Disclaimer: I do not own and Superman, Justice League or Smallville characters or settings that all belongs to D.C. Comics.

Chapter 2: The Explosion

"Wonder Woman?" Clark asked, looking at the Amazonian Princess, who had most likely just saved his life. "What are you doing here?" He slowly raised his head, and was about to lift himself up, but felt her put a hand on his chest and gently push him back down.

Wonder Woman watched Clark with concern as she held him down "First of all, don't move Kal. You were affected by Kryptonite." She stated "Second, you know me well enough to call me Diana."

Clark let out a small chuckle and gently took her hand in his and pulled it off his chest for him to sit up. "I think I know you well enough to call you Princess, Princess." He cracked and smiled softly "But I am fine, and you didn't answer my question." Clark stated, making direct eye contact.

Diana felt her cheeks flush, as she noticed that Clark was still holding her hand; she pulled her hand from his in one swift motion and stood up "If you knew me that well, you would also know I don't like that name." She informed him, she bent down, grabbing Clark's forearm, she pulled him onto his feet and let go. "Anyways, Watchtower called this in, it was between Batman and I since we were the closest. Batman, though was in the middle of taking down some bank robbers dressed as clowns?" She told him, contemplating on who in the world wanted to dress like clowns.

"I was lucky enough to get here just in time, before you collapsed under that railing." She continued "After that, I was about to help you get out, but you kept telling me to get the civilian out first…" She stopped and looked toward a EMT vehicle, watching the paramedics rushing the injured to Metropolis General. She looked down at her feet, feeling guilty… She knew Kal was right to save the man, but in her mind getting Earth's mightiest hero out was her main priority… She figured the man would not have survived anyhow, and she would have let him die.

Clark looked around at the damaged plant, watching the firemen roll up their hoses, after putting the fire out safely, and the policemen and paramedics helping anyone caught in the explosion. He looked at Diana as she was telling him what had happened, he noticed her look of despair and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "You got him and me out safely, that's all that matters… Thank you, Diana." He said, trying to comfort her.

Diana looked up at Clark and gave him a small nod and a smile to follow, Superman was so gentle and kind. She never had expected such a thing from a powerful figure, such as himself, he was nothing like the rest of the Justice League member. Selfless, courageous, kind, gentle, strong-willed; these characteristics made her feel uncomfortable with herself yet made her want to be better.

"Lets go see what we can do to help." Clark suggested, as he started to walk towards the policemen to offer his help. All Diana could do was nod and follow his lead.

Clark and Diana stayed and helped the paramedics and police with all the civilians caught in the explosion, and clean around the perimeter, until all the scrap and rubble were in one big pile. When they noticed it was there time to leave, they said their goodbyes and heard everyone's thank you, and flew into the evening sky. As they reached the clouds Superman had stopped and checked his watch on his hand "Dang it, I need to get back to The Planet and finish my report for Perry." Clark explained, seeing as it was 30 minutes until his deadline was due.

Diana nodded in acknowledgement, although she still found it odd that the strongest man alive had a day job, and she probably will never understand it. "I understand Kal, I will see you around… Hopefully this time you will not be in danger." She joked, she said good-bye and flew off, leaving Clark in his place "Yeah… Hopefully." He whispered to himself, as now all of the excitement was over with, the conversation with Rao was now rushing through his mind.

Superman was floating over The Daily Planet, the days events rushing through his mind. He had gotten back to The Daily Planet earlier that day, to finish his report, only to be bombarded by Lois and her million questions. Of course, he did not tell her every detail that had happened, especially with Rao… Not because she would not understand, she knew he was an alien from outer space after all, but because he knew of her feelings for him, and did not want to see the pain in her eyes.

Truthfully, he did not share the same feelings for her, as she did for him. After his conversation with Rao, there was only one person he had his thoughts on the whole time, Diana, Princess of Thymescira. The 30 minutes he spent writing his report for Perry, was the most painful experience that he has ever had writing.

Clark looked up at the full moon hanging in the sky, it had been a long, and mentally exhausting day. He hadn't slept in days, he had felt guilty for Darkseid's attack, all the lives that were lost due to the attack. Clark had nightmares repeatedly from that day, and the only way to deal with it was to be out helping build what he tore down, but now it was time for him to take a break for the night.

Clark took one last look around at the city of Metropolis, before he took flight to his apartment to retire for the night.

11:00PM – London, England

Diana landed on the balcony of her apartment, she walked through the double glass doors into her bedroom. She walked to the sink in her bathroom, she turned on her sink faucet, cupping her hands and letting the water fill up, and splashed her face. Diana let out a heavy sigh, turning the water off and rested her hands on the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror in front of her, the days events running through her mind.

EARLIER THAT DAY

Wonder Woman couldn't sleep the night before, she kept having nightmares, all the innocent lives that were lost, all the buildings and cities that were leveled. She was sitting at her dining table, drinking a cup of coffee, reading The Times newspaper. They covered everything, from the beginning of the invasion to the group of superpowered "freaks", who called themselves "The Justice League". The Times definitely were not fans of them, they especially talked of how dangerous Wonder Woman was, and the damage she, along with Superman, could do.

Diana crumpled up the news paper and threw it in her waste basket. None of this is true, she thought in anger. Fighting along side Superman, and the rest of the Justice League, she knew none of them could do anything that they said they would, especially Superman. He was a kind man, he cared about people, he knew what he was fighting for. Superman… Kal-El… Clark Kent… Her mind was now on the "Man of Steel", she wondered what his thoughts were on all of this, or if he even heard what a lot of people were thinking… Of course, he does, he works for a news article She thought, and she needed to know what he thought.

With that, pushed her chair back, after drinking the rest of her cup. She rushed into her bedroom and quickly changed into her famous uniform, red breast plate that had her golden emblem on it, and her blue bottoms with stars. She rubbed her wrists to confirm that her golden wrist bands were in place, and grabbed the Lasso of Hestia, also called the Lasso of Truth, and flew off toward Metropolis from her balcony.

As she flew across the Atlantic Ocean, just about to be over the United States, she heard something beeping. She stopped in mid flight and checked her waist, clipped onto her waist band was a communicator Batman had made for each Justice League member, to keep in touch in case of an emergency. She took it off her waist and brought it to her lips and pressed the intercom button.

"This is Wonder Woman." Diana called into the communicator. She wondered what was going on and why she was getting called, did something happen?

"Wonder Woman, this is Watchtower." Came an urgent female voice from the communicator, Watchtower, Chloe Sullivan, that was her handle. She ran communications and alerts from a big tower in Metropolis, and as of right now was the head quarters for The Justice League, until Batman finishes on his little project that he is keeping secret. Chloe also so happened to be Superman's best friend.

"Go ahead Watchtower, is something wrong?" Diana asked, her heart starting to beat mildly.

"There was an explosion at a nearby plant, here in Metropolis." She informed "The location on your communicator, was saying you were on your way back into the United States, you and Batman are the only ones in the state at the moment, and Batman said he was not to be bothered."

Diana sat still for a moment, What about Superman? Surely, he wasn't somewhere else? "Watchtower? What about Superman? Isn't he there in Metropolis?" She asked, her heart beating rapidly now. What if he isn't in the States, I would of came here and waisted my time… but what if something happened to him? A million thoughts were racing through her mind now, now she was racing towards Metropolis.

"Superman is there, but I haven't heard anything from him… I am getting reports saying that he went into the building, but he hasn't come back out yet." Chloe answered, her voice in worry now.

Diana sped her flight, she had to get there fast "I'm on my way." Was all she said, as she hung the communicator back onto her waist band. Don't worry Superman, I'm on my way. She flew as fast as she could, and before she knew it, she was over the plant. Cops and paramedics were spread out, helping civilians, either getting them onto gurney's or helping them to a safe location, while the firemen were trying to put out the fire.

She flew down and landed next to one of the firemen "Have you seen Superman?" She called over the sound of the roaring flames. The firemen looked at her in awe, and shook his head "No ma'am, someone said they saw him go into the building, but no one has seen him come out yet." He informed her.

Diana looked towards the fire in worry, and without thinking she flew straight into the burning building. "Superman!" She called out, but there was no answer. She frantically searched the wrecked building, dodging the fire and falling railings, with no sight. She was just about to leave the building to catch fresh air before going back in, then she saw a man trying to crawl out from under a falling beam, she rushed over to him and noticed that the railing had been partially lifted. There, she saw a man in blue tights struggling to hold the railing up. That's unusual… is he hurt? Were her thoughts as she landed behind Superman and grabbed the railing from on top of him and threw it to the side.

Superman had fallen to his hands and knees, trying to catch his breath… He was growing weak. Wonder Woman kneeled down next to him and put a hand on one of his shoulders "Kal are you alright?" She asked frantically. Superman didn't answer, as he was growing weaker and weaker, Diana didn't wait any longer; she grabbed his arm and put it over her shoulders. She was about to lift him up, to carry him out, but he refused and pushed himself off.

She looked at him impatiently and was about to forcefully drag him out, and then she saw him pointing towards the man on the verge of death. "Him…" He finally was able to breath out "Him… First." He told her.

Diana looked at him in shock, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why would he put one human life ahead of his own? Even if she were to take him out, the smoke in his lungs enough would kill him anyways, but she knew Superman would not let her take him, without getting the human to safety first.

Diana fought the urge to ignore Superman but did as he said and ran to the civilian's side, swung his arm around her neck and rushed him out. As soon as she was outside, she called over a paramedic, who brought over a gurney, she gently placed the man on to it and rushed back inside to get Superman. When she returned to his side, she saw that Superman was now flat on his stomach, and unconscious.

"KAL!" She cried out as she raced to his side, she knew she shouldn't have left him! She dropped to her knees and checked his pulse. Please, oh please be alive. Thank Zeus, Superman was still breathing, but barely, she had to hurry and get him out. She quickly placed his arm over her shoulders again and lifted him onto her back and carried him out as fast as she could.

As soon as she reached a safe spot outside, she laid Superman down on his back and started giving him CPR, a paramedic and a policeman came running over to try and help, but Diana would not allow them too "No, please don't, he'll be ok." She commanded them. They stopped in their tracks and just stood back and watched her as she tried to shake him.

"Superman, wake up!" She called out. "Kal-El! Earth still needs you."

"I want to get to know more about you…" She whispered.

"W-Wonder Woman?" Came the voice of Superman. She sighed in relief Thank you Lord Zeus.

Back at Diana's apartment

Current time

Diana was gripping tightly onto the counter, making a crack, when she came to her senses and let go. She let out a deep sigh, the thought of almost losing Superman shook her before she could even really know him. She let go of the sink and walked slowly over to her shower, opening the glass door and turning on the water. She let out a breath as she reached behind her back and unzipped her breast plate, and let it fall to the ground, she took her communicator and lasso off her waist, setting the communicator on the bathroom counter and hung her lasso on the doorknob. She slowly removed her bottoms, and stepped into the hot, steamy shower, letting the hot water wash all her worries of the day away.

Thoughts of Kal were still going through her mind, she didn't even get the chance to really talk to him, like she wanted to, tomorrow… Tomorrow is Saturday and he will be off… I'll talk to him tomorrow.

Please leave a review and let me know what you thought, if you have any rude comments, please keep them to yourselves, although I do appreciate constructive criticism.

If you have any suggestions you would like to pass on or any questions, feel free to PM me.

P.S. Planning on updating every day, if not, every other day.