment she reached for her phone and pressed several buttons. There was a pause before someone picked it up.

"Yes?"

"This is Waller,' she said. "Connect me to Trang in Thailand. I have some questions."

Copenhagen

Night had descended on the King's Garden at the Rosenborg Castle. Nemesis moved quietly among the shadows. All his instincts were on alert. A man had reached out to him through channels saying he had information that would be useful about Frasier. Tom had already heard about Sloan's death and knew he had a target on his back. Frasier had screwed him very well. Things were falling apart all around Tom. He'd lost Kent and now he was a hunted man himself. This might be a trap, but he needed to find out for sure.

He saw the man standing under one of the streetlights. Slowly the man pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the signal that all was clear. They must think this is my first time, Tom thought. Only a fool would walk into the open on the word of another. For the last hour he'd been scouting the park looking for the best angles for an ambush. He hadn't seen anyone, but his instincts said they were somewhere out there just waiting. He pulled out his phone and dialed the waiting man's number.

"Yes?"

"I'm running late," Tom said. "Give me another half hour and I'll be there."

"This is unacceptable,' the informant replied. "I don't have all night to wait!"

"I understand. We can just make it another night."

Tom hung up before the man could reply. Slowly he moved forward, always staying in the shadows. His head was on a swivel, alert for any movement. He made it within twenty feet of the man and waited. The informant seemed upset and started dialing someone. He spoke quickly, informing the person on the other end that Tom wasn't going to show. He listened for a moment and then nodded. The informant hung up and started to leave the park.

Tom waited a few moments and then made his move. Putting on a burst of speed he launched himself from behind the informant and tackled the man into the bushes. His hand was over the man's mouth before he could scream. He dug his gun into the man's ribs and rolled him over.

"One sound and you're a dead man. Understood?"

The man nodded, his eyes wide with shock. Tom slowly took his hand away from the man's mouth.

"What? What are you doing here?" The informant asked.

"You had some information, remember?"

The informant seemed flustered for a moment and then nodded his head quickly.

"Yes, of course, you just surprised me is all. Let me just get to my feet,' the informant said. Tom was about to stop him, but the man had already pulled something from his pocket that made a quick flash.

"What the hell?" Tom shouted and then dove to the side. Bullets chewed up the ground inches from him. His gun was out in the next moment returning fire. The informant was trying to scramble away, but Tom wasn't going to allow that to happen. Grabbing the man by the collar, he used him as a shield pulling him back into more cover. He tossed the man to the ground and then took aim.

"You set me up? Did you really think I'd fall for this?" Nemesis shouted at the man. Another bullet hit the tree Tom was using as cover. He turned and fired back. His gun was empty. He quickly ejected the clip and popped a new one in. The informant saw this and took a chance on pulling his own gun. Nemesis stomped on the man's arm hard enough to make him drop the gun with a groan. Nemesis leaned down and put the barrel of his gun against the man's knee.

"Tell me how many are out there?"

"Go to hell!"

Tom pulled the trigger. The informant screamed in pain as the bullet destroyed his knee. Tom moved his gun to the man's other knee.

"A limp or a wheelchair, your choice."

"Two! Two shooters! Just two!" The informant gasped, the pain unbearable.

"Good, so you do have some brains. Now tell me about Frasier?"

"You're a dead man, Tresser!" The informant snarled. "The Agency knows all about you killing Sloan! You signed your own death warrant!"

"Maybe, but if I was the killer you think I am, I wouldn't have stopped at your knee. Frasier killed Sloan and pinned it on me. He's probably working for the Council!"

"Everyone knows about your obsession with the Council, Tresser! You're paranoia is finally catching up to you!"

Another bullet hit within inches of Tresser. He looked down at the spot and then at the informant.

"Just because you believe people are trying to kill you don't mean you're paranoid. The man I was following, Kent, where is he?"

"I don't know."

"So it's going to be a wheelchair? All right with me too."

"Wait! I don't know exactly, but France! That's where the girl and old man were heading!" The informant shouted. Nemesis smiled and then struck the man, knocking him out. He checked for the shooters, but still couldn't see where they were. Silently he slipped deeper into the trees and then he was gone.

Sarajevo

It was early evening. Clark sat across from the Opera house having some dinner and a drink. His cell phone sat on the table next to him. The café was crowded, but he had a perfect view of the Opera house. He could see just about every entrance and so far there had been nothing. He hoped that was a good sign and that he'd been wrong about tonight. While Diana enjoyed the show he could slip away. Not exactly heroic, but then he wasn't a hero anymore. He winced as he moved his shoulder. His hand absently went to the spot where the bruise had formed. He'd been a little distracted at the time, but later realized she'd bit him. When he asked why, Diana hadn't answered, but he did notice a small smile on her lips.

Definitely time to leave, he knew. After last night and this morning the temptation to stay was too strong. The longer he was around her the harder it would be to leave. He took a sip of his beer, but instead of tasting it he could still taste her. It frightened him how much he wanted her. The only that frightened him more was the thought of actually staying. He knew he couldn't. Yes a few glorious moments, but he didn't want her there the next time he fell apart. Suddenly the food lost its taste at the thought of it.

Don't dwell on it, he told himself. Just do your part tonight and then go. He knew she really didn't need him to handle the situation, but he hoped he could make it just a bit easier. He was just about to order another beer when he saw her car pull up. Security and press were in frenzy as the crowd pushed forward to catch a glimpse of the world famous Princess Diana, Wonder Woman.

Absently he nodded when the waiter asked if he'd like another, but his eyes were riveted on her car. He watched the limo stop in front of the Opera house and then smiled, as the back right door was opened. As she stepped out of the car a gasp when through the crowd and then was followed by what seemed like a million flashbulbs going off at once. He could just see her rise up to full height and then smile at the crowd. She was born to this, he thought. Clark couldn't tear his eyes away from her as she made her way up the red carpet and into the Opera house.

Once she disappeared inside, he sat back with a sigh. That was the last he was going to see her. He felt a mixture of sadness and relief. He knew he was going to miss out on something amazing, but he just wasn't ready for it. He had always tried not to lie to himself even in the worst of it. He knew if he stayed he'd mess it up. That was even worse than letting it slip away. At least this way he had the consolation of thinking about what might have been, instead of knowing how he'd ruined it. Besides he thought, she was better off without him weighting her down.

Clark sat there as one by one the limousines arrived and dignitaries entered the Opera house. He kept scanning the crowd looking for the two assassins, but didn't see them. Finally the last limo pulled away and the police cordoned off the area. A sense of relief came over him as he realized this wasn't the place. He finished his drink, paid the tab and started towards the railway station. He sent her a quick text saying he didn't see them and it looked like everything was clear. He received no reply, so he guessed the security scrambling the area must have started.

As he walked down the side street, his mind still filled with thoughts of Diana, Clark happened to glance at the back service entrance. Some of the performers were still entering, including a group of acrobats. Something about them caught his eye and he slowed down. They were speaking Russian. Two members of the troupe seemed to draw his attention. They were dressed as the others were, but something felt off about them. They were assembling what looked like a series of rods and tubes into what looked like flags. It took a moment, but Clark was pretty sure those were weapons.

As one of them turned and lifted his harlequin mask, Clark gasped. It was the two assassins. He just stood there stunned as he watched them stroll by the security and into the Opera house. It was happening here and now! Frantically, Clark pulled out his phone and sent another text to Diana identifying them. He waited and waited, finally a message came back that the number couldn't be reached. The dampening field, he suddenly remembered. Damn it, he couldn't give her any warning! Then his last text came back to him. If she got it, Diana wouldn't know it was coming. He'd even screwed this up.

Clark looked around for a security guard to tell, but then remembered he was a wanted fugitive. He saw a couple of them eye him suspiciously and began to move. He started heading for the train station again, telling himself that Diana could easily handle it. That's what she does, she's Wonder Woman after all. He almost convinced himself of this, but kept remembering he'd text her all was clear. As amazing as she was, that critic information might delay her just a moment. Someone could die in that moment and he'd be responsible. No, Clark thought as he stopped and turned. He couldn't be responsible for another death.

He stood there on the sidewalk trying to think of what to do. He wasn't a hero. What could he do? He had no powers or training, he was just a man. He'd probably just make the situation worse if he tried. Let Diana handle it, he kept telling himself. Clark kept looking back at the Opera house. He wanted to walk away, but his feet didn't seem to receive the command from his brain. Just walk away, he repeated to himself, just walk away.

"Damn it!'

Slowly Clark started walking back towards the Opera house. If he stopped to think it through, he knew he would realize how insane this was, but he didn't stop. The idea formed in his head that if he could get inside, he might be able to give Diana a heads up and she could take it from there. He tried to text her again, but got the same no service message. Clark groaned as he kept walking towards the Opera house. He saw the security all around the place and knew it was hopeless. Still he couldn't turn away. Slowly he began to move around the place looking for some sort of weak spot. Where's Bruce when you need him, he thought?

Inside, Diana was shaking hands as she moved towards her seat. When she got a moment, she pulled out her phone to see if there was any message from him. Nothing she unhappily saw, not even a good bye. She smiled and shook hands with the other diplomats as she took her seat. While her mind was on him, she still instinctively scanned the hall. Her eyes moved over everyone, looking for anything out of place. She checked angles and sightlines trying to calculate where a sniper would mostly likely be. She did this effortlessly even as she chatted with those seated near her.

The lights dimmed and the master of ceremonies came out on stage to start the show. The crowd grew quiet. Diana checked her phone one more time, but still nothing. She hadn't really expected a good bye, but still it bothered her. She didn't want him to go, but knew he had other plans. A small smile crept across her lips as she remembered last night and this morning. It got a little bigger as she remembered biting him. It was so unlike her, but she felt a strange sense of satisfaction as she thought about him leaving, but with a reminder of her going with him. He didn't know it yet, but she's already decided they would see each other again.

Outside Clark stood in the shadows across the street from a possible blind spot in the security. He watched as the guard patrolled back and forth, before moving out of sightlines of the spot. Cursing himself for being an idiot, Clark made his move. He started running as fast as he could. There was a dumpster next to the high fence that surrrounded the Opera house. In his mind he saw himself using the dumpster as a launching spot to clear the fence. The plan seemed like the best at the moment. One foot found an edge and up he went. His second foot slipped and he started to tumble forward. The top of the fence hit him in the gut and knocked the wind out of him. The world seemed to spin out of control for a moment and then he was falling. He landed hard on his back and just groaned as pain shoot through his system.

"How does Bruce make it seem so easy?"

Wincing he slowly pulled himself to his feet and started moving again. He could feel where the top of the fence had ripped his shirt and dug into his stomach. He reached down and groaned as he saw blood, but kept moving. Willing himself, he jumped up to catch the bottom of the fire escape and started to climb. He hoped his black suit would shield him even a little till he got to the half opened window near the top floor. He could hear the security guard coming back. Clark stopped and clung tightly to the building. Seconds seemed to drag out forever. Every moment he expected to be caught and arrested. Finally the guard moved out of sight again and Clark started climbing.

Frantic moments later, he reached the window. It was just at the edge of his reach. He looked down and regretted it, as the hard asphalt seemed very far away. Stretching as far as he could, he got his fingers on the windowsill. Taking a deep breath he launched himself off the fire escape and made a grab from the window. He nearly missed, but managed to get both his hands on the sill. He hung precariously for a moment, his legs madly trying to push off the side of the building and propel him through the window. His shoes slid uselessly against the bricks and finally he just pulled with all his strength and plunged through the window.

He landed hard again, feeling his face smack against the linoleum. It was a bathroom and as he rose from the floor with a thud, he saw an older man just staring at him in shock. Rising with a groan, Clark tried to smile at the man.

"I hate to wait in line,' he offered. The man just continued to stare at him. Clark did a quick check in the mirror and saw a little blood on his lip. He turned on the faucet and washed his face and hands quickly. He gestured towards the paper towels and the older man wordlessly handed him several. Clark dried his face and hands and did his best to pull himself together. He saw the blood on his shirt and buttoned up his jacket. Finally ready as he was ever going to be he started for the door.

"So how's the show?" He asked the stunned older man.

"Fine."

"At these prices it better be, right?"

Clark gave him a smile and then left the restroom. He gave a sigh of relief as he stepped into the hallway. He didn't know the layout of the building, so he wasn't sure which way to go. The lobby seemed like the best bet, but it was sure to be swarming with security. Perhaps there was an opening in the balcony where he could spot Diana, Clark reasoned. He started walking towards the front of the building. He saw a ticket stub lying on the floor and picked it up, slipping it into his pocket. He could hear music, Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy. As he got closer to the main entrance a security guard walked by him. Clark smiled, but didn't stop.

Applause started as he got the entrance to the balcony. Two guards were stationed there. It was taking a big chance, but he needed to see where Diana was. Clark pulled the ticket stub from his pocket and put a confused look on his face, as he walked towards the guards.

"Can we help you sir?" One of the guards asked.

"It's so dark down there I couldn't see where my seat was,' Clark replied. "I just thought I'd try and spot it from up here and then head back down if that's okay?"

The two guards looked at each other for a moment.

"All right, but make it quick."

"Thanks."

Clark smiled and then moved to the railing. The applause was just finishing and the acrobats were taking the stage. Clark quickly glanced over the audience and it didn't take long to spot Diana. She tended to stand out in any crowd. He tried to find a spot where he could get her attention, but she was close to the front of the audience. He would practically have to be on stage for her to see him.

The audience was laughing as the acrobats went into their routine. They were jumping all around, climbing up the sides of the stage and also moving out in the audience. Clark looked for the two and saw one of them moving towards one of the first boxes on the ground floor. He was carrying what looked like flags with him, but there was something odd about the shape.

"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to take your seat,' the security guard said to Clark.

"What? Oh, right, of course, thanks again."

Falling back on old habits, Clark did his best to look like just another lost audience member. He walked back towards the hallway, started one way and then turned and went the other. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled in embarrassment at the guards before moving away. Once he was out of their sight, he started towards the front balcony boxes. Maybe he could just slip in and signal to Diana and then let her take it from there.

Diana wasn't really interested in the acrobats. They were moving in time to the music, Flight of the Bumblebee and she found it rather distracting. She checked her phone again out of habit, but knew there wouldn't be any messages. Her thoughts turned back to last night and this morning. A thrill went through her as she remembered them together. It had been so different, so amazing she definitely wanted more. Even as these thoughts went through her mind, she was still on alert for any possible assassination attempt. Her mind had been working over the problem of who would be the target of such a plan had come up with a few possibilities. She had already located them in the crowd and planned out the quickest way to defend them if there was an attack. She took no one for granted and kept her eyes trained for anything out of the ordinary.

The acrobats weren't helping, as they climbed over the seats, doing handstands and making general mischief that seemed to entertain the audience. Several were near her and they were blocking her view. This bothered her and she felt more alert. It almost seemed they were doing it intentionally to distract her. Diana sat up a little straighter in her seat and was ready for anything now.

As Clark made his way down the hallway towards the front, he got a shock as he rounded a bend and found the security guard he'd passed early lying unconscious on the ground. He knelt down to see if the man was all right and then noticed the blood coming from his chest. He was dead. Clark glanced down the hallway and at the very far end, he saw the other assassin. The man seemed to be assembling something from the parts of the flag he'd been carrying. It was a rifle, Clark instantly realized. The man looked up and saw Clark. They held each other's eyes for a moment as recognition came to both of them. The man started to raise his rifle, but just as he did, one of the doors to the balcony boxes opened.

An older woman stepped out and stopped as she saw Clark and the dead security man.

"It's not what you think!" He started to say, but she gasped and then screamed. The moment seemed to freeze. Clark was just about to go to her and try and calm her down, when a bullet hit him in the shoulder. It knocked him off his feet. The older woman went into hysterics now, screaming, "Murderer!"

Even over the orchestra's playing of Flight of the Bumblebee, everyone heard the scream. Diana turned towards it and saw security rushing away from the stage towards the balcony. She was tempted to go herself, but remembered Kal had said there were two assassins. This might be a diversion from the real target. She stood with the rest of the crowd but her eyes weren't looking at the balcony, she was looking for a sniper.

Clark could hear the security rushing towards him. Another bullet barely missed him by inches. He was in pain, but knew he had to get up. As he managed to make it to his knees the assassin fired again. This bullet hit the door the older woman was standing by and just missed her. Clark lunged towards her and pushed her back into her box. He could hear the security shouting at him to not move, but he wasn't listening to them. He started to move down the hall towards the assassin. The man was about to fire again, but saw the security. He moved quickly and stepped into the last balcony box.

This is insane, Clark thought, as he started running. The security behind him shouted again and then fired warning shots. This only made him run faster. His shoulder and stomach were throbbing, but he kept moving. He felt a bullet hit him in the calf and nearly felt to the ground. He managed to stay on his feet, but now the security had opened fire on him. Thankfully the curve of the hallway gave him some cover, but not enough. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, but when he reached the last box he just broke it open.

The assassin was hiding in the shadows, holding his gun on the audience members in the box. When he saw Clark come crashing through the door, he started to turn the rifle towards him. Clark had no time to think so he just barreled into the man, pushing the gun towards the ceiling. The impact sent them both backwards towards the edge of the box. The assassin fired a shot, but he went into the roof as they tumbled over the edge.

"Oh, shit!" Clark shouted as they started falling towards the main floor.

Diana instantly turned as she heard the shot. She was out of her seat moving to block it when she stopped in the aisle and gasped.

"Kal!"

She watched as he and another man tumbled over the edge of the balcony box and fell towards the stage. She started to rush towards him, but out of the corner of her eye saw the other assassin. He pulled the trigger, but his bullet never found its mark. Diana was in front of him, blocking the shot.

Clark ripped the rifle from the assassin's hands and tossed it away as they fell. He desperately reached for anything that could save him from dying. His hands caught part of the stage curtains and he hung on with all his strength. The assassin clutched at him, trying to pull him down with him, but Clark hung on. The curtains ripped and he found himself swinging towards the stage, even as he heard the sickening thud of the assassin hitting the floor. Clark arched towards the stage and then the curtain finally gave way under his weight. He went plunging down and landed hard on the stage in front of an astonished audience.

All hell broke out now. The orchestra finally stopped playing and the audience was flooding into the aisles to escape. Diana had dealt with the other assassin and tossed his unconscious body over with the other one. Security was rushing towards her. She looked up at the stage and in the chaos saw him. He was struggling to stand. Before she could move towards him grateful audience members and security were surrounding her. She knew her duty, but desperately want to go to him. She could only watch helplessly as he limbed towards the back and then disappeared in the crowd of performers that were now filling the stage.