The Inferno

"The Uncommitted"

Gotham Heights

"So there I was in a small Germanic village, cut off from civilization with little more than a butter knife and my own two strong hands, with the wolves literally at the door."

"Oh, my, you are absolutely like that man from the Dos Equis beer commercials, Thor,' LuAnn said. "You're the most interesting man alive!"

"Most interesting blowhard more like it,' Clark muttered under his breath. Diana elbowed him to be quiet as Thor continued his story. Clark rolled his eyes and leaned back against the patio doors, as the story continued. Thor had been spinning tales of his daring for the last three hours and LuAnn, Dottie and Jenny were eating them up. They sat on the couch mesmerized by him. Clark was standing further back by the patio, Diana on one side and Lashina on the other.

While Clark knew Thor was a good man or God or whatever, he really didn't like him. The words pompous douchebag and jackass came to mind whenever he thought about him. Thor was one of those too loud, backslapping types that saw everything as some grand adventure. They were in the suburbs having coffeecake, for heaven sake, not mounting a charge on the Citadel, Clark mused, yet on and on Thor went.

Clark didn't like the idea of Thor as Diana's first husband either. Truth be told, he didn't like anything involving Thor and Diana. He had tried to suggest the whole first marriage thing wasn't really the case, but was shot down on all the alternatives he suggested. He'd offered Lashina as Diana's sister. They were both tall, dark haired beauties, but they both immediately said no. Apparently that was one thing they could agree on. Clark had tried the idea of Lashina and Thor as a couple; but they were having none of it.

All this had taken place hurriedly in the kitchen with the three neighbors sitting in the living room. Before Clark could suggest any other alternatives, Thor was barging back into the living room. He began to tell his tall tales and hadn't stopped ever since. Clark grew more annoyed at him, as the stories continued and Thor incessantly looked over at Diana while he was telling them. There was just something about it Clark didn't like at all. She was his wife and he certainly didn't like the God of Thunder making a play for her.

Clark caught himself at this point. Technically Diana was his wife, but that didn't change the situation that much. Thor had even brought them gifts. Glancing over, Clark saw Diana was quite impressed with the jeweled knife Thor had given her.

"You don't have a problem with him giving you gifts,' he asked.

Diana looked up from the knife.

"It's very nice."

'So another man giving you gifts, you don't see that as a problem?"

"He gave you one too,' Diana said in her defense. "That ceremonial staff with the banner on it."

"It's a stick with a streamer, Diana,' Clark replied. "I sure it will come in handy when I begin my career in rhythmic gymnastics. Somehow though, I think the knife means a little more than the stick he gave me."

"It's a sign of courtship,' Lashina said. "He's making his intentions plain."

"Don't be ridiculous,' Diana said. "It's just a nice gift."

"No, it's a gift of courtship,' Lashina insisted. "The same goes for the gift he gave Clark. Thor gives gifts to his intended, you, Princess and to her family, which is Clark technically in this situation. The same goes for what he's doing now. He's stating his feats of courage and daring to impress you, Princess."

"Don't call me Princess,' Diana growled and then hit Clark.

"Ow! I didn't call you Princess, she did,' he gasped. He kept his voice low so the three neighbors wouldn't hear.

"But you brought her here and took responsibility for her,' Diana replied. Lashina grinned at this and continued.

"He's courting you, Princess,' she said. "The gift and the telling of feats of courage, it's all very Third World God stuff, believe me."

"Oh really, and what's Fourth World God stuff,' Diana said in a mocking tone.

"We have sex, lots of sex,' Lashina replied.

Diana hit Clark again. He rubbed his shoulder and looked at her.

"What did I do?"

"You slept with her, didn't you,' Diana accused.

"In fairness, there wasn't a lot of sleeping involved,' Lashina offered. This caused Diana to hit Clark again. He groaned and turned to Lashina.

"You're not helping, you realize that, don't you," he asked. She just smiled at him. He shook his head and turned back to Diana.

"I can explain,' he said. "If your 'first husband' would ever shut up and we could get those three out of here, I'd be happy to explain."

"He's not my first husband which you already know, besides, even if he was, I didn't sleep with him like you did with her,' Diana fired back. She looked at Clark. "You did, didn't you?"

"Well, um, ah, technically, well, yes, but it wasn't like you think,' Clark replied, trying to justify what had happened. It didn't work so well and even as he said it he knew it wouldn't. As if the hole he was in was deep enough, Lashina decided to dig it a little deeper.

"You really should have told your wife, Kal-El. A woman likes to know these things before she gets married."

He looked back and forth from Lashina to Diana and didn't know what to say. Lashina was smiling, while Diana wouldn't even look at him.

"Have I told you about the time I rescued the baby eagles that had fallen from their nest,' Thor asked in his booming voice.

"No, please, tell us,' LuAnn eagerly replied.

"Oh, great, another story, that's just perfect," Clark grumbled.

"You know Clark I brought you a gift too,' Lashina whispered. "It's more of a private gift that I could give you when we're alone."

"Oh Jeez,' Clark groaned, as he knew what was coming next. Diana hit him.

The Watchtower

Wally was doing a brisk business taking bets. It seemed that Diana and Clark passing the two-week marker and the arrival of Lashina had spurred more interest in the wager. He'd enlisted Shayera, who was still mad at him for some reason he couldn't figure, into helping him keep track of all the bets.

"Flash!"

Wally looked up as he heard his name shouted in a deep gravely voice. He gulped, nervously as he saw Etrigan the Demon stalking towards him. Something about him had always given Wally the willies. He resembles a squat, muscular humanoid creature with orange skin, horns, red eyes, and ears resembling bat wings.

"What did you do to piss him off,' Shayera asked.

"I don't know,' Wally replied. "I still don't know what I did to piss you off, Shayera."

"Well I shouldn't have to tell you what you did,' she fired back.

Before he could ask how he was suppose to know if she didn't tell him, Etrigan slapped his hand down on the table.

"Fifty!"

"Wh-What?"

"Fifty, you imbecile!"

"Fifty what?"

"I'm betting fifty on Batman!"

"Great," Wally said, hesitantly reaching out to take the money. He moved quickly, rather afraid Etrigan was going to touch him or something.

"I will be back in two weeks for my winnings,' Etrigan snarled.

"Okay, but you know there is a chance you might lose.' Wally felt compelled to say. Etrigan just glared at him. Even Shayera felt the need to tighten her hold around her mace.

"Two weeks," Etrigan repeated and then stalked off.

"Right, nice doing business with you,' Wally half-heartedly called after him. Once Etrigan was out of hearing range, Wally leaned towards Shayera.

"Boy, talk about inappropriate, huh?"

"You mean like asking other women out when you're on a date with me,' Shayera fired back.

"Is that why you're pissed?"

"I shouldn't have to tell you why I'm angry, you should already know!"

"I'm going to go with yes on that one."

Gotham Heights

The three neighbors had finally left. A quick trip to the mall got two mattresses. Lashina was now using what had been Clark's den as a bedroom and Thor was sleeping in the pool house. Apparently he wasn't leaving. There was another round of discussions about the whole first husband and wife issue, but nothing changed. At dinner, Thor presented Diana with two barrels of mead. Toasts were of course made. Clark stuck to a nice Chilean Carménère wine. Lashina preferred harder liquor. Finally after too many backslaps and good-natured shakings, the four decided to call it a night. Lashina managed to kiss Clark right in front of Diana and that did not go over well.

Once they were alone in their bedroom, Diana gave Clark the silent treatment. He knew it should bother him, but frankly after having Thor practically shouting in his face all night, along with the spittle, it wasn't that bad of a change. Clark offered her a good night kiss, but felt a chill at her glare. They got into bed and the lights were turned off. He figured he'd just get some sleep and try and see if he could work this out somehow tomorrow. It was probably fifteen minutes later when he felt her shift on the bed and then sensed her looking at him. He reached over and turned on the light to find Diana staring down at him.

"Yes? You have something on your mind,' he asked. This cute comment earned him a smack on the chest.

"Ow."

"How could you sleep with Lashina and not tell me, Kal,' Diana demanded.

"It happened before I even knew you, Diana."

"So she was telling the truth when she said you two were a couple on Apokolips?"

"Couple is not really how I would put it,' Clark replied. He wasn't sure just how he would put it, but couple didn't seem like the right word.

"You had sex with her, didn't you,' Diana asked.

"Well, yes."

"More than once?"

"I was there for quite awhile Diana,' he offered, but the look on her face told him that wouldn't do. "Um, well, yes, we did."

"So you brought a woman I despise into our house, who is also your former lover,' Diana stated. "You didn't think that little detail was important?"

"Diana, when I was on Apokolips, I wasn't really myself," he tried to explain. "They made me believe things that weren't true, that I was Darkseid's son. I did some terrible things that I'm still ashamed of during that time. I guess I don't like talking about it because I still feel guilty about how easily they were able to manipulate me. I killed without a second thought and I can still see each and ever face."

He sat up and leaned back against the headboard.

"I know it's no excuse, but the shame and horror over what I did is the reason I don't talk about it. Lashina was part of my life then, but she's not now. I was given a second chance here when I probably shouldn't have been. I attacked Earth and caused so much damage, yet I was given that second chance. That's why I feel I have to give her one. It has nothing to do with us sleeping together in the past, I swear."

Diana could see this was a painful subject for him. She had heard the details after she arrived and always found them hard to believe. The man she knew didn't seem capable of doing the things they said he'd done. Looking at him now, she saw just how much it had wounded him. She felt herself soften as she realized he was telling her things he probably hadn't told anyone else.

"They manipulated you, Kal, you can't blame yourself for that,' she offered.

"Yes I can, Diana,' he replied. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "I should have been able to resist, to fight harder, but I didn't. Darkseid was able to turn me into the very thing I hate. I'll never be able to undo the things I've done."

Diana reached up and caressed his face. This wasn't Superman or even Clark Kent talking, but the man underneath all the masks.

"You can't keep punishing yourself for the past, Kal,' she said. "Darkseid's whole world is set up to create slaves for him. You were manipulated, but you broke free of it and did the right thing. You're a good man and you should always remember that."

"Tell that to the people that died."

"You have to come to some peace about this, Kal or you will never be free of it. We all make mistakes; it's how we respond to them that matters most. You've done everything in your power to make up for yours,' she said to him.

He nodded and then looked at her finally.

"I know you're right, I do,' he admitted. "It's just that I'll always see that look in some people's eyes. They will always wonder if it happened once, can it happen again? I don't have an answer for them. I want to say no, it will never happen again, but I'm not sure. I think that's what is behind me wanting to help Lashina. I had just a taste of her world and look what I did. I can only imagine what it was like growing up there."

Diana felt her dislike for the woman rising within her, but she set it aside.

"You never embraced the evil completely, Kal, she has,' Diana said. "You did what you did, but never enjoyed it, she does. The second chance she wants is with you, not to reject Apokolips. She admitted it earlier."

"You may be right, I don't know,' he replied. "If all she's ever known is viciousness and cruelty, how can we know what she might be? If we put ourselves in her situation, can you honestly say we wouldn't be just like her? I can't, Diana. Whatever Lashina's reason for doing this, I have to at least try to help her the same way people helped me. If there's even the slightest chance for her redemption, I have to give her that chance."

"I understand, Kal, I do, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."

"At least I'll know I tried," he said.

Diana could see how deeply he felt about all this. She didn't like it, but she knew she had to support him. That's what wives do.

"So she's staying,' Diana finally said.

"I know you don't like it, Diana, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm not that pleased about Thor being here either,' he said with a smile.

"He's a good man, Kal,' she replied.

"He's a jackass, Diana."

'You never did like him."

"Well, I'm at least glad you got your mistake out of the way with your first husband,' Clark teased. "Look how well you picked the second time?"

"Oh, ha-ha, Kal, you know I don't like this whole first husband and first wife thing, but what's the alternative? Besides, you're one to talk,' she replied. "You should be thanking me for marrying you after Lashina."

"Well, at least she 's not a pompous blowhard like your first husband,' he countered.

"No, she's a murderous witch,' Diana said. She settled back down on the bed next to him and smiled. She felt a little better about all of this and couldn't help teasing him just a bit. "You know I'm a much better wife than she is, Kal. You should really be thanking me, you know."

He smiled and then leaned down and kissed her.

"Thank you, Diana. You're the best wife I've ever been forced into marrying."

She playfully smacked him and then rolled over.

"Make sure you don't forget that, Kal. Good night."

Good night, Diana."

He reached over and turned off the light.

Gotham

Bruce walked into the kitchen only to find Zatanna was there again.

"Why are you always here,' he asked. She gave him a look and put her hands on her hips.

"Dick,' she spat back at him. 'The last time you brought me here, remember? God, you have no manners at all, do you?"

"Sorry,' he offered. "It's just I don't see you for months and now I see you all the time."

"A refreshing change, if I might say,' Alfred added.

"Thank you, Alfred,' she said with a smile. "I know I can always count on one person in this house having good manners."

Bruce dismissed this and moved on.

"So what brings you here today, breakfast?"

"No, but Alfred was nice enough to feed me,' she replied. "Excellent, as always."

"Thank you, Miss Zatanna."

"So,' Bruce asked, as he glanced at the morning paper.

"I want to go to Gotham Heights,' Zee said to him.

"What? Do you want to borrow a car or something?'

"No, I want you to go with me,' she explained.

"I don't do the suburbs,' he quickly answered.

Zatanna smiled and moved over next to Bruce.

"You know it must be killing you not seeing it first hand, Bruce,' she whispered. "I'd ask you to guess whose dropped into the mix, but you probably already know, don't you?"

"Thor."

"I knew you'd know about it,' she said. "It's probably some high tech, creepy Batman thing you have going on, but I don't want to know. The news is all over the station and the betting has gone wild, Bruce. Everyone's getting in on it. Members I didn't even know were alive are suddenly showing up to put in some cash. I doubled my bet on you, so you owe me."

"I didn't tell you to do that,' he countered.

"Come on, Bruce, you know you're dying to see what's going on first hand,' she said with a tempting smile. "You're the great detective remember? Don't you want to get down there and do some snooping on the ground, so to speak?"

"You make it sound like a game, Zee,' Bruce replied. "Besides, you might not know this, but I'm sort of famous in these parts. Wayne Industries, perhaps you've heard of it? I can't just go into the suburbs without someone noticing."

"Aren't you suppose to be a master of disguise or something,' she asked. "Whip one out and let's go! It will be fun, Bruce. We can go undercover as a young couple looking to buy a house and find out from the neighbors what's really going on. Think of it, Bruce, you get to be the detective without the cape."

He looked at her and saw her smiling. He had to admit it was tempting to see first hand what was going on down there.

"I guess I could put on a mustache,' he offered.

"A mustache? That's it,' she replied. "Wow, you're a regular Lon Chaney, aren't you?'

"Are you going to be this snotty for the whole trip,' he asked.

"So you'll go,' she said.

"Yeah, why not."

Zatanna hugged him and gave a little squeal of excitement.

"I knew I could talk you into it,' she exclaimed. "Now we need covers, probably just names to pull this off. I was thinking of Bert and Abigail, what do you think?"

'Bert? I don't want to be a Bert,' Bruce replied. "Why do you get a nice name like Abigail and I have to be Bert?"

"Okay, okay, pick another name, Bob or Ted, I don't care, let's just get going."

"You are so pushy sometimes, you know that don't you,' he asked.

"It's not pushy, it's just knowing what I want and getting it,' she countered.

"Pushy,' he repeated.

"No, it's not, Bert!"

"I said no, there is no way I'm being Bert and that's final."

"What do you have against the name Bert, anyway,' she asked. "I mean it's not like Bruce is such a great name."

"Excuse me?"

It was Alfred that finally ended this.

"Shall I have the car brought around, Master Bruce,' he said. "I would imagine you want to get started."

Bruce looked at him and then at Zatanna.

"All right, yes, have a car brought around please,' he finally said. He turned to Zee. "We're not finished with this name discussion, Abigail."

"How about Dwayne?'

"NO."

Gotham Heights

Clark was up earlier. It had become his morning ritual to swim laps. It seemed to clear his mind and allow him some quiet time to think. As was the case lately, his mind was on Diana. Their talk last night was still echoing in his mind. She was really the first person he'd ever spoken to about what happened. It actually felt good to open up to someone about the guilt he was still feeling about the whole incident.

He was learning she was even more of a remarkable woman than he thought. The doubts still remained, though. In the chaos of Lashina and then Thor arriving, some of the fundamental issues had almost been forgotten. He still didn't see a way he could be with her as Clark Kent.

The sound of someone singing part of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung made his stop at the edge of the pool. He looked up to see a naked Thor standing in front of him.

"Oh, Jeez, come on, Thor, put a towel on or something,' Clark groaned as he turned his eyes away.

"I'm not ashamed of my body, Clark,' Thor bellowed in return.

"Great to hear, really, good for you, but we're in the suburbs and have neighbors so if you would," Clark replied.

"If you insist,' Thor said.

"I do, I really do."

There was a rustling and when Clark looked up Thor had a towel barely wrapped around his waist.

"A glorious morning,' Thor said and then started singing again.

"Thor, people are trying to sleep, you know,' Clark offered. "Why are you up so early, anyway?"

"I heard you swimming and wanted a chance to talk to you, man to God, so to speak."

'About what,' Clark asked, as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"Diana."

"What about her?"

"As men of action and warriors, I feel it is only right I tell you I plan on making her mine, Clark,' Thor boldly said.

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't she had a say in it?"

"Of course, I'm not a complete barbarian," Thor replied. "I just wanted to give you fair warning that I'm going to take her from you."

"So the gift was a symbol of your intention to court her?"

"Yes."

"I see,' Clark said. He could feel the anger rising up inside of him. He had never cared for Thor and right now he really didn't care for him.

"Don't be forlorn, Clark, you still have the She-Devil from Apokolips,' Thor offered. "She has made it plain she wants you."

"And Diana?"

Clark willed himself to remain calm, although the thought of how satisfying punching Thor in the face did cross his mind.

"You are not the man for her, Clark, I am,' Thor explained. "She needs a man who knows what he wants and takes it."

"Like you.'

"Exactly,' Thor replied. "Did you not understand the meaning of my gift to you?"

'The stick?"

"Have you ever read the mortal poet Dante, Clark?"

"No."

"You should, it's very good,' Thor said. "It is the man's attempted to describe the afterlife. It's fiction, really, but he is very poetic. I believe there is a part that describes you and why I will get Diana and you won't."

"Really?"

"Yes, in the Divine Comedy, Dante and Virgil descend into Hell. Most people don't remember the first people they meet, but I think they will interest you. You see, before entering Hell completely, Dante and his guide, Virgil, see the Uncommitted, souls of people who in life did nothing, neither for good nor evil. Mixed with them are outcasts who took no side in the Rebellion of Angels. These souls are neither in Hell nor out of it, but reside on the shores of the Acheron, their punishment to eternally pursue a banner while pursued by wasps and hornets that continually sting them while maggots and other such insects drink their blood and tears. The staff I gave you is that banner they chase, Clark. You let fear stop you, so you are like the Uncommitted. You can't win what you don't fully try for. That is why I will get Diana and you will not."

Thor stared at Clark for a moment and then went back into the pool house.