So I am writing this story as if Chloe is General Lane's niece because I can't remember exactly which side of the family Chloe and Lois were related on. If I'm wrong, forgive me and let it go!

Chapter 15: Laying It on the Line

*****Where We Left Off*****

Clark was left reeling as his almost father-in-law revealed that he knew Clark's greatest secret.

"How? When?" he asked.

"Does it matter?" General Lane said. "My daughter isn't as—wasn't as clever as she thought he was." She'd been gone months, but he still had trouble speaking of his larger than life daughter in the past tense.

"She was very clever," Clark said. Thinking of her wasn't quite as painful as it once was, but he missed her every day.

General Lane smiled. "Yes, I know, Clark, but I was her father—I knew her better than anyone," he said.

Clark bristled at that implication, but he didn't argue. His mother probably knew him in ways that Lois never had.

"I don't, however, know this new Kryptonian," General Lane said, looking at Cora.

"This is Cora, my half-sister," he introduced.

"Another Kryptonian is welcome. These are dark times," General Lane said.

"I have a cousin, who will probably show up soon since Cora was on the news," Clark said. "I haven't had a chance to explain Cora yet."

"So, Miss Summers, we have a situation," General Lane said. "Clark has told the world of the existence of vampires, and he and his cousin clearly hinted of your existence. Now Lex Luthor is offering up large sums of money. It's only a matter of time before someone sells you out."

"Lots of people in Sunnydale knew Buffy was special," Willow said.

"She armed our senior class to defeat the mayor," Cora said.

"You went to school in the United States?" General Lane asked.

Cora nodded. "I was raised on the hellmouth," she said.

"That's good," he said. Another American superhero to keep people safe. He looked back at Buffy. "I, as a representative of the United States government, recommend that you reveal yourself to the public and give a sanitized version of your world. Protect the other slayers you work with—deflect."

"Like make out they're highly trained soldiers?" Willow asked.

The general nodded. "Yes. In today's world, female empowerment is always a popular line," he said.

"You do realize that people can start suspecting their neighbors are demons or vampires?" Buffy pointed out. "There could be a whole new type of vigilantes—not the good kind."

"Then I supposed Oliver and his group of merry men will have to help keep a reign on that," General Lane said, looking at Oliver and Chloe with a knowing smirk.

Oliver was surprised and glanced at his wife, who wasn't as surprised. He was her uncle after all. "You don't even say hello, and now you are implying what about us?" Chloe said.

"That my niece is the brains behind the Justice League and Oliver Queen is the Green Arrow? Of course, I knew," General Lane said.

"Great," Oliver muttered.

"Relax, Oliver. I know how to keep things secret," General Lane said.

"We could also consider introducing demons that aren't dangerous, like Clem," Willow said.

Buffy nodded. "That might keep people from suspecting their neighbors," she admitted, thinking about it. Did she really want to be in the spotlight, though?

General Lane looked expectantly at Buffy. "Well?"

Buffy knew the man had a good point, and so did Willow. "I can't make that decision without talking to Giles," she said.

"Who is that?" General Lane asked.

"He's our British leader," Buffy said, emphasizing the word British. "And he resides in our headquarters on the Motherland."

General Lane frowned as a confused Clark asked, "Motherland?"

"She's referring to Great Britain, an important ally of America," General Lane said. They could deal with anyone in the UK as they were the closest ally the U.S. had.

"Giles is Buffy's Watcher," Cora explained. "He was our high school librarian—the book guy. He would research all the demons and tell us how to kill them."

"He also trained me to fight," Buffy said.

"You were in high school and killing demons?" Martha asked with a horrified look.

"Well, we lived on a hellmouth—it was kind of a given," Willow added with a shrug. "My best friend Jesse was turned in a vampire, and Buffy saved me and my other best friend, Xander, from a vampire the week she moved to town our sophomore year."

"You poor kids," Martha said. The meteor infected in Smallville was nothing compared to what these kids had dealt with.

"So what are you waiting for?" General Lane asked, impatiently.

Buffy looked at her watch. "Giles will be asleep right now, and he doesn't appreciate us waking him up unless it's like a world endage situation or someone's hurt," she said.

"You don't think endangering you and all your slayers is a dangerous situation?" the general asked.

"Nope," Buffy said. "We're always in danger."

"Giles still do that removing of the glasses and the frowning?" Cora asked, grinning.

Willow and Buffy both smiled. "Yep," Willow said. "Then he cleans them as he lectures us."

"Nothing worse than an unhappy Watcher," Buffy added.

"You can't be serious?" General Lane asked. All three women nodded seriously.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door, and then it opened before Martha could get to it.

"Kara!" Martha said with a happy smile.

"Angel?" Buffy asked in surprise.

"Cordelia?" Angel asked, ignoring Buffy as his eyes were fastened to Cora.

"Hi, Angel," Cora said.

Buffy wasn't used to being ignored by Angel in favor of Cordelia, so she was mildly annoyed when Angel brushed past her to hug her former classmate.

"We saw you on the news," Kara said.

"So this is your other cousin?" General Lane asked Clark.

"How do we have another cousin?" Kara asked.

Clark looked guilty. "Sorry for not telling you sooner," he said. "Cordelia was infected by a demon of some kind. It was killing her, and Angel asked me to save her. I left her with Jor-El, and he decided to splice her DNA with mine to do so. When I came back to the Fortress, Cora was there."

Angel gave Clark a grateful look. "Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome," Clark said.

Angel finally noticed Buffy and Willow. "Hey, Buffy. Willow. It's good to see you," he said, not letting go over Cora's hand.

"Glad you noticed we were here," Buffy said sourly. She wasn't sure she felt jealousy for Angel's clear attachment to Cordelia or if she was just hurt that he ignored her in favor of Cordelia. It wasn't something that she'd experienced before.

Clark noticed that Buffy seemed upset with Angel. He wanted to speak to her, but he didn't feel speaking about personal matters in front of Lois' dad was a good idea.

"Well, I spoke my piece," General Lane said. He handed Buffy a card. "Speak to your leader—this Mr. Giles. Let me know what you decide. I think making you the face of the Slayers is the best way to go. Being prepared to answer questions about the supernatural is a must. Are all demons evil? Why kill vampires if they're just working and not harming people?" He glanced at Clark when he said this.

"Because they're always harming people," Clark said flatly. "They survive on the blood of humans."

"Can they be conditioned to not harm people?" the general asked. He pointed at Angel. "This man is a vampire, correct?"

"Angel has a soul," Buffy said.

"Is that the only way he won't harm people?" General Lee asked bluntly.

Buffy thought of Spike, but Willow spoke before she could reply.

"No, Spike had a chip in his head that the military group in Sunnydale gave him. He can't hurt people," she said.

"So there is a way to contain the threat?" General Lane asked.

Buffy shook her head. "That is a onetime thing—something I will not allow to happen. Vampires are demons who have stolen a body and the memories that belong to the body. By killing them, you are freeing the memories and keeping the vampire from violating others their host loved."

"Angelus massacred my entire family after I was turned," Angel said. "He lives to kill and torment anyone Buffy loves."

"But your soul keeps him in check?" General Lane asked.

Angel nodded. "Yes," he said. "I have the memories of all that he's done, though. Giving vampires a soul isn't a solution as it leaves the person near crazy. It took me a century to finally function normally again."

"Good to know," General Lane said. He glanced back at Buffy. "Call me, and we'll figure this out."

After he left, Angel looked at Cora. "Are you coming home? Lorne and everyone really want to see you," he said.

She glanced at Martha, who gave her an encouraging smile. "You can come here anytime," she told her.

"I can't go back to my old life, Angel. Too much has changed," she said.

"I get that," Angel said. He didn't care if she did or not because he was just so happy that she was alive and well once more—no matter the changes in her.

Buffy felt a sense of loss at how insignificant her place in Angel's life had become. The fact that it was Cordelia that seemed to be the center of his world only made it worse. Sure, she knew that Cordelia hadn't been the self-centered girl she knew in high school in a long time, but she still couldn't help but feel cheated somehow.

"I'm glad you're coming back with us," Kara said. "Your friends really miss you. I've heard so many stories about you."

Cora smiled. "I can't wait to see them," she said. She looked at Clark. "How can I get a hold of you?"

Clark pulled out one of his cards from the Daily Planet and gave it to her. "That's my number," he said.

"Okay," Cora said. "Are you staying here?"

"I think I need to stick with Buffy and figure out how to help her with this mess we've created," Clark said.

"Call me if you need me," she replied.

"Oh, I think you've done enough," Buffy said sourly.

Cora gave her a faint smile—she got why Buffy was pissed and didn't respond.

Willow was surprised at Cordelia's restraint. Maybe, she really had changed.

*****Gotham*****

Faith felt the wind on her face as she drove Wayne's CVO Street Glide. She'd driven a few Harley's but not this particular model. The fact that it was red was amusing as hell. Faith just couldn't picture Bruce driving around on a ride motorcycle. Their spar had gone on for a half hour before she won it squarely. No matter how skilled he was—and he was definitely more skilled than she—he just didn't have her stamina. He got tired like a normal human while she was built to fight all out for hours if necessary.

She heard a bike behind and looked in her mirrors, grinning. Of course, he wouldn't be able to keep himself from going after her. When she picked this $30,000 bike to ride, he insisted that she wear a helmet and gave her leather gloves as she already had on a leather jacket. It was not surprising that he decided to join her for a ride outside of the city where cops were few and far between.

As soon as she'd gotten outside the city, she'd opened up the speed, feeling exhilarated to have the wind on her face. Now she glanced to right as he came up beside. The sneaky bastard was naturally driving her second choice the 2010 Suzuke Hayabusa, the fastest bike on the market. Now Faith was kicking herself for going for price over speed as she saw Bruce's grin as he passed her, speeding up.

Although she knew that she would never catch up, she did her best to try. He would tease her by slowing down and letting her pull next to him, and then he'd speed up again. It irked her as much as it amused her. If she was on his bike, she'd do the same damn thing.

Finally, he led her down a long driveway—they were the boonies somewhere. Hopefully, he knew where he was going. Then he stopped in front of a modest two-story house. There was an attached garage and a pond. When he parked the bike and got off, she followed.

"What's this?" she asked, looking around at the house that was very different from Wayne Manor.

"It's one of my properties," he said.

"No shit?" Faith asked, grinning. "That's cool." She followed him into the house and watched as he punched in a code on the lock around the doorknob. Then a key was inside it.

"That's cool. No need to keep up with a key," she said, impressed.

He turned on a light as they stepped inside, and then he opened a panel, turning off an alarm. Then he pushed a button and the fireplace turned on.

Faith laughed. "Okay, that's impressive. And I see you have an actual bearskin rug in front of it. Is this your love nest?" she asked. "Is this where you bring your chicks and bang'em without Alfred's judgmental disapproval?"

"Actually, I've never brought anyone here," he said.

"You're lying," she said.

"No, really. I just bought it a year ago," Bruce said. "I wanted a quiet place outside the city but private. Something that wouldn't require much maintenance or need staff."

"This is nice," Faith said, putting her hand on the very expensive dark leather sofa. There was a mantle and everything. "I really like this house."

"You do?" Bruce asked.

"It's much cozier than your mansion," she said. Then she turned and faced him. "I think we've spent enough time together."

"We have?" he asked, frowning. He enjoyed spending time with her. Every time was different—she was unpredictable. Bruce found that quality nearly as attractive as the underlining vulnerability he saw from time to time.

Faith reached out and grabbed the sides of his jackets, pulling him closer. "Enough to know that we should get a bit closer," she said with a coy grin. Then she kissed him.

Bruce wasn't sure he wanted to keep resisting her. He allowed her the kiss even as he weighed the cost and benefits to consummating their relationship. They were already seeing each other nearly every day that he wasn't away on business. She had quickly become the most important person in his life—definitely the most important woman. He was attracted to her, and he did want to tie her to him. His concern that she used sex too casually was still a concern, though.

He pulled back a bit, ending the kiss and gazed down into her eyes. "I'm not a toy that you can put down when you feel like it," he said.

"I don't know. I like the idea of having my own boy toy," Faith said with a smirk. When she saw that he wasn't smiling but was serious, she grew more so herself and nodded. "I get what you're saying. You want me all to yourself, no sharing."

"Of course," he said, a touch of anger in his expression at the thought that she'd even consider another man.

"Same goes with you? You're mine as long as we're together?" Faith asked, trying to sound casual.

Bruce, though, was trained in reading expression and saw once more that hint of vulnerability that always intrigued him. She didn't feel as casual as she was making out. He finally smiled.

"How could I possibly want another woman when the most beautiful, sexy, and amazing woman is in my arms right now?" Bruce pointed out. Then he pulled her close for another kiss.

*****Smallville*****

Buffy was standing outside on the Kent Farm, watching as Cordelia wrapped her arms around Angel and literally flew away. Angel had thrown a casual "goodbye, Buffy" over his shoulder before leaving. Willow had teleported away just a few minutes before they left, so it was just Buffy.

"Are you all right?" Clark asked, coming up behind her. He could tell she was bothered by Angel's lack of attention toward her.

"I suppose," Buffy said, turning to face it. "It's silly really. Angel and I have been over for a long time, but some part of me really believed that if he couldn't be with me, he just wouldn't be with anyone. How selfish am I?"

"That's not selfish," Clark said. "When you love someone, it's normal to want to never be forgotten—to always matter."

"I know Angel still cares about me, and I don't even think I'm jealous—not really," Buffy said. "I don't think I'm in love with Angel. I just felt like he was mine for so long. Ya know?" The fact that it was Cordelia Chase just made it sting a little more.

Clark nodded. "Yea," he said. "I was in love with this girl named Lana Lang for most of my life—as soon as I noticed girls. In high school, we became friends. Eventually, she noticed me back, and we were together. She was my first."

"Not Lois?"

"Actually, Lois used to date Ollie," Clark said with a fond smile, remembering. "She uncovered his secret identity and was too angry to forgive him, but when she figured out mine, she just gloated for knowing it before I told her. That's when I knew that she was made for me."

"I don't think anyone's made for me," Buffy admitted. "I only seem to be attracted cursed men, drugged men, or chipped and soulless men."

Clark grinned, not sure how serious she was. "Well, I'm sure all the men who've been close to you count themselves very lucky," he said. He put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Mom's got some pie left. Do you want to get another piece? You can stay the night—she'd love to have you. She loves company. Chloe and Oliver will stick around a bit longer."

"Yes, to the pie and maybe to the staying the night," Buffy said, following Clark. "I better call Giles while you get the pie ready, though."

She called Giles and stepped into the living room while he went into the kitchen to talk to his friends. After she filled Giles in on what General Lane said and Cordelia's new status, he was a silent for a long while.

"It's a lot, huh?"

"That's an understatement," he said dryly.

Buffy smiled as she pictured him taking off his glasses and cleaning them. "So what do you think?" she asked.

"I am very happy to hear that Cordelia is okay," he said, tackling the easier thing first.

"Yes," Buffy said. "Angel barely looked at me he was so fixated on Cordelia."

"They've worked closely together for years, Buffy," Giles said. "How do you think Angel would feel if he knew how close you got to Spike before he died?"

Buffy felt a stab of guilt. "Good point," she said. "Anyway, what are we going to do about Lex Luthor?"

"Hmm. Too bad his mind is too strong for Willow to wipe," Giles muttered.

"Giles!" Buffy said in surprise.

"Well, it'd make things easier. What the General wants to do is understandable," Giles said, considering. "We need to have some control of the narrative. Too many people from Sunnydale know you are the slayer—your entire senior class knows you're special."

"Yes," Buffy agreed. Resigned, she sat down on the couch. "It's going to be me, isn't it?"

"I think you'll be the best one for the job," he said.

"What about Kennedy? She loves the spotlight," Buffy said.

"But no one will keep searching if it's you because too many from Sunnydale know enough about you to suspect you are like Kennedy," Giles pointed out. "If it's you, there won't be a need for them to look for more."

"Fine," Buffy grumbled.

"I will talk to everyone and call you back," Giles said.

"Okay," Buffy said. "I'll catch you later."

She hung up and went to the kitchen. Her eyes lit up when she saw Martha putting a scoop of ice cream on her pie.

"Oh, that look yummy!" Buffy said, sitting down in the chair next to Clark.

"Mom had a cobbler she had frozen a few weeks ago. She heated it in the oven," Clark said.

"Her cobbler is even better than her apple pie," Chloe said.

"You can do that? Freeze it and get it out to heat up later?" Buffy asked as she accepted her piece.

"Isn't that what you do at the grocery store?" Clark reminded her with a grin.

Buffy's lip stuck out in a pout. "Hey, no mocking of the Buffy," she said.

Clark laughed. "Speaking about yourself in the third person? How can I not mock that?" he asked.

Oliver and Chloe each began to speak to one another in the third person, causing Buffy's pout to get more pronounced and Clark more amused.

Martha hadn't heard Clark laugh in so long that her eyes were riveted on her son as he continued to tease Buffy. Lois had been gone now for eight months. Of course, eight months after her husband died, Martha hadn't thought of anything beyond Clark and her sense of losee, but she wasn't as young as Clark. Clark had a very long life ahead of him, and she wanted him to find happiness again.

She couldn't help but look at Buffy in speculation.

****Chapter End****

I know I don't deserve a review after the long wait, but if you feel inclined, I do appreciate it. Thanks so much!